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iStar

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Sector Real Estate
Industry REIT - Diversified
Employees 51-200
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FY2009 Annual Report · iStar
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9918 472 6 413 0 9 5 2 4 8 0 2

2005
2006
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2008
iStar Financial Annual Report > 2009

2180W1.indd   1

5/27/10   4:24 PM

2

the numbers

letter from the chairman 

highlights 

 01

08

12

results 

16

2180W1.indd   1

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the numbers

1

ISMAV1 23 109

$ 8 9 3 , 2 8 4 ,19 6

ISTRYE123109

$ 10 , 412 , 4 91 , 68 4

ISTCR070107123109

ISTE123109

ISTFFC070107123109

12 .8 %

ISIRR031898123109

letter from the chairman

8

sfi 2009

To our valued Investors,
To our valued Investors,

2010 is going to be a pivotal year for the company.
2010 is going to be a pivotal year for the company.

On one hand, we have made a lot of progress in stripping down our portfolio 
On one hand, we believe we have made a lot of progress in stripping 
and working down our forward commitments. On the other hand, we still have 
down our portfolio and working down our forward commitments. 
some big obstacles we need to get past before we can start feeling we’ve 
On the other hand, we still have some big obstacles we need to 
turned the corner.
get past before we can start feeling we’ve turned the corner.
I have been using the analogy of trying to swim across a raging river. We have 
I have been using the analogy of trying to swim across a raging 
made it about three quarters of the way across while many others have already 
been swept away—but if we don’t make it all the way across, then all our good 
river. We are still making our way across while many others have 
work to date won’t really matter.
already been swept away—but if we don’t make it all the way 
across, then all our good work to date won’t really matter.
So 2010 is about making it across, and we are going to have to work hard on 
both the asset side of our business and the liability side of our business to do 
So 2010 is about making it across, and we are going to have to 
that. Every day and every move will count and everyone at iStar knows what is 
work hard on both the asset side of our business and the liability 
at stake. We must succeed.
side of our business to do that. Every day and every move will count 
This year’s annual report is a reminder of why success is worth fighting for.
and everyone at iStar knows what is at stake. We must succeed.

Over the past 17 years we built our company to be a leader in providing capital 
We have been working hard to navigate the company through 
in an entrepreneurial, creative and honest fashion. We broke new ground in 
this financial crisis, and with more work to be done, we remind 
our business, finding holes in the market and filling them even when common 
ourselves there is still a large and valuable franchise to protect 
wisdom suggested otherwise. We grew and adapted as markets changed and 
at iStar. 
competition increased. And when markets overheated, we moved away from 
our historical strengths and worked to find ways to continue standing apart 
This year’s annual report is a reminder of why success is worth 
from the pack. It almost worked.
fighting for.
What can you do as a lender when capital gets priced at extremely favorable 
levels for borrowers? You figure out how to borrow at those levels as well. In a 
perfect world, you borrow long and lend short and wait for the market to correct.  
In 2006 and 2007 we focused on investing in short term loans, including 
purchasing the Fremont portfolio, with the goal of raising long term capital to 

9
9

fund them. We liked the future position this would leave us in when markets 
$14,525,061,647
reversed course and lending became attractive again—as short term loans 
Managed assets at December 31, 2009. That’s the total assets 
were repaying while our long term capital stayed in place, we expected to be 
we still control, giving us a wide ranging view of all major property 
able to redeploy that repaid capital in a much less competitive environment. 
types and major markets. While smaller, the portfolio still includes 
Unfortunately, accounting delays at Fremont prevented us from getting into 
over  $10  billion  in  loans,  $4  billion  in  sale-leasebacks  and 
the market and raising the necessary long term capital immediately after 
$1  billion  of  owned  real  estate.  By  product  type,  $2  billion  in 
the transaction and that delay proved lethal. With markets effectively closed 
in the summer of 2007 we found ourselves long the assets and short the 
office, $1 billion in hotels, $1 billion in retail, $1 billion in industrial, 
capital to fund them—not a good place to be heading into the financial storm 
$2 billion in land and $4 billion in condominiums.
of the new century.
$893,284,196
Having spent the last 30 months digging out of that hole, and with still more 
Revenue for 2009. While non-performing loans and repositioning 
work to do, we remind ourselves there is still a large and valuable franchise to 
assets contributed almost nothing to revenue, we collected just 
protect at iStar.
under $900 million in revenue to help cover operating costs and 
$14,525,061,647
meet all funding commitments and debt obligations in 2009.
That’s the total assets we still control, giving us a wide ranging view of all major 
property types and major markets. While smaller, the portfolio still includes over 
$10,412,491,684
$10 billion in loans, $4 billion in sale leasebacks, $1 billion of owned real estate.  
Capital returned over the past 30 months. While many assets 
By product type, $2 billion in office, $1 billion in hotels, $1 billion in retail, $1 
have been extended, over $10 billion in capital has been returned 
billion in industrial, $2 billion in land and $4 billion in condominiums.  
to  us  through  loan  repayments,  loan  sales  and  asset  sales. 
$893,284,196
Unfortunately, this has mostly been used to fund commitments 
Revenue for 2009. While non-performing loans and repositioning assets are 
and repay liabilities and has not provided any excess capital to 
contributing almost nothing to revenue, we continue to collect just under $900 
take advantage of new opportunities in the marketplace.
million in revenue to cover operating costs and continue to meet obligations.
$1,656,117,796
$10,412,491,684
Total equity at December 31, 2009. Protecting book value is our 
Capital returned over the past 30 months. While many assets have had to 
focus right now. Until losses abate and fundamentals stabilize, 
be  extended,  over  $10  billion  in  capital  has  been  returned  through  loan 
this is the most important thing we can do. Book value per share 
repayments, loan sales and asset sales. Unfortunately this has mostly been 
will be a metric we come back to in the future.
used to offset the missed capital raise and repay liabilities, and has not provided 
any excess capital to take advantage of opportunities in the marketplace.

sfi 2009
sfi 2009

10
10

$1,656,117,796
$6,632,954,557
Total Equity at Dec 31, 2009. Protecting book value is our focus right now. Until 
Fundings over the past 30 months. Some had questioned whether 
losses abate and fundamentals stabilize, this is the most  important thing we 
we would be able to meet our $7 billion in future fundings under 
can do. Book value per share will be a metric we come back to in the future.     
loan agreements in place in July 2007, following the Fremont 
transaction. This number provides the answer. With future fundings 
$6,632,954,557
now estimated to be below $500 million, we have met our funding 
Fundings over the past 30 months. Some had questioned whether we would 
commitments in every instance and expect to continue to do so.
be able to meet our $7 billion in future fundings under loan agreements in 
place in July 2007. This number provides the answer. With future fundings now 
12.8%
estimated to be below $500 million, we have met our commitments in every 
instance and will continue to do so.
11 year IRR on cash flows generated for shareholders since the 
$15 per share contribution by our original investors. The collapse 
13.9%
in  our  share  price  is  devastating.  And  the  road  back  is  still 
11 year IRR on cash flows generated for shareholders since the $15 per share 
uncertain. But our long-term record remains strong, even with 
contribution by our original investors. The collapse in our share price is devastating. 
the share price where it is, and we still believe we have an ability 
And the road back is still uncertain. But our long term record remains strong, 
to make returns that are compelling on a risk-adjusted basis. We 
even with the share price where it is, and we still believe we have an ability to 
make returns that are compelling on a risk adjusted basis. We hope to do that 
hope to do that again soon.
again soon.
Jay Sugarman
As always, I thank you for your continued support. 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Jay Sugarman
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

11
11

highlights

12

sfi 2009

$1.74

$893

$932

$749

$11,060

$8,532

$3.60

$3.08

$2.93

$1,354

$1,404

13

$12,811

$15,297

$15,848

dividend
dollars per common share

2009

$0.00

2008

2007

2006

2005

revenues
dollars in millions

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

total assets(1)
dollars in millions

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

(1)  As defined by GAAP.

enterprise value(1)
dollars in millions

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

book value
dollars per common share

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

$11,476

$12,768

$16,308

$14,325

$10,320

$11.57

$18.05

$18.07

$19.52

$17.06

(1)  Enterprise value represents market value of common equity plus book value of preferred equity, 

debt and minority interest minus cash.

sfi 2009

 
portfolio security type(1)
as of December 31, 2009

25.0% corporate tenant leases

59.1% first mortgages/senior loans

6.0%

other real estate owned

5.5% mezzanine/subordinated debt

3.0% real estate held for investment

1.4% all other investments

portfolio collateral type(1)
as of December 31, 2009

15.4% land

13.3% office 

9.4% industrial/R&D

8.2%

retail

6.5%

entertainment/leisure

6.3%

hotel

5.5%

mixed use/mixed collateral

5.2%

corporate—real estate

3.1%

other

27.1% apartment/residential

(1)  Based on carrying value of the Company’s total investment portfolio, gross of loan loss reserves 

and accumulated depreciation.

 
results

16

sfi 2009

Selected  Financial  Data  18  Management’s 
Dis cussion and Analysis of Financial Condition 
and Results of Operations 20 Quantitative and 
Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 34 
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over 
Financial Reporting 36 Report of Independent 
Registered Public Account ing Firm 37 Con-
solidated Balance Sheets 38 Consoli dated 
Statements of Operations 39 Consolidated State -
ments of Changes in Share holders’ Equity 
40 Consol idated State ments of Cash Flows 42 
Notes to Con soli dated Financial State ments 
44 Common Stock Price and Dividends (unau-
dited) 75 Direc tors and Offi cers 76 Corporate 
Information 77

17

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following table sets forth selected fi nancial data on a consolidated historical basis for the Company. This information should be 
read in conjunction with the discussions set forth in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” 
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassifi ed to conform to the 2009 presentation.

For the Years Ended December 31, 

(In thousands, except per share data and ratios)
Operating Data:
Interest income 
Operating lease income 
Other income   

Total revenue 

Interest expense   
Operating costs – corporate tenant lease assets 
Depreciation and amortization 
General and administrative 
Provision for loan losses 
Impairment of other assets 
Impairment of goodwill 
Other expense  

Total costs and expenses 

Income (loss) before earnings from equity method investments, 

minority interest and other items 
Gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt 
Gain on sale of joint venture interest 
Earnings from equity method investments 

Income (loss) from continuing operations 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations 
Gain from discontinued operations 

Net income (loss)   

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests 
Gains attributable to noncontrolling interests 

Net income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc. 
Preferred dividend requirements 

Net income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc. and 

allocable to common shareholders, HPU holders 
and Participating Security holders(1) 

Per common share data(2): 

Income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc. 

from continuing operations:

  Basic   
  Diluted(3) 
Net income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc.: 
  Basic   
  Diluted(3) 

Per HPU share data(2): 

Income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc. 

from continuing operations: 

  Basic   
  Diluted(3) 
Net income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc.: 
  Basic   
  Diluted(3) 

Dividends declared per common share(4) 

2009 

2008 

2007 

2006 

2005

$    557,809 
305,007 
30,468 
893,284 
481,116 
23,467 
97,869 
127,044 
1,255,357 
122,699 
4,186 
104,795 
2,216,533 

(1,323,249) 
547,349 
– 
5,298 
(770,602) 
(11,671) 
12,426 
(769,847) 
1,071 
– 
(768,776) 
(42,320) 

$   947,661 
308,742 
97,851 
1,354,254 
666,706 
23,059 
94,726 
143,902 
1,029,322 
295,738 
39,092 
37,234 
2,329,779 

(975,525) 
393,131 
280,219 
6,535 
(295,640) 
22,415 
91,458 
(181,767) 
991 
(22,249) 
(203,025) 
(42,320) 

$   998,008 
306,513 
99,938 
1,404,459 
629,260 
27,915 
83,690 
156,534 
185,000 
144,184 
– 
8,927 
1,235,510 

168,949 
225 
– 
29,626 
198,800 
29,970 
7,832 
236,602 
816 
– 
237,418 
(42,320) 

$575,598 
285,555 
70,824 
931,977 
429,613 
22,159 
66,258 
95,358 
14,000 
5,683 
– 
874 
633,945 

298,032 
– 
– 
12,391 
310,423 
41,384 
24,227 
376,034 
(1,207) 
– 
374,827 
(42,320) 

$406,668
262,625
80,133
749,426
312,806
20,622
61,609
61,971
2,250
–
–
2,014
461,272

288,154
(46,004)
–
3,016
245,166
37,373
6,354
288,893
(980)
–
287,913
(42,320)

$   (811,096) 

$  (245,345) 

$   195,098 

$332,507 

$245,593

$         (7.89) 
$         (7.89) 

$        (2.68) 
$        (2.68) 

$         1.19 
$         1.18 

$      2.25 
$      2.23 

$         (7.88) 
$         (7.88) 

$        (1.85) 
$        (1.85) 

$         1.48 
$         1.47 

$      2.81 
$      2.78 

$  (1,503.13) 
$  (1,503.13) 

$    (505.47) 
$    (505.47) 

$     224.40 
$     223.27 

$  425.60 
$  422.07 

$  (1,501.73) 
$  (1,501.73) 
$               – 

$    (349.87) 
$    (349.87) 
$         1.74 

$     279.53 
$     278.07 
$         3.60 

$  530.94 
$  526.47 
$      3.08 

$      1.75
$      1.74

$      2.13
$      2.11

$  331.00
$  327.73

$  402.73
$  398.73
$      2.93

18

sfi 2009

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the Years Ended December 31, 

2009 

2008 

2007 

2006 

2005

(In thousands, except per share data and ratios)
Supplemental Data: 
Adjusted diluted earnings (loss) attributable to iStar Financial, Inc. 

and allocable to common shareholders and HPU holders(5)(6)  $    (708,595) 
$    (168,362) 

EBITDA(6)(7) 
Ratio of earnings to fi xed charges(8) 
Ratio of earnings to fi xed charges and preferred stock dividends 
Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic 
Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted 
Weighted average HPU shares outstanding – basic and diluted 
Cash fl ows from:

$    (359,295) 
$     612,325 
0.6x 
0.6x 
131,153 
131,153 
15 

$     355,707 
$  1,013,087 
1.3x 
1.3x 
126,801 
127,542 
15 

$     429,922 
$     904,537 
1.7x 
1.6x 
115,023 
116,057 
15 

$    391,884
$    687,571
1.8x
1.6x
112,513
113,668
15

(0.5)x 
(0.5)x 

100,071 
100,071 
15 

Operating activities 
Investing activities 
Financing activities 

Balance Sheet Data:
Loans and other lending investments, net 
Corporate tenant lease assets, net 
Total assets 
Debt obligations, net 
Redeemable noncontrolling interests 
Total equity  

Explanatory Notes:

$       76,276 
726,221 
(1,074,402) 

$     418,529 
(27,943) 
1,444 

$     561,337 
(4,745,080) 
4,182,299 

$     431,224 
(2,529,260) 
2,088,617 

$    515,919
(1,406,121)
917,150

$  7,661,562 
2,885,896 
12,810,575 
10,894,903 
7,444 
1,656,118 

$10,586,644 
3,044,811 
15,296,748 
12,486,404 
9,190 
2,446,662 

$10,949,354 
3,309,866 
15,848,298 
12,363,044 
17,773 
2,972,170 

$  6,799,850 
3,084,794 
11,059,995 
7,833,437 
9,229 
3,016,372 

$ 4,661,915
3,115,361
8,532,296
5,859,592
9,228
2,470,954

  (1)   HPU holders are current and former Company employees who purchased high performance common stock units under the Company’s High Performance Unit Program. Participating 

Security holders are Company employees and directors who hold unvested restricted stock units and common stock equivalents granted under the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan.

  (2)   See Note 14 of the Company’s Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
  (3)   For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, net income used to calculate earnings per diluted common share and HPU share includes joint venture income of $85, $115, 

and $28, respectively.

  (4)   The Company generally declares common dividends in the month subsequent to the end of the quarter. During 2009, no common dividends were declared. During 2008, no common divi-
dends were declared for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2008. In December of 2007, the Company declared a special $0.25 dividend due to higher 
taxable income generated as a result of the Company’s acquisition of Fremont CRE.

  (5)   Adjusted earnings represents net income allocable to common shareholders and HPU holders computed in accordance with GAAP, before depreciation, depletion, amortization, gain from 
discontinued operations, ineffectiveness on interest rate hedges, impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, extraordinary items and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle. 
(See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” for a reconciliation of adjusted earnings to net income).

  (6)   Both adjusted earnings and EBITDA should be examined in conjunction with net income (loss) as shown in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. Neither adjusted earnings 
nor EBITDA should be considered as an alternative to net income (loss) (determined in accordance with GAAP) as an indicator of the Company’s performance, or to cash fl ows from operat-
ing activities (determined in accordance with GAAP) as a measure of the Company’s liquidity, nor is either measure indicative of funds available to fund the Company’s cash needs or avail-
able for distribution to shareholders. Rather, adjusted earnings and EBITDA are additional measures the Company uses to analyze how its business is performing. As a commercial fi nance 
company that focuses on real estate lending and corporate tenant leasing, the Company records signifi cant depreciation on its real estate assets and amortization of deferred fi nancing costs 
associated with its borrowings. It should be noted that the Company’s manner of calculating adjusted earnings and EBITDA may differ from the calculations of similarly titled measures by 
other companies.

  (7)   EBITDA is calculated as net income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc. plus the sum of interest expense, income taxes, depreciation, depletion and amortization.

19

For the Years Ended December 31, 

Net income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc. 
Add: Interest expense(1) 
Add: Income taxes 
Add: Depreciation, depletion and amortization(2) 
Add: Joint venture depreciation, depletion and amortization 
EBITDA 

2009 
$(769,847) 
481,116 
4,141 
98,238 
17,990 
$(168,362) 

2008 
$(181,767) 
666,706 
10,175 
102,745 
14,466 
$ 612,325 

2007 
$   236,602 
629,260 
6,972 
99,427 
40,826 
$1,013,087 

2006 
$376,034 
429,613 
891 
83,058 
14,941 
$904,537 

2005
$288,893
312,806
2,014
75,574
8,284
$687,571

Explanatory Notes:

(1)  For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, interest expense includes $12, $194, and $247, respectively, of interest expense reclassifi ed to discontinued operations.
(2) 

 For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, and 2005, depreciation, depletion and amortization includes $1,419, $6,717, $10,677, $12,567, and $11,461, respectively, 
of depreciation, depletion and amortization reclassifi ed to discontinued operations.

  (8)   This ratio of earnings to fi xed charges is calculated in accordance with GAAP. The Company’s bank credit facilities and senior notes both have fi xed charge coverage covenants, however, each is 
calculated differently in accordance with the terms of the respective agreements. In addition, the fi xed charge covenant in the bank credit facilities is a maintenance covenant while the covenant 
in the senior notes is an incurrence covenant. The fi xed charge coverage ratios for the bank credit facilities and senior notes were 2.4x and 2.3x, respectively, as of December 31, 2009.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF 
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

who  require  a  high  level  of  fl exibility  and  service.  Our  two  primary 
lines of business are lending and corporate tenant leasing.

Certain statements in this report, other than purely histori-
cal information, including estimates, projections, statements relating 
to  our  business  plans,  objectives  and  expected  operating  results, 
and the assumptions upon which those statements are based, are 
“forward-looking  statements”  within  the  meaning  of  the  Private 
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities 
Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. 
Forward-looking  statements  are  included  with  respect  to,  among 
other things, iStar Financial Inc.’s (the “Company’s”) current business 
plan,  business  strategy,  portfolio  management  and  liquidity.  These 
forward-looking  statements  generally  are  identifi ed  by  the  words 
“believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” 
“plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely 
result,”  and  similar  expressions.  Forward-looking  statements  are 
based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to 
risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results or outcomes 
to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking state-
ments.  Important  factors  that  the  Company  believes  might  cause 
such differences are discussed in the section entitled, “Risk Factors” 
in  Part  I,  Item  1A  of  this  Form  10-K  or  otherwise  accompany  the 
forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-K. We under-
take  no  obligation  to  update  or  revise  publicly  any  forward-looking 
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or 
otherwise. In assessing all forward-looking statements, readers are 
urged  to  read  carefully  all  cautionary  statements  contained  in  this 
Form 10-K. For purposes of Management’s Discussion and Analysis 
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, the terms “we,” “our” 
and “us” refer to iStar Financial Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, 
unless the context indicates otherwise.

This  discussion  summarizes  the  signifi cant  factors  affect-
ing our consolidated operating results, fi nancial condition and liquid-
ity  during  the  three-year  period  ended  December  31,  2009.  This 
discussion  should  be  read  in  conjunction  with  our  consolidated 
fi nancial statements and related notes for the three-year period ended 
December  31,  2009  included  elsewhere  in  this  annual  report  on 
Form 10-K. These historical fi nancial statements may not be indicative 
of our future performance. We reclassifi ed certain items in our con-
solidated fi nancial statements of prior years to conform to our current 
year’s presentation.

Introduction

iStar  Financial  Inc.  is  a  publicly  traded  fi nance  company 
focused on the commercial real estate industry. We primarily provide 
customer-tailored fi nancing to high-end private and corporate own-
ers of real estate, including senior and mezzanine real estate debt, 
senior  and  mezzanine  corporate  capital,  as  well  as  corporate  net 
lease fi nancing and equity. We are taxed as a real estate investment 
trust,  or  “REIT”  and  provide  innovative  and  value-added  fi nancing 
solutions to our customers. We deliver customized fi nancial products 
to  sophisticated  real  estate  borrowers  and  corporate  customers 

The  lending  business  is  primarily  comprised  of  senior 
and  mezzanine  real  estate  loans  that  typically  range  in  size  from 
$20 million to $150 million and have original terms generally ranging 
from three to ten years. These loans may be either fi xed rate (based 
on the U.S. Treasury rate plus a spread) or variable rate (based on 
LIBOR plus a spread) and are structured to meet the specifi c fi nanc-
ing needs of the borrowers. We also provide senior and subordinated 
capital  to  corporations,  particularly  those  engaged  in  real  estate 
or  real  estate  related  businesses.  These  fi nancings  may  be  either 
secured  or  unsecured,  typically  range  in  size  from  $20  million  to 
$150 million and have initial maturities generally ranging from three 
to ten years. As part of the lending business, we also acquire whole 
loans, loan participations and debt securities which present attrac-
tive risk-reward opportunities.

Our  corporate  tenant  leasing  business  provides  capital 
to  corporations  and  other  owners  who  control  facilities  leased  to 
single  creditworthy  customers.  Our  net  leased  assets  are  gener-
ally  mission  critical  headquarters  or  distribution  facilities  that  are 
subject  to  long-term  leases  with  public  companies,  many  of  which 
are rated corporate credits. Most of the leases provide for expenses 
at  the  facility  to  be  paid  by  the  corporate  customer  on  a  triple  net 
lease basis. Corporate tenant lease, or “CTL,” transactions have initial 
terms  generally  ranging  from  15  to  20  years  and  typically  range  in 
size from $20 million to $150 million.

Our  primary  sources  of  revenues  are  interest  income, 
which  is  the  interest  that  borrowers  pay  on  loans,  and  operating 
lease  income,  which  is  the  rent  that  corporate  customers  pay  to 
lease our CTL properties. We primarily generate income through the 
“spread” or “margin,” which is the difference between the revenues 
generated from loans and leases and interest expense and the cost 
of CTL operations.

We began our business in 1993 through private investment 
funds and became publicly traded in 1998. Since that time, we have 
grown  through  the  origination  of  new  lending  and  leasing  transac-
tions, as well as through corporate acquisitions, including the acqui-
sition of TriNet Corporate Realty Trust, Inc. in 1999, the acquisitions of 
Falcon Financial Investment Trust and of a signifi cant non-controlling 
interest in Oak Hill Advisors, L.P. and affi liates in 2005, and the acqui-
sition of the commercial real estate lending business and loan port-
folio which we refer to as the “Fremont CRE,” of Fremont Investment 
and Loan, or “Fremont,” a division of Fremont General Corporation, 
in 2007.

Executive Overview

The  fi nancial  market  conditions  that  began  in  late  2007, 
including  the  economic  recession  and  tightening  of  credit  markets, 
continued  to  signifi cantly  impact  the  commercial  real  estate  mar-
ket  and  fi nancial  services  industry  in  2009.  The  severe  economic 
downturn  led  to  a  decline  in  commercial  real  estate  values,  which, 
combined with a lack of available debt fi nancing for commercial and 

20

sfi 2009

residential  real  estate  assets,  limited  borrowers’  ability  to  repay  or 
refi nance their loans. Further, the ability of many of our borrowers 
to  sell  units  in  residential  projects  has  been  adversely  impacted 
by  current  economic  conditions  and  the  lack  of  end  loan  fi nancing 
available  to  residential  unit  purchasers.  The  combination  of  these 
factors  adversely  affected  our  business,  financial  condition  and 
operating  performance  in  2009,  resulting  in  signifi cant  additions  to 
non-performing  assets,  increases  in  the  related  provision  for  loan 
losses and a reduction in the level of liquidity available to fi nance our 
operations. These economic factors and their effect on our opera-
tions have resulted in increases in our fi nancing costs, a continuing 
inability to access the unsecured debt markets, depressed prices for 
our Common Stock, the continued suspension of quarterly Common 
Stock  dividends  and  has  narrowed  our  margin  of  compliance  with 
debt covenants.

During  the  year  ended  2009,  we  incurred  a  net  loss  of 
$(768.8) million on $893.3 million of revenue. These fi nancial results 
primarily  resulted  from  a  provision  for  loan  losses  of  $1.26  billion 
and impairments of other assets of $141.0 million, which were rec-
ognized  during  the  year.  The  provision  for  loan  losses  was  driven 
by  an  increase  in  non-performing  loans  to  $4.21  billion,  or  45.3% 
of Managed Loan Value (as defi ned below in “Risk Management”) as of 
December 31, 2009, compared to $3.46 billion, or 27.5% of Managed 
Loan  Value  at  December  31,  2008.  The  increase  in  non-performing 
loans  resulted  from  the  continued  deterioration  in  the  commer-
cial  and  residential  real  estate  markets  and  weakened  economic 
conditions impacting our borrowers, who continue to have diffi culty 
servicing their debt and refi nancing or selling their projects in order 
to  repay  their  loans  in  a  timely  manner.  In  addition,  the  balance  of 
our  real  estate  held  for  investment  (“REHI”)  and  other  real  estate 
owned  (“OREO”)  assets  have  increased  from  $242.5  million  as  of 
December 31, 2008 to $1.26 billion as of December 31, 2009, as we 
have  obtained  title  to  properties  through  foreclosure  or  through 
deed-in-lieu  of  foreclosure  as  part  of  our  effort  to  resolve  non-
performing loans. The losses were partially offset by the repurchase 
of $1.31 billion par value of senior unsecured notes resulting in the 
recognition of $439.4 million in net gains on the early extinguishment 
of debt.

Our primary recourse debt instruments include our secured 
and unsecured bank credit facilities and our secured and unsecured 
public debt securities. We believe we are in full compliance with all 
the covenants in those debt instruments as of December 31, 2009; 
however, our recent fi nancial results have put pressure on our abil-
ity to maintain compliance with certain of the debt covenants in our 
secured bank credit facilities. In particular, our tangible net worth at 
December 31, 2009 is not signifi cantly above the fi nancial covenant 
minimum  requirement.  We  intend  to  operate  our  business  in  order 
to remain in compliance with the covenants in our debt instruments; 
however,  there  can  be  no  assurance  that  we  will  be  able  to  do  so. 
A  failure  by  us  to  satisfy  a  fi nancial  covenant  in  a  debt  instrument 
could  trigger  a  default  under  that  debt  instrument  and  could  give 
the  lenders  the  ability  to  accelerate  the  debt  if  the  default  is  not 
waived  or  cured.  Most  of  our  recourse  debt  instruments  contain 
cross  default  and/or  cross-acceleration  provisions  that  may  be 
triggered  by  defaults  or  accelerations  of  our  recourse  debt  above 
specifi ed thresholds.

From a liquidity perspective, we expect to continue to expe-
rience signifi cant uncertainty with respect to our sources of funds. 
Our cash fl ow may be affected by a variety of factors, many of which 
are  outside  our  control,  including  volatility  in  the  fi nancial  markets, 
our  borrowers’  ability  to  repay  their  obligations  and  other  general 
business conditions. As of December 31, 2009, we had $224.6 mil-
lion  of  unrestricted  cash.  For  the  upcoming  year,  we  will  require 
signifi cant  capital  to  repay  $586.8  million  of  our  2010  debt  maturi-
ties  and  to  fund  our  investment  activities  and  operating  expenses, 
including  approximately  $430.0  million  of  unfunded  commitments 
primarily associated with our construction loan portfolio. In addition, 
under the terms of our First Priority Credit Agreement, if we do not 
pay  down  the  outstanding  balance  of  that  loan  by  $500  million  by 
September  30,  2010,  payments  of  principal  and  net  sale  proceeds 
received  by  us  in  respect  of  assets  constituting  collateral  for  our 
obligations under this agreement must be applied toward the man-
datory  prepayment  of  the  loan  and  commitment  reductions  under 
the agreement.

We expect to need additional liquidity over the coming year 
to supplement expected loan repayments and cash generated from 
operations in order to meet our debt maturities and funding obliga-
tions. During 2009, we utilized our unencumbered assets to gener-
ate additional liquidity through secured fi nancing transactions and a 
secured note exchange transaction, and also sold various assets. In 
addition, we have signifi cantly curtailed our asset origination activi-
ties, reduced operating expenses and focused on asset management 
in order to maximize recoveries from existing asset resolutions. We 
intend  to  utilize  all  available  sources  of  funds  in  today’s  fi nancing 
environment,  which  could  include  additional  fi nancings  secured  by 
our assets, increased levels of asset sales, joint ventures and other 
third-party capital to meet our liquidity requirements. There can be 
no assurance that we will possess suffi cient liquidity to meet all of 
our debt service requirements in 2010. In addition we are exploring 
various  alternatives  to  enable  us  to  meet  our  signifi cant  2011  debt 
maturities. The failure to execute such alternatives successfully prior 
to debt maturities would have material adverse consequences on us.

We  have  reacted  to  market  conditions  and  liquidity  and 
debt  covenant  pressures  by  implementing  various  initiatives  that 
we  believe  will  guide  us  through  the  diffi cult  business  conditions 
which we expect to persist through 2010. Our public debt securities 
continue to trade at signifi cant discounts to par. We have been able 
to  partially  mitigate  the  impact  of  the  decline  in  operating  results 
through the recognition of gains associated with the repurchase and 
retirement of debt at a discount, which has contributed to our ability 
to  maintain  compliance  with  our  debt  covenants  and  has  enabled 
us  to  reduce  outstanding  indebtedness  at  discounts  to  par.  We 
expect to continue to use available funds and other strategies to seek 
to retire our debt at a discount; however, there can be no assurance 
that our efforts in this regard will be successful.

Our  plan  is  dynamic  and  we  expect  to  adjust  our  plan  as 
market conditions change. If we are unable to successfully implement 
our plan, our cash fl ows, debt covenant compliance, fi nancial position 
and results of operations would be materially adversely affected. 

21

Results of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2009 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2008

For the Years Ended December 31, 

2009 

2008 

$ Change 

% Change

(In thousands)
Interest income 
Operating lease income 
Other income   

Total revenue 

Interest expense   
Operating costs – corporate tenant lease assets 
Depreciation and amortization 
General and administrative 
Provision for loan losses 
Impairment of other assets 
Impairment of goodwill 
Other expense  

Total costs and expenses 

Gain on early extinguishment of debt 
Gain on sale of joint venture interest 
Earnings from equity method investments 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations 
Gain from discontinued operations 
Net loss  

$   557,809 
305,007 
30,468 
893,284 
481,116 
23,467 
97,869 
127,044 
1,255,357 
122,699 
4,186 
104,795 
2,216,533 
547,349 
– 
5,298 
(11,671) 
12,426 
$  (769,847) 

$   947,661 
308,742 
97,851 
1,354,254 
666,706 
23,059 
94,726 
143,902 
1,029,322 
295,738 
39,092 
37,234 
2,329,779 
393,131 
280,219 
6,535 
22,415 
91,458 
$  (181,767) 

$(389,852) 
(3,735) 
(67,383) 
(460,970) 
(185,590) 
408 
3,143 
(16,858) 
226,035 
(173,039) 
(34,906) 
67,561 
(113,246) 
154,218 
(280,219) 
(1,237) 
(34,086) 
(79,032) 
$(588,080) 

(41)%
(1)%
(69)%
(34)%
(28)%
2%
3%
(12)%
22%
(59)%
(89)%
>100%
(5)%
39%
(100)%
(19)%
>(100)%
(86)%
>100%

22

Revenue  –  The  signifi cant  decline  in  interest  income  year 
over  year  is  primarily  a  result  of  a  40.0%  decrease  in  the  carrying 
value  of  performing  loans  to  $4.91  billion  at  the  end  of  2009  from 
$8.18  billion  at  the  end  of  2008.  In  addition  to  having  assets  move 
from performing to non-performing status (see “Risk Management” 
for additional discussion of non-performing loans), we also had loan 
repayments and sales that contributed to the decline in income gen-
erating  loans.  Lower  interest  rates  also  contributed  to  the  decline 
in interest income with one-month LIBOR averaging 0.33% in 2009 
versus  2.68%  in  2008.  The  impact  of  declining  rates  on  loans  has 
been tempered by interest rate fl oors, resulting in a weighted average 
interest rate of 3.86% in effect on approximately $1.87 billion of loans 
at December 31, 2009.

The  year  over  year  change  in  other  income  was  primarily 
driven by certain one-time transactions in 2008 including $44.2 mil-
lion  of  income  recognized  from  the  redemption  of  a  participation 
interest  in  a  lending  investment  and  $12.0  million  of  income  recog-
nized when we exchanged a cost method equity investment for a loan 
receivable. Additionally, other loan related income, such as prepay-
ment penalties, declined by $27.5 million from 2009 to 2008. Slightly 
offsetting this increase were $15.0 million of realized and unrealized 
gains on trading securities held in our other investment portfolio.

Operating lease income from our CTL assets has remained 

relatively consistent year over year.

Costs  and  expenses  –  Increases  in  provisions  for  loan  losses 
and  other  expenses  were  more  than  offset  by  fewer  asset  impair-
ments  and  lower  interest  expense  and  general  and  administrative 
expenses to result in an overall decrease in costs and expenses.

As noted above and discussed further in “Risk Management” 
and “Executive Overview”, increases in our provisions for loan losses 
were  caused  by  the  continued  deterioration  in  the  commercial 
real  estate  market  and  weakened  economic  conditions  that  have 
negatively impacted our borrowers’ ability to service their debt and 
refi nance  their  loans  at  maturity.  This  has  resulted  in  additional 
asset-specifi c reserves due to the increasing level of non-performing 
loans  within  the  portfolio  along  with  declining  values  of  real  estate 
collateral that secure such loans.

Impairment charges relating to certain of our securities and 
equity investments were $182.3 million lower in 2009 as compared 
to 2008. These assets include available-for-sale and held-to-maturity 
investments  that  were  determined  to  be  other-than-temporarily 
impaired based on having trading prices below our carrying values. 
Also included in 2008 were $21.5 million of impairments of fi nite-lived 
intangible  assets,  to  reduce  their  carrying  values  to  their  revised 
estimated fair values. These decreases were offset by $21.9 million 
of  higher  CTL  impairments  (of  which  $14.1  million  was  reclassifi ed 
to  income  from  discontinued  operations)  caused  by  deteriorating 
sub-market  conditions  and  lower  than  expected  rents  in  certain 
areas. Impairments of OREO assets also increased by $22.9 million 
to  reduce  certain  assets  to  their  revised  estimated  fair  values  less 
costs to sell.

Deteriorating  market  conditions  also  led  to  impairment 
charges  related  to  goodwill.  In  2008,  we  recorded  a  $39.1  million 
impairment charge to eliminate the goodwill in our real estate lending 
reporting unit. In 2009, we recorded $4.2 million further impairments 
to reduce the goodwill related to our corporate tenant leasing report-
ing unit to zero.

sfi 2009

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The  signifi cant  decline  in  interest  expense  year  over  year 
is primarily a result of reducing our outstanding debt balances from 
repurchases  and  repayments.  In  an  effort  to  generate  gains  on 
certain of our debt securities which have traded at discounts to par, 
as discussed further below, we repurchased $1.31 billion par value 
of  our  senior  unsecured  notes  during  2009  and  we  also  repaid  an 
additional  $628.3  million  at  maturity.  In  addition,  we  completed 
an exchange of senior unsecured notes for new second-lien senior 
secured notes in May 2009, further described in “Liquidity and Capital 
Resources”. This exchange resulted in a $262.7 million deferred gain 
refl ected as a premium to the new notes which is being amortized as 
a reduction to interest expense over the terms of the new notes. In 
2009, we recognized $35.1 million in amortization of this premium as 
a reduction to interest expense. Lower LIBOR rates also contributed 
to  our  decrease  in  interest  expense,  with  our  average  borrowing 
rates decreasing to 4.15% in 2009 from 5.02% in 2008.

