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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

OR

o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR TRANSITION PERIOD FROM __________ TO __________

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 001-36063

https://cdn.kscope.io/b8d7ad6d270e8ded6c86a598c0de6684-aamclogoa01a01a14.jpg
Altisource Asset Management Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS
66-0783125
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

5100 Tamarind Reef
Christiansted, United States Virgin Islands 00820
(Address of principal executive office)

(340) 692-1055
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large Accelerated Filer
o
 
Accelerated Filer
o
Non-Accelerated Filer
x
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller Reporting Company
o
 
 
 
Emerging Growth Company
o

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

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

As of November 2, 2018, 1,632,995 shares of our common stock were outstanding (excluding 1,225,993 shares held as treasury stock).



Altisource Asset Management Corporation
September 30, 2018
Table of Contents


i

(table of contents)

References in this report to “we,” “our,” “us,” “AAMC” or the “Company” refer to Altisource Asset Management Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated. References in this report to “Front Yard” refer to Front Yard Residential Corporation, unless otherwise indicated.

Special note on forward-looking statements

Our disclosure and analysis in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “targets,” “predicts” or “potential” or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases that are predictions of or indicate future events or trends and that do not relate solely to historical matters. You can also identify forward-looking statements by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions.

The forward-looking statements contained in this report reflect our current views about future events and are subject to numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and changes in circumstances that may cause our actual results to differ significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. Factors that may materially affect such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

•
our ability to implement our business strategy and the business strategy of Front Yard;
•
our ability to retain Front Yard as a client;
•
our ability to retain and maintain our strategic relationships;
•
the ability of Front Yard to generate a return on invested capital in excess of applicable hurdle rates under our management;
•
our ability to obtain additional asset management clients;
•
our ability to effectively compete with our competitors;
•
Front Yard's ability to complete future or pending transactions;
•
the failure of our service providers to effectively perform their obligations under their agreements with us;
•
our ability to integrate newly acquired rental assets into Front Yard’s portfolio;
•
our ability to successfully and efficiently integrate and manage Front Yard’s newly acquired property manager or effectively manage the performance of Front Yard’s internal property manager at the level and/or the cost that it anticipates;
•
the failure of Front Yard’s service providers to effectively perform their obligations under their agreements with Front Yard;
•
our failure to maintain Front Yard’s qualification as a REIT;
•
general economic and market conditions; and
•
governmental regulations, taxes and policies.

While forward-looking statements reflect our good faith beliefs, assumptions, and expectations, they are not guarantees of future performance. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of their respective dates, and we assume no obligation to update them to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, new information or otherwise. For a further discussion of these and other factors that could cause our future results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements, please see Part II, Item 1A in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and “Item 1A. Risk factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.


ii

(table of contents)

Part I
 
Item 1. Financial statements (unaudited)

Altisource Asset Management Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)


September 30, 2018

December 31, 2017
 
(unaudited)
 
 
Current assets:



Cash and cash equivalents
$
30,194


$
33,349

Short-term investments
279


625

Front Yard common stock, at fair value
17,625


19,266

Receivable from Front Yard
4,006


4,151

Prepaid expenses and other assets
1,172


1,022

Total current assets
53,276

 
58,413

Other non-current assets
1,638

 
1,974

Total assets
$
54,914

 
$
60,387

 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:




Accrued salaries and employee benefits
$
4,603


$
5,651

Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities
888


2,085

Total liabilities
5,491


7,736

 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 3)
—


—

 
 
 
 
Redeemable preferred stock:



Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 250,000 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017; redemption value $250,000
249,701


249,546

 
 
 
 
Stockholders' deficit:





Common stock, $0.01 par value, 5,000,000 authorized shares; 2,835,046 and 1,613,852 shares issued and outstanding, respectively, as of September 30, 2018 and 2,815,122 and 1,599,210 shares issued and outstanding, respectively, as of December 31, 2017
28


28

Additional paid-in capital
41,475


37,765

Retained earnings
30,899


38,970

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
—


(1,330
)
Treasury stock, at cost, 1,221,194 shares as of September 30, 2018 and 1,215,912 shares as of December 31, 2017
(272,680
)

(272,328
)
Total stockholders' deficit
(200,278
)

(196,895
)
Total liabilities and equity
$
54,914


$
60,387



See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
1
(table of contents)

Altisource Asset Management Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,

2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Revenues:







Management fees from Front Yard
$
3,613


$
3,966


$
10,984


$
12,176

Conversion fees from Front Yard
35


163


151


1,201

Expense reimbursements from Front Yard
286


300


767


706

Total revenues
3,934


4,429


11,902


14,083

Expenses:







Salaries and employee benefits
4,605


5,035


13,343


15,003

Legal and professional fees
474


899


1,293


1,919

General and administrative
993


778


2,783


2,661

Total expenses
6,072


6,712


17,419


19,583

Other income (loss):







Change in fair value of Front Yard common stock
698

 
—

 
(1,641
)
 
—

Dividend income on Front Yard common stock
244


244


731


731

Other income
58


41


150


68

Total other income (loss)
1,000


285


(760
)

799

Loss before income taxes
(1,138
)

(1,998
)

(6,277
)

(4,701
)
Income tax expense
17


127


309


484

Net loss
(1,155
)

(2,125
)

(6,586
)

(5,185
)
Amortization of preferred stock issuance costs
(52
)
 
(52
)
 
(155
)
 
(155
)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders
$
(1,207
)
 
$
(2,177
)
 
$
(6,741
)
 
$
(5,340
)








Loss per share of common stock – basic:











Loss per basic share
$
(0.75
)

$
(1.38
)

$
(4.19
)

$
(3.42
)
Weighted average common stock outstanding – basic
1,613,413


1,574,822


1,609,932


1,562,056













Loss per share of common stock – diluted:











Loss per diluted share
$
(0.75
)

$
(1.38
)

$
(4.19
)

$
(3.42
)
Weighted average common stock outstanding – diluted
1,613,413


1,574,822


1,609,932


1,562,056



See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
2
(table of contents)

Altisource Asset Management Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Net loss
$
(1,155
)
 
$
(2,125
)
 
$
(6,586
)
 
$
(5,185
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in fair value of Front Yard common stock (Note 1)
—

 
(2,973
)
 
—

 
114

Other comprehensive (loss) income, before tax effect
—

 
(2,973
)
 
—

 
114

Tax benefit of other comprehensive (loss) income
—

 
164

 
—

 
—

Total other comprehensive (loss) income
—

 
(2,809
)
 
—

 
114

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive loss
$
(1,155
)
 
$
(4,934
)
 
$
(6,586
)
 
$
(5,071
)


See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
(table of contents)

Altisource Asset Management Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Deficit
(In thousands, except share amounts)
(Unaudited)

 
Common Stock
 
Additional Paid-in Capital
 
Retained Earnings
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
 
Treasury Stock
 
Total Stockholders' Deficit
 
Number of Shares
 
Amount
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
2,815,122

 
$
28

 
$
37,765

 
$
38,970

 
$
(1,330
)
 
$
(272,328
)
 
$
(196,895
)
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2016-01 (Note 1)
—

 
—

 
—

 
(1,330
)
 
1,330

 
—

 
—

Common shares issued under share-based compensation plans, net of shares withheld for employee taxes
19,924

 
—

 
6

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
6

Treasury shares repurchased
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(352
)
 
(352
)
Amortization of preferred stock issuance costs
—

 
—

 
—

 
(155
)
 
—

 
—

 
(155
)
Share-based compensation
—

 
—

 
3,704

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
3,704

Net loss
—

 
—

 
—

 
(6,586
)
 
—

 
—

 
(6,586
)
September 30, 2018
2,835,046

 
$
28

 
$
41,475

 
$
30,899

 
$
—

 
$
(272,680
)
 
$
(200,278
)


 
Common Stock
 
Additional Paid-in Capital
 
Retained Earnings
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
 
Treasury Stock
 
Total Stockholders' Deficit
 
Number of Shares
 
Amount
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2016
2,637,629

 
$
26

 
$
30,696

 
$
46,145

 
$
(2,662
)
 
$
(266,484
)
 
$
(192,279
)
Common shares issued under share-based compensation plans, net of shares withheld for employee taxes
158,201

 
2

 
80

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
82

Treasury shares repurchased
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(5,530
)
 
(5,530
)
Amortization of preferred stock issuance costs
—

 
—

 
—

 
(155
)
 
—

 
—

 
(155
)
Share-based compensation
—

 
—

 
5,723

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
5,723

Change in fair value of Front Yard common stock
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
114

 
—

 
114

Net loss
—

 
—

 
—

 
(5,185
)
 
—

 
—

 
(5,185
)
September 30, 2017
2,795,830

 
$
28

 
$
36,499

 
$
40,805

 
$
(2,548
)
 
$
(272,014
)
 
$
(197,230
)


See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
(table of contents)

Altisource Asset Management Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
Operating activities:
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(6,586
)
 
$
(5,185
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
 
 
 
Share-based compensation
3,704

 
5,723

Change in fair value of Front Yard common stock
1,641

 
—

Depreciation
325

 
106

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Receivable from Front Yard
145

 
586

Prepaid expenses and other assets
(150
)
 
(1,310
)
Other non-current assets
88

 
—

Accrued salaries and employee benefits
(1,048
)
 
328

Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities
(1,197
)
 
(2,571
)
Net cash used in operating activities
(3,078
)
 
(2,323
)
Investing activities:
 
 
 
Investment in short-term investments
(137
)
 
—

Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments
483

 
—

Investment in property and equipment
(77
)
 
—

Net cash provided by investing activities
269

 
—

Financing activities:
 
 
 
Proceeds from stock option exercises
24

 
522

Repurchase of common stock
(352
)
 
(5,530
)
Payment of tax withholdings on stock option exercises
(18
)
 
(440
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(346
)
 
(5,448
)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
(3,155
)
 
(7,771
)
Cash and cash equivalents as of beginning of the period
33,349

 
40,584

Cash and cash equivalents as of end of the period
$
30,194

 
$
32,813

 
 
 
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
 
 
 
Income taxes paid
$
1,320

 
$
691



See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
(table of contents)


Altisource Asset Management Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2018
(Unaudited)

1. Organization and Basis of Presentation

Altisource Asset Management Corporation (“we,” “our,” “us,” or the “Company”) was incorporated in the U.S. Virgin Islands (“USVI”) on March 15, 2012 (our “inception”) and commenced operations on December 21, 2012. Our primary business is to provide asset management and corporate governance services to institutional investors. We have been a registered investment adviser under Section 203(c) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 since October 2013.

