Edgar Filing: Orchid Island Capital, Inc.

orc10q20150331.htm

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

þ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2015

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from __________ to ___________

Commission File Number: 001-35236

Orchid Island Capital, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Maryland		27-3269228
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

3305 Flamingo Drive, Vero Beach, Florida 32963

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(772) 231-1400

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

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

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

Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer ý Non-accelerated filer ¨ Smaller Reporting Company ¨

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

Number of shares outstanding at April 28, 2015: 18,329,179

ORCHID ISLAND CAPITAL, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. Financial Statements		1
	Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2015 (unaudited) and December 31, 2014	1
	Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014	2
	Statement of Stockholders’ Equity (unaudited) for the three months ended March 31, 2015	3
	Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014	4
ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		20
ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		39
ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures		43

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings		44
ITEM 1A. Risk Factors		44
ITEM 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds		44
ITEM 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities		44
ITEM 4. Mine Safety Disclosures		44
ITEM 5. Other Information		44
ITEM 6. Exhibits		45
SIGNATURES		46

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ORCHID ISLAND CAPITAL, INC.
BALANCE SHEETS
($ in thousands, except per share data)

	(Unaudited)
	March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
ASSETS:
Mortgage-backed securities, at fair value
Pledged to counterparties	$	1,546,952	$	1,517,304
Unpledged		129,669		31,867
Total mortgage-backed securities		1,676,621		1,549,171
Cash and cash equivalents		78,105		93,137
Restricted cash		8,263		7,790
Accrued interest receivable		6,883		6,211
Derivative assets, at fair value		218		1,217
Other assets		725		282
Total Assets	$	1,770,815	$	1,657,808

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

LIABILITIES:
Repurchase agreements	$	1,459,490	$	1,436,651
Payable for unsettled securities purchased		79,186		-
Accrued interest payable		368		628
Due to affiliates		386		330
Other liabilities		639		2,121
Total Liabilities		1,540,069		1,439,730

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued
and outstanding as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014		-		-
Common Stock, $0.01 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized, 17,924,383
shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2015 and 16,699,656 shares issued
and outstanding as of December 31, 2014		179		167
Additional paid-in capital		230,567		217,419
Retained earnings		-		492
Total Stockholders' Equity		230,746		218,078
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$	1,770,815	$	1,657,808

See Notes to Financial Statements
ORCHID ISLAND CAPITAL, INC.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014
($ in thousands, except per share data)

	2015			2014
Interest income	$	14,614		$	3,783
Interest expense		(1,296	)		(411	)
Net interest income		13,318			3,372
Realized (losses) gains on mortgage-backed securities		(32	)		911
Unrealized gains on mortgage-backed securities		6,320			1,540
Losses on derivative instruments		(12,351	)		(1,693	)
Net portfolio income		7,255			4,130

Expenses:
Management fees		855			303
Accrued incentive compensation		165			-
Directors' fees and liability insurance		248			84
Audit, legal and other professional fees		160			73
Direct REIT operating expenses		42			45
Other administrative		276			30
Total expenses		1,746			535

Net income	$	5,509		$	3,595

Basic and diluted net income per share	$	0.33		$	0.71

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding		16,846,950			5,093,554

Dividends declared per common share	$	0.54		$	0.54
See Notes to Financial Statements

ORCHID ISLAND CAPITAL, INC.
STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
($ in thousands, except per share data)

			Additional
	Common		Paid-in			Retained
	Stock		Capital			Earnings			Total
Balances, January 1, 2015	$	167	$	217,419		$	492		$	218,078
Net income		-		-			5,509			5,509
Cash dividends declared, $0.54 per share		-		(3,238	)		(6,001	)		(9,239	)
Issuance of common stock pursuant to public offerings		12		16,163			-			16,175
Issuance of common stock pursuant to equity
compensation plan		-		189			-			189
Amortization of equity compensation		-		34			-			34
Balances, March 31, 2015	$	179	$	230,567		$	-		$	230,746
See Notes to Financial Statements

ORCHID ISLAND CAPITAL, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014
($ in thousands)

	2015			2014
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$	5,509		$	3,595
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Stock based compensation		223			-
Realized and unrealized gains on mortgage-backed securities		(6,288	)		(2,451	)
Realized and unrealized losses on interest rate swaptions		1,091			156
Realized and unrealized gains on forward settling to-be-announced securities		(57	)		-
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accrued interest receivable		(565	)		(1,316	)
Other assets		(444	)		(115	)
Accrued interest payable		(260	)		25
Other liabilities		(1,690	)		145
Due to affiliates		56			50
NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES		(2,425	)		89

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
From mortgage-backed securities investments:
Purchases		(125,348	)		(506,249	)
Sales		40,255			141,297
Principal repayments		43,011			10,373
Increase in restricted cash		(473	)		(1,650	)
Payment on net settlement of to-be-announced securities		(35	)		-
Purchase of interest rate swaptions, net of margin cash received		207			(200	)
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES		(42,383	)		(356,429	)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from repurchase agreements		3,251,722			1,669,242
Principal payments on repurchase agreements		(3,228,882	)		(1,336,553	)
Cash dividends		(9,239	)		(3,450	)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs		16,175			62,499
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES		29,776			391,738

NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS		(15,032	)		35,398
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of the period		93,137			8,169
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of the period	$	78,105		$	43,567

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	$	1,556		$	386

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NONCASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Securities acquired settled in later period	$	79,186		$	39,503
See Notes to Financial Statements

ORCHID ISLAND CAPITAL, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

MARCH 31, 2015

NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Organization and Business Description

Orchid Island Capital, Inc., (“Orchid” or the “Company”), was incorporated in Maryland on August 17, 2010 for the purpose of creating and managing a leveraged investment portfolio consisting of residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”). From incorporation to February 20, 2013 Orchid was a wholly owned subsidiary of Bimini Capital Management, Inc. (“Bimini”). Orchid began operations on November 24, 2010 (the date of commencement of operations). From incorporation through November 24, 2010, Orchid’s only activity was the issuance of common stock to Bimini.

On February 20, 2013, Orchid completed the initial public offering (“IPO”) of its common stock in which it sold approximately 2.4 million shares of its common stock and raised gross proceeds of $35.4 million. Orchid is an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”).

Orchid completed a secondary offering of 1,800,000 common shares on January 23, 2014. The underwriters exercised their overallotment option in full for an additional 270,000 shares on January 29, 2014. The aggregate net proceeds to Orchid were approximately $24.2 million which were invested in residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) that are issued and the principal and interest of which are guaranteed by a federally chartered corporation or agency (“Agency RMBS”) on a leveraged basis.

Orchid completed a secondary offering of 3,200,000 common shares on March 24, 2014. The underwriters exercised their overallotment option in full for an additional 480,000 shares on April 11, 2014. The aggregate net proceeds to Orchid were approximately $44.0 million which were invested in Agency RMBS securities on a leveraged basis.

On June 17, 2014, Orchid entered into an equity distribution agreement (the “June 2014 Equity Distribution Agreement”) with two sales agents pursuant to which the Company could offer and sell, from time to time, up to an aggregate amount of $35,000,000 of shares of the Company’s common stock in transactions that were deemed to be “at the market” offerings and privately negotiated transactions. The Company issued a total of 2,528,416 shares under the June 2014 Equity Distribution Agreement for aggregate proceeds of approximately $34.2 million, net of commissions and fees, prior to its termination.