General  and  administrative  expenses  decreased  primarily 
due  to  lower  payroll  and  employee  related  costs  from  reductions 
in headcount.

Other expense was higher primarily due to a $42.4 million 
charge  incurred  during  2009  pursuant  to  a  settlement  agreement 
under which we terminated a long-term lease for new headquarters 
space and settled all disputes with a landlord. The remaining increase 
in other expense primarily relates to additional holding costs associ-
ated with the increasing number of OREO and REHI properties during 
the year.

Gain on early extinguishment of debt – In 2009, we retired $1.31 bil-
lion  par  value  of  our  senior  unsecured  notes  though  open  market 
repurchases  at  discounts  to  par  and  recognized  $439.4  million  in 
gain on early extinguishment of debt. Additionally we completed our 
secured  note  exchange  transactions  and  purchased  $12.5  million 
of our outstanding senior fl oating rates notes in a cash tender offer, 
which  resulted  in  an  aggregate  net  gain  on  early  extinguishment 
of debt of $107.9 million. During 2008, we retired $900.7 million par 
value  of  our  senior  unsecured  notes  through  open  market  repur-
chases at discounts to par which resulted in an aggregate net gain on 
early extinguishment of debt of $393.1 million.

Gain on sale of joint venture interest – In April 2008, we closed on 
the sale of our TimberStar Southwest joint venture for a gross sales 
price of $1.71 billion, including the assumption of debt. We received 
net  proceeds  of  $417.0  million  for  our  interest  in  the  venture  and 
recorded a gain of $280.2 million.

Income  (loss)  from  discontinued  operations  –  Income  (loss)  from 
discontinued  operations  in  2009  included  impairment  charges  of 
$14.1  million  on  CTL  assets  sold  during  the  year  or  held-for-sale 
at  the  end  of  the  year.  In  2008,  income  (loss)  from  discontinued 
operations included higher operating results for CTL and TimberStar 
assets sold or classifi ed as held-for-sale in 2008 and 2009.

Gain  from  discontinued  operations  –  During  2009,  we  sold  four 
CTL  assets  and  recognized  gains  of  $12.4  million.  During  2008, 
we sold several CTL assets and our Maine timber property for gains 
of $91.5 million.

Results of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2008 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2007

For the Years Ended December 31, 

2008 

2007 

$ Change 

% Change

(In thousands)
Interest income 
Operating lease income 
Other income   

Total revenue 

Interest expense   
Operating costs – corporate tenant lease assets 
Depreciation and amortization 
General and administrative 
Provision for loan losses 
Impairment of other assets 
Impairment of goodwill 
Other expense  

Total costs and expenses 

Gain on early extinguishment of debt 
Gain on sale of joint venture interest 
Earnings from equity method investments 
Income from discontinued operations 
Gain from discontinued operations 
Net income (loss)   

$   947,661 
308,742 
97,851 
1,354,254 
666,706 
23,059 
94,726 
143,902 
1,029,322 
295,738 
39,092 
37,234 
2,329,779 
393,131 
280,219 
6,535 
22,415 
91,458 
$  (181,767) 

$   998,008 
306,513 
99,938 
1,404,459 
629,260 
27,915 
83,690 
156,534 
185,000 
144,184 
– 
8,927 
1,235,510 
225 
– 
29,626 
29,970 
7,832 
$   236,602 

$    (50,347) 
2,229 
(2,087) 
(50,205) 
37,446 
(4,856) 
11,036 
(12,632) 
844,322 
151,554 
39,092 
28,307 
1,094,269 
392,906 
280,219 
(23,091) 
(7,555) 
83,626 
$  (418,369) 

23

(5)%
1%
(2)%
(4)%
6%
(17)%
13%
(8)%
>100%
>100%
100%
>100%
89%
>100%
100%
(78)%
(25)%
>100%
>(100)%

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue  –  We  experienced  a  decline  in  interest  income  in 
2008  as  compared  to  2007  primarily  relating  to  increased  non-
performing  loans,  which  was  partially  offset  by  the  inclusion  of  a 
full  year  of  interest  income  in  2008  from  the  loans  acquired  from 
Fremont,  compared  to  only  six  months  of  income  in  2007.  At  the 
end  of  2008,  the  carrying  value  of  performing  loans  declined  18% 
to $8.18 billion from $10.00 billion at the end of 2007, primarily as a 
result of assets moving to non-performing status. This was a result 
of the deterioration in the commercial real estate market and weak-
ened  economic  conditions  impacting  our  borrowers,  who  had  dif-
fi culty  servicing  their  debt  and  refi nancing  or  selling  their  projects 
in order to repay their loans in a timely manner. Lower interest rates 
also  contributed  to  the  decline  in  interest  income  with  an  average 
one-month LIBOR of 2.68% in 2008 versus 5.25% in 2007.

While  other  income  was  relatively  fl at  year  over  year,  cer-
tain one-time transactions in 2008 resulted in higher income offset 
by  a  decrease  in  other  loan  related  income,  such  as  prepayment 
penalties.  In  2008  we  recognized  $44.2  million  of  income  from  the 
redemption  of  a  participation  interest  in  a  lending  investment  and 
$12.0 million when we exchanged a cost method equity investment 
for a loan receivable.

Operating lease income from our CTL assets has remained 

relatively consistent year over year.

Costs and expenses – Total costs and expenses increased pri-
marily due to signifi cant provisions for loan losses and other asset 
impairment charges.

The  increase  in  our  provision  for  loan  losses  was  primar-
ily  due  to  additional  asset-specifi c  reserves  that  were  required  as 
a  result  of  the  signifi cant  increase  in  non-performing  loans  during 
2008.  This  signifi cant  increase,  particularly  in  our  residential  land 
development and condominium construction portfolios, was driven 
by the weakening economy and the dislocation of the credit markets, 
which  adversely  impacted  the  ability  of  our  borrowers  to  service 
their debt and refi nance their loans at maturity.

Impairment  charges  relating  to  certain  of  our  securities 
and equity investments were $207.0 million in 2008 as compared to 
$144.2  million  in  2007.  These  assets  include  available-for-sale  and 
held-to-maturity  investments  that  were  determined  to  be  other-
than-temporarily  impaired  based  on  having  trading  prices  below 
our  carrying  values.  Other  asset  impairments  in  2008,  which 
did  not  occur  in  the  prior  year,  included  $55.6  million  on  OREO 
assets, $21.5 million on fi nite-lived intangible assets (including assets 
acquired  in  the  Fremont  acquisition),  and  $11.6  million  on  CTL 
assets. OREO and CTL asset impairments were also caused by dete-
riorating  sub-market  conditions  and  lower-than-expected  rents  in 
surrounding  areas.  Deteriorating  market  conditions  also  led  to  the 
$39.1  million  impairment  charge  to  eliminate  goodwill  in  our  real 
estate lending reporting unit in 2008.

Interest expense increased primarily due to higher average 
outstanding  borrowings  during  2008,  partially  offset  by  decreased 
interest  rates  on  our  borrowings.  Our  average  outstanding  debt 
balance  increased  to  $12.83  billion  in  2008  from  $10.05  billion  in 
2007  through  new  bond  issuances  in  2007  and  2008,  increased 

borrowings  on  our  unsecured  and  secured  revolving  credit  facili-
ties as well as the new secured term loans. Higher borrowings were 
partially offset by lower average rates, which decreased to 5.02% in 
2008  as  compared  to  5.85%  in  2007,  primarily  as  a  result  of  lower 
LIBOR rates.

In relation to our CTL portfolio, depreciation and amortiza-
tion increased as a result of the acquisition and construction of new 
CTL assets in 2007 while operating costs – corporate tenant lease 
assets  decreased  primarily  due  to  increased  property  expense 
recoveries from tenants leasing our properties.

Other  expense  in  2008  included  $12.8  million  primarily 
related  to  ineffectiveness  associated  with  our  various  derivative 
instruments. The remaining $9.3 million related to costs associated 
with  OREO  properties  that  we  took  title  to  through  foreclosure  or 
deed in lieu of foreclosure in 2008 and 2007.

The decrease in General and administrative expenses is pri-
marily due to lower payroll and employee related costs resulting from 
a reduction in headcount from 327 as of December 31, 2007 to 267 as 
of December 31, 2008.

Gain  on  early  extinguishment  of  debt  –  During  the  year  ended 
December 31, 2008, we retired $900.7 million par value of our senior 
unsecured notes through open market repurchases at discounts to 
par, resulting in an aggregate net gain on early extinguishment of debt 
of approximately $393.1 million.

Gain on sale of joint venture interest – In April 2008, we closed on 
the sale of our TimberStar Southwest joint venture for a gross sales 
price of $1.71 billion, including the assumption of debt. We received 
net proceeds of approximately $417.0 million for our interest in the 
venture and recorded a gain of $280.2 million.

Earnings  from  equity  method  investments  –  During  2008,  losses 
were  recorded  on  several  of  our  equity  method  investments  due 
to  volatility  in  the  financial  markets  and  deteriorating  economic 
conditions.  This  was  partially  offset  by  the  sale  of  our  TimberStar 
Southwest  joint  venture,  as  described  above.  Our  share  of  losses 
from  this  venture  prior  to  the  sale  were  $3.5  million  for  the  year 
ended December 31, 2008 compared to losses of $14.5 million during 
the same period in 2007.

Income  from  discontinued  operations  –  For  the  years  ended 
December  31,  2008  and  2007,  operating  results  for  CTL  and 
TimberStar  assets  sold  during  the  period  through  December  31, 
2009  or  assets  held-for-sale  at  the  end  of  2009  are  classifi ed  as 
discontinued operations. The decrease in income from discontinued 
operations is primarily due to the inclusion of more income in 2007 
for CTL and TimberStar assets sold in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Gain  from  discontinued  operations  –  During  the  year  ended 
December 31, 2008, we sold a portfolio of 32 CTL assets to one buyer 
and also seventeen CTL assets to different buyers for net aggregate 
proceeds  of  $424.1  million,  and  recognized  gains  of  approximately 
$64.6  million.  In  addition,  we  also  closed  on  the  sale  of  our  Maine 
Timber property for net proceeds of $152.7 million resulting in a gain 
of $27.0 million.

24

sfi 2009

Adjusted Earnings

We  measure  our  performance  using  adjusted  earnings  in 
addition  to  net  income.  Adjusted  earnings  represent  net  income 
attributable  to  iStar  Financial  Inc.  and  allocable  to  common  share-
holders, HPU holders and Participating Security holders computed 
in accordance with GAAP, before depreciation, depletion, amortiza-
tion,  gain  from  discontinued  operations,  ineffectiveness  on  inter-
est rate hedges, impairments of goodwill and intangible assets and 
extraordinary items. Adjustments for joint ventures refl ect our share 
of adjusted earnings calculated on the same basis.

We  believe  that  adjusted  earnings  is  a  helpful  measure  to 
consider, in addition to net income, because this measure helps us 
to evaluate how our commercial real estate fi nance business is per-
forming compared to other commercial fi nance companies, without 
the  effects  of  certain  GAAP  adjustments  that  are  not  necessarily 
indicative of current operating performance.

The most signifi cant GAAP adjustments that we exclude in 
determining adjusted earnings are depreciation, depletion, amortiza-
tion  and  impairments  of  goodwill  and  intangible  assets,  which  are 
typically non-cash charges. We do not exclude non-cash impairment 
charges on tangible assets or provisions for loan loss reserves. As a 
commercial fi nance company that focuses on real estate lending and 
corporate tenant leasing, we record signifi cant depreciation on our 
real estate assets, and amortization of deferred fi nancing costs asso-
ciated with our borrowings. Depreciation, depletion and amortization 
do not affect our daily operations, but they do impact fi nancial results 
under  GAAP.  Adjusted  earnings  is  not  an  alternative  or  substitute 
for net income in accordance with GAAP as a measure of our per-
formance. Rather, we believe that adjusted earnings is an additional 
measure  that  helps  us  analyze  how  our  business  is  performing. 
Adjusted earnings should not be viewed as an alternative measure of 
either our operating liquidity or funds available for our cash needs or 
for distribution to our shareholders. In addition, we may not calculate 
adjusted earnings in the same manner as other companies that use a 
similarly titled measure.

For the Years Ended December 31, 

(In thousands)
Adjusted earnings:

Net income (loss) 
Add: Depreciation, depletion and amortization 
Add: Joint venture income 
Add: Joint venture depreciation, depletion and amortization 
Add: Amortization of deferred fi nancing costs 
Add: Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets 
Less: Hedge ineffectiveness, net 
Less: Gain from discontinued operations 
Less: Gain on sale of joint venture interest 
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests 
Less: Preferred dividend requirement 

Adjusted diluted earnings (loss) attributable to iStar Financial, Inc. and 
allocable to common shareholders and HPU holders(1) 

Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding 

2009 

2008 

2007

$(769,847) 
98,238 
– 
17,990 
(5,487) 
4,186 
– 
(12,426) 
– 
1,071 
(42,320) 

$(181,767) 
102,745 
– 
14,466 
50,222 
60,618 
7,427 
(91,458) 
(280,219) 
991 
(42,320) 

$236,602
99,427
92
40,826
29,907
–
(239)
(7,832)
(1,572)
816
(42,320)

$(708,595) 
100,071 

$(359,295) 
131,153 

$355,707
127,542

25

Explanatory Notes:

(1) 

 HPU holders are current or former Company employees who purchased high performance common stock units under our High Performance Unit Program. Participating Security holders are 
Company employees and directors who hold unvested restricted stock units and common stock equivalents granted under our Long-Term Incentive Plan. For the years ended December 31, 
2009, 2008 and 2007, adjusted diluted earnings (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc. and allocable to common shareholders, HPU holders and Participating Security holders includes $(19,748), 
$(7,661) and $7,666, respectively, of adjusted earnings (loss) allocable to HPU holders.

(2)  For the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, amounts exclude $2,393 and $3,545, respectively, of dividends paid to Participating Security holders.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management

Loan Credit Statistics – The table below summarizes our non-performing loans and details the reserve for loan losses associated with 

our loans:

As of December 31, 

(In thousands)
Non-performing loans
Carrying value   
Participated portion 
Managed Loan Value(1) 
As a percentage of Managed Loan Value of total loans(2) 
Watch list loans
Carrying value   
Participated portion 
Managed Loan Value(1) 
As a percentage of Managed Loan Value of total loans(2) 
Reserve for loan losses 
As a percentage of Managed Loan Value of total loans(2) 
As a percentage of Managed Loan Value of non-performing loans 
Other real estate owned
Carrying value   
Real estate held for investment, net
Carrying value   

2009 

2008

$3,910,922 
298,333 
$4,209,255 

$3,108,798
349,359
$3,458,157

45.3% 

27.5%

$   697,138 
20,561 
$   717,699 

$1,026,446
238,450
$1,264,896

7.7% 

10.1%

$1,417,949 

$   976,788

15.3% 
33.7% 

7.8%
28.2%

$   839,141 

$   242,505

$   422,664 

$              –

Explanatory Notes:

(1) 

(2) 

 Managed Loan Value of a loan is computed by adding our carrying value of the loan and the participation interest sold on the Fremont CRE portfolio. The participation receives 70% of all loan 
principal payments including principal that we have funded. Therefore we are in the fi rst loss position and we believe that presentation of the Managed Loan Value is more relevant than a 
presentation of our carrying value when discussing our risk of loss on the loans in the Fremont CRE Portfolio.
 Managed Loan Value of total loans was $9,289,975 and $12,584,723 as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

As  of  December  31,  2009,  non-performing  loans  and  OREO  and  REHI  assets  had  the  following  collateral  and  property  types 

26

($ in thousands):

Collateral/Property Type 

Land 
Condo:

Construction – Completed 
Construction – In Progress 
Conversion 
Mixed Use/Mixed Collateral 
Entertainment/Leisure 
Retail 
Multifamily   
Hotel 
Offi ce 
Corporate – Real Estate 
Industrial/R&D  
Other 
Gross carrying value 

  Non-performing 
Loans 
$1,218,108 

OREO & 
REHI 
$   402,252 

848,439 
210,165 
74,664 
348,491 
267,399 
243,915 
238,089 
234,005 
107,554 
61,754 
52,817 
5,522 
$3,910,922 

487,718 
– 
114,400 
19,761 
– 
41,587 
86,936 
83,300 
7,384 
– 
– 
18,467 
$1,261,805 

Total 
$1,620,360 

1,336,157 
210,165 
189,064 
368,252 
267,399 
285,502 
325,025 
317,305 
114,938 
61,754 
52,817 
23,989 
$5,172,727 

% of
Total
31.3%

25.8%
4.1%
3.7%
7.1%
5.2%
5.5%
6.3%
6.1%
2.2%
1.2%
1.0%
0.5%
100.0%

sfi 2009

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-Performing Loans – We designate loans as non-performing 
at such time as: (1) the loan becomes 90 days delinquent; (2) the loan 
has a maturity default; or (3) management determines it is probable 
that it will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the con-
tractual  terms  of  the  loan.  All  non-performing  loans  are  placed  on 
non-accrual  status  and  income  is  only  recognized  in  certain  cases 
upon  actual  cash  receipt.  As  of  December  31,  2009,  we  had  non-
performing  loans  with  an  aggregate  carrying  value  of  $3.91  billion 
and  an  aggregate  Managed  Loan  Value  of  $4.21  billion,  or  45.3%  of 
the  Managed  Loan  Value  of  total  loans.  Our  non-performing  loans 
increased  during  2009,  particularly  in  our  residential  land  develop-
ment  and  condominium  construction  portfolios,  due  to  the  weak-
ened  economy  and  the  continued  disruption  in  the  credit  markets, 
which  adversely  impacted  the  ability  of  many  of  our  borrowers 
to  service  their  debt  and  refi nance  our  loans  at  maturity.  Due  to 
the continued deterioration of the commercial real estate market, the 
process  of  estimating  collateral  values  and  reserves  will  continue 
to require signifi cant judgment on the part of management, which is 
inherently  uncertain  and  subject  to  change.  Management  currently 
believes there is adequate collateral and reserves to support the car-
rying values of the loans.

Watch  List  Assets  –  We  conduct  a  quarterly  credit  review, 
resulting  in  an  individual  risk  rating  being  assigned  to  each  asset 
in  our  portfolio.  This  review  is  designed  to  enable  management  to 
evaluate and manage asset-specifi c credit issues and identify credit 
trends on a portfolio-wide basis. As of December 31, 2009, we had 
assets on the watch list, (excluding non-performing loans), with an 
aggregate carrying value of $697.1 million and an aggregate Managed 
Loan Value of $717.7 million, or 7.7% of total Managed Loan Value.

Reserve for Loan Losses – During the year ended December 31, 
2009,  the  reserve  for  loan  losses  increased  $441.2  million,  which 
was the result of $1.26 billion of provisioning for loan losses reduced 
by  $814.2  million  of  charge-offs.  The  reserve  is  increased  through 
the  provision  for  loan  losses,  which  reduces  income  in  the  period 
recorded and the reserve is reduced through charge-offs.

The reserve for loan losses includes an asset-specifi c com-
ponent and a formula-based component. An asset-specifi c reserve is 
established for an impaired loan when the estimated fair value of the 
loan’s collateral less costs to sell is lower than the carrying value of 
the loan. As of December 31, 2009, we had asset-specifi c reserves 
of $1.24 billion or 29.5% of non-performing loans compared to asset-
specifi c reserves of $799.6 million or 23.1% of non-performing loans 
at December 31, 2008. The increase in asset-specifi c reserves during 
the year ended December 31, 2009 was primarily due to the increase 
in non-performing loans as previously discussed. The increase was 
also due to additional reserves required for existing non-performing 
loans  further  impacted  by  the  continued  deterioration  in  the  com-
mercial real estate market.

The  formula-based  general  reserve  is  derived  from  esti-
mated probabilities of principal loss and loss given default severities 
assigned  to  the  portfolio  during  our  quarterly  internal  risk  rating 
assessment.  Probabilities  of  principal  loss  and  severity  factors  are 
based on industry and/or internal experience and may be adjusted 
for  significant  factors  that,  based  on  our  judgment,  impact  the 
collectability  of  the  loans  as  of  the  balance  sheet  date.  The  gen-
eral  reserve  was  $174.9  million  or  3.4%  of  performing  loans  as  of 
December 31, 2009 compared to $177.2 million or 1.9% of performing 
loans at December 31, 2008.

Real  Estate  Held  for  Investment,  net  and  Other  Real  Estate  Owned  – 
During the year ended December 31, 2009, we received title to prop-
erties in full or partial satisfaction of non-performing mortgage loans 
with  a  carrying  value  of  $1.88  billion,  for  which  the  properties  had 
served  as  collateral,  and  recorded  charge-offs  totaling  $573.6  mil-
lion  related  to  these  loans.  Of  this  total,  we  recorded  properties 
with  a  carrying  value  of  $399.6  million  to  REHI  and  $904.2  million 
to  OREO  based  on  our  strategy  to  either  hold  the  properties  over 
a  longer  period  or  to  market  them  for  sale.  During  the  year  ended 
December  31,  2009,  we  sold  OREO  assets  for  net  proceeds  of 
$270.6 million and recorded impairment charges totaling $78.6 mil-
lion  due  to  changing  market  conditions,  which  were  included  in 
“Impairment  of  other  assets”  on  our  Consolidated  Statements 
of Operations.

Tenant  Credit  Characteristics  –  As  of  December  31,  2009,  our 
CTL  assets  had  95  different  tenants,  of  which  66%  were  public 
companies and 34% were private companies. In addition, 36% of the 
tenants were rated investment grade by one or more national rating 
agencies, 35% were rated non-investment grade and the remaining 
tenants were not rated.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

For  the  upcoming  year,  we  will  require  signifi cant  capital 
to repay $586.8 million of our 2010 debt maturities and to fund our 
investment  activities  and  operating  expenses,  including  approxi-
mately $430.0 million of unfunded commitments primarily associated 
with  our  construction  loan  portfolio.  However,  the  timing  of  fund-
ing these commitments and the amounts of the individual fundings 
are  largely  dependent  on  construction  projects  meeting  certain 
milestones, and therefore they are diffi cult to predict with certainty. 
In addition, under the terms of our First Priority Credit Agreement, 
(as discussed below), if we do not pay down the outstanding balance 
of  that  loan  by  $500  million  by  September  30,  2010,  payments  of 
principal and net sale proceeds received by us in respect of assets 
constituting collateral for our obligations under this agreement must 
be applied toward the mandatory prepayment of the loan and com-
mitment reductions under the agreement.

27

Our  capital  sources  in  today’s  financing  environment 
include  repayments  from  our  loan  assets,  asset  sales,  fi nancings 
secured  by  our  assets,  cash  fl ow  from  operations  and  potential 
joint  ventures.  From  a  liquidity  perspective,  we  expect  to  continue 
to experience signifi cant uncertainty with respect to our sources of 
funds.  Historically  we  have  also  issued  unsecured  corporate  debt, 
convertible debt and preferred and common equity; however, current 
market  conditions  have  effectively  eliminated  our  access  to  these 
sources of capital in the near term.

In  March  2009,  we  obtained  additional  fi nancing  and  con-
summated a restructuring of our existing unsecured revolving credit 
facilities by entering into new secured credit facilities (the “Secured 
Credit Facilities Transaction”). In connection with this transaction, we 
entered into a $1.00 billion First Priority Credit Agreement maturing 
in June 2012 that is secured by a pool of collateral consisting of loan 
assets, corporate tenant lease assets, securities and other assets. 
We also entered into a $1.70 billion Second Priority Credit Agreement 
maturing  in  June  2011  and  a  $950.0  million  Second  Priority  Credit 
Agreement maturing in June 2012 with the same lenders participat-
ing in the First Priority Credit Agreement, who have a second lien on 
the same collateral pool. Refer to the Credit Facilities Restructuring 
section below for further details on these transactions.

In  May  2009,  we  completed  a  series  of  private  offers 
through which $1.01 billion aggregate principal amount of our senior 
unsecured notes of various series were exchanged for $634.8 mil-
lion aggregate principal amount of new second-lien senior secured 
notes  issued  by  us  and  guaranteed  by  certain  of  our  subsidiaries. 
The new second lien notes have a second lien on the same collateral 
pool as the First and Second Priority Credit Agreements described 
above. Concurrent with the exchange offer, we repurchased for cash 
$12.5 million par value of our outstanding senior fl oating rate notes 
due September 2009 pursuant to a cash tender offer.

During 2009, we received gross principal repayments from 
borrowers of $1.85 billion and $1.06 billion in proceeds from strategic 
asset sales. We funded $1.22 billion of loan commitments during the 
year  and  repaid  outstanding  debt  of  $1.32  billion  partially  offset  by 
new  borrowings  of  $1.00  billion.  We  also  repurchased  $1.31  billion 
par value of senior unsecured notes resulting in the recognition of 
$439.4 million in net gains on the early extinguishment of debt during 
the year. To date, we have been able to partially mitigate the impact 
of  increased  expenses  associated  with  our  loan  loss  reserves  on 
some  of  our  fi nancial  covenants  through  the  recognition  of  gains 
associated  with  the  discounted  extinguishment  of  debt.  We  may 
from time to time seek to retire or repurchase additional outstanding 
debt through cash purchases and/or exchanges, which may take the 

form of open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or 
otherwise, however, there can be no assurance that the Company’s 
efforts in this regard can be successful.

As  of  December  31,  2009,  we  had  $224.6  million  of  unre-
stricted cash. We will need additional liquidity over the coming year 
to  supplement  loan  repayments  and  cash  generated  from  opera-
tions  in  order  to  meet  our  debt  maturities  and  funding  obligations. 
We actively manage our liquidity and continually work on initiatives 
to  address  both  our  debt  covenants  compliance  and  our  liquidity 
needs.  We  expect  proceeds  from  asset  sales  to  supplement  loan 
repayments and intend to continue to analyze additional asset sales, 
secured  fi nancing  alternatives  and  other  strategic  transactions  in 
order to maintain adequate liquidity. During the fi rst quarter of 2010, 
we began exploring a sale or other transaction involving a portfolio of 
34 corporate tenant leased assets totaling approximately 12 million 
square feet and representing approximately 40% of the Company’s 
total corporate tenant leased net operating income. The portfolio is 
encumbered  by  secured,  non-recourse  term  debt  that  matures  in 
April 2011. Any decision by us to sell or otherwise dispose of some 
or  all  of  the  portfolio  will  be  based  primarily  on  the  pricing  terms 
offered  by  interested  parties.  There  can  be  no  assurance  that  any 
trans action involving all or part of the portfolio will be consummated. 
Under  the  terms  of  our  credit  agreements,  we  can  issue  a  total  of 
up to $1.00 billion of second priority secured notes in exchange or 
refi nancing  transactions  involving  our  unsecured  notes.  After  giv-
ing  effect  to  the  private  exchange  offers  in  May  2009,  described 
above, we can issue up to $365.2 million of new notes in exchange 
or  refi nancing  transactions.  Our  liquidity  plan  is  dynamic  and  we 
expect to monitor the markets and adjust our plan as market condi-
tions change. There is a risk that we will not be able to meet all of our 
funding  and  debt  service  obligations  or  maintain  compliance  with 
our  debt  covenants.  Management’s  failure  to  successfully  imple-
ment our liquidity plan could have a material adverse effect on our 
fi nancial position and covenant compliance, results of operations and 
cash fl ows.

Compliance  with  our  debt  covenants  will  also  impact  our 
ability to obtain additional debt and equity fi nancing. In addition, any 
decision by our lenders and investors to provide us with additional 
fi nancing may depend upon a number of other factors, such as our 
compliance with the terms of existing credit arrangements, our fi nan-
cial performance, our credit ratings, industry or market trends, the 
general availability of and rates applicable to fi nancing trans actions, 
such lenders’ and investors’ resources and policies concerning the 
terms under which they make capital commitments and the relative 
attractiveness of alternative investment or lending opportunities.

28

sfi 2009

The following table outlines the contractual obligations related to our long-term debt agreements and operating lease obligations as of 

December 31, 2009. We have no other long-term liabilities that would constitute a contractual obligation.

Principal and Interest Payments Due by Period 

Total 

Less Than 
1 Year 

2–3 
Years(1) 

4–5 
Years 

6–10 
Years 

After 10
Years

(In thousands)
Long-Term Debt Obligations:
Unsecured notes   
Secured notes  
Convertible notes   
Unsecured revolving credit facilities 
Secured term loans(2) 
Secured revolving credit facility 
Trust preferred 

Total principal maturities 

Interest Payable(3)  
Operating Lease Obligations 

Total(4) 

Explanatory Notes:

$  3,478,885 
634,801 
787,750 
748,601 
3,999,342 
959,426 
100,000 
10,708,805 
1,414,140 
47,279 
$12,170,224 

$   553,294 
– 
– 
– 
33,478 
– 
– 
586,772 
442,681 
6,095 
$1,035,548 

$1,208,311 
155,253 
787,750 
748,601 
3,703,921 
959,426 
– 
7,563,262 
567,621 
11,097 
$8,141,980 

$1,250,390 
479,548 
– 
– 
55,941 
– 
– 
1,785,879 
237,571 
8,744 
$2,032,194 

$466,890 
– 
– 
– 
21,520 
– 
– 
488,410 
126,207 
17,987 
$632,604 

$           –
–
–
–
184,482
–
100,000
284,482
40,060
3,356
$327,898

(1)  Future long-term debt obligations due during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012 are $4.02 billion and $3.54 billion, respectively.
(2) 

 As further discussed in Debt Covenants below, if we do not pay down the outstanding balance of our $1.00 billion First Priority Credit Agreement by $500 million by September 30, 2010, 
payments of principal and net sale proceeds received by us in respect of assets constituting collateral for our obligation under this agreement must be applied towards the mandatory 
prepayment of the loan and commitment reductions under the agreement. This amount has been included in years 2–3 based on its contractual maturity.

(3)  All variable-rate debt assumes a 30-day LIBOR rate of 0.23% (the 30-day LIBOR rate at December 31, 2009).
(4)  See “Off-Balance Sheet Transactions” below, for a discussion of certain unfunded commitments related to our lending and CTL business.

Credit  Facilities  Restructuring  –  In  March  2009,  we  entered 
into  a  $1.00  billion  First  Priority  Credit  Agreement  with  participat-
ing  members  of  our  existing  bank  lending  group.  The  First  Priority 
Credit Agreement will mature in June 2012. Borrowings bear interest 
at the rate of LIBOR + 2.50% per year, subject to adjustment based 
upon our corporate credit ratings (see Ratings Triggers below) and 
are  collateralized  by  a  fi rst-priority  lien  on  a  pool  of  collateral  con-
sisting  of  loans,  debt  securities,  corporate  tenant  lease  assets  and 
other  assets  pledged  under  the  First  and  Second  Priority  Credit 
Agreements and the Second Priority Secured Exchange Notes (see 
below). As of December 31, 2009, the First Priority Credit Agreement 
was fully drawn with $1.00 billion of secured term loans outstanding.

We  also  restructured  our  two  unsecured  revolving  credit 
facilities  by  entering  into  two  Second  Priority  Credit  Agreements, 
with  $1.70  billion  maturing  in  2011  and  $950.0  million  maturing 
in  2012,  with  the  same  lenders  participating  in  the  First  Priority 
Credit Agreement. Such lenders’ commitments under the Company’s 
unsecured facilities have been terminated and replaced by their com-
mitments under the Second Priority Credit Agreements. Under these 
agreements, the participating lenders have a second priority lien on 
the same collateral pool securing the First Priority Credit Agreement 
and the Second Priority Secured Exchange Notes (see Unsecured/
Secured  Notes  Exchange  below).  As  of  December  31,  2009,  out-
standing borrowings under the Second Priority Credit Agreements 

include  $625.2  million  and  $334.2  million  of  revolving  loans  due  in 
June 2011 and June 2012, respectively, as well as $1.06 billion and 
$621.2 million of term loans due in June 2011 and June 2012, respec-
tively. Borrowings bear interest at the rate of LIBOR + 1.50% per year, 
subject to adjustment based upon our corporate credit ratings (see 
Ratings Triggers below). As of December 31, 2009 there was approxi-
mately $2.1 million that was immediately available to draw under the 
Second Priority Credit Agreement.

At  December  31,  2009,  the  total  carrying  value  of  assets 
pledged  as  collateral  under  the  First  and  Second  Priority  Credit 
Agreements and the Second Priority Secured Exchange Notes was 
$5.73 billion.

29

Concurrently, we entered into amendments to our $2.22 bil-
lion  and  $1.20  billion  unsecured  revolving  credit  facilities.  As  of 
December 31, 2009, after giving effect to the amendments, outstand-
ing balances on the unsecured credit facilities were $504.3 million, 
which will expire in June 2011, and $244.3 million, which will expire 
in  June  2012.  The  amendments  eliminated  certain  covenants  and 
events  of  default.  The  unsecured  revolving  credit  facilities  may  not 
be repaid prior to maturity while the First and Second Priority Credit 
Agreements remain outstanding. These facilities remain unsecured 
and no changes were made to the pricing terms of these facilities in 
connection with these amendments.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unsecured/Secured  Notes  Exchange –  In  May  2009,  we  com-
pleted  a  series  of  private  offers  in  which  we  issued  $155.3  million 
aggregate  principal  amount  of  our  8.0%  second  priority  senior 
secured guaranteed notes due 2011 (“2011 Notes”) and $479.5 mil-
lion aggregate principal amounts of our 10.0% second priority senior 
secured guaranteed notes due 2014 (“2014 Notes” and together with 
the  2011  Notes,  the  “Second  Priority  Secured  Exchange  Notes”)  in 
exchange for $1.01 billion aggregate principal amount of our senior 
unsecured  notes  of  various  series.  The  Second  Priority  Secured 
Exchange  Notes  are  collateralized  by  a  second  priority  lien  on  the 
same pool of collateral pledged under the First and Second Priority 
Credit Agreements. In conjunction with the exchange, we also pur-
chased $12.5 million par value of our outstanding senior fl oating rate 
notes due September 2009 in a cash tender offer. As a result of the 
secured note exchange, we recorded a gain on early extinguishment 
of  debt  of  $107.9  million  at  the  time  of  the  transaction  as  well  as  a 
deferred gain of $262.7 million, refl ected as a premium on the new 
secured notes which will be amortized to interest expense over the 
terms of the secured notes.

Note  Repurchases  –  During  the  year  ended  December  31, 
2009,  we  repurchased,  through  open  market  and  private  trans-
actions,  $1.31  billion  par  value  of  our  senior  unsecured  notes  with 
various maturities ranging from January 2009 to March 2017. In con-
nection with these repurchases, we recorded an aggregate net gain 
on early extinguishment of debt of $439.4 million for the year ended 
December 31, 2009.

Debt  Covenants  –  Our  ability  to  borrow  under  our  secured 
credit  facilities  depends  on  maintaining  compliance  with  various 
covenants,  including  a  minimum  tangible  net  worth  covenant  and 
specifi ed fi nancial ratios, such as fi xed charge coverage, unencum-
bered assets to unsecured indebtedness, eligible collateral coverage 
and leverage. Our recent fi nancial results have put pressure on our 
ability to maintain compliance with certain of the debt covenants in 
our secured bank credit facilities. In particular, our tangible net worth 
at  December  31,  2009  was  approximately  $1.7  billion,  which  is  not 
signifi cantly  above  the  fi nancial  covenant  minimum  requirement  in 
our secured credit facilities of $1.5 billion. We intend to operate our 
business  in  order  to  remain  in  compliance  with  the  covenants  in 
our  debt  instruments;  however,  there  can  be  no  assurance  that 
we  will  be  able  to  do  so.  Further  loan  loss  reserves  and  impair-
ment  charges  will  adversely  impact  our  tangible  net  worth.  All  of 
these  covenants  on  our  facilities  are  maintenance  covenants  and, 
if breached could result in an acceleration of our facilities if a waiver 
or  modifi cation  is  not  agreed  upon  with  the  requisite  percentage 
of the unsecured lending group and lenders on our other facilities. 
Our secured credit facilities also impose limitations on repayments, 
repurchases, refi nancings and optional redemptions of our existing 
unsecured notes or secured exchange notes issued pursuant to our 
exchange offer, as well as limitations on repurchases of our Common 
Stock.  For  so  long  as  we  maintain  our  qualifi cation  as  a  REIT,  the 
secured  credit  facilities  permit  us  to  distribute  100%  of  our  REIT 
taxable  income  on  an  annual  basis.  We  may  not  pay  common  divi-
dends if we cease to qualify as a REIT.

