UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
For
the quarterly period ended
For the transition period from __________ to __________
Commission
File Number:
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2)
has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule
405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant
was required to submit such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☐ |
| ☒ | Smaller reporting company | ||
| Emerging growth company |
If
an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying
with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
| Class | Outstanding at November 3, 2023 | |
| Common stock, $0.01 par value |
CHICAGO ATLANTIC REAL ESTATE FINANCE, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INDEX
i
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
CHICAGO ATLANTIC REAL ESTATE FINANCE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
| September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||
| (unaudited) | ||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Loans held for investment | $ | $ | ||||||
| Loan held for investment - related party (Note 7) | ||||||||
| Loans held for investment, at carrying value | ||||||||
| Current expected credit loss reserve | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Loans held for investment at carrying value, net | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | ||||||||
| Debt securities, at fair value | ||||||||
| Interest receivable | ||||||||
| Other receivables and assets, net | ||||||||
| Related party receivables | ||||||||
| Total Assets | $ | $ | ||||||
| Liabilities | ||||||||
| Revolving loan | $ | $ | ||||||
| Dividend payable | ||||||||
| Management and incentive fees payable | ||||||||
| Related party payables | ||||||||
| Accounts payable and other liabilities | ||||||||
| Interest reserve | ||||||||
| Total Liabilities | ||||||||
| Commitments and contingencies (Note 8) | ||||||||
| Stockholders’ equity | ||||||||
| Common stock, par value $ | ||||||||
| Additional paid-in-capital | ||||||||
| Accumulated earnings (deficit) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | ||||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | $ | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
1
CHICAGO ATLANTIC REAL ESTATE FINANCE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
| For the three months ended | For the three months ended | For the nine months ended | For the nine months ended | |||||||||||||
| September 30, 2023 | September 30, 2022 | September 30, 2023 | September 30, 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Revenues | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest income | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Interest expense | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Net interest income | ||||||||||||||||
| Expenses | ||||||||||||||||
| Management and incentive fees, net | ||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative expense | ||||||||||||||||
| Professional fees | ||||||||||||||||
| Stock based compensation | ||||||||||||||||
| (Reversal)/provision for current expected credit losses | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Total expenses | ||||||||||||||||
| Change in unrealized gain on debt securities, at fair value | - | |||||||||||||||
| Net Income before income taxes | ||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | ||||||||||||||||
| Net Income | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Earnings per common share: | ||||||||||||||||
| Basic earnings per common share | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per common share | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: | ||||||||||||||||
| Basic weighted average shares of common stock outstanding | ||||||||||||||||
| Diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding | ||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
2
CHICAGO ATLANTIC REAL ESTATE FINANCE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(UNAUDITED)
Three months ended September 30, 2023
| Common Stock | Additional Paid-In- | Accumulated Earnings | Total Stockholders’ | |||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Capital | (Deficit) | Equity | ||||||||||||||||
| Balance at July 1, 2023 | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock, net of offering costs | - | |||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock in connection with private placement, net of offering costs, underwriting discounts and commissions | - | |||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | ||||||||||||||||||||
| - | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Net income | - | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at September 30, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||||||
Three months ended September 30, 2022
| Common Stock | Additional Paid-In- | Accumulated Earnings | Total Stockholders’ | |||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Capital | (Deficit) | Equity | ||||||||||||||||
| Balance at July 1, 2022 | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock, net of offering costs | - | |||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock in connection with initial public offering and concurrent private placement, net of offering costs, underwriting discounts and commissions | - | |||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends declared on common shares ($ | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Net income | - | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at September 30, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
Nine months ended September 30, 2023
| Common Stock | Additional Paid-In- | Accumulated Earnings | Total Stockholders’ | |||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Capital | (Deficit) | Equity | ||||||||||||||||
| Balance at January 1, 2023 | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock, net of offering costs | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock in connection with private placement, net of offering costs, underwriting discounts and commissions | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock based compensation | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends declared on common shares ($ | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Net income | - | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at September 30, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||||||
Nine months ended September 30, 2022
| Common Stock | Additional Paid-In- | Accumulated Earnings | Total Stockholders’ | |||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Capital | (Deficit) | Equity | ||||||||||||||||
| Balance at January 1, 2022 | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock, net of offering costs | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock in connection with initial public offering and concurrent private placement, net of offering costs, underwriting discounts and commissions | - | |||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends declared on common shares ($ | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Net income | - | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at September 30, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
3
CHICAGO ATLANTIC REAL ESTATE FINANCE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
| For the nine months ended September 30, 2023 | For the nine months ended September 30, 2022 | |||||||
| Operating activities | ||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | ||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||||||||
| Accretion of deferred loan origination fees and other discounts | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Paid-in-kind interest | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Provision for current expected credit losses | ||||||||
| Change in unrealized gain on debt securities, at fair value | ( | ) | ||||||
| Amortization of deferred debt issuance costs | ||||||||
| Stock based compensation | ||||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Interest receivable | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Other receivables and assets, net | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Interest reserve | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Related party payables | ||||||||
| Related party receivables | ( | ) | ||||||
| Purchase of debt securities, at fair value | ( | ) | ||||||
| Management and incentive fees payable | ( | ) | ||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | ||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | ||||||||
| Cash flows from investing activities | ||||||||
| Issuance of and fundings of loans held for investment | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Proceeds from sales of loans held for investment | ||||||||
| Principal repayment of loans held for investment | ||||||||
| Net cash provided by/(used) in investing activities | ( | ) | ||||||
| Cash flows from financing activities | ||||||||
| Proceeds from sale of common stock | ||||||||
| Proceeds from borrowings on revolving loan | ||||||||
| Repayment of borrowings on revolving loan | ( | ) | ||||||
| Dividends paid to common shareholders | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Payment of debt issuance costs | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Payment of offering costs | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities | ( | ) | ||||||
| Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | ( | ) | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | $ | ||||||
| Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing and investing activities | ||||||||
| Interest reserve withheld from funding of loan | ||||||||
| OID withheld from funding of loans held for investment | ||||||||
| Dividends declared and not yet paid | ||||||||
| Transfer of loan held for investment to loan held for sale | ||||||||
| Supplemental information: | ||||||||
| Interest paid during the period | $ | $ | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
4
CHICAGO ATLANTIC REAL ESTATE FINANCE, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
1. ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc., and its wholly owned consolidated
subsidiary, Chicago Atlantic Lincoln LLC (“CAL”) (collectively the “Company”, “we”, or “our”),
is a commercial mortgage real estate investment trust (“REIT”) incorporated in the state of Maryland on March 30, 2021. The
Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT for United States federal income tax purposes under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the “Code”), commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 2021. The Company generally will not be subject to United
States federal income taxes on its REIT taxable income if it annually distributes to stockholders at least
The Company operates as one operating segment and its primary investment objective is to provide attractive, risk-adjusted returns for stockholders over time, primarily through consistent current income (dividends and distributions) and secondarily, through capital appreciation. The Company intends to achieve this objective by originating, structuring, and investing in first mortgage loans and alternative structured financings secured by commercial real estate properties. The Company’s loan portfolio is primarily comprised of senior loans to state-licensed operators in the cannabis industry, secured by real estate, equipment, receivables, licenses, and/or other assets of the borrowers to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations governing such borrowers. We also lend to and invest in companies or properties that are not related to the cannabis industry if they provide return characteristics consistent with our investment objective.
The Company is externally managed by Chicago Atlantic REIT Manager, LLC (the “Manager”), a Delaware limited liability company, pursuant to the terms of the management agreement dated May 1, 2021, as amended in October 2021, which has a three-year initial term set to expire on April 30, 2024 (the “Management Agreement”), by and among the Company and the Manager. After the initial term, the management agreement is automatically renewed for one-year periods unless the Company or the Manager elects not to renew in accordance with the terms of the Management Agreement. The Manager conducts substantially all of the Company’s operations and provides asset management services for its real estate investments. For its services, the Manager is entitled to management fees and incentive compensation, both defined in and in accordance with the terms of the Management Agreement (Note 7). All of the Company’s investment decisions are made by the investment committee of the Manager, subject to oversight by the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”). The Manager is wholly-owned by Chicago Atlantic Group, LP. (the “Sponsor”).
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes of the Company have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting and in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information, the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Our consolidated financial statements present the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc., and its wholly owned consolidated subsidiary, Chicago Atlantic Lincoln, LLC. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Accordingly, these financial statements may not contain all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles. Reference should be made to Note 2 of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2022. In the opinion of the Company, all normal recurring adjustments have been made that are necessary to the fair statement of the results of operations and financial position as of and for the periods presented. Operating results for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2023.
5
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company’s cash held with financial institutions may at times exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insured limits. The Company and the Manager seek to manage this credit risk relating to cash by monitoring the financial stability of the financial institutions and their ability to continue in business for the foreseeable future.
Cash and cash equivalents include funds on
deposit with financial institutions, including demand deposits with financial institutions. Cash and short-term investments with an original
maturity of three months or less when acquired are considered cash and cash equivalents for the purpose of the consolidated balance sheets
and consolidated statements of cash flows, and represented $
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates include the provision for current expected credit losses.
Investments in Marketable Debt Securities
Investments in marketable debt securities consist of debt securities
that are classified as trading securities. Marketable debt securities are recorded at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets and
unrealized gains and losses are included within the line item, change in unrealized gain on debt securities, at fair value on the consolidated
statements of income.
| As of September 30, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Face Amount | Amortized Cost | Unamortized Discount | Fair Value | Unrealized Gain/(Loss), Net | ||||||||||||||||
| Corporate bonds | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
Loans Held-for-Sale
Once the Company decides to sell a loan(s), they are transferred from held for investment to held-for-sale and carried at the lower of cost or fair value. On the date a loan is transferred into the held-for-sale category, any previously recorded allowance for credit losses is reversed in earnings and the loan is recorded at its amortized cost. If the amortized cost exceeds the loan’s fair value at the date of transfer, a valuation allowance is recorded equal to the difference between amortized cost basis and fair value. There were no loans classified as held-for-sale as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
Revenue Recognition
Interest income on debt securities designated as trading securities is recognized on an accrual basis and is reported as interest receivable until collected. Interest income is accrued based on the outstanding face amount and the contractual terms of the securities. Original issue discount (“OID”), market discounts or premiums, if any, are recorded as an adjustment to the amortized cost and accreted or amortized as an adjustment to interest income using a method that approximates the effective interest method. Realized gains or losses on debt securities are measured by the difference between the net proceeds from the disposition and the amortized and/or accreted cost basis of the investment using the specific identification method without regard to unrealized gains or losses previously recognized, and include loans charged off during the period, net of recoveries.
Related party receivable
Related party receivables represent interest and principal payments
received from borrowers by the Company’s affiliated loan administrative agent prior to the balance sheet date that were not remitted
to the Company until subsequent to the balance sheet date. Related party receivables of $
6
Income Taxes
The Company is a Maryland corporation and has elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Code, commencing with the taxable year ended December 31, 2021. The Company believes that it qualifies as a REIT and that its method of operations will enable it to continue to qualify as a REIT. However, no assurances can be given that the Company’s beliefs or expectations will be fulfilled, since qualification as a REIT depends on the Company satisfying numerous asset, income and distribution tests which depends, in part, on the Company’s operating results.
To qualify as a REIT, the Company
must meet a number of organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement that the Company distributes annually to its
stockholders at least
FASB ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”), prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the consolidated financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. ASC 740 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The Company has analyzed its various federal and state filing positions and believes that its income tax filing positions and deductions are documented and supported for the taxable years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021. Based on the Company’s evaluation, there is no reserve for any uncertain income tax positions. Accrued interest and penalties, if any, are included within other liabilities in the balance sheets.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In March 2022, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2022-02, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings (“TDR”) and Vintage Disclosures. The amendments in this ASU eliminate the accounting guidance for TDRs by creditors in Subtopic 310-40, Receivables-Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors, while enhancing disclosure requirements for certain loan refinancings and restructurings by creditors when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty. Additionally, for public business entities, the amendments in this ASU require that an entity disclose current-period gross write-offs by year of origination for financing receivables and net investments in leases within the scope of Subtopic 326-20, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses-Measured at Amortized Cost. The ASU’s amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, and interim periods within those fiscal years and early adoption is permitted. The Company’s adoption of ASU 2022-02 on January 1, 2023 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
3. LOANS HELD FOR INVESTMENT, NET
As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company’s
portfolio was comprised of loans to 27 and 22 borrowers, respectively, that the Company has the ability and intent to hold for the foreseeable
future or until maturity. The portfolio of loans are held on the consolidated balance sheets at amortized cost. The Company’s aggregate
loan commitments and outstanding principal were approximately $
7
As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, approximately
The remaining
| As of September 30, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding Principal (1) | Original Issue Discount | Carrying Value (1) | Weighted Average Remaining Life (Years) (2) | |||||||||||||
| Senior Term Loans | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||
| Current expected credit loss reserve | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Total loans held at carrying value, net | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||
| Outstanding Principal (1) | Original Issue Discount | Carrying Value (1) | Weighted Average Remaining Life (Years) (2) | ||||||||||||
| Senior Term Loans | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||
| Current expected credit loss reserve | ( | ) | |||||||||||||
| Total loans held at carrying value, net | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||
| (1) |
| (2) |
8
| Principal (1) | Original
Issue Discount | Current
Expected Credit Loss Reserve | Carrying
Value (1) | |||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2022 | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||
| New fundings | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Principal repayment of loans | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| Accretion of original issue discount | ||||||||||||||||
| Sale of loan (2) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| PIK interest | ||||||||||||||||
| Current expected credit loss reserve | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| Balance at September 30, 2023 | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||
| (1) | The difference between the Carrying Value and the Outstanding Principal amount of the loans consists of unaccreted original issue discount, deferred loan fees and other upfront fees. Outstanding principal balance includes capitalized paid-in-kind (“PIK”) interest, if applicable. |
| (2) |
| Principal (1) | Original Issue Discount | Current Expected Credit Loss Reserve | Carrying Value (1) | |||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2021 | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | 196,850,024 | |||||||
| New fundings | ( | ) | 141,443,719 | |||||||||||||
| Principal repayment of loans | ( | ) | (6,892,654 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Accretion of original issue discount | 2,139,972 | |||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from sale of loans | ( | ) | (6,696,777 | ) | ||||||||||||
| PIK Interest | 4,096,721 | |||||||||||||||
Current expected credit loss reserve | ( | ) | (1,363,391 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Balance at September 30, 2022 | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | 329,577,614 | |||||||
| (1) |
9
| Loan | Location(s) | Initial Funding Date (1) | Maturity Date (2) | Total Commitment (3) | Principal Balance | Original Issue (Discount) | Carrying Value | Percent of Our Loan Portfolio | Future Fundings | Interest Rate (4) | Periodic Payment (5) | YTM IRR (6) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Various | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | % | - | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Michigan | ( | ) | % | - | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3(17) | Various | ( | ) | % | - | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Arizona | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Massachusetts | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Michigan | ( | ) | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | Illinois, Arizona | ( | ) | % | - | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8 | West Virginia | ( | ) | % | - | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9(18) | Pennsylvania | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 | Michigan | % | - | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11 | Maryland | ( | ) | % | - | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12 | Various | ( | ) | % | - | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13 | Michigan | ( | ) | % | - | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14 | Various | % | - | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 16 | Florida | ( | ) | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 17 | Florida | ( | ) | % | - | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 18 | Ohio | ( | ) | % | - | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 19 | Florida | ( | ) | % | - | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 20 | Missouri | ( | ) | % | - | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 21 | Illinois | ( | ) | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 22 | Maryland | ( | ) | % | - | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 23 | Arizona | ( | ) | % | - | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 24 | Oregon | % | - | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 25 | New York | % | - | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 26 | Connecticut | ( | ) | % | - | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 27 | Nebraska | % | - | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 28 | Ohio | % | - | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current expected credit losses | - | - | - | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ( | ) | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) | |
| (2) | |
| (3) | |
| (4) |
10
| (5) | |
| (6) | |
| (7) | |
| (8) | |
| (9) | |
| (10) | |
| (11) | |
| (12) | |
| (13) | |
| (14) | |
| (15) | |
| (16) | |
| (17) | |
| (18) |
11
| As of September 30, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current Loans(1) | 31-60 Days Past Due | 61-90 Days Past Due | 90+ Days Past Due(2) | Total Past Due | Non- Accrual(2) | Total Loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior Term Loans | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) | |
| (2) |
| As of December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current Loans(1) | 31-60 Days Past Due | 61-90 Days Past Due | 90+ Days Past Due(2) | Total Past Due | Non- Accrual | Total Loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior Term Loans | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) | Loans 1-30 days past due are included in the current loans. |
| (2) |
Non-Accrual Loans
As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there were
Loan #9 was placed on non-accrual status as of May 1, 2023 and has
both an outstanding principal balance and carrying value of approximately $
During the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023, the
Company recognized $
Credit Quality Indicators
The
Company assesses the risk factors of each loan, and assigns a risk rating based on a variety of factors, including, without limitation,
payment history, real estate collateral coverage, property type, geographic and local market dynamics, financial performance, loan to
enterprise value and fixed charge coverage ratios, loan structure and exit strategy, and project sponsorship. This review is performed
quarterly.
