Press Release: Franklin BSP Realty Trust, Inc. Announces First Quarter 2025 Results

Dow Jones
29 Apr

Franklin BSP Realty Trust, Inc. Announces First Quarter 2025 Results

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 28, 2025-- 

Franklin BSP Realty Trust, Inc. $(FBRT)$ ("FBRT" or the "Company") today announced financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2025.

Reported GAAP net income of $23.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $30.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024. Reported diluted earnings per share ("EPS") to common stockholders of $0.20 for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $0.29 for the three months ended December 31, 2024.

Reported Distributable Earnings (a non-GAAP financial measure) of $(6.2) million, or $(0.12) per diluted common share on a fully converted basis(1) , for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $31.2 million, or $0.30 per diluted common share on a fully converted basis(1) , for the three months ended December 31, 2024, respectively.

First Quarter 2025 Summary

   -- Core portfolio principal balance as of March 31, 2025 of $4.8 billion: 
 
          -- Portfolio consisted of 152 loans with an average loan size of 
             $31.6 million 
 
          -- 99.0% of the Company's portfolio is in senior mortgage loans and 
             approximately 89.3% is floating rate loans 
 
          -- 71.3% of the portfolio is collateralized by multifamily properties 
             and only 2.9% is collateralized by office properties 
 
   -- Closed $341.0 million of new loan commitments at a weighted average 
      spread of 325 basis points 
 
   -- Funded $320.8 million of principal balance including future funding on 
      existing loans and received loan repayments of $353.4 million 
 
   -- Total liquidity of $912.8 million, which includes $215.4 million in cash 
      and cash equivalents 
 
   -- Produced GAAP and Distributable Earnings ROE (a non-GAAP financial 
      measure) of 5.7% and (3.3)%, respectively 
 
   -- Declared a common stock cash dividend of $0.355, representing an 
      annualized 9.5% yield on book value 
 
   -- Book value of $14.95 per diluted common share on a fully converted 
      basis(1) 
 
   -- Entered into a definitive agreement to acquire NewPoint Holdings JV LLC 
      ("NewPoint"), a privately held commercial real estate finance company 
      headquartered in Plano, Texas 

Michael Comparato, President of FBRT, said, "Periods of enhanced market volatility often present unique opportunities. We have consistently been open for business and continue to make steady progress on recycling our legacy portfolio."

Portfolio and Investment Activity

Core portfolio: For the quarter ended March 31, 2025, the Company closed $341.0 million of new loan commitments, funded $320.8 million of principal balance on new and existing loans, and received loan repayments of $353.4 million. As of March 31, 2025, the Company had six loans on its watch list, one of which was risk rated a five and five of which were risk rated a four.

Conduit: For the quarter ended March 31, 2025, the Company originated $24.2 million of fixed rate conduit loans and sold $106.4 million of conduit loans for a gain of $5.0 million, gross of related derivatives.

Real estate owned: The Company ended the quarter with twelve foreclosure real estate owned positions totaling $270.8 million, one investment real estate owned position of $121.7 million and one equity investment position of $13.4 million.

Allowance for credit losses: The Company recognized a benefit for credit losses of $1.9 million, comprised of a $0.3 million specific allowance benefit and a $1.6 million general allowance benefit. In addition, the Company recognized $38.6 million of allowance charges within the first quarter's distributable earnings, which relate to allowances taken on office properties prior to foreclosure. These charges have already been recognized in GAAP earnings in previous quarters.

Book Value

As of March 31, 2025, book value was $14.95 per diluted common share on a fully converted basis(1) .

Share Repurchase Program

As of April 23, 2025, $31.1 million remains available under the $65.0 million share repurchase program, which extends through December 31, 2025.

Subsequent Events

Investment Activity: On April 1, 2025 we obtained, through foreclosure, a multifamily property located in Texas with an amortized cost basis of $36.8 million as of March 31, 2025.

