bmnm10q20110630.htm




UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
FORM 10-Q

þ           QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2011

¨           TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from __________ to ___________

Commission File Number: 001-32171

bimini logo
Bimini Capital Management, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 

     
Maryland
 
72-1571637
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

3305 Flamingo Drive, Vero Beach, Florida 32963
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(772) 231-1400
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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 þ     NO ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted to its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YES ¨     NO ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ¨                                           Accelerated filer ¨                                           Non-accelerated filer ¨                                            Smaller Reporting Company ý

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES ¨     NO þ

As of August 11, 2011, the number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Class A Common Stock, $0.001 par value, was  9,905,007; the number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Class B Common Stock, $0.001 par value, was 31,938; and the number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Class C Common Stock, $0.001 par value, was 31,938.

 
 

 

BIMINI CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.

INDEX



PART I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
 ITEM 1.
Financial Statements:
   
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2011 (unaudited) and December 31, 2010
 
1
 Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the six and three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010
 
2
 Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity  (unaudited) for the six months ended June 30, 2011
 
3
 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010
 
4
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
 
5
ITEM 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
 
22
ITEM 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
 
35
ITEM 4.
Controls and Procedures
 
36
     
PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION
   
ITEM 1.
Legal Proceedings
 
37
ITEM 1A.
Risk Factors
 
38
ITEM 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
38
ITEM 6.
Exhibits
 
39
 
SIGNATURES
 
41

 
 

 
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
BIMINI CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 
 
(Unaudited)
   
 
 
 
 
June 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
ASSETS:
 
 
   
 
 
Mortgage-backed securities, at fair value
 
 
   
 
 
Pledged to counterparties, at fair value
  $ 96,088,534     $ 117,253,931  
Unpledged, at fair value
    17,918,919       17,879,409  
Total mortgage-backed securities
    114,007,453       135,133,340  
Cash and cash equivalents
    6,282,987       2,830,584  
Restricted cash
    1,106,775       3,545,885  
Retained interests in securitizations
    3,776,071       3,927,777  
Accrued interest receivable
    916,520       1,049,577  
Property and equipment, net
    3,923,714       3,894,717  
Prepaids and other assets, net
    6,076,247       6,609,043  
Total Assets
  $ 136,089,767     $ 156,990,923  
 
               
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
 
               
LIABILITIES:
               
Repurchase agreements, net
  $ 92,105,000     $ 113,591,685  
Junior subordinated notes due to Bimini Capital Trust II
    26,804,440       26,804,440  
Accrued interest payable
    71,696       120,410  
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other
    7,223,790       8,102,062  
Total Liabilities
    126,204,926       148,618,597  
 
               
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
               
 
               
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
               
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; designated, 1,800,000
               
shares as Class A Redeemable and 2,000,000 shares as Class B Redeemable; no
               
shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010
    -       -  
Class A Common Stock, $0.001 par value; 98,000,000 shares designated: 9,905,007
               
shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2011 and 9,776,586 shares
               
issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2010
    9,905       9,777  
Class B Common Stock, $0.001 par value; 1,000,000 shares designated, 31,938 shares
               
issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010
    32       32  
Class C Common Stock, $0.001 par value; 1,000,000 shares designated, 31,938 shares
               
issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010
    32       32  
Additional paid-in capital
    334,273,527       334,459,072  
Accumulated deficit
    (324,398,655 )     (326,096,587 )
Total Stockholders’ Equity
    9,884,841       8,372,326  
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
  $ 136,089,767     $ 156,990,923  
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 

 
-1-

 
BIMINI CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)

 
 
Six Months Ended
   
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Interest income
  $ 2,913,206     $ 3,708,041     $ 1,303,366     $ 1,809,947  
Interest expense
    (158,805 )     (121,616 )     (72,028 )     (53,129 )
Net interest income, before interest on junior subordinated notes
    2,754,401       3,586,425       1,231,338       1,756,818  
Interest expense on junior subordinated notes
    (499,630 )     (1,099,962 )     (249,692 )     (549,981 )
Net interest income
    2,254,771       2,486,463       981,646       1,206,837  
Gains (losses) on mortgage-backed securities
    1,635,921       (941,455 )     1,396,735       961,347  
Losses on Eurodollar futures
    (355,413 )     (149,988 )     (364,663 )     (149,988 )
Net portfolio income
    3,535,279       1,395,020       2,013,718       2,018,196  
 
                               
Other income:
                               
Gains (losses) on retained interests in securitizations
    1,441,044       1,368,177       1,496,248       (15,973 )
Other (expense) income
    (36,883 )     211,766       (9,601 )     136,289  
Total other income
    1,404,161       1,579,943       1,486,647       120,316  
 
                               
Expenses:
                               
Compensation and related benefits
    949,812       1,018,806       449,060       498,403  
Directors' fees and liability insurance
    302,863       262,381       153,347       134,121  
Audit, legal and other professional fees
    1,277,710       1,425,216       334,597       745,267  
Direct REIT operating expenses
    271,626       297,354       133,250       150,167  
Other administrative
    439,497       610,652       221,151       240,758  
Total expenses
    3,241,508       3,614,409       1,291,405       1,768,716  
 
                               
Income (loss) before income taxes
    1,697,932       (639,446 )     2,208,960       369,796  
 
                               
Income tax (benefit) provision
    -       -       -       -  
 
                               
Net income (loss)
  $ 1,697,932     $ (639,446 )   $ 2,208,960     $ 369,796  
 
                               
Basic and Diluted Net income (loss) Per Share of:
                               
CLASS A COMMON STOCK
                               
Basic and Diluted
  $ 0.17     $ (0.07 )   $ 0.22     $ 0.04  
CLASS B COMMON STOCK
                               
Basic and Diluted
  $ 0.17     $ (0.08 )   $ 0.22     $ 0.03  
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding
                               
CLASS A COMMON STOCK
                               
Basic and Diluted
    10,213,843       9,267,167       10,240,468       10,043,834  
CLASS B COMMON STOCK
                               
Basic and Diluted
    31,938       31,938       31,938       31,938  
Dividends Declared Per Common Share:
                               
CLASS A COMMON STOCK
  $ 0.0325     $ 0.06     $ 0.0325     $ 0.06  
CLASS B COMMON STOCK
  $ 0.0325     $ 0.06     $ 0.0325     $ 0.06  
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 

 
-2-

 
BIMINI CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended June 30, 2011

 
 
Common Stock,
   
Additional
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
Amounts at par value
   
Paid-in
   
Accumulated
   
 
 
 
 
Class A
   
Class B
   
Class C
   
Capital
   
Deficit
   
Total
 
Balances, January 1, 2011
  $ 9,777     $ 32     $ 32     $ 334,459,072     $ (326,096,587 )   $ 8,372,326  
Net income
    -       -       -       -       1,697,932       1,697,932  
Dividend declared
    -       -       -       (333,516 )     -       (333,516 )
Issuance of Class A common shares for board
                                               
compensation and equity plan exercises
    129       -       -       100,467       -       100,596  
Shares repurchased from employees in
                                               
satisfaction of withholding requirements
                                               
on equity plan distributions
    (1 )     -       -       (595 )     -       (596 )
Amortization of equity plan compensation
    -       -       -       48,099       -       48,099  
 
                                               
Balances, June 30, 2011
  $ 9,905     $ 32     $ 32     $ 334,273,527     $ (324,398,655 )   $ 9,884,841  
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 

 
-3-

 
BIMINI CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 


 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
   
 
 
Net income (loss)
  $ 1,697,932     $ (639,446 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
               
Stock based compensation and equity plan amortization
    148,695       116,496  
Depreciation and amortization
    60,352       123,172  
(Gains) losses on mortgage-backed securities
    (1,635,921 )     941,455  
Gains on retained interests in securitizations
    (1,441,044 )     (1,368,177 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Accrued interest receivable
    133,057       16,011  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    531,681       2,295,374  
Accrued interest payable
    (48,714 )     (24,337 )
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other
    (878,272 )     (49,922 )
NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
    (1,432,234 )     1,410,626  
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
From mortgage-backed securities investments:
               
Purchases
    (17,674,544 )     (57,033,449 )
Sales
    26,732,353       62,277,086  
Principal repayments
    13,705,114       17,497,919  
Principal payments received on retained interests in securitizations
    1,592,750       2,345,770  
Decrease in restricted cash
    2,439,110       2,361,521  
Purchases of property and equipment
    (89,349 )     (2,989 )
NET CASH PROVIDED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES
    26,705,434       27,445,858  
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Proceeds from repurchase agreements
    204,568,239       202,113,955  
Principal payments on repurchase agreements
    (226,054,924 )     (230,779,160 )
Dividends paid in cash
    (333,516 )     (2,192,092 )
Stock repurchases
    (596 )     -  
NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES
    (21,820,797 )     (30,857,297 )
 
               
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    3,452,403       (2,000,813 )
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of the period
    2,830,584       6,469,795  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of the period
  $ 6,282,987     $ 4,468,982  
 
               
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
               
Cash paid during the period for:
               
Interest
  $ 707,149     $ 1,167,428  
Income taxes
    -       130,000  
 
               
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Securities acquisitions settled in later period
  $ -     $ 1,480,225  
Cash dividends declared and paid in later period
    -       315,637  
Dividends paid in shares of Class A Common  Stock
    -       16,861,973  
 
               
See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 

 
-4-

 

BIMINI CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
June 30, 2011

NOTE 1.   ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Organization and Business Description

Bimini Capital Management, Inc., a Maryland corporation (“Bimini Capital”), was originally formed in September 2003 for the purpose of creating and managing a leveraged investment portfolio consisting of residential mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”).  Bimini Capital has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).  As a REIT, Bimini Capital is generally not subject to federal income tax on its REIT taxable income provided that it distributes to its stockholders at least 90% of its REIT taxable income on an annual basis.  In addition, a REIT must meet other provisions of the Code to retain its special tax status.  Bimini Capital’s website is located at http://www.biminicapital.com.

On November 3, 2005, Bimini Capital acquired Opteum Financial Services, LLC (“OFS”), and at closing, it became a wholly-owned taxable REIT subsidiary (or “TRS”) of Bimini Capital.  This entity was renamed Orchid Island TRS, LLC (“OITRS”) effective July 3, 2007 and then renamed Mortco TRS, LLC (“Mortco”) effective March 8, 2011.   Hereinafter, any historical mention, discussion or references to Opteum Financial Services, LLC, Orchid Island TRS, LLC, OFS or to OITRS (such as in previously filed documents or Exhibits) now means Mortco TRS, LLC or “Mortco.”

As used in this document, discussions related to “Bimini Capital,” the parent company, the registrant, and to REIT qualifying activities or the general management of Bimini Capital’s portfolio of MBS refer to “Bimini Capital Management, Inc.” and its qualified REIT subsidiary, Orchid Island Capital, Inc. (“Orchid”). Discussions related to Bimini Capital’s taxable REIT subsidiaries or non-REIT eligible assets refer to Bimini Advisors, Inc. (“Bimini Advisors”) and Mortco and its consolidated subsidiaries. Discussions relating to “the Company” refer to the consolidated entity.

Liquidity

At June 30, 2011, Bimini Capital had an equity capital base of $9.9 million and an MBS portfolio of $114.0 million.  The crisis in the U.S. financial markets during 2008/2009 and the material losses incurred by the Company in 2006 and 2007 attributable to the former mortgage origination operations of MortCo, have significantly reduced Bimini Capital’s equity capital base and the size of its MBS portfolio. Ongoing litigation costs stemming from the former operations of MortCo and Bimini Capital itself cause the Company’s overhead to be high in relation to its portfolio size. In response, during the past two years the Company has taken significant steps to reduce the leverage in its balance sheet, reduce its debt service costs, and alter its investment strategy for holding MBS securities.  The Company’s alternative investment strategy that utilizes structured MBS has been elevated to a core element of its investment strategy and liquidity management. However, the Company’s ability to utilize this element of our investment strategy is limited by restrictions imposed under the Investment Company Act.  Further, if cash resources are, at any time, insufficient to satisfy the Company’s liquidity requirements, such as when cash flow from operations are materially negative, the Company may be required to pledge additional assets to meet margin calls, liquidate assets, sell additional debt or equity securities or pursue other financing alternatives.


 
-5-

 

Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates

The accompanying consolidated financial statements are prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.  Significant estimates affecting the accompanying financial statements include the fair values of MBS, Eurodollar futures contracts, retained interests and asset valuation allowances.

Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Bimini Capital and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Orchid Island Capital, Inc., Bimini Advisors and Mortco, as well as the wholly-owned subsidiaries of Mortco.  All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated from the consolidated financial statements.

As further described in Note 6, Bimini Capital has a common share investment in a trust used in connection with the issuance of Bimini Capital’s junior subordinated notes.  Pursuant to the applicable accounting guidance for variable interest entities, Bimini Capital’s common share investment in the trust has not been consolidated in the financial statements of Bimini Capital, and accordingly, this investment has been accounted for on the equity method.
 