| Rating | Definition | |
| 1 | ||
| 2 | ||
| 3 | ||
| 4 | ||
| 5 |
The risk ratings are primarily based on historical data and current
conditions specific to each portfolio company, as well as consideration of future economic conditions and each borrower’s estimated
ability to meet debt service requirements. The risk ratings shown in the following table as of September 30, 2023 to December 31, 2022
consider borrower specific credit history and performance and reflect a quarterly re-evaluation of overall current macroeconomic conditions
affecting the Company’s borrowers. As interest rates have increased due to rising rates from the Federal Reserve Board, it has impacted
borrowers’ ability to service their debt obligations on a global scale. This decline in risk ratings had an effect on the level
of the current expected credit loss reserve though, other than the one loan placed on non-accrual status, the loans continued to perform
as expected. For approximately
12
| Risk | As of September 30, 2023(1)(2) | As of December 31, 2022(1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rating | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | Total | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) | |
| (2) |
| As of September 30, 2023 Real Estate Collateral Coverage (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| < 1.0x | 1.0x-1.25x | 1.25x-1.5x | 1.50x-1.75x | 1.75x-2.0x | > 2.0x | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed-rate | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Floating-rate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2022 Real Estate Collateral Coverage (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| < 1.0x | 1.0x-1.25x | 1.25x-1.5x | 1.50x-1.75x | 1.75x-2.0x | > 2.0x | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed-rate | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Floating-rate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) |
CECL Reserve
The Company records an allowance for current expected credit losses for its loans held for investment. The allowances are deducted from the gross carrying amount of the assets to present the net carrying value of the amounts expected to be collected on such assets. The Company estimates its CECL Reserve using among other inputs, third-party valuations, and a third-party probability-weighted model that considers the likelihood of default and expected loss given default for each individual loan based on the risk profile for approximately three years after which we immediately revert to use of historical loss data.
13
ASC 326 requires an entity to consider historical loss experience, current conditions, and a reasonable and supportable forecast of the macroeconomic environment. The Company considers multiple datapoints and methodologies that may include likelihood of default and expected loss given default for each individual loan, valuations derived from discount cash flows (“DCF”), and other inputs including the risk rating of the loan, how recently the loan was originated compared to the measurement date, and expected prepayment, if applicable. The measurement of expected credit losses under CECL is applicable to financial assets measured at amortized cost, and off-balance sheet credit exposures such as unfunded loan commitments.
The Company evaluates its loans on a collective (pool) basis by aggregating on the basis of similar risk characteristics as explained above. We make the judgment that loans to cannabis-related borrowers that are fully collateralized by real estate exhibit similar risk characteristics and are evaluated as a pool. Further, loans that have no real estate collateral, but are secured by other forms of collateral, including equity pledges of the borrower, and otherwise have similar characteristics as those collateralized by real estate are evaluated as a pool. All other loans are analyzed individually, either because they operate in a different industry, may have a different risk profile, or maturities that extend beyond the forecast horizon for which we are able to derive reasonable and supportable forecasts.
Estimating the CECL Reserve also requires significant judgment with respect to various factors, including (i) the appropriate historical loan loss reference data, (ii) the expected timing of loan repayments, (iii) calibration of the likelihood of default to reflect the risk characteristics of the Company’s loan portfolio, and (iv) the Company’s current and future view of the macroeconomic environment. From time to time, the Company may consider loan-specific qualitative factors on certain loans to estimate its CECL Reserve, which may include (i) whether cash from the borrower’s operations is sufficient to cover the debt service requirements currently and into the future, (ii) the ability of the borrower to refinance the loan, and (iii) the liquidation value of collateral. For loans where we have deemed the borrower/sponsor to be experiencing financial difficulty, we may elect to apply a practical expedient, in which the fair value of the underlying collateral is compared to the amortized cost of the loan in determining a CECL Reserve.
To estimate the historic loan losses relevant to the Company’s portfolio, the Company evaluates its historical loan performance, which includes zero realized loan losses since the inception of its operations. Additionally, the Company analyzed its repayment history, noting it has limited “true” operating history, since the incorporation date of March 30, 2021. However, the Company’s Sponsor and its affiliates have had operations for the past three fiscal years and have made investments in similar loans that have similar characteristics including interest rate, collateral coverage, guarantees, and prepayment/make whole provisions, which fall into the pools identified above. Given the similarity of the structuring of the credit agreements for the loans in the Company’s portfolio to the loans originated by its Sponsor, management considered it appropriate to consider the past repayment history of loans originated by the Sponsor and its affiliates in determining the extent to which a CECL Reserve shall be recorded.
In addition, the Company reviews each loan on a quarterly basis and evaluates the borrower’s ability to pay the monthly interest and principal, if required, as well as the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio. When evaluating qualitative factors that may indicate the need for a CECL Reserve, the Company forecasts losses considering a variety of factors. In considering the potential current expected credit loss, the Manager primarily considers significant inputs to the Company’s forecasting methods, which include (i) key loan-specific inputs such as the value of the real estate collateral, liens on equity (including the equity in the entity that holds the state-issued license to cultivate, process, distribute, or retail cannabis), presence of personal or corporate guarantees, among other credit enhancements, LTV ratio, rate type (fixed or floating) and IRR, loan-term, geographic location, and expected timing and amount of future loan fundings, (ii) performance against the underwritten business plan and the Company’s internal loan risk rating, and (iii) a macro-economic forecast. Estimating the enterprise value of our borrowers in order to calculate LTV ratios is often a significant estimate. The Manager utilizes a third-party valuation appraiser to assist with the Company’s valuation process primarily using comparable transactions to estimate enterprise value of its portfolio companies and supplement such analysis with a multiple-based approach to enterprise value to revenue multiples of publicly-traded comparable companies obtained from S&P Capital IQ as of September 30, 2023, to which the Manager may apply a private company discount based on the Company’s current borrower profile.
During the three-month period ended September 30, 2023, the Company observed that valuation multiples of publicly traded companies in the industry improved as a result of macro-economic factors. Such factors include but are not limited to; expectations surrounding future interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve and public announcements about proposed regulatory reform relating to a potential rescheduling of cannabis at the federal level. Management contemplates the impacts of these macro-economic factors during the forecast period when determining enterprise value and ultimately, the CECL reserve. Estimates may change in future periods based on available future macro-economic data and might result in a material change in the Company’s future estimates of expected credit losses for its loan portfolio.
14
Regarding real estate collateral, the Company generally cannot take the position of mortgagee-in-possession as long as the property is used by a cannabis operator, but it can request that the court appoint a receiver to manage and operate the subject real property until the foreclosure proceedings are completed. Additionally, while the Company cannot foreclose under state Uniform Commercial Code (“UCC”) and take title or sell equity in a licensed cannabis business, a potential purchaser of a delinquent or defaulted loan could.
In order to estimate the future expected loan losses relevant to the Company’s portfolio, the Company utilizes historical market loan loss data obtained from a third-party database for commercial real estate loans, which the Company believes is a reasonably comparable and available data set to use as an input for its type of loans. The Company believes this dataset to be representative for future credit losses whilst considering that the cannabis industry is maturing, and consumer adoption, demand for production, and retail capacity are increasing akin to commercial real estate over time. For periods beyond the reasonable and supportable forecast period, the Company reverts back to historical loss data.
All of the above assumptions, although made with the most available information at the time of the estimate, are subjective and actual activity may not follow the estimated schedule. These assumptions impact the future balances that the loss rate will be applied to and as such impact the Company’s CECL Reserve. As the Company acquires new loans and the Manager monitors loan and borrower performance, these estimates will be revised each period.
| Outstanding(1) | Unfunded(2) | Total | ||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Provision for current expected credit losses | ||||||||||||
| Balance at September 30, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Outstanding(1) | Unfunded(2) | Total | ||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2021 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Provision for current expected credit losses | ||||||||||||
| Balance at September 30, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| (1) | |
| (2) |
The Company has made an accounting policy election to exclude accrued
interest receivable, ($
15
4. INTEREST RECEIVABLE
| As
of September 30, 2023 | As
of December 31, 2022 | |||||||
| Interest receivable | $ | $ | ||||||
| Unused fees receivable | ||||||||
| Total interest receivable | $ | $ | ||||||
| As of September 30, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current
Loans(1) | 31-60 Days Past Due | 61-90 Days Past Due | 90+
Days Past Due (and accruing) | Non- Accrual(2) | Total
Past Due | Total
Loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest receivable | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current
Loans(1) | 31-60 Days Past Due | 61-90 Days Past Due | 90+
Days Past Due (and accruing) | Non- Accrual | Total
Past Due | Total
Loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest receivable | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) | |
| (2) |
5. INTEREST RESERVE
As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had two loans and three loans, respectively, that included a prepaid interest reserve.
| As of September 30, 2023 | As of December 31, 2022 | |||||||
| Beginning reserves | $ | $ | ||||||
| New reserves | ||||||||
| Reserves disbursed | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Ending reserve | $ | $ | ||||||
16
6. DEBT
In
May 2021, in connection with the Company’s acquisition of its wholly-owned financing subsidiary, CAL, the Company was assigned
a secured revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Loan”). The Revolving Loan had an original aggregate borrowing base of
up to $
On
May 12, 2022, CAL entered into a second amended and restated Revolving Loan agreement (the “Second Amendment and Restatement”).
The Second Amendment and Restatement increased the loan commitment from $
On
November 7, 2022, CAL entered into a third amended and restated Revolving Loan agreement (the “Third Amendment and Restatement”).
The Third Amendment and Restatement increased the loan commitment from $
On
February 27, 2023, CAL entered into an amendment to the Third Amendment and Restatement (the “Amendment”). The Amendment
extended the contractual maturity date of the Revolving Loan until December 16, 2024 and the Company retained its option to extend the
initial term for an additional one-year period, provided no events of default exist and the Company provides 365 days’ notice of
the extension pursuant to the Amendment. No other material terms of the Revolving Loan were modified as a result of the execution of
the Amendment. The Company incurred debt issuance costs of $
On
June 30, 2023, CAL entered into a Fourth Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement (the “Fourth Amendment and Restatement”).
The Fourth Amendment and Restatement increased the loan commitment from $
The
Revolving Loan provides for certain affirmative covenants, including requiring us to deliver financial information and any notices of
default, and conducting business in the normal course.
17
As
of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, unamortized debt issuance costs related to the Revolving Loan, including all amendments
and amendments and restatements thereto, as applicable, of $
As of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company
had net borrowings of $
| Three months ended | Three months ended | Nine months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||||||||
| September 30, 2023 | September 30, 2022 | September 30, 2023 | September 30, 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Cash interest expense | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Unused fee expense | ||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of deferred financing costs | ||||||||||||||||
| Total interest expense | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
7. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Management Agreement
Pursuant to the Management Agreement, the Manager manages the loans and day-to-day operations of the Company, subject at all times to the further terms and conditions set forth in the Management Agreement and such further limitations or parameters as may be imposed from time to time by the Company’s Board.
In
addition to the Base Management Fee, the Manager is entitled to receive incentive compensation (the “Incentive Compensation”
or “Incentive Fees”) under the Management Agreement. Under the Management Agreement, the Company will pay Incentive Fees
to the Manager based upon the Company’s achievement of targeted levels of Core Earnings. “Core Earnings” is defined
in the Management Agreement as, for a given period, the net income (loss) for such period, computed in accordance with GAAP, excluding
(i) non-cash equity compensation expense, (ii) the Incentive Compensation, (iii) depreciation and amortization, (iv) any unrealized gains
or losses or other non-cash items that are included in net income for the applicable reporting period, regardless of whether such items
are included in other comprehensive income or loss, or in net income, and (v) one-time events pursuant to changes in GAAP and certain
non-cash charges, in each case after discussions between the Manager and the members of the Compensation Committee of the Board, each
of whom are Independent Directors, and approved by a majority of the members of the Compensation Committee. Incentive compensation for
the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 was $
18
The Company shall pay all of its costs and expenses and shall reimburse the Manager or its affiliates for expenses of the Manager and its affiliates paid or incurred on behalf of the Company, excepting only those expenses that are specifically the responsibility of the Manager pursuant to the Management Agreement. We reimburse our Manager or its affiliates, as applicable, for the Company’s fair and equitable allocable share of the compensation, including annual base salary, bonus, any related withholding taxes and employee benefits, paid to (i) subject to review by the Compensation Committee of the Board, the Manager’s personnel serving as an officer of the Company, based on the percentage of his or her time spent devoted to the Company’s affairs and (ii) other corporate finance, tax, accounting, internal audit, legal, risk management, operations, compliance, and other non-investment personnel of the Manager and its affiliates who spend all or a portion of their time managing the Company’s affairs, with the allocable share of the compensation of such personnel described in this clause (ii) being as reasonably determined by the Manager to appropriately reflect the amount of time spent devoted by such personnel to our affairs.
| For the three months ended September 30, | For the nine months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Affiliate Payments | ||||||||||||||||
| Management fees earned | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Less: Outside Fees earned | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Base management fees, net | ||||||||||||||||
| Incentive fees | ||||||||||||||||
| Total management and incentive fees earned | ||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses reimbursable to Manager | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
General administrative expenses reimbursable to the Manager are included
in the related party payable line item of the consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022. Total amounts
payable to the Manager as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were approximately $
Co-Investment in Loans
From time to time, the Company may co-invest with other investment vehicles managed by its affiliates, in accordance with the Manager’s co-investment allocation policies. The Company is not obligated to provide, nor has it provided, any financial support to the other managed investment vehicles. As such, the Company’s risk is limited to the carrying value of its investment in any such loan. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, 20 and 15 of the Company’s loans were co-invested by affiliates of the Company, respectively.
