Sunrise Realty Trust, Inc.: Form 10-Q for the period ended Sep 30, 2024

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the accompanying notes and other information included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (the “Quarterly Report”) and our Information Statement. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, risks and uncertainties discussed under the heading “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” in this Form 10-Q and “Risk Factors” in our Information Statement.

Overview

SUNS is a Maryland corporation that was formed on August 28, 2023, that intends to elect to be treated as a real estate investment trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes and that made its first investment in January 2024. We are led by a veteran team of commercial real estate investment professionals and our external manager, Sunrise Manager LLC. We conduct our business through our parent company, Sunrise Realty Trust, Inc., and several subsidiaries. We consolidate all of our subsidiaries under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). We are an institutional lender that provides debt capital solutions to CRE markets in the Southern United States. SUNS’ focus is on originating CRE debt investments and providing capital to high-quality borrowers and sponsors with transitional business plans collateralized by CRE assets with opportunities for near-term value creation, as well as recapitalization opportunities. SUNS intends to create a diversified investment portfolio, targeting investments in senior mortgage loans, mezzanine loans, B-notes, CMBS and debt-like preferred equity securities across CRE asset classes. We intend for SUNS’ investment mix to include high quality residential, including multi-family, condominiums and single-family residential communities, retail, office, hospitality, industrial, mixed-use and specialty-use real estate.

Our investment focus includes originating or acquiring loans backed by single assets or portfolios of assets that typically have (i) an investment hold size of approximately $15-100 million, secured by CRE assets, including transitional or construction projects, across diverse property types, (ii) a duration of approximately 2-5 years, (iii) interest rates that are determined periodically on the basis of a floating base lending rate (e.g., SOFR) plus a credit spread, (iv) a loan-to-value (“LTV”) ratio of no greater than approximately 75% on an individual investment basis and (v) no more than approximately 75% LTV across the portfolio, in each case, at the time of origination or acquisition, and are led by experienced borrowers and well-capitalized sponsors with high quality business plans. Our loans typically feature origination fees and/or exit fees. We target a portfolio net internal rate of return (“IRR”) in the low-teens, which we aim to be in the mid-teens after including total interest and other revenue from the portfolio, including loans funded from drawing on our leverage, net of our interest expense from our portfolio lenders. We are also targeting a near- to mid-term target capitalization of one-third equity, one-third secured debt availability and one-third unsecured debt. We do not expect to be fully drawn on our anticipated secured debt availability and, as a result, we are targeting an expected leverage ratio of 1.5:1 debt-to-equity.

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (“JOBS Act”), and we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have elected to take advantage of the extended transition period. As a result, we will not be subject to the same implementation timing for new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not emerging growth companies, which may make comparison of our financials to those of other public companies more difficult.

We could remain an “emerging growth company” for up to five years from our initial public offering, or until the earliest of (i) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our annual gross revenues exceed $1.235 billion, (ii) the date that we become a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which would occur if the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700.0 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter, or (iii) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt during the preceding three-year period.

Spin-Off

On February 22, 2024, AFC announced a plan to separate into two independent, publicly traded companies— one focused on providing institutional loans to state law compliant cannabis operators in the United States, the other an institutional commercial real estate lender focused on the Southern United States. On July 9, 2024, AFC completed the separation of its CRE portfolio through the spin-off of SUNS. The Spin-Off was effected by the transfer of AFC’s CRE portfolio from AFC to SUNS and the distribution of all of the outstanding shares of SUNS Common Stock to all of AFC’s shareholders of record as of the close of business on July 8, 2024. AFC’s shareholders of record as of the Record Date received one share of our Common Stock for every three shares of AFC common stock held as of the Record Date. AFC retained no ownership interest in us following the Spin-Off. Prior to the Spin-Off, AFC contributed approximately $114.8 million to us in connection with the Spin-Off, comprised of our loan portfolio and cash.

In connection with the Spin-Off, we entered into several agreements with AFC that govern the relationship between us and AFC following the Spin-Off, including the Separation and Distribution Agreement and the Tax Matters Agreement. These agreements provide for the allocation between AFC and SUNS of the assets, liabilities and obligations (including, among others, investments, property and tax-related assets and liabilities) of AFC and its subsidiaries attributable to periods prior to, at and after the Spin-Off. Moreover, concurrent with the completion of the Spin-Off on July 9, 2024, our management agreement with SUNS Manager became effective. SUNS Manager also entered into (i) an Administrative Services Agreement (the “Administrative Services Agreement”) with TCG Services LLC, an affiliate of the Manager and Leonard Tannenbaum, the Company’s Executive Chairman, and Robyn Tannenbaum, the Company’s President, and (ii) a Services Agreement (the “Services Agreement”) with SRT Group LLC, an affiliate of SUNS Manager, Mr. Tannenbaum, Mrs. Tannenbaum, Mr. Sedrish and Mr. Hetzel.

