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Maiden Lane LLC
(A Special Purpose Vehicle Consolidated by the
Federal Reserve Bank of New York)
Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the
Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013,
and Independent Auditors’ Report
All table units in this document are in millions of U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted.

Maiden Lane LLC
T ab le o f C ontents

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Independent Auditors’ Report

1
2-3

Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the years ended
December 31, 2014 and 2013:
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

4

Consolidated Statements of Income

5

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

6

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

7-24

FEDERAL RESERVE BANK o f NEW YORK
33 LIBERTY STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10045-0001

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Marc h 11, 2015
To the Board o f Directors o f the
Federal Reserve Bank o f New York:

The management o f Maiden Lane LLC (ML LLC) is responsible for the preparation and fair
presentation o f the Consolidated Statements o f Financial Condition as o f December 31, 2014 and 2013,
and the Consolidated Statements o f Income and Consolidated Statements o f Cash Flows for the years then
ended (the financial statements). The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles in the United States o f America (GAAP), and, as such, include
some amounts that are based on management judgments and estimates. To our knowledge, the financial
statements are, in all material respects, fairly presented in conformity with GAAP and include all
disclosures necessary for such fair presentation.
The management o f ML LLC is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal
control over financial reporting as it relates to the financial statements. ML LLC’s internal control over
financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability o f financial
reporting and the preparation o f financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with
GAAP. ML LLC’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i)
pertain to the maintenance o f records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions
and dispositions o f ML LLC’s assets; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as
necessary to permit preparation o f financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that ML LLC’s
receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations o f its management; and
(iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or tim ely detection o f unauthorized acquisition,
use or disposition o f ML LLC’s assets that could have a material effect on its financial statements.
Even effective internal control, no matter how w ell designed, has inherent limitations, including
the possibility o f human error, and therefore can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to the
preparation o f reliable financial statements. A lso, projections o f any evaluation o f effectiveness to future
periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because o f changes in conditions, or
that the degree o f compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
The management o f ML LLC assessed its internal control over financial reporting based upon the
criteria established in the Internal Control - Integrated Fram ework (2013) issued by the Committee o f
Sponsoring Organizations o f the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, we believe that ML
LLC maintained effective internal control over financial reporting.

(signedby)W illia m C . D u d le y ,
P re sid e n t

(signedby)C hris tin e M . C u m m in g ,
F irst V ice P re sid e n t

T 212.720.5000 | F 212.720.6767 | E general.info@ ny.frb.o r g

(signedby)M ich ael S trine,
P rin c ip a l F in a n c ia l O ffic e r

| www.newyorkfed.org

Deloitte.

Deloitte & Touche LLP
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10112-0015
USA
Tel: +1 212 492 4000
Fax: +1 212 489 1687
www.deloitte.com

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT
To the Managing Member of
Maiden Lane LLC:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements of Maiden Lane LLC (a Special
Purpose Vehicle consolidated by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York) (the “LLC”), which are
comprised of the consolidated statements of financial condition, as of December 31, 2014 and 2013,
and the related consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the years ended December 31,
2014 and 2013, and the related notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Management’s Responsibility for the Consolidated Financial Statements
The LLC’s management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these
consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in
the United States of America; this includes the design, implementation, and maintenance of
internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of consolidated financial
statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

Auditors’ Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our
audits. We conducted our audits of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with auditing
standards generally accepted in the United States of America and in accordance with the auditing
standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards
require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the
consolidated financial statements are free from material misstatement.
An audit of the consolidated financial statements involves performing procedures to obtain audit
evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. The procedures
selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material
misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those
risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the LLC’s preparation and fair
presentation of the consolidated financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are
appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness
of the LLC’s internal control. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit of the consolidated
financial statements also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the
reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the
overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis
for our audit opinion.

Member of
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited

Opinion
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of Maiden Lane LLC (a Special Purpose Vehicle consolidated by the
Federal Reserve Bank of New York) as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of its
operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in accordance with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America.

(signed by) Deloitte & Touche LLP
March 11, 2015

Maiden Lane LLC
C on solid ated Statem ents o f F in an cial C on dition

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013
(Amounts in thousands, except par value and share data)

2014

2013

A and cash equivalents
set:Cash
set:Restricted cash
A
ricdahInvestments, at fair value (cost of $1,477,869 and $1,122,293, respectively,
set:R
A
and includes assets pledged of $86,877 and $123,738, respectively)
set:Swap contracts, at fair value
A
set:Principal and interest receivable
A
set:Other assets
A
Total assets

276,842
-

486,934
40,206

1,410,519
123,836
75
1,811,272

1,046,737
158,133
347
83
1,732,440

r’quy:Senior Loan, at fair value
iabltesndm
L
L
r’quy:Swap
iabltesndm
contracts, at fair value
r’quy:Cash collateral on swap contracts
iabltesndm
L
r’quy:Other liabilities and accrued expenses
iabltesndm
L
Total liabilities

1,684,513
40,647
85,093
1,019
1,811,272

1,575,050
73,439
82,292
1,659
1,732,440

r’quy:Member’s equity ($10 par value, 1 share issued and outstanding)
iabltesndm
L

-

1,811,272

Total liabilities and member’s equity

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

4

1,732,440

Maiden Lane LLC
C on solid ated Statem ents o f Incom e

For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
(Amounts in thousands)

2014
evnus:Interest income
R
R
evnus:Realized
gains on investments and swap contracts, net
evnus:Unrealized gains on investments and swap contracts, net
R
evnus:Other income
R
Total revenues

xpens:Professional fees and other expenses
E
xpens:Net operating income
E

on-peratigls:Unrealized losses on the Senior Loan
N
Total non-operating losses
N e t in c o m e

2013

75,604
738
35,419
1,250
113,011

462
130,405
52,792
1,250
184,909

3,548

6,038

109,463

178,871

(109,463)
(109,463)

(178,871)
(178,871)

-

-

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

5

Maiden Lane LLC
C on solid ated Statem ents o f C ash Flow s

For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
(Amounts in thousands)

2014

2013

C a s h f lo w s f r o m o p e r a t in g a c t iv it ie s :
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(35,419)
109,463
272
83
(640)
69,265

(4,870)
(130,405)
(52,792)
178,871
1,241
669
(510)
(7,796)

(1,406,054)
518,247
542,363
(3,766)
36,585
(9,739)
40,206
(282,158)

(564,610)
66,921
478,532
(10,447)
294,547
(85,392)
14,653
194,204

2,801
2,801
(210,092)
486,934
276,842

e q u iv a le n ts

e q u iv a le n ts

Ending cash and cash equivalents

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

6

(258,939)
(258,939)
(72,531)
559,465
486,934

Maiden Lane LLC
N otes to C on solid ated F in an cial Statem ents

For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
1.