Our primary client currently is Front Yard Residential Corporation (“Front Yard”), a public real estate investment trust (“REIT”) focused on acquiring and managing quality, affordable single-family rental (“SFR”) properties throughout the United States. All of our revenue for all periods presented was generated through our asset management agreement (the “AMA”) with Front Yard.

On March 31, 2015, we entered into the AMA, under which we are the exclusive asset manager for Front Yard for an initial term of 15 years from April 1, 2015, with two potential five-year extensions. The AMA provides for a fee structure in which we are entitled to a base management fee, an incentive management fee and a conversion fee for mortgage loans and real estate owned (“REO”) properties that become rental properties for the first time during each quarter. Accordingly, our operating results continue to be highly dependent on Front Yard's operating results. See Note 4 for additional details of the AMA.

Since we are heavily reliant on revenues earned from Front Yard, investors may obtain additional information about Front Yard in its Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings, including, without limitation, Front Yard’s financial statements and other important disclosures therein, available at http://www.sec.gov and http://ir.frontyardresidential.com/financial-information.

Basis of presentation and use of estimates

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). All wholly owned subsidiaries are included, and all intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial information, in our opinion, contain all adjustments that are of a normal recurring nature and are necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods. The interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. We have omitted certain notes and other information from the interim condensed consolidated financial statements presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as permitted by SEC rules and regulations. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our annual consolidated financial statements included within our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which was filed with the SEC on March 1, 2018.

Use of estimates

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Preferred stock

Issuance of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock in 2014 Private Placement

During the first quarter of 2014, we issued 250,000 shares of convertible preferred stock for $250.0 million (“Series A Preferred Stock”) to institutional investors. All of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock are redeemable by us in March 2020, the sixth anniversary of the date of issuance, and every five years thereafter. On these same redemption dates, each holder of Series A Preferred Stock may potentially cause us to redeem all the shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by such holder at a

6
(table of contents)

redemption price equal to $1,000 per share from funds legally available therefor. Accordingly, we classify these shares as mezzanine equity, outside of permanent stockholders' equity.

The holders of Series A Preferred Stock are not entitled to receive dividends with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock. The shares of Series A Preferred Stock are convertible into shares of our common stock at a conversion price of $1,250 per share (or an exchange ratio of 0.8 shares of common stock for each share of Series A Preferred Stock), subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments.

Upon a change of control or upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, holders of the Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive an amount in cash per Series A Preferred Stock equal to the greater of:

(i)   $1,000 plus the aggregate amount of cash dividends paid on the number of shares of common stock into which such shares of Series A Preferred Stock was convertible on each ex-dividend date for such dividends; and
(ii)   the number of shares of common stock into which the Series A Preferred Stock is then convertible multiplied by the then current market price of the common stock.

The Series A Preferred Stock confers no voting rights to holders, except with respect to matters that materially and adversely affect the voting powers, rights or preferences of the Series A Preferred Stock or as otherwise required by applicable law.

With respect to the distribution of assets upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the Series A Preferred Stock ranks senior to our common stock and on parity with all other classes of preferred stock that may be issued by us in the future.

The Series A Preferred Stock is recorded net of issuance costs, which are being amortized on a straight-line basis through the first potential redemption date in March 2020.

2016 Employee Preferred Stock Plan

On May 26, 2016, the 2016 Employee Preferred Stock Plan (the “Employee Preferred Stock Plan”) was approved by our stockholders. Pursuant to the Employee Preferred Stock Plan, the Company may grant one or more series of non-voting preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share in the Company to induce certain employees to become employed and remain employees of the Company in the USVI, and any of its future USVI subsidiaries, to encourage ownership of shares in the Company by such USVI employees and to provide additional incentives for such employees to promote the success of the Company’s business.

Pursuant to our stockholder approval of the Employee Preferred Stock Plan, on December 29, 2016, the Company authorized 14 additional series of preferred stock of the Company, consisting of Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock, Series D Preferred Stock, Series E Preferred Stock, Series F Preferred Stock, Series G Preferred Stock, Series H Preferred Stock, Series I Preferred Stock, Series J Preferred Stock, Series K Preferred Stock, Series L Preferred Stock, Series M Preferred Stock, Series N Preferred Stock and Series O Preferred Stock, and each series shall consist of up to an aggregate of 1,000 shares.

We have issued shares of preferred stock under the Employee Preferred Stock Plan to certain of our USVI employees. These shares of preferred stock are mandatorily redeemable by us in the event of the holder's termination of service with the Company for any reason. At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we had 800 and 900 shares outstanding, respectively, and we included the redemption value of these shares of $8,000 and $9,000, respectively, within accounts payable and accrued liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. In February 2018, our Board of Directors declared and paid an aggregate of $0.9 million of dividends on these shares of preferred stock, and in March 2017, our Board of Directors declared and paid an aggregate of $0.6 million of dividends on these shares of preferred stock. Such dividends are included in salaries and employee benefits in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Revenue recognition

Under the AMA, we administer Front Yard's business activities and day-to-day operations and provide corporate governance services to Front Yard. The base management fees are earned by us ratably throughout the applicable quarter and are based on a percentage of Front Yard's average invested capital (as defined in the AMA). In the event that Front Yard's performance exceeds certain hurdles, we would be entitled to an incentive management fee based on a percentage of Front Yard's earnings in excess of such hurdle (see Note 4).


7

(table of contents)

We have evaluated the nature of the services provided to Front Yard and have determined that such services constitute a series of distinct services that should be accounted for as a single performance obligation completed over time, which is simultaneously performed by us and consumed by Front Yard. Therefore, base management fees and incentive management fees, if any, are earned ratably over the applicable fiscal quarter.

We also receive conversion fees based on a percentage of the fair value of properties that become rented for the first time in each quarter. Such conversion fees are earned by us in the quarter that the conversion to rentals occurs. In addition, we receive expense reimbursements from Front Yard for the compensation and benefits of the General Counsel dedicated to Front Yard and certain other out-of-pocket expenses incurred on Front Yard's behalf. These expense reimbursements are earned by us at the time the underlying expense is incurred.

We have determined that each of the above-described components of our revenues derived from the AMA are variable consideration, and we recognize each component of this revenue on a quarterly basis up to the amount that would likely not be reversed.

Recently issued accounting standards

Adoption of recent accounting standards

In June 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018-07, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718). The amendments in ASU 2018-07 expand the scope of the employee share-based payments guidance to include share-based payments issued to non-employees. The amendments specify that Topic 718 applies to all share-based payment transactions in which a grantor acquires goods or services to be used or consumed in a grantor’s own operations by issuing share-based payment awards. This ASU is effective for fiscal years after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company has adopted the provisions of ASU 2018-07 effective April 1, 2018. This adoption had no significant effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718). The amendments in ASU 2017-09 provide guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. This ASU is effective for all entities for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. The amendments in ASU 2017-09 should be applied prospectively to an award modified on or after the adoption date. The Company has adopted the provisions of ASU 2017-09 effective January 1, 2018. This adoption had no significant effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. The amendments in ASU 2016-15 address eight specific cash flow issues and apply to all entities that are required to present a statement of cash flows under Topic 230. The amendments in ASU 2016-15 are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments in ASU 2016-15 should be applied on a modified retrospective transition basis. The Company has adopted the provisions of ASU 2016-15 effective January 1, 2018. This adoption had no significant effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10). ASU 2016-01 requires all equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in the fair value recognized through net income (other than those accounted for under equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee). Our adoption of ASU 2016-01 effective January 1, 2018 resulted in a cumulative-effect adjustment to our balance sheet of $1.3 million to reclassify our accumulated other comprehensive loss to retained earnings, and thereafter we record the impact of changes in the fair value of our Front Yard common stock during the current period through profit and loss. Periods ending prior to the adoption were not impacted.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). ASU 2014-09 is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model requiring a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount reflecting the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In August 2015, FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date, which effectively delayed the adoption date of ASU 2014-09 by one year. In 2016 and 2017, the FASB issued accounting standards updates that amended several aspects of ASU 2014-09. ASU 2014-09, as amended, is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Management performed an analysis of the AMA (our sole source of revenue within the scope of ASU 2014-09) and the related compensation and service obligations performed

8

(table of contents)

pursuant to the AMA. The Company determined that its policy for recognition of management fees, conversion fees and expense reimbursements prior to our adoption is consistent with the updated revenue recognition requirements of ASU 2014-09, as amended. Therefore, our adoption of ASU 2014-09 effective January 1, 2018 had no significant impact on our previous or current revenue recognition practices. As a result, our application of the modified retrospective method of adoption resulted in no cumulative adjustment effective January 1, 2018.