We adopted the 2024 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2024 Plan”). A summary of the 2024 Plan can be found in the Information Statement in the section entitled “Management—2024 Stock Incentive Plan.” Such description is incorporated herein by reference. The description of the foregoing 2024 Plan is intended to provide a general description only, is subject to the detailed terms and conditions of, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of, the 2024 Plan, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.4, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Effective July 1, 2024, Jodi Hanson Bond and James Fagan resigned from AFC’s Board of Directors and joined our Board of Directors. Additionally, Alexander Frank was appointed as a director of SUNS and remained a director of AFC. In addition, effective July 1, 2024, Leonard Tannenbaum was appointed Executive Chairman of SUNS (and remained Executive Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of AFC) and Brian Sedrish was appointed Chief Executive Officer and director of SUNS. Brandon Hetzel continues in his role as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of SUNS (and remains the Chief Financial Officer of AFC) and Robyn Tannenbaum continues in her role as President of SUNS (and remains the President of AFC).

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, we incurred approximately $0.0 million and $0.6 million, respectively, related to Spin-Off costs, which are recorded within professional fees in the unaudited interim statements of operations.

Developments During the Third Quarter ended September 30, 2024:

Spin-Off

Effective July 9, 2024, AFC completed the separation of its CRE portfolio through the spin-off of SUNS and we became an independent, publicly traded company, trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “SUNS”. See “—Spin-Off” above.

Updates to Our Loan Portfolio During the Third Quarter ended September 30, 2024

In August 2024, the Company and an affiliate of SUNS entered into amendments to the existing secured mezzanine and senior loan credit agreements for the mixed-use property in Houston, Texas. The amendments, among other things, (i) extended the maturity date on both loans from November 2024 to February 2026, (ii) modified the senior loan interest rate from floating (3.48% plus SOFR, SOFR floor of 4.0%) to fixed 12.5% and (iii) included a $12.0 million upsize to the senior loan, of which we have commitments for $6.0 million and the affiliate co-investor has commitments for the rest.

In July 2024, SUNS and an affiliate of SUNS entered into a senior secured credit facility for a total aggregate commitment amount of approximately $35.2 million for the refinance of an active adult multi-family residential rental development in southwest Austin, Texas. We committed a total of approximately $14.1 million and the affiliate committed the remaining approximately $21.1 million. The senior loan was issued at a discount of 1.0% and matures in three years. At closing, we funded approximately $11.4 million and the affiliate funded approximately $17.0 million. The loan bears interest at a rate of SOFR plus 4.25%, with a rate index floor of 4.75%. The credit facility is secured by a deed of trust on the property and any deposit and reserve accounts established by the terms of the credit facility. The proceeds of the loan will be used to, among other things, fund the completion of construction and other reserves and refinance existing debt.

In July 2024, SUNS and an affiliate of SUNS entered into a senior secured credit facility for a total aggregate commitment amount of $42.0 million for the refinance of a luxury hotel component of a 20-story mixed-use project in San Antonio, Texas. We committed a total of approximately $27.3 million, and the affiliate committed the remaining $14.7 million. The senior loan was issued at a discount of 1.0% and matures in three years. At closing, we funded approximately $25.0 million and the affiliate funded approximately $13.5 million. The loan bears interest at a rate of SOFR plus 6.35%, with a rate index floor of 4.50%. The loan is secured by a first-priority mortgage on the property and a security interest in all of the equity interests held by the borrower. The proceeds of the credit facility will be used to, among other things, fund the completion of reserves and refinance existing debt.

In August 2024, SUNS and affiliates entered into a $75.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility and a $85.0 million senior secured term credit facility for a total aggregate commitment amount of $160.0 million for the construction of a master-planned single-family residential home community and property development in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. We committed a total of approximately $18.8 million and $21.3 million to the revolving loan and term loan, respectively, and funded $8.8 million and $18.8 million towards each respective loan at close. Affiliates committed the remaining $56.3 million and $63.8 million towards the revolving loan and term loan, funding $26.3 million and $56.3 million, respectively, at close. The term loan and secured revolver were each issued at a discount of 1.25%. The revolving loan bears interest at a rate of SOFR plus 6.25%, with a rate index floor of 4.0%, and unused fee of 2.0%. The proceeds of the revolving loan will be used to, among other things, fund the completion of reserves, fund home construction costs and refinance existing debt. The term loan bears an interest rate of SOFR plus 8.25%, with a rate index floor of 4.0%. The proceeds of the senior loan will be used to, among other things, fund the completion of construction and other reserves and refinance existing debt. The term loan and the secured revolver each mature in three years. The loans are each secured by senior first mortgage lien on the property and a security interest in all of the equity interests held by the borrower.

Revolving Credit Facility

In September 2024, we entered into the SRT Revolving Credit Facility. The SRT Revolving Credit Facility provides for a $50.0 million commitment, which may be borrowed, repaid and redrawn, subject to a draw fee and the other conditions provided in the Credit Agreement. Interest is payable on the SRT Revolving Credit Facility at 1-month SOFR (subject to a 3.0% floor) plus a margin of 2.75% (7.60% at September 30, 2024), with a maturity date of December 31, 2025. The SRT Revolving Credit Facility was terminated on November 6, 2024.

Dividends Declared Per Share

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we declared the following cash dividends:

Recent Developments

In November 2024, SUNS and affiliated co-investors entered into a whole loan (the “Whole Loan”) consisting of an aggregate of $96.0 million in loan commitments. The property securing the loan is a development site and related condominium project located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The proceeds are expected to be used to commence and facilitate construction.