On September 3, 2014, Orchid entered into a second equity distribution agreement (the “September 2014 Equity Distribution Agreement”) with two sales agents pursuant to which the Company could offer and sell, from time to time, up to an aggregate amount of $75,000,000 of shares of the Company’s common stock in transactions that are deemed to be “at the market” offerings and privately negotiated transactions. The September 2014 Equity Distribution Agreement replaced the June 2014 Equity Distribution Agreement. The Company issued a total of 5,087,646 shares under the September 2014 Equity Distribution Agreement for aggregate proceeds of approximately $69.1 million, net of commissions and fees, prior to its termination.

On March 2, 2015, Orchid entered into a third equity distribution agreement (the “March 2015 Equity Distribution Agreement”) with two sales agents pursuant to which the Company may offer and sell, from time to time, up to an aggregate amount of $100,000,000 of shares of the Company’s common stock in transactions that are deemed to be “at the market” offerings and privately negotiated transactions. The March 2015 Equity Distribution Agreement replaced the September 2014 Equity Distribution Agreement. Through March 31, 2015, the Company issued a total of 1,196,572 shares under the March 2015 Equity Distribution Agreement for aggregate proceeds of approximately $16.0 million, net of commissions and fees. After March 31, 2015, the Company issued an additional 393,892 shares under the March 2015 Equity Distribution Agreement for aggregate proceeds of approximately $5.1 million, net of commissions and fees.

Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates

The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 8 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2015.

The balance sheet at December 31, 2014 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. For further information, refer to the financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The significant estimates affecting the accompanying financial statements are the fair values of RMBS, Eurodollar futures contracts, to-be-announced (“TBA”) securities, as discussed below, and interest rate swaptions.

Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

In accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 220, Comprehensive Income, a statement of comprehensive income has not been included as the Company has no items of other comprehensive income. Comprehensive income is the same as net income for the periods presented.

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on deposit with financial institutions and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase. At March 31, 2015, restricted cash consisted of $6,078,000 of cash held by a broker as margin on Eurodollar futures contracts and $2,185,000 of cash held on deposit as collateral with repurchase agreement counterparties. At December 31, 2014 restricted cash consisted of approximately $5,174,000 of cash held by a broker as margin on Eurodollar futures contracts and $2,616,000 of cash held on deposit as collateral with repurchase agreement counterparties.

The Company maintains cash balances at four banks, and, at times, balances may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses related to these balances. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insures eligible accounts up to $250,000 per depositor at each financial institution. At March 31, 2015, the Company’s cash deposits exceeded federally insured limits by approximately $78.8 million. Restricted cash balances are uninsured, but are held in separate customer accounts that are segregated from the general funds of the counterparty. The Company limits uninsured balances to only large, well-known bank and derivative counterparties and believes that it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents or restricted cash balances.

Mortgage-Backed Securities

The Company invests primarily in mortgage pass-through (“PT”) certificates, collateralized mortgage obligations, and interest only (“IO”) securities and inverse interest only (“IIO”) securities representing interest in or obligations backed by pools of RMBS. These investments meet the requirements to be classified as available for sale under ASC 320-10-25, Debt and Equity Securities (which requires the securities to be carried at fair value on the balance sheet with changes in fair value charged to other comprehensive income, a component of stockholders’ equity). However, the Company has elected to account for its investment in RMBS under the fair value option. Electing the fair value option requires the Company to record changes in fair value in the statement of operations, which, in management’s view, more appropriately reflects the results of our operations for a particular reporting period and is consistent with the underlying economics and how the portfolio is managed.

The Company records RMBS transactions on the trade date. Security purchases that have not settled as of the balance sheet date are included in the RMBS balance with an offsetting liability recorded, whereas securities sold that have not settled as of the balance sheet date are removed from the RMBS balance with an offsetting receivable recorded.

The fair value of the Company’s investments in RMBS is governed by FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement. The definition of fair value in FASB ASC 820 focuses on the price that would be received to sell the asset or paid to transfer the liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value measurement assumes that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability either occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability, or in the absence of a principal market, occurs in the most advantageous market for the asset or liability. Estimated fair values for RMBS are based on independent pricing sources and/or third party broker quotes, when available.

Income on PT RMBS securities is based on the stated interest rate of the security. Premiums or discounts present at the date of purchase are not amortized. For IO securities, the income is accrued based on the carrying value and the effective yield. The difference between income accrued and the interest received on the security is characterized as a return of investment and serves to reduce the asset’s carrying value. At each reporting date, the effective yield is adjusted prospectively from the reporting period based on the new estimate of prepayments and the contractual terms of the security. For IIO securities, effective yield and income recognition calculations also take into account the index value applicable to the security. Changes in fair value of RMBS during each reporting period are recorded in earnings and reported as unrealized gains or losses on mortgage-backed securities in the accompanying statements of operations.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company uses derivative instruments to manage interest rate risk, facilitate asset/liability strategies and manage other exposures, and it may continue to do so in the future. The principal instruments that the Company has used to date are T-Note and Eurodollar futures contracts and options to enter in interest rate swaps (“interest rate swaptions”), but may enter into other derivatives in the future.

The Company purchases a portion of its Agency RMBS through delayed delivery transactions (forward purchase commitments), including TBA securities. At times when market conditions are conducive, the Company may choose to move the settlement of these TBA securities out to a later date by entering into an offsetting short position, which is then net settled for cash, and simultaneously entering into a substantially similar TBA securities trade for a later settlement date. Such a set of transactions is referred to as a TBA “dollar roll” transaction. The TBA securities purchased at the later settlement date are typically priced at a discount to securities for settlement in the current month. This difference is referred to as the “price drop.” The price drop represents compensation to us for foregoing net interest margin and is referred to as TBA “dollar roll income.” Specified pools of mortgage loans can also be the subject of a dollar roll transaction, when market conditions allow.

The Company accounts for TBA securities as derivative instruments if either the TBA securities do not settle in the shortest period of time possible or if the Company cannot assert that it is probable at inception and throughout the term of the TBA security that it will take physical delivery of the Agency RMBS upon settlement of the trade. The Company accounts for TBA dollar roll transactions as a series of derivative transactions. Gains, losses and dollar roll income associated with TBA securities and dollar roll transactions are reported in gain (loss) on derivative instruments in the accompanying statements of operations. The fair value of TBA securities is estimated based on similar methods used to value RMBS securities.

The Company has elected to not treat any of its derivative financial instruments as hedges in order to align the accounting treatment of its derivative instruments with the treatment of its portfolio assets under the fair value option election. FASB ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, requires that all derivative instruments be carried at fair value. Changes in fair value are recorded in earnings for each period.

Holding derivatives creates exposure to credit risk related to the potential for failure on the part of counterparties to honor their commitments. In addition, the Company may be required to post collateral based on any declines in the market value of the derivatives. In the event of default by a counterparty, the Company may have difficulty recovering its collateral and may not receive payments provided for under the terms of the agreement. To mitigate this risk, the Company uses only well-established commercial banks as counterparties.