Recently issued accounting standards not yet adopted

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13 Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. The amendment modifies the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by removing, modifying or adding certain disclosures. The revised guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those years. Companies are permitted to early adopt any eliminated or modified disclosure requirements and delay adoption of the additional disclosure requirements until their effective date. We do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). ASU 2016-02 requires that lessees recognize assets and liabilities for leases with lease terms greater than twelve months in the statement of financial position and also requires improved disclosures to help users of financial statements better understand the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The FASB has also issued multiple ASUs amending certain aspects of Topic 842. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim reporting periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments in ASU 2016-02 should be applied on a modified retrospective transition basis, and a number of practical expedients may apply. These practical expedients relate to the identification and classification of leases that commenced before the effective date, initial direct costs for leases that commenced before the effective date and the ability to use hindsight in evaluating lessee options to extend or terminate a lease or to purchase the underlying asset. We are currently evaluating the impact of this ASU on our consolidated financial statements. Upon adoption, we expect to recognize a right-of-use asset and a related lease liability on our consolidated balance sheet for the leases we currently classify as operating leases.

2. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The following table sets forth the carrying amount and the fair value of the Company's financial assets by level within the fair value hierarchy as of the dates indicated ($ in thousands):
 
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Carrying Amount
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets
 
 Observable Inputs Other Than Level 1 Prices
 
 Unobservable Inputs
September 30, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recurring basis (assets):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Front Yard common stock
$
17,625

 
$
17,625

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recurring basis (assets):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Front Yard common stock
$
19,266

 
$
19,266

 
$
—

 
$
—


We did not transfer any assets from one level to another level during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 or during the year ended December 31, 2017.

The fair value of our holdings in Front Yard common stock is based on unadjusted quoted prices from active markets.

We held 1,624,465 shares of Front Yard's common stock at each of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, representing approximately 3.0% of Front Yard's then-outstanding common stock at each date. All of our shares of Front Yard's common stock were acquired in open market transactions. We recorded dividends on Front Yard's common stock of $0.2 million and $0.7 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, and we recorded dividends on Front Yard's common stock of $0.2 million and $0.7 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively.


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The following table presents the cost basis and fair value of our holdings in Front Yard's common stock as of the dates indicated ($ in thousands):
 
Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
September 30, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Front Yard common stock
$
20,596

 
$
—

 
$
2,971

 
$
17,625

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Front Yard common stock
$
20,596

 
$
—

 
$
1,330

 
$
19,266


3. Commitments and Contingencies

Litigation, claims and assessments

Information regarding reportable legal proceedings is contained in the “Commitments and Contingencies” note in the financial statements provided in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. We establish reserves for specific legal proceedings when we determine that the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome is probable and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. We do not currently have any reserves for our legal proceedings. The following updates and restates the description of the previously reported matters:

City of Cambridge Retirement System v. Altisource Asset Management Corp., et al.
On January 16, 2015, a putative shareholder class action complaint was filed in the United States District Court of the Virgin Islands by a purported shareholder of AAMC under the caption City of Cambridge Retirement System v. Altisource Asset Management Corp., et al., 15-cv-00004. The action names as defendants AAMC, our former Chairman, William C. Erbey, and certain officers of AAMC and alleges that the defendants violated federal securities laws by failing to disclose material information to AAMC shareholders concerning alleged conflicts of interest held by Mr. Erbey with respect to AAMC’s relationship and transactions with Front Yard, Altisource Portfolio Solutions S.A., Home Loan Servicing Solutions, Ltd., Southwest Business Corporation, NewSource Reinsurance Company and Ocwen Financial Corporation, including allegations that the defendants failed to disclose (i) the nature of relationships between Mr. Erbey, AAMC and those entities; and (ii) that the transactions were the result of an allegedly unfair process from which Mr. Erbey failed to recuse himself. The action seeks, among other things, an award of monetary damages to the putative class in an unspecified amount and an award of attorney’s and other fees and expenses. AAMC and Mr. Erbey are the only defendants who have been served with the complaint.

On May 12, 2015, the court entered an order granting the motion of Denver Employees Retirement Plan to be lead plaintiff, and lead plaintiff filed an amended complaint on June 19, 2015.

AAMC and Mr. Erbey filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted, and on April 6, 2017, the Court issued an opinion and order granting defendants’ motion to dismiss.

On May 1, 2017, Plaintiff filed a motion for leave to amend the complaint and, at the same time, filed a proposed first amended consolidated complaint. AAMC and Mr. Erbey opposed the motion, and on July 5, 2017, the Court issued an opinion and order denying with prejudice the motion of the Plaintiff for leave to file the first amended consolidated complaint.

On July 7, 2017, Plaintiff filed a notice of appeal with the Third Circuit Court of Appeals with respect to the federal district court's April 6, 2017 memorandum and order granting Defendants’ motion to dismiss, the April 6, 2017 order granting Defendants’ motion to dismiss and the July 5, 2017 order denying with prejudice Plaintiff’s motion for leave to file the first amendment consolidated complaint in the matter. On September 18, 2017, Appellant filed its appeal brief, and briefing on the appeal motion was completed on November 15, 2017.

On May 24, 2018, the parties made oral arguments with respect to the briefs in response to the Plaintiff’s appeal of our successful motions to dismiss in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

We believe the amended complaint is without merit. At this time, we are not able to predict the ultimate outcome of this matter, nor can we estimate the range of possible loss, if any.


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Kanga v. Altisource Asset Management Corporation, et al.
On March 12, 2015, a shareholder derivative action was filed in the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, Division of St. Croix, by a purported shareholder of AAMC under the caption Nanzeen Kanga v. William Erbey, et al., SX-15-CV-105. The action names as defendants William C. Erbey and each of the current and former members of AAMC's Board of Directors and alleges that Mr. Erbey and AAMC’s directors breached fiduciary duties in connection with the disclosures that are the subject of the City of Cambridge Retirement System case described above and certain other matters involving the relationship of Front Yard and AAMC.

On May 15, 2015, the plaintiff and the defendants filed an agreed motion to stay the action until the earliest of any of the following events: (i) the City of Cambridge Retirement System action is dismissed with prejudice; (ii) any of the defendants in the City of Cambridge Retirement System action file an answer in that action; and (iii) defendants do not move to stay any later-filed derivative action purportedly brought on behalf of us arising from similar facts as the Kanga action and relating to the same time frame or such motion to stay is denied.

At this time, we are not able to predict the ultimate outcome of this matter, nor can we estimate the range of possible loss, if any.

4. Related Party Transactions

Asset management agreement with Front Yard

Pursuant to our AMA, we design and implement Front Yard's business strategy, administer its business activities and day-to-day operations and provide corporate governance services, subject to oversight by Front Yard's Board of Directors. We are responsible for, among other duties: (1) performing and administering all of Front Yard's day-to-day operations; (2) defining investment criteria in Front Yard's investment policy in cooperation with its Board of Directors; (3) sourcing, analyzing and executing asset acquisitions, including the related financing activities; (4) overseeing the renovation, leasing and property management of Front Yard's SFR properties performed by its property managers; (5) analyzing and executing sales of REO properties and residential mortgage loans; (6) overseeing the servicing of Front Yard's residential mortgage loan portfolios; (7) performing asset management duties and (8) performing corporate governance and other management functions, including financial, accounting and tax management services.

We provide Front Yard with a management team and support personnel who have substantial experience in the acquisition and management of residential properties and residential mortgage loans. Our management also has significant corporate governance experience that enables us to manage Front Yard's business and organizational structure efficiently. We have agreed not to provide the same or substantially similar services without the prior written consent of Front Yard's Board of Directors to any business or entity competing against Front Yard in (a) the acquisition or sale of SFR and/or REO properties, non-performing and re-performing mortgage loans or other similar assets; (b) the carrying on of an SFR business or (c) any other activity in which Front Yard engages. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we may engage in any other business or render similar or different services to any businesses engaged in lending or insurance activities or any other activity other than those described above. Further, at any time following Front Yard's determination and announcement that it will no longer engage in any of the above-described competitive activities, we would be entitled to provide advisory or other services to businesses or entities in such competitive activities without Front Yard's prior consent.

On March 31, 2015, we entered into the AMA with Front Yard. The AMA, which became effective on April 1, 2015, provides for the following management fee structure:

•
Base Management Fee. We are entitled to a quarterly base management fee equal to 1.5% of the product of (i) Front Yard’s average invested capital (as defined in the AMA) for the quarter multiplied by (ii) 0.25, while it has fewer than 2,500 single-family rental properties actually rented (“Rental Properties”). The base management fee percentage increases to 1.75% of average invested capital while Front Yard has between 2,500 and 4,499 Rental Properties and increases to 2.0% of invested capital while Front Yard has 4,500 or more Rental Properties; 

•
Incentive Management Fee. We are entitled to a quarterly incentive management fee equal to 20% of the amount by which Front Yard's return on invested capital (based on AFFO, defined as net income attributable to holders of common stock calculated in accordance with GAAP plus real estate depreciation expense minus recurring capital expenditures on all real estate assets owned by Front Yard) exceeds an annual hurdle return rate of between 7.0% and 8.25% (or 1.75% and 2.06% per quarter), depending on the 10-year treasury rate. To the extent Front Yard has an aggregate shortfall in its return rate over the previous seven quarters, that aggregate return rate shortfall gets added to

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the normal quarterly return hurdle for the next quarter before we are entitled to an incentive management fee. The incentive management fee increases to 22.5% while Front Yard has between 2,500 and 4,499 Rental Properties and increases to 25% while Front Yard has 4,500 or more Rental Properties. Front Yard has the flexibility to pay up to 25% of the incentive management fee to us in shares of its common stock; and 

•
Conversion Fee. We are entitled to a quarterly conversion fee equal to 1.5% of assets converted into leased single-family homes by Front Yard for the first time during the applicable quarter.