We committed a total of $30.0 million and affiliated co-investors committed $60.0 million, with the remaining $6.0 committed by an unaffiliated investor (the “Originating Lender”). At closing, we funded approximately $3.6 million and the affiliated co-investors funded approximately $7.2 million and the Originating Lender funded approximately $0.7 million. The Whole Loan is split into a Senior Loan and Mezzanine Loan, each with two A-Notes ($62.4 million of the total commitment amount) and two B-Notes ($33.6 million of the total commitment amount, of which $6.0 million was committed by the Originating Lender). The A-Notes bear interest at a rate of SOFR plus 4.75%, with a rate index floor of 4.75%. The B-Notes bear interest at a rate of SOFR plus 11.00%, with a rate index floor of 4.75%. The A-Notes and B-Notes were issued at a discount of 1.0% and mature in 26 months, subject to two, six-month extension options.

On November 6, 2024, we entered into the Loan and Security Agreement (the “Revolving Credit Agreement”) by and among us, the lenders party thereto (the “Lenders”), and East West Bank, as Agent, Joint Lead Arranger, Joint Book Runner, Co-Syndication Agent and Co-Documentation Agent.

The Revolving Credit Agreement provides for a senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) with $50.0 million in initial aggregate commitments, which may be borrowed, repaid and redrawn, subject to a borrowing base based on eligible loan obligations held by the Company and subject to the satisfaction of other conditions provided in the Revolving Credit Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the Revolving Credit Agreement, the amount of total commitments may be increased to up to $200.0 million in aggregate, subject to available borrowing base and lenders’ willingness to provide additional commitments. The Revolving Credit Facility has a maturity date of November 8, 2027.

Interest is payable on the Revolving Credit Facility in cash in arrears at the rate per annum of SOFR plus 2.75%, with a SOFR floor of 2.63%; provided, however, that the interest rate will increase by an additional 0.25% during any Increase Rate Month (as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement).

We are required to pay certain fees to the agent and the lenders under the Revolving Credit Agreement, including a $75,000 agent fee payable to the agent and an 0.25% per annum loan fee payable ratably to the lenders, in each case, payable on the closing date and on the annual anniversary thereafter. Commencing on the six-month anniversary of the closing date, the Revolving Credit Facility has an unused line fee of 0.25% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears. Based on the terms of the Revolving Credit Agreement, the unused line fee is waived if our average cash balance exceeds the minimum balance required per the Revolving Credit Agreement.

The Revolving Credit Facility contains customary covenants, including covenants that limit or restrict the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ ability to incur liens, incur indebtedness, make certain restricted payments, merger or consolidate or make dispositions of assets. In addition, the Company and its subsidiaries are subject to certain financial covenants, including a liquidity and debt service coverage ratio covenant.

The Revolving Credit Facility is guaranteed by certain material subsidiaries of the Company and is secured by substantially all assets of the Company and certain of its material subsidiaries; provided that upon the meeting of certain conditions, the facility will be secured only by certain assets of the Company comprising of or relating to loan obligations designed for inclusion in the borrowing base.

The description above is only a summary of the material provisions of the Revolving Credit Agreement and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Revolving Credit Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.7 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and incorporated by reference herein.

On November 6, 2024, in conjunction with the entry by the Company into the Revolving Credit Facility, we terminated the unsecured revolving credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) dated September 26, 2024, by and between us, as borrower, and SRT Finance LLC, as agent and lender. Upon execution of the Revolving Credit Facility, the lenders’ commitments under the Credit Agreement were terminated and the liability of the Company and its subsidiaries with respect to their obligations under the Credit Agreement was discharged.

Relationships

Certain of the lenders and their affiliates may in the future engage in investment banking, commercial banking and other financial advisory and commercial dealings with the Company and its affiliates.

Key Financial Measures and Indicators

As a commercial real estate finance company, we believe the key financial measures and indicators for our business are Distributable Earnings (as defined below), book value per share and dividends declared per share.

Non-GAAP Metrics

Distributable Earnings

In addition to using certain financial metrics prepared in accordance with GAAP to evaluate our performance, we also use Distributable Earnings to evaluate our performance, excluding the effects of certain transactions and GAAP adjustments we believe are not necessarily indicative of our current loan activity and operations. Distributable Earnings is a measure that is not prepared in accordance with GAAP. We use these non-GAAP financial measures both to explain our results to shareholders and the investment community and in the internal evaluation and management of our businesses. Our management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures and the information they provide are useful to investors since these measures permit investors and shareholders to assess the overall performance of our business using the same tools that our management uses to evaluate our past performance and prospects for future performance. The determination of Distributable Earnings is substantially similar to the determination of Core Earnings under our Management Agreement, provided that Core Earnings is a component of the calculation of any Incentive Compensation earned under the Management Agreement for the applicable time period. Thus, Core Earnings is calculated without giving effect to Incentive Compensation expense, while the calculation of Distributable Earnings accounts for any Incentive Compensation earned for such time period.

We define Distributable Earnings as, for a specified period, the net income (loss) computed in accordance with GAAP, excluding (i) stock-based compensation expense, (ii) depreciation and amortization, (iii) any unrealized gains, losses or other non-cash items recorded in net income (loss) for the period, regardless of whether such items are included in other comprehensive income or loss, or in net income (loss); provided that Distributable Earnings does not exclude, in the case of investments with a deferred interest feature (such as OID, debt instruments with PIK interest and zero coupon securities), accrued income that we have not yet received in cash, (iv) increase (decrease) in provision for current expected credit losses, (v) TRS (income) loss, net of any dividends received from TRS and (vi) one-time events pursuant to changes in GAAP and certain non-cash charges, in each case after discussions between our Manager and our independent directors and after approval by a majority of such independent directors.