Distributable Earnings and Distributable Earnings to Common

Distributable Earnings is a non-GAAP measure, which the Company defines as GAAP net income (loss), adjusted for (i) non-cash CLO amortization acceleration and amortization over the expected useful life of the Company's CLOs, (ii) unrealized gains and losses on loans and derivatives, including CECL reserves and impairments, net of realized gains and losses, as described further below, (iii) non-cash equity compensation expense, (iv) depreciation and amortization, (v) subordinated performance fee accruals/(reversal), (vi) realized gains and losses on debt extinguishment and CLO calls, and (vii) certain other non-cash items. Further, Distributable Earnings to Common, a non-GAAP measure, presents Distributable Earnings net of (x) perpetual preferred stock dividend payments and (y) non-controlling interests in joint ventures.

As noted above, we exclude unrealized gains and losses on loans and other investments, including CECL reserves and impairments, from our calculation of Distributable Earnings and include realized gains and losses. The nature of these adjustments is described more fully in the footnotes to our reconciliation tables. GAAP loan loss reserves and any property impairment losses have been excluded from Distributable Earnings consistent with other unrealized losses pursuant to our existing definition of Distributable Earnings. We expect to only recognize such potential credit or property impairment losses in Distributable Earnings if and when such amounts are deemed nonrecoverable upon a realization event. This is generally at the time a loan is repaid, or in the case of a foreclosure or other property, when the underlying asset is sold. Amounts may also be deemed non-recoverable if, in our determination, it is nearly certain the carrying amounts will not be collected or realized. The realized loss amount reflected in Distributable Earnings will generally equal the difference between the cash received and the Distributable Earnings basis of the asset. The timing of any such loss realization in our Distributable Earnings may differ materially from the timing of the corresponding loss reserves, charge-offs or impairments in our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP.

The Company believes that Distributable Earnings and Distributable Earnings to Common provide meaningful information to consider in addition to the disclosed GAAP results. The Company believes Distributable Earnings and Distributable Earnings to Common are useful financial metrics for existing and potential future holders of its common stock as historically, over time, Distributable Earnings to Common has been an indicator of common dividends per share. As a REIT, the Company generally must distribute annually at least 90% of its taxable income, subject to certain adjustments, and therefore believes dividends are one of the principal reasons stockholders may invest in its common stock. Further, Distributable Earnings to Common helps investors evaluate performance excluding the effects of certain transactions and GAAP adjustments that the Company does not believe are necessarily indicative of current loan portfolio performance and the Company's operations and is one of the performance metrics the Company's board of directors considers when dividends are declared.

Distributable Earnings and Distributable Earnings to Common do not represent net income (loss) and should not be considered as an alternative to GAAP net income (loss). The methodology for calculating Distributable Earnings and Distributable Earnings to Common may differ from the methodologies employed by other companies and thus may not be comparable to the Distributable Earnings reported by other companies.

Please refer to the financial statements and reconciliation of GAAP Net Income to Distributable Earnings and Distributable Earnings to Common included at the end of this release for further information.

 
(1)  Fully converted per share information in this press release assumes 
     applicable conversion of our series of outstanding convertible preferred 
     stock into common stock and the vesting of our outstanding equity 
     compensation awards. 
 

Supplemental Information

The Company published a supplemental earnings presentation for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 on its website to provide additional disclosure and financial information. These materials can be found on the Company's website at http://www.fbrtreit.com under the Presentations tab.

Conference Call and Webcast

The Company will host a conference call and live audio webcast to discuss its financial results on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. ET. Participants are encouraged to pre-register for the call and webcast at https://dpregister.com/sreg/10198253/fed0d82a37. If you are unable to pre-register, the conference call may be accessed by dialing (844) 701-1166 (Domestic) or (412) 317-5795 (International). Ask to join the Franklin BSP Realty Trust conference call. Participants should call in at least five minutes prior to the start of the call.

The call will also be accessible via live webcast at https://ccmediaframe.com?id=r746ANJ0. Please allow extra time prior to the call to download and install audio software, if needed. A slide presentation containing supplemental information may also be accessed through the Company's website in advance of the call.

An audio replay of the live broadcast will be available approximately one hour after the end of the conference call on FBRT's website. The replay will be available for 90 days on the Company's website.