Our  publicly  held  debt  securities  also  contain  covenants 
that  include  fi xed  charge  coverage  and  unencumbered  assets  to 
unsecured  indebtedness  ratios  and  our  secured  debt  securities 
have  an  eligible  collateral  coverage  requirement.  The  fi xed  charge 
coverage  ratio  in  our  publicly  held  securities  is  an  incurrence  test. 
If we do not meet the fi xed charge coverage ratio, our ability to incur 
additional indebtedness will be restricted. The unencumbered assets 
to unsecured indebtedness covenant and the eligible collateral cov-
erage covenant are maintenance covenants and, if breached and not 
cured  within  applicable  cure  periods,  could  result  in  acceleration 
of  our  publicly  held  debt  unless  a  waiver  or  modifi cation  is  agreed 
upon  with  the  requisite  percentage  of  the  bondholders.  Based  on 
our unsecured credit ratings at December 31, 2009, the fi nancial cov-
enants in our publicly held debt securities, including the fi xed charge 
coverage ratio and maintenance of unencumbered assets to unse-
cured indebtedness ratio, are operative.

Our secured credit facilities and our public debt securities 
contain cross default provisions that would allow the lenders and the 
bondholders to declare an event of default and accelerate our indebt-
edness to them if we fail to pay amounts due in respect of our other 
recourse indebtedness in excess of specifi ed thresholds. In addition, 
our secured credit facilities, unsecured credit facilities and the inden-
tures governing our public debt securities provide that the lenders 
and  bondholders  may  declare  an  event  of  default  and  accelerate 
our indebtedness to them if there is a non-payment default under our 
other recourse indebtedness in excess of specifi ed thresholds and, 
if the holders of the other indebtedness are permitted to accelerate, 
in the case of the secured credit facilities, or accelerate, in the case 
of our unsecured credit facilities and the bond indentures, the other 
recourse indebtedness.

The  First  and  Second  Priority  Credit  Agreements  and  the 
indentures governing the Second Priority Secured Exchange Notes 
contain  a  number  of  covenants,  including  that  we  maintain  collat-
eral coverage of at least 1.3x the aggregate borrowings and letters 
of  credit  outstanding  under  the  First  Priority  Credit  Agreement, 
the  Second  Priority  Credit  Agreements  and  the  Second  Priority 
Secured  Exchange  Notes.  Under  certain  circumstances,  the  First 
and  Second  Priority  Credit  Agreements  require  that  payments  of 
principal and net sale proceeds received by us in respect of assets 
constituting  collateral  for  our  obligations  under  these  agreements 
be applied toward the mandatory prepayment of loans and commit-
ment  reductions  under  them.  We  would  be  required  to  make  such 
prepayments (i) during any time that the ratio of our EBITDA to fi xed 
charges, as defi ned under the agreements, is less than 1.25 to 1.00, 
(ii) if, after receiving a payment of principal or net sale proceeds in 
respect  of  collateral,  the  Company  has  insuffi cient  eligible  assets 
available  to  pledge  as  replacement  collateral  or  (iii)  if,  and  for  so 
long as, the aggregate principal amount of loans outstanding under 
the  First  Priority  Credit  Agreement  exceeds  $500  million  at  any 
time on or after September 30, 2010, or zero at any time on or after 
March 31, 2011.

We believe we are in full compliance with all the covenants 

in our debt instruments as of December 31, 2009.

30

sfi 2009

Ratings  Triggers  –  Our  First  and  Second  Priority  Secured 
Credit  Agreements  and  unsecured  credit  agreements  bear  inter-
est  at  LIBOR-based  rates  plus  an  applicable  margin  which  varies 
between  the  Credit  Agreements  and  is  determined  based  on  our 
corporate credit ratings. Our ability to borrow under our credit facili-
ties is not dependent on the level of our credit ratings. Based on our 
current credit ratings, further downgrades in our credit ratings will 
have no effect on our borrowing rates under these facilities.

Off-Balance Sheet Transactions – We are not dependent on the 

use of any off-balance sheet fi nancing arrangements for liquidity.

Unfunded  commitments  –  We  generally  fund  construction  and 
development loans and build outs of CTL space over a period of time 
if and when the borrowers and tenants meet established milestones 
and  other  performance  criteria.  We  refer  to  these  arrangements 
as  Performance-Based  Commitments.  In  addition,  we  sometimes 
establish  a  maximum  amount  of  additional  funding  which  we  will 
make  available  to  a  borrower  or  tenant  for  an  expansion  or  addi-
tion  to  a  project  if  we  approve  of  the  expansion  or  addition  in  our 
sole  discretion.  We  refer  to  these  arrangements  as  Discretionary 
Fundings.  Finally,  we  have  committed  to  invest  capital  in  several 
real  estate  funds  and  other  ventures.  These  arrangements  are 
referred  to  as  Strategic  Investments.  As  of  December  31,  2009, 
the  maximum  amounts  of  the  fundings  we  may  make  under  each 
category,  assuming  all  performance  hurdles  and  milestones  are 
met  under  Performance-Based  Commitments,  that  we  approve  all 
Discretionary  Fundings  and  that  100%  of  our  capital  committed  to 
Strategic Investments is drawn down are as follows (in thousands):

Performance-Based 
  Commitments 
Discretionary Fundings 
Strategic Investments 
  Total              

` 

Loans 

CTL 

Total

$616,400 
137,685 
N/A 
$754,085 

$13,074 
– 
N/A 
$13,074 

$629,474
137,685
73,139
$840,298

Transactions with Related Parties – We have substantial invest-
ments  in  non-controlling  interests  of  Oak  Hill  Advisors,  L.P.,  Oak 
Hill  Credit  Alpha  MGP,  OHSF  GP  Partners  II,  LLC,  Oak  Hill  Credit 
Opportunities  MGP,  LLC,  OHSF  GP  Partners  (Investors),  LLC,  OHA 
Finance MGP, LLC, OHA Capital Solutions MGP, LLC, OHA Strategic 
Credit  GenPar,  LLC,  OHA  Leveraged  Loan  Portfolio  GenPar,  LLC, 
OHA  Structured  Products  MGP,  LLC,  Oakhill  Credit  Opp  Fund,  LP 
and Oak Hill Credit Partners II, Limited (see Note 7 to the Company’s 
Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements).  In  relation  to  our 
investment in these entities, we appointed to our Board of Directors 
a  member  that  holds  a  substantial  investment  in  these  same  nine 
entities. As of December 31, 2009, the carrying value in these ven-
tures was $181.1 million. We recorded equity in earnings from these 
investments of $22.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. 
We  have  also  invested  directly  in  six  funds  managed  by  Oak  Hill 
Advisors,  L.P.,  which  have  a  cumulative  carrying  value  of  $0.6  mil-
lion as of December 31, 2009 and for which we recorded income of 

$0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. In addition, we 
have paid $0.1 million to certain of these entities representing man-
agement fees as well as advisory service related fees in conjunction 
with our debt repurchase transactions.

Stock Repurchase Program – On March 13, 2009, our Board of 
Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $50 million of Common 
Stock from time to time in open market and privately negotiated pur-
chases, including pursuant to one or more trading plans. During the 
year ended December 31, 2009, we repurchased 11.8 million shares 
of  our  outstanding  Common  Stock  for  approximately  $29.9  million, 
at  an  average  cost  of  $2.54  per  share,  and  the  repurchases  were 
recorded at cost. As of December 31, 2009, we had $21.5 million of 
Common Stock available to repurchase under the authorized stock 
repurchase programs.

Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of fi nancial statements in accordance with 
GAAP  requires  management  to  make  estimates  and  judgments  in 
certain circumstances that affect amounts reported as assets, liabili-
ties,  revenues  and  expenses.  We  have  established  detailed  policies 
and control procedures intended to ensure that valuation methods, 
including any judgments made as part of such methods, are well con-
trolled, reviewed and applied consistently from period to period. We 
base our estimates on historical corporate and industry experience 
and  various  other  assumptions  that  we  believe  to  be  appropriate 
under the circumstances. For all of these estimates, we caution that 
future  events  rarely  develop  exactly  as  forecasted,  and,  therefore, 
routinely require adjustment.

During  2009,  management  reviewed  and  evaluated  these 
critical  accounting  estimates  and  believes  they  are  appropriate. 
Our  signifi cant  accounting  policies  are  described  in  Note  3  to  our 
Consolidated  Financial  Statements.  The  following  is  a  summary  of 
accounting policies that require more signifi cant management esti-
mates and judgments:

Reserve for loan losses – The reserve for loan losses is a valu-
ation allowance that refl ects management’s estimate of loan losses 
inherent  in  the  loan  portfolio  as  of  the  balance  sheet  date.  The 
reserve is increased through the “Provision for loan losses” on our 
Consolidated Statements of Operations and is decreased by charge-
offs when losses are confi rmed through the receipt of assets such 
as  cash  in  a  pre-foreclosure  sale  or  via  ownership  control  of  the 
underlying collateral in full satisfaction of the loan upon foreclosure 
or when signifi cant collection efforts have ceased. The reserve for 
loan  losses  includes  a  general,  formula-based  component  and  an 
asset-specifi c component.

The  general,  formula-based  reserve  component  covers 
performing loans and provisions for loan losses are recorded when 
(i) available information as of each balance sheet date indicates that 
it is probable a loss has occurred in the portfolio and (ii) the amount 
of  the  loss  can  be  reasonably  estimated.  Required  reserve  bal-
ances for the performing loan portfolio are derived from estimated 

31

 
 
 
 
 
probabilities  of  principal  loss  and  loss  given  default  severities. 
Estimated  probabilities  of  principal  loss  and  loss  severities  are 
assigned  to  each  loan  in  the  portfolio  during  our  quarterly  internal 
risk  rating  assessment.  Probabilities  of  principal  loss  and  severity 
factors are based on industry and/or internal experience and may be 
adjusted for signifi cant factors that, based on our judgment, impact 
the collectability of the loans as of the balance sheet date.

The asset-specifi c reserve component relates to reserves 
for  losses  on  impaired  loans.  We  consider  a  loan  to  be  impaired 
when,  based  upon  current  information  and  events,  we  believe  that 
it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts due under 
the  contractual  terms  of  the  loan  agreement.  A  reserve  is  estab-
lished when the present value of payments expected to be received, 
observable market prices, or the estimated fair value of the collateral 
(for loans that are dependent on the collateral for repayment) of an 
impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan. A loan is 
also considered impaired if its terms are modifi ed in a troubled debt 
restructuring  (“TDR”).  A  TDR  occurs  when  the  Company  grants  a 
concession to a borrower in fi nancial diffi culty by modifying the origi-
nal terms of the loan. Each of our non-performing loans (“NPL’s”) and 
TDR loans are considered impaired and are evaluated individually to 
determine required asset-specifi c reserves.

The  provision  for  loan  losses  for  the  years  ended 
December  31,  2009,  2008  and  2007  were  $1.26  billion,  $1.03  bil-
lion  and  $185.0  million,  respectively.  The  increase  in  the  provi-
sion  for  loan  losses  was  primarily  due  to  increased  asset-specifi c 
reserves  required  as  a  result  of  the  increase  in  impaired  loans. 
The  total  reserve  for  loan  losses  at  December  31,  2009  and  2008, 
included  asset-specifi c  reserves  of  $1.24  billion  and  $799.6  million, 
respectively,  and  general  reserves  of  $174.9  million  and  $177.2  mil-
lion, respectively.

Impairment  of  available-for-sale  and  held-to-maturity  debt  securities  – 
For  held-to-maturity  and  available-for-sale  debt  securities  held 
in  “Loans  and  other  lending  investments,”  management  evaluates 
whether the asset is other-than-temporarily impaired when the fair 
market  value  is  below  carrying  value.  We  consider  debt  securities 
other-than-temporarily impaired if (1) we have the intent to sell the 
security, (2) it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell 
the security before recovery, or (3) we do not expect to recover the 
entire  amortized  cost  basis  of  the  security.  If  it  is  determined  that 
an  other-than-temporary  impairment  exists,  the  portion  related 
to  credit  losses,  where  we  do  not  expect  to  recover  our  entire 
amortized cost basis, will be recognized as an “Impairment of other 
assets” on the our Consolidated Statements of Operations. If we do 
not intend to sell the security and it is more likely than not that we 
will be required to sell the security, but the security has suffered a 
credit loss, the impairment charge will be separated. The credit loss 
component of the impairment will be recorded as an “Impairment of 
other assets” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations, and the 
remainder  will  be  recorded  in  “Accumulated  other  comprehensive 
income” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

During  the  years  ended  December  31,  2009,  2008  and 
2007,  we  determined  that  unrealized  credit  related  losses  on  cer-
tain  held-to-maturity  and  available-for-sale  debt  securities  were 

other-than-temporary  and  recorded  impairment  charges  total-
ing  $11.7  million,  $120.0  million  and  $134.9  million,  respectively, 
in  “Impairment  of  other  assets”  on  the  Consolidated  Statements 
of  Operations.  There  are  no  other-than-temporary  impairments 
recorded  in  “Accumulated  other  comprehensive  income”  on  our 
Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2009.

Other real estate owned – OREO consists of properties acquired 
through foreclosure or by deed-in-lieu of foreclosure in full or partial 
satisfaction  of  non-performing  loans  that  we  intend  to  market  for 
sale in the near term. OREO is recorded at the estimated fair value 
less costs to sell. The excess of the carrying value of the loan over 
the fair value of the property less estimated costs to sell is charged-
off  against  the  reserve  for  loan  losses  when  title  to  the  property 
is  obtained.  Signifi cant  property  improvements  may  be  capitalized 
to the extent that the carrying value of the property does not exceed 
the estimated fair value less costs to sell. The gain or loss on fi nal 
disposition of an OREO is recorded in “Impairment of other assets” 
on  our  Consolidated  Statements  of  Operations,  and  is  considered 
income  (loss)  from  continuing  operations  as  it  represents  the  fi nal 
stage of our loan collection process.

We  review  the  recoverability  of  an  OREO  asset’s  carrying 
value  when  events  or  circumstances  indicate  a  potential  impair-
ment of a property’s value. If impairment exists a loss is recorded to 
the extent that the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value 
of  the  property  less  cost  to  sell.  These  impairments  are  recorded 
in  “Impairment  of  other  assets”  on  the  Consolidated  Statements 
of Operations.

During the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, 
we  received  titles  to  properties  in  satisfaction  of  senior  mortgage 
loans  with  cumulative  carrying  values  of  $1.88  billion,  $419.1  mil-
lion and $152.4 million, respectively, for which those properties had 
served as collateral, and recorded charge-offs totaling $573.6 million, 
$102.4 million and $23.2 million, respectively, related to these loans. 
Subsequent to taking title to the properties, we determined certain 
OREO assets were impaired due to changing market conditions, and 
recorded impairment charges of $78.6 million and $55.6 million dur-
ing the year ended December 31, 2009 and 2008.

Real estate held for investment, net – REHI consists of properties 
acquired through foreclosure or through deed-in-lieu of foreclosure 
in  full  or  partial  satisfaction  of  non-performing  loans  that  manage-
ment  intends  to  hold,  operate  or  develop  for  a  period  of  at  least 
twelve months. REHI assets are initially recorded at their estimated 
fair value. The excess of the carrying value of the loan over the fair 
value  of  the  property  is  charged-off  against  the  reserve  for  loan 
losses when title to the property is obtained. Upon acquisition, tangi-
ble and intangible assets and liabilities acquired are recorded at their 
estimated fair values. We consider REHI assets to be long-lived and 
periodically review them for impairment in value whenever events or 
changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such 
assets may not be recoverable. Impairment of REHI assets is mea-
sured in the same manner as long-lived assets as described below.

Long-lived  assets  impairment  test  –  CTL  assets  to  be  disposed 
of are reported at the lower of their carrying amount or estimated 
fair value less costs to sell and are included in “Assets held-for-sale” 

32

sfi 2009

on  our  Consolidated  Balance  Sheets.  The  difference  between  the 
estimated  fair  value  less  costs  to  sell  and  the  carrying  value  will 
be  recorded  as  an  impairment  charge  and  included  in  “Income 
from  discontinued  operations”  on  the  Consolidated  Statements  of 
Operations.  Once  the  asset  is  classifi ed  as  held-for-sale,  deprecia-
tion expense is no longer recorded and historical operating results 
are  reclassifi ed  to  “Income  from  discontinued  operations”  on  the 
Consolidated Statements of Operations.

We  periodically  review  long-lived  assets  to  be  held  and 
used for impairment in value whenever events or changes in circum-
stances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be 
recoverable. A held for use long-lived asset’s value is impaired only 
if management’s estimate of the aggregate future cash fl ows (undis-
counted and without interest charges) to be generated by the asset 
(taking  into  account  the  anticipated  holding  period  of  the  asset)  is 
less than the carrying value. Such estimate of cash fl ows considers 
factors such as expected future operating income, trends and pros-
pects, as well as the effects of demand, competition and other eco-
nomic factors. To the extent impairment has occurred, the loss will 
be measured as the excess of the carrying amount of the property 
over the fair value of the asset and refl ected as an adjustment to the 
basis of the asset. Impairments of CTL and REHI assets are recorded 
in  “Impairment  of  other  assets,”  on  our  Consolidated  Statements 
of Operations.

During  the  years  ended  December  31,  2009  and  2008, 
we  recorded  impairment  charges  of  $19.4  million  and  $11.6  million, 
respectively, due to changes in market conditions.

Due  to  an  overall  deterioration  in  conditions  within  the 
commercial real estate market, we recorded impairment charges of 
$4.2 million during 2009 and $39.1 million during 2008 to write-off the 
goodwill allocated to the CTL and Real Estate Lending reporting seg-
ments, respectively. These charges were recorded in “Impairment of 
goodwill” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

During  the  year  ended  December  31,  2008,  we  also 
recorded  non-cash  charges  of  $21.5  million  to  reduce  the  carrying 
value of certain intangible assets related to the Fremont CRE acqui-
sition  and  other  acquisitions,  based  on  their  revised  estimated  fair 
values. These charges were recorded in “Impairment of other assets” 
on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Consolidation – Variable Interest Entities – We invest in many entities 
in which we either own a minority interest or may have a majority 
interest, but do not have voting control of the entity. We must evaluate 
these types of interests to determine if the entity is a variable interest 
entity  (“VIE”),  and  if  we  are  the  primary  benefi ciary.  There  is  a  sig-
nifi cant amount of judgment required to determine if an entity is con-
sidered a VIE and if we are the primary benefi ciary, we fi rst perform 
a  qualitative  analysis,  which  requires  certain  subjective  decisions 
regarding  our  assessment,  including,  but  not  limited  to,  the  nature 
and structure of the entity, the variability of the economic interests 
that the entity passes along to its interest holders, the rights of the 
parties and the purpose of the arrangement. An iterative quantitative 
analysis is required if our qualitative analysis proves inconclusive as 
to whether the entity is a VIE or we are the primary benefi ciary and 
consolidation is required.

Identified  intangible  assets  and  goodwill  –  We  record  intangible 
assets  acquired  at  their  estimated  fair  values  separate  and  apart 
from  goodwill.  We  determine  whether  such  intangible  assets  have 
fi nite or indefi nite lives. As of December 31, 2009, all such acquired 
intangible assets have fi nite lives. We amortize fi nite-lived intangible 
assets based on the period over which the assets are expected to 
contribute directly or indirectly to the future cash fl ows of the busi-
ness acquired. We review fi nite-lived intangible assets for impairment 
whenever  events  or  changes  in  circumstances  indicate  that  their 
carrying  amount  may  not  be  recoverable.  If  we  determine  the  car-
rying value of an intangible asset is not recoverable we will record 
an  impairment  charge  to  the  extent  its  carrying  value  exceeds 
its  estimated  fair  value.  Impairments  of  intangibles  are  recorded 
in  “Impairment  of  other  assets”  on  our  Consolidated  Statements 
of Operations.

Fair  value  of  assets  and  liabilities  –  The  degree  of  management 
judgment involved in determining the fair value of assets and liabili-
ties  is  dependent  upon  the  availability  of  quoted  market  prices  or 
observable  market  parameters.  For  financial  and  non-financial 
assets  and  liabilities  that  trade  actively  and  have  quoted  market 
prices or observable market parameters, there is minimal subjectiv-
ity involved in measuring fair value. When observable market prices 
and parameters are not fully available, management judgment is nec-
essary to estimate fair value. In addition, changes in market condi-
tions may reduce the availability of quoted prices or observable data. 
For example, reduced liquidity in the capital markets or changes in 
secondary market activities could result in observable market inputs 
becoming unavailable. Therefore, when market data is not available, 
we  would  use  valuation  techniques  requiring  more  management 
judgment to estimate the appropriate fair value measurement.

The excess of the cost of an acquired entity over the net of 
the amounts assigned to assets acquired (including identifi ed intan-
gible assets) and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. Goodwill 
is not amortized but is tested for impairment on an annual basis, or 
more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that 
the asset might be impaired. The impairment test is done at a level of 
reporting referred to as a reporting unit. If the fair value of the report-
ing unit is less than its carrying value, an impairment loss is recorded 
to the extent that the fair value of the goodwill within the reporting 
unit is less than its carrying value.

See  Note  16  of  the  Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial 
Statements  for  a  complete  discussion  on  our  use  of  fair  valuation 
of  fi nancial  and  non-fi nancial  assets  and  fi nancial  liabilities  and  the 
related measurement techniques.

New Accounting Standards

For  a  discussion  of  the  impact  of  new  accounting  pro-
nouncements on our fi nancial condition or results of operations, see 
Note 3 to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

33

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Interest Rate Risks

Market Risks

Market risk is the exposure to loss resulting from changes 
in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices 
and equity prices. In pursuing our business plan, the primary market 
risk to which we are exposed is interest rate risk. Consistent with our 
liability  management  objectives,  we  have  implemented  an  interest 
rate risk management policy based on match funding, with the objec-
tive  that  variable-rate  assets  be  primarily  fi nanced  by  variable-rate 
liabilities and fi xed-rate assets be primarily fi nanced by fi xed-rate lia-
bilities. We also seek to match fund our foreign denominated assets 
with foreign denominated debt so that changes in foreign currency 
exchange rates will have a minimal impact on earnings.

Our operating results will depend in part on the difference 
between  the  interest  and  related  income  earned  on  our  assets 
and the interest expense incurred in connection with our interest-
bearing  liabilities.  Competition  from  other  providers  of  real  estate 
fi nancing may lead to a decrease in the interest rate earned on our 
interest-bearing assets, which we may not be able to offset by obtain-
ing lower interest costs on our borrowings. Changes in the general 
level  of  interest  rates  prevailing  in  the  fi nancial  markets  may  affect 
the spread between our interest-earning assets and  interest-bearing 
liabilities. Any signifi cant compression of the spreads between inter-
est-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities could have a mate-
rial  adverse  effect  on  us.  In  addition,  an  increase  in  interest  rates 
could, among other things, reduce the value of our interest-bearing 
assets and our ability to realize gains from the sale of such assets, 
and a decrease in interest rates could reduce the average life of our 
interest-earning assets if borrowers refi nance our loans.

Approximately 10.3% of our loan investments are subject to 
prepayment  protection  in  the  form  of  lock-outs,  yield  maintenance 
provisions or other prepayment premiums which provide substantial 
yield  protection  to  us.  Those  assets  generally  not  subject  to  pre-
payment  penalties  include:  (1)  variable-rate  loans  based  on  LIBOR, 
originated or acquired at par, which would not result in any gain or 
loss upon repayment; and (2) discount loans and loan participations 
acquired at discounts to face values, which would result in gains upon 
repayment. Further, while we generally seek to enter into loan invest-
ments  which  provide  for  substantial  prepayment  protection,  in  the 
event of declining interest rates, we could receive such prepayments 
and may not be able to reinvest such proceeds at favorable returns. 
Such  prepayments  could  have  an  adverse  effect  on  the  spreads 
between interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.

In the event of a signifi cant rising interest rate environment 
or  further  economic  downturn,  defaults  could  increase  and  cause 
additional credit losses to us which adversely affect our liquidity and 
operating results. Further, such delinquencies or defaults could have 
an  adverse  effect  on  the  spreads  between  interest-earning  assets 
and interest-bearing liabilities.

Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, includ-
ing governmental monetary and tax policies, domestic and interna-
tional  economic  and  political  conditions,  and  other  factors  beyond 
our  control.  As  fully  discussed  in  Note  12  of  the  Company’s  Notes 
to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements,  we  seek  to  employ  match 
funding-based  fi nancing  and  hedging  strategies  to  limit  the  effects 
of changes in interest rates on our operations, including engaging in 
interest rate caps, swaps and other interest rate-related derivative 
contracts. These strategies are specifi cally designed to reduce our 
exposure, on specifi c transactions or on a portfolio basis, to changes 
in cash fl ows as a result of interest rate movements in the market. 
We  do  not  enter  into  derivative  contracts  for  speculative  purposes 
or as a hedge against changes in our credit risk or the credit risk of 
our borrowers.

While  a  REIT  may  utilize  derivative  instruments  to  hedge 
interest  rate  risk  on  its  liabilities  incurred  to  acquire  or  carry  real 
estate  assets  without  generating  non-qualifying  income,  use  of 
derivatives for other purposes will generate non-qualifi ed income for 
REIT income test purposes. This includes hedging asset-related risks 
such  as  credit,  foreign  exchange  and  prepayment  or  interest  rate 
exposure on our loan assets. As a result our ability to hedge these 
types of risks is limited.

There can be no assurance that our profi tability will not be 
adversely affected during any period as a result of changing interest 
rates. In addition, hedging transactions using derivative instruments 
involve certain additional risks such as counterparty credit risk, legal 
enforceability  of  hedging  contracts  and  the  risk  that  unanticipated 
and signifi cant changes in interest rates will cause a signifi cant loss 
of basis in the contract. With regard to loss of basis in a hedging con-
tract, indices upon which contracts are based may be more or less 
variable than the indices upon which the hedged assets or liabilities 
are based, thereby making the hedge less effective. The counterpar-
ties  to  these  contractual  arrangements  are  major  fi nancial  institu-
tions with which we and our affi liates may also have other fi nancial 
relationships. We are potentially exposed to credit loss in the event 
of non-performance by these counterparties. However, because of 

34

sfi 2009

their high credit ratings, we do not anticipate that any of the coun-
terparties will fail to meet their obligations. There can be no assur-
ance that we will be able to adequately protect against the foregoing 
risks  and  that  we  will  ultimately  realize  an  economic  benefi t  from 
any hedging contract we enter into which exceeds the related costs 
incurred in connection with engaging in such hedges.

The  following  table  quantifies  the  potential  changes  in 
net  investment  income  should  interest  rates  increase  by  100  or 
200  basis  points  and  decrease  by  10  basis  points,  assuming  no 
change  in  the  shape  of  the  yield  curve  (i.e.,  relative  interest  rates). 
Net investment income is calculated as revenue from loans and other 
lending investments and operating leases and earnings from equity 
method investments, less interest expense, operating costs on CTL 
assets and gain on early extinguishment of debt, for the year ended 
December  31,  2009.  The  base  interest  rate  scenario  assumes  the 
one-month  LIBOR  rate  of  0.23%  as  of  December  31,  2009.  Actual 
results could differ signifi cantly from those estimated in the table.

Estimated Percentage Change In

Change in Interest Rates 
–10 Basis Points(1) 
Base Interest Rate  
+100 Basis Points  
+200 Basis Points  

Explanatory Note:

Net Investment Income(1)
0.49%
–%
(4.86)%
(9.67)%

(1) 

 We  have  a  net  fl oating  rate  debt  exposure  resulting  in  an  increase  in  net  investment 
income when rates decrease and vice versa. In addition, interest rate fl oors on certain of 
our loan assets further increase net investment income as rates decrease and vice versa. 
As of December 31, 2009, $1.87 billion of our fl oating rate loans have a weighted average 
interest rate fl oor of 3.86%.

35

MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL 
OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Management  is  responsible  for  establishing  and  maintain-
ing  adequate  internal  control  over  fi nancial  reporting,  as  defi ned 
in  Exchange  Act  Rule  13a-15(f).  Under  the  supervision  and  with 
the  participation  of  the  disclosure  committee  and  other  mem-
bers  of  management,  including  the  Chief  Executive  Officer  and 
Chief  Financial  Offi cer,  management  carried  out  its  evaluation  of 
the  effectiveness  of  the  Company’s  internal  control  over  fi nancial 
reporting  based  on  the  framework  in  Internal  Control  –  Integrated 
Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of 
the Treadway Commission.

Based on management’s assessment under the framework 
in  Internal  Control  –  Integrated  Framework,  management  has  con-
cluded that its internal control over fi nancial reporting was effective 
as of December 31, 2009.

The Company’s internal control over fi nancial reporting as of 
December 31, 2009, has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 
an  independent  registered  public  accounting  fi rm,  as  stated  in  their 
report which appears on page 37.

36

sfi 2009

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders 
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders 
of iStar Financial Inc.:
of iStar Financial Inc.:

In  our  opinion,  the  accompanying  consolidated  balance 
In our opinion, the consolidated fi nancial statements listed 
in  the  accompanying  index  present  fairly,  in  all  material  respects, 
sheets  and  the  related  consolidated  statements  of  operations,  of 
changes  in  equity  and  of  cash  fl ows  present  fairly,  in  all  material 
the  financial  position  of  iStar  Financial  Inc.  and  its  subsidiaries 
(collectively,  the  “Company”)  at  December  31,  2009  and  2008,  and 
respects, the fi nancial position of iStar Financial Inc. and its subsid-
the results of their operations and their cash fl ows for each of the 
iaries (collectively, the “Company”) at December 31, 2009 and 2008, 
three  years  in  the  period  ended  December  31,  2009  in  conformity 
and the results of their operations and their cash fl ows for each of 
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of 
the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009 in conformity 
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of 
America.  In  addition,  in  our  opinion,  the  fi nancial  statement  sched-
ules  listed  in  the  accompanying  index  present  fairly,  in  all  material 
America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all mate-
respects,  the  information  set  forth  therein  when  read  in  conjunc-
rial respects, effective internal control over fi nancial reporting as of 
tion  with  the  related  consolidated  fi nancial  statements.  Also  in  our 
December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control – 
Integrated  Framework  issued  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring 
opinion,  the  Company  maintained,  in  all  material  respects,  effec-
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s 
tive  internal  control  over  fi nancial  reporting  as  of  December  31, 
2009,  based  on  criteria  established  in  Internal  Control  –  Integrated 
management is responsible for these fi nancial statements, for main-
Framework  issued  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring  Organizations 
taining  effective  internal  control  over  fi nancial  reporting  and  for  its 
of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management 
assessment  of  the  effectiveness  of  internal  control  over  fi nancial 
reporting,  included  in  the  accompanying  Management’s  Report  on 
is responsible for these fi nancial statements and fi nancial statement 
schedules,  for  maintaining  effective  internal  control  over  fi nancial 
Internal  Control  over  Financial  Reporting.  Our  responsibility  is  to 
reporting  and  for  its  assessment  of  the  effectiveness  of  internal 
express opinions on the fi nancial statements, and on the Company’s 
control  over  financial  reporting,  included  in  the  accompanying 
internal  control  over  fi nancial  reporting  based  on  our  integrated 
audits.  We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  the  standards 
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. 
of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). 
Our  responsibility  is  to  express  opinions  on  these  fi nancial  state-
ments, on the fi nancial statement schedules, and on the Company’s 
Those  standards  require  that  we  plan  and  perform  the  audits  to 
internal  control  over  fi nancial  reporting  based  on  our  integrated 
obtain  reasonable  assurance  about  whether  the  fi nancial  state-
audits.  We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  the  standards 
ments  are  free  of  material  misstatement  and  whether  effective 
internal control over fi nancial reporting was maintained in all material 
of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). 
Those  standards  require  that  we  plan  and  perform  the  audits  to 
respects. Our audits of the fi nancial statements included examining, 
obtain  reasonable  assurance  about  whether  the  fi nancial  state-
on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in 
ments  are  free  of  material  misstatement  and  whether  effective 
the  fi nancial  statements,  assessing  the  accounting  principles  used 
and signifi cant estimates made by management, and evaluating the 
internal control over fi nancial reporting was maintained in all material 
overall fi nancial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control 
respects. Our audits of the fi nancial statements included examining, 
on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in 
over fi nancial reporting included obtaining an understanding of inter-
the  fi nancial  statements,  assessing  the  accounting  principles  used 
nal control over fi nancial reporting, assessing the risk that a material 
and signifi cant estimates made by management, and evaluating the 
weakness  exists,  and  testing  and  evaluating  the  design  and  oper-
ating  effectiveness  of  internal  control  based  on  the  assessed  risk. 
overall fi nancial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control 

over fi nancial reporting included obtaining an understanding of inter-
Our  audits  also  included  performing  such  other  procedures  as  we 
nal control over fi nancial reporting, assessing the risk that a material 
considered  necessary  in  the  circumstances.  We  believe  that  our 
audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating 
As discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated fi nancial state-
effectiveness  of  internal  control  based  on  the  assessed  risk.  Our 
audits also included performing such other procedures as we con-
ments,  the  Company  changed  the  manner  in  which  it  accounts  for 
sidered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits 
convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon con-
version in 2009.
provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A  company’s  internal  control  over  fi nancial  reporting  is  a 
As discussed in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, 
the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for convertible 
process  designed  to  provide  reasonable  assurance  regarding  the 
debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion.
reliability of fi nancial reporting and the preparation of fi nancial state-
ments for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted 
A  company’s  internal  control  over  fi nancial  reporting  is  a 
accounting  principles.  A  company’s  internal  control  over  fi nancial 
process  designed  to  provide  reasonable  assurance  regarding  the 
reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to 
reliability of fi nancial reporting and the preparation of fi nancial state-
ments for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted 
the  maintenance  of  records  that,  in  reasonable  detail,  accurately 
accounting  principles.  A  company’s  internal  control  over  fi nancial 
and fairly refl ect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of 
reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to 
the  company;  (ii)  provide  reasonable  assurance  that  transactions 
are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of fi nancial state-
the  maintenance  of  records  that,  in  reasonable  detail,  accurately 
and fairly refl ect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of 
ments in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, 
the  company;  (ii)  provide  reasonable  assurance  that  transactions 
and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made 
are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of fi nancial state-
only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors 
ments in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, 
of  the  company;  and  (iii)  provide  reasonable  assurance  regarding 
prevention  or  timely  detection  of  unauthorized  acquisition,  use,  or 
and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made 
only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors 
disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect 
of  the  company;  and  (iii)  provide  reasonable  assurance  regarding 
on the fi nancial statements.
prevention  or  timely  detection  of  unauthorized  acquisition,  use,  or 
Because  of  its  inherent  limitations,  internal  control  over 
fi nancial  reporting  may  not  prevent  or  detect  misstatements.  Also, 
disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect 
on the fi nancial statements.
projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are 
subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of 
Because  of  its  inherent  limitations,  internal  control  over 
fi nancial  reporting  may  not  prevent  or  detect  misstatements.  Also, 
changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the poli-
cies or procedures may deteriorate.
projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are 
subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of 
changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the poli-
cies or procedures may deteriorate.

New York, New York
February 26, 2010

New York, New York
February 26, 2010

37
37

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

As of December 31, 

(In thousands, except per share data)
Assets
Loans and other lending investments, net 
Corporate tenant lease assets, net 
Other investments 
Real estate held for investment, net 
Other real estate owned 
Assets held-for-sale 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Restricted cash 
Accrued interest and operating lease income receivable, net 
Deferred operating lease income receivable 
Deferred expenses and other assets, net 

Total assets 
Liabilities and Equity 
Liabilities:
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities 
Debt obligations, net 

Total liabilities 
Commitments and contingencies 
Redeemable noncontrolling interests 
Equity:
iStar Financial Inc. shareholders’ equity: 
Preferred Stock Series D, E, F, G and I, liquidation preference $25.00 per share (see Note 11) 
High Performance Units 
Common Stock, $0.001 par value, 200,000 shares authorized, 137,868 issued and 94,216 outstanding at 
December 31, 2009 and 137,352 issued and 105,457 outstanding at December 31, 2008 

Additional paid-in capital 
Retained earnings (defi cit) 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (see Note 15) 
Treasury stock, at cost, $0.001 par value, 43,652 shares at December 31, 2009 and 

31,895 shares at December 31, 2008 
Total iStar Financial Inc. shareholders’ equity 

Noncontrolling interests 

Total equity 
Total liabilities and equity 

38

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated fi nancial statements.