In connection with investments in loans, the Company may receive the
option to assign the right (the “Assigned Right”) to acquire warrants and/or equity of the borrower. The Company may sell
the Assigned Right, and the sale may be to an affiliate of the Company. The proceeds from the sale of Assigned Rights are accounted for
as additional original issue discount and accreted over the life of the related loans. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023,
the Company sold an Assigned Right amounting to $
Loan transactions with related parties
On January 24, 2023, the Company purchased a senior secured loan from
an affiliate under common control with our Manager. The purchase price of approximately $
On March 31, 2023, the Company sold a senior secured loan to a syndicate
of co-lenders, including a third party and two affiliates under common control with our Manager. The total selling price of approximately
$
19
Loan held for investment – related party
As of May 1, 2023, Loan #9 was placed on non-accrual status for borrower's breach of certain non-financial covenants and obligations under the loan agreement. The borrower subsequently failed to make contractual principal and interest payments due for the months of May and June 2023. On June 20, 2023, the Administrative Agent to Loan #9 (the “Agent”, a related party) issued an acceleration notice notifying the borrower of the Agent’s intention to exercise all rights and remedies under the credit documents and requested immediate payment of all amounts outstanding thereunder on behalf of the lenders.
The Agent subsequently pursued a Uniform Commercial Code (“UCC”) sale of the membership interests of the borrower’s subsidiaries which were pledged as collateral. On August 10, 2023, the Agent was the highest bidder in a public auction of the membership interests and took ownership of the membership interests. The Agent intends to sell the assets in satisfaction of the loan for the benefit of the lenders.
As described in Note 3, Loan #9 remains on non-accrual status and the
Company will continue to cease further recognition of income until such events of default are cured or obligations are repaid. As of September
30, 2023, Loan #9 is held on the consolidated balance sheet as a loan held for investment – related party with a carrying value
of approximately $
8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Off-balance sheet commitments may consist of unfunded commitments on
delayed draw term loans. The Company does not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities
often referred to as structured investment vehicles, special purpose entities, or variable interest entities, established to facilitate
off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. Further, the Company has not guaranteed any obligations
of unconsolidated entities or entered into any commitment to provide additional funding to any such entities.
| As of September 30, 2023 | As of December 31, 2022 | |||||||
| Total original loan commitments | $ | $ | ||||||
| Less: drawn commitments | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total undrawn commitments | $ | $ | ||||||
Refer to “Note 3 - Loans Held for Investment, Net” for further information regarding the CECL Reserve attributed to unfunded commitments. Total original loan commitments includes the impact of principal payments received since origination of the loan and future amounts to be advanced at sole discretion of the lender.
| Commitments due by period | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | Thereafter | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Undrawn commitment | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Revolving loan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other Contingencies
The Company from time to time may be a party to litigation in the normal course of business. As of September 30, 2023, the Company is not aware of any legal claims that could materially impact its business, financial condition, or results of operations.
The Company’s ability to grow or maintain its business depends, in part, on state laws pertaining to the cannabis industry. New laws that are adverse to the Company’s portfolio companies may be enacted, and current favorable state or national laws or enforcement guidelines relating to cultivation, production, and distribution of cannabis may be modified or eliminated in the future, which would impede the Company’s ability to grow and could materially and adversely affect its business.
20
Management’s plan to mitigate risks include monitoring the legal landscape as deemed appropriate. Also, should a loan default or otherwise be seized, the Company may be prohibited from owning cannabis assets and thus could not take possession of collateral, in which case the Company would look to sell the loan, provide consent to allow the borrower to sell the real estate to a third party, institute a foreclosure proceeding to have the real estate sold or evict the tenant, have the cannabis operations removed from the property and take title to the underlying real estate, each of which may result in the Company realizing a loss on the transaction.
9. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common Stock
On January 5, 2022, the underwriters of the Company’s initial
public offering (the “IPO”) partially exercised their over-allotment option to purchase
On February 15, 2023, the Company completed a registered direct offering
of
Equity Incentive Plan
The Company has established an equity incentive compensation plan (the
“2021 Plan”). The Board authorized the adoption of the 2021 Plan and the Compensation Committee of the Board approved restricted
stock award grants of
As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the maximum number
of shares of the Company’s common stock that may be delivered pursuant to awards under the 2021 Plan (the “Share Limit”)
equals
On December 31, 2022, restricted stock award grants of
For the period from January 1, 2023 to September 30, 2023, restricted stock award grants of 323,452 were granted to employees of our Manager, respectively. Pursuant to the respective award agreements, the RSA’s vest annually in equal installments over a three-year period beginning on the first anniversary of the date of the grant. Upon vesting, the vested restricted stock awards are exchanged for an equal number of the Company’s common stock.
21
There were
Shares that are exchanged by a participant or withheld by the Company as full or partial payment in connection with any award granted under the 2021 Plan, as well as any shares exchanged by a participant or withheld by the Company to satisfy tax withholding obligations related to any award granted under the 2021 Plan, will not be counted against the Share Limit and will again be available for subsequent awards under the 2021 Plan. To the extent that an award is settled in cash or a form other than shares, the shares that would have been delivered had there been no such cash or other settlement will not be counted against the Share Limit and will again be available for subsequent awards under the 2021 Plan.
| As of September 30, 2023 | ||||||||
| Outstanding | Vested | |||||||
| Aggregate intrinsic value | $ | $ | ||||||
| Nine months ended September 30, 2023 | Grant Date Fair Value per Share | |||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2022 | $ | |||||||
| Granted | $ | |||||||
| Vested | ( | ) | $ | |||||
| Forfeited | ( | ) | $ | |||||
| Balance at September 30, 2023 | $ | |||||||
| Nine months ended September 30, 2022 | Grant Date Fair Value per Share | |||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2021 | $ | |||||||
| Vested | $ | |||||||
| Forfeited | ( | ) | $ | |||||
| Unvested Balance at September 30, 2022 | $ | |||||||
Restricted
stock compensation expense is based on the Company’s stock price at the date of the grant and is amortized over the vesting period.
Forfeitures are recognized as they occur. The share-based compensation expense for the Company was $
22
At-the-Market Offering Program (“ATM” Program”)
On June 20, 2023, the Company entered into an At-the-Market Sales Agreement
(the “Sales Agreement”) with BTIG, LLC, Compass Point Research & Trading, LLC and Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. (each a “Sales
Agent” and together the “Sales Agents”) under which the Company may, from time to time, offer and sell shares of common
stock, having an aggregate offering price of up to $
During the quarter ended June 30, 2023, the Company sold an aggregate
of
As of September 30, 2023, the shares of common stock sold pursuant to the registered direct offering in February 2023 and under the ATM Program are the only offerings that have been initiated under the Shelf Registration Statement.
10. EARNINGS PER SHARE
| For the three months ended September 30, | For the nine months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to common stockholders | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Divided by: | ||||||||||||||||
| Basic weighted average shares of common stock outstanding | ||||||||||||||||
| Diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding | ||||||||||||||||
| Basic earnings per common share | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per common share | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
There were no anti-dilutive shares excluded from the computations of earnings per common share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022.
11. INCOME TAX
23
As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company does not have any unrecognized tax benefits.
12. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The Company complies with the disclosure requirements in FASB ASC Topic 820-10, Fair Value Measurement (“ASC 820-10”), which expands the application of fair value accounting. ASC 820-10 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with GAAP and expands disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. ASC 820-10 determines fair value to be the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. ASC 820-10 specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on the inputs used in measuring fair value.
In accordance with ASC 820-10, the inputs used to measure fair value are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
| - | Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. |
| - | Level 2—Prices are determined using other significant observable inputs. Observable inputs are inputs that other market participants would use in pricing a security. These may include quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk and others. |
| - | Level 3—Prices are determined using significant unobservable inputs. In situations where quoted prices or observable inputs are unavailable (for example, when there is little or no market activity for an investment at the end of the period), unobservable inputs may be used. |
GAAP requires disclosure of fair value information about financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities, whether or not recognized in the financial statements, for which it is practical to estimate the value. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based upon the application of discount rates to estimated future cash flows using market yields, or other valuation methodologies. Any changes to the valuation methodology will be reviewed by the Company’s management to ensure the changes are appropriate. The methods used may produce a fair value calculation that is not indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, while the Company anticipates that the valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies, or assumptions, to determine the fair value of certain financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date. The Company uses inputs that are current as of the measurement date, which may fall within periods of market dislocation, during which price transparency may be reduced.
Recurring Fair Value Measurements
| As of September 30, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
| Financial assets: | ||||||||||||||||
| Debt securities, at fair value | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
There were no financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2022.
Financial Assets and Liabilities Not Measured at Fair Value
| As of September 30, 2023 | As of December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Level in Fair Value Hierarchy | Carrying Value | Fair Value | Carrying Value | Fair Value | |||||||||||||||
| Financial assets: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Loans held for investment | 3 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Interest receivable | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other receivables and assets, net | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Related party receivables | 2 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||
| Financial liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Revolving loan | 2 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable and other liabilities | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Interest reserve | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Management and incentive fees payable | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Related party payables | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Dividend payable | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
Our loans are held for investment
and are substantially secured by real estate, equipment, licenses and other assets of the borrowers to the extent permitted by the applicable
laws and the regulations governing such borrowers. The aggregate fair value of the Company’s loan portfolio was $
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13. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
| Record Date | Payment Date | Common Share Distribution Amount | Taxable Ordinary Income | Return of Capital | Section 199A Dividends | |||||||||||||||
| Regular cash dividend | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Regular cash dividend | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Regular cash dividend | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Total cash dividend | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Record Date | Payment Date | Common Share Distribution Amount | Taxable Ordinary Income | Return of Capital | Section 199A Dividends | |||||||||||||||
| Regular cash dividend | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Regular cash dividend | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Regular cash dividend | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Total cash dividend | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
14. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Investment Activity
During the period from October
1, 2023 through November 8, 2023, the Company funded approximately $
Revolving Loan
During the period from October
1, 2023, through November 8, 2023, the Company borrowed $
Payment of Dividend
On October 13, 2023, the Company paid its regular quarterly dividend
of $
25
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Some of the statements contained in this quarterly report constitute forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and we intend such statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions contained therein. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or the future performance or financial condition of Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our”). The information contained in this section should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. This description contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ significantly from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements due to the factors set forth in this quarterly report and in “Risk Factors” in our annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and in Part II, Item 1A of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, as such risks may by updated, amended, or superseded from time to time by subsequent reports we file with the SEC. The forward-looking statements contained in this report involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including statements concerning:
| ● | our future operating results and projected operating results; |
| ● | the ability of our Manager to locate suitable loan opportunities for us, monitor and actively manage our loan portfolio, and implement our investment strategy; |
| ● | the allocation of loan opportunities to us by our Manager; |
| ● | the impact of inflation on our operating results; |
| ● | actions and initiatives of the federal or state governments and changes to government policies related to cannabis and the execution and impact of these actions, initiatives, and policies, including the fact that cannabis remains illegal under federal law; |
| ● | the estimated growth in and evolving market dynamics of the cannabis market; |
| ● | the demand for cannabis cultivation and processing facilities; |
| ● | shifts in public opinion regarding cannabis; |
| ● | the state of the U.S. economy generally or in specific geographic regions; |
| ● | economic trends and economic recoveries; |
| ● | the amount and timing of our cash flows, if any, from our loans; |
| ● | our ability to obtain and maintain financing arrangements; |
| ● | our expected leverage; |
| ● | changes in the value of our loans; |
| ● | our expected investment and underwriting process; |
| ● | rates of default or decreased recovery rates on our loans; |
| ● | the degree to which any interest rate or other hedging strategies may or may not protect us from interest rate volatility; |
| ● | changes in interest rates and impacts of such changes on our results of operations, cash flows, and the market value of our loans; |
| ● | interest rate mismatches between our loans and our borrowings used to fund such loans; |
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| ● | the departure of any of the executive officers or key personnel supporting and assisting us from our Manager or its affiliates; |
| ● | impact of and changes in governmental regulations, tax law and rates, accounting guidance, and similar matters; |
| ● | our ability to maintain our exclusion or exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act; |
| ● | our ability to qualify and maintain our qualification as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes; |
| ● | estimates relating to our ability to make distributions to our stockholders in the future; |
| ● | our understanding of our competition; |
| ● | market trends in our industry, interest rates, real estate values, the securities markets or the general economy; and |
| ● | any of the other risks, uncertainties and other factors we identify in our annual report on Form 10-K or this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. |
Available Information
We routinely post important information for investors on our website, www.chicagoatlantic.com. We intend to use this webpage as a means of disclosing material information, for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD and to post and update investor presentations and similar materials on a regular basis. We encourage investors, analysts, the media, and others interested in us to monitor the Investments section of our website, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, presentations, webcasts and other information we post from time to time on our website. To sign-up for email-notifications, please visit “Contact” section of our website under “Join Our Mailing List” and enter the required information to enable notifications.
Overview
We are a commercial mortgage real estate investment trust. Our primary investment objective is to provide attractive, risk-adjusted returns for stockholders over time primarily through consistent current income dividends and other distributions and secondarily through capital appreciation. We intend to achieve this objective by originating, structuring and investing in first mortgage loans and alternative structured financings secured by commercial real estate properties. Our current portfolio is comprised primarily of senior loans to state-licensed operators in the cannabis industry, secured by real estate, equipment, receivables, licenses or other assets of the borrowers to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations governing such borrowers. We also invest in companies or properties that are not related to the cannabis industry that provide return characteristics consistent with our investment objective. We intend to grow the size of our portfolio by continuing the track record of our business and the business conducted by our Manager and its affiliates by making loans to leading operators and property owners in the cannabis industry. There is no assurance that we will achieve our investment objective.
Our Manager and its affiliates seek to originate real estate loans between $5 million and $200 million, generally with one- to five-year terms and amortization when terms exceed three years. We generally act as co-lenders in such transactions and intend to hold up to $50 million of the aggregate loan amount, with the remainder to be held by affiliates or third party co-investors. We may revise such concentration limits from time to time as our loan portfolio grows. Other investment vehicles managed by our Manager or affiliates of our Manager may co-invest with us or hold positions in a loan where we have also invested, including by means of splitting commitments, participating in loans or other means of syndicating loans. We will not engage in a co-investment transaction with an affiliate where the affiliate has a senior position to the loan held by us. To the extent that an affiliate provides financing to one of our borrowers, such loans will be working capital loans or loans that are subordinate to our loans. We may also serve as co-lenders in loans originated by third parties and, in the future, we may also acquire loans or loan participations. Loans that have one to two year maturities are generally interest only loans.
