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EX-32.2 - EXHIBIT 32.2 - NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.nsam09302016ex322.htm
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EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.nsam09302016ex312.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.nsam09302016ex311.htm
EX-12.1 - EXHIBIT 12.1 - NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.nsam09302016ex121.htm
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2016

Commission File Number: 001-36301
NORTHSTAR ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Delaware
46-4591526
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
(IRS Employer
Incorporation or Organization)
Identification No.)
399 Park Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10022
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Including Zip Code)
(212) 547-2600
(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 ý   No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ý   No o
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 the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer ý
 
Accelerated filer o
 
Non-accelerated filer o
 (Do not check if a
smaller reporting company)
 
Smaller reporting company o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o   No ý
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:
The Company has one class of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, 188,944,901 shares outstanding and one class of performance common stock, $0.01 par value per share, 5,210,113 shares outstanding, each as of November 7, 2016.
 








NORTHSTAR ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP INC.
FORM 10-Q
TABLE OF CONTENTS



Index
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




2


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “potential,” “intend,” “expect,” “seek,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “could,” “project,” “predict,” “continue,” “future” or other similar words or expressions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance and are based on certain assumptions, discuss future expectations, describe plans and strategies, contain projections of results of operations or of financial condition or state other forward-looking information. Such statements include, but are not limited to, those relating to the effects of our spin-off from NorthStar Realty Finance Corp., or NorthStar Realty, described in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our ability to effectively grow our business, our liquidity and financing needs, the impact of the merger with NorthStar Realty and Colony Capital, Inc., or Colony, on our business and operations, the effects of our current asset management strategy, our management’s track record, our ability to manage credit risk and the assets of our Managed Companies (refer to our Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q), our ability to source additional investment opportunities for our Managed Companies and our ability to obtain new Managed Companies and additional assets to manage. Our ability to predict results or the actual effect of plans or strategies is inherently uncertain, particularly given the economic environment. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, our actual results and performance could differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements and you should not unduly rely on these statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results in future periods to differ materially from those forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to:
our ability to consummate the merger with NorthStar Realty and Colony on the contemplated terms or at all, including whether the merger will have the full or any strategic and financial benefits, efficiencies and synergies we expect and whether such benefits will be delayed or materialize at all;
our ability to realize our projected effective income tax rate;
adverse domestic or international economic conditions and the impact of developments in the commercial real estate industry on our Managed Companies;
whether we will realize the benefits we anticipate, if any, from our acquisition of Townsend Holdings LLC;
our access to debt and equity capital and our liquidity;
our ability to grow our business by raising capital for our existing Managed Companies and sponsoring new Managed Companies, as well as our ability to otherwise continue to manage our Managed Companies in the future;
the impact of decreased capital raising activities in the non-traded retail industry generally;
our ability to effectively implement the business plans of, and the performance of, our Managed Companies;
our ability to enter into, and grow our business through acquisitions, strategic investments and joint ventures;
our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of our strategic investments and joint ventures;
our use of leverage and our ability to comply with the terms of our borrowing arrangements;
the impact of fluctuations in interest rates;
the impact of shareholder activism or any proxy contests;
changes in domestic or international laws or regulations governing various aspects of our business and our Managed Companies including the potential impact of rules issued by the U.S. Department of Labor regarding fiduciary standards for brokers who are providing investment advice with respect to retirement plan assets and implementation of FINRA Rule 15-02 related to broker account statements;
the impact of the recent settlement between Och-Ziff Capital Management Group, LLC (“Och-Ziff”) and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, and the Department of Justice on our ability to raise capital for Managed Companies that are co-sponsored with Och-Ziff;
the impact of any conflicts of interest, including with our officers and directors, arising from our asset management activities or otherwise;
our ability to manage our costs in line with our expectations and the impact on our cash available for distribution;
competition for qualified personnel and our ability to retain key personnel;
the competitive nature of the asset management industry;

3


the effectiveness of our portfolio management techniques and strategies;
our ability to expand and successfully manage our operations internationally;
the impact if we continue to repurchase shares of our common stock and the terms of those repurchases, if any;
our ability to maintain our exclusion from the definition of an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended;
the potential failure to maintain effective internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures;
the effect of regulatory or tax actions, litigation and contractual claims against us, our affiliates or our Managed Companies, including the potential settlement and litigation of such claims, as well as any corresponding distraction and potential damage to our reputation.
The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. All forward-looking statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are based on information available to us on the date hereof and we are under no duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this report to conform these statements to actual results.
Factors that could have a material adverse effect on our operations and future prospects are set forth in our filings with the SEC included in Part I, Item 1A. of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 and in Part II, Item 1A. of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 under the heading “Risk Factors.” The risk factors set forth in our filings with the SEC could cause our actual results to differ significantly from those contained in any forward-looking statement contained in this report.

4


PART I.  Financial Information
Item 1.   Financial Statements
NORTHSTAR ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
 
September 30, 2016 (Unaudited)
 
December 31, 2015
Assets
 
 
 
Cash
$
85,593

 
$
84,707

Restricted cash
26,599

 
36,780

Receivables, net (refer to Note 3)
109,753

 
93,809

Investments in unconsolidated ventures (refer to Note 4)
97,107

 
88,069

Securities, at fair value (refer to Note 7)
38,438

 
46,215

Intangible assets, net
203,728

 

Goodwill
243,328

 

Other assets
41,784

 
25,241

Total assets
$
846,330

 
$
374,821

Liabilities
 
 
 
Term loan, net
$
468,679

 
$

Credit facility

 
100,000

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
59,348

 
90,160

Commission payable
921

 
6,988

Other liabilities
30,886

 
930

Total liabilities    
559,834

 
198,078

Commitments and contingencies


 


Redeemable non-controlling interests
75,149

 

Equity
 
 
 
NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc. Stockholders’ Equity
 
 
 
Performance common stock, $0.01 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 5,210,113 and 4,213,156 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively
52

 
42

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 1,000,000,000 shares authorized, 188,983,654 and 185,685,124 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively
1,890

 
1,857

Additional paid-in capital
246,171

 
208,318

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(210
)
 

Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)
(38,554
)
 
(35,152
)
Total NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc. stockholders’ equity
209,349

 
175,065

Non-controlling interests
1,998

 
1,678

Total equity
211,347

 
176,743

Total liabilities and equity
$
846,330

 
$
374,821










Refer to accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

5


NORTHSTAR ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share and Dividends Data)
(Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset management and other fees (refer to Note 3)
$
89,977

 
$
78,994

 
$
276,339

 
$
230,731

Selling commission and dealer manager fees (refer to Note 3)
3,856

 
29,104

 
15,115

 
87,364

Other income
1,669

 
17

 
7,569

 
851

Total revenues
95,502

 
108,115

 
299,023

 
318,946

Expenses

 

 
 
 

Commission expense (refer to Note 3)
3,608

 
26,978

 
14,025

 
81,011

Interest expense
6,882

 

 
18,968

 

Transaction costs
7,054

 
492

 
32,127

 
867

Other expenses
2,013

 
1,275

 
5,461

 
1,744

General and administrative expenses
 
 

 
 
 

Compensation expense(1)
36,418

 
33,406

 
107,547

 
91,876

Other general and administrative expenses
10,259

 
7,564

 
31,180

 
22,924

Total general and administrative expenses
46,677

 
40,970

 
138,727

 
114,800

Depreciation and amortization
2,910

 
478

 
7,355

 
1,362

Total expenses
69,144

 
70,193

 
216,663


199,784

Unrealized gain (loss) on investments and other
5,105

 
(137
)
 
(10,197
)
 
(422
)
Realized gain (loss) on investments and other

 

 
(874
)
 

Income (loss) before equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated ventures and income tax benefit (expense)
31,463

 
37,785

 
71,289

 
118,740

Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated ventures (refer to Note 4)
188

 
(56
)
 
(5,094
)
 
(836
)
Income (loss) before income tax benefit (expense)
31,651

 
37,729

 
66,195

 
117,904

Income tax benefit (expense)
(5,708
)
 
3,825

 
(9,331
)
 
(16,168
)
Net income (loss)
25,943

 
41,554

 
56,864

 
101,736

Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests
(246
)
 
(381
)
 
(533
)
 
(771
)
Net (income) loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests
(855
)
 

 
(2,991
)
 

Net income (loss) attributable to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc. common stockholders
$
24,842

 
$
41,173

 
$
53,340

 
$
100,965

Earnings (loss) per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.13

 
$
0.21

 
$
0.28

 
$
0.51

Diluted
$
0.13

 
$
0.21

 
$
0.28

 
$
0.51

Weighted average number of shares:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
183,399,200

 
189,423,278

 
183,251,441

 
189,523,907

Diluted
185,325,343

 
193,800,569

 
185,082,639

 
193,820,435

Dividends per share of common stock
$
0.10

 
$
0.10

 
$
0.30

 
$
0.30

______________________
(1)
The three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 include $14.8 million and $14.6 million, respectively, of equity-based compensation expense. The nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 include $45.5 million and $43.2 million, respectively, of equity-based compensation expense. Refer to Note 9 for further disclosure.










Refer to accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

6


NORTHSTAR ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(Dollars in Thousands)
(Unaudited)


 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Net income (loss)
$
25,943

 
$
41,554

 
$
56,864

 
$
101,736

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net
(82
)
 

 
(251
)
 

Total other comprehensive income (loss)
(82
)
 

 
(251
)
 

Comprehensive income (loss)
25,861

 
41,554

 
56,613

 
101,736

Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests
(246
)
 
(381
)
 
(533
)
 
(771
)
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests
(842
)
 

 
(2,950
)
 

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.
$
24,773

 
$
41,173

 
$
53,130

 
$
100,965





































Refer to accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

7


NORTHSTAR ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(Dollars and Shares in Thousands)
 
Performance Common Stock
 
Common Stock
 
Additional Paid-in Capital
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Retained Earnings (Accumulated
 Deficit)
 
Total
NorthStar
Stockholders’
Equity
 
Non-controlling
Interests
 
Total
Equity
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance as of December 31, 2014
3,738


$
37


192,948


$
1,930

 
$
276,874

 
$

 
$
(77,093
)
 
$
201,748


$


$
201,748

Amortization of equity-based compensation

 

 

 

 
53,416

 

 

 
53,416

 
4,950

 
58,366

Issuance of common stock related to transactions (refer to Note 4)

 

 
208

 
2

 
4,505

 

 

 
4,507

 

 
4,507

Issuance of common stock relating to equity-based compensation, net of forfeitures

 

 
275

 
3

 
(3
)
 

 

 

 

 

Conversion of Deferred LTIP Units to LTIP Units and common stock, net

 

 
4

 

 
(4,400
)
 

 

 
(4,400
)
 
4,400

 

Retirement of shares of common stock

 

 
(7,799
)
 
(78
)
 
(105,078
)
 

 

 
(105,156
)
 

 
(105,156
)
Issuance of performance common stock (refer to Note 10)
475

 
5

 

 

 
(5
)
 

 

 

 

 

Settlement of RSUs to common stock, net (refer to Note 9)

 

 
49

 

 
(7,227
)
 

 

 
(7,227
)
 

 
(7,227
)
Dividends on common stock and equity-based awards (refer to Note 9)

 

 

 

 

 

 
(77,853
)
 
(77,853
)
 
(538
)
 
(78,391
)
Excess tax benefit from equity-based compensation

 

 

 

 
(1,068
)
 

 

 
(1,068
)
 

 
(1,068
)
Call Spread premium, net

 

 

 

 
(16,783
)
 

 

 
(16,783
)
 

 
(16,783
)
Reallocation of non-controlling interests in Operating Partnership (refer to Note 11)

 

 

 

 
8,087

 

 

 
8,087

 
(8,087
)
 

Net income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 
119,794

 
119,794

 
953

 
120,747

Balance as of December 31, 2015
4,213


$
42


185,685


$
1,857


$
208,318


$

 
$
(35,152
)
 
$
175,065


$
1,678


$
176,743

Amortization of equity-based compensation

 

 

 

 
43,558

 

 

 
43,558

 
2,858

 
46,416

Issuance of common stock relating to equity-based compensation, net

 

 
2,184

 
22

 
(5,089
)
 

 

 
(5,067
)
 

 
(5,067
)
Issuance of common stock related to settlement of award (refer to Note 9)

 

 
94

 
1

 
1,009

 

 

 
1,010

 

 
1,010

Issuance of restricted stock related to Townsend (refer to Note 9)

 

 
658

 
6

 
(6
)
 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of performance common stock (refer to Note 10)
997

 
10

 

 

 
(10
)
 

 

 

 

 

Settlement of RSUs to common stock, net (refer to Note 9)

 

 
362

 
4

 
(3,156
)
 

 

 
(3,152
)
 

 
(3,152
)
Dividends on common stock and equity-based awards (refer to Note 9)

 

 

 

 

 

 
(56,742
)
 
(56,742
)
 
(538
)
 
(57,280
)
Reallocation of non-controlling interests in Operating Partnership (refer to Note 11)

 

 

 

 
2,533

 

 

 
2,533

 
(2,533
)
 

Allocation of redeemable non-controlling interests (refer to Note 11)

 

 

 

 
(661
)
 

 

 
(661
)
 

 
(661
)
Excess tax benefit from equity-based compensation

 

 

 

 
(325
)
 

 

 
(325
)
 

 
(325
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 
(210
)
 

 
(210
)
 

 
(210
)
Net income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 
53,340

 
53,340

 
533

 
53,873

Balance as of September 30, 2016 (Unaudited)
5,210

 
$
52

 
188,983

 
$
1,890

 
$
246,171

 
$
(210
)
 
$
(38,554
)
 
$
209,349

 
$
1,998

 
$
211,347










Refer to accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

8


NORTHSTAR ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in Thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2016
 
2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
56,864

 
$
101,736

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
 
 
 
Equity in (earnings) losses of unconsolidated ventures
5,094

 
836

Impairment on convertible debt
270

 

Allowance for uncollectible accounts
140

 

Depreciation and amortization
7,355

 
1,362

Amortization of deferred financing costs
2,908

 

Amortization of equity-based compensation
45,196

 
42,842

Unrealized (gain) loss on investments and other
10,197

 
422

Realized (gain) loss on investments and other
874

 

Deferred income tax, net
(1,398
)
 
4,487

Other income
(1,838
)
 

Distribution from unconsolidated ventures
884

 
4,042

     Straight line rental expense
(452
)
 
462

Change in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Restricted cash
12,611

 
(17,116
)
Receivables, net
5,288

 
(12,289
)
Other assets
3,114

 
(8,531
)
Other liabilities
2,956

 
466

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
(60,136
)
 
14,664

Commission payable
(5,834
)
 
(5,645
)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
84,093

 
127,738

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Acquisition of Townsend, net (refer to Note 1)
(377,355
)
 

Investment in convertible debt
(1,092
)
 

Investments in unconsolidated ventures
(5,367
)
 
(35,631
)
Distribution from unconsolidated ventures
11,216

 
4,653

Settlement of acquisition of securities (Refer to Note 6)
(7,612
)
 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
(380,210
)
 
(30,978
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Borrowings from term loan
500,000

 

Repayment of term loan
(2,500
)
 

Repayment of credit facility
(100,000
)
 

Payment of financing costs
(31,421
)
 

Repurchase of shares related to equity-based awards and tax withholding
(8,400
)
 
(12,966
)
Excess tax benefit from equity-based compensation
(325
)
 

Dividends
(56,883
)
 
(58,550
)
Contributions from redeemable non-controlling interests
500

 

Distributions to redeemable non-controlling interests
(3,582
)
 

Cost of capital

 
(425
)
Retirement of shares of common stock

 
(4,999
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
297,389

 
(76,940
)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash
(386
)
 
(422
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash
886

 
19,398

Cash - beginning of period
84,707

 
109,199

Cash - end of period
$
85,593

 
$
128,597




9


Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
 
 
 
Contributions from redeemable non-controlling interests
$
74,759

 
$

Assumption of deferred tax liability
5,928

 

Reclassification related to measurement adjustments/other
2,850

 

Reallocation of non-controlling interests in Operating Partnership
2,533

 
5,770

Issuance of common stock related to settlement of award (refer to Note 9)
1,010

 

Allocation of redeemable non-controlling interests in Townsend
661

 

Dividend payable related to RSUs
400

 
352

Issuance of common stock related to transactions (refer to Note 4)

 
4,507

Conversion of Deferred LTIP Units to LTIP Units

 
4,400

Call Spread premium, net

 
16,303

Distribution from unconsolidated ventures

 
231













































Refer to accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

10


NORTHSTAR ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1.
Business and Organization
NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc. (“NSAM” or the “Company”) is a global asset management firm focused on strategically managing real estate and other investment platforms in the United States and internationally. The Company commenced operations on July 1, 2014 upon the spin-off by NorthStar Realty Finance Corp. (“NorthStar Realty”) of its asset management business into a separate publicly-traded company, NSAM, a Delaware corporation (the “NSAM Spin-off”). The NSAM Spin-off was in the form of a tax-free distribution to NorthStar Realty’s common stockholders where each NorthStar Realty common stockholder received shares of the Company’s common stock on a one-for-one basis. At the same time, NorthStar Realty became externally managed by an affiliate of the Company through a management contract with an initial term of 20 years. NorthStar Realty continues to operate its commercial real estate (“CRE”) debt origination business.
NSAM LP, a Delaware limited partnership and the operating partnership of the Company (the “Operating Partnership”) holds substantially all of the Company’s assets and liabilities and the Company conducts its operations, directly or indirectly, through the Operating Partnership. All references herein to the Company refer to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, including the Operating Partnership, collectively, unless the context otherwise requires.
On October 31, 2015, NorthStar Realty completed the spin-off of its European real estate business (the “NRE Spin-off”) into a separate publicly-traded real estate investment trust (“REIT”), NorthStar Realty Europe Corp. (“NorthStar Europe”). The Company manages NorthStar Europe pursuant to a long-term management agreement, on substantially similar terms as the Company’s management agreement with NorthStar Realty. NorthStar Realty and NorthStar Europe are herein collectively referred to as the NorthStar Listed Companies.
The Company has a substantial business raising and managing capital in the retail marketplace accessing a variety of pools of capital and through various vehicles that include REITs, closed-end funds and others that the Company may form in the future. The Company earns various fees from managing this capital and refers to this platform as the Company’s Retail Business. Certain of the Company’s affiliates also manage NorthStar Realty’s previously sponsored non-traded companies which raise capital through the retail market, as well as any new non-traded company and any future sponsored company that raises capital from retail investors (referred to as the “Retail Companies” and together with the NorthStar Listed Companies, referred to as the “Managed Companies”).
The Company is organized to provide asset management and other services to the Managed Companies, or any other companies it may sponsor in the future, both in the United States and internationally. The Managed Companies have historically invested in the CRE industry. The Company seeks to expand the scope of its asset management business beyond real estate into new asset classes and geographies by organically creating and managing additional investment vehicles or through acquisitions, strategic partnerships and joint ventures. Such investments have included the acquisition of an 84% interest in Townsend Holdings LLC (or “Townsend”), a 43% interest in American Healthcare Investors LLC (or the “AHI Interest”) and a 45% interest in Island Hospitality Management Inc. (the “Island Interest”).
On January 29, 2016, the Company acquired an approximate 84% interest in Townsend (the “Townsend Acquisition Date”), a leading global provider of investment management and advisory services focused on real assets. Founded in 1983, Townsend is the manager or advisor to $183.7 billion of real assets as of September 30, 2016. Townsend’s management team owns the remainder of the business and continues to direct day-to-day operations, subject to the oversight and direction of its board of directors which is controlled by the Company.
The Company earns asset management and other fees, directly or indirectly, pursuant to management and other contracts and direct investments. In addition, the Company owns NorthStar Securities, LLC (“NorthStar Securities”), a captive broker-dealer platform registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) which raises capital in the retail market for the Retail Companies.
Merger Agreement with NorthStar Realty and Colony Capital, Inc.
In June 2016, the Company announced that it entered into a merger agreement with NorthStar Realty and Colony Capital, Inc. (“Colony”) under which the companies will combine in an all-stock merger of equals transaction to create an internally-managed, diversified real estate and investment management platform (the “Mergers”). The transaction has been approved by the Company’s and NorthStar Realty’s respective boards of directors, including the unanimous approval by their respective Special Committees and the board of directors of Colony.
Under the terms of the merger agreement, as amended, the Company will redomesticate to Maryland and elect to be treated as a REIT beginning in 2017 and NorthStar Realty and Colony, through a series of transactions, will merge with and into the redomesticated NSAM, which will be renamed Colony NorthStar, Inc. The Company’s common stockholders will receive one

11

NORTHSTAR ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

share of Colony NorthStar’s common stock for each share of common stock they own. Upon completion of the transaction, NorthStar Realty stockholders will own approximately 33.90%, Colony stockholders will own approximately 33.25% and the Company’s stockholders will own approximately 32.85% of the combined company on a fully diluted basis, excluding the effect of certain equity-based awards issuable in connection with the Mergers. Prior to the closing of the Mergers, the Company expects its board of directors or a duly authorized committee thereof to declare a special cash dividend in the amount of $228 million to common stockholders.
In October 2016, the Company amended the merger agreement and provided for, among other matters, an enhanced governance structure for Colony NorthStar, modified severance terms for the Company’s executive officers and a special cash dividend for the Company’s stockholders now totaling $228 million. In connection with the amendment to the merger agreement, the Company entered into a voting agreement with MSD Capital L.P. (“MSD”) and its affiliates, which together own approximately 10.2% of the Company’s outstanding shares, pursuant to which MSD agreed to vote in favor of the Mergers and related proposals. In addition, Colony NorthStar, a Maryland subsidiary of NSAM that will be the surviving parent company of the combined company following the completion of the Mergers, filed with the SEC an amended registration statement on Form S-4 that includes a joint proxy statement of the Company, Colony and NorthStar Realty and that also constitutes a prospectus of Colony NorthStar.
The transaction is expected to close in January 2017, subject to, among other things, regulatory approvals and the receipt of the Company’s, Colony’s and NorthStar Realty’s respective stockholder approvals.
2.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Quarterly Presentation
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial reporting and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, certain information and note disclosures normally included in the consolidated financial statements prepared under U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows have been included and are of a normal and recurring nature. The operating results presented for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the entire year. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, which was filed with the SEC.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, the Operating Partnership and their consolidated subsidiaries. The Company consolidates variable interest entities (“VIE”) where the Company is the primary beneficiary and voting interest entities which are generally majority owned or otherwise controlled by the Company. All significant intercompany balances are eliminated in consolidation.
Variable Interest Entities
A VIE is an entity that lacks one or more of the characteristics of a voting interest entity. A VIE is defined as an entity in which equity investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. The determination of whether an entity is a VIE includes both a qualitative and quantitative analysis. The Company bases its qualitative analysis on its review of the design of the entity, its organizational structure including decision-making ability and relevant financial agreements and the quantitative analysis on the forecasted cash flow of the entity.
The Company reassesses its initial evaluation of an entity as a VIE upon the occurrence of certain reconsideration events.
A VIE must be consolidated only by its primary beneficiary, which is defined as the party who, along with its affiliates and agents has both the: (i) power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance; and (ii) obligation to absorb the losses of the VIE or the right to receive the benefits from the VIE, which could be significant to the VIE. The Company determines whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE by considering qualitative and quantitative factors, including, but not limited to: which activities most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and which party controls such activities; the amount and characteristics of its investment; the obligation or likelihood for the Company or other interests to provide financial support; consideration of the VIE’s purpose and design, including the risks the VIE was designed to create and pass through to its variable interest holders and the similarity with and significance to the business activities of the Company and the other interests. The Company reassesses its determination of whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE each reporting period.

12

NORTHSTAR ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

Significant judgments related to these determinations include estimates about the current and future fair value and performance of investments held by these VIEs and general market conditions.
The Company evaluates the Managed Companies, investments in unconsolidated ventures and securitization financing transactions to which the Company is the special servicer to determine whether they are a VIE. The Company analyzes new investments and financings, as well as reconsideration events for existing investments and financings, which vary depending on type of investment or financing.
Voting Interest Entities
A voting interest entity is an entity in which the total equity investment at risk is sufficient to enable it to finance its activities independently and the equity holders have the power to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact its economic performance, the obligation to absorb the losses of the entity and the right to receive the residual returns of the entity. The usual condition for a controlling financial interest in a voting interest entity is ownership of a majority voting interest. If the Company has a majority voting interest in a voting interest entity, the entity will generally be consolidated. The Company does not consolidate a voting interest entity if there are substantive participating rights by other parties and/or kick-out rights by a single party or through a simple majority vote.
The Company performs on-going reassessments of whether entities previously evaluated under the voting interest framework have become VIEs, based on certain events, and therefore subject to the VIE consolidation framework.
Investments in Unconsolidated Ventures
A non-controlling, unconsolidated ownership interest in an entity may be accounted for using the equity method, at fair value or the cost method.
Under the equity method, the investment is adjusted each period for capital contributions and distributions and its share of the entity’s net income (loss). Capital contributions, distributions and net income (loss) of such entities are recorded in accordance with the terms of the governing documents. An allocation of net income (loss) may differ from the stated ownership percentage interest in such entity as a result of a preferred return and allocation formula, if any, as described in such governing documents.
The Company may account for an investment in an unconsolidated entity at fair value by electing the fair value option. The Company may record the change in fair value for its share of the projected future cash flow or may follow the practical expedient of the net asset value of the underlying fund investment based on the most recent available information, which is generally on a one quarter lag. The Company will record the change from one period to another in equity in earnings (losses) from unconsolidated ventures in the consolidated statements of operations. Any change in fair value attributed to market related assumptions is considered unrealized gain (loss).
The Company may account for an investment that does not qualify for equity method accounting or for which the fair value option was not elected using the cost method if the Company determines the investment in the unconsolidated entity is insignificant. Under the cost method, equity in earnings is recorded as dividends are received to the extent they are not considered a return of capital, which is recorded as a reduction of cost of the investment.
The Company reviews its investments in unconsolidated ventures for which the Company did not elect the fair value option on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as necessary, to assess whether there are any indicators that the value may be impaired or that its carrying value may not be recoverable. An investment is considered impaired if the projected net recoverable amount over the expected holding period is less than the carrying value. In conducting this review, the Company considers U.S. and global macroeconomic factors, including real estate sector conditions, together with investment specific and other factors. To the extent an impairment has occurred and is considered to be other than temporary, the loss is measured as the excess of the carrying value of the investment over the estimated fair value and recorded in equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated ventures in the consolidated statements of operations.
Non-controlling Interests
A non-controlling interest in a consolidated subsidiary is defined as the portion of the equity (net assets) in a subsidiary not attributable, directly or indirectly, to the Company. A non-controlling interest is required to be presented as a separate component of equity on the consolidated balance sheets and presented separately as net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss) (“OCI”) attributable to non-controlling interests. An allocation to a non-controlling interest may differ from the stated ownership percentage interest in such entity as a result of a preferred return and allocation formula, if any, as described in such governing documents.

13

NORTHSTAR ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

Redeemable Non-controlling Interests
A redeemable non-controlling interest is the non-controlling interest in a subsidiary in which the holders have the ability to require the Company to repurchase interests in the subsidiary. These interests are presented as redeemable non-controlling interests, outside of permanent equity on the consolidated balance sheets and presented separately as net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests. The Company records the redeemable non-controlling interest at its redemption value and adjusts the carrying amount of such interest to the redemption value at the end of each reporting period, but such amount will not be less than the initial carrying amount. An allocation to a redeemable non-controlling interest may differ from the stated ownership percentage interest in such entity as a result of a preferred return and allocation formula, if any, as described in such governing documents.
Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that could affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates and assumptions.
Reclassifications
Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified in the consolidated financial statements to conform to current period presentation.
Cash
The Company considers all highly-liquid investments with an original maturity date of three months or less and deposits held with third parties that are readily convertible to cash to be cash equivalents. Cash, including amounts restricted at certain banks and financial institutions and amounts held outside of the United States, may at times exceed insurable amounts. The Company mitigates credit risk by placing cash with major financial institutions. To date, the Company has not experienced any losses on cash.
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash primarily represents cash held by the Company’s foreign subsidiaries due to certain regulatory capital requirements.
Business Combinations
The Company accounts for purchases of assets that qualify as business combinations using the acquisition method where the purchase price is allocated to tangible and intangible assets acquired based on estimated fair value. The excess of the fair value of purchase consideration over the fair value of these identifiable assets is recorded as goodwill. Such valuation requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions, especially with respect to intangible assets including, but not limited to, customer relationships, acquired technology and trade names. Management’s estimate of fair value is based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable, but which are inherently uncertain and unpredictable and, as a result, actual results may differ materially from estimates. During the measurement period, which is one year from the acquisition date, the Company may record adjustments to the assets acquired, with the corresponding offset to goodwill. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period, any subsequent adjustments are recorded in earnings.