Organization and Nature of Business
Maiden Lane LLC (the “LLC”), a special purpose vehicle consolidated by the Federal Reserve Bank of New
York (“FRBNY” or “Managing Member”), is a single member Delaware limited liability company that was
formed to acquire approximately $30 billion of The Bear Stearns Companies Inc.’s (“Bear Stearns”) assets
in connection with and to facilitate the merger of Bear Stearns and JPMorgan Chase & Co. (“JPMC”).
FRBNY is the sole and managing member of the LLC as well as the controlling party of the assets of the
LLC, and will remain as such as long as FRBNY retains an economic interest in the LLC. Financing for the
LLC was provided by FRBNY for approximately $28.8 billion, as the senior lender (the “Senior Loan”),
and by JPMC for $1.15 billion, as the subordinated lender (the “Subordinated Loan”) (together the
“Loans”). The Loans were funded on June 26, 2008 and had a ten-year term maturing on June 26, 2018. In
2012, the LLC repaid in full the outstanding principal and accrued interest on the Loans. Net proceeds from
the sale or other disposition of the LLC’s assets will be paid to FRBNY as Contingent Interest (see Note 4)
on the Senior Loan. The Senior Loan is collateralized by all the assets of the LLC through a pledge to State
Street Bank and Trust (“State Street”) as collateral agent.
Bear Stearns’ assets purchased by the LLC largely consisted of mortgage-related debt securities, whole
mortgage loans (held by two grantor trusts as discussed below), and credit default and interest rate swap
contracts, primarily through a total return swap agreement with JPMC (the “TRS”). Bear Stearns’ assets
were acquired and transferred to the LLC on June 26, 2008 with a purchase and effective valuation date of
March 14, 2008.
Two grantor trusts were established to directly acquire the whole mortgage loans. One was formed to acquire a
portfolio of commercial mortgage loans and one was formed to acquire a portfolio of residential mortgage
loans (Maiden Lane Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities Trust 2008-1 [“CRE Trust”] and Maiden
Lane Asset Backed Securities I Trust 2008-1 [“Residential Trust”], together the “Grantor Trusts”). The
Residential Trust terminated in December 2013, in accordance with its terms, as a result of the liquidation
of its last asset.
The LLC owns the trust certificates representing all of the beneficial ownership interest in the CRE Trust. The
CRE Trust is controlled by FRBNY as long as the LLC remains a certificate holder. The LLC is the sole
certificate holder as of December 31, 2014. The trustee and master servicer for the CRE Trust are
nationally recognized financial institutions. The master servicer to the CRE Trust is responsible for
remitting to the CRE Trust all principal and interest payments and any other amounts collected by the
primary loan servicers on the underlying loans of the trust. Payments received by the CRE Trust are passed
on to the LLC as the sole beneficiary after deducting certain trust expenses, advances, servicing costs, and
fees. Prior to its termination, the Residential Trust was owned and operated in the same manner as
described above for the CRE Trust. Following termination, the LLC surrendered all of its certificates in the
Residential Trust and received one final distribution of the remaining amounts due to it as beneficiary.
BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. (the “Investment Manager” or “BlackRock”) manages the investment
portfolio of the LLC under a multi-year contract with FRBNY that includes provisions governing
termination of the contract. State Street provides administrative, collateral administration, and custodial
services and has been appointed to serve as collateral agent under multi-year contracts with FRBNY that
include provisions governing termination of the contracts.
The LLC does not have any employees and therefore does not bear any employee-related costs.

2.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with the accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), which require the Managing Member to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of
income and expense during the reporting period. Significant estimates include the fair value of investments,
swap contracts, and the Senior Loan. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of the LLC as well as the Grantor
Trusts. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies followed by the LLC:
A.

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

The LLC defines cash and cash equivalents as cash, money market funds, and other short-term, highly liquid
investments with maturities of three months or less when acquired. Money market funds and other short­
term investments are carried at fair value based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. All
cash equivalents are classified as Level 1 under the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board
(“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820 (“ASC 820”), Fair Value Measurement.
Refer to Note 5 for more information.
The LLC invests available cash and restricted cash in Government Money Market Funds registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the LLC had approximately $274
million and $375 million, respectively, in Government Money Market Funds.
Restricted cash principally represents investments in money market funds held as collateral for unfunded
commitments to extend credit on commercial loans acquired by the CRE Trust. For more information on
these commitments, refer to Note 7.
B.

Investments and Swap Contracts

The LLC’s investments consist primarily of short-term investments with maturities of greater than three months
and less than one year when acquired (primarily consisting of US Treasury bills) and commercial mortgage
loans. The LLC’s swap contracts consist of credit default swaps (“CDS”). The LLC follows the guidance in
FASB ASC Topic 320, Investments - Debt and Equity Securities, when accounting for investments in debt
securities and FASB ASC Topic 815 (“ASC 815”), Derivatives and Hedging, when accounting for swap
contracts.
Interest income on investments is recorded when earned and includes amortization of premiums, accretion of
discounts, and paydown gains and losses on investments.
Investment and swap transactions are accounted for at trade date. Realized gains or losses on investments and
swap transactions are determined on the identified cost basis.
From time to time, the LLC may receive proceeds from settlements related to actions involving portfolio
investments. When such settlements are received, the LLC will record the amount as an adjustment to the
cost basis of the investment if the investment is still held by the LLC or as a realized gain on the investment
if the investment is no longer held by the LLC.

C.

Valuation o f Financial Assets and Liabilities

The LLC has elected the fair value option in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 825, Financial Instruments, for
investments and the Senior Loan (including accrued and capitalized interest), all of which are recorded at
fair value in accordance with ASC 820. The Managing Member believes that accounting for the
investments and Senior Loan at fair value appropriately reflects the LLC’s purpose and intent with respect
to its financial assets and liabilities and most closely reflects the LLC’s obligations. For more information
on the valuation of investments and the Senior Loan, refer to Note 5 and Note 6.
Swap contracts are recorded at fair value in accordance with ASC 820 and ASC 815. For more information on
the valuation of swap contracts, refer to Note 5 and Note 6.
Fair Value Hierarchy
ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an
orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. ASC 820 establishes a three-level
fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between assumptions developed using market data obtained from
independent sources (observable inputs) and the LLC’s assumptions developed using the best information
available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs). The three levels established by ASC 820 are
described as follows:
•

Level 1 - Valuation is based on quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets.

•

Level 2 - Valuation is based on quoted prices for similar instruments 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.

•

Level 3 - Valuation is based on model-based techniques that use significant inputs and assumptions not
observable in the market. These unobservable inputs and assumptions reflect the LLC’s own estimates of
inputs and assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the assets and liabilities. Valuation
techniques include the use of option pricing models, discounted cash flow models, and similar techniques.