 
Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 220, Comprehensive Income, a statement of comprehensive income has not been included as the Company has no items of other comprehensive income.  Comprehensive income (loss) is the same as net income (loss) for all periods presented.

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on deposit with financial institutions and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. Restricted cash represents cash held on deposit as collateral with the repurchase agreement counterparties, which may be used to make principal and interest payments on the related repurchase agreements, and cash held by a broker as margin on Eurodollar futures contracts.
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents are maintained at financial institutions and, at times, balances may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has never experienced any losses related to these balances. All non-interest bearing cash balances were fully insured at June 30, 2011 due to a temporary federal program in effect from December 31, 2010 through December 31, 2012. Under the program, there is no limit to the amount of insurance for eligible accounts. Beginning 2013, insurance coverage will revert to $250,000 per depositor at each financial institution, and our non-interest bearing cash balances may again exceed federally insured limits. Interest-bearing amounts on deposit in excess of federally insured limits at June 30, 2011 approximated $3.7 million.


 
-6-

 

Mortgage-Backed Securities

The Company invests primarily in mortgage pass-through (“PT”) certificates, collateralized mortgage obligations, interest only (“IO”) securities and inverse interest only (“IIO”) securities representing interest in or obligations backed by pools of mortgage loans (collectively, MBS).  MBS transactions are recorded on the trade date. The Company has elected to account for its investment in mortgage-backed securities under the fair value option.  These investments meet the requirements to be classified as available for sale under ASC 320-10-25, Debt and Equity Securities, which requires the securities to be carried at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheet with changes in fair value charged to Other Comprehensive Income, a component of Stockholders’ Equity.  Electing the fair value option allows the Company to record changes in fair value in the Statement of Operations, which, in management’s view, more appropriately reflects the results of our operations for a particular reporting period and is consistent with the underlying economics and how the portfolio is managed.

The fair value of the Company’s investments in MBS is governed by FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.  The definition of fair value in FASB ASC Topic 820 focuses on the price that would be received to sell the asset or paid to transfer the liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  The fair value measurement assumes that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability either occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability, or in the absence of a principal market, occurs in the most advantageous market for the asset or liability. Estimated fair values for MBS are based on the average of third-party broker quotes received and/or independent pricing sources when available.

Income on MBS pass-through securities is based on the stated interest rate of the security. Premiums or discounts present at the date of purchase are not amortized.  For interest only securities, the income is accrued based on the carrying value and the effective yield.  Cash received is first applied to accrued interest and then to reduce the carrying value.  At each reporting date, the effective yield is adjusted prospectively from the reporting period based on the new estimate of prepayments and the contractual terms of the security.  For inverse interest only securities, effective yield and income recognition calculations also take into account the index value applicable to the security.

Retained Interests

Retained interests in the subordinated tranches of securities created in securitization transactions were initially recorded at their fair value when issued by Mortco. Subsequent adjustments to fair value are reflected in earnings. Quoted market prices for these assets are generally not available, so the Company estimates fair value based on the present value of expected future cash flows using management’s best estimates of the key assumptions—expected credit losses, prepayment speeds, weighted-average life, and discount rates commensurate with the inherent risks of the asset.
 
 
Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company has entered into derivative financial instruments to manage interest rate risk, facilitate asset/liability strategies, and manage other exposures, and it may continue to do so in the future.  The Company has elected to not treat any of its derivative financial instruments as hedges.  FASB ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, requires that all derivative investments be carried at fair value.


 
-7-

 

Financial Instruments

FASB ASC Topic 825, Financial Instruments, requires disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value, either in the body of the financial statements or in the accompanying notes. MBS, Eurodollar futures contracts, mortgage loans held for sale and retained interests in securitization transactions are accounted for at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets. The methods and assumptions used to estimate fair value for these instruments are presented in Note 12 of the financial statements.

The estimated fair value of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accrued interest receivable, net repurchase agreements, accrued interest payable and accounts payable and other liabilities generally approximates their carrying value as of  June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments.

It is impractical to estimate the fair value of the Company’s junior subordinated notes.  Currently, there is a limited market for these types of instruments and the Company is unable to ascertain what interest rates would be available to the Company for similar financial instruments. Information regarding carrying amounts, effective interest rates and maturity dates for these instruments is presented in Note 6 to the financial statements.

Property and Equipment, net

Property and equipment, net, consists of computer equipment with a depreciable life of 3 years, office furniture and equipment with depreciable lives of 8 to 20 years, land which has no depreciable life, and buildings and improvements with depreciable lives of 30 years.  Property and equipment is recorded at acquisition cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.

Bimini Capital’s property and equipment as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, is presented net of accumulated depreciation of approximately $753,000 and $692,000, respectively. Depreciation expense was approximately $60,000 and $28,000 for the six and three months ended June 30, 2011, respectively, and $45,000 and $22,000 for the six and three months ended June 30, 2010, respectively.

Repurchase Agreements

The Company finances the acquisition of its PT MBS through the use of repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are treated as collateralized financing transactions and are carried at their contractual amounts, including accrued interest, as specified in the respective agreements. Although structured as a sale and repurchase obligation, a repurchase agreement operates as a financing under which securities are pledged as collateral to secure a short-term loan equal in value to a specified percentage (generally between 93 and 95 percent) of the market value of the pledged collateral. While used as collateral, the borrower retains beneficial ownership of the pledged collateral, including the right to distributions. At the maturity of a repurchase agreement, the borrower is required to repay the loan and concurrently receive the pledged collateral from the lender or, with the consent of the lender, renew such agreement at the then prevailing financing rate. Margin calls, whereby a lender requires that the Company pledge additional securities or cash as collateral to secure borrowings under its repurchase agreements with such a lender, are routinely experienced by the Company when the value of the MBS pledged as collateral declines or as a result of principal amortization or due to changes in market interest rates, spreads or other market conditions.


 
-8-

 

The Company’s repurchase agreements typically have terms ranging from one month to six months at inception, with some having longer terms.  Should a counterparty decide not to renew a repurchase agreement at maturity, the Company must either refinance with another lender or be in a position to satisfy the obligation.  If, during the term of a repurchase agreement, a lender should file for bankruptcy, the Company might experience difficulty recovering its pledged assets which could result in an unsecured claim against the lender for the difference between the amount loaned to the Company plus interest due to the counterparty and the fair value of the collateral pledged to such lender including accrued interest.  At June 30, 2011, the Company had outstanding balances under repurchase agreements with two lenders with a maximum amount at risk (the difference between the amount loaned to the Company, including interest payable, and the fair value of the collateral pledged by the Company, including accrued interest) of $4.8 million.

Share-Based Compensation

The Company follows the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, to account for stock and stock-based awards. For stock and stock-based awards issued to employees, a compensation charge is recorded against earnings over the vesting period based on the fair value of the award. Payments pursuant to dividend equivalent rights, which are granted along with certain equity based awards, are charged to stockholders’ equity when declared.  The Company applies a zero forfeiture rate for its equity based awards, as such awards have been granted to a limited number of employees and historical forfeitures have been minimal. A significant forfeiture, or an indication that significant forfeitures may occur, would result in a revised forfeiture rate which would be accounted for prospectively as a change in an estimate. For transactions with non-employees in which services are performed in exchange for the Company's common stock or other equity instruments, the transactions are recorded on the basis of the fair value of the service received or the fair value of the equity instruments issued, whichever is more readily measurable at the date of issuance.

Earnings Per Share

The Company follows the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 260, Earnings Per Share, which requires companies with complex capital structures, common stock equivalents or two (or more) classes of securities that participate in the declared dividends to present both basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) on the face of the consolidated statement of operations. Basic EPS is calculated as income available to common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is calculated using the “if converted” method for common stock equivalents. However, the common stock equivalents are not included in computing diluted EPS if the result is anti-dilutive.

Outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, participating and convertible into Class A Common Stock, are entitled to receive dividends in an amount equal to the dividends declared on each share of Class A Common Stock if, as and when authorized and declared by the Board of Directors. Accordingly, shares of the Class B Common Stock are included in the computation of basic EPS using the two-class method and, consequently, are presented separately from Class A Common Stock.

The shares of Class C Common Stock are not included in the basic EPS computation as these shares do not have participation rights. The outstanding shares of Class B and Class C Common Stock are not included in the computation of diluted EPS for the Class A Common Stock as the conditions for conversion into shares of Class A Common Stock were not met.


 
-9-

 

Income Taxes

Bimini Capital, including its wholly-owned qualified REIT subsidiary, has elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Code. Bimini Capital will generally not be subject to federal income tax on its REIT taxable income to the extent that Bimini Capital distributes its REIT taxable income to its stockholders and satisfies the ongoing REIT requirements, including meeting certain asset, income and stock ownership tests. A REIT must generally distribute at least 90% of its REIT taxable income to its stockholders, of which 85% generally must be distributed within the taxable year, in order to avoid the imposition of an excise tax. The remaining balance may be distributed up to the end of the following taxable year, provided the REIT elects to treat such amount as a prior year distribution and meets certain other requirements. At June 30, 2011, management believes that the Company has complied with Code requirements and Bimini Capital continues to qualify as a REIT. As further described in Note 10, Income Taxes, Bimini Advisors and Mortco are taxpaying entities for income tax purposes and are taxed separately from the REIT.   The Company files separate federal and state tax returns for the REIT, and for each of the taxable REIT subsidiaries.  Generally, returns for all periods after 2006 remain open for examination.

Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentations, including the reporting of Mortco as described below.

During the second quarter of 2007, the Company closed the mortgage wholesale and conduit mortgage loan origination channels of Mortco and subsequently sold substantially all of the operating assets of Mortco.  Mortco was reported after that date as a discontinued operation following applicable accounting standards.  Through September 30, 2010, most of the remaining assets and liabilities were considered to be contingent and were held by Mortco pursuant to the terms of the disposal of the operations.  The disposal of the retained interests asset was delayed as a result of the lingering effects of the financial market crisis and a significant lack of investor interest in such securities, even though the Company made efforts to market such securities to previously active market participants.  Because Mortco continued to hold these net assets, effective October 1, 2010,  the assets and liabilities previously classified as held for sale were reclassified to held and used for all periods presented.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update 2011-05 (“ASU”) amending the authoritative guidance to allow an entity the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In both choices, an entity is required to present each component of net income along with total net income, each component of other comprehensive income along with a total for other comprehensive income, and a total amount for comprehensive income. This ASU eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity, but does not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income or when an item of other comprehensive income must be reclassified to net income. The provisions of this amendment require retrospective application, and are effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2011. We anticipate that the adoption of this ASU will have no effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.


 
-10-

 

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04 amending authoritative guidance to establish common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements in GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”). The ASU changes the wording used to describe many of the requirements in GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements to ensure consistency between GAAP and IFRSs as well as expand the disclosures for Level 3 measurements. The ASU is to be applied prospectively, and are effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2011. We anticipate that the adoption of this ASU will not have a materially effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-03 regarding repurchase agreements.  In a typical repurchase agreement transaction, an entity transfers financial assets to a counterparty in exchange for cash with an agreement for the counterparty to return the same or equivalent financial assets for a fixed price in the future.  Previous to this ASU, one of the factors in determining whether sale treatment could be used was whether the transferor maintained effective control of the transferred assets and in order to do so, the transferor must have the ability to repurchase such assets. Based on this ASU, the Financial Accounting Standards Board concluded that the assessment of effective control should focus on a transferor’s contractual rights and obligations with respect to transferred financial assets, rather than whether the transferor has the practical ability to perform in accordance with those rights or obligations.  Therefore, this ASU removes the transferor’s ability criterion from consideration of effective control.  This ASU is effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after December 15, 2011.  Since the Company records repurchase agreements as secured borrowings and not sales, this ASU will have no effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 2.   MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES

The following table presents the Company’s MBS portfolio as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

(in thousands)
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
June 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
Pass-Through Certificates:
 
 
   
 
 
Hybrid Adjustable-rate Mortgages
  $ 2,451     $ 2,783  
Adjustable-rate Mortgages
    63,992       64,458  
Fixed-rate Mortgages
    30,168       50,013  
Total Pass-Through Certificates
    96,611       117,254  
Structured MBS Certificates:
               
Structured MBS
    17,396       17,879  
Totals
  $ 114,007     $ 135,133  

The following table summarizes the Company’s MBS portfolio as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, according to their contractual maturities. Actual maturities of MBS investments are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities and are affected by the contractual lives of the underlying mortgages, periodic payments of principal, and prepayments of principal.