About Franklin BSP Realty Trust, Inc.

Franklin BSP Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: FBRT) is a real estate investment trust that originates, acquires and manages a diversified portfolio of commercial real estate debt secured by properties located in the United States. As of March 31, 2025, FBRT had approximately $5.7 billion of assets. FBRT is externally managed by Benefit Street Partners L.L.C., a wholly owned subsidiary of Franklin Resources, Inc. For further information, please visit www.fbrtreit.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements included in this press release are forward-looking statements. Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company and members of our management team, as well as the assumptions on which such statements are based, and generally are identified by the use of words such as "may," "will," "seeks," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "plans," "intends," "should" or similar expressions. Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Further, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results over time, unless required by law.

The Company's forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual outcomes to differ materially from our forward-looking statements include macroeconomic factors in the United States including inflation, tariffs, changing interest rates and economic contraction, the extent of any recoveries on delinquent loans, the financial stability of our borrowers and the other, risks and important factors contained and identified in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and its subsequent filings with the SEC, any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this communication are made only as of the date hereof.

 
                     FRANKLIN BSP REALTY TRUST, INC. 
                       CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
        (In thousands, except share and per share data) (Unaudited) 
 
                                    March 31, 2025     December 31, 2024 
                                   ----------------  --------------------- 
ASSETS 
Cash and cash equivalents           $      215,368    $         184,443 
Restricted cash                              8,736               12,421 
Commercial mortgage loans, held 
 for investment, net of allowance 
 for credit losses of $46,604 and 
 $78,083 as of March 31, 2025 and 
 December 31, 2024, 
 respectively(1)                         4,739,876            4,908,667 
Commercial mortgage loans, held 
 for sale, measured at fair 
 value(2)                                    4,992               87,270 
Real estate securities, available 
 for sale, measured at fair 
 value, amortized cost of 
 $167,511 and $202,894 as of 
 March 31, 2025 and December 31, 
 2024, respectively(3)                     167,192              202,973 
Receivable for loan repayment(4)            54,297              157,582 
Accrued interest receivable                 36,834               42,225 
Prepaid expenses and other assets           18,358               17,526 
Intangible lease asset, net of 
 amortization                               39,114               39,834 
Real estate owned, net of 
 depreciation                              112,499              113,160 
Real estate owned, held for sale           243,390              222,890 
Equity method investment                    13,395               13,395 
                                       -----------       -------------- 
     Total assets                   $    5,654,051    $       6,002,386 
                                       ===========       ============== 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' 
EQUITY 
Collateralized loan obligations     $    3,226,710    $       3,628,270 
Repurchase agreements and 
 revolving credit facilities - 
 commercial mortgage loans                 429,314              329,811 
Repurchase agreements - real 
 estate securities                         206,164              236,608 
Mortgage note payable                       23,998               23,998 
Other financings                            12,865               12,865 
Unsecured debt                              81,420               81,395 
Derivative instruments, measured 
 at fair value                                  88                  713 
Interest payable                            11,386               12,844 
Distributions payable                       36,444               36,237 
Accounts payable and accrued 
 expenses                                   17,567               14,443 
Due to affiliates                           12,156               14,106 
Intangible lease liability, held 
 for sale                                      880                1,291 
                                       -----------       -------------- 
     Total liabilities              $    4,058,992    $       4,392,581 
                                       -----------       -------------- 
Commitments and Contingencies 
Redeemable convertible preferred 
stock: 
Redeemable convertible preferred 
 stock Series H, $0.01 par value, 
 20,000 authorized and 17,950 
 issued and outstanding as of 
 March 31, 2025 and December 31, 
 2024                               $       89,748    $          89,748 
                                       -----------       -------------- 
     Total redeemable convertible 
      preferred stock               $       89,748    $          89,748 
                                       -----------       -------------- 
Equity: 
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 
 100,000,000 shares authorized, 
 7.5% Cumulative Redeemable 
 Preferred Stock, Series E, 
 10,329,039 shares issued and 
 outstanding as of March 31, 2025 
 and December 31, 2024              $      258,742    $         258,742 
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 
 900,000,000 shares authorized, 
 82,870,769 and 83,066,789 shares 
 issued and outstanding as of 
 March 31, 2025 and December 31, 
 2024, respectively                            822                  818 
Additional paid-in capital               1,600,846            1,600,997 
Accumulated other comprehensive 
 income/(loss)                                (318)                  79 
Accumulated deficit                       (360,456)            (348,074) 
                                       -----------       -------------- 
     Total stockholders' equity     $    1,499,636    $       1,512,562 
                                       -----------       -------------- 
Non-controlling interest                                          7,495 
                                   ----------------      -------------- 
     Total equity                   $    1,505,311    $       1,520,057 
                                       -----------       -------------- 
     Total liabilities, 
      redeemable convertible 
      preferred stock and equity    $    5,654,051    $       6,002,386 
                                       ===========       ============== 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)  Includes pledged assets of $429.3 million and $268.7 million as of March 
     31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. 
(2)  There were no pledged assets of March 31, 2025 and $61.1 million pledged 
     assets as of December 31, 2024. 
(3)  Includes pledged assets of $167.2 million and $180.7 million as of March 
     31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. 
(4)  Includes $54.0 million and $157.0 million of cash held by servicer 
     related to the CLOs as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, 
     respectively. 
 