We believe providing Distributable Earnings on a supplemental basis to our net income as determined in accordance with GAAP is helpful to shareholders in assessing the overall performance of our business. As a REIT, we are required to distribute at least 90% of our annual REIT taxable income, subject to certain adjustments, and to pay tax at regular corporate rates to the extent that we annually distribute less than 100% of such taxable income. Given these requirements and our belief that dividends are generally one of the principal reasons that shareholders invest in our Common Stock, we generally intend to attempt to pay dividends to our shareholders in an amount at least equal to such REIT taxable income, if and to the extent authorized by our Board of Directors. Distributable Earnings is one of many factors considered by our Board of Directors in authorizing dividends and, while not a direct measure of net taxable income, over time, the measure can be considered a useful indicator of our dividends.

Distributable Earnings is a non-GAAP financial measure and should not be considered as a substitute for GAAP net income. We caution readers that our methodology for calculating Distributable Earnings may differ from the methodologies employed by other REITs to calculate the same or similar supplemental performance measures, and as a result, our reported Distributable Earnings may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other REITs.

The following table provides a reconciliation of GAAP net income to Distributable Earnings:

Book Value Per Share

We believe that book value per share is helpful to shareholders in evaluating our growth as we scale our equity capital base and continue to invest in our target investments. The book value per share of our Common Stock as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 was approximately $16.19 and $4.53, respectively, on a post-split share basis. The September 30, 2024 book value per share of our Common Stock includes a reduction in book value due to the declaration of the fourth quarter dividend, declared on August 14, 2024. The book value per share of our Common Stock as of September 30, 2024 would have been $16.61, absent the declaration of the fourth quarter dividend.

Factors Impacting our Operating Results

The results of our operations are affected by a number of factors and primarily depend on, among other things, the level of our net interest margin, the market value of our assets and the supply of, and demand for, commercial real estate debt and other financial assets in the marketplace. Our net interest margin, which includes the accretion and amortization of OID, is recognized based on the contractual rate and the outstanding principal balance of the loans we originate. Interest rates will vary according to the type of loan, conditions in the financial markets, creditworthiness of our borrowers, competition and other factors, some of which cannot be predicted with any certainty. Our operating results may also be impacted by credit losses in excess of initial anticipations or unanticipated credit events experienced by our borrowers.

Results of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024

We were formed on August 28, 2023 with limited operational activity during the period from August 28, 2023 to September 30, 2023. We did not make our first investment until January 2024; and therefore, have no period to compare results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024.

Our net income allocable to our common shareholders for the three months ended September 30, 2024, was approximately $1.7 million, or $0.26 per basic weighted average common share. Net interest income was comprised of interest income earned of approximately $3.2 million, net of interest expense of approximately $(43.2) thousand.

For the three months ended September 30, 2024, operating expenses were approximately $1.5 million, mainly relating to approximately $0.6 million in general and administrative expenses, $0.3 million in professional fees and $0.4 million in management fees. Concurrent with the completion of the Spin-Off on July 9, 2024, our Management Agreement with SUNS Manager became effective. As a result of this agreement, SUNS management fee was approximately $0.4 million and no incentive fee was incurred for the three months ended September 30, 2024. Reimbursable shared expenses under the Management Agreement were approximately $0.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024. Other costs within professional fees related to legal, audit, and board of director fees.

Our net income allocable to our common shareholders for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, was approximately $5.0 million, or $0.74 per basic weighted average common share. Net interest income was comprised of interest income earned of approximately $7.2 million, net of interest expense of approximately $(43.2) thousand.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, operating expenses were approximately $2.1 million, mainly relating to approximately $0.6 million in general and administrative expenses, $1.0 million in professional fees and $0.4 million in management fees. As a result of our Management Agreement with SUNS Manager, SUNS management fee was approximately $0.4 million and no incentive fee was incurred for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. Reimbursable shared expenses under the Management Agreement were approximately $0.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. Professional fees included approximately $0.6 million in spin-off costs incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2024. Other costs within professional fees related to legal, audit, and board of director fees.

Stock-based compensation was approximately $0.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, driven by restricted stock awards granted and restricted stock awards converted as part of the Spin-Off.

Provision for Current Expected Credit Losses

The decrease (increase) in provision for current expected credit losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 was approximately $47.5 thousand and $(24.3) thousand, respectively. The CECL Reserve balance as of September 30, 2024 was approximately $24.3 thousand, or 0.03%, of our total loans held at carrying value balance of approximately $96.4 million and was bifurcated between (i) the current expected credit loss reserve (contra-asset) related to outstanding balances on loans held at carrying value of zero and (ii) a liability for unfunded commitments of approximately $24.3 thousand. The liability is based on the unfunded portion of loan commitments over the full contractual period over which we are exposed to credit risk through a current obligation to extend credit. Management considered the likelihood that funding will occur, and if funded, the expected credit loss on the funded portion. We continuously evaluate the credit quality of each loan by assessing the risk factors of each loan.