2009 

2008

$  7,661,562 
2,885,896 
433,130 
422,664 
839,141 
17,282 
224,632 
39,654 
54,780 
122,628 
109,206 
$12,810,575 

$10,586,644
3,044,811
447,318
–
242,505
–
496,537
155,965
87,151
116,793
119,024
$15,296,748

$     252,110 
10,894,903 
11,147,013 
– 
7,444 

$     354,492
12,486,404
12,840,896
–
9,190

22 
9,800 

22
9,800

138 
3,791,972 
(2,051,376) 
6,145 

137
3,768,772
(1,240,280)
1,707

(151,016) 
1,605,685 
50,433 
1,656,118 
$12,810,575 

(121,159)
2,418,999
27,663
2,446,662
$15,296,748

sfi 2009

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For the Years Ended December 31, 

(In thousands, except per share data)
Revenue:

Interest income 
Operating lease income 
Other income 

Total revenue 

Costs and expenses: 

Interest expense 
Operating costs – corporate tenant lease assets 
Depreciation and amortization 
General and administrative 
Provision for loan losses 
Impairment of other assets 
Impairment of goodwill 
Other expense 

Total costs and expenses 

Income (loss) before earnings from equity method investments and other items 

Gain on early extinguishment of debt 
Gain on sale of joint venture interest 
Earnings from equity method investments 

Income (loss) from continuing operations 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations 
Gain from discontinued operations 

Net income (loss)   

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests 
Gain on sale of joint venture interest attributable to noncontrolling interests   
Gain from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests 

Net income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc. 

Preferred dividends 

2009 

2008 

2007

. 

$     557,809 
305,007 
30,468 
893,284 

$   947,661 
308,742 
97,851 
1,354,254 

$   998,008
306,513
99,938
1,404,459

481,116 
23,467 
97,869 
127,044 
1,255,357 
122,699 
4,186 
104,795 
2,216,533 
(1,323,249) 
547,349 
– 
5,298 
(770,602) 
(11,671) 
12,426 
(769,847) 
1,071 
– 
– 
(768,776) 
(42,320) 

666,706 
23,059 
94,726 
143,902 
1,029,322 
295,738 
39,092 
37,234 
2,329,779 
(975,525) 
393,131 
280,219 
6,535 
(295,640) 
22,415 
91,458 
(181,767) 
991 
(18,560) 
(3,689) 
(203,025) 
(42,320) 

629,260
27,915
83,690
156,534
185,000
144,184
–
8,927
1,235,510
168,949
225
–
29,626
198,800
29,970
7,832
236,602
816
–
–
237,418
(42,320)

Net income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc. and allocable to common shareholders, 

HPU holders and Participating Security holders(1)(2)(3) 

$   (811,096) 

$  (245,345) 

$   195,098

Per common share data:(3) 

Income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc. from continuing operations:   
  Basic   
  Diluted 
Net income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc.: 
  Basic   
  Diluted 
Weighted average number of common shares – basic 
Weighted average number of common shares – diluted 

Per HPU share data:(1)(3) 

Income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc. from continuing operations:   
  Basic   
  Diluted 
Net income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc.: 
  Basic   
  Diluted 
Weighted average number of HPU shares – basic and diluted 

$         (7.89) 
$         (7.89) 

$        (2.68) 
$        (2.68) 

$         1.19
$         1.18

$         (7.88) 
$         (7.88) 
100,071 
100,071 

$        (1.85) 
$        (1.85) 
131,153 
131,153 

$         1.48
$         1.47
126,801
127,542

39

$  (1,503.13) 
$  (1,503.13) 

$    (505.47) 
$    (505.47) 

$     224.40
$     223.27

$  (1,501.73) 
$  (1,501.73) 
15 

$    (349.87) 
$    (349.87) 
15 

$     279.53
$     278.07
15

Explanatory Notes:

(1)  HPU holders are current and former Company employees who purchased high performance common stock units under the Company’s High Performance Unit Program (see Note 11).
(2) 

 Participating Security holders are Company employees and directors who hold unvested restricted stock units and common stock equivalents granted under the Company’s Long-Term 
Incentive Plans (see Notes 13 and 14).

(3)  See Note 14 for amounts attributable to iStar Financial Inc. for income (loss) from continuing operations and further details on the calculation of earnings per share.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated fi nancial statements.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

For the Years Ended   
December 31, 2009, 2008, 2007 

(In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2006 
Exercise of options 
Net proceeds from equity offering 
Dividends declared – preferred 
Dividends declared – common 
Dividends declared – HPU 
Repurchase of stock 
Restricted stock unit amortization, 

net of shares withheld 

Issuance of stock – DRIP/stock purchase plan 
Redemption of HPUs 
Net income for the period(2) 
Contributions from noncontrolling interests 
Distributions to noncontrolling interests 
Sale/purchase of certain 

noncontrolling interests 

Adoption of ASC 470-20-65-1 

(see Notes 3 and 9) 

Change in accumulated other 

Preferred 

Stock(1)  HPUs 

  Common 
Stock 
 at Par 

Additional 
Paid-In 
Capital 

Accumulated
Retained 
Other 
Earnings  Comprehensive 
Income (Loss) 

(Defi cit) 

Treasury  Noncon-
trolling

Stock 
at cost 

Interests  Total Equity

$22 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

$9,800 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

$127  $3,465,925 
2,888 
217,926 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
8 
– 
– 
– 
– 

$(479,695) 
– 
– 
(42,320) 
(459,253) 
(10,130) 
– 

$ 16,956 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

$(26,272)  $29,509  $3,016,372
2,888
217,934
(42,320)
(459,253)
(10,130)
(30,947)

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(30,947) 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

11,116 
2,518 
1,105 
– 
– 
– 

– 

38,054 

– 
– 
– 
237,418 
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
(948) 
17,688 
(3,704) 

11,116
2,518
1,105
236,470
17,688
(3,704)

(6,370) 

(6,370)

– 

38,054

(19,251) 

(19,251)
$  (2,295)  $(57,219)  $36,175  $2,972,170

– 

– 

comprehensive income (loss) 

Balance at December 31, 2007 

– 
$22 

– 
$9,800 

– 

– 
$135  $3,739,532 

– 
$(753,980) 

40

sfi 2009

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (continued)

For the Years Ended   
December 31, 2009, 2008, 2007 

(In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2007 
Exercise of options 
Dividends declared – preferred 
Dividends declared – common 
Dividends declared – HPU 
Repurchase of stock 
Restricted stock unit amortization, 

net of shares withheld 

Issuance of stock – DRIP/stock purchase plan 
Redemption of HPUs 
Net loss for the period(2) 
Convertible Note repurchase 
Gain attributable to noncontrolling interests 
Contributions from noncontrolling interests 
Distributions to noncontrolling interests 
Sale/purchase of certain 

noncontrolling interests 

Change in accumulated other 

comprehensive income (loss) 

Balance at December 31, 2008 
Dividends declared – preferred 
Repurchase of stock 
Restricted stock unit amortization, 

net of shares withheld 

Net loss for the period(2) 
Contributions from noncontrolling interests 
Distributions to noncontrolling interests 
Change in accumulated other 

Preferred 

Stock(1)  HPUs 

  Common 
Stock 
 at Par 

Additional 
Paid-In 
Capital 

Accumulated
Retained 
Other 
Earnings  Comprehensive 
Income (Loss) 

(Defi cit) 

Treasury  Noncon-
trolling

Stock 
at cost 

Interests  Total Equity

$22 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

$9,800 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
$22 
– 
– 

– 
$9,800 
– 
– 

$135  $3,739,532  $   (753,980) 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

1 
1 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

5,868 
– 
– 
– 
– 

20,746 
1,887 
1,400 
– 
(661) 
– 
– 
– 

(42,320) 
(236,052) 
(4,903) 
– 

– 
– 
– 
(203,025) 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

$(2,295)  $  (57,219)  $ 36,175  $2,972,170
5,868
(42,320)
(236,052)
(4,903)
(63,940)

– 
– 
– 
– 
(63,940) 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
(1,707) 

22,249 
171 
(25,048) 

20,747
1,888
1,400
(204,732)
(661)
22,249
171
(25,048)

(4,177) 

(4,177)

– 

– 
– 
$137  $3,768,772  $(1,240,280) 
(42,320) 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 

– 

4,002 

4,002
$ 1,707  $(121,159)  $ 27,663  $2,446,662
(42,320)
(29,857)

– 
(29,857) 

– 
– 

– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

1 
– 
– 
– 

23,200 
– 
– 
– 

– 
(768,776) 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
(1,065) 
26,487 
(2,652) 

23,201
(769,841)
26,487
(2,652)

comprehensive income (loss) 

Balance at December 31, 2009 

– 
$22 

– 
$9,800 

– 

– 
– 
$138  $3,791,972  $(2,051,376) 

4,438 

4,438
$ 6,145  $(151,016)  $ 50,433  $1,656,118

– 

– 

Explanatory Notes:

(1)  See Note 11 for details on the Company’s Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock.
(2) 

 For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, net income (loss) for the period included $(6), $716 and $132 of net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests.

41

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated fi nancial statements.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For the Years Ended December 31, 

(In thousands)
Cash fl ows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)   
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash fl ows from operating activities: 

2009 

2008 

2007

$   (769,847) 

$     (181,767) 

$      236,602

Provision for loan losses 
Non-cash expense for stock-based compensation 
Impairment of goodwill 
Impairment of other assets 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 
Amortization of discounts/premiums and deferred fi nancing costs on debt 
Amortization of discounts/premiums, deferred interest and costs on lending investments 
Discounts, loan fees and deferred interest received 
Earnings from equity method investments 
Distributions from operations of equity method investments 
Deferred operating lease income receivable 
Gain from discontinued operations 
Gain on early extinguishment of debt 
Gain on sale of joint venture interest 
Provision for deferred taxes 
Other non-cash adjustments 

Changes in assets and liabilities: 

Changes in accrued interest and operating lease income receivable, net 
Changes in deferred expenses and other assets, net 
Changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities 
Cash fl ows from operating activities 

Cash fl ows from investing activities: 

New investment originations 
Add-on fundings under existing loan commitments 
Purchase of securities 
Repayments of and principal collections on loans 
Cash paid for acquisitions 
Net proceeds from sales of loans 
Net proceeds from sales of discontinued operations 
Net proceeds from sales of other real estate owned 
Net proceeds from sale of joint venture interest 
Net proceeds from repayments and sales of securities 
Contributions to unconsolidated entities 
Distributions from unconsolidated entities 
Capital improvements for build-to-suit facilities 
Capital expenditures and improvements on corporate tenant lease assets 
Capital expenditures and improvements on real estate held for investment 
Other investing activities, net 
  Cash fl ows from investing activities 

42

1,255,357 
23,592 
4,186 
136,832 
99,287 
(12,025) 
(117,527) 
11,921 
(5,298) 
27,973 
(13,926) 
(12,426) 
(547,349) 
– 
3,772 
(4,928) 

31,767 
6,140 
(41,225) 
76,276 

– 
(1,224,593) 
(31,535) 
951,202 
– 
720,770 
64,566 
270,621 
– 
27,060 
(34,272) 
9,459 
(7,152) 
(7,739) 
(5,860) 
(6,306) 
726,221 

1,029,322 
23,079 
39,092 
295,738 
104,453 
44,326 
(196,519) 
29,403 
(6,535) 
48,197 
(20,043) 
(91,458) 
(393,131) 
(280,219) 
6,040 
(7,385) 

36,528 
(18,599) 
(41,993) 
418,529 

(32,044) 
(3,276,502) 
(29) 
1,822,587 
– 
394,293 
576,857 
169,600 
416,970 
51,407 
(50,636) 
27,292 
(79,090) 
(23,802) 
– 
(24,846) 
(27,943) 

185,000
17,743
–
144,184
100,123
28,373
(234,944)
66,991
(29,468)
41,796
(23,816)
(7,832)
(225)
–
1,318
(4,968)

(26,147)
(1,151)
67,758
561,337

(2,900,301)
(2,955,395)
(28,815)
2,660,080
(1,891,571)
–
70,227
–
–
311,432
(69,184)
167,975
(88,613)
(26,442)
–
5,527
(4,745,080)

(continued)

sfi 2009

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued)

For the Years Ended December 31, 

(In thousands)
Cash fl ows from fi nancing activities:

Borrowings under revolving credit facilities 
Repayments under revolving credit facilities 
Borrowings under interim fi nancing 
Repayments under interim fi nancing 
Borrowings under secured term loans 
Repayments under secured term loans 
Borrowings under unsecured notes 
Repayments under unsecured notes 
Repurchases of unsecured notes 
Contributions from/(distributions to) noncontrolling interests, net 
Changes in restricted cash held in connection with debt obligations 
Payments for deferred fi nancing costs/proceeds from hedge settlements, net 
Common dividends paid 
Preferred dividends paid 
Purchase of treasury stock 
Net proceeds from equity offering 
Other fi nancing activities, net 
  Cash fl ows from fi nancing activities 
Changes in cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 
Supplemental disclosure of cash fl ow information: 
  Cash paid during the period for interest, net of amount capitalized 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated fi nancial statements.

2009 

2008 

2007

$     134,741 
(371,798) 
– 
– 
1,000,000 
(318,431) 
– 
(628,366) 
(885,055) 
(2,630) 
121,116 
(51,801) 
– 
(42,320) 
(29,858) 
– 
– 
(1,074,402) 
(271,905) 
496,537 
$     224,632 

$ 11,451,167 
(10,464,322) 
– 
(1,289,811) 
1,307,776 
(109,262) 
740,506 
(620,331) 
(501,518) 
(31,029) 
(118,762) 
11,221 
(269,827) 
(42,320) 
(63,940) 
– 
1,896 
1,444 
392,030 
104,507 
$      496,537 

$ 28,255,242
(26,548,594)
1,900,000
(610,189)
18,522
(166,411)
1,818,184
(200,000)
(14,775)
13,753
1,419
(130)
(425,479)
(42,320)
(30,947)
218,189
(4,165)
4,182,299
(1,444)
105,951
$      104,507

$     531,858 

$      645,413 

$      585,233

43

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 – Business and Organization

Business  –  iStar  Financial  Inc.,  or  the  “Company,”  is  a  pub-
licly traded fi nance company focused on the commercial real estate 
industry. The Company primarily provides customer-tailored fi nanc-
ing to high-end private and corporate owners of real estate, includ-
ing  senior  and  mezzanine  real  estate  debt,  senior  and  mezzanine 
corporate capital, as well as corporate net lease fi nancing and equity. 
The  Company,  which  is  taxed  as  a  real  estate  investment  trust,  or 
“REIT,” provides innovative and value-added fi nancing solutions to its 
customers. The Company delivers customized fi nancing products to 
sophisticated real estate borrowers and corporate customers who 
require a high level of fl exibility and service. The Company’s two pri-
mary lines of business are lending and corporate tenant leasing.

Organization  –  The  Company  began  its  business  in  1993 
through  private  investment  funds  and  became  publicly  traded  in 
1998.  Since  that  time,  the  Company  has  grown  through  the  origi-
nation  of  new  lending  and  leasing  transactions,  as  well  as  through 
corporate acquisitions, including the acquisition of TriNet Corporate 
Realty Trust, Inc. in 1999, the acquisitions of Falcon Financial Investment 
Trust and of a signifi cant non-controlling interest in Oak Hill Advisors, 
L.P. and affi liates in 2005, and the acquisition of the commercial real 
estate lending business and loan portfolio which we refer to as the 
“Fremont CRE,” of Fremont Investment and Loan, or “Fremont,” a divi-
sion of Fremont General Corporation, in 2007.

Note 2 – Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

Basis  of  Presentation  –  T he  accompany ing  audited 
Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in conformity 
with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles  in  the  United  States 
of America (“GAAP”) for complete fi nancial statements. The prepa-
ration  of  fi nancial  statements  in  conformity  with  GAAP  requires 
management  to  make  estimates  and  assumptions  that  affect  the 
reported  amounts  of  assets,  liabilities,  disclosure  of  contingent 
assets and liabilities at the dates of the fi nancial statements and the 
reported  amounts  of  revenues  and  expenses  during  the  reporting 
periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Certain  prior  year  amounts  have  been  reclassifi ed  in  the 
Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes to conform 
to the current period presentation. In addition, the Company adopted 
three new accounting standards on January 1, 2009 which required 
retroactive application for presentation of prior periods’ Consolidated 
Financial Statements (see Notes 3, 9, 11, and 14).

Principles  of  Consolidation  –  The  Consolidated  Financial 
Statements  include  the  fi nancial  statements  of  the  Company,  its 
wholly  owned  subsidiaries,  controlled  partnerships  and  variable 
interest entities (“VIEs”) for which the Company is the primary ben-
efi ciary. The Company consolidated the following VIEs:

opportunistically  invest  capital  following  a  period  of  credit  market 
dislocation. As of December 31, 2009, OHA SCF had $40.3 million of 
total assets, no debt and $0.1 million of noncontrolling interest. The 
investments held by this entity are presented in “Other investments” 
on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 
2009, the Company had a total unfunded commitment of $26.8 million 
to this entity.

During 2007, the Company made a €100.0 million commit-
ment to Moor Park Real Estate Partners II, L.P. Incorporated (“Moor 
Park”). Moor Park is a third-party managed fund that was created to 
make investments in European real estate as a 33% investor along-
side a sister fund. As of December 31, 2009, Moor Park had $13.0 mil-
lion of total assets, no debt and $0.1 million of noncontrolling interest. 
The investments held by this entity are presented in “Other invest-
ments” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

During 2006, the Company made an investment in Madison 
Deutsche Andau Holdings, LP (“Madison DA”). Madison DA was cre-
ated to invest in mortgage loans secured by real estate in Europe. As 
of December 31, 2009, Madison DA had $63.2 million of total assets, 
no debt and $9.5 million of noncontrolling interest. The investments 
held by this entity are presented in “Loans and other lending invest-
ments” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

All signifi cant intercompany balances and transactions have 

been eliminated in consolidation.

Note 3 – Summary of Signifi cant Accounting Policies

Loans  and  other  lending  investments,  net  –  Loans  and  other 
lending investments, net includes the following investments: senior 
mortgages,  subordinate  mortgages,  corporate/partnership  loans 
and  other  lending  investments-securities.  Management  considers 
nearly all of its loans and debt securities to be held-for-investment 
or held-to-maturity, although certain investments may be classifi ed as 
held-for-sale or available-for-sale.

Loans  and  other  lending  investments  designated  for  sale 
are classifi ed as held-for-sale and are carried at lower of amortized 
historical  cost  or  fair  value.  The  amount  by  which  carrying  value 
exceeds fair value is recorded as a valuation allowance. Subsequent 
changes in the valuation allowance are included in the determination 
of net income in the period in which the change occurs.

Items classifi ed as held-for-investment or held-to-maturity 
are  reported  at  their  outstanding  unpaid  principal  balance,  and 
include unamortized acquisition premiums or discounts and unam-
ortized deferred loan costs or fees. These items also include accrued 
and  paid-in-kind  interest  and  accrued  exit  fees  that  the  Company 
determines are probable of being collected. Debt securities classifi ed 
as available-for-sale are reported at fair value with temporary unreal-
ized gains and losses included in “Accumulated other comprehensive 
income” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

During  2008,  the  Company  made  a  $49.0  million  commit-
ment to OHA Strategic Credit Fund Parallel I, LP (“OHA SCF”). OHA 
SCF was created to invest in distressed, stressed and undervalued 
loans,  bonds,  equities  and  other  investments.  The  Fund  intends  to 

For  held-to-maturity  and  available-for-sale  debt  securities 
held in “Loans and other lending investments, net,” management eval-
uates  whether  the  asset  is  other-than-temporarily  impaired  when 
the fair market value is below carrying value. The Company considers 

44

sfi 2009

debt  securities  other-than-temporarily  impaired  if  (1)  the  Company 
has the intent to sell the security, (2) it is more likely than not that 
it will be required to sell the security before recovery, or (3) it does 
not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security. 
If it is determined that an other-than-temporary impairment exists, 
the  portion  related  to  credit  losses,  where  the  Company  does  not 
expect to recover its entire amortized cost basis, will be recognized 
as an “Impairment of other assets” on the Company’s Consolidated 
Statements of Operations. If the Company does not intend to sell the 
security and it is more likely than not that the entity will be required 
to  sell  the  security,  but  the  security  has  suffered  a  credit  loss,  the 
impairment charge will be separated. The credit loss component of 
the impairment will be recorded as an “Impairment of other assets” 
on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations, and the 
remainder  will  be  recorded  in  “Accumulated  other  comprehensive 
income” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Corporate tenant lease assets and depreciation – CTL assets are 
generally  recorded  at  cost  less  accumulated  depreciation.  Certain 
improvements  and  replacements  are  capitalized  when  they  extend 
the  useful  life,  increase  capacity  or  improve  the  effi ciency  of  the 
asset.  Repairs  and  maintenance  items  are  expensed  as  incurred. 
Depreciation  is  computed  using  the  straight-line  method  of  cost 
recovery over the shorter of estimated useful lives or 40 years for 
facilities,  fi ve  years  for  furniture  and  equipment,  the  shorter  of  the 
remaining lease term or expected life for tenant improvements and 
the remaining useful life of the facility for facility improvements.

CTL assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of 
their carrying amount or estimated fair value less costs to sell and 
are included in “Assets held-for-sale” on the Company’s Consolidated 
Balance Sheets. If the estimated fair value less costs to sell is less 
than the carrying value, the difference will be recorded as an impair-
ment charge and included in “Income from discontinued operations” 
on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. Once an 
asset is classifi ed as held-for-sale, depreciation expense is no longer 
recorded and historical operating results are reclassifi ed to “Income 
from  discontinued  operations”  on  the  Company’s  Consolidated 
Statements  of  Operations.  As  of  December  31,  2009,  there  were 
two CTL assets with an aggregate book value of $17.3 million clas-
sified  as  “Assets  held-for-sale”  on  the  Company’s  Consolidated 
Balance Sheets.

The  Company  periodically  reviews  long-lived  assets  to  be 
held and used for impairment in value whenever events or changes 
in  circumstances  indicate  that  the  carrying  amount  of  such  assets 
may not be recoverable. The value of a long-lived asset held for use 
is  impaired  only  if  management’s  estimate  of  the  aggregate  future 
cash fl ows (undiscounted and without interest charges) to be gener-
ated by the asset (taking into account the anticipated holding period 
of the asset) is less than the carrying value. Such estimate of cash 
fl ows considers factors such as expected future operating income, 
trends and prospects, as well as the effects of demand, competition 
and other economic factors. To the extent impairment has occurred, 
the loss will be measured as the excess of the carrying amount of the 
property over the fair value of the asset and refl ected as an adjust-
ment to the basis of the asset. Impairments of CTL assets that are 

not held-for-sale are recorded in “Impairment of other assets,” on the 
Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The  Company  accounts  for  its  acquisition  of  facilities  by 
allocating  the  purchase  price  to  the  tangible  and  intangible  assets 
and liabilities acquired based on their estimated fair values. The value 
of the tangible assets, consisting of land, buildings, building improve-
ments and tenant improvements is determined as if these assets are 
vacant,  that  is,  at  replacement  cost.  Intangible  assets  may  include 
above-market or below-market value of in-place leases and the value 
of customer relationships, which are each recorded at their relative 
fair values.

The  capitalized  above-market  (or  below-market)  lease 
value  is  amortized  as  a  reduction  of  (or,  increase  to)  operating 
lease income over the remaining non-cancelable term of each lease 
plus any renewal periods with fi xed rental terms that are considered 
to be below-market. The Company generally engages in sale/lease-
back  transactions  and  typically  executes  leases  with  the  occupant 
simultaneously  with  the  purchase  of  the  CTL  asset  at  market-rate 
rents.  As  such,  no  above-market  or  below-market  lease  value  is 
ascribed to these transactions.

Real  estate  held  for  investment,  net  –  Real  estate  held  for 
investment,  net  (“REHI”)  consists  of  properties  acquired  through 
foreclosure  or  through  deed-in-lieu  of  foreclosure  in  full  or  partial 
satisfaction  of  non-performing  loans  that  the  Company  intends  to 
hold, operate or develop for a period of at least twelve months. REHI 
assets are initially recorded at their estimated fair value. The excess 
of the carrying value of the loan over the fair value of the property 
acquired  is  charged-off  against  the  reserve  for  loan  losses  when 
title  to  the  property  is  obtained.  Additionally,  upon  acquisition  of  a 
property,  tangible  and  intangible  assets  and  liabilities  acquired  are 
recorded  at  their  estimated  fair  values  and  depreciation  is  com-
puted in the same manners as described in “Corporate tenant lease 
assets and depreciation” above. Subsequent to acquisition, qualifi ed 
development and construction costs are capitalized. Revenues and 
expenses  related  to  REHI  assets  are  recorded  as  “Other  income” 
and  “Other  expense,”  respectively,  on  the  Company’s  Consolidated 
Statements of Operations.

The  Company  considers  REHI  assets  to  be  long-lived  and 
periodically reviews them for impairment in value whenever events 
or  changes  in  circumstances  indicate  that  the  carrying  amount 
of  such  assets  may  not  be  recoverable.  The  Company  measures 
impairments for REHI assets in the same manner as CTL assets, as 
described in “Corporate tenant lease assets and depreciation” above. 
Impairments  of  REHI  assets  are  recorded  in  “Impairment  of  other 
assets,” on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Other  real  estate  owned  –  OREO  consists  of  properties 
acquired  through  foreclosure  or  by  deed-in-lieu  of  foreclosure  in 
full or partial satisfaction of non-performing loans that the Company 
intends  to  market  for  sale  in  the  near  term.  OREO  is  recorded  at 
the  estimated  fair  value  less  costs  to  sell.  The  excess  of  the  car-
rying  value  of  the  loan  over  the  fair  value  of  the  property  less 
estimated  costs  to  sell  is  charged-off  against  the  reserve  for  loan 
losses  when  title  to  the  property  is  obtained.  Net  revenues  and 
costs  of  holding  the  property  are  recorded  as  “Other  expense”  in 

45

the  Company’s  Consolidated  Statements  of  Operations.  Signifi cant 
property  improvements  may  be  capitalized  to  the  extent  that  the 
carrying  value  of  the  property  does  not  exceed  the  estimated  fair 
value  less  costs  to  sell.  The  gain  or  loss  on  fi nal  disposition  of  an 
OREO is recorded in “Impairment of other assets” on the Company’s 
Consolidated Statements of Operations, and is considered income/
(loss) from continuing operations as it represents the fi nal stage of 
the Company’s loan collection process.

The Company reviews the recoverability of an OREO asset’s 
carrying  value  when  events  or  circumstances  indicate  a  potential 
impairment  of  a  property’s  value.  If  impairment  exists,  a  loss  is 
recorded to the extent that the carrying value exceeds the estimated 
fair  value  of  the  property  less  costs  to  sell.  These  impairments 
are  recorded  in  “Impairment  of  other  assets”  on  the  Company’s 
Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Equity and cost method investments – Purchased equity inter-
ests that are not publicly traded and/or do not have a readily deter-
minable fair value are accounted for pursuant to the equity method 
of accounting if the Company can signifi cantly infl uence the operating 
and  fi nancial  policies  of  an  investee.  This  is  generally  presumed  to 
exist when ownership interest is between 20% and 50% of a corpo-
ration, or greater than 5% of a limited partnership or limited liability 
company.  The  Company’s  periodic  share  of  earnings  and  losses  in 
equity method investees is included in “Earnings (loss) from equity 
method investments” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. 
When the Company’s ownership position is too small to provide such 
infl uence, the cost method is used to account for the equity interest. 
Equity  and  cost  method  investments  are  included  in  “Other  invest-
ments” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The  Company  periodically  reviews  equity  method  invest-
ments  for  impairment  in  value  whenever  events  or  changes  in  cir-
cumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such investments 
may  not  be  recoverable.  The  Company  will  record  an  impairment 
charge to the extent that the estimated fair value of an investment is 
less than its carrying value and the Company determines the impair-
ment  is  other-than-temporary.  Impairment  charges  are  recorded 
in  “Impairment  of  other  assets”  on  the  Company’s  Consolidated 
Statements of Operations.

Timber and timberlands – Timber and timberlands, are stated 
at cost less accumulated depletion. The cost of timber and timber-
lands typically is allocated between the timber and the land acquired, 
based on estimated relative fair values. Timber carrying costs, such 
as real estate taxes, insect and wildlife control and timberland man-
agement  fees,  are  expensed  as  incurred.  Net  carrying  value  of  the 
timber and timberlands is used to compute the gain or loss in con-
nection with timberland sales. Timber and timberlands are included 
in  “Other  investments”  on  the  Company’s  Consolidated  Balance 
Sheet (see Note 7).

is established by dividing book cost of timber by estimated standing 
merchantable inventory. Changes in the assumptions and/or estima-
tions  used  in  these  calculations  may  affect  the  Company’s  results, 
in particular depletion costs. Factors that can impact timber volume 
include weather changes, losses due to natural causes, differences 
in actual versus estimated growth rates and changes in the age when 
timber is considered merchantable.

On  January  19,  2005,  TimberStar  Operating  Partnership, 
L.P. (“TimberStar”) was created to acquire and manage a diversifi ed 
portfolio of timberlands. During 2008, the Company sold all of its tim-
berland investments. The Company consolidated this partnership for 
fi nancial statement purposes and records the noncontrolling interest 
of an external partner in “Noncontrolling interests” on the Company’s 
Consolidated  Balance  Sheets.  TimberStar’s  operating  results  for 
2008 and 2007 have been reclassifi ed and are presented in “Income 
(loss) from discontinued operations” on its Consolidated Statements 
of Operations.

TimberStar  also  owned  a  46.7%  interest  in  TimberStar 
Southwest  Holdco  LLC  ( “TimberStar  Southwest” ),  which  the 
Company  accounted  for  under  the  equity  method.  In  April  2008, 
the  Company  sold  its  joint  venture  interest  and  recorded  a  gain 
in  “Gain  on  sale  of  joint  venture  interest”  and  “Gain  on  sale  of  joint 
venture  interest  attributable  to  noncontrolling  interests”  on  its 
Consolidated Statements of Operations (see Note 7).

Cash  and  cash  equivalents  –  Cash  and  cash  equivalents 
include cash held in banks or invested in money market funds with 
original maturity terms of less than 90 days.

Restricted  cash  –  Restricted  cash  represents  amounts 
required to be maintained in escrow under certain of the Company’s 
debt obligations and OREO, leasing and derivative transactions.

Variable  interest  entities  –  The  Company  reviews  its  invest-
ments and other contractual arrangements to determine if they con-
stitute variable interests in variable interest entities (or “VIE’s”). A VIE 
is an entity where a controlling fi nancial interest is achieved through 
means other than voting rights. A VIE is consolidated by the primary 
benefi ciary, which is the party that will receive a majority of the VIE’s 
anticipated losses, a majority of the VIE’s expected residual returns, 
or both. The Company determines if it is the primary benefi ciary of 
a VIE by fi rst performing a qualitative analysis of the VIE’s expected 
losses  and  expected  returns.  This  analysis  includes  a  review  of, 
among other factors, the VIE’s capital structure, contractual terms, 
which  interests  create  or  absorb  variability,  related  party  relation-
ships and the design of the VIE. Where qualitative analysis is not con-
clusive, the Company performs a quantitative analysis. The Company 
reassesses  its  initial  evaluation  of  an  entity  as  a  VIE  and  its  initial 
determination of whether the Company is the primary benefi ciary of 
a VIE upon the occurrence of certain reconsideration events.

Depletion  relates  to  the  Company’s  investment  in  timber-
land assets. Assumptions and estimates are used in the recording of 
depletion. An annual depletion rate for each timberland investment 

Deferred expenses – Deferred expenses include leasing costs 
and fi nancing fees. Leasing costs include brokerage, legal and other 
costs  which  are  amortized  over  the  life  of  the  respective  leases. 

46

sfi 2009

External fees and costs incurred to obtain long-term fi nancing have 
been  deferred  and  are  amortized  over  the  term  of  the  respective 
borrowing using the effective interest method. Amortization of leas-
ing costs and deferred fi nancing fees are included in the Company’s 
“Depreciation and amortization” and “Interest expense,” respectively, 
on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Identifi ed intangible assets and goodwill – Upon the acquisition of 
a business, the Company records intangible assets acquired at their 
estimated fair values separate and apart from goodwill. The Company 
determines whether such intangible assets have fi nite or indefi nite 
lives. As of December 31, 2009, all such intangible assets acquired 
by the Company have fi nite lives. The Company amortizes fi nite-lived 
intangible  assets  based  on  the  period  over  which  the  assets  are 
expected to contribute directly or indirectly to the future cash fl ows 
of  the  business  acquired.  The  Company  reviews  fi nite-lived  intan-
gible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circum-
stances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. 
If the Company determines the carrying value of an intangible asset 
is not recoverable it will record an impairment charge to the extent 
its  carrying  value  exceeds  its  estimated  fair  value.  Impairments  of 
intangibles  assets  are  recorded  in  “Impairment  of  other  assets”  on 
the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

During  the  year  ended  December  31,  2008,  the  Company 
recorded  non-cash  charges  of  $21.5  million  to  reduce  the  carrying 
value of certain intangible assets related to the Fremont CRE acqui-
sition  and  other  acquisitions,  based  on  their  revised  estimated  fair 
values. These charges were recorded in “Impairment of other assets” 
on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

As  of  December  31,  2009  and  2008,  the  Company  had 
$55.9  million  and  $61.2  million,  respectively,  of  unamortized  fi nite-
lived  intangible  assets  primarily  related  to  the  acquisition  of  prior 
CTL  facilities  and  REHI.  The  total  amortization  expense  for  these 
intangible assets was $12.2 million, $13.7 million and $9.2 million for 
the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The 
estimated aggregate amortization costs for each of the fi ve succeed-
ing fi scal years are as follows (in thousands):

2010   
2011   
2012   
2013   
2014 
Total 

$10,471
8,709
5,063
3,624
3,265
$31,132

The excess of the cost of an acquired entity over the net of 
the amounts assigned to assets acquired (including identifi ed intan-
gible assets) and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. Goodwill 
is not amortized but is tested for impairment on an annual basis, or 
more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that 
the asset might be impaired. The impairment test is done at a level 
of  reporting  referred  to  as  a  reporting  unit.  If  the  fair  value  of  the 

reporting  unit  is  less  than  its  carrying  value,  an  impairment  loss  is 
recorded to the extent that the fair value of the goodwill within the 
reporting unit is less than its carrying value. Fair values for goodwill 
and other fi nite-lived intangible assets are determined using the mar-
ket approach, income approach or cost approach, as appropriate.

Due  to  an  overall  deterioration  in  conditions  within  the 
commercial  real  estate  market,  the  Company  recorded  impairment 
charges of $4.2 million during 2009 and $39.1 million during 2008 to 
write off the goodwill allocated to the CTL and Real Estate Lending 
reporting  segments,  respectively.  These  charges  were  recorded  in 
“Impairment of goodwill” on the Company’s Consolidated Statements 
of Operations.

Revenue  recognition  –  The  Company’s  revenue  recognition 

policies are as follows:

Loans and other lending investments: Interest income on loans and 
other  lending  investments  is  recognized  on  an  accrual  basis  using 
the interest method.

On  occasion,  the  Company  may  acquire  loans  at  premi-
ums or discounts. These discounts and premiums in addition to any 
deferred costs or fees, are typically amortized over the contractual 
term of the loan using the interest method. Exit fees are also recog-
nized over the lives of the related loans as a yield adjustment, if man-
agement believes it is probable that such amounts will be received. 
If  loans  with  premiums,  discounts,  loan  origination  or  exit  fees  are 
prepaid,  the  Company  immediately  recognizes  the  unamortized 
portion  as  a  decrease  or  increase  in  the  prepayment  gain  or  loss 
which is included in “Other income” on the Company’s Consolidated 
Statements of Operations.

The  Company  considers  a  loan  to  be  non-performing  and 
places  loans  on  non-accrual  status  at  such  time  as:  (1)  the  loan 
becomes 90 days delinquent; (2) the loan has a maturity default; or 
(3) management determines it is probable that it will be unable to col-
lect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan. 
While on non-accrual status, based on the Company’s judgment as 
to collectability of principal, loans are either accounted for on a cash 
basis, where interest income is recognized only upon actual receipt 
of cash, or on a cost-recovery basis, where all cash receipts reduce a 
loan’s carrying value.

Certain of the Company’s loans provide for accrual of inter-
est at specifi ed rates that differ from current payment terms. Interest 
is recognized on such loans at the accrual rate subject to manage-
ment’s determination that accrued interest and outstanding princi-
pal are ultimately collectible, based on the underlying collateral and 
operations of the borrower.

Prepayment penalties or yield maintenance payments from 
borrowers  are  recognized  as  additional  income  when  received. 
Certain  of  the  Company’s  loan  investments  provide  for  additional 
interest based on the borrower’s operating cash fl ow or appreciation 
of the underlying collateral. Such amounts are considered contingent 
interest and are refl ected as income only upon certainty of collection.

47

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Leasing investments: Operating lease revenue is recognized on 
the straight-line method of accounting, generally from the later of the 
date the lessee takes possession of the space and it is ready for its 
intended use or the date of acquisition of the facility subject to exist-
ing  leases.  Accordingly,  contractual  lease  payment  increases  are 
recognized evenly over the term of the lease. The periodic difference 
between lease revenue recognized under this method and contrac-
tual lease payment terms is recorded as “Deferred operating lease 
income receivable” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Allowance for doubtful accounts – The allowance for doubtful 
accounts refl ects management’s estimate of losses inherent in the 
accrued  operating  lease  income  receivable  and  deferred  operating 
lease income receivable balances as of the balance sheet date. The 
reserve covers asset-specifi c problems (e.g., tenant bankruptcy) as 
they  arise,  as  well  as  a  general,  formula-based  reserve  based  on 
management’s  evaluation  of  the  credit  risks  associated  with  these 
receivables. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, the total allowance for 
doubtful accounts was $2.8 million and $5.3 million, respectively.