(in thousands)
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
June 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
Less than one year
  $ 496     $ -  
Greater than one year and less than five years
    339       1,600  
Greater than five years and less than ten years
    10,100       9,077  
Greater than or equal to ten years
    103,072       124,456  
Totals
  $ 114,007     $ 135,133  


 
-11-

 

NOTE 3.  RETAINED INTERESTS IN SECURITIZATIONS

The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of the Company’s residual interests in asset backed securities as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

(in thousands)
 
 
 
   
 
 
Series
Issue Date
 
June 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
HMAC 2004-1
March 4, 2004
  $ 626     $ 430  
HMAC 2004-2
May 10, 2004
    676       921  
HMAC 2004-3
June 30, 2004
    1,116       911  
HMAC 2004-4
August 16, 2004
    568       558  
HMAC 2004-5
September 28, 2004
    790       1,108  
              Total
 
  $ 3,776     $ 3,928  

NOTE 4.   REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

As of June 30, 2011, Bimini Capital had outstanding net repurchase obligations of approximately $92.1 million with a net weighted average borrowing rate of 0.27%.  These agreements were collateralized by MBS with a fair value, including accrued interest, of approximately $96.3 million.  As of December 31, 2010, Bimini Capital had outstanding repurchase obligations of approximately $113.6 million with a net weighted average borrowing rate of 0.32%.  These agreements were collateralized by MBS with a fair value of approximately $117.6 million.
 
 
As of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, Bimini Capital's net repurchase agreements had remaining maturities as summarized below:

(in thousands)
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
OVERNIGHT
   
BETWEEN 2
   
BETWEEN 31
   
GREATER
   
 
 
 
 
(1 DAY OR
   
AND
   
AND
   
THAN
   
 
 
 
 
LESS)
   
30 DAYS
   
90 DAYS
   
90 DAYS
   
TOTAL
 
June 30, 2011
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Agency Backed Mortgage--Backed Securities:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Fair market value of securities pledged, including
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
accrued interest receivable
  $ 10,846     $ 16,642     $ 57,381     $ 11,477     $ 96,346  
Repurchase agreement liabilities associated with
                                       
these securities
  $ 10,884     $ 15,779     $ 54,570     $ 10,872     $ 92,105  
Net weighted average borrowing rate
    0.25 %     0.33 %     0.26 %     0.27 %     0.27 %
December 31, 2010
                                       
Agency Backed Mortgage--Backed Securities:
                                       
Fair market value of securities pledged, including
                                       
accrued interest receivable
  $ -     $ 75,175     $ 42,415     $ -     $ 117,590  
Repurchase agreement liabilities associated with
                                       
these securities
  $ -     $ 73,014     $ 40,578     $ -     $ 113,592  
Net weighted average borrowing rate
    -       0.31 %     0.33 %     -       0.32 %


 
-12-

 

Summary information regarding the Company’s amounts at risk with individual counterparties greater than 10% of the Company’s equity at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 is as follows:

(in thousands)
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
Amount
   
Weighted Average Maturity of Repurchase
 
Repurchase Agreement Counterparties
 
at Risk(1)
   
Agreements in Days
 
June 30, 2011
 
 
   
 
 
MF Global, Inc.
  $ 4,250       64  
December 31, 2010
               
MF Global, Inc.
  $ 3,444       25  

(1)
Equal to the fair value of securities sold, cash posted as collateral and accrued interest receivable, minus the sum of repurchase agreement liabilities and accrued interest payable.

NOTE 5. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

In connection with the Company’s interest rate risk management strategy, during the second quarter of 2010, the Company economically hedged a portion of its interest rate risk by entering into derivative financial instrument contracts.  The Company did not elect hedging treatment under GAAP, and as such all gains and losses on these instruments are reflected in earnings for all periods presented.

As of June 30, 2011, such instruments are comprised entirely of Eurodollar futures contracts.  Eurodollar futures are cash settled futures contracts on an interest rate, with gains and losses credited and charged to the Company’s account on a daily basis. A minimum balance, or “margin”, is required to be maintained in the account on a daily basis. The Company is exposed to the changes in value of the futures by the amount of margin held by the broker.  The total amount of margin at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 was approximately $522,000 and $223,000, respectively, and is reflected in restricted cash.

The Company’s Eurodollar futures contracts with a notional amount of $26 million are used to attempt to achieve a fixed interest rate related to its junior subordinated notes.  The junior subordinated notes had a fixed-rate of interest until December 15, 2010, of 7.8575% and thereafter, through maturity in 2035, the rate will float at a spread of 3.50% over the prevailing three-month LIBOR rate.  The Eurodollar futures contracts serve to effectively lock in a fixed LIBOR rate for a specified period of time.   As of June 30, 2011, the Company has effectively locked in a weighted-average fixed LIBOR rate of 2.03% on $26 million of its junior subordinated notes through September 2014.  The effective interest rate for the junior subordinated notes is 5.53%. 

The Company also used Eurodollar futures contracts with a notional amount of $50 million to attempt to achieve a fixed interest rate related to a portion of its repurchase agreement obligations.  As of June 30, 2011, the Company has effectively locked in a weighted-average fixed LIBOR rate of 1.01% on $50 million of its repurchase agreement obligations through December 2013.

For the six and three months ended June 30, 2011, the Company recorded losses of $355,000 and $365,000, respectively, on Eurodollar futures contracts.  For the six and three months ended June 30, 2010, the Company recorded losses of $150,000 and $150,000, respectively, on Eurodollar futures contracts.

NOTE 6.  TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES

During 2005, Bimini Capital sponsored the formation of a statutory trust, known as Bimini Capital Trust II (“BCTII”) of which 100% of the common equity is owned by Bimini Capital.  It was formed for the purpose of issuing trust preferred capital securities to third-party investors and investing the proceeds from the sale of such capital securities solely in junior subordinated debt securities of Bimini Capital. The debt securities held by BCTII are the sole assets of BCTII.

 
-13-

 
As of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the outstanding principal balance on the junior subordinated debt securities owed to BCTII was $26.8 million.  The BCTII trust preferred securities and Bimini Capital's BCTII Junior Subordinated Notes have a rate of interest that floats at a spread of 3.50% over the prevailing three-month LIBOR rate.  As of June 30, 2011, the interest rate was 3.75%. The BCTII trust preferred securities and Bimini Capital's BCTII Junior Subordinated Notes require quarterly interest distributions and are redeemable at Bimini Capital's option, in whole or in part and without penalty, beginning December 15, 2010. Bimini Capital's BCTII Junior Subordinated Notes are subordinate and junior in right of payment of all present and future senior indebtedness.

The trust is a variable interest entity pursuant to FASB ASC Topic 810 because the holders of the equity investment at risk do not have adequate decision making ability over the trust's activities. Since Bimini Capital's investment in the trust's common equity securities was financed directly by the applicable trust as a result of its loan of the proceeds to Bimini Capital, that investment is not considered to be an equity investment at risk. Since Bimini Capital's common share investments in BCTII are not a variable interest, Bimini Capital is not the primary beneficiary of BCTII. Therefore, Bimini Capital has not consolidated the financial statements of BCTII into its financial statements.

 The accompanying consolidated financial statements present Bimini Capital's BCTII Junior Subordinated Notes issued to the trust as a liability and Bimini Capital's investment in the common equity securities of BCTII as an asset. For financial statement purposes, Bimini Capital records payments of interest on the Junior Subordinated Notes issued to BCTII as interest expense.

NOTE 7.  CAPITAL STOCK

Issuances of Common Stock

The table below presents information related to Class A Common Stock issued to its independent directors for the payment of director fees and to employees pursuant to the terms of its stock incentive plan grants for the six and three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010.
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
   
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Directors' Compensation
    116,076       80,501       62,908       49,627  
Incentive Plan
    13,000       -       -       -  
Total shares of Class A Common Stock issued
    129,076       80,501       62,908       49,627  

There were no issuances of the Company's Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock during the six and three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010.

Stock Repurchases

On June 29, 2010, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $1.0 million of the Company’s Class A common stock.  Through June 30, 2011, the Company had repurchased 403,715 shares under the plan, for a total of $349,344.  As of June 30, 2011 the remaining amount authorized under the plan was $650,656.  On August 2, 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors suspended future purchases under this plan.

In addition, during 2011, the Company acquired 655 shares of Class A common stock in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations on vested incentive plan shares.


 
-14-

 

Dividends

The table below presents information related to dividends declared by the Company’s Board of Directors during 2011 and 2010.

(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 
 
   
 
 
Declaration Date
Record Date
Payment Date
 
Per Share Amount
   
Total
 
2011 
 
 
 
   
 
 
July 12, 2011
July 29, 2011
August 16, 2011
  $ 0.0325     $ 336  
April 1, 2011
April 15, 2011
April 29, 2011
    0.0325       334  
2010 
 
 
               
April 1, 2010
April 15, 2010
April 30, 2010
  $ 0.0300     $ 314  
June 29, 2010
July 15, 2010
July 30, 2010
    0.0300       316  
October 4, 2010
October 15, 2010
October 29, 2010
    0.0300       315  
December 8, 2010
December 23, 2010
December 30, 2010
    0.0325       332  

NOTE 8.    STOCK INCENTIVE PLANS
 
On December 18, 2003, Bimini Capital adopted the 2003 Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2003 Plan”) to provide Bimini with the flexibility to use stock options and other awards as part of an overall compensation package to provide a means of performance-based compensation to attract and retain qualified personnel. The 2003 Plan was amended and restated in March 2004. Key employees, directors and consultants are eligible to be granted stock options, restricted stock, phantom shares, dividend equivalent rights and other stock-based awards under the 2003 Plan. Subject to adjustment upon certain corporate transactions or events, a maximum of 1,448,050 shares of the Class A Common Stock (but not more than 10% of the Class A Common Stock outstanding on the date of grant) may be subject to stock options, shares of restricted stock, phantom shares and dividend equivalent rights under the 2003 Plan.

Phantom share awards represent a right to receive a share of Bimini's Class A Common Stock.  These awards do not have an exercise price and are valued at the fair value of Bimini Capital’s Class A Common Stock at the date of the grant. The grant date value is amortized to compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the respective award.  The phantom shares vest, based on the employees’ continuing employment, following a schedule as provided in the individual grant agreements, for periods through March 15, 2015. Compensation expense recognized for phantom shares was approximately $48,000 and $23,000 for the six and three months ended June 30, 2011, respectively, and $35,000 and $27,000 for the six and three months ended June 30, 2010.  Dividends paid on unsettled awards are charged to stockholders’ equity when declared.

A summary of phantom share activity during the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 is presented below:

 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
 
 
 
 
   
Weighted-
   
 
   
Weighted-
 
 
 
 
   
Average
   
 
   
Average
 
 
 
 
   
Grant-Date
   
 
   
Grant-Date
 
 
 
Shares
   
Fair Value
   
Shares
   
Fair Value
 
Nonvested, at January 1
    401,000     $ 1.12       102,000     $ 1.58  
Granted
    -       -       302,000       0.97  
Vested
    (13,000 )     0.97       -       -  
Nonvested, at June 30
    388,000     $ 1.13       404,000     $ 1.12  


 
-15-

 

As of June 30, 2011, there was approximately $300,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested phantom share awards.  This cost is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted-average period of 40.8 months.  The intrinsic value of the outstanding phantom shares as of June 30, 2011 and 2010 is $283,000 and $380,000, respectively.  All of the remaining outstanding unvested awards at June 30, 2011 were granted with dividend participation rights.

NOTE 9.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Outstanding Litigation

The Company is involved in various lawsuits and claims, both actual and potential, including some that it has asserted against others, in which monetary and other damages are sought. These lawsuits and claims relate primarily to contractual disputes arising out of the ordinary course of the Company’s business. The outcome of such lawsuits and claims is inherently unpredictable. However, management believes that, in the aggregate, the outcome of all lawsuits and claims involving the Company will not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or liquidity; however, any such outcome may be material to the results of operations of any particular period in which costs, if any, are recognized.

A complaint by a note-holder in Preferred Term Securities XX (“PreTSL XX”) was filed on July 16, 2010 in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County, against Bimini Capital Management, Inc. (“Bimini”), the Bank of New York Mellon (“BNYM”), PreTSL XX, Ltd. and Hexagon Securities, LLC (“Hexagon”).  The complaint, filed by Hildene Capital Management, LLC and Hildene Opportunities Fund, Ltd. (“Hildene”), alleges that Hildene suffered losses as a result of Bimini’s repurchase of all outstanding fixed/floating rate capital securities of Bimini Capital Trust II for less than par value from PreTSL XX in October 2009.  Hildene has alleged claims against BNYM for breach of the Indenture, breach of fiduciary duties and breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and claims against Bimini for tortious interference with contract, aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment and rescission/illegality”.   Plaintiff also alleges derivative claims brought in the name of Nominal Defendant BNYM. On May 2, 2011, Hexagon and Nominal Defendant PreTSL XX were voluntarily dismissed without prejudice by Hildene. Bimini and BNYM have moved to dismiss Hildene’s derivative claims, and Bimini has also moved to dismiss Hildene’s claim for “rescission/illegality.”  Bimini denies that the repurchase was improper and intends to defend the suit vigorously.

On June 14, 2007, a complaint was filed in the Circuit Court of the Twelfth Judicial District in and for Manatee County, Florida by Coast Bank of Florida (“Coast”) against Mortco seeking monetary damages and specific performance and alleging breach of an alleged oral contract for allegedly failing to convert approximately fifty construction loans to permanent financing.  Mortco denies that there was an agreement and has several defenses to Coast's claims.  The parties attempted mediation and conducted limited discovery but the case had been relatively inactive for several years.  On May 3, 2011, the Court set a non-jury trial to begin on January 17, 2012.  The parties will conduct fact and expert discovery through 2011.  Mortco plans to continue to defend this matter vigorously.