Because Front Yard has more than 4,500 Rental Properties, we are entitled to receive a base management fee of 2.0% of Front Yard’s invested capital and a potential incentive management fee percentage of 25% of the amount by which Front Yard exceeds its then-required return on invested capital threshold.

No incentive management fee under the AMA has been earned by us for the third quarter of 2018 because Front Yard's return on invested capital (as defined in the AMA) was below the cumulative required hurdle rate. As of September 30, 2018, Front Yard's aggregate return shortfall under the AMA was approximately 40.68% of invested capital. As each quarter with a shortfall rolls off the trailing seven quarters, the aggregate shortfall will change by the difference in the quarter that rolls off versus the most recently completed quarter.

Under the AMA, Front Yard reimburses us for the compensation and benefits of the General Counsel dedicated to Front Yard and certain other out-of-pocket expenses incurred on Front Yard's behalf.

The AMA requires that we are the exclusive asset manager for Front Yard for an initial term of 15 years from April 1, 2015, with two potential five-year extensions, subject to Front Yard achieving an average annual return on invested capital of at least 7.0%. Front Yard's termination rights under the AMA are significantly limited. Neither party is entitled to terminate the AMA prior to the end of the initial term, or each renewal term, other than termination by (a) us and/or Front Yard “for cause” for certain events such as a material breach of the AMA and failure to cure such breach, (b) Front Yard for certain other reasons such as its failure to achieve a return on invested capital of at least 7.0% for two consecutive fiscal years after the third anniversary of the AMA or (c) Front Yard in connection with certain change of control events.

If the AMA were terminated by Front Yard, our financial position and future prospects for revenues and growth would be materially adversely affected.

Common Stock Repurchased from Luxor

On March 23, 2017, we completed the repurchase of an aggregate of 50,000 shares of common stock from an affiliated fund of Luxor Capital Partners Group (“Luxor”) in a block trade at a price of $52.50 per share, or an aggregate of $2.6 million, pursuant to our previously reported $300.0 million stock repurchase program. Luxor may be considered a related party of the Company because a Luxor partner is a member of our Board of Directors. Following the transaction, the Company now holds the acquired shares as treasury shares.

5. Share-Based Payments

On February 20, 2018, we granted 25,074 shares of restricted stock to members of management with a weighted average grant date fair value per share of $64.05. The restricted stock units will vest in three equal annual installments on each of February 20, 2019, 2020 and 2021, subject to forfeiture or acceleration.

On March 7, 2017, we granted 20,205 shares of restricted stock to members of management with a weighted average grant date fair value of $78.58 per share. The restricted stock units vest in three equal annual installments, the first of which occurred on March 7, 2018 with the remaining installments vesting in March 2019 and 2020, subject to forfeiture or acceleration.

Our Directors each received annual grants of restricted stock equal to $60,000 based on the market value of our common stock at the time of the annual stockholders meeting. These shares of restricted stock vest and are issued after a one-year service period, subject to each Director attending at least 75% of the Board and committee meetings. No dividends are paid on the shares until the award is issued. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, we granted 1,866 and 2,001 shares of restricted stock, respectively, to our Directors, with a weighted average grant date fair value per share of $64.30 and $89.93, respectively.


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We recorded $1.1 million and $3.7 million of compensation expense related to our grants of restricted stock for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, and we recorded $1.7 million and $5.7 million of compensation expense related to our grants of restricted stock for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we had an aggregate $2.5 million and $4.5 million, respectively, of total unrecognized share-based compensation cost to be recognized over a weighted average remaining estimated term of 1.0 year and 1.2 years, respectively.

6. Income Taxes

We are domiciled in the USVI and are obligated to pay taxes to the USVI on our income. We applied for tax benefits from the USVI Economic Development Commission and received our certificate of benefits (the “Certificate”), effective as of February 1, 2013. Pursuant to the Certificate, as long as we comply with its provisions, we will receive a 90% tax reduction on our USVI-sourced income taxes until 2043.

As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we accrued no interest or penalties associated with any unrecognized tax benefits, nor did we recognize any interest expense or penalty during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017.

The following table sets forth the components of our deferred tax assets:
 
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Deferred tax assets:
 
 
 
 
Stock compensation
 
$
415

 
$
374

Accrued expenses
 
480

 
550

Available-for-sale securities
 
379

 
307

Net operating losses
 
96

 
114

Other
 
34

 
29

 
 
1,404

 
1,374

Deferred tax liability:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation
 
9

 
14

 
 
1,395

 
1,360

Valuation allowance
 
(905
)
 
(828
)
Deferred tax asset, net
 
$
490

 
$
532



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7. Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the components of diluted earnings (loss) per share (in thousands, except share and per share amounts):
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Numerator
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(1,155
)
 
$
(2,125
)
 
$
(6,586
)
 
(5,185
)
Amortization of preferred stock issuance costs
(52
)

(52
)

(155
)

(155
)
Numerator for basic and diluted EPS – loss attributable to common stockholders
$
(1,207
)
 
$
(2,177
)
 
$
(6,741
)
 
$
(5,340
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Denominator
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common stock outstanding – basic
1,613,413

 
1,574,822

 
1,609,932

 
1,562,056

Weighted average common stock outstanding – diluted
1,613,413

 
1,574,822

 
1,609,932

 
1,562,056

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss per basic common share
$
(0.75
)
 
$
(1.38
)
 
$
(4.19
)
 
$
(3.42
)
Loss per diluted common share
$
(0.75
)
 
$
(1.38
)
 
$
(4.19
)
 
$
(3.42
)

We excluded the items presented below from the calculation of diluted earnings per share as they were antidilutive for the periods indicated:
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Numerator
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reversal of amortization of preferred stock issuance costs
$
52

 
$
52

 
$
155

 
$
155

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Denominator
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock options
21,194

 
40,310

 
24,109

 
66,235

Restricted stock
47,888

 
40,311

 
37,698

 
40,537

Preferred stock, if converted
200,000

 
200,000

 
200,000

 
200,000


8. Segment Information

Our primary business is to provide asset management and certain corporate governance services to institutional investors. Because all of our revenue is derived from the services we provide to Front Yard under the AMA, we operate as a single segment focused on providing asset management and corporate governance services.

9. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events through the issuance of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.


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Item 2. Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations

Our Company

Altisource Asset Management Corporation (“we,” “our,” “us” or the “Company”) was incorporated in the United States Virgin Islands (“USVI”) on March 15, 2012. We have been a registered investment adviser under Section 203(c) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 since October 2013. We operate in a single segment focused on providing asset management and corporate governance services to institutional investors.


Our primary client currently is Front Yard Residential Corporation (“Front Yard”), a publicly-traded real estate investment trust (“REIT”) focused on acquiring and managing quality, affordable single-family rental (“SFR”) properties for America's families. Front Yard is currently our primary source of revenue and will drive our results.

Since we are heavily reliant on revenues earned from Front Yard, investors may obtain additional information about Front Yard in its Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings, including, without limitation, Front Yard’s financial statements and other important disclosures therein, available at http://www.sec.gov and http://ir.frontyardresidential.com/financial-information.


Our strategy for Front Yard is to build long-term shareholder value through the efficient management and continued growth of its portfolio of SFR homes, which we target to operate at an attractive yield. We believe there is a compelling opportunity in the SFR market and that we have implemented the right strategic plan for Front Yard to capitalize on the sustained growth in single-family rental demand. We target the moderately priced single-family home market for Front Yard that, in our view, offers attractive yield opportunities for Front Yard that should benefit AAMC in the form of growing management fees as Front Yard continues to grow.

Management Overview

On August 8, 2018, we assisted Front Yard in its achievement of two significant milestones. First, Front Yard completed the acquisition of an additional 3,236 SFR properties (the “RHA Acquired Properties”), expanding its SFR portfolio to approximately 15,000 homes. This acquisition enhanced Front Yard's presence in existing strategic target markets, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Minnesota. Second, Front Yard completed the acquisition of HavenBrook Partners, LLC (“HavenBrook”), the property management firm that managed the RHA Acquired Properties. HavenBrook provides Front Yard with an internal property management service company that we expect will allow Front Yard to provide excellent service to its tenants with an efficient and cost-effective property management platform. The combined purchase price was $485.0 million. We refer to this transaction as the “HB Acquisition.”

As of October 31, 2018, Front Yard had transitioned 2,245 homes previously managed by Altisource S.à r.l., a wholly owned subsidiary of Altisource Portfolio Solutions S.A. (“ASPS”), onto the newly acquired HavenBrook property management platform. We anticipate that the remainder of the ASPS-managed homes will be transitioned to HavenBrook before December 31, 2018.