Reserve for loan losses – The reserve for loan losses refl ects 
management’s  estimate  of  loan  losses  inherent  in  the  loan  port-
folio as of the balance sheet date. The reserve is increased through 
the  “Provision  for  loan  losses”  on  the  Company’s  Consolidated 
Statements  of  Operations  and  is  decreased  by  charge-offs  when 
losses  are  confi rmed  through  the  receipt  of  assets  such  as  cash 
in  a  pre-foreclosure  sale  or  via  ownership  control  of  the  underly-
ing  collateral  in  full  satisfaction  of  the  loan  upon  foreclosure  or 
when  signifi cant  collection  efforts  have  ceased.  The  reserve  for 
loan  losses  includes  a  general,  formula-based  component  and  an 
asset-specifi c component.

The  general,  formula-based  reserve  component  covers 
performing  loans  and  reserves  for  loan  losses  are  recorded  when 
(i) available information as of each balance sheet date indicates that 
it is probable a loss has occurred in the portfolio and (ii) the amount 
of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Required reserve balances 
for  the  performing  loan  portfolio  are  derived  from  estimated  prob-
abilities  of  principal  loss  and  loss  given  default  severities.  Estimated 
probabilities of principal loss and loss severities are assigned to each 
loan in the portfolio during the Company’s quarterly internal risk rat-
ing assessment. Probabilities of principal loss and severity factors are 
based on industry and/or internal experience and may be adjusted for 
signifi cant factors that, based on management’s judgment, impact the 
collectability of the loans as of the balance sheet date.

The asset-specifi c reserve component relates to reserves 
for  losses  on  impaired  loans.  The  Company  considers  a  loan  to 
be  impaired  when,  based  upon  current  information  and  events,  it 
believes that it is probable that the Company will be unable to col-
lect all amounts due under the contractual terms of the loan agree-
ment. A reserve is established when the present value of payments 
expected to be received, observable market prices, or the estimated 
fair value of the collateral (for loans that are dependent on the col-
lateral  for  repayment)  of  an  impaired  loan  is  lower  than  the  carry-
ing value of that loan. A loan is also considered impaired if its terms 
are modifi ed in a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”). A TDR occurs 
when  the  Company  grants  a  concession  to  a  borrower  in  fi nancial 
diffi culty  by  modifying  the  original  terms  of  the  loan.  Each  of  the 
Company’s non-performing loans (“NPL’s”) and TDR loans are con-
sidered impaired and are evaluated individually to determine required 
asset-specifi c reserves.

Derivative instruments and hedging activity – The Company rec-
ognizes  derivatives  as  either  assets  or  liabilities  on  the  Company’s 
Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. If certain conditions are 
met,  a  derivative  may  be  specifi cally  designated  as  a  hedge  of  the 
exposure to changes in the fair value of a recognized asset or liability, 
a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash fl ows to 
be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability.

Derivatives, such as foreign currency hedges and interest 
rate caps, that are not designated hedges are considered economic 
hedges,  with  changes  in  fair  value  reported  in  current  earnings 
in  “Other  expense”  on  the  Company’s  Consolidated  Statements 
of  Operations.  The  Company  does  not  enter  into  derivatives  for 
trading purposes.

Stock-based compensation – The Company has service-based 
restricted  stock  awards  which  are  valued  based  on  the  grant-date 
market  value  of  the  award  and  market-condition  based  restricted 
stock  awards  which  are  valued  based  on  (a)  the  grant-date  mar-
ket  value  of  the  award  for  equity-based  awards  or  (b)  the  period-
end  market  value  for  liability-based  awards.  Market  value  for  the 
market-condition based awards is determined using a Monte Carlo 
simulation model to simulate a range of possible future stock prices 
for  the  Company’s  Common  Stock.  Compensation  costs  related  to 
restricted  stock  awards  are  recognized  ratably  over  the  applicable 
vesting/service period and recorded in “General and administrative” 
on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Disposal of long-lived assets – The results of operations from 
CTL and timber assets that were sold or held-for-sale in the current 
and prior periods are classifi ed as “Income from discontinued opera-
tions”  on  the  Company’s  Consolidated  Statements  of  Operations 
even though such income was actually recognized by the Company 
prior to the asset sale. Gains from the sale of CTL and timber assets 
are classifi ed as “Gain from discontinued operations” and “Gain from 
discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests” on 
the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Income  taxes  –  The  Company  has  elected  to  be  qualifi ed 
and taxed as a REIT under section 856 through 860 of the Internal 
Revenue  Code  of  1986,  as  amended  (the  “Code”).  The  Company  is 
subject to federal income taxation at corporate rates on its REIT tax-
able  income,  however,  the  Company  is  allowed  a  deduction  for  the 

48

sfi 2009

amount of dividends paid to its shareholders, thereby subjecting the 
distributed net income of the Company to taxation at the shareholder 
level only. In addition, the Company is allowed several other deduc-
tions in computing its REIT taxable income, including non-cash items 
such as depreciation expense and certain specifi c reserve amounts 
that  the  Company  deems  to  be  uncollectable.  These  deductions 
allow  the  Company  to  shelter  a  portion  of  its  operating  cash  fl ow 
from  its  dividend  payout  requirement  under  federal  tax  laws.  The 
Company intends to operate in a manner consistent with and to elect 
to be treated as a REIT for tax purposes.

The  Company  can  participate  in  certain  activities  from 
which it was previously precluded in order to maintain its qualifi ca-
tion  as  a  REIT,  as  long  as  these  activities  are  conducted  in  entities 
which  elect  to  be  treated  as  taxable  subsidiaries  under  the  Code, 
subject  to  certain  limitations.  As  such,  the  Company,  through  its 
taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”), is engaged in various real estate 
related opportunities, including but not limited to: (1) managing cor-
porate  credit-oriented  investment  strategies;  (2)  certain  activities 
related to the purchase and sale of timber and timberlands; (3) serv-
icing  certain  loan  portfolios;  and  (4)  managing  activities  related  to 
certain foreclosed assets. The Company will consider other invest-
ments  through  TRS  entities  if  suitable  opportunities  arise.  The 
Company’s  TRS  entities  are  not  consolidated  for  federal  income 
tax purposes and are taxed as corporations. For fi nancial reporting 
purposes, current and deferred taxes are provided for in the portion 
of earnings recognized by the Company with respect to its interest 
in TRS entities. For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 
2007, the Company recorded total income tax expense of $4.1 mil-
lion, $10.2 million and $7.0 million, respectively, which was included 
in  “Other  expense”  on  the  Company’s  Consolidated  Statements  of 
Operations.  The  Company  also  recognizes  interest  expense  and 
penalties  related  to  uncertain  tax  positions,  if  any,  as  income  tax 
expense, included in “Other expense” on the Company’s Consolidated 
Statements Operations.

Deferred  income  taxes  refl ect  the  net  tax  effects  of  tem-
porary  differences  between  the  carrying  amount  of  assets  and 
liabilities for fi nancial reporting purposes and the amounts used for 
income  tax  purposes,  as  well  as  operating  loss  and  tax  credit  car-
ryforwards. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company had net 
deferred  tax  liabilities  of  $9.3  million  and  $6.9  million,  respectively, 
included in “Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities” 
on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. These deferred tax 
liabilities are primarily due to timing differences relating to an equity 
method investment. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company 
had net deferred tax assets of $0.1 million and $1.4 million, respec-
tively, included in “Deferred expenses and other assets, net” on the 
Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. At December 31, 2009 and 
2008, deferred tax assets of $19.0 million and $12.1 million, respec-
tively,  consisted  primarily  of  expenses  not  currently  deductible 
and net operating loss carryforwards, and were offset by valuation 

allowances  of  $18.9  million  and  $10.8  million,  respectively.  These 
valuation  allowances  were  established  based  on  the  Company’s 
conclusion that it is more likely than not that the deductions and car-
ryforwards will not be utilized during the carryforward periods.

Earnings  per  share  –  The  Company  uses  the  two-class 
method  in  calculating  EPS  when  it  issues  securities  other  than 
common stock that contractually entitle the holder to participate in 
dividends  and  earnings  of  the  company  when,  and  if,  the  company 
declares  dividends  on  its  common  stock.  Vested  HPU  shares  are 
entitled to dividends of the Company when dividends are declared. 
Basic earnings per share (“Basic EPS”) for the Company’s Common 
Stock and HPU shares are computed by dividing net income allocable 
to common shareholders and HPU holders by the weighted average 
number  of  shares  of  Common  Stock  and  HPU  shares  outstanding 
for  the  period,  respectively.  Diluted  earnings  per  share  (“Diluted 
EPS”)  is  calculated  similarly,  however,  it  refl ects  the  potential  dilu-
tion that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue com-
mon stock were exercised or converted into common stock, where 
such  exercise  or  conversion  would  result  in  a  lower  earnings  per 
share amount.

Unvested  share-based  payment  awards  that  contain  non-
forfeitable  rights  to  dividends  or  dividend  equivalents  (whether 
paid  or  unpaid)  are  deemed  a  (“Participating  Security”)  and  are 
included  in  the  computation  of  earnings  per  share  pursuant  to  the 
two-class  method.  The  Company’s  unvested  restricted  stock  units 
with  rights  to  dividends  and  common  stock  equivalents  issued 
under  its  Long-Term  Incentive  Plans  are  considered  participating 
securities  and  have  been  included  in  the  two-class  method  when 
calculating EPS.

New Accounting Standards

In  June  2009,  the  FASB  issued  Statement  of  Financial 
Accounting  Standards  (“SFAS”)  No.  168,  “The  FASB  Accounting 
Standards  Codifi cation™  and  the  Hierarchy  of  Generally  Accepted 
Accounting Principles – a replacement of FASB Statement No. 162” 
(“ASC  105-10-65-1”).  This  guidance  requires  the  FASB  Accounting 
Standards  Codification™  (“Codification”  or  “ASC”)  to  become  the 
single  official  source  of  authoritative,  nongovernmental  GA AP. 
The  Codifi cation  is  effective  for  interim  and  annual  periods  end-
ing  on  or  after  September  15,  2009.  The  Company  has  adopted 
ASC  105-10-65-1  for  the  period  ended  September  30,  2009,  as 
required, and has included references to the Codifi cation, as appro-
priate, in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 167, “Amendments 
to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R)” (“ASC 810-10-65-2”), which elimi-
nates the exemption for qualifying special purpose entities, creates 
a new approach for determining who should consolidate a variable 
interest entity and requires an ongoing reassessment to determine 
if a Company should consolidate a variable interest entity. In addition, 

49

troubled debt restructurings will no longer be exempt from reconsid-
eration events. The standard is effective through a cumulative-effect 
adjustment (with a retroactive option) at adoption and is effective for 
interim and annual periods beginning after November 15, 2009. The 
Company will adopt SFAS No. 167 on January 1, 2010, as required. As 
a result of implementing this new accounting standard, certain VIEs 
that  are  currently  consolidated  may  be  deconsolidated  and  certain 
VIEs  that  are  currently  not  consolidated  may  be  consolidated.  The 
Company  is  currently  evaluating  the  impact  of  this  adoption  on  its 
Consolidated Financial Statements.

In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 166, “Accounting 
for Transfers of Financial Assets – an amendment of FASB Statement 
No.  140”  (“ASC  860-10-65-3”),  which  eliminates  the  qualifying  spe-
cial-purpose entity concept, creates a new unit of account defi nition 
that must be met for transfers of portions of fi nancial assets to be 
eligible for sale accounting, clarifi es and changes the de-recognition 
criteria  for  a  transfer  to  be  accounted  for  as  a  sale,  changes  the 
amount of recognized gain or loss on a transfer of fi nancial assets 
accounted  for  as  a  sale  when  benefi cial  interests  are  received  by 
the  transferor  and  requires  new  disclosures.  The  new  standard  is 
effective  prospectively  for  transfers  of  fi nancial  assets  occurring 
in  interim  and  annual  periods  beginning  after  November  15,  2009. 
The  Company  will  adopt  ASC  860-10-65-3  on  January  1,  2010,  as 
required, and is currently evaluating the impact of this adoption on its 
Consolidated Financial Statements.

In  April  2009,  the  FASB  issued  FSPs  FAS  115-2  and 
FAS 124-2, “Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary 
Impairments”  (“ASC  320-10-65-1”),  which  changes  the  method 
for  determining  whether  an  other-than-temporary  impairment 
exists  for  debt  securities  and  the  amount  of  impairment  charge 
to  be  recorded  in  earnings.  To  determine  whether  an  other-than-
temporary  impairment  exists,  an  entity  will  assess  the  likelihood 
of  selling  the  security  prior  to  recovering  its  cost  basis,  a  change 
from the current requirements where an entity assesses whether it 
has the intent and ability to hold a security to recovery. If the crite-
ria is met to assert that an entity has the positive intent to hold and 
it  is  more  likely  than  not  it  will  not  have  to  sell  the  security  before 
recovery, impairment charges related to credit losses would be rec-
ognized in earnings, while impairment charges related to non-credit 
loss  (e.g.,  liquidity  risk)  would  be  refl ected  in  other  comprehensive 
income. Upon adoption, changes in assertions may require cumula-
tive effect adjustments to the opening balance of retained earnings. 
ASC 320-10-65-1 is effective for interim and annual reporting peri-
ods  ending  after  June  15,  2009.  The  Company  adopted  the  stan-
dard in the period ended June 30, 2009, as required, and it did not 
have  a  signifi cant  impact  on  the  Company’s  Consolidated  Financial 
Statements.  See  Note  4  for  additional  disclosures  required  by  the 
adoption of this standard.

In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 141(R)-1, “Accounting 
for  Assets  Acquired  and  Liabilities  Assumed  in  a  Business 
Combination  That  Arise  from  Contingencies”  (“ASC  805-10-65-1”), 
which amends provisions related to the initial recognition and mea-
surement, subsequent measurement and disclosures of assets and 
liabilities arising from contingencies in a business combination. The 
amendment  carries  forward  the  requirements  for  acquired  contin-
gencies under ASC 805, “Business Combinations,” which recognizes 
contingencies at fair value on the acquisition date, if fair value can be 
reasonably  estimated  during  the  allocation  period.  In  addition,  the 
amendment  eliminates  the  requirement  to  disclose  an  estimate  of 
the range of outcomes for recognized contingencies at the acquisi-
tion date. This guidance is effective for all business combinations on 
or after January 1, 2009. The Company adopted ASC 805-10-65-1 on 
January 1, 2009, as required, and it did not have a signifi cant impact 
on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In June 2008, the FASB issued FSP EITF 03-6-1, “Determining 
Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions 
Are  Participating  Securities”  (“ASC  260-10-65-2”).  This  guidance 
addresses  whether  instruments  granted  in  share-based  payment 
transactions are participating securities prior to vesting and, there-
fore,  need  to  be  included  in  the  earnings  allocation  in  calculating 
earnings  per  share  under  the  two-class  method.  Under  this  guid-
ance,  unvested  share-based  payment  awards  that  contain  non-
forfeitable  rights  to  dividends  or  dividend  equivalents  (whether 
paid or unpaid) are participating securities and shall be included in 
the  computation  of  earnings  per  share  pursuant  to  the  two-class 
method. This guidance is effective for fi nancial statements issued for 
fi scal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods 
within  those  years.  All  prior-period  EPS  data  presented  shall  be 
adjusted  retrospectively  (including  interim  fi nancial  statements)  to 
conform  to  the  provisions  of  this  FSP.  The  Company  adopted  this 
standard  on  January  1,  2009,  as  required.  See  Note  14  for  further 
details on the impact of the adoption of this Staff Position.

In May 2008, the FASB issued FSP APB 14-1, “Accounting 
for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash Upon 
Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement)” (“ASC 470-20-65-1”). 
This  guidance  requires  the  initial  proceeds  from  convertible  debt 
that  may  be  settled  in  cash  be  bifurcated  between  a  liability  com-
ponent  and  an  equity  component.  The  objective  of  the  guidance  is 
to require the liability and equity components of convertible debt to 
be  separately  accounted  for  in  a  manner  such  that  the  interest 
expense  recorded  on  the  convertible  debt  would  not  equal  the 
contractual  rate  of  interest  on  the  convertible  debt,  but  instead 
would be recorded at a rate that would refl ect the issuer’s conven-
tional non-convertible debt borrowing rate at the date of issuance. 
This  is  accomplished  through  the  creation  of  a  discount  on  the 
debt that would be accreted using the effective interest method as 
additional  non-cash  interest  expense  over  the  period  the  debt  is 

50

sfi 2009

expected to remain outstanding. The provisions of this guidance will 
be  applied  retrospectively  to  all  periods  presented  for  fi scal  years 
beginning  after  December  31,  2008.  Upon  adoption,  on  January  1, 
2009,  the  Company  adjusted  its  Consolidated  Balance  Sheet  as  of 
December 31, 2007 (inception of the Convertible Note) by reducing 
the carrying value of the debt and increasing additional paid-in capital 
by $36.5 million which represented the value of the conversion fea-
ture. The Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended 
December 31, 2008 and 2007 were retroactively adjusted to include 
an  additional  $6.4  million  and  $1.5  million,  respectively,  of  interest 
expense from the adoption of the guidance. See Notes 9 and 14 for 
further details on the impact of the adoption of this guidance.

In April 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 142-3, “Determination 
of  the  Useful  Life  of  Intangible  Assets”  (“ASC  350-30-65-1”).  This 
guidance  will  remove  the  requirement  for  an  entity  to  consider 
whether  the  intangible  asset  can  be  renewed  without  substantial 
cost or material modifi cations to the existing terms and conditions 
associated  with  the  intangible  asset  when  determining  the  useful 
life of an acquired intangible asset. The standard replaces the previ-
ous useful-life assessment criteria with a requirement that an entity 
considers  its  own  experience  in  renewing  similar  arrangements. 
If  the  entity  has  no  relevant  experience,  it  would  consider  market 
participant assumptions regarding renewal. This guidance is effective 
prospectively for fi nancial statements issued for fi scal years beginning 
after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fi scal years. 
Early adoption was prohibited. The Company adopted this guidance on 
January 1, 2009, as required, and it did not have a signifi cant impact 
on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures 
about  Derivative  Instruments  and  Hedging  Activities  –  an  amend-
ment  of  FASB  Statement  No.  133”  (“ASC  815-10-65-1”).  This  guid-
ance requires companies to provide enhanced disclosures regarding 
derivative instruments and hedging activities. It requires companies 
to better convey the purpose of derivative use in terms of the risks 
that the Company is intending to manage. Disclosures about (a) how 
and  why  an  entity  uses  derivative  instruments,  (b)  how  derivative 
instruments and related hedged items are accounted for, and (c) how 
derivative instruments and related hedged items affect a company’s 
fi nancial position, fi nancial performance, and cash fl ows are required. 
This guidance is effective for fi scal years and interim periods begin-
ning  after  November  15,  2008  and  does  not  require  comparative 
period  disclosures  in  the  year  of  adoption.  The  Company  adopted 
ASC  815-10-65-1  on  January  1,  2009,  as  required,  and  it  did  not 
have  a  signifi cant  impact  on  the  Company’s  Consolidated  Financial 
Statements.  Throughout  2008  and  2009,  the  Company  has  signifi -
cantly reduced its derivative activities.

In  February  2008,  the  FASB  issued  FSP  157-2,  “Effective 
Date of FASB Statement No. 157” (“ASC 820-10-65-1”). This guidance 

provided a one-year deferral of the effective date of fair value mea-
surements  and  disclosures  for  all  non-fi nancial  assets  and  non-
fi nancial  liabilities,  except  those  that  are  recognized  or  disclosed 
at fair value in the fi nancial statements on a recurring basis. These 
non-fi nancial  items  include  assets  and  liabilities  such  as  reporting 
units measured at fair value in a goodwill impairment test and non-
fi nancial assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combi-
nation. The Company adopted the provisions of ASC 820-10-65-1 on 
January 1, 2009, as required. See Note 16 for additional disclosures 
required by the adoption of this standard.

In  December  2007,  the  FASB  issued  SFAS  No.  141(R), 
“Business  Combinations”  (“ASC  805-10-65-1”).  ASC  805-10-65-1 
expands the defi nition of transactions and events that qualify as busi-
ness combinations, requires that the acquired assets and liabilities, 
including contingencies, be recorded at the fair value determined on 
the acquisition date and changes thereafter are refl ected in revenue, 
not goodwill; changes the recognition timing for restructuring costs, 
and requires acquisition costs to be expensed as incurred. Adoption 
of this guidance is required for combinations made in annual report-
ing periods on or after December 15, 2008. Early adoption and retro-
active application of ASC 805-10-65-1 to fi scal years preceding the 
effective date are not permitted. The Company adopted this guidance 
on  January  1,  2009,  as  required,  and  it  did  not  have  a  signifi cant 
impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In  December  2007,  the  FASB  issued  SFAS  No.  160, 
“Noncontrolling  Interest  in  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  an 
amendment  of  ARB  No.  51”  (“ASC  810-10-65-1”).  This  guidance 
re-characterizes  minority  interests  in  consolidated  subsidiaries 
as noncontrolling interests and requires the classifi cation of minority 
interests as a component of equity. Under this guidance, a change in 
control  is  measured  at  fair  value,  with  any  gain  or  loss  recognized 
in earnings. The effective date for this guidance is for annual periods 
beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Early adoption and retro-
active application of ASC 810-10-65-1 to fi scal years preceding the 
effective date are not permitted. The Company adopted this standard 
on January 1, 2009, as required, and reclassifi ed the carrying value 
of certain noncontrolling interests (previously referred to as minority 
interests) from the mezzanine section of the balance sheet to equity. 
Net  income  on  the  Consolidated  Statements  of  Operations  now 
includes the operating results of both the Company and its related 
noncontrolling  interest  holders.  In  accordance  with  ASC  480-10, 
“Distinguishing Liabilities and Equity,” subsidiaries where the noncon-
trolling interest holder has certain redemption rights have been clas-
sifi ed as “Redeemable noncontrolling interests” on the Consolidated 
Balance Sheets and their related operating income or loss have been 
included  in  “Net  (income)  loss  attributable  to  noncontrolling  inter-
ests” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 11 for 
additional disclosures required by the adoption of this standard. 

51

Note 4 – Loans and Other Lending Investments, net

The following is a summary description of the Company’s loans and other lending investments ($ in thousands):

  Type of  

Investment(1) 
Senior Mortgages 
Subordinate Mortgages 
Corporate/Partnership Loans 
   Managed Loan Value(3)   
Participated portion of loans(3) 

Total Loans 

Reserves for loan losses 
Total Loans, net 

Other lending 

investments – securities 
Total Loans and other 

lending investments, net 

Explanatory Notes:

 Loan  Performing 
 Count 
108  $3,791,633 
401,532 
887,555 
144  5,080,720 
(174,936) 
  $4,905,784 

17 
19 

As of December 31, 2009 
Non- 
performing 

Loan 
Loans  Count 

Total  Count 

Loan  Performing 

Loan 
Loans  Count 

As of December 31, 2008
Non-
performing 

4 
6 

Loans(2) 
73  $ 4,049,300  $ 7,840,933 
491,413 
957,629 
9,289,975 
(473,269) 
8,816,706 
(1,417,949) 
7,398,757   

89,881 
70,074 
83  4,209,255 
(298,333) 
  $ 3,910,922 

20 
37 
257 

200  $7,195,752 
575,942 
1,354,872 
9,126,566 
(948,585) 
  $8,177,981 

3 
3 
73 

Loans(2) 
Total
67  $3,363,464  $10,559,216
589,566
1,435,941
12,584,723
(1,297,944)
11,286,779
(976,788)
10,309,991

13,624 
81,069 
3,458,157 
(349,359) 
  $3,108,798 

262,805 

  $ 7,661,562 

276,653

 $10,586,644

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

 Loans and other lending investments are presented net of unearned income, unamortized discounts and premiums and net unamortized deferred fees and costs. In total, these amounts 
represented a net discount of $97.0 million and $109.8 million as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 Non-performing loans have been determined to be impaired in accordance with the Company’s policy and are on non-accrual status (see Note 3). As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the 
Company had non-accrual loans with a total carrying value of $4.13 billion and $3.11 billion, respectively, which included non-performing loans and certain loans that were restructured 
in troubled debt restructurings.
 Managed Loan Value represents the Company’s carrying value of a loan and the outstanding participation interest on loans in the Fremont CRE portfolio (see Fremont Participation below). 
The structure of the participation puts the Company in the fi rst loss position on these participated loans and Managed Loan Value is the most relevant measure of the Company’s exposure to 
risk of loss on loans in the Fremont CRE portfolio.

Changes in the Company’s reserve for loan losses were as 

follows (in thousands):

Reserve for loan losses, December 31, 2006 
Provision for loan losses 
Charge-offs 
Reserve for loan losses, December 31, 2007 
Provision for loan losses 
Charge-offs 
Reserve for loan losses, December 31, 2008(1) 
Provision for loan losses 
Charge-offs 
Reserve for loan losses, December 31, 2009(1) 

52

$      52,201
185,000
(19,291)
217,910
1,029,322
(270,444)
976,788
1,255,357
(814,196)
$1,417,949

Explanatory Note:

(1) 

 Total  reserve  for  loan  losses  at  December  31,  2009  and  2008,  included  asset-specifi c 
reserves  of  $1.24  billion  and  $799.6  million,  respectively,  and  general  reserves  of 
$174.9 million and $177.2 million, respectively (see Note 3).

During  the  year  ended  December  31,  2009,  the  Company 
funded $1.22 billion under existing loan commitments and received 
gross  principal  repayments  of  $1.85  billion,  a  portion  of  which  was 
allocable to the Fremont Participation (as defi ned below). During the 
same period, the Company sold loans with a total carrying value of 

$875.8 million, for which it recognized charge-offs of $155.1 million. 
In addition, during 2009 the Company received title to properties in 
full or partial satisfaction of non-performing mortgage loans with a 
carrying value of $1.88 billion for which the properties had served as 
collateral, and recorded charge-offs totaling $573.6 million, related to 
these loans. These properties were recorded as OREO and REHI on 
the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets (see Note 5).

The carrying value of impaired loans was $4.20 billion and 
$3.26 billion as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. As of 
December  31,  2009,  the  Company  assessed  each  of  the  impaired 
loans  for  specifi c  impairment  and  determined  that  non-performing 
loans with a carrying value of $3.38 billion required specifi c reserves 
totaling  $1.24  billion  and  that  the  remaining  impaired  loans  did  not 
require  any  specifi c  reserves.  The  average  carrying  value  of  total 
impaired loans was approximately $4.04 billion and $1.65 billion dur-
ing the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The 
Company recorded interest income on cash payments from impaired 
loans of $14.3 million, $5.3 million and $4.9 million for the years ended 
December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Fremont Participation – On July 2, 2007, the Company com-
pleted the acquisition of the commercial real estate lending business 
and $6.27 billion commercial real estate loan portfolio from Fremont 

sfi 2009

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment  &  Loan,  a  subsidiary  of  Fremont  General  Corporation, 
pursuant  to  a  defi nitive  purchase  agreement  dated  May  21,  2007. 
Concurrently, the Company completed the sale of a $4.20 billion par-
ticipation interest (“Fremont Participation”) in the same loan portfolio 
to Fremont Investment and Loan pursuant to a defi nitive loan partici-
pation agreement dated July 2, 2007.

The  Company  accounted  for  the  business  combination 
under the purchase method. Under the purchase method, the assets 
acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their fair values as 
of the acquisition date. The excess of the purchase price over the fair 
value of the net assets acquired was recorded as goodwill and was 
allocated to the Real Estate Lending reporting unit. The goodwill was 
subsequently written off during 2008 (see Note 3 for further detail). 
As of the date of the acquisition total loan principal purchased was 
$6.27  billion  with  net  loan  discounts  of  $265.8  million  and  the  total 
loan participation interest sold was $4.20 billion.

Changes in the outstanding acquired loan portfolio partici-

pation balance were as follows (in thousands):

Loan participation, July 2, 2007 
Principal repayments(1) 
Loan participation, December 31, 2007 
Principal repayments(1) 
Loan participation, December 31, 2008 
Principal repayments(1) 
Loan participation, December 31, 2009 

$  4,201,208
(1,220,970)
2,980,238
(1,682,294)
1,297,944
(824,675)
$    473,269

Explanatory Note: 

(1) 

 Includes  $66.8  million,  $138.0  million,  $191.9  million  of  principal  repayments  received 
by  the  Company  as  of  December  31,  2009,  2008  and  2007,  respectively,  that  had  not 
yet  been  remitted  to  the  Fremont  Participation  holder  and  are  refl ected  as  a  pay-
able  in  “Accounts  payable,  accrued  expenses  and  other  liabilities”  on  the  Company’s 
Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Under  the  terms  of  the  loan  participation  agreement,  the 
Company  is  responsible  for  funding  unfunded  loan  commitments 
associated  with  the  portfolio  over  the  next  several  years.  The  bal-
ance of unfunded loan commitments required to be funded under the 
participation was $198.1 million as of December 31, 2009. In addition, 
the  Company  will  pay  70%  of  all  principal  collected  from  the  pur-
chased loan portfolio, including principal collected from the unfunded 
loan commitments, to the holder of the Fremont Participation, until 
the  original  $4.20  billion  principal  amount  of  the  loan  participation 
interest is repaid. The participation interest pays fl oating interest at 
LIBOR + 1.50% and the Company accounted for the issuance of the 
participation as a sale in accordance with ASC 860.

Loans  acquired  with  deteriorated  credit  quality  –  The  Company 
holds  certain  loans  initially  acquired  at  a  discount,  for  which  it 
was  probable,  at  acquisition,  that  all  contractually  required  pay-
ments would not be received. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, 
these  loans  had  cumulative  principal  balances  of  $168.6  million 
and  $208.8  million,  respectively,  and  cumulative  carrying  values  of 
$148.3 million and $175.1 million, respectively. The Company does not 
have a reasonable expectation about the timing and amount of cash 
fl ows  expected  to  be  collected  on  these  loans  and  is  recognizing 
income when cash is received or applying cash to reduce the carry-
ing value of the loans. The majority of these loans were acquired in 
the acquisition of Fremont CRE.

Securities – As of December 31, 2009, Other lending investments-securities included the following (in thousands):

Description 

Available-for-Sale Securities
  Corporate debt securities 
Held-to-Maturity Securities
  Corporate debt securities 
  Commercial mortgage-backed securities 
Total   

Face Value 

Amortized 
Cost Basis 

Gross 
Unrealized 
Gains 

Gross 
Unrealized 
Losses 

Estimated 
Fair Value 

Net
Carrying
Value

$  10,000 

$    2,594 

$4,206 

$        – 

$    6,800 

$    6,800

238,671 
24,098 
$272,769 

238,103 
17,902 
$258,599 

– 
– 
$4,206 

(3,473) 
(575) 
$(4,048) 

234,630 
17,327 
$258,757 

238,103
17,902
$262,805

53

During the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, the Company determined that unrealized credit related losses on certain 
held-to-maturity and available-for-sale debt securities were other-than-temporary and recorded impairment charges totaling $11.7 million, 
$120.0 million and $134.9 million, respectively, in “Impairment of other assets” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. There are no 
other-than-temporary impairments recorded in “Accumulated other comprehensive income” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet 
as of December 31, 2009.

As of December 31, 2009, the contractual maturities of the Company’s securities were as follows (in thousands):

Maturities   

1 though 5 years   
5 through 10 years 
10 years and thereafter 
Total   

` 

Available-for-sale securities 

Held-to-maturity securities

Amortized 
Cost 
$       – 
2,594 
– 
$2,594 

Estimated 
Fair Value 
$       – 
6,800 
– 
$6,800 

Amortized 
Cost 
$220,591 
35,132 
282 
$256,005 

Estimated
Fair Value
$220,016
31,659
282
$251,957

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Encumbered  Loans  –  As  of  December  31,  2009  and  2008, 
loans  and  other  lending  investments  with  a  carrying  value  of 
$4.39 billion and $1.18 billion, respectively, were pledged as collateral 
under the Company’s secured indebtedness.

Note 5 – Real Estate Held for Investment, Net and Other Real Estate Owned

During the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the 
Company  received  title  to  properties  in  full  or  partial  satisfaction 
of  non-performing  mortgage  loans,  with  an  estimated  fair  value  of 
$1.30  billion  and  $316.7  million,  respectively.  Of  the  properties 
received in 2009, properties with a value of $399.6 million was clas-
sifi ed as REHI and $904.2 million as OREO based on management’s 
strategy  to  either  hold  the  properties  over  a  longer  period  or  to 
market them for sale. All properties received in 2008 were classifi ed 
as OREO.

Real estate held for investment, net – REHI consisted of the fol-

lowing (in thousands):

Land held for investment 
and development 

Other operating properties 
Less: accumulated depreciation 

and amortization 
Real estate held for 
investment, net 

As of December 31,

2009 

2008

$290,283 
135,281 

(2,900) 

$422,664 

$ –
–

–

$ –

The  Company  recorded  operating  income  of  $5.8  million 
and operating expenses of $12.5 million related to REHI for the year 
ended December 31, 2009.

Other real estate owned – The Company’s OREO consisted of 

the following property types (in thousands):

Condo Construction – Completed 
Condo Conversion 
Land 
Multifamily 
Retail   
Hotel   
Mixed Use/Mixed Collateral 
Gross carrying value 

As of December 31,

2009 
$487,718 
114,400 
111,969 
68,467 
41,587 
15,000 
– 
$839,141 

2008
$  69,951
71,602
8,468
53,579
13,532
–
25,373
$242,505

As a result of deteriorating market conditions, the Company 
recorded impairment charges to OREO properties totaling $78.6 mil-
lion and $55.6 million, for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 
2008, respectively. In addition, during the years ended December 31, 
2009,  2008  and  2007,  the  Company  recorded  expenses  related  to 
holding costs for OREO properties of $28.4 million, $9.3 million and 
$0.5 million, respectively.

Encumbered OREO and REHI assets – As of December 31, 2009, 
OREO assets with a carrying value of $232.7 million and REHI assets 
with a carrying value of $27.1 million were pledged as collateral for 
the Company’s secured indebtedness.

Note 6 – Corporate Tenant Lease Assets, net

The Company’s investments in CTL assets, at cost, were as 

follows (in thousands):

Facilities and improvements 
Land and land improvements 
Less: accumulated depreciation 
Corporate tenant lease assets, net 

As of December 31,

2009 
$2,761,083 
639,581 
(514,768) 
$2,885,896 

2008
$2,828,747
669,320
(453,256)
$3,044,811

During  the  year  ended  December  31,  2009,  the  Company 
disposed  of  CTL  assets  for  net  proceeds  of  $64.6  million,  which 
resulted  in  gains  of  $12.4  million.  In  addition,  during  2009  the 
Company  recorded  impairment  charges  of  $19.4  million  on  CTL 
assets as the result of deteriorating market conditions.

During  the  years  ended  December  31,  2008  and  2007, 
respectively, the Company acquired an aggregate of $2.0 million and 
$314.9 million of CTL assets and disposed of CTL assets for net pro-
ceeds of $424.1 million and $70.2 million, respectively, which resulted 
in gains of $64.5 million and $7.8 million, respectively. During 2008, 
the Company recorded impairment charges of $11.6 million on CTL 
assets as the result of changing market conditions.

The  Company  receives  reimbursements  from  customers 
for certain facility operating expenses including common area costs, 
insurance  and  real  estate  taxes.  Customer  expense  reimburse-
ments for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 were 
$36.1  million,  $37.4  million  and  $34.5  million,  respectively,  and  are 
included as a reduction of “Operating costs – corporate tenant lease 
assets” on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

54

sfi 2009

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Future  minimum  operating  lease  payments  –  Future  minimum 
operating  lease  payments  under  non-cancelable  leases,  excluding 
customer  reimbursements  of  expenses,  in  effect  at  December  31, 
2009, are as follows (in thousands):

Note 7 – Other Investments

Other investments consist of the following items (in thousands):

Year

2010   
2011   
2012   
2013   
2014   
Thereafter 

$   285,215
283,136
274,920
265,176
257,079
1,987,671

Equity method investments 
CTL in-place lease intangibles, net(1) 
Marketable securities at fair value 
Cost method investments 
Other investments 

As of December 31,

2009 
$339,002 
48,751 
38,454 
6,923 
$433,130 

2008
$326,248
58,499
8,083
54,488
$447,318

Encumbered CTL assets – As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, 
CTL  assets  with  a  net  book  value  of  $2.59  billion  and  $1.52  billion, 
respectively,  were  encumbered  with  mortgages  or  pledged  as  col-
lateral for the Company’s debt.