On March 2, 2011, Orchid Island TRS, LLC, formerly known as Opteum Financial Services, LLC and presently known as Mortco TRS, LLC (“Opteum Financial”) and Opteum Mortgage Acceptance Corporation (“Opteum Acceptance”) (collectively referred to herein as “Opteum”) received a cover letter dated March 1, 2011 from Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (“Mass Mutual”) enclosing a draft complaint against Opteum.  In summary, Mass Mutual alleges that it purchased residential mortgage-backed securities offered by Opteum in August 2005 and the first quarter of 2006 and that Opteum made false representations and warranties in connection with the sale of the securities in violation of Mass Gen. Laws Ch. 110A § 410(a)(2) (the “Massachusetts Blue Sky Law”).  In its cover letter, Mass Mutual claims it is entitled to damages of $25 million.  However, no monetary demand is contained within the enclosed draft complaint, and the actual damages Mass Mutual claims to have incurred is uncertain.
 

 
-16-

 

Mass Mutual has not filed the complaint or initiated litigation.  Pursuant to its request, on March 14, 2011 Mass Mutual and Opteum entered into a Tolling Agreement so that Mass Mutual could address its allegations against Opteum without incurring litigation costs.  Mass Mutual has not yet contacted Opteum to schedule such discussions.  On July 12, 2011, Mass Mutual offered to extend the Tolling Agreement for an additional two years.  Opteum agreed to do so, and it requested Mass Mutual provide the proposed documentation.
 
Opteum denies Opteum Financial or Opteum Acceptance, individually or collectively, made false representations and warranties in connection with the sale of securities to Mass Mutual.  As of August 11, 2011, Mass Mutual has taken no action to prosecute its claim against Opteum, and the range of loss, if any, or potential loss cannot reasonably be estimated.  Should Mass Mutual initiate litigation, Opteum will defend such litigation vigorously.

Loans Sold to Investors.

Generally, Mortco was not exposed to significant credit risk on its loans sold to investors. In the normal course of business, Mortco provided certain representations and warranties during the sale of mortgage loans which obligated it to repurchase loans which are subsequently unable to be sold through the normal investor channels. The repurchased loans were secured by the related real estate properties, and can usually be sold directly to other permanent investors. There can be no assurance, however, that Mortco will be able to recover the repurchased loan value either through other investor channels or through the assumption of the secured real estate.

Mortco recognized a liability for the estimated fair value of this obligation at the inception of each mortgage loan sale based on the anticipated repurchase levels and historical experience. Changes in this liability for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 are presented below:

(in thousands)
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
 
Balance - Beginning of period
  $ 5,087     $ 5,149  
Provision
    -       48  
Balance - End of Period
  $ 5,087     $ 5,197  

NOTE 10.  INCOME TAXES

REIT Activities

As a REIT, the Company is not subject to federal income tax on REIT taxable income distributed to its shareholders.  REIT taxable income or loss, as generated by Bimini Capital’s qualifying REIT activities, is computed in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code, which is different from the Company’s financial statement net income or loss as computed in accordance with GAAP. Depending on the number and size of the various items or transactions being accounted for differently, the differences between the Company’s REIT taxable income or loss and its financial statement net income or loss can be substantial and each item can affect several years.

As of June 30, 2011, Bimini Capital has approximately $52.9 million of remaining capital loss carryforwards available to offset future capital gains and a REIT tax net operating loss carryforward of approximately $6.3 million that is immediately available to offset future REIT taxable income.  The capital loss carryforwards expire in years beginning in 2012 through 2016, and the net operating loss carryforwards expire in years beginning in 2028 through 2031.


 
-17-

 

Taxable REIT Subsidiaries

As taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRS”), Bimini Advisors and Mortco are tax paying entities for income tax purposes and are taxed separately from Bimini Capital.  Therefore, Bimini Advisors and Mortco each separately report an income tax provision or benefit based on their own taxable activities.  For the six and three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, the TRSs had no taxable income primarily due to the utilization of NOL carryforwards.

The income tax provisions for the periods ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 differ from the amount determined by applying the statutory Federal rate of 35% to the pre-tax income or loss due primarily to the recording of, and adjustments to, the deferred tax asset valuation allowance.  During the six-month period ended June 30, 2011, and during the three-month periods ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, a portion of the deferred tax asset valuation allowance was reversed, as the utilization of this portion of the deferred tax asset was deemed more likely than not, due to the utilization of tax net operating losses to offset estimated taxable income for the respective periods; therefore, there are no income tax provisions related to the results of operations.  The net deferred tax asset generated by the net loss incurred during the six-month period ended June 30, 2010 is offset in its entirety by a deferred tax asset valuation allowance, and the amounts of the gross tax benefit generated by this loss is reduced by an offsetting valuation allowance of the same amount.

As of June 30, 2011, Mortco had an estimated federal tax NOL carryforward of approximately $272.0 million, and estimated available state NOLs of approximately $63.1 million, which begin to expire in 2025, and are fully available to offset future taxable income.  Similar amounts for Bimini Advisors are insignificant.

The net deferred tax assets and offsetting valuation allowances at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 were approximately $101.1 million and $101.5 million, respectively. The ultimate realization of the deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income within Mortco.  At June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, management believed that it was more likely than not that the Company will not realize the full benefits of all of the federal and state tax NOL carryforwards, which are the primary deferred tax assets of Mortco; therefore, an allowance for the full amount of the net deferred tax assets has been recorded in both years.  Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income or losses, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.

NOTE 11.   EARNINGS PER SHARE

Shares of Class B Common Stock, participating and convertible into Class A Common Stock, are entitled to receive dividends in an amount equal to the dividends declared on each share of Class A Common Stock if, and when, authorized and declared by the Board of Directors. Following the provisions of FASB ASC 260, the Class B Common Stock is included in the computation of basic EPS using the two-class method, and consequently is presented separately from Class A Common Stock. Shares of Class B Common Stock are not included in the computation of diluted Class A EPS as the conditions for conversion to Class A Common Stock were not met at June 30, 2011 and 2010.

Shares of Class C Common Stock are not included in the basic EPS computation as these shares do not have participation rights. Shares of Class C Common Stock are not included in the computation of diluted Class A EPS as the conditions for conversion to Class A Common Stock were not met at June 30, 2011 and 2010.

The Company has dividend eligible stock incentive plan shares that were outstanding during the six and three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010. The basic and diluted per share computations include these unvested incentive plan shares if there is income available to Class A common shares, as they have dividend participation rights. The stock incentive plan shares have no contractual obligation to share in losses. Since there is no such obligation, the incentive plan shares are not included in the basic and diluted EPS computations when no income is available to Class A Common Stock even though they are considered participating securities.

 
-18-

 
The table below reconciles the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted EPS.

(in thousands, except per-share information)
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
   
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Basic and diluted EPS per Class A common share:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Income (loss) available to Class A common shares:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Basic and diluted
  $ 1,693     $ (637 )   $ 2,202     $ 368  
Weighted average common shares:
                               
Class A common shares outstanding at the balance sheet date
    9,905       10,085       9,905       10,085  
Unvested dividend-eligible stock incentive plan shares
                               
outstanding at the balance sheet date
    388       -       388       -  
Effect of weighting
    (79 )     (818 )     (53 )     (41 )
Weighted average shares-basic and diluted
    10,214       9,267       10,240       10,044  
Income (loss) per Class A common share:
                               
Basic and diluted
  $ 0.17     $ (0.07 )   $ 0.22     $ 0.04  

(in thousands, except per-share information)
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
   
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Basic and diluted EPS per Class B common share:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Income (loss) available to Class B common shares:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Basic and diluted
  $ 5     $ (2 )   $ 7     $ 1  
Weighted average common shares:
                               
Class B common shares outstanding at the balance sheet date
    32       32       32       32  
Effect of weighting
    -       -       -       -  
Weighted average shares-basic and diluted
    32       32       32       32  
Income (loss) per Class B common share:
                               
Basic and diluted
  $ 0.17     $ (0.08 )   $ 0.22     $ 0.03  

NOTE 12.   FAIR VALUE

Authoritative accounting literature establishes a framework for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities and defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) as opposed to the price that would be paid to acquire the asset or received to assume the liability (an entry price). A fair value measure should reflect the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including the assumptions about the risk inherent in a particular valuation technique, the effect of a restriction on the sale or use of an asset and the risk of nonperformance. Required disclosures include stratification of balance sheet amounts measured at fair value based on inputs the Company uses to derive fair value measurements. These stratifications are:

·  
Level 1 valuations, where the valuation is based on quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities traded in active markets (which include exchanges and over-the-counter markets with sufficient volume),
 
 
·  
Level 2 valuations, where the valuation is based on quoted market prices for similar instruments traded in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market, and


 
-19-

 

·  
Level 3 valuations, where the valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use significant assumptions not observable in the market, but observable based on Company-specific data. These unobservable assumptions reflect the Company’s own estimates for assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Valuation techniques typically include option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques, but may also include the use of market prices of assets or liabilities that are not directly comparable to the subject asset or liability.

Our MBS are valued using Level 2 valuations, and such valuations currently are determined by the Company based on the average of third-party broker quotes and/or by independent pricing sources when available. Because the price estimates may vary, the Company must make certain judgments and assumptions about the appropriate price to use to calculate the fair values. Alternatively, the Company could opt to have the value of all of our positions in MBS determined by either an independent third-party or do so internally.

Mortgage-backed securities, retained interests, Eurodollar futures contracts and mortgage loans held for sale were recorded at fair value on a recurring basis during 2011 and 2010. When determining fair value measurements, the Company considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and considers assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset. When possible, the Company looks to active and observable markets to price identical assets.  When identical assets are not traded in active markets, the Company looks to market observable data for similar assets.  Fair value measurements for the retained interests are generated by a model that requires management to make a significant number of assumptions.

The following table presents financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

(in thousands)
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
Quoted Prices
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
in Active
   
Significant
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
Markets for
   
Other
   
Significant
 
 
 
 
   
Identical
   
Observable
   
Unobservable
 
 
 
Fair Value
   
Assets
   
Inputs
   
Inputs
 
 
 
Measurements
   
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
 
June 30, 2011
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Mortgage-backed securities
  $ 114,007     $ -     $ 114,007     $ -  
Eurodollar futures contracts
    522       522       -       -  
Mortgage Loans Held For Sale
    40       -       -       40  
Retained interests
    3,776       -       -       3,776  
December 31, 2010
                               
Mortgage-backed securities
  $ 135,133     $ -     $ 135,133     $ -  
Eurodollar futures contracts
    223       223       -       -  
Mortgage Loans Held For Sale
    40       -       -       40  
Retained interests
    3,928       -       -       3,928  


 
-20-

 

The following table illustrates a rollforward for all assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the six month periods ended June 30, 2011 and 2010:

(in thousands)
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
 
 
 
Retained Interests
   
Mortgage Loans Held For Sale
   
Retained Interests
   
Mortgage Loans Held For Sale
 
Balance, January 1
  $ 3,928     $ 40     $ 5,934     $ 207  
Gain included in earnings
    1,441       -       1,368       73  
Collections, sale and settlements
    (1,593 )     -       (2,345 )     (240 )
Balance, June 30
  $ 3,776     $ 40     $ 4,957     $ 40  

During the six month periods ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, there were no transfers of financial assets or liabilities between levels 1, 2 or 3.

NOTE 13. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Frank E. Jaumot is a shareholder in an accounting firm from which the Company receives accounting and tax services. Mr. Jaumot is both a director and a shareholder of Bimini Capital. Professional fees incurred with this firm were $67,000 and $65,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

NOTE 14.   SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

At a meeting of the Board of Directors of Bimini Capital on July 12, 2011, the members of the Board declared a common stock dividend of $0.0325 per share, which is scheduled to be paid in cash on August 16, 2011 to shareholders of record on July 29, 2011. The dividend to be paid on August 16, 2011 totals $336,000.

On May 3, 2011, Orchid filed a Form S-11 Registration Statement (the “Registration Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with a proposed initial public offering of its common stock. Orchid withdrew the Registration Statement on August 4, 2011, and it does not intend to pursue the public offering contemplated by the Registration Statement at this time.


 
-21-

 

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
When used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, in future filings with the SEC or in press releases or other written or oral communications, statements which are not historical in nature, including those containing words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “should,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend” and similar expressions, are intended to identify “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).
 
 These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those described or incorporated by reference in “Part II - Item 1A - Risk Factors” of this Form 10-Q. These and other risks, uncertainties and factors, including those described in reports that the Company files from time to time with the Commission, could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those reflected in such forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and the Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims, any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of such statements.

 The following discussion of the financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this report.