In conjunction with the HB Acquisition, Berkadia Commercial Mortgage LLC (“Berkadia”) provided $508.7 million of financing (the “FYR SFR Loan Agreement”) as part of the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation’s (“Freddie Mac”) affordable single-family rental pilot program. The FYR SFR Loan Agreement is interest only, bears interest at a fixed rate of 4.65% and has a 10-year term, maturing September 1, 2028. This financing includes 2,798 of the RHA Acquired Properties as well as 2,015 other properties already owned by Front Yard and previously financed on its existing warehouse facilities with other lenders (the “FYR SFR Collateral Properties”). Approximately 78% of the homes financed pursuant to the FYR SFR Loan Agreement have rents that are considered affordable for families earning at or below 80% of the area median income (“AMI”). Moreover, approximately 93% of the units are affordable for families earning at or below 100% of AMI. We believe this further solidifies Front Yard's value proposition as a leading provider of affordable single-family rental housing.

In addition to this transformative transaction, during the third quarter of 2018, we continued to assist Front Yard in the liquidation of its remaining non-rental REO properties and mortgage loans with only 133 such properties and only 76 loans remaining at September 30, 2018. In addition, we continually evaluate the performance of Front Yard's SFR portfolio and market certain rental properties for sale that do not meet its strategic objectives, and we have identified 763 former rental properties for sale as of September 30, 2018. These property sales allow Front Yard to improve its operating efficiency, further simplify its statement of operations and balance sheet and to recycle capital to purchase pools of stabilized rental homes at attractive yields, to repurchase common stock or to utilize the proceeds for such other purposes as Front Yard and we determine will best serve Front Yard's stockholders.

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On September 4, 2018, we managed Front Yard's amendment and restatement of its repurchase agreement with Credit Suisse (“CS”) to, among other things, modify the interest rate from the CS cost of funds rate plus a fixed spread of 2.75% to one-month LIBOR plus a fixed spread of 3.00%, resulting in a net lower cost of financing for Front Yard.

We believe all of the foregoing developments continue to be critical to our strategy of building long-term stockholder value for Front Yard through the creation of a large portfolio of SFR homes that we target operating for Front Yard at an attractive yield. To the extent Front Yard is successful in implementing this strategy under our management, the fees we earn under the AMA should be positively impacted.

Asset Management Agreement with Front Yard

Pursuant to the AMA, we design and implement Front Yard's business strategy, administer its business activities and day-to-day operations and provide corporate governance services, subject to oversight by Front Yard's Board of Directors. We are responsible for, among other duties: (1) performing and administering all of Front Yard's day-to-day operations; (2) defining investment criteria in Front Yard's investment policy in cooperation with its Board of Directors; (3) sourcing, analyzing and executing asset acquisitions, including the related financing activities; (4) overseeing the renovation, leasing and property management of Front Yard's SFR properties performed by its property managers; (5) analyzing and executing sales of REO properties and residential mortgage loans; (6) overseeing the servicing of Front Yard's remaining residential mortgage loans; (7) performing asset management duties and (8) performing corporate governance and other management functions, including financial, accounting and tax management services.

We provide Front Yard with a management team and support personnel who have substantial experience in the acquisition and management of residential rental properties and residential mortgage loans. Our management also has significant corporate governance experience that enables us to manage Front Yard's business and organizational structure efficiently. We have agreed not to provide the same or substantially similar services without the prior written consent of Front Yard's Board of Directors to any business or entity competing against Front Yard in (a) the acquisition or sale of SFR and/or REO properties, non-performing and re-performing mortgage loans or other similar assets; (b) the carrying on of an SFR business or (c) any other activity in which Front Yard engages. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we may engage in any other business or render similar or different services to any businesses engaged in lending or insurance activities or any other activity other than those described above. Further, at any time following Front Yard's determination and announcement that it will no longer engage in any of the above-described competitive activities, we would be entitled to provide advisory or other services to businesses or entities in such competitive activities without Front Yard's prior consent.

On March 31, 2015, we entered into the AMA with Front Yard. The AMA, which became effective on April 1, 2015, provides for the following management fee structure:

•
Base Management Fee. We are entitled to a quarterly base management fee equal to 1.5% of the product of (i) Front Yard's average invested capital (as defined in the AMA) for the quarter multiplied by (ii) 0.25, while it has fewer than 2,500 SFR properties actually rented (“Rental Properties”). The base management fee percentage increases to 1.75% of average invested capital while Front Yard has between 2,500 and 4,499 Rental Properties and increases to 2.0% of average invested capital while it has 4,500 or more Rental Properties; 

•
Incentive Management Fee. We are entitled to a quarterly incentive management fee equal to 20% of the amount by which Front Yard's return on invested capital (based on AFFO, defined as net income attributable to holders of common stock calculated in accordance with GAAP plus real estate depreciation expense minus recurring capital expenditures on all real estate assets owned by Front Yard) exceeds an annual hurdle return rate of between 7.0% and 8.25% (or 1.75% and 2.06% per quarter), depending on the 10-year treasury rate. To the extent Front Yard has an aggregate shortfall in its return rate over the previous seven quarters, that aggregate return rate shortfall gets added to the normal quarterly 1.75% return hurdle for the next quarter before we are entitled to an incentive management fee. The incentive management fee increases to 22.5% while Front Yard has between 2,500 and 4,499 Rental Properties and increases to 25% while it has 4,500 or more Rental Properties. Front Yard has the flexibility to pay up to 25% of the incentive management fee to us in shares of its common stock; and
 
•
Conversion Fee. We are entitled to a quarterly conversion fee equal to 1.5% of the market value of assets converted into leased single-family homes by Front Yard for the first time during the quarter.
 

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Because Front Yard has more than 4,500 Rental Properties, we are entitled to receive a base management fee of 2.0% of Front Yard’s invested capital and a potential incentive management fee percentage of 25% of the amount by which Front Yard exceeds its then-required return on invested capital threshold.

No incentive management fee under the AMA has been earned by us for the third quarter of 2018 because Front Yard's return on invested capital (as defined in the AMA) was below the cumulative required hurdle rate. As of September 30, 2018, Front Yard's aggregate return shortfall under the AMA was approximately 40.68% of invested capital. As each quarter with a shortfall rolls off the trailing seven quarters, the aggregate shortfall will change by the difference in the quarter that rolls off versus the most recently completed quarter.

Under the AMA, Front Yard reimburses us for the compensation and benefits of the General Counsel dedicated to Front Yard and certain other out-of-pocket expenses incurred on Front Yard's behalf.

The AMA requires that we are the exclusive asset manager for Front Yard for an initial term of 15 years from April 1, 2015, with two potential five-year extensions, subject to Front Yard achieving an average annual return on invested capital of at least 7.0%. Under the AMA, neither party is entitled to terminate the AMA prior to the end of the initial term, or each renewal term, other than termination by (a) us and/or Front Yard “for cause” for certain events such as a material breach of the AMA and failure to cure such breach, (b) Front Yard for certain other reasons such as its failure to achieve a return on invested capital of at least 7.0% for two consecutive fiscal years after the third anniversary of the AMA or (c) Front Yard in connection with certain change of control events.

If the AMA were terminated by Front Yard, our financial position and future prospects for revenues and growth would be materially adversely affected.

Metrics Affecting our Consolidated Results

Revenues

Our revenues consist of quarterly fees due to us under the AMA, including a base management fee, an incentive management fee and a conversion fee as described above and reimbursements of out-of-pocket expenses in our management of Front Yard's business, including, without limitation, the compensation of Front Yard's General Counsel. The base management fee is derived as a percentage of Front Yard’s average invested capital, and the conversion fee is based on the number and value of mortgage loans and/or REO properties that Front Yard converts to rental properties for the first time in each period. The incentive management fee is directly dependent upon Front Yard's financial performance being in excess of a 7.0%-8.25% minimum annual return on invested capital and will vary with Front Yard's financial performance. Expense reimbursements we receive from Front Yard relate primarily to travel and other out-of-pocket expenses solely related to our management of Front Yard's business and the base salary, bonus, benefits and stock compensation, if any, solely of the general counsel dedicated to Front Yard. All other salary, bonus, benefits and stock compensation of AAMC’s employees (other than Front Yard share-based compensation issued to them by Front Yard) are the responsibility of AAMC and are not reimbursed by Front Yard, other than those with respect to the dedicated General Counsel of Front Yard. In addition, we receive dividends on the shares of Front Yard common stock that we own, which we record as other income. The amount of dividends we receive will vary with Front Yard's financial performance, taxable income, liquidity needs and other factors deemed relevant by Front Yard's Board of Directors. Lastly, effective January 1, 2018, we recognize changes in the fair value of our holdings of Front Yard common stock as other income or loss, which will be directly dependent upon fluctuations in the market price of Front Yard's common stock.

Expenses

Our expenses consist primarily of salaries and employee benefits, legal and professional fees and general and administrative expenses. Salaries and employee benefits include the base salaries, incentive bonuses, medical coverage, retirement benefits, relocation, non-cash share-based compensation and other benefits provided to our employees for their services. Legal and professional fees include services provided by third-party attorneys, accountants and other service providers of a professional nature. General and administrative expenses include costs related to the general operation and overall administration of our business as well as non-cash share-based compensation expense related to restricted stock awards to our Directors.


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Results of Operations

The following sets forth discussion of our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017.

Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Compared to Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

Management Fees and Expense Reimbursements

Pursuant to the AMA, we received base management fees from Front Yard of $3.6 million and $11.0 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, compared to $4.0 million and $12.2 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. The decrease in base management fees is primarily driven by a decline in Front Yard's average invested capital (as defined in the AMA).