Financial Instruments

FASB ASC 825, Financial Instruments, requires disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value, either in the body of the financial statements or in the accompanying notes. RMBS, Eurodollar and T-Note futures contracts, interest rate swaptions and TBA securities are accounted for at fair value in the balance sheets. The methods and assumptions used to estimate fair value for these instruments are presented in Note 11 of the financial statements.

The estimated fair value of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accrued interest receivable, other assets, due to affiliates, repurchase agreements, payable for unsettled securities purchased, accrued interest payable and other liabilities generally approximates their carrying values as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments.

Repurchase Agreements

The Company finances the acquisition of the majority of its PT RMBS through the use of repurchase agreements under master repurchase agreements. Pursuant to ASC Topic 860, Transfers and Servicing, the Company accounts for repurchase transactions as collateralized financing transactions, which are carried at their contractual amounts, including accrued interest, as specified in the respective agreements.

Manager Compensation

The Company is externally managed by Bimini Advisors, LLC (“the Manager” or “Bimini Advisors”), a Maryland limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Bimini. The Company’s management agreement with the Manager provides for payment to the Manager of a management fee and reimbursement of certain operating expenses, which are accrued and expensed during the period for which they are earned or incurred. Refer to Note 12 for the terms of the management agreement.

Earnings Per Share

The Company follows the provisions of FASB ASC 260, Earnings Per Share. Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is calculated as net income or loss attributable to common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding or subscribed during the period. Diluted EPS is calculated using the treasury stock or two-class method, as applicable, for common stock equivalents, if any. However, the common stock equivalents are not included in computing diluted EPS if the result is anti-dilutive.

Income Taxes

Orchid has qualified and elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). REITs are generally not subject to federal income tax on their REIT taxable income provided that they distribute to their stockholders at least 90% of their REIT taxable income on an annual basis. In addition, a REIT must meet other provisions of the Code to retain its tax status.

Orchid measures, recognizes and presents its uncertain tax positions in accordance with FASB ASC 740, Income Taxes. Under that guidance, Orchid assesses the likelihood, based on their technical merit, that tax positions will be sustained upon examination based on the facts, circumstances and information available at the end of each period. All of Orchid’s tax positions are categorized as highly certain. There is no accrual for any tax, interest or penalties related to Orchid’s tax position assessment. The measurement of uncertain tax positions is adjusted when new information is available, or when an event occurs that requires a change.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2014-12, Compensation-Stock Compensation: Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period. ASU 2014-12 requires that performance targets that affect vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as performance conditions. The effective date of ASU 2014-12 is for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The ASU is not expected to materially impact the Company’s financial statements.

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-11, Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860): Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures. ASU 2014-11 amends the accounting guidance for repurchase-to-maturity transactions and repurchase agreements executed as repurchase financings, and requires additional disclosure about certain transactions by the transferor. ASU 2014-11 is effective for certain transactions that qualify for sales treatment for the first interim or annual period beginning after December 15, 2014. The new disclosure requirements for repurchase agreements, securities lending transactions and repurchase-to-maturity transactions that qualify for secured borrowing treatment is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014 and for interim periods beginning after March 15, 2015. We currently record our repurchase arrangements as secured borrowings and do not anticipate that ASU 2014-11 will have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

NOTE 2. MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES

The following table presents the Company’s RMBS portfolio as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

(in thousands)
	March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
Pass-Through RMBS Certificates:
Hybrid Adjustable-rate Mortgages	$	69,619	$	70,400
Adjustable-rate Mortgages		3,755		3,794
Fixed-rate Mortgages		1,522,833		1,412,593
Total Pass-Through Certificates		1,596,207		1,486,787
Structured RMBS Certificates:
Interest-Only Securities		65,232		46,611
Inverse Interest-Only Securities		15,182		15,773
Total Structured RMBS Certificates		80,414		62,384
Total	$	1,676,621	$	1,549,171

The following table summarizes the Company’s RMBS portfolio as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, according to the contractual maturities of the securities in the portfolio. Actual maturities of RMBS investments are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities and are affected by the contractual lives of the underlying mortgages, periodic payments of principal, and prepayments of principal.

(in thousands)
	March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
Greater than five years and less than ten years		$	766		$	967
Greater than or equal to ten years			1,675,855			1,548,204
Total		$	1,676,621		$	1,549,171

The Company generally pledges its RMBS assets as collateral under repurchase agreements. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had unpledged securities totaling $129.7 million and $31.9 million, respectively. The unpledged balance at March 31, 2015 includes unsettled security purchases with a fair value of approximately $79.3 million that will be pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements on their settlement dates in April 2015.

NOTE 3. REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

As of March 31, 2015, the Company had outstanding repurchase obligations of approximately $1,459.5 million with a net weighted average borrowing rate of 0.36%. These agreements were collateralized by RMBS with a fair value, including accrued interest, of approximately $1,552.7 million and cash pledged to counterparties of approximately $2.2 million. As of December 31, 2014, the Company had outstanding repurchase obligations of approximately $1,436.7 million with a net weighted average borrowing rate of 0.36%. These agreements were collateralized by RMBS with a fair value, including accrued interest, of approximately $1,522.9 million and cash pledged to counterparties of approximately $2.6 million.

As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company’s repurchase agreements had remaining maturities as summarized below:

($ in thousands)
	OVERNIGHT			BETWEEN 2				BETWEEN 31				GREATER
	(1 DAY OR			AND				AND				THAN
	LESS)			30 DAYS				90 DAYS				90 DAYS			TOTAL
March 31, 2015
Fair market value of securities pledged, including
accrued interest receivable		$	-		$	1,297,828			$	254,907		$	-		$	1,552,735
Repurchase agreement liabilities associated with
these securities		$	-		$	1,222,961			$	236,529		$	-		$	1,459,490
Net weighted average borrowing rate			-			0.36	%			0.38	%		-			0.36	%
December 31, 2014
Fair market value of securities pledged, including
accrued interest receivable		$	-		$	984,823			$	534,238		$	3,844.00		$	1,522,905
Repurchase agreement liabilities associated with
these securities		$	-		$	929,831			$	502,947		$	3,873.00		$	1,436,651
Net weighted average borrowing rate			-			0.36	%			0.37	%		0.38	%		0.36	%

If, during the term of a repurchase agreement, a lender files for bankruptcy, the Company might experience difficulty recovering its pledged assets, which could result in an unsecured claim against the lender for the difference between the amount loaned to the Company plus interest due to the counterparty and the fair value of the collateral pledged to such lender, including the accrued interest receivable and cash posted by the Company as collateral. At March 31, 2015, the Company had a maximum amount at risk (the difference between the amount loaned to the Company, including interest payable, and the fair value of securities and cash pledged (if any), including accrued interest on such securities) of approximately $92.7 million. The Company did not have an amount at risk with any individual counterparty greater than 10% of the Company’s equity at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

NOTE 4. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

In connection with its interest rate risk management strategy, the Company economically hedges a portion of the cost of its repurchase agreement funding by entering into derivatives and other hedging contracts. To date, we have entered into Eurodollar and T-Note futures contracts and interest rate swaptions, but may enter into other contracts in the future. The Company has not elected hedging treatment under GAAP, and as such all gains or losses (realized and unrealized) on these instruments are reflected in earnings for all periods presented.