Loan Portfolio

The table below summarizes our total loan portfolio as of September 30, 2024, unless otherwise specified.

(1) Estimated YTM includes a variety of fees and features that affect the total yield, which may include, but is not limited to, OID, exit fees, prepayment fees, unused fees and contingent features. OID is recognized as a discount to the funded loan principal and is accreted to income over the term of the loan.

The estimated YTM calculations require management to make estimates and assumptions, including, but not limited to, the timing and amounts of loan draws on delayed draw loans, the timing and collectability of exit fees, the probability and timing of prepayments and the probability of contingent features occurring. For example, certain credit agreements contain provisions pursuant to which certain PIK interest rates and fees earned by us under such credit agreements will decrease upon the satisfaction of certain specified criteria which we believe may improve the risk profile of the applicable borrower. To be conservative, we have not assumed any prepayment penalties or early payoffs in our estimated YTM calculation. Estimated YTM is based on current management estimates and assumptions, which may change. Estimated YTM is calculated using the interest rate as of September 30, 2024 applied through maturity. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.

(2) Cash interest rate represents a blended rate of differing cash interest rates applicable to each of the senior and subordinate loans to which the Company is a lender under the credit agreements. The subordinate loan component bears interest at a base interest rate of 15.31% plus SOFR (SOFR floor of 2.42%) and the senior loan component bears interest at a base interest rate of 12.50%.

(3) This loan is structured as a senior term loan and home construction revolver, of which the proceeds will be used to fund varying development projects. Under each credit facility, the borrower is able to re-draw funds after repayment through maturity.

(4) The interest subtotal rate is a weighted average rate.

Loans Held for Investment at Carrying Value

As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, our portfolio included six and zero loans held at carrying value, respectively. The aggregate originated commitment under these loans was approximately $121.6 million and zero, respectively, and outstanding principal was approximately $97.5 million and zero, respectively, as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we funded approximately $122.5 million of new loans and additional principal and had approximately $24.9 million of principal repayments of loans held at carrying value. As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, approximately 72% and zero, respectively, of our loans held at carrying value had floating interest rates. As of September 30, 2024, these floating benchmark rates included one-month SOFR subject to a weighted average floor of 4.2% and quoted at 4.8%.

The following tables summarize our loans held at carrying value as of September 30, 2024:

(1) The difference between the Carrying Value and the Outstanding Principal amount of the loans consists of unaccreted OID and loan origination costs.

(2) Weighted average remaining life is calculated based on the carrying value of each respective group of loans as of September 30, 2024.

(3) Senior mortgage loans include senior loans that also have a contiguous subordinate loan because as a whole, the expected credit quality of the subordinate loan is more similar to that of a senior loan.

The following table presents changes in loans held at carrying value as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2024:

Collateral Overview

Our loans are secured by various types of assets of our borrowers, including real property and certain personal property and other assets to the extent permitted by applicable laws and the regulations governing our borrowers.

Our debt investments will primarily be secured by real estate assets that are expected to be diversified across asset classes, including high quality residential, including multi-family, condominiums and single-family residential communities, retail, office, hospitality, industrial, mixed-use and specialty-use real estate.

Upon default of a loan, we may seek to sell the loan to a third party or have an affiliate or a third party work with the borrower to have the borrower sell collateral securing the loan to a third party or institute a foreclosure proceeding to have such collateral sold, in each case, to generate funds towards the payoff of the loan. While we believe that the appraised value of any real estate assets or other collateral securing our loans may impact the amount of the recovery in each such scenario, the amount of any such recovery from the sale of such real estate or other collateral may be less than the appraised value of such collateral and the sale of such collateral may not be sufficient to pay off the remaining balance on the defaulted loan. If we do not or cannot sell a foreclosed property, we would then come to own and operate it as “real estate owned.”

We may pursue a sale of a defaulted loan if we believe that a sale would yield higher proceeds or that a sale could be accomplished more quickly than a foreclosure proceeding while yielding proceeds comparable to what would be expected from a foreclosure sale. To the extent that we determine that the proceeds are more likely to be maximized through instituting a foreclosure sale or through taking title to the underlying collateral, we will be subject to the rules and regulations under state law that govern foreclosure sales. However, we can provide no assurances that a third party would buy such loans or that the sales price of such loans would be sufficient to recover the outstanding principal balance, accrued interest, and fees.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity is a measure of our ability to meet potential cash requirements, including ongoing commitments to repay borrowings, fund and maintain our assets and operations, make distributions to our shareholders and meet other general business needs. We use significant cash to purchase our target investments, repay principal and interest on our borrowings, make distributions to our shareholders and fund our operations. The sources of financing for our target investments are described below.

Our primary sources of cash generally consist of net proceeds of future debt or equity offerings, debt financing, including borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility, payments of principal and interest we receive on our portfolio of assets and cash generated from our operating results.

As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, all of our cash was unrestricted and totaled approximately $70.2 million and $31.2 million, respectively.

As of September 30, 2024, we believe that our cash on hand, capacity available under our Revolving Credit Facility and cash flows from operations will be sufficient to satisfy the operating requirements of our business through at least the next twelve months.

Capital Markets

Given the nature of our business, we constantly explore both the public and private capital markets to raise capital, subject to market and other considerations. We intend to raise future equity capital and issue debt securities in order to fund our future investments in loans.

