Further, the success of our investment strategy is highly dependent upon our ability to finance our target assets through non-recourse, non-
mark-to-market securitization transactions. Although market conditions for securitizations were generally strong during 2024, there is no
guarantee that such conditions will be maintained or further improve. Prior to executing a securitization transaction, we typically acquire
assets with warehouse financing subject to margin calls which typically are associated with a higher level of risk than other non-recourse,
non-mark-to-market financing. In executing securitization transactions, we rely on third-party service providers, including custodians,
rating agencies, servicers, and due diligence firms, to support the completion of such transactions in a timely and efficient manner. These
third-party service providers may not have sufficient resources to dedicate the appropriate time and attention needed for securitization
transactions conducted by us and our competitors. Resources, including sufficient personnel resources, of third-party service providers may
be negatively impacted by a variety of factors. To the extent that third-party service providers on which we rely are not able to dedicate
sufficient resources to provide the necessary services to us, we may be delayed in completing, or unable to complete, securitization
transactions on the pace anticipated in our business plan and our operating results may be materially and adversely impacted.
Further, certain jurisdictions require a license to purchase, hold, enforce or sell residential mortgage loans. We may contribute our loans to
entities, including one or more trusts whose trustee is a national bank, which rely on exemptions from state licensing requirements. Certain
states have and others could seek to challenge such analysis and ultimately require us to obtain any necessary state license. There can be no
assurance that the use of trusts will satisfy an exemption from licensing requirements because regulatory agencies may adopt a different
interpretation of various laws. If a license is required, there can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain the requisite licenses in a
timely manner or at all or in all necessary jurisdictions, or that the use of the trusts will reduce the requirement for licensing, any of which
could limit our ability to invest in residential mortgage loans. Our failure to obtain and maintain required licenses may expose us to
penalties or other claims and may affect our ability to acquire an adequate and desirable supply of mortgage loans to conduct our
securitization program and, as a result, could harm our business.
Disruptive, exogenous geopolitical or other macroeconomic events or large-scale conflicts, including warfare among countries could
materially and adversely affect our business.
From time to time, tensions between countries may erupt into warfare and may adversely affect neighboring countries and those who
conduct trade or foreign relations with those affected regions. Such acts of war may cause widespread and lingering damage on a global
scale, including, but not limited to, (i) safety and cybersecurity, (ii) the economy, and (iii) global relations.
The wars between Russia and Ukraine and the Middle East conflict have and will continue to result in instability and adversely affect the
global economy or specific markets. In addition, these geopolitical tensions can cause an increase in volatility in commodity and energy
prices, creating supply chain issues, and causing instability in financial markets. Sanctions imposed by the United States and other countries
in response to such conflict could further adversely impact the financial markets and the global economy, and any economic
countermeasures by the affected countries or others, could exacerbate market and economic instability. Further, Russia has launched an
onslaught of cyberwarfare against Ukraine as part of its ongoing invasion, targeting the country’s critical infrastructure, government
agencies, media organizations, and related think tanks in the U.S. and EU.
The U.S. federal government has cautioned Americans on the possibility of Russia targeting the U.S. with cyber attacks in retaliation for
sanctions that the U.S. has imposed and has urged both the public and private sectors to strengthen their cyber defenses and protect critical
services and infrastructure. Additionally, President Biden directed government bodies to mandate cybersecurity and network defense
measures within their respective jurisdictions and has initiated action plans to reinforce cybersecurity within the electricity, pipeline, and
water sectors. The Biden administration also launched joint efforts with Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) through
its “Shields Up” campaign to defend the U.S. against possible cyber attacks. CISA published advisories warning of Russian state-sponsored
threat actors targeting “COVID-19 research, governments, election organizations, healthcare and pharmaceutical, defense, energy, video
gaming, nuclear, commercial facilities, water, aviation, and critical manufacturing” sectors in the U.S. and other Western nations. While we
have not experienced such cyber attacks and have not detected activity that would indicate a planned cyber attack, to date, it is yet unknown
whether Russia would be successful in breaching our network defenses or, more broadly, those within the areas listed above, which, if
successful, may cause disruptions to critical infrastructure required for our operations and livelihoods, or those of borrowers of our loans or
underlying our investments and service providers.
Disruption, instability, volatility, and decline in economic activity, regardless of where it occurs, whether caused by acts of war, other acts
of aggression, or terrorism, could in turn also cause higher interest rates, inflation, tariffs or general economic uncertainty, which could
negatively impact borrowers of our loans or underlying our investments, service providers, or otherwise adversely impact the value of our
assets.
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