14

NORTHSTAR ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

On January 29, 2016, the Company acquired an approximate 84% interest in Townsend for $383.0 million, net of post closing adjustments. The following table presents the final allocation of the purchase price of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed upon the closing of Townsend (dollars in thousands):
Assets:
 
Cash
$
14,318

Investments in unconsolidated ventures(1)
17,738

Intangible assets
209,320

Goodwill(2)(3)
243,328

Other assets acquired
42,547

Total assets
$
527,251

Liabilities:
 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
$
34,312

Other liabilities acquired
26,476

Total liabilities
60,788

Redeemable non-controlling interests
75,320

Total equity(4)
391,143

Total liabilities and equity
$
527,251

_____________________
(1)
Represents Townsend’s interest in real estate private equity funds sponsored by Townsend (“Townsend Funds”) (refer to Note 4).
(2)
The Company expects $166.5 million of goodwill to be deductible for tax purposes.
(3)
Goodwill includes $5.5 million related to a share deal acquisition of the seller’s corporate entity. The deferred tax liability and corresponding goodwill are recorded at acquisition based on differences between book and tax basis.
(4)
Represents the Company’s investment in Townsend prior to a post closing adjustment of $7.6 million relating to a distribution of excess cash to the Company.
For the three months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recorded revenue of $17.0 million and net income of $5.2 million. From the Townsend Acquisition Date through September 30, 2016, the Company recorded revenue of $46.9 million and net income of $16.6 million.
The following table presents unaudited consolidated pro forma results of operations based on the Company’s historical financial statements and adjusted for the acquisition of Townsend and related borrowing as if it occurred on January 1, 2015. The unaudited pro forma amounts were prepared for comparative purposes only and are not indicative of what actual consolidated results of operations of the Company would have been, nor are they indicative of the consolidated results of operations in the future (dollars in thousands, except per share data):
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2016(1)(2)
 
2015
 
2016(1)
 
2015
Pro forma total revenues
 
$
95,502

 
$
123,780

 
$
302,904

 
$
364,669

Pro forma net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders
 
$
25,113

 
$
40,110

 
$
59,880

 
$
96,088

Pro forma EPS - basic
 
$
0.13

 
$
0.20

 
$
0.31

 
$
0.49

Pro forma EPS - diluted
 
$
0.13

 
$
0.20

 
$
0.31

 
$
0.48

_____________________
(1)
Excludes non-recurring transaction costs and prior compensation arrangements of Townsend.
(2)
No adjustment to pro forma as the acquisition of Townsend is already reflected for the three months ended September 30, 2016.
Intangible Assets
The Company records acquired identified intangibles, which includes intangible assets (such as goodwill and other intangibles), based on estimated fair value. Other intangible assets are amortized into depreciation and amortization expense in the consolidated statements of operations on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life, reflecting the manner in which the related benefit is expected to be realized.
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net tangible and intangible assets acquired in a business combination and is not amortized. The Company performs an annual impairment test for goodwill and evaluates the recoverability

15

NORTHSTAR ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of goodwill may not be fully recoverable. In making such assessment, qualitative factors are used to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, then an impairment loss is recorded.
The following table presents identified intangibles as of September 30, 2016 (dollars in thousands):
 
Gross Amount
 
Estimated Useful Life
 
Accumulated Amortization
 
Net Amount
Intangible assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Customer relationships(1)
$
185,580

 
20 to 30 years
 
$
(4,718
)
 
$
180,862

Performance fees(1)
5,710

 
2 to 11 years
 
(421
)
 
5,289

Trade names
17,820

 
30 years
 
(396
)
 
17,424

Proprietary technology
210

 
3 years
 
(57
)
 
153

Subtotal intangible assets
209,320

 
 
 
(5,592
)
 
203,728

Goodwill
243,328

 
 
 

 
243,328

Total
$
452,648

 
 
 
$
(5,592
)
 
$
447,056

_____________________
(1)
Includes existing customers and expected retention of such customers.

The following table presents annual amortization of intangible assets (dollars in thousands):
October 1 through December 31, 2016
 
$
2,097

Years Ending December 31:
 
 
2017
 
8,388

2018
 
8,256

2019
 
8,199

2020
 
8,199

Thereafter
 
168,589

Total
 
$
203,728


16

NORTHSTAR ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

Other Assets and Liabilities and Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
The following tables present a summary of other assets, other liabilities and accounts payable and accrued expenses as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (dollars in thousands):
 
September 30, 2016 (Unaudited)
 
December 31, 2015
Other assets:
 
 
 
Deferred tax asset, net
$
15,146

 
$
10,880

Prepaid expenses
4,583

 
4,781

Prepaid income taxes
9,141

 

Furniture, fixtures and equipment, net
4,341

 
4,333

Pending deal costs
3,939

 
625

Security deposits
2,926

 
2,380

Convertible debt, net(1)
781

 

Due from participating broker-dealers
144

 
398

Deferred financing costs, net

 
912

Other
783

 
932

Total
$
41,784

 
$
25,241

 
September 30, 2016 (Unaudited)
 
December 31, 2015
Other liabilities:
 
 
 
Townsend Funds liability(2)
$
16,096

 
$

Deferred tax liability, net(3)
9,442

 

Deposit payable
2,418

 

Deferred incentive fees(4)
2,212

 

Other
718

 
930

Total
$
30,886

 
$
930

________________
(1)
Represents a convertible debt investment in Distributed Finance Corporation (“Distributed Finance”). For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recorded $0.3 million of impairment on such investment.
(2)
Represents an obligation to the sellers who are entitled to approximately 84% of the value of the Townsend Funds at the Townsend Acquisition Date, along with any income related to capital contributed prior to acquisition. The Company is obligated to fund contributions and is entitled to any income on such contributions subsequent to the Townsend Acquisition Date (refer to Note 4).
(3)
Primarily represents deferred tax liability related to the Townsend acquisition related to a share deal acquisition of the seller’s corporate entity. The deferred tax liability and corresponding goodwill are recorded at acquisition based on differences between the book and tax basis.
(4)
Represents incentive fees received that are not yet earned related to the Townsend Funds (refer to below) and as a result, represents a contingent obligation.
 
September 30, 2016 (Unaudited)
 
December 31, 2015
Accounts payable and accrued expenses:
 
 
 
Accrued bonus and related taxes
$
32,312

 
$
63,935

Incentive fee compensation(1)
10,364

 

Accrued operating expenses
10,054

 
8,771

Accrued payroll
1,337

 
1,312

Accrued interest payable
4,038

 
92

Dividends payable related to equity-based awards
452

 
574

Accrued equity-based compensation awards (refer to Note 9)
791

 
763

Accrued participating interest buyout(2)

 
8,110

Share purchase payable(3)

 
6,603

Total
$
59,348

 
$
90,160

__________________
(1)
Approximately 50% of incentive fees received by the Townsend Funds are due to certain employees of Townsend. Payment is made to such employees when such incentive fee income is earned and approved by executive management of Townsend (refer to below). The Company

17

NORTHSTAR ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

records the expense in compensation expense in the consolidated statements of operations when payment becomes probable and reasonably estimable but no later than the period in which the underlying income is recognized.
(2)
Represents a one-time buyout in satisfaction of all participating interests related to non-executive incentive interests in the advisor to our first sponsored Retail Company (refer to Note 3).
(3)
Relates to the purchase of NorthStar Realty shares which were settled in January 2016 (refer to Note 6).
Fair Value Option
The fair value option provides an election that allows a company to irrevocably elect fair value for certain financial assets and liabilities on an instrument-by-instrument basis at initial recognition. The Company may elect to apply the fair value option for certain investments due to the nature of the instrument. Any change in fair value for assets and liabilities for which the election is made is recognized in earnings.
Securities
The Company elected to apply the fair value option for its securities investments because management believes it is a more useful presentation for such investments. Any unrealized gain (loss) from the change in fair value is recorded in unrealized gains (losses) on investments and other in the consolidated statements of operations. Dividend income is recorded in other income in the consolidated statements of operations.
Deferred Financing Costs
Deferred financing costs represent legal and other third-party costs associated with obtaining financing. Costs related to revolving credit facilities are recorded in other assets and are amortized to interest expense using the straight-line basis over the term of the facility. Costs related to other borrowings are recorded net against the carrying value of such borrowings and are amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method. Unamortized deferred financing costs are expensed when the associated facility is repaid before maturity. Costs incurred in seeking financing transactions, which do not close, if any, are expensed in the period in which it is determined that the financing will not occur.
Revenue Recognition
Asset Management and Other Fees
Asset management and other fees include base and incentive fees earned from NorthStar Listed Companies, acquisition, disposition and other fees earned from the Retail Companies and fees earned from clients and limited partners of Townsend. Asset management and other fees are recognized based on contractual terms specified in the underlying governing documents in the periods during which the related services are performed and the amounts have been contractually earned. Incentive fees and payments are recognized subject to the achievement of return hurdles in accordance with the respective terms set forth in the governing documents. Incentive fees that are subject to contingent repayment are not recognized as revenue until all related contingencies have been resolved.
Selling Commission and Dealer Manager Fees and Commission Expense
Selling commission and dealer manager fees represent income earned by the Company for selling equity in the Retail Companies through NorthStar Securities. Selling commission, dealer manager fees and commission expense are accrued on a trade date basis. As of September 30, 2016, commission payable of $0.9 million includes $0.2 million due to NorthStar Securities’ employees.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
An allowance for a doubtful account is established when, in the opinion of the Company, a full recovery of a receivable becomes doubtful. A receivable is written off when it is no longer collectible and/or legally discharged. As of September 30, 2016, there was $0.1 million of allowance for doubtful accounts.
Equity-Based Compensation
The Company accounts for equity-based compensation awards, including awards granted to co-employees (refer to Note 9), using the fair value method, which requires an estimate of the fair value of the award. Awards may be based on a variety of measures such as time, performance, market or a combination thereof. For time-based awards, fair value is determined based on the stock price on the grant date. The Company recognizes compensation expense over the vesting period on a straight-line basis. For performance-based awards, fair value is determined based on the stock price at the date of grant and an estimate of the probable achievement of such measure. The Company recognizes compensation expense over the requisite service period, net of estimated forfeitures, using the accelerated attribution expense method. For market-based measures, fair value is determined using a Monte

18

NORTHSTAR ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

Carlo analysis under a risk-neutral premise using a risk-free interest rate. The Company recognizes compensation expense over the requisite service period, net of estimated forfeitures, on a straight-line basis.
For awards with a combination of performance or market measures, the Company estimates the fair value as if it were two separate awards. First, the Company estimates the probability of achieving the performance measure. If it is not probable the performance condition will be met, the Company records the compensation expense based on the fair value of the market measure, as described above. This expense is recorded even if the market-based measure is never met. If the performance-based measure is subsequently estimated to be achieved, the Company records compensation expense based on the performance-based measure. The Company would then record a cumulative catch-up adjustment for any additional compensation expense.
Equity-based compensation issued to non-employees is accounted for using the fair value of the award at the earlier of the performance commitment date or performance completion date. The awards are remeasured every quarter based on the stock price as of the end of the reporting period until such awards vest, if any.
Foreign Currency
Assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency for which the functional currency is a foreign currency are translated using the currency exchange rate in effect at the end of the period presented and the results of operations for such entities are translated into U.S. dollars using the average currency exchange rate in effect during the period. The resulting foreign currency translation adjustment is recorded as a component of accumulated OCI in the consolidated statements of equity.
Assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency for which the functional currency is the U.S. dollar are remeasured using the currency exchange rate in effect at the end of the period presented and the results of operations for such entities are remeasured into U.S. dollars using the spot currency exchange rate at the time of the transaction. The resulting foreign currency remeasurement adjustment is recorded in unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency in the consolidated statements of operations.
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The Company reports consolidated comprehensive income (loss) in a separate statement following the consolidated statements of operations. Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as a change in equity resulting from net income (loss) and OCI. The component of OCI includes an adjustment for foreign currency translation.
Earnings Per Share
The Company’s basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is calculated using the two-class method for each class of common stock and participating security as if all earnings had been distributed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common stock outstanding. Diluted EPS reflects the maximum potential dilution that could occur from the Company’s share-based compensation, consisting of unvested restricted stock awards, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance common stock or other contracts to issue common stock, assuming performance hurdles have been met, were converted to common stock, including limited partnership interests in the Operating Partnership which are structured as profits interests (“LTIP Units”). Potential dilutive shares are excluded from the calculation if they have an anti-dilutive effect in the period. The Company’s unvested restricted stock awards, certain RSUs and LTIPs Units contain rights to receive non-forfeitable dividends and thus are participating securities. Due to the existence of these participating securities, the two-class method of computing EPS is required, unless another method is determined to be more dilutive.
Under the two-class method, net income is first reduced for distributions declared on all classes of participating securities to arrive at undistributed earnings. Under the two-class method, net loss is reduced for distributions declared on participating securities only if such security has the right to participate in the earnings of the entity and an objectively determinable contractual obligation to share in net losses of the entity.
Income Taxes
Certain subsidiaries of the Company are subject to taxation by federal, state, local and foreign authorities for the periods presented. On March 13, 2015, the Company restructured by forming the Company’s new Operating Partnership, under Delaware law, by converting an existing limited liability company disregarded as separate from the Company for federal income tax purposes to a Delaware limited partnership and admitting as limited partners LTIP Unit holders. The Operating Partnership is taxed as a partnership for federal income tax purposes and consequently, its items of income gain, loss, deduction and credit are passed through to, and included in, the taxable income of each of its partners including the Company. For the period prior to March 13, 2015, the Company and its U.S. subsidiaries filed consolidated federal income tax returns. Income taxes are accounted for by the asset/liability approach in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Deferred taxes, if any, represent the expected future tax consequences when the reported amounts of assets and liabilities are recovered or paid. Such amounts arise from differences between the financial

19

NORTHSTAR ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are adjusted for changes in tax laws and tax rates in the period which such changes are enacted. A provision for income tax represents the total of income taxes paid or payable for the current period, plus the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities.
Other
Refer to Note 2 of the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 for further disclosure of the Company’s significant accounting policies.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an accounting update requiring a company to recognize as revenue the amount of consideration it expects to be entitled to in connection with the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The accounting standard update will replace most of the existing revenue recognition guidance currently promulgated by U.S. GAAP. In July 2015, the FASB decided to delay the effective date of the new revenue standard by one year. The effective date of the new revenue standard for the Company will be January 1, 2018. The Company is evaluating the impact, if any, of the update on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and financial statement disclosures.
In February 2015, the FASB issued updated guidance that changes the rules regarding consolidation. The pronouncement eliminates specialized guidance for limited partnerships and similar legal entities and removes the indefinite deferral for certain investment funds. The new guidance is effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter 2016 and determined the Company’s Operating Partnership is considered a VIE. The Company is the primary beneficiary of the VIE, the VIE’s assets can be used for purposes other than the settlement of the VIE’s obligations and the Company’s partnership interest is considered a majority voting interest. As such, this standard did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial position or results of operations.
In May 2015, the FASB issued updated guidance that removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2015 and should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. Early adoption is permitted. In the first quarter 2016, the Company adopted this guidance and, as a result, the fair value of our interest in real estate private equity funds sponsored by Townsend of $21.4 million is not included in Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2016. The Company did not have any investments measured using net asset value as of December 31, 2015.
In January 2016, the FASB issued an accounting update that addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is evaluating the impact, if any, this guidance will have on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and financial statement disclosures.
In February 2016, the FASB issued an accounting update that requires lessees to present right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet. The new guidance is to be applied using a modified retrospective approach at the beginning of the earliest comparative period in the financial statements and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact, if any, that this guidance will have on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and financial statement disclosures.
In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance which eliminates the requirement for an investor to retroactively apply the equity method when its increase in ownership interest (or degree of influence) in an investee triggers equity method accounting. The update requires that the equity method investor add the cost of acquiring the additional interest in the investee to the current basis of the investor’s previously held interest and adopt the equity method of accounting as of the date the investment become qualified for equity method accounting. The update should be applied prospectively upon their effective date to increases in the level of ownership interests or degree of influence that results in the adoption of the equity method. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company has concluded that this guidance will not have any impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or financial statement disclosures.
In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance which amends several aspects of the accounting for equity-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and classification on the statements of cash flows. The guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is evaluating the impact, if any, that this guidance will have on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and financial statement disclosures.

20

NORTHSTAR ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

In June 2016, the FASB issued guidance which changes how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments, including trade and other receivables, that are not measured at fair value through net income. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact, if any, that this guidance will have on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and financial statement disclosures.
In September 2016, the FASB issued final amendments to clarify how entities should classify certain cash receipts and cash payments in the consolidated statement of cash flows as they may have aspects of more than one class of cash flows. The guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is evaluating the impact, if any, that this guidance will have in its consolidated statement of cash flows.
3.
Management Agreements
The following table presents asset management and other fees earned from the Managed Companies and Townsend (dollars in thousands):

 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,

 
2016
 
2015
 
2016

2015
NorthStar Listed Companies(1)
 
$
50,319

 
$
51,284

 
$
150,504


$
151,280

Retail Companies
 
22,649

 
27,710

 
78,911


79,451

Institutional Capital(2)
 
17,009

 

 
46,924



Total
 
$
89,977

 
$
78,994

 
$
276,339


$
230,731

_________________
(1)
The Company began earning fees from NorthStar Europe on November 1, 2015.
(2)
Represents fees earned through the Company’s investment in Townsend. The Company began earning fees on the Townsend Acquisition Date. The Company was also entitled to $1.8 million of management and other fees from January 14, 2016 to the Townsend Acquisition Date, which was recorded net of operating expenses in other income in the consolidated statements of operations.
NorthStar Listed Companies
Management Agreement
Upon completion of the NSAM Spin-off and NRE Spin-off, respectively, the Company entered into a management agreement with each of the NorthStar Listed Companies for an initial term of 20 years, which automatically renews for additional 20-year terms each anniversary thereafter unless earlier terminated.
As asset manager, the Company is responsible for the NorthStar Listed Companies’ day-to-day activities, subject to supervision and management by each of the NorthStar Listed Companies’ board of directors, as applicable. Through its global network of subsidiaries and branch offices, the Company performs services and engages in activities relating to, among other things, investments and financing, portfolio management and other administrative services, such as accounting and investor relations, to the NorthStar Listed Companies and their subsidiaries other than NorthStar Realty’s CRE loan origination business. The management agreements with the NorthStar Listed Companies provides for a base management fee and incentive fee.
The management agreements with NorthStar Realty and NorthStar Europe provide that in the event of a change of control or other event that could be deemed an assignment by the Company of the management agreement, NorthStar Realty and NorthStar Europe, respectively, will consider such assignment in good faith and not unreasonably withhold, condition or delay its consent. The management agreements further provide that NorthStar Realty and NorthStar Europe, respectively, anticipate consent would be granted for an assignment or deemed assignment to a party with expertise in commercial real estate and over $10 billion of assets under management. The management agreements also provide that, notwithstanding anything in the agreement to the contrary, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, rules and regulations, in connection with any merger, sale of all or substantially all of the assets, change of control, reorganization, consolidation or any similar transaction of the Company, on the one hand, or NorthStar Realty or NorthStar Europe, on the other hand, directly or indirectly, the surviving entity will succeed to the terms of the management agreement.
In connection with the NRE Spin-off, the Company’s management agreement with NorthStar Realty was amended and restated to, among other things, adjust the annual base management fee and incentive fee hurdles for the NRE Spin-off.
Upon completion of the Mergers, the management agreement with NorthStar Realty will cease to exist.

21

NORTHSTAR ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

Base Management Fee and Incentive Fee
The following table presents a summary of the fee arrangements and amounts earned from the NorthStar Listed Companies:
 
 
NorthStar Realty
 
NorthStar Europe
Commencement date
 
July 1, 2014
 
November 1, 2015
Current in place annual base management fee(1)
 
$187.1 million
 
$14.2 million
Incentive fee hurdle to CAD per share(2)
 
 
 
 
15%
 
Excess of $0.68 and up to $0.78(3)
 
Excess of $0.30 and up to $0.36
25%
 
Excess of $0.78(3)
 
Excess of $0.36
Base management fee
 
 
 
 
Three months ended September 30, 2016
 
$46.8 million
 
$3.5 million
Three months ended September 30, 2015(4)
 
$49.0 million
 
NA
Nine months ended September 30, 2016
 
$140.0 million
 
$10.5 million
Nine months ended September 30, 2015(4)
 
$142.5 million
 
NA
Incentive fee
 

 

Three months ended September 30, 2016
 
 
Three months ended September 30, 2015(4)
 
$2.3 million
 
NA
Nine months ended September 30, 2016
 
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2015(4)
 
$8.7 million
 
NA
__________________    
(1)
The base management fee will increase by an amount equal to 1.5% per annum of the sum of: the cumulative net proceeds of all future common equity and preferred equity issued, equity issued in exchange or conversion of exchangeable senior notes or stock-settlable notes based on the stock price at the date of issuance and any other issuances of common equity, preferred equity or other forms of equity, including but not limited to limited partnership interests in the NorthStar Realty or NorthStar Europe operating partnerships, which are structured as profits interests (excluding units issued to the parent company and equity-based compensation, but including issuances related to an acquisition, investment, joint venture or partnership) by the NorthStar Listed Companies and cumulative cash available for distribution (“CAD”) of the NorthStar Listed Companies, in excess of cumulative distributions paid on common stock, LTIP units or other equity awards beginning the first full calendar quarter after the NSAM Spin-off and NRE Spin-off, respectively. In addition, NorthStar Realty’s equity interest in RXR Realty LLC (“RXR Realty”) and Aerium Group is structured so that the Company is entitled to the portion of distributable cash flow from each investment in excess of the $10 million minimum annual base amount.
(2)
The incentive fee is calculated by the product of 15% or 25% and CAD before such incentive fee, divided by the weighted average shares outstanding for the calendar quarter, when such amount is within a certain hurdle multiplied by the weighted average shares outstanding of the NorthStar Listed Companies for the calendar quarter. Weighted average shares represent the number of shares of the NorthStar Listed Companies’ common stock, LTIP Units or other equity-based awards (with some exclusions), outstanding on a daily weighted average basis.
(3)
After giving effect to NorthStar Realty’s reverse stock split in October 2015 and the NRE Spin-off.
(4)
The Company began earning fees from NorthStar Europe on November 1, 2015.

22

NORTHSTAR ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

Payment of Costs and Expenses and Expense Allocation
The NorthStar Listed Companies are each responsible for all of their direct costs and expenses and will reimburse the Company for costs and expenses incurred by the Company on their behalf. In addition, the Company may allocate indirect costs to the NorthStar Listed Companies related to employees, occupancy and other general and administrative costs and expenses in accordance with the terms of, and subject to the limitations contained in, the applicable NorthStar Listed Company’s management agreements with the Company (the “G&A Allocation”). The Company’s management agreements with the NorthStar Listed Companies each provide that the amount of the G&A Allocation will not exceed the following: (i) 20.0% of the combined total of: (a) the NorthStar Listed Companies’ general and administrative expenses as reported in their consolidated financial statements excluding (1) equity-based compensation expense, (2) non-recurring items, (3) fees payable to the Company under the terms of the applicable management agreement and (4) any allocation of expenses from the Company to the NorthStar Listed Companies (“NorthStar Listed Companies’ G&A”); and (b) the Company’s general and administrative expenses as reported in its consolidated financial statements, excluding equity-based compensation expense and adding back any costs or expenses allocated to any of the Managed Companies; less (ii) the NorthStar Listed Companies’ G&A. The G&A Allocation may include the applicable NorthStar Listed Company’s allocable share of the Company’s compensation and benefit costs associated with dedicated or partially dedicated personnel who spend all or a portion of their time managing such NorthStar Listed Company’s affairs, based upon the percentage of time devoted by such personnel to such NorthStar Listed Company’s affairs. The G&A Allocation may also include rental and occupancy, technology, office supplies, travel and entertainment and other general and administrative costs and expenses which may be allocated based on various methodologies, such as weighted average employee count or the percentage of time devoted by personnel to such NorthStar Listed Companies’ affairs. In addition, each NorthStar Listed Company will pay directly or reimburse the Company for an allocable portion of any severance paid pursuant to any employment, consulting or similar service agreements in effect between the Company and any of its executives, employees or other service providers. Such amounts are recorded net in general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations.
Following the NRE Spin-off, as provided in the Company’s management agreements with each NorthStar Listed Company, such NorthStar Listed Company’s obligations to reimburse the Company for the G&A Allocation and any severance are shared among the NorthStar Listed Companies, at the Company’s discretion, and the 20% cap on the G&A Allocation, as described above, applies on an aggregate basis to the NorthStar Listed Companies. The Company currently determined to allocate these amounts based on total investments.
Pursuant to the management agreements with NorthStar Realty and NorthStar Europe, NorthStar Realty together with NorthStar Europe and any company spun-off from NorthStar Realty or NorthStar Europe, are obligated to pay directly or reimburse the Company for up to 50% of any long-term bonus or other compensation that the Company’s compensation committee determines shall be paid and/or settled in the form of equity and/or equity-based compensation to executives, employees and service providers of the Company during any year. In accordance with these agreements, NorthStar Realty and NorthStar Europe were responsible for paying 50% of the 2015 long-term bonuses earned under the NSAM Bonus Plan.
For the three months ended September 30, 2016, the Company did not allocate costs to NorthStar Listed Companies. For the three months ended September 30, 2015, the Company allocated $0.8 million of costs to NorthStar Listed Companies. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company allocated $0.5 million and $3.5 million, respectively, of costs to NorthStar Listed Companies.
Retail Companies
The following table presents a summary of the fee arrangements with the current Retail Companies, which registration statements have been declared effective: NorthStar Real Estate Income Trust, Inc. (“NorthStar Income”); NorthStar Healthcare Income, Inc. (“NorthStar Healthcare”); NorthStar Real Estate Income II, Inc. (“NorthStar Income II”); NorthStar/RXR New York Metro Real Estate, Inc. (“NorthStar/RXR New York Metro”); NorthStar Corporate Income Fund (“NorthStar Corporate Fund”) and NorthStar Real Estate Capital Income Fund (“NorthStar Capital Fund”):

23

NORTHSTAR ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)


 
 
NorthStar
 
NorthStar
 
NorthStar
 
NorthStar/RXR
 
NorthStar
 
NorthStar
 
 
Income
 
Healthcare
 
Income II
 
New York Metro(9)
 
Corporate Fund(12)(14)
 
Capital Fund(14)
Offering amount(1)    
 
$1.2 billion
 
$2.1 billion
 
$1.65 billion
 
$2.0 billion(10)
 
$3.2 billion(13)
 
$3.2 billion(13)
Total capital raised through November 4, 2016(2)
 
$1.3 billion
 
$1.9 billion(8)
 
$1.1 billion(8)
 
$4.6 million(10)
 
$2.2 million(14)
 
$2.2 million(14)
Total investments as of November 4, 2016
 
$1.7 billion
 
$3.3 billion
 
$1.7 billion
 
$4.9 million
 
$1.6 million
 
N/A
Primary strategy
 
CRE Debt
 
Healthcare Equity and Debt
 
CRE Debt
 
New York Metro Area CRE Equity and Debt
 
Middle Market Non-Real Estate Business Loans and Securities
 
CRE Debt and Equity
Primary offering period
 
Completed July 2013
 
Completed January 2016(8)
 
Completed November 2016(8)
 
Ends February 2018(11)
 
Ends March 2019(11)
 
Ends July 2019(11)
Asset Management and Other Fees:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset management fees
 
1.25% of assets(3)
 
1.00% of assets(3)
 
1.25% of assets(3)
 
1.25% of assets(3)
 
2.0% of average gross assets(16)
 
2.0% of average gross assets(16)
Acquisition fees(4)
 
1.00% of investments
 
2.25% for real estate properties
1.00% of other investments
 
1.00% of investments
 
2.25% for real estate properties
1.00% of other investments
 
N/A
 
N/A
Disposition fees(5)
 
1.00% of sales price
 
2.00% for real estate properties
1.00% of sales price for debt investments
 
1.00% of sales price
 
2.00% for real estate properties
1.00% of sales price for debt investments
 
N/A
 
N/A
Incentive payments
 
15.00% of net cash flows after an 8.00% return(6)
 
15.00% of net cash flows after a 6.75% return(6)(7)
 
15.00% of net cash flows after a 7.00% return(6)
 
15.00% of net cash flows after a 6.00% return(6)
 
(15)
 
(15)
________________
(1)
Represents amount of shares registered to offer pursuant to each Retail Company’s public offering, distribution reinvestment plan and follow-on public offering.
(2)
Includes capital raised through distribution reinvestment plans.
(3)
Assets represent principal amount funded or allocated for debt investments originated or acquired and the cost of all other investments, including expenses and any financing attributable to such investments, less any principal received on debt and securities investments (or the proportionate share thereof in the case of an investment made in a joint venture).
(4)
Calculated based on the amount funded or allocated by the Retail Companies to originate or acquire investments, including acquisition expenses and any financing attributable to such investments (or the proportionate share thereof in the case of an equity investment made through a joint venture).
(5)
Calculated based on contractual sales price of each investment sold.
(6)
The Company is entitled to receive distributions equal to 15% of net cash flow of the respective Retail Company, whether from continuing operations, repayment of loans, disposition of assets or otherwise, but only after stockholders have received, in the aggregate, cumulative distributions equal to their invested capital plus the respective cumulative, non-compounded annual pre-tax return (as noted in the table above) on such invested capital.
(7)
The Healthcare Strategic Partnership is entitled to the incentive fees earned from managing NorthStar Healthcare, of which the Company earns its proportionate interest (refer to Note 6).
(8)
NorthStar Healthcare successfully completed its initial public offering on February 2, 2015 by raising $1.1 billion in capital and its follow-on public offering on January 19, 2016 by raising $0.7 billion in capital. NorthStar Income II is no longer accepting subscriptions in its primary offering as of November 4, 2016 due to the completion of its initial public offering in November 2016 by raising $1.1 billion in capital.
(9)
Any asset management and other fees incurred by NorthStar/RXR New York Metro will be shared equally between the Company and RXR Realty, as co-sponsors.
(10)
NorthStar/RXR New York Metro’s amended registration statement to offer an additional class of common shares was declared effective by the SEC and the minimum offering amount has been satisfied. NorthStar/RXR New York Metro began raising capital in the second quarter 2016.
(11)
Offering period subject to extension as determined by the board of directors or trustees of each Retail Company.
(12)
NorthStar Corporate Fund engaged OZ Institutional Credit Management LP (“OZ Credit Management”), an affiliate of Och-Ziff Capital Management Group, LLC (“Och-Ziff”), an alternative asset manager, to serve as its sub-advisor to manage investments. Any asset management and other fees paid by NorthStar Corporate Fund will be shared between the Company and OZ Credit Management, as co-sponsors.
(13)
Offering is for two feeder funds in a master feeder structure.
(14)
NorthStar Corporate Fund and NorthStar Capital Fund’s registration statements were declared effective by the SEC and the minimum offering amount for each has been satisfied. The Company expects NorthStar Corporate Fund and NorthStar Capital Fund to begin raising capital from third parties in the first half 2017.
(15)
Calculated based on 100% of the net investment income before such incentive fee when such hurdle rate exceeds 7.00% but less than 8.75% plus 20% when such amount is equal to or in excess 8.75%.
(16)
Calculated excluding cash and cash equivalents.