INTRODUCTION

As used in this document, references to “Bimini Capital,” the parent company, the registrant, and to real estate investment trust (“REIT”) qualifying activities or the general management of Bimini Capital’s portfolio of MBS refer to “Bimini Capital Management, Inc.” and its wholly-owned qualified REIT subsidiary.  Further, references to Bimini Capital’s taxable REIT subsidiaries or non-REIT eligible assets refer to Bimini Advisors, Inc. and to Mortco TRS, LLC (“Mortco”) and its consolidated subsidiaries. Mortco, which was previously named Opteum Financial Services, LLC, (referred to as “OFS”) was renamed Orchid Island TRS, LLC (referred to as “OITRS”) effective July 3, 2007 and then renamed Mortco TRS, LLC effective March 8, 2011.   Hereinafter, any historical mention, discussion or references to Opteum Financial Services, LLC, Orchid Island TRS, LLC, OFS or to OITRS (such as in previously filed documents or Exhibits) now means Mortco.  References to the “Company” refer to the consolidated entity (the combination of Bimini Capital and its qualified REIT subsidiary, Orchid Island Capital, Inc., and Bimini Advisors and Mortco).

Bimini Capital Management, Inc. was formed in September 2003 to invest primarily in but not limited to, residential mortgage related securities issued by the Federal National Mortgage Association (more commonly known as Fannie Mae), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (more commonly known as Freddie Mac) and the Government National Mortgage Association (more commonly known as Ginnie Mae). Bimini Capital will deploy its capital into two core strategies.  The two strategies are a levered MBS portfolio and an unlevered structured MBS portfolio.  The leverage applied to the MBS portfolio will typically be less than twelve to one.  Bimini Capital manages its portfolio of agency MBS and structured MBS to generate income derived from the net interest margin of its MBS portfolio, levered predominantly under repurchase agreement funding, net of associated hedging costs, and the interest income derived from its unlevered portfolio of structured mortgage-backed securities.  Bimini Capital treats its remaining junior subordinated notes as an equity capital equivalent. Bimini Capital is self-managed and self-advised and has elected to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes.


 
-22-

 

On April 18, 2007, the Board of Managers of Mortco, at the recommendation of the Board of Directors of the Company, approved the closure of the wholesale and conduit mortgage loan origination channels.  Both channels ceased accepting new applications for mortgage loans on April 20, 2007.  On May 7, 2007, Mortco signed a binding agreement, later amended, to sell its retail mortgage loan origination channel to a third party.  The transaction closed on June 30, 2007 and Mortco has not operated a mortgage loan origination business since that date. Since the second quarter of 2007, through September 30, 2010, Mortco was reported as a discontinued operation following applicable accounting standards, since most of the remaining assets and liabilities were considered to be contingent and were held by Mortco pursuant to the terms of the disposal of the operations.  The disposal of the retained interests asset has not been achieved as a result of the lingering effects of the financial market crisis and a significant lack of investor interest in such securities, even though the Company has made efforts to market such securities to previously active market participants. Because Mortco continues to hold these net assets, and the Company has not been able to dispose of them, the remnants of the old mortgage banking business are no longer classified as discontinued operations effective October 1, 2010, and the related assets and liabilities previously classified as held for sale have been reclassified to held and used for all periods presented.

DIVIDENDS TO STOCKHOLDERS

In order to maintain its qualification as a REIT, Bimini Capital is required (among other provisions) to annually distribute dividends to its stockholders in an amount at least equal to, generally, 90% of Bimini Capital’s REIT taxable income. REIT taxable income is a term that describes Bimini Capital’s operating results calculated in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code.
 
 
Bimini Capital’s REIT taxable income is computed differently from net income as computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP net income"), as reported in the Company’s accompanying consolidated financial statements.  Depending on the number and size of the various items or transactions being accounted for differently, the differences between REIT taxable income and GAAP net income can be substantial and each item can affect several reporting periods. Generally, these items are timing or temporary differences between years; for example, an item that may be a deduction for GAAP net income in the current year may not be a deduction for REIT taxable income until a later year.  The most significant differences are as follows: the results of the Company’s taxable REIT subsidiary do not impact REIT taxable income, unrealized gains or losses on the investment securities portfolio do not impact REIT taxable income, and interest income on structured MBS securities is computed differently for REIT taxable income and GAAP.

As a REIT, Bimini Capital may be subject to a federal excise tax if Bimini Capital distributes less than 85% of its taxable income by the end of the calendar year.  Accordingly, Bimini Capital’s dividends are based on its taxable income, as determined for federal income tax purposes, as opposed to its net income computed in accordance with GAAP (as reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements).
 
 
During the six months ended June 30, 2011, the Company paid distributions of $0.0325 per share on income of $0.17 per share.  These distributions were funded by cash on hand and cash flows generated from the Company’s investment portfolio.  While the Company intends to pay quarterly distributions to our stockholders such that substantially all of our REIT taxable income is distributed, it has not established a minimum distribution payout level and the ability to pay distributions may be adversely affected by a variety of factors.  All distributions will be made at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors and will depend on the Company’s earnings, financial conditions, maintenance of REIT status and other factors that may be deemed relevant; therefore, distributions may be reduced or eliminated at any time.  See “Outlook” appearing later in this MD&A.

At a meeting of the Board of Directors of Bimini Capital on July 12, 2011, the members of the Board declared a common stock dividend of $0.0325 per share, which is scheduled to be paid in cash on August 16, 2011 to shareholders of record on July 29, 2011. The dividend to be paid on August 16, 2011 totals $336,000.

 
-23-

 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Described below are the Company’s results of operations for the six and three months ended June 30, 2011, as compared to the Company’s results of operations for the six and three months ended June 30, 2010.

Net Income (Loss) Summary

Consolidated net income for the six months ended June 30, 2011 was $1.7 million, or $0.17 basic and diluted income per share of Class A Common Stock, as compared to consolidated net loss of $0.6 million, or $0.07 basic and diluted loss per share, for the six months ended June 30, 2010.
 
 
Consolidated net income for the three months ended June 30, 2011 was $2.2 million, or $0.22 basic and diluted income per share of Class A Common Stock, as compared to consolidated net income of $0.4 million, or $0.04 basic and diluted income per share for the three months ended June 30, 2010.

The components of net income (loss) for the six and three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, along with the changes in those components are presented in the table below:

(in thousands)
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended
   
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
   
Change
   
2011
   
2010
   
Change
 
Net portfolio interest
  $ 2,754     $ 3,586     $ (832 )   $ 1,231     $ 1,757     $ (526 )
Interest expense on junior subordinated notes
    (500 )     (1,100 )     600       (250 )     (550 )     300  
Gains (losses)
    1,281       (1,091 )     2,372       1,032       811       221  
Net portfolio income
    3,535       1,395       2,140       2,013       2,018       (5 )
Other income
    1,404       1,580       (176 )     1,487       120       1,367  
Expenses
    (3,242 )     (3,614 )     372       (1,291 )     (1,769 )     478  
Net income (loss)
  $ 1,697     $ (639 )   $ 2,336     $ 2,209     $ 369     $ 1,840  

 Net Portfolio Income

During the six months ended June 30, 2011, the REIT generated $2.8 million of net portfolio interest income, consisting of $2.9 million of interest income from MBS assets offset by $0.16 million of interest expense on repurchase liabilities.  For the comparable period ended June 30, 2010, the REIT generated $3.6 million of net portfolio interest income, consisting of $3.7 million of interest income from MBS assets offset by $0.12 million of interest expense on repurchase liabilities.

During the three months ended June 30, 2011, the REIT generated $1.2 million of net portfolio interest income, consisting of $1.3 million of interest income from MBS assets offset by $0.07 million of interest expense on repurchase liabilities.  For the three month period ended June 30, 2010, the REIT generated $1.8 million of net portfolio interest income, consisting of $1.8 million of interest income from MBS assets offset by $0.05 million of interest expense on repurchase liabilities.


 
-24-

 

The table below provides information on our portfolio average balances, interest income, yield on assets, average repurchase agreement balances, interest expense, cost of funds, net interest income and net interest rate for each quarter in 2011 and 2010 and for the six month periods ended June 30, 2011 and 2010.

(dollars in thousands)
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
Average
   
 
   
Yield on
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
Net
   
 
 
 
 
MBS
   
 
   
Average
   
Average
   
 
   
Average
   
Portfolio
   
Net
 
 
 
Securities
   
Interest
   
MBS
   
Repurchase
   
Interest
   
Cost of
   
Interest
   
Interest
 
 
 
Held
   
Income
   
Securities
   
Agreements
   
Expense
   
Funds
   
Income
   
Spread
 
Three Months Ended,
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
June 30, 2011
  $ 115,521     $ 1,303       4.51 %   $ 93,516     $ 72       0.31 %   $ 1,231       4.20 %
March 31, 2011
    126,084       1,610       5.11 %     104,259       87       0.33 %     1,523       4.77 %
December 31, 2010
    132,955       1,497       4.51 %     110,433       88       0.32 %     1,409       4.19 %
September 30, 2010
    114,165       1,262       4.42 %     89,440       69       0.31 %     1,193       4.11 %
June 30, 2010
    99,856       1,810       7.25 %     74,163       53       0.29 %     1,757       6.96 %
March 31, 2010
    110,914       1,898       6.85 %     88,495       68       0.31 %     1,830       6.54 %
Six Months Ended,
                                                               
June 30, 2011
  $ 120,802     $ 2,913       4.82 %   $ 98,888     $ 159       0.32 %   $ 2,754       4.50 %
June 30, 2010
    105,385       3,708       7.04 %     81,329       122       0.30 %     3,586       6.74 %

Portfolio yields and costs of borrowings presented in the table above and the tables on pages 26 and 27 are calculated based on the average balances of the underlying investment portfolio/repurchase agreement balances and are annualized for the quarterly and six month periods presented.  Average balances for quarterly periods are calculated using two data points, the beginning and ending balances.  Average balances for the six month periods are calculated as the average of the average quarterly periods.

Interest Income and Average Earning Asset Yield

Interest income was $2.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and $3.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010. Average MBS were $120.8 million and $105.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The $0.8 million decrease in interest income was due to a 222 basis point decrease in yields, which was partially offset by a $15.4 million increase in average MBS.

Interest income was $1.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011 and $1.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010. Average MBS were $115.5 million and $99.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The $0.5 million decrease in interest income was due to a 274 basis point decrease in yields, which was partially offset by a $15.7 million increase in average MBS.


 
-25-

 

The table below presents the average portfolio, income and yields of our respective sub-portfolios, consisting of structured MBS and PT MBS.

(dollars in thousands)
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
Average MBS Held
   
Interest Income
   
Realized Yield on Average MBS
 
 
 
PT
   
Structured
   
 
   
PT
   
Structured
   
 
   
PT
   
Structured
   
 
 
 
 
MBS
   
MBS
   
Total
   
MBS
   
MBS
   
Total
   
MBS
   
MBS
   
Total
 
Three Months Ended,
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
June 30, 2011
  $ 98,060     $ 17,461     $ 115,521     $ 757     $ 546     $ 1,303       3.09 %     12.52 %     4.51 %
March 31, 2011
    108,382       17,702       126,084       929       681       1,610       3.43 %     15.39 %     5.11 %
December 31, 2010
    114,570       18,385       132,955       995       502       1,497       3.48 %     10.92 %     4.51 %
September 30, 2010
    93,579       20,586       114,165       834       428       1,262       3.56 %     8.31 %     4.42 %
June 30, 2010
    79,691       20,165       99,856       763       1,047       1,810       3.83 %     20.76 %     7.25 %
March 31, 2010
    94,493       16,421       110,914       1,051       847       1,898       4.45 %     20.64 %     6.85 %
Six Months Ended,
                                                                       
June 30, 2011
  $ 103,221     $ 17,581     $ 120,802     $ 1,686     $ 1,227     $ 2,913       3.27 %     13.97 %     4.82 %
June 30, 2010
    87,092       18,293       105,385       1,814       1,894       3,708       4.17 %     20.71 %     7.04 %

Interest Expense on Repurchase Agreements and the Cost of Funds

Average outstanding repurchase agreements were $98.9 million and total interest expense was $0.16 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011.  During the six months ended June 30, 2010, average outstanding repurchase agreements were $81.3 million and total interest expense was $0.12 million.  Our average cost of funds was 0.32% for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 0.30% for the six months ended June 30, 2010.  There was a $0.04 million increase in interest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2011 when compared to the six months ended June 30, 2010. This change was due to a 2 basis point increase in cost of funds and a $17.6 million increase in average outstanding repurchase agreements for the six months ended June 30, 2011 when compared to the same period ended June 30, 2010.
   
Average outstanding repurchase agreements were $93.5 million and total interest expense was $0.07 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011.  During the three months ended June 30, 2010, average outstanding repurchase agreements were $74.2 million and total interest expense was $0.05 million.  Our average cost of funds was 0.31% for the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 0.29% for the three months ended June 30, 2010.  There was a $0.02 million increase in interest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2011 when compared to the three months ended June 30, 2010. This change was due to a 2 basis point increase in cost of funds and a $19.4 million increase in average outstanding repurchase agreements for the three months ended June 30, 2011 when compared to the same period ended June 30, 2010.