In addition, the Company utilizes TBA securities as a means of investing in and financing Agency RMBS or as a means of reducing its exposure to Agency RMBS, and not as a hedge. The Company accounts for TBA securities as derivative instruments if either the TBA securities do not settle in the shortest period of time possible or if the Company cannot assert that it is probable at inception and throughout the term of the TBA securities that it will take physical delivery of the Agency RMBS upon settlement of the trade.

Derivative Assets (Liability), at Fair Value

The table below summarizes fair value information about our derivative assets and liability as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

(in thousands)
Derivative Instruments and Related Accounts	Balance Sheet Location	March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
Assets
Eurodollar futures - Margin posted to counterparty	Restricted cash	$	6,078		$	5,174
Payer swaptions	Derivative assets, at fair value		126			1,217
TBA securities	Derivative assets, at fair value		92			-
		$	6,296		$	6,391
Liability
Payer swaptions - Margin posted by counterparty	Other liabilities	$	(207	)	$	(1,364	)

The tables below present information related to the Company’s Eurodollar futures positions at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

($ in thousands)
	March 31, 2015								December 31, 2014
				Average								Average
	Weighted			Contract					Weighted			Contract
	Average			Notional		Open			Average			Notional		Open
Expiration Year	LIBOR Rate			Amount		Equity(1)			LIBOR Rate			Amount		Equity(1)
2015		0.51	%	$	800,000	$	(1,791	)		0.63	%	$	650,000	$	(1,039	)
2016		1.13	%		900,000		(3,435	)		1.54	%		800,000		139
2017		1.74	%		825,000		(4,976	)		2.23	%		800,000		(1,041	)
2018		2.09	%		800,000		(5,061	)		2.54	%		800,000		(2,361	)
Total / Weighted Average		1.37	%	$	835,714	$	(15,263	)		1.73	%	$	760,000	$	(4,302	)

(1)	Open equity represents the cumulative gains (losses) recorded on open futures positions from inception.

The table below presents information related to the Company’s interest rate swaption positions at March 31, 2015.

($ in thousands)
	Option						Underlying Swap
					Weighted								Weighted
					Average				Fixed			Receive	Average
			Fair		Months to		Notional		Pay			Rate	Term
Expiration	Cost		Value		Expiration		Amount		Rate			(LIBOR)	(Years)
March 31, 2015
≤ 1 year	$	5,350	$	126		3	$	375,000		2.79	%	3 Month		7.3
December 31, 2014
≤ 1 year	$	5,350	$	1,217		6	$	375,000		2.79	%	3 Month		7.3

The following table summarizes our contracts to purchase and sell TBA securities as of March 31, 2015.

($ in thousands)
										Net
	Notional			Cost			Market			Carrying
	Amount(1)			Basis(2)			Value(3)			Value(4)
Open purchase trade	$	75,000		$	81,722		$	81,730		$	8
Open sale trade		(75,000	)		(81,930	)		(81,950	)		(20	)
Unsettled offsetting purchases and sales trades		-			-			104			104
	$	-		$	(208	)	$	(116	)	$	92

(1)	Notional amount represents the par value (or principal balance) of the underlying Agency RMBS.

(2)	Cost basis represents the forward price to be paid (received) for the underlying Agency RMBS.

(3)	Market value represents the current market value of the TBA securities (or of the underlying Agency RMBS) as of period-end.

(4)	Net carrying value represents the difference between the market value and the cost basis of the TBA securities as of period-end and is reported in derivative assets, at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets.

Gain (Loss) From Derivative Instruments, Net

The table below presents the effect of the Company’s derivative financial instruments on the statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

(in thousands)
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015			2014
Eurodollar futures contracts (short positions)	$	(11,317	)	$	(1,537	)
Payer swaptions		(1,091	)		(156	)
Net TBA securities		57			-
	$	(12,351	)	$	(1,693	)

Credit Risk-Related Contingent Features

The use of derivatives creates exposure to credit risk relating to potential losses that could be recognized in the event that the counterparties to these instruments fail to perform their obligations under the contracts. We minimize this risk by limiting our counterparties for instruments which are not centrally cleared on a registered exchange to major financial institutions with acceptable credit ratings and monitoring positions with individual counterparties. In addition, we may be required to pledge assets as collateral for our derivatives, whose amounts vary over time based on the market value, notional amount and remaining term of the derivative contract. In the event of a default by a counterparty, we may not receive payments provided for under the terms of our derivative agreements, and may have difficulty obtaining our assets pledged as collateral for our derivatives. The cash and cash equivalents pledged as collateral for our derivative instruments are included in restricted cash on our balance sheets.

NOTE 5. OFFSETTING ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

The Company’s derivatives and repurchase agreements are subject to underlying agreements with master netting or similar arrangements, which provide for the right of offset in the event of default or in the event of bankruptcy of either party to the transactions. The Company reports its assets and liabilities subject to these arrangements on a gross basis.

The following table presents information regarding those assets and liabilities subject to such arrangements as if the Company had presented them on a net basis as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

(in thousands)
Offsetting of Assets
										Gross Amount Not Offset
										in the Balance Sheet
							Net Amount			Financial
	Gross Amount			Gross Amount			of Assets			Instruments			Cash
	of Recognized			Offset in the			Presented in the			Received as			Received as				Net
	Assets			Balance Sheet			Balance Sheet			Collateral			Collateral				Amount
March 31, 2015
Derivative assets - Payer swaptions		$	126		$	-		$	126		$	-		$	(126	)		$	-
December 31, 2014
Derivative asset - Payer swaption		$	1,217		$	-		$	1,217		$	-		$	(1,217	)		$	-

(in thousands)
Offsetting of Liabilities
										Gross Amount Not Offset
										in the Balance Sheet
							Net Amount			Financial
	Gross Amount			Gross Amount			of Liabilities			Instruments
	of Recognized			Offset in the			Presented in the			Posted as				Cash Posted				Net
	Liabilities			Balance Sheet			Balance Sheet			Collateral				Collateral				Amount
March 31, 2015
Repurchase Agreements		$	1,459,490		$	-		$	1,459,490		$	(1,457,305	)		$	(2,185	)		$	-
December 31, 2014
Repurchase Agreements		$	1,436,651		$	-		$	1,436,651		$	(1,434,035	)		$	(2,616	)		$	-

The amounts disclosed for collateral received by or posted to the same counterparty up to and not exceeding the net amount of the asset or liability presented in the balance sheet. The fair value of the actual collateral received by or posted to the same counterparty typically exceeds the amounts presented. See Notes 3 and 4 for a discussion of collateral posted or received against or for repurchase obligations and derivative instruments.

NOTE 6. CAPITAL STOCK

Common Stock Issuances

During 2015 and 2014, the Company completed the following public offerings of shares of its common stock.

($ in thousands, except per share amounts)
		Weighted
		Average
		Price
		Received				Net
Type of Offering	Period	Per Share(1)		Shares		Proceeds(2)
2015
At the Market Offering Program(3)	First Quarter	$	13.66		1,210,487	$	16,175
At the Market Offering Program(3)	Second Quarter		13.25		363,892		5,114
					1,574,379	$	21,289
2014
Secondary Offering	First Quarter	$	12.50		2,070,000	$	24,174
Secondary Offering(4)	First Quarter		12.55		3,680,000		43,989
At the Market Offering Program(3)	Second Quarter		13.14		537,499		6,914
At the Market Offering Program(3)	Third Quarter		13.99		3,389,441		46,372
At the Market Offering Program(3)	Fourth Quarter		13.87		3,675,207		49,846
					13,352,147	$	171,295

(1)	Weighted average price received per share is gross of underwriters’ discount, if applicable, and other offering costs.