24

NORTHSTAR ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

The following tables present a summary of asset management and other fees earned by the Company from the current Retail Companies which are effective and investing capital (dollar in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
NorthStar Income
 
NorthStar Healthcare
 
NorthStar Income II
 
NorthStar/RXR New York Metro
 
NorthStar Corporate Fund
 
Total
 
NorthStar Income
 
NorthStar Healthcare
 
NorthStar Income II
 
Total
 
Asset management fees
$
5,410

 
$
8,531

 
$
4,241

 
$
8

 
$
4

 
$
18,194

 
$
5,906

 
$
6,211

 
$
3,476

 
$
15,593

Acquisition fees
165

 
1,548

 
1,457

 

 

 
3,170

 
451

 
8,622

 
2,052

 
11,125

Disposition fees
1,179

 

 
106

 

 

 
1,285

 
626

 
113

 
253

 
992

Total
$
6,754

 
$
10,079

 
$
5,804

 
$
8

 
$
4

 
$
22,649

 
$
6,983

 
$
14,946

 
$
5,781

 
$
27,710

 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
NorthStar Income
 
NorthStar Healthcare
 
NorthStar Income II
 
NorthStar/RXR New York Metro
 
NorthStar Corporate Fund
 
Total
 
NorthStar Income
 
NorthStar Healthcare
 
NorthStar Income II
 
Total
 
Asset management fees
$
16,318

 
$
24,341

 
$
12,848

 
$
11

 
$
6

 
$
53,524

 
$
18,303

 
$
12,571

 
$
7,186

 
$
38,060

Acquisition fees
2,889

 
13,796

 
2,305

 
28

 

 
19,018

 
451

 
31,109

 
7,328

 
38,888

Disposition fees
3,510

 

 
2,859

 

 

 
6,369

 
1,862

 
113

 
528

 
2,503

Total
$
22,717

 
$
38,137

 
$
18,012

 
$
39

 
$
6

 
$
78,911

 
$
20,616

 
$
43,793

 
$
15,042

 
$
79,451

Pursuant to each of the advisory agreements with the current Retail Companies, the Company may determine, in its sole discretion, to defer or waive, in whole or in part, certain asset management and other fees incurred. In considering whether to defer or waive any such fees, the Company evaluates the specific facts and circumstances surrounding the incurrence of a particular fee and makes the decision on a case by case basis. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company is not seeking $2.9 million and $3.5 million, respectively, of acquisition fees related to investments in certain private equity funds and CRE securities.
In addition to the Retail Companies described above, NorthStar Corporate Investment, Inc. (“NorthStar Corporate Investment”) confidentially submitted an amended registration statement on Form N-2 to the SEC in June 2015. NorthStar Corporate Investment seeks to raise up to $1.0 billion in a public offering of common stock. NorthStar Corporate Investment is structured as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that intends to elect to be regulated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940. NorthStar Corporate Investment intends to invest in senior and subordinate loans to middle-market companies. NorthStar Corporate Investment intends to engage OZ Credit Management, an affiliate of Och-Ziff, an alternative asset manager, to serve as their sub-advisor to manage investments and oversee operations. Any asset management and other fees paid by NorthStar Corporate Investment will be shared between the Company and OZ Credit Management, as co-sponsors.
NorthStar/Townsend Institutional Real Estate Fund Inc. (“NorthStar/Townsend Investment”) submitted a registration statement on Form N-2 to the SEC in October 2016. NorthStar/Townsend Investment seeks to raise up to $1.0 billion in a public offering of common stock. NorthStar/Townsend Investment is a continuously offered, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that is operated as an interval fund that intends to elect to be taxed as a REIT. NorthStar/Townsend Investment intends to invest in institutional quality real estate and real estate-related investments with institutional investors. NorthStar/Townsend Investment intends to engage Townsend as their sub-advisor to manage investments. Any asset management and other fees paid by NorthStar/Townsend Investment will be shared between the Company and Townsend, as co-advisors. The Company expects NorthStar/Townsend Investment to begin raising capital in the first half 2017.
Distribution Support
NorthStar Realty committed to invest up to $10.0 million in each of the Retail Companies that are in their offering stage. In addition, pursuant to the management agreement between the Company and NorthStar Realty, NorthStar Realty will commit up to $10.0 million for distribution support in the event that the Retail Companies’ distributions to stockholders exceed certain measures of operating performance, in any Retail Company that the Company may sponsor, up to a total of five new companies per year.
The distribution support agreement related to NorthStar/RXR New York Metro is an obligation of both NorthStar Realty and RXR Realty, where each agreed to purchase up to an aggregate of $10.0 million in Class A common stock during the two-year period following commencement of the offering, with NorthStar Realty and RXR Realty agreeing to purchase 75% and 25% of any shares

25

NORTHSTAR ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

purchased, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2015, NorthStar Realty and RXR Realty purchased 0.2 million shares of NorthStar/RXR New York Metro common stock for $2.0 million in the aggregate.
The distribution support agreement related to NorthStar Corporate Fund is an obligation of both NorthStar Realty and Och-Ziff, where each agreed to purchase up to an aggregate of $10.0 million in common stock during the two-year period following commencement of the offering, with NorthStar Realty and Och-Ziff agreeing to equally purchase any shares. For the quarter ended March 31, 2016, NorthStar Realty and Och-Ziff purchased 0.2 million shares of NorthStar Corporate Fund common stock for $2.0 million in the aggregate.
The distribution support agreement related to NorthStar Capital Fund is an obligation of NorthStar Realty to purchase up to $10.0 million in common stock during the two-year period following commencement of the offering. For the quarter ended March 31, 2016, NorthStar Realty purchased 0.2 million shares of NorthStar Capital Fund common stock for $2.0 million.
The Company expects Colony NorthStar to continue the distribution support obligations following the closing of the Mergers.
Payment of Costs and Expenses and Expense Allocation
In addition, the Company is entitled to certain expense allocations for costs paid on behalf of its Retail Companies which include: (i) reimbursement for organization and offering costs such as professional fees and other costs associated with the formation and offering of the Retail Company; and (ii) reimbursement for direct and indirect operating costs such as certain salaries, equity-based compensation and professional and other costs such as rental and occupancy, technology, office supplies, travel and entertainment and other general and administrative costs and expenses associated with managing the operations of the Retail Company. Such amounts are recorded net in general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
The following table presents a summary of the expense arrangements with the current Retail Companies, which are effective:
 
 
 
NorthStar Income
 
NorthStar Healthcare
 
NorthStar Income II
 
NorthStar/RXR New York Metro
 
NorthStar Corporate Fund
 
NorthStar Capital Fund
Organization and offering costs(1)
 
$11.0 million(2)
 
$11.9 million(2)
 
$12.3 million(2)
 
$30.0 million, or 1.5% of the proceeds expected to be raised from the offering(4)
 
$29.0 million, or 1.0% of the proceeds expected to be raised from the offering(4)
 
$29.0 million, or 1.0% of the proceeds expected to be raised from the offering(4)
Operating costs(3)
 
Greater of 2.0% of its average invested assets or 25.0% of its net income (net of 1.25% asset management fee)
 
Greater of 2.0% of its average invested assets or 25.0% of its net income (net of 1.00% asset management fee)
 
Greater of 2.0% of its average invested assets or 25.0% of its net income (net of 1.25% asset management fee)
 
Greater of 2.0% of its average invested assets or 25.0% of its net income (net of 1.25% asset management fee)
 
Administrative expenses reimbursable subject to certain restrictions
 
Administrative expenses reimbursable subject to certain restrictions
 __________________
(1)
Represents reimbursement for organization and offering costs paid on behalf of the Retail Companies in connection with their respective offerings. The Company is facilitating the payment of organization and offering costs on behalf of the Retail Companies. The Company records these costs in receivables on its consolidated balance sheets until repaid. The Retail Companies record these costs as either advisory fees, related parties in their consolidated statements of operations or as a cost of capital on their consolidated statements of equity.
(2)
Represents the total expense allocation for organization and offering costs through the end of the offering period in July 2013 for NorthStar Income, January 2016 for NorthStar Healthcare and through September 2016 for NorthStar Income II.
(3)
Calculated based on the four preceding fiscal quarters not to exceed the greater of: (i) 2.0% of each Retail Company’s average invested assets; or (ii) 25.0% of each Retail Company’s net income determined without reduction for any additions to reserves for depreciation, loan losses or other similar non-cash reserves and excluding any gain from the sale of assets for that period.
(4)
Excludes shares being offered pursuant to distribution reinvestment plans.
For the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company allocated $6.6 million and $10.1 million of expense related to the Retail Companies, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company allocated $24.0 million and $28.4 million of expense related to the Retail Companies, respectively.

26

NORTHSTAR ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

Townsend
Townsend generated management, advisory and incentive fees of $17.0 million and $46.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and from the Townsend Acquisition Date through September 30, 2016, respectively. The Company was also entitled to $1.8 million of management and other fees from January 14, 2016 to the Townsend Acquisition Date, which was recorded net of operating expenses in other income in the consolidated statements of operations.
Certain contracts contain provisions to reimburse Townsend for expenses incurred on behalf of its clients such as legal due diligence and investment advisory team travel expenses. For the three months ended September 30, 2016 and from the Townsend Acquisition Date through September 30, 2016, the Company recorded $0.6 million and $1.6 million, respectively, in both other income and other expenses related to such reimbursements in the consolidated statements of operations.
Receivables, net
The following table presents receivables on the consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (dollars in thousands):
 
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)
 
December 31, 2015
NorthStar Listed Companies:
 
 
 
Base management fees
$
50,319

 
$
49,769

Other receivables
521

 
4,298

Subtotal NorthStar Listed Companies(1)
50,840

 
54,067

Retail Companies:
 
 
 
Fees
335

 
446

Other receivables
40,861

 
39,296

Subtotal Retail Companies(2)
41,196

 
39,742

Institutional Capital:
 
 
 
Townsend fees(3)
17,717

 

Total(4)
$
109,753

 
$
93,809

_____________________
(1)
The Company began earning fees from NorthStar Europe on November 1, 2015.
(2)
As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company had unreimbursed costs from the Retail Companies of $29.2 million and $33.7 million, respectively, recorded as receivables, net on the consolidated balance sheets.
(3)
The Company began earning fees on the Townsend Acquisition Date.
(4)
Subsequent to September 30, 2016, the Company received $60.0 million from the Managed Companies and Townsend.
Selling Commission and Dealer Manager Fees and Commission Expense
Selling commission and dealer manager fees represent fees earned for selling equity in the Retail Companies through NorthStar Securities. The Retail Companies offer various share class structures which have a range of selling commissions and dealer manager fees:
Class A shares: selling commissions of up to 7% of gross offering proceeds raised and dealer manager fee of up to 3% of gross offering proceeds raised.
Class T shares: selling commissions of up to 2% of gross offering proceeds raised and dealer manager fee of up to 2.75% of gross offering proceeds raised.
Class D shares: no selling commissions and dealer manager fees of up to 2% of gross offering proceeds raised.
Class I Shares: no selling commissions or dealer manager fees.
Commission expense represents fees to participating broker-dealers with whom the Company’s dealer manager has selling agreements with to raise capital for the Retail Companies and commissions to employees of NorthStar Securities. All or a portion of the dealer manager fees may be reallowed to participating broker-dealers and paid to certain employees of NorthStar Securities.
Certain of the Retail Companies’ share classes, and currently the T share class, may include a trail commission commonly described as a distribution fee that are paid over time, of up to 1% per annum, to the Company’s dealer manager of which all or a portion may be reallowed to participating broker-dealers for ongoing investor services.

27

NORTHSTAR ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

The Company continues to observe the market and may modify existing share classes or introduce a new share class to its Retail Companies in the future.
The following table summarizes selling commission and dealer manager fees, commission expense and net commission income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (dollar in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Selling commission and dealer manager fees
$
3,856

 
$
29,104

 
$
15,115

 
$
87,364

Commission expense(1)
3,608

 
26,978

 
14,025

 
81,011

Net commission income(2)
$
248

 
$
2,126

 
$
1,090

 
$
6,353

________________________
(1)
Includes selling commission expense to NorthStar Securities employees. For the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company paid $0.6 million and $3.2 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company paid $2.2 million and $9.8 million, respectively.
(2)
Excludes direct expenses of NorthStar Securities.
Other
A subsidiary of the Company is a rated special servicer by Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings and receives special servicing fees for services related to certain securitization transactions. For the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company earned an immaterial amount of special servicing fees. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company earned $0.7 million and $0.8 million of special servicing fees, respectively.
4.
Investments in Unconsolidated Ventures
The Company may account for investments in unconsolidated ventures using the equity method, at fair value or the cost method. The following table summarizes the Company’s investments in unconsolidated ventures (dollars in thousands):
 
 
Acquisition Date
 
Ownership Interest
 
September 30, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Investment(1)
 
 
 
 
Indirect Investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AHI Interest(2)
 
Dec-14
 
43%
 
$
36,880

 
$
45,581

Island Interest(3)
 
Jan-15
 
45%
 
38,854

 
39,809

Subtotal Indirect Investments
 
 
 
 
 
75,734

 
85,390

Townsend Funds(4)
 
Various
 
Various
 
21,373

 

Total
 
 
 
 
 
$
97,107

 
$
85,390

____________________
(1)
Excludes the Company’s acquired interest in Distributed Finance in June 2014, a marketplace finance platform, for $4.0 million. As of September 30, 2016, the investment is fully impaired.
(2)
The Company acquired the AHI Interest in AHI Newco, LLC (“AHI Ventures”), a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of American Healthcare Investors LLC (“AHI”) for $57.5 million, consisting of $37.5 million in cash and $20.0 million of the Company’s common stock, subject to certain lock-up and vesting restrictions ($10.0 million of the Company’s common stock vested immediately). The Company’s investment in AHI Ventures is structured as a joint venture between the Company, the principals of AHI and James F. Flaherty III. The members of AHI are entitled to receive certain distributions of operating cash flow and certain promote fees in accordance with the allocations set forth in the joint venture agreement. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company received distributions of $1.1 million and $4.6 million related to the AHI Interest, respectively.
(3)
The Company acquired the Island Interest in Island Hospitality Group Inc. (“Island”) through Island Hospitality Joint Venture, LLC (“Island Ventures”), a subsidiary of Island JV Members Inc. (“Island Members”) for $37.7 million, consisting of $33.2 million in cash and $4.5 million of the Company’s common stock, subject to certain lock-up and vesting restrictions ($4.5 million of the Company’s common stock vested immediately). The Company’s investment in Island Ventures is structured as a joint venture between the Company and Island Members. The members of Island Ventures are entitled to receive certain distributions of operating cash flow and certain promote fees in accordance with the allocations set forth in the joint venture agreement. The Company’s investment in Island is expected to be sold in connection with the Mergers. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company received distributions of $1.8 million and $4.5 million related to the Island Interest, respectively.
(4)
Represents interests in real estate private equity funds sponsored by Townsend (refer to below).


28

NORTHSTAR ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

Indirect Investments
The following tables summarize the Company’s equity in earnings (losses) related to investments in unconsolidated ventures which are accounted for using the equity method for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (dollars in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
 
Operating Income (Loss)
 
Non-cash Income (Expense)
 
Equity in Earnings (Losses)
 
Operating Income (Loss)
 
Non-cash Income (Expense)
 
Equity in Earnings (Losses)
Investment
 
 
 
 
 
AHI Interest
 
$
1,770

 
$
(3,246
)
(1) 
$
(1,476
)
 
$
651

 
$
(2,492
)
(1) 
$
(1,841
)
Island Interest
 
1,852

 
(454
)
(3) 
1,398

 
1,955

 

 
1,955

Distributed Finance
 

 

 

 
(170
)
 

 
(170
)
Total
 
$
3,622

 
$
(3,700
)
 
$
(78
)
(5) 
$
2,436

 
$
(2,492
)
 
$
(56
)
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
 
Operating Income (Loss)
 
Non-cash Income (Expense)
 
Equity in Earnings (Losses)
 
Operating Income (Loss)
 
Non-cash Income (Expense)
 
Equity in Earnings (Losses)
Investment
 
 
 
 
 
AHI Interest

$
2,713

 
$
(9,067
)
(1) 
$
(6,354
)
 
$
3,767

 
$
(8,605
)
(1) 
$
(4,838
)
Island Interest

4,866

 
(1,340
)
(3) 
3,526

 
4,713

(4) 

 
4,713

Distributed Finance

(252
)
 
(2,426
)
(2) 
(2,678
)
 
(711
)
 

 
(711
)
Total

$
7,327


$
(12,833
)

$
(5,506
)
(5) 
$
7,769


$
(8,605
)
 
$
(836
)
_________________
(1)
Includes equity-based compensation expense and depreciation and amortization.
(2)
Represents an impairment loss. As of September 30, 2016, the maximum exposure to loss is $0.8 million carrying value of the investment on the convertible debt (refer to Note 2).
(3)
Represents depreciation and amortization expense.
(4)
Includes from acquisition date on January 9, 2015 through September 30, 2015.
(5)
Excludes the Company’s portion of equity in earnings (losses) from the Townsend Funds (refer to below).
Townsend Funds
The following table summarizes the Townsend Funds, which are accounted for at fair value, as of September 30, 2016, for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and for the period from the Townsend Acquisition Date through September 30, 2016 (dollars in thousands):
As of September 30, 2016
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
Period from the Townsend Acquisition Date through September 30, 2016
Number of Funds(1)
 
Fair Value(2)
 
Unfunded Commitments(2)(3)
 
Income(4)
 
Distributions(2)
 
Contributions
 
Income(4)
 
Distributions(2)
 
Contributions
26
 
$
21,373

 
$
9,361

 
$
863

 
$
1,998

 
$
1,054

 
$
1,307

 
$
3,007

 
$
5,367

_________________
(1)
Investments in closed-ended funds are not redeemable and investments in open-ended funds have semi-annual redemption options with 120 days advance notice.
(2)
The Company assumed an obligation to the sellers of Townsend, including certain Townsend employees, under which they are entitled to approximately 84% of the value of the Townsend Funds at the Townsend Acquisition Date along with any income related to capital contributed prior to acquisition. The Company is obligated to fund all future contributions and is entitled to any income on such contributions subsequent to the Townsend Acquisition Date. As of September 30, 2016, the carrying amount of such liability is $16.1 million and is recorded in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. Certain distributions received for the quarter will be paid against the assumed obligation of $16.1 million to the sellers.
(3)
Subsequent to the Townsend Acquisition Date, the Company has commitments to co-invest approximately 1% of the total unfunded commitment in the Townsend Funds.
(4)
The Company’s portion of equity in earnings (losses) from the Townsend Funds is $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and $0.4 million for the period from the Townsend Acquisition Date through September 30, 2016.

29

NORTHSTAR ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

5.
Borrowings
Corporate Facilities
In January 2016, upon the closing of Townsend, the Company entered into a $500.0 million term loan (the “Term Loan”), less applicable original issue discounts and certain upfront fees, and used the proceeds to repay its outstanding revolving credit agreement of $100.0 million. The Term Loan bears interest at LIBOR, subject to a floor of 0.75%, plus 3.875% per year and matures on January 29, 2023. The Term Loan is guaranteed by the Company and certain domestic subsidiaries of the Company and secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company. In connection with the Term Loan, the Company obtained corporate issuer and issue credit ratings from S&P and Moody’s of BBB- and Ba2, respectively.
The Term Loan related agreements contain representations, warranties, covenants, conditions precedent to funding, events of default and indemnities that are customary for agreements of these types. As of September 30, 2016, the Company was in compliance with all of its financial covenants.
6.
Related Party Arrangements
NorthStar Realty
Investment Opportunities
Under the management agreement, NorthStar Realty agreed to make available to the Company for the benefit of the Managed Companies, including NorthStar Realty, all investment opportunities sourced by NorthStar Realty. The Company agreed to fairly allocate such opportunities among the Managed Companies, including NorthStar Realty, in accordance with an investment allocation policy. Pursuant to the management agreement, NorthStar Realty is entitled to fair and reasonable compensation for its services in connection with any loan origination opportunities sourced by it, which may include first mortgage loans, subordinate mortgage interests, mezzanine loans and preferred equity interests, in each case relating to commercial real estate. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company incurred $0.4 million and $0.8 million, respectively, to NorthStar Realty for services in connection with loan originations.
The Company provides services with regard to such areas as payroll, human resources and employee benefits, financial systems management, treasury and cash management, accounts payable services, telecommunications services, information technology services, property management services, legal and accounting services and various other corporate services to NorthStar Realty as it relates to its loan origination business for CRE debt.
Credit Agreement
In connection with the NSAM Spin-off, the Company entered into a revolving credit agreement with NorthStar Realty pursuant to which NorthStar Realty makes available to the Company, on an “as available basis,” up to $250.0 million of financing with a maturity of June 30, 2019 at LIBOR plus 3.50%. The revolving credit facility is unsecured. In addition, the Company may use the proceeds to acquire assets on behalf of the Managed Companies that the Company intends to allocate to such Managed Company but for which such Managed Company may not then have immediately available funds. The terms of the revolving credit facility contain various representations, warranties, covenants and conditions, including the condition that NorthStar Realty’s obligation to advance proceeds to the Company is dependent upon NorthStar Realty and its affiliates having at least $100.0 million of either unrestricted cash and cash equivalents or amounts available under committed lines of credit, after taking into account the amount the Company seeks to draw under the facility. As of September 30, 2016, the Company had no borrowings outstanding under the credit agreement.
NorthStar Listed Companies Shares
The Company purchased 2.7 million and 0.2 million shares of NorthStar Realty and NorthStar Europe, respectively, in the open market for $52.2 million in the aggregate. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recorded an unrealized gain of $5.1 million and an unrealized loss of $10.1 million, respectively, which is recorded in unrealized gain (loss) on investments and other and $1.1 million and $3.3 million, respectively, of dividend income recorded in other income in the consolidated statements of operations.
Recent Sales or Commitments to Sell to Retail Companies
During 2016, NorthStar Realty entered into agreements to sell certain assets to the Retail Companies. The board of directors of each Retail Company, including all of the independent directors, approved of the respective transactions after considering, among other matters, third party pricing support.
Healthcare Strategic Joint Venture
In January 2014, the Company entered into a long-term strategic partnership with James F. Flaherty III, former Chief Executive Officer of HCP, Inc., focused on expanding the Company’s healthcare business into a preeminent healthcare platform (“Healthcare Strategic Partnership”). In connection with the partnership, Mr. Flaherty oversees both NorthStar Realty’s healthcare real estate portfolio and the portfolio of NorthStar Healthcare. In connection with entering into the partnership, NorthStar Realty granted Mr. Flaherty certain RSUs, half of which became RSUs of the Company as a result of the NSAM Spin-off (refer to Note 9). The Healthcare Strategic Partnership is entitled to incentive fees ranging from 20% to 25% above certain hurdles for new and existing healthcare real estate investments held by NorthStar Realty and NorthStar Healthcare. The Healthcare Strategic Partnership is also entitled to any incentive fees earned from NorthStar Healthcare or any future healthcare retail vehicles sponsored by the Company, NorthStar Realty or any affiliates, as well as future healthcare retail vehicles sponsored by AHI Ventures. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company did not earn incentive fees related to the Healthcare Strategic Partnership.
On February 2, 2015, in connection with the completion of NorthStar Healthcare’s initial primary offering, the Company issued 20,305 RSUs to Mr. Flaherty. On December 17, 2015, in connection with the completion of NorthStar Healthcare’s follow-on

30

NORTHSTAR ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

public offering, the Company issued 139,473 RSUs to Mr. Flaherty. On January 19, 2016, the Company issued an additional 527 RSUs to Mr. Flaherty.
AHI Venture
In connection with the AHI Interest, AHI Ventures provides certain asset management, property management and other services to affiliates of the Company assisting in managing the current and future healthcare assets (excluding any joint venture assets) of NorthStar Realty and other Retail Companies, including the assets formerly owned by Griffin-American Healthcare REIT II, Inc. (“Griffin-American”) and its former operating partnership, Griffin-American Healthcare REIT II Holdings, LP (“Griffin-America OP portfolio”) and third party assets, representing $7.5 billion, of which $5.5 billion is owned by NorthStar Realty and NorthStar Healthcare. AHI Ventures receives a base management fee of $1.6 million per year plus an additional 0.50% on certain additional equity invested by NorthStar Realty or NorthStar Healthcare in future healthcare assets (excluding assets in the Griffin-American OP portfolio and other joint ventures) that AHI Ventures may manage. AHI Ventures may also participate in the incentive fees earned by the Company and its affiliates with respect to new and existing healthcare real estate investments held by NorthStar Realty and NorthStar Healthcare, including the Griffin-American OP portfolio, any future healthcare retail vehicles sponsored by the Company, NorthStar Realty or any affiliates, as well as any future healthcare retail vehicles sponsored by AHI Ventures. AHI Ventures would also be entitled to additional base management fees should it manage assets on behalf of any other Managed Companies. AHI Ventures also intends to directly or indirectly sponsor, co-sponsor, form, register, market, advise, manage and/or operate investment vehicles that are intended to invest primarily in healthcare real estate assets. In addition, Mr. Flaherty acquired a 12.3% interest, as adjusted, in AHI Ventures. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company incurred $1.0 million and $1.8 million, respectively, of base management fees to AHI, which is recorded in other expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. Also, AHI provides certain asset management, property management and other services to NorthStar Realty to assist in managing its properties. For the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, NorthStar Realty incurred $0.4 million of property management fees to AHI in each period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, NorthStar Realty incurred $1.3 million of property management fees to AHI in each period.
In April 2015, Griffin-American Healthcare REIT III, Inc., a vehicle managed by an affiliate of AHI, distributed shares of its common stock to the members of AHI Ventures, of which the Company received 0.2 million shares in connection with the distribution, which is recorded in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.
Island Venture
Island is a leading, independent select service hotel management company that currently manages 164 hotel properties, representing $3.8 billion, of which 110 hotel properties totaling $2.0 billion, are owned by NorthStar Realty. Island provides certain asset management, property management and other services to NorthStar Realty to assist in managing its hotel properties. Island receives a base management fee of 2.5% to 3.0% of the current monthly revenue of the NorthStar Realty hotel properties it manages for NorthStar Realty. For the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, NorthStar Realty incurred $4.7 million of base property management and other fees to Island in each period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and for the period from acquisition date (January 9, 2015) through September 30, 2015, NorthStar Realty incurred $13.5 million and $11.1 million, respectively, of base property management and other fees to Island.
RXR Realty
In December 2013, NorthStar Realty entered into a strategic transaction with RXR Realty, the co-sponsor of NorthStar/RXR New York Metro. The investment in RXR Realty includes an approximate 27% equity interest. NorthStar Realty’s equity interest in RXR Realty is structured so that the Company is entitled to the portion of distributable cash flow from RXR Realty’s investment management business in excess of the $10 million minimum annual base amount set forth in the management agreement (refer to Note 3). For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company was not entitled to any excess.
7.
Fair Value
Fair Value Measurement
The Company follows fair value guidance in accordance with U.S. GAAP to account for its financial instruments. The Company categorizes its financial instruments, based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique, into a three-level fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3).
Financial assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value on its consolidated balance sheets and are categorized based on the inputs to the valuation techniques as follows:
Level 1.
Quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market.
Level 2.
Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on the following:
(a)
Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets.
(b)
Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets.
(c)
Pricing models whose inputs are observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
(d)
Pricing models whose inputs are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
Level 3.
Prices or valuation techniques based on inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The following is a description of the valuation techniques used to measure fair value of assets and liabilities accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis and the general classification of these instruments pursuant to the fair value hierarchy.
Securities
As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company’s securities are valued using quoted prices in an active market, and as such, are classified as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the fair value is $38.4 million and $46.2 million, respectively.
Townsend Funds
The fair value of the Townsend Funds are estimated by the Company’s proportionate share of net asset value provided by the underlying fund investment based on the most recent available information, which is on a one quarter lag. The Company reviews the net asset value provided by the underlying fund investment managers on an ongoing basis and compares these values to the audited financial statements, as applicable. As of September 30, 2016, the fair value is $21.4 million.
Convertible Debt Investment
As of September 30, 2016, the Company’s convertible debt investment to Distributed Finance is classified as an available-for-sale debt security and is recorded within other assets on the consolidated balance sheets. The debt investment is valued based on unobservable inputs and as such, is classified as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. As of September 30, 2016, the fair value is $0.8 million.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
In addition to the above disclosures regarding financial assets or liabilities which are recorded at fair value, U.S. GAAP requires disclosure of fair value about all financial instruments. The following disclosure of estimated fair value of financial instruments

31

NORTHSTAR ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

was determined by the Company using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. Considerable judgment is necessary to interpret market data and develop estimated fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company could realize on disposition of the financial instruments. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on estimated fair value. The fair value of other financial instruments such as receivables and payables is estimated to approximate their carrying value.
Disclosure about fair value of financial instruments is based on pertinent information available to management as of the reporting date. Although management is not aware of any factors that would significantly affect fair value, such amounts have not been comprehensively revalued for purposes of these consolidated financial statements since that date and current estimates of fair value may differ significantly from the amounts presented herein.
Term Loan
The Company uses term to maturity and LIBOR rates to estimate fair value. This fair value measurement is based on observable inputs and as such, is classified as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. As of September 30, 2016, the carrying value of the Term Loan is $468.7 million, which approximates fair value.
8.
Commitments and Contingencies
Litigation
The Company may be involved in various litigation matters arising in the ordinary course of its business. Although the Company is unable to predict with certainty the eventual outcome of any litigation, in the opinion of management, the legal proceedings are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
Merger Related Arrangements and Other Costs
The Company entered into fee arrangements with service providers and advisors pursuant to which certain fees incurred by the Company in connection with the Mergers will become payable only if the Company consummates the Mergers. The Company has and will incur other professional fees related to the Mergers. In addition, the Company will incur cash compensation expenses to executives and employees related to severance, retention and related costs. There can be no assurances that the Company will complete this or any other transaction. For the three months ended September 30, 2016 and since the announcement of the Mergers through September 30, 2016, the Company recorded an aggregate of $6.7 million and $24.4 million, respectively, in transaction costs in the consolidated statements of operations. To the extent the Mergers are consummated, the Company anticipates incurring a significant amount of additional costs, which with respect to advisors could be up to approximately $30 million.
9.
Compensation Expense
Summary
The following table presents a summary of compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (dollars in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Salaries and related expenses
$
21,651

 
$
18,848

 
$
62,009

 
$
48,698

Equity-based compensation expense
14,767

 
14,558

 
45,538

 
43,178

Total
$
36,418

 
$
33,406

 
$
107,547

 
$
91,876

Impact of the Spin-offs
NorthStar Realty issued equity-based awards to directors, officers, employees, consultants and advisors pursuant to the NorthStar Realty Finance Corp. 2004 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (the “NorthStar Realty Stock Plan”), and the NorthStar Realty Executive Incentive Bonus Plan, as amended (the “NorthStar Realty Plan” and collectively the “NorthStar Realty Equity Plans”). In addition, the Company issued equity-based awards to directors, officers, employees, consultants and advisors pursuant to the NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc. 2014 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (the “NSAM Stock Plan”) and the NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc. Executive Incentive Bonus Plan (the “NSAM Bonus Plan” and collectively, with the NSAM Stock Plan, the “NSAM Plans”).