We received conversion fees from Front Yard of $35,000 and $0.2 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, compared to $0.2 million and $1.2 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. This decrease is primarily due to fewer loans and REO properties converting to rental properties during 2018 as we continue to pare the small number of remaining legacy assets of Front Yard. We expect that the conversion fees will continue to decline as we complete the disposition of Front Yard's non-rental assets.

We recognized expense reimbursements due from Front Yard of $0.3 million and $0.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, compared to $0.3 million and $0.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. Expense reimbursements relate primarily to travel and other out-of-pocket costs in managing Front Yard's business and the employment costs related to the General Counsel dedicated to Front Yard.

Salaries and Employee Benefits

Salaries and employee benefits were $4.6 million and $5.0 million during the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The decrease in salaries and benefits in 2018 is primarily due to reduced share-based compensation expense related to restricted stock grants to management, partially offset by higher salaries and benefits associated with increased headcount.

Salaries and employee benefits were $13.3 million and $15.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The decrease in salaries and benefits during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 is primarily due to reduced share-based compensation expense related to restricted stock grants to management, partially offset by higher salaries and benefits associated with increased headcount.

Legal and Professional Fees

Legal and professional fees were $0.5 million and $0.9 million during the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. This decrease is primarily due to a decrease in litigation-related expenses.

Legal and professional fees were $1.3 million and $1.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. This decrease is primarily due to a decrease in litigation-related expenses.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses were $1.0 million and $0.8 million during the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. This increase was primarily due to increased travel costs during 2018.

General and administrative expenses were $2.8 million and $2.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. This increase was primarily due to increased occupancy and travel costs during 2018, partially offset by decreased share-based compensation expense related to non-employee awards that became fully vested during the second quarter of 2017.


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Change in Fair Value of Front Yard Common Stock

The change in fair value of Front Yard common stock was $0.7 million compared to $(3.0) million (gross of related deferred tax benefit of $0.2 million) during the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. These changes in fair value were due solely to changes in the market price of Front Yard's common stock, as reported at quarter end on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”).

The change in fair value of Front Yard common stock was $(1.6) million compared to $0.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. These changes in fair value were due solely to changes in the market price of Front Yard's common stock, as reported at quarter end on the NYSE.

Effective January 1, 2018, we began recording changes in the fair value of our Front Yard common stock through net income upon our adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10) as discussed in Note 1 of our condensed consolidated financial statements. Prior to January 1, 2018, we recognized changes in the fair value of our Front Yard common stock through other comprehensive income or loss.

Dividend Income on Front Yard Common Stock

Dividends recognized on shares of Front Yard common stock were $0.2 million for each of the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $0.7 million for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of September 30, 2018, we had cash and cash equivalents of $30.2 million and short-term investments of $0.3 million compared to cash and cash equivalents of $33.3 million and short-term investments of $0.6 million as of December 31, 2017. The reduction in the cash and cash equivalents in 2018 was primarily due to payment of annual incentive compensation, ongoing salaries and benefits, dividends on preferred stock issued under the 2016 Employee Preferred Stock Program and general corporate expenses. At September 30, 2018, we also had $17.6 million in Front Yard common stock, a decrease from $19.3 million as of December 31, 2017, due to the decrease in Front Yard’s stock price during the first nine months of 2018. We also continue to generate asset management fees from Front Yard under our AMA. We believe that these sources of liquidity will be sufficient to enable us to meet anticipated short-term (one year) liquidity requirements since we are continuing to generate asset management fees under the AMA and receive dividend income on the Front Yard common stock we own. Our ongoing cash expenditures are salaries and employee benefits, legal and professional fees, lease obligations and other general and administrative expenses.

Treasury Shares

At September 30, 2018, a total of $265.6 million in shares of our common stock had been repurchased under the authorization by our Board of Directors to repurchase up to $300.0 million in shares of our common stock. Repurchased shares are held as treasury stock and are available for general corporate purposes. We have an aggregate of $34.4 million remaining for repurchases under our Board-approved repurchase plan.

Cash Flows

We report and analyze our cash flows based on operating activities, investing activities and financing activities. The following table sets forth our cash flows for the periods indicated ($ in thousands):
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
Net cash used in operating activities
$
(3,078
)
 
$
(2,323
)
Net cash provided by investing activities
269

 
—

Net cash used in financing activities
(346
)
 
(5,448
)
Total cash flows
$
(3,155
)
 
$
(7,771
)

Net cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 consisted primarily of payment of annual incentive compensation, ongoing salaries and benefits, dividends on preferred stock issued under the 2016 Employee Preferred Stock Program and general corporate expenses in excess of revenues.

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Net cash provided by investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 consisted primarily of proceeds from the maturities of short-term investments, net of investments in short-term investments. We had no investing cash flows during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Net cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 primarily related to repurchases of our common stock.

Off-balance Sheet Arrangements

We had no off-balance sheet arrangements as of September 30, 2018 or December 31, 2017.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Item 1 - Financial statements (unaudited) - “Note 1. Organization and basis of presentation - Recently issued accounting standards.”

Critical Accounting Judgments
    
Accounting standards require information in financial statements about the risks and uncertainties inherent in significant estimates, and the application of generally accepted accounting principles involves the exercise of varying degrees of judgment. Certain amounts included in or affecting our financial statements and related disclosures must be estimated requiring us to make certain assumptions with respect to values or conditions that cannot be known with certainty at the time our condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts we report for our assets and liabilities and our revenues and expenses during the reporting period and our disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our condensed consolidated financial statements. Actual results may differ significantly from our estimates and any effects on our business, financial position or results of operations resulting from revisions to these estimates are recorded in the period in which the facts that give rise to the revision become known.

For additional details on our critical accounting judgments, please see “Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Critical Accounting Judgments” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 as filed with the SEC on March 1, 2018.

Item 3. Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk

Market risk includes risks that arise from changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices, equity prices and other market changes that affect market sensitive instruments. The primary market risk that we are currently exposed to is market risk related to our investment in Front Yard's common stock.
 
Investment Risk Relating to Front Yard's Common Stock

We hold an aggregate of 1,624,465 shares of Front Yard common stock in open market transactions, and we may purchase additional shares of Front Yard common stock from time to time. If additional purchases are commenced, any such purchases of Front Yard common stock by us may be discontinued at any time, or we may commence sales of such common stock. To the extent we have purchased, or continue to acquire, Front Yard common stock, we will be exposed to risks and uncertainties with respect to our ownership of such shares, including downward pressure on Front Yard’s stock price, a reduction or increase of dividends declared and paid on the Front Yard stock and/or an inability to dispose of such shares at a time when we otherwise may desire or need to do so. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in mitigating such risks.

In addition, under the terms of the AMA, Front Yard has the flexibility to pay up to 25% of our incentive management fees in shares of Front Yard common stock. Should Front Yard make this election, we would further be exposed to the above-described market risk on the shares we receive.


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Item 4. Controls and procedures

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company's filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms and to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. Based upon that evaluation, management has determined that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2018.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rule 13a-15(d) and 15d-15(d) of the Exchange Act that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2018 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Limitations on Controls

Our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives as specified above. Management does not expect, however, that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent or detect all error and fraud. Any control system, no matter how well designed and operated, is based upon certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that its objectives will be met. Further, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected.


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Part II

Item 1. Legal proceedings

Information regarding reportable legal proceedings is contained in Part I, "Item 3. Legal Proceedings" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. The following updates and restates the description of the previously reported matters:

City of Cambridge Retirement System v. Altisource Asset Management Corp., et al.
On January 16, 2015, a putative shareholder class action complaint was filed in the United States District Court of the Virgin Islands by a purported shareholder of AAMC under the caption City of Cambridge Retirement System v. Altisource Asset Management Corp., et al., 15-cv-00004. The action names as defendants AAMC, our former Chairman, William C. Erbey, and certain officers of AAMC and alleges that the defendants violated federal securities laws by failing to disclose material information to AAMC shareholders concerning alleged conflicts of interest held by Mr. Erbey with respect to AAMC’s relationship and transactions with Front Yard, Altisource Portfolio Solutions S.A., Home Loan Servicing Solutions, Ltd., Southwest Business Corporation, NewSource Reinsurance Company and Ocwen Financial Corporation, including allegations that the defendants failed to disclose (i) the nature of relationships between Mr. Erbey, AAMC and those entities; and (ii) that the transactions were the result of an allegedly unfair process from which Mr. Erbey failed to recuse himself. The action seeks, among other things, an award of monetary damages to the putative class in an unspecified amount and an award of attorney’s and other fees and expenses. AAMC and Mr. Erbey are the only defendants who have been served with the complaint.

On May 12, 2015, the court entered an order granting the motion of Denver Employees Retirement Plan to be lead plaintiff, and lead plaintiff filed an amended complaint on June 19, 2015.

AAMC and Mr. Erbey filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted, and on April 6, 2017, the Court issued an opinion and order granting defendants’ motion to dismiss.

On May 1, 2017, Plaintiff filed a motion for leave to amend the complaint and, at the same time, filed a proposed first amended consolidated complaint. AAMC and Mr. Erbey opposed the motion, and on July 5, 2017, the Court issued an opinion and order denying with prejudice the motion of the Plaintiff for leave to file the first amended consolidated complaint.