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated
with investing in those securities.
D. Accounting for Senior Loan
The consolidated financial statements reflect the fair value of the Senior Loan. The Senior Loan is recorded as
“Senior Loan, at fair value” in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and changes in its fair
value are recorded as “Unrealized losses on the Senior Loan” in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
E.

Variable Interest Entities

The identification of variable interest entities (“VIEs”) and determination whether to consolidate VIEs were
assessed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 810 (“ASC 810”), Consolidation, which requires a VIE to
be consolidated by its controlling financial interest holder.

The LLC consolidates a VIE if it has a controlling financial interest, which is defined as the power to direct the
significant economic activities of the entity and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive
benefits of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. To determine whether it is the
controlling financial interest holder of a VIE, the LLC evaluates the VIE’s design, capital structure, and
relationships with the variable interest holders. The LLC reconsiders whether it has a controlling financial
interest in a VIE, as required by ASC 810, at each reporting date or if there is an event that requires
consideration.
The LLC holds certain interests in VIEs through investments in swap contracts, non-agency residential
mortgage-backed securities (“non-agency RMBS”), commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”),
and collateralized debt obligations. VIEs generally finance the purchase of assets by issuing debt and equity
instruments. In assessing the nature and extent of its financial interests in these VIEs, the LLC considered
the nature and purpose of its involvement with these VIEs, which is primarily as investor, and in limited
instances, as seller of protection through credit default swaps. The LLC has made a determination that there
are no material VIEs that required consolidation into its consolidated financial statements as of December
31, 2014 and 2013. As of December 31, 2014, the LLC’s significant interests in non-consolidated VIEs
consisted of a payable of approximately $15 million, which was recorded as a component of “Swap
contracts, at fair value” in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. The fair value and total
maximum exposure to non-consolidated VIEs was $15 million as of December 31, 2014 and $18 million as
of December 31, 2013.
F.

Professional Fees and Other Expenses

Professional fees and other expenses are primarily comprised of the fees charged by the Investment Manager,
administrator, and independent auditors as well as fees and expenses related to the servicing and disposition
of residential and commercial loans held by the Grantor Trusts.
G. Income Taxes
The LLC is a single member limited liability company and was structured as a disregarded entity for U.S.
Federal, state, and local income tax purposes. Accordingly, no provision for income taxes is made in the
consolidated financial statements.
H. Foreign Currency Translation
Swap collateral received denominated in a foreign currency is translated into U.S. dollar amounts using the
prevailing exchange rate as of the date of the consolidated financial statements. There is no gain or loss
associated with this foreign denominated collateral as the asset and liability positions associated with it are
offsetting.
I.

Immaterial Restatement

Subsequent to the issuance of the LLC’s 2013 consolidated financial statements, it was determined that certain
cash flows from investing activities had been incorrectly classified within the “Cash flows from investing
activities” category of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31, 2013.
As a result, the line “Proceeds from principal paydowns on investments” was restated from $6,504
thousand to $66,921 thousand and the line “Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments and
settlements” was restated from $538,949 thousand to $478,532 thousand. This restatement had no impact
on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition or the Consolidated Statement of Income.

3.

Senior Loan (including Contingent Interest)
The Senior Loan is entitled to receive additional Contingent Interest (see Note 4) in amounts equal to any
proceeds from the sale of the LLC’s assets that are available for distribution pursuant to the order of
priority described in Note 4.
The following table presents a reconciliation of the Senior Loan as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 (in
thousands):
Senior Loan
Fair value, December 31, 2012

1,396,179

ctivy:.Un r e a l i z e d l o s s e s o n th e S e n io r L o a n
2013A

178,871
1,575,050

ctivy:.Fa i r v a l u e , D e c e m b e r 3 1 , 2 0 1 3 [sefotnote]1
2013A

ctivy:Un r e a l i z e d l o s s e s o n th e S e n io r L o a n
2014A
ctivy:Fa i r v a l u e , D e c e m b e r 3 1 , 2 0 1 4 [sefotnote]1
2014A

109,463
1,684,513

[fotne]1The outstanding principal and accrued interest balance on the Senior Loan
was $0 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013. The remaining fair value
represents the undistributed Contingent Interest on the Senior Loan.[endoft.]

4.

Distribution of Proceeds
In accordance with the Security Agreement, amounts available in the accounts of the LLC are distributed
monthly in the following order of priority:
first, to pay any costs, fees, and expenses of the LLC then due and payable;
second, to pay any amounts owed to derivative counterparties under the related derivative contracts;
third, to repay the outstanding principal amount of the Senior Loan;
fourth, so long as the entire outstanding principal amount of the Senior Loan has been repaid in full, to pay
unpaid interest outstanding on the Senior Loan;
fifth, so long as the entire outstanding principal amount of and all accrued and unpaid interest outstanding on the
Senior Loan have been paid in full, to repay the outstanding principal amount of the Subordinated Loan;
sixth, so long as (i) the entire outstanding principal amount of and all accrued and unpaid interest on the Senior
Loan have been paid in full and (ii) the entire outstanding principal amount of the Subordinated Loan has
been repaid in full, to pay unpaid interest outstanding on the Subordinated Loan;

seventh, so long as the entire outstanding principal amount of and all accrued and unpaid interest on the Loans
have been paid in full, and after termination and payment of any amounts owed to the counterparties under
the related derivative contracts, to pay all available proceeds to FRBNY as holder of the Senior Loan (the
“Contingent Interest”).

5.

Fair Value Measurements
The LLC measures all investments, swap contracts, and the Senior Loan at fair value in accordance with
ASC 820.
Determination o f Fair Value
The LLC values its investments and cash equivalents on the basis of last available bid prices or current market
quotations provided by dealers or pricing services selected under the supervision of the Investment
Manager. To determine the value of a particular investment, pricing services may use certain information
with respect to market transactions in such investments or comparable investments, various relationships
observed in the market between investments, quotations from dealers, and pricing metrics and calculated
yield measures based on valuation methodologies commonly employed in the market for such investments.
The fair value of swap contracts is provided by JPMC as calculation agent and is reviewed by the
Investment Manager.
Market quotations may not represent fair value in certain instances in which the Investment Manager and the
LLC believe that facts and circumstances applicable to an issuer, a seller, a purchaser, or the market for a
particular investment cause such market quotations to not reflect the fair value of an investment. In such
cases or when market quotations are unavailable, the Investment Manager applies proprietary valuation
models that use collateral performance scenarios and pricing metrics derived from the reported
performance of investments with similar characteristics as well as available market data to determine fair
value.
Due to the uncertainty inherent in determining the fair value of investments, derivatives, and debt instruments
that do not have a readily available fair value, the fair values of the LLC’s investments, swap contracts, and
the Senior Loan may differ from the values that may ultimately be realized and paid.