Since all of our repurchase agreements are short-term, changes in market rates directly affect our interest expense. Our average cost of funds was 9 basis points above average one-month LIBOR and 12 basis points below average six-month LIBOR for the quarter ended June 30, 2011. The average term to maturity of the outstanding repurchase agreements increased from 28 days at December 31, 2010 to 56 days at June 30, 2011.

The Company has not elected to designate its derivative holdings, specifically, its investment in Eurodollar futures contracts for hedge accounting treatment under the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging. Changes in fair value of these investments are presented in a separate line item in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations.  As such, interest expense and cost of funds are not impacted by the Company’s investment in Eurodollar futures contracts.

 
-26-

 
(dollars in thousands)
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
Average
   
Average
 
 
 
Average
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
Cost of Funds
   
Cost of Funds
 
 
 
Balance of
   
 
   
 
   
Average
   
Average
   
Relative to
   
Relative to
 
 
 
Repurchase
   
Interest
   
Average
   
One-Month
   
Six-Month
   
Average One-
   
Average Six-
 
 
 
Agreements
   
Expense
   
Cost of Funds
   
LIBOR
   
LIBOR
   
Month LIBOR
   
Month LIBOR
 
Three Months Ended,
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
June 30, 2011
  $ 93,516     $ 72       0.31 %     0.22 %     0.43 %     0.09 %     (0.12 )%
March 31, 2011
    104,259       87       0.33 %     0.26 %     0.46 %     0.07 %     (0.13 )%
December 31, 2010
    110,433       88       0.32 %     0.26 %     0.47 %     0.06 %     (0.15 )%
September 30, 2010
    89,440       69       0.31 %     0.30 %     0.61 %     0.01 %     (0.30 )%
June 30, 2010
    74,163       53       0.29 %     0.29 %     0.58 %     0.00 %     (0.29 )%
March 31, 2010
    88,495       68       0.31 %     0.24 %     0.43 %     0.07 %     (0.12 )%
Six Months Ended,
                                                       
June 30, 2011
  $ 98,888     $ 159       0.32 %     0.24 %     0.44 %     0.08 %     (0.12 )%
June 30, 2010
    81,329       122       0.30 %     0.26 %     0.51 %     0.04 %     (0.21 )%

Junior Subordinated Notes

Interest expense on the Company’s junior subordinated debt securities was $0.5 million and $0.2 million for the six and three months ended June 30, 2011, respectively, compared to $1.1 million and $0.5 million for the comparable periods in 2010.  The junior subordinated debt securities had a fixed-rate of interest until December 15, 2010, of 7.86% and thereafter, through maturity in 2035, the rate floats at a spread of 3.50% over the prevailing three-month LIBOR rate.  As of June 30, 2011, the interest rate was 3.75%.  The average rate of interest paid, including the amortization of debt issuance costs, for the six and three months ended June 30, 2011 was 3.84% compared to 8.46% for the comparable periods in 2010. Interest expense decreased $0.6 million and $0.3 million for the six and three months ended June 30, 2011, respectively, when compared to the same periods in 2010 due to the 462 basis point decrease in interest rates, and amortization of debt issuance costs during the 2010 period.

Gains and Losses

The Company reported gains of $1.6 million on its MBS portfolio for the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to losses of $0.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010.  During the three months ended June 30, 2011, the Company reported gains of $1.4 million on its MBS portfolio compared to gains of $1.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010.

During the six months ended June 30, 2011, the Company realized gains of $0.5 million on sales proceeds totaling $26.7 million compared to gains of $0.08 million on sale proceeds of $62.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010.  During the three months ended June 30, 2011, the Company realized gains of $0.6 million on sales proceeds of $12.5 million compared to gains of $0.09 million on sales proceeds of $4.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010.

During the six and three months ended June 30, 2011, the Company recorded gains of $1.1 million and $0.8 million, respectively, from fair value adjustments on is MBS portfolio, compared to losses of $1.02 million and gains of $0.87 million, respectively, for the six and three months ended June 30, 2010.

During the six and three months ended June 30, 2011, the Company recorded losses of $0.4 million for both periods on Eurodollar futures contracts, compared to losses of $0.15 million for both periods for the six and three months ended June 30, 2010.


 
-27-

 

During the six and three months ended June 30, 2011, the Company recorded gains of $1.4 million and $1.5 million on retained interests in securitizations, respectively, compared to gains of $1.4 million and losses of $0.02 million, respectively, for the six and three months ended June 30, 2010. The retained interests in securitizations represent residual interests in loans originated or purchased by Mortco prior to securitization.  Fluctuations in value of retained interests are primarily driven by projections of future interest rates (the forward LIBOR curve), the discount rate used to determine the present value of the residual cash flows and prepayment and loss estimates on the underlying mortgage loans.

Operating Expenses

For the six and three months ended June 30, 2011, Bimini Capital’s total operating expenses were approximately $3.2 million and $1.3 million, respectively, compared to approximately $3.6 million and $1.8 million for the six and three months ended June 30, 2010, respectively.  The table below provides a breakdown of operating expenses for the six and three month periods ended June 30, 2011 and 2010.

(in thousands)
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
   
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
   
Change
   
2011
   
2010
   
Change
 
Direct REIT operating expenses
  $ 272     $ 297     $ (25 )   $ 133     $ 150     $ (17 )
Compensation and benefits
    950       1,019       (69 )     449       499       (50 )
Accounting and auditing fees
    312       290       22       129       140       (11 )
Legal fees
    965       1,135       (170 )     206       605       (399 )
Directors’ fees and liability insurance
    303       262       41       153       134       19  
Other G&A expenses
    439       611       (172 )     221       241       (20 )
 
  $ 3,241     $ 3,614       (373 )   $ 1,291     $ 1,769     $ (478 )

Financial Condition:

Mortgage-Backed Securities

As of June 30, 2011, the MBS portfolio consisted of $114.0 million of agency or government MBS at fair value and had a weighted average coupon on assets of 3.63%.  During the six and three months ended June 30, 2011, we received principal repayments of $13.7 million and $6.5 million, respectively, compared to $17.5 million and $10.7 million, respectively, for the six and three months ended June 30, 2010.  The average prepayment speeds for the quarters ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 were 12.7% and 42.1%, respectively.  (See table below for additional prepayment data).


 
-28-

 

The following tables summarize certain characteristics of the Company’s agency and government mortgage related securities as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted
 
Weighted
 
 
 
 
 
Percentage
 
Average
 
Average
Weighted
Weighted
 
 
 
of
Weighted
Maturity
 
Coupon
Average
Average
 
 
Fair
Entire
Average
in
Longest
Reset in
Lifetime
Periodic
Asset Category
 
Value
Portfolio
Coupon
Months
Maturity
Months
Cap
Cap
June 30, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjustable Rate MBS
$
63,992 
56.1%
2.39%
273 
1-Jan-41
7.93 
10.21%
2.00%
Fixed Rate MBS
 
30,168 
26.5%
5.10%
183 
1-Nov-40
NA
NA
NA
Hybrid Adjustable Rate MBS
 
2,451 
2.1%
5.17%
289 
1-Aug-35
12.03 
10.17%
2.00%
Total Mortgage-backed Pass-through
 
96,611 
84.7%
3.31%
245 
1-Jan-41
8.08 
10.21%
2.00%
Structured MBS
 
17,396 
15.3%
5.44%
281 
25-Nov-40
NA
NA
NA
Total Mortgage Assets
$
114,007 
100.0%
3.63%
251 
1-Jan-41
8.08 
NA
2.00%
December 31, 2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjustable Rate MBS
$
64,458 
47.7%
2.83%
279 
1-Jan-41
 2.72 
10.19%
2.00%
Fixed Rate MBS
 
50,013 
37.0%
4.90%
178 
1-Apr-36
NA
NA
NA
Hybrid Adjustable Rate MBS
 
2,783 
2.1%
5.18%
295 
1-Aug-35
 18.03 
10.18%
2.00%
Total Mortgage-backed Pass-through
 
117,254 
86.8%
3.77%
236 
1-Jan-41
 3.35 
10.19%
2.00%
Structured MBS
 
17,879 
13.2%
5.83%
272 
16-Nov-39
NA
NA
NA
Total Mortgage Assets
$
135,133 
100.0%
4.04%
241 
1-Jan-41
 3.35 
NA
2.00%

(in thousands)
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
June 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
 
 
 
   
Percentage of
   
 
   
Percentage of
 
Agency
 
Fair Value
   
Entire Portfolio
   
Fair Value
   
Entire Portfolio
 
Fannie Mae
  $ 86,839       76.17 %   $ 103,568       76.64 %
Freddie Mac
    25,697       22.54 %     25,710       19.03 %
Ginnie Mae
    1,471       1.29 %     5,855       4.33 %
Total Portfolio
  $ 114,007       100.00 %   $ 135,133       100.0 %

Entire Portfolio
 
June 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
Weighted Average Pass Through Purchase Price
  $ 104.42     $ 104.44  
Weighted Average Structured Purchase Price
  $ 5.46     $ 5.46  
Weighted Average Pass Through Current Price
  $ 105.78     $ 105.29  
Weighted Average Structured Current Price
  $ 6.36     $ 5.98  
Effective Duration (1)
    (0.744 )     1.024  

(1) Effective duration of (0.744) indicates that an interest rate increase of 1.0% would be expected to cause a 0.744% increase in the value of the MBS in the Company’s investment portfolio at June 30, 2011.  An effective duration of 1.024 indicates that an interest rate increase of 1.0% would be expected to cause a 1.024% decrease in the value of the MBS in the Company’s investment portfolio at December 31, 2010. These figures include the structured securities in the portfolio.


 
-29-

 

The following table presents the CPR experienced on our structured and pass-through (“PT”) Mortgage-Backed Securities sub-portfolios, on an annualized basis, for the quarterly periods presented.

 
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
Structured
   
 
 
 
 
PT MBS Sub-
   
MBS Sub-
   
Total
 
Three Months Ended,
 
Portfolio
   
Portfolio
   
Portfolio
 
June 30, 2011
    11.8       13.0       12.7  
March 31, 2011
    12.0       19.1       17.2  
December 31, 2010
    11.7       34.5       28.3  
September 30, 2010
    17.2       35.0       30.6  
June 30, 2010
    27.8       44.9       42.1  
March 31, 2010
    9.2       33.3       28.8  

The following table presents details related to portfolio assets acquired for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010.

(in thousands)
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
 
Total Cost
   
Average Price
   
Weighted Average Yield
   
Total Cost
   
Average Price
   
Weighted Average Yield
 
Pass-through MBS
  $ 8,915       107.08       2.21 %   $ 32,150       106.08       2.95 %
Structured MBS
    8,759       11.23       17.13 %     26,363       9.27       22.19 %

The Company’s portfolio of PT MBS will typically be comprised of adjustable-rate MBS, fixed-rate MBS and hybrid adjustable-rate MBS. The Company seeks to acquire low duration assets that offer high levels of protection from mortgage prepayments. Although the duration of an individual asset can change as a result of changes in interest rates, the Company strives to maintain a PT MBS portfolio with an effective duration of less than 2.0. The stated contractual final maturity of the mortgage loans underlying the Company’s portfolio of PT MBS generally ranges up to 30 years. However, the effect of prepayments of the underlying mortgage loans tends to shorten the resulting cash flows from the Company’s investments substantially. Prepayments occur for various reasons, including refinancing of underlying mortgages and loan payoffs in connection with home sales.

The duration of the Company’s interest only (“IO”) and inverse interest only (“IIO”) portfolio will vary greatly owing to the structural features of the securities.  While prepayment activity will always affect the cash flows associated with the securities, the interest only nature of IO’s may cause their durations to become extremely negative when prepayments are high, and less negative when prepayments are low. With respect to IIO’s, prepayments affect their durations in a similar fashion to that of IO’s, but the floating rate nature of their coupon (which is inversely related to the level of one month LIBOR) cause their price movements – and model duration - to be affected by changes in both prepayments and one month LIBOR – both current and anticipated levels.  As a result, the duration of IIO securities will also vary greatly.

Prepayments on the loans underlying the Company’s MBS can alter the timing of the cash flows from the underlying loans to the Company. As a result, the Company gauges the interest rate sensitivity of its assets by measuring their effective duration. While modified duration measures the price sensitivity of a bond to movements in interest rates, effective duration captures both the movement in interest rates and the fact that cash flows to a mortgage related security are altered when interest rates move. Accordingly, when the contract interest rate on a mortgage loan is substantially above prevailing interest rates in the market, the effective duration of securities collateralized by such loans can be quite low because of expected prepayments. Although some of the fixed-rate MBS in the Company’s portfolio are collateralized by loans with a lower propensity to prepay when the contract rate is above prevailing rates, their price movements track securities with like contract rates and therefore exhibit similar effective duration.

 
-30-

 
The Company faces the risk that the market value of its assets will increase or decrease at different rates than that of its liabilities, including its hedging instruments. Accordingly, the Company assesses its interest rate risk by estimating the duration of its assets and the duration of its liabilities. The Company generally calculates duration using various third party models.  However, empirical results and different third party models may produce different duration numbers for the same securities.