(2)	Net proceeds are net of the underwriters’ discount, if applicable, and other offering costs.

(3)

The Company has entered into three equity distribution agreements, two of which have been cancelled and replaced with the current agreement, to publicly offer and sell shares of the Company’s common stock in at the market and privately negotiated transactions from time to time. The net proceeds and shares issued in the second quarter of 2015 under this program are not reflected in the Company’s financial statements as of March 31, 2015. As of March 31, 2015, shares with a value of $83.6 million remain available for issuance under the March 2015 Equity Distribution Agreement.

(4)	Includes net proceeds received of $5.7 million and 480,000 shares issued to the underwriters in April 2014 pursuant to the exercise of their overallotment option related to the March 2014 offering.

Cash Dividends

The table below presents the cash dividends declared on the Company’s common stock during 2015 and 2014.

(in thousands, except per share amount)
Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Per Share Amount		Total
2015
April 9, 2015(1)	April 27, 2015	April 30, 2015	$	0.18	$	3,303
March 10, 2015	March 27, 2015	March 31, 2015		0.18		3,205
February 10, 2015	February 25, 2015	February 27, 2015		0.18		3,017
January 13, 2015	January 26, 2015	January 30, 2015		0.18		3,017
Totals			$	0.72	$	12,542
Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Per Share Amount		Total
2014
December 9, 2014	December 26, 2014	December 30, 2014	$	0.18	$	3,004
November 12, 2014	November 25, 2014	November 28, 2014		0.18		2,737
October 9, 2014	October 28, 2014	October 31, 2014		0.18		2,358
September 9, 2014	September 25, 2014	September 30, 2014		0.18		2,348
August 12, 2014	August 26, 2014	August 29, 2014		0.18		1,999
July 10, 2014	July 28, 2014	July 31, 2014		0.18		1,759
June 11, 2014	June 25, 2014	June 30, 2014		0.18		1,712
May 8, 2014	May 27, 2014	May 30, 2014		0.18		1,641
April 8, 2014	April 25, 2014	April 30, 2014		0.18		1,636
March 11, 2014	March 26, 2014	March 31, 2014		0.18		1,550
February 11, 2014	February 25, 2014	February 28, 2014		0.18		974
January 9, 2014	January 27, 2014	January 31, 2014		0.18		925
Totals			$	2.16	$	22,643

(1)	The effect of the dividend declared in April 2015 is not reflected in the Company’s financial statements as of March 31, 2015.

NOTE 7. STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

In October 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted and Bimini, then the Company’s sole stockholder, approved, the Orchid Island Capital, Inc. 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”) to recruit and retain employees, directors and other service providers, including employees of the Manager and other affiliates. The Incentive Plan provides for the award of stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock award, performance units, other equity-based awards (and dividend equivalents with respect to awards of performance units and other equity-based awards) and incentive awards. The Incentive Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors except that the Company’s full Board of Directors will administer awards made to directors who are not employees of the Company or its affiliates. The Incentive Plan provides for awards of up to an aggregate of 10% of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock (on a fully diluted basis) at the time of the awards, subject to a maximum aggregate 4,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock that may be issued under the Incentive Plan.

Restricted Stock Awards

On April 25, 2014, the Compensation Committee granted each of our non-employee directors 6,000 shares of restricted common stock subject to a three year vesting schedule whereby 2,000 shares of the award vest on the first, second and third anniversaries of the award date. Directors will have all the rights of a stockholder with respect to the awards, including the right to receive dividends and vote the shares. The awards are subject to forfeiture should the director no longer be a member of the Board of Directors of the Company prior to the respective vesting dates.

The table below presents information related to the Company’s restricted common stock at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.




	March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
Unvested restricted common shares outstanding		24,000		24,000
Weighted average grant date value	$	12.23	$	12.23
Intrinsic value	$	318,000	$	313,000
Unrecognized compensation expense	$	204,000	$	228,000
Weighted-average remaining vesting term (in years)		2.0		2.3

Compensation expense recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2015 related to these restricted shares was $24,000.

Stock Awards

The Company issues immediately vested common stock under the Incentive Plan to certain executive officers and directors. The following table presents information related to fully vested common stock issued during the three months ended March 31, 2015.

Fully vested shares granted		21,715
Weighted average grant date value	$	13.28
Compensation expense related to fully vested common share awards	$	-	(1)

(1)	The fully vested shares presented in the table above were granted in January 2015 with respect to service performed during 2014. Approximately $250,000 of compensation expense related to these share awards were accrued and recognized in 2014.

Performance Units

The Company issues performance units under the Incentive Plan to certain executive officers. “Performance Units” vest after the end of a defined performance period, based on satisfaction of the performance conditions set forth in the performance unit agreement. When earned, each Performance Unit will be settled by the issuance of one share of the Company’s Common Stock, at which time the Performance Unit will be cancelled. The Performance Units contain dividend equivalent rights which entitle the Participants to receive distributions declared by the Company on Common Stock, but do not include the right to vote the shares. Performance Units are subject to forfeiture should the participant no longer serve as an executive officer for the Company. Compensation expense for the Performance Units are recognized over the remaining vesting period once it becomes probable that the performance conditions will be achieved.

The following table presents information related to Performance Units outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2015.

Performance units granted during the period		7,508
Weighted average grant date value	$	13.32
Compensation expense related to performance units	$	10,000
Intrinsic value, at period end	$	99,000
Unrecognized compensation expense, at period end	$	90,000
Weighted average remaining vesting term (in years), at period end.		2.1

NOTE 8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

From time to time, the Company may become involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. Management is not aware of any reported or unreported contingencies at March 31, 2015.

NOTE 9. INCOME TAXES

The Company will generally not be subject to federal income tax on its REIT taxable income to the extent that it distributes its REIT taxable income to its stockholders and satisfies the ongoing REIT requirements, including meeting certain asset, income and stock ownership tests. A REIT must generally distribute at least 90% of its REIT taxable income to its stockholders, of which 85% generally must be distributed within the taxable year, in order to avoid the imposition of an excise tax. The remaining balance may be distributed up to the end of the following taxable year, provided the REIT elects to treat such amount as a prior year distribution and meets certain other requirements.

NOTE 10. EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS)

The Company had dividend eligible shares of restricted common stock and Performance Units that were outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2015. The basic and diluted per share computations include these unvested shares of restricted common stock if there is income available to Common Stock, as they have dividend participation rights. The shares of restricted common stock and Performance Units have no contractual obligation to share in losses. Because there is no such obligation, the shares of restricted common stock and Performance Units are not included in the basic and diluted EPS computations when no income is available to Common Stock even though they are considered participating securities.