32

NORTHSTAR ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

All of the vested and unvested equity-based awards granted by NorthStar Realty prior to the NSAM Spin-off remained outstanding following the NSAM Spin-off. Appropriate adjustments were made to all awards to reflect the impact of NorthStar Realty’s reverse stock split and the NSAM Spin-off, as described below.
NorthStar Realty’s equity awards outstanding at the time of the NSAM Spin-off, including LTIP Units converted to common shares in connection with NorthStar Realty’s internal corporate reorganization, were adjusted to relate to an equal number of shares of the Company’s common stock or Deferred LTIP Units, as described below, but generally continue to remain subject to the same vesting and other terms that applied prior to the NSAM Spin-off. Vesting conditions for outstanding awards were adjusted to reflect the impact of the NSAM Spin-off with respect to employment conditions for service-based awards and total stockholder return for performance-based awards. The shares of the Company’s common stock (representing LTIP Units previously issued by NorthStar Realty’s operating partnership prior to the NSAM Spin-off) that remain subject to vesting after the NSAM Spin-off, as well as grants of shares of the Company’s common stock subject to time-based vesting issued by the Company since the time of the NSAM Spin-off, are herein referred to as restricted stock.
Deferred LTIP Units outstanding immediately prior to the NSAM Spin-off were equity awards issued by NorthStar Realty which represented the right to receive LTIP Units in NorthStar Realty’s successor operating partnership or shares of NorthStar Realty common stock (subject to the same vesting conditions). On March 13, 2015, such Deferred LTIP Units were settled in LTIP Units in the Operating Partnership, or shares of restricted stock, which remain subject to the same vesting conditions that applied to the Deferred LTIP Units.
Following the NSAM Spin-off, NorthStar Realty and the compensation committee of its board of directors (the “NorthStar Realty Compensation Committee”) continue to administer all awards issued under the NorthStar Realty Equity Plans but the Company is obligated to issue shares of the Company’s common stock or other equity awards of its subsidiaries or make cash payments in lieu thereof and the Company is obligated to make cash payments with respect to dividend or distribution equivalent obligations relating to such shares to the extent required by such awards previously issued under the NorthStar Realty Equity Plans. These awards will continue to be governed by the NorthStar Realty Equity Plans, as applicable, and shares of the Company’s common stock issued pursuant to these awards will not be issued pursuant to, or reduce availability, under the NorthStar Realty Equity Plans.
In connection with the NSAM Spin-off, most of NorthStar Realty’s employees at the time of the NSAM Spin-off became employees of the Company except for executive officers, employees engaged in NorthStar Realty’s loan origination business at the time of the NSAM Spin-off and certain other employees that became co-employees of both the Company and NorthStar Realty.
The following summarizes the equity-based compensation plans and related expenses.
NorthStar Asset Management Plans
NSAM Stock Plan
In March 2014, the NorthStar Realty Compensation Committee approved the NSAM Stock Plan, which was subsequently adopted by the Company’s board of directors and approved by its sole stockholder at the time. The NSAM Stock Plan was administered by the NorthStar Realty Compensation Committee prior to the NSAM Spin-off and is administered by the Company’s compensation committee following the NSAM Spin-off. The NSAM Stock Plan provides flexibility to use various equity-based and cash incentive awards as compensation tools to motivate the Company’s workforce.
In anticipation of the NSAM Spin-off, on April 3, 2014, the Company granted an aggregate of 6,230,529 RSUs to its executive officers pursuant to the NSAM Stock Plan. The RSUs vest over four years and are subject to the achievement of performance-based vesting conditions and continued employment. 40% of these RSUs are performance-based awards and were subject to the achievement of performance-based hurdles relating to CAD of the Company and NorthStar Realty and capital raising of the Retail Companies, as well as continued employment through December 31, 2017 (“Performance RSUs”). 30% of these RSUs are market-based awards and are subject to the achievement of performance-based hurdles relating to the Company’s absolute total stockholder return and continued employment over a four-year period ended April 2, 2018 (“Absolute RSUs”). The remaining 30% of these RSUs are market-based awards and are subject to the achievement of performance-based hurdles based on the Company’s total stockholder return relative to the Russell 2000 Index and continued employment over a four-year period ended April 2, 2018 (“Relative RSUs”). With respect to these grants, the grant date fair value for the Performance RSUs, Absolute RSUs and Relative RSUs was $17.01, $10.22 and $16.21 per RSU, respectively. The grant date fair value was determined using a risk-free interest rate of 1.48%. In May 2014, the Company also granted an aggregate of 1,280,257 of the Performance RSUs, Absolute RSUs and Relative RSUs (net of forfeitures occurring prior to September 30, 2016) with substantially similar terms as the RSUs granted to executives in April 2014 to certain employees pursuant to the NSAM Stock Plan. With respect to these grants, the grant date fair

33

NORTHSTAR ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

value for the Performance RSUs, Absolute RSUs and Relative RSUs was $16.80, $9.95 and $16.29 per RSU, respectively. The grant date fair value of the Absolute RSUs and Relative RSUs was determined using a risk-free interest rate of 1.29%. In December 2014, the Company determined that the performance hurdles relating to the Performance RSUs were met. On December 31, 2014, the Performance RSUs were settled in shares of the Company’s common stock, of which 25% were vested and the remainder (in the form of restricted stock) were subject to vesting in equal installments on December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, subject to continued employment. In connection with the vesting of these shares, on December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company retired 370,943 and 392,157, respectively, of the vested shares of common stock to satisfy the minimum statutory tax withholding requirements. The common stock retired to satisfy the withholding amounts was recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital with an offsetting payable recorded in accounts payable and accrued expenses. On December 31, 2014, the Absolute RSUs and Relative RSUs related to the executives were settled in shares of performance common stock. Upon vesting pursuant to the terms of the Absolute RSUs and Relative RSUs, shares of performance common stock will automatically convert into shares of common stock and the executive will be entitled to receive the distributions that would have been paid with respect to a share of common stock (for each share of performance common stock that vests) on or after the date the shares of performance common stock were initially issued.
NSAM Bonus Plan
In March 2014, the NorthStar Realty Compensation Committee approved the NSAM Bonus Plan, which was subsequently adopted by the Company’s board of directors and approved by its sole stockholder. The NSAM Bonus Plan establishes the general parameters of the Company’s incentive bonus program for its executive officers. Pursuant to the NSAM Bonus Plan, for each plan year, the administrator will establish two bonus pools (an annual cash bonus pool and a long-term bonus pool), award a bonus pool percentage(s) to each participant with respect to such bonus pools and establish performance goals, vesting requirements and other terms and conditions applicable to such bonuses. The NSAM Bonus Plan was administered by the NorthStar Realty Compensation Committee prior to the NSAM Spin-off and is administered by the Company’s compensation committee following the NSAM Spin-off. Prior to the NSAM Spin-off, the NorthStar Realty Compensation Committee established bonus pools, awarded bonus pool percentages and established the performance goals, vesting requirements and other terms and conditions applicable to bonuses for 2014 under the NSAM Bonus Plan.
Long-term bonuses for 2014 were paid in both Company and NorthStar Realty equity-based awards, subject to performance-based and time-based vesting conditions over the four-year performance period from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2017. Approximately 31.65% of these long-term bonuses were subject to the achievement of performance-based hurdles relating to CAD of the Company and NorthStar Realty and capital raising of the Retail Companies in 2014 and were paid in shares of the Company’s common stock that were subject to vesting in equal installments on each of December 31, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017, subject to continued employment. 18.35% of these long-term bonuses are performance-based awards that were paid in shares of performance common stock that are subject to vesting based on the achievement of performance-based hurdles relating to the Company’s absolute total stockholder return and continued employment over a four-year period. The remaining approximately 50% of long-term bonuses are being paid by NorthStar Realty.
In connection with the long-term bonuses for 2014, the Company determined that the performance hurdles for the approximately 31.65% of the long-term bonuses to be paid in shares of the Company’s common stock were met. On December 31, 2014, the Company paid this portion of the long-term bonus by issuing 795,107 shares of common stock, of which 25% vested immediately and the remainder (in the form of restricted stock) was subject to vesting in equal installments on December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, subject to continued employment. In connection with the vesting of these shares, on December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company retired 100,455 and 108,198, respectively, of the vested shares of common stock to satisfy the minimum statutory withholding requirements. In connection with the remainder of the long-term bonus to be paid by the Company, in February 2015, the Company issued an aggregate of 474,842 shares of performance common stock to executives, which are subject to vesting based on the Company’s absolute total stockholder return and continued employment over the four-year period ending December 31, 2017. With respect to these grants, the grant date fair value was $21.16 per share, which was determined using a risk-free interest rate of 1.00%. Upon vesting, these shares of performance common stock will automatically convert into shares of common stock and the executives will be entitled to receive the distributions that would have been paid with respect to a share of common stock (for each share of performance common stock that vests) on or after January 1, 2015. In February 2015, the Company also granted 605,144 shares of common stock, net of forfeitures occurring prior to September 30, 2016, to certain non-executive employees, subject to time based vesting conditions through January 29, 2018.
In the first quarter 2015, the Company’s compensation committee established bonus pools, awarded bonus pool percentages and established the performance goals, vesting requirements and other terms and conditions applicable to bonuses for 2015 under the NSAM Bonus Plan. Long-term bonuses for 2015 were paid in equity-based awards of the Company, NorthStar Realty and NorthStar

34

NORTHSTAR ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

Europe, subject to performance-based and time-based vesting conditions over the four-year performance period from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2018. In February 2016, 31.65% of these long-term bonuses were paid by the Company by issuing 1,719,545 restricted shares of common stock to the Company’s executive officers, of which 25% were vested upon grant and the remainder is subject to vesting in equal installments on December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, subject to the recipient’s continued employment through the applicable vesting dates. The issuance of these restricted shares was subject to the achievement of performance-based hurdles relating to CAD of the Company, NorthStar Realty and NorthStar Europe or capital raising of the Retail Companies in 2015. In connection with the issuance of these shares, in February 2016, the Company retired 226,745 of the vested shares of common stock to satisfy the minimum statutory withholding requirements. In addition, in February 2016, 18.35% of these long-term bonuses are performance-based awards that were paid by the Company by issuing 996,957 shares of performance common stock to the Company’s executive officers, which are subject to vesting based on the Company’s absolute total stockholder return, CAD and continued employment over the four-year period ending December 31, 2018. With respect to these grants, the grant date fair value was $3.43 per share, which was determined using a risk-free interest rate of 0.88%. Upon vesting, these shares of performance common stock will automatically convert into shares of common stock and the executives will be entitled to receive the distributions that would have been paid with respect to a share of common stock (for each share of performance common stock that vests) on or after January 1, 2015. In February 2016, the Company granted 824,497 (net of forfeitures occurring prior to September 30, 2016) restricted shares of common stock to certain of its non-executive employees, with substantially similar terms to the executive awards subject to time-based vesting conditions. The remaining approximately 50% of long-term bonuses paid to executives and non-executive employees are being paid by NorthStar Realty and NorthStar Europe.
NorthStar Realty Equity Plans
In connection with the NSAM Spin-off, the Company issued the following related to the NorthStar Realty Equity Plans that remain outstanding as of September 30, 2016: 1,124,301 LTIP Units, net of forfeitures and conversions, of which 259,491 remain subject to vesting; and 500,371 RSUs related to executives only, which remain subject to vesting based on performance and continued employment. On December 31, 2014, the performance hurdle for an incremental 762,898 of RSUs was met pursuant to NorthStar Realty’s bonus plan for 2011. To settle these RSUs, on January 1, 2015 the Company issued 49,149 shares of common stock, net of the minimum statutory tax withholding requirements and the Company issued 665,747 Deferred LTIP Units, which subsequently settled to LTIP Units with the creation of the Operating Partnership on March 13, 2015.
On December 31, 2015, the performance hurdle for an incremental 704,839 of RSUs was met pursuant to NorthStar Realty’s bonus plan for 2012. To settle these RSUs, on January 4, 2016 the Company issued 362,006 shares of common stock, net of the minimum statutory tax withholding requirements.
Other Issuances
Healthcare Strategic Joint Venture
In connection with entering into the Healthcare Strategic Partnership, NorthStar Realty granted Mr. Flaherty 500,000 RSUs on January 22, 2014, adjusted to reflect NorthStar Realty’s reverse stock split in 2014, which vest on January 22, 2019, unless certain conditions are met. In connection with the NSAM Spin-off, the RSUs granted to Mr. Flaherty were adjusted to also relate to an equal number of shares of the Company’s common stock. The RSUs are entitled to dividend equivalents prior to vesting and may be settled either in shares of common stock of the Company or in cash at the option of the Company. Mr. Flaherty is also entitled to incremental grants of the Company’s common stock subject to certain conditions being met pursuant to a separate contractual arrangement entered into in connection with the Healthcare Strategic Partnership. On February 2, 2015, in connection with the completion of NorthStar Healthcare’s initial public offering and the services Mr. Flaherty provides to the Healthcare Strategic Partnership, the Company issued 20,305 incremental RSUs to Mr. Flaherty, which vest on the third anniversary of the grant date, unless certain conditions are met.
In December 2015 and January 2016, in connection with the completion of the follow-on public offering by NorthStar Healthcare and the services Mr. Flaherty provides to the Healthcare Strategic Partnership, the Company issued an aggregate of 140,000 incremental RSUs to Mr. Flaherty, of which 139,473 vest on December 17, 2018 and 527 vest on January 19, 2019, unless certain conditions are met.
AHI
On December 8, 2014, the Company acquired an interest in AHI for $37.5 million in cash and $20.0 million of common stock, representing 956,462 shares. In connection with this acquisition, the Company required the seller to subject one-half of these shares to forfeiture conditions that lapse based on the continued service to AHI of its three principals, with forfeiture conditions

35

NORTHSTAR ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

with respect to 50% of these shares lapsing two years after the closing date of the Company’s acquisition and the remaining 50% lapsing five years after the closing date. As a result of this vesting arrangement, $10.0 million of common stock (or 478,231 shares) subject to this arrangement is treated as a contingent consideration arrangement tied to continued employment of the AHI principals as an incentive to remain as employees of AHI. As such, this contingent consideration arrangement is accounted for separately as a compensatory arrangement with amortization of such equity award being recorded by the Company through equity in earnings (losses). The AHI principals are also entitled to incremental grants of the Company’s common stock subject to certain conditions being met pursuant to a separate contractual arrangement entered into in connection with the Company’s AHI investment. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, no incremental awards were issued.
In March 2016, the Company issued approximately 94,000 shares of common stock to employees of AHI in settlement of the commitment to contribute $1.0 million in shares of common stock related to equity incentives and will contribute $1.0 million in shares of common stock in March 2017 related to the year ended 2016.
Townsend
Subsequent to the Company’s acquisition of its interest in Townsend, in February 2016, the Company granted 658,330 shares of common stock to certain members of Townsend’s management team who own the remaining interest in Townsend. The grant was based on the Company’s stock price on such date and is related to future services to be rendered and subject to time-based vesting conditions through December 31, 2020. Such shares were not part of the acquisition cost.
Equity-based Compensation Summary
As of September 30, 2016, an aggregate of 30,072,659 shares of the Company’s common stock were reserved for the issuance of awards under the 2014 NSAM Plan, subject to equitable adjustment upon the occurrence of certain corporate events, provided that this number automatically increases each January 1st by 2% of the outstanding number of shares of the Company’s common stock on the immediately preceding December 31st.
Equity-based compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 represents the Company’s equity-based compensation expense following the NSAM Spin-off.
The following tables present equity-based compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (dollars in thousands):
 
 
Time-Based Awards
 
Performance-Based Awards
 
Total
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
NSAM spin grants(1)
 
$
2,008

 
$
3,889

 
$
3,711

 
$
3,756

 
$
5,719

 
$
7,645

NSAM bonus plan
 
4,876

 
2,702

 
1,190

 
888

 
6,066

 
3,590

NorthStar Realty bonus plan(2)
 
1,904

 
2,246

 
598

 
977

 
2,502

 
3,223

Townsend grants
 
371

 

 

 

 
371

 

Dividends to non-employees
 
109

 
100

 

 

 
109

 
100

Total
 
$
9,268

 
$
8,937

 
$
5,499

 
$
5,621

 
$
14,767


$
14,558

__________________
(1)
Represents equity-based compensation expense for one-time grants issued related to the NSAM Spin-off. Certain awards had performance-based conditions which were met upon issuance, and accordingly, are included in time-based awards as they are only currently subject to continued employment conditions.
(2)
Represents equity-based compensation expense related to annual grants issued by NorthStar Realty prior to the NSAM Spin-off.
 
 
Time-Based Awards
 
Performance-Based Awards
 
Total
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
NSAM spin grants(1)
 
$
6,030

 
$
11,565

 
$
11,078

 
$
11,171

 
$
17,108

 
$
22,736

NSAM bonus plan
 
17,769

 
7,731

 
3,367

 
2,104

 
21,136

 
9,835

NorthStar Realty bonus plan(2)
 
4,199

 
7,375

 
1,780

 
2,901

 
5,979

 
10,276

Townsend grants
 
973

 

 

 

 
973

 

Dividends to non-employees
 
342

 
331

 

 

 
342

 
331

Total
 
$
29,313

 
$
27,002

 
$
16,225

 
$
16,176

 
$
45,538

 
$
43,178




36

NORTHSTAR ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

__________________
(1)
Represents equity-based compensation expense for one-time grants issued related to the NSAM Spin-off. Certain awards had performance-based conditions which were met upon issuance, and accordingly, are included in time-based awards as they are only currently subject to continued employment conditions.
(2)
Represents equity-based compensation expense related to annual grants issued by NorthStar Realty prior to the NSAM Spin-off.
The following table presents activity related to the issuance, vesting and forfeitures of restricted stock and LTIP Units. The balance as of September 30, 2016 represents LTIP Units whether vested or not that are outstanding and unvested shares of restricted stock (grants in thousands):
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
Restricted Stock(1)
 
LTIP Units
 
Total Grants
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Price
December 31, 2015
3,268

 
1,792

 
5,060

 
$
22.02

New grants
2,577

 

 
2,577

 
10.85

Townsend grants
658

 

 
658

 
11.00

Vesting
(896
)
(2) 

 
(896
)
 
14.14

Forfeited or canceled grants
(44
)
 
(2
)
 
(46
)
 
17.92

September 30, 2016
5,563

 
1,790

 
7,353

 
$
18.10

___________________
(1)
Represents restricted stock included in common stock outstanding.
(2)
Includes 0.5 million shares of restricted stock that vested and 0.3 million shares of restricted stock that were retired to satisfy minimum statutory withholding requirements.
As of September 30, 2016, equity-based compensation expense to be recognized over the remaining vesting period through December 2020 is $83.9 million, provided there are no forfeitures.
In connection with the Mergers, substantially all outstanding time-based equity awards issued to executives and non-executive employees will vest in accordance with their terms. In addition, all or a portion of the outstanding NSAM performance-based awards issued to executives and non-executives will vest in accordance with their terms, subject to forfeiture and reduction.
10.
Stockholders’ Equity
Share Repurchase
In April 2015, the Company’s board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to $400 million of its outstanding common stock. In May 2016, the Company’s board of directors extended the authorization for an additional year. The authorization expires in April 2017, unless otherwise extended by the Company’s board of directors. From April 2015 through December 31, 2015, the Company repurchased 7.8 million shares of its common stock for approximately $105.2 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock.
Call Spread
In September 2015, the Company entered into a call spread transaction (the “Call Spread”) with a third-party counterparty related to its share repurchase program. In connection with the Call Spread, certain subsidiaries of the Company purchased and sold a call option on the Company’s common stock with a notional amount of $100.0 million with various expiration dates beginning in December 2018 and a final maturity date in February 2019. The obligation to the counterparty under the sold call option are guaranteed by the Company. In October 2015, the Company paid a net premium of $16.0 million, which is recorded as a reduction in paid-in capital.
At its election, the Company can exercise the purchased call option on a cash basis, share basis or a net share basis. Upon exercise, the net value of the consideration is identical and can range from zero to approximately $40.0 million, depending upon the market price per share of the Company’s common stock at the time. In the event there is an early unwind of one or more components of the Call Spread, the amount of cash to be received by the Company will depend upon the Company’s market price of the Company’s common stock and the remaining term of the Call Spread. The number of shares and the strike prices are subject to customary adjustments.

37

NORTHSTAR ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

Earnings Per Share
Basic and diluted earnings per share and the average number of common shares outstanding were calculated using the number of common stock outstanding. The following table presents EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data):
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) attributable to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc. common stockholders
$
24,842

 
$
41,173

 
$
53,340

 
$
100,965

Less: Earnings (loss) allocated to unvested participating securities
(1,051
)
 
(1,440
)
 
(2,647
)
 
(3,383
)
Numerator for basic income (loss) per share
23,791

 
39,733

 
50,693

 
97,582

Add: Undistributed earnings allocated to participating nonvested shares
265

 
804

 

 
1,530

Less: Undistributed earnings reallocated to participating nonvested shares
(261
)
 
(522
)
 

 
(1,352
)
Net income (loss) attributable to LTIP Units non-controlling interests
246

 
381

 
533

 
771

Numerator for diluted income (loss) per share
$
24,041

 
$
40,396

 
$
51,226

 
$
98,531

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Denominator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of shares of common stock
183,399

 
189,423

 
183,251

 
189,524

Incremental diluted shares
1,926

 
4,378

 
1,832

 
4,296

Weighted average number of diluted shares(1)
185,325

 
193,801

 
185,083

 
193,820

Earnings (loss) per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.13

 
$
0.21

 
$
0.28

 
$
0.51

Diluted
$
0.13

 
$
0.21

 
$
0.28

 
$
0.51

______________________
(1)
Diluted EPS excludes the effect of equity-based awards issued that were not dilutive for the periods presented. These instruments could potentially impact diluted EPS in future periods, depending on changes in the Company’s stock price and other factors.
11.
Non-controlling Interests
Operating Partnership
Non-controlling interests include the aggregate LTIP Units held by limited partners (the “Unit Holders”) in the Operating Partnership. Net income (loss) attributable to the non-controlling interest is based on the weighted average Unit Holders’ ownership percentage of the Operating Partnership for the respective period. The issuance of additional common stock or LTIP Units changes the percentage ownership of both the Unit Holders and the Company. Since an LTIP Unit is generally redeemable for cash or common stock at the option of the Company, it is deemed to be equivalent to common stock. Therefore, such transactions are treated as capital transactions and result in an allocation between stockholders’ equity and non-controlling interests on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets to account for the change in the ownership of the underlying equity in the Operating Partnership. On a quarterly basis, the carrying value of such non-controlling interest is allocated based on the number of LTIP Units held by Unit Holders in total in proportion to the number of LTIP Units in total plus the number of shares of common stock. In connection with the formation of the Operating Partnership, the Company recorded a non-controlling interest of $4.4 million related to LTIP Units. As of September 30, 2016, 1,790,048 LTIP units were outstanding, representing a 1.0% ownership and non-controlling interest in the Operating Partnership. Income attributable to the Operating Partnership non-controlling interest for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $0.2 million and $0.5 million, respectively.
Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests
Townsend is a consolidated majority-owned subsidiary of the Company. Certain members of Townsend management own interests in Townsend in the form of Class B units where the holders have the ability to require the Company to purchase a certain percentage of such units annually beginning December 31, 2016 through December 31, 2020 with settlement in: (i) cash; (ii) the Company’s common stock; or (iii) a combination of cash and the Company’s common stock, subject to certain conditions. Such interest is considered redeemable non-controlling interest and net income (loss) attributable to such interest is based on the member’s ownership percentage of Townsend for the respective period.

38

NORTHSTAR ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

The following table presents a summary of changes in the redeemable non-controlling interests from the Townsend Acquisition Date through September 30, 2016 (dollars in thousands):
    
Beginning balance
$

Contributions
75,259

Distributions
(3,582
)
Net income (loss)
2,991

Allocation of redeemable non-controlling interests
661

Currency translation adjustment and other
(180
)
Ending balance
$
75,149

12.
Income Taxes
Certain subsidiaries of the Company are subject to taxation by federal, state, local and foreign authorities for the periods presented. The Operating Partnership is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes and consequently, its items of income gain, loss, deduction and credit are passed through to, and included in, the taxable income of each of its partners including the Company.
For the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company incurred $5.7 million of income tax expense and had a $3.8 million of income tax benefit, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company incurred $9.3 million and $16.2 million of income tax expense, respectively, which is based on a full year estimated effective tax rate of approximately 14.9% and 14.0%, respectively. The Company operates internationally and domestically through multiple operating subsidiaries. Each of the jurisdictions in which the Company operates has its own tax law and tax rate and the tax rate outside the United States may be lower than the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate.
13.
Segment Reporting
The Company conducts its business through the following five segments, which are based on how management reviews and manages NSAM:
NorthStar Listed Companies - Provides asset management and other services on a fee basis by managing the day-to-day activities of the NorthStar Listed Companies. The Company began earning fees from NorthStar Realty on July 1, 2014 and NorthStar Europe on November 1, 2015.
Retail Companies - Provides asset management and other services on a fee basis by managing the day-to-day activities of the Retail Companies.
Broker-dealer - Raises capital in the retail market through NorthStar Securities and earn dealer manager fees for selling equity in the Retail Companies.
Direct Investments - Invests in strategic partnerships and joint ventures with third-parties, either consolidated or unconsolidated, with expertise in commercial real estate or other sectors and markets, where the Company benefits from the fee stream and potential incentive fee. Direct investments currently represent the Company’s investment in Townsend which focuses on institutional capital and unconsolidated interests such as AHI and Island.
Corporate/Other - Includes corporate level general and administrative expenses, as well as special servicing on a fee basis in connection with certain securitization transactions. In addition, includes opportunistic investments, such as the Company’s purchase of NorthStar Listed Companies common stock.
The Company began earning fees from NorthStar Europe on November 1, 2015 and from Townsend on the Townsend Acquisition Date. The following tables present segment reporting for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (dollars in thousands):

39

NORTHSTAR ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

Statement of Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
NorthStar Listed Companies
 
Retail Companies
 
Broker- Dealer(1)
 
Direct Investments
 
Corporate/Other
 
Total
Asset management and other fees
 
$
50,319

 
$
22,649

 
$

 
$
17,009

 
$

 
$
89,977

Selling commission and dealer manager fees, related parties
 

 

 
3,856

 

 

 
3,856

Commission expense
 

 

 
3,608

 

 

 
3,608

Interest expense
 

 

 

 

 
6,882

 
6,882

Compensation expense
 

 

 
2,376

 
7,463

 
26,579

 
36,418

Other general and administrative expenses
 

 

 
2,032

 
1,627

 
6,600

 
10,259

Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated ventures(2)
 

 

 

 
188

 

 
188

Income tax benefit (expense)
 

 

 

 

 
(5,708
)
 
(5,708
)
Net income (loss)
 
50,319

 
22,649

 
(4,180
)
 
5,312

 
(48,157
)
(3) 
25,943

_______________    
(1)
Direct general and administrative expenses incurred by the broker-dealer.
(2)
For the three months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recognized in equity in earnings (losses), operating income of $3.6 million, which excludes $3.7 million of equity-based compensation expense and depreciation and amortization expense and $0.3 million related to the Townsend Funds.
(3)
Includes general and administrative expenses including equity-based compensation of $14.1 million, of which $0.4 million related to Townsend grants, transaction costs of $7.1 million and unrealized gain of $5.1 million.