N otes to C on solid ated F in an cial Statem ents

For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
Valuation Methodologies for Level 3 Assets and Liabilities
In certain cases in which there is limited trading activity for particular investments or current market quotations
are not available or reflective of the fair value of an instrument, the valuation is based on models that use
inputs, estimates, and assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the investments. To the
extent that such inputs, estimates, and assumptions are not observable, the investments are classified within
Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. For instance, in valuing certain debt securities and whole mortgage
loans, the determination of fair value is based on proprietary valuation models when external price
information is not available. Key inputs to the model may include market spreads or yield estimates for
comparable instruments, performance data (i.e. prepayment rates, default rates, and loss severity), valuation
estimates for underlying property collateral, projected cash flows, and other relevant contractual features.
For the swap contracts, all of which are categorized as Level 3 assets and liabilities, there are various valuation
methodologies. In each case, the fair value of the instrument underlying the swap is a significant input used
to derive the fair value of the swap. When there are broker or dealer prices available for the underlying
instruments, the fair value of the swap is derived based on those prices. When the instrument underlying the
swap is a market index (i.e. CMBS index), the closing market index price, which can also be expressed as a
credit spread, is used to determine the fair value of the swap. In the remaining cases, the fair value of the
underlying instrument is principally based on inputs and assumptions not observable in the market (i.e.
discount rates, prepayment rates, default rates, and recovery rates). Key unobservable inputs are explained
in more detail in the table below.
The fair value of the Senior Loan is determined based on the fair value of the underlying assets held by the LLC
and the allocation of the LLC’s net operating income or loss, as presented in the reconciliation of the Senior
Loan in Note 3.

13

N otes to C on solid ated F in an cial Statem ents

For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
Inputs for Level 3 Assets and Liabilities
The following table presents the valuation techniques and ranges of significant unobservable inputs generally
used to determine the fair values of the LLC’s Level 3 assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2014 (in
thousands, except for input values):

Instrument
Swap contracts, net

Fair value

Principal
valuation technique

125,605

Discounted cash flows

Unobservable inputs
Credit spreads[sefotnote]1
Discount rate
Constant prepayment rate
Constant default rate
Loss severity

Range of
input values
2,893 bps
5%
0%
0%
40%

- 12,683 bps
25%
8%
99%
95%

W

e ig h te d

a v e ra g e

[sefotn]2

9,023 bps
17%
1%
6%
52%

[fotnoe]1Im p lie d sp re a d o n c lo sin g m ark e t p ric e s fo r in d ex p o sitio n s. [endoft.]
[fotnote]2W e ig h te d averag es are c a lc u late d b a s e d o n th e fair v alu e o f th e resp e c tiv e in strum ents. [endoft.]

The following table presents the valuation techniques and ranges of significant unobservable inputs generally
used to determine the fair values of the LLC’s Level 3 assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2013 (in
thousands, except for input values):

Instrument
C o m m e rc ia lm
ortgaelns

Swap contracts, net

Fair value

Principal
valuation technique

506,589

Discounted cash flows

151,696

Discounted cash flows

Unobservable inputs
Discount rate
Property capitalization rate
N et operating income
growth rate
Credit spreads[sefotnote]1
Discount rate
Constant prepayment rate
Constant default rate
Loss severity

Range of
input values

W eighted averag

[seefootnote]2

4%

7%

13%

12%
7%

3%

-

5%

4%

2,259 bps
5%
0%
0%
40%

- 8,870 bps
25%
17%
30%
95%

e

6,299 bps
15%
3%
6%
54%

[fotnoe]1Im p lie d sp re a d o n c lo sin g m a rk e t p ric e s fo r in d e x p o sitio n s. [endoft.]
[fotnote]2W e ig h te d av erag es are c a lc u late d b a s e d o n th e fair v alu e o f th e resp e c tiv e instrum ents. [endoft.]

The fair value of the Senior Loan is based upon the fair value of the net assets held by the LLC and, as such, its
significant unobservable inputs generally include those same inputs used to value the Level 3 instruments
listed above.

N otes to C on solid ated F in an cial Statem ents

For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
Sensitivity o f Level 3 Fair Value Measurements to Changes in Unobservable Inputs
The following provides a general description of the impact of a change in an unobservable input on the fair
value measurement and the interrelationship of unobservable inputs:
I.

Commercial mortgage loans

In general, an increase in isolation in either the discount rate or the property capitalization rate, which is the
ratio between the net operating income produced by an asset and its current fair value, would result in
a decrease in the fair value measurement; while an increase in net operating income growth rate, in
isolation, would result in an increase in the fair value measurement. For each of the relationships
described above, the inverse would also generally apply.
II. Swap contracts
For CDS with reference obligations on CMBS, an increase in credit spreads would generally result in a
higher fair value measurement for protection buyers and a lower fair value measurement for protection
sellers. The inverse would also generally apply to this relationship given a decrease in credit spreads.
For CDS with reference obligations on residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) or other assetbacked securities, changes in the discount rate, constant prepayment rate, constant default rate, and loss
severity would have an uncertain effect on the overall fair value measurement. This is because, in
general, changes in these inputs could potentially have a different impact on the fair value
measurement of an individual CDS based on the structure, payment status, and other relevant
contractual details of its underlying reference obligation. Additionally, changes in the fair value
measurement based on variations in the inputs used generally cannot be extrapolated because the
relationship between each input is not perfectly correlated.
III. Senior Loan
In general, any movement in the unobservable inputs described above that results in an increase to the fair
value measurement of the net assets held by the LLC would also result in an increase in the fair value
measurement of the Senior Loan. The inverse would also generally apply to this relationship.

N otes to C on solid ated F in an cial Statem ents

For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
The following table presents the assets and liabilities recorded at fair value as of December 31, 2014 by the
ASC 820 hierarchy (in thousands):
ASC820hierarchy:A S C 8 2 0 h ie r a r c h y :

t:M o n e y m a r k e t f u n d s [sefotn]1
se
A

vm
t:In
se
A
Sh o r t - t e r m

in v e s tm e n ts

2 7 4 ,3 6 4

1 ,3 9 9 ,4 3 1
-

vm
t:In
se
A
O th e r in v e s tm e n ts
vm
t:In
se
A
To ta l in v e s tm e n ts
t:S w a p c o n t r a c t s
se
A
T o ta l a s s e ts

1 ,3 9 9 ,4 3 1
1 ,6 7 3 ,7 9 5

N e t t i n g [sefotn]3

cy:L e v e l 3
ra
ie
h
0
2
8
C
S
A

L e v e l 2 [sefotnoe]2

L e v e l 1 [sefotnoe]2

-

T o ta l fa ir v a lu e

-

-

2 7 4 ,3 6 4

1 ,3 9 9 ,4 3 1

-

-

-

6 ,4 7 9

4 ,6 0 9

-

1 1 ,0 8 8

6 ,4 7 9

4 ,6 0 9

-

1 ,4 1 0 ,5 1 9

-

2 4 0 ,2 9 5

( 1 1 6 ,4 5 9 )

