BrightSpire Capital Inc

1. Business and Organization

BrightSpire Capital, Inc. (the “Company”) is a commercial real estate (“CRE”) credit real estate investment trust (“REIT”) focused on originating, acquiring, financing and managing a diversified portfolio consisting primarily of CRE debt investments and net leased properties predominantly in the United States. CRE debt investments primarily consist of first mortgage loans, which the Company expects to be its primary investment strategy. Additionally, the Company may selectively originate mezzanine loans and make preferred equity investments, which may include profit participations. The mezzanine loans and preferred equity investments may be in conjunction with the Company’s origination of corresponding first mortgages on the same properties. Net leased properties consist of CRE properties with long-term leases to tenants on a net-lease basis, where such tenants generally will be responsible for property operating expenses such as insurance, utilities, maintenance capital expenditures and real estate taxes.

The Company was organized in the state of Maryland on August 23, 2017 and maintains key offices in New York, New York and Los Angeles, California. The Company elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, beginning with the taxable year ended December 31, 2018. The Company conducts all activities and holds substantially all assets and liabilities through the Company’s operating subsidiary, BrightSpire Capital Operating Company, LLC (the “OP”).

Trends Affecting the Business

Although global markets have showed signs of stabilization and inflationary pressure may be moderating, CRE value uncertainties, lingering impact from COVID-19 and geopolitical unrest continue to contribute to market volatility. Generationally high interest rates have continued to negatively impact transaction activity in the real estate market and correspondingly the loan financing and refinancing opportunities. While the Federal Reserve lowered interest rates in the second half of 2024, it is uncertain as to when, how many and by how much subsequent interest rate cuts will be made in 2025. To the extent certain of the Company’s borrowers are experiencing significant financial dislocation as a result of economic conditions, the Company has and may continue to use interest and other reserves and/or replenishment obligations of the borrower and/or guarantors to meet current interest payment obligations for a limited period. The market for office properties was particularly negatively impacted by COVID-19 and continues to experience headwinds driven by the normalization of work from home and hybrid work arrangements and elevated costs to operate or reconfigure office properties. Although “return to office” mandates are on the rise, the demand for office space generally remains lower than pre-COVID 19 pandemic levels and has driven rising vacancy rates. Given the continuing uncertainty in the office market, there is risk of future valuation impairment or investment loss on the Company’s loans secured by office properties. Similarly, these trends may impact the Company’s ability to manage debt covenant tests, maturity dates and/or seek suitable refinancing opportunities on certain of the Company’s office property equity investments, which may adversely impact valuation assessments and cash flow generated by such investments.

While macroeconomic conditions continue to be challenged, the Company cannot predict whether they will in fact improve or even intensify. Due to the inherent uncertainty of these conditions, their impact on the Company’s business is difficult to predict and quantify.