Statement of Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
NorthStar Listed Companies
 
Retail Companies
 
Broker- Dealer(1)
 
Direct Investments
 
Corporate/Other
 
Total
Asset management and other fees
 
$
51,284

 
$
27,710

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
78,994

Selling commission and dealer manager fees, related parties
 

 

 
29,104

 

 

 
29,104

Commission expense
 

 

 
26,978

 

 

 
26,978

Compensation expense
 

 

 
1,785

 

 
31,621

 
33,406

Other general and administrative expenses
 

 

 
2,046

 

 
5,518

 
7,564

Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated ventures(2)
 

 

 

 
(56
)
 

 
(56
)
Income tax benefit (expense)
 

 

 

 

 
3,825

 
3,825

Net income (loss)
 
51,284

 
27,710

 
(1,684
)
 
(56
)
 
(35,700
)
 
41,554

_______________
(1)
Direct general and administrative expenses incurred by the broker-dealer.
(2)
For the three months ended September 30, 2015, the Company recognized in equity in earnings (losses), operating income of $2.4 million, which excludes $0.2 million of equity-based compensation expense and $2.3 million of depreciation and amortization expense.

Statement of Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
NorthStar Listed Companies
 
Retail Companies
 
Broker- Dealer(1)
 
Direct Investments
 
Corporate/Other
 
Total
Asset management and other fees
 
$
150,503

 
$
78,911

 
$

 
$
46,925

 
$

 
$
276,339

Selling commission and dealer manager fees, related parties
 

 

 
15,115

 

 

 
15,115

Commission expense
 

 

 
14,025

 

 

 
14,025

Interest expense
 

 

 

 

 
18,968

 
18,968

Compensation expense
 

 

 
7,271

 
19,881

 
80,395

 
107,547

Other general and administrative expenses
 

 

 
6,224

 
4,023

 
20,933

 
31,180

Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated ventures(2)
 

 

 

 
(5,094
)
 

 
(5,094
)
Income tax benefit (expense)
 

 

 

 

 
(9,331
)
 
(9,331
)
Net income (loss)
 
150,503

 
78,911

 
(12,475
)
 
13,150

 
(173,225
)
(3) 
56,864

__________________    
(1)
Direct general and administrative expenses incurred by the broker-dealer.
(2)
For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recognized in equity in earnings (losses), operating income of $7.3 million, which excludes $2.4 million impairment loss, $10.4 million of equity-based compensation expense and depreciation and amortization expense and $0.4 million related to the Townsend Funds.
(3)
Includes general and administrative expenses including equity-based compensation of $43.6 million, of which $1.0 million related to Townsend grants, transaction costs of $32.1 million and unrealized loss of $10.2 million.

40

NORTHSTAR ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

Statement of Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
NorthStar Listed Companies
 
Retail Companies
 
Broker- Dealer(1)
 
Direct Investments
 
Corporate/Other
 
Total
Asset management and other fees
 
$
151,280

 
$
79,451

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
230,731

Selling commission and dealer manager fees, related parties
 

 

 
87,364

 

 

 
87,364

Commission expense
 

 

 
81,011

 

 

 
81,011

Compensation expense
 

 

 
5,725

 

 
86,151

 
91,876

Other general and administrative expenses
 

 

 
6,859

 

 
16,065

 
22,924

Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated ventures(2)
 

 

 

 
(836
)
 

 
(836
)
Income tax benefit (expense)
 

 

 

 

 
(16,168
)
 
(16,168
)
Net income (loss)
 
151,280

 
79,451

 
(6,234
)
 
(836
)
 
(121,925
)
 
101,736

_______________
(1)
Direct general and administrative expenses incurred by the broker-dealer.
(2)
For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company recognized in equity in earnings (losses), operating income of $7.8 million, which excludes $1.8 million of equity-based compensation expense and $6.8 million depreciation and amortization expense.
Total Assets
 
NorthStar Listed Companies(1)
 
Retail
Companies(1)
 
Broker- Dealer
 
Direct Investments
 
Corporate/Other
 
Total
September 30, 2016
 
$
58,963

 
$
65,867

 
$
6,444

 
$
575,058

 
$
139,998

 
$
846,330

December 31, 2015
 
50,924

 
66,246

 
16,470

 
88,069

 
153,112

 
374,821

_______________    
(1)
Primarily represents receivables from related parties. Subsequent to September 30, 2016, the Company received $60.0 million from the Managed Companies and Townsend.
14.
Subsequent Events
Dividends
On November 1, 2016, the Company declared a dividend of $0.10 per share of common stock. The common stock dividend will be paid on November 18, 2016 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 14, 2016.
Colony NorthStar Registration Statement
In October 2016, the Company amended the merger agreement and provided for, among other matters, an enhanced governance structure for Colony NorthStar, modified severance terms for the Company’s executive officers and a special cash dividend for the Company’s stockholders now totaling $228 million. In connection with the amendment to the merger agreement, the Company entered into a voting agreement with MSD and its affiliates, which together own approximately 10.2% of the Company’s outstanding shares, pursuant to which MSD agreed to vote in favor of the Mergers and related proposals. In addition, Colony NorthStar, a Maryland subsidiary of NSAM that will be the surviving parent company of the combined company following the completion of the Mergers, filed with the SEC an amended registration statement on Form S-4 that includes a joint proxy statement of the Company, Colony and NorthStar Realty and that also constitutes a prospectus of Colony NorthStar.

41


Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Item 1. “Financial Statements” of this report. References to “NSAM,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” refer to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc. and its subsidiaries unless the context specifically requires otherwise.
Introduction
We are a global asset management firm focused on strategically managing real estate and other investment platforms in the United States and internationally. We commenced operations on July 1, 2014 upon the spin-off by NorthStar Realty Finance Corp., or NorthStar Realty, of its asset management business into a separate publicly-traded company, NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc. (NYSE:NSAM), a Delaware corporation, or the NSAM Spin-off. The NSAM Spin-off was in the form of a tax-free distribution to NorthStar Realty’s common stockholders where each NorthStar Realty common stockholder received shares of our common stock on a one-for-one basis. At the same time, NorthStar Realty became externally managed by our affiliate through a management contract with an initial term of 20 years. NorthStar Realty continues to operate its commercial real estate, or CRE, debt origination business.
On October 31, 2015, NorthStar Realty completed the spin-off of its European real estate business, or the NRE Spin-off, into a separate publicly-traded real estate investment trust, or REIT, NorthStar Realty Europe Corp., or NorthStar Europe. We manage NorthStar Europe pursuant to a long-term management agreement, on substantially similar terms as our management agreement with NorthStar Realty.
NorthStar Realty and NorthStar Europe are herein collectively referred to as our NorthStar Listed Companies.
We have a substantial business raising and managing capital in the retail marketplace accessing a variety of pools of capital and through various vehicles that include REITs, closed-end funds and others that we may form in the future. We earn various fees from managing this capital and we refer to this platform as our Retail Business. Certain of our affiliates also manage NorthStar Realty’s previously sponsored non-traded companies which raise capital through the retail market, as well as any new non-traded company and any future sponsored company that raises capital from retail investors, referred to as our Retail Companies and together with the NorthStar Listed Companies, referred to as our Managed Companies.
We are organized to provide asset management and other services to our Managed Companies, or any other companies we may sponsor in the future, both in the United States and internationally. Our Managed Companies have historically invested in the CRE industry. We seek to expand the scope of our asset management business beyond real estate into new asset classes and geographies by organically creating and managing additional investment vehicles or through acquisitions, strategic partnerships and joint ventures.
On January 29, 2016, we acquired an approximate 84% interest in Townsend Holdings LLC, or Townsend, or the Townsend Acquisition Date, a leading global provider of investment management and advisory services focused on real assets. Founded in 1983, Townsend is the manager or advisor to $184 billion of real assets as of September 30, 2016. Townsend’s management team owns the remainder of the business and continues to direct day-to-day operations, subject to the oversight and direction of its board of directors which is controlled by NSAM. We acquired the interest in Townsend for approximately $383 million, net of post-closing adjustments. In connection with the acquisition, we obtained a $500 million term loan, which was used to fund the transaction, repay in full the amount outstanding under our revolving credit agreement and for general corporate purposes, including repurchases of our common stock.
We earn asset management and other fees, directly or indirectly, pursuant to management and other contracts and direct investments. In addition, we own NorthStar Securities, LLC, or NorthStar Securities, a captive broker-dealer platform registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, which raises capital in the retail market for our Retail Companies.
As of September 30, 2016, adjusted for sales, acquisitions and commitments to sell or acquire investments by our Managed Companies and Townsend, through November 4, 2016, we had $39 billion of assets under management. In addition, inception to date, we invested $483 million in direct investments in entities that manage $26 billion, including assets held by our Managed Companies, across a variety of asset classes. We may also make opportunistic investments that take advantage of market dynamics.
Merger Agreement with NorthStar Realty and Colony Capital, Inc.
In June 2016, we announced that we entered into a merger agreement with NorthStar Realty and Colony Capital, Inc., or Colony, under which the companies will combine in an all-stock merger of equals transaction to create an internally-managed, diversified real estate and investment management platform, or the Mergers. The transaction has been approved by our and NorthStar Realty’s respective boards of directors, including the unanimous approval by their respective Special Committees and the board of directors of Colony.

42


Under the terms of the merger agreement, as amended, we will redomesticate to Maryland and elect to be treated as a REIT beginning in 2017 and NorthStar Realty and Colony, through a series of transactions, will merge with and into the redomesticated NSAM, which will be renamed Colony NorthStar, Inc. Our common stockholders will receive one share of Colony NorthStar’s common stock for each share of common stock they own. Upon completion of the transaction, NorthStar Realty stockholders will own approximately 33.90%, Colony stockholders will own approximately 33.25% and our stockholders will own approximately 32.85% of the combined company on a fully diluted basis, excluding the effect of certain equity-based awards issuable in connection with the Mergers. Prior to the closing of the Mergers, we expect our board of directors or a duly authorized committee thereof to declare a special cash dividend in the amount of $228 million to our common stockholders.
In October 2016, we amended the merger agreement and provided for, among other matters, an enhanced governance structure for Colony NorthStar, modified severance terms for our executive officers and a special cash dividend for our stockholders now totaling $228 million. In connection with the amendment to the merger agreement, we entered into a voting agreement with MSD Capital L.P. or MSD and its affiliates, which together own approximately 10.2% of our outstanding shares, pursuant to which MSD agreed to vote in favor of the Mergers and related proposals. In addition, Colony NorthStar, a Maryland subsidiary of ours that will be the surviving parent company of the combined company following the completion of the Mergers, filed with the SEC an amended registration statement on Form S-4 that includes a joint proxy statement us, Colony and NorthStar Realty and that also constitutes a prospectus of Colony NorthStar.
The transaction is expected to close in January 2017, subject to, among other things, regulatory approvals and the receipt of NSAM’s, Colony’s and NorthStar Realty’s respective stockholder approvals.
Summary of Business
Our primary business lines are as follows:
NorthStar Listed Companies - Provides asset management and other services on a fee basis by managing the day-to-day activities of our NorthStar Listed Companies. We began earning fees from NorthStar Realty on July 1, 2014 and NorthStar Europe on November 1, 2015.
Retail Companies - Provides asset management and other services on a fee basis by managing the day-to-day activities of our Retail Companies.
Broker-dealer - Raises capital in the retail market through NorthStar Securities and earn dealer manager fees for selling equity in the Retail Companies.
Direct Investments - Invests in strategic partnerships and joint ventures with third-parties, either consolidated or unconsolidated, with expertise in commercial real estate or other sectors and markets, where we benefit from the fee stream and potential incentive fee. Direct investments currently represents our investment in Townsend which focuses on institutional capital and unconsolidated interests such as in American Healthcare Investors LLC, or AHI and Island Hospitality Group Inc., or Island.
Corporate/Other - Includes corporate level general and administrative expenses, as well as special servicing on a fee basis in connection with certain securitization transactions. In addition, includes opportunistic investments, such as our purchase of NorthStar Listed Companies common stock.
Our Business
Our primary business objective is to provide asset management and other services by managing our NorthStar Listed Companies and our Retail Companies, both in the United States and internationally. We earn asset management and other fees pursuant to management and other contracts and through our direct and indirect investments in strategic partnerships and joint ventures. Our growth will depend upon the ability of our NorthStar Listed Companies and our Retail Companies to grow by raising capital, which in turn is driven by their investment activities and overall performance. In addition, growth in our assets under management from our Retail Companies is impacted by the ability to raise capital in the retail market through NorthStar Securities. Our Managed Companies have historically invested in the CRE industry and have demonstrated the ability to invest and create value through multiple real estate cycles and changing market conditions. We expanded the scope of our asset management business beyond real estate by creating and managing additional types of investment vehicles that we expect will appeal to a broader retail investor base.
As we grow our business and expand into new asset classes and geographies, we have entered into strategic partnerships and joint ventures with third parties with expertise in commercial real estate or other sectors and markets to augment our business operations, while at the same time benefiting from fee streams generated by such strategic partnerships and joint ventures, including our investment in AHI and Island and our acquisition of Townsend.
Our management team, located in the United States and internationally, has a proven track record in managing and growing our Managed Companies. We believe our in-place, long-duration fees, substantial growth prospects and scalable operating platform

43


position us as an industry leading asset manager. We have the ability to maintain a competitive advantage through a combination of our deep industry relationships and access to market leading credit underwriting and capital markets expertise which enables us to manage credit risk, implement effective portfolio management strategies, as well as to structure and finance the assets of our Managed Companies efficiently. Our ability to identify opportunities across a broad spectrum of potential investments for our Managed Companies will continue to create complementary and overlapping sources of investment opportunities based on a common reliance on market fundamentals and application of similar underwriting and asset management skills as we seek to maximize stockholder value.
Assets of our Managed Companies grew significantly over the past several years driven by our ability to raise capital for NorthStar Realty and our Retail Companies and in turn effectively deploy such capital. In addition, our assets under management have increased due to our recent acquisition of Townsend. Recently, our NorthStar Listed Companies have been constrained by their inability to access the capital markets due to current market conditions.
The following table presents the investments of our Managed Companies, Townsend and assets under management of our current and pending consolidated direct investments as of September 30, 2016, adjusted for sales, acquisitions and commitments to sell or acquire investments by our Managed Companies and Townsend through November 4, 2016 (dollars in thousands):
 
 
September 30, 2016
 
 
Amount(1)
 
Percentage
NorthStar Listed Companies
 
 
 
 
NorthStar Realty
 
$
16,067,495

 
40.9
%
NorthStar Europe
 
2,080,549

 
5.3
%
Subtotal NorthStar Listed Companies
 
18,148,044

 
46.2
%
Retail Companies
 
 
 
 
NorthStar Income
 
1,697,770

 
4.3
%
NorthStar Healthcare
 
2,743,105

 
7.0
%
NorthStar Income II
 
1,733,799

 
4.4
%
NorthStar/RXR New York Metro
 
4,893

 

NorthStar Corporate Fund
 
1,562

 

Subtotal Retail Companies
 
6,181,129

 
15.7
%
Subtotal Managed Companies
 
24,329,173

 
61.9
%
Institutional Capital
 
 
 
 
Townsend(2)
 
14,981,500

 
38.1
%
Total
 
$
39,310,673

 
100.0
%
__________________
(1)
Based on investments reported by each Managed Company, except for NorthStar Healthcare which excludes its proportionate interest in certain healthcare joint ventures with NorthStar Realty and includes pro forma adjusted for sales and commitments to sell certain assets subsequent to the period presented.
(2)
As of September 30, 2016, Townsend is the advisor to approximately $168.7 billion of real assets.
We have also invested in indirect investments through strategic partnerships and joint ventures. The following table presents the assets under management of our investments in unconsolidated ventures as of September 30, 2016 (dollars in millions):
 
 
Assets Under Management(1)
 
Primary Business
 
Ownership Interest
AHI(2)
 
$
2,438

 
Healthcare real estate management
 
43%
Island(3)
 
1,811

 
Select service hotels management
 
45%
Total
 
$
4,249

 
 
 
 
_________________
(1)
Excludes NorthStar Realty and NorthStar Healthcare’s proportionate interest in assets managed by such partner.
(2)
In December 2014, we acquired an interest in AHI for $58 million, consisting of $38 million in cash and $20 million of our common stock, or the AHI Interest.
(3)
In January 2015, we acquired an interest in Island for $38 million, consisting of $33 million in cash and $5 million of our common stock, or the Island Interest. Our investment in Island is expected to be sold in connection with the Mergers.
In connection with these investments, we earn fees and may be entitled to certain incentive fees. In addition, AHI and Island provide certain asset management, property management and other services to our Managed Companies, either directly or indirectly through us, to assist in managing the current and future assets of our Managed Companies.

44


The following table presents asset management and other fees earned from our Managed Companies and Townsend (dollars in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
NorthStar Listed Companies(1)
 
$
50,319

 
$
51,284

 
$
150,504

 
$
151,280

Retail Companies
 
22,649

 
27,710

 
78,911

 
79,451

Institutional Capital(2)
 
17,009

 

 
46,924

 

Total
 
$
89,977

 
$
78,994

 
$
276,339

 
$
230,731

_________________
(1)
We began earning fees from NorthStar Europe on November 1, 2015.
(2)
Represents fees earned through our investment in Townsend. We began earning fees on the Townsend Acquisition Date. We were also entitled to $1.8 million of management and other fees from January 14, 2016 to the Townsend Acquisition Date, which was recorded net of operating expenses in other income.
NorthStar Listed Companies
We provide asset management and other services on a fee basis to our NorthStar Listed Companies.
NorthStar Realty - NorthStar Realty is a diversified commercial real estate company with 91% of its total assets invested directly or indirectly in real estate, including healthcare, hotel, manufactured housing, net lease, multifamily and multi-tenant office properties. NorthStar Realty invests in multiple asset classes across CRE that it expects will generate attractive risk-adjusted returns and may take the form of acquiring real estate, originating or acquiring senior or subordinate loans, as well as pursuing opportunistic CRE investments.
NorthStar Europe - On October 31, 2015, NorthStar Realty completed the NRE Spin-off. NorthStar Europe is a newly-formed European focused commercial real estate company with predominately prime office properties in key cities within Germany, the United Kingdom and France. NorthStar Europe seeks to provide stockholders with stable and recurring cash flow supplemented by capital growth over time.
Recently, our NorthStar Listed Companies have been constrained by their inability to access the capital markets.
Management Agreements
In connection with the NRE Spin-off, we entered into a management agreement with NorthStar Europe on terms substantially consistent with the terms of our management agreement with NorthStar Realty. Our management agreement with NorthStar Realty was amended and restated in connection with the NRE Spin-off to, among other things, adjust the annual base management fee and incentive fee hurdles for the NRE Spin-off.
The management agreements with each of our NorthStar Listed Companies are for initial terms of 20 years, which automatically renew for additional 20-year terms each anniversary thereafter unless earlier terminated and provide for a base management fee and incentive fee.
The following table presents a summary of the fee arrangements and amounts earned from our NorthStar Listed Companies:
 
 
NorthStar Realty
 
NorthStar Europe
Commencement date
 
July 1, 2014
 
November 1, 2015
Current in place annual base management fee(1)
 
$187.1 million
 
$14.2 million
Incentive fee hurdle to CAD per share(2)
 
 
 
 
15%
 
Excess of $0.68 and up to $0.78(3)
 
Excess of $0.30 and up to $0.36
25%
 
Excess of $0.78(3)
 
Excess of $0.36
Base management fee
 
 
 
 
Three months ended September 30, 2016
 
$46.8 million
 
$3.5 million
Three months ended September 30, 2015(4)
 
$49.0 million
 
NA
Nine months ended September 30, 2016
 
$140.0 million
 
$10.5 million
Nine months ended September 30, 2015(4)
 
$142.5 million
 
NA
Incentive fee
 

 

Three months ended September 30, 2016
 
 
Three months ended September 30, 2015(4)
 
$2.3 million
 
NA
Nine months ended September 30, 2016
 
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2015(4)
 
$8.7 million
 
NA

45


_________________
(1)
The base management fee will increase by an amount equal to 1.5% per annum of the sum of: the cumulative net proceeds of all future common equity and preferred equity issued, equity issued in exchange or conversion of exchangeable senior notes or stock-settlable notes based on the stock price at the date of issuance and any other issuances of common equity, preferred equity or other forms of equity, including but not limited to limited partnership interests in the NorthStar Realty or NorthStar Europe operating partnerships, which are structured as profits interests, or LTIP Units (excluding units issued to the parent company and equity-based compensation, but including issuances related to an acquisition, investment, joint venture or partnership) by our NorthStar Listed Companies and cumulative cash available for distribution, or CAD, of our NorthStar Listed Companies, in excess of cumulative distributions paid on common stock, LTIP units or other equity awards beginning the first full calendar quarter after the NSAM Spin-off and NRE Spin-off, respectively. In addition, NorthStar Realty’s equity interest in RXR Realty LLC, or RXR Realty, and Aerium Group is structured so that we are entitled to the portion of distributable cash flow from each investment in excess of the $10 million minimum annual base amount.
(2)
The incentive fee is calculated by the product of 15% or 25% and CAD before such incentive fee, divided by the weighted average shares outstanding for the calendar quarter, when such amount is within a certain hurdle multiplied by the weighted average shares outstanding of our NorthStar Listed Companies for the calendar quarter. Weighted average shares represent the number of shares of our NorthStar Listed Companies’ common stock, LTIP Units or other equity-based awards (with some exclusions), outstanding on a daily weighted average basis.
(3)
After giving effect to NorthStar Realty’s reverse stock split in October 2015 and the NRE Spin-off.
(4)
We began earning fees from NorthStar Europe on November 1, 2015.
Additional NorthStar Listed Companies’ Management Agreement Terms
20-year initial term, which automatically renews for additional 20-year terms each anniversary thereafter unless earlier terminated for “cause.”
If NorthStar Realty or NorthStar Europe were to spin-off any asset or business in the future, such entity would be managed by us on terms substantially similar to those set forth in the management agreements between us and our NorthStar Listed Companies, respectively. The management agreements further provide that the aggregate base management fee in place immediately after any future spin-off will not be less than the aggregate base management fee in place at NorthStar Realty or NorthStar Europe, as the case may be, immediately prior to such spin-off.
Our management agreements with NorthStar Realty and NorthStar Europe provide that in the event of a change of control or other event that could be deemed an assignment by us of the management agreement, NorthStar Realty and NorthStar Europe, respectively, will consider such assignment in good faith and not unreasonably withhold, condition or delay its consent. The management agreements further provide that NorthStar Realty and NorthStar Europe, respectively, anticipate consent would be granted for an assignment or deemed assignment to a party with expertise in commercial real estate and over $10 billion of assets under management. The management agreements also provide that, notwithstanding anything in the agreement to the contrary, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, rules and regulations, in connection with any merger, sale of all or substantially all of the assets, change of control, reorganization, consolidation or any similar transaction of us, on the one hand, or NorthStar Realty or NorthStar Europe, on the other hand, directly or indirectly, the surviving entity will succeed to the terms of the management agreement. Upon completion of the Mergers, the management agreement with NorthStar Realty will cease to exist.
Payment of Costs and Expenses and Expense Allocation
Our NorthStar Listed Companies are each responsible for all of their direct costs and expenses and will reimburse us for costs and expenses incurred by us on their behalf. In addition, we may allocate indirect costs to our NorthStar Listed Companies related to employees, occupancy and other general and administrative costs and expenses in accordance with the terms of, and subject to the limitations contained in, our applicable NorthStar Listed Company’s management agreements with us, or the G&A Allocation. Our management agreements with our NorthStar Listed Companies each provide that the amount of the G&A Allocation will not exceed the following: (i) 20% of the combined total of: (a) our NorthStar Listed Companies’ general and administrative expenses as reported in their consolidated financial statements excluding (1) equity-based compensation expense, (2) non-recurring items, (3) fees payable to us under the terms of the applicable management agreement and (4) any allocation of expenses from us to our NorthStar Listed Companies, or our NorthStar Listed Companies’ G&A; and (b) our general and administrative expenses as reported in our consolidated financial statements, excluding equity-based compensation expense and adding back any costs or expenses allocated to any of our Managed Companies; less (ii) our NorthStar Listed Companies’ G&A. The G&A Allocation may include our applicable NorthStar Listed Company’s allocable share of our compensation and benefit costs associated with dedicated or partially dedicated personnel who spend all or a portion of their time managing such NorthStar Listed Company’s affairs, based upon the percentage of time devoted by such personnel to such NorthStar Listed Company’s affairs. The G&A Allocation may also include rental and occupancy, technology, office supplies, travel and entertainment and other general and administrative costs and expenses which may be allocated based on various methodologies, such as weighted average employee count or the percentage of time devoted by personnel to such NorthStar Listed Companies’ affairs. In addition, each NorthStar Listed Company will pay directly or reimburse us for an allocable portion of any severance paid pursuant to any employment, consulting or similar service agreements in effect between us and any of our executives, employees or other service providers. For the three months ended September 30, 2016, we did not allocate costs to NorthStar Listed Companies. For the three months ended September 30, 2015, we allocated $0.8 million of costs to NorthStar Listed Companies. Such amount is recorded net of general and administrative expense in our consolidated statements of operations.

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Following the NRE Spin-off, as provided in our management agreements with each NorthStar Listed Company, such NorthStar Listed Company’s obligations to reimburse us for the G&A Allocation and any severance are shared among our NorthStar Listed Companies, at our discretion, and the 20% cap on the G&A Allocation, as described above, applies on an aggregate basis to our NorthStar Listed Companies. We currently determined to allocate these amounts based on total investments.
Pursuant to the management agreements with NorthStar Realty and NorthStar Europe, NorthStar Realty together with NorthStar Europe and any company spun-off from NorthStar Realty or NorthStar Europe, are obligated to pay directly or reimburse us for up to 50% of any long-term bonus or other compensation that our compensation committee determines shall be paid and/or settled in the form of equity and/or equity-based compensation to our executives, employees and service providers during any year. In accordance with these agreements, NorthStar Realty and NorthStar Europe were responsible for paying 50% of the 2015 long-term bonuses earned under the NSAM Bonus Plan.
Retail Companies
We raise or seek to raise capital for our Retail Companies through NorthStar Securities. The following table presents a summary of the fee arrangements with our current Retail Companies, which are effective:
 
 
NorthStar
 
NorthStar
 
NorthStar
 
NorthStar/RXR
 
NorthStar
 
NorthStar
 
 
Income
 
Healthcare
 
Income II
 
New York Metro(9)
 
Corporate Fund(12)(14)
 
Capital Fund(14)
Offering amount(1)    
 
$1.2 billion
 
$2.1 billion
 
$1.65 billion
 
$2.0 billion(10)
 
$3.2 billion(13)
 
$3.2 billion(13)
Total capital raised through November 4, 2016(2)
 
$1.3 billion
 
$1.9 billion(8)
 
$1.1 billion(8)
 
$4.6 million(10)
 
$2.2 million(14)
 
$2.2 million(14)
Total investments as of November 4, 2016
 
$1.7 billion
 
$3.3 billion
 
$1.7 billion
 
$4.9 million
 
$1.6 million
 
N/A
Primary strategy
 
CRE Debt
 
Healthcare Equity and Debt
 
CRE Debt
 
New York Metro Area CRE Equity and Debt
 
Middle Market Non-Real Estate Business Loans and Securities
 
CRE Debt and Equity
Primary offering period
 
Completed July 2013
 
Completed January 2016(8)
 
Completed November 2016(8)
 
Ends February 2018(11)
 
Ends March 2019(11)
 
Ends July 2019(11)
Asset Management and Other Fees:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset management fees
 
1.25% of assets(3)
 
1.00% of assets(3)
 
1.25% of assets(3)
 
1.25% of assets(3)
 
2.0% of average gross assets(16)
 
2.0% of average gross assets(16)
Acquisition fees(4)
 
1.00% of investments
 
2.25% for real estate properties
1.00% of other investments
 
1.00% of investments
 
2.25% for real estate properties
1.00% of other investments
 
N/A
 
N/A
Disposition fees(5)
 
1.00% of sales price
 
2.00% for real estate properties
1.00% of sales price for debt investments
 
1.00% of sales price
 
2.00% for real estate properties
1.00% of sales price for debt investments
 
N/A
 
N/A
Incentive payments
 
15.00% of net cash flows after an 8.00% return(6)
 
15.00% of net cash flows after a 6.75% return(6)(7)
 
15.00% of net cash flows after a 7.00% return(6)
 
15.00% of net cash flows after a 6.00% return(6)
 
(15)
 
(15)
________________
(1)
Represents amount of shares registered to offer pursuant to each Retail Company’s public offering, distribution reinvestment plan and follow-on public offering.
(2)
Includes capital raised through distribution reinvestment plans.
(3)
Assets represent principal amount funded or allocated for debt investments originated or acquired and the cost of all other investments, including expenses and any financing attributable to such investments, less any principal received on debt and securities investments (or the proportionate share thereof in the case of an investment made in a joint venture).
(4)
Calculated based on the amount funded or allocated by the Retail Companies to originate or acquire investments, including acquisition expenses and any financing attributable to such investments (or the proportionate share thereof in the case of an equity investment made through a joint venture).
(5)
Calculated based on contractual sales price of each investment sold.
(6)
We are entitled to receive distributions equal to 15% of net cash flow of the respective Retail Company, whether from continuing operations, repayment of loans, disposition of assets or otherwise, but only after stockholders have received, in the aggregate, cumulative distributions equal to their invested capital plus the respective cumulative, non-compounded annual pre-tax return (as noted in the table above) on such invested capital.
(7)
The Healthcare Strategic Partnership is entitled to the incentive fees earned from managing NorthStar Healthcare, of which we earn our proportionate interest.
(8)
NorthStar Healthcare successfully completed its initial public offering on February 2, 2015 by raising $1.1 billion in capital and its follow-on public offering on January 19, 2016 by raising $0.7 billion in capital. NorthStar Income II is no longer accepting subscriptions in its primary offering as of November 4, 2016 due to the completion of its initial public offering in November 2016 by raising $1.1 billion in capital.
(9)
Any asset management and other fees incurred by NorthStar/RXR New York Metro will be shared equally between us and RXR Realty, as co-sponsors.