1 2 3 ,8 3 6

6 ,4 7 9

2 4 4 ,9 0 4

( 1 1 6 ,4 5 9 )

1 ,8 0 8 ,7 1 9

s:S e n i o r L o a n
lte
b
ia
L

-

-

(1 ,6 8 4 ,5 1 3 )

s:S w a p c o n t r a c t s
lte
b
ia
L

-

-

(1 1 4 ,6 9 0 )

7 4 ,0 4 3

( 4 0 ,6 4 7 )

-

-

(1 ,7 9 9 ,2 0 3 )

7 4 ,0 4 3

(1 ,7 2 5 ,1 6 0 )

T o ta l lia b ilitie s

-

(1 ,6 8 4 ,5 1 3 )

[fotne]1Recorded as a component of “Cash and cash equivalents” in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.[endoft.]
[fotnoe]2There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the year ended December 31, 2014.[endoft.]
[fotnoe]3The LLC has elected to net derivative receivables and payables and the related cash collateral received and paid when a legally enforceable master
netting agreement exists.[endofotne.]

N otes to C on solid ated F in an cial Statem ents

For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
The following table presents the assets and liabilities recorded at fair value as of December 31, 2013 by the
ASC 820 hierarchy (in thousands):
ASC820hierarchA
y: S C

L e v e l

t:M o n e y
se
A

m

8 2 0 h ie r a r c h y :

3 7 4 ,7 1 6

a r k e t f u n d s [sefootnote]1

A
S
C820hierarchy:Lev e l

L e v e l 2 [sefotnote]3

1 [seefootnote]3

N e ttin g

3

-

[sefotn]4

T o ta l

f a ir v a lu e

-

-

3 7 4 ,7 1 6

-

t:I n v e s t m e n t s :
se
A
vm
t:In
se
A
S h o r t- te r m
vm
t:In
se
A
C o m

vm
t:In
se
A
O th e r

lo a n s

-

i n v e s t m e n t s [sefootnote]2

t:T o t a l i n v e s t m e n t s
se
A
t:S w a p
se
A

5 2 9 ,8 0 8

2 ,2 4 5
2 ,2 4 5

-

c o n tr a c ts

T o ta l a s s e ts

-

5 2 9 ,8 0 8

in v e s tm e n ts

m e r c ia l m o r tg a g e

9 0 4 ,5 2 4

2 ,2 4 5

-

5 2 9 ,8 0 8

5 0 6 ,5 8 9

-

5 0 6 ,5 8 9

8 ,0 9 5

-

1 0 ,3 4 0

5 1 4 ,6 8 4

-

1 ,0 4 6 ,7 3 7

3 4 4 ,7 1 5

( 1 8 6 ,5 8 2 )

1 5 8 ,1 3 3

8 5 9 ,3 9 9

( 1 8 6 ,5 8 2 )

1 ,5 7 9 ,5 8 6

s:S e n i o r L o a n
lte
b
ia
L

-

-

( 1 ,5 7 5 ,0 5 0 )

s:S w a p
lte
b
ia
L

-

-

( 1 9 3 ,0 1 9 )

1 1 9 ,5 8 0

( 7 3 ,4 3 9 )

-

-

( 1 ,7 6 8 ,0 6 9 )

1 1 9 ,5 8 0

( 1 ,6 4 8 ,4 8 9 )

c o n tr a c ts

T o ta l lia b ilitie s

-

( 1 ,5 7 5 ,0 5 0 )

[fotne]1Recorded as a component of “Cash and cash equivalents” and “Restricted cash” in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.[endoft.]
[fotnoe]2Investments with a fair value of $2,239 and $6,171 that were classified as Level 2 and Level 3 instruments, respectively, as of December 31, 2013
were recategorized from “Non-agency RMBS” to “Other investments” to conform to the current year presentation.[endoft.]
[fotnoe]3There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the year ended December 31, 2013.[endoft.]
[fotnoe]4The LLC has elected to net derivative receivables and payables and the related cash collateral received and paid when a legally enforceable master
netting agreement exists.[endofotne.]

N otes to C on solid ated F in an cial Statem ents

For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
The following table presents a reconciliation of all assets and liabilities measured at fair value using significant
unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the year ended December 31, 2014, including net realized and unrealized
gains (losses) (in thousands):

C h a n g e in
u n r e a liz e d g a in s
(lo s s e s ) r e la te d to
P u r c h a s e s , s a le s ,

N e t r e a liz e d /

F a ir v a lu e a t

is s u a n c e s , a n d

u n re a liz e d

G ro s s

G ro s s

F a ir v a lu e a t

in s tru m e n ts h e ld a t

D ecem ber 31, 2013

se ttle m e n ts , n e t

g a i n s ( lo s s e s )

tr a n s fe rs in

t r a n s f e r s o u t [sefotnote]1,[sefotnote]2

D ecem ber 31, 2014

D ecem ber 31, 2014

:Co m m e r c i a l m o r t g a g e l o a n s
stm
ve
In

5 0 6 ,5 8 9

:Ot h e r i n v e s t m e n t s
stm
ve
In

( 5 2 2 ,8 5 4 )

8 ,0 9 5

T o ta l in v e s tm e n ts

S w a p c o n tra c ts , n e t

S e n io r L o a n

4 ,0 3 7

f in a n c ia l

1 6 ,2 6 5

-

-

( 4 ,0 7 2 )

( 4 ,0 3 2 )

( 3 ,4 5 1 )

4 ,6 0 9

( 4 ,0 3 2 )

( 5 1 8 ,8 1 7 )

1 2 ,1 9 3

-

1 5 1 ,6 9 6

( 4 7 ,6 6 6 )

2 1 ,5 7 5

-

-

-

-

-

( 1 0 9 ,4 6 3 )

-

4 ,6 0 9

5 1 4 ,6 8 4

( 1 ,5 7 5 ,0 5 0 )

-

( 3 ,4 5 1 )

1 2 5 ,6 0 5

1 3 ,3 8 0

( 1 ,6 8 4 ,5 1 3 )

( 1 0 9 ,4 6 3 )

[fotne]1Other investments, with a December 31, 2013 fair value of $3,451, were transferred from Level 3 to Level 2 because they are valued at December 31,2014 based on quoted prices for identical
or similar assets in non-active markets or model-based techniques for which all significant inputs were observable (Level 2). These investments were valued in the prior year based on nonobservable inputs (Level 3).[endoft.]
[fotnoe]2The amount of transfers is based on the fair values of the transferred assets at the beginning of the reporting period.[endoft.]

