General: 800.Arbor.10

Arbor Realty Trust Reports First Quarter 2008 Results

2 May 2008

First Quarter Highlights:

  • Recorded $3.0 million in loan loss reserves

UNIONDALE, N.Y., May 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: ABR), a real estate investment trust focused on the business of investing in real estate related bridge and mezzanine loans, preferred and direct equity investments, mortgage-related securities and other real estate related assets, today announced financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2008. Arbor reported net income for the quarter of $12.7 million, or $0.62 per diluted common share, compared to net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 of $16.8 million, or $0.97 per diluted common share. Excluding $6.1 million of net income from the On the Avenue transaction, net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 was $10.7 million, or $0.62 per diluted common share.(1)

The net balance in the loan and investment portfolio was $2.6 billion at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007. The average balance of the loan and investment portfolio during the first quarter of 2008 was also $2.6 billion and the average yield on these assets for the quarter was 8.35%, compared to $2.7 billion and 8.95% for the fourth quarter of 2007.

At March 31, 2008, the balance of debt financing on the loan and investment portfolio was $2.2 billion, a decrease of 3% from December 31, 2007. The average balance of debt financing on the loan and investment portfolio during the first quarter of 2008 was $2.2 billion and the average cost of these borrowings was 5.64%, compared to $2.3 billion and 6.51% for the fourth quarter of 2007.

For the first quarter 2008, Arbor's manager, Arbor Commercial Mortgage, LLC, earned $1.7 million of incentive compensation. Arbor Commercial Mortgage, LLC intends to exercise its option to receive 50% of the incentive compensation in shares of Arbor Realty Trust's common stock.

Financing Activity

As previously disclosed, a $100 million committed financing facility, with approximately $23.3 million outstanding at December 31, 2007, matured in December 2007 and was scheduled for repayment by June 2008. During the first quarter, this facility was repaid in full.

During the quarter, the Company was notified that no further advances could be taken under a $100 million repurchase agreement with another financial institution. The facility matures in September 2008 and under the terms of the repurchase agreement, the facility will be paid in its entirety by December 2008. At March 31, 2008, the outstanding balance under this facility was $44.5 million.

As of March 31, 2008, Arbor's financing facilities for its loan and investment portfolio totaled approximately $2.5 billion and borrowings outstanding under such facilities were $2.2 billion.

Portfolio Activity

During the quarter, Arbor originated six new loans and investments totaling $122 million. Of the new loans and investments, three were bridge loans totaling $72 million, two were mezzanine loans totaling $15 million, and one was a junior participating interest totaling $35 million.

During the quarter, eight loans paid off on properties that were either sold or refinanced outside of Arbor with an outstanding balance of $165 million and five loans were either refinanced or modified with Arbor during the quarter totaling $119 million, of which three loans totaling $74 million were scheduled to repay during the quarter.

In addition, six loans totaling approximately $155 million were extended during the quarter in accordance with the extension options of the corresponding loan agreements.

At March 31, 2008, the loan and investment portfolio unpaid principal balance was $2.6 billion with a weighted average current interest pay rate of 7.56%. At the same date, advances on financing facilities pertaining to the loan and investment portfolio totaled $2.2 billion, with a weighted average interest rate of 4.81% excluding financing and interest rate swap costs.

Arbor's loan portfolio at March 31, 2008 consisted of 33% fixed-rate and 67% variable rate loans.

As previously disclosed, in the first quarter of 2008 the Lake in the Woods property was sold and the Company provided the new sponsor with a $45.0 million first mortgage with a maturity of February 2013. This loan represents a modification to the previous $45.0 million of loans and investments on the property which the Company recorded a $1.0 million loan loss reserve against in 2007. The new sponsor funded $3.9 million of equity including a $2.6 million interest and capital expenditure reserve. As a result of this transaction, the Company charged-off $1.0 million against the allowance for loan losses and incurred an additional loss of $0.2 million, which was recorded in selling and administrative expense during the first quarter of 2008.

During the first quarter, the Company recorded $3.0 million in loan loss reserves, representing new reserves related to three loans with an aggregate outstanding principal balance of approximately $70.2 million. The loan loss reserves were the result of the Company's regular quarterly risk rating review process, which is based on several factors including current market conditions, values and the operating status of these properties. At March 31, 2008, the Company's total loan loss reserves were $4.5 million relating to four loans with an aggregate outstanding principal balance of approximately $84.1 million.