Equity method investments

Explanatory Note:

(1) 

 Accumulated amortization on CTL intangibles was $33.1 million and $24.1 million as of 
December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

The Company’s equity method investments and its proportionate share of their results were as follows (in thousands):

Oak Hill  
Madison Funds 
TimberStar Southwest 
Other 

Total 

Carrying value at  
December 31, 

Equity in earnings
for the years ended December 31,

2009 
$180,372 
75,096 
93 
83,441 
$339,002 

2008 
$182,638 
60,355 
6,167 
77,088 
$326,248 

2009 
$ 21,745 
(5,620) 
(255) 
(10,572) 
$   5,298 

2008 
$20,644 
(7,392) 
(3,499) 
(3,218) 
$  6,535 

2007
$ 25,980
2,804
(14,460)
15,302
$ 29,626

Oak  Hill  –  As  of  December  31,  2009,  the  Company  owned 
47.5%  interests  in  Oak  Hill  Advisors,  L.P.,  Oak  Hill  Credit  Alpha 
MGP, LLC, Oak Hill Credit Opportunities MGP, LLC, OHA Finance MGP, 
LLC, OHA Capital Solutions MGP, LLC, OHA Strategic Credit Fund, LLC, 
OHA  Leveraged  Loan  Portfolio  GenPar,  LLC,  Oak  Hill  Credit  OPP 
Fund, LP, OHA Structured Products MGP, LLC, and 48.1% interests 
in  OHSF  GP  Partners  II,  LLC  and  OHSF  GP  Partners  (Investors), 
LLC, (collectively, “Oak Hill”). The Company appointed to its Board of 
Directors a member that holds a substantial investment in Oak Hill. 
As such Oak Hill is a related party of the Company. Oak Hill engages 
in  investment  and  asset  management  services.  The  Company  has 
determined that all of these entities are variable interest entities and 
that  an  external  member  is  the  primary  benefi ciary.  Upon  acqui-
sition  of  the  original  interests  in  Oak  Hill,  there  was  a  difference 
between the Company’s carrying value of its equity investments and 
the underlying equity in the net assets of Oak Hill of $200.2 million. 
The Company allocated this value to identifi able intangible assets of 
$81.8 million and goodwill of $118.4 million. The unamortized balance 
related to intangible assets for these investments was $45.3 million 
and $51.2 million as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Madison  Funds  –  As  of  December  31,  2009,  the  Company 
owned a 29.52% interest in Madison International Real Estate Fund II, 
LP, a 32.92% interest in Madison International Real Estate Fund III, LP 

and a 29.52% interest in Madison GP1 Investors, LP (collectively, the 
“Madison  Funds”).  The  Madison  Funds  invest  in  illiquid  ownership 
positions of entities that own real estate assets.

Other  equity  method  investments  –  The  Company  also  had 
smaller  investments  in  several  other  entities  that  were  accounted 
for  under  the  equity  method  where  the  Company  has  ownership 
interests up to 50.0%. Several of these investments are in real estate 
related  funds  or  other  strategic  investment  opportunities  within 
niche markets.

During  the  year  ended  December  31,  2009,  the  Company 
recorded a non-cash out-of-period charge of $9.4 million to recog-
nize additional losses from an equity method investment as a result 
of additional depreciation expense that should have been recorded at 
the equity method entity. This adjustment was recorded as a reduc-
tion to “Other investments” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance 
Sheets  and  a  decrease  to  “Earnings  from  equity  method  invest-
ments,”  on  the  Company’s  Consolidated  Statements  of  Operations. 
The Company concluded that the amount of losses that should have 
been recorded in periods beginning in July 2007 were not material 
to  any  of  its  previously  issued  fi nancial  statements.  The  Company 
also  concluded  that  the  cumulative  out-of-period  charge  was  not 
material  to  the  fi scal  year  in  which  it  has  been  recorded.  As  such, 

55

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
the charge was recorded in the Company’s Consolidated Statements 
of  Operations  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2009,  rather  than 
restating prior periods.

loan receivable, which resulted in a net gain of $12.0 million. The gain 
was  recorded  in  “Other  income”  on  the  Consolidated  Statements 
of Operations.

TimberStar  Southwest  –  Prior  to  selling  its  interest,  the 
Company owned a 46.7% interest in TimberStar Southwest Holdco 
LLC  (“TimberStar  Southwest”),  through  its  majority-owned  subsid-
iary TimberStar. The Company accounted for this investment under 
the  equity  method  due  to  the  venture’s  external  partners  having 
certain participating rights giving them shared control. In April 2008, 
the  Company  closed  on  the  sale  of  TimberStar  Southwest  for  a 
gross  sales  price  of  $1.71  billion,  including  the  assumption  of  debt. 
The Company received net proceeds of $417.0 million for its interest 
in the venture and recorded a gain of $280.2 million, which includes 
$18.6  million  attributable  to  noncontrolling  interests.  The  amounts 
were recorded in “Gain on sale of joint venture interest” and “Gain on 
sale of joint venture interest attributable to noncontrolling interests” 
on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Timber and timberlands

On  June  30,  2008,  the  Company  closed  on  the  sale  of  its 
Maine timber property for net proceeds of $152.7 million, resulting in 
a total gain of $27.0 million, which includes $3.7 million attributable to 
noncontrolling interests. These gains are included in “Gain from dis-
continued operations” and “Gain from discontinued operations attrib-
utable  to  noncontrolling  interests”  on  the  Company’s  Consolidated 
Statements  of  Operations.  The  Company  reflected  net  income 
from the operations of its Maine timber property of $2.3 million and 
$3.3 million in “Income (loss) from discontinued operations” for the 
years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Note 8 – Other Assets and Other Liabilities

CTL in-place lease intangible assets, net

Deferred expenses and other assets, net, consist of the fol-

As  of  December  31,  2009  and  2008,  the  Company  had 
$48.8  million  and  $58.5  million,  respectively,  of  unamortized  fi nite-
lived  intangible  assets  primarily  related  to  the  prior  acquisition  of 
CTL  facilities.  Amortization  expense  for  these  intangible  assets 
was  $9.6  million,  $8.9  million  and  $7.5  million  for  the  years  ended 
December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Marketable securities at fair value

As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, marketable securities 
included trading securities with a fair market value of $38.2 million 
and $7.9 million, respectively. Trading securities are recorded at their 
fair  market  value  with  gains  and  losses  included  in  “Other  income” 
on  the  Company’s  Consolidated  Statements  of  Operations.  For  the 
years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company recognized 
gains  (losses)  of  $15.5  million,  and  $(0.9)  million,  respectively,  from 
trading securities.

56

Cost method investments

The Company has investments in several real estate related 
funds or other strategic investment opportunities that are accounted 
for  under  the  cost  method.  During  the  years  ended  December  31, 
2009,  2008  and  2007,  the  Company  determined  that  unrealized 
losses  on  certain  of  its  cost  method  investments  were  other-
than-temporary  and  recorded  impairment  charges  of  $7.5  million, 
$87.0 million and $9.3 million, respectively.

During  the  year  ended  December  31,  2008,  the  Company 
redeemed  its  interest  in  a  profi ts  participation  that  was  originally 
received as part of a prior lending investment and carried as a cost 
method  investment  prior  to  redemption.  As  a  result  of  the  trans-
action,  the  Company  received  cash  of  $44.2  million  and  recorded 
an  equal  amount  of  income  in  “Other  income”  on  the  Company’s 
Consolidated  Statements  of  Operations.  In  addition,  during  2008, 
the  Company  also  exchanged  an  investment  with  a  carrying  value 
of  $97.4  million,  net  of  noncontrolling  interest,  for  a  $109.0  million 

lowing items (in thousands):

Deferred fi nancing fees, net(1) 
Other receivables 
Leasing costs, net(2) 
Corporate furniture, fi xtures and 

equipment, net(3) 

Goodwill 
Other assets 
Deferred expenses and other assets, net 

As of December 31,

2009 
$  41,959 
15,235 
14,830 

14,550 
– 
22,632 
$109,206 

2008
$  25,387
29,036
16,072

16,640
4,186
27,703
$119,024

Explanatory Notes:

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

 Accumulated amortization on deferred fi nancing fees was $30.3 million and $24.1 million 
as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 Accumulated  amortization  on  leasing  costs  was  $11.2  million  and  $8.7  million  as  of 
December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 Accumulated depreciation on corporate furniture, fi xture and equipment was $9.4 million 
and $7.2 million as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Accounts  payable,  accrued  expenses  and  other  liabilities 

consist of the following items (in thousands):

As of December 31,

2009 
Fremont Participation payable (see Note 4)  $  67,711 
49,697 
Accrued interest payable 
37,388 
Accrued expenses 
24,763 
Security deposits from customers 
17,153 
Unearned operating lease income 
9,336 
Deferred tax liabilities 
5,211 
Property taxes payable 
Other liabilities 
40,851 
Accounts payable, accrued expenses 

2008
$141,717
87,057
41,745
17,550
21,659
6,900
5,187
32,677

and other liabilities 

$252,110 

$354,492

sfi 2009

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 9 – Debt Obligations, net
Note 9 – Debt Obligations, net

As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company’s debt obligations were as follows (in thousands):
As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company’s debt obligations were as follows (in thousands):

Secured revolving credit facilities: 
Secured revolving credit facilities: 
Line of credit(1) 
Line of credit(1) 
Line of credit 
Line of credit 
Line of credit 
Line of credit 

Unsecured revolving credit facilities: 
Unsecured revolving credit facilities: 

Line of credit 
Line of credit 
Line of credit 
Line of credit 
Total revolving credit facilities 
Total revolving credit facilities 

Secured term loans: 
Secured term loans: 

Collateralized by investments in corporate debt 
Collateralized by investments in corporate debt 
Collateralized by CTLs 
Collateralized by CTLs 

Collateralized by loans, CTLs, REHI and OREO 
Collateralized by loans, CTLs, REHI and OREO 
Collateralized by loans, CTLs, REHI and OREO(4) 
Collateralized by loans, CTLs, REHI and OREO(4) 
Collateralized by loans, CTLs, REHI and OREO 
Collateralized by loans, CTLs, REHI and OREO 
Collateralized by CTLs 
Collateralized by CTLs 
Collateralized by CTLs and OREO(3) 
Collateralized by CTLs and OREO(3) 

Total secured term loans 
Total secured term loans 

Secured notes:  
Secured notes:  

8.0% senior notes(4) 
8.0% senior notes(4) 
10.0% senior notes(4) 
10.0% senior notes(4) 
Total secured notes 
Total secured notes 

Unsecured notes:   
Unsecured notes:   

4.875% senior notes 
4.875% senior notes 
LIBOR + 0.55% senior notes 
LIBOR + 0.55% senior notes 
LIBOR + 0.34% senior notes 
LIBOR + 0.34% senior notes 
LIBOR + 0.35% senior notes 
LIBOR + 0.35% senior notes 
5.375% senior notes 
5.375% senior notes 
6.0% senior notes 
6.0% senior notes 
5.80% senior notes 
5.80% senior notes 
5.125% senior notes 
5.125% senior notes 
5.650% senior notes 
5.650% senior notes 
5.15% senior notes 
5.15% senior notes 
5.500% senior notes 
5.500% senior notes 
LIBOR + 0.50% senior convertible notes 
LIBOR + 0.50% senior convertible notes 
8.625% senior notes 
8.625% senior notes 
5.95% senior notes 
5.95% senior notes 
6.5% senior notes 
6.5% senior notes 
5.70% senior notes 
5.70% senior notes 
6.05% senior notes 
6.05% senior notes 
5.875% senior notes 
5.875% senior notes 
5.850% senior notes 
5.850% senior notes 

Total unsecured notes 
Total unsecured notes 

Other debt obligations 
Other debt obligations 
Total debt obligations 
Total debt obligations 
Debt premiums/(discounts), net(4) 
Debt premiums/(discounts), net(4) 
Total debt obligations, net 
Total debt obligations, net 

Explanatory Notes:
Explanatory Notes:

Carrying Value as of 
Carrying Value as of 
2009 
2009 

2008 
2008 

Stated 
Stated 
Interest Rates 
Interest Rates 

Scheduled
Scheduled
Maturity Date
Maturity Date

$                – 
$                – 
625,247 
625,247 
334,180 
334,180 

$     306,867 
$     306,867 
– 
– 
– 
– 

504,305 
504,305 
244,295 
244,295 
1,708,027 
1,708,027 

– 
– 
947,862 
947,862 

1,055,000 
1,055,000 
621,221 
621,221 
1,000,000 
1,000,000 
114,279 
114,279 
260,980 
260,980 

2,122,904 
2,122,904 
1,158,369 
1,158,369 
3,588,140 
3,588,140 

300,000 
300,000 
947,862 
947,862 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
117,371 
117,371 
241,094 
241,094 

3,999,342 
3,999,342 

1,606,327 
1,606,327 

155,253 
155,253 
479,548 
479,548 
634,801 
634,801 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
158,699 
158,699 
143,509 
143,509 
251,086 
251,086 
192,890 
192,890 
175,168 
175,168 
286,787 
286,787 
406,996 
406,996 
146,470 
146,470 
787,750 
787,750 
508,701 
508,701 
459,453 
459,453 
75,635 
75,635 
206,601 
206,601 
105,765 
105,765 
261,403 
261,403 
99,722 
99,722 
4,266,635 
4,266,635 
100,000 
100,000 
10,708,805 
10,708,805 
186,098 
186,098 
$10,894,903 
$10,894,903 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

249,627 
249,627 
176,550 
176,550 
465,000 
465,000 
480,000 
480,000 
245,000 
245,000 
334,820 
334,820 
239,500 
239,500 
241,150 
241,150 
461,595 
461,595 
603,768 
603,768 
230,700 
230,700 
787,750 
787,750 
697,293 
697,293 
795,227 
795,227 
128,715 
128,715 
295,099 
295,099 
201,880 
201,880 
407,748 
407,748 
189,530 
189,530 
7,230,952 
7,230,952 
100,000 
100,000 
12,525,419 
12,525,419 
(39,015) 
(39,015) 
$12,486,404 
$12,486,404 

– 
– 

LIBOR + 1.50%(2) 
LIBOR + 1.50%(2) 
LIBOR + 1.50%(2) 
LIBOR + 1.50%(2) 

LIBOR + 0.85%(2) 
LIBOR + 0.85%(2) 
LIBOR + 0.85%(2) 
LIBOR + 0.85%(2) 

– 
– 
Greater of 6.25% or 
Greater of 6.25% or 
LIBOR + 3.40% 
LIBOR + 3.40% 
LIBOR + 1.50%(2) 
LIBOR + 1.50%(2) 
LIBOR + 1.50%(2) 
LIBOR + 1.50%(2) 
LIBOR + 2.50% 
LIBOR + 2.50% 
11.438% 
11.438% 
LIBOR + 1.65% 
LIBOR + 1.65% 

–
–
June 2011
June 2011
June 2012
June 2012

June 2011
June 2011
June 2012
June 2012

–
–
April 2011
April 011

June 2011
June 2011
June 2012
June 2012
June 2012
June 2012
December 2020
December 2020

6.4%–8.4%  Various through 2029
6.4%–8.4%  Various through 2029

8.0% 
8.0% 
10.0% 
10.0% 

March 2011
March 2011
June 2014
June 2014

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
LIBOR + 0.35% 
LIBOR + 0.35% 
5.375% 
5.375% 
6.0% 
6.0% 
5.80% 
5.80% 
5.125% 
5.125% 
5.650% 
5.650% 
5.15% 
5.15% 
5.500% 
5.500% 
LIBOR + 0.50% 
LIBOR + 0.50% 
8.625% 
8.625% 
5.95% 
5.95% 
6.5% 
6.5% 
5.70% 
5.70% 
6.05% 
6.05% 
5.875% 
5.875% 
5.850% 
5.850% 

–
–
–
–
–
–
March 2010
March 2010
April 2010
April 2010
December 2010
December 2010
March 2011
March 2011
April 2011
April 2011
September 2011
September 2011
March 2012
March 2012
June 2012
June 2012
October 2012
October 2012
June 2013
June 2013
October 2013
October 2013
December 2013
December 2013
March 2014
March 2014
April 2015
April 2015
March 2016
March 2016
March 2017
March 2017

LIBOR + 1.5% 
LIBOR + 1.5% 

October 2035
October 2035

57
57

  This credit line was fully repaid and terminated in 2009.
  This credit line was fully repaid and terminated in 2009.

(1) 
(1) 
(2)  These revolving and term loan commitments have an annual commitment fee of 0.20%.
(2)  These revolving and term loan commitments have an annual commitment fee of 0.20%.
(3) 
(3) 

(4) 
(4) 

 Includes the balance of a $35.2 million non-recourse senior secured term loan which the Company recorded in 2009 in conjunction with taking ownership of a property that was previously 
 Includes the balance of a $35.2 million non-recourse senior secured term loan which the Company recorded in 2009 in conjunction with taking ownership of a property that was previously 
fi nanced by a mezzanine loan funded by the Company and by a senior secured term loan of a third-party lender.
fi nanced by a mezzanine loan funded by the Company and by a senior secured term loan of a third-party lender.
 As of December 31, 2009, debt premiums/(discounts), net includes debt premiums of $221.3 million associated with the secured notes and resulted from the unsecured/secured note 
 As of December 31, 2009, debt premiums/(discounts), net includes debt premiums of $221.3 million associated with the secured notes and resulted from the unsecured/secured note 
exchange transactions completed in May 2009 (see below). In addition, amount includes debt discounts related to unsecured convertible notes of $32.7 million and other premiums and 
exchange transactions completed in May 2009 (see below). In addition, amount includes debt discounts related to unsecured convertible notes of $32.7 million and other premiums and 
discounts on other debt obligations.
discounts on other debt obligations.

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Future Scheduled Maturities – As of December 31, 2009, future 
scheduled maturities of outstanding long-term debt obligations, net 
are as follows (in thousands):

Triggers below). As of December 31, 2009, there was approximately 
$2.1 million that was immediately available to draw under the Second 
Priority Credit Agreement.

2010   
2011   
2012(1) 
2013   
2014   
Thereafter   
Total principal maturities 
Unamortized debt premiums, net 
Total long-term debt obligations, net 

$     586,772
4,022,349
3,540,912
1,099,730
686,149
772,893
10,708,805
186,098
$10,894,903

Explanatory Note:

(1) 

 As  further  discussed  in  Debt  Covenants  below,  although  due  in  2012,  as  presented 
above,  if  the  Company  does  not  pay  down  the  outstanding  balance  of  its  $1.00  billion 
First  Priority  Credit  Agreement  by  $500  million  by  September  30,  2010,  payments  of 
principal and net sale proceeds received by the Company in respect of assets constituting 
collateral for its obligation under this agreement must be applied towards the mandatory 
prepayment of the loan and commitment reductions under the agreement.

Signifi cant debt transactions in 2009:

Credit  Facilities  Restructuring  –  In  March  2009,  the  Company 
entered  into  a  $1.00  billion  First  Priority  Credit  Agreement  with 
participating  members  of  its  existing  bank  lending  group.  The  First 
Priority  Credit  Agreement  will  mature  in  June  2012.  Borrowings 
bear interest at the rate of LIBOR + 2.50% per year, subject to adjust-
ment  based  upon  the  Company’s  corporate  credit  ratings  (see 
Ratings Triggers below) and are collateralized by a fi rst-priority lien 
on  a  pool  of  collateral  consisting  of  loans,  debt  securities,  corpo-
rate  tenant  lease  assets  and  other  assets  pledged  under  the  First 
and  Second  Priority  Credit  Agreements  and  the  Second  Priority 
Secured Exchange Notes (see below). As of December 31, 2009, the 
First Priority Credit Agreement was fully drawn with $1.00 billion of 
secured term loans outstanding.

Also  in  March  20 09,  the  Company  restructured  its 
two  unsecured  revolving  credit  facilities  by  entering  into  Second 
Priority  Credit  Agreements,  with  $1.70  billion  maturing  in  2011  and 
$950.0 million maturing in 2012, with the same lenders participating 
in the First Priority Credit Agreement. Such lenders’ commitments 
under the Company’s unsecured facilities have been terminated and 
replaced  by  their  commitments  under  the  Second  Priority  Credit 
Agreements.  Under  these  agreements,  the  participating  lenders 
have a second priority lien on the same collateral pool securing the 
First  Priority  Credit  Agreement  and  the  Second  Priority  Secured 
Exchange  Notes  (see  Unsecured/Secured  Note  Exchange  below). 
As of December 31, 2009, outstanding borrowings under the Second 
Priority Credit Agreements include $625.2 million and $334.2 million 
of revolving loans as well as $1.06 billion and $621.2 million of term 
loans due in June 2011 and June 2012, respectively. Borrowings bear 
interest at the rate of LIBOR + 1.50% per year, subject to adjustment 
based  upon  the  Company’s  corporate  credit  ratings  (see  Ratings 

At  December  31,  2009,  the  total  carrying  value  of  assets 
pledged  as  collateral  under  the  First  and  Second  Priority  Credit 
Agreements and the Second Priority Secured Exchange Notes was 
$5.73 billion.

Concurrently  with  entering  into  the  First  and  Second 
Priority  Credit  Agreements,  the  Company  entered  into  amend-
ments to its $2.22 billion and $1.20 billion unsecured revolving credit 
facilities. As of December 31, 2009, after giving effect to the amend-
ments, outstanding balances on the unsecured credit facilities were 
$504.3  million,  which  will  expire  in  June  2011,  and  $244.3  million, 
which will expire in June 2012. The amendments eliminated certain 
covenants and events of default. The unsecured revolving credit facil-
ities may not be repaid prior to maturity while the First and Second 
Priority  Credit  Agreements  remain  outstanding.  These  facilities 
remain unsecured and no changes were made to the pricing terms of 
these facilities in connection with these amendments.

Unsecured/Secured  Notes  Exchange  –  On  May  8,  2009,  the 
Company completed a series of private offers in which the Company 
issued $155.3 million aggregate principal amount of its 8.0% second 
priority  senior  secured  guaranteed  notes  due  2011  (“2011  Notes”) 
and $479.5 million aggregate principal amounts of its 10.0% second 
priority  senior  secured  guaranteed  notes  due  2014  (“2014  Notes” 
and  together  with  the  2011  Notes,  the  “Second  Priority  Secured 
Exchange  Notes”)  in  exchange  for  $1.01  billion  aggregate  principal 
amount of its senior unsecured notes of various series. The Second 
Priority  Secured  Exchange  Notes  are  collateralized  by  a  second 
priority  lien  on  the  same  pool  of  collateral  pledged  under  the  First 
and  Second  Priority  Credit  Agreements.  In  conjunction  with  the 
exchange, the Company also purchased $12.5 million par value of its 
outstanding senior fl oating rate notes due September 2009 in a cash 
tender offer.

The Company has accounted for the issuance of the 2014 
Notes in exchange for various series of senior unsecured notes as 
a  troubled  debt  restructuring.  As  such,  the  Company  recognized  a 
gain on the exchange to the extent that the prior carrying value of 
the  senior  unsecured  notes  exceeded  the  total  future  contractual 
cash  payments  of  the  2014  Notes,  consisting  of  both  principal  and 
interest.  The  issuance  of  the  2011  Notes  in  exchange  for  senior 
unsecured notes was considered a modifi cation of the original debt 
resulting  in  adjustments  to  the  carrying  amounts  for  any  new  pre-
miums or discounts. As a result of these transactions, including the 
purchase  of  $12.5  million  of  outstanding  senior  fl oating  notes  due 
September  2009  in  a  cash  tender  offer,  the  Company  recognized 
a $107.9 million gain on early extinguishment of debt, net of closing 
costs of $11.8 million, and recorded a deferred gain of $262.7 million 
which  is  refl ected  as  premiums  to  the  par  value  of  the  new  debt. 
These  premiums  are  being  amortized  over  the  terms  of  the  2011 
Notes and the 2014 Notes as a reduction to interest expense. As of 

58

sfi 2009

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December  31,  2009,  the  remaining  premiums  to  be  amortized  are 
$215.8 million for the 2014 Notes and $5.5 million for the 2011 Notes. 
In addition, in connection with the exchange for the 2011 Notes, the 
Company incurred $4.3 million of direct costs which were recorded 
in “Other expense” on its Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Note  Repurchases  –  During  the  year  ended  December  31, 
2009, the Company repurchased, through open market and private 
transactions,  $1.31  billion  par  value  of  its  senior  unsecured  notes 
with  various  maturities  ranging  from  January  2009  to  March  2017. 
In  connection  with  these  repurchases,  the  Company  recorded  an 
aggregate net gain on early extinguishment of debt of $439.4 million 
for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Convertible  Notes  –  As  discussed  in  Note  3,  the  Company 
adopted the provisions of ASC 470-20-65-1 on January 1, 2009, as 
required.  ASC  470-20-65-1  requires  the  Company  to  account  for 
proceeds from the issuance of convertible notes separately between 
the liability component and the conversion option (or the equity com-
ponent).  This  standard  is  applicable  to  the  Company’s  $800.0  mil-
lion  aggregate  principal  amount  of  convertible  senior  fl oating  rate 
notes due October 2012 (“Convertible Notes”). The Convertible Notes 
are  convertible  at  the  option  of  the  holders,  into  22.2  shares  per 
$1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes, on or after August 15, 
2012, or prior to that date if (1) the price of the Company’s Common 
Stock trades above 130% of the conversion price for a specifi ed dura-
tion, (2) the trading price of the Convertible Notes is below a certain 
threshold, subject to specifi ed exceptions, (3) the Convertible Notes 
have  been  called  for  redemption,  or  (4)  specifi ed  corporate  trans-
actions  have  occurred.  None  of  the  conversion  triggers  have  been 
met as of December 31, 2009.

As  of  December  31,  2009,  the  carrying  value  of  the  addi-
tional paid-in-capital, or equity component of the Convertible Notes, 
was $37.4 million. As of December 31, 2009, the principal outstand-
ing  of  the  Convertible  Notes  was  $787.8  million,  the  unamortized 
discount  was  $32.7  million  and  the  net  carrying  amount  of  the 
liability  was  $755.1  million.  As  required,  the  adoption  was  applied 
retrospectively  to  all  periods  presented  for  fi scal  years  beginning 
before December 31, 2008. For the years ended December 31, 2009, 
2008 and 2007, the Company recognized interest on the Convertible 
Notes of $21.0 million, $42.3 million and $12.1 million, respectively, in 
“Interest expense” on its Consolidated Statements of Operations, of 
which $10.0 million, $9.5 million and $2.3 million, respectively, related 
to the amortization of the debt discount (see Note 14 for details on 
the impact of earnings per share due to the adoption).

Signifi cant debt transactions in 2008:

Secured  Term  Loans  –  During  2008,  the  Company  closed 
on  a  $947.9  million  secured  term  fi nancing  maturing  in  April  2011. 
This  fi nancing  is  collateralized  by  34  properties  in  the  Company’s 
Corporate Tenant Lease portfolio and bears interest at the greater of 
6.25% or LIBOR + 3.40%.

Note  Repurchases  –  During  the  year  ended  December  31, 
2008, the Company repurchased, through open market and private 
transactions $900.7 million par value of its senior unsecured notes 
with  various  maturities  ranging  from  January  2009  to  March  2017. 
In  connection  with  these  repurchases,  the  Company  recorded  an 
aggregate net gain on early extinguishment of debt $393.1 million for 
the year ended December 31, 2008.

Senior  Note  Issuances  –  In  May  2008,  the  Company  issued 
$750.0  million  aggregate  principal  amount  of  senior  unsecured 
notes bearing interest at an annual rate of 8.625% and maturing in 
June  2013.  The  Company  used  the  proceeds  from  the  issuance  of 
these securities primarily to repay outstanding indebtedness under 
its  unsecured  revolving  credit  facility.  Simultaneous  with  the  issu-
ance of this debt, the Company also entered into interest rate swap 
agreements  to  swap  the  fi xed  interest  rate  on  the  $750.0  million 
senior unsecured notes for a variable interest rate. During the year 
ended December 31, 2008, the Company terminated the swaps asso-
ciated with these notes (see Note 12 for further details).

Debt Covenants

The  Company’s  ability  to  borrow  under  its  secured  credit 
facilities depends on maintaining compliance with various covenants, 
including a minimum tangible net worth covenant and specifi ed fi nan-
cial  ratios,  such  as  fi xed  charge  coverage,  unencumbered  assets 
to  unsecured  indebtedness,  eligible  collateral  coverage  and  lever-
age ratios. All of these covenants on the facilities are maintenance 
covenants  and,  if  breached  could  result  in  an  acceleration  of  the 
Company’s  facilities  if  a  waiver  or  modifi cation  is  not  agreed  upon 
with  the  requisite  percentage  of  the  unsecured  lending  group  and 
lenders on the other facilities (see Business Risks and Uncertainties 
in  Note  10).  The  Company’s  secured  credit  facilities  also  impose 
limitations  on  repayments,  repurchases,  refi nancings  and  optional 
redemptions  of  its  existing  unsecured  notes  or  secured  exchange 
notes issued pursuant to the Company’s exchange offer, as well as 
limitations on repurchases of its Common Stock. For so long as the 
Company  maintains  its  qualifi cation  as  a  REIT,  the  secured  credit 
facilities permit the Company to distribute 100% of its REIT taxable 
income on an annual basis. The Company may not pay common divi-
dends if it ceases to qualify as a REIT.

The  Company’s  publicly  held  debt  securities  also  contain 
covenants  that  include  fi xed  charge  coverage  and  unencumbered 
assets to unsecured indebtedness ratios and its secured debt secu-
rities  have  an  eligible  collateral  coverage  requirement.  The  fi xed 
charge  coverage  ratio  is  an  incurrence  test.  If  the  Company  does 
not  meet  the  fi xed  charge  coverage  ratio,  its  ability  to  incur  addi-
tional indebtedness will be restricted. The unencumbered assets to 
unsecured indebtedness covenant and the eligible collateral cover-
age  covenant  are  maintenance  covenants  and,  if  breached  and  not 
cured within applicable cure periods, could result in acceleration of 
the  Company’s  publicly  held  debt  unless  a  waiver  or  modifi cation 
is  agreed  upon  with  the  requisite  percentage  of  the  bondholders. 

59

Note 10 – Commitments and Contingencies

Business Risks and Uncertainties – The fi nancial market condi-
tions that began in late 2007, including the economic recession and 
tightening  of  credit  markets,  continued  to  signifi cantly  impact  the 
commercial  real  estate  market  and  fi nancial  services  industry  in 
2009.  The  severe  economic  downturn  led  to  a  decline  in  commer-
cial real estate values, which combined with a lack of available debt 
fi nancing  for  commercial  and  residential  real  estate  assets,  limited 
borrowers’ ability to repay or refi nance their loans. Further, the abil-
ity  of  many  of  the  Company’s  borrowers  to  sell  units  in  residential 
projects  has  been  adversely  impacted  by  current  economic  condi-
tions and the lack of end loan fi nancing available to residential unit 
purchasers.  The  combination  of  these  factors  adversely  affected 
our business, fi nancial condition and operating performance, result-
ing  in  signifi cant  additions  to  non-performing  assets,  increases  in 
the related provision for loan losses and a reduction in the level of 
liquidity available to fi nance our operations. These economic factors 
and their effect on our operations have resulted in increases in our 
fi nancing costs, a continuing inability to access the unsecured debt 
markets,  depressed  prices  for  our  Common  Stock,  the  continued 
suspension of quarterly Common Stock dividends and has narrowed 
the Company’s margin of compliance with debt covenants.

The Company’s primary recourse debt instruments include 
its secured and unsecured bank credit facilities and its secured and 
unsecured public debt securities. The Company believes it is in full 
compliance  with  all  the  covenants  in  those  debt  instruments  as  of 
December 31, 2009, however, the Company’s recent fi nancial results 
have put pressure on the Company’s ability to maintain compliance 
with certain of the debt covenants in its secured bank credit facilities. 
In particular, the Company’s tangible net worth at December 31, 2009 
was  approximately  $1.7  billion,  which  is  not  signifi cantly  above  the 
fi nancial covenant minimum requirement in the Company’s secured 
credit  facilities  of  $1.5  billion.  The  Company  intends  to  operate 
its  business  in  order  to  remain  in  compliance  with  the  covenants 
in its debt instruments; however, it is possible that the Company will 
not be able to do so. A failure by the Company to satisfy a fi nancial 
covenant in a debt instrument could trigger a default under that debt 
instrument  and  could  give  the  lenders  the  ability  to  accelerate  the 
debt  if  the  default  is  not  waived  or  cured.  Most  of  the  Company’s 
recourse debt instruments contain cross default and/or cross accel-
eration provisions which may be triggered by defaults or accelera-
tions of the Company’s recourse debt above specifi ed thresholds.

From  a  liquidity  perspective,  the  Company  expects  to 
continue  to  experience  signifi cant  uncertainty  with  respect  to  its 
sources  of  funds.  The  Company’s  cash  fl ow  may  be  affected  by  a 
variety of factors, many of which are outside of its control, including 

Based on the Company’s unsecured credit ratings at December 31, 
2009,  the  fi nancial  covenants  in  its  publicly  held  debt  securities, 
including the fi xed charge coverage ratio and maintenance of unen-
cumbered assets to unsecured indebtedness ratio, are operative.

The Company’s secured credit facilities and its public debt 
securities contain cross default provisions that would allow the lend-
ers and the bondholders to declare an event of default and acceler-
ate the Company’s indebtedness to them if the Company fails to pay 
amounts due in respect of its other recourse indebtedness in excess 
of  specifi ed  thresholds.  In  addition,  the  Company’s  secured  credit 
facilities,  unsecured  credit  facilities  and  the  indentures  governing 
its public debt securities provide that the lenders and bondholders 
may declare an event of default and accelerate its indebtedness to 
them if there is a non-payment default under the Company’s other 
recourse indebtedness in excess of specifi ed thresholds and, if the 
holders  of  the  other  indebtedness  are  permitted  to  accelerate,  in 
the  case  of  the  secured  credit  facilities,  or  accelerate,  in  the  case 
of its unsecured credit facilities and the bond indentures, the other 
recourse indebtedness.

Under certain circumstances, the First and Second Priority 
Credit  Agreements  require  that  payments  of  principal  and  net  sale 
proceeds  received  by  the  Company  in  respect  of  assets  constitut-
ing collateral for the Company’s obligations under these agreements 
be  applied  toward  the  mandatory  prepayment  of  loans  and  com-
mitment  reductions  under  them.  The  Company  would  be  required 
to  make  such  prepayments  (i)  during  any  time  that  the  ratio  of  its 
EBITDA  to  fi xed  charges,  as  defi ned  under  the  agreements,  is  less 
than 1.25 to 1.00, (ii) if, after receiving a payment of principal or net 
sale proceeds in respect of collateral, the Company has insuffi cient 
eligible assets available to pledge as replacement collateral or (iii) if, 
and for so long as, the aggregate principal amount of loans outstand-
ing under the First Priority Credit Agreement exceeds $500 million 
at  any  time  on  or  after  September  30,  2010,  or  zero  at  any  time 
on  or  after  March  31,  2011.  The  First  and  Second  Priority  Credit 
Agreements and indentures governing the Second Priority Secured 
Exchange  Notes  contain  a  number  of  covenants,  including  that  the 
Company maintain collateral coverage of at least 1.3x the aggregate 
borrowings and letters of credit outstanding under the First Priority 
Credit  Agreement,  the  Second  Priority  Credit  Agreements  and  the 
Second Priority Secured Exchange Notes.

The  Company  believes  it  is  in  full  compliance  with  all  the 

covenants in its debt obligations as of December 31, 2009.

Ratings Triggers

The  Company’s  First  and  Second  Priority  Secured  Credit 
Agreements  and  unsecured  credit  agreements  bear  interest  at 
LIBOR-based rates plus an applicable margin which varies between 
the Credit Agreements and is determined based on the Company’s 
corporate  credit  ratings.  The  Company’s  ability  to  borrow  under 
its credit facilities is not dependent on the level of its credit ratings. 
Based on the Company’s current credit ratings, further downgrades 
in the Company’s credit ratings will have no effect on its borrowing 
rates under these facilities.

sfi 2009

60

volatility in the fi nancial markets, the Company’s borrowers’ ability to 
repay their obligations and other general business conditions. As of 
December 31, 2009, the Company had $224.6 million of unrestricted 
cash.  The  Company  expects  to  need  additional  liquidity  over  the 
coming year to supplement expected loan repayments and cash gen-
erated from operations in order to meet its debt maturities and fund-
ing obligations. During 2009, the Company utilized its unencumbered 
assets  to  generate  additional  liquidity  through  secured  fi nancing 
transactions and a secured note exchange transaction, and also sold 
various  assets.  In  addition,  the  Company  has  signifi cantly  curtailed 
its  asset  origination  activities,  reducing  operating  expenses  and 
focused on asset management in order to maximize recoveries from 
existing  asset  resolutions.  The  Company  intends  to  utilize  all  avail-
able sources of funds in today’s fi nancing environment, which could 
include additional fi nancings secured by its assets, increased levels 
of asset sales, joint ventures and other third-party capital to meet its 
liquidity requirements. There can be no assurance that the company 
will possess suffi cient liquidity to meet all of its debt service require-
ments in 2010. The failure to execute such alternatives successfully 
prior to debt maturity would have material adverse consequences on 
the Company. In addition the Company is exploring various alterna-
tives to enable it to meet its signifi cant 2011 debt maturities.

