# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0001529377
**File Stem:** 0001628280-26-031613
**Filing Date:** 2026-5
**Character Count:** 257328
**Document Hash:** ce56056ffe8d3ba702484742d817d1cb
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001628280-26-031613.hdr.sgml**: 20260507

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001628280-26-031613

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: 10-Q

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 88

**CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT**: 20260331

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20260507

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20260506

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** Ares Commercial Real Estate Corp
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0001529377
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798]
- **ORGANIZATION NAME:** 05 Real Estate & Construction
- **EIN:** 453148087
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** MD

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 10-Q
- **SEC ACT:** 1934 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 001-35517
- **FILM NUMBER:** 26950494

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 245 PARK AVENUE
- **STREET 2:** 42ND FLOOR
- **CITY:** NEW YORK
- **STATE:** NY
- **ZIP:** 10167
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 212.515.3400

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 245 PARK AVENUE
- **STREET 2:** 42ND FLOOR
- **CITY:** NEW YORK
- **STATE:** NY
- **ZIP:** 10167

?xml version='1.0' encoding='ASCII'? acre-20260331

**UNITED STATES**

**SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION**

**Washington, D.C. 20549**

___________________________________________________________________

**FORM 10-Q** 

☒ **&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934** 

**For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2026**

**OR**

**☐&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934** 

**For the transition period from _____ to _____**

**Commission File No. 001-35517** 

**ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION** 

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Maryland** | **45-3148087** |
| (State or other jurisdiction of | (I.R.S. Employer |
| incorporation or organization) | Identification Number) |

---

**245 Park Avenue, 42nd Floor, New York, NY 10167** 

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

**(212) 750-7300** 

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

**N/A**

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Title of each class** | **Trading Symbol(s)** | **Name of each exchange on which registered** |
| Common stock, $0.01 par value per share | ACRE | New York Stock Exchange |

---

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days: Yes 🗷 No □

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes 🗷 No □

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

---

| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☒ |
| Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ |
| Emerging growth company | ☐ | | |

---

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. □

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Class** | **Outstanding at May 4, 2026** |
| Common stock, $0.01 par value | 55481113 |

---

------

<u>[**Table of Contents**](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_232)</u>

**TABLE OF CONTENTS**

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| | **Page** |
| **<u>[Part I. Financial Information](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_124)</u>** | |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;<u>[Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_127)</u> |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<u>[Consolidated Balance Sheets as of](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_130)[March 31, 2026](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_130)[(unaudited) and December 31, 202](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_130)[5](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_130)</u> | <u>[5](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_130)</u> |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<u>[Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_133)[Months Ended](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_133)[March](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_133)[31, 2026](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_133)[and 202](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_133)[5](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_133)[(unaudited)](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_133)</u> | <u>[6](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_133)</u> |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<u>[Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Three](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_136)[Months Ended](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_136)[March 31, 2026](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_136)[and 202](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_136)[5](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_136)[(unaudited)](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_136)</u> | <u>[7](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_136)</u> |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<u>[Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the Three](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_139)[Months Ended](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_139)[March](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_139)[31, 2026](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_139)[(unaudited) and the Year Ended December 31, 202](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_139)[5](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_139)</u> | <u>[8](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_139)</u> |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<u>[Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_145)[Three](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_145)[Months Ended](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_145)[March 31, 2026 and 2025](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_145)[(unaudited)](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_145)</u> | <u>[9](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_145)</u> |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<u>[Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_148)</u> | <u>[10](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_148)</u> |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;<u>[Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_235)</u> | <u>[37](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_235)</u> |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;<u>[Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_238)</u> | <u>[47](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_238)</u> |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;<u>[Item 4. Controls and Procedures](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_241)</u> | <u>[50](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_241)</u> |
| **<u>[Part II. Other Information](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_244)</u>** |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;<u>[Item 1. Legal Proceedings](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_549755815549)</u> | <u>[50](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_549755815549)</u> |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;<u>[Item 1A. Risk Factors](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_247)</u> | <u>[50](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_247)</u> |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;<u>[Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_250)</u> | <u>[51](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_250)</u> |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;<u>[Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_253)</u> | <u>[51](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_253)</u> |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;<u>[Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_549755815570)</u> | <u>[51](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_549755815570)</u> |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;<u>[Item 5. Other Information](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_256)</u> | <u>[51](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_256)</u> |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;<u>[Item 6. Exhibits](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_259)</u> | <u>[52](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_259)</u> |
| <u>[Signatures](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_262)</u> | <u>[53](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_262)</u> |

---

------

<u>[**Table of Contents**](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_232)</u>

**FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS**

Some of the statements contained in this quarterly report constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and we intend such statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions contained therein. The information contained in this section should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. In addition, some of the statements in this quarterly report (including in the following discussion) constitute forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or the future performance or financial condition of Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation ("ACRE" and, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, the "Company," "we," "us" and "our"). The forward-looking statements contained in this report involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• global economic trends and economic conditions, including slower growth, changes to fiscal and monetary policy, inflation, labor shortages, changing interest rates, foreign currency exchange volatility and uncertainties caused by tariffs and trade disputes with other countries, as well as pronounced geopolitical instability, including resulting from actions and initiatives of the United States government or governments outside of the United States and international conflicts such as the military operation in Iran and conflicts in the Middle East;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• management's estimate of current expected credit losses ("CECL") and current expected credit loss reserve ("CECL Reserve");

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• market dynamics impacting particular real estate properties, such as office properties;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the amount of commercial mortgage loans requiring refinancing;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the demand for commercial real estate loans;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• rates of default or decreased recovery rates on our target investments;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• changes in interest rates and credit spreads;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• our ability to obtain, maintain, repay or refinance financing arrangements, including securitizations;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• market conditions and our ability to access alternative debt markets and additional debt and equity capital;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• our expected investment capacity and available capital;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• financing and advance rates for our target investments;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• our expected leverage;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• our business and investment strategy;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• our projected operating results;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the return or impact of current and future investments;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the collectability and timing of cash flows, if any, from our investments;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• estimates relating to our ability to make distributions to our stockholders in the future;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• defaults by borrowers in paying amounts due on outstanding indebtedness and our ability to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of our investments;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• rates of prepayments on our mortgage loans and the effect on our business of such prepayments;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the degree to which our hedging strategies may or may not protect us from interest rate volatility;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• availability of investment opportunities in mortgage-related and real estate-related investments and securities;

------

<u>[**Table of Contents**](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_232)</u>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• security incidents or cyber-attacks that could adversely affect our business or the business of our borrowers;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• technological developments in artificial intelligence that could disrupt the markets in which we and our borrowers operate;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the ability of Ares Commercial Real Estate Management LLC ("ACREM" or our "Manager") to locate suitable investments for us, monitor, service and administer our investments and execute our investment strategy;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• allocation of investment opportunities to us by our Manager, including with respect to co-investments;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the effect of requests for information or regulatory proceedings or investigations against us, our Manager or its affiliates, and the costs and expenses in connection therewith;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• our ability to maintain our qualification as a real estate investment trust ("REIT") for United States federal income tax purposes;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• our ability to maintain our exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act");

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• our competition;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• general volatility of the securities markets in which we may invest;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• adverse changes in the real estate, real estate capital and credit markets and the impact of a protracted decline in the liquidity of credit markets on our business;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• changes in governmental regulations, including with respect to immigration, tax law and rates, and similar matters (including interpretation thereof); and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• market trends in our industry, real estate values or the debt securities markets.

We use words such as "anticipates," "believes," "expects," "intends," "project," "estimates," "will," "should," "could," "would," "may" and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements include these words. Our actual results and financial condition could differ materially from those implied or expressed in the forward-looking statements for any reason, including the risks, uncertainties and other factors set forth in Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 ("2025 Annual Report") and the other information included in our 2025 Annual Report and elsewhere in our subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.

We have based the forward-looking statements included in this quarterly report on information available to us on the date of this quarterly report, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Although we undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, you are advised to consult any additional disclosures that we may make directly to you or through reports that we have filed or in the future may file with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K, registration statements on Form S-3, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K.

------

<u>[**Table of Contents**](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_232)</u>

**PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION**

 **Item 1: Consolidated Financial Statements**

**ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES**

**CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS**

**(in thousands, except share and per share data)**

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| | **As of** | **As of** |
| | **March 31, 2026** | **December 31, 2025** |
| | **(unaudited)** | |
| **ASSETS** | | |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Cash and cash equivalents | $86163 | $29289 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Restricted cash ($1,108 related to consolidated VIEs as of December 31, 2025) | 48169 | 37868 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Loans held for investment ($138,950 related to consolidated VIEs as of December 31, 2025) | 1629366 | 1528806 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Current expected credit loss reserve | (136830) | (125756) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Loans held for investment, net of current expected credit loss reserve | 1492536 | 1403050 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Loans held for sale | 60544 |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Real estate owned held for investment, net ($52,634 related to consolidated VIEs as of December 31, 2025) | 76848 | 130165 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Real estate owned held for sale | 53110 |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Other assets ($76 of interest receivable related to consolidated VIEs as of December 31, 2025) | 18934 | 17770 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Total assets | $1836304 | $1618142 |
| **LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY** |  |  |
| **LIABILITIES** |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Secured funding agreements | $1182096 | $858176 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Secured term loan | 89538 | 89360 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Collateralized loan obligation securitization debt (consolidated VIEs) |  | 99921 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Due to affiliate | 4085 | 4061 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Dividends payable | 8442 | 8442 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Other liabilities ($257 of interest payable related to consolidated VIEs as of December 31, 2025) | 59725 | 48614 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Total liabilities | 1343886 | 1108574 |
| Commitments and contingencies (Note 7) |  |  |
| **STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY** |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 450,000,000 shares authorized at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 and 55,367,672 and 55,026,453 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively | 532 | 532 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Additional paid-in capital | 821724 | 820827 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Accumulated earnings (deficit) | (329838) | (311791) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Total stockholders' equity | 492418 | 509568 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $1836304 | $1618142 |

---

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

------

<u>[**Table of Contents**](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_232)</u>

**ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES**

**CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS**

**(in thousands, except share and per share data)**

**(unaudited)**

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| | **For the Three Months Ended March 31,** | **For the Three Months Ended March 31,** |
| | **2026** | **2025** |
| **Revenue:** |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Interest income | $24906 | $27480 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Interest expense | (17361) | (18189) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Net interest margin | 7545 | 9291 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Revenue from real estate owned | 5915 | 5657 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Total revenue | 13460 | 14948 |
| **Expenses:** |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Management and incentive fees to affiliate | 2400 | 2567 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Professional fees | 819 | 877 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;General and administrative expenses | 1417 | 1720 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;General and administrative expenses reimbursed to affiliate | 787 | 1003 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Expenses from real estate owned | 3134 | 4495 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Total expenses | 8557 | 10662 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(Provision for) reversal of current expected credit losses, net | (11138) | 5340 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Realized losses on loans | (3340) |  |
| **Income (loss) before income taxes** | (9575) | 9626 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Income tax expense (benefit), including excise tax | 30 | 281 |
| **Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders** | $(9605) | $9345 |
| **Earnings (loss) per common share:** |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Basic earnings (loss) per common share | $(0.17) | $0.17 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Diluted earnings (loss) per common share | $(0.17) | $0.17 |
| **Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:** |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Basic weighted average shares of common stock outstanding | 55322222 | 54828751 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding | 55322222 | 55694939 |
| **Dividends declared per share of common stock** | $0.15 | $0.15 |

---

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

------

<u>[**Table of Contents**](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_232)</u>

**ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES**

**CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)**

**(in thousands)**

**(unaudited)**

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| | **For the Three Months Ended March 31,** | **For the Three Months Ended March 31,** |
| | **2026** | **2025** |
| Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders | $(9605) | $9345 |
| Other comprehensive income (loss): |  |  |
| Change in unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale debt securities |  | (30) |
| Comprehensive income (loss) | $(9605) | $9315 |

---

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

------

<u>[**Table of Contents**](#i20ee63a6bd4449bd9ddd91025196f244_232)</u>

**ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES**

**CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY**

**(in thousands, except share and per share data)**

**(unaudited)**

---

| | | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Common Stock** | **Common Stock** | **Additional<br>Paid-in<br>Capital** | **Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)** | **Accumulated<br>Earnings (Deficit)** | **Total Stockholders' Equity** |
| | **Shares** | **Amount** | **Additional<br>Paid-in<br>Capital** | **Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)** | **Accumulated<br>Earnings (Deficit)** | **Total Stockholders' Equity** |
| **Balance at December 31, 2024** | 54542178 | $532 | $816923 | $37 | $(277360) | $540132 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Stock-based compensation | 314799 |  | 1050 |  |  | 1050 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Other comprehensive income (loss) |  |  |  | (30) |  | (30) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Net income (loss) |  |  |  |  | 9345 | 9345 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Dividends declared |  |  |  |  | (8354) | (8354) |
| **Balance at March 31, 2025** | 54856977 | $532 | $817973 | $7 | $(276369) | $542143 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Stock-based compensation | 148376 |  | 937 |  |  | 937 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Other comprehensive income (loss) |  |  |  | 21 |  | 21 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Net income (loss) |  |  |  |  | (11035) | (11035) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Dividends declared |  |  |  |  | (8368) | (8368) |
| **Balance at June 30, 2025** | 55005353 | $532 | $818910 | $28 | $(295772) | $523698 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Stock-based compensation | 16933 |  | 1024 |  |  | 1024 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Other comprehensive income (loss) |  |  |  | (28) |  | (28) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Net income (loss) |  |  |  |  | 4653 | 4653 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Dividends declared |  |  |  |  | (8365) | (8365) |
| **Balance at September 30, 2025** | 55022286 | $532 | $819934 | $— | $(299484) | $520982 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Stock-based compensation | 4167 |  | 893 |  |  | 893 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Net income (loss) |  |  |  |  | (3865) | (3865) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Dividends declared |  |  |  |  | (8442) | (8442) |
| **Balance at December 31, 2025** | 55026453 | $532 | $820827 | $— | $(311791) | $509568 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Stock-based compensation | 341219 |  | 897 |  |  | 897 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Net income (loss) |  |  |  |  | (9605) | (9605) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Dividends declared |  |  |  |  | (8442) | (8442) |
| **Balance at March 31, 2026** | 55367672 | $532 | $821724 | $— | $(329838) | $492418 |

---

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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**ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES**

**CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS**

**(in thousands)**

**(unaudited)**

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **For the Three Months Ended March 31,** | **For the Three Months Ended March 31,** |
|  | **2026** | **2025** |
| Operating activities: |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Net income (loss) | $(9605) | $9345 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amortization of deferred financing costs | 1119 | 1198 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Accretion of discounts, deferred loan origination fees and costs | (1203) | (1283) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Stock-based compensation | 897 | 1050 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Depreciation and amortization of real estate owned | 741 | 2182 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Provision for (reversal of) current expected credit losses, net | 11138 | (5340) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Realized losses on loans | 3340 |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Loans held for sale | (60544) |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Other assets | (3516) | 1561 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Due to affiliate | 24 | 404 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Other liabilities | 1001 | (1107) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | (56608) | 8010 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Investing activities: |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Issuance of and fundings on loans held for investment | (199126) | (7011) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Principal collections and cost-recovery proceeds on loans held for investment | 96222 | 305443 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Receipt of origination and other loan fees | 2254 | 234 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Principal repayment of available-for-sale debt securities |  | 88 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Purchases of capitalized additions to real estate owned | (534) | (15) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Receipt (disbursement) of escrows and reserves for loans held for investment, net | 11409 |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | (89775) | 298739 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Financing activities: |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Proceeds from secured funding agreements | 333040 | 114797 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Repayments of secured funding agreements | (9121) | (28860) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Repayments of secured term loan |  | (10000) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Payment of secured funding costs | (1998) | (1924) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Repayments of debt of consolidated VIEs | (99921) | (304049) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Dividends paid | (8442) | (13924) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 213558 | (243960) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | 67175 | 62789 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period | 67157 | 66294 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period | $134332 | $129083 |
| Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash: |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Cash and cash equivalents | $86163 | $125496 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Restricted cash | 48169 | 3587 |
| Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | $134332 | $129083 |
| Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities: |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Dividends declared, but not yet paid | $8442 | $8354 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Other receivables related to consolidated VIEs | $— | $4262 |

---

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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**ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES**

**NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**

**As of March 31, 2026** 

**(in thousands, except share and per share data, percentages and as otherwise indicated)**

**(unaudited)**

**1. ORGANIZATION**

Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, the "Company" or "ACRE") is a specialty finance company primarily engaged in directly originating and investing in commercial real estate loans and related investments. Through Ares Commercial Real Estate Management LLC ("ACREM" or the Company's "Manager"), a Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") registered investment adviser and a subsidiary of Ares Management Corporation (NYSE: ARES) ("Ares Management" or "Ares"), a publicly traded, leading global alternative investment manager, it has investment professionals strategically located across the United States and Europe who directly source new loan opportunities for the Company with owners, operators and sponsors of commercial real estate ("CRE") properties. The Company was formed and commenced operations in late 2011. The Company is a Maryland corporation and completed its initial public offering in May 2012. The Company is externally managed by its Manager, pursuant to the terms of a management agreement (the "Management Agreement").

The Company operates as one operating segment and is primarily focused on directly originating and managing a diversified portfolio of CRE debt-related investments for the Company's own account. The Company's target investments include whole and co-invested senior mortgage loans, subordinated debt, preferred equity and mezzanine loans, as well as other CRE investments, including commercial mortgage-backed securities. These investments are generally held for investment and are secured, directly or indirectly, by office, multifamily, retail, industrial, lodging, self storage, student housing, residential and other commercial real estate properties, or by ownership interests therein.

The Company has elected and qualified to be taxed as a real estate investment trust ("REIT") for United States federal income tax purposes under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 2012. The Company generally will not be subject to United States federal income taxes on its REIT taxable income as long as it annually distributes all of its REIT taxable income prior to the deduction for dividends paid to stockholders and complies with various other requirements as a REIT.

**2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES**

The accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the related management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 filed with the SEC.

Refer to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 for a description of the Company's recurring accounting policies. The Company has included disclosure below regarding basis of presentation and other accounting policies that (i) are required to be disclosed quarterly or (ii) the Company views as critical as of the date of this report.

***Basis of Presentation***

The accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and include the accounts of the Company, the consolidated variable interest entities ("VIEs") that the Company controls and of which the Company is the primary beneficiary, and the Company's wholly-owned subsidiaries. The unaudited consolidated interim financial statements reflect all adjustments and reclassifications that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for the fair presentation of the Company's results of operations and financial condition as of and for the periods presented. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

The unaudited consolidated interim financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP and pursuant to the requirements for reporting on Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. The current period's results of operations will not necessarily be indicative of results for any other interim period or that ultimately may be achieved for the year ending December 31, 2026.

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***Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements***

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts and disclosures. Global macroeconomic conditions, including higher tariffs, high inflation, changes to fiscal, monetary and trade policy, high interest rates, potential market-wide liquidity problems, currency fluctuations, labor shortages and challenges in the supply chain, have the potential to negatively impact the Company and its borrowers. These current macroeconomic conditions may continue or aggravate and could cause the United States economy or other global economies to experience an economic slowdown or recession. We anticipate our business and operations could be materially adversely affected by a prolonged recession in the United States or other major global economy.

The Company believes the estimates and assumptions underlying its consolidated financial statements are reasonable and supportable based on the information available as of March 31, 2026, however, uncertainty over the global economy and the Company's business, makes any estimates and assumptions as of March 31, 2026 inherently less certain than they would be absent the current and potential impacts of current macroeconomic conditions. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

***Variable Interest Entities***

The Company evaluates all of its interests in VIEs for consolidation. When the Company's interests are determined to be variable interests, the Company assesses whether it is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is required to consolidate the VIE. Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 810, *Consolidation*, defines the primary beneficiary as the party that has both (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance, and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses and the right to receive benefits from the VIE which could be potentially significant. The Company considers its variable interests, as well as any variable interests of its related parties in making this determination. Where both of these factors are present, the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary and it consolidates the VIE. Where either one of these factors is not present, the Company is not the primary beneficiary and it does not consolidate the VIE.

To assess whether the Company has the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance, the Company considers all facts and circumstances, including its role in establishing the VIE and its ongoing rights and responsibilities. This assessment includes first, identifying the activities that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance; and second, identifying which party, if any, has power over those activities. In general, the parties that make the most significant decisions affecting the VIE or have the right to unilaterally remove those decision makers are deemed to have the power to direct the activities of a VIE.

To assess whether the Company has the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE, the Company considers all of its economic interests, including debt and equity investments, servicing fees, and other arrangements deemed to be variable interests in the VIE. This assessment requires that the Company apply judgment in determining whether these interests, in the aggregate, are considered potentially significant to the VIE. Factors considered in assessing significance include: the design of the VIE, including its capitalization structure; subordination of interests; payment priority; relative share of interests held across various classes within the VIE's capital structure; and the reasons why the interests are held by the Company.