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Our loans are secured by real estate and, in addition, when lending to owner-operators in the cannabis industry, other collateral, such as equipment, receivables, licenses or other assets of the borrowers to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations. In addition, we seek to impose strict loan covenants and seek personal or corporate guarantees for additional protection. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, 26.3% and 13.6%, respectively, of the principal of loans held in our portfolio are backed by personal or corporate guarantees. We aim to maintain a portfolio diversified across jurisdictions and across verticals, including cultivators, processors, dispensaries, as well as ancillary businesses. In addition, we may invest in borrowers that have equity securities that are publicly traded on the Canadian Stock Exchange (“CSE”) in Canada and/or over-the-counter in the United States.
As of September 30, 2023, our portfolio is comprised primarily of first mortgages to established multi-state or single-state cannabis operators or property owners. In addition, we own approximately $3.5 million, at fair value, of publicly-traded corporate bonds issued by a cannabis operator. We consider cannabis operators to be established if they are state-licensed and are deemed to be operational and in good standing by the applicable state regulator. We do not own any stock, warrants to purchase stock or other forms of equity in any of our portfolio companies that are involved in the cannabis industry, and we will not take stock, warrants or equity in such issuers until permitted by applicable laws and regulations, including U.S. federal laws and regulations.
We are an externally managed Maryland corporation that elected to be taxed as a REIT under Section 856 of the Code, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2021. We believe that our method of operation will enable us to continue to qualify as a REIT. However, no assurances can be given that our beliefs or expectations will be fulfilled, since qualification as a REIT depends on us continuing to satisfy numerous asset, income, and distribution tests, which in turn depend, in part, on our operating results. We also intend to operate our business in a manner that will permit us and our subsidiaries to maintain one or more exclusions or exemptions from registration under the Investment Company Act.
Revenues
We operate as one operating segment and are primarily focused on financing senior secured loans and other types of loans for established state-licensed operators in the cannabis industry. These loans are generally held for investment and are substantially secured by real estate, equipment, licenses and other assets of the borrowers to the extent permitted by the applicable laws and the regulations governing such borrowers.
We generate revenue primarily in the form of interest income on loans. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, approximately 81.1% and 83.1%, respectively, of our portfolio was comprised of floating rate loans, and 18.9% and 16.9% of our portfolio was comprised of fixed rate loans, respectively. The floating rate loans described above are variable based upon the Prime Rate plus an applicable margin, and in many cases, a Prime Rate floor.
The Prime Rate during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and the year ended December 31, 2022 was as follows:
| Effective Date | Rate(1) | |||
| July 27, 2023 | 8.50 | % | ||
| May 4, 2023 | 8.25 | % | ||
| March 23, 2023 | 8.00 | % | ||
| February 2, 2023 | 7.75 | % | ||
| December 15, 2022 | 7.50 | % | ||
| November 3, 2022 | 7.00 | % | ||
| September 22, 2022 | 6.25 | % | ||
| July 28, 2022 | 5.50 | % | ||
| June 16, 2022 | 4.75 | % | ||
| May 5, 2022 | 4.00 | % | ||
| March 17, 2022 | 3.50 | % | ||
| March 15, 2020 | 3.25 | % | ||
| (1) | Rate obtained from the Wall Street Journal’s “Bonds, Rates & Yields” table. |
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Interest on our loans is generally payable monthly. The principal amount of our loans and any accrued but unpaid interest thereon generally become due at the applicable maturity date. In some cases, our interest income includes a paid-in-kind (“PIK”) component for a portion of the total interest. The PIK interest, computed at the contractual rate specified in each applicable loan agreement, is accrued in accordance with the terms of such loan agreement and capitalized to the principal balance of the loan and recorded as interest income. The PIK interest added to the principal balance is typically amortized and paid in accordance with the applicable loan agreement. In cases where the loans do not amortize, the PIK interest is collected upon repayment of the outstanding principal. We also generate revenue from original issue discounts (“OID”), which is also recognized as interest income from loans over the initial term of the applicable loans. Delayed draw loans may earn interest or unused fees on the undrawn portion of the loan, which is recognized as interest income in the period earned. Other fees, including prepayment fees and exit fees, are also recognized as interest income when received. Any such fees will be generated in connection with our loans and recognized as earned in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).
Expenses
Our primary operating expense is the payment of Base Management Fees and Incentive Compensation under our Management Agreement with our Manager and the allocable portion of overhead and other expenses paid or incurred on our behalf, including reimbursing our Manager for a certain portion of the compensation of certain personnel of our Manager who assist in the management of our affairs, excepting only those expenses that are specifically the responsibility of our Manager pursuant to our Management Agreement. We bear all other costs and expenses of our operations and transactions, including (without limitation) fees and expenses relating to:
| ● | organizational and offering expenses; |
| ● | quarterly valuation expenses; |
| ● | fees payable to third parties relating to, or associated with, making loans and valuing loans (including third-party valuation firms); |
| ● | fees and expenses associated with investor relations and marketing efforts (including attendance at investment conferences and similar events); |
| ● | accounting and audit fees and expenses from our independent registered public accounting firm; |
| ● | federal and state registration fees; |
| ● | any exchange listing fees; |
| ● | federal, state and local taxes; |
| ● | independent directors’ fees and expenses; |
| ● | brokerage commissions; |
| ● | costs of proxy statements, stockholders’ reports and notices; and |
| ● | costs of preparing government filings, including periodic and current reports with the SEC. |
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Income Taxes
We are a Maryland corporation that elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Code, commencing with the taxable period ended December 31, 2021. We believe that we qualify as a REIT and that our method of operation will enable us to continue to qualify as a REIT. However, no assurances can be given that our beliefs or expectations will be fulfilled, since qualification as a REIT depends on us satisfying numerous asset, income and distribution tests which depends, in part, on our operating results.
To qualify as a REIT, we must meet a number of organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement that we distribute annually to our stockholders at least 90% of our REIT taxable income prior to the deduction for dividends paid. To the extent that we distribute less than 100% of our REIT taxable income in any tax year (taking into account any distributions made in a subsequent tax year under Sections 857(b)(9) or 858 of the Code), we will pay tax at regular corporate rates on that undistributed portion. Furthermore, if we distribute less than the sum of 1) 85% of our ordinary income for the calendar year, 2) 95% of our capital gain net income for the calendar year, and 3) any undistributed shortfall from our prior calendar year (the “Required Distribution”) to our stockholders during any calendar year (including any distributions declared by the last day of the calendar year but paid in the subsequent year), then we are required to pay a non-deductible excise tax equal to 4% of any shortfall between the Required Distribution and the amount that was actually distributed. The 90% distribution requirement does not require the distribution of net capital gains. However, if we elect to retain any of our net capital gain for any tax year, we must notify our stockholders and pay tax at regular corporate rates on the retained net capital gain. Our stockholders must include their proportionate share of the retained net capital gain in their taxable income for the tax year, and they are deemed to have paid the REIT’s tax on their proportionate share of the retained capital gain. Furthermore, such retained capital gain may be subject to the nondeductible 4% excise tax. If it is determined that our estimated current year taxable income will be in excess of estimated dividend distributions (including capital gain dividend) for the current year from such income, we will accrue excise tax on estimated excess taxable income as such taxable income is earned. The annual expense is calculated in accordance with applicable tax regulations. Excise tax expense, if any, is included in the line item, income tax expense. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, we did not incur excise tax expense.
Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 740 - Income Taxes (“ASC 740”), prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the consolidated financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. ASC 740 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. We have analyzed our various federal and state filing positions and believe that our income tax filing positions and deductions are documented and supported as of September 30, 2023. Based on our evaluation, there is no reserve for any uncertain income tax positions. Accrued interest and penalties, if any, are included within other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.
Factors Impacting our Operating Results
The results of our operations are affected by a number of factors and primarily depend on, among other things, the level of our net interest income, the market value of our assets and the supply of, and demand for, commercial real estate debt and other financial assets in the marketplace. Our net interest income, which includes the accretion and amortization of OID, is recognized based on the contractual rate and the outstanding principal balance of the loans we originate. Interest rates will vary according to the type of loan, conditions in the financial markets, creditworthiness of our borrowers, competition and other factors, some of which cannot be predicted with any certainty. Our operating results may also be impacted by credit losses in excess of initial anticipations or unanticipated credit events experienced by borrowers.
Changes in Market Interest Rates and Effect on Net Interest Income
Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including fiscal and monetary policies and domestic and international economic and political considerations, as well as other factors beyond our control. We will be subject to interest rate risk in connection with our assets and our related financing obligations.
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Our operating results will depend in large part on differences between the income earned on our assets and our cost of borrowing. The cost of our borrowings generally will be based on prevailing market interest rates. During a period of rising interest rates, our borrowing costs generally will increase (a) while the yields earned on our leveraged fixed-rate loan assets will remain static, and (b) at a faster pace than the yields earned on our leveraged floating-rate loan assets, which could result in a decline in our net interest spread and net interest margin. The severity of any such decline would depend on our asset/liability composition at the time as well as the magnitude and duration of the interest rate increase. Further, an increase in short-term interest rates could also have a negative impact on the market value of our target investments. If any of these events happen, we could experience a decrease in net income or incur a net loss during these periods, which could adversely affect our liquidity and results of operations.
Interest Rate Cap Risk
We currently own and intend to acquire in the future floating-rate assets. These are assets in which the loans may be subject to periodic and lifetime interest rate caps and floors, which limit the amount by which the asset’s interest yield may change during any given period. However, our borrowing costs pursuant to our financing agreements may not be subject to similar restrictions. Therefore, in a period of increasing interest rates, interest rate costs on our borrowings could increase without limitation by caps, while the interest-rate yields on our floating-rate assets would effectively be limited. In addition, floating-rate assets may be subject to periodic payment caps that result in some portion of the interest being deferred and added to the principal outstanding. This could result in our receipt of cash income from such assets in an amount that is less than the amount that we would need to pay the interest cost on our related borrowings.
These factors could lower our net interest income or cause a net loss during periods of rising interest rates, which would harm our financial condition, cash flows and results of operations. As of September 30, 2023, 84% of our floating rate loans, based on principal outstanding have interest rate floors, and one loan is subject to an interest rate cap (Note 3).
Interest Rate Mismatch Risk
We may fund a portion of our origination of loans, or of loans that we may in the future acquire, with borrowings that are based on the Prime Rate or a similar measure, while the interest rates on these assets may be fixed or indexed to the Prime Rate or another index rate. Accordingly, any increase in the Prime Rate will generally result in an increase in our borrowing costs that would not be matched by fixed-rate interest earnings and may not be matched by a corresponding increase in floating-rate interest earnings. Any such interest rate mismatch could adversely affect our profitability, which may negatively impact distributions to our stockholders.
Our analysis of risks is based on our Manager’s experience, estimates, models and assumptions. These analyses rely on models which utilize estimates of fair value and interest rate sensitivity. Actual economic conditions or implementation of decisions by our Manager and our management may produce results that differ significantly from the estimates and assumptions used in our models and the projected results.
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Market Conditions
We believe that favorable market conditions, including an imbalance in supply and demand of credit to cannabis operating companies, have provided attractive opportunities for non-bank lenders, such as us, to finance commercial real estate loans and other loans that exhibit strong fundamentals but also require more customized financing structures and loan products than regulated financial institutions can presently provide. Additionally, to the extent that additional states legalize cannabis, our addressable market will increase. We intend to continue to capitalize on these opportunities and growing the size of our portfolio.
Developments During the Third Quarter of 2023
Updates to Our Loan Portfolio during the Third Quarter of 2023
As of May 1, 2023, Loan #9 was placed on non-accrual status for borrower's breach of certain non-financial covenants and obligations under the loan agreement. The borrower subsequently failed to make contractual principal and interest payments due for the months of May and June 2023. On June 20, 2023, the Administrative Agent to Loan #9 (the “Agent”, a related party) issued an acceleration notice notifying the borrower of the Agent’s intention to exercise all rights and remedies under the credit documents and requested immediate payment of all amounts outstanding thereunder on behalf of the lenders.
The Agent subsequently pursued a Uniform Commercial Code (“UCC”) sale of the membership interests of the borrower’s subsidiaries which were pledged as collateral. On August 10, 2023, the Agent was the highest bidder in a public auction of the membership interests and took ownership of the membership interests. The Agent intends to sell the assets in satisfaction of the loan for the benefit of the lenders.
As described in Note 3, Loan #9 remains on non-accrual status and the Company will continue to cease further recognition of income until such events of default are cured or obligations are repaid. As of September 30, 2023, Loan #9 is held on the consolidated balance sheet as a loan held for investment – related party with a carrying value of approximately $16.3 million and a reserve for current expected credit losses of approximately $1.3 million.
Subsequent Updates to Our Loan Portfolio
During the period from October 1, 2023 to November 8, 2023, we funded approximately $4.0 million to the borrower of Loan #18 and $5.2 million to the borrower of Loan #27.
Dividends Declared Per Share
During the three months ended September 30, 2023, we declared an ordinary cash dividend of $0.47 per share of our common stock, relating to the third quarter of 2023, which was paid on October 13, 2023 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on September 29, 2023. The total amount of the cash dividend payment was approximately $8.5 million.
The payment of this dividend is not indicative of our ability to pay such dividends in the future.