On July 7, 2017, Plaintiff filed a notice of appeal with the Third Circuit Court of Appeals with respect to the federal district court's April 6, 2017 memorandum and order granting Defendants’ motion to dismiss, the April 6, 2017 order granting Defendants’ motion to dismiss and the July 5, 2017 order denying with prejudice Plaintiff’s motion for leave to file the first amendment consolidated complaint in the matter. On September 18, 2017, Appellant filed its appeal brief, and briefing on the appeal motion was completed on November 15, 2017.

On May 24, 2018, the parties made oral arguments with respect to the briefs in response to the Plaintiff’s appeal of our successful motions to dismiss in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

We believe the amended complaint is without merit. At this time, we are not able to predict the ultimate outcome of this matter, nor can we estimate the range of possible loss, if any.

Kanga v. Altisource Asset Management Corporation, et al.
On March 12, 2015, a shareholder derivative action was filed in the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, Division of St. Croix, by a purported shareholder of AAMC under the caption Nanzeen Kanga v. William Erbey, et al., SX-15-CV-105. The action names as defendants William C. Erbey and each of the current and former members of AAMC's Board of Directors and alleges that Mr. Erbey and AAMC’s directors breached fiduciary duties in connection with the disclosures that are the subject of the City of Cambridge Retirement System case described above and certain other matters involving the relationship of Front Yard and AAMC.

On May 15, 2015, the plaintiff and the defendants filed an agreed motion to stay the action until the earliest of any of the following events: (i) the City of Cambridge Retirement System action is dismissed with prejudice; (ii) any of the defendants in the City of Cambridge Retirement System action file an answer in that action; and (iii) defendants do not move to stay any later-filed derivative action purportedly brought on behalf of us arising from similar facts as the Kanga action and relating to the same time frame or such motion to stay is denied.


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At this time, we are not able to predict the ultimate outcome of this matter, nor can we estimate the range of possible loss, if any.

Item 1A. Risk factors

There have been no material changes in our risk factors since December 31, 2017 other than the risk factors provided below in connection with Front Yard's HB Acquisition and the FYR SFR Loan Agreement. For information regarding our risk factors, you should carefully consider the risk factors discussed in “Item 1A. Risk factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 filed on March 1, 2018 (the “Form 10-K”). As applicable, the risk factors included in the Form 10-K that relate to Front Yard's property management should be read to include reference to HavenBrook, and risk factors that relate to Front Yard's borrowings should be read to include reference to the FYR SFR Loan Agreement.

Front Yard is our primary source of revenue and will drive our potential future growth. Any risk associated with Front Yard's business that would adversely affect its ability to generate revenue and pay distributions to its shareholders is a risk to our business, as our revenues, results of operations and financial condition significantly depend upon the management fees paid to us by Front Yard. Any risk that ultimately adversely affects Front Yard could adversely affect the revenues we can generate under the asset management agreement, our results of operations and our financial condition, including the risks related to Front Yard’s business provided below.

Following the HB Acquisition and related transactions, Front Yard may be unable to integrate the RHA Acquired Properties and/or HavenBrook’s business successfully and realize anticipated synergies and other expected benefits of the HB Acquisition in the anticipated timeframe or at all.

The HB Acquisition and related transactions involved the combination of companies that previously operated as independent companies. In addition, pursuant to an amendment to its Master Services Agreement (“MSA”) with ASPS on August 8, 2018 (the “MSA Amendment Agreement”), Front Yard will also be required to hire certain property management personnel that have been operating the properties previously managed by ASPS. We and Front Yard will be required to devote significant management attention and resources to the integration of HavenBrook’s business practices and operations as well as the acquired personnel from ASPS. The potential difficulties that may be encountered in the integration process include, without limitation, the following:

•
the complexities associated with the successful operation of HavenBrook as a property manager, including Front Yard's inability to effectively perform the property management services at the level and/or the anticipated cost or as a result of a failure to allocate sufficient resources to meet Front Yard's property management needs;

•
the complexities associated with integrating personnel from HavenBrook and ASPS, including retaining key HavenBrook employees;

•
the complexities of combining the RHA Acquired Properties into Front Yard's SFR portfolio;

•
the complexities associated with integrating HavenBrook’s separate technology systems, property management policies and procedures, regulatory and legal compliance controls and financial reporting practices and controls into Front Yard's business;

•
potential unknown liabilities and unforeseen increased expenses associated with the HB Acquisition; and

•
performance shortfalls as a result of the diversion of management’s attention caused by completing the HB Acquisition and integrating the companies’ operations.

For all these reasons, you should be aware that it is possible that the integration process could result in the distraction of management, the disruption of ongoing business or inconsistencies in Front Yard's operations, services, standards, controls, policies and procedures, any of which could adversely affect Front Yard's ability to maintain relationships with operators, vendors and/or employees or to achieve the anticipated benefits of the HB Acquisition or could otherwise materially and adversely affect Front Yard's business and financial results.


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Front Yard incurred substantial expenses related to the HB Acquisition and MSA Amendment Agreement with ASPS and will continue to incur substantial expenses in integrating HavenBrook and the RHA Acquired Properties.

Front Yard incurred substantial expenses in connection with completing the HB Acquisition and will continue to incur substantial expenses in integrating the RHA Acquired Properties and HavenBrook’s business, operations, staff, networks, systems, technologies, policies and procedures with its business. Front Yard will also incur additional expense in taking on former ASPS employees pursuant to the MSA Amendment Agreement, and Front Yard will continue to incur expenses related to the property management services still being provided by Main Street Renewal, LLC (“MSR”) and ASPS. During the integration process, certain expenses may be duplicated, and Front Yard's expenses could increase, particularly if the services provided by ASPS are required for a longer period than anticipated. Factors beyond the control of us or Front Yard could affect the total amount or the timing of Front Yard's integration expenses. Many of the integration expenses that Front Yard will incur, by their nature, are difficult to estimate accurately at the present time. As a result, the transaction and integration expenses associated with the HB Acquisition and MSA Amendment Agreement with ASPS could, particularly in the near term, exceed the anticipated cost savings related to the integration of HavenBrook and Front Yard's business following the HB Acquisition. These savings are not expected to be fully realized until full integration is achieved, which is not expected to occur immediately. If the expenses Front Yard incurs as a result of the HB Acquisition and the MSA Amendment Agreement with ASPS are higher than anticipated, Front Yard's financial results would be adversely affected.

Front Yard's failure to effectively perform property management functions through HavenBrook or to effectively manage its expanded portfolio and operations could materially and adversely affect Front Yard.

Prior to the HB Acquisition, Front Yard had relied on third parties (ASPS and MSR) to provide property management services for the properties in its SFR portfolio. As a result, neither we nor Front Yard have direct experience operating a property manager directly. If Front Yard's newly acquired property manager is unable to effectively perform property management services at the level and/or the anticipated cost or if allocated resources are insufficient to meet Front Yard's property management needs, it would adversely affect Front Yard's performance. Through HavenBrook, Front Yard will have direct responsibility for the management of a significant proportion of the properties in its SFR portfolio, including, without limitation, renovations, maintenance and certain matters related to leasing, such as marketing and selection of tenants for the HavenBrook-managed properties and the ASPS properties that we move to the HavenBrook platform. In addition, Front Yard will be responsible for ensuring the compliance of HavenBrook with governmental laws, regulations and covenants that are applicable to its homes, tenants and prospective tenants, including, without limitation, permitting, licensing and zoning requirements and tenant relief laws, such as laws regulating evictions, rent control laws and other regulations that limit its ability to increase rental rates. Because neither we nor Front Yard have experience operating a property manager, it is difficult to evaluate Front Yard's potential future performance.

Front Yard's ability to perform the property management services will be affected by various factors, including, among other things, its ability to maintain sufficient personnel and retain key personnel and the number of its SFR properties that it will manage. For example, following the property management transition anticipated under the MSA Amendment Agreement with ASPS, the number of properties that HavenBrook historically managed will more than double. These increases in the number of properties Front Yard manages may require Front Yard to hire qualified personnel in addition to the ASPS employees that will transition to Front Yard's internal property manager. No assurance can be made that Front Yard will be successful in attracting and retaining skilled personnel or in integrating any new personnel into its organization.

Although we expect that the HB Acquisition and the utilization of HavenBrook as an internal property manager will result in certain benefits to Front Yard, there can be no assurance regarding when or the extent to which Front Yard will be able to realize these benefits, which may be difficult, unpredictable and subject to delays. Front Yard's future success will depend, in part, upon its ability to manage its expansion and integrate new operations into its existing business in an efficient and timely manner, successfully monitor its operations, costs, regulatory compliance and service quality, and maintain other necessary internal controls. There can be no assurance that Front Yard's expansion or acquisition opportunities will be successful, or that Front Yard will realize its expected operating efficiencies, cost savings, revenue enhancements, synergies or other benefits.

Front Yard's inability to effectively perform the property management services on the properties it manages, through HavenBrook, or to effectively manage its expanded portfolio and operations could materially adversely affect its business, financial results and share price.


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Front Yard may have failed to uncover all liabilities associated with the RHA Acquired Properties or HavenBrook through the due diligence process prior to the HB Acquisition, exposing Front Yard to potentially large, unanticipated costs.