 
                    FRANKLIN BSP REALTY TRUST, INC. 
                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS 
       (In thousands, except share and per share data) (Unaudited) 
 
                                         Three Months Ended March 31, 
                                      ---------------------------------- 
                                              2025           2024 
                                          ------------    ----------- 
Income 
     Interest income                   $       113,908   $    130,558 
     Less: Interest expense                     70,593         81,318 
                                          ------------    ----------- 
     Net interest income                        43,315         49,240 
     Revenue from real estate owned              6,797          4,712 
                                          ------------    ----------- 
     Total income                      $        50,112   $     53,952 
                                          ------------    ----------- 
Expenses 
     Asset management and 
      subordinated performance fee     $         6,555   $      7,865 
     Acquisition expenses                          299            238 
     Administrative services 
      expenses                                   3,348          2,860 
     Professional fees                           6,576          4,084 
     Share-based compensation                    2,246          1,799 
     Depreciation and amortization               1,380          1,417 
     Other expenses                              9,936          2,363 
                                          ------------    ----------- 
     Total expenses                    $        30,340   $     20,626 
                                          ------------    ----------- 
Other income/(loss) 
     (Provision)/benefit for credit 
      losses                           $         1,898   $     (2,880) 
     Realized gain/(loss) on real 
      estate securities, available 
      for sale                                      --             88 
     Realized gain/(loss) on sale of 
      commercial mortgage loans, 
      held for sale, measured at 
      fair value                                 5,039          5,513 
     Unrealized gain/(loss) on 
      commercial mortgage loans, 
      held for sale, measured at 
      fair value                                    --            457 
     Gain/(loss) on other real 
      estate investments                        (2,232)             6 
     Unrealized gain/(loss) on 
      derivatives                               (1,056)          (138) 
     Realized gain/(loss) on 
      derivatives                                  938            290 
                                          ------------    ----------- 
     Total other income/(loss)         $         4,587   $      3,336 
                                          ------------    ----------- 
     Income/(loss) before taxes                 24,359         36,662 
     (Provision)/benefit for income 
      tax                                         (654)          (835) 
                                          ------------    ----------- 
Net income/(loss)                      $        23,705   $     35,827 
                                          ------------    ----------- 
Net (income)/loss attributable to 
 non-controlling interest                          353             93 
                                          ------------    ----------- 
Net income/(loss) attributable to 
 Franklin BSP Realty Trust, Inc.       $        24,058   $     35,920 
                                          ------------    ----------- 
     Less: Preferred stock dividends             6,748          6,748 
                                          ------------    ----------- 
Net income/(loss) applicable to 
 common stock                          $        17,310   $     29,172 
                                          ============    =========== 
 