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Results of Operations
Comparison of the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022
| For the three months ended September 30, | Variance | |||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | Amount | % | |||||||||||||
| Revenues | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest income | $ | 15,183,450 | $ | 13,795,097 | $ | 1,388,353 | 10 | % | ||||||||
| Interest expense | (1,449,143 | ) | (861,348 | ) | (587,795 | ) | 68 | % | ||||||||
| Net interest income | 13,734,307 | 12,933,749 | 800,558 | 6 | % | |||||||||||
| Expenses | ||||||||||||||||
| Management and incentive fees, net | 1,601,387 | 1,347,421 | 253,966 | 19 | % | |||||||||||
| General and administrative expense | 1,251,307 | 1,076,798 | 174,509 | 16 | % | |||||||||||
| Professional fees | 491,107 | 348,785 | 142,322 | 41 | % | |||||||||||
| Stock based compensation | 540,426 | 84,891 | 455,535 | 537 | % | |||||||||||
| (Reversal)/provision for current expected credit losses | (41,351 | ) | 306,885 | (348,236 | ) | (113 | )% | |||||||||
| Total expenses | 3,842,876 | 3,164,780 | 678,096 | 21 | % | |||||||||||
| Change in unrealized gain on debt securities, at fair value | 85,567 | - | 85,567 | 100 | % | |||||||||||
| Net Income before income taxes | 9,976,998 | 9,768,969 | 208,029 | 2 | % | |||||||||||
| Income tax expense | - | |||||||||||||||
| Net Income | $ | 9,976,998 | $ | 9,768,969 | $ | 208,029 | 2 | % | ||||||||
| ● | Interest income increased by approximately $1.4 million, or 10%, during the quarter ended September 30, 2023, compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2022. The increase was driven primarily by an increase in the Prime Rate from 6.25% as of September 30, 2022, to 8.50% as of September 30, 2023, impacting approximately 81.1% of the Company’s loans, as of September 30, 2023, which bear a floating rate. Additionally, we recognized approximately $288 thousand of income from fees during the quarter ended September 30, 2023 as compared to $196 thousand for the same period in 2022. |
| ● | Net interest income increased approximately $0.8 million or 6%, over the comparative period. The increase was attributable to the increase in interest income described above, offset by a corresponding increase in interest expense driven by the timing of borrowings and increase in the Prime Rate as noted above given the Revolving Loan bears interest at the Prime Rate plus an Applicable Margin. The outstanding balance on the Revolving Loan was $63.0 million and $53.0 million, as of September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. |
| ● | We incurred base management and incentive fees payable to our Manager of approximately $1.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to approximately $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to greater assets under management, which was offset by fewer origination fee offsets in the three months ended September 30, 2023 of approximately $0, compared to approximately $193 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2022, as well as an increase in weighted average equity as defined by the Management Agreement for the comparable period. |
| ● | General and administrative expenses and professional fees increased by approximately $317 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022. The increase was primarily due to an increase in overhead reimbursements for costs incurred by the Manager on behalf of the Company which were $1.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to $1.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. |
| ● |
Stock based compensation increased by $0.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022. The increase over the comparable period was driven by the grant of 323,452 restricted stock awards to employees of our Manager during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. |
| ● |
Reversal for current expected credit losses was $41 thousand in the three months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to a provision of $307 thousand in the three months ended September 30, 2022, resulting from changes in risk ratings from September 30, 2022 to September 30, 2023, which are due to both borrower specific credit changes, and quarterly re-evaluations of overall current macroeconomic conditions affecting our borrowers and the industry. Changes in portfolio risk composition, and other loan specific factors such as shorter average remaining loan terms and loan repayments during the three months ended September 30, 2023 also contributed to the reversal in the third quarter of 2023. Additionally, during the three-month period ended September 30, 2023, the Company observed that valuation multiples of publicly traded companies in the industry improved as a result of macro-economic factors. Such factors include but are not limited to; expectations surrounding future interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve and public announcements about proposed regulatory reform relating to a potential rescheduling of cannabis at the federal level. Management contemplates the impacts of these macro-economic factors during the forecast period when determining enterprise value and ultimately, the CECL reserve. Estimates may change in future periods based on available future macro-economic data and might result in a material change in the Company’s future estimates of expected credit losses for its loan portfolio. |
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| The current expected credit loss reserve represents approximately 150 basis points of our aggregate loan commitments held at carrying value of approximately $5.1 million which was bifurcated between (i) the current expected credit loss reserve (contra-asset) related to outstanding balances on loans held at carrying value of approximately $5.1 million and (ii) a liability for unfunded commitments of $0.1 million as of September 30, 2023, as compared to approximately 44 basis points as of September 30, 2022, and was bifurcated between (i) the current expected credit loss reserve (contra-asset) related to outstanding balances on loans held at carrying value of approximately $1.5 million and (ii) a liability for unfunded commitments of $54 thousand. The liability is based on the unfunded portion of loan commitments over the full contractual period over which we are exposed to credit risk through a current obligation to extend credit. Management considered the likelihood that funding will occur, and if funded, the expected credit loss on the funded portion. We continuously evaluate the credit quality of each loan by assessing the risk factors of each loan. |
Comparison of the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022
| For the nine months ended September 30, | Variance | |||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | Amount | % | |||||||||||||
| Revenues | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest income | $ | 46,369,976 | $ | 35,478,178 | $ | 10,891,798 | 31 | % | ||||||||
| Interest expense | (4,062,365 | ) | (1,383,172 | ) | (2,679,193 | ) | 194 | % | ||||||||
| Net interest income | 42,307,611 | 34,095,006 | 8,212,605 | 24 | % | |||||||||||
| Expenses | ||||||||||||||||
| Management and incentive fees, net | 5,539,059 | 3,266,487 | 2,272,572 | 70 | % | |||||||||||
| General and administrative expense | 3,833,733 | 2,410,151 | 1,423,582 | 59 | % | |||||||||||
| Professional fees | 1,598,376 | 1,649,360 | (50,984 | ) | (3 | )% | ||||||||||
| Stock based compensation | 942,605 | 328,356 | 614,249 | 187 | % | |||||||||||
| Provision/(reversal) for current expected credit losses | 1,193,880 | 1,403,892 | (210,012 | ) | (15 | )% | ||||||||||
| Total expenses | 13,107,653 | 9,058,246 | 4,049,407 | 45 | % | |||||||||||
| Change in unrealized gain on debt securities, at fair value | 112,767 | - | 112,767 | 100 | % | |||||||||||
| Net Income before income taxes | 29,312,725 | 25,036,760 | 4,275,965 | 17 | % | |||||||||||
| Income tax expense | - | - | - | 0 | % | |||||||||||
| Net Income | $ | 29,312,725 | $ | 25,036,760 | $ | 4,275,965 | 17 | % | ||||||||
| ● |
Interest income increased by approximately $10.9 million, or 31%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The increase was driven primarily by an increase in the Prime Rate discussed above, impacting approximately 81.1% of the Company’s loans, which bear a floating rate as of September 30, 2023, compared to 59.7% as of September 30, 2022. Additionally, we recognized approximately $2.0 million of income from fees during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to $0.6 million for the same period in 2022. |
| ● | Interest expense increased approximately $2.7 million over the comparative period resulting from timing of borrowings and amounts outstanding under the Revolving Loan, but primarily due to the series of Prime Rate increases from 6.25% to 8.50% as of September 30, 2023. Additionally, the Company increased the availability under the Revolving Loan from $65.0 million as of September 30, 2022 to $100.0 million as of September 30, 2023, resulting in an increase to unused fee interest expense (25 basis points of amounts outstanding) over the comparative period. |
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| ● | We incurred base management and incentive fees payable to our Manager of approximately $5.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to approximately $3.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, an increase of approximately $2.3 million. The increase was primarily attributable to greater assets under management, which was offset by fewer origination fee offsets in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 of approximately $0.1 million, compared to approximately $1.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 as well as an increase in weighted average equity as defined by the Management Agreement over the comparable period. |
| ● | General and administrative expenses and professional fees increased by approximately $1.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The increase was primarily due to an increase in overhead reimbursements for costs incurred by the Manager of $3.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to $2.1 million for the same period in 2022, offset by a decrease in professional fees of $0.1 million. |
| ● |
Stock based compensation increased by $0.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The increase was driven by the grant of 323,452 restricted stock awards to employees of our Manager during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. |
| ● | Provision for current expected credit losses decreased by 0.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022, primarily due to changes in risk ratings from September 30, 2022 to September 30, 2023 which are due to both borrower specific credit changes, and quarterly re-evaluations of overall current macroeconomic conditions affecting our borrowers and the industry. Changes in portfolio risk composition resulting from principal paydowns and new fundings, also contributed to the decrease, with reserves on new 2023 originations representing a smaller portion of the reserve than loans originated in prior years. This is the result of improvement in enterprise valuations of our borrowers, driven by valuation multiples of comparable companies increasing during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022.
The current expected credit loss reserve represents approximately 150 basis points of our aggregate loan commitments held at carrying value of approximately $5.1 million which was bifurcated between (i) the current expected credit loss reserve (contra-asset) related to outstanding balances on loans held at carrying value of approximately $5.1 million and (ii) a liability for unfunded commitments of $0.1 million. The liability is based on the unfunded portion of loan commitments over the full contractual period over which we are exposed to credit risk through a current obligation to extend credit. Management considered the likelihood that funding will occur, and if funded, the expected credit loss on the funded portion. We continuously evaluate the credit quality of each loan by assessing the risk factors of each loan. |
Loan Portfolio
As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, our portfolio included 27 and 22 loans held for investment, of approximately $338.8 million and $339.3 million at carrying value, respectively, prior to the reserve for current expected credit losses. The aggregate originated commitment under these loans was approximately $355.9 million and $351.4 million and outstanding principal was approximately $341.8 million and $343.0 million as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, our loan portfolio had a weighted-average yield-to-maturity internal rate of return (“YTM IRR”) of 19.3% and 19.7%, respectively, and was substantially secured by real estate and, with respect to certain of our loans, substantially all assets of the borrowers and certain of their subsidiaries, including equipment, receivables, and licenses. YTM IRR is calculated using various inputs, including (i) cash and paid-in-kind (“PIK”) interest, which is capitalized and added to the outstanding principal balance of the applicable loan, (ii) original issue discount (“OID”), (iii) amortization, (iv) unused fees, and (v) exit fees. Certain of our loans have extension fees, which are not included in our YTM IRR calculations, but may increase YTM IRR if such extension options are exercised by borrowers.
As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, approximately 81.1% and 83.1%, respectively, of our portfolio was comprised of floating rate loans that pay interest at the Prime Rate plus an applicable margin and were subject to a Prime Rate floor. The Prime Rate was 3.25% for the period from January 1, 2022 through March 16, 2022, increased to 3.50% effective March 17, 2022, increased to 4.00% effective May 5, 2022, increased to 4.75% effective June 16, 2022, increased to 5.50% effective July 28, 2022, increased to 6.25% effective September 22, 2022, increased to 7.00% effective November 3, 2022, increased to 7.50% effective December 15, 2022, increased to 7.75% effective February 2, 2023, increased to 8.00% effective March 23, 2023, increased to 8.25% effective May 4, 2023 and increased again to 8.50% effective July 27, 2023. The below summarizes our portfolio as of September 30, 2023:
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| Loan | Location(s) | Initial Funding Date (1) | Maturity Date (2) | Total Commitment (3) | Principal Balance | Original Issue (Discount) | Carrying Value | Percent of Our Loan Portfolio | Future Fundings | Interest Rate (4) | Periodic Payment (5) | YTM IRR (6) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Various | 10/27/2022 | 10/30/2026 | $ | 30,000,000 | $ | 30,000,000 | $ | (692,213 | ) | $ | 29,307,787 | 8.7 | % | - | P+6.5% Cash (10) | I/O | 17.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Michigan | 1/13/2022 | 12/31/2024 | 35,891,668 | 38,400,627 | (101,451 | ) | 38,299,176 | 11.3 | % | - | P+6.65% Cash, 3.25% PIK (16) | P&I | 18.0 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3(17) | Various | 3/25/2021 | 11/29/2024 | 20,105,628 | 20,524,482 | (307,143 | ) | 20,217,339 | 6.0 | % | - | P+10.38% Cash, 2.75% PIK (7) | P&I | 23.2 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Arizona | 4/19/2021 | 12/31/2023 | 14,120,000 | 14,722,749 | - | 14,722,749 | 4.3 | % | P+11.75% Cash (14) | I/O | 18.1 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Massachusetts | 4/19/2021 | 4/30/2025 | 3,500,000 | 3,197,120 | - | 3,197,120 | 0.9 | % | 204,000 | P+12.25% Cash (7) | P&I | 22.4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Michigan | 8/20/2021 | 2/20/2024 | 6,000,000 | 4,264,421 | (1,499 | ) | 4,262,922 | 1.3 | % | 1,500,000 | P+9% Cash (7) | P&I | 20.8 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | Illinois, Arizona | 8/24/2021 | 6/30/2025 | 25,000,000 | 20,913,172 | (150,172 | ) | 20,763,000 | 6.1 | % | - | P+6% Cash, 2% PIK (11) | P&I | 18.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8 | West Virginia | 9/1/2021 | 9/1/2024 | 9,500,000 | 11,086,045 | (58,421 | ) | 11,027,624 | 3.3 | % | - | P+9.25% Cash, 2% PIK (15) | P&I | 26.1 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9(18) | Pennsylvania | 9/3/2021 | 6/30/2024 | 15,000,000 | 16,278,729 | - | 16,278,729 | 4.8 | % | - | P+10.75% Cash, 3% PIK (7) | P&I | 19.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 | Michigan | 9/30/2021 | 9/30/2024 | 470,411 | 169,871 | - | 169,871 | 0.1 | % | - | 11% Cash | P&I | 21.4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11 | Maryland | 9/30/2021 | 9/30/2024 | 32,000,000 | 33,142,423 | (357,973 | ) | 32,784,450 | 9.7 | % | - | P+8.75% Cash, 2% PIK (7) | I/O | 22.0 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12 | Various | 11/8/2021 | 10/31/2024 | 13,574,667 | 8,710,222 | (68,215 | ) | 8,642,007 | 2.6 | % | - | P+9% Cash (12) | P&I | 19.8 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13 | Michigan | 11/22/2021 | 11/1/2024 | 13,100,000 | 13,004,225 | (74,165 | ) | 12,930,060 | 3.8 | % | - | P+6% Cash, 1.5% PIK (11) | I/O | 18.9 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14 | Various | 12/27/2021 | 12/27/2026 | 5,000,000 | 5,125,000 | - | 5,125,000 | 1.5 | % | - | P+12.25% Cash, 2.5% PIK (8) | P&I | 23.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 16 | Florida | 12/30/2021 | 12/31/2024 | 13,000,000 | 4,887,500 | (23,849 | ) | 4,863,651 | 1.4 | % | 5,500,000 | P+9.25% Cash (7) | I/O | 33.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 17 | Florida | 1/18/2022 | 1/31/2025 | 15,000,000 | 15,000,000 | (168,338 | ) | 14,831,662 | 4.4 | % | - | P+4.75% Cash (10) | P&I | 14.4 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 18 | Ohio | 2/3/2022 | 2/28/2025 | 11,662,050 | 13,000,915 | (112,166 | ) | 12,888,749 | 3.8 | % | - | P+1.75% Cash, 5% PIK(11) | P&I | 22.1 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 19 | Florida | 3/11/2022 | 8/29/2025 | 20,000,000 | 20,537,025 | (55,525 | ) | 20,481,500 | 6.0 | % | - | 11% Cash, 3% PIK | P&I | 15.5 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 20 | Missouri | 5/9/2022 | 5/30/2025 | 17,000,000 | 17,602,435 | (92,534 | ) | 17,509,901 | 5.2 | % | - | 11% Cash, 2% PIK | P&I | 14.7 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 21 | Illinois | 7/1/2022 | 7/29/2026 | 9,000,000 | 5,192,975 | (62,438 | ) | 5,130,537 | 1.5 | % | 4,000,000 | P+8.5% Cash, 3% PIK | P&I | 25.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 22 | Maryland | 1/24/2023 | 1/24/2026 | 11,250,000 | 10,795,144 | (521,647 | ) | 10,273,497 | 3.0 | % | - | P+5.75% Cash, 1.4% PIK (10) | P&I | 20.4 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 23 | Arizona | 3/27/2023 | 3/31/2026 | 2,000,000 | 1,920,000 | (41,500 | ) | 1,878,500 | 0.6 | % | - | P+7.5% Cash (13) | P&I | 18.9 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 24 | Oregon | 3/31/2023 | 9/27/2026 | 1,000,000 | 900,000 | - | 900,000 | 0.3 | % | - | P+10.5% Cash (9) | P&I | 21.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 25 | New York | 8/1/2023 | 6/29/2036 | 18,746,662 | 18,417,846 | - | 18,417,846 | 5.4 | % | - | 15% Cash | P&I | 16.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 26 | Connecticut | 8/31/2023 | 2/27/2026 | 5,450,000 | 5,450,000 | (131,763 | ) | 5,318,237 | 1.6 | % | - | 14% Cash | P&I | 19.1 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 27 | Nebraska | 8/15/2023 | 6/30/2027 | 6,103,870 | 6,103,870 | - | 6,103,870 | 1.8 | % | - | P+8.75% Cash | P&I | 19.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 28 | Ohio | 9/13/2023 | 3/13/2025 | 2,466,705 | 2,466,705 | - | 2,466,705 | 0.7 | % | - | 15% Cash | P&I | 17.4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current expected credit losses | - | - | - | (5,112,195 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total loans held at carrying value | 355,941,661 | 341,813,501 | (3,021,012 | ) | 333,680,294 | 100.0 | % | 11,204,000 | Wtd Average | 19.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) | All loans originated prior to April 1, 2021 were purchased from affiliated entities at fair value plus accrued interest on or subsequent to April 1, 2021. |