The following table presents the gross components of purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements, net, shown
above for the year ended December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
P u r c h a s e s ,

s a l e s ,

i s s u a n c e s ,

P u r c h a s e s

:C o m
stm
ve
In

m

:O t h e r
stm
ve
In

T

S w

e r c i a l

o t a l

a p

S e n i o r

m

i n v e s t m

i n v e s t m

c o n t r a c t s ,

L

o r t g a g e

e n t s

e n t s

n e t

o a n

[fotnoe]1Includes paydowns. [endoft.]

l o a n s

S a l e s

-

I s s u a n c e s

S e t t l e m

e n t s [seefootnote]1

( 5 2 2 , 8 5 4 )

s e t t l e m

a n d

e n t s ,

n e t

( 5 2 2 , 8 5 4 )

-

-

1 ,3 7 5

-

-

1 ,3 7 5

-

-

( 5 2 0 , 1 9 2 )

( 5 1 8 , 8 1 7 )

-

( 2 3 , 5 8 6 )

( 4 7 , 6 6 6 )

-

-

( 2 4 , 0 8 0 )

-

-

2 , 6 6 2

4 , 0 3 7

-

-

N otes to C on solid ated F in an cial Statem ents

For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
The following table presents a reconciliation of all assets and liabilities measured at fair value using significant
unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the year ended December 31, 2013, including net realized and unrealized
gains (losses) (in thousands):
C h a n g e in
u n r e a liz e d g a in s
(lo s s e s ) r e la te d to
P u r c h a s e s , s a le s ,

N e t r e a liz e d /

F a ir v a lu e a t

is s u a n c e s , a n d

u n re a liz e d

G ro s s

G ro s s

F a ir v a lu e a t

in s tru m e n ts h e ld a t

D ecem ber 31, 2012

se ttle m e n ts , n e t

g a in s ( lo s s e s )

t r a n s f e r s i n [sefotnote]1,[sefotnote]2

tr a n s fe rs o u t

D ecem ber 31, 2013

D e c e m b e r 3 1 , 2 0 13

:Co m m e r c i a l m o r t g a g e l o a n s
stm
ve
In

f in a n c ia l

4 6 6 ,0 0 6

( 1 6 3 ,4 4 2 )

2 0 4 ,0 2 5

-

:Ot h e r i n v e s t m e n t s [sefotnote]3
stm
ve
In

5 4 ,6 5 7

( 6 8 ,2 9 0 )

1 7 ,8 0 4

3 ,9 2 4

T o ta l in v e s tm e n ts

5 2 0 ,6 6 3

( 2 3 1 ,7 3 2 )

2 2 1 ,8 2 9

3 ,9 2 4

-

5 1 4 ,6 8 4

1 7 9 ,4 0 2

4 7 2 ,6 3 0

( 2 6 7 ,9 1 3 )

( 5 3 ,0 2 1 )

-

-

1 5 1 ,6 9 6

( 5 2 ,8 1 3 )

-

-

S w a p c o n tra c ts , n e t

S e n io r L o a n

( 1 ,3 9 6 ,1 7 9 )

$

( 1 7 8 ,8 7 1 )

-

5 0 6 ,5 8 9

-

1 8 3 ,2 2 7

8 ,0 9 5

( 1 ,5 7 5 ,0 5 0 )

( 3 ,8 2 5 )

( 1 7 8 ,8 7 1 )

[fotne]1Other investments, wit h a December 31, 2012 fair value of $3,924 were transferred from Level 2 to Level 3 becaus e they are valued at December31, 2013 based on non-observable inputs (Level
3). These investments were valued in the prior year based on quoted prices for identical or similar assets in non-active markets or model-based techniques for which all significant inputs were
observable (Level 2).[endoft.]
[fotnoe]2The amount o f transfers is based on the fair values o f the transferred assets at the beginning o f the reporting period.[endoft.]
[fotnoe]3Investments with a fair value o f $6,171 and $0 as o f December 31, 2013 were recategorized from “Non-agency RMBS” and “Residential mortgage loans,” respectively, to “Other investments” to
conform to the current year presentation. All other associated activity for those same asset classes was also recategorized to the “Other investments” line.[endoft.]

The following table presents the gross components of purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements, net, shown
above for the year ended December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
P u r c h a s e s , s a le s ,
is s u a n c e s , a n d
P u rc h a se s

:C o m m e r c i a l m o r t g a g e
stm
ve
In
:O t h e r i n v e s t m e n t s [sefotnote]2
stm
ve
In
T o ta l in v e s tm e n ts

S w a p

lo a n s

S a le s

Issu a n c e s

S e t t l e m e n t s [sefotnote]1

-

( 8 8 ,3 5 0 )

-

7 ,2 7 7

( 7 8 ,6 5 7 )

-

7 ,2 7 7

( 1 6 7 ,0 0 7 )

-

( 7 2 ,0 0 2 )

( 2 3 1 ,7 3 2 )

-

( 1 5 2 ,8 8 4 )

-

( 1 1 5 ,0 2 9 )

( 2 6 7 ,9 1 3 )

c o n tra c ts , n e t

S e n io r L o a n

-

$

-

-

( 7 5 ,0 9 2 )

s e ttle m e n ts , n e t

3 ,0 9 0

( 1 6 3 ,4 4 2 )
( 6 8 ,2 9 0 )

-

[fotnoe]1Includes paydowns. [endoft.]
[fotnote]2Investm ents w ith n et activity o f $ 4 ,437 a n d $ (132) for th e y ear ended D ecem ber 3 1 , 2013 w ere recategorized from “N o n-agency R M B S ” a n d “Residential
m ortgage loans,” respectively, to “O ther investm ents” to conform to the current y ear presentation. A ll other associated activity for those sam e asset classes
w as also recateg o rized to th e “O th er investm ents” line. [endoft.]

-

N otes to C on solid ated F in an cial Statem ents

For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
The following table presents total realized and unrealized gains (losses) associated with the LLC’s assets and
liabilities measured at fair value for the year ended December 31, 2014 (in thousands):

F a ir v a lu e
T o ta l r e a liz e d
g a in s

:S h o r t - t e r m
stm
ve
In
:C o m
stm
ve
In

m

:O t h e r
stm
ve
In

( lo s s e s )

g a in s

-

in v e s tm e n ts

e r c ia l m o r tg a g e

l o a n s [sefootnote]1

in v e s tm e n ts

T o ta l in v e s tm e n ts

S w a p

c h a n g e s

a n d

s w a p

g a in s

( 1 0 6 )

( lo s s e s )

( 1 0 6 )

1 1 ,4 0 3

1 ,5 1 4

( 3 ,0 9 1 )

6 ,3 7 6

8 ,2 0 6

1 4 ,5 8 2

2 7 ,2 1 3

2 1 ,5 7 5

3 5 ,4 1 9

3 6 ,1 5 7

7 3 8

c o n tr a c ts

( lo s s e s )

/

u n r e a liz e d

4 ,8 6 2

( 5 ,6 3 8 )

c o n tr a c ts , n e t

T o ta l in v e s tm e n ts

T o ta l r e a liz e d

u n r e a liz e d

S e n io r L o a n

1 6 ,2 6 5
( 1 ,5 7 7 )

( 1 0 9 ,4 6 3 )

-

( 1 0 9 ,4 6 3 )

[fotne]1Substantially all unrealized gains (losses) on the commercial mortgage loans are attributable to changes in instrument-specific credit
risk.en
[]otdf.