    Basic earnings per share           $          0.20   $       0.35 
    Diluted earnings per share         $          0.20   $       0.35 
    Basic weighted average shares 
     outstanding                            82,053,686     81,994,096 
    Diluted weighted average shares 
     outstanding                            82,053,686     81,994,096 
 
 
                     FRANKLIN BSP REALTY TRUST, INC. 
       RECONCILIATION OF GAAP NET INCOME TO DISTRIBUTABLE EARNINGS 
              (In thousands, except share and per share data) 
                                (Unaudited) 
 
The following table provides a reconciliation of GAAP net income to 
Distributable Earnings and Distributable Earnings to Common as of the 
three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 (amounts in thousands, except 
share and per share data): 
 
                                          Three Months Ended March 31, 
                                      ------------------------------------ 
                                             2025              2024 
                                          -----------       ---------- 
GAAP Net Income (Loss)                 $       23,705      $    35,827 
Adjustments: 
Unrealized (gain)/loss on financial 
 instruments(1)                                 3,288             (325) 
Subordinated performance fee(2)                   251             $(554.SI)$ 
Non-cash compensation expense                   2,246            1,799 
Depreciation and amortization                   1,380            1,417 
Transaction-related and 
non-recurring items(3)                          2,974               -- 
(Reversal of)/provision for credit 
 losses                                        (1,898)           2,880 
                                          -----------       ---------- 
Distributable Earnings before 
 realized loss                         $       31,946      $    41,044 
Realized gain/(loss) adjustment on 
 loans and REO(4)                             (38,180)              -- 
                                          -----------       ---------- 
Distributable Earnings                 $       (6,234)     $    41,044 
7.5% series E cumulative redeemable 
 preferred stock dividend                      (4,842)          (4,842) 
Non-controlling interests in joint 
 ventures net (income) / loss                     353               93 
Non-controlling interests in joint 
 ventures adjusted net (income) / 
 loss DE adjustments                             (350)            (276) 
                                          -----------       ---------- 
Distributable Earnings to Common       $      (11,073)     $    36,019 
                                          ===========       ========== 
Average common stock & common stock 
 equivalents(5)                             1,338,913        1,389,912 
GAAP net income/(loss) ROE                        5.7%             8.9% 
Distributable earnings ROE                       (3.3)%           10.4% 
GAAP net income/(loss) per share, 
 diluted                               $         0.20      $      0.35 
GAAP net income/(loss) per share, 
 fully converted(6)                    $         0.22      $      0.35 
Distributable earnings per share, 
 fully converted(6)                    $        (0.12)     $      0.41 
Distributable earnings per share 
 before realized loss, fully 
 converted(6)                          $         0.31      $      0.41 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)  Represents unrealized gains and losses on (i) commercial mortgage loans, 
     held for sale, measured at fair value, (ii) other real estate 
     investments, measured at fair value and (iii) derivatives. 
(2)  Represents accrued and unpaid subordinated performance fee. In addition, 
     reversal of subordinated performance fee represents cash payment 
     obligations in the quarter. 
(3)  Represents transaction-related and non-recurring costs associated with 
     the acquisition of NewPoint Holdings JV LLC 
(4)  Represents amounts deemed nonrecoverable upon a realization event, which 
     is generally at the time a loan is repaid, or in the case of a 
     foreclosure or other property, when the underlying asset is sold. Amounts 
     may also be deemed non-recoverable if, in our determination, it is nearly 
     certain the carrying amounts will not be collected or realized upon sale. 
     Amount may be different than the GAAP basis. As of March 31, 2025, the 
     Company has $0 million of GAAP loss adjustments that would run through 
     distributable earnings if and when cash losses are realized. 
(5)  Represents the average of all classes of equity except the Series E 
     Preferred Stock. 
(6)  Fully Converted assumes conversion of our series of convertible preferred 
     stock and full vesting of our outstanding equity compensation awards. 
 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250428090448/en/

 
    CONTACT:    Investor Relations Contact: 

Lindsey Crabbe

l.crabbe@benefitstreetpartners.com

(214) 874-2339

 
 

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

April 28, 2025 16:15 ET (20:15 GMT)

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