The following sensitivity analysis shows the estimated impact on the fair value of the Company's interest rate-sensitive investments as of June 30, 2011, assuming rates instantaneously fall 100 basis points (“bps”), rise 100 bps and rise 200 bps:

(in thousands)
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
$ Change in Fair Value
   
% Change in Fair Value
 
 
 
Fair Value
   
-100BPS
   
+100BPS
   
+200BPS
   
-100BPS
   
+100BPS
   
+200BPS
 
Adjustable Rate MBS
  $ 63,992     $ 1,111     $ (1,111 )   $ (2,223 )     1.74 %     (1.74 )%     (3.48 )%
Hybrid Adjustable Rate MBS
    2,451       39       (39 )     (78 )     1.60 %     (1.60 )%     (3.20 )%
Fixed Rate MBS
    30,168       886       (886 )     (1,771 )     2.94 %     (2.94 )%     (5.88 )%
Structured MBS
    17,396       (2,884 )     2,884       5,768       (16.58 )%     16.58 %     33.16 %
Portfolio Total
  $ 114,007     $ (848 )   $ 848     $ 1,696       (0.74 )%     0.74 %     1.48 %

The table below reflects the same analysis presented above but with the figures in the columns that indicate the estimated impact of a 100 bps fall or rise adjusted to reflect the impact of convexity.

(in thousands)
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
$ Change in Fair Value
   
% Change in Fair Value
 
 
 
Fair Value
   
-100BPS
   
+100BPS
   
+200BPS
   
-100BPS
   
+100BPS
   
+200BPS
 
Adjustable Rate MBS
  $ 63,992     $ 710     $ (1,270 )   $ (2,954 )     1.11 %     (1.99 )%     (4.62 )%
Hybrid Adjustable Rate MBS
    2,451       13       (49 )     (106 )     0.51 %     (1.98 )%     (4.34 )%
Fixed Rate MBS
    30,168       670       (1,002 )     (2,139 )     2.22 %     (3.32 )%     (7.09 )%
Structured MBS
    17,396       (4,821 )     5,116       4,167       (27.71 )%     29.41 %     23.96 %
Portfolio Total
  $ 114,007     $ (3,428 )   $ 2,795     $ (1,032 )     (3.01 )%     2.45 %     (0.91 )%

The Company has economically hedged a portion of its interest rate risk by entering into Eurodollar futures contracts.  The Company did not elect hedging treatment under the applicable accounting standards, and as such, all gains and losses on these instruments are reflected in earnings.  The table below reflects the impact on operations as of June 30, 2011, assuming rates fall 100 bps, rise 100 bps and rise 200 bps:

(in thousands)
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
Notional
   
$ Change in Fair Value
   
% Change in Fair Value
 
 
 
Amount
   
-100BPS
   
+100BPS
   
+200BPS
   
-100BPS
   
+100BPS
   
+200BPS
 
Repurchase Agreement Hedges
  $ 50,000     $ (761 )   $ 1,050     $ 2,100       (1.52 )%     2.10 %     4.20 %
Junior Subordinated Debt Hedges
    26,000       (695 )     845       1,690       (2.67 )%     3.25 %     6.50 %
Portfolio Total
  $ 76,000     $ (1,456 )   $ 1,895     $ 3,790       (1.92 )%     2.49 %     4.99 %

In addition to changes in interest rates, other factors impact the fair value of Bimini Capital's interest rate-sensitive investments and hedging instruments, such as the shape of the yield curve, market expectations as to future interest rate changes and other market conditions. Accordingly, in the event of changes in actual interest rates, the change in the fair value of Bimini Capital's assets would likely differ from that shown above and such difference might be material and adverse to Bimini Capital's stockholders.


 
-31-

 

Repurchase Agreements

As of June 30, 2011, the Company had established borrowing facilities in the repurchase agreement market with four counterparties which we believe provide borrowing capacity in excess of our needs.  None of these lenders are affiliated with the Company. As of June 30, 2011, we had funding in place with two of those counterparties.  These borrowings are secured by the Company’s MBS and bear interest rates that are based on a spread to LIBOR.

As of June 30, 2011, the Company had obligations outstanding under the net repurchase agreements of approximately $92.1 million with a net weighted average borrowing cost of 0.27%. The remaining maturity of Bimini Capital’s outstanding repurchase agreement obligations ranged from 1 to 120 days, with a weighted average maturity of 56 days.  Securing the repurchase agreement obligation as of June 30, 2011, are MBS with an estimated fair value, including accrued interest, of $96.3 million and a weighted average maturity of 245 months. Through August 11, 2011, the Company has been able to maintain its repurchase facilities with its counterparties with comparable terms to those that existed at June 30, 2011 with maturities through November 7, 2011.

The table below presents information about our period end and average repurchase agreement obligations for each quarter in 2011 and 2010.

(dollars in thousands)
Three Months Ended,
 
Ending Balance of Repurchase Agreements
   
Average Balance of Repurchase Agreements
   
Difference Between Ending Repurchase Agreements and Average Repurchase Agreements
 
Amount
   
Percent
 
 
June 30, 2011
  $ 92,105     $ 93,516     $ (1,411 )     (1.51 )%
 
March 31, 2011
    94,927       104,259       (9,332 )     (8.95 )%
 
December 31, 2010
    113,592       110,433       3,159       2.86 %
 
September 30, 2010
    107,274       89,440       17,834       19.94 %
(a)
June 30, 2010
    71,606       74,163       (2,557 )     (3.45 )%
 
March 31, 2010
    76,719       88,495       (11,776 )     (13.31 )%
(b)
 
(a) The higher ending balance relative to the average balance reflects a shift in the portfolio allocation towards assets that the Company typically finances. During the quarter ended September 30, 2010, the investment in PT MBS increased $36.6 million.
(b) The lower ending balance relative to the average balance reflects a shift in the portfolio allocation towards assets that the Company does not fund through the repo market. During the quarter ended March 31, 2010, the Company’s investment in PT MBS decreased $20.8 million.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity is our ability to turn non-cash assets into cash, purchase additional investments, repay principal and interest on borrowings, fund overhead, fulfill margin calls and pay dividends.  Our principal immediate sources of liquidity include cash balances and borrowings under repurchase agreements.  Our borrowing capacity will vary over time as the market value of our interest earning assets varies.  Our balance sheet also generates liquidity on an on-going basis through payments of principal and interest we receive on our MBS portfolio, and from cash flows received by Mortco from the retained interests and the collection of servicing advances.  Because our MBS portfolio consists entirely of government and agency securities, we do not anticipate having difficulty converting our assets to cash should our liquidity needs ever exceed our immediately available sources of cash.


 
-32-

 

Bimini Capital’s master repurchase agreements have no stated expiration, but can be terminated at any time at Bimini Capital’s option or at the option of the counterparty. However, once a definitive repurchase agreement under a master repurchase agreement has been entered into, it generally may not be terminated by either party.  A negotiated termination can occur, but may involve a fee to be paid by the party seeking to terminate the repurchase agreement transaction.

At June 30, 2011, the weighted average haircut our repurchase agreement counterparties require us to hold was 5% of the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral.

Under our repurchase agreement funding arrangements we are required to post margin at the initiation of the borrowing.  The margin posted represents the haircut, a percentage of the market value of the collateral pledged. To the extent the market value of the asset collateralizing the financing transaction declines, the market value of our posted margin will be insufficient and we will be required to post additional collateral.  Conversely, if the market value of the asset pledged increases in value, we would be over collateralized and we could then call our repo counterparty and have excess margin returned to us.  Our lenders typically value our pledged securities daily to ensure the adequacy of our margin and make margin calls as needed, as do we.  Typically, but not always, the parties agree to a minimum threshold amount for margin calls so as to avoid the need for nuisance margin calls on a daily basis.

As a result of losses incurred during and after the period when Mortco operated a mortgage loan origination business, the Company was forced to materially downsize its investment portfolio to raise cash, and was left with a depleted capital base.  This period covered the years 2006, 2007 and 2008. One consequence of this development was the Company had progressively less access to funding via repurchase agreements and from fewer counterparties.  The Company therefore opted to augment its existing leveraged MBS portfolio with alternative sources of income.  The Company developed an alternative investment strategy utilizing structured MBS with comparable borrower and prepayment characteristics to the securities historically held in the portfolio.  Such securities are not funded in the repurchase market but instead are purchased directly, thus reducing – but not eliminating - the Company’s reliance on access to repurchase agreement funding.  The leverage inherent in the securities replaces the leverage obtained by acquiring PT securities and funding them in the repurchase market.  This structured MBS strategy is now a core element of the Company’s overall investment strategy.

As of June 30, 2011 the Company had cash on hand of $6.3 million.  Our balance sheet generated cash flows of $16.8 million from principal and interest payments on our MBS portfolio and $1.6 million from retained interests.  The table below summarizes the effect on our liquidity and cash flows from certain contractual obligations as of June 30, 2011.

(in thousands)
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
Within One Year
   
One to Three Years
   
Three to Five Years
   
More than Five Years
   
Total
 
Repurchase agreements
  $ 92,105     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 92,105  
Interest expense on repurchase agreements(1)
    70       -       -       -       70  
Junior subordinated notes(2)
    -       -       -       26,000       26,000  
Interest expense on junior subordinated notes(1)
    1,015       1,948       1,948       19,306       24,217  
Totals
  $ 93,190     $ 1,948     $ 1,948     $ 45,306     $ 142,392  

 
(1) Interest expense on repurchase agreements and junior subordinated notes are based on current interest rates as of June 30, 2011 and the remaining term of liabilities existing at that date.
 
(2) The Company holds a common equity interest in Bimini Capital Trust II.  The amount presented represents the net cash outlay of the Company.


 
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In October 2005, Bimini Capital completed a private offering of $51.5 million of trust preferred securities of Bimini Capital Trust II (“BCTII”) resulting in the issuance by Bimini Capital of an additional $51.5 million of junior subordinated notes. On October 21, 2009, the Company purchased $24 million of trust preferred capital securities issued by BCT II. The total cost for the transaction, including fees was approximately $14.5 million.  The Company cancelled the trust preferred capital securities and the $24.74 million of its junior subordinated notes issued to BCT II.  As of June 30, 2011, $26.8 million of the trust preferred securities of BCT II remain outstanding.

Outlook

During 2009, the Company executed two transactions whereby $74 million of its $100 million trust preferred debt was extinguished early.  As a result, the Company’s balance sheet is substantially less leveraged and the associated interest charges have been reduced accordingly.  Further, the Company has been able to reduce the necessity to access the repo funding market with its alternative investment strategy.  While the repo funding markets have recovered from the state that existed during the financial crisis of 2008/2009, ongoing difficulties with the funding markets persist to some extent.  The downgrade of the sovereign credit rating of the United States by Standard & Poor’s may impact the repo funding markets and as well as the market for Agency MBS.  However, at this time the impact, if any, cannot be ascertained.

The current growth rate of the U.S. economy has not been sufficient to allow the Federal Reserve to remove accommodations made available to the economy, namely low levels of the Federal Funds rate.  This directly impacts the funding levels available to the Company. The combination of the low funding rate levels and the alternative investment strategy has enabled the Company to continue to generate net interest margins (“NIM”) above our historical average.

 Nonetheless, the reduced size of the portfolio in relation to the Company’s operating expenses will constrain the earnings potential of the Company until assets under management can be increased.  Given the reduced size of its portfolio, even with the benefit of the alternative investment strategy, no assurance can be made of the Company’s ability to generate sufficient net interest income to cover all of its costs.  The Company’s ability to generate sufficient net interest income to cover its fixed and variable operating costs will also be impacted by funding costs, which in turn will depend on how long funding rates will remain at current low levels and the impact, if any, of external shocks to the funding markets, as mentioned above.
 
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2011, the Company estimates that it had a REIT taxable loss of approximately $1.4 million.  (As more fully described in footnote 10 to the accompanying financial statements, REIT taxable income or loss generated by qualifying REIT activities is computed in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code, which is different from the Company’s financial statement income or loss as computed in accordance with GAAP.)  The Company also expects that it may incur a REIT taxable loss during the year ended December 31, 2011.   In addition, the Company presently has tax net operating loss carryovers of approximately $6.3 million which are available to offset REIT taxable income.  If in fact a REIT taxable loss is incurred for 2011, then distributions in the amount of $0.065 per share already paid to shareholders during 2011 will be considered a return-of-capital, which depletes the Company’s capital base.   Distributions made by the Company during 2010 were also a return-of-capital.

Based on the factors described above, and in order to preserve its capital base, the Company will terminate its stock repurchase plan and, for the foreseeable future, suspend its quarterly distribution to stockholders.  The Company will reevaluate its ability to resume distributions in early 2012.


 
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Critical Accounting Policies

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based on the amounts reported in our financial statements.  These financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 to the Company’s accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
GAAP requires the Company’s management to make various judgments, estimates and assumptions.  Changes in these estimates and assumptions could have a material effect on our financial statements.
 