Prior to completing the HB Acquisition, Front Yard performed certain due diligence reviews of the RHA Acquired Properties and the business of HavenBrook. In view of timing and other considerations relevant to successfully achieving the closing of the HB Acquisition, Front Yard's due diligence reviews were necessarily limited in nature and may not have adequately uncovered all of the contingent or undisclosed liabilities it may incur as a consequence of the HB Acquisition. Because Front Yard has acquired the entities, and not just the assets, in the HB Acquisition, any liabilities not uncovered by Front Yard, or not explicitly excluded in the acquisition agreements, would be assumed by Front Yard in the HB Acquisition. Therefore, any such liabilities could cause Front Yard to experience potentially significant losses, which would materially adversely affect its business, results of operations and financial condition.

Contingent or unknown liabilities associated with the RHA Acquired Properties could adversely affect Front Yard's financial condition, cash flows and operating results.

Assets and entities that Front Yard has acquired in connection with the HB Acquisition may be subject to unknown or contingent liabilities for which Front Yard may have limited or no recourse against the sellers. Unknown or contingent liabilities might include liabilities for or with respect to liens attached to properties; unpaid real estate tax, utilities or HOA charges for which a subsequent owner remains liable; clean-up or remediation of environmental conditions or code violations; claims of customers, vendors or other persons dealing with the acquired entities; or tax liabilities. Purchases of single-family properties in portfolio purchases typically involve limited representations or warranties with respect to the properties and may allow Front Yard limited or no recourse against the sellers. Such properties also often have unpaid tax, utility and HOA liabilities for which Front Yard may be obligated but fail to anticipate. As a result, the total amount of costs and expenses that Front Yard may incur with respect to liabilities associated with the RHA Acquired Properties and entities may exceed its expectations, which may adversely affect its operating results and financial condition. Additionally, such RHA Acquired Properties may be subject to covenants, conditions or restrictions that restrict the use or ownership of such properties, including prohibitions on leasing. Front Yard may not have discovered such restrictions during the acquisition process, and such restrictions may adversely affect Front Yard's ability to operate such properties as it intends.

The transition of properties managed by ASPS to the HavenBrook property management platform will present challenges that, if not adequately addressed, may adversely impact Front Yard.

Pursuant to the MSA Amendment Agreement with ASPS, Front Yard has agreed to transfer of all of its ASPS-managed rental properties to the HavenBrook property management platform by December 31, 2018. In addition, certain employees of ASPS may leave prior to the transition of the ASPS-managed properties, which may adversely affect the performance of such properties before they are transferred to the HavenBrook platform. As such, Front Yard's failure to efficiently transfer such properties in a timely manner may result in increased costs or disruption in the services to its tenants.

We also anticipate that Front Yard will hire certain ASPS employees that currently service Front Yard's ASPS-managed properties. However, such individuals may not accept employment with Front Yard, and Front Yard may not be able to hire replacement personnel in a timely manner or at all, which may also result in increased costs or disruption in the services to Front Yard's tenants.

Front Yard is now exposed to labor and employment risks to which it has not historically been exposed.

Prior to the HB Acquisition, Front Yard had no employees of its own. With the completion of the HB Acquisition, Front Yard now has employees of its own managing the internal property management function, and it has and may continue to also move some ASPS employees into its internal property manager as well. As an employer, Front Yard is now subject to those potential liabilities that are commonly faced by employers, such as workers’ disability and compensation claims, potential labor disputes and other employee-related liabilities and grievances. Further, Front Yard bears the costs of the establishment and maintenance of payroll management and health, retirement and similar benefit plans for its employees.


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HavenBrook historically has relied on its executive officers and dedicated personnel, and the departure of any of its key personnel could materially and adversely affect Front Yard. Front Yard also faces intense competition for the employment of highly skilled managerial and operational personnel.

Prior to the HB Acquisition, HavenBrook relied on a small number of persons to carry out its business and operations, and the loss of the services of any of the key management personnel that we choose to retain, or Front Yard's inability to recruit and retain qualified personnel in the future, could have an adverse effect on Front Yard's business and financial results.

In addition, the implementation of Front Yard's business plan may require that Front Yard employ additional qualified personnel, including, without limitation, the ASPS employees it hires as a result of the MSA Amendment Agreement. Front Yard is also required to devote significant management attention and resources to the integration of HavenBrook’s business practices and operations. Competition for highly skilled managerial and operational personnel is intense. As additional large real estate investors and property managers enter into and expand their scale within the single-family rental business, we expect Front Yard to face increased challenges in hiring and retaining personnel, and there can be no assurance to stockholders that Front Yard will be successful in attracting and retaining such skilled personnel. If Front Yard is unable to hire and retain qualified personnel as required, its growth and operating results could be adversely affected.

Front Yard's ability to meet its labor needs while controlling its labor costs is subject to numerous external factors, including unemployment levels, prevailing wage rates, changing demographics and changes in employment legislation. If Front Yard is unable to retain qualified personnel or its labor costs increase significantly, its business operations and financial performance could be adversely impacted.

Security breaches and other disruptions could compromise Front Yard's information systems and expose Front Yard to liability, which would cause its business and reputation to suffer.

The acquisition of HavenBrook requires Front Yard to integrate its separate technology systems, which may increase information security risks. Information security risks have generally increased in recent years due to the rise in new technologies and the increased sophistication and activities of perpetrators of cyberattacks. In the ordinary course of HavenBrook’s business, it acquires and stores sensitive data, including intellectual property, proprietary business information and personally identifiable information of prospective and current residents, employees and third party service providers. The continued secure processing and maintenance of such information is critical to Front Yard's operations and business strategy. Despite Front Yard's security measures, the integration of HavenBrook’s information technology and infrastructure with Front Yard's technology systems may result in increased vulnerability to attacks by hackers or may be breached due to employee error, malfeasance or other disruptions. Any such breach could compromise Front Yard's networks, and the information stored therein could be accessed, publicly disclosed, misused, lost or stolen. Any such access, disclosure or other loss of information could result in legal claims or proceedings, liability under laws that protect the privacy of personal information, regulatory penalties, disruption to Front Yard's operations and the services it provides to customers or damage its reputation, any of which could adversely affect Front Yard's results of operations, reputation and competitive position.

Item 2. Unregistered sales of equity securities and use of proceeds

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

In March 2014, the Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase plan of up to $300.0 million of common stock. During the third quarter of 2018, we repurchased an aggregate of 2,000 shares for an aggregate purchase price of $0.1 million. As of September 30, 2018, we have remaining approximately $34.4 million authorized by our Board of Directors for share repurchases. Repurchased shares will be held as treasury stock and will be available for general corporate purposes.


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Below is a summary of our stock repurchases for the quarter ending September 30, 2018 (in thousands, except share and per share amounts):
 
 
(a) Total Number of Shares Purchased
 
 (b) Average Price Paid per Share
 
(c) Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
 
(d) Maximum Dollar Value of Shares that may yet be Purchased Under Plans or Programs (1)
July 1, 2018 to July 31, 2018
 
—

 
$
—

 
1,190,606

 
$
34,484

August 1, 2018 to August 31, 2018
 
2,000

 
62.74

 
1,192,606

 
34,359

September 1, 2018 to September 31, 2018
 
—

 
—

 
1,192,606

 
34,359

For the quarter ended September 31, 2018
 
2,000

 
62.74

 
1,192,606

 
34,359

__________
(1)
Since Board approval of repurchases is based on a dollar amount, we cannot estimate the number of shares remaining to be purchased.

Item 4. Mine safety disclosures
    
Not applicable.

Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibits

Exhibit Number
 
Description
 
Separation Agreement, dated as of December 21, 2012, between Altisource Asset Management Corporation and Altisource Portfolio Solutions S.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 28, 2012).
 
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Altisource Asset Management Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 5, 2017).
 
First Amended and Restated Bylaws of Altisource Asset Management Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 10 filed with the SEC on December 5, 2012).
 
Certificate of Designations establishing the Company’s Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 19, 2014).
 
Certification of CEO Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
 
Certification of CFO Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
 
Certification of CEO Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
 
Certification of CFO Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
101.INS*
 
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB*
 
XBRL Extension Labels Linkbase
101.PRE*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
__________
* Filed herewith.


27

(table of contents)

Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 
 
 
 
Altisource Asset Management Corporation
Date: 
November 7, 2018
By:
/s/
Robin N. Lowe
 
 
 
 
Robin N. Lowe
 
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer


28

Exhibit


Exhibit 31.1

Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, George G. Ellison, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Altisource Asset Management Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a–15(f) and 15d–15(f)) for the Registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.


Date:
November 7, 2018
By:
/s/
George G. Ellison
 
 
 
 
George G. Ellison
 
 
 
 
Chief Executive Officer




Exhibit


Exhibit 31.2

Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Robin N. Lowe, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Altisource Asset Management Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a–15(f) and 15d–15(f)) for the Registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.


Date:
November 7, 2018
By:
/s/
Robin N. Lowe
 
 
 
 
Robin N. Lowe
 
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer




Exhibit


Exhibit 32.1

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

The undersigned, the Chief Executive Officer of Altisource Asset Management Corporation (the “Company”), hereby certifies on the date hereof, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 (“Form 10-Q”), filed concurrently herewith by the Company, fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and that the information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.


Date:
November 7, 2018
By:
/s/
George G. Ellison
 
 
 
 
George G. Ellison
 
 
 
 
Chief Executive Officer



Exhibit


Exhibit 32.2

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

The undersigned, the Chief Financial Officer of Altisource Asset Management Corporation (the “Company”), hereby certifies on the date hereof, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 (“Form 10-Q”), filed concurrently herewith by the Company, fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and that the information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.


Date:
November 7, 2018
By:
/s/
Robin N. Lowe
 
 
 
 
Robin N. Lowe
 
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer