Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements reflect all normal and recurring adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income (loss) and cash flows for the periods presented. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Certain amounts in the prior year have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its controlled subsidiaries, including the Operating Partnership. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Following the guidance for non-controlling interests in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810, Consolidation, references in this report to our earnings per share and our net income and shareholders’ equity attributable to common shareholders do not include amounts attributable to non-controlling interests.

Investments

Investments include debt securities that meet the criteria of ASC 320, Investments—Debt and Equity Securities. As a result of the sale of certain debt securities previously designated as held-to-maturity in 2014, we have designated our debt securities as available-for-sale and will carry these securities at fair value on our balance sheet from that date. Unrealized gains and losses, to the extent not considered other than temporary impairment (“OTTI”), on available-for-sale debt securities are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“OCI”) in equity on our balance sheet. Previously, we recorded our debt securities as held-to-maturity and thus had carried these securities on the balance sheet at amortized cost, which was initially at cost plus any premiums or less any discounts that are amortized or accreted from or into investment interest income using the effective interest method.

We evaluate our investments for OTTI on at least a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such an evaluation. Our OTTI assessment is a subjective process requiring the use of judgments and assumptions. Accordingly, we regularly evaluate the extent and impact of any credit deterioration associated with the financial and operating performance and value of the underlying project. We consider a number of qualitative and quantitative factors in our assessment. We first consider the current fair value of the security and the duration of any unrealized loss. Other factors considered include changes in the credit rating, performance of the underlying project, key terms of the transaction and support provided by the sponsor or guarantor.

To the extent that we have identified an OTTI for a security and intend to hold the investment to maturity and we do not expect that we will be required to sell the security prior to recovery of the amortized cost basis, we recognize only the credit component of OTTI in earnings. We determine the credit component using the difference between the securities’ amortized cost basis and the present value of its expected future cash flows, discounted using the effective interest method or its estimated collateral value. Any remaining unrealized loss due to factors other than credit, or the non-credit component, is recorded in accumulated OCI.

To the extent we hold investments with an OTTI and if we have made the decision to sell the security or it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security prior to recovery of its amortized cost basis, we recognize the entire portion of the impairment in earnings.

Premiums or discounts on investment securities are amortized or accreted into investment interest income using the effective interest method.

Securitization of Receivables

We have established various special purpose entities or securitization trusts for the purpose of securitizing certain financing receivables or other debt investments. We determined that the trusts used in securitizations are variable interest entities, as defined in ASC 810, Consolidation. We typically serve as primary or master servicer of these trusts; however, as the servicer, we do not have the power to make significant decisions impacting the performance of the trusts. Based on an analysis of the structure of the trusts, under U.S. GAAP, we have concluded that we are not the primary beneficiary of the trusts as we do not have power over the trusts’ significant activities. Therefore, we do not consolidate these trusts in our consolidated financial statements.

We account for transfers of financing receivables to these securitization trusts as sales pursuant to ASC 860, Transfers and Servicing, as the transferred receivables have been isolated from the transferor (i.e., put presumptively beyond the reach of the transferor and its creditors, even in bankruptcy or other receivership) and we have surrendered control over the transferred receivables. When we sell receivables in securitizations, we generally retain minor interests in the form of servicing rights and residual assets, which we refer to as securitization assets.

Gain or loss on the sale of receivables is calculated based on the excess of the proceeds received from the securitization (less any transaction costs) plus any retained interests obtained over the cost basis of the receivables sold. For retained interests, we generally estimate fair value based on the present value of future expected cash flows using our best estimates of the key assumptions of anticipated losses, prepayment rates, and current market discount rates commensurate with the risks involved.

We initially account for all separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities at fair value and subsequently measure such servicing assets and liabilities using the amortization method. We assess servicing assets for impairment at each reporting date. If the amortized cost of servicing assets is greater than the estimated fair value, we will recognize the impairment in net income.

Servicing income is recognized as earned. Servicing assets and liabilities are amortized in proportion to, and over the period of, estimated net servicing income, and are periodically (including at December 31, 2014 and 2013) assessed for impairment.

Our other retained interest in securitized assets, the residual assets, are classified as available-for-sale securities and carried at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets in Other Assets. We generally do not sell our residual assets. If we make an assessment that (i) we do not intend to sell our residual assets or (ii) it is not likely we will be required to sell our residual assets before their anticipated recovery, changes in fair value, such as those resulting from changes in market interest yield requirements, are reported as a component of accumulated OCI. However, in the case where we do intend to sell our residual assets or if the fair value of our residual assets is below the current carrying amount and we determine that the decline is OTTI, any impairment charge would be recorded in net income. An OTTI is considered to have occurred when, based on current information and events, there has been an adverse change in the timing or amount of cash flows expected to be collected. The impairment is equal to the difference between the residual asset’s amortized cost basis and its fair value at the balance sheet date. In the case where there is any expected decline in the forecasted cash flows, such decline would be unlikely to reverse during the holding period of the retained assets and thus would be considered OTTI.