 
Our MBS are valued using Level 2 valuations, and such valuations currently are determined by the Company based on the average of third-party broker quotes and/or by independent pricing sources when available. Because the price estimates may vary, the Company must make certain judgments and assumptions about the appropriate price to use to calculate the fair values. Alternatively, the Company could opt to have the value of all of our positions in MBS determined by either an independent third-party or do so internally.

In managing our portfolio, the Company employs the following four-step process at each valuation date to determine the fair value of our MBS:
 
 
·  
First, the Company obtains fair values from a subscription-based independent pricing source through our repurchase agreement funding services provider. These prices are used by both the Company as well as our repurchase agreement counterparty on a daily basis to establish margin requirements for our borrowings. As of June 30, 2011, the Company subscribed to a second subscription-based pricing service.

·  
Second, the Company requests non-binding quotes from one to four broker-dealers for each of its MBS in order to validate the values obtained by the pricing service. The Company requests these quotes from broker-dealers that actively trade and make markets in the respective asset class for which the quote is requested.

·  
Third, the Company reviews the values obtained by the pricing source and the broker-dealers for consistency across similar assets.

·  
Finally, if the data from the pricing services and broker-dealers is not homogenous or if the data obtained is inconsistent with management’s market observations, the Company makes a judgment to determine which price appears the most consistent with observed prices from similar assets and selects that price. To the extent management believes that none of the prices are consistent with observed prices for similar assets, which is typically the case for only an immaterial portion of our portfolio each quarter, the Company  may use a third price that is consistent with observed prices for identical or similar assets. In the case of assets that have quoted prices such as Agency MBS backed by fixed-rate mortgages, the Company generally uses the quoted or observed market price. For assets such as Agency MBS backed by ARMs or structured Agency MBS, the Company may determine the price based on the yield or spread that is identical to an observed transaction or a similar asset for which a dealer mark or subscription-based price has been obtained.

There have been no changes to our accounting policies as discussed in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

Not Applicable.


 
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ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

      As of the end of the period covered by this report (the “evaluation date”), the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“the CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“the CFO”), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based on this evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as designed and implemented, were effective as of the evaluation date (1) in ensuring that information regarding the Company and its subsidiaries is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, by our employees, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and (2) in providing reasonable assurance that information the Company must disclose in its periodic reports under the Securities Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods prescribed by the SEC’s rules and forms.

Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
 
      There were no significant changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.


 
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

We are involved in various lawsuits and claims, both actual and potential, including some that we have asserted against others, in which monetary and other damages are sought. Except as described below, these lawsuits and claims relate primarily to contractual disputes arising out of the ordinary course of our business. The outcome of such lawsuits and claims is inherently unpredictable. However, we believe that, in the aggregate, the outcome of all lawsuits and claims involving us will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position or liquidity; however, any such outcome may be material to the results of operations of any particular quarterly reporting period in which costs, if any, are recognized. See also Note 9 to our accompanying consolidated financial statements.

A complaint by a note-holder in Preferred Term Securities XX (“PreTSL XX”) was filed on July 16, 2010 in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County, against Bimini Capital Management, Inc. (“Bimini”), the Bank of New York Mellon (“BNYM”), PreTSL XX, Ltd. and Hexagon Securities, LLC (“Hexagon”).  The complaint, filed by Hildene Capital Management, LLC and Hildene Opportunities Fund, Ltd. (“Hildene”), alleges that Hildene suffered losses as a result of Bimini’s repurchase of all outstanding fixed/floating rate capital securities of Bimini Capital Trust II for less than par value from PreTSL XX in October 2009.  Hildene has alleged claims against BNYM for breach of the Indenture, breach of fiduciary duties and breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and claims against Bimini for tortious interference with contract, aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment and rescission/illegality”.   Plaintiff also alleges derivative claims brought in the name of Nominal Defendant BNYM. On May 2, 2011, Hexagon and Nominal Defendant PreTSL XX were voluntarily dismissed without prejudice by Hildene. Bimini and BNYM have moved to dismiss Hildene’s derivative claims, and Bimini has also moved to dismiss Hildene’s claim for “rescission/illegality.”  Bimini denies that the repurchase was improper and intends to defend the suit vigorously.

On June 14, 2007, a complaint was filed in the Circuit Court of the Twelfth Judicial District in and for Manatee County, Florida by Coast Bank of Florida (“Coast”) against Mortco seeking monetary damages and specific performance and alleging breach of an alleged oral contract for allegedly failing to convert approximately fifty construction loans to permanent financing.  Mortco denies that there was an agreement and has several defenses to Coast's claims.  The parties attempted mediation and conducted limited discovery but the case had been relatively inactive for several years.  On May 3, 2011, the Court set a non-jury trial to begin on January 17, 2012.  The parties will conduct fact and expert discovery through 2011.  Mortco plans to continue to defend this matter vigorously.

On March 2, 2011, Orchid Island TRS, LLC, formerly known as Opteum Financial Services, LLC and presently known as Mortco TRS, LLC (“Opteum Financial”) and Opteum Mortgage Acceptance Corporation (“Opteum Acceptance”) (collectively referred to herein as “Opteum”) received a cover letter dated March 1, 2011 from Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (“Mass Mutual”) enclosing a draft complaint against Opteum.  In summary, Mass Mutual alleges that it purchased residential mortgage-backed securities offered by Opteum in August 2005 and the first quarter of 2006 and that Opteum made false representations and warranties in connection with the sale of the securities in violation of Mass Gen. Laws Ch. 110A § 410(a)(2) (the “Massachusetts Blue Sky Law”).  In its cover letter, Mass Mutual claims it is entitled to damages of $25 million.  However, no monetary demand is contained within the enclosed draft complaint, and the actual damages Mass Mutual claims to have incurred is uncertain.
 
Mass Mutual has not filed the complaint or initiated litigation.  Pursuant to its request, on March 14, 2011 Mass Mutual and Opteum entered into a Tolling Agreement so that Mass Mutual could address its allegations against Opteum without incurring litigation costs.  Mass Mutual has not yet contacted Opteum to schedule such discussions.  On July 12, 2011, Mass Mutual offered to extend the Tolling Agreement for an additional two years.  Opteum agreed to do so, and it requested Mass Mutual provide the proposed documentation.
 
 
 
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Opteum denies Opteum Financial or Opteum Acceptance, individually or collectively, made false representations and warranties in connection with the sale of securities to Mass Mutual.  As of August 11, 2011, Mass Mutual has taken no action to prosecute its claim against Opteum, and the range of loss or potential loss, if any, cannot reasonably be estimated.  Should Mass Mutual initiate litigation, Opteum will defend such litigation vigorously.

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS.

    In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The materialization of any risks and uncertainties identified in our forward looking statements  contained in this report together with those previously disclosed in the Form 10-K or those that are presently unforeseen could result in significant adverse  effects on our  financial  condition,  results of  operations  and cash flows.

ITEM 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

During the three months ended June 30, 2011, the Company issued 34,639 and 28,269 shares of Class A Common Stock to Robert J. Dwyer and Frank E. Jaumot, respectively, in consideration for their service on the Company’s Board of Directors and on certain committees of the Board of Directors.  The shares were issued pursuant to the exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, contained in Section 4(2) thereof.

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

The Company did not repurchase any shares of its stock during the three months ended June 30, 2011.

 
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ITEM 6.                        EXHIBITS.

Exhibit No.

   3.1
Articles of Amendment and Restatement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form S-11/A, filed with the SEC on April 29, 2004
   3.2
Articles Supplementary, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated November 3, 2005, filed with the SEC on November 8, 2005
   3.3
Articles of Amendment, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated February 10, 2006, filed with the SEC on February 15, 2006
3.4
Articles of Amendment, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated September 24, 2007, filed with the SEC on September 24, 2007
3.5
Certificate of Notice, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated January 28, 2008, filed with the SEC on February 1, 2008
   3.6
Articles of Amendment, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated May 27, 2008, filed with the SEC on May 29, 2008
3.7
Amended and Restated Bylaws, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated September 24, 2007, filed with the SEC on September 24, 2007
3.8
Articles Supplementary, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated January 19, 2010, filed with the SEC on January 22, 2010
3.9
Articles of Amendment, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated February 17, 2010, filed with the SEC on February 17, 2010
3.10
Articles of Amendment, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated February 17, 2010, filed with the SEC on February 17, 2010
3.11
Articles Supplementary, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated February 17, 2010, filed with the SEC on February 17, 2010
†10.1
Bimini Capital Management, Inc. 2003 Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended September 28, 2007, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2007, filed with the SEC on November 8, 2007
†10.2
Bimini Capital Management, Inc. 2004 Performance Bonus Plan, as amended September 28, 2007, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2007, filed with the SEC on November 8, 2007
†10.3
Form of Phantom Share Award Agreement incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2007, filed with the SEC on November 8, 2007
†10.4
Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2007, filed with the SEC on November 8, 2007
†10.5
Separation Agreement and General Release, dated as of June 29, 2007, by and among Opteum Inc., Opteum Financial Services, LLC and Peter R. Norden, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated June 30, 2007, filed with the SEC on July 5, 2007
 †10.6
Separation Agreement and General Release by and between Bimini Capital Management, Inc. and Jeffrey J. Zimmer, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 14, 2008, filed with the SEC on April 16, 2008
 †10.7
Retention and Severance Agreement between Bimini Capital Management, Inc. and G. Hunter Haas, IV, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 18, 2008, filed with the SEC on April 18, 2008
†10.8
Retention and Severance Agreement between Bimini Capital Management, Inc. and J. Christopher Clifton, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 18, 2008, filed with the SEC on April 18, 2008
†10.9
Employment Agreement dated as of April 27, 2006, by and between Opteum Inc. and J. Christopher Clifton, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, dated August 11, 2008, filed with the SEC on August 11, 2008
†10.10
Agreement dated as of June 30, 2009, by and between Bimini Capital Management, Inc. and Robert E. Cauley, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated June 30, 2009, filed with the SEC on July 2, 2009
†10.11
Agreement dated as of June 30, 2009, by and between Bimini Capital Management, Inc. and G. Hunter Haas, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated June 30, 2009, filed with the SEC on July 2, 2009
  10.12
Voting Agreement, among certain stockholders of Bimini Mortgage Management, Inc., Jeffrey J. Zimmer, Robert E. Cauley, Amber K. Luedke, George H. Haas, IV, Kevin L. Bespolka, Maureen A. Hendricks, W. Christopher Mortenson, Buford H. Ortale, Peter Norden, certain of Mr. Norden’s affiliates, Jason Kaplan, certain of Mr. Kaplan’s affiliates and other former owners of Opteum Financial Services, LLC, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99(D) to the Schedule 13D, dated November 3, 2005, filed with the SEC on November 14, 2005
 
 
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10.13
Membership Interest Purchase, Option and Investor Rights Agreement among Opteum Inc., Opteum Financial Services, LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Realty Corp. dated as of December 21, 2006, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated December 21, 2006, filed with the SEC on December 21, 2006
10.14
Seventh Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Orchid Island TRS, LLC, dated as of July 20, 2007, made and entered into by Opteum Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets Realty Corp., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2007, filed with the SEC on August 14, 2007
10.15
Asset Purchase Agreement, dated May 7, 2007, by and among Opteum Financial Services, LLC, Opteum Inc. and Prospect Mortgage Company, LLC, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated May 7, 2007, filed with the SEC on May 7, 2007
10.16
First Amendment to Purchase Agreement, dated June 30, 2007, by and among Metrocities Mortgage, LLC – Opteum Division, Opteum Financial Services, LLC and Opteum Inc., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated June 30, 2007, filed with the SEC on July 5, 2007
10.17
Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated May 27, 2008, by and among Bimini Capital Management, Inc., Orchid Island TRS, LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Realty Corp., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated May 27, 2008, filed with the SEC on May 29, 2008
10.18
Eighth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company of Orchid Island TRS, LLC, dated as of May 27, 2008, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated May 27, 2008, filed with the SEC on May 29, 2008
10.19
Amended and Restated Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated as of September 26, 2005, between the Company and JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as trustee.
10.20
Second Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, dated as of September 26, 2005, among the Company, as depositor, JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as property trustee, Chase Bank USA, National Association, as Delaware trustee and the Administrative Trustees named therein.
10.21
Indenture, dated as of October 5, 2005, between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as debenture trustee.
10.22
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, dated as of October 5, 2005, by and among Wilmington Trust Company, as Delaware trustee, Wilmington Trust Company, as institutional trustee, the Company, as sponsor, and Jeffrey J. Zimmer, Robert E. Cauley and Amber K. Luedke, as administrators.
  *31.1
Certification of the Principal Executive Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 *31.2
Certification of the Principal Financial Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 *32.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 *32.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
* Filed herewith.
† Management compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed by Item 601 of Regulation S-K.

 
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Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

BIMINI CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.


Date:           August 12, 2011
 
By:
  /s/ Robert E. Cauley  
     
Robert E. Cauley
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer



Date:           August 12, 2011
 
By:
  /s/ G. Hunter Haas  
     
G. Hunter Haas IV
President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Investment Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

 
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