For VIEs of which the Company is determined to be the primary beneficiary, all of the underlying assets, liabilities, equity, revenue and expenses of the structures are consolidated into the Company's consolidated financial statements.

The Company performs an ongoing reassessment of: (1) whether any entities previously evaluated under the majority voting interest framework have become VIEs, based on certain events, and therefore are subject to the VIE consolidation framework, and (2) whether changes in the facts and circumstances regarding its involvement with a VIE cause the Company's consolidation conclusion regarding the VIE to change. See Note 14 included in these consolidated financial statements for further discussion of the Company's VIEs.

***Restricted Cash***

Restricted cash includes: (1) funds on deposit with financial institutions related to real estate owned properties that are held in the Company's consolidated VIEs and (2) escrow deposits or reserves for taxes, insurance, leasing outlays, capital expenditures, tenant security deposits and payments required under certain loan agreements. These escrow deposits or reserves are held on behalf of the respective borrowers related to the Company's loans held for investment and are offset by escrow liabilities included in other liabilities in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

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***Loans Held for Investment***

The Company originates CRE debt and related instruments generally to be held for investment. Loans that are held for investment are carried at cost, net of unamortized purchase discounts, deferred loan fees and origination costs and cost-recovery proceeds. The resulting amount, which excludes the CECL Reserve (as defined below), is referred to as the "Carrying Value." Loans are generally collateralized by real estate. The extent of any credit deterioration associated with the performance and/or value of the underlying collateral property and the financial and operating capability of the borrower could impact the expected amounts received. The Company monitors performance of its loans held for investment portfolio under the following methodology: (1) borrower review, which analyzes the borrower's ability to execute on its original business plan, reviews its financial condition, assesses pending litigation and considers its general level of responsiveness and cooperation; (2) economic review, which considers underlying collateral (i.e. leasing performance, unit sales and cash flow of the collateral and its ability to cover debt service, as well as the residual loan balance at maturity); (3) property review, which considers current environmental risks, changes in insurance costs or coverage, current site visibility, capital expenditures and market perception; and (4) market review, which analyzes the collateral from a supply and demand perspective of similar property types, as well as from a capital markets perspective. Such analyses are completed and reviewed by asset management and finance personnel who utilize various data sources, including periodic financial data such as property occupancy, tenant profile, rental rates, operating expenses, and the borrower's exit plan, among other factors.

Loans are generally placed on non-accrual status when principal or interest payments are past due 30 days or more or when there is reasonable doubt that principal or interest will be collected in full. Accrued and unpaid interest is generally reversed against interest income in the period the loan is placed on non-accrual status. Interest payments received on non-accrual loans may be recognized as income or applied to reduce loan Carrying Value depending upon management's judgment regarding the borrower's ability to make pending principal and interest payments. Non-accrual loans are restored to accrual status when past due principal and interest are paid and, in management's judgment, are likely to remain current. The Company may make exceptions to placing a loan on non-accrual status if the loan has sufficient collateral value and is in the process of collection.

Loan balances that are deemed to be uncollectible are written-off as a realized loss and are deducted from the CECL Reserve (as defined below). The write-offs are recorded in the period in which the loan balance is deemed uncollectible based on management's judgment.

***Current Expected Credit Losses***

FASB ASC Topic 326, *Financial Instruments—Credit Losses* ("ASC 326")*,* requires the Company to reflect current expected credit losses ("CECL") on both the outstanding balances and unfunded commitments on loans held for investment and requires consideration of a broad range of historical experience adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecast information to inform credit loss estimates (the "CECL Reserve"). Increases and decreases to expected credit losses impact earnings and are recorded within (provision for) reversal of current expected credit losses, net in the Company's consolidated statements of operations. The CECL Reserve related to outstanding balances on loans held for investment required under ASC 326 is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the Company's loans held for investment in the Company's consolidated balance sheets. The CECL Reserve related to unfunded commitments on loans held for investment is recorded within other liabilities in the Company's consolidated balance sheets. See Note 4 included in these consolidated financial statements for CECL related disclosures.

***Loans Held for Sale***

Although the Company generally holds its target investments as long-term investments, the Company occasionally classifies some of its investments as held for sale if there is an intent to sell the investment prior to maturity or payoff. Investments held for sale are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value within loans held for sale in the Company's consolidated balance sheets, with changes in fair value recorded through earnings. If a loan is determined to be held for sale at the time of origination, upfront fees and origination costs are deferred and any portion retained is recognized into interest income at the time of sale.

During the three months ended March 31, 2026, the Company originated a senior mortgage loan as part of a co-investment collateralized by a retail property located in California. At the time of origination, the Company classified a portion of the loan as held for sale as the Company intends to sell such portion. As of March 31, 2026, such portion of the loan remains classified as held for sale with a carrying amount of $60.5 million, an outstanding principal balance of $61.2 million, a per annum interest rate of SOFR plus 2.75% and a maturity date of March 5, 2029. The Company had no loans held for sale as of December 31, 2025.

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***Real Estate Owned Held for Investment***

Real estate assets held for investment are carried at their estimated fair value at acquisition and are presented net of accumulated depreciation or amortization and impairment charges. The Company allocates the purchase price of acquired real estate assets held for investment based on the fair value of the acquired land, buildings and improvements, furniture, fixtures and equipment, intangible assets and intangible liabilities, as applicable.

Real estate assets held for investment are depreciated or amortized using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of up to 40 years for buildings and improvements, up to 15 years for furniture, fixtures and equipment and over the lease terms for intangible assets and liabilities. Renovations and/or replacements that improve or extend the life of the real estate asset are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives. The cost of ordinary repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Other than amortization related to intangible assets and liabilities for above-market or below-market leases, depreciation or amortization expense related to real estate assets held for investment is included within expenses from real estate owned in the Company's consolidated statements of operations. Amortization for above-market or below-market leases is recognized as an adjustment to rental revenue and is included within revenue from real estate owned in the Company's consolidated statements of operations.

Real estate assets held for investment are evaluated for indicators of impairment on a quarterly basis. Factors that the Company may consider in its impairment analysis include, among others: (1) significant underperformance relative to historical or anticipated operating results; (2) significant negative industry or economic trends; (3) costs necessary to extend the life or improve the real estate asset; (4) significant increase in competition; and (5) ability to hold and dispose of the real estate asset in the ordinary course of business. A real estate asset is considered impaired when the sum of estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the real estate asset over the estimated remaining holding period is less than the carrying amount of such real estate asset. Cash flows include operating cash flows and anticipated capital proceeds generated by the real estate asset. An impairment charge is recorded equal to the excess of the carrying amount of the real estate asset over the fair value. When determining the fair value of a real estate asset, the Company makes certain assumptions including, but not limited to, consideration of projected operating cash flows, comparable selling prices and projected cash flows from the eventual disposition of the real estate asset based upon the Company's estimate of a capitalization rate and discount rate.

***Real Estate Owned Held for Sale***

The Company reviews its real estate assets, from time to time, in order to determine whether to sell such assets. Real estate assets are classified as held for sale when, in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 360, *Property, Plant and Equipment*, the Company commits to a plan to sell the asset, when the asset is being actively marketed for sale at a reasonable price and the sale of the asset is probable and the transfer of the asset is expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale within one year. Real estate assets that are held for sale are carried at the lower of the asset's carrying amount or its fair value less costs to sell.

***Debt Issuance Costs***

Debt issuance costs under the Company's indebtedness are capitalized and amortized over the term of the respective debt instrument. Unamortized debt issuance costs are expensed when the associated debt is repaid prior to maturity. Debt issuance costs related to debt securitizations are capitalized and amortized over the term of the underlying loans using the effective interest method. When an underlying loan is prepaid in a debt securitization and the outstanding principal balance of the securitization debt is reduced, the related unamortized debt issuance costs are charged to expense based on a pro-rata share of the debt issuance costs being allocated to the specific loans that were prepaid. Amortization of debt issuance costs is included within interest expense, except as noted below, in the Company's consolidated statements of operations while the unamortized balance on the (i) Secured Funding Agreements (each individually defined in Note 6 included in these consolidated financial statements) is included within other assets and (ii) the Secured Term Loan (defined in Note 6 included in these consolidated financial statements) and debt securitizations are each included as a reduction to the carrying amount of the liability, in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

***Revenue Recognition***

*Interest income* is accrued based on the outstanding principal amount and the contractual terms of each loan or debt security. For loans held for investment, the origination fees, contractual exit fees and direct origination costs are also recognized in interest income over the initial loan term as a yield adjustment using the effective interest method. For loans held for sale, upfront fees and origination costs are deferred and any portion retained is recognized into interest income at the time of sale. For available-for-sale debt securities, premiums or discounts are amortized or accreted into interest income as a yield adjustment using the effective interest method.

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*Revenue from real estate owned* represents revenue associated with the operations of a multi-building office property acquired in September 2024 and a mixed-use property acquired in September 2023.

Revenue from the operation of the office and mixed-use properties consists primarily of rental revenue from operating leases. For each operating lease with scheduled rent increases over the term of the lease, the Company recognizes rental revenue on a straight-line basis over the lease term when collectability of the lease payment is probable. Variable lease payments are recognized as rental revenue in the period when the changes in facts and circumstances on which the variable lease payments are based occur. Certain of the Company's office and mixed-use property leases also contain provisions for tenants to reimburse the Company for property operating expenses. Such reimbursements are included in rental revenue on a gross basis. Rental revenue also includes amortization of intangible assets and liabilities related to above- and below-market leases.

***Net Interest Margin and Interest Expense***

Net interest margin in the Company's consolidated statements of operations serves to measure the performance of the Company's loans and debt securities as compared to its use of debt leverage. The Company includes interest income from its loans and debt securities and interest expense related to its Secured Funding Agreements, securitization debt and the Secured Term Loan (each individually defined in Note 6 included in these consolidated financial statements) in net interest margin. For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, interest expense is comprised of the following ($ in thousands):

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| | **For the Three Months Ended March 31,** | **For the Three Months Ended March 31,** |
| | **2026** | **2025** |
| Secured funding agreements | $15615 | $10215 |
| Securitization debt | 349 | 6217 |
| Secured term loan | 1397 | 1757 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Interest expense | $17361 | $18189 |

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***Comprehensive Income (Loss)***

Comprehensive income (loss) consists of net income (loss) and OCI that are excluded from net income (loss).

 **3. LOANS HELD FOR INVESTMENT**

As of March 31, 2026, the Company's portfolio included 35 loans held for investment, excluding 197 loans that were repaid, sold, converted to real estate owned or written-off since inception. The aggregate originated commitment under these loans at closing was approximately $1.9 billion and outstanding principal was $1.7 billion as of March 31, 2026. During the three months ended March 31, 2026, the Company funded $201.7 million of outstanding principal and received repayments of $94.3 million of outstanding principal. As of March 31, 2026, 88.5% of the Company's loans have Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") floors, with a weighted average floor of 1.64%, calculated based on loans with SOFR floors. References to SOFR or "S" are to 30-day SOFR (unless otherwise specifically stated).

The Company's investments in loans held for investment are accounted for at amortized cost. The following tables summarize the Company's loans held for investment as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 ($ in thousands):

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| | | | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **As of March 31, 2026** | **As of March 31, 2026** | **As of March 31, 2026** | **As of March 31, 2026** | **As of March 31, 2026** | **As of March 31, 2026** | **As of March 31, 2026** |
| | **Carrying Value (1)** | **Outstanding Principal (1)** | **Weighted Average Unleveraged Effective Yield** | **Weighted Average Unleveraged Effective Yield** | **Weighted Average Unleveraged Effective Yield** | **Weighted Average Unleveraged Effective Yield** | **Weighted Average <br>Remaining Life <br>(Years) (4)** |
| Senior mortgage loans | $1610092 | $1690176 | 5.8% | (2) | 7.3% | (3) | 1.4 |
| Subordinated debt and preferred equity investments | 19274 | 21102 | 2.7% | (2) | 6.6% | (3) | 1.1 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Total loans held for investment portfolio | $1629366 | $1711278 | 5.8% | (2) | 7.3% | (3) | 1.4 |

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| | | | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **As of December 31, 2025** | **As of December 31, 2025** | **As of December 31, 2025** | **As of December 31, 2025** | **As of December 31, 2025** | **As of December 31, 2025** | **As of December 31, 2025** |
| | **Carrying Value (1)** | **Outstanding Principal (1)** | **Weighted Average Unleveraged Effective Yield** | **Weighted Average Unleveraged Effective Yield** | **Weighted Average Unleveraged Effective Yield** | **Weighted Average Unleveraged Effective Yield** | **Weighted Average <br>Remaining Life (Years) (4)** |
| Senior mortgage loans | $1509670 | $1580074 | 5.7% | (2) | 7.4% | (3) | 1.3 |
| Subordinated debt and preferred equity investments | 19136 | 20985 | 2.7% | (2) | 6.7% | (3) | 1.3 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Total loans held for investment portfolio | $1528806 | $1601059 | 5.7% | (2) | 7.4% | (3) | 1.3 |

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(1)The difference between the Carrying Value and the Outstanding Principal amount of the loans held for investment consists of unamortized purchase discounts, deferred loan fees and origination costs and cost-recovery proceeds.

(2)Unleveraged Effective Yield is the compounded effective rate of return that would be earned over the life of the investment based on the contractual interest rate (adjusted for any deferred loan fees, costs, premiums or discounts) and assumes no dispositions, early prepayments or defaults. The total Weighted Average Unleveraged Effective Yield is calculated based on the average of Unleveraged Effective Yield of all loans held by the Company as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 as weighted by the total outstanding principal balance of each loan.

(3)Unleveraged Effective Yield is the compounded effective rate of return that would be earned over the life of the investment based on the contractual interest rate (adjusted for any deferred loan fees, costs, premiums or discounts) and assumes no dispositions, early prepayments or defaults. The total Weighted Average Unleveraged Effective Yield is calculated based on the average of Unleveraged Effective Yield of all interest accruing loans held by the Company as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 as weighted by the total outstanding principal balance of each interest accruing loan (excludes loans on non-accrual status as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025).

(4)Remaining Life is based on contractual maturity date and does not include contractual extension options not yet exercised.

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A more detailed listing of the Company's loans held for investment portfolio based on information available as of March 31, 2026 is as follows ($ in millions):

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| | | | | | | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| <br>**Loan Type** | **Location** | **Outstanding Principal (1)** | **Carrying <br>Value (1)** | **Interest Rate** | **Unleveraged Effective Yield (2)** | | **Maturity Date (3)** | | **Payment Terms (4)** | |
| **Senior Mortgage Loans:** | | | | | | | | | | |
| Residential/Condo | NY | $179.8 | $136.5 | S+8.95% | —% | (5) | Dec 2026 |  | I/O |  |
| Office | IL | 167.6 | 138.0 | (6) | —% | (6) | Apr 2026 | (6) | I/O |  |
| Multifamily | NY | 132.2 | 131.9 | S+3.90% | 8.6% |  | Jun 2026 |  | I/O |  |
| Industrial | GA | 96.8 | 96.0 | S+2.25% | 6.3% |  | Oct 2028 |  | I/O |  |
| Multifamily | NY | 78.9 | 77.9 | S+2.45% | 6.6% |  | Mar 2029 |  | I/O |  |
| Office | NC | 72.7 | 72.7 | S+3.65% | 7.3% |  | Aug 2028 |  | I/O |  |
| Self Storage | Diversified | 70.5 | 69.9 | S+2.50% | 6.5% |  | Dec 2028 |  | I/O |  |
| Multifamily | TX | 67.9 | 67.6 | S+2.95% | 7.2% |  | Dec 2026 | (7) | P/I | (8) |
| Retail | CA | 67.0 | 66.3 | S+2.75% | 6.8% |  | Mar 2029 |  | I/O |  |
| Office | NY | 65.0 | 65.0 | S+2.65% | 6.3% |  | Jul 2028 |  | I/O |  |
| Office | AZ | 65.0 | 65.0 | S+2.00% | 5.7% |  | Oct 2027 | (9) | I/O |  |
| Multifamily | OH | 57.3 | 57.2 | S+3.05% | 7.1% |  | Oct 2026 |  | I/O |  |
| Hotel | NY | 55.7 | 55.5 | S+4.40% | 8.3% |  | Mar 2027 | (10) | I/O |  |
| Office | IL | 54.0 | 53.9 | S+4.25% | 8.0% |  | Jan 2027 |  | P/I | (8) |
| Industrial | CA | 52.6 | 52.2 | S+3.00% | 7.0% |  | Nov 2028 |  | I/O |  |
| Multifamily | NC | 50.0 | 49.6 | S+2.40% | 6.6% |  | Oct 2027 |  | I/O |  |
| Multifamily | MA | 48.9 | 48.6 | S+3.10% | 7.3% |  | Oct 2027 |  | I/O |  |
| Hotel | SC | 48.3 | 47.8 | S+3.50% | 7.6% |  | Nov 2028 |  | I/O |  |
| Industrial | MA | 45.6 | 45.5 | S+2.90% | 6.7% |  | Jun 2028 |  | I/O |  |
| Mixed-Use | NY | 37.8 | 37.3 | S+3.25% | 7.6% |  | Jan 2028 |  | I/O |  |
| Industrial | NJ | 27.8 | 27.8 | S+8.85% | 12.5% |  | Nov 2024 | (11) | I/O |  |
| Hotel | Diversified | 23.9 | 23.7 | S+3.75% | 7.8% |  | Nov 2028 |  | I/O |  |
| Hotel | FL | 18.7 | 18.5 | S+3.35% | 7.5% |  | Dec 2028 |  | I/O |  |
| Multifamily | TX | 18.2 | 18.2 | S+2.60% | 6.6% |  | May 2026 | (12) | I/O |  |
| Office | Diversified | 13.8 | 13.7 | S+3.75% | 10.3% |  | Jul 2026 |  | P/I | (8) |
| Self Storage | FL | 12.1 | 12.1 | S+3.25% | 7.1% |  | Dec 2027 |  | I/O |  |
| Self Storage | IN | 11.4 | 11.4 | S+3.60% | 7.4% |  | Jun 2026 |  | I/O |  |
| Self Storage | AZ | 10.7 | 10.6 | S+3.25% | 7.2% |  | Feb 2028 |  | I/O |  |
| Self Storage | FL | 9.5 | 9.4 | S+3.75% | 7.6% |  | Jun 2028 |  | I/O |  |
| Self Storage | PA | 8.8 | 8.7 | S+3.50% | 7.5% |  | May 2028 |  | I/O |  |
| Self Storage | MA | 7.7 | 7.7 | S+3.00% | 6.9% |  | Nov 2026 |  | I/O |  |
| Industrial | CA | 7.0 | 7.0 | S+3.85% | 7.5% |  | Jan 2027 | (13) | I/O |  |
| Self Storage | FL | 7.0 | 6.9 | S+3.50% | 7.5% |  | Apr 2028 |  | I/O |  |
| **Subordinated Debt and Preferred Equity Investments:** |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Industrial | CA | 12.6 | 10.9 | S+3.85% | —% | (13) | Jan 2027 |  | I/O |  |
| Office | AZ | 8.5 | 8.4 | (9) | 6.6% |  | Oct 2027 | (9) | I/O |  |
| Total/Weighted Average |  | $1711.3 | $1629.4 |  | 5.8% |  |  |  |  |  |

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______________________________

(1)The difference between the Carrying Value and the Outstanding Principal amount of the loans held for investment consists of unamortized purchase discounts, deferred loan fees and origination costs and cost-recovery proceeds. For the loans held for investment that represent co-investments with other investment vehicles managed by Ares Management (see Note 12 included in these consolidated financial statements for additional information on co-investments), only the portion of Carrying Value and Outstanding Principal held by the Company is reflected.

(2)Unleveraged Effective Yield is the compounded effective rate of return that would be earned over the life of the investment based on the contractual interest rate (adjusted for any deferred loan fees, costs, premiums or discounts) and assumes no dispositions, early prepayments or defaults. Unleveraged Effective Yield for each loan is calculated based on SOFR as of March 31, 2026 or the SOFR floor, as applicable. The total Weighted Average Unleveraged Effective Yield is calculated based on the average of Unleveraged Effective Yield of all loans held by the Company as of March 31, 2026 as weighted by the outstanding principal balance of each loan.

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(3)Reflects the initial loan maturity date excluding any contractual extension options. Certain loans are subject to contractual extension options that generally vary between one and two 12-month extensions and may be subject to performance based or other conditions as stipulated in the loan agreement. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities stated herein as certain borrowers may have the right to prepay with or without paying a prepayment penalty. The Company may also extend contractual maturities and amend other terms of the loans in connection with loan modifications.

(4)I/O = interest only, P/I = principal and interest.

(5)The New York loan is structured as both a senior and mezzanine loan with the Company holding contiguous positions. The senior and mezzanine positions each have a per annum interest rate of S + 8.95%. The senior and mezzanine loans were both on non-accrual status as of March 31, 2026 and the Unleveraged Effective Yield is not applicable.