As of March 31, 2008, one of the four loans reserved for, with an outstanding principal balance of approximately $5.0 million, had been classified as non-performing. Income recognition has been suspended and will resume when the loan becomes contractually current and performance has recommenced. In April 2008, the Company took control of this asset, via a UCC foreclosure sale of the entity that owned the equity interest in the property securing this loan.

Recent Developments

The Company has a $70.4 million bridge loan on a land development project in New York City located at 303 East 51st Street. This loan has an initial maturity date of May 2008 with one six month extension option and an interest rate of Libor plus 4.25% with a Libor floor of 5.32%. On March 15, 2008, there was a tragic construction accident related to the development of this project and a stop work order has been issued by the city of New York for an undeterminable amount of time. As a result, effective April 1, 2008, the Company will not record interest income on this loan until it is received. The property did not sustain significant damage. The principal amount of this loan is not deemed to be impaired at this time and no loan loss reserve has been recorded to date.

As disclosed in an amended 13D filing on April 24, 2008, the Company reached an agreement with CBRE Realty Finance, Inc. not to initiate a proxy fight and withdraw the Company's slate of director nominees. CBRE has agreed to allow Arbor to participate in a sale process, if there is one, within the next twelve months.

Dividend

As previously announced, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.62 per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2008, to be paid on May 27, 2008 to shareholders of record on May 15, 2008.

Equity Participation Interests

Attached as an exhibit to this press release is a schedule of certain data pertaining to the Company's investments with equity participation interests. During the quarter, the Company received a distribution of $0.3 million from its 25% profits interest in Richland Terrace Apartments, which was recorded as interest income. The distribution was the result of a refinance of the outstanding indebtedness of the property. In addition, as a result of the sale and modification of the Lake in the Woods loans, the Company no longer retains a profits interest in the property.

Earnings Conference Call

Management will host a conference call today at 8:30 a.m. EDT. A live webcast of the conference call will be available online at www.arborrealtytrust.com. Web participants are encouraged to go to Arbor's Web site at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call to register, download and install any necessary audio software. Listening to the webcast requires speakers and RealPlayer(TM) software, downloadable without charge at www.real.com. Those without Web access should access the call telephonically at least ten minutes prior to the conference call. The dial-in numbers are (866) 770-7051 for domestic callers and (617) 213-8064 for international callers. The participant passcode for both is 47138725.

After the live webcast, the call will remain available on Arbor's Web site, www.arborrealtytrust.com through May 16, 2008. In addition, a telephonic replay of the call will be available until May 9, 2008. The replay dial-in number is (888) 286-8010 for domestic callers and (617) 801-6888. Please use passcode: 86855412.

About Arbor Realty Trust, Inc.

Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. is a real estate investment trust which invests in a diversified portfolio of multi-family and commercial real estate related bridge and mezzanine loans, preferred equity investments, mortgage related securities and other real estate related assets. Arbor commenced operations in July 2003 and conducts substantially all of its operations through its operating partnership, Arbor Realty Limited Partnership and its subsidiaries. Arbor is externally managed and advised by Arbor Commercial Mortgage, LLC, a national commercial real estate finance company operating through 11 offices in the US that specializes in debt and equity financing for multi-family and commercial real estate.

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain items in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Arbor can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Arbor's expectations include, but are not limited to, continued ability to source new investments, changes in interest rates and/or credit spreads, changes in the real estate markets, and other risks detailed in Arbor's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 and its other reports filed with the SEC. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Arbor expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in Arbor's expectations with regard thereto or change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based.


    (1.) See attached supplemental schedule of non-GAAP financial measures on
         page 7 & 8.   
Contact:
Arbor Realty Trust, Inc.
Investor Relations
516-506-4200
InvestorRelations@arbor.com