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(10)
NorthStar/RXR New York Metro’s amended registration statement to offer an additional class of common shares was declared effective by the SEC and the minimum offering amount has been satisfied. NorthStar/RXR New York Metro began raising capital in the second quarter 2016.
(11)
Offering period subject to extension as determined by the board of directors or trustees of each Retail Company.
(12)
NorthStar Corporate Fund engaged OZ Institutional Credit Management LP, or OZ Credit Management, an affiliate of Och-Ziff Capital Management Group, LLC, or Och-Ziff, an alternative asset manager, to serve as its sub-advisor to manage investments. Any asset management and other fees paid by NorthStar Corporate Fund will be shared between the Company and OZ Credit Management, as co-sponsors.
(13)
Offering is for two feeder funds in a master feeder structure.
(14)
NorthStar Corporate Fund and NorthStar Capital Fund’s registration statements were declared effective by the SEC and the minimum offering amount for each has been satisfied. We expect NorthStar Corporate Fund and NorthStar Capital Fund to begin raising capital from third parties in the first half 2017.
(15)
Calculated based on 100% of the net investment income before such incentive fee when such hurdle rate exceeds 7.00% but less than 8.75% plus 20% when such amount is equal to or in excess 8.75%.
(16)
Calculated excluding cash and cash equivalents.
The following tables present a summary of asset management and other fees we earned from our current Retail Companies which are effective and investing capital (dollar in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
NorthStar Income
 
NorthStar Healthcare
 
NorthStar Income II
 
NorthStar/RXR New York Metro
 
NorthStar Corporate Fund
 
Total
 
Asset management fees
$
5,410

 
$
8,531

 
$
4,241

 
$
8

 
$
4

 
$
18,194

Acquisition fees
165

 
1,548

 
1,457

 

 

 
3,170

Disposition fees
1,179

 

 
106

 

 

 
1,285

Total
$
6,754

 
$
10,079

 
$
5,804

 
$
8

 
$
4

 
$
22,649

 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
NorthStar Income
 
NorthStar Healthcare
 
NorthStar Income II
 
NorthStar/RXR New York Metro
 
NorthStar Corporate Fund
 
Total
 
Asset management fees
$
16,318

 
$
24,341

 
$
12,848

 
$
11

 
$
6

 
$
53,524

Acquisition fees
2,889

 
13,796

 
2,305

 
28

 

 
19,018

Disposition fees
3,510

 

 
2,859

 

 

 
6,369

Total
$
22,717

 
$
38,137

 
$
18,012

 
$
39

 
$
6

 
$
78,911

The following table presents a summary of our current Retail Companies which are effective and their capital raising activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, year ended December 31, 2015 and from inception through November 4, 2016:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital Raised (in thousands)(2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Year Ended
 
Inception through
 
 
Primary Strategy
 
Offering Amount(1)
 
Offering Period
 
September 30, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
November 4, 2016
NorthStar Income
 
CRE Debt
 
$1.2 billion
 
Completed July 2013
 
$
32,950

 
$
43,783

 
$
1,280,244

NorthStar Healthcare
 
Healthcare Equity and Debt
 
$2.1 billion
 
Completed January 2016
 
51,702

 
824,265

 
1,863,775

NorthStar Income II
 
CRE Debt
 
$1.65 billion
 
Completed November 2016
 
235,694

 
553,300

 
1,132,841

NorthStar/RXR New York Metro
 
New York Metro Area CRE Equity and Debt
 
$2.0 billion
 
Ends February 2018(3)
 
2,041

(4) 
2,200

 
4,612

NorthStar Corporate Fund
 
Middle Market Non-real Estate Business Loans and Securities
 
$3.2 billion
 
Ends March 2019(3)
 
2,200

(5) 
NA

 
2,200

NorthStar Capital Fund
 
CRE Debt and Equity
 
$3.2 billion
 
Ends July 2019(3)
 
2,200

(5) 
NA

 
2,200

Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
326,787

 
$
1,423,548

 
$
4,285,872


__________________
(1)
Represents amount of shares registered to offer pursuant to each Retail Company’s public offering, distribution reinvestment plan and follow-on public offering.
(2)
Includes capital raised through distribution reinvestment plans.
(3)
Offering period subject to extension as determined by the board of directors or trustees of each company.
(4)
NorthStar/RXR New York Metro’s amended registration statement to offer an additional class of common shares was declared effective by the SEC and the minimum offering amount has been satisfied. NorthStar/RXR New York Metro began raising capital in the second quarter 2016.
(5)
NorthStar Corporate Fund and NorthStar Capital Fund’s registration statements were declared effective by the SEC and the minimum offering amounts have been satisfied. The Company expects NorthStar Corporate Fund and NorthStar Capital Fund to begin raising capital from third parties in the first half 2017.

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In addition to the Retail Companies described above, NorthStar Corporate Investment, Inc., or NorthStar Corporate Investment, confidentially submitted an amended registration statement on Form N-2 to the SEC in June 2015. NorthStar Corporate Investment seeks to raise up to $1 billion in a public offering of common stock. NorthStar Corporate Investment is structured as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that intends to elect to be regulated as a business development company, or BDC, under the Investment Company Act of 1940. NorthStar Corporate Investment intends to invest in senior and subordinate loans to middle-market companies. NorthStar Corporate Investment intends to engage OZ Credit Management, an affiliate of Och-Ziff, an alternative asset manager, to serve as its sub-advisor to manage investments and oversee operations. Any asset management and other fees paid by NorthStar Corporate Investment will be shared between us and OZ Credit Management, as co-sponsors.
NorthStar/Townsend Institutional Real Estate Fund Inc. or NorthStar/Townsend Investment submitted a registration statement on Form N-2 to the SEC in October 2016. NorthStar/Townsend Investment seeks to raise up to $1 billion in a public offering of common stock. NorthStar/Townsend Investment is a continuously offered, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that is operated as an interval fund that intends to elect to be taxed as a REIT. NorthStar/Townsend Investment intends to invest in institutional quality real estate and real estate-related investments with institutional investors. NorthStar/Townsend Investment intends to engage Townsend as its sub-advisor to manage investments. Any asset management and other fees paid by NorthStar/Townsend Investment will be shared between us and Townsend, as co-advisors. We expect NorthStar/Townsend Investment to begin raising capital in the first half 2017.
Distribution Support
NorthStar Realty committed to invest up to $10 million in each of our Retail Companies that are in their offering stage. In addition, pursuant to the management agreement between us and NorthStar Realty, NorthStar Realty will commit up to $10 million for distribution support in the event that the Retail Companies’ distributions to stockholders exceed certain measures of operating performance, in any Retail Company that we may sponsor, up to a total of five new companies per year.
The distribution support agreement related to NorthStar/RXR New York Metro is an obligation of both NorthStar Realty and RXR Realty, where each agreed to purchase up to an aggregate of $10 million in Class A common stock during the two-year period following commencement of the offering, with NorthStar Realty and RXR Realty agreeing to purchase 75% and 25% of any shares purchased, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2015, NorthStar Realty and RXR Realty purchased 0.2 million shares of NorthStar/RXR New York Metro common stock for $2 million in the aggregate.
The distribution support agreement related to NorthStar Corporate Fund is an obligation of both NorthStar Realty and Och-Ziff, where each agreed to purchase up to an aggregate of $10 million in common stock, of which $1 million was contributed by each as seed capital, during the two-year period following commencement of the offering, with NorthStar Realty and Och-Ziff agreeing to equally purchase any shares. For the quarter ended March 31, 2016, NorthStar Realty and Och-Ziff purchased 0.2 million shares of NorthStar Corporate Fund common stock for $2 million in the aggregate.
The distribution support agreement related to NorthStar Capital Fund is an obligation of NorthStar Realty to purchase up to $10 million in common stock during the two-year period following commencement of the offering. For the quarter ended March 31, 2016, NorthStar Realty purchased 0.2 million shares of NorthStar Capital Fund common stock for $2 million.
We expect Colony NorthStar to continue the distribution support obligations following the closing of the Mergers.
Payment of Costs and Expenses and Expense Allocation
In addition, we are entitled to certain expense allocations for costs paid on behalf of our Retail Companies which include: (i) reimbursement for organization and offering costs such as professional fees and other costs associated with the formation and offering of the Retail Company; and (ii) reimbursement for direct and indirect operating costs such as certain salaries, equity-based compensation and professional and other costs such as rental and occupancy, technology, office supplies, travel and entertainment and other general and administrative costs and expenses associated with managing the operations of the Retail Company. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, we allocated $7 million and $24 million of expense related to the Retail Companies. Such amounts are recorded net in general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations.

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The following table presents a summary of the expense arrangements with our current Retail Companies, which are effective: 
 
 
NorthStar Income
 
NorthStar Healthcare
 
NorthStar Income II
 
NorthStar/RXR New York Metro
 
NorthStar Corporate Fund
 
NorthStar Capital Fund
Organization and offering costs(1)
 
$11.0 million(2)
 
$11.9 million(2)
 
$12.3 million(2)
 
$30.0 million, or 1.5% of the proceeds expected to be raised from the offering(4)
 
$29.0 million, or 1.0% of the proceeds expected to be raised from the offering(4)
 
$29.0 million, or 1.0% of the proceeds expected to be raised from the offering(4)
Operating costs(3)
 
Greater of 2.0% of its average invested assets or 25.0% of its net income (net of 1.25% asset management fee)
 
Greater of 2.0% of its average invested assets or 25.0% of its net income (net of 1.00% asset management fee)
 
Greater of 2.0% of its average invested assets or 25.0% of its net income (net of 1.25% asset management fee)
 
Greater of 2.0% of its average invested assets or 25.0% of its net income (net of 1.25% asset management fee)
 
Administrative expenses reimbursable subject to certain restrictions
 
Administrative expenses reimbursable subject to certain restrictions
__________________
(1)
Represents reimbursement for organization and offering costs paid on behalf of our Retail Companies in connection with their respective offerings. We are facilitating the payment of organization and offering costs on behalf of our Retail Companies.
(2)
Represents the total expense allocation for organization and offering costs through the end of the offering period in July 2013 for NorthStar Income, January 2016 for NorthStar Healthcare and through September 2016 for NorthStar Income II.
(3)
Calculated based on the four preceding fiscal quarters not to exceed the greater of: (i) 2.0% of each Retail Company’s average invested assets; or (ii) 25.0% of each Retail Company’s net income determined without reduction for any additions to reserves for depreciation, loan losses or other similar non-cash reserves and excluding any gain from the sale of assets for that period.
(4)
Excludes shares being offered pursuant to distribution reinvestment plans.
Institutional Capital - Townsend
Townsend generated management, advisory and incentive fees of $17.0 million and $46.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and from the Townsend Acquisition Date through September 30, 2016, respectively. We were also entitled to $1.8 million of management and other fees from January 14, 2016 to the Townsend Acquisition Date, which was recorded net of operating expenses in other income.
Certain contracts contain provisions to reimburse Townsend for expenses incurred on behalf of its clients such as legal due diligence and investment advisory team travel expenses. For the three months ended September 30, 2016 and for the period from the Townsend Acquisition Date through September 30, 2016, we recorded $0.6 million and $1.6 million, respectively, in both other income and other expenses related to such reimbursements.
Sources of Operating Revenues and Cash Flows
We primarily generate revenue from asset management and other fee income pursuant to contractual arrangements with our Managed Companies and effective January 29, 2016, we began generating revenue from asset management and other fee income from Townsend. We also generate revenue from commission income from selling equity in our Retail Companies. Additionally, we record equity in earnings (losses) and receive distributions from our investments in unconsolidated ventures.
Profitability and Performance Metrics
We calculate certain metrics to evaluate the profitability and performance of our business.
CAD is a non-GAAP measure that provides investors and management with a meaningful indicator of operating performance (refer to “Non-GAAP Financial Measure” for a description of this metric); and
Our ability to raise capital for our Managed Companies, which in turn grows the assets of our Managed Companies, is a driver of our ability to grow our fee income.
The ability of Townsend to expand its advisory client base and fund management business, which in turn grows our institutional assets under management, is a driver of our ability to grow our fee income.
Outlook and Recent Trends
We and the assets of our Managed Companies are impacted by global, domestic, regional and local market and economic conditions. Historically, we have principally focused on domestic real estate investment platforms and companies. Over time, we have expanded internationally and may in the future expand the breadth of our business beyond the real estate asset class which may be accelerated after the closing of the Mergers. The interconnected nature of today’s economy exposes our business to global markets and economic conditions and changes in these areas, although not directly related to our business, may have a significant impact.
The U.S. economy demonstrated improvement in 2015, which prompted the Federal Reserve in December 2015 to raise the Federal Funds Rate for the first time in nine years. The U.S. economy has continued to show strength throughout 2016 with approximately 5% unemployment and positive trends in the housing market. Despite this, concerns still remain regarding low inflation in the United States, a stronger U.S. dollar, oil price instability, slow U.S. GDP and global growth, the U.S. Presidential election and

50


increasing international market volatility. Many other global central banks have been easing monetary policy to combat low inflation and stagnant growth and the Federal Reserve is signaling that it may further adjust the Federal Funds Rate in 2016, especially in light of certain global events described below.
In June 2016, a non-binding referendum was passed in the United Kingdom supporting the exit from the European Union which in turn resulted in considerable instability to global markets and currencies, especially European markets, the U.K.’s economy and the British Pound Sterling which has continued to devalue. In addition, dramatic political change in the United Kingdom has resulted including the election of a new Prime Minister in July 2016. Much uncertainty remains as to the process for a potential March 2017 start to “Brexit” and the long-term impacts to the global, European and British economies. Sovereign banks have been actively easing monetary policy resulting in sustained low-to-negative interest rate environments, while several key global economies, including England, Germany and Japan, have recently reached positive interest rate territory in the benchmark 10-year paper. The Bank of England and other central banks remain poised for further monetary and financial policy action should the U.K.’s economy enter a downturn or as a tool to encourage positive economic growth. Despite the unexpected result of the referendum, markets have generally continued to function properly and in some cases recovered from the initial shock (e.g., U.S. equity markets). The potential for ongoing volatility and uncertainty resulting from “Brexit” and other geopolitical or financial unrest may have a significant impact on the overall global economic environment.
Given these influences and resulting market conditions at the end of 2015 and throughout 2016, our NorthStar Listed Companies have been constrained by their inability to access the capital markets. Following the NSAM Spin-off, our assets under management grew substantially in part because of the significant capital raising activity at NorthStar Realty. Sustained volatility in the capital markets has diminished our NorthStar Listed Companies’ capital raising activity and this environment could continue for an extended period of time.
CRE fundamentals remain relatively healthy across U.S. property types. Investor demand in 2015 for commercial real estate increased transaction activity and prices as rent and vacancy fundamentals improved across most property sectors. Private capital investment remained aggressive throughout 2015 and, although public markets slowed at the beginning of 2016, continued to remain aggressive throughout 2016, leading to continued appreciation in real estate values. However, property price appreciation has slowed and there is speculation that certain markets may be entering the late stage of the current real estate cycle and, in some markets, rent growth and capitalization rate compression has started to slow. One of the factors that may contribute to periodic volatility in the commercial real estate market is the large amount of maturing commercial real estate debt that may have difficulties being refinanced. Approximately $1.4 trillion of commercial real estate debt in the United States is scheduled to mature through 2018. While there appears to be a supply of available liquidity to satisfy many of these maturities, 2016 private-label CMBS year-to-date is 43% compared to the same period in 2015 and industry experts estimate a projected total origination volume of approximately $65 billion for 2016 versus volume of $95 billion in 2015. Despite non-traditional lenders significantly increasing loan origination volumes, this trend is potentially one symptom that could point to broader difficulties in the ability of the market to refinance the large amount of maturing real estate debt and may lead to a negative impact on the overall real estate market.
As an active asset manager of capital raised in the retail market, historically focusing on the non-traded sector, we are continually monitoring retail market fundamentals and trends and use the non-traded REIT market as a proxy for our overall retail business. Non-traded REIT capital raising was down year over year by 20% in 2014 (with approximately $16 billion in equity raised) and 36% in 2015. We were able to gain market share with our non-traded REITs during this time, having a 7% market share in 2014 increasing to 13% in 2015. In April 2016, the retail industry experienced the implementation of FINRA 15-02 related to disclosure on broker-dealer account statements and the final ruling of the U.S. Department of Labor’s “fiduciary” standard for retirement accounts. Although the final fiduciary rule was more favorable to both sponsors and broker-dealers in the retail industry than initial proposals, the impact of both of these events has been a sharp decline in capital raising in the retail market as evidenced by the overall non-traded REIT capital raising being down 55% year-to-date through September 2016 compared to the same period in 2015. We have seen our sales decline in 2016 as a result. However, we anticipate the overall market and opportunity for retail products to improve as it adapts to these changes and we expect to continue to gain market share as our institutional-quality sponsorship, rapidly broadening product line and innovative structures create opportunities to differentiate our platform from other sponsors in the retail industry and access broader pools of capital than has historically been available to us. We believe this opportunity will be enhanced once the Mergers have closed.
Due to our expertise, track record and industry relationships, we continue to see a robust pipeline of investment opportunities that have credit qualities and yield profiles that are consistent with our underwriting standards and that we believe offer the opportunity to meet or exceed our Managed Companies targeted risk/return profiles thereby increasing our assets under management and fee income. We also believe the opportunity exists to accelerate our growth through accretive investments in third party asset managers. Additionally, we will take advantage of opportunities to optimize the portfolios of our Managed Companies and seek to lock in value through opportunistic dispositions and/or selling minority interests in certain assets/portfolios while redeploying realized capital in accretive transactions. While we remain optimistic that we will continue to be able to generate and capitalize on attractive acquisition and disposition opportunities and that such opportunities will be enhanced by the Mergers, there is no assurance that will be the case.

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Financing Strategy
Our organizational documents do not limit our capacity to use leverage or the amount we may use. Our financing objective is to manage our capital structure effectively in order to provide sufficient capital to execute our business strategies and in turn create value for stockholders. We seek to access a wide range of secured and unsecured debt and public and private equity capital sources to fund our investment activities, including repurchases of our common stock. In November 2015, in connection with the Townsend acquisition, we simultaneously obtained a commitment for a $500 million term loan and entered into a $100 million revolving credit agreement, both of which were used to fund the transaction and for general corporate purposes, including repurchases of our common stock. Upon the closing of Townsend, we entered into the $500 million term loan and used the proceeds to repay the revolving credit agreement and for general corporate purposes. In connection with the term loan, we obtained corporate issuer and issue credit ratings from Standard & Poor’s Rating Services, or S&P, and Moody’s Investor Service, or Moody’s, of BBB- and Ba2, respectively. We may, from time to time, use derivative instruments primarily to manage interest rate risk. We do not intend to use derivatives to speculate.
Portfolio Management
Credit risk management is our ability to manage our investments and investments of our Managed Companies in a manner that preserves capital and income and minimizes losses that would decrease income. Upon commencement of operations, we perform portfolio management on behalf of our Managed Companies. We maintain a comprehensive portfolio management process that generally includes day-to-day oversight by the portfolio management and servicing team, regular management meetings and an exhaustive quarterly credit review process. These processes are designed to enable management to evaluate and proactively identify asset-specific credit issues and trends on a portfolio-wide basis. Nevertheless, we cannot be certain that such review will identify all issues within the portfolios of our Managed Companies due to, among other things, adverse economic conditions or events adversely affecting specific assets; therefore, potential future losses at our Managed Companies may also stem from investments that are not identified during these credit reviews. We use many methods to actively manage the assets of our Managed Companies such as frequent re-underwriting, dialogue with borrowers/tenants/operators/partners and regular inspections of our Managed Companies’ collateral, modification to debt terms, taking title to collateral or selling assets when we can obtain a price that is attractive relative to its risk. In addition, we seek to utilize services of certain strategic partnerships and joint ventures with third parties with expertise in commercial real estate or other sectors and markets to assist our portfolio management of our Managed Companies. The portfolio management team, under the direction of the Investment Committee, uses many methods to actively manage our asset base to preserve our income and capital.
Critical Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation
Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc., NorthStar Asset Management Group Limited Partnership, or our Operating Partnership, and their consolidated subsidiaries. We consolidate variable interest entities, or VIEs, where we are the primary beneficiary and voting interest entities which are generally majority owned or otherwise controlled by us. All significant intercompany balances are eliminated in consolidation.
Variable Interest Entities
A VIE is an entity that lacks one or more of the characteristics of a voting interest entity. A VIE is defined as an entity in which equity investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. The determination of whether an entity is a VIE includes both a qualitative and quantitative analysis. We base the qualitative analysis on our review of the design of the entity, its organizational structure including decision-making ability and relevant financial agreements and the quantitative analysis on the forecasted cash flow of the entity.
We reassess the initial evaluation of an entity as a VIE upon the occurrence of certain reconsideration events.
A VIE must be consolidated only by its primary beneficiary, which is defined as the party who, along with its affiliates and agents has both the: (i) power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance; and (ii) obligation to absorb the losses of the VIE or the right to receive the benefits from the VIE, which could be significant to the VIE. We determine whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE by considering qualitative and quantitative factors, including, but not limited to: which activities most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and which party controls such activities; the amount and characteristics of its investment; the obligation or likelihood for us or other interests to provide financial support; consideration of the VIE’s purpose and design, including the risks the VIE was designed to create and pass through to its variable interest holders and the similarity with and significance to our business activities and the other interests. We reassess the determination of whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE each reporting period. Significant judgments related to these determinations include estimates about the current and future fair value and performance of investments held by these VIEs and general market conditions.

52


We evaluate our Managed Companies, investments in unconsolidated ventures and securitization financing transactions to which we are the special servicer to determine whether they are a VIE. We analyze new investments and financings, as well as reconsideration events for existing investments and financings, which vary depending on type of investment or financing.
Voting Interest Entities
A voting interest entity is an entity in which the total equity investment at risk is sufficient to enable it to finance its activities independently and the equity holders have the power to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact its economic performance, the obligation to absorb the losses of the entity and the right to receive the residual returns of the entity. The usual condition for a controlling financial interest in a voting interest entity is ownership of a majority voting interest. If we have a majority voting interest in a voting interest entity, the entity will generally be consolidated. We do not consolidate a voting interest entity if there are substantive participating rights by other parties and/or kick-out rights by a single party or through a simple majority vote.
We perform on-going reassessments of whether entities previously evaluated under the voting interest framework have become VIEs, based on certain events, and therefore subject to the VIE consolidation framework.
Investments in Unconsolidated Ventures
A non-controlling, unconsolidated ownership interest in an entity may be accounted for using the equity method, at fair value or the cost method.
Under the equity method, the investment is adjusted each period for capital contributions and distributions and its share of the entity’s net income (loss). Capital contributions, distributions and net income (loss) of such entities are recorded in accordance with the terms of the governing documents. An allocation of net income (loss) may differ from the stated ownership percentage interest in such entity as a result of a preferred return and allocation formula, if any, as described in such governing documents.
We may account for an investment in an unconsolidated entity at fair value by electing the fair value option. We may record the change in fair value for our share of the projected future cash flow or may follow the practical expedient of the net asset value of the underlying fund investment based on the most recent available information, which is generally on a one quarter lag. We will record the change from one period to another in equity in earnings (losses) from unconsolidated ventures in the consolidated statements of operations. Any change in fair value attributed to market related assumptions is considered unrealized gain (loss).
We may account for an investment that does not qualify for equity method accounting or for which the fair value option was not elected using the cost method if we determine the investment in the unconsolidated entity is insignificant. Under the cost method, equity in earnings is recorded as dividends are received to the extent they are not considered a return of capital, which is recorded as a reduction of cost of the investment.
We review our investments in unconsolidated ventures for which we did not elect the fair value option on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as necessary, to assess whether there are any indicators that the value may be impaired or that its carrying value may not be recoverable. An investment is considered impaired if the projected net recoverable amount over the expected holding period is less than the carrying value. In conducting this review, we consider U.S. and global macroeconomic factors, including real estate sector conditions, together with investment specific and other factors. To the extent an impairment has occurred and is considered to be other than temporary, the loss is measured as the excess of the carrying value of the investment over the estimated fair value and recorded in equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated ventures in the consolidated statements of operations.
Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that could affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates and assumptions.
Business Combinations
The Company accounts for purchases of assets that qualify as business combinations using the acquisition method where the purchase price is allocated to tangible and intangible assets acquired based on estimated fair value. The excess of the fair value of purchase consideration over the fair value of these identifiable assets is recorded as goodwill. Such valuation requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions, especially with respect to intangible assets including, but not limited to, customer relationships, acquired technology and trade names. Management’s estimate of fair value is based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable, but which are inherently uncertain and unpredictable and, as a result, actual results may differ materially from estimates. During the measurement period, which is one year from the acquisition date, we may record adjustments to the assets acquired, with the corresponding offset to goodwill. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period, any subsequent adjustments are recorded in earnings.

53


Intangible Assets
We record acquired identified intangibles, which includes intangible assets (such as goodwill and other intangibles), based on estimated fair value. Other intangible assets are amortized into depreciation and amortization expense on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life, reflecting the manner in which the related benefit is expected to be realized.
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net tangible and intangible assets acquired in a business combination and is not amortized. We perform an annual impairment test for goodwill and evaluates the recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of goodwill may not be fully recoverable. In making such assessment, qualitative factors are used to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, then an impairment loss is recorded.
Revenue Recognition
Asset Management and Other Fees
Asset management and other fees include base and incentive fees earned from NorthStar Listed Companies, acquisition, disposition and other fees earned from the Retail Companies and fees earned from clients and limited partners of Townsend. Asset management and other fees are recognized based on contractual terms specified in the underlying governing documents in the periods during which the related services are performed and the amounts have been contractually earned. Incentive fees and payments are recognized subject to the achievement of return hurdles in accordance with the respective terms set forth in the governing documents. Incentive fees that are subject to contingent repayment are not recognized as revenue until all related contingencies have been resolved.
Selling Commission and Dealer Manager Fees and Commission Expense
Selling commission and dealer manager fees represent income earned by us for selling equity in our Retail Companies through NorthStar Securities. Selling commission, dealer manager fees and commission expense are accrued on a trade date basis.
Fair Value Measurement
We follow fair value guidance in accordance with U.S. GAAP to account for our financial instruments. We categorize our financial instruments, based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique, into a three-level fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3).
Financial assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value on our consolidated balance sheets and are categorized based on the inputs to the valuation techniques as follows:
Level 1.
Quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market.
Level 2.
Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on the following:
(a)
Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets.
(b)
Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets.
(c)
Pricing models whose inputs are observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
(d)
Pricing models whose inputs are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
Level 3.
Prices or valuation techniques based on inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair
value measurement.
Financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Management determines the prices are representative of fair value through a review of available data, including observable inputs, recent transactions as well as our knowledge and experience of the market.
Securities
We elected to apply the fair value option for our securities investments. Any unrealized gain (loss) from the change in fair value is recorded in unrealized gains (losses) on investments and other in the consolidated statements of operations. Dividend income is recorded in other income in the consolidated statements of operations.