(6)The Illinois loan is structured as both a senior and mezzanine loan with the Company holding contiguous positions. The senior position has a per annum interest rate of S + 2.25% and the mezzanine position has a fixed per annum interest rate of 10.00%. The senior and mezzanine loans were both on non-accrual status as of March 31, 2026 and the Unleveraged Effective Yield is not applicable. In January 2026, the Company and the borrower entered into a modification and extension agreement to, among other things, extend the maturity date on the Illinois loan from January 2026 to April 2026. For the three months ended March 31, 2026, the Company received $1.7 million of interest payments in cash on the senior loan that was recognized as a reduction to the Carrying Value of the loan and the borrower is current on all contractual interest payments.

(7)In January 2026, the Company and the borrower entered into a modification and extension agreement to, among other things, extend the maturity date on the senior Texas loan from January 2026 to December 2026.

(8)In February 2023, amortization began on the senior diversified loan, which had an outstanding principal balance of $13.8 million as of March 31, 2026. In January 2026, amortization began on both the senior Texas loan and the senior Illinois loan, which had outstanding principal balances of $67.9 million and $54.0 million, respectively, as of March 31, 2026. The remainder of the loans in the Company's portfolio are non-amortizing through their primary terms.

(9)The Arizona loan is structured as a senior A-Note with an outstanding principal balance of $65.0 million, a subordinated B-Note with no initial outstanding principal balance and an unfunded commitment of $12.0 million for certain lender approved leasing costs and a subordinated C-Note with an outstanding principal balance of $8.5 million. The subordinated B-Note is pari-passu with new borrower contributions for the loan principal paydown and other additional capital contributions. The subordinated C-Note is subordinate to the A-Note, B-Note and the new borrower contributions. The senior A-Note has a per annum interest rate of S + 2.00%, the subordinated B-Note has a fixed per annum interest rate of 12.00% and the subordinated C-Note has a fixed per annum interest rate of 5.50%. As of March 31, 2026, the borrower is current on all contractual interest payments for the senior A-Note and the subordinated C-Note.

(10)In March 2026, the borrower exercised a 12-month extension option in accordance with the loan agreement, which extended the maturity date on the senior New York loan to March 2027.

(11)As of March 31, 2026, the senior New Jersey loan, which is collateralized by an industrial property, is in maturity default due to the failure of the borrower to repay the outstanding principal balance of the loan by the November 2024 maturity date and the borrower is current on all contractual interest payments.

(12)In January 2026, the Company and the borrower entered into a modification and extension agreement to, among other things, extend the maturity date on the senior Texas loan from January 2026 to May 2026.

(13)The California loan is structured as a senior A-Note, with an outstanding principal balance of $7.0 million as of March 31, 2026, a subordinated B-Note with no outstanding principal balance and an unfunded commitment of $500 thousand for certain lender approved leasing costs and a subordinated C-Note with an outstanding principal balance of $12.6 million as of March 31, 2026. The subordinated B-Note and C-Note are subordinate to new borrower equity related to additional capital contributions. As of March 31, 2026, the subordinated C-Note was on non-accrual status and therefore, the Unleveraged Effective Yield is not applicable. As of March 31, 2026, the borrower is current on all contractual interest payments for the senior A-Note and the subordinated C-Note.

The Company has made, and may continue to make, modifications to loans, including loans that are in default. Loan terms that may be modified include interest rates, required prepayments, asset release prices, maturity dates, covenants, principal amounts and other loan terms. The terms and conditions of each modification vary based on individual circumstances and are determined on a case-by-case basis. The Company's Manager monitors and evaluates each of the Company's loans held for investment and maintains regular communications with borrowers and sponsors regarding the potential impacts of current macroeconomic conditions on the Company's loans.

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For the three months ended March 31, 2026, the activity in the Company's loan portfolio was as follows ($ in thousands):

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Balance at December 31, 2025** | $1528806 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Initial funding | 187343 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Origination and other loan fees and discounts, net of costs | (2759) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Additional funding | 14329 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amortizing payments | (2837) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Loan payoffs (1) | (96719) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Origination and other loan fees and discount accretion | 1203 |
| **Balance at March 31, 2026** | $1629366 |

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_________________________

(1)In March 2026, the Company received a discounted payoff on a senior mortgage loan with outstanding principal of $28.2 million, which was collateralized by a multifamily property located in Pennsylvania, in conjunction with the sale of the multifamily property by the borrower. For the three months ended March 31, 2026, the Company recognized a realized loss of $3.3 million in the Company's consolidated statements of operations as the Carrying Value of the senior mortgage loan exceeded the net proceeds from the payoff of the loan.

Except as described in the table above listing the Company's loans held for investment portfolio, as of March 31, 2026, all loans held for investment were paying in accordance with their contractual terms. As of March 31, 2026, the Company had three loans held for investment on non-accrual status with a Carrying Value of $285.4 million. As of December 31, 2025, the Company had four loans held for investment on non-accrual status with a Carrying Value of $308.1 million.

**4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; CURRENT EXPECTED CREDIT LOSSES**

The Company estimates its CECL Reserve primarily using a probability-weighted model that considers the likelihood of default and expected loss given default for each individual loan. Calculation of the CECL Reserve requires loan-specific data, which includes capital senior to the Company when the Company is the subordinate lender, changes in net operating income, debt service coverage ratio, loan-to-value, occupancy, property type and geographic location. Estimating the CECL Reserve also requires significant judgment with respect to various factors, including (i) the appropriate historical loan loss reference data, (ii) the expected timing of loan repayments, (iii) calibration of the likelihood of default to reflect the risk characteristics of the Company's loan portfolio, (iv) the underlying collateral performance and its estimated current and stabilized market values, including projected cash flows and (v) the Company's current and future view of the macroeconomic environment. The Company may consider loan-specific qualitative factors on certain loans to estimate its CECL Reserve. In order to estimate the future expected loan losses relevant to the Company's portfolio, the Company utilizes historical market loan loss data licensed from a third party data service. The third party's loan database includes historical loss data for commercial mortgage-backed securities, or CMBS, issued dating back to 1998, which the Company believes is a reasonably comparable and available data set to its type of loans. The Company utilized macroeconomic forecasts and inputs that reflected a blend of a stable and a weaker economic outlook in the near term; however, the actual financial impact on the Company of the current environment is highly uncertain. For periods beyond the reasonable and supportable forecast period, the Company reverts back to historical loss data. Management's current estimate of expected credit losses as of March 31, 2026 increased compared to the estimate of expected credit losses as of December 31, 2025 primarily due to changes in loan and collateral specific attributes and new loan closings during the three months ended March 31, 2026. These factors were partially offset by a realized loss on a multifamily loan, resulting in a reversal of the associated CECL Reserve, shorter average remaining loan term, loan repayments, a relative improvement in the near-term macroeconomic forecasts and changes in loan and collateral specific attributes during the three months ended March 31, 2026. The CECL Reserve also takes into consideration the assumed impact of macroeconomic conditions on CRE properties and is not specific to any loan losses or impairments on the Company's loans held for investment, unless the Company determines that a specifically identifiable reserve is warranted for a select asset.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

In certain instances, the Company may identify specific loans to be collateral dependent. The Company considers loans to be collateral dependent if both of the following criteria are met: (i) the loan is expected to be substantially repaid through the operation or sale of the underlying collateral, and (ii) the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty. The determination of whether these criteria are met for an individual loan requires the use of significant judgment and can be based on several factors subject to uncertainty.

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For such loans that the Company determines that foreclosure of the collateral is probable, the Company estimates the CECL Reserve based on the difference between the fair value of the collateral (less costs to sell the asset if repayment is expected through the sale of the collateral) and the amortized cost basis of the loan as of the measurement date. For collateral dependent loans that the Company determines foreclosure is not probable, the Company may apply a practical expedient to estimate the CECL Reserve using the difference between the collateral's fair value (less costs to sell the asset if repayment is expected through the sale of the collateral) and the amortized cost basis of the loan. To determine the fair value of the collateral, the Company may employ different approaches depending on the type of collateral, including methods such as the income approach, the market approach or the direct capitalization approach. These methods require the use of key unobservable inputs, which are inherently uncertain and subjective. Determining the appropriate valuation method and selecting the appropriate key unobservable inputs and assumptions requires significant judgment and consideration of factors specific to the underlying collateral being assessed. Additionally, the key unobservable inputs and assumptions that may be used could vary depending on the information available and market conditions as of the valuation date. As such, the fair value that may be used in calculating the CECL Reserve is subject to uncertainty and any actual losses, if incurred, could differ materially from the CECL Reserve.

As of March 31, 2026, the Company's CECL Reserve for its loans held for investment portfolio is $138.3 million or 768 basis points of the Company's total loans held for investment commitment balance of $1.8 billion and is bifurcated between the CECL Reserve (contra-asset) related to outstanding balances on loans held for investment of $136.8 million and a liability for unfunded commitments of $1.4 million. The liability was based on the unfunded portion of the loan commitment over the full contractual period over which the Company is exposed to credit risk through a current obligation to extend credit. Management considered the likelihood that funding will occur, and if funded, the expected credit loss on the funded portion.

As of March 31, 2026, the senior mortgage loan on an office property located in Illinois with a principal balance of $167.6 million had a risk rating of "5." As of March 31, 2026, this loan was assessed individually and the Company elected to assign a CECL Reserve of $70.3 million on the Illinois office loan. The CECL Reserve for this loan was based on the Company's estimate of net proceeds available from the potential sale of the collateral property and this CECL Reserve is included in the Company's total CECL Reserve.

*Current Expected Credit Loss Reserve for Funded Loan Commitments*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Activity related to the CECL Reserve for outstanding balances on the Company's loans held for investment as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2026 was as follows ($ in thousands):

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Balance at December 31, 2025 (1)** | $125756 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Provision for (reversal of) current expected credit losses, net | 11074 |
| **Balance at March 31, 2026 (1)** | $136830 |

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__________________________

(1)The CECL Reserve related to outstanding balances on loans held for investment is recorded within current expected credit loss reserve in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

*Current Expected Credit Loss Reserve for Unfunded Loan Commitments*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Activity related to the CECL Reserve for unfunded commitments on the Company's loans held for investment as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2026 was as follows ($ in thousands):

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Balance at December 31, 2025 (1)** | $1380 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Provision for (reversal of) current expected credit losses, net | 64 |
| **Balance at March 31, 2026 (1)** | $1444 |

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(1)The CECL Reserve related to unfunded commitments on loans held for investment is recorded within other liabilities in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

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The Company continuously evaluates the credit quality of each loan by assessing the risk factors of each loan and assigning a risk rating based on a variety of factors. Risk factors include property type, geographic and local market dynamics, physical condition, leasing and tenant profile, projected cash flow, loan structure and exit plan, loan-to-value ratio, debt service coverage ratio, project sponsorship, and other factors deemed necessary. Based on a 5-point scale, the Company's loans are rated "1" through "5," from less risk to greater risk, which ratings are defined as follows:

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**Ratings&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;** | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**Definition** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1 | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Very Low Risk |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2 | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Low Risk |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3 | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Medium Risk |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4 | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;High Risk/Potential for Loss: Asset performance is trailing underwritten expectations. Loan at risk of impairment without material improvement to performance |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5 | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Impaired/Loss Likely: A loan that has a significantly increased probability of default and principal loss |

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The risk ratings are primarily based on historical data as well as taking into account future economic conditions.

As of March 31, 2026, the Carrying Value of the Company's loans held for investment within each risk rating by year of origination is as follows ($ in thousands):

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| | | | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **2026** | **2025** | **2024** | **2023** | **2022** | **Prior** | **Total** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**Risk rating:** |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1 | $— | $— | $— | $— | $— | $13741 | $13741 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2 |  |  |  | 102674 | 195144 | 92805 | 390623 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3 | 181535 | 453897 |  | 11438 | 53933 | 230517 | 931320 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4 |  |  |  |  | 136459 | 19274 | 155733 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5 |  |  |  |  |  | 137949 | 137949 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**Total** | $181535 | $453897 | $— | $114112 | $385536 | $494286 | $1629366 |

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***Accrued Interest Receivable***

The Company elected not to measure a CECL Reserve on accrued interest receivable due to the Company's policy of writing-off uncollectible accrued interest receivable balances in a timely manner. As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, interest receivable of $6.9 million and $6.4 million, respectively, is included within other assets in the Company's consolidated balance sheets and is excluded from loans held for investment. If the Company were to have uncollectible accrued interest receivable, it generally would reverse accrued and unpaid interest against interest income and no longer accrue for these amounts.

**5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; REAL ESTATE OWNED** 

On September 19, 2024, the Company acquired legal title to a multi-building office property located in North Carolina through a deed in lieu of foreclosure. Prior to September 19, 2024, the office property collateralized a $68.6 million senior mortgage loan held by the Company that was in maturity default due to the failure of the borrower to repay the outstanding principal balance of the loan by the May 2024 maturity date. In conjunction with the deed in lieu of foreclosure, the Company derecognized the $68.6 million senior mortgage loan and recognized the office property as real estate owned. As the Company did not expect to complete a sale of the office property within the next twelve months, the office property was considered held for investment, and was carried at its estimated fair value at acquisition and was presented net of accumulated depreciation or amortization and impairment charges. At acquisition, the Company recognized a realized loss of $5.8 million on the derecognition of the senior mortgage loan as the fair value of the office property at acquisition of $60.2 million and the net operating assets and liabilities held at the office property of $(201) thousand at acquisition was less than the $65.8 million Carrying Value of the senior mortgage loan. Certain operating assets and liabilities of the office property are included within other assets and other liabilities, respectively, in the Company's consolidated balance sheets and include items such as prepaid expenses, rent receivables, straight-line rent receivables and payables and trade payables. On December 30, 2025, the Company sold a building at the multi-building office property to a third party for $5.3 million.

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During the three months ended March 31, 2026, the Company committed to a plan to sell the multi-building office property and the asset is being actively marketed for sale with such sale expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale within one year. As such, as of March 31, 2026, the multi-building office property is classified as real estate owned held for sale in the Company's consolidated balance sheets and the Company has ceased depreciating and amortizing the multi-building office property. Upon reclassification, the multi-building office property had a carrying amount of $53.1 million, which was lower than the estimated fair value less costs to sell. As such, the Company has continued to recognize the multi-building office property at its carrying amount in the Company's consolidated balance sheets and no impairment loss related to the planned sale of the multi-building office property has been recognized in the Company's consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2026.

On September 8, 2023, the Company acquired legal title to a mixed-use property located in Florida through a consensual foreclosure. Prior to September 8, 2023, the mixed-use property collateralized an $82.9 million senior mortgage loan held by the Company that was in maturity default due to the failure of the borrower to repay the outstanding principal balance of the loan by the February 2023 maturity date. In conjunction with the consensual foreclosure, the Company derecognized the $82.9 million senior mortgage loan and recognized the mixed-use property as real estate owned. As the Company does not expect to complete a sale of the mixed-use property within the next twelve months, the mixed-use property is considered held for investment, and is carried at its estimated fair value at acquisition and is presented net of accumulated depreciation or amortization and impairment charges. The Company did not recognize any gain or loss on the derecognition of the senior mortgage loan as the fair value of the mixed-use property of $84.3 million and the net operating assets and liabilities held at the mixed-use property of $(1.4) million at acquisition approximated the $82.9 million Carrying Value of the senior mortgage loan. Certain operating assets and liabilities of the mixed-use property are included within other assets and other liabilities, respectively, in the Company's consolidated balance sheets and include items such as prepaid expenses, rent receivables, straight-line rent receivables and payables and trade payables.

The following table summarizes the Company's real estate owned held for investment as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 ($ in thousands):

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| | **As of** | **As of** |
| | **March 31, 2026** | **December 31, 2025** |
| Land | $21337 | $34245 |
| Buildings and improvements | 52649 | 81691 |
| Lease intangibles | 21276 | 34735 |
| Above-market lease intangibles | 547 | 4490 |
| Below-market lease intangibles | (11084) | (11105) |
| Total real estate owned held for investment | 84725 | 144056 |
| Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization | (7877) | (13891) |
| Real estate owned held for investment, net | $76848 | $130165 |

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As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, no impairment charges have been recognized for real estate owned held for investment.

For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, the Company incurred net depreciation and amortization expense of $741 thousand and $2.2 million, respectively. With the exception of amortization related to intangible assets and liabilities for above-market or below-market leases, depreciation and amortization expense is included within expenses from real estate owned in the Company's consolidated statements of operations. Amortization related to intangible assets and liabilities for above-market or below-market leases is recognized as an adjustment to rental revenue and is included within revenue from real estate owned in the Company's consolidated statements of operations.

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**Intangible Lease Assets and Liabilities**

For the three months ended March 31, 2026, there were no property acquisitions.

The following table summarizes the Company's intangible lease assets and liabilities that are included within real estate owned held for investment as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 ($ in thousands):

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| | | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **As of March 31, 2026** | **As of March 31, 2026** | **As of March 31, 2026** | **As of December 31, 2025** | **As of December 31, 2025** | **As of December 31, 2025** |
| | **Gross** | **Accumulated Amortization** | **Net** | **Gross** | **Accumulated Amortization** | **Net** |
| **Assets:** | | | | | | |
| Lease intangibles | $21276 | $(5798) | $15478 | $34735 | $(9772) | $24963 |
| Above-market lease intangibles | 547 | (256) | 291 | 4490 | (1468) | 3022 |
| **Liabilities:** |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Below-market lease intangibles | (11084) | 2567 | (8517) | (11105) | 2398 | (8707) |

---

The following table summarizes the amortization of intangible lease assets and liabilities related to real estate owned held for investment for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 ($ in thousands):

---

| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Consolidated Statement<br>of Operations Location** | **For the Three Months Ended March 31,** | **For the Three Months Ended March 31,** |
| | **Consolidated Statement<br>of Operations Location** | **2026** | **2025** |
| **Assets:** |  |  |  |
| Lease intangibles | Expenses from real estate owned | $482 | $1527 |
| Above-market lease intangibles | Revenue from real estate owned | (19) | (271) |
| **Liabilities:** |  |  |  |
| Below-market lease intangibles | Revenue from real estate owned | 190 | 262 |

---

The following table summarizes the estimated net amortization schedule for the Company's intangible lease assets and liabilities that are included within real estate owned held for investment as of March 31, 2026 ($ in thousands):

---

| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| |<br>**Lease Intangibles** | **Above-Market**<br>**Lease Intangibles** | **Below-Market**<br>**Lease Intangibles** |
| Remainder of 2026 | $1325 | $57 | $(428) |
| 2027 | 1701 | 51 | (571) |
| 2028 | 1603 | 41 | (542) |
| 2029 | 1596 | 41 | (539) |
| 2030 | 1592 | 41 | (539) |
| Thereafter | 7661 | 60 | (5898) |
| Total | $15478 | $291 | $(8517) |

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**Future Minimum Lease Payments**

The following table summarizes the future minimum contractual lease payments to be collected by the Company under non-cancelable operating leases related to real estate owned held for investment, excluding tenant reimbursements of expenses and variable lease payments, as of March 31, 2026 ($ in thousands):

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| Remainder of 2026 | $7815 |
| 2027 | 10170 |
| 2028 | 10156 |
| 2029 | 10344 |
| 2030 | 10237 |
| Thereafter | 14007 |
| Total | $62729 |

---

**6. DEBT**

**Financing Agreements**

The Company borrows funds, as applicable in a given period, under the Wells Fargo Facility, the Citibank Facility, the CNB Facility and the Morgan Stanley Facility (individually defined below and collectively, the "Secured Funding Agreements") and the Secured Term Loan (as defined below). The Company refers to the Secured Funding Agreements and the Secured Term Loan as the "Financing Agreements."

Some of the Company's Financing Agreements are collateralized by (i) assignments of specific loans, preferred equity or a pool of loans held for investment, loans held for sale or real estate owned by the Company, (ii) interests in the subordinated portion of the Company's securitization debt or (iii) interests in wholly-owned subsidiaries that hold the Company's loans held for investment or loans held for sale.

The outstanding balances of the Financing Agreements in the table below are presented gross of debt issuance costs. As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, the outstanding balances and total commitments under the Financing Agreements consisted of the following ($ in thousands):

---

| | | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **As of March 31, 2026** | **As of March 31, 2026** | | **As of December 31, 2025** | **As of December 31, 2025** | |
| | **Outstanding Balance** | **Total <br>Commitment** | | **Outstanding Balance** | **Total <br>Commitment** | |
| **Secured Funding Agreements:** | | | | | | |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Wells Fargo Facility | $567904 | $600000 | (1) | $438911 | $600000 | (1) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Citibank Facility | 389562 | 425000 | (2) | 269265 | 325000 | (2) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;CNB Facility |  | 75000 | (3) |  | 75000 | (3) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Morgan Stanley Facility | 224630 | 350000 | (4) | 150000 | 150000 | (4) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subtotal | $1182096 | $1450000 |  | $858176 | $1150000 |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Secured Term Loan | $90000 | $90000 | (5) | $90000 | $90000 | (5) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Total | $1272096 | $1540000 |  | $948176 | $1240000 |  |

---

______________________________

(1)The Carrying Value of collateral pledged to the Wells Fargo Facility (as defined below) was $848.6 million and $657.1 million as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively.

(2)In March 2026, the Company exercised each of its two $50.0 million accordion options on the Citibank Facility (as defined below) to increase the maximum commitment from $325.0 million to $425.0 million with payment of an upsize fee. The Carrying Value of collateral pledged to the Citibank Facility was $547.9 million and $420.5 million as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively.

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(3)Amount immediately available under the CNB Facility (as defined below) at any given time can fluctuate based on the fair value of the collateral in the borrowing base that secures the CNB Facility. As of March 31, 2026, there was $51.1 million of immediate availability under the CNB Facility based on the fair value of the collateral in the borrowing base at such time. The amount immediately available under the CNB Facility may be increased to up to $75.0 million by the pledge of additional collateral into the borrowing base in accordance with the CNB Facility agreement.

(4)In January 2026, the Company exercised its $100.0 million accordion option on the Morgan Stanley Facility (as defined below) to increase the maximum commitment from $150.0 million to $250.0 million with payment of an upsize fee. Subsequently, in March 2026, the Company amended the Morgan Stanley Facility to, among other things, increase the maximum commitment from $250.0 million to $350.0 million and include an accordion provision such that the maximum commitment may be increased to up to $400.0 million at the Company's option, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including payment of an upsize fee. The Carrying Value of collateral pledged to the Morgan Stanley Facility was $286.4 million and $308.5 million as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively.

(5)Equity interests pledged to the Secured Term Loan (as defined below) were $446.8 million and $478.3 million as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively.

The Company is the borrower or guarantor under each of the Financing Agreements. Generally, the Company partially offsets interest rate risk by matching the interest index of loans held for investment with the Secured Funding Agreements used to fund them. The Company's Financing Agreements contain various affirmative and negative covenants, including negative pledges, and provisions regarding events of default that are normal and customary for similar financing arrangements.

***Wells Fargo Facility***

The Company is party to a master repurchase funding facility with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association ("Wells Fargo") (the "Wells Fargo Facility"), which allows the Company to borrow up to $600.0 million. Under the Wells Fargo Facility, the Company is permitted to sell, and later repurchase, certain qualifying senior commercial mortgage loans, A-Notes, pari-passu participations in commercial mortgage loans and mezzanine loans under certain circumstances, subject to available collateral approved by Wells Fargo in its sole discretion. The initial maturity date of the Wells Fargo Facility is February 10, 2028, subject to two 12-month extensions, each of which may be exercised at the Company's option assuming no existing defaults under the Wells Fargo Facility and applicable extension fees being paid, which, if both were exercised, would extend the maturity date of the Wells Fargo Facility to February 10, 2030. Advances under the Wells Fargo Facility accrue interest at a per annum rate equal to the sum of one-month SOFR plus a pricing margin range of 1.50% to 3.75%, subject to certain exceptions.

***Citibank Facility***

The Company is party to a master repurchase facility with Citibank, N.A. ("Citibank") (the "Citibank Facility"), which allows the Company to borrow up to $425.0 million. Under the Citibank Facility, the Company is permitted to sell and later repurchase certain qualifying senior commercial mortgage loans and A-Notes approved by Citibank in its sole discretion. The initial maturity date of the Citibank Facility is January 13, 2027, subject to two 12-month extensions, each of which may be exercised at the Company's option assuming no existing defaults under the Citibank Facility and applicable extension fees being paid, which, if both were exercised, would extend the maturity date of the Citibank Facility to January 13, 2029. Advances under the Citibank Facility accrue interest at a per annum rate equal to the sum of one-month SOFR plus an indicative pricing margin range of 1.50% to 2.10%, subject to certain exceptions. The Company incurs a non-utilization fee of 25 basis points per annum on the average daily positive difference between the maximum advances approved by Citibank and the actual advances outstanding on the Citibank Facility. For the three months ended March 31, 2026, the Company did not incur a non-utilization fee. For the three months ended March 31, 2025, the Company incurred a non-utilization fee of $1 thousand. The non-utilization fee is included within interest expense in the Company's consolidated statements of operations.

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***CNB Facility***

The Company is party to a $75.0 million secured revolving funding facility with City National Bank (the "CNB Facility"). The Company is permitted to borrow funds under the CNB Facility to finance investments and for other working capital and general corporate needs. The amount immediately available under the CNB Facility at any given time can fluctuate based on the fair value of the collateral in the borrowing base that secures the CNB Facility. As of March 31, 2026, there was $51.1 million of immediate availability under the CNB Facility based on the fair value of the collateral in the borrowing base at such time. Availability may be increased to up to $75.0 million by the pledge of additional collateral into the borrowing base in accordance with the CNB Facility agreement. In March 2026, the Company amended the CNB Facility to, among other things, extend the maturity date to December 31, 2026. The interest rate on advances under the CNB Facility is a per annum rate equal to the sum of, at the Company's option, either (a) a SOFR-based rate plus 3.25% or (b) a base rate plus 2.25%, in each case, subject to an interest rate floor. Unless at least 75% of the CNB Facility is used on average, unused commitments under the CNB Facility accrue non-utilization fees at the rate of 0.375% per annum. For both the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, the Company incurred a non-utilization fee of $70 thousand. The non-utilization fee is included within interest expense in the Company's consolidated statements of operations.

***Morgan Stanley Facility***

The Company is party to a $350.0 million master repurchase and securities contract with Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A. ("Morgan Stanley") (the "Morgan Stanley Facility"). Under the Morgan Stanley Facility, the Company is permitted to sell, and later repurchase, certain qualifying commercial mortgage loans collateralized by retail, office, mixed-use, multifamily, industrial, hospitality, student housing or self storage properties. Morgan Stanley may approve the mortgage loans that are subject to the Morgan Stanley Facility in its sole discretion. In January 2026, the Company exercised its $100.0 million accordion option on the Morgan Stanley Facility to increase the maximum commitment from $150.0 million to $250.0 million with payment of an upsize fee. Subsequently, in March 2026, the Company amended the Morgan Stanley Facility to, among other things, (1) increase the maximum commitment from $250.0 million to $350.0 million and include an accordion provision such that the maximum commitment may be increased to up to $400.0 million at the Company's option, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including payment of an upsize fee and (2) extend the initial maturity date to July 16, 2029, subject to one 12-month extension, which may be exercised at the Company's option assuming no existing defaults under the Morgan Stanley Facility and the applicable extension fee being paid, which, if exercised, would extend the maturity date to July 16, 2030. Advances under the Morgan Stanley Facility generally accrue interest at a per annum rate equal to the sum of one-month SOFR plus a spread ranging from 1.75% to 2.25%, determined by Morgan Stanley, depending upon the mortgage loan sold to Morgan Stanley in the applicable transaction.

***Secured Term Loan***

The Company and certain of its subsidiaries are party to a $90.0 million Credit and Guaranty Agreement with the lenders referred to therein and Cortland Capital Market Services LLC, as administrative agent and collateral agent for the lenders (the "Secured Term Loan"). The maturity date of the Secured Term Loan is November 12, 2026. The interest rate on advances under the Secured Term Loan are set to the following fixed rates: (i) 4.50% per annum until May 1, 2025 and (ii) after May 1, 2025 through November 12, 2026, the interest rate increases 0.25% every three months.

The total original issue discount and the modification fee on the Secured Term Loan represents a discount to the debt cost to be amortized into interest expense using the effective interest method over the term of the Secured Term Loan. For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, the per annum effective interest rate of the Secured Term Loan, which is equal to the fixed interest rate plus the accretion of the original issue discount and associated costs, was 6.2% and 5.7%, respectively.

**7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES**

As further discussed in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements, the impact of the current macroeconomic conditions on the Company's business is uncertain. As of March 31, 2026, there were no contingencies recorded on the Company's consolidated balance sheets as a result of such conditions; however, if global market conditions worsen, it could adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.

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As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, the Company had the following commitments to fund various whole and co-invested senior mortgage loans, subordinated debt investments, as well as preferred equity investments accounted for as loans held for investment ($ in thousands):

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| | **As of** | **As of** |
| | **March 31, 2026** | **December 31, 2025** |
| Total commitments | $1800973 | $1660935 |
| Less: funded commitments | (1711278) | (1601059) |
| Total unfunded commitments | $89695 | $59876 |

---

As of March 31, 2026, the Company had unfunded commitments of $7.3 million related to its one loan held for sale. In the event a loan held for sale is sold, the obligation to fund any remaining unfunded commitments would be transferred to the purchaser and the Company would no longer be contractually obligated for any future funding related to the sold loan. As of December 31, 2025, the Company did not have any unfunded commitments related to loans held for sale.

The timing and amount of future fundings are uncertain as loan funding commitments relate to, among others, construction costs, capital expenditures, leasing costs and interest and carry costs. As such, the timing and amount of fundings depend mainly on the progress and performance of the underlying collateral assets for the Company's loans and funding requests from borrowers are subject to the Company's review and approval in accordance with the contractual loan agreements. Certain of the Company's lenders under its Secured Funding Agreements may be contractually obligated to fund their ratable portion of these loan commitments over time, while others may have some degree of discretion over future loan funding obligations.

The Company from time to time may be a party to litigation relating to claims arising in the normal course of business. As of March 31, 2026, the Company is not aware of any legal claims that could materially impact its business, financial condition or results of operations.

**8. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY**

***Stock Repurchase Program***

On July 30, 2025, the Company's board of directors extended its stock repurchase program of up to $50.0 million (the "Repurchase Program"), which is expected to be in effect until July 31, 2026, or until the approved dollar amount has been used to repurchase shares. Pursuant to the Repurchase Program, the Company may repurchase shares of its common stock in amounts, at prices and at such times as it deems appropriate, subject to market conditions and other considerations, including all applicable legal requirements. Repurchases may include purchases on the open market or privately negotiated transactions, under Rule 10b5-1 trading plans, under accelerated share repurchase programs, in tender offers and otherwise. The Repurchase Program does not obligate the Company to acquire any particular amount of shares of its common stock and may be modified or suspended at any time at its discretion. During the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, the Company did not repurchase any shares through the Repurchase Program.

***Common Stock***

There were no shares of the Company's common stock issued in public or private offerings for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025. See "Equity Incentive Plan" below for shares issued under the Equity Incentive Plan described below.

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***Equity Incentive Plan***

On April 23, 2012, the Company adopted an equity incentive plan, which was amended and restated in June 2018 and further amended in May 2022 (as further amended, the "Amended and Restated 2012 Equity Incentive Plan"). In April 2024, the Company's board of directors approved, and in May 2024, the Company's stockholders approved, the second amendment to the Amended and Restated 2012 Equity Incentive Plan, which increased the total number of shares of common stock the Company may grant thereunder to 5,015,000 shares. Pursuant to the Amended and Restated 2012 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended by the second amendment, the Company may grant awards consisting of restricted shares of the Company's common stock, restricted stock units ("RSUs") and/or other equity-based awards to the Company's outside directors, employees of the Manager, officers, ACREM and other eligible awardees under the plan. Any restricted shares of the Company's common stock and RSUs are accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation, resulting in stock-based compensation expense equal to the grant date fair value of the underlying restricted shares of common stock or RSUs.

Restricted stock and RSU grants generally vest ratably over a one to three-year period from the vesting start date. The grantee receives additional compensation for each outstanding restricted stock or RSU grant, classified as dividends paid, equal to the per-share dividends received by the Company's common stockholders.

The following tables summarize the (i) non-vested shares of restricted stock and RSUs and (ii) vesting schedule of shares of restricted stock and RSUs for the Company's directors and officers and employees of the Manager as of March 31, 2026:

***Schedule of Non-Vested Share and Share Equivalents***

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| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Restricted Stock Grants—Directors** | **RSUs—Officers and Employees of the Manager** | **Total** |
| **Balance at December 31, 2025** | 74088 | 1256271 | 1330359 |
| Granted |  |  |  |
| Vested | (37044) | (341219) | (378263) |
| Forfeited |  |  |  |
| **Balance at March 31, 2026** | 37044 | 915052 | 952096 |

---

***Future Anticipated Vesting Schedule***

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| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Restricted Stock Grants—Directors** | **RSUs—Officers and Employees of the Manager** | **Total** |
| Remainder of 2026 | 37044 | 4167 | 41211 |
| 2027 |  | 424344 | 424344 |
| 2028 |  | 307046 | 307046 |
| 2029 |  | 179495 | 179495 |
| 2030 |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Total | 37044 | 915052 | 952096 |

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**9. EARNINGS PER SHARE**

The following information sets forth the computations of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 ($ in thousands, except share and per share data):

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| | **For the Three Months Ended March 31,** | **For the Three Months Ended March 31,** |
| | **2026** | **2025** |
| Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders | $(9605) | $9345 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Divided by: |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Basic weighted average shares of common stock outstanding: | 55322222 | 54828751 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Weighted average non-vested restricted stock and RSUs (1) |  | 866188 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding: | 55322222 | 55694939 |
| Basic earnings (loss) per common share | $(0.17) | $0.17 |
| Diluted earnings (loss) per common share | $(0.17) | $0.17 |

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_______________________________

(1)For the three months ended March 31, 2026, the weighted average non-vested restricted stock and RSUs of 960,502 were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per common share as the impact of including those shares would be anti-dilutive.

**10. INCOME TAX**

**&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**

The Company wholly owns ACRC 2017-FL3 TRS LLC, which is a taxable REIT subsidiary ("TRS") formed to hold a portion of CLO securitizations, including a portion that generated excess inclusion income. The Company also wholly owns ACRC Lender TRS LLC, which is a TRS formed to issue and hold certain loans intended for sale. Additionally, the Company wholly owns ACRC WM Tenant LLC, a TRS initially formed to lease from an affiliate a hotel property classified as real estate owned acquired on March 8, 2019, which was sold on March 1, 2022.

The income tax provision for the Company and the TRSs consisted of the following for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 ($ in thousands):

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| | **For the Three Months Ended March 31,** | **For the Three Months Ended March 31,** |
| | **2026** | **2025** |
| Current | $27 | $282 |
| Deferred | 3 | (1) |
| Excise tax |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Total income tax expense (benefit), including excise tax | $30 | $281 |

---

For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, the Company did not incur any expense for U.S. federal excise tax. Excise tax represents a 4% tax on the sum of a portion of the Company's ordinary income and net capital gains not distributed during the calendar year (including any distribution declared in the fourth quarter and paid the following January) plus any prior year shortfall. If it is determined that an excise tax liability exists for the current tax year, the Company will accrue excise tax on estimated excess taxable income as such taxable income is earned. The quarterly expense is calculated in accordance with applicable tax regulations.

The TRSs recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within income tax expense in the Company's consolidated statements of operations. Accrued interest and penalties, if any, are included within other liabilities in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

As of March 31, 2026, tax years 2022 through 2026 remain subject to examination by taxing authorities. The Company does not have any unrecognized tax benefits and the Company does not expect that to change in the next 12 months.

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**11. FAIR VALUE**

The Company follows FASB ASC Topic 820-10, *Fair Value Measurement* ("ASC 820-10"), which expands the application of fair value accounting. ASC 820-10 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with GAAP and expands disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. ASC 820-10 determines fair value to be the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. ASC 820-10 specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on the inputs used in measuring fair value.

In accordance with ASC 820-10, the inputs used to measure fair value are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Level 2—Prices are determined using other significant observable inputs. Observable inputs are inputs that other market participants would use in pricing a security. These may include quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment rates, credit risk and others.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Level 3—Prices are determined using significant unobservable inputs. In situations where quoted prices or observable inputs are unavailable (for example, when there is little or no market activity for an investment at the end of the period), unobservable inputs may be used.

GAAP requires disclosure of fair value information about financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities, whether or not recognized in the financial statements, for which it is practical to estimate the value. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based upon the application of discount rates to estimated future cash flows using market yields, or other valuation methodologies. Any changes to the valuation methodology will be reviewed by the Company's management to ensure the changes are appropriate. The methods used may produce a fair value calculation that is not indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, while the Company anticipates that the valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies, or assumptions, to determine the fair value of certain financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date. The Company uses inputs that are current as of the measurement date, which may fall within periods of market dislocation, during which price transparency may be reduced.

**Recurring Fair Value Measurements**

As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, the Company did not have any financial or nonfinancial assets or liabilities required to be recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.

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**Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements** 

***Real Estate Owned***

The Company is required to record real estate owned, a nonfinancial asset, at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in accordance with GAAP. Real estate owned consists of a multi-building office property and a mixed-use property that were acquired by the Company on September 19, 2024 and September 8, 2023 through a deed in lieu of foreclosure and a consensual foreclosure, respectively. See Note 5 included in these consolidated financial statements for more information on real estate owned. Real estate owned is recorded at fair value at acquisition using Level 3 inputs and is evaluated for indicators of impairment on a quarterly basis. Real estate owned is considered impaired when the sum of estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the real estate owned over the estimated remaining holding period is less than the carrying amount of such real estate owned. Cash flows include operating cash flows and anticipated capital proceeds generated by the real estate owned. An impairment charge is recorded equal to the excess of the carrying amount of the real estate owned over the fair value.

The multi-building office property acquired on September 19, 2024 was classified as real estate owned held for investment in the Company's consolidated balance sheets as of the acquisition date and was carried at its estimated fair value at acquisition and was presented net of accumulated depreciation or amortization and impairment charges. The fair value of the office property at acquisition was estimated using a third-party appraisal, which utilized standard industry valuation techniques such as the income and market approach. When determining the fair value of the office property, certain assumptions are made including, but not limited to: (1) projected operating cash flows, including factors such as property operating expenses and re-leasing assumptions that take into account the number of months to re-lease, market rental revenue and required tenant improvements; and (2) projected cash flows from the eventual disposition of the office property based upon the Company's estimation of a capitalization rate, discount rates and comparable selling prices in the market. The fair value of the office property was estimated using significant unobservable inputs, which considered various comparable properties that were valued using capitalization rates ranging from 6.4% to 11.0% and discount rates ranging from 14.0% to 16.0%.

During the three months ended March 31, 2026, the multi-building office property was reclassified to real estate owned held for sale in the Company's consolidated balance sheets and is carried at the lower of its carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. Upon reclassification, the carrying amount of the multi-building office property was lower than the estimated fair value less costs to sell. As such, the Company has continued to recognize the multi-building office property at its carrying amount in the Company's consolidated balance sheets and no impairment loss related to the planned sale of the multi-building office property has been recognized in the Company's consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2026. The fair value of the multi-building office property upon reclassification to held for sale was determined using the estimated net proceeds available from a potential sale of the property.

The mixed-use property acquired on September 8, 2023 is classified as real estate owned held for investment in the Company's consolidated balance sheets as of the acquisition date and is carried at its estimated fair value at acquisition and is presented net of accumulated depreciation or amortization and impairment charges. The fair value of the mixed-use property at acquisition was estimated using a third-party appraisal, which utilized standard industry valuation techniques such as the income and market approach. When determining the fair value of the mixed-use property, certain assumptions are made including, but not limited to: (1) projected operating cash flows, including factors such as property operating expenses and re-leasing assumptions that take into account the number of months to re-lease, market rental revenue and required tenant improvements; and (2) projected cash flows from the eventual disposition of the mixed-use property based upon the Company's estimation of a capitalization rate, discount rates and comparable selling prices in the market. The fair value of the mixed-use property was estimated using significant unobservable inputs, which considered various comparable properties that were valued using capitalization rates ranging from 6.4% to 8.3% and discount rates ranging from 8.0% to 9.5%. No impairment charges have been recognized for the mixed-use property as of March 31, 2026.

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**Financial Assets and Liabilities Not Measured at Fair Value**

As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, the carrying amounts and fair values of the Company's financial assets and liabilities recorded at cost are as follows ($ in thousands):

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| | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | | **As of** | **As of** | **As of** | **As of** |
| | | **March 31, 2026** | **March 31, 2026** | **December 31, 2025** | **December 31, 2025** |
| |<br>**Level in Fair Value Hierarchy** | **Carrying Amount (1)** | **Fair<br>Value** | **Carrying Amount (1)** | **Fair<br>Value** |
| Financial assets: |  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Loans held for investment | 3 | $1629366 | $1498953 | $1528806 | $1409982 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Loans held for sale | 3 | 60544 | 60715 |  |  |
| Financial liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Secured funding agreements | 2 | $1182096 | $1182096 | $858176 | $858176 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Secured term loan | 3 | 89538 | 89203 | 89360 | 88686 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Collateralized loan obligation securitization debt (consolidated VIEs) | 2 |  |  | 99921 | 95766 |

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(1)Loans held for investment are presented at Carrying Value, which excludes the CECL Reserve.