The table below reconciles the numerator and denominator of EPS for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

(in thousands, except per-share information)
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015			2014
Basic and diluted EPS per common share:
Numerator for basic and diluted EPS per common share:
Net income - Basic and diluted	$	5,509		$	3,595
Weighted average common shares:
Common shares outstanding at the balance sheet date		17,924			8,612
Unvested dividend eligible share based compensation
outstanding at the balance sheet date		32			-
Effect of weighting		(1,109	)		(3,518	)
Weighted average shares-basic and diluted		16,847			5,094
Income per common share:
Basic and diluted	$	0.33		$	0.71

NOTE 11. FAIR VALUE

Authoritative accounting literature establishes a framework for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities and defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) as opposed to the price that would be paid to acquire the asset or received to assume the liability (an entry price). A fair value measure should reflect the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including the assumptions about the risk inherent in a particular valuation technique, the effect of a restriction on the sale or use of an asset and the risk of non-performance. Required disclosures include stratification of balance sheet amounts measured at fair value based on inputs the Company uses to derive fair value measurements. These stratifications are:

·	Level 1 valuations, where the valuation is based on quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities traded in active markets (which include exchanges and over-the-counter markets with sufficient volume),

Level 2 valuations, where the valuation is based on quoted market prices for similar instruments traded in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market, and

Level 3 valuations, where the valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use significant assumptions not observable in the market, but observable based on Company-specific data. These unobservable assumptions reflect the Company’s own estimates for assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Valuation techniques typically include option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques, but may also include the use of market prices of assets or liabilities that are not directly comparable to the subject asset or liability.

The Company’s RMBS, interest rate swaptions and TBA securities are valued using Level 2 valuations, and such valuations currently are determined by the Company based on independent pricing sources and/or third party broker quotes, when available. Because the price estimates may vary, the Company must make certain judgments and assumptions about the appropriate price to use to calculate the fair values. Alternatively, the Company could opt to have the value of all of our positions in RMBS, interest rate swaptions and TBA securities determined by either an independent third-party or do so internally.

RMBS, interest rate swaptions, TBA securities and Eurodollar futures contracts were recorded at fair value on a recurring basis during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. When determining fair value measurements, the Company considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and considers assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset. When possible, the Company looks to active and observable markets to price identical assets. When identical assets are not traded in active markets, the Company looks to market observable data for similar assets.

The following table presents financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

(in thousands)
			Quoted Prices
			in Active		Significant
			Markets for		Other		Significant
			Identical		Observable		Unobservable
	Fair Value		Assets		Inputs		Inputs
	Measurements		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
March 31, 2015
Mortgage-backed securities	$	1,676,621	$	-	$	1,676,621	$	-
Eurodollar futures contracts		6,078		6,078		-		-
Payer swaptions		126		-		126		-
TBA securities		92		-		92		-
December 31, 2014
Mortgage-backed securities	$	1,549,171	$	-	$	1,549,171	$	-
Eurodollar futures contracts		5,174		5,174		-		-
Payer swaptions		1,217		-		1,217		-

During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, there were no transfers of financial assets or liabilities between levels 1, 2 or 3.

NOTE 12. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Management Agreement

At the completion of its IPO, the Company entered into a management agreement with Bimini Advisors (the “Manager”), which provides for an initial term through February 20, 2016 with automatic one-year extensions and is subject to certain termination rights. Under the terms of the management agreement, Bimini Advisors is responsible for administering the business activities and day-to-day operations of the Company. Bimini Advisors receives a monthly management fee in the amount of:

One-twelfth of 1.5% of the first $250 million of the Company’s equity, as defined in the management agreement,
One-twelfth of 1.5% of the first $250 million of the Company’s equity, as defined in the management agreement,
One-twelfth of 1.00% of the Company’s equity that is greater than $500 million.

The Company is obligated to reimburse Bimini Advisors for any direct expenses incurred on its behalf. In addition, Bimini Advisors began allocating to the Company its pro rata portion of certain overhead costs set forth in the management agreement commencing with the calendar quarter beginning July 1, 2014. Should the Company terminate the management agreement without cause, it shall pay to Bimini Advisors a termination fee equal to three times the average annual management fee, as defined in the management agreement, before or on the last day of the initial term or automatic renewal term.

Total expenses recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 for the management fee and costs incurred were approximately $1,095,000 and $303,000, respectively.

At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the net amount due to affiliates was approximately $386,000 and $330,000, respectively.

Other Relationships with Bimini

John B. Van Heuvelen, one of our independent director nominees, owns shares of common stock of Bimini. Robert Cauley, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of our Board of Directors, also serves as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bimini and owns shares of common stock of Bimini. Hunter Haas, our Chief Financial Officer, Chief Investment Officer, Secretary and a member of our Board of Directors, also serves as the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Investment Officer and Treasurer of Bimini and owns shares of common stock of Bimini.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes to those statements included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q. The discussion may contain certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are those that are not historical in nature. As a result of many factors, such as those set forth under “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements.

Overview

We are a specialty finance company that invests in residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) which are issued and guaranteed by a federally chartered corporation or agency (“Agency RMBS”). Our investment strategy focuses on, and our portfolio consists of, two categories of Agency RMBS: (i) traditional pass-through Agency RMBS (“PT RMBS”) and (ii) structured Agency RMBS, such as collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”), interest only securities (“IOs”), inverse interest only securities (“IIOs”) and principal only securities (“POs”), among other types of structured Agency RMBS. We were formed by Bimini in August 2010, commenced operations on November 24, 2010 and completed our initial public offering (“IPO”) on February 20, 2013. We are externally managed by Bimini Advisors, a registered investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

Our business objective is to provide attractive risk-adjusted total returns over the long term through a combination of capital appreciation and the payment of regular monthly distributions. We intend to achieve this objective by investing in and strategically allocating capital between the two categories of Agency RMBS described above. We seek to generate income from (i) the net interest margin on our leveraged pass-through Agency RMBS portfolio and the leveraged portion of our structured Agency RMBS portfolio, and (ii) the interest income we generate from the unleveraged portion of our structured Agency RMBS portfolio. We intend to fund our pass-through Agency RMBS and certain of our structured Agency RMBS through short-term borrowings structured as repurchase agreements. Pass-through Agency RMBS and structured Agency RMBS typically exhibit materially different sensitivities to movements in interest rates. Declines in the value of one portfolio may be offset by appreciation in the other. The percentage of capital that we allocate to our two Agency RMBS asset categories will vary and will be actively managed in an effort to maintain the level of income generated by the combined portfolios, the stability of that income stream and the stability of the value of the combined portfolios. We believe that this strategy will enhance our liquidity, earnings, book value stability and asset selection opportunities in various interest rate environments.

We operate so as to qualify to be taxed as a Real Estate Investment Trust (“REIT”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). We generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax to the extent that we currently distribute all of our REIT taxable income to our stockholders and maintain our REIT qualification.

On October 3, 2014, we received approval to list our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). The Company’s common stock began trading on the NYSE at the commencement of trading on October 8, 2014 under the symbol “ORC”.

Capital Raising Activities

We completed secondary offerings in January and March 2014, raising aggregate net proceeds of approximately $68.2 million from the sale of 5,750,000 shares of our common stock inclusive of the $5.7 million of net proceeds received from the exercise of the underwriters’ overallotment option granted in the March 2014 offering, which closed in April 2014.