                    ARBOR REALTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                         CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
                                                       Quarter Ended
                                                         March 31,
                                                   2008              2007
                                               (Unaudited)       (Unaudited)
     Revenue:
     Interest income                           $55,416,330       $66,460,653
     Other income                                   20,693             6,170
         Total revenue                          55,437,023        66,466,823
     Expenses:
     Interest expense                           31,304,099        32,112,519
     Employee compensation and benefits          1,977,343         1,730,355
     Selling and administrative                  1,538,066         1,221,372
     Provision for loan losses                   3,000,000                 -
     Management fee - related party              2,579,433         4,873,682
         Total expenses                         40,398,941        39,937,928
     Income before income from equity
      affiliates, minority interest and
      provision for income taxes                15,038,082        26,528,895
     Income from equity affiliates                       -                 -
     Income before minority interest
      and provision for income taxes            15,038,082        26,528,895
     Income allocated to minority interest       2,333,290         3,680,314
     Income before provision for income taxes   12,704,792        22,848,581
     Provision for income taxes                          -         6,085,000
     Net income                                $12,704,792       $16,763,581
     Basic earnings per common share                 $0.62             $0.98
     Diluted earnings per common share               $0.62             $0.97
     Dividends declared per common share             $0.62             $0.60
     Weighted average number of shares
     of common stock outstanding:
         Basic                                  20,571,780        17,183,318
         Diluted                                24,403,381        21,029,957
                    ARBOR REALTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
              SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
                                   (Unaudited)
                                                       Quarter Ended
                                                          March 31,
                                                   2008              2007
     Total revenue, GAAP basis                 $55,437,023       $66,466,823
     Subtract: On the Avenue transaction                 -        15,997,843
     Total revenue, as adjusted                $55,437,023       $50,468,980
     Net income, GAAP basis                    $12,704,792       $16,763,581
     Subtract: On the Avenue transaction                 -         6,099,372
     Net income, as adjusted                   $12,704,792       $10,664,209
     Diluted earnings per common share,
      GAAP basis                                     $0.62             $0.97
     Diluted earnings per common share,
      as adjusted                                    $0.62             $0.62
     Diluted weighted average shares
      outstanding                               24,403,381        21,029,957
    a.) Given the magnitude of the On the Avenue transactions, Arbor has
    elected to report adjusted revenues, net income and earnings per share
    for the affected periods to help ensure the comparability of the
    reporting periods. Management considers these non-GAAP financial measures
    to be effective indicators, for both management and investors, of Arbor's
    financial performance. Arbor's management does not advocate that
    investors consider such non-GAAP financial measures in isolation from, or
    as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with
    GAAP.
                    ARBOR REALTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
         SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES - Continued
                                   (Unaudited)
                                                                March 31, 2008
    GAAP Stockholders' Equity                                    $367,879,894
    Add: 450 West 33rd Street transaction - deferred revenue       77,123,133
          Unrealized loss on derivative instruments                60,541,776
    Subtract: 450 West 33rd Street transaction
               - prepaid management fee                            19,047,949
    Adjusted Stockholders' Equity                                $486,496,854
    Adjusted book value per share                                      $23.61
    GAAP book value per share                                          $17.85
    Common shares outstanding                                      20,606,107
       b.) Given the magnitude and the deferral structure of the 450 West 33rd
       Street transaction combined with the change in the fair value of
       certain derivative instruments, Arbor has elected to report adjusted
       book value per share for the affected period to currently reflect the
       future impact of the 450 West 33rd Street transaction on the company's
       financial condition as well as the evaluation of Arbor without the
       effects of unrealized losses from certain of the Company's derivative
       instruments. Management considers this non-GAAP financial measure to be
       an effective indicator, for both management and investors, of Arbor's
       financial performance. Arbor's management does not advocate that
       investors consider this non-GAAP financial measure in isolation from,
       or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance
       with GAAP.
                    ARBOR REALTY TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                                March 31,        December 31,
                                                   2008              2007
                                               (Unaudited)        (Audited)
    Assets:
    Cash and cash equivalents                  $12,961,360       $22,219,541
    Restricted cash                             76,570,283       139,136,105
    Loans and investments, net               2,577,429,004     2,592,093,930
    Available-for-sale securities,
     at fair value                              11,846,043        15,696,743
    Investment in equity affiliates             29,465,190        29,590,190
    Prepaid management fee - related party      19,047,949        19,047,949
    Other assets                                94,970,403        83,709,076
        Total assets                        $2,822,290,232    $2,901,493,534
    Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:
    Repurchase agreements                     $196,995,819      $244,937,929
    Collateralized debt obligations          1,132,829,000     1,151,009,000
    Junior subordinated notes to subsidiary
     trust issuing preferred securities        276,055,000       276,055,000
    Notes payable                              599,303,222       596,160,338