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, interest receivable, due to affiliate liability and accrued expenses, which are all categorized as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy, approximate their fair values due to their short-term nature.

Loans held for investment are recorded at cost, net of unamortized purchase discounts, deferred loan fees and origination costs and cost-recovery proceeds. To determine the fair value of the collateral, the Company may employ different approaches depending on the type of collateral. The Company determined the fair value of loans held for investment based on a discounted cash flow methodology (1) for risk rated "1", "2", or "3" loans, on a portfolio basis and (b) for risk rated "4" or "5" loans, on an asset-by-asset basis, in each case taking into consideration various factors including capitalization rates, discount rates, leasing, occupancy rates, availability and cost of financing, exit plan, sponsorship, actions of other lenders, and comparable selling prices in the market. The Company determined the fair value of the loan held for sale based on the anticipated transaction price to be received from the sale of the loan. The Secured Funding Agreements are recorded at outstanding principal, which is the Company's best estimate of the fair value. The Company determined the fair value of the Secured Term Loan and collateralized loan obligation ("CLO") securitization debt based on a discounted cash flow methodology, taking into consideration various factors including discount rates, actions of other lenders and comparable market quotes and recent trades for similar products.

**12. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS**

***Management Agreement***

The Company is party to an Amended and Restated Management Agreement under which ACREM, subject to the supervision and oversight of the Company's board of directors, is responsible for, among other duties, (a) performing all of the Company's day-to-day functions, (b) determining the Company's investment strategy and guidelines in conjunction with the Company's board of directors, (c) sourcing, analyzing and executing investments, asset sales and financing, and (d) performing portfolio management duties. In addition, ACREM has an Investment Committee that oversees compliance with the Company's investment strategy and guidelines, loans held for investment portfolio holdings and financing strategy.

In exchange for its services, ACREM is entitled to receive a base management fee, an incentive fee and expense reimbursements. In addition, ACREM and its personnel may receive grants of equity-based awards pursuant to the Company's Amended and Restated 2012 Equity Incentive Plan and a termination fee, if applicable.

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The base management fee is equal to 1.5% of the Company's stockholders' equity per annum, which is calculated and payable quarterly in arrears in cash. For purposes of calculating the base management fee, stockholders' equity means: (a) the sum of (i) the net proceeds from all issuances of the Company's equity securities since inception (allocated on a pro-rata daily basis for such issuances during the fiscal quarter of any such issuance), plus (ii) the Company's retained earnings at the end of the most recently completed fiscal quarter determined in accordance with GAAP (without taking into account any non-cash equity compensation expense incurred in current or prior periods); less (b) (x) any amount that the Company has paid to repurchase the Company's common stock since inception, (y) any unrealized gains and losses and other non-cash items that have impacted stockholders' equity as reported in the Company's consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP, and (z) one-time events pursuant to changes in GAAP, and certain non-cash items not otherwise described above, in each case after discussions between ACREM and the Company's independent directors and approval by a majority of the Company's independent directors. As a result, the Company's stockholders' equity, for purposes of calculating the management fee, could be greater or less than the amount of stockholders' equity shown in the Company's consolidated financial statements.

The incentive fee is an amount, not less than zero, equal to the difference between: (a) the product of (i) 20% and (ii) the difference between (A) the Company's Core Earnings (as defined below) for the previous 12-month period, and (B) the product of (1) the weighted average of the issue price per share of the Company's common stock of all of the Company's public offerings of common stock multiplied by the weighted average number of all shares of common stock outstanding including any restricted shares of the Company's common stock, RSUs, or any shares of the Company's common stock not yet issued, but underlying other awards granted under the Company's Amended and Restated 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (see Note 8 included in these consolidated financial statements) in the previous 12-month period, and (2) 8%; and (b) the sum of any incentive fees earned by ACREM with respect to the first three fiscal quarters of such previous 12-month period; provided, however, that no incentive fee is payable with respect to any fiscal quarter unless cumulative Core Earnings for the 12 most recently completed fiscal quarters is greater than zero. "Core Earnings" is defined in the Management Agreement as net income (loss) computed in accordance with GAAP, excluding non-cash equity compensation expense, the incentive fee, depreciation and amortization (to the extent that any of the Company's target investments are structured as debt and the Company forecloses on any properties underlying such debt), any unrealized gains, losses or other non-cash items recorded in net income (loss) for the period, regardless of whether such items are included in other comprehensive income (loss), or in net income (loss), and one-time events pursuant to changes in GAAP and certain non-cash charges after discussions between ACREM and the Company's independent directors and after approval by a majority of the Company's independent directors. Core Earnings is defined in the Management Agreement and is used to calculate the incentive fees the Company pays to ACREM. For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, the Company did not incur any incentive fees.

The Company reimburses ACREM at cost for operating expenses that ACREM incurs on the Company's behalf, including expenses relating to legal, financial, accounting, servicing, due diligence and other services, expenses in connection with the origination and financing of the Company's investments, communications with the Company's stockholders, information technology systems, software and data services used for the Company, travel, complying with legal and regulatory requirements, taxes, insurance maintained for the benefit of the Company as well as all other expenses actually incurred by ACREM that are reasonably necessary for the performance by ACREM of its duties and functions under the Management Agreement. Ares Management, from time to time, incurs fees, costs and expenses on behalf of more than one investment vehicle. To the extent such fees, costs and expenses are incurred for the account or benefit of more than one fund, each such investment vehicle, including the Company, will typically bear an allocable portion of any such fees, costs and expenses in proportion to the size of its investment in the activity or entity to which such expense relates (subject to the terms of each fund's governing documents) or in such other manner as Ares Management considers fair and equitable under the circumstances, such as the relative fund size or capital available to be invested by such investment vehicles. Where an investment vehicle's governing documents do not permit the payment of a particular expense, Ares Management will generally pay such investment vehicle's allocable portion of such expense. In addition, the Company is responsible for its proportionate share of certain fees and expenses, including due diligence costs, as determined by ACREM and Ares Management, including legal, accounting and financial advisor fees and related costs, incurred in connection with evaluating and consummating investment opportunities, regardless of whether such transactions are ultimately consummated by the parties thereto.

The Company will not reimburse ACREM for the salaries and other compensation of its personnel, except for the allocable share of the salaries and other compensation of the Company's (a) Chief Financial Officer, based on the percentage of his time spent on the Company's affairs and (b) other corporate finance, tax, accounting, internal audit, legal, risk management, operations, compliance and other non-investment professional personnel of ACREM or its affiliates who spend all or a portion of their time managing the Company's affairs based on the percentage of their time spent on the Company's affairs. The Company is also required to pay its pro-rata portion of rent, telephone, utilities, office furniture, equipment, machinery and other office, internal and overhead expenses of ACREM and its affiliates that are required for the Company's operations.

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Certain of the Company's subsidiaries, along with the Company's lenders under certain of the Company's Secured Funding Agreements, have entered into various servicing agreements with ACREM's subsidiary servicer, Ares Commercial Real Estate Servicer LLC ("ACRES"). The Company's Manager will specially service, as needed, certain of the Company's investments. ACRES has agreed that no servicing fees pursuant to these servicing agreements would be charged to the Company or its subsidiaries by ACRES or the Manager for so long as the Management Agreement remains in effect, but that ACRES will continue to receive reimbursement for overhead related to servicing and operational activities pursuant to the terms of the Management Agreement.

The term of the Management Agreement ends on April 25, 2027, with automatic one-year renewal terms. Except under limited circumstances, upon a termination of the Management Agreement, the Company will pay ACREM a termination fee equal to three times the average annual base management fee and incentive fee received by ACREM during the 24-month period immediately preceding the most recently completed fiscal quarter prior to the date of termination, each as described above.

The following table summarizes the related party costs incurred by the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, and amounts payable to the Company's Manager as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 ($ in thousands):

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| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Incurred** | **Incurred** | **Payable** | **Payable** |
| | **For the Three Months Ended March 31,** | **For the Three Months Ended March 31,** | **As of** | **As of** |
| | **2026** | **2025** | **March 31, 2026** | **December 31, 2025** |
| ***Affiliate Payments*** |  |  |  |  |
| Management fees | $2400 | $2567 | $2400 | $2420 |
| Incentive fees |  |  |  |  |
| General and administrative expenses | 787 | 1003 | 1651 | 1641 |
| Direct costs (1) | 48 | 28 | 34 |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Total | $3235 | $3598 | $4085 | $4061 |

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(1)For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, direct costs incurred are included within general and administrative expenses in the Company's consolidated statements of operations.

***Investments in Loans***

From time to time, the Company co-invests with other investment vehicles managed by Ares Management or its affiliates and their portfolio companies, including by means of splitting investments, participating in investments or other means of syndication of investments. For such co-investments, the Company may act as the administrative agent for the holders of such investments provided that the Company maintains a majority of the aggregate investment. No fees will be received by the Company for performing services as administrative agent with respect to co-investments. The Company is responsible for its pro-rata share of costs and expenses for such co-investments, including due diligence costs for transactions which fail to close. The Company's investment in such co-investments is made on a pari-passu basis with the other Ares managed investment vehicles and the Company is not obligated to provide, nor has it provided, any financial support to the other Ares managed investment vehicles. As such, the Company's risk is limited to the carrying amount of its investment and the Company recognizes only the carrying amount of its investment in its consolidated balance sheets. Such investments may raise potential conflicts of interest between the Company and such other Ares managed investment vehicles due to differing investment goals and liquidity needs, and such other Ares managed investment vehicles may take actions that are adverse to the Company's interests, including, but not limited to, during a work-out, restructuring or insolvency proceeding or similar matter occurring with respect to such investment. As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, the total outstanding principal balance for co-investments held by the Company was $722.9 million and $524.8 million, respectively.

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***Loan Acquisitions from or Dispositions to Affiliates***

The Company or one or more affiliates of the Company's Manager may originate commercial real estate loans, which may be made available for purchase by other investment vehicles, including the Company and/or other Ares Management managed investment vehicles, as applicable. From time to time, the Company may purchase or sell such commercial real estate loans from or to affiliates of the Company's Manager. Although the Company's Manager will approve the purchase and sale of such loans only on terms, including the consideration to be paid, that are determined by the Company's Manager in good faith to be appropriate for the Company and provided that the Company has sufficient liquidity, the interests of the Company's Manager could be in conflict with those of the Company. The Company is not obligated to purchase any loans originated by affiliates of the Company's Manager or sell any loans originated by the Company to affiliates of the Manager. In addition, from time to time, the Company may purchase or sell loans, including participations in loans, from or to other Ares Management managed investment vehicles. Loans purchased or sold by the Company from or to affiliates of the Company's Manager or other Ares Management managed investment vehicles are purchased or sold at fair value as determined by an independent third-party valuation expert and are subject to approval by a majority of the Company's independent directors. No loans were purchased or sold by the Company from or to affiliates of the Company's Manager or other Ares Management managed investment vehicles for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025.

**13. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS**

The following table summarizes the Company's dividends declared during the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 ($ in thousands, except per share data):

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| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Date Declared** | **Record Date** | **Payment Date** | **Per Share Amount** | **Total Amount** |
| February 10, 2026 | March 31, 2026 | April 15, 2026 | $0.15 | $8442 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;**Total cash dividends declared for the three months ended March 31, 2026** | &nbsp;&nbsp;**Total cash dividends declared for the three months ended March 31, 2026** | &nbsp;&nbsp;**Total cash dividends declared for the three months ended March 31, 2026** | $0.15 | $8442 |
| February 12, 2025 | March 31, 2025 | April 15, 2025 | $0.15 | $8354 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;**Total cash dividends declared for the three months ended March 31, 2025** | &nbsp;&nbsp;**Total cash dividends declared for the three months ended March 31, 2025** | &nbsp;&nbsp;**Total cash dividends declared for the three months ended March 31, 2025** | $0.15 | $8354 |

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**14. VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES**

***Consolidated VIEs***

As discussed in Note 2, the Company evaluates all of its investments and other interests in entities for consolidation, including its former investment in the FL4 CLO Securitization (as defined below), which was considered to be a variable interest in a VIE.

***FL4 CLO Securitization***

On January 28, 2021, ACRE Commercial Mortgage 2021-FL4 Ltd. (the "FL4 Issuer") and ACRE Commercial Mortgage 2021-FL4 LLC (the "FL4 Co-Issuer"), both wholly-owned indirect subsidiaries of the Company, entered into an Indenture (the "FL4 Indenture") with ACRC Lender LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (the "Seller"), as advancing agent, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as note administrator, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, which governed the issuance of approximately $603.0 million principal balance secured floating rate notes (the "FL4 Notes") and $64.3 million of preferred equity in the FL4 Issuer (the "FL4 CLO Securitization"). For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the FL4 Issuer and FL4 Co-Issuer are disregarded entities.

The sale of assets to the FL4 Issuer was governed by a Mortgage Asset Purchase Agreement between the Seller and the FL4 Issuer, and acknowledged by the Company solely for purposes of confirming its status as a REIT, in which the Seller made certain customary representations, warranties and covenants.

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In connection with the FL4 CLO Securitization, the FL4 Issuer and FL4 Co-Issuer offered and issued the following classes of FL4 Notes to third party investors: Class A, Class A-S, Class B, Class C, Class D and Class E Notes (collectively, the "FL4 Offered Notes"). A wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company retained approximately $62.5 million of the FL4 Notes and all of the $64.3 million of preferred equity in the FL4 Issuer, which totaled $126.8 million. The Company, as the holder of the subordinated FL4 Notes and all of the preferred equity in the FL4 Issuer, had the obligation to absorb losses of the FL4 CLO Securitization, since the Company had a first loss position in the capital structure of the FL4 CLO Securitization. On January 20, 2026, the Company exercised its redemption option under the FL4 CLO Securitization, and in connection therewith, exchanged its remaining FL4 Notes and preferred equity in the FL4 Issuer for the remaining mortgage loans and real estate owned held by the FL4 Issuer. As of December 31, 2025, the FL4 Notes were collateralized by interests in a pool of four mortgage assets having a total principal balance of $138.9 million that were closed by a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and $52.6 million of real estate owned related to an office property, which had collateralized a previous mortgage asset, and was acquired in September 2024 through a deed in lieu of foreclosure. During the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, the Company paid down $99.9 million and $135 thousand of the FL4 Offered Notes, respectively. As of March 31, 2026, all of the FL4 Notes of the FL4 Issuer held by third parties had been repaid in full at par.

As the directing holder of the FL4 CLO Securitization, the Company had the ability to direct activities that could significantly impact the FL4 CLO Securitization's economic performance. ACRES was designated as special servicer of the FL4 CLO Securitization and had the power to direct activities during the loan workout process on defaulted and delinquent loans, which is the activity that most significantly impacted the FL4 CLO Securitization's economic performance. ACRES did not waive the special servicing fee, and the Company paid its overhead costs. If an unrelated third party had the right to unilaterally remove the special servicer, then the Company would not have had the power to direct the activities that most significantly impacted the FL4 CLO Securitization's economic performance. In addition, there were no substantive kick-out rights of any unrelated third party to remove the special servicer without cause. The Company's subsidiaries, as directing holders, had the ability to remove the special servicer without cause. Based on these factors, the Company was determined to be the primary beneficiary of the FL4 CLO Securitization; thus, the FL4 CLO Securitization was consolidated into the Company's consolidated financial statements in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 810 and was structured as a pass through entity that received principal and interest on the underlying collateral and distributed those payments to the note holders, as applicable. The assets and other instruments held by the FL4 CLO Securitization were restricted and could only be used to fulfill the obligations of the FL4 CLO Securitization. Additionally, the obligations of the FL4 CLO Securitization did not have any recourse to the general credit of any other consolidated entities, nor to the Company as the primary beneficiary.

The inclusion of the assets and liabilities of the FL4 CLO Securitization of which the Company was deemed the primary beneficiary had no economic effect on the Company. The Company's exposure to the obligations of the FL4 CLO Securitization were generally limited to its investment in the entity. The Company was not obligated to provide, nor did it provide, any financial support for the consolidated structure. As such, the risk associated with the Company's involvement in the FL4 CLO Securitization was limited to the carrying amount of its investment.

***Non-consolidated VIEs***

The Company evaluated its senior mortgage loan investment that is collateralized by a residential condominium property located in New York, and it was determined to be an interest in a VIE. However, the Company was not deemed to be the primary beneficiary. The Company's exposure to the obligations of the VIE is generally limited to its investment and the Company is not obligated to provide, nor has it provided, any financial support to the VIE. As such, the risk associated with the Company's involvement in the VIE is limited to the carrying amount of its investment. As of March 31, 2026, the Company's maximum risk of loss was $136.5 million, which represents the Carrying Value of the its investment in the VIE.

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**15. SEGMENT INFORMATION**

As described in Note 1 included in these consolidated financial statements, the Company operates as a single reportable segment, which derives its revenues by directly originating and managing a diversified portfolio of CRE debt-related investments. The Company manages its business activities on a consolidated basis and the accounting policies of the segment are the same as those described in Note 2 included in these consolidated financial statements. The Company's Chief Operating Decision Maker ("CODM") is the chief executive officer.

The CODM assesses performance for the segment and decides how to allocate resources based on net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders. The measure of segment assets is reported in the consolidated balance sheets as total assets.

The following table summarizes the information about segment net income (loss) and significant segment expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 ($ in thousands):

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| | **For the Three Months Ended March 31,** | **For the Three Months Ended March 31,** |
| | **2026** | **2025** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Net interest margin | $7545 | $9291 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Revenue from real estate owned | 5915 | 5657 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Total revenue | 13460 | 14948 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Expenses from real estate owned | (3134) | (4495) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;(Provision for) reversal of current expected credit losses, net | (11138) | 5340 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Realized losses on loans | (3340) |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Other segment items (1) | (5453) | (6448) |
| **Segment net income (loss)** | (9605) | 9345 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Adjustments and reconciling items |  |  |
| **Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders** | $(9605) | $9345 |

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(1)Other segment items included in Segment net income (loss) include, as applicable, management and incentive fees to affiliate, professional fees, general and administrative expenses, general and administrative expenses reimbursed to affiliate and income tax expense (benefit), including excise tax.

**16. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS**

The Company's management has evaluated subsequent events through the date of issuance of the consolidated financial statements included herein. There have been no subsequent events that occurred during such period that would require disclosure in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q or would be required to be recognized in the consolidated financial statements as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2026, except as disclosed below.

On April 14, 2026, the Company closed a $25.0 million senior mortgage loan as part of a co-investment on a multifamily property located in Tennessee. At closing, the outstanding principal balance was $22.2 million. The loan has a per annum interest rate of SOFR plus 2.55%.

On April 16, 2026, the Company closed a $69.7 million senior mortgage loan as part of a co-investment on a portfolio of self storage properties located in various states. At closing, the outstanding principal balance was $64.7 million. The loan has a per annum interest rate of SOFR plus 2.70%.

The Company's board of directors declared a regular cash dividend of $0.15 per common share for the second quarter of 2026. The second quarter 2026 dividend will be payable on July 15, 2026 to common stockholders of record as of June 30, 2026.

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**Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations**

**Overview**

We are a specialty finance company primarily engaged in directly originating and investing in commercial real estate ("CRE") loans and related investments. We are externally managed by ACREM, a subsidiary of Ares Management Corporation (NYSE: ARES) ("Ares Management"), a publicly traded, leading global alternative investment manager, pursuant to the terms of the amended and restated management agreement dated July 26, 2022, between us and our Manager (the "Management Agreement"). From the commencement of our operations in late 2011, we have been primarily focused on directly originating and managing a diversified portfolio of CRE debt-related investments for our own account.

We were formed and commenced operations in late 2011. We are a Maryland corporation and completed our initial public offering in May 2012. We have elected and qualified to be taxed as a REIT for United States federal income tax purposes under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2012. We generally will not be subject to United States federal income taxes on our REIT taxable income as long as we annually distribute to stockholders an amount at least equal to our REIT taxable income prior to the deduction for dividends paid and comply with various other requirements as a REIT. We also operate our business in a manner that is intended to permit us to maintain our exemption from registration under the 1940 Act.

**Developments During the First Quarter of 2026:**

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• We closed a $100.0 million senior mortgage loan as part of a co-investment on a multifamily property located in New York.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• We closed a $50.0 million senior mortgage loan as part of a co-investment on a mixed-use property located in New York.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• We closed a $143.5 million senior mortgage loan as part of a co-investment on a retail property located in California, of which $75.0 million is classified as held for investment and $68.5 million is classified as held for sale.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• We exercised each of our two $50.0 million accordion options on the Citibank Facility to increase the maximum commitment from $325.0 million to $425.0 million with payment of an upsize fee.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• We amended the CNB Facility to, among other things, extend the maturity date to December 31, 2026.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• We exercised our $100.0 million accordion option on the Morgan Stanley Facility to increase the maximum commitment from $150.0 million to $250.0 million with payment of an upsize fee. Subsequently, we amended the Morgan Stanley Facility to, among other things, (1) increase the maximum commitment from $250.0 million to $350.0 million and include an accordion provision such that the maximum commitment may be increased to up to $400.0 million at our option, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including payment of an upsize fee and (2) extend the initial maturity date to July 16, 2029, subject to one 12-month extension, which may be exercised at the our option assuming no existing defaults under the Morgan Stanley Facility and the applicable extension fee being paid, which, if exercised, would extend the maturity date to July 16, 2030.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• We exercised our redemption option under the FL4 CLO Securitization and, in connection therewith, all of the outstanding notes of the FL4 CLO Securitization held by third parties were repaid in full at par through a refinancing of the remaining underlying loans held for investment and real estate owned under our existing Secured Funding Agreements.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• We received a discounted payoff of a $28.2 million senior mortgage loan, which was collateralized by a multifamily property in Pennsylvania, in conjunction with the sale of the multifamily property by the borrower. At the time of the discounted payoff, the senior mortgage loan was on non-accrual status. For the three months ended March 31, 2026, we received $0.4 million of interest payments in cash on the senior Pennsylvania loan that was recognized as a reduction to the Carrying Value of the loan and the borrower was current on all contractual interest payments. We recognized a realized loss of $3.3 million as the Carrying Value exceeded the net proceeds from the payoff of the loan.

**Trends Affecting Our Business**

During the first quarter of 2026, the U.S. economy continued to expand, supported by continued consumer spending with moderating expectations for U.S. gross domestic product growth and low levels of unemployment amidst heightened geopolitical tensions. During this time, the commercial real estate market exhibited stable to improving conditions. Specifically, individual property transaction volumes expanded while broad market indices demonstrated flat to increasing commercial real estate values on a year-over-year basis.

Aiding valuations, new construction starts remained near or at 10-year lows across multifamily, industrial, retail and office property types and lending markets remained supportive given increased activity from capital markets and banks.

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While the Federal Reserve has signaled a potential for interest rate reductions in 2026, there is no certainty that there will be a decrease in interest rates or of the magnitude or pace of potential decreases, especially if inflation accelerates.

Rising operating costs, such as property insurance and raw material costs for property development and improvements, placed pressure on cash flow performance across many real estate property types. Although certain markets are showing a recovery, office properties nationally continue to experience challenges driven by remote work and elevated costs to operate, improve or repurpose these office properties. These factors have largely resulted in lower demand for office space and have driven elevated levels of vacancy rates and default rates. Offsetting some of these challenges, there has been a significant decline in new commercial real estate development that began in 2023 and has continued benefitting existing in-demand property types. Ultimately, this lack of new future inventory may result in a shortage of contemporary, in-demand properties in the years to come, furthering the disparity between supply and demand dynamics. In addition, there is a significant amount of unspent capital targeting commercial real estate properties that could support values and elevate transaction activities.

Uncertainty around U.S. economic and foreign policies, international relations and their potential impact to the U.S. economy has increased risk. Should the risks from these factors become more acute, the commercial real estate market we service may be adversely impacted.

**Factors Impacting Our Operating Results**

The results of our operations are affected by a number of factors and primarily depend on, among other things, the level of our net interest income, the market value of our assets, including the real estate collateralizing our investments, and the supply of, and demand for, commercial mortgage loans, CRE debt and other financial assets in the marketplace. Our net interest income, which reflects the amortization of origination fees and direct costs, is recognized based on the contractual rate and the outstanding principal balance of the loans we originate. Interest rates vary according to the type of investment, conditions in the financial markets, creditworthiness of our borrowers, competition and other factors, none of which can be predicted with any certainty. Our operating results are also impacted by credit losses in excess of initial anticipations or unanticipated credit events experienced by borrowers.

**Stock Repurchase Program**

On July 30, 2025, our board of directors extended the Repurchase Program of up to $50.0 million, which is expected to be in effect until July 31, 2026, or until the approved dollar amount has been used to repurchase shares. Pursuant to the Repurchase Program, we may repurchase shares of our common stock in amounts, at prices and at such times as we deem appropriate, subject to market conditions and other considerations, including all applicable legal requirements. Repurchases may include purchases on the open market or privately negotiated transactions, under Rule 10b5-1 trading plans, under accelerated share repurchase programs, in tender offers and otherwise. The Repurchase Program does not obligate us to acquire any particular amount of shares of our common stock and may be modified or suspended at any time at our discretion. During the three months ended March 31, 2026, we did not repurchase any shares through the Repurchase Program.

**Loans Held for Investment Portfolio**

As of March 31, 2026, our portfolio included 35 loans held for investment, excluding 197 loans that were repaid, sold, converted to real estate owned or written-off since inception. As of March 31, 2026, the aggregate originated commitment under these loans at closing was approximately $1.9 billion and outstanding principal was $1.7 billion. During the three months ended March 31, 2026, we funded approximately $201.7 million of outstanding principal and received repayments of $94.3 million of outstanding principal. As of March 31, 2026, 88.5% of our loans have SOFR floors, with a weighted average floor of 1.64%, calculated based on loans with SOFR floors. References to SOFR or "S" are to 30-day SOFR (unless otherwise specifically stated).

Other than as set forth in Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements included in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, as of March 31, 2026, all loans held for investment were paying in accordance with their contractual terms.

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Our loans held for investment are accounted for at amortized cost. The following table summarizes our loans held for investment as of March 31, 2026 ($ in thousands):

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| | | | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **As of March 31, 2026** | **As of March 31, 2026** | **As of March 31, 2026** | **As of March 31, 2026** | **As of March 31, 2026** | **As of March 31, 2026** | **As of March 31, 2026** |
| | **Carrying Value (1)** | **Outstanding Principal (1)** | **Weighted Average Unleveraged Effective Yield** | **Weighted Average Unleveraged Effective Yield** | **Weighted Average Unleveraged Effective Yield** | **Weighted Average Unleveraged Effective Yield** | **Weighted Average Remaining Life (Years) (4)** |
| Senior mortgage loans | $1610092 | $1690176 | 5.8% | (2) | 7.3% | (3) | 1.4 |
| Subordinated debt and preferred equity investments | 19274 | 21102 | 2.7% | (2) | 6.6% | (3) | 1.1 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Total loans held for investment portfolio | $1629366 | $1711278 | 5.8% | (2) | 7.3% | (3) | 1.4 |

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_______________________________

(1)The difference between the Carrying Value and the Outstanding Principal amount of the loans held for investment consists of unamortized purchase discounts, deferred loan fees and origination costs and cost-recovery proceeds.

(2)Unleveraged Effective Yield is the compounded effective rate of return that would be earned over the life of the investment based on the contractual interest rate (adjusted for any deferred loan fees, costs, premiums or discounts) and assumes no dispositions, early prepayments or defaults. The total Weighted Average Unleveraged Effective Yield is calculated based on the average of Unleveraged Effective Yield of all loans held by us as of March 31, 2026 as weighted by the outstanding principal balance of each loan.

(3)Unleveraged Effective Yield is the compounded effective rate of return that would be earned over the life of the investment based on the contractual interest rate (adjusted for any deferred loan fees, costs, premiums or discounts) and assumes no dispositions, early prepayments or defaults. The total Weighted Average Unleveraged Effective Yield is calculated based on the average of Unleveraged Effective Yield of all interest accruing loans held by us as of March 31, 2026 as weighted by the total outstanding principal balance of each interest accruing loan (excludes loans on non-accrual status as of March 31, 2026).

(4)Remaining Life is based on contractual maturity date and does not include contractual extension options not yet exercised.

**Critical Accounting Estimates** 

Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts. These estimates and assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors management believes to be reasonable. Actual results may differ from those estimates and assumptions. For a description of our critical accounting estimates, please see Part II, "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

**RECENT DEVELOPMENTS**

On April 14, 2026, we closed a $25.0 million senior mortgage loan as part of a co-investment on a multifamily property located in Tennessee. At closing, the outstanding principal balance was $22.2 million. The loan has a per annum interest rate of SOFR plus 2.55%.

On April 16, 2026, we closed a $69.7 million senior mortgage loan as part of a co-investment on a portfolio of self storage properties located in various states. At closing, the outstanding principal balance was $64.7 million. The loan has a per annum interest rate of SOFR plus 2.70%.

Our board of directors declared a regular cash dividend of $0.15 per common share for the second quarter of 2026. The second quarter 2026 dividend will be payable on July 15, 2026 to common stockholders of record as of June 30, 2026.

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**RESULTS OF OPERATIONS**

The following table sets forth a summary of our consolidated results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 ($ in thousands):

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| | **For the Three Months Ended March 31,** | **For the Three Months Ended March 31,** |
| | **2026** | **2025** |
| Total revenue | $13460 | $14948 |
| Total expenses | (8557) | (10662) |
| (Provision for) reversal of current expected credit losses, net | (11138) | 5340 |
| Realized losses on loans | (3340) |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**Income (loss) before income taxes** | (9575) | 9626 |
| Income tax expense (benefit), including excise tax | 30 | 281 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders** | $(9605) | $9345 |

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The following tables set forth select details of our consolidated results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 ($ in thousands):

**Net Interest Margin**

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| | **For the Three Months Ended March 31,** | **For the Three Months Ended March 31,** |
| | **2026** | **2025** |
| Interest income | $24906 | $27480 |
| Interest expense | (17361) | (18189) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**Net interest margin** | $7545 | $9291 |

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For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, net interest margin was approximately $7.5 million and $9.3 million, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, interest income of $24.9 million and $27.5 million, respectively, was generated by weighted average earning assets of $1.7 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively, offset by $17.4 million and $18.2 million, respectively, of interest expense, unused fees and amortization of deferred loan costs. The weighted average borrowings under the Secured Funding Agreements, the Secured Term Loan and securitization debt, as applicable, were $1.2 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and $1.1 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2025. The decrease in net interest margin for the three months ended March 31, 2026 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025 is primarily due to a decrease in SOFR rates on our loans held for investment and a decrease in the weighted average interest-bearing cash and cash equivalents balances held for the three months ended March 31, 2026 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025.

**Revenue From Real Estate Owned**

On September 19, 2024, we acquired legal title to a multi-building office property located in North Carolina through a deed in lieu of foreclosure. Prior to September 19, 2024, the office property collateralized a $68.6 million senior mortgage loan that we held that was in maturity default due to the failure of the borrower to repay the outstanding principal balance of the loan by the May 2024 maturity date. In conjunction with the deed in lieu of foreclosure, we derecognized the $68.6 million senior mortgage loan and recognized the office property as real estate owned. Revenues from this property consist primarily of rental revenue from operating leases. For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, revenue from real estate owned related to this property was $2.7 million and $2.4 million, respectively.

On September 8, 2023, we acquired legal title to a mixed-use property located in Florida through a consensual foreclosure. Prior to September 8, 2023, the mixed-use property collateralized an $82.9 million senior mortgage loan that we held that was in maturity default due to the failure of the borrower to repay the outstanding principal balance of the loan by the February 2023 maturity date. In conjunction with the consensual foreclosure, we derecognized the $82.9 million senior mortgage loan and recognized the mixed-use property as real estate owned. Revenues from this property consist primarily of rental revenue from operating leases. For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, revenue from real estate owned related to this property was $3.2 million and $3.3 million, respectively.

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**Operating Expenses**

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| | **For the Three Months Ended March 31,** | **For the Three Months Ended March 31,** |
| | **2026** | **2025** |
| Management and incentive fees to affiliate | $2400 | $2567 |
| Professional fees | 819 | 877 |
| General and administrative expenses | 1417 | 1720 |
| General and administrative expenses reimbursed to affiliate | 787 | 1003 |
| Expenses from real estate owned | 3134 | 4495 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**Total expenses** | $8557 | $10662 |

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See the Related Party Expenses, Other Expenses and Expenses from Real Estate Owned discussions below for the cause of the changes in operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2026 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

***Related Party Expenses***

For the three months ended March 31, 2026, related party expenses included $2.4 million in management fees due to our Manager pursuant to the Management Agreement. No incentive fees were incurred for the three months ended March 31, 2026. For the three months ended March 31, 2026, related party expenses also included $0.8 million for our share of allocable general and administrative expenses for which we were required to reimburse our Manager pursuant to the Management Agreement. For the three months ended March 31, 2025, related party expenses included $2.6 million in management fees due to our Manager pursuant to the Management Agreement. No incentive fees were incurred for the three months ended March 31, 2025. For the three months ended March 31, 2025, related party expenses also included $1.0 million for our share of allocable general and administrative expenses for which we were required to reimburse our Manager pursuant to the Management Agreement. The decrease in management fees for the three months ended March 31, 2026 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025 primarily relates to a decrease in our weighted average stockholders' equity for the three months ended March 31, 2026 as a result of realized losses on loans. The decrease in allocable general and administrative expenses due to our Manager for the three months ended March 31, 2026 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025 relates to changes in the mix of employees of our Manager that allocated time to us.

***Other Expenses***

For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, professional fees were $0.8 million and $0.9 million, respectively, which was relatively consistent for both periods. For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, general and administrative expenses were $1.4 million and $1.7 million, respectively. The decrease in general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2026 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025 primarily relates to a decrease in stock-based compensation expense due to a reduction in the weighted average grant date fair value for restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards granted after March 31, 2025 and a reduction in various operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2026.

***Expenses From Real Estate Owned***

For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, expenses from real estate owned were comprised of the following ($ in thousands):

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| | **For the Three Months Ended March 31,** | **For the Three Months Ended March 31,** |
| | **2026** | **2025** |
| Mixed-use property operating expenses | $1213 | $1227 |
| Office property operating expenses | 1009 | 1095 |
| Depreciation and amortization expense | 912 | 2173 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**Expenses from real estate owned** | $3134 | $4495 |

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For both the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, mixed-use property operating expenses were $1.2 million. Mixed-use property operating expenses consisted primarily of expenses incurred in the day-to-day operation of our mixed-use property, including common area maintenance costs, property taxes and insurance. Common area maintenance costs include items such as maintenance and repairs, utilities, janitorial services, security and property management fees.

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For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, office property operating expenses were $1.0 million and $1.1 million, respectively, which was relatively consistent for both periods and consists of operating expenses for our multi-building office property that was acquired on September 19, 2024. Office property operating expenses consisted primarily of expenses incurred in the day-to-day operation of our office property, including common area maintenance costs, property taxes and insurance. Common area maintenance costs include items such as maintenance and repairs, utilities, janitorial services, security and property management fees.

For the three months ended March 31, 2026, depreciation and amortization expense was $0.9 million and relates primarily to our mixed-use property acquired on September 8, 2023. For the three months ended March 31, 2026, no depreciation or amortization expense was incurred for our multi-building office property acquired on September 19, 2024 as the multi-building office property was classified as real estate owned held for sale. For the three months ended March 31, 2025, depreciation and amortization expense was $2.2 million and related primarily to our mixed-use property acquired on September 8, 2023 and our multi-building office property acquired on September 19, 2024.

**(Provision for) Reversal of Current Expected Credit Losses, Net**

For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, the net (provision for) reversal of current expected credit losses was $(11.1) million and $5.3 million, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2026, the net provision for current expected credit losses is primarily due to changes in loan and collateral specific attributes and new loan closings during the three months ended March 31, 2026. These factors were partially offset by a realized loss on a multifamily loan, resulting in a reversal of the associated CECL Reserve, shorter average remaining loan term, loan repayments, a relative improvement in the near-term macroeconomic forecasts and changes in loan and collateral specific attributes during the three months ended March 31, 2026. For the three months ended March 31, 2025, the net reversal of current expected credit losses was primarily due to a relative improvement in the near-term macroeconomic forecasts, shorter average remaining loan term and loan repayments during the three months ended March 31, 2025.

The CECL Reserve takes into consideration our estimates relating to the impact of macroeconomic conditions on CRE properties and is not specific to any loan losses or impairments on our loans held for investment, unless we determine that a specifically identifiable reserve is warranted for a select asset. Additionally, the CECL Reserve is not an indicator of what we expect our CECL Reserve would have been absent the current and potential future impacts of macroeconomic conditions.

**Realized Losses on Loans**

In March 2026, we received a discounted payoff on a senior mortgage loan with outstanding principal of $28.2 million, which was collateralized by a multifamily property located in Pennsylvania. The discounted payoff was received in conjunction with the sale of the multifamily property by the borrower. For the three months ended March 31, 2026, we recognized a realized loss of $3.3 million in our consolidated statements of operations upon the payoff of the senior mortgage loan as the Carrying Value exceeded the net proceeds from the payoff of the loan.

**LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES**

Liquidity is a measure of our ability to meet potential cash requirements, including ongoing commitments to repay borrowings, fund and maintain our assets and operations, make distributions to our stockholders, repurchase shares and other general business needs. We use significant cash to purchase our target investments, make principal and interest payments on our borrowings, make distributions to our stockholders and fund our operations.

Our primary sources of cash generally consist of unused borrowing capacity under our Secured Funding Agreements, payments of principal and interest we receive on our portfolio of assets, cash generated from our operating activities and the net proceeds of future equity offerings, if any.

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We expect our primary sources of cash to continue to be sufficient to fund our operating activities and cash commitments for investing and financing activities for at least the next 12 months and thereafter for the foreseeable future. As a result of the commercial real estate environment during 2025 and 2026, certain borrowers have been unable to make interest and principal payments timely, including at the maturity date of the borrower's loan. We increase our CECL Reserve from time to time, as necessary, to reflect this risk. Our Secured Funding Agreements contain margin call provisions following the occurrence of certain mortgage loan credit events. If we are unable to make the required payment or if we fail to meet or satisfy any of the covenants in our Financing Agreements, we would be in default under these agreements, and our lenders could elect to declare outstanding amounts due and payable, terminate their commitments, require the posting of additional collateral, including cash to satisfy margin calls, and enforce their interests against existing collateral. For example, certain of our Financing Agreements contain (i) negative covenants that limit, among other things, our ability to repurchase our common stock, make distributions to our stockholders, employ leverage beyond certain amounts, sell assets, engage in mergers or consolidations, grant liens, and enter into transactions with affiliates (including amending the Management Agreement in a material respect) and (ii) operating and financial covenants, including those requiring us to maintain a certain tangible net worth, asset coverage ratio, total net leverage ratio and loan concentration. We are also subject to cross-default and acceleration rights with respect to our Financing Agreements. If we experience borrower default as a result of macroeconomic conditions or otherwise, we may not be able to negotiate modifications to our borrowings with our lenders or receive financing from our Secured Funding Agreements with respect to our commitments to fund our loans held for investment in the future. See "Summary of Financing Agreements" below for a description of our Financing Agreements.

Subject to maintaining our qualification as a REIT and our exemption from registration under the 1940 Act, we expect that our primary sources of liquidity will be financing, to the extent available to us, through credit, secured funding and other lending facilities, other sources of private financing, including warehouse and repurchase facilities, and public or private offerings of our equity or debt securities. Macroeconomic conditions may impair our ability to access the financing and capital markets. Furthermore, we have sold, and may continue to sell certain of our mortgage loans, or interests therein, in order to manage liquidity needs. Subject to maintaining our qualification as a REIT, we may also change our dividend practice, including by reducing the amount of, or temporarily suspending, our future dividends or making dividends that are payable in cash and shares of our common stock for some period of time. We may also continue or discontinue share repurchases under the Repurchase Program.

Ares Management or one of its investment vehicles may originate mortgage loans. We have had and may continue to have the opportunity to purchase such loans that are determined by our Manager in good faith to be appropriate for us, depending on our available liquidity. Ares Management or one of its investment vehicles may also acquire mortgage loans from us.

We have commitments to fund various senior mortgage loans, as well as subordinated debt and preferred equity investments in our portfolio. Other than as set forth in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, we do not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured investment vehicles, special purpose entities or variable interest entities, established to facilitate off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. Further, we have not guaranteed any obligations of unconsolidated entities or entered into any commitment or intend to provide additional funding to any such entities.

As of May 4, 2026, we had approximately $101 million in liquidity including $24 million of cash and $77 million of availability under our Secured Funding Agreements.

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**Cash Flows**

The following table sets forth changes in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 ($ in thousands):

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| | **For the Three Months Ended March 31,** | **For the Three Months Ended March 31,** |
| | **2026** | **2025** |
| Net income (loss) | $(9605) | $9345 |
| Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | (47003) | (1335) |
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | (56608) | 8010 |
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | (89775) | 298739 |
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 213558 | (243960) |
| Change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | $67175 | $62789 |

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During the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash increased by $67.2 million and $62.8 million, respectively.

***Operating Activities***

For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, net cash provided by (used in) operating activities totaled $(56.6) million and $8.0 million, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2026, adjustments to net income (loss) related to operating activities primarily included the origination of a loan held for sale with a carrying amount of $60.5 million, the net provision for current expected credit losses of $11.1 million, accretion of discounts, deferred loan origination fees and costs of $1.2 million, amortization of deferred financing costs of $1.1 million, realized losses on loans of $3.3 million and change in other assets of $3.5 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2025, adjustments to net income (loss) related to operating activities primarily included the net reversal of current expected credit losses of $5.3 million, accretion of discounts, deferred loan origination fees and costs of $1.3 million, amortization of deferred financing costs of $1.2 million and change in other assets of $1.6 million.

***Investing Activities***

For the three months ended March 31, 2026, net cash used in investing activities totaled $89.8 million and was primarily related to cash used for the origination and funding of loans held for investment exceeding cash received from principal collections and cost-recovery proceeds on loans held for investment. For the three months ended March 31, 2025, net cash provided by investing activities totaled $298.7 million and was primarily related to cash received from principal collections and cost-recovery proceeds on loans held for investment exceeding the cash used for the origination and funding of loans held for investment.

***Financing Activities***

For the three months ended March 31, 2026, net cash provided by financing activities totaled $213.6 million and was primarily related to proceeds from our Secured Funding Agreements of $333.0 million partially offset by repayments of our Secured Funding Agreements of $9.1 million, repayments of debt of consolidated VIEs of $99.9 million and dividends paid of $8.4 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2025, net cash used in financing activities totaled $244.0 million and was primarily related to repayments of our Secured Funding Agreements of $28.9 million, repayments of debt of consolidated VIEs of $304.0 million, repayments of our Secured Term Loan of $10.0 million and dividends paid of $13.9 million, partially offset by proceeds from our Secured Funding Agreements of $114.8 million.

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**Summary of Financing Agreements**

The sources of financing, as applicable in a given period, under our Financing Agreements are described in the following table ($ in thousands):

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| | | | | | | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **As of** | **As of** | **As of** | **As of** | **As of** | **As of** | **As of** | **As of** | **As of** | |
| | **March 31, 2026** | **March 31, 2026** | **March 31, 2026** | **March 31, 2026** | | **December 31, 2025** | **December 31, 2025** | **December 31, 2025** | **December 31, 2025** | |
| | **Total <br>Commitment** | **Outstanding Balance** | **Interest Rate** | **Maturity Date** | | **Total <br>Commitment** | **Outstanding Balance** | **Interest Rate** | **Maturity Date** | |
| **Secured Funding Agreements:** | **Secured Funding Agreements:** | | | | | | | | | |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Wells Fargo Facility | $600000 | $567904 | SOFR+1.35 to 3.75% | February 10, 2028 | (1) | $600000 | $438911 | SOFR+1.40 to 3.75% | February 10, 2028 | (1) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Citibank Facility | 425000 | 389562 | SOFR+1.50 to 3.00% | January 13, 2027 | (2) | 325000 | 269265 | SOFR+1.50 to 3.00% | January 13, 2027 | (2) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;CNB Facility | 75000 |  | SOFR+3.25% | December 31, 2026 | (3) | 75000 |  | SOFR+3.25% | March 10, 2026 | (3) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Morgan Stanley Facility | 350000 | 224630 | SOFR+1.75 to 3.50% | July 16, 2029 | (4) | 150000 | 150000 | SOFR+1.75 to 3.50% | July 16, 2026 | (4) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subtotal | $1450000 | $1182096 |  |  |  | $1150000 | $858176 |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Secured Term Loan | $90000 | $90000 | 5.50% | November 12, 2026 | (5) | $90000 | $90000 | 5.25% | November 12, 2026 | (5) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Total | $1540000 | $1272096 |  |  |  | $1240000 | $948176 |  |  |  |

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(1)The maturity date of the master repurchase funding facility with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (the "Wells Fargo Facility") is subject to two 12-month extensions, each of which may be exercised at our option provided that certain conditions are met and applicable extension fees are paid.

(2)The maturity date of the master repurchase facility with Citibank, N.A. (the "Citibank Facility") is subject to two 12-month extensions, each of which may be exercised at our option provided that certain conditions are met and applicable extension fees are paid. In March 2026, we exercised each of our two $50.0 million accordion options on the Citibank Facility to increase the maximum commitment from $325.0 million to $425.0 million with payment of an upsize fee.

(3)In March 2026, we amended the secured revolving funding facility with City National Bank (the "CNB Facility") to, among other things, extend the maturity date to December 31, 2026. The interest rate on advances under the CNB Facility is a per annum rate equal to the sum of, at our option, either (a) a SOFR-based rate plus 3.25% or (b) a base rate plus 2.25%, in each case, subject to an interest rate floor. The amount immediately available under the CNB Facility at any given time can fluctuate based on the fair value of the collateral in the borrowing base that secures the CNB Facility. As of March 31, 2026, there was $51.1 million of immediate availability under the CNB Facility based on the fair value of the collateral in the borrowing base at such time. The amount immediately available under the CNB Facility may be increased to up to $75.0 million by the pledge of additional collateral into the borrowing base in accordance with the CNB Facility agreement.

(4)In January 2026, we exercised our $100.0 million accordion option on the master repurchase and securities contract with Morgan Stanley (the "Morgan Stanley Facility") to increase the maximum commitment from $150.0 million to $250.0 million with payment of an upsize fee. Subsequently, in March 2026, we amended the Morgan Stanley Facility to, among other things, (1) increase the maximum commitment from $250.0 million to $350.0 million and include an accordion provision such that the maximum commitment may be increased to up to $400.0 million at our option, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including payment of an upsize fee and (2) extend the initial maturity date to July 16, 2029, subject to one 12-month extension, which may be exercised at our option provided that certain conditions are met and the applicable extension fee is paid.

(5)The maturity date of the Credit and Guaranty Agreement with the lenders referred to therein and Cortland Capital Market Services LLC, as administrative agent and collateral agent for the lenders (the "Secured Term Loan") is November 12, 2026. Advances under the Secured Term Loan are set to the following fixed rates: (i) 4.50% per annum until May 1, 2025 and (ii) after May 1, 2025 through November 12, 2026, the interest rate increases 0.25% every three months.

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Our Financing Agreements contain various affirmative and negative covenants, including negative pledges, and provisions related to events of default that are normal and customary for similar financing agreements. As of March 31, 2026, we were in compliance with all financial covenants of each respective Financing Agreement. We may be required to fund commitments on our loans held for investment in the future and we may not receive funding from our Secured Funding Agreements with respect to these commitments. See Note 6 to our consolidated financial statements included in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for more information on our Financing Agreements.

**Securitizations**

On January 20, 2026, we exercised our redemption option under the FL4 CLO Securitization, and in connection therewith, exchanged our remaining FL4 Notes and preferred equity in the FL4 Issuer for the remaining mortgage loans and real estate owned held by the FL4 Issuer and all of the FL4 Notes held by third parties were repaid in full at par. Therefore, as of March 31, 2026, there were no FL4 Notes outstanding.

**Leverage Policies**

We intend to use prudent amounts of leverage to increase potential returns to our stockholders. To that end, subject to maintaining our qualification as a REIT and our exemption from registration under the 1940 Act, we intend to continue to use borrowings to fund the origination or acquisition of our target investments. Given current macroeconomic conditions and our focus on first or senior mortgages, we currently expect that such leverage would not exceed, on a debt-to-equity basis, a 4.5-to-1 ratio. Our charter and bylaws do not restrict the amount of leverage that we may use. The amount of leverage we deploy for particular investments in our target investments depends upon our Manager's assessment of a variety of factors, which includes, among others, our liquidity position, the anticipated liquidity and price volatility of the assets in our loans held for investment portfolio, the potential for losses and extension risk in our portfolio, the gap between the duration of our assets and liabilities, including hedges, the availability and cost of financing the assets, our opinion of the creditworthiness of our financing counterparties, the impact of the macroeconomic environment on the United States economy generally or in specific geographic regions and commercial mortgage markets, our outlook for the level and volatility of interest rates, the slope of the yield curve, the credit quality of our assets, the collateral underlying our assets, and our outlook for asset spreads relative to the SOFR curve or another alternative interest index rate commonly used for floating rate loans.

**Dividends**

We elected to be taxed as a REIT for United States federal income tax purposes and, as such, anticipate annually distributing to our stockholders at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, prior to the deduction for dividends paid. If we distribute less than 100% of our REIT taxable income in any tax year (taking into account any distributions made in a subsequent tax year under Sections 857(b)(9) or 858 of the Code), we will pay tax at regular corporate rates on that undistributed portion. Furthermore, if we distribute less than the sum of (1) 85% of our ordinary income for the calendar year, (2) 95% of our capital gain net income for the calendar year and (3) any undistributed shortfall from our prior calendar year (the "Required Distribution") to our stockholders during any calendar year (including any distributions declared by the last day of the calendar year but paid in the subsequent year), then we are required to pay non-deductible excise tax equal to 4% of any shortfall between the Required Distribution and the amount that was actually distributed. Any of these taxes would decrease cash available for distribution to our stockholders. The 90% distribution requirement does not require the distribution of net capital gains. However, if we elect to retain any of our net capital gain for any tax year, we must notify our stockholders and pay tax at regular corporate rates on the retained net capital gain. The stockholders must include their proportionate share of the retained net capital gain in their taxable income for the tax year, receive a credit for their share of the tax paid by such REIT, and are deemed to have paid the REIT's tax on their proportionate share of the retained capital gain. Furthermore, such retained capital gain may be subject to the nondeductible 4% excise tax. If we determine that our estimated current year taxable income (including net capital gain) will be in excess of estimated dividend distributions (including capital gains dividends) for the current year from such income, we accrue excise tax on a portion of the estimated excess taxable income as such taxable income is earned.

Before we make any distributions, whether for United States federal income tax purposes or otherwise, we must first meet both our operating and debt service requirements under our Financing Agreements. If our cash available for distribution is less than our REIT taxable income, we could be required to sell assets or borrow funds to make cash distributions or we may elect to make a portion of the Required Distribution in the form of a taxable stock distribution or distribution of debt securities.

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**Item 3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk** 

As part of our risk management strategy, our Manager closely monitors our portfolio and actively manages the credit, interest rate, market, prepayment, financing, real estate and inflation risks associated with holding a portfolio of our target investments. We manage our portfolio through an interactive process with our Manager and Ares Management. Our Manager has an Investment Committee that oversees compliance with our investment strategy and guidelines, loans held for investment portfolio holdings and financing strategy. We seek to manage our risks related to the credit quality of our assets, interest rates, liquidity, prepayment rates and market value while, at the same time, seeking to provide an opportunity to stockholders to realize attractive risk-adjusted returns through ownership of our capital stock. While we do not seek to avoid risk completely, we believe the risks can be quantified from historical experience and seek to actively manage those risks, to earn sufficient compensation to justify taking those risks and to maintain capital levels consistent with the risks we undertake.

***Credit Risk***

We are subject to varying degrees of credit risk in connection with holding our target investments. We have exposure to credit risk on our CRE loans held for investment. Our Manager seeks to manage credit risk by performing a due diligence process prior to origination or acquisition and through the use of non-recourse financing, when and where available and appropriate. Credit risk is also addressed through our Manager's ongoing review of our loans held for investment portfolio. In addition, with respect to any particular target investment, our Manager's investment team evaluates, among other things, relative valuation, comparable analysis, supply and demand trends, shape of yield curves, delinquency and default rates, recovery of various sectors and vintage of collateral.

In the commercial real estate market, certain borrowers have not been able to repay principal upon the loan maturity and may not be able to qualify for loan extensions. Additionally, when tenants are not able to pay rent to their landlords, property owners have difficulties making payments to their lenders. We have continued regular dialogue with our borrowers and our financing providers to assess this credit risk.

***Interest Rate Risk***

Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including fiscal, monetary and trade policies and domestic and international economic and political considerations, as well as other factors beyond our control. We are subject to interest rate risk in connection with our assets and our related financing obligations, including our borrowings under the Financing Agreements. We primarily originate or acquire floating rate mortgage assets and finance those assets with index-matched floating rate liabilities. As a result, we significantly reduce our exposure to changes in portfolio value and cash flow variability related to changes in interest rates. In addition, we regularly measure our exposure to interest rate risk and assess interest rate risk and manage our interest rate exposure on an ongoing basis by comparing our interest rate sensitive assets to our interest rate sensitive liabilities. Based on that review, we determine whether or not we should enter into hedging transactions and derivative financial instruments, such as forward sale commitments and interest rate floors in order to mitigate our exposure to changes in interest rates.

While hedging activities may mitigate our exposure to adverse fluctuations in interest rates, certain hedging transactions that we have entered into or may enter into in the future, such as interest rate swap agreements, may also limit our ability to participate in the benefits of lower interest rates with respect to our investments. In addition, there can be no assurance that we will be able to effectively hedge our interest rate risk. As of March 31, 2026, we did not have hedging or derivative financial instruments in place.

In addition to the risks discussed above, there is also the risk of non-performance on floating rate assets. In the case of a significant increase in interest rates, the additional debt service payments due from our borrowers may strain the operating cash flows of the real estate assets underlying our mortgages and, potentially, contribute to non-performance or, in severe cases, default, which may be mitigated by borrower purchased interest rate caps.

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***Interest Rate Effect on Net Income***

Our interest income and expense will generally change directionally with index rates. The impact of declining interest rates may be mitigated by interest rate floors and the impact of rising or declining interest rates may be mitigated by certain hedging transactions that we have entered into or may enter into in the future. The following table estimates the hypothetical increases/(decreases) in net income for a twelve month period, assuming (1) an immediate increase or decrease in 30-day SOFR as of March 31, 2026 and (2) no change in the outstanding principal balance of our loans held for investment portfolio, loans held for sale and borrowings as of March 31, 2026 ($ in millions):

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Change in 30-Day SOFR** | **Increase/(Decrease) <br>in Net Income** |
| Up 100 basis points | $2.2 |
| Up 50 basis points | $1.1 |
| Down 50 basis points | $(1.1) |
| Down 100 basis points | $(0.9) |
| SOFR at 0 basis points | $14.8 |

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The severity of any such impact depends on our asset/liability composition at the time as well as the magnitude and duration of the interest rate increase and any applicable floors or hedging transactions. If any of these events happen, we could experience a decrease in net income or incur a net loss during these periods, which could adversely affect our liquidity and results of operations.

***Interest Rate Floor Risk***

We primarily originate or acquire floating rate mortgage and mortgage-related assets. Some of these mortgage assets may be subject to interest rate floors. Similarly, some of our borrowing costs may be subject to interest rate floors. In a period of decreasing interest rates, the interest rate yields on our floating rate mortgage assets could decrease, while the interest rate costs on certain of our borrowings could be fixed at a higher floor. In addition, a decrease in interest rates or tightening credit spreads increases the likelihood that certain of our investments will be refinanced at lower rates. These factors could lower our net interest income or cause a net loss during periods of decreasing interest rates, which would harm our financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

***Market Risk***

The estimated fair values of our investments fluctuate primarily due to changes in index rates, changes in credit spreads and other factors. In general, in a rising interest rate environment, whether due to increases in index rates or credit spreads, the estimated fair value of our fixed-rate investments would generally be expected to decrease; conversely, in a decreasing interest rate environment, whether due to decreases in index rates or credit spreads, the estimated fair value of our fixed-rate investments would generally be expected to increase. Also, in general, in a widening credit spread environment, the estimated fair value of our floating rate investments would generally be expected to decrease. However, in a compressing credit spread environment, the estimated fair value of our floating rate investments may not increase, particularly if prepayment restrictions are not in place and our floating rate investments are fully prepayable. As market volatility increases or liquidity decreases, the fair value of our investments and liabilities may be adversely impacted.

***Prepayment Risk***

Our net income (loss) and earnings may be affected by prepayment rates on our existing CRE loans. When we originate our CRE loans, we anticipate that we will generate an expected yield. When borrowers prepay their CRE loans faster than we expect, we may be unable to replace these CRE loans with new CRE loans that will generate yields which are as high as the prepaid CRE loans. If prepayment rates decrease in a high interest rate environment, borrowers exercise extension options on CRE loans or we extend the term of CRE loans, the life of the loans could extend beyond the term of the Financing Agreements that we borrow on to fund our CRE loans. This could have a negative impact on our results of operations. In some situations, we may be forced to fund additional cash collateral in connection with the Financing Agreements or sell assets to maintain adequate liquidity, which could cause us to incur losses.

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***Financing Risk***

We borrow funds under our Financing Agreements to finance our target assets. We may be subject to risk arising from a default by one of several large banking institutions that are dependent on one another to meet their liquidity or operational needs, so that a default by one institution may cause a series of defaults by the other institutions, and may impact the liquidity of our lenders and their willingness to provide us with borrowings to finance our target assets and other needs.

In addition, our Secured Funding Agreements contain margin call provisions following the occurrence of certain mortgage loan credit events. If we are unable to make the required payment or if we fail to meet or satisfy any of the covenants in our Financing Agreements, we would be in default under these agreements, and our lenders could elect to declare outstanding amounts due and payable, terminate their commitments, require the posting of additional collateral, including cash to satisfy margin calls, and enforce their interests against existing collateral. For example, certain of our Financing Agreements contain (i) negative covenants that limit, among other things, our ability to repurchase our common stock, make distributions to our stockholders, employ leverage beyond certain amounts, sell assets, engage in mergers or consolidations, grant liens, and enter into transactions with affiliates (including amending the Management Agreement in a material respect) and (ii) operating and financial covenants, including those requiring us to maintain a certain tangible net worth, asset coverage ratio, total net leverage ratio and loan concentration. We are also subject to cross-default and acceleration rights with respect to our Financing Agreements. In addition, in the past, our CLO securitizations have contained certain senior note overcollateralization ratio tests. To the extent we issue CLO securitizations in the future and we fail to meet these tests, if included, amounts that would otherwise be used to make payments on the subordinate securities that we would hold would be used to repay principal on the more senior securities to the extent necessary to satisfy any senior note overcollateralization ratio and we may incur significant losses. Our sources of liquidity may be impacted to the extent we do not receive cash payments that we would otherwise expect to receive from the CLO securitizations if these tests were met. Additionally, in such a case, interest income may continue to accrue for the holders of subordinate securities within the CLO securitization notwithstanding the cash being used to repay principal on the more senior securities. This would cause us to recognize income but not have a corresponding amount of cash available for operations or for distribution to our stockholders.

Continued weakness or volatility in the financial markets, the commercial real estate and mortgage markets and the economy generally could adversely affect one or more of our lenders or potential lenders and could cause one or more of our lenders or potential lenders to be unwilling or unable to provide us with financing or to increase the costs of that financing. From time to time, capital markets may also experience periods of disruption and instability, which may adversely affect our ability to refinance our financing arrangements.

***Real Estate Risk***

Our real estate investments and the value of real estate owned are subject to volatility and may be affected adversely by a number of factors, including, but not limited to, national, regional and local economic conditions (which may be adversely affected by industry slowdowns and other factors); local real estate conditions; changes or continued weakness in specific industry segments; local markets with a significant exposure to the energy sector; construction quality, age and design; demographic factors; insurance costs; and retroactive changes to building or similar codes. Elevated interest rates and inflation have had, and continue to have, an adverse impact on industries whose properties serve as collateral for some of our portfolio investments. Similarly, increased demand for work-from-home arrangements and elevated costs to operate, improve or repurpose office properties have impacted the operations of office properties and rising operating costs, such as property insurance, have further pressured cash flow performance of commercial real estate. Decreases in property values reduce the value of the collateral and the potential proceeds available to a borrower to repay the underlying loan or loans, as the case may be, and reduce the value of properties that we own as a result of default on the underlying loan, each of which could cause us to suffer losses. We seek to manage these risks through our underwriting and asset management processes.

***Inflation Risk***

Virtually all of our assets and liabilities are sensitive to interest rates. As a result, interest rates and other factors influence our performance far more so than does inflation. Changes in interest rates do not necessarily correlate with inflation rates or changes in inflation rates but adverse changes in inflation or changes in inflation expectations can lead to lower returns on our investments than originally anticipated. Current levels of inflation could exacerbate this possibility. In each case, in general, our activities and balance sheet are measured with reference to historical cost and/or fair market value without considering inflation.

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**Item 4. Controls and Procedures** 

***Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures***

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as that term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2026. Based upon that evaluation and subject to the foregoing, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, as of March 31, 2026, the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to accomplish their objectives at the reasonable assurance level.

***Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting***

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended March 31, 2026 that have materially affected, or that are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

**PART II — OTHER INFORMATION**

**Item 1. Legal Proceedings** 

From time to time, we, our executive officers, directors and our Manager, and its affiliates and/or any of their respective principals and employees are subject to legal proceedings, including those arising from our loans, and we and our Manager are also subject to extensive regulation, which, from time to time, results in requests for information from us or our Manager or legal or regulatory proceedings or investigations against us or our Manager, respectively. We incur significant costs and expenses in connection with any such proceedings, information requests and investigations.

**Item 1A. Risk Factors** 

You should carefully consider the risk factors discussed in Part I, "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in our 2025 Annual Report, which could materially affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results. The risks described in our 2025 Annual Report are not the only risks facing our Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

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**Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds** 

**<u>Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers</u>**

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| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Period** | **Total Number of Shares Purchased** | **Average Price Paid Per Share** | **Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Program (1)** | **Maximum Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Program (1)** <br>**($ in thousands)** |
| January 1, 2026 - January 31, 2026 |  | $— |  | $50000 |
| February 1, 2026 - February 28, 2026 |  |  |  | 50000 |
| March 1, 2026 - March 31, 2026 |  |  |  | 50000 |
| **Total** | **—** |  | **—** |  |

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_____________________________

(1)On July 30, 2025, our board of directors extended the Repurchase Program of up to $50.0 million, which is expected to be in effect until July 31, 2026, or until the approved dollar amount has been used to repurchase shares. As of March 31, 2026, $50.0 million remained available for future purchases of our common stock under the Repurchase Program. The Repurchase Program does not obligate us to acquire any particular amount of shares of our common stock and may be modified or suspended at any time at our discretion.

**Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities**

None.

**Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures**

Not applicable.

**Item 5. Other Information**

***Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plans***

During the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2026, none of our directors or executive officers adopted or terminated any contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of our securities intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) or any "non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement."

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**Item 6. Exhibits**

**EXHIBIT INDEX**

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Exhibit Number** | | **Exhibit Description** |
| <u>[3.1](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1529377/000152937720000084/acreq3-20exhibit31.htm)</u> |  | Articles of Amendment and Restatement of Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Form 10-K (File No. 001-35517), filed on March 1, 2016). |
| <u>[3.2](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1529377/000162828023003601/acreq4-22exhibit32.htm)</u> |  | Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Form 10-K (File No. 001-35517), filed on February 15, 2023). |
| <u>[10.1](acreq1-26ex101xcnbamendmen.htm)</u> | \* | Amendment Number Twelve to Credit Agreement, dated as of March 10, 2026, by and among the Lenders, City National Bank, a national banking association, as Agent, and ACRC Lender LLC, as Borrower |
| <u>[10.2](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1529377/000162828026022056/exhibit101-mseighthamendme.htm)</u> |  | Eighth Amendment to Master Repurchase and Securities Contract, dated as of March 24, 2026, by and among Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A., a national banking association, as buyer, ACRC Lender MS LLC and ACRC Lender MS II LLC, as sellers, and Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation, as guarantor (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Form 8-K (File No. 001-35517), filed on March 30, 2026). |
| <u>[31.1](acreq1-26exhibit311.htm)</u> | \* | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
| <u>[31.2](acreq1-26exhibit312.htm)</u> | \* | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
| <u>[32.1](acreq1-26exhibit321.htm)</u> | \* | Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
| 101.INS |  | XBRL Instance Document |
| 101.SCH |  | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document |
| 101.CAL |  | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document |
| 101.LAB |  | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document |
| 101.PRE |  | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document |
| 101.DEF |  | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document |
| 104 |  | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) |

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______________________________________________________________________________

\* Filed herewith

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**SIGNATURES**

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

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| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | | **ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION** | **ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION** |
| Date: | May 7, 2026 | By: | /s/ Bryan P. Donohoe |
|  |  |  | Bryan P. Donohoe |
|  |  |  | *Chief Executive Officer and Director<br>(Principal Executive Officer)* |
| Date: | May 7, 2026 | By: | /s/ Jeffrey M. Gonzales |
|  |  |  | Jeffrey M. Gonzales |
|  |  |  | *Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer<br>(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)* |

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## Exhibit 10.1

**Exhibit 10.1**

***Execution Version***

**AMENDMENT NUMBER TWELVE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT**

<br> **THIS AMENDMENT NUMBER TWELVE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT** (this "<u>Amendment</u>"), dated as of March 10, 2026, is entered into by and among, on the one hand, the several banks and other financial institutions and lenders from time to time party hereto (such lenders, together with their respective successors and permitted assigns, are referred to hereinafter each individually as a "<u>Lender</u>" and, collectively, as the "<u>Lenders</u>"), and **CITY NATIONAL BANK**, a national banking association, as administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, "<u>Agent</u>"), and, on the other hand, **ACRC LENDER LLC**, a Delaware limited liability company (the "<u>Borrower</u>"), and in light of the following:

**<u>W I T N E S S E T H</u>**

**WHEREAS**, Borrower, Lenders, and Agent are parties to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of March 12, 2014 (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the "<u>Credit Agreement</u>");

**WHEREAS**, Borrower has requested that Agent and Lenders make certain amendments to the Credit Agreement;

**WHEREAS,** upon the terms and conditions set forth herein, Agent and Lenders are willing to make certain amendments to the Credit Agreement.

**NOW, THEREFORE**, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1.<u>Defined Terms</u>. All initially capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein (including the preamble and recitals hereof) shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Credit Agreement.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2.<u>Amendments to the Credit Agreement</u>. Borrower, Lenders and Agent agree that on the Twelfth Amendment Effective Date (as defined below):

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)The following defined term is amended and restated in <u>Section 1.1</u> of the Credit Agreement to read as follows:

"<u>Maturity Date</u>" means December 31, 2026.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)The following defined terms in <u>Section 1.1</u> of the Credit Agreement are deleted in its entirety:

"<u>Initial Maturity Date</u>" and "<u>Extended Maturity Date</u>".

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)The following clause (c) is added to the end of the defined term "<u>Pledged Investments</u>" in <u>Section 1.1</u> of the Credit Agreement as follows:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) in the case of a Designated Investment described in the Pledged Interest Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 4(c) of the Twelfth Amendment, if (i) on or before the date that

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is thirty (30) days after the Twelfth Amendment Effective Date, Agent has not received an updated Pledged Investments Certificate setting forth any promissory notes or any other instrument evidencing Borrower's interest in such Designated Investment, or (ii) at any time on or after the date that is sixty (60) days after the Twelfth Amendment Effective Date, such Designated Investment is not maintained in a custodial account with Agent or one of its Affiliates and to be subject to a securities account control agreement in favor of Agent which is reasonably satisfactory to Agent.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d)The following defined terms are hereby added to <u>Section 1.1</u> of the Credit Agreement in appropriate alphabetical order to read as follows:

"<u>Twelfth Amendment</u>" means that certain Amendment No.12 to this Agreement, dated as of March 10, 2026, by and among Borrower, the Lenders and Agent.

"<u>Twelfth Amendment Effective Date</u>" has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Twelfth Amendment.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e)<u>Section 3.3</u> of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3.3&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<u>Maturity Date</u>. This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect for a term ending on the earlier of (a) the Maturity Date and (b) such earlier date on which the Loans shall become due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3.<u>Fees and Expenses</u>. Borrower shall pay to Agent (a) a fully earned and non-refundable renewal fee equal to 0.20% of the Maximum Revolver Amount and (b) all reasonable costs and expenses of Agent and the Lenders incurred through the date of this Amendment, including, for the avoidance of doubt, attorneys' fees and expenses owing to Sidley Austin LLP.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.<u>Conditions Precedent to Amendment</u>. The satisfaction of each of the following shall constitute conditions precedent to the effectiveness of the Amendment (such date being the "<u>Twelfth Amendment Effective Date</u>"):

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)Agent shall have received this Amendment, duly executed by the parties hereto, and the same shall be in full force and effect.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)Agent shall have received the reaffirmation and consent of Guarantor attached hereto as <u>Exhibit A</u>, duly executed and delivered by an authorized officer of Guarantor.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)Agent shall have received the Pledged Investments Certificate, dated as of the date hereof, duly executed and delivered by an authorized officer of the Borrower.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d)After giving effect to this Amendment, the representations and warranties herein and in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that are already qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof) on and as of the date hereof as though made on and as of such date (except to the extent that such representations and warranties relate solely to an earlier date).

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e)No litigation, inquiry, other action or proceeding (governmental or otherwise), or injunction or other restraining order prohibiting, directly or indirectly, the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein shall be pending or, to Borrower's knowledge, overtly threatened that could reasonably be expected to have: (i) a material adverse effect on Borrower's ability to repay the Loans or (ii) a Material Adverse Effect on Borrower.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(f)After giving effect to this Amendment, no Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or shall result from the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(g)Agent shall have received the fees and expenses required to be paid pursuant to <u>Section 3</u> of this Amendment.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5.<u>Representations and Warranties</u>. Borrower hereby represents and warrants to Agent and the Lenders as follows:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)It is a duly organized and validly existing limited liability company in good standing under the law of the State of Delaware and is duly qualified to conduct business in all jurisdictions where its failure to do so could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Borrower.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)It has all requisite limited liability company power to execute and deliver this Amendment and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, and to borrow the sums provided for in the Credit Agreement. Borrower has all governmental licenses, authorizations, consents, and approvals necessary to own and operate its Assets and to carry on its businesses as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted, other than licenses, authorizations, consents, and approvals that are not currently required or the failure to obtain which could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Loan Parties, taken as a whole. The execution, delivery, and performance of this Amendment and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party have been duly authorized by Borrower and all necessary limited liability company action in respect thereof has been taken, and the execution, delivery, and performance thereof do not require any consent or approval of any other Person that has not been obtained (except for such consents or approvals as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Loan Parties, taken as a whole).

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)The execution, delivery, and performance by Borrower of this Amendment and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, do not and will not: (i) violate (A) any provision of any federal (including the Exchange Act), state, or local law, rule, or regulation (including Regulations T, U, and X of the Federal Reserve Board) binding on any Loan Party, (B) any order of any domestic Governmental Authority, court, arbitration board, or tribunal binding on any Loan Party, or (C) the Governing Documents of any Loan Party, or (ii) contravene any provisions of, result in a breach of, constitute (with the giving of notice or the lapse of time) a default under, or result in the creation of any Lien (other than a Permitted Lien) upon any of the Assets of any Loan Party pursuant to, any Contractual Obligation of any Loan Party, or (iii) require termination of any Contractual Obligation of any Loan Party, or (iv) constitute a tortious interference with any Contractual Obligation of any Loan Party, in each case, except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Loan Parties, taken as a whole.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d)Other than such as may have previously been obtained, filed, or given, as applicable, no consent, license, permit, approval, or authorization of, exemption by, notice to, report to or registration, filing, or declaration with, any Governmental Authority is required in connection with the execution,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3

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delivery, and performance by the Loan Parties of this Amendment or the Loan Documents to which they are a party, in each case, except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Loan Parties, taken as a whole.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e)This Amendment and the other Loan Documents to which Borrower is a party, when executed and delivered by Borrower, will constitute the legal, valid, and binding obligations of Borrower, enforceable against Borrower in accordance with their terms except as the enforceability hereof or thereof may be affected by: (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally, and (ii) equitable principles of general applicability (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or law).

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(f)No litigation, inquiry, other action or proceeding (governmental or otherwise), or injunction or other restraining order prohibiting, directly or indirectly, the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein shall be pending or, to Borrower's knowledge, overtly threatened that could reasonably be expected to have: (i) a material adverse effect on Borrower's ability to repay the Loans or (ii) a Material Adverse Effect on Borrower.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(g)No Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default has occurred and is continuing as of the date of the effectiveness of this Amendment.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(h)No event or development has occurred as of the date of the effectiveness of this Amendment which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect with respect to any Loan Party.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i)The representations and warranties set forth in this Amendment, in the Credit Agreement, as amended by this Amendment and after giving effect to this Amendment, and the other Loan Documents to which Borrower is a party are true, correct and complete in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof) on and as of the date hereof, as though made on such date (except to the extent that such representations and warranties relate solely to an earlier date).

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(j)This Amendment has been entered into without force or duress, of the free will of Borrower, and the decision of Borrower to enter into this Amendment is a fully informed decision and Borrower is aware of all legal and other ramifications of each such decision.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(k)It has read and understands this Amendment, has consulted with and been represented by independent legal counsel of its own choosing in negotiations for and the preparation of this Amendment, has read this Amendment in full and final form, and has been advised by its counsel of its rights and obligations hereunder.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6.**<u>GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION AND VENUE; WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY</u>. THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS REGARDING GOVERNING LAW, JURISDICTION AND VENUE, AND WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY SET FORTH IN <u>SECTIONS 11.6 – 11.8</u> OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT, AND SUCH PROVISIONS ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY THIS REFERENCE, *MUTATIS MUTANDIS***.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7.<u>Counterpart Execution</u>. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which, taken together shall constitute but one and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4

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the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Amendment by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission shall be equally effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Amendment. Any party delivering an executed counterpart of this Amendment by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission also shall deliver an original executed counterpart of this Amendment, but the failure to deliver an original executed counterpart shall not affect the validity, enforceability, and binding effect of this Amendment.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;8.<u>Effect on Loan Documents</u>.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)The Credit Agreement, as amended hereby, and each of the other Loan Documents shall be and remain in full force and effect in accordance with their respective terms and hereby are ratified and confirmed in all respects. The execution, delivery, and performance of this Amendment shall not operate, except as expressly set forth herein, as a modification or waiver of any right, power, or remedy of Agent or any Lender under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document. Except for the amendments to the Credit Agreement expressly set forth herein, the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect. The modifications set forth herein are limited to the specifics hereof (including facts or occurrences on which the same are based), shall not apply with respect to any facts or occurrences other than those on which the same are based, shall neither excuse any future non-compliance with the Loan Documents nor operate as a waiver of any Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default, shall not operate as a consent to any waiver, consent or further amendment or other matter under the Loan Documents, and shall not be construed as an indication that any future waiver or amendment of covenants or any other provision of the Credit Agreement will be agreed to, it being understood that the granting or denying of any waiver or amendment which may hereafter be requested by Borrower remains in the sole and absolute discretion of Agent and the Lenders. To the extent that any terms or provisions of this Amendment conflict with those of the Credit Agreement or the other Loan Documents, the terms and provisions of this Amendment shall control.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)Upon and after the effectiveness of this Amendment, each reference in the Credit Agreement to "this Agreement", "hereunder", "herein", "hereof" or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement, and each reference in the other Loan Documents to "the Credit Agreement", <br>"the Guaranty", "thereunder", "therein", "thereof" or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement, shall mean and be a reference to the Credit Agreement as modified and amended hereby.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)To the extent that any of the terms and conditions in any of the Loan Documents shall contradict or be in conflict with any of the terms or conditions of the Credit Agreement, after giving effect to this Amendment, such terms and conditions are hereby deemed modified or amended accordingly to reflect the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement as modified or amended hereby.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d)This Amendment is a Loan Document.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e)The rules of construction set forth in <u>Section 1.2</u> of the Credit Agreement are incorporated herein by this reference, *mutatis mutandis*.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;9.<u>Entire Agreement</u>. This Amendment, and the terms and provisions hereof, the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire understanding and agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all prior or contemporaneous amendments or understandings with respect to the subject matter hereof, whether express or implied, oral or written.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;10.<u>Integration</u>. This Amendment, together with the other Loan Documents, incorporates all negotiations of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and is the final expression and agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;11.<u>Reaffirmation of Obligations</u>. Borrower hereby reaffirms its obligations under each Loan Document to which it is a party. Borrower hereby further ratifies and reaffirms the validity and enforceability of all of the liens and security interests heretofore granted, pursuant to and in connection with the Security Agreement or any other Loan Document to Agent, on behalf and for the benefit of each member of the Lender Group, as collateral security for the obligations under the Loan Documents in accordance with their respective terms, and acknowledges that all of such liens and security interests, and all collateral heretofore pledged as security for such obligations, continues to be and remain collateral for such obligations from and after the date hereof. Borrower hereby further does grant to Agent, a security interest in the Collateral (as defined in the Security Agreement) in order to secure all of its present and future Obligations.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;12.<u>Ratification</u>. Borrower hereby restates, ratifies and reaffirms each and every term and condition set forth in the Credit Agreement and the Loan Documents to which it is a party effective as of the date hereof and as amended hereby.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;13.<u>Severability</u>. In case any provision in this Amendment shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, such provision shall be severable from the remainder of this Amendment and the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

[signature pages follow]

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6

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**IN WITNESS WHEREOF**, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

**ACRC LENDER LLC**,<br>a Delaware limited liability company, as Borrower

By: <u>/s/ Andrea Karp</u> 

Name: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Andrea Karp

Title: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Vice President

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDMENT NUMBER TWELVE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]

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**CITY NATIONAL BANK**,

a national banking association,

as Agent and as a Lender****

By: <u>/s/ Alicia Witter</u> 

Name: Alicia Witter

Title: Vice President

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDMENT NUMBER TWELVE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]

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**<u>Exhibit A</u>**

**REAFFIRMATION AND CONSENT**

[see attached]

------

**<u>Exhibit A</u>**

**REAFFIRMATION AND CONSENT**

Reference is hereby made to that certain **AMENDMENT NUMBER TWELVE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT**, dated as of March 10, 2026 (the "<u>Amendment</u>"), by and among on the one hand, the lenders from time to time party thereto (such lenders, together with their respective successors and permitted assigns, are referred to hereinafter each individually as a "<u>Lender</u>" and collectively as the "<u>Lenders</u>") and **CITY NATIONAL BANK**, a national banking association, as the arranger and administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, "<u>Agent</u>"), and, on the other hand, **ACRC LENDER LLC**, a Delaware limited liability company ("<u>Borrower</u>"). All capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in that certain Credit Agreement dated as of March 12, 2014 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the "<u>Credit Agreement</u>"), by and among Borrower, Agent, and Lenders. The undersigned Guarantor hereby (a) represents and warrants to Agent that the execution, delivery, and performance of this Reaffirmation and Consent have been duly authorized by Guarantor and all necessary corporate action in respect thereof has been taken, and the execution, delivery, and performance of this Reaffirmation and Consent does not require any consent or approval of any other Person that has not been obtained (except for such consents or approvals as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Loan Parties, taken as a whole); (b) consents to the amendment of the Credit Agreement as set forth in the Amendment; (c) acknowledges and reaffirms its obligations owing to the Agent and the Lenders under any Loan Documents to which it is a party; (d) restates, ratifies and reaffirms each and every term and condition set forth in the Credit Agreement and other Loan Documents to which it is a party effective as of the date of the Amendment; (e) confirms that all Debt of the Guarantor evidenced by the Loan Documents to which it is a party is unconditionally owing by it to Agent and the Lenders, without offset, defense, withholding, counterclaim or deduction of any kind, nature or description whatsoever; and (f) agrees that each of the Loan Documents to which it is a party is and shall remain in full force and effect.

Although the undersigned has been informed of the matters set forth herein and has acknowledged and agreed to same, the undersigned understands that neither Agent nor any Lender has any obligation to inform it of such matters in the future or to seek its acknowledgment or agreement to future amendments, and nothing herein shall create such a duty.

Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Reaffirmation and Consent by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission shall be equally as effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Reaffirmation and Consent. Any party delivering an executed counterpart of this Reaffirmation and Consent by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission also shall deliver an original executed counterpart of this Reaffirmation and Consent but the failure to deliver an original executed counterpart shall not affect the validity, enforceability, and binding effect of this Reaffirmation and Consent.

The validity of this Reaffirmation and Consent, its construction, interpretation and enforcement, and the rights of the parties hereunder, shall be determined under, governed by, and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York.

[signature page follows]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Reaffirmation and Consent to be executed as of the date of the Amendment.

**&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION**, <br>a Maryland corporation<br>By: <u>/s/ Andrea Karp</u> <br>Name: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Andrea Karp<br>Title: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Vice President<br>

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO REAFFIRMATION AND CONSENT TO <br>AMENDMENT NUMBER TWELVE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]

## Exhibit 31.1

**Exhibit 31.1**

**Certification of Chief Executive Officer**

**of Periodic Report Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a)**

I, Bryan P. Donohoe, certify that:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: May 7, 2026

---

| |
|:---|
| /s/ Bryan P. Donohoe |
| Bryan P. Donohoe<br>*Chief Executive Officer and Director* |

---

## Exhibit 31.2

**Exhibit 31.2**

**Certification of Chief Financial Officer**

**of Periodic Report Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a)**

I, Jeffrey M. Gonzales, certify that:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: May 7, 2026

---

| |
|:---|
| /s/ Jeffrey M. Gonzales |
| Jeffrey M. Gonzales<br>*Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer*  |

---

## Exhibit 32.1

**Exhibit 32.1**

**Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer**

**Pursuant to**

**18 U.S.C. Section 1350**

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation (the "Company") for the quarter ended March 31, 2026 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), Bryan P. Donohoe, as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Jeffrey M. Gonzales, as Chief Financial Officer of the Company, each hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of his knowledge:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: May 7, 2026

---

| |
|:---|
| /s/ Bryan P. Donohoe |
| Bryan P. Donohoe<br>*Chief Executive Officer and Director* |
| /s/ Jeffrey M. Gonzales |
| Jeffrey M. Gonzales<br>*Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer* |

---

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement required by Section 906, has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

<br>