On June 17, 2014, we entered into an equity distribution agreement (the “June 2014 Equity Distribution Agreement”) with two sales agents pursuant to which the we could offer and sell, from time to time, up to an aggregate amount of $35,000,000 of shares of our common stock in transactions that were deemed to be “at the market” offerings and privately negotiated transactions. We issued a total of 2,528,416 shares under the June 2014 Equity Distribution Agreement for aggregate proceeds of approximately $34.2 million, net of commissions and fees, prior to its termination.

On September 3, 2014, we entered into a second equity distribution agreement (the “September 2014 Equity Distribution Agreement”) with two sales agents pursuant to which we could offer and sell, from time to time, up to an aggregate amount of $75,000,000 of shares of our common stock in transactions that were deemed to be “at the market” offerings and privately negotiated transactions. The September 2014 Equity Distribution Agreement replaced the June 2014 Equity Distribution Agreement. We issued a total of 5,087,646 shares under the September 2014 Equity Distribution Agreement for aggregate proceeds of approximately $69.1 million, net of commissions and fees, prior to its termination.

On March 2, 2015, we entered into a third equity distribution agreement (the “March 2015 Equity Distribution Agreement”) with two sales agents pursuant to which we may offer and sell, from time to time, up to an aggregate amount of $100,000,000 of shares of our common stock in transactions that are deemed to be “at the market” offerings and privately negotiated transactions. The March 2015 Equity Distribution Agreement replaced the September 2014 Equity Distribution Agreement. Through March 31, 2015, we issued a total of 1,196,572 shares under March 2015 Equity Distribution Agreement for aggregate proceeds of approximately $16.0 million, net of commissions and fees. After March 31, 2015, we issued an additional 393,892 shares under March 2015 Equity Distribution Agreement for aggregate proceeds of approximately $5.1 million, net of commissions and fees.

Factors that Affect our Results of Operations and Financial Condition

A variety of industry and economic factors may impact our results of operations and financial condition. These factors include:

interest rate trends;
the difference between Agency RMBS yields and our funding and hedging costs;
competition for investments in Agency RMBS;
recent actions taken by the Federal Reserve and the U.S. Treasury;
prepayment rates on mortgages underlying our Agency RMBS, and credit trends insofar as they affect prepayment rates; and
other market developments.

In addition, a variety of factors relating to our business may also impact our results of operations and financial condition. These factors include:

our degree of leverage;
our access to funding and borrowing capacity;
our borrowing costs;
our hedging activities;
the market value of our investments; and
the requirements to qualify as a REIT and the requirements to qualify for a registration exemption under the Investment Company Act.

Results of Operations

Described below are the Company’s results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015, as compared to the Company’s results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

Net Income Summary

Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $5.5 million, or $0.33 per share. Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was $3.6 million, or $0.71 per share. The components of net income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, along with the changes in those components are presented in the table below:

(in thousands)
	2015			2014			Change
Interest income	$	14,614		$	3,783		$	10,831
Interest expense		(1,296	)		(411	)		(885	)
Net interest income		13,318			3,372			9,946
(Losses) gains on RMBS and derivative contracts		(6,063	)		758			(6,821	)
Net portfolio income		7,255			4,130			3,125
Expenses		(1,746	)		(535	)		(1,211	)
Net income	$	5,509		$	3,595		$	1,914

GAAP and Non-GAAP Reconciliations

Economic Interest Expense and Economic Net Interest Income

To date, the Company has used derivatives, specifically Eurodollar futures contracts and interest rate swaptions, to hedge a portion of the interest rate risk on repurchase agreements in a rising rate environment. Each interest rate futures contract covers a specific period, but the Company typically has many contracts in place at any point in time—usually covering several years in the aggregate. We currently have interest rate swaption agreements in place, giving us the option to enter into swaps covering future periods. During 2015, we entered into forward settling TBA securities that meet the definition of a derivative under GAAP. We have not entered into these TBA securities as a hedge of our interest rate risk.

The Company has not elected to designate its derivative holdings for hedge accounting treatment under the Financial Accounting Standards Board, (the “FASB”), Accounting Standards Codification, (“ASC”), Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging. Changes in fair value of these instruments are presented in a separate line item in the Company’s statements of operations and not included in interest expense. As such, for financial reporting purposes, interest expense and cost of funds are not impacted by the fluctuation in value of the derivative instruments. In the future, the Company may use other derivative instruments to hedge its interest expense and/or elect to designate its derivative holdings for hedge accounting treatment.

For the purpose of computing economic net interest income and ratios relating to cost of funds measures, GAAP interest expense has been adjusted to reflect the realized gains or losses on specific derivative instruments that pertain to each period presented. As of March 31, 2015, the Company had Eurodollar futures contracts in place through 2018, and interest rate swaption agreements in place covering periods beginning in 2015 through 2025. Adjusting our interest expense for the periods presented by the gains or losses on all derivative instruments would not accurately reflect our economic interest expense for these periods.

For each period presented, the Company has combined the effects of the derivative financial instruments in place for the respective period with the actual interest expense incurred on repurchase agreements to reflect total expense for the applicable period. Interest expense, including the effect of derivative instruments for the period, is referred to as economic interest expense. Net interest income, when calculated to include the effect of derivative instruments for the period, is referred to as economic net interest income.

However, because the Company has not elected hedging treatment under ASC 815, the gains or losses on all of the Company’s derivative instruments held during the period are reflected in our statements of operations. This presentation includes gains or losses on all contracts in effect during the reporting period, covering the current period as well as periods in the future.

The Company believes that economic interest expense and economic net interest income provides meaningful information to consider, in addition to the respective amounts prepared in accordance with GAAP. The non-GAAP measures help the Company to evaluate its financial position and performance without the effects of certain transactions and GAAP adjustments that are not necessarily indicative of its current investment portfolio or operations. The realized and unrealized gains or losses presented in the Company’s statements of operations are not necessarily representative of the total interest rate expense that the Company will ultimately realize. This is because as interest rates move up or down in the future, the gains or losses the Company ultimately realizes, and which will affect the Company’s total interest rate expense in future periods, may differ from the unrealized gains or losses recognized as of the reporting date.

The Company’s presentation of the economic value of its hedging strategy has important limitations. First, other market participants may calculate economic interest expense and economic net interest income differently than the Company calculates them. Second, while the Company believes that the calculation of the economic value of our hedging strategy described above helps to present our financial position and performance, it may be of limited usefulness as an analytical tool. Therefore, the economic value of the Company’s investment strategy should not be viewed in isolation and is not a substitute for interest expense and net interest income computed in accordance with GAAP.

The tables below present a reconciliation of the adjustments to interest expense shown for each period relative to our derivative instruments, and the income statement line item, gains (losses) on derivative instruments, calculated in accordance with GAAP for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and each quarter during 2014.