54


Equity-Based Compensation
We account for equity-based compensation awards, including awards granted to co-employees, using the fair value method, which requires an estimate of the fair value of the award. Awards may be based on a variety of measures such as time, performance, market or a combination thereof. For time-based awards, fair value is determined based on the stock price on the grant date. We recognize compensation expense over the vesting period on a straight-line basis. For performance-based awards, fair value is determined based on the stock price at the date of grant and an estimate of the probable achievement of such measure. We recognize compensation expense over the requisite service period, net of estimated forfeitures, using the accelerated attribution expense method. For market-based measures, fair value is determined using a Monte Carlo analysis under a risk-neutral premise using a risk-free interest rate. We recognize compensation expense over the requisite service period, net of estimated forfeitures, on a straight-line basis.
For awards with a combination of performance or market measures, we estimate the fair value as if it were two separate awards. First, we estimate the probability of achieving the performance measure. If it is not probable the performance condition will be met, we recognize the compensation expense based on the fair value of the market measure, as described above. This expense is recorded even if the market-based measure is never met. If the performance-based measure is subsequently estimated to be achieved, we record compensation expense based on the performance-based measure. We would then record a cumulative catch-up adjustment for any additional compensation expense.
Equity-based compensation issued to non-employees is accounted for using the fair value of the award at the earlier of the performance commitment date or performance completion date. The awards are remeasured every quarter based on the stock price as of the end of the reporting period until such awards vest, if any.
Foreign Currency
Assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency for which the functional currency is a foreign currency are translated using the currency exchange rate in effect at the end of the period presented and the results of operations for such entities are translated into U.S. dollars using the average currency exchange rate in effect during the period. The resulting foreign currency translation adjustment is recorded as a component of accumulated OCI in the consolidated statements of equity.
Assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency for which the functional currency is the U.S. dollar are remeasured using the currency exchange rate in effect at the end of the period presented and the results of operations for such entities are remeasured into U.S. dollars using the spot currency exchange rate at the time of the transaction. The resulting foreign currency remeasurement adjustment is recorded in unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency in the consolidated statements of operations.
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
We report consolidated comprehensive income (loss) in a separate statement following the consolidated statements of operations. Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as a change in equity resulting from net income (loss) and OCI. The component of OCI includes an adjustment for foreign currency translation.
Income Taxes
Certain of our subsidiaries are subject to taxation by federal, state, local and foreign authorities for the periods presented. On March 13, 2015, we restructured forming our Operating Partnership under Delaware law, by converting an existing limited liability company disregarded as separate from us for federal income tax purposes to a Delaware limited partnership and admitting as limited partners LTIP Unit holders. The Operating Partnership is taxed as a partnership for federal income tax purposes and consequently, its items of income gain, loss, deduction and credit are passed through to, and included in, the taxable income of each of its partners including us. For the period prior to March 13, 2015, we and our U.S. subsidiaries filed consolidated federal income tax returns. Income taxes are accounted for by the asset/liability approach in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Deferred taxes, if any, represent the expected future tax consequences when the reported amounts of assets and liabilities are recovered or paid. Such amounts arise from differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are adjusted for changes in tax laws and tax rates in the period which such changes are enacted. A provision for income tax represents the total of income taxes paid or payable for the current period, plus the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued an accounting update requiring a company to recognize as revenue the amount of consideration it expects to be entitled to in connection with the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The accounting standard update will replace most of the existing revenue recognition guidance currently promulgated by U.S. GAAP. In July 2015, the FASB decided to delay the effective date of the new revenue standard by one year. The effective date of the new revenue standard for us will be January 1, 2018. We are evaluating the impact, if any, of the update on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and financial statement disclosures.

55


In February 2015, the FASB issued updated guidance that changes the rules regarding consolidation. The pronouncement eliminates specialized guidance for limited partnerships and similar legal entities and removes the indefinite deferral for certain investment funds. The new guidance is effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. We adopted this guidance in the first quarter 2016 and determined our Operating Partnership is considered a VIE. We are the primary beneficiary of the VIE, the VIE’s assets can be used for purposes other than the settlement of the VIE’s obligations and our partnership interest is considered a majority voting interest. As such, this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
In May 2015, the FASB issued updated guidance that removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2015 and should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. Early adoption is permitted. In the first quarter 2016, we adopted this guidance and, as a result, the fair value of our interest in real estate private equity funds sponsored by Townsend, or the Townsend Funds, of $21.4 million is not included in Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2016. We did not have any investments measured using net asset value as of December 31, 2015.
In January 2016, the FASB issued an accounting update that addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. We are evaluating the impact, if any, that this guidance will have on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and financial statement disclosures.
In February 2016, the FASB issued an accounting update that requires lessees to present right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet. The new guidance is to be applied using a modified retrospective approach at the beginning of the earliest comparative period in the financial statements and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We are evaluating the impact, if any, that this guidance will have on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and financial statement disclosures.
In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance which eliminates the requirement for an investor to retroactively apply the equity method when its increase in ownership interest (or degree of influence) in an investee triggers equity method accounting. The update requires that the equity method investor add the cost of acquiring the additional interest in the investee to the current basis of the investor’s previously held interest and adopt the equity method of accounting as of the date the investment become qualified for equity method accounting. The update should be applied prospectively upon their effective date to increases in the level of ownership interests or degree of influence that results in the adoption of the equity method. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We have concluded that this guidance will not have any impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or financial statement disclosures.
In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance which amends several aspects of the accounting for equity-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and classification on the statements of cash flows. The guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. We are evaluating the impact, if any, that this guidance will have on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and financial statement disclosures.
In June 2016, the FASB issued guidance which changes how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments, including trade and other receivables, that are not measured at fair value through net income. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. We are evaluating the impact, if any, that this guidance will have on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and financial statement disclosures.
In September 2016, the FASB issued final amendments to clarify how entities should classify certain cash receipts and cash payments in the consolidated statement of cash flows as they may have aspects of more than one class of cash flows. The guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. We are evaluating the impact, if any, that this guidance will have in our consolidated statement of cash flows.

56


Results of Operations
Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 to September 30, 2015 (dollars in thousands):
The following table represents our results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (dollars in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
Amount
 
%
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset management and other fees
 
$
89,977

 
$
78,994

 
$
10,983

 
13.9
 %
Selling commission and dealer manager fees
 
3,856

 
29,104

 
(25,248
)
 
(86.8
)%
Other income
 
1,669

 
17

 
1,652

 
9,717.6
 %
Total revenues
 
95,502

 
108,115

 
(12,613
)
 
(11.7
)%
Expenses
 
 
 


 

 

Commission expense
 
3,608

 
26,978

 
(23,370
)
 
(86.6
)%
Interest expense
 
6,882

 

 
6,882

 
100.0
 %
Transaction costs
 
7,054

 
492

 
6,562

 
1,333.7
 %
Other expenses
 
2,013

 
1,275

 
738

 
57.9
 %
General and administrative expenses
 
 
 


 

 
 
Compensation expense
 
36,418

 
33,406

 
3,012

 
9.0
 %
Other general and administrative expenses
 
10,259

 
7,564

 
2,695

 
35.6
 %
Total general and administrative expenses
 
46,677

 
40,970

 
5,707

 
13.9
 %
Depreciation and amortization
 
2,910

 
478

 
2,432

 
508.8
 %
Total expenses
 
69,144

 
70,193

 
(1,049
)

(1.5
)%
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments and other
 
5,105

 
(137
)
 
5,242

 
(3,826.3
)%
Income (loss) before equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated ventures and income tax benefit (expense)
 
31,463

 
37,785

 
(6,322
)
 
(16.7
)%
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated ventures
 
188

 
(56
)
 
244

 
(435.7
)%
Income (loss) before income tax benefit (expense)
 
31,651

 
37,729

 
(6,078
)
 
(16.1
)%
Income tax benefit (expense)
 
(5,708
)
 
3,825

 
(9,533
)
 
(249.2
)%
Net income (loss)
 
$
25,943

 
$
41,554

 
$
(15,611
)
 
(37.6
)%
Asset Management and Other Fees
The following table presents asset management and other fees earned from our Managed Companies and Townsend (dollars in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
NorthStar Listed Companies:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Base fee
 
$
50,319

 
$
48,984

 
$
1,335

 
Incentive fee
 

 
2,300

 
(2,300
)
 
Subtotal NorthStar Listed Companies(1)
 
50,319

 
51,284

 
(965
)
 
Retail Companies:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset management fees
 
18,194

 
15,595

 
2,599

(2) 
Acquisition fees
 
3,170

 
11,123

 
(7,953
)
(3) 
Disposition fees
 
1,285

 
992

 
293

 
Subtotal Retail Companies
 
22,649

 
27,710

 
(5,061
)
 
Institutional Capital - Townsend:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management fees
 
14,932

 

 
14,932

(4) 
Incentive fees
 
2,077

 

 
2,077

(4) 
Subtotal Institutional Capital - Townsend
 
17,009

 

 
17,009

 
Total
 
$
89,977

 
$
78,994

 
$
10,983

 
__________________
(1)
We began earning fees from NorthStar Europe on November 1, 2015.
(2)
The increase was driven by the growth in assets of our Retail Companies. As of September 30, 2016 and 2015, our Retail Companies held total investments of $7.0 billion and $5.7 billion, respectively.
(3)
The decrease was due to less investment activity of our Retail Companies for the third quarter 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015, with investment activity of $26.5 million at NorthStar Income and $463.5 million at NorthStar Income II.

57


(4)
We began earning fees on the Townsend Acquisition Date.
Selling Commission and Dealer Manager Fees
We earn net commission income through NorthStar Securities for selling equity in our Retail Companies.
Selling commission and dealer manager fees represent fees earned for selling equity in our Retail Companies through NorthStar Securities. Our Retail Companies offer various share class structures which have a range of selling commissions and dealer manager fees:
Class A shares: selling commissions of up to 7% of gross offering proceeds raised and dealer manager fee of up to 3% of gross offering proceeds raised.
Class T shares: selling commissions of up to 2% of gross offering proceeds raised and dealer manager fee of up to 2.75% of gross offering proceeds raised.
Class D shares: no selling commissions and dealer manager fees of up to 2% of gross offering proceeds raised.
Class I Shares: no selling commissions or dealer manager fees.
All or a portion of the dealer manager fees may be reallowed to participating broker-dealers and paid to certain employees of NorthStar Securities.
Certain of our Retail Companies’ share classes, and currently the T share class, may include a trail commission commonly described as a distribution fee that are paid over time, of up to 1% per annum, to our dealer manager of which all or a portion may be reallowed to participating broker-dealers for ongoing investor services.
We continue to observe the market and may modify existing share classes or introduce a new share class to our Retail Companies in the future.
Selling commission and dealer manager fees decreased for the three months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 mostly due to: (i) lower capital raising activity as NorthStar Healthcare completed its follow-on offering in January 2016 and lower capital raising activity of NorthStar Income II; and (ii) raising capital from the sale of Class T shares which has lower selling commissions and dealer manager fee than Class A shares.
The following table presents equity raised by our Retail Companies for the periods presented (dollars in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,(1)
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
NorthStar Income
 
$
10,902

 
$
11,059

 
NorthStar Healthcare
 
17,131

 
195,405

(2) 
NorthStar Income II
 
62,982

 
120,201

(3) 
NorthStar/RXR New York Metro
 
1,566

 

(4) 
Total
 
$
92,581

 
$
326,665

 
_________________
(1)
Includes capital raised through distribution reinvestment plans of $36.4 million and $29.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, for which NorthStar Securities did not earn commission income.
(2)
NorthStar Healthcare successfully completed its follow-on public offering on January 19, 2016. Equity raised for the third quarter 2016 represents proceeds from NorthStar Healthcare’s distribution reinvestment plan for which NorthStar Securities did not earn commission income.
(3)
For the three months ended September 30, 2016, we raised gross offering proceeds of $21.9 million from the sale of Class A shares, $32.7 million from the sale of Class T shares and $8.4 million from shares issued as part of distribution reinvestment plans. For the three months ended September 30, 2015, we raised gross offering proceeds of $114.5 million from the sale of Class A shares and $5.7 million from shares issued as part of distribution reinvestment plans.
(4)
In December 2015, NorthStar Realty and RXR Realty satisfied NorthStar/RXR New York Metro’s minimum offering amount and began raising capital during the second quarter 2016. We expect the capital raise to accelerate in the short-term.
Other Income
Other income includes $1.1 million of dividend income earned from common stock owned in NorthStar Listed Companies and $0.6 million of reimbursable expenses related to Townsend.
Expenses
Commission Expense
Commission expense represents fees to participating broker-dealers with whom we have selling agreements to raise capital for our Retail Companies and commissions to employees of NorthStar Securities. For the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, we paid $0.6 million and $3.2 million, respectively, to NorthStar Securities employees. Selling commission and dealer

58


manager fees decreased for the three months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 mostly due to: (i) lower capital raising activity as NorthStar Healthcare completed its follow-on offering in January 2016 and lower capital raising activity of NorthStar Income II; and (ii) raising capital from the sale of Class T shares which has lower selling commissions and dealer manager fee than Class A shares.
Interest Expense
Interest expense relates to our term loan that we entered into in January 2016 in our corporate segment.
Transaction Costs
Transaction costs represent costs such as professional fees associated with new investments, merger related costs, dead deal costs and restructuring costs which are related to specific transactions. For the three months ended September 30, 2016, transaction costs of $7.1 million primarily related to the Mergers in our corporate segment. For the three months ended September 30, 2015, transaction costs represent costs such as professional fees associated with the acquisition of our interest in Townsend in our direct investments segment.
Other Expenses
Other expenses increased primarily due to $0.6 million of reimbursable expenses related to Townsend in our direct investments segment and $1.0 million of incremental base management fees to AHI in our corporate segment.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses are principally incurred at the corporate level except as it relates to direct compensation expenses and other costs incurred at NorthStar Securities, which is part of our broker-dealer segment and Townsend, which is part of our direct investments segment. In addition, the amount of general and administrative expenses reflects an offset from an allocation of costs of $6.6 million to our Retail Companies for the three months ended September 30, 2016. General and administrative expenses increased $5.7 million primarily attributable to the following:
The following table presents compensation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (dollars in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
Salaries and related expenses
 
$
21,651

 
$
18,848

 
$
2,803

Equity-based compensation expense
 
14,767

 
14,558

 
209

Total
 
$
36,418

 
$
33,406

 
$
3,012

Compensation expense increased $3.0 million primarily due to the acquisition of Townsend, hiring additional employees for increased activity at our Managed Companies and a decrease in allocation of costs to our Managed Companies.
Equity-based compensation expense is comprised of (dollars in thousands):
 
 
Time-Based Awards
 
Performance-Based Awards
 
Total
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
NSAM spin grants(1)
 
$
2,008

 
$
3,889

 
$
3,711

 
$
3,756

 
$
5,719

 
$
7,645

NSAM bonus plan
 
4,876

 
2,702

 
1,190

 
888

 
6,066

 
3,590

NorthStar Realty bonus plan(2)
 
1,904

 
2,246

 
598

 
977

 
2,502

 
3,223

Townsend grants
 
371

 

 

 

 
371

 

Dividends to non-employees
 
109

 
100

 

 

 
109

 
100

Total
 
$
9,268

 
$
8,937

 
$
5,499

 
$
5,621

 
$
14,767


$
14,558

__________________
(1)
Represents equity-based compensation expense for one-time grants issued related to the NSAM Spin-off. Certain awards had performance-based conditions which were met upon issuance, and accordingly, are included in time-based awards as they are only currently subject to continued employment conditions.
(2)
Represents equity-based compensation expense related to annual grants issued by NorthStar Realty prior to the NSAM Spin-off.
Other general and administrative expenses increased $2.7 million primarily due to the acquisition of Townsend, increased professional fees and a decrease in allocation of costs to our Managed Companies.

59


Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments and Other
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments and other is primarily related to the non-cash change in fair value for our investment in the NorthStar Listed Companies common stock.
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated ventures
The following table presents equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated ventures for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (dollars in thousands):
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
Acquisition Date
 
Operating Income (Loss)
 
Non-cash Income (Expense)
 
Equity in Earnings (Losses)
 
Operating Income (Loss)
 
Non-cash Income (Expense)
 
Equity in Earnings (Losses)
Investment
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AHI Interest
 
Dec-14
 
$
1,770

 
$
(3,246
)
(1) 
$
(1,476
)
 
$
651

 
$
(2,492
)
(1) 
$
(1,841
)
Island Interest
 
Jan-15
 
1,852

 
(454
)
(2) 
1,398

 
1,955

 

 
1,955

Distributed Finance
 
Jun-14
 

 

 

 
(170
)
 

 
(170
)
Total
 
 
 
$
3,622

 
$
(3,700
)
 
$
(78
)
(3) 
$
2,436

 
$
(2,492
)
 
$
(56
)
__________________
(1)
Includes equity-based compensation expense and depreciation and amortization.
(2)
Represents depreciation and amortization.
(3)
Excludes our portion of equity in earnings (losses) from the Townsend Funds of $0.3 million.
Income Tax Benefit (Expense)
The change for the three months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 is primarily due to the distribution of earnings between tax jurisdictions, interest expense on the Term Loan and additional deductions related to the acquisition of Townsend.
Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 to September 30, 2015 (dollars in thousands):
The following table represents our results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (dollars in thousands):
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
Amount
 
%
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset management and other fees
 
$
276,339

 
$
230,731

 
$
45,608

 
19.8
 %
Selling commission and dealer manager fees
 
15,115

 
87,364

 
(72,249
)
 
(82.7
)%
Other income
 
7,569

 
851

 
6,718

 
789.4
 %
Total revenues
 
299,023

 
318,946

 
(19,923
)
 
(6.2
)%
Expenses
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
Commission expense
 
14,025

 
81,011

 
(66,986
)
 
(82.7
)%
Interest expense
 
18,968

 

 
18,968

 
100.0
 %
Transaction costs
 
32,127

 
867

 
31,260

 
3,605.5
 %
Other expenses
 
5,461

 
1,744

 
3,717

 
213.1
 %
General and administrative expenses
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
Compensation expense
 
107,547

 
91,876

 
15,671

 
17.1
 %
Other general and administrative expenses
 
31,180

 
22,924

 
8,256

 
36.0
 %
Total general and administrative expenses
 
138,727

 
114,800

 
23,927

 
20.8
 %
Depreciation and amortization
 
7,355

 
1,362

 
5,993

 
440.0
 %
Total expenses
 
216,663

 
199,784

 
16,879

 
8.4
 %
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments and other
 
(10,197
)
 
(422
)
 
(9,775
)
 
2,316.4
 %
Realized gain (loss) on investments and other
 
(874
)
 

 
(874
)
 
100.0
 %
Income (loss) before equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated ventures and income tax benefit (expense)
 
71,289

 
118,740

 
(47,451
)
 
(40.0
)%
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated ventures
 
(5,094
)
 
(836
)
 
(4,258
)
 
509.3
 %
Income (loss) before income tax benefit (expense)
 
66,195

 
117,904

 
(51,709
)
 
(43.9
)%
Income tax benefit (expense)
 
(9,331
)
 
(16,168
)
 
6,837

 
(42.3
)%
Net income (loss)
 
$
56,864

 
$
101,736

 
$
(44,872
)
 
(44.1
)%

60


Asset Management and Other Fees
The following table presents asset management and other fees earned from our Managed Companies and Townsend (dollars in thousands):
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
NorthStar Listed Companies:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Base fee
 
$
150,504

 
$
142,536

 
$
7,968

 
Incentive fee
 

 
8,744

 
(8,744
)
 
Subtotal NorthStar Listed Companies
 
150,504

 
151,280

 
(776
)
(1) 
Retail Companies:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset management fees
 
53,524

 
38,065

 
15,459

(2) 
Acquisition fees
 
19,018

 
38,883

 
(19,865
)
(3) 
Disposition fees
 
6,369

 
2,503

 
3,866

(4) 
Subtotal Retail Companies
 
78,911

 
79,451

 
(540
)
 
Institutional Capital - Townsend
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management fees
 
40,194

 

 
40,194

 
Incentive fees
 
6,730

 

 
6,730

 
Subtotal Institutional Capital - Townsend
 
46,924

 

 
46,924

(5) 
Total
 
$
276,339

 
$
230,731

 
$
45,608

 
__________________
(1)
We began earning fees from NorthStar Europe on November 1, 2015.
(2)
The increase was driven by the growth in assets of our Retail Companies. As of September 30, 2016 and 2015, our Retail Companies held total investments of $7.0 billion and $5.7 billion, respectively.
(3)
The decrease was due to less investment activity of our Retail Companies for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015, with investment activity of $624.4 million at NorthStar Healthcare, $331.1 million at NorthStar Income and $643.6 million at NorthStar Income II.
(4)
The increase was driven by repayments of debt investments at our Retail Companies for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015.
(5)
We began earning fees on the Townsend Acquisition Date. We were also entitled to $1.8 million of management and other fees from January 14, 2016 to the Townsend Acquisition Date, which was recorded net of operating expenses in other income.
Selling Commission and Dealer Manager Fees
We earn net commission income through NorthStar Securities for selling equity in our Retail Companies.
Selling commission and dealer manager fees represent fees earned for selling equity in our Retail Companies through NorthStar Securities. Our Retail Companies offer various share class structures which have a range of selling commissions and dealer manager fees:
Class A shares: selling commissions of up to 7% of gross offering proceeds raised and dealer manager fee of up to 3% of gross offering proceeds raised.
Class T shares: selling commissions of up to 2% of gross offering proceeds raised and dealer manager fee of up to 2.75% of gross offering proceeds raised.
Class D shares: no selling commissions and dealer manager fees of up to 2% of gross offering proceeds raised.
Class I Shares: no selling commissions or dealer manager fees.
All or a portion of the dealer manager fees may be reallowed to participating broker-dealers and paid to certain employees of NorthStar Securities.
Certain of our Retail Companies’ share classes, and currently the T share class, may include a trail commission commonly described as a distribution fee that are paid over time, of up to 1% per annum, to our dealer manager of which all or a portion may be reallowed to participating broker-dealers for ongoing investor services.
We continue to observe the market and may modify existing share classes or introduce a new share class to our Retail Companies in the future.
Selling commission and dealer manager fees decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 mostly due to: (i) lower capital raising activity as NorthStar Healthcare completed its follow-on offering in January 2016 and lower capital raising activity of NorthStar Income II; and (ii) raising capital from the sale of Class T shares which has lower selling commissions and dealer manager fee than Class A shares.

61


The following table presents equity raised by our Retail Companies for the periods presented (dollars in thousands):
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,(1)
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
NorthStar Income
 
$
32,950

 
$
32,772

 
NorthStar Healthcare
 
51,702

 
475,786

(2) 
NorthStar Income II
 
235,694

 
464,028

(3) 
NorthStar/RXR New York Metro
 
2,041

 

(4) 
NorthStar Corporate Fund
 
2,200

 

(5) 
NorthStar Capital Fund
 
2,200

 

(5) 
Total
 
$
326,787

 
$
972,586

 
_________________
(1)
Includes capital raised through distribution reinvestment plans of $107.3 million and $77.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, for which NorthStar Securities did not earn commission income.
(2)
NorthStar Healthcare successfully completed its follow-on public offering on January 19, 2016. Equity raised for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 primarily represents proceeds from NorthStar Healthcare’s distribution reinvestment plan for which NorthStar Securities did not earn commission income.
(3)
For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we raised gross offering proceeds of $93.4 million from the sale of Class A shares, $118.9 million from the sale of Class T shares and $23.5 million from shares issued as part of distribution reinvestment plans. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we raised gross offering proceeds of $451.5 million from the sale of Class A shares and $12.6 million from shares issued as part of distribution reinvestment plans.
(4)
NorthStar/RXR New York Metro’s amended registration statement to offer an additional class of common shares was declared effective by the SEC and the minimum offering amount has been satisfied. We expect the capital raise to accelerate in the short-term.
(5)
NorthStar Corporate Fund and NorthStar Capital Fund’s registration statements were declared effective by the SEC and the minimum offering amount has been satisfied. We expect NorthStar Corporate Fund and NorthStar Capital Fund to begin raising capital from third parties in the first half 2017.
Other Income
Other income includes $3.3 million of dividend income earned from common stock owned in NorthStar Listed Companies, $3.5 million of gross management and other fees that we were entitled to from January 14, 2016 to the Townsend Acquisition Date, which is recorded net of operating expenses of $1.8 million and $1.6 million of reimbursable expenses related to Townsend.
Expenses
Commission Expense
Commission expense represents fees to participating broker-dealers with whom we have selling agreements to raise capital for our Retail Companies and commissions to employees of NorthStar Securities. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, we paid $2.2 million and $9.8 million, respectively, to NorthStar Securities employees. Selling commission and dealer manager fees decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 mostly due to: (i) lower capital raising activity as NorthStar Healthcare completed its follow-on offering in January 2016 and lower capital raising activity of NorthStar Income II; and (ii) raising capital from the sale of Class T shares which has lower selling commissions and dealer manager fee than Class A shares.
Interest Expense
Interest expense relates to our revolving credit agreement that we entered into in November 2015 which was repaid in January 2016 and our term loan that we entered into in January 2016 in our corporate segment.
Transaction Costs
Transaction costs represent costs such as professional fees associated with new investments, merger related costs, dead deal costs and restructuring costs which are related to specific transactions. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, transaction costs of $32.1 million primarily related to the Mergers in our corporate segment and the Townsend acquisition in our direct investments segment. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, transaction costs represent costs such as professional fees associated with the restructure of our holding company to include an operating partnership in our corporate segment and the acquisition of our interest in Townsend in our direct investments segment.
Other Expenses
Other expenses increased primarily due to $1.6 million of reimbursable expenses related to Townsend in our direct investments segment and $1.8 million of incremental base management fees to AHI in our corporate segment.

62


General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses are principally incurred at the corporate level except as it relates to direct compensation expenses and other costs incurred at NorthStar Securities, which is part of our broker-dealer segment and Townsend, which is part of our direct investments segment. In addition, the amount of general and administrative expenses reflects an offset from an allocation of costs of $24.0 million to our Retail Companies and $0.5 million to our NorthStar Listed Companies for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. General and administrative expenses increased $23.9 million primarily attributable to the following:
The following table presents compensation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (dollars in thousands):
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
Salaries and related expenses
 
$
62,009

 
$
48,698

 
$
13,311

Equity-based compensation expense
 
45,538

 
43,178

 
2,360

Total
 
$
107,547

 
$
91,876

 
$
15,671

Compensation expense increased $15.7 million primarily due to the acquisition of Townsend, hiring additional employees for increased activity at our Managed Companies, a net increase in equity-based compensation related to new grants issued in 2016 and a decrease in allocation of costs to our Managed Companies, partially offset by the decrease related to NSAM spin-off grants and grants issued prior to the spin-off of NSAM.
Equity-based compensation expense is comprised of (dollars in thousands):
 
 
Time-Based Awards
 
Performance-Based Awards
 
Total
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
NSAM spin grants(1)
 
$
6,030

 
$
11,565

 
$
11,078

 
$
11,171

 
$
17,108

 
$
22,736

NSAM bonus plan
 
17,769

 
7,731

 
3,367

 
2,104

 
21,136

 
9,835

NorthStar Realty bonus plan(2)
 
4,199

 
7,375

 
1,780

 
2,901

 
5,979

 
10,276

Townsend grants
 
973

 

 

 

 
973

 

Dividends to non-employees
 
342

 
331

 

 

 
342

 
331

Total
 
$
29,313

 
$
27,002

 
$
16,225

 
$
16,176

 
$
45,538

 
$
43,178

__________________
(1)
Represents equity-based compensation expense for one-time grants issued related to the NSAM Spin-off. Certain awards had performance-based conditions which were met upon issuance, and accordingly, are included in time-based awards as they are only currently subject to continued employment conditions.
(2)
Represents equity-based compensation expense related to annual grants issued by NorthStar Realty prior to the NSAM Spin-off.
Other general and administrative expenses increased $8.3 million primarily due to the acquisition of Townsend, increased professional fees and a decrease in allocation of costs to our Managed Companies.
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments and Other
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments and other is primarily related to the non-cash change in fair value for our investment in the NorthStar Listed Companies common stock.
Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments and Other
Realized gain (loss) on investments and other is primarily related to the write-off of deferred financing costs associated with the repayment of the revolving credit agreement.

