Liquidity Progress and Clear Target
Generated approximately $380 million of free cash to date (comprised of $130 million from bulk portfolio sales and $250 million from portfolio runoff/asset resolutions). Management targets over $850 million of free cash and reports being ~35% toward that objective.
Planned Additional Free Cash and Execution Timeline
Anticipates an additional $500 million in free cash by year-end: $250 million expected from continued portfolio runoff (consistent with a 36% trailing twelve-month repayment rate) and $250 million from planned $1.5 billion of loan sales (focus on NPL and sub-yielding assets). Loan sales expected substantially complete by end of Q2.
Leadership and Organizational Realignment
Promoted Dominic Scally to Chief Credit Officer and Co‑President of ReadyCap Commercial; Gary Taylor transitioning to President of ReadyCap Lending to focus on SBA — actions intended to support the balance-sheet repositioning and capitalize on capital‑light business lines.
Leverage and Cost Reduction Targets
Plan to reduce leverage by 1.0x to a target of 2.5x and target a 25% reduction in operating costs to align the CRE origination business to a lower-cost structure and increase capital allocation to small business lending from 10% to 20%.
SBA Business Focus and Near-Term Funding
Remains a top-five SBA lender; SBA originations were impacted by the government shutdown but management plans to come to market with a fourth SBA securitization in Q2 and increase emphasis on this higher-ROE, capital-light business line.
Successful Loan Sales Execution
Completed large loan sales in February (reported $855 million) with pricing in the high‑90s relative to par; earlier bulk sales contributed $130 million of free cash.
Ritz Property Stabilization Progress
Ritz asset represents 16% of year‑end equity; condominium sales launched (phase one: 16 units in contract + 9 reservations = 27% of 131 units), average price to date $737/sq ft. Hotel metrics improved year‑over‑year: occupancy +6.5%, ADR +5% to $492, RevPAR $210; office/retail showing increased tenant interest.
Ability to Address Near‑Term Maturities
Management reports current free cash (~$200 million) plus ongoing liquidity generation provides substantial cushion to address upcoming maturities ($67 million in Q3 and $450 million in Q4), and the firm successfully retired its 5.75% February senior unsecured note at maturity.