Gains (Losses) on Derivative Instruments
(in thousands)
						Funding Hedges
	Recognized in					Attributed to			Attributed to
	Income			TBA		Current			Future
	Statement			Securities		Period			Periods
	(GAAP)			Income		(Non-GAAP)			(Non-GAAP)
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2015	$	(12,351	)	$	57	$	(306	)	$	(12,102	)
December 31, 2014		(9,562	)		-		(145	)	$	(9,417	)
September 30, 2014		3,058			-		(25	)	$	3,083
June 30, 2014		(5,728	)		-		(3	)	$	(5,725	)
March 31, 2014		(1,693	)		-		(30	)	$	(1,663	)

Economic Interest Expense and Economic Net Interest Income
(in thousands)
			Interest Expense on Repurchase Agreements
					Gains
					(Losses) on
					Derivative
					Instruments					Net Interest Income
			GAAP		Attributed			Economic		GAAP		Economic
	Interest		Interest		to Current			Interest		Net Interest		Net Interest
	Income		Expense		Period(1)			Expense(2)		Income		Income(3)
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2015	$	14,614	$	1,296	$	(306	)	$	1,602	$	13,318	$	13,012
December 31, 2014		12,146		1,126		(145	)		1,271		11,020		10,875
September 30, 2014		9,286		818		(25	)		843		8,468		8,443
June 30, 2014		6,589		676		(3	)		679		5,913		5,910
March 31, 2014		3,783		411		(30	)		441		3,372		3,342

(1)	Reflects the effect of derivative instrument hedges for only the period presented.

(2)	Calculated by subtracting the effect of derivative instrument hedges attributed to the period presented from GAAP interest expense.

(3)	Calculated by adding the effect of derivative instrument hedges attributed to the period presented to GAAP net interest income.

Net Interest Income

During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we generated $13.3 million of net interest income, consisting of $14.6 million of interest income from RMBS assets offset by $1.3 million of interest expense on repurchase liabilities. For the comparable period ended March 31, 2014, we generated $3.4 million of net interest income, consisting of $3.8 million of interest income from RMBS assets offset by $0.4 million of interest expense on repurchase liabilities. The $10.8 million increase in interest income and $0.9 million increase in interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015 primarily reflects the deployment of the proceeds from our capital raising activities into the RMBS portfolio on a leveraged basis.

On an economic basis, our interest expense on repurchase liabilities for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $1.6 million and $0.4 million, respectively, resulting in $13.0 million and $3.3 million of economic net interest income, respectively.

The tables below provide information on our portfolio average balances, interest income, yield on assets, average repurchase agreement balances, interest expense, cost of funds, net interest income and net interest spread for each quarter in 2015 and 2014 on both a GAAP and economic basis.

($ in thousands)
	Average				Yield on			Average		Interest Expense				Average Cost of Funds
	RMBS		Interest		Average			Repurchase		GAAP		Economic		GAAP			Economic
	Held(1)		Income		RMBS			Agreements(1)		Basis		Basis(2)		Basis			Basis(3)
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2015	$	1,612,896	$	14,614		3.62	%	$	1,448,071	$	1,296	$	1,602		0.36	%		0.44	%
December 31, 2014		1,362,352		12,146		3.57	%		1,346,314		1,126		1,271		0.33	%		0.38	%
September 30, 2014		1,025,768		9,286		3.62	%		1,019,839		818		843		0.32	%		0.33	%
June 30, 2014		811,881		6,589		3.25	%		717,474		676		679		0.38	%		0.38	%
March 31, 2014		549,490		3,783		2.75	%		484,902		411		441		0.34	%		0.36	%

($ in thousands)
	Net Interest Income				Net Interest Spread
	GAAP		Economic		GAAP			Economic
	Basis		Basis(2)		Basis			Basis(4)
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2015	$	13,318	$	13,011		3.26	%		3.18	%
December 31, 2014		11,020		10,875		3.24	%		3.19	%
September 30, 2014		8,468		8,443		3.30	%		3.29	%
June 30, 2014		5,913		5,910		2.87	%		2.87	%
March 31, 2014		3,372		3,342		2.41	%		2.39	%

(1)

Portfolio yields and costs of borrowings presented in the tables above, the table below and the tables on page 26 are calculated based on the average balances of the underlying investment portfolio/repurchase agreement balances and are annualized for the quarterly periods presented. Average balances for quarterly periods are calculated using two data points, the beginning and ending balances.

(2)	Economic interest expense and economic net interest income presented in the table above and the tables on page 26 includes the effect of our derivative instrument hedges for only the periods presented.

(3)	Represents interest cost of our borrowings and effect of derivative instruments hedges attributed to the period divided by Average RMBS.

(4)	Economic Net Interest Spread is calculated by subtracting Average Economic Cost of Funds from Yield on Average RMBS.

Interest Income and Average Asset Yield

Our interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $14.6 million and $3.8 million, respectively. We had average RMBS holdings of $1,612.9 million and $549.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The yield on our portfolio was 3.62% and 2.75% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2014, there was a $10.8 million increase in interest income due to a $1,063.4 million increase in average RMBS, combined with a 87 basis point increase in the yield on average RMBS. The increase in average RMBS during the three months ended March 31, 2015 reflects the deployment of the proceeds of our capital raising activities on, a leveraged basis.

The table below presents the average portfolio size, income and yields of our respective sub-portfolios, consisting of structured RMBS and pass-through RMBS (“PT RMBS”) for each quarter in 2015 and 2014.

($ in thousands)
	Average RMBS Held						Interest Income							Realized Yield on Average RMBS
	PT		Structured				PT		Structured					PT			Structured
	RMBS		RMBS		Total		RMBS		RMBS			Total		RMBS			RMBS			Total
March 31, 2015	$	1,541,497	$	71,399	$	1,612,896	$	14,629	$	(15	)	$	14,614		3.80	%		(0.09	)%		3.62	%
December 31, 2014		1,298,967		63,385		1,362,352		12,761		(615	)		12,146		3.93	%		(3.88	)%		3.57	%
September 30, 2014		969,034		56,734		1,025,768		9,482		(196	)		9,286		3.91	%		(1.39	)%		3.62	%
June 30, 2014		764,199		47,682		811,881		7,674		(1,085	)		6,589		4.02	%		(9.10	)%		3.25	%
March 31, 2014		514,226		35,264		549,490		4,402		(619	)		3,783		3.42	%		(7.02	)%		2.75	%

Interest Expense and the Cost of Funds

We had average outstanding repurchase agreements of $1,448.1 million and $484.9 million and total interest expense of $1.3 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Our average cost of funds was 0.36% and 0.34% for three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. There was a 2 basis point increase in the average cost of funds and a $963.2 million increase in average outstanding repurchase agreements during the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2014. The increase in average outstanding repurchase agreements, and the corresponding increase in interest expense, reflects the leveraging of the proceeds of our capital raising activities.

Our economic interest expense was $1.6 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. There was a 8 basis point increase in the average economic cost of funds to 0.44% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 from 0.36% for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

Because all of our repurchase agreements are short-term, changes in market rates directly affect our interest expense. Our average cost of funds calculated on a GAAP basis was 19 basis points above the average one-month LIBOR and 1 basis point above the average six-month LIBOR for the quarter ended March 31, 2015. Our average economic cost of funds was 27 basis points above the average one-month LIBOR and 9 basis points above the average six-month LIBOR for the quarter ended March 31, 2015. The average term to maturity of the outstanding repurchase agreements was 22 days and 27 days at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

The tables below presents the average balance of repurchase agreements outstanding, interest expense and average cost of funds, and average one-month and six-month LIBOR rates for each quarter in 2015 and 2014 on both a GAAP and economic basis.

($ in thousands)

Average

Balance of

Interest Expense

Average Cost of Funds

Repurchase

GAAP

Economic

GAAP

Economic

Agreements

Basis