Revolving Credit Facility

On September 26, 2024, we entered into the SRT Revolving Credit Facility with a $50.0 million commitment, which may be borrowed, repaid and redrawn, subject to a draw fee and the other conditions provided in the Credit Agreement. Interest is payable on the SRT Revolving Credit Facility at 1-month SOFR (subject to a 3.0% floor) plus a margin of 2.75% (7.60% at September 30, 2024), with a maturity date of December 31, 2025. We did not incur any fees or costs related to the origination of the SRT Revolving Credit Facility, and the SRT Revolving Credit Facility does not have any unused fees. As of September 30, 2024, we drew on the full amount of the Revolving Credit Facility, resulting in $50.0 million in outstanding borrowings and zero available for borrowing. The borrowings were subsequently repaid on October 1, 2024. The SRT Revolving Credit Facility was terminated on November 6, 2024.

The Revolving Credit Facility contains aggregate commitments of $50.0 million, with a maturity date of November 8, 2027, which may be borrowed, repaid and redrawn (subject to a borrowing base based on eligible loan obligations held by us and subject to the satisfaction of other conditions provided under the Revolving Credit Facility). Interest is payable on the Revolving Credit Facility at the rate per annum of SOFR plus 2.75%, with a SOFR floor of 2.63%; provided, however, that the interest rate will increase by an additional 0.25% during any Increase Rate Month (as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement).

The Company is required to pay certain fees to the agent and the lenders under the Revolving Credit Agreement, including a $75,000 agent fee payable to the agent and an 0.25% per annum loan fee payable ratably to the lenders, in each case, payable on the closing date and on the annual anniversary thereafter. Commencing on the six-month anniversary of the closing date, the Revolving Credit Facility has an unused line fee of 0.25% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears. Based on the terms of the Revolving Credit Agreement, the unused line fee is waived if our average cash balance exceeds the minimum balance required per the Revolving Credit Agreement.

The amount of total commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility may be increased to up to $200.0 million in aggregate, subject to available borrowing base and lenders’ willingness to provide additional commitments. The Revolving Credit Facility is guaranteed by certain material subsidiaries of the Company and is secured by substantially all assets of the Company and certain of its material subsidiaries; provided that upon the meeting of certain conditions, the facility will be secured only by certain assets of the Company comprising of or relating to loan obligations designed for inclusion in the borrowing base. In addition, the Company is subject to various financial and other covenants, including a liquidity and debt service coverage ratio covenant.

Other Credit Facilities, Warehouse Facilities and Repurchase Agreements

In the future, we may also use other sources of financing to fund the origination or acquisition of our target investments, including other credit facilities and other secured and unsecured forms of borrowing. These financings may be collateralized or non-collateralized and may involve one or more lenders. We expect that these facilities will typically have maturities ranging from two to five years and may accrue interest at either fixed or floating rates.

Cash Flows

The following table sets forth changes in cash and cash equivalents for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and during the period from August 28, 2023 to September 30, 2023:

Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was approximately $2.7 million, compared to approximately $7.8 thousand for the period from August 28, 2023 to September 30, 2023. The increase of approximately $2.7 million during the period from August 28, 2023 to September 30, 2023 to the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was primarily due to an increase in net income of approximately $5.0 million, partially offset by changes in net working capital. The most significant items in working capital were an increase in non-cash interest income capitalized of $(2.4) million, an increase in interest receivable of approximately $(1.0) million, increase in prepaid expenses and other assets of approximately $(0.3) million, partially offset by an increase in accrued management and incentive fees of $0.4 million, increase in accrued direct administrative expenses of $0.5 million and increase in accounts payable and other liabilities of approximately $0.3 million.

Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was approximately $(93.9) million, compared to zero for the period from August 28, 2023 to September 30, 2023. The decrease of approximately $(93.9) million was primarily due to an increase in issuance and fundings on loans of approximately $(118.8) million, partially offset by an increase in principal repayments of loans of approximately $24.9 million.

Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was approximately $130.1 million, compared to $21.0 million for the period from August 28, 2023 to September 30, 2023. The increase of approximately $109.1 million during the period from August 28, 2023 to September 30, 2023 to the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was primarily due to an increase in net transfers and distributions from our Former Parent of approximately $59.1 million and an increase of $50.0 million in borrowings on the revolving credit facility.

Contractual Obligations, Other Commitments, and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Our contractual obligations as of September 30, 2024 are as follows:

As of September 30, 2024, all unfunded commitments were related to our total loan commitments and were available for funding in less than three years.

We may enter into certain contracts that may contain a variety of indemnification obligations. The maximum potential future payment amounts we could be required to pay under these indemnification obligations may be unlimited.

Off-balance sheet commitments consist of unfunded commitments on delayed draw loans. Other than as set forth in this Quarterly Report, we do not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured investment vehicles, special purpose entities or variable interest entities, established to facilitate off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. Further, we have not guaranteed any obligations of unconsolidated entities or entered into any commitment to provide, nor do we intend to provide, additional funding to any such entities.