The Company has reacted to the adverse market conditions 
and liquidity and debt covenant pressures by implementing various 
initiatives, including the sale of assets and repurchases of its debt at 
a discount to par, which it believes will guide it through the diffi cult 
business conditions the Company expects to persist through 2010. 
The Company’s public debt securities continue to trade at signifi cant 
discounts to par. The Company has been able to partially mitigate the 
impact  of  the  decline  in  operating  results  through  the  recognition 
of gains associated with the repurchase and retirement of debt at a 
discount, which has enabled it to maintain compliance with its debt 
covenants and to reduce outstanding indebtedness at discounts to 
par.  The  Company  expects  to  continue  to  use  available  funds  and 
other  strategies  to  seek  to  retire  its  debt  at  a  discount;  however, 
there can be no assurance that the Company’s efforts in this regard 
will be successful.

The Company’s plans are dynamic and it expects to adjust 
its plans as market conditions change. If the Company is unable to 
successfully  implement  its  plans,  this  would  have  material  adverse 
consequences on the Company.

Unfunded  Commitments  –  The  Company  has  certain  off-
balance  sheet  unfunded  commitments.  The  Company  generally 
funds  construction  and  development  loans  and  build  outs  of  CTL 
space over a period of time if and when the borrowers and tenants 
meet  established  milestones  and  other  performance  criteria.  The 

Company  refers  to  these  arrangements  as  Performance-Based 
Commitments. In addition, the Company will sometimes establish a 
maximum amount of additional fundings which it will make available 
to a borrower or tenant for an expansion or addition to a project if 
it  approves  of  the  expansion  or  addition  at  its  sole  discretion.  The 
Company refers to these arrangements as Discretionary Fundings. 
Finally, the Company has committed to invest capital in several real 
estate funds and other ventures. These arrangements are referred 
to  as  Strategic  Investments.  As  of  December  31,  2009,  the  maxi-
mum amounts of the fundings the Company may make under each 
category,  assuming  all  performance  hurdles  and  milestones  are 
met  under  Performance-Based  Commitments,  that  it  will  approve 
all Discretionary Fundings and that 100% of its capital committed to 
Strategic Investments is drawn down are as follows (in thousands):

Performance-Based 
  Commitments 
Discretionary Fundings 
Strategic Investments 
Total 

Loans 

CTL 

Total

$616,400 
137,685 
N/A 
$754,085 

$13,074 
– 
N/A 
$13,074 

$629,474
137,685
73,139
$840,298

Other Commitments – As a result of the Company’s decision to 
remain in its current space that is leased through 2021, the Company 
entered  into  a  settlement  agreement  with  a  landlord  regarding  a 
separate long-term lease for new headquarters space dated May 22, 
2007 (as amended and restated, the “Lease”). Under the settlement, 
the Company agreed to pay the landlord a $42.4 million settlement 
payment in order to settle all disputes between the Company and the 
landlord relating to the Lease and the landlord agreed among other 
things,  to  terminate  the  Lease.  For  the  year  ended  December  31, 
2009,  the  Company  recognized  a  $42.4  million  lease  termina-
tion  expense  in  “Other  expense”  on  the  Company’s  Consolidated 
Statements of Operations.

Total  operating  lease  expense  for  the  years  ended 
December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 were $13.3 million, $7.9 million 
and  $7.1  million,  respectively.  Future  minimum  lease  obligations 
under non-cancelable operating leases are as follows (in thousands):

61

2010 
2011 
2012 
2013 
2014   
Thereafter 

$  6,095
5,945
5,152
4,558
4,186
21,343

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 11 – Equity

The Company’s charter provides for the issuance of up to 200.0 million shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share and 
30.0 million shares of preferred stock. As of December 31, 2009, 137.9 million common shares were issued and 94.2 million common shares 
were outstanding.

The Company had the following series of Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock outstanding as of December 31, 2009 and 2008:

Shares Authorized Issued and 
Outstanding (in thousands) 
4,000 
5,600 
4,000 
3,200 
5,000 
21,800 

Cumulative Preferential Cash Dividends(1)(2)

Rater per Annum of the 
 $25.00 Liquidation Preference 
8.00% 
7.875% 
7.8% 
7.65% 
7.50% 

Equivalent to Fixed
Annual Rate (per share)
$2.00
$1.97
$1.95
$1.91
$1.88

Par Value 
$0.001 
$0.001 
$0.001 
$0.001 
$0.001 

Series 
D 
E 
F 
G 
I 

Explanatory Notes:

 (1) 

 Holders of shares of the Series D, E, F, G and I preferred stock are entitled to receive dividends, when and as declared by the Board of Directors, out of funds legally available for the payment 
of dividends. Dividends are cumulative from the date of original issue and are payable quarterly in arrears on or before the 15th day of each March, June, September and December or, if not 
a business day, the next succeeding business day. Any dividend payable on the preferred stock for any partial dividend period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of 
twelve 30-day months. Dividends will be payable to holders of record as of the close of business on the fi rst day of the calendar month in which the applicable dividend payment date falls or 
on another date designated by the Board of Directors of the Company for the payment of dividends that is not more than 30 nor less than ten days prior to the dividend payment date.

(2)  There are no dividend arrearages on any of the preferred shares currently outstanding.

The Series D, E, F, G, and I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred 
Stock are redeemable without premium at the option of the Company 
at  their  respective  liquidation  preferences  beginning  on  October  8, 
2002,  July  18,  2008,  September  29,  2008,  December  19,  2008  and 
March 1, 2009, respectively.

High Performance Unit Program

In  May  2002,  the  Company’s  shareholders  approved  the 
iStar  Financial  High  Performance  Unit  (“HPU”)  Program.  The  pro-
gram entitled employee participants (“HPU Holders”) to receive dis-
tributions if the total rate of return on the Company’s Common Stock 
(share  price  appreciation  plus  dividends)  exceeded  certain  perfor-
mance  thresholds  over  a  specifi ed  valuation  period.  The  Company 
established  seven  HPU  plans  that  had  valuation  periods  ending 
between 2002 and 2008 and the Company has not established any 
new HPU plans since 2005. HPU Holders purchased their interests 
in High Performance Common Stock for aggregate initial purchase 
prices of approximately $2.8 million, $1.8 million, $1.4 million, $0.6 mil-
lion,  $0.7  million,  $0.6  million  and  $0.8  million  for  the  2002,  2003, 
2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 plans, respectively.

The  2002,  2003  and  2004  plans  all  exceeded  their  perfor-
mance thresholds and are entitled to receive distributions equivalent 
to the amount of dividends payable on 819,254 shares, 987,149 shares 
and  1,031,875  shares,  respectively,  of  the  Company’s  Common 

Stock  as  and  when  such  dividends  are  paid  on  the  Company’s 
Common Stock. Each of these three plans has 5,000 shares of High 
Performance  Common  Stock  associated  with  it,  which  is  recorded 
as  a  separate  class  of  stock  within  shareholders’  equity  on  the 
Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. High Performance Common 
Stock  carries  0.25  votes  per  share.  Net  income  allocable  to  com-
mon shareholders is reduced by the HPU holders’ share of earnings.

The  remaining  four  plans  that  had  valuation  periods  which 
ended  in  2005,  2006,  2007  and  2008,  did  not  meet  their  required 
performance  thresholds  and  none  of  the  plans  were  funded.  As  a 
result,  the  Company  redeemed  the  participants’  units  for  approxi-
mately  $1,700  resulting  in  the  unit  holders  losing  $2.4  million  of 
aggregate contributions.

In addition to these plans, a high performance unit program 
for executive offi cers was established with plans having three-year 
valuation periods which ended December 31, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 
2008.  The  provisions  of  these  plans  were  substantially  the  same 
as  the  high  performance  unit  programs  for  employees.  The  Chief 
Executive Offi cer and former President collectively purchased 100% 
interests in the Company’s 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 high perfor-
mance  unit  program  for  senior  executive  offi cers  for  an  aggregate 
purchase price of $1.5 million. These plans did not meet the required 
performance thresholds and were not funded, resulting in the Chief 
Executive  Officer  and  former  President  losing  $0.9  million  and 
$0.6 million in total contributions, respectively.

62

sfi 2009

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends  –  In  order  to  maintain  its  election  to  qualify  as 
a  REIT,  the  Company  must  currently  distribute,  at  a  minimum,  an 
amount equal to 90% of its taxable income and must distribute 100% 
of its taxable income to avoid paying corporate federal income taxes. 
The  Company  has  recorded  net  operating  losses  and  may  record 
signifi cant net operating losses in the future, which may reduce its 
taxable income in future periods and lower or eliminate entirely the 
Company’s obligation to pay dividends for such periods in order to 
maintain its REIT qualifi cation. Because taxable income differs from 
cash fl ow from operations due to non-cash revenues and expenses 

(such  as  depreciation  and  certain  asset  impairments),  in  certain 
circumstances,  the  Company  may  generate  operating  cash  fl ow  in 
excess of its dividends or, alternatively, may be required to borrow 
to make suffi cient dividend payments. The Company’s secured credit 
facilities permits the Company to distribute 100% of its REIT taxable 
income  on  an  annual  basis,  for  so  long  as  the  Company  maintains 
its  qualifi cation  as  a  REIT.  The  secured  credit  facilities  restrict  the 
Company from paying any common dividends if it ceases to qualify 
as a REIT. The Company did not declare or pay any Common Stock 
dividends for the year ended December 31, 2009.

For tax reporting purposes:

Ordinary Dividend 

15% Capital Gain 

  25% Section 1250 Capital Gains

Total dividends 
declared 
in thousands)(1) 

– 
$236,052 
$459,253 

Dividends 
per share 
– 
$1.74 
$3.60 

Percentage 
of dividends 
per share 
– 
10.8% 
90.7% 

Percentage 
of dividends 
per share 
– 
76.1% 
8.0% 

Percentage
of dividends
per share
–
13.1%
1.3%

Per share 
– 
$0.2270 
$0.0453 

Per share 
– 
$1.3244 
$0.2875 

Per share 
– 
$0.1886 
$3.2622 

Year 

2009 
2008 
2007 

Explanatory Note:

(1) 

 For the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, 25.6% ($0.0483) and 2.6% ($0.0850), respectively of the ordinary dividend qualify as a qualifying dividend for those shareholders who held 
shares for the Company for the entire year,

Stock Repurchase Program – On March 13, 2009, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $50 million of 

Common Stock from time to time in open market and privately negotiated purchases, including pursuant to one or more trading plans.

During  the  year  ended  December  31,  2009,  the  Company  repurchased  11.8  million  shares  of  its  outstanding  Common  Stock  for 
approximately $29.9 million, at an average cost of $2.54 per share, and the repurchases were recorded at cost. As of December 31, 2009, the 
Company had $21.5 million of Common Stock available to repurchase under authorized stock repurchase programs.

Noncontrolling  Interest  –  The  following  table  presents  amounts  attributable  to  iStar  Financial  Inc.  and  allocable  to  common  share-

holders, HPU holders and Participating Security holders (in thousands):

Amounts attributable to iStar Financial Inc. and allocable to common shareholders, 

HPU holders and Participating Security holders

Income (loss) from continuing operations 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations 
Gain from discontinued operations 
Net income (loss)   

Preferred dividends 

Net income (loss) allocable to common shareholders, HPU holders and Participating Security holders   

For the Years Ended December 31,

2009 

2008 

2007

63

$(769,531) 
(11,671) 
12,426 
(768,776) 
(42,320) 
$(811,096) 

$(294,649) 
3,855 
87,769 
(203,025) 
(42,320) 
$(245,345) 

$199,616
29,970
7,832
237,418
(42,320)
$195,098

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 12 – Risk Management and Derivatives

Derivatives

Risk management

In  the  normal  course  of  its  on-going  business  operations, 
the Company encounters economic risk. There are three main com-
ponents of economic risk: interest rate risk, credit risk and market 
risk. The Company is subject to interest rate risk to the degree that 
its  interest-bearing  liabilities  mature  or  reprice  at  different  points 
in  time  and  potentially  at  different  bases,  than  its  interest-earning 
assets.  Credit  risk  is  the  risk  of  default  on  the  Company’s  lending 
investments  that  result  from  a  borrower’s  or  corporate  tenant’s 
inability or unwillingness to make contractually required payments. 
Market risk refl ects changes in the value of loans and other lending 
investments due to changes in interest rates or other market factors, 
including  the  rate  of  prepayments  of  principal  and  the  value  of  the 
collateral  underlying  loans,  the  valuation  of  CTL  facilities  held  by 
the Company and changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

Credit  risk  concentrations  –  Concentrations  of  credit  risks 
arise  when  a  number  of  borrowers  or  customers  related  to  the 
Company’s  investments  are  engaged  in  similar  business  activities, 
or  activities  in  the  same  geographic  region,  or  have  similar  eco-
nomic  features  that  would  cause  their  ability  to  meet  contractual 
obligations, including those to the Company, to be similarly affected 
by  changes  in  economic  conditions.  The  Company  monitors  vari-
ous segments of its portfolio to assess potential concentrations of 
credit risks. Management believes the current portfolio is reasonably 
well  diversifi ed  and  does  not  contain  any  unusual  concentration  of 
credit risks.

Substantially  all  of  the  Company’s  CTL  assets  and  assets 
collateralizing its loans and other lending investments are located in 
the United States, with California 15.3%, New York 11.7%, and Florida 
11.6% representing the only signifi cant concentrations (greater than 
10.0%) as of December 31, 2009. These assets also contain signifi -
cant concentrations in the following asset types as of December 31, 
2009:  apartment/residential  27.1%,  land  15.4%  and  office  13.3%. 
Additionally,  10.6%  of  the  Company’s  asset  base  is  comprised  of 
loans collateralized by in-progress condo construction assets. These 
percentages are based on the gross carrying value of the assets in 
proportion  to  the  total  gross  carrying  value  of  the  Company’s  total 
investment portfolio.

The  Company  underwrites  the  credit  of  prospective  bor-
rowers  and  customers  and  often  requires  them  to  provide  some 
form of credit support such as corporate guarantees, letters of credit 
and/or  cash  security  deposits.  Although  the  Company’s  loans  and 
other lending investments and CTL assets are geographically diverse 
and the borrowers and customers operate in a variety of industries, 
to the extent the Company has a signifi cant concentration of interest 
or operating lease revenues from any single borrower or customer, 
the inability of that borrower or customer to make its payment could 
have an adverse effect on the Company. As of December 31, 2009, 
the  Company’s  fi ve  largest  borrowers  or  CTL  tenants  collectively 
accounted  for  approximately  14.8%  of  the  Company’s  aggregate 
annualized interest and operating lease revenue, of which no single 
customer accounts for more than 5.0%.

The Company’s use of derivative fi nancial instruments is pri-
marily limited to the utilization of interest rate hedges or other instru-
ments to manage interest rate risk exposure and foreign exchange 
hedges to manage market risk exposure. The principal objective of 
such hedges are to minimize the risks and/or costs associated with 
the Company’s operating and fi nancial structure as well as to hedge 
specifi c  anticipated  debt  issuances  and  to  manage  its  exposure  to 
foreign  exchange  rate  movements.  Derivatives  not  designated  as 
hedges are not speculative and are used to manage the Company’s 
exposure to interest rate movements, foreign exchange rate move-
ments, and other identifi ed risks, but may not meet the strict hedge 
accounting requirements.

At  December  31,  2009  and  2008,  respectively,  derivatives 
with  a  fair  value  of  $0.8  million  and  $3.9  million,  respectively,  were 
included  in  “Deferred  expenses  and  other  assets,  net”  and  deriva-
tives  with  a  fair  value  of  $0.3  million  and  $0.1  million,  respectively, 
were  included  in  “Accounts  payable,  accrued  expenses  and  other 
liabilities” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the 
years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company recorded a 
net  loss  of  $16.7  million  and  net  gains  of  $0.2  million,  respectively, 
related to ineffectiveness of interest rate swaps.

2009 hedging activity – During the year ended December 31, 

2009, the Company did not have any signifi cant hedging activity.

2008 hedging activity – During the year ended December 31, 

2008, the Company had the following signifi cant hedging activity:

•  The  Company  paid  $11.1  million  to  terminate  forward  starting 
swap  agreements  with  a  notional  amount  of  $250.0  million.  The 
Company  determined  the  forecasted  transaction  was  not  prob-
able  of  occurring  and  recorded  $8.2  million  of  losses  that  are 
recorded  in  “Other  expense”  on  the  Company’s  Consolidated 
Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2008.

•  The  Company  entered  into  two  pay  fl oating  interest  rate  swap 
agreements,  designated  as  fair  value  hedges,  with  notional 
amounts  totaling  $750.0  million.  These  swap  agreements  were 
entered  into  in  order  to  exchange  the  8.625%  fi xed-rate  inter-
est  payments  on  the  Company’s  $750.0  million  senior  notes 
due in 2013 for variable-rate interest payments based on three-
month LIBOR + 3.84%. These swaps were terminated in 2008, as 
described in the following paragraph.

•  The  Company  terminated  $1.76  billion  of  pay  fl oating  interest 
rate swaps that were designated as fair value hedges of certain 
unsecured  notes.  As  a  result  of  the  terminations,  the  Company 
received $51.1 million of cash, recorded a receivable of $19.0 mil-
lion and recorded premiums to the respective unsecured notes of 
$65.7 million. The premiums amortize over the lives of the respec-
tive  debt  as  an  offset  to  “Interest  expense”  on  the  Company’s 
Consolidated Statements of Operations. During the years ended 
December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company recorded a net loss 

64

sfi 2009

of $16.7 million and net gains of $0.2 million, respectively, related 
to ineffectiveness on interest rate swaps. In addition, for the year 
ended  December  31,  2008,  the  Company  recognized  a  net  loss 
of $1.4 million for interest rate swaps not designated as hedges. 
All  of  these  amounts  were  recorded  in  “Other  expense”  on  the 
Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Note 13 – Stock-Based Compensation Plans and Employee Benefi ts

On May 27, 2009, the Company’s shareholders approved the 
Company’s 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2009 LTIP”) which is 
designed to provide incentive compensation for offi cers, key employ-
ees, directors and advisors of the Company. The 2009 LTIP provides 
for  awards  of  stock  options,  shares  of  restricted  stock,  phantom 
shares,  restricted  stock  units,  dividend  equivalent  rights  and  other 
share-based performance awards. A maximum of 8,000,000 shares 
of Common Stock may be awarded under the 2009 LTIP, plus up to an 
additional 500,000 shares to the extent that a corresponding num-
ber of equity awards previously granted under the Company’s 1996 
Long-Term  Incentive  Plan  expire  or  are  cancelled  or  forfeited.  All 
awards under the 2009 LTIP are made at the discretion of the Board 
of Directors or a committee of the Board of Directors. The awards of 
the 10.2 million restricted stock units granted on December 19, 2008 
are required to be settled on a net, after-tax basis (after deducting 
shares for minimum required statutory withholdings); therefore, the 
actual number of shares issued will be less than the gross amount of 
the awards. As of December 31, 2009, 2.1 million shares remain avail-
able for awards under the 2009 LTIP.

The Company’s 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2006 
LTIP”)  is  designed  to  provide  equity-based  incentive  compensation 
for  offi cers,  key  employees,  directors,  consultants  and  advisers  of 
the Company. The 2006 LTIP provides for awards of stock options, 
shares  of  restricted  stock,  phantom  shares,  dividend  equivalent 
rights  and  other  share-based  performance  awards.  A  maximum 
of  4,550,000  shares  of  Common  Stock  may  be  subject  to  awards 
under the 2006 LTIP provided that the number of shares of Common 
Stock  reserved  for  grants  of  options  designated  as  incentive  stock 
options  is  1.0  million,  subject  to  certain  anti-dilution  provisions  in 
the 2006 LTIP. All awards under this Plan are at the discretion of the 
Board of Directors or a committee of the Board of Directors. As of 
December  31,  2009,  1.4  million  shares  remain  available  for  awards 
under the 2006 LTIP.

The  Company’s  20 07  Incentive  Compensation  Plan 
(“Incentive  Plan”)  was  approved  and  adopted  by  the  Board  of 
Directors  in  2007  in  order  to  establish  performance  goals  for 
selected offi cers and other key employees and to determine bonuses 
that  will  be  awarded  to  those  offi cers  and  other  key  employees 
based on the extent to which they achieve those performance goals. 
Equity-based awards may be made under the Incentive Plan, subject 
to the terms of the Company’s equity incentive plans.

The  Company  recorded  $23.6  million,  $23.4  million  and 
$18.2  million  of  stock-based  compensation  expense  in  “General 
and  administrative”  on  the  Company’s  Consolidated  Statements 
of  Operations  for  the  years  ended  December  31,  2009,  2008  and 
2007, respectively.

Stock Options – Changes in options outstanding during the year ended December 31, 2009, are as follows (amounts in thousands, except for weighted 
average strike price):

Options Outstanding, December 31, 2008 
Forfeited in 2009   
Options Outstanding, December 31, 2009 

  Number of Shares 
  Non-Employee 
Directors 
86 
(2) 
84 

Employees 
396 
(4) 
392 

Weighted 
Average 
Strike Price 
$19.43 
40.01 
$19.08 

Other 
47 
(3) 
44 

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

$ –

65

The  following  table  summarizes  information  concern-
ing  outstanding  and  exercisable  options  as  of  December  31,  2009 
(options, in thousands):

Exercise Price 

$16.88  
$17.38  
$19.69  
$24.94  
$27.00  
$29.82   

Options 
Outstanding and 
Exercise Price 
364 
14 
47 
40 
11 
44 
520 

Remaining
Contractual
Life (Years)
0.01
0.21
1.01
1.38
1.48
2.41
0.45

The  Company  has  not  issued  any  options  since  2003. 
During  the  year  ended  December  31,  2009,  no  options  were  exer-
cised. Cash received from option exercises during the years ended 
December  31,  2008  and  2007  was  $5.2  million  and  $2.9  million, 
respectively.  The  intrinsic  value  of  options  exercised  during  the 
years  ended  December  31,  2008  and  2007  was  $2.0  million  and 
$3.5 million, respectively.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restricted  Stock  Units  –  Changes  in  non-vested  restricted 
stock units during the year ended December 31, 2009 are as follows 
(in thousands, except per share amounts):

Non-Vested Shares 
Non-vested at 
  December 31, 2008 
Granted 
Vested 
Forfeited 
Non-vested at 
  December 31, 2009 

 Weighted Average
Grant Date 
Fair Value 
Per Share 

Number 
of Shares 

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

14,987 
2,000 
(637) 
(2,279) 

$3.32 
2.37 
31.41 
2.94 

14,071 

$3.62 

$36,022

On  May  27,  2009,  the  Company’s  shareholders  approved 
the grant of 2,000,000 market-condition based restricted stock units 
which were contingently awarded, subject to shareholder approval, 
to  its  Chairman  and  Chief  Executive  Offi cer  as  a  special  retention 
award on October 9, 2008. These units will cliff vest in one install-
ment on October 9, 2011 only if the total shareholder return on the 
Company’s  Common  Stock  is  at  least  25%  per  year  (compounded 
at  the  end  of  the  three-year  vesting  period,  including  dividends). 
Total shareholder return will be based on the average NYSE closing 
prices  for  the  Company’s  Common  Stock  for  the  20  days  prior  to: 
(a)  the  date  of  the  award  on  October  9,  2008  (which  was  $3.38); 
and (b) the vesting date (which must be at least $6.58 if no dividends 
are  paid).  No  dividends  will  be  paid  on  these  units  prior  to  vesting. 
These units are required to be settled on a net, after-tax basis (after 
deducting  shares  for  minimum  required  statutory  withholdings); 
therefore the actual number of shares issued will be less than the 
gross amount of the award. The Company measured the fair value 
of the grant on May 27, 2009 and will record compensation expense 
based on this fair value ratably over the remaining vesting period.

As  of  December  31,  2009,  there  were  9,159,000  market-
condition  based  restricted  stock  units  (“Units”)  outstanding,  which 
were  granted  to  executives  and  other  officers  of  the  Company 
on  December  19,  2008.  The  Units  will  vest  only  if  specifi ed  price 
targets  for  the  Company’s  Common  Stock  are  achieved  and  if  the 
employee  is  thereafter  employed  on  the  vesting  date,  as  follows: 
(a) if the Common Stock achieves a price of $4.00 or more (average 
NYSE  closing  price  over  20  consecutive  trading  days)  during  the 
fi rst year following the grant date (i.e., prior to December 19, 2009), 
the  Units  will  vest  in  three  equal  installments  on  January  1,  2010, 
January 1, 2011, and January 1, 2012; (b) if the Units do not achieve 
the  price  target  in  the  fi rst  year,  but  the  Common  Stock  achieves 
a price of $7.00 or more (average NYSE closing price over 20 con-
secutive  trading  days)  prior  to  December  19,  2010,  the  Units  will 
vest  in  two  equal  installments  on  January  1,  2011  and  January  1, 
2012; and (c) if the Units do not achieve the price target in the fi rst 
or second year, but the Common Stock achieves a price of $10.00 or 
more (average NYSE closing price over 20 consecutive trading days) 

prior to December 19, 2011, the Units will vest in one installment on 
January 1, 2012. The $4.00 price target for the initial period ended 
December 19, 2009 was not achieved, therefore only the $7.00 and 
$10.00  price  targets  remain  applicable.  If  an  applicable  price  target 
has  been  achieved,  the  Units  will  thereafter  be  entitled  to  dividend 
equivalent  payments  as  dividends  are  paid  on  the  Company’s 
Common  Stock.  Upon  vesting  of  the  Units,  holders  will  receive 
shares of the Company’s Common Stock in the amount of the vested 
Units, net of statutory minimum tax withholdings. On May 27, 2009, 
the Company’s shareholders approved the 2009 LTIP, which autho-
rized additional shares of the Company’s Common Stock to be avail-
able  for  awards  under  the  Company’s  equity  compensation  plans 
including  for  settlement  of  the  Units.  The  approval  converted  the 
Company’s  accounting  for  the  Units  from  liability-based  to  equity-
based, and accordingly, the Company reclassifi ed its liability recorded 
in  “Accounts  Payable,  accrued  expenses  and  other  liabilities”  to 
“Additional paid-in capital” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The 
aggregate fair value of the grants on May 27, 2009 was approximately 
$27.0  million,  which  is  being  recognized  as  compensation  expense 
ratably over the vesting period.

As  of  December  31,  2009,  there  were  389,277  market- 
condition based restricted stock units outstanding that were granted 
to  employees  on  January  18,  2008  and  cliff  vest  on  December  31, 
2010, only if the total shareholder return on the Company’s Common 
Stock  is  at  least  20%  (compounded  annually,  including  dividends) 
from  the  date  of  the  award  through  the  end  of  the  vesting  period. 
Total  shareholder  return  will  be  based  on  the  average  NYSE  clos-
ing  prices  for  the  Company’s  Common  Stock  for  the  20  days  prior 
to (a) the date of the award on January 18, 2008 (which was $25.04) 
and  (b)  the  vesting  date.  No  dividends  will  be  paid  on  these  units 
unless and until they are vested.

On October 9, 2008, the Company granted 2,000,000 restricted 
stock  units  as  special  retention  incentive  awards  to  certain  offi-
cers which will cliff vest in one installment on October 9, 2011, if the 
RSU  holders  are  employed  on  the  vesting  date.  The  unvested  units 
are entitled to receive dividend equivalent payments as dividends are 
paid on shares of the Company’s Common Stock. As of December 31, 
2009,  1,850,000  of  these  restricted  stock  units  remain  outstanding. 
Also on October 9, 2008, the Company awarded 1,000,000 restricted 
stock  units  as  a  special  retention  incentive  award  to  the  Company’s 
President which were forfeited during the year ended December 31, 
2009, due to his resignation from the Company.

As  of  December  31,  2009,  there  were  672,984  unvested 
service-based restricted stock units outstanding that are entitled to 
be paid dividends as dividends are paid on shares of the Company’s 
Common Stock and these dividends are accounted for as a reduc-
tion to retained earnings in a manner consistent with the Company’s 
Common Stock dividends.

The  fair  values  of  the  market-condition  based  restricted 
stock units, including the Units, were determined by utilizing a Monte 

66

sfi 2009

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Carlo model to simulate a range of possible future stock prices for 
the  Company’s  Common  Stock.  The  following  assumptions  were 
used to estimate the fair value of market-condition based awards:

approximately $1.3 million, $1.5 million and $1.1 million for the years 
ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Valued as of

Note 14 – Earnings Per Share

Risk-free interest rate 
Expected stock 

January 18, 
2008 
2.39% 

May 27,  

May 27,

2009(1) 
1.16% 

2009(2)
1.28%

price volatility   

27.46% 

152.03% 

145.45%

Expected annual dividend 

– 

– 

–

Explanatory Notes:  

(1)  Contingent equity-based restricted stock units awarded on October 9, 2008 were mea-
sured on May 27, 2009, the date the Company’s shareholders approved the grant of the award.
(2)  The Units granted on December 19, 2008 were re-measured on May 27, 2009 when they 
became equity-based awards in accordance with ASC 718-20-55-135 to 138.

The  total  fair  value  of  restricted  stock  units  vested  during 
the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 was $1.4 million, 
$10.1 million and $10.6 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2009, 
there  was  $28.2  million  of  total  unrecognized  compensation  cost 
related  to  non-vested  restricted  stock  units.  That  cost  is  expected 
to be recognized over the remaining vesting/service period for the 
respective grants.

Common  Stock  Equivalents  –  Non-employee  directors  are 
awarded  common  stock  equivalents  (“CSEs”)  at  the  time  of  the 
annual shareholders meeting in consideration for their services on 
the  Company’s  Board  of  Directors.  The  CSEs  generally  vest  at  the 
time  of  the  next  annual  shareholders  meeting  and  pay  dividends 
in an amount equal to the dividends paid on an equivalent number 
of shares of the Company’s Common Stock from the date of grant, 
as and when dividends are paid on the Common Stock. During the 
year ended December 31, 2009, the Company awarded to Directors 
169,814 CSEs at a weighted average fair value per share of $3.18 at 
the  time  of  grant.  The  CSE  awards  are  classifi ed  as  liability-based 
awards due to the fact that they can be settled in shares of stock or 
cash at the Directors’ option. During the year ended December 31, 
2009,  the  Company  issued  73,147  shares  of  Common  Stock  to 
Directors at fair value per share of $2.23 to settle vested CSEs out-
standing.  At  December  31,  2009,  197,385  CSEs,  with  an  aggregate 
intrinsic value of $0.5 million were outstanding.

401(k) Plan

The Company has a savings and retirement plan (the “401(k) 
Plan”), which is a voluntary, defi ned contribution plan. All employees 
are eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan following completion of 
three months of continuous service with the Company. Each partici-
pant may contribute on a pretax basis up to the maximum percent-
age of compensation and dollar amount permissible under Section 
402(g)  of  the  Internal  Revenue  Code  not  to  exceed  the  limits  of 
Code  Sections  401(k),  404  and  415.  At  the  discretion  of  the  Board 
of Directors, the Company may make matching contributions on the 
participant’s behalf of up to 50% of the fi rst 10% of the participant’s 
annual  compensation.  The  Company  made  gross  contributions  of 

EPS is calculated using the two-class method, which allo-
cates  earnings  among  common  stock  and  participating  securities 
to  calculate  EPS  when  an  entity’s  capital  structure  includes  either 
two or more classes of common stock or common stock and par-
ticipating securities. HPU holders are current and former Company 
employees  who  purchased  high  performance  common  stock  units 
under  the  Company’s  High  Performance  Unit  (HPU)  Program  (see 
Note 12). These HPU units have been treated as a separate class of 
common stock. In addition, the Company adopted ASC 260-10-65-2 
on  January  1,  2009.  Upon  adoption,  the  Company’s  unvested 
restricted  stock  units  which  are  entitled  to  receive  dividends  and 
CSEs  issued  under  the  Long-Term  Incentive  Plans  are  considered 
participating  securities  and  have  been  included  in  the  two-class 
method  when  calculating  EPS.  ASC  260-10-65-2  has  been  applied 
retroactively to all prior periods presented (see Note 3).

The  following  table  presents  a  reconciliation  of  income 
(loss) from continuing operations used in the basic and diluted EPS 
calculations (in thousands, except for per share data):

For the Years Ended December 31,

2009 

2008 

2007

Income (loss) from 

continuing operations 

$(770,602) 

$(295,640) 

$198,800

Net loss attributable to 
noncontrolling 
interests 

Gain on sale of joint 
 venture interest 
attributable to 
noncontrolling 
interests 

Preferred dividends 
Dividends paid 

to Participating 
  Security holders(1) 

  Income (loss) from 

 continuing operations 
attributable to iStar 
Financial Inc. and 
allocable to common 
shareholders and 
HPU holders 

1,071 

991 

816

– 

(42,320) 

(18,560) 
(42,320) 

–
(42,320)

67

– 

(2,393) 

(3,545)

$(811,851) 

$(357,922) 

$153,751

Explanatory Note:

(1) 

 In  accordance  with  ASC  260-10-65-1,  “Application  of  the  Two-Class  Method  under 
FASB Statement No. 128 to Master Limited Partnerships,” (“ASC 260-10-65-1”) the total 
dividends  paid  to  Participating  Security  holders  during  the  period  have  been  deducted 
from income (loss) from continuing operations, because total dividends distributed by the 
Company exceeded earnings for the period.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
Earnings allocable to common shares:
Numerator for basic earnings per share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to iStar Financial Inc. and 

allocable to common shareholders(1) 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations 
Gain from discontinued operations, net of noncontrolling interests 
Net income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc. and allocable to common shareholders 
Numerator for diluted earnings per share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to iStar Financial Inc. and 

allocable to common shareholders(1)(2) 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations 
Gain from discontinued operations, net of noncontrolling interests 
Net income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc. and allocable to common shareholders 
Denominator: 
Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic earnings per common share  
Add: effect of assumed shares issued under treasury stock method for 

stock options and restricted shares 

Add: effect of joint venture shares 
Weighted average common shares outstanding for diluted earnings per common share 
Basic earnings per common share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to iStar Financial Inc. and 

allocable to common shareholders(1) 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations 
Gain from discontinued operations, net of noncontrolling interests 
Net income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc. and allocable to common shareholders 
Diluted earnings per common share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to iStar Financial Inc. and 

allocable to common shareholders(1)(2) 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations 
Gain from discontinued operations, net of noncontrolling interests 
Net income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc. and allocable to common shareholders 

For the Years Ended December 31,

2009 

2008 

2007

$(789,304) 
(11,349) 
12,083 
$(788,570) 

$(350,340) 
21,940 
85,910 
$(242,490) 

$(789,304) 
(11,349) 
12,083 
$(788,570) 

$(350,340) 
21,940 
85,910 
$(242,490) 

$150,385
29,313
7,661
$187,359

$150,487
29,317
7,662
$187,466

100,071 

131,153 

126,801

– 
– 
100,071 

– 
– 
131,153 

480
261
$127,542

$      (7.89) 
(0.11) 
0.12 
$      (7.88) 

$      (2.68) 
0.17 
0.66 
$      (1.85) 

$      (7.89) 
(0.11) 
0.12 
$      (7.88) 

$      (2.68) 
0.17 
0.66 
$      (1.85) 

$      1.19
0.23
0.06
$      1.48

$      1.18
0.23
0.06
$      1.47

Explanatory Notes:

68

(1) 

 Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to iStar Financial Inc. and allocable to common shareholders has been adjusted for net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling 
interests and preferred dividends. In addition, for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to iStar Financial Inc. and allocable to 
common shareholders has been adjusted to exclude dividends paid to Participating Security holders (see preceding table).