63


Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated ventures
The following table presents equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated ventures for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (dollars in thousands):
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
Acquisition Date
 
Operating Income (Loss)
 
Non-cash Income (Expense)
 
Equity in Earnings (Losses)
 
Operating Income (Loss)
 
Non-cash Income (Expense)
 
Equity in Earnings (Losses)
Investment
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AHI Interest
 
Dec-14
 
$
2,713

 
$
(9,067
)
(1) 
$
(6,354
)
 
$
3,767

 
$
(8,605
)
(1) 
$
(4,838
)
Island Interest
 
Jan-15
 
4,866

 
(1,340
)
(3) 
3,526

 
4,713

 

 
4,713

Distributed Finance
 
Jun-14
 
(252
)
 
(2,426
)
(2) 
(2,678
)
 
(711
)
 

 
(711
)
Total
 
 
 
$
7,327

 
$
(12,833
)
 
$
(5,506
)
(4) 
$
7,769

 
$
(8,605
)
 
$
(836
)
__________________
(1)
Includes equity-based compensation expense and depreciation and amortization.
(2)
Represents an impairment loss.
(3)
Represents depreciation and amortization.
(4)
Excludes our portion of equity in earnings (losses) from the Townsend Funds of $0.4 million for the period from the Townsend Acquisition Date through September 30, 2016.
Income Tax Benefit (Expense)
The change for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 is primarily due to the distribution of earnings between tax jurisdictions, interest expense on the Term Loan and additional deductions related to the acquisition of Townsend.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our capital sources may include cash flow provided from operating activities, primarily from management and other fee income paid to us from our Managed Companies and Townsend, as well as borrowings and the issuance of common stock. In connection with the NSAM Spin-off, we have available under a revolving credit agreement with NorthStar Realty up to $250 million of financing to us subject to certain conditions (refer to Related Party Arrangements). In January 2016, in connection with the Townsend acquisition, we entered into a $500 million term loan and used the proceeds to fund the transaction, repay the revolving credit agreement and for general corporate purposes. In connection with the term loan, we obtained corporate issuer and issue credit ratings from S&P and Moody’s of BBB- and Ba2, respectively. Our primary uses of liquidity include operating expenses, dividends, acquisitions of direct investments and repurchase of our common stock. On a quarterly basis, our board of directors determines an appropriate common stock dividend based upon numerous factors, including CAD, availability of existing cash balances, general economic conditions and economic conditions that more specifically impact our business or prospects. Future dividend levels are subject to adjustment based upon our evaluation of the factors described above, as well as other factors that our board of directors may, from time-to-time, deem relevant to consider when determining an appropriate common stock dividend.
In addition, in April 2015, our board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to $400 million of our outstanding common stock. In May 2016, our board of directors extended the authorization for an additional year. The authorization expires in April 2017, unless otherwise extended by our board of directors. From April 2015 through December 31, 2015, we repurchased $7.8 million shares of our common stock for approximately $105.2 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we did not repurchase any shares of our common stock.
We expect that our cash flow from operating activities and available financing will be sufficient to satisfy our liquidity needs. As of September 30, 2016, we had a receivable primarily from our Managed Companies and Townsend of $110 million, of which we received $60 million subsequent to September 30, 2016.
We currently believe that our existing sources of funds should be adequate for purposes of meeting our short-term liquidity needs. Unrestricted cash as of November 4, 2016, was approximately $106 million, including $16 million in the United States and $90 million outside the United States.

64


Cash Flows
The following presents a summary of our consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (dollars in thousands):
 
 
Nine Month Ended September 30,
Cash flow provided by (used in):
 
2016
 
2015
Operating activities
 
$
84,093

 
$
127,738

Investing activities
 
(380,210
)
 
(30,978
)
Financing activities
 
297,389

 
(76,940
)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash
 
(386
)
 
(422
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash
 
$
886

 
$
19,398

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Compared to September 30, 2015
Net cash provided by operating activities was $84 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $128 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The decrease was primarily due to the payment of transaction costs related to the Mergers and acquisition of Townsend and less acquisition fees from the Retail Companies, partially offset by more asset management fees from the Retail Companies and operating income from the acquisition of Townsend.
Net cash used in investing activities was $380 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $31 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The increase was due to the acquisition of Townsend in January 2016.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $297 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $77 million used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Cash flow provided from financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was due to entering into the Term Loan, partially offset by the repayment of the credit facility of $100 million, $57 million for the payment of dividends, $8 million net cash payment on repurchase of shares related to equity-based awards and tax withholding and $4 million for the distributions to redeemable non-controlling interests. Cash flow used for financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was due to $13 million net cash payment on repurchase of shares related equity-based awards and tax withholding and $59 million for the payment of dividends.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
As of September 30, 2016, we continue to be subject to the material contractual obligations and commitments referred to in our annual report Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, with the exception of the corporate Term Loan entered into in January 2016 and unfunded commitments to co-invest approximately 1% of the total unfunded commitment in the Townsend Funds, both in connection with the acquisition of Townsend. Refer to Note 5. “Borrowings” in Item 1. “Financial Statements” for a further discussion.
We entered into fee arrangements with service providers and advisors pursuant to which certain fees incurred by us in connection with the Mergers will become payable only if we consummate the Mergers. We have and will incur other professional fees related to the Mergers. In addition, we will incur cash compensation expenses to executives and employees related to severance, retention and related costs. There can be no assurances that we will complete this or any other transaction. For the three months ended September 30, 2016 and since the announcement of the Mergers through September 30, 2016, we recorded an aggregate of $7 million and $24 million, respectively, in transaction costs in the consolidated statements of operations. To the extent the Mergers are consummated, the Company anticipates incurring a significant amount of additional costs, which with respect to advisors could be up to approximately $30 million.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have certain arrangements which do not meet the definition of off-balance sheet arrangements, but do have some of the characteristics of off-balance sheet arrangements such as certain of our investments in asset management businesses. Refer to Note 4. Investments in Unconsolidated Ventures” in Item 1. “Financial Statements” for a discussion of such unconsolidated ventures in our consolidated financial statements. Our exposure to loss is limited to the carrying value of our investment.

65


Related Party Arrangements
NorthStar Realty
Investment Opportunities
Under the management agreement, NorthStar Realty agreed to make available to us for the benefit of our Managed Companies, including NorthStar Realty, all investment opportunities sourced by NorthStar Realty. We agreed to fairly allocate such opportunities among our Managed Companies, including NorthStar Realty, in accordance with our investment allocation policy. Pursuant to the management agreement, NorthStar Realty is entitled to fair and reasonable compensation for its services in connection with any loan origination opportunities sourced by it, which may include first mortgage loans, subordinate mortgage interests, mezzanine loans and preferred equity interests, in each case relating to commercial real estate. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, we incurred $0.4 million and $0.8 million, respectively, to NorthStar Realty for services in connection with loan origination opportunities.
We provide services with regard to such areas as payroll, human resources and employee benefits, financial systems management, treasury and cash management, accounts payable services, telecommunications services, information technology services, property management services, legal and accounting services and various other corporate services to NorthStar Realty as it relates to its loan origination business for CRE debt.
Credit Agreement
In connection with the NSAM Spin-off, we entered into a revolving credit agreement with NorthStar Realty pursuant to which NorthStar Realty makes available to us, on an “as available basis,” up to $250 million of financing with a maturity of June 30, 2019 at LIBOR plus 3.50%. The revolving credit facility is unsecured. In addition, we may use the proceeds to acquire assets on behalf of our Managed Companies that we intend to allocate to such Managed Company but for which such Managed Company may not then have immediately available funds. The terms of the revolving credit facility contain various representations, warranties, covenants and conditions, including the condition that NorthStar Realty’s obligation to advance proceeds to us is dependent upon NorthStar Realty and its affiliates having at least $100 million of either unrestricted cash and cash equivalents or amounts available under committed lines of credit, after taking into account the amount we seek to draw under the facility. As of September 30, 2016, we had no borrowings outstanding under the credit agreement.
NorthStar Listed Companies Shares
The Company purchased 2.7 million and 0.2 million shares of NorthStar Realty and NorthStar Europe, respectively, in the open market for $52 million in the aggregate. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recorded an unrealized gain of $5 million and an unrealized loss of $10 million, respectively, which is recorded in unrealized gain (loss) on investments and other and $1 million and $3 million, respectively, of dividend income recorded in other income in the consolidated statements of operations.
Recent Sales or Commitments to Sell to Retail Companies
During 2016, NorthStar Realty entered into agreements to sell certain assets to our Retail Companies. The board of directors of each Retail Company, including all of the independent directors, approved of the respective transactions after considering, among other matters, third party pricing support.
Healthcare Strategic Joint Venture
In January 2014, we entered into a long-term strategic partnership with James F. Flaherty III, former Chief Executive Officer of HCP, Inc., focused on expanding our healthcare business into a preeminent healthcare platform, or the Healthcare Strategic Partnership. In connection with the partnership, Mr. Flaherty oversees both NorthStar Realty’s healthcare real estate portfolio and the portfolio of NorthStar Healthcare. In connection with entering into the partnership, NorthStar Realty granted Mr. Flaherty certain restricted stock units, or RSUs, half of which became RSUs of NSAM as a result of the NSAM Spin-off. The Healthcare Strategic Partnership is entitled to incentive fees ranging from 20% to 25% above certain hurdles for new and existing healthcare real estate investments held by NorthStar Realty and NorthStar Healthcare. The Healthcare Strategic Partnership is also entitled to any incentive fees earned from NorthStar Healthcare or any future healthcare retail vehicles sponsored by us, NorthStar Realty or any affiliates, as well as future healthcare retail vehicles sponsored by AHI Ventures. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, we did not earn incentive fees related to the Healthcare Strategic Partnership.
On February 2, 2015, in connection with the completion of NorthStar Healthcare’s initial primary offering, we issued 20,305 RSUs to Mr. Flaherty. On December 17, 2015, in connection with the completion of NorthStar Healthcare’s follow-on public offering, we issued 139,473 RSUs to Mr. Flaherty. On January 19, 2016, the Company issued an additional 527 RSUs to Mr. Flaherty.

66


AHI Venture
In connection with our 43% interest in AHI, or AHI Interest, AHI Newco, LLC, or AHI Ventures, a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of AHI, provides certain asset management, property management and other services to our affiliates assisting in managing the current and future healthcare assets (excluding any joint venture assets) of NorthStar Realty and other Retail Companies, including the assets formerly owned by Griffin-American, and its former operating partnership, Griffin-American Healthcare REIT II Holdings, LP, or Griffin-America OP portfolio, and third party assets, representing $8 billion, of which $5 billion is owned by NorthStar Realty and NorthStar Healthcare. AHI Ventures receives a base management fee of $1.6 million per year plus an additional 0.50% on certain additional equity invested by NorthStar Realty or NorthStar Healthcare in future healthcare assets (excluding assets in the Griffin-American OP portfolio and other joint ventures) that AHI Ventures may manage. AHI Ventures may also participate in the incentive fees earned by us and our affiliates with respect to new and existing healthcare real estate investments held by NorthStar Realty and NorthStar Healthcare, including the Griffin-American OP portfolio, any future healthcare retail vehicles sponsored by us, NorthStar Realty or any affiliates, as well as any future healthcare retail vehicles sponsored by AHI Ventures. AHI Ventures would also be entitled to additional base management fees should it manage assets on behalf of any other Managed Companies. AHI Ventures also intends to directly or indirectly sponsor, co-sponsor, form, register, market, advise, manage and/or operate investment vehicles that are intended to invest primarily in healthcare real estate assets. In addition, Mr. Flaherty acquired a 12% interest, as adjusted, in AHI Ventures. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, we incurred $1 million and $2 million, respectively, of base management fees to AHI. Also, AHI provides certain asset management, property management and other services to NorthStar Realty to assist in managing its properties. For the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, NorthStar Realty incurred $0.4 million of property management fees to AHI in each period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, NorthStar Realty incurred $1 million of property management fees to AHI in each period.
In April 2015, Griffin-American Healthcare REIT III, Inc., a vehicle managed by an affiliate of AHI, distributed shares of its common stock to the members of AHI Ventures, of which we received 0.2 million shares in connection with the distribution.
Island Venture
Island is a leading, independent select service hotel management company that currently manages 164 hotel properties, representing $4 billion, of which 110 hotel properties totaling $2 billion, are owned by NorthStar Realty. Island provides certain asset management, property management and other services to NorthStar Realty to assist in managing its hotel properties. Island receives a base management fee of 2.5% to 3.0% of the current monthly revenue of the NorthStar Realty hotel properties it manages for NorthStar Realty. For the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, NorthStar Realty incurred $5 million of base property management and other fees to Island in each period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and for the period from acquisition date (January 9, 2015) through September 30, 2015, NorthStar Realty incurred $14 million and $11 million, respectively, of base property management and other fees to Island.
RXR Realty
In December 2013, NorthStar Realty entered into a strategic transaction with RXR Realty, the co-sponsor of NorthStar/RXR New York Metro. The investment in RXR Realty includes an approximate 27% equity interest. NorthStar Realty’s equity interest in RXR Realty is structured so that we are entitled to the portion of distributable cash flow from RXR Realty’s investment management business in excess of the $10 million minimum annual base amount set forth in the management agreement (refer to Note 3). For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, we were not entitled to any excess.
Recent Developments
Dividends
On November 1, 2016, the Company declared a dividend of $0.10 per share of common stock. The common stock dividend will be paid on November 18, 2016 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 14, 2016.
Colony NorthStar Registration Statement
In October 2016, we amended the merger agreement and provided for, among other matters, an enhanced governance structure for Colony NorthStar, modified severance terms for our executive officers and a special cash dividend for our stockholders now totaling $228 million. In connection with the amendment to the merger agreement, we entered into a voting agreement with MSD and its affiliates, which together own approximately 10.2% of our outstanding shares, pursuant to which MSD agreed to vote in favor of the Mergers and related proposals. In addition, Colony NorthStar, a Maryland subsidiary of ours that will be the surviving parent company of the combined company following the completion of the Mergers, filed with the SEC an amended registration statement on Form S-4 that includes a joint proxy statement us, Colony and NorthStar Realty and that also constitutes a prospectus of Colony NorthStar.

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Non-GAAP Financial Measure
We believe that CAD provides investors and management with a meaningful indicator of operating performance. Management also uses CAD, among other measures, to evaluate profitability. In addition, the incentive fees to which we are entitled pursuant to our management agreements with each of our NorthStar Listed Companies are determined using such NorthStar Listed Company’s CAD as a performance metric. We believe that CAD is useful because it adjusts for a variety of items that are consistent with presenting a measure of operating performance (such as transaction costs, depreciation and amortization, equity-based compensation, unrealized gain (loss) on investments and other, realized gain (loss) on investments and other and asset impairment). We adjust for transaction costs because these costs are not a meaningful indicator of our operating performance. For instance, these transaction costs include costs such as professional fees associated with new investments or restructuring of investments, which are expenses related to specific transactions.
We calculate CAD by subtracting from or adding to net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders, non-controlling interests attributable to the Operating Partnership and the following items: equity-based compensation, depreciation and amortization related items, amortization of deferred financing costs, foreign currency gains (losses), impairment on goodwill and other intangible assets, straight-line rent, adjustments for joint ventures and investment funds, unrealized (gain) loss from fair value adjustments, realized gain (loss) on investments and transaction and other costs. In future periods, such adjustments may include other one-time events pursuant to changes in U.S. GAAP and certain other non-recurring items. These items, if applicable, include any adjustments for unconsolidated ventures. Management also believes that quarterly distributions are principally based on operating performance and our board of directors includes CAD as one of several metrics it reviews to determine quarterly distributions to stockholders.
CAD should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders, determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, as an indicator of operating performance. In addition, our methodology for calculating CAD involves subjective judgment and discretion and may differ from the methodologies used by other comparable companies when calculating the same or similar supplemental financial measures and may not be comparable with these companies.
The following table presents a reconciliation of CAD to net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders for the three months ended September 30, 2016 (dollars in thousands):
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders
 
$
24,842

Non-controlling interests attributable to the Operating Partnership
 
246

Adjustments:
 
 
Equity-based compensation
 
14,767

Adjustment related to joint ventures(1)
 
3,514

Unrealized (gain) loss from fair value adjustments and other(2)
 
(5,105
)
Transaction costs and other(3)
 
6,950

Depreciation and amortization items
 
3,896

CAD
 
$
49,110

_______________
(1)
Includes an adjustment to add $1.0 million of equity-based compensation expense, $2.7 million of depreciation and amortization expense related to unconsolidated ventures and a reduction of $0.2 million related to net unrealized and realized gains (losses) on the Townsend Funds.
(2)
Represents the change in fair value for our investment in NorthStar Listed Companies common stock and foreign exchange gains (losses).
(3)
Includes an adjustment to add back transaction costs of which $6.7 million related to the Mergers.

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Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Our exposure to market risk is primarily related to our role providing asset management and other services to our Managed Companies, including asset management services provided by Townsend, both in the United States and internationally, and its effect on the asset management and other fees we earn. Our exposure to market risk will increase as we expand into new asset classes and geographies, and as a result, we will seek to enter into strategic partnerships and joint ventures with third parties with expertise in commercial real estate or other sectors and markets to augment our business operations while at the same time benefiting from the fee streams generated by such strategic partnerships and joint ventures. Our asset management and other fees are primarily driven by the ability of our Managed Companies to grow by raising capital, which will in turn be driven by their investment activities, overall performance and various factors beyond our control, including but not limited to, monetary and fiscal policies, domestic and international economic conditions and political considerations. The effect of such risks on our asset management and other fee agreements vary based on the management contract with the respective Managed Company.
Our NorthStar Listed Companies’ management agreements consist of a base management fee which increases as equity is raised and an incentive fee which is based on the performance of our NorthStar Listed Companies using CAD as an operating metric. The base management fee currently represents the majority of the fee. The ability of our NorthStar Listed Companies to grow is dependent on access to the capital markets to raise equity and/or debt capital. To the extent that general capital markets activity slows down or comes to a halt (as is currently the case), our NorthStar Listed Companies may have difficulty growing. This risk is based on micro and macro-economic market factors including but not limited to disruptions in the equity and debt capital markets and institutional lending market, including the lack of access to capital or prohibitively high costs of obtaining or replacing capital. Despite improvements in 2015, the markets could suffer another severe downturn and another liquidity crisis could emerge. Recent volatility in the equity markets may diminish our NorthStar Listed Companies’ capital raising activity.
NorthStar Securities ability to sell equity in our Retail Companies is highly dependent upon the market and the efforts of our broker-dealer. The retail business has experienced rapid growth, is highly competitive and has faced increased scrutiny in recent years. The number of entrants in the retail market space has grown significantly over the last several years and as a result, we are subject to significant competition from these and other companies seeking to raise capital in this market. Additionally, as a result of increased scrutiny and accompanying media attention and a rapidly changing regulatory environment, our retail businesses may face increased difficulties in raising capital in their offerings due to market perception. These factors may affect our ability to raise capital for our retail businesses and make investments on their behalf, both of which could materially adversely affect our asset management and other fee income and the net commission income generated by our broker-dealer.
To a lesser extent, we are indirectly exposed to credit risk through the performance of our Managed Companies and direct investments. Credit risk relates to the ability of our Managed Companies to operate successfully as well as the individual investments to perform, for instance the ability for the borrowers’ underlying debt or securities investments to make required interest and principal payments on scheduled due dates. We seek to manage credit risk through a comprehensive credit analysis prior to making an investment, actively monitoring our portfolio and the underlying credit quality, including subordination and diversification of our portfolio. Our analysis is based on a broad range of real estate, financial, economic and borrower-related factors which we believe are critical to the evaluation of credit risk inherent in a transaction.
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk relates to the risk that the future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates. Interest rate risk is highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental, monetary and tax policies, domestic and international economic and political considerations and other factors beyond our control. Fluctuations in LIBOR may affect the amount of interest expense we incur on our term loan. As of September 30, 2016, a hypothetical 100 basis point increase in three-month LIBOR would result in a decrease in net income of approximately $5 million annually.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
We are subject to risks related to changes in foreign currency exchange rates as a result of our international operations. As a result, changes in exchange rates may either positively or negatively affect our consolidated revenues and expenses (as expressed in U.S. dollars). We may use several strategies to mitigate our exposure through a combination of foreign currency derivative instruments and use non-U.S. denominated borrowings, where appropriate.
Non-U.S. Operations
We conduct business internationally, with a current focus on Europe. We currently have foreign offices in the United Kingdom, Luxembourg, Bermuda and Hong Kong. We are subject to various risks, including, social instability, changes in governmental policies or policies of central banks, tax laws and policies, expropriation, nationalization, unfavorable political and diplomatic developments and changes in legislation relating to non-U.S. ownership. As we continue to expand internationally, we will continue to focus on monitoring and managing these risk factors as they relate to specific international investments.


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Item 4.  Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this report, management conducted an evaluation as required under Rules 13a-15(b) and 15d-15(b) under the Exchange Act under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act).
Based on this evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that it will detect or uncover failures to disclose material information otherwise required to be set forth in the Company’s periodic reports.
Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Changes in internal control over financial reporting.
Except as set forth below, there have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the most recent fiscal quarter that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
The Company acquired Townsend Holdings LLC during the quarter ended March 31, 2016, and therefore, the scope of our assessment of the effectiveness of certain controls and procedures does not include such acquisition. This exclusion is in accordance with the SEC’s general guidance that an assessment of a recently acquired business may be omitted from our scope in the year of acquisition.

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PART II:  Other Information
Item 1.  Legal Proceedings
We may be involved in various litigation matters arising in the ordinary course of our business. Although we are unable to predict with certainty the eventual outcome of any litigation, in the opinion of management, any current legal proceedings are not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations. Refer to Note 8. “Commitments and Contingencies” in Item 1. “Financial Statements” for further disclosure regarding legal proceedings.
Item 6.  Exhibits
Exhibit Number
 
Description of Exhibit
2.1
 
Agreement and Plans of Merger, dated as of June 2, 2016, among NorthStar Realty Finance Corp., Colony Capital, Inc., NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc., New Polaris Inc., New Sirius Inc., NorthStar Realty Finance Limited Partnership, Sirius Merger Sub-T, LLC and New Sirius Merger Sub, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 8, 2016)
2.2
 
Agreement, dated as of June 2, 2016, among NorthStar Realty Finance Corp., Colony Capital, Inc. and NSAM J-NRF Ltd (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 8, 2016)
2.3
 
Letter Agreement, dated as of October 16, 2016, among NorthStar Realty Finance Corp., Colony Capital, Inc., NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc., Colony NorthStar, Inc. (formerly known as New Polaris Inc.), New Sirius Inc., NorthStar Realty Finance Limited Partnership, Sirius Merger Sub-T, LLC and New Sirius Merger Sub, LLC. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.3 to Amendment No. 2 to Colony NorthStar, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-212739) filed on October 17, 2016)
3.1
 
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-197104))
3.2
 
Amended and Restated Bylaws of NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-197104))
10.1
 
Amended and Restated Asset Management Agreement, dated as of October 31, 2015, between NSAM J-NRF Ltd and NorthStar Realty Finance Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 3, 2015)
10.2
 
Separation Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2014, between NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc. and NorthStar Realty Finance Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 1, 2014)
10.3
 
Contribution Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2014, between NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc. and NRFC Sub-REIT Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 1, 2014)
10.4
 
Loan Origination Services Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2014, between NSAM US LLC and NorthStar Realty Finance Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 1, 2014)
10.5
 
Tax Disaffiliation Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2014, between NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc. and NorthStar Realty Finance Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 1, 2014)
10.6
 
Employee Matters Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2014, between NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc. and NorthStar Realty Finance Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 1, 2014)
10.7
 
Advisory Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2014, by and among NSAM J-NSI Ltd, NorthStar Real Estate Income Trust, Inc., NorthStar Real Estate Income Trust Operating Partnership, LP and NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 1, 2014)
10.8
 
Advisory Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2014, by and among NSAM J-NSHC Ltd, NorthStar Healthcare Income, Inc., NorthStar Healthcare Income Operating Partnership, LP and NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 1, 2014)
10.9
 
Advisory Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2014, by and among NSAM J- NSII Ltd, NorthStar Real Estate Income II, Inc., NorthStar Real Estate Income Operating Partnership II, LP and NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 1, 2014)
10.10
 
Credit Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2014, by and between NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc. and NorthStar Realty Finance Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 1, 2014)
10.11†
 
Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement, dated as of August 5, 2015, by and between NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc. and David T. Hamamoto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2015)
10.12†
 
Executive Employment Agreement and Agreement with Foreign Executive Officer, dated as of June 30, 2014, by and between NorthStar Asset Management Group, Ltd and Daniel R. Gilbert (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 1, 2014)
10.13†
 
Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement, dated as of August 5, 2015, by and between NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc. and Albert Tylis (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2015)
10.14†
 
Executive Employment Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2014, by and between NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc. and Debra A. Hess (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 1, 2014)
10.15†
 
Executive Employment Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2014, by and between NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc. and Ronald J. Lieberman (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 1, 2014)
10.16†
 
NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc. 2014 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to Amendment No. 1 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form 10 (File No. 001-36301))

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Exhibit Number
 
Description of Exhibit
10.17†
 
NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc. Executive Incentive Bonus Plan. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to Amendment No. 1 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form 10 (File No. 001-36301))
10.18†
 
Form of Indemnification Agreement between NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc. and its directors and officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to Amendment No. 3 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form 10 (File No. 001-36301))
10.19
 
Unit Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2014, by and among American Healthcare Investors LLC, HC AHI Holding Company, LLC, AHI Newco, LLC, Platform HealthCare Investor T-II, LLC, NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc. and Jeffrey T. Hanson, Danny Prosky and Mathieu B. Streiff (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2014)
10.20
 
Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of AHI Newco, LLC, dated as of December 8, 2014, by and among Platform Healthcare Investor T-II, LLC, American Healthcare Investors LLC, Flaherty Trust, NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc. and Jeffrey T. Hanson, Danny Prosky and Mathieu B. Streiff (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014)
10.21
 
Unit Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 9, 2015, by and between Platform Hospitality Investor T-II, LLC and Island JV Member Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 15, 2015)
10.22
 
Limited Liability Company Agreement of Island Hospitality Joint Venture, LLC, dated as of January 9, 2015, by and between Platform Hospitality Investor T-II, LLC and Island JV Member Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 15, 2015)
10.23
 
Agreement of Limited Partnership of NSAM LP, dated as of March 13, 2015, by and among NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc., as the General Partner and Limited Partner and the limited partners party thereto from time to time (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 19, 2015)
10.24
 
Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 15, 2015, by and among Townsend Holdings LLC, NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc., Sinclair Group, Inc., GTCR Partners X/B LP, GTCR Fund X/C LP, the individuals listed on Schedule A of the Securities Purchase Agreement, Townsend Acquisition LLC and GTCR/AAM Blocker Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 21, 2015)
10.25
 
Amendment to Securities Purchase Agreement, dated January 15, 2016, by and among Townsend Holdings LLC, NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc., and Townsend Acquisition LLC, as representative (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015)
10.26
 
Asset Management Agreement, dated as of October 31, 2015, between NSAM J-NRE Ltd and NorthStar Realty Europe Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 3, 2015)
10.27
 
Revolving Bridge Credit Agreement, dated as of November 16, 2015, among NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc., as Parent, NSAM LP, as Borrower, the lenders party thereto from time to time and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 19, 2015)
10.28
 
Master Guarantee Agreement, dated as of November 16, 2015, among NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc., the other Guarantors party thereto from time to time and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 19, 2015)
10.29
 
Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Townsend Holdings LLC, dated as of January 14, 2016 and effective as of January 29, 2016, among Townsend Holdings LLC, NSAM and the other unitholders named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 2, 2016)
10.30
 
Term Loan Credit Agreement, dated as of January 29, 2016, among NSAM, NSAM LP, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. as arranger and administrative agent and certain lenders named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 2, 2016)
10.31
 
Master Guarantee Agreement, dated as of January 29, 2016, among NSAM, the other guarantors party thereto and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. as arranger and administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 2, 2016)
10.32†
 
Executive Letter Agreement, dated June 2, 2016, among Debra Hess, NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc. and NorthStar Realty Finance Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 8, 2016)
10.33†
 
Executive Letter Agreement, dated June 2, 2016, among Daniel Gilbert, NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc., NorthStar Realty Finance Corp., NorthStar Asset Management Group, LTD. and NSAM Bermuda, LTD (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 8, 2016)
10.34†
 
Executive Letter Agreement, dated June 2, 2016, among David T. Hamamoto, NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc. and NorthStar Realty Finance Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 8, 2016)
10.35†
 
Executive Letter Agreement, dated June 2, 2016, among Ronald J. Lieberman, NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc. and NorthStar Realty Finance Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 8, 2016)
10.36†
 
Executive Letter Agreement, dated June 2, 2016, among Albert Tylis, NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc. and NorthStar Realty Finance Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 8, 2016)
10.37†
 
Side Letter, dated October 13, 2016, amending Executive Letter Agreement, dated June 2, 2016, among Debra Hess, NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc. and NorthStar Realty Finance Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 17, 2016)
10.38†
 
Side Letter, dated October 13, 2016, amending Executive Letter Agreement, dated June 2, 2016, among Daniel R. Gilbert, NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc., NorthStar Realty Finance Corp., NorthStar Asset Management Group, LTD. and NSAM Bermuda, LTD (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 17, 2016)

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Exhibit Number
 
Description of Exhibit
10.39†
 
Side Letter, dated October 13, 2016, amending Executive Letter Agreement, dated June 2, 2016, among David T. Hamamoto, NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc. and NorthStar Realty Finance Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 17, 2016)
10.40†
 
Side Letter, dated October 13, 2016, amending Executive Letter Agreement, dated June 2, 2016, among Ronald J. Lieberman, NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc. and NorthStar Realty Finance Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 17, 2016)
10.41†
 
Side Letter, dated October 13, 2016, amending Executive Letter Agreement, dated June 2, 2016, among Albert Tylis, NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc. and NorthStar Realty Finance Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 17, 2016)
12.1*
 
Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges
31.1*
 
Certification by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a-14(a)/15(d)-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2*
 
Certification by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a-14(a)/15(d)-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1*
 
Certification by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2*
 
Certification by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101*
 
The following materials from the NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2016, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2016 (unaudited) and December 31, 2015; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (unaudited) for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 (unaudited) and year ended December 31, 2015, (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015; and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
Denotes a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
*
Filed herewith.

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
NORTHSTAR ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP INC.
 
 
 
 
Date:
November 9, 2016
By:  
/s/ ALBERT TYLIS
 
 
 
 
Albert Tylis
 
 
 
 
Chief Executive Officer and President
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:  
/s/ DEBRA A. HESS
 
 
 
 
Debra A. Hess
 
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer




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