Dividends

We intend to elect to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, commencing with the taxable year ending December 31, 2024, and, as such, intend to annually distribute to our shareholders at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, prior to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding our net capital gain. If we distribute less than 100% of our REIT taxable income in any tax year (taking into account any distributions made in a subsequent tax year under Sections 857(b)(9) or 858 of the Code), we will pay tax at regular corporate rates on that undistributed portion. Furthermore, if we distribute less than the sum of (i) 85% of our ordinary income for the calendar year, (ii) 95% of our capital gain net income for the calendar year and (iii) any undistributed shortfall from our prior calendar year (the “Required Distribution”) to our shareholders during any calendar year (including any distributions declared by the last day of the calendar year but paid in the subsequent year), then we are required to pay non-deductible excise tax equal to 4% of any shortfall between the Required Distribution and the amount that was actually distributed. Any of these taxes would decrease cash available for distribution to our shareholders. The 90% distribution requirement does not require the distribution of net capital gains. However, if we elect to retain any of our net capital gain for any tax year, we must notify our shareholders and pay tax at regular corporate rates on the retained net capital gain. The shareholders must include their proportionate share of the retained net capital gain in their taxable income for the tax year, and they are deemed to have paid the REIT’s tax on their proportionate share of the retained capital gain. Furthermore, such retained capital gain may be subject to the nondeductible 4% excise tax. If we determine that our estimated current year taxable income (including net capital gain) will be in excess of estimated dividend distributions (including capital gains dividends) for the current year from such income, we will accrue excise tax on a portion of the estimated excess taxable income as such taxable income is earned.

To the extent that our cash available for distribution is less than the amount required to be distributed under the REIT provisions of the Code, we may be required to fund distributions from working capital or through equity, equity-related or debt financings or, in certain circumstances, asset sales, as to which our ability to consummate transactions in a timely manner on favorable terms, or at all, cannot be assured, or we may make a portion of the Required Distribution in the form of a taxable stock distribution or distribution of debt securities.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

There have been no significant changes in our critical accounting policies and estimates from what was previously disclosed in the Information Statement included as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10, the final version of which was included as Exhibit 99.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 3, 2024. Many of these accounting policies require judgment and the use of estimates and assumptions when they are applied in the preparation of our financial statements. On a quarterly basis, we evaluate these estimates and judgments based on historical experience as well as other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. These estimates are subject to change in the future if underlying assumptions or factors change. Certain accounting policies, while significant, may not require the use of estimates.

Risk Management

We intend for our investment mix to include high quality residential, including multi-family, condominiums and single-family residential communities, retail, office, hospitality, industrial, mixed-use and specialty-use real estate. We believe that SUNS Manager’s rigorous investment process on our behalf will enable us to make investments with potential for value creation as we seek to provide capital to strong sponsors with readily executable business plans while endeavoring to implement significant downside protections.

The allocation of capital among our target assets will depend on prevailing market conditions at the time we invest, among other considerations, and may change over time in response to changes in market conditions, including with respect to interest rates and general economic and credit market conditions as well as local economic conditions in markets where we are active.

Changes in Fair Value of Our Assets

We generally hold our target investments as long-term loans; however, we may occasionally classify some of our loans as held for sale. We may carry our loans at fair value or carrying value in our balance sheets. As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, none of our loans held for investment were carried at fair value.

We evaluate our loans on a quarterly basis and fair value is determined by our Board of Directors through its independent Audit and Valuation Committee. We use an independent third-party valuation firm to provide input in the valuation of all of our unquoted investments, which we consider along with other various subjective and objective factors in making our evaluations.

Our loans are typically valued using a yield analysis, which is typically performed for non-credit impaired loans to borrowers. Alternative valuation methodologies may be used as appropriate, and can include a market analysis, income analysis, or recovery analysis. To determine fair value using a yield analysis, a current price is imputed for the loan based upon an assessment of the expected market yield for a similarly structured loan with a similar level of risk. In the yield analysis, we consider the current contractual interest rate, the maturity and other terms of the loan relative to risk of the borrower and the specific loan. A key determinant of risk, among other things, is the leverage through the loan relative to the enterprise value of the borrower. As loans held by us are substantially illiquid with no active transaction market, we depend on primary market data, including newly funded loans, as well as secondary market data with respect to high-yield debt instruments and syndicated loans, as inputs in determining the appropriate market yield, as applicable. Changes in market yields, recovery rates, and revenue multiples may change the fair value of certain of our loans. Generally, an increase in market yields may result in a decrease in the fair value of certain of our loans, while a decrease in revenue multiples and recovery rates may result in a decrease in the fair value of certain of our loans; however, this is mitigated to the extent our loans bear interest at a floating rate.

Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of loans that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of our loans may fluctuate from period to period. Additionally, the fair value of our loans may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for such loans and may differ materially from the values that we may ultimately realize. Further, such loans are generally subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or otherwise are less liquid than publicly traded securities. If we were required to liquidate our investment in a loan in a forced or liquidation sale, we could realize significantly less than the value at which we had recorded such loan investment.

Changes in Market Interest Rates and Effect on Net Interest Income

Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including fiscal and monetary policies and domestic and international economic and political considerations, as well as other factors beyond our control. We are subject to interest rate risk in connection with our assets and our related financing obligations.