The following table presents total realized and unrealized gains (losses) associated with the LLC’s assets and
liabilities measured at fair value for the year ended December 31, 2013 (in thousands):

F a ir v a lu e
c h a n g e s

T o ta l r e a liz e d
g a in s

:S h o r t - t e r m
stm
ve
In
:C o m
stm
ve
In

m

:O t h e r
stm
ve
In

in v e s tm e n ts

e r c ia l m o r tg a g e

l o a n s [sefootnote]1

i n v e s t m e n t s [sefootnote]2

T o ta l in v e s tm e n ts

S w a p

c o n tr a c ts , n e t

T o ta l in v e s tm e n ts

S e n io r L o a n

a n d

s w a p

g a in s

( lo s s e s )

$

( lo s s e s )

/

u n r e a liz e d
g a in s

( lo s s e s )

3

2 2

2 5

2 8 ,0 5 8

1 7 5 ,9 5 8

2 0 4 ,0 1 6

1 9 ,7 2 7

1 2 ,4 5 0

3 2 ,1 7 7

4 7 ,7 8 8

1 8 8 ,4 3 0

2 3 6 ,2 1 8

8 2 ,6 1 7

( 1 3 5 ,6 3 8 )

1 3 0 ,4 0 5

c o n tr a c ts

T o ta l r e a liz e d

u n r e a liz e d

5 2 ,7 9 2

-

( 1 7 8 ,8 7 1 )

( 5 3 ,0 2 1 )
1 8 3 ,1 9 7

( 1 7 8 ,8 7 1 )

[fotne]1Substantially all unrealized gains (losses) on the commercial mortgage loans are attributable to changes in instrument-specific credit
risk.en
[]otdf.
[fotnoe]2Investments with total realized / unrealized gains (losses) for the year ended December 31, 2013 of $11,189, $(100), and $132 were
recategorized from “Non-agency RMBS,” “Federal agency & GSE MBS,” and “Residential mortgage loans,” respectively, to “Other
investments” to conform to the current year presentation.[endoft.]

6.

Investment and Risk Profile
As of December 31, 2014, the LLC’s portfolio consisted primarily of short-term investments and swap
contracts. The following is a description of the significant holdings at December 31, 2014 and the
associated credit risk for each holding:
A.

Debt Securities

The LLC has investments in short-term instruments with maturities of greater than three months and less than
one year when acquired. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the LLC’s short-term instruments consisted
of US Treasury bills.
Other investments are primarily comprised of non-agency RMBS and CMBS.
B.

Derivative Instruments

Derivative contracts are instruments, such as swap contracts, that derive their value from underlying assets,
indices, reference rates, or a combination of these factors. The LLC portfolio is composed of derivative
financial instruments included in the TRS. The LLC and JPMC entered into the TRS with reference
obligations representing CDS primarily on CMBS and RMBS with various market participants, including
JPMC.
On an ongoing basis, per the terms of the TRS, the LLC pledges collateral for credit or liquidity related
shortfalls based on 20 percent of the notional amount of sold CDS protection and 10 percent of the present
value of future premiums on purchased CDS protection. Separately, the LLC and JPMC engage in bilateral
posting of collateral to cover the net mark-to-market (“MTM”) variations in the swap portfolio. The LLC
only nets the collateral received from JPMC from the bilateral MTM posting for the reference obligations
for which JPMC is the counterparty.
The values of the LLC’s cash and cash equivalents include cash collateral associated with the TRS of
$128 million and $149 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. In addition, the LLC has
pledged $87 million and $124 million of US Treasury bills to JPMC as of December 31, 2014 and 2013,
respectively.
The following risks are associated with the derivative instruments within the LLC as part of the TRS agreement
with JPMC:
I.

Market Risk

CDS are agreements that provide protection for the buyer against the loss of principal, and in some cases,
interest on a bond or loan in case of a default by the issuer. The nature of a credit event is established
by the protection buyer and protection seller at the inception of a transaction, and such events include
bankruptcy, insolvency, or failure to meet payment obligations when due. The buyer of the CDS pays a
premium in return for payment protection upon the occurrence, if any, of a credit event. Upon the
occurrence of a triggering credit event, the maximum potential amount of future payments the seller
could be required to make under a CDS is equal to the notional amount of the contract. Such future
payments could be reduced or offset by amounts recovered under recourse or by collateral provisions
outlined in the contract, including seizure and liquidation of collateral pledged by the buyer.

The LLC’s derivatives portfolio consists of purchased credit protection and sold credit protection with
differing underlying referenced names that do not necessarily offset.
II. Credit Risk
Credit risk is the risk of financial loss resulting from failure by a counterparty to meet its contractual
obligations to the LLC. This can be caused by factors directly related to the counterparty, such as
business or management. Taking collateral is the most common way to mitigate such risk. The LLC
takes financial collateral in the form of cash and marketable securities to cover JPMC counterparty risk
as part of the TRS agreement with JPMC. The LLC however remains exposed to the credit risk of
counterparties to the swaps, other than JPMC, that underlie the TRS.
The LLC has entered into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (ISDA) master netting
agreement with JPMC in connection with the TRS. This agreement provides the LLC with the right to
liquidate securities held as collateral and to offset receivables and payables with JPMC in the event of
default. This agreement also establishes the method for determining the net amount of receivables and
payables that the LLC is entitled to receive from and required to pay to the counterparties to the swaps
that underlie the TRS based upon the fair value of the relevant CDS.
For the derivative balances reported in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, the LLC offsets
its asset and liability positions held with the same counterparty. In addition, the LLC offsets the cash
collateral held with JPMC against any net liabilities of JPMC with the LLC under the TRS. As of
December 31, 2014 and 2013, there were no amounts subject to an enforceable master netting
agreement that were not offset in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.
The following table summarizes the fair value and notional amounts of derivative instruments by contract
type on a gross basis as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands, except contract data):
2014:

2013:

2014:Gross derivative

Gross derivative

2014:Notional

2013:Gross derivative

Gross derivative

2013:Notional

assets

liabilities

Amounts [sefotnoe]3

assets

liabilities

Amounts 3

Credit derivatives:
240,295

(114,690)

c: o u n t e r p a r t y n e t t i n g
F
ldaS
ountsfeihC
m
A

(74,043)

c: a s h c o l l a t e r a l n e t t i n g
F
ldaS
ountsfeihC
m
A

(42,416)

reditvas: D S [sefotnote]1,[sefotnote]2
C

631,983

344,715

(193,019)

74,043

(119,580)

119,580

-

(67,002)

-

898,773

Amounts offset in the Consolidated
Statements of Financial Condition:

Net amounts in the Consolidated
Statements of Financial Condition

123,836

(40,647)

158,133

(73,439)

[fotne]1CDS fair values as of December 31, 2014 for assets and liabilities include interest receivables of $643 and payables of $4,202. CDS fair values as of December
31, 2013 for assets and liabilities include interest receivables of $15,251 and payables of $1,974.[endoft.]
[fotnoe]2There were 210 and 269 CDS contracts outstanding as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.[endoft.]
[fotnoe]3Represents the sum of gross long and gross short notional derivative contracts. The change in notional amounts is representative of the volume of activity for the
year ended December 31, 2014.[endoft.]

