Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all normal and recurring adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations, comprehensive 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. The results of operations for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire year. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in our annual consolidated financial statements have been condensed or omitted.

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its controlled subsidiaries, including Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure, LP, the operating partnership (the “Operating Partnership”) which was formed to acquire and directly or indirectly own the Company’s assets. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Investment in Financing Receivables and Other Investments

Investment in Financing Receivables

Investment in financing receivables includes financing sustainable infrastructure project loans, receivables and direct finance leases. The Company accounts for leases as direct finance leases in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 840, Leases.

The investment in financing receivables represents the present value of the minimum note or lease payments, net of any unearned fee income, which is recognized as income over the term of the note or lease using the interest method.

Other Investments

Other Investments

Other investments include debt or equity securities that meet the criteria of ASC 320, Investments—Debt and Equity Securities. The Company intends to hold these securities to maturity and thus records them on the balance sheet using an amortized cost basis.

Securitization of Receivables

Securitization of Receivables

During the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company transferred receivables in multiple securitization transactions. The Company has established various special purpose entities or securitization trusts for the purpose of securitizing certain financing receivables or other debt investments. The Company determined that the trusts used in securitizations are variable interest entities, as defined in ASC 810, Consolidation. The Company typically serves as primary or master servicer of these trusts; however, as the servicer, the Company does 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 GAAP, the Company has concluded that it is not the primary beneficiary of the trusts as it does not have power over the trust’s significant activities. Therefore, the Company does not consolidate these trusts in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

The Company accounts 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 the Company has surrendered control over the transferred receivables. When the Company sells receivables in securitizations, it generally retains interests in the form of servicing rights and residual interest, which are carried on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as retained interests in securitized receivables.

Gain or loss on 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. The Company generally transfers the receivables to securitization trusts immediately upon the initial funding from the third party purchasing a beneficial interest in the trust. For retained interests, the Company generally estimates fair value based on the present value of future expected cash flows using its best estimates of the key assumptions of anticipated losses, prepayment rates, and discount rates commensurate with the risks involved.

 

As described above, the Company initially accounts for all separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities at fair value as required under ASC 860. Under ASC 860-50, Transfers and Servicing—Servicing Assets and Liabilities, entities may either subsequently measure servicing assets and liabilities using the amortization method or the fair value measurement method and the Company has selected the amortization method to subsequently measure its servicing assets. The Company assesses servicing assets for impairment at each reporting date. If the amortized cost of servicing assets is greater than the estimated fair value, the Company recognizes an impairment in net income.

The Company’s 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. The Company generally does not sell its residual interests. If the Company makes an assessment that (i) it does not intend to sell the security or (ii) it is not likely the Company will be required to sell the security before its anticipated recovery, changes in fair value, such as those resulting from changes in market interest yield requirements, are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. However, in the case where the Company does intend to sell its residual interest or if the fair value of other retained assets is below the current carrying amount and the Company determines that the decline is other than temporary (“OTTI”), any impairment charge would be recorded through the statement of operations. 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 interests and thus would be considered OTTI.

Servicing income is recognized as received. Servicing assets are amortized in proportion to, and over the period of, estimated net servicing income, and are periodically (including at June 30, 2013 and 2012) assessed for impairment.

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, the Company calculates 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

Cash and cash equivalents at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 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.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

The Company intends to elect and qualify to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under Section 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code, commencing with its taxable year ending December 31, 2013. To qualify as a REIT, the Company must meet a number of organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement that it currently distribute at least 90% of its net taxable income, excluding capital gains, to its shareholders. The Company intends to meet the requirements for qualification as a REIT and to maintain such qualification. As a REIT, the Company is not subject to federal corporate income tax on that portion of net income that is currently distributed to its owners. However, the Company’s taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRS”) will generally be subject to federal, state, and local income taxes. No provision for federal or state income tax was recorded for the three and six-month period ended June 30, 2013 as the REIT intends to distribute 100% of its taxable income and the TRS has a full valuation allowance against its operating loss.

The Company accounts for income taxes 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 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. The Company established deferred tax liabilities related to book and tax differences of certain assets contributed to the TRS in connection with the formation of the REIT.

 

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 in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, since the Company’s profits and losses are reported on the Predecessor’s members’ tax returns. The Company has no uncertain tax positions as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

Share Based Compensation

Share Based Compensation

From time to time, the Company may award non-vested restricted shares as compensation to members of its senior management team, its independent directors, advisors, consultants and other personnel under an equity incentive plan as further described in Note 10. The shares issued vest over a period of time as determined by the Board of Directors at the date of grant. The Company recognizes compensation expense for non-vested shares that vest solely based on service conditions on a straight-line basis over the vesting period based upon the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant, adjusted for forfeitures.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share

The Company computes 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 shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period excluding the weighted average number of unvested restricted shares (“participating securities” as defined in Note 11). Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income attributable to controlling shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period plus other potentially dilutive securities such as restricted stock units or shares that would be issued in the event of redemption of OP units. 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.

Segment Reporting

Segment Reporting

The Company provides and arranges debt and equity financing for sustainable infrastructure projects and reports all of its activity as one business segment.

Recent Accounting Pronouncement

Recent Accounting Pronouncement

Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-02—“Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income” (“ASU No. 2013-02”), which was adopted in the first quarter of 2013, amends existing guidance by requiring disclosure of changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive income for the current period and additional information about items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The adoption of ASU No. 2013-02 did not have a material effect on the current interim financial statements.