Interest income related to the residual assets is recognized using the effective interest rate method. If there is a change in expected cash flows related to the residual assets, we calculate a new yield based on the current amortized cost of the residual assets and the revised expected cash flows. This yield is used prospectively to recognize interest income.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include short-term government securities, certificates of deposit and money market funds, all of which had an original maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase. These securities are carried at their purchase price, which approximates fair value.

Intangible Assets and Goodwill

Intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over the remaining estimated life, generally ranging from three to 15 years. The carrying amounts of intangible assets are reviewed for impairment when indicators of impairment are identified. If the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the undiscounted expected cash flows that are directly associated with the use and eventual disposition of the asset, an impairment charge is recognized to the extent the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value.

Goodwill represents the costs of business acquisitions in excess of the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired. We evaluate goodwill for potential impairment annually on September 30, or whenever impairment indicators are present. We perform a two-step goodwill impairment test to identify potential goodwill impairment and measure the amount of goodwill impairment to be recognized, if any. First, we compare our fair value using our market capitalization based on the average market price relative to our current carrying value, including goodwill. If our fair value is in excess of the carrying value, the related goodwill is not considered impaired and no further analysis is necessary. If, however, our carrying value exceeds our fair value, there is an indication of potential impairment and a second step of testing is performed to measure the amount of impairment, if any. If our estimated fair value were to be less than our book value, the second step of the review process is performed to calculate the implied fair value of our goodwill in order to determine whether any impairment of goodwill is required. The implied fair value of the goodwill is calculated by allocating our estimated fair value to all of our assets and liabilities (including any unrecognized intangible assets) as if we had been acquired in a business combination. If the carrying value of the goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill, we recognize an impairment loss for that excess amount. We did not recognize any goodwill impairments in 2014, 2013, or 2012.

Income Taxes

We elected and qualified to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2013. To qualify as a REIT, we must meet a number of organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement that we currently distribute at least 90% of our net taxable income, excluding capital gains, to our shareholders. We intend to continue to meet the requirements for qualification as a REIT. As a REIT, we are not subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on that portion of net income that is currently distributed to our owners. However, our taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRS”) will generally be subject to U.S. federal, state, and local income taxes as well as taxes of foreign jurisdictions, if any.

We account for income taxes of our TRS using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to the differences between the consolidated financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities from a change in tax rates is recognized in earnings in the period when the new rate is enacted.

Prior to the completion of the IPO, the Predecessor was taxed as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. No provision for federal or state income taxes has been made for the three months ended December 31, 2012 or for the year ended September 30, 2012 in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, since our profits and losses were reported on the Predecessor’s members’ tax returns.

We apply accounting guidance with respect to how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented, and disclosed in the financial statements. This guidance requires the accounting and disclosure of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing our tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more likely than not” to be sustained by the applicable tax authority. We are required to analyze all open tax years, as defined by the statute of limitations, for all major jurisdictions, which include U.S. federal and certain states. We have no examinations in progress, none are expected at this time, and years 2010 through 2013 are open. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, we had no uncertain tax positions. Our policy is to recognize interest expense and penalties related to income tax matters as a component of other expense. There was no accrued interest and penalties as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and no interest and penalties were recognized during 2014, 2013, or 2012.

Earnings Per Share

We compute earnings per share of common stock in accordance with ASC 260, Earnings Per Share. Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income attributable to controlling stockholders (after consideration of the earnings allocated to unvested shares of restricted common stock or restricted stock units) by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period excluding the weighted average number of unvested shares of restricted common stock or restricted stock units (“participating securities” as defined in Note 14). Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income attributable to controlling stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period plus other potentially dilutive securities. No adjustment is made for shares that are anti-dilutive during a period.

Due to the capital structure of the Predecessor, earnings per share of common stock information has not been presented for historical periods prior to the IPO.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, requiring an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The updated standard will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective and permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. Early adoption is not permitted. The updated standard becomes effective for us beginning in the quarter ending March 31, 2017. We have not yet selected a transition method, and we are currently evaluating the effect that the updated standard will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Compensation—Stock Compensation

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, Compensation—Stock Compensation, which amends and updates the guidance in ASC 718, as it relates to the accounting for awards with performance conditions that affect vesting after the service. The amendment provides explicit accounting guidance for when an employee is eligible to retire or otherwise terminate employment before the end of the period in which a performance target (for example, an initial public offering or a profitability target) could be achieved and still be eligible to vest in the award if and when the performance target is achieved. The amendment is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within that reporting period and is to be applied either retrospectively to all existing performance targets outstanding or prospectively for all awards granted or modified after the effective date, with early application permitted. We are evaluating the new standard, but do not at this time expect this standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.