Our operating results depend in large part on differences between the income earned on our assets and our cost of borrowing. The cost of our borrowings generally will be based on prevailing market interest rates. During a period of rising interest rates, our borrowing costs generally will increase (a) while the yields earned on our leveraged fixed-rate loan assets will remain static, and (b) at a faster pace than the yields earned on our leveraged floating-rate loan assets, which could result in a decline in our net interest spread and net interest margin. The severity of any such decline would depend on our asset/liability composition at the time as well as the magnitude and duration of the interest rate increase. Further, an increase in short-term interest rates could also have a negative impact on the market value of our target investments. If any of these events happen, we could experience a decrease in net income or incur a net loss during these periods, which could adversely affect our liquidity and results of operations.

We are exposed to market risks in the ordinary course of our business. These risks primarily relate to fluctuations in interest rates. Our loans are typically valued using a yield analysis, which is typically performed for non-credit impaired loans to borrowers. Alternative valuation methodologies may be used as appropriate, and can include a market analysis, income analysis, or recovery analysis. Changes in market yields, revenue multiples, and recovery rates may change the fair value of certain of our loans. Generally, an increase in market yields may result in a decrease in the fair value of certain of our loans, while a decrease in revenue multiples and recovery rates may result in a decrease in the fair value of certain of our loans; however, this is mitigated to the extent our loans bear interest at a floating rate. As of September 30, 2024, we had five floating-rate loans, representing approximately 72% of our portfolio based on aggregate outstanding principal balances. These floating benchmark rates included one-month SOFR subject to a weighted average floor of 4.2% and quoted at 4.8%. We estimate that a hypothetical 100 basis points increase in the floating benchmark rate would result in an increase in annual interest income of approximately $0.7 million and a hypothetical 100 basis points decrease in the floating benchmark rate would result in a decrease in annual interest income of approximately $(0.4) million.

Interest Rate Cap Risk

We originate both fixed and floating rate loans. These are assets in which the loans may be subject to periodic and lifetime interest rate caps and floors, which limit the amount by which the asset’s interest yield may change during any given period. However, our future borrowing costs pursuant to our potential financing agreements may not be subject to similar restrictions. Therefore, in a period of increasing interest rates, interest rate costs on our borrowings could increase without limitation by caps, while the interest-rate yields on our floating-rate assets would effectively be limited. In addition, floating-rate assets may be subject to periodic payment caps that result in some portion of the interest being deferred and added to the principal outstanding. This could result in our receipt of cash income from such assets in an amount that is less than the amount that we would need to pay the interest cost on our related borrowings. These factors could lower our net interest income or cause a net loss during periods of rising interest rates, which would harm our financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

Interest Rate Mismatch Risk

We may fund a portion of our origination of loans, or of loans that we may in the future acquire, with borrowings that are based on various benchmarks, while the interest rates on these assets may be fixed or indexed to SOFR, U.S. prime rate, or another index rate. Accordingly, any increase in an index rate will generally result in an increase in our borrowing costs that would not be matched by fixed-rate interest earnings and may not be matched by a corresponding increase in floating-rate interest earnings. Any such interest rate mismatch could adversely affect our profitability, which may negatively impact distributions to our shareholders.

Our analysis of risks is based on our Manager’s experience, estimates, models and assumptions. These analyses rely on models which utilize estimates of fair value and interest rate sensitivity. Actual economic conditions or implementation of decisions by our Manager and our management may produce results that differ significantly from the estimates and assumptions used in our models and the projected results.

Credit Risk

We are subject to varying degrees of credit risk in connection with our loans and interest receivable. Our Manager seeks to mitigate this risk by seeking to originate loans, and may in the future acquire loans, of higher quality at appropriate prices given anticipated and unanticipated losses, by employing a comprehensive review and selection process and by proactively monitoring originated and acquired loans. Nevertheless, unanticipated credit losses could occur that could adversely impact our operating results.

We expect to be subject to varying degrees of credit risk in connection with holding our portfolio of loans. We will have exposure to credit risk on our commercial real estate loans and other targeted types of loans. Our Manager will seek to manage credit risk by performing deep credit fundamental analysis of potential assets and through the use of non-recourse financing, when and where available and appropriate.

Credit risk will also be addressed through our Manager’s ongoing review, and loans will be monitored for variance from expected prepayments, defaults, severities, losses and cash flow on a quarterly basis.

Our Investment Guidelines are not subject to any limits or proportions with respect to the mix of target investments that we make or that we may in the future acquire other than as necessary to maintain our exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act and our qualification as a REIT. Our investment decisions will depend on prevailing market conditions and may change over time in response to opportunities available in different interest rate, economic and credit environments. As a result, we cannot predict the percentage of our capital that will be invested in any individual target investment at any given time.

Real Estate Risk

Commercial real estate loans are subject to volatility and may be affected adversely by a number of factors, including, but not limited to, national, regional and local economic conditions (which may be adversely affected by industry slowdowns and other factors); local real estate conditions; changes or continued weakness in specific industry segments; construction quality, age and design; demographic factors; and retroactive changes to building or similar codes. In addition, decreases in property values reduce the value of the collateral and the potential proceeds available to a borrower to repay the underlying loan or loans, as the case may be, which could also cause us to suffer losses.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

An evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15(d)-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q was made under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”). Based upon this evaluation, our CEO and CFO have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (a) are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC rules and forms and (b) include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

For a discussion of our potential risks and uncertainties, see the information under the heading “Risk Factors” in our final Information Statement. There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in the final Information Statement.