| (2) | Certain loans are subject to contractual extension options and may be subject to performance based on other conditions as stipulated in the loan agreement. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities stated herein as certain borrowers may have the right to prepay with or without a contractual prepayment penalty. The Company may also extend contractual maturities and amend other terms of the loans in connection with loan modifications. |
| (3) | Total Commitment excludes future amounts to be advanced at sole discretion of the lender and reflects receipt of scheduled amortization payments as of September 30, 2023. |
| (4) | “P” = prime rate and depicts floating rate loans that pay interest at the prime rate plus a specific percentage; “PIK” = paid-in-kind interest; subtotal represents weighted average interest rate. |
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| (5) | P&I = principal and interest. I/O = interest only. P&I loans may include interest only periods for a portion of the loan term. |
| (6) | Estimated YTM includes a variety of fees and features that affect the total yield, which may include, but is not limited to, OID, exit fees, prepayment fees, unused fees and contingent features. OID is recognized as a discount to the funded loan principal and is accreted to income over the term of the loan. The estimated YTM calculations require management to make estimates and assumptions, including, but not limited to, the timing and amounts of loan draws on delayed draw loans, the timing and collectability of exit fees, the probability and timing of prepayments and the probability of contingent features occurring. For example, certain credit agreements contain provisions pursuant to which certain PIK interest rates and fees earned by us under such credit agreements will decrease upon the satisfaction of certain specified criteria which we believe may improve the risk profile of the applicable borrower. To be conservative, we have not assumed any prepayment penalties or early payoffs in our estimated YTM calculation. Estimated YTM is based on current management estimates and assumptions, which may change. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions. |
| (7) | This Loan is subject to a prime rate floor of 3.25% |
| (8) | This Loan is subject to a prime rate floor of 4.75% |
| (9) | This Loan is subject to a prime rate floor of 5.50% |
| (10) | This Loan is subject to a prime rate floor of 6.25% |
| (11) | This Loan is subject to a prime rate floor of 7.00% |
| (12) | This Loan is subject to a prime rate floor of 7.50% |
| (13) | This Loan is subject to a prime rate floor of 8.00% |
| (14) | This Loan is subject to a prime rate floor of 8.25% |
| (15) | This Loan is subject to a prime rate floor of 4.00% |
| (16) | This Loan is subject to a prime rate cap of 5.85% |
| (17) | The aggregate loan commitment to Loan #3 includes a $15.9 million initial commitment which has a base interest rate of 13.625%, 2.75% PIK and a second commitment of $4.2 million which has an interest rate of 15.00%, 2.00% PIK. The statistics presented reflect the weighted average of the terms under all advances for the total aggregate loan commitment. |
| (18) | As of May 1, 2023, Loan #9 was placed on non-accrual status and continues to be on non-accrual as of September 30, 2023. Loan #9 is included on the consolidated balance sheet as a loan held for investment – related party (Note 7). |
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The following tables summarize our loans held for investment as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
| As of September 30, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding Principal (1) | Original Issue Discount | Carrying Value (1) | Weighted Average Remaining Life (Years) (2) | |||||||||||||
| Senior Term Loans | $ | 341,813,501 | $ | (3,021,012 | ) | $ | 338,792,489 | 2.2 | ||||||||
| Current expected credit loss reserve | - | - | (5,112,195 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Total loans held at carrying value, net | $ | 341,813,501 | $ | (3,021,012 | ) | $ | 333,680,294 | |||||||||
| As of December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding Principal (1) | Original Issue Discount | Carrying Value (1) | Weighted Average Remaining Life (Years) (2) | |||||||||||||
| Senior Term Loans | $ | 343,029,334 | $ | (3,755,796 | ) | $ | 339,273,538 | 2.2 | ||||||||
| Current expected credit loss reserve | - | - | (3,940,939 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Total loans held at carrying value, net | $ | 343,029,334 | $ | (3,755,796 | ) | $ | 335,332,599 | |||||||||
| (1) | The difference between the Carrying Value and the Outstanding Principal amount of the loans consists of unaccreted original issue discount, deferred loan fees and other upfront fees. Outstanding principal balance includes capitalized PIK interest, if applicable. |
| (2) | Weighted average remaining life is calculated based on the carrying value of the loans as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. |
The following tables present changes in loans held for investment at carrying value as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:
| Principal (1) | Original Issue Discount | Current Expected Credit Loss Reserve | Carrying Value (1) | |||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2022 | $ | 343,029,334 | $ | (3,755,796 | ) | $ | (3,940,939 | ) | $ | 335,332,599 | ||||||
| New fundings | 68,677,238 | (1,254,590 | ) | - | 67,422,648 | |||||||||||
| Principal repayment of loans | (62,837,108 | ) | - | - | (62,837,108 | ) | ||||||||||
| Accretion of original issue discount | - | 1,989,374 | - | 1,989,374 | ||||||||||||
| Sale of loan (2) | (13,399,712 | ) | - | - | (13,399,712 | ) | ||||||||||
| PIK Interest | 6,343,749 | - | - | 6,343,749 | ||||||||||||
| Current expected credit loss reserve | - | - | (1,171,256 | ) | (1,171,256 | ) | ||||||||||
| Balance at September 30, 2023 | $ | 341,813,501 | $ | (3,021,012 | ) | $ | (5,112,195 | ) | $ | 333,680,294 | ||||||
| (1) | The difference between the Carrying Value and the Outstanding Principal amount of the loans consists of unaccreted original issue discount, deferred loan fees and other upfront fees. Outstanding principal balance includes capitalized PIK interest, if applicable. |
| (2) | One loan was reclassified as held for sale from loans held for investment as the decision was made to sell the loan during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 to a syndicate of co-lenders which includes a third party and two affiliates under common control with our Manager. The sale was executed on March 31, 2023. |
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| Principal (1) | Original Issue Discount | Current Expected Credit Loss Reserve | Carrying Value (1) | |||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2021 | $ | 200,632,056 | $ | (3,647,490 | ) | $ | (134,542 | ) | $ | 196,850,024 | ||||||
| New fundings | 143,624,312 | (2,180,593 | ) | - | 141,443,719 | |||||||||||
| Principal repayment of loans | (6,892,654 | ) | - | - | (6,892,654 | ) | ||||||||||
| Accretion of original issue discount | - | 2,139,972 | - | 2,139,972 | ||||||||||||
| Sale of loans | (6,957,500 | ) | 260,723 | - | (6,696,777 | ) | ||||||||||
| PIK Interest | 4,096,721 | - | - | 4,096,721 | ||||||||||||
| Current expected credit loss reserve | - | - | (1,363,391 | ) | (1,363,391 | ) | ||||||||||
| Balance at September 30, 2022 | $ | 334,502,935 | $ | (3,427,388 | ) | $ | (1,497,933 | ) | $ | 329,577,614 | ||||||
| (1) | The difference between the Carrying Value and the Outstanding Principal amount of the loans consists of unaccreted original issue discount, deferred loan fees and loan origination costs. Outstanding principal balance includes capitalized PIK interest, if applicable. |
We may make modifications to loans, including loans that are in default. Loan terms that may be modified include interest rates, required prepayments, maturity dates, covenants, principal amounts and other loan terms. The terms and conditions of each modification vary based on individual circumstances and will be determined on a case by case basis. Our Manager monitors and evaluates each of our loans held for investment and has maintained regular communications with borrowers regarding potential impacts on our loans.
Non-GAAP Measures and Key Financial Measures and Indicators
As a commercial mortgage real estate investment trust, we believe the key financial measures and indicators for our business are Distributable Earnings, Adjusted Distributable Earnings, book value per share, and dividends declared per share.
Distributable Earnings and Adjusted Distributable Earnings
In addition to using certain financial metrics prepared in accordance with GAAP to evaluate our performance, we also use Distributable Earnings and Adjusted Distributable Earnings to evaluate our performance. Each of Distributable Earnings and Adjusted Distributable Earnings is a measure that is not prepared in accordance with GAAP. We define Distributable Earnings as, for a specified period, the net income (loss) computed in accordance with GAAP, excluding (i) non-cash equity compensation expense, (ii) depreciation and amortization, (iii) any unrealized gains, losses or other non-cash items recorded in net income (loss) for the period; provided that Distributable Earnings does not exclude, in the case of investments with a deferred interest feature (such as OID, debt instruments with PIK interest and zero coupon securities), accrued income that we have not yet received in cash, (iv) provision for current expected credit losses and (v) one-time events pursuant to changes in GAAP and certain non-cash charges, in each case after discussions between our Manager and our independent directors and after approval by a majority of such independent directors. We define Adjusted Distributable Earnings, for a specified period, as Distributable Earnings excluding certain non-recurring organizational expenses (such as one-time expenses related to our formation and start-up).
We believe providing Distributable Earnings and Adjusted Distributable Earnings on a supplemental basis to our net income as determined in accordance with GAAP is helpful to stockholders in assessing the overall performance of our business. As a REIT, we are required to distribute at least 90% of our annual REIT taxable income and to pay tax at regular corporate rates to the extent that we annually distribute less than 100% of such taxable income. Given these requirements and our belief that dividends are generally one of the principal reasons that stockholders invest in our common stock, we generally intend to attempt to pay dividends to our stockholders in an amount equal to our net taxable income, if and to the extent authorized by our Board. Distributable Earnings is one of many factors considered by our Board in authorizing dividends and, while not a direct measure of net taxable income, over time, the measure can be considered a useful indicator of our dividends.
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Distributable Earnings and Adjusted Distributable Earnings should not be considered as substitutes for GAAP net income. We caution readers that our methodology for calculating Distributable Earnings and Adjusted Distributable Earnings may differ from the methodologies employed by other REITs to calculate the same or similar supplemental performance measures, and as a result, our reported Distributable Earnings and Adjusted Distributable Earnings may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other REITs.
The following table provides a reconciliation of GAAP net income to Distributable Earnings and Adjusted Distributable Earnings (in thousands, except per share data):
| For the three months ended | For the three months ended | For the nine months ended | For the nine months ended | |||||||||||||
| September 30, 2023 | September 30, 2022 | September 30, 2023 | September 30, 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Net Income | $ | 9,976,998 | $ | 9,768,969 | $ | 29,312,725 | $ | 25,036,760 | ||||||||
| Adjustments to net income | ||||||||||||||||
| Non-cash stock compensation expense | 540,426 | 84,891 | 942,605 | 328,356 | ||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 146,676 | 138,549 | 405,778 | 379,644 | ||||||||||||
| (Reversal)/provision for current expected credit losses | (41,351 | ) | 306,885 | 1,193,880 | 1,403,892 | |||||||||||
| Change in unrealized (gain) on debt securities, at fair value | (85,567 | ) | - | (112,767 | ) | - | ||||||||||
| Distributable Earnings | $ | 10,537,182 | $ | 10,299,294 | $ | 31,742,221 | $ | 27,148,652 | ||||||||
| Adjustments to Distributable Earnings | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
| Adjusted Distributable Earnings | 10,537,182 | 10,299,294 | 31,742,221 | 27,148,652 | ||||||||||||
| Basic weighted average shares of common stock outstanding (in shares) | 18,175,467 | 17,657,913 | 18,052,293 | 17,652,367 | ||||||||||||
| Adjusted Distributable Earnings per Weighted Average Share | $ | 0.58 | $ | 0.58 | $ | 1.76 | $ | 1.54 | ||||||||
| Diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding (in shares) | 18,562,930 | 17,752,290 | 18,269,171 | 17,747,612 | ||||||||||||
| Adjusted Distributable Earnings per Weighted Average Share | $ | 0.57 | $ | 0.58 | $ | 1.74 | $ | 1.53 | ||||||||
Book Value Per Share
The book value per share of our common stock as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 was approximately $15.17 and $14.86, respectively.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity is a measure of our ability to meet potential cash requirements, including ongoing commitments to repay borrowings, fund and maintain our assets and operations, make distributions to our stockholders, and meet other general business needs. We use significant cash to invest in loans, repay principal and interest on our borrowings, make distributions to our stockholders, and fund our operations.
Our primary sources of cash generally consist of unused borrowing capacity under our financing sources, the net proceeds of future offerings of equity or debt securities, payments of principal and interest we receive on our portfolio of assets and cash generated from our operating results. On a long-term basis, we expect that our primary sources of financing will be, to the extent available to us, through (a) credit facilities and (b) public and private offerings of our equity and debt securities. We may utilize other sources of financing to the extent available to us. As the cannabis industry continues to evolve and to the extent that additional states legalize cannabis, the demand for capital continues to increase as operators seek to enter and build out new markets. In the short-term, we expect the principal amount of the loans we originate to increase and that we will need to raise additional equity and/or debt financing to increase our liquidity. We expect to achieve this through recycling capital from loan paydowns, repayments, and sales of common stock related to our shelf registration statement.
As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, all of our cash was unrestricted and totaled approximately $8.7 million and $5.7 million, respectively. We believe that our cash on hand, capacity available under our Revolving Loan, and cash flows from operations for the next twelve months will be sufficient to satisfy the operating requirements of our business through at least the next twelve months. The sources of financing for our target investments are described below.
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Credit Facility
As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, unamortized debt issuance costs related to the Revolving Loan, including all amendments and amendments and restatements thereto, as applicable, of $516,261 and $805,596, respectively, are recorded in other receivables and assets, net on the consolidated balance sheets.
As of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company had net borrowings of $5.0 million against the Revolving Loan. As of September 30, 2023, the Company had $37.0 million available and $63.0 million outstanding under the Revolving Loan (Note 6).