(2)  For the year ended December 31, 2007, amount includes the allocable portion of $85 of joint venture income.

sfi 2009

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings allocable to High Performance Units:
Numerator for basic earnings per HPU share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to iStar Financial Inc. and 

allocable to HPU holders(1) 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations 
Gain from discontinued operations, net of noncontrolling interests 
Net income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc. and allocable to HPU holders 
Numerator for diluted earnings per HPU share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to iStar Financial Inc. and 

allocable to HPU holders(1)(2) 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations 
Gain from discontinued operations, net of noncontrolling interests 
Net income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc. and allocable to HPU holders 
Denominator (basic and diluted):
Weighted average High Performance Units outstanding for basic and diluted earnings per share 
Basic earnings per HPU share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to iStar Financial Inc. and 

allocable to HPU holders(1) 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations 
Gain from discontinued operations, net of noncontrolling interests 
Net income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc. and allocable to HPU holders 
Diluted earnings per HPU share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to iStar Financial Inc. and 

allocable to HPU holders(1)(2) 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations 
Gain from discontinued operations, net of noncontrolling interests 
Net income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc. and allocable to HPU holders 

For the Years Ended December 31,

2009 

2008 

2007

$   (22,547) 
(322) 
343 
$   (22,526) 

$   (22,547) 
(322) 
343 
$   (22,526) 

$  (7,582) 
475 
1,859 
$  (5,248) 

$  (7,582) 
475 
1,859 
$  (5,248) 

$  3,366
656
171
$  4,193

$  3,349
652
170
$  4,171

15 

15 

15

$(1,503.13) 
(21.47) 
22.87 
$(1,501.73) 

$(1,503.13) 
(21.47) 
22.87 
$(1,501.73) 

$(505.47) 
31.67 
123.93 
$(349.87) 

$(505.47) 
31.67 
123.93 
$(349.87) 

$224.40
43.73
11.40
$279.53

$223.27
43.47
11.33
$278.07

Explanatory Notes:

(1) 

 Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to iStar Financial Inc. and allocable to High Performance Units has been adjusted for net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling 
interests and preferred dividends. In addition, for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to iStar Financial Inc. and allocable to 
High Performance Units has been adjusted to exclude dividends paid to Participating Security holders (see preceding table).

(2)  For the year ended December 31, 2007, amount includes the allocable portion of $85 of joint venture income.

For the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, basic and diluted net income allocable to common shareholders and HPU hold-
ers per share were retroactively adjusted to refl ect the adoption of ASC 260-10-65-2. The Company reduced its diluted weighted average 
common shares outstanding for each reporting period by unvested restricted stock units that are entitled to receive dividends and common 
stock equivalents deemed to be Participating Securities. In addition, pursuant to ASC 260-10-65-1, as a result of dividends paid in excess of 
earnings during the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company allocated $2.4 million and $3.5 million, respectively, of earnings 
from common shares and HPU shares to Participating Securities. This adoption, along with the adoption of ASC 470-20-65-1 (see Notes 3 
and 9) changed basic and diluted earnings per share as follows: (a) for the year ended December 31, 2008, basic and diluted net income 
allocable to common shareholders decreased by $0.07 per share, and basic and diluted net income allocable to HPU holders decreased by 
$13.54 per share; and (b) for the year ended December 30, 2007, basic and diluted net income allocable to common shareholders decreased 
by $0.04 per share, and basic and diluted net income allocable to HPU holders decreased by $8.40 and $6.93 per share, respectively.

69

For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, the following shares were anti-dilutive (in thousands):

Joint venture shares 
Stock options   
Restricted stock units 

For the Years Ended December 31,

2009 
298 
520 
11,548 

2008 
298 
529 
10,633 

2007
88
5
–

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 15 – Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The statement of comprehensive income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial, Inc. is as follows (in thousands):

Net income (loss)   
Other comprehensive income: 
Reclassifi cation of (gains)/losses on available-for-sale securities into earnings upon realization 
Reclassifi cation of (gains)/losses on cash fl ow hedges into earnings upon realization   
Unrealized gains/(losses) on available-for-sale securities 
Unrealized gains/(losses) on cash fl ow hedges 
Unrealized gains/(losses) on cumulative translation adjustment 
Comprehensive income (loss) 

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests 
Gain on sale of joint venture interest attributable to noncontrolling interests   
Gain from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests 

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc. 

For the Years Ended December 31,

2009 
$(769,847) 

2008 
$(181,767) 

2007
$236,602

2,727 
(4,357) 
6,515 
(30) 
(416) 
$(765,408) 
1,071 
– 
– 
$(764,337) 

4,967 
3,401 
(5,797) 
2,986 
(1,554) 
$(177,764) 
991 
(18,560) 
(3,689) 
$(199,022) 

(2,566)
(943)
(6,023)
(9,719)
–
$217,351
816
–
–
$218,167

Unrealized  gains/(losses)  on  available-for-sale  securities, 
cash  flow  hedges  and  foreign  currency  translation  adjustments 
are  recorded  as  adjustments  to  shareholders’  equity  through 
“Accumulated  other  comprehensive  income”  on  the  Company’s 
Consolidated  Balance  Sheets  and  are  not  included  in  net  income 
unless  realized.  As  of  December  31,  2009  and  2008,  accumulated 
other  comprehensive  income  refl ected  in  the  Company’s  share-
holders’ equity is comprised of the following (in thousands):

Unrealized gains/(losses) on 

available-for-sale securities 
Unrealized gains on cash fl ow hedges 
Unrealized losses on cumulative 
translation adjustment 

Accumulated other comprehensive income 

70

As of December 31,

2009 

2008

$ 3,959 
4,156 

(1,970) 
$ 6,145 

$(5,283)
8,544

(1,554)
$ 1,707

Note 16 – Fair Values

Fair  value  represents  the  price  that  would  be  received  to 
sell  an  asset  or  paid  to  transfer  a  liability  in  an  orderly  transaction 
between market participants at the measurement date. The follow-
ing fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used in valuation tech-
niques to measure fair value:

Level  1:  Unadjusted  quoted  prices  in  active  markets  that 
are  accessible  at  the  measurement  date  for  identical,  unrestricted 
assets or liabilities;

Level  2:  Quoted  prices  in  markets  that  are  not  active,  or 
inputs which are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substan-
tially the full term of the asset or liability;

Level 3: Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs 
that  are  both  signifi cant  to  the  fair  value  measurement  and  unob-
servable (i.e., supported by little or no market activity).

Certain of the Company’s assets and liabilities are recorded 
at fair value on a recurring or non-recurring basis as of December 31, 
2009  and  2008.  Assets  required  to  be  marked-to-market  and 
reported at fair value every reporting period are classifi ed as being 
valued on a recurring basis. Other assets not required to be recorded 
at fair value every period may be recorded at fair value if a specifi c 
provision or other impairment is recorded within the period to mark 
the  carrying  value  of  the  asset  to  market  as  of  the  reporting  date. 
Such assets are classifi ed as being valued on a non-recurring basis.

sfi 2009

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table summarizes the Company’s assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis by 

the above categories (in thousands):

As of December 31, 2009:
Recurring basis: 

Financial Assets: 
  Derivative assets 
  Other lending investments – available-for-sale debt securities 
  Marketable securities at fair value 
Financial Liabilities: 
  Derivative liabilities 

Non-recurring basis: 

Financial Assets: 

Impaired loans 
Non-fi nancial Assets: 
Impaired OREO 
Impaired assets held-for-sale 
Impaired CTL assets 

As of December 31, 2008: 
Recurring basis: 

Financial Assets: 
  Derivative assets 
  Other lending investments – available-for-sale securities 
  Marketable securities 
Financial Liabilities: 
  Derivative liabilities 

Non-recurring basis: 

Financial Assets: 

  Quoted market 
prices in 
active markets 
(Level 1) 

Total 

Signifi cant
other 
observable 
inputs 
(Level 2) 

Signifi cant
unobservable
inputs
(level 3)

800 
$ 
$ 
6,800 
$  38,454 

$ 
– 
$ 6,800 
$  254 

$  800 
$ 
– 
$ 38,200 

$ 

254 

$ 

– 

$  254 

$ 
$ 
$ 

$ 

–
–
–

–

$ 1,167,498 

$  181,540 
$  17,282 
$  48,000 

$ 

$ 
$ 
$ 

– 

– 
– 
– 

$ 

$ 
$ 
$ 

– 

– 
– 
– 

$ 1,167,498

$  181,540
$  17,282
$  48,000

$ 
$ 
$ 

$ 

3,872 
10,856 
8,083 

– 
$ 
$ 10,856 
$  8,083 

$  3,872 
– 
$ 
– 
$ 

131 

$ 

– 

$  131 

$ 
$ 
$ 

$ 

–
–
–

–

Impaired loans 
Impaired other lending investments – held-to-maturity securities 
Impaired cost method investments 

$ 1,821,012 
10,128 
$ 
3,888 
$ 

$ 
– 
$ 10,128 
– 
$ 

$ 
$ 
$ 

– 
– 
– 

$ 1,821,012
–
$ 
3,888
$ 

In  addition  to  the  Company’s  disclosures  regarding  assets  and  liabilities  recorded  at  fair  value  in  the  fi nancial  statements,  it  is 
also required to disclose the estimated fair values of all fi nancial instruments, regardless of whether they are recorded at fair value in the 
fi nancial statements.

71

The book and estimated fair values of fi nancial instruments were as follows (in thousands):(1)

Financial assets: 

Loans and other lending investments, net 

$  7,661,562 

$6,638,840 

$10,586,644 

$9,279,946

As of December 31, 2009 

As of December 31, 2008

Book Value 

Fair Value 

Book Value 

Fair Value

Financial liabilities: 

Debt obligations, net 

Explanatory Note:

$10,894,903 

$8,115,023 

$12,486,404 

$6,277,177

(1) 

 The  carrying  values  of  other  fi nancial  instruments  including  cash  and  cash  equivalents,  restricted  cash,  accrued  interest  receivable,  accounts  payable,  accrued  expenses  and  other 
liabilities approximate the fair values of the instruments. The fair value of other fi nancial instruments, including derivative assets and liabilities and marketable securities are included in the 
previous table.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Given  the  nature  of  certain  assets  and  liabilities,  clearly 
determinable market-based valuation inputs are often not available; 
therefore, these assets and liabilities are valued using internal valu-
ation  techniques.  Subjectivity  exists  with  respect  to  these  internal 
valuation  techniques,  therefore,  the  fair  values  disclosed  may  not 
equal prices the Company may ultimately realize if the assets were 
sold or the liabilities were settled with third parties. The methods the 
Company used to estimate the fair values presented in the two tables 
are described more fully below for each type of asset and liability.

Derivatives – The Company uses interest rate swaps, inter-
est rate caps and foreign currency derivatives to manage its interest 
rate  and  foreign  currency  risk.  The  valuation  of  these  instruments 
is determined using discounted cash fl ow analysis on the expected 
cash fl ows of each derivative. This analysis refl ects the contractual 
terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses 
observable  market-based  inputs,  including  interest  rate  curves, 
foreign exchange rates, and implied volatilities. The Company incor-
porates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately refl ect both its 
own non-performance risk and the respective counterparty’s non-
performance risk in the fair value measurements. In adjusting the fair 
value  of  its  derivative  contracts  for  the  effect  of  non-performance 
risk,  the  Company  has  considered  the  impact  of  netting  and  any 
applicable credit enhancements, such as collateral postings, thresh-
olds,  mutual  puts,  and  guarantees.  The  Company  has  determined 
that  the  signifi cant  inputs  used  to  value  its  derivatives  fall  within 
Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Securities  –  All  of  the  Company’s  available-for-sale  and 
impaired  held-to-maturity  debt  and  equity  securities  are  actively 
traded  and  have  been  valued  using  quoted  market  prices.  The 
Company’s  traded  marketable  securities  are  valued  using  market 
quotes,  to  the  extent  they  are  available,  or  broker  quotes  that  fall 
within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Impaired  loans  –  The  Company’s  loans  identifi ed  as  being 
impaired are collateral dependent loans and are evaluated for impair-
ment  by  comparing  the  estimated  fair  value  of  the  underlying  col-
lateral, less costs to sell, to the carrying value of each loan. Due to 
the nature of the individual properties collateralizing the Company’s 
loans,  the  Company  generally  uses  the  income  approach  through 
internally developed valuation models to estimate the fair value of the 
collateral. This approach requires the Company to make signifi cant 
judgments in respect to discount rates, capitalization rates and the 
timing and amounts of estimated future cash fl ows that are all con-
sidered Level 3 inputs. These cash fl ows include costs of completion, 
operating costs, and lot and unit sale prices.

Impaired  OREO  –  The  Company  periodically  evaluates  its 
OREO  assets  to  determine  if  events  or  changes  in  circumstances 
have  occurred  during  the  reporting  period  that  may  have  a  sig-
nifi cant  adverse  effect  on  their  fair  value.  Due  to  the  nature  of  the 
individual  properties  in  the  OREO  portfolio,  the  Company  uses 
the income approach through internally developed valuation models 
to estimate the fair value of the assets. This approach requires the 
Company  to  make  signifi cant  judgments  with  respect  to  discount 

rates, capitalization rates and the timing and amounts of estimated 
future cash fl ows that are all considered Level 3 inputs. These cash 
fl ows include costs of completion, operating costs, and lot and unit 
sale prices.

Impaired  assets  held-for-sale  –  The  estimated  fair  value  of 
impaired assets held-for-sale is determined using observable market 
information, typically including bids from prospective purchasers.

Impaired CTL assets – If the Company determines a CTL asset 
is  impaired  it  records  an  impairment  charge  to  mark  the  asset  to 
its  estimated  fair  market  value  (see  Note  3).  Any  such  assets  that 
have  been  impaired  based  on  their  estimated  fair  value  as  of  the 
Company’s reporting date are considered to be reported at fair value 
on  a  non-recurring  basis  and  are  included  in  the  fi rst  table  above. 
Due  to  the  nature  of  the  individual  properties  in  the  CTL  portfolio, 
the  Company  uses  the  income  approach  through  internally  devel-
oped valuation models to estimate the fair value of the assets. This 
approach  requires  the  Company  to  make  significant  judgments 
with  respect  to  discount  rates,  capitalization  rates  and  the  timing 
and amounts of estimated future cash fl ows that are all considered 
Level  3  inputs.  These  cash  fl ows  are  primarily  based  on  expected 
future leasing rates and operating costs.

Cost  method  investments  –  The  Company  periodically  evalu-
ates its cost method investments to determine if events or changes 
in circumstances have occurred in that period that may have a sig-
nifi cant adverse effect on the fair value of an investment. Many of the 
Company’s  cost  method  investments  are  in  managed  funds  and 
the Company estimates the fair value of these investments using its 
ratable share of the net asset value of the impaired funds.

Short-term  financial  instruments  –  The  carrying  values  of 
short-term  fi nancial  instruments  including  cash  and  cash  equiva-
lents  and  short-term  investments  approximate  the  fair  values  of 
these instruments. These fi nancial instruments generally expose the 
Company to limited credit risk and have no stated maturities, or have 
an  average  maturity  of  less  than  90  days  and  carry  interest  rates 
which approximate market.

Loans  and  other  lending  investments  –  For  the  Company’s 
interest  in  performing  loans  and  other  lending  investments,  the 
fair  values  were  determined  using  a  discounted  cash  fl ow  meth-
odology.  This  method  discounts  future  estimated  cash  fl ows  using 
rates  management  determined  best  refl ect  current  market  inter-
est rates that would be offered for loans with similar characteristics 
and  credit  quality.  The  valuation  of  non-performing  loans  is  dis-
cussed in impaired loans above.

Debt obligations, net – For debt obligations traded in second-
ary  markets,  the  Company  uses  market  quotes,  to  the  extent  they 
are available to determine fair value. For debt obligations not traded 
in secondary markets, the Company determines fair value using the 
discounted cash fl ow methodology, whereby contractual cash fl ows 
are  discounted  at  rates  that  the  Company  determined  best  refl ect 
current  market  interest  rates  that  would  be  charged  for  debt  with 
similar characteristics and credit quality.

72

sfi 2009

Note 17 – Segment Reporting

The Company has determined that it has two reportable operating segments: Real Estate Lending and Corporate Tenant Leasing. The 
reportable segments were determined based on the management approach, which looks to the Company’s internal organizational structure. 
These two lines of business require different support infrastructures. The Real Estate Lending segment includes all of the Company’s activi-
ties related to senior and mezzanine real estate debt and corporate capital investments, OREO and REHI. The Corporate Tenant Leasing seg-
ment includes all of the Company’s activities related to the ownership and leasing of corporate facilities.

The Company evaluates performance based on the following fi nancial measures for each segment (in thousands):

2009:
Total revenues(3)   
Earnings from equity method investments 
Total operating and interest expense(4) 
Net operating income (loss)(5) 
Total long-lived assets(6) 
Total assets(7)(8) 
2008:
Total revenues(3)   
Earnings from equity method investments 
Total operating and interest expense(4) 
Net operating income (loss)(5) 
Total long-lived assets(6) 
Total assets(7)(8) 
2007:
Total revenues(3)   
Earnings from equity method investments 
Total operating and interest expense(4) 
Net operating income (loss)(5) 
Total long-lived assets(6) 
Total assets(7)(8) 

Explanatory Notes:

Real Estate 

Corporate 
Lending(1)  Tenant Leasing 

Corporate/ 
Other(2) 

Company
Total

$     569,670 
– 
1,392,234 
(822,564) 
$  8,923,367 
8,999,558 

$   306,364 
2,500 
232,124 
76,740 
$2,903,178 
3,149,783 

$   17,250 
2,798 
592,175 
(572,127) 
$            – 
661,234 

$     893,284
5,298
2,216,533
(1,317,951)
$11,826,545
12,810,575

$  1,024,906 
– 
1,299,832 
(274,926) 
$10,829,149 
11,037,624 

$  1,088,323 
– 
334,410 
753,913 
$11,077,912 
11,282,123 

$   312,365 
2,520 
187,127 
127,758 
$3,044,811 
3,330,907 

$   307,470 
7,347 
123,539 
191,278 
$3,384,201 
3,703,339 

$   16,983 
4,015 
842,820 
(821,822) 
$            – 
928,217 

$     8,666 
22,279 
777,561 
(746,616) 
$ 128,720 
862,836 

$  1,354,254
6,535
2,329,779
(968,990)
$13,873,960
15,296,748

$  1,404,459
29,626
1,235,510
198,575
$14,590,833
15,848,298

(1)  Real Estate Lending includes the Company’s OREO and REHI assets and related operating revenue and expenses.
(2) 

 Corporate/Other represents all corporate level items, including general and administrative expenses and any intercompany eliminations necessary to reconcile to the consolidated Company 
totals. This caption also includes the Company’s timber operations, non-CTL related joint venture investments, strategic investments and marketable securities, which are not considered 
material separate segments.
 Total revenue represents all revenue earned during the period from the assets in each segment. Revenue from the Real Estate Lending segment primarily represents interest income and 
revenue from the Corporate Tenant Leasing segment primarily represents operating lease income.
 Total operating and interest expense primarily includes provision for loan losses for the Real Estate Lending business and operating costs on CTL assets for the Corporate Tenant Leasing 
business, as well as interest expense specifi cally related to each segment. Interest expense on secured and unsecured notes, the interim fi nancing facility, unsecured and secured revolving 
credit facilities and general and administrative expense are included in Corporate/Other for all periods. Depreciation and amortization of $97.9 million, $94.7 million and $83.7 million for the 
years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 respectively, are included in the amounts presented above.
 Net operating income (loss) represents income attributable to iStar Financial Inc. before gain on early extinguishment of debt, gain on sale of joint venture interest, income (loss) from discon-
tinued operations and gain from discontinued operations.
 Total long-lived assets are comprised of Loans and other lending investments, net, REHI and OREO for the Real Estate Lending segment, and Corporate tenant lease assets, net and Assets 
held-for-sale are included for the Corporate Tenant Leasing segment and timber and timberlands are included in Corporate/other.
 Intangible assets included in Real Estate Lending at December 31, 2007 were $17.4 million. Intangible assets included in Corporate Tenant Leasing at December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 
were $48.8 million, $58.5 million and $69.9 million, respectively. Intangible assets included in Corporate/Other at December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 were $1.1 million, $2.7 million and 
$11.3 million, respectively.

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

(8)  Goodwill included in Real Estate Lending at December 31, 2007 was $39.1 million. Goodwill included in Corporate Tenant Leasing at December 31, 2008 and 2007 was $4.2 million.

73

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 18 – Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)
Note 18 – Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)

The following table sets forth the selected quarterly fi nancial data for the Company (in thousands, except per share amounts).
The following table sets forth the selected quarterly fi nancial data for the Company (in thousands, except per share amounts).

December 31, 
December 31, 

September 30, 
September 30, 

June 30, 
June 30, 

March 31,
March 31,

For the Quarters Ended
For the Quarters Ended

2009:(1)
2009:(1)
Revenue 
Revenue 
Net loss  
Net loss  
Net loss attributable to iStar Financial Inc. and allocable to common shareholders 
Net loss attributable to iStar Financial Inc. and allocable to common shareholders 
Net loss attributable to iStar Financial Inc. per common share – basic and diluted 
Net loss attributable to iStar Financial Inc. per common share – basic and diluted 
Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic and diluted 
Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic and diluted 
Net loss attributable to iStar Financial Inc. and allocable to HPU holders 
Net loss attributable to iStar Financial Inc. and allocable to HPU holders 
Net loss attributable to iStar Financial Inc. per HPU share – basic and diluted 
Net loss attributable to iStar Financial Inc. per HPU share – basic and diluted 
Weighted average HPU shares outstanding – basic and diluted 
Weighted average HPU shares outstanding – basic and diluted 
2008:(2)
2008:(2)
Revenue 
Revenue 
Net income (loss)   
Net income (loss)   
Net income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc. and allocable to common shareholders 
Net income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc. and allocable to common shareholders 
Net income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc. per common share – basic and diluted 
Net income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc. per common share – basic and diluted 
Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic 
Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic 
Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted 
Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted 
Net income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc. allocable to HPU holders 
Net income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc. allocable to HPU holders 
Net income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc. per HPU share – basic 
Net income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc. per HPU share – basic 
Net income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc. and per HPU share – diluted 
Net income (loss) attributable to iStar Financial Inc. and per HPU share – diluted 
Weighted average HPU shares outstanding – basic and diluted 
Weighted average HPU shares outstanding – basic and diluted 

$  199,834 
$  199,834 
(153,359) 
(153,359) 
(159,177) 
(159,177) 
$      (1.65) 
$      (1.65) 
96,354 
96,354 
(4,689) 
(4,689) 
$  (312.60) 
$  (312.60) 
15 
15 

$   287,443 
$   287,443 
(13,890) 
(13,890) 
(23,993) 
(23,993) 
$       (0.20) 
$       (0.20) 
122,809 
122,809 
122,809 
122,809 
555 
555 
$     (37.00) 
$     (37.00) 
$     (37.00) 
$     (37.00) 
15 
15 

$  210,088 
$  210,088 
(247,442) 
(247,442) 
(251,308) 
(251,308) 
$      (2.55) 
$      (2.55) 
98,674 
98,674 
(7,229) 
(7,229) 
$  (481.93) 
$  (481.93) 
15 
15 

$   337,202 
$   337,202 
(303,883) 
(303,883) 
(308,655) 
(308,655) 
$       (2.32) 
$       (2.32) 
133,199 
133,199 
133,199 
133,199 
6,577 
6,577 
$   (438.47) 
$   (438.47) 
$   (438.47) 
$   (438.47) 
15 
15 

$  224,282 
$  224,282 
(281,973) 
(281,973) 
(284,197) 
(284,197) 
$      (2.85) 
$      (2.85) 
99,769 
99,769 
(8,085) 
(8,085) 
$  (539.00) 
$  (539.00) 
15 
15 

$  318,894 
$  318,894 
50,975 
50,975 
18,526 
18,526 
$        0.14 
$        0.14 
134,399 
134,399 
134,399 
134,399 
(391) 
(391) 
$      26.07 
$      26.07 
$      26.07 
$      26.07 
15 
15 

$259,080
$259,080
(87,072)
(87,072)
(93,886)
(93,886)
$     (0.89)
$     (0.89)
105,606
105,606
(2,523)
(2,523)
$ (168.20)
$ (168.20)
15
15

$ 410,716
$ 410,716
85,029
85,029
71,609
71,609
$       0.53
$       0.53
134,262
134,262
134,843
134,843
(1,514)
(1,514)
$   100.94
$   100.94
$   100.47
$   100.47
15
15

Explanatory Notes:
Explanatory Notes:

(1) 
(1) 

(2) 
(2) 

 During the quarter ended December 31, 2009, the Company recorded Provision for loan losses of $216.4 million, Impairment of other assets of $61.8 million and Gain on early extinguishment 
 During the quarter ended December 31, 2009, the Company recorded Provision for loan losses of $216.4 million, Impairment of other assets of $61.8 million and Gain on early extinguishment 
of debt of $100.4 million.
of debt of $100.4 million.
 During the quarter ended June 30, the Company recorded gains of $285.1 million on the sales of TimberStar Southwest and Maine timber properties. During the quarter ended December 31, 
 During the quarter ended June 30, the Company recorded gains of $285.1 million on the sales of TimberStar Southwest and Maine timber properties. During the quarter ended December 31, 
2008, the Company recorded Provision for loan losses of $252.0 million, Impairment of other assets of $150.0 million and Gain on early extinguishment of debt of $323.2 million.
2008, the Company recorded Provision for loan losses of $252.0 million, Impairment of other assets of $150.0 million and Gain on early extinguishment of debt of $323.2 million.

74
74

Performance Graph

74
74

The  following  graph  compares  the  total  cumulative  share-
holder  returns  on  our  Common  Stock  from  December  31,  2004  to 
December 31, 2009 to that of: (1) the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (the 
“S&P 500”); and (2) the Standard & Poor’s 500 Financials Index (the 
“S&P 500 Financials”). Our prior comparative index, the Russell 1000 
Financial Services Index, was discontinued on October 1, 2009.

$100.0

$106.5
$104.9

$84.9

$127.0

$122.6
$121.5

$128.2

$103.5

$73.9

$102.1

$54.3

$80.7

$46.3

$7.2

$8.3

12/31/04

12/31/05

12/31/06

12/31/07

12/31/08

12/31/09

iStar Financial

S&P 500

S&P 500 Financials

sfi 2009
sfi 2009

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COMMON STOCK PRICE AND DIVIDENDS (UNAUDITED)

The high and low closing prices per share of Common Stock 

are set forth below for the periods indicated.

Quarter Ended 

High 

Low

2008
March 31, 2008 
June 30, 2008 
September 30, 2008 
December 31, 2008 
2009
March 31, 2009 
June 30, 2009 
September 30, 2009 
December 31, 2009 

$27.66 
$22.06 
$13.67 
$  3.34 

$  2.99 
$  3.98 
$  3.37 
$  3.08 

$13.76
$13.21
$  1.75
$  0.97

$  0.76
$  2.51
$  2.04
$  2.09

On February 16, 2010, the closing sale price of the Common 
Stock  as  reported  by  the  NYSE  was  $2.94.  The  Company  had 
3,078 holders of record of Common Stock as of February 16, 2010.

At  December  31,  2009,  the  Company  had  fi ve  series  of  pre-
ferred  stock  outstanding:  8.000%  Series  D  Preferred  Stock,  7.875% 
Series E Preferred Stock, 7.8% Series F Preferred Stock, 7.65% Series G 
Preferred  Stock  and  7.50%  Series  I  Preferred  Stock.  Each  of  the 
Series D, E, F, G and I preferred stock is publicly traded.

Dividends

The  Board  of  Directors  has  not  established  any  minimum 
distribution  level.  In  order  to  maintain  its  qualifi cation  as  a  REIT, 
the  Company  intends  to  pay  dividends  to  its  shareholders  that,  on 
an  annual  basis,  will  represent  at  least  90%  of  its  taxable  income 
(which may not necessarily equal net income as calculated in accor-
dance with GAAP), determined without regard to the deduction for 
dividends  paid  and  excluding  any  net  capital  gains.  The  Company 
has  recorded  net  operating  losses  and  may  record  signifi cant  net 
operating losses in the future, which may reduce its taxable income 
in  future  periods  and  lower  or  eliminate  entirely  the  Company’s 
obligation to pay dividends for such periods in order to maintain its 
REIT qualifi cation.

Holders of Common Stock, vested High Performance Units 
and  certain  unvested  restricted  stock  units  and  common  share 
equivalent will be entitled to receive distributions if, as and when the 
Board of Directors authorizes and declares distributions. However, 
rights to distributions may be subordinated to the rights of holders 
of  preferred  stock,  when  preferred  stock  is  issued  and  outstand-
ing.  In  addition,  the  Company’s  secured  credit  facilities  permit  the 
Company to distribute 100% of its REIT taxable income on an annual 
basis,  for  so  long  as  the  Company  maintains  its  qualifi cations  as  a 
REIT. The secured credit facilities restrict the Company from paying 

any common dividends if it ceases to qualify as a REIT. In any liquida-
tion,  dissolution  or  winding  up  of  the  Company,  each  outstanding 
share  of  Common  Stock  and  HPU  share  equivalents  will  entitle  its 
holder to a proportionate share of the assets that remain after the 
Company pays its liabilities and any preferential distributions owed to 
preferred shareholders.

The following table sets forth the dividends paid or declared 

by the Company on its Common Stock:

Quarter Ended 

Shareholder Record Date 

Dividend/Share

2008(1)
March 31, 2008 
June 30, 2008   
September 30, 2008(2) 
December 31, 2008(2) 
2009
March 31, 2009(2)   
June 30, 2009(2) 
September 30, 2009(2) 
December 31, 2009(2) 

March 17, 2008 
July 15, 2008 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

$0.8700
$0.8700
–
–

–
–
–
–

Explanatory Notes:

(1) 

 For tax reporting purposes, the 2008 dividends were classifi ed as 10.8% ($0.1886) ordi-
nary dividend, 76.1% ($1.3244) 15% capital gain and 13.1% ($0.2270) 25% Section 1250 
capital gain. Of the ordinary dividend, 25.6% ($0.0483) qualifi es as a qualifying dividend for 
those shareholders who held shares of the Company for the entire year.

(2)  No dividends were declared or paid.

The  Company  declared  and  paid  dividends  aggregating 
$8.0 million, $11.0 million, $7.8 million, $6.1 million and $9.4 million on 
its Series D, E, F, G, and I preferred stock, respectively, for the year 
ended December 31, 2009. There are no dividend arrearages on any 
of the preferred shares currently outstanding.

Distributions  to  shareholders  will  generally  be  taxable  as 
ordinary income, although a portion of such dividends may be des-
ignated by the Company as capital gain or may constitute a tax-free 
return  of  capital.  The  Company  annually  furnishes  to  each  of  its 
shareholders a statement setting forth the distributions paid during 
the  preceding  year  and  their  characterization  as  ordinary  income, 
capital gain or return of capital.

75

No  assurance  can  be  given  as  to  the  amounts  or  tim-
ing  of  future  distributions,  as  such  distributions  are  subject  to  the 
Company’s  taxable  income  after  giving  effect  to  its  net  operating 
loss  carryforwards,  fi nancial  condition,  capital  requirements,  debt 
covenants,  any  change  in  the  Company’s  intention  to  maintain  its 
REIT qualifi cation and such other factors as the Company’s Board of 
Directors  deems  relevant.  In  addition,  based  upon  recent  guidance 
announced by the Internal Revenue Service, the Company may elect 
to  satisfy  some  of  its  2010  REIT  distribution  requirements,  if  any, 
through stock dividends.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

Directors
Directors

Jay Sugarman (3)
Jay Sugarman (3)
Chairman and
Chairman and
Chief Executive Offi cer,
Chief Executive Offi cer,
iStar Financial Inc.
iStar Financial Inc.

Glenn R. August
Glenn R. August
President,
President,
Oak Hill Advisors, LP
Oak Hill Advisors, LP

Robert W. Holman, Jr. (1) (2)
Robert W. Holman, Jr. (1) (2) (3)
Chairman and
Chairman and
Chief Executive Offi cer,
Chief Executive Offi cer,
National Warehouse
National Warehouse
Investment Company;
Investment Company
Managing Director,
Robin Josephs (1) (2) (4)
Group Holman
President,
Robin Josephs (1) (2) (4)
Ropasada, LLC
Lead Independent Director,
iStar Financial Inc.

John G. McDonald (3) (4)
John G. McDonald (3) (4)
Stanford Investors Professor,
Stanford Investors Professor,
Stanford University
Stanford University
Graduate School of Business
Graduate School of Business

George R. Puskar (1) (3)
George R. Puskar (1) (3)
Former Chairman and
Former Chairman and
Chief Executive Offi cer,
Chief Executive Offi cer,
Equitable Real Estate 
Equitable Real Estate 
Investment Management
Investment Management

Dale Anne Reiss (1)
Dale Anne Reiss (1) (3)
Senior Consultant, 
Senior Consultant, 
Global Real Estate Center 
Global Real Estate Center 
Global & Americas Director of 
Global & Americas Director of 
Real Estate,
Real Estate,
Ernst & Young, LLP (Retired)
Ernst & Young, LLP (Retired)

Jeffrey A. Weber (2) (4)
Jeffrey A. Weber (2) (4)
President,
President,
York Capital Management
York Capital Management

(1)  Audit Committee
(1)  Audit Committee
(2)  Compensation Committee
(2)  Compensation Committee
Investment Committee
 Investment and 
(3) 
(3) 
Asset Management Committee
 Nominating and Governance Committee
(4) 
 Nominating and Governance Committee
(4) 

Executive Offi cers
Executive Offi cers

Executive Vice Presidents
Executive Vice Presidents

Jay Sugarman
Jay Sugarman
Chairman and 
Chairman and 
Chief Executive Offi cer
Chief Executive Offi cer

Nina B. Matis
Nina B. Matis
Chief Legal Offi cer and 
Chief Legal Offi cer and 
Chief Investment Offi cer
Chief Investment Offi cer

James D. Burns
James D. Burns
Chief Financial Offi cer
Chief Financial Offi cer

Steven R. Blomquist
Steven R. Blomquist
Investments
Investments

Chase S. Curtis, Jr.
Chase S. Curtis, Jr.
Credit
Credit

R. Michael Dorsch III
R. Michael Dorsch III
Investments
Investments

Barclay Jones III
Barclay Jones III
Investments
Investments

Michelle MacKay
Michelle MacKay
Investments
Investments

Barbara Rubin
Barbara Rubin
iStar Asset Services, Inc.
iStar Asset Services, Inc.

Vernon B. Schwartz
Vernon B. Schwartz
Autostar & Europe
Autostar & Europe

76
76

sfi 2009
sfi 2009

CORPORATE INFORMATION

Headquarters

iStar Financial Inc.
1114 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
tel: 212.930.9400
fax: 212.930.9494

Regional Offices

3480 Preston Ridge Road
Suite 575
Alpharetta, GA 30005
tel: 678.297.0100
fax: 678.297.0101

800 Boylston Street
33rd Floor
Boston, MA 02199
tel: 617.292.3333
fax: 617.423.3322

2727 East Imperial Highway
Brea, CA 92821
tel: 714.961.4700
fax: 714.961.4701

525 West Monroe Street
20th Floor
Chicago, IL 60661
tel: 312.577.8549
fax: 312.612.4162

Employees

Annual Meeting of Shareholders

One Galleria Tower
13355 Noel Road
Suite 900
Dallas, TX 75240
tel: 972.506.3131
fax: 972.501.0078

180 Glastonbury Boulevard
Suite 201
Glastonbury, CT 06033
tel: 860.815.5900
fax: 860.815.5901

5 Park Plaza
Suite 1450
Irvine, CA 92614
tel: 949.567.2400 
fax: 949.567.2411 

One Sansome Street
30th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94104
tel: 415.391.4300
fax: 415.391.6259 

2425 Olympic Boulevard
Suite 520E
Santa Monica, CA 90404
tel: 310.315.7019 
fax: 310.315.7017 

As of March 9, 2010, the 
Company had 236 employees.

Independent Auditors

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, NY 

Registrar and Transfer Agent

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
P.O. Box 43078
Providence, RI 02940-3078
tel: 800.756.8200
www.computershare.com

Dividend Reinvestment and 
Direct Stock Purchase Plan

Registered  shareholders  may 
reinvest dividends and may also 
purchase stock directly from the 
Company through the Company’s 
Dividend  Reinvestment  and 
Direct Stock Purchase Plan. For 
more information, please call the 
Transfer Agent or the Company’s 
Investor Relations Department.

May 26, 2010, 9:00 a.m. ET
Harvard Club of New York City
35 West 44th Street
New York, NY 10036

Investor Information Services

iStar  Financial  is  a  listed  company 
on the New York Stock Exchange 
and  is  traded  under  the  ticker 
“SFI.”  The  Company  has  filed  all 
required Annual Chief Executive 
Officer  Certifications  with  the 
NYSE. In addition, the Company 
has filed with the SEC the certi-
fications  of  the  Chief  Executive 
Officer and Chief Financial Officer 
required under Section 302 and 
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley 
Act  of  2002  as  exhibits  to  our 
most recently filed Annual Report 
on Form 10-K. For help with ques-
tions  about  the  Company,  or 
to  receive  additional  corporate 
information, please contact:

Investor Relations 

Andrew G. Backman
Senior Vice President
Investor Relations & Marketing
1114 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
tel: 212.930.9450

e-mail: investors@istarfinancial.com

iStar Financial Website:
www.istarfinancial.com

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