The following table summarizes certain information regarding protection bought and protection sold
through CDS as of December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
M
axim
umpotentialrecovery(payout)/notional:Yearstom
aturityM
: aximumpotentialrecovery(payout)/notional:Yearstomaturity:M
axim
umpotentialrecovery(payout)/notional:Yearstom
aturity:

Fair value

Credit Ratings of the Reference Obligation

s1 y e a r o r l e s s
upotenlrcvy()/:Y
axim
M

After 1 year

After 3 years

through 3 years

through 5 years

After 5 years

Total

s
upotenlrcvy()/:Y
axim
M

Asset / (liability)

reditpocnbugh:I n v e s t m e n t g r a d e ( A A A t o B B B - )
C

-

-

5,000

21,819

26,819

407

reditpocnbugh:N o n - i n v e s t m e n t g r a d e ( B B + o r l o w e r )
C

-

8,500

-

377,752

386,252

239,162

-

8,500

5,000

399,571

413,071

239,569

reditpocnsl:I n v e s t m e n t g r a d e ( A A A t o B B B - )
C

-

-

-

(4,475)

(4,475)

(86)

reditpocnsl:N o n - i n v e s t m e n t g r a d e ( B B + o r l o w e r )
C

-

-

-

(214,437)

(214,437)

(110,319)

-

-

-

(218,912)

(218,912)

(110,405)

Total credit protection bought

Total credit protection sold

The following table summarizes certain information regarding protection bought and protection sold
through CDS as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
M
axim
umpotentialrecovery(payout)/notional:Yearstom
aturity:Maximum potential recovery (payout) M
axim
umpotentialrecovery(payout)/notional:Yearstom
aturity:

Fair value

/ notional: Years to maturity:

Credit Ratings of the Reference Obligation

1 year or less

s
upotenlrcvy()/:Y
axim
M

After 1 year

After 3 years

through 3 years

through 5 years

After 5 years

Total

s
upotenlrcvy()/:Y
axim
M

Asset / (liability)

reditpocnbugh:I n v e s t m e n t g r a d e ( A A A t o B B B - )
C

-

-

5,000

50,989

55,989

2,290

reditpocnbugh:N o n - i n v e s t m e n t g r a d e ( B B + o r l o w e r )
C

-

-

8,500

528,451

536,951

327,077

-

-

13,500

579,440

592,940

329,367

Total credit protection bought

reditpocnsl:I n v e s t m e n t g r a d e ( A A A t o B B B - )
C

-

-

-

(12,500)

(12,500)

(3,342)

reditpocnsl:N o n - i n v e s t m e n t g r a d e ( B B + o r l o w e r )
C

-

-

-

(293,333)

(293,333)

(187,606)

-

-

-

(305,833)

(305,833)

(190,948)

Total credit protection sold

III. Currency Risk
Currency risk is the risk of financial loss resulting from exposure to unanticipated changes in exchange
rates between two currencies. Previously, under the terms of the TRS, JPMC was allowed to post cash
collateral in the form of either U.S. dollar or Euro denominated currencies to cover the net MTM
variation in the swap portfolio. When JPMC posted collateral in Euro currency, this risk was mitigated
by daily variation margin updates that capture the movement in the value of the swap portfolio in
addition to any movement in exchange rates on the swap collateral. In November 2014, the terms of
the TRS were amended such that JPMC is no longer allowed to post cash collateral in Euro currency.

7.

Commitments and Contingencies
Certain commercial mortgage loans acquired by the CRE Trust had unfunded commitments according to the
underlying loan agreements with the respective borrowers. As of December 31, 2014, the CRE Trust had
no remaining unfunded contractual commitments to extend credit. As of December 31, 2013, the CRE
Trust had unfunded commitments to extend credit of $39 million. The CRE Trust was obligated to honor
these commitments as and when they were drawn by the borrower, subject to the terms and conditions of
the loan agreements. The fair value adjustment on the unfunded commitments is recorded as a component
of “Investments, at fair value” in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.
The collateral for the unfunded amount of the commitments, which is recorded as a component of “Restricted
cash” in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, was held in an escrow account by State
Street, as custodian for the trustee of the CRE Trust. The balance in the escrow account was $40 million as
of December 31, 2013. The Trust and Master Servicing Agreement governing the CRE Trust requires that
the amounts be held in escrow for all remaining unfunded commitments.
The LLC and the Grantor Trusts pay the reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of its service providers
incurred in connection with its duties under the respective agreements and agree to indemnify their service
providers for any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, and related expenses, etc., which may arise out of the
respective agreements unless they result from certain types of actions by the service providers. The
indemnity, which is provided solely by the LLC or each of the Grantor Trusts, as applicable, survives
termination of the respective agreements. The LLC and Grantor Trusts have not had any significant prior
claims and have not had any losses pursuant to these contracts and expect the risk of loss to be remote.
During 2012, the CRE Trust received a settlement with respect to an action it commenced in June 2009 seeking
to recover on guarantees related to certain commercial mezzanine loans held by the CRE Trust. Prior to the
settlement, the senior lenders initiated their own action seeking to enforce the same guaranty, and seeking a
declaratory judgment that they and not the mezzanine lenders are entitled to the proceeds of the guaranty.
The lower court issued a judgment in favor of the mezzanine lenders, but the senior lenders appealed the
judgment. The appellate court reversed the decision of the lower court and held that the intercreditor
agreement was ambiguous and remanded the matter back to the lower court for further proceedings. If the
senior lenders are ultimately successful, the CRE Trust will need to return the amount it received in the
settlement, approximately $22.5 million, but will not have any other exposure. Any such return of the
settlement, if it were to occur, would be recorded as a realized loss on investment to offset against a
previously recorded realized gain.

8.

Subsequent Events
There were no subsequent events that require adjustments to or disclosures in the consolidated financial
statements as of December 31, 2014. Subsequent events were evaluated through March 11, 2015, which is
the date that the consolidated financial statements were available to be issued.