Capital Markets
We may seek to raise further equity capital and issue debt securities in order to fund our future investments in loans. Our Shelf Registration Statement became effective on January 19, 2023, allowing us to sell, from time to time in one or more offerings, up to $500 million of our securities, including common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants and rights (including as part of a unit) to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock, or debt securities. The specifics of any future offerings, along with the use of proceeds of any securities offered, will be described in detail in a prospectus supplement, or other offering materials, at the time of any offering. We may also access liquidity through our ATM Program, which was established in June 2023, pursuant to which we may sell, from time to time, up to $75.0 million of our common stock.
Cash Flows
The following table sets forth changes in cash and cash equivalents for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively:
| For the nine months ended September 30, 2023 | For the nine months ended September 30, 2022 | |||||||
| Net income | $ | 29,312,725 | $ | 25,036,760 | ||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities and changes in operating assets and liabilities | (16,399,989 | ) | (12,658,931 | ) | ||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 12,912,736 | 12,377,829 | ||||||
| Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities | 8,814,172 | (120,724,572 | ) | |||||
| Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities | (18,740,578 | ) | 37,429,747 | |||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | $ | 2,986,330 | $ | (70,916,996 | ) | |||
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
For the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, we reported “Net cash provided by operating activities” of approximately $12.9 million and $12.4 million, respectively. Net cash provided by operating activities increased approximately $0.5 million, primarily attributable to an increase in net income over the comparable period of $4.3 million, a change in the interest reserve for applied interest payments of approximately $8.6 million, a decrease in provision for current expected credit losses of approximately $0.2 million, and a decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses of approximately $0.4 million. These changes were offset by the purchase of $3.4 million of debt securities, at fair value, an increase in PIK interest of approximately $2.2 million, an increase in interest receivable of approximately $0.5 million, an increase in related party net receivable of approximately $3.0 million, an increase in management and incentive fees payable of approximately $2.2 million, an increase in stock based compensation of approximately $0.6 million, and $0.1 million in unrealized gain relating to the purchase of debt securities, at fair value, over the comparable period.
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Net Cash Provided by/(Used in) Investing Activities
For the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, we reported “Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities” of approximately $8.8 million and ($120.7) million, respectively.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, cash outflows primarily related to $67.4 million used for the origination and funding of loans held for investment, partially offset by $13.4 million received from the sales of loans and $62.8 million of cash received from the principal repayment of loans held for investment.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, cash outflows primarily related to $134.3 million used for the origination and funding of loans held for investment, partially offset by $6.7 million of cash received from the sales of loans and approximately $6.9 million of cash received from the principal repayment of loans held for investment.
Net Cash (Used in)/Provided by Financing Activities
For the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, we reported “Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities” of approximately ($18.7) million and $37.4 million, respectively.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, cash inflows of approximately $7.2 million related to proceeds received from sales of our common stock through the registered direct offering and ATM offering of $6.0 million and $1.2 million, respectively. Additionally, we had cash inflows related to draw downs on our Revolving Loan of $64 million, which were offset by $59.0 million in repayments on our Revolving Loan, approximately $30.6 million in dividends paid, approximately $0.1 million in debt issuance costs paid, and approximately $0.3 million in offering costs paid associated with the registered direct offering and ATM offering.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, cash inflows primarily related to approximately $4.5 million received from the underwriters’ partial exercise of their over-allotment option in connection with our initial public offering and $53.0 million related to draw downs on our Revolving Loan, offset by approximately $19.9 million in dividends paid, and approximately $0.2 million in debt issuance costs and offering costs paid in connection with our Revolving Loan and initial public offering.
Leverage Policies
Although we are not required to maintain any particular leverage ratio, we expect to employ prudent amounts of leverage and, when appropriate, to use debt as a means of providing additional funds for the acquisition of loans, to refinance existing debt or for general corporate purposes. Leverage is primarily used to provide capital for forward commitments until additional equity is raised or additional medium- to long-term financing is arranged. This policy is subject to change by management and our Board.
Dividends
We have elected to be taxed as a REIT for United States federal income tax purposes and, as such, anticipate annually distributing to our stockholders at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, prior to the deduction for dividends paid and our net capital gain. If we distribute less than 100% of our REIT taxable income in any tax year (taking into account any distributions made in a subsequent tax year under Sections 857(b)(9) or 858 of the Code), we will pay tax at regular corporate rates on that undistributed portion. Furthermore, if we distribute less than the sum of (i) 85% of our ordinary income for the calendar year, (ii) 95% of our capital gain net income for the calendar year and (iii) any Required Distribution to our stockholders during any calendar year (including any distributions declared by the last day of the calendar year but paid in the subsequent year), then we are required to pay non-deductible excise tax equal to 4% of any shortfall between the Required Distribution and the amount that was actually distributed. Any of these taxes would decrease cash available for distribution to our stockholders. The 90% distribution requirement does not require the distribution of net capital gains. However, if we elect to retain any of our net capital gain for any tax year, we must notify our stockholders and pay tax at regular corporate rates on the retained net capital gain. The stockholders must include their proportionate share of the retained net capital gain in their taxable income for the tax year, and they are deemed to have paid the REIT’s tax on their proportionate share of the retained capital gain. Furthermore, such retained capital gain may be subject to the nondeductible 4% excise tax. If we determine that our estimated current year taxable income (including net capital gain) will be in excess of estimated dividend distributions (including capital gains dividends) for the current year from such income, we accrue excise tax on a portion of the estimated excess taxable income as such taxable income is earned.
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To the extent that our cash available for distribution is less than the amount required to be distributed under the REIT provisions of the Code, we may be required to fund distributions from working capital or through equity, equity-related or debt financings or, in certain circumstances, asset sales, as to which our ability to consummate transactions in a timely manner on favorable terms, or at all, cannot be assured, or we may make a portion of the Required Distribution in the form of a taxable stock distribution or distribution of debt securities.
The following table summarizes the Company’s dividends declared during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
| Record Date | Payment Date | Common Share Distribution Amount | Taxable Ordinary Income | Return
of Capital | Section 199A Dividends | |||||||||||||||
| Regular cash dividend | 3/31/2023 | 4/14/2023 | $ | 0.47 | $ | 0.47 | $ | - | $ | 0.47 | ||||||||||
| Regular cash dividend | 6/30/2023 | 7/14/2023 | $ | 0.47 | $ | 0.47 | $ | - | $ | 0.47 | ||||||||||
| Regular cash dividend | 9/29/2023 | 10/13/2023 | $ | 0.47 | $ | 0.47 | $ | - | $ | 0.47 | ||||||||||
| Total cash dividend | $ | 1.41 | $ | 1.41 | $ | - | $ | 1.41 | ||||||||||||
| Record Date | Payment Date | Common Share Distribution Amount | Taxable Ordinary Income | Return
of Capital | Section 199A Dividends | |||||||||||||||
| Regular cash dividend | 3/31/2022 | 4/14/2022 | $ | 0.40 | $ | 0.40 | $ | - | $ | 0.40 | ||||||||||
| Regular cash dividend | 6/30/2022 | 7/15/2022 | $ | 0.47 | $ | 0.47 | $ | - | $ | 0.47 | ||||||||||
| Regular cash dividend | 9/30/2022 | 10/14/2022 | $ | 0.47 | $ | 0.47 | $ | - | $ | 0.47 | ||||||||||
| Total cash dividend | $ | 1.34 | $ | 1.34 | $ | - | $ | 1.34 | ||||||||||||
CECL Reserve
In accordance with ASC 326, we record allowances for our loans held for investment. The allowances are deducted from the gross carrying amount of the assets to present the net carrying value of the amounts expected to be collected on such assets. The Company estimates its CECL Reserve using among other inputs, third-party valuations, and a third-party probability-weighted model that considers the likelihood of default and expected loss given default for each individual loan based on the risk profile for approximately three years after which we immediately revert to use of historical loss data.
ASC 326 requires an entity to consider historical loss experience, current conditions, and a reasonable and supportable forecast of the macroeconomic environment. We consider multiple datapoints and methodologies that may include likelihood of default and expected loss given default for each individual loans, valuations derived from discounted cash flows (“DCF”), and other inputs including the risk rating of the loan, how recently the loan was originated compared to the measurement date, and expected prepayment, if applicable. The measurement of expected credit losses under CECL is applicable to financial assets measured at amortized cost, and off-balance sheet credit exposures such as unfunded loan commitments.
We evaluate our loans on a collective (pool) basis by aggregating on the basis of similar risk characteristics as explained above. We make the judgment that loans to cannabis-related borrowers that are fully collateralized by real estate exhibit similar risk characteristics and are evaluated as a pool. Further, loans that have no real estate collateral, but are secured by other forms of collateral, including equity pledges of the borrower, and otherwise have similar characteristics as those collateralized by real estate are evaluated as a pool. All other loans are analyzed individually, either because they operate in a different industry, may have a different risk profile, or have maturities that extend beyond the forecast horizon for which we are able to derive reasonable and supportable forecasts.
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Estimating the CECL Reserve also requires significant judgment with respect to various factors, including (i) the appropriate historical loan loss reference data, (ii) the expected timing of loan repayments, (iii) calibration of the likelihood of default to reflect the risk characteristics of our loan portfolio, and (iv) our current and future view of the macroeconomic environment. From time to time, we may consider loan-specific qualitative factors on certain loans to estimate our CECL Reserve, which may include (i) whether cash from the borrower’s operations is sufficient to cover the debt service requirements currently and into the future, (ii) the ability of the borrower to refinance the loan and (iii) the liquidation value of collateral. For loans where we have deemed the borrower/sponsor to be experiencing financial difficulty, we may elect to apply a practical expedient, in which the fair value of the underlying collateral is compared to the amortized cost of the loan in determining a CECL Reserve.
To estimate the historic loan losses relevant to our portfolio, we evaluate our historical loan performance, which includes zero realized loan losses since our inception of operations. Additionally, we analyzed our repayment history, noting we have limited “true” operating history, since the incorporation date of March 30, 2021. However, our Sponsor has had operations for the past two fiscal years and has made investments in similar loans that have similar characteristics, including interest rate, collateral coverage, guarantees, and prepayment/make whole provisions, which fall into the pools identified above. Given the similarity of the structuring of the credit agreements for the loans in our portfolio, management considered it appropriate to consider the past repayment history of loans originated by the Sponsor in determining the extent to which we should record a CECL Reserve.
In addition, we review each loan on a quarterly basis and evaluate the borrower’s ability to pay the monthly interest and principal, if required, as well as the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio. In considering the potential current expected credit loss, the Manager primarily considers significant inputs to our forecasting methods, which include (i) key loan-specific inputs such as the value of the real estate collateral, liens on equity (including the equity in the entity that holds the state-issued license to cultivate, process, distribute, or retail cannabis), presence of personal or corporate guarantees, among other credit enhancements, LTV ratio, ratio type (fixed or floating) and IRR, loan-term, geographic location, and expected timing and amount of future loan fundings, (ii) performance against the underwritten business plan and our internal loan risk rating and (iii) a macro-economic forecast. Estimating the enterprise value of our borrowers in order to calculate LTV ratios is often a significant estimate. We rely primarily on comparable transactions to estimate enterprise value of our portfolio companies and supplement such analysis with a multiple-based approach to enterprise value to revenue multiples of publicly-traded comparable companies obtained from S&P Capital IQ as of the quarter end, to which we apply a private company discount based on our current borrower profile. These estimates may change in future periods based on available future macro-economic data and might result in a material change in our future estimates of expected credit losses for our loan portfolio.
Regarding real estate collateral, we generally cannot take the position of mortgagee-in-possession as long as the property is used by a cannabis operator, but we can request that the court appoint a receiver to manage and operate the subject real property until the foreclosure proceedings are completed. Additionally, while we cannot foreclose under state Uniform Commercial Code (“UCC”) and take title or sell equity in a licensed cannabis business, a potential purchaser of a delinquent or defaulted loan could.
In order to estimate the future expected loan losses relevant to our portfolio, we utilize historical market loan loss data obtained from a third-party database for commercial real estate loans, which we believe is a reasonably comparable and available data set to use as an input for our type of loans. We expect this dataset to be representative for future credit losses whilst considering that the cannabis industry is maturing, and consumer adoption, demand for production, and retail capacity are increasing akin to commercial real estate over time. For periods beyond the reasonable and supportable forecast period, we revert back to historical loss data.
All of the above assumptions, although made with the most available information at the time of the estimate, are subjective and actual activity may not follow the estimated schedule. These assumptions impact the future balances that the loss rate will be applied to and as such impact our CECL Reserve. As we acquire new loans and our Manager monitors loan and borrower performance, these estimates will be revised each period.
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Risk Ratings
We assess the risk factors of each loan, and assigns a risk rating based on a variety of factors, including, without limitation, payment history, real estate collateral coverage, property type, geographic and local market dynamics, financial performance, enterprise value of the portfolio company, loan structure and exit strategy, and project sponsorship. This review is performed quarterly. Based on a 5-point scale, our loans are rated “1” through “5,” from less risk to greater risk, which ratings are defined as follows:
| Rating | Definition | |
| 1 | Very low risk | |
| 2 | Low risk | |
| 3 | Moderate/average risk | |
| 4 | High risk/potential for loss: a loan that has a risk of realizing a principal loss | |
| 5 | Impaired/loss likely: a loan that has a high risk of realizing principal loss, has incurred principal loss or an impairment has been recorded |
The risk ratings are primarily based on historical data and current conditions specific to each portfolio company, as well as consideration of future economic conditions and each borrower’s estimated ability to meet debt service requirements. The risk ratings shown in the following table as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 consider borrower specific credit history and performance and quarterly re-evaluation of overall current macroeconomic conditions affecting the borrowers. As interest rates have increased due to rising rates from the Federal Reserve Board, it has impacted borrowers’ ability to service their debt obligations on a global scale. Changes in risk ratings had an effect on the level of the current expected credit loss reserve though, other than the one loan placed on non-accrual status, the loans continued to perform as expected. For approximately 74.3% of the portfolio, the fair value of the underlying real estate collateral exceeded the amounts outstanding under the loans as of September 30, 2023. The remaining approximately 25.7% of the portfolio, while not fully collateralized by real estate, may be partially collateralized by real estate and was secured by other forms of collateral including equipment, receivables, licenses and/or other assets of the borrowers to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations governing such borrowers.
As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the carrying value, excluding the CECL Reserve, of the Company’s loans within each risk rating by year of origination is as follows:
| As of September 30, 2023(1)(2) | As of December 31, 2022(1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Risk Rating | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | Total | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | $ | 10,273,497 | $ | 37,991,401 | $ | 169,871 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 48,434,769 | $ | - | $ | 274,406 | $ | - | $ | - | $274,406 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 26,514,583 | 112,727,913 | 36,509,859 | - | - | 175,752,355 | 94,467,449 | 88,444,868 | 29,140,546 | - | 212,052,863 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | 8,570,575 | 5,130,537 | 58,875,151 | - | - | 72,576,263 | 30,415,113 | 83,131,444 | - | - | 113,546,557 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | - | - | 42,029,102 | - | - | 42,029,102 | - | 13,399,712 | - | - | 13,399,712 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 45,358,655 | $ | 155,849,851 | $ | 137,583,983 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 338,792,489 | $ | 124,882,562 | $ | 185,250,430 | $ | 29,140,546 | $ | - | $339,273,538 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) | Amounts are presented by loan origination year with subsequent advances shown in the original year of origination. |
| (2) | Loan #9 placed on non-accrual status is included in risk rating category “4”. |
Accounting Policies and Estimates
As of September 30, 2023, there were no significant changes in the application of our accounting policies or estimates from those presented in our annual report on Form 10-K. Refer to Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, titled “Significant Accounting Policies” for information on recent accounting pronouncements.