    Due to related party                         1,964,256         2,429,109
    Due to borrowers                            11,869,828        18,265,906
    Deferred revenue                            77,123,133        77,123,133
    Other liabilities                           90,740,091        67,395,776
        Total liabilities                    2,386,880,349     2,433,376,191
    Minority interest                           67,529,989        72,854,258
    Stockholders' equity:
    Preferred stock, $0.01 par value:
     100,000,000 shares authorized;
     3,776,069 shares issued and
     outstanding                                    37,761            37,761
    Common stock, $0.01 par value:
     500,000,000 shares authorized;
     20,885,507 shares issued, 20,606,107
     shares outstanding at March 31, 2008
     and 20,798,735 shares issued,
     20,519,335 shares outstanding at
     December 31, 2007                             208,855           207,987
    Additional paid-in capital                 372,670,690       365,376,136
    Treasury stock, at cost
     - 279,400 shares                           (7,023,361)       (7,023,361)
    Retained earnings                           65,591,339        65,665,951
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss       (63,605,390)      (29,001,389)
    Total stockholders' equity                 367,879,894       395,263,085
    Total liabilities and
     stockholders' equity                   $2,822,290,232    $2,901,493,534
                             Arbor Realty Trust, Inc.
                      Summary of Equity and Profit Interests
                        (all dollar amounts in thousands)
                                    Unaudited
                      Initial ART
                        Invest-   Invest- Current               Approximate
                         ment      ment  Cash Equity              Square
    Name                Amount     Date  Investment  Profit %     Footage
    80 Evergreen          $384     3Q03     $201     12.50%         77,680
    930 Flushing         1,126     3Q03      375     12.50%        304,080
    Prime Portfolio      2,100     4Q03        -      7.50%      6,700,000
    Prime Portfolio                            -     16.67%      6,700,000
    450 W. 33rd St       1,500     4Q03    1,137      0.58% (1)  1,746,734
    823 Park Avenue          -     3Q04        -     20.00%         52,374
    York Avenue            540     3Q04        -      8.70%         45,200
    Toy Building        10,000     2Q05    5,720     10.00%        320,000
    Homewood Mtn Resort      -     2Q06        -     25.60%          1,224 (3)
    Richland Terrace
     Apartments              -     3Q06        -     25.00%        342,152
    Ashley Court
     Apartments              -     3Q06        -     25.00%        177,892
    Nottingham Village       -     1Q07        -     25.00%        285,900
    Extended Stay
     Hotel Portfolio         -     2Q07  115,000     16.17%            684 (4)
    Alpine Meadows      13,220     3Q07   13,220     39.00%          2,163 (3)
    St. John's
     Development           500     4Q07      500     50.00%             23 (3)
                                                      Current
                      Property                      Debt Balance
    Name                Type            Location     on Property   Comments
    80 Evergreen      Warehouse       Brooklyn, NY     $4,800
    930 Flushing      Warehouse       Brooklyn, NY     24,851     Property
                                                                  refinanced
                                                                  July 2005
    Prime Portfolio   Retail Outlets  Multi-state   1,200,700     Properties
                                                                  refinanced
    Prime Portfolio   Retail Outlets  Multi-state           -     All equity
                                                                  returned to
                                                                  investors
    450 W. 33rd St    Office          New York City   517,000
    823 Park Avenue   Conversion      New York City    59,322     Condo
                                                                  conversion -
                                                                  investment
                                                                  held in
                                                                  Taxable REIT
                                                                  Subsidiary
                                                                  ("TRS")
    York Avenue       Conversion      New York City    32,000     Property
                                                                  refinanced
                                                                  Dec 2005
    Toy Building      Conversion      New York City   343,400 (2) Condo
                                                                  conversion -
                                                                  investment
                                                                  held in
                                                                  Taxable REIT
                                                                  Subsidiary
                                                                  ("TRS")
    Homewood Mtn                                                  Profits
     Resort           Land            Homewood, CA    101,086     interest
                                                                  held in TRS
    Richland
     Terrace
     Apartments       Multi Family    Columbia, SC      9,140
    Ashley Court
     Apartments       Multi Family    Fort Wayne, IN    5,452
    Nottingham
     Village          Multi Family    Indianapolis, IN  6,626
    Extended Stay                                                 Preferred
     Hotel Portfolio  Hotel           Multistate    7,400,000     return of
                                                                  12% on
                                                                  equity
    Alpine Meadows    Land            Alpine Meadows,             Preferred
                                       CA              30,500     return of
                                                                  18% on
                                                                  equity
    St. John's
     Development      Land            Jacksonville,
                                       FL              25,000
    (1) Represents approximately 29% of the 2% retained interest in the
        property. In addition, Arbor has approximately 29% of a 50% interest
        in the property's air rights.
    (2) Debt balance represents anticipated debt financing required to
        complete condominium conversion project.
    (3) Amount represents approximate acreage of property.
    (4) Amount represents approximately 684 properties in 44 states and Canada
        with approximately 76,000 rooms.

SOURCE Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. 

Contact:
Arbor Realty Trust, Inc.
Investor Relations
516-506-4200
InvestorRelations@arbor.com 

Web site: http://www.arborrealtytrust.com /
(ABR)