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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
We are exposed to market risks in the ordinary course of our business. These risks primarily relate to fluctuations in interest rates. Our loans are typically valued using a yield analysis, which is typically performed for performing loans to borrowers. Changes in market yields may change the fair value of certain of our loans. Generally, an increase in market yields may result in a decrease in the fair value of certain of our loans, however this is mitigated to the extent our loans bear interest at a floating rate. As of September 30, 2023, we had 21 floating-rate loans, representing approximately 81.1% of our loan portfolio based on aggregate outstanding principal balances, subject to a Prime Rate floor. We estimate that a hypothetical 100 basis points increase in the Prime Rate would result in an increase in annual cash interest income, excluding the effects of PIK interest, of approximately $2.8 million and a 100 basis points decrease in the Prime Rate would result in a decrease in annual interest income of approximately $(2.8) million. Our loans generally have a Prime Rate floor established at the prevailing Prime Rate at the time of origination. Refer to Note 3 for Prime Rate floor by loan.
In addition, our Revolving Loan is exposed to similar market risks. Changes in market rates may change the fair value of our Revolving Loan as our loan bears interest at the greater of (1) the Prime Rate plus the applicable margin and (2) 3.25%. As of September 30, 2023, we had an outstanding balance of $63.0 million under the Revolving Loan. Based on our outstanding balance as of September 30, 2023, we estimate that a hypothetical 100 basis points increase in the Prime Rate would result in an increase in annual cash interest expense, excluding unused fees, of approximately $0.6 million and a 100 basis points decrease in the Prime Rate would result in a decrease in annual interest expense of approximately $0.6 million.
Changes in Market Interest Rates and Effect on Net Interest Income
Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including fiscal and monetary policies and domestic and international economic and political considerations, as well as other factors beyond our control. We will be subject to interest rate risk in connection with our assets and our related financing obligations.
Our operating results will depend in large part on differences between the income earned on our assets and our cost of borrowing. The cost of our borrowings generally will be based on prevailing market interest rates. During a period of rising interest rates, our borrowing costs generally will increase (a) while the yields earned on our leveraged fixed-rate loan assets will remain static, and (b) at a faster pace than the yields earned on our leveraged floating-rate loan assets, which could result in a decline in our net interest spread and net interest margin. The severity of any such decline would depend on our asset/liability composition at the time as well as the magnitude and duration of the interest rate increase. Further, an increase in short-term interest rates could also have a negative impact on the market value of our target investments. If any of these events happen, we could experience a decrease in net income or incur a net loss during these periods, which could adversely affect our liquidity and results of operations.
Risk Management
To the extent consistent with maintaining our REIT qualification and our exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act, we seek to manage risk exposure by closely monitoring our portfolio and actively managing the financing, interest rate, credit, prepayment and convexity (a measure of the sensitivity of the duration of a loan to changes in interest rates) risks associated with holding our portfolio of loans. Generally, with the guidance and experience of our Manager:
| ● | we manage our portfolio through an interactive process with our Manager and service our self-originated loans through our Manager’s servicer; |
| ● | we invest in a mix of floating-rate and fixed-rate loans to mitigate the interest rate risk associated with the financing of our portfolio; |
| ● | we actively employ portfolio-wide and asset-specific risk measurement and management processes in our daily operations, including utilizing our Manager’s risk management tools such as software and services licensed or purchased from third-parties and proprietary analytical methods developed by our Manager; and |
| ● | we seek to manage credit risk through our due diligence process prior to origination or acquisition and through the use of non-recourse financing, when and where available and appropriate. In addition, with respect to any particular target investment, prior to origination or acquisition our Manager’s investment team evaluates, among other things, relative valuation, comparable company analysis, supply and demand trends, shape-of-yield curves, delinquency and default rates, recovery of various sectors and vintage of collateral. |
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Market Conditions
We provide loans to established companies operating in the cannabis industry which involves significant risks, including the risk of strict enforcement against our borrowers of the federal illegality of cannabis, our borrowers’ inability to renew or otherwise maintain their licenses or other requisite authorizations for their cannabis operations, and such loans lack of liquidity, and we could lose all or part of any of our loans.
We believe that favorable market conditions, including an imbalance in supply and demand of credit to cannabis operating companies, have provided attractive opportunities for non-bank lenders, such as us, to finance commercial real estate loans and other loans that exhibit strong fundamentals but also require more customized financing structures and loan products than regulated financial institutions can presently provide. Additionally, to the extent that additional states legalize cannabis, our addressable market will increase. While we intend to continue capitalizing on these opportunities and growing the size of our portfolio, we are aware that the competition for the capital we provide is increasing.
Our ability to grow or maintain our business depends on state laws pertaining to the cannabis industry. New laws that are adverse to our borrowers may be enacted, and current favorable state or national laws or enforcement guidelines relating to cultivation, production and distribution of cannabis may be modified or eliminated in the future, which would impede our ability to grow and could materially adversely affect our business.
Management’s plan to mitigate risks include monitoring the legal landscape as deemed appropriate. Also, should a loan default or otherwise be seized, we may be prohibited from owning cannabis assets and thus could not take possession of collateral, in which case we would look to sell the loan, which could result in us realizing a loss on the transaction.
While we believe the principal amounts of our loans are generally adequately protected by underlying collateral value, there is a risk that we will not realize the entire principal value of certain loans, particularly those not fully collateralized by real estate. In order to mitigate that risk, our loans are generally collateralized by other assets, such as equipment, receivables, licenses or other assets of the borrowers to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations. In addition, we seek to impose strict loan covenants and seek personal or corporate guarantees for additional protection. As of September 30, 2023, 74% of our portfolio is fully secured by real estate. Our portfolio on average had real estate collateral coverage of 1.5x as of September 30, 2023, and all of our loans are secured by equity pledges of the borrower and all asset liens. As of September 30, 2022, 96% of our portfolio was fully secured by real estate and 4% had limited or no real estate collateral. Our portfolio on average had real estate collateral coverage of 1.9x as of September 30, 2022 and all of our loans were secured by equity pledges of the borrower and all asset liens.
Credit Risk
We are subject to varying degrees of credit risk in connection with our loans and interest receivable. Our Manager seeks to mitigate this risk by seeking to originate loans, and may in the future acquire loans, of higher quality at appropriate prices given anticipated and unanticipated losses, by employing a comprehensive review and selection process and by proactively monitoring originated and acquired loans. Nevertheless, unanticipated credit losses could occur that could adversely impact our operating results. For additional information regarding the credit risk associated with our loans and interest receivables, see “Risk Factors- Loans to relatively new and/or small companies and companies operating in the cannabis industry generally involve significant risks” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
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Our Manager or affiliates of our Manager have originated all of our loans and intend to continue to originate our loans, but we may in the future also acquire loans from time to time. Our Investment Guidelines are not subject to any limits or proportions with respect to the mix of target investments that we make or that we may in the future acquire other than as necessary to maintain our exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act and our qualification as a REIT. Our investment decisions will depend on prevailing market conditions and may change over time in response to opportunities available in different interest rate, economic and credit environments. As a result, we cannot predict the percentage of our capital that will be invested in any individual target investment at any given time.
Our loan portfolio as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, was concentrated with the top three borrowers representing approximately 29.7% and 29.4% of principal outstanding and approximately 27.5% and 27.9% of the total commitments, respectively. As of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the top three borrowers represented approximately 28.7% and 28.8% of the total interest income, respectively. The largest loan represented approximately 11.2% and 10.9% of principal outstanding and approximately 10.1% and 10.2% of the total commitments as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, our borrowers have operations in the jurisdiction noted within the table below based on real estate collateral location or principal place of business:
| As of September 30, 2023 | ||||||||
| Jurisdiction | Outstanding Principal | Percentage of Loan Portfolio | ||||||
| Maryland | 64,401,925 | 19 | % | |||||
| Michigan | 55,839,144 | 16 | % | |||||
| Florida | 48,928,269 | 14 | % | |||||
| Illinois | 24,758,610 | 7 | % | |||||
| Arizona | 24,116,589 | 7 | % | |||||
| Pennsylvania | 21,817,641 | 6 | % | |||||
| Ohio | 20,122,745 | 6 | % | |||||
| New York | 18,417,846 | 6 | % | |||||
| Missouri | 17,602,435 | 5 | % | |||||
| West Virginia | 17,758,874 | 5 | % | |||||
| Massachusetts | 9,538,894 | 3 | % | |||||
| Nebraska | 6,103,870 | 2 | % | |||||
| Connecticut | 5,450,000 | 2 | % | |||||
| Nevada | 6,056,659 | 2 | % | |||||
| Oregon | 900,000 | 0 | % | |||||
| 341,813,501 | 100 | % | ||||||
| As of December 31, 2022 | ||||||||
| Jurisdiction | Outstanding Principal | Percentage of Loan Portfolio | ||||||
| Maryland | 53,394,180 | 16 | % | |||||
| Michigan | 58,823,506 | 17 | % | |||||
| Florida | 51,421,128 | 15 | % | |||||
| Illinois | 30,302,490 | 9 | % | |||||
| Arizona | 19,266,104 | 6 | % | |||||
| Pennsylvania | 34,606,585 | 10 | % | |||||
| Ohio | 45,116,990 | 13 | % | |||||
| New York | - | 0 | % | |||||
| Missouri | 17,337,220 | 5 | % | |||||
| West Virginia | 11,640,004 | 3 | % | |||||
| Massachusetts | 15,031,751 | 4 | % | |||||
| Nebraska | - | 0 | % | |||||
| Connecticut | - | 0 | % | |||||
| Nevada | 6,089,376 | 2 | % | |||||
| Oregon | - | 0 | % | |||||
| 343,029,334 | 100 | % | ||||||
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Real Estate Risk
Commercial real estate loans are subject to volatility and may be affected adversely by a number of factors, including, but not limited to, national, regional and local economic conditions (which may be adversely affected by industry slowdowns and other factors); local real estate conditions; changes or continued weakness in specific industry segments; construction quality, age and design; demographic factors; and retroactive changes to building or similar codes. In addition, decreases in property values reduce the value of the collateral and the potential proceeds available to a borrower to repay the underlying loan or loans, as the case may be, which could also cause us to suffer losses.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the forms and rules of the SEC and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the CEO and Interim CFO, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives.
In connection with the preparation of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, our management, including the CEO and Interim CFO, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2023. Based on that evaluation, our CEO and Interim CFO have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of September 30, 2023 to ensure that (a) information required to be disclosed in reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the forms and rules of the SEC and (b) such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the CEO and Interim CFO, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended September 30, 2023 that have materially affected, or that are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
In the normal course of business, we may be subject to various legal proceedings from time to time. We are not party to any material pending legal proceedings required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 103 of Regulation S-K.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, which could materially affect our business, financial condition and/or results of operations. Except to the extent updated below or to the extent additional factual information disclosed elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q relates to such risk factors, there have been no material changes to the risk factors described in the “Risk Factors” sections in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q are not the only risks facing our Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or results of operations.
Recent macroeconomic trends, including inflation and rising interest rates, may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, inflation in the United States has remained at an elevated level and may remain at an elevated level in the near-term. Rising inflation could have an adverse impact on any variable rate debt we may incur in the future, and our general and administrative expenses, as these costs could increase at a rate higher than our interest income and other revenue. The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates multiple times since March 2022 to combat inflation and restore price stability and rates may continue to rise throughout the remainder of 2023. To the extent our borrowing costs increase faster than the interest income earned from our floating-rate loans, such increases may adversely affect our cash flows.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
None.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Item 5. Other Information
None of the Company’s officers or directors have adopted, modified or terminated trading plans under either a Rule 10b5-1 or non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement (as such terms are defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K of the Securities Act of 1933) for the three months ended September 30, 2023.
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Item 6. Exhibits
| Exhibit No. |
Description of Exhibits | |
| 31.1* | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
| 31.2* | Certification of Interim Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
| 32.1* | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
| 32.2* | Certification of Interim Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
| 101.INS* | Inline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. | |
| 101.SCH* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. | |
| 101.CAL* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. | |
| 101.LAB* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. | |
| 101.PRE* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. | |
| 101.DEF* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. | |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). |
| * | Furnished herewith |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| CHICAGO ATLANTIC REAL ESTATE FINANCE, INC. | ||
| Dated: November 8, 2023 | By: | /s/ Anthony Cappell |
| Anthony Cappell | ||
| Chief Executive Officer | ||
| (Principal Executive Officer) | ||
| Dated: November 8, 2023 | By: | /s/ Phillip Silverman |
| Phillip Silverman | ||
| Interim Chief Financial Officer | ||
| (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
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Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
I, Anthony Cappell, Chief Executive Officer of Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc., certify that:
| 1. | I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc.; |
| 2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
| 3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
| 4. | The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: |
| a) | designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
| b) | designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; |
| c) | evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and |
| d) | disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and |
| 5. | The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
| a) | all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and |
| b) | any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
| Date: November 8, 2023 | ||
| By: | /s/ Anthony Cappell | |
| Anthony Cappell | ||
| Chief Executive Officer and Director | ||
| (Principal Executive Officer) | ||
Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
I, Phillip Silverman, Interim Chief Financial Officer of Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc., certify that:
| 1. | I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc.; |
| 2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
| 3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
| 4. | The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: |
| a) | designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
| b) | designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; |
| c) | evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and |
| d) | disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and |
| 5. | The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
| a) | all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and |
| b) | any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
| Date: November 8, 2023 | ||
| By: | /s/ Phillip Silverman | |
| Phillip Silverman | ||
| Interim Chief Financial Officer | ||
| (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | ||
Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 (18 U.S.C. 1350)
In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2023 (the “Report”) of Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc. (the “Registrant”), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof, I, Anthony Cappell, the Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant, hereby certify, to the best of my knowledge, that:
| (1) | The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and |
| (2) | The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant. |
| Date: November 8, 2023 | ||
| By: | /s/ Anthony Cappell | |
| Anthony Cappell | ||
| Chief Executive Officer and Director | ||
| (Principal Executive Officer) | ||
Exhibit 32.2
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 (18 U.S.C. 1350)
In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2023 (the “Report”) of Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc. (the “Registrant”), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof, I, Phillip Silverman, the Interim Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant, hereby certify, to the best of my knowledge, that:
| (1) | The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and |
| (2) | The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant. |
| Date: November 8, 2023 | ||
| By: | /s/ Phillip Silverman | |
| Phillip Silverman | ||
| Interim Chief Financial Officer | ||
| (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | ||