Business Context and Reporting Period
This Form 8-K Current Report was filed by Hunt Companies Finance Trust, Inc. (the "Company") on December 17, 2020. The filing primarily addresses a corporate name change to "Lument Finance Trust, Inc." and the execution of a related trademark license agreement. The Company is a Maryland corporation with its principal executive offices in New York, New York.
Key Financial Metrics
This filing does not contain comprehensive financial statements, revenue, profit, cash flow, or debt metrics. The only financial data disclosed relates to dividend declarations:
- Q4 2020 Cash Dividend: $0.09 per share of common stock (declared December 18, 2020).
- Special Cash Dividend: $0.04 per share of common stock (declared December 21, 2020).
Material Changes
The filing details two significant corporate actions:
- Trademark License Agreement: On December 17, 2020, the Company entered into a fully paid-up, royalty-free, non-exclusive license with ORIX Real Estate Capital Holdings, LLC d/b/a Lument. This grants the Company the right to use the "Lument" name and domain names as long as Lument Investment Management (or an affiliate) serves as the Company's manager. The agreement may be terminated for convenience with 90 days' notice.
- Name Change: On December 18, 2020, the Company filed Articles of Amendment to change its name from "Hunt Companies Finance Trust, Inc." to "Lument Finance Trust, Inc." The change became effective at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time on December 28, 2020.
Guidance, Outlook, and Risks
The filing includes Regulation FD disclosures regarding the dividend declarations and an investor presentation made available on the Company's website. No specific forward-looking guidance, earnings outlook, or new risk factors were detailed within the text of this 8-K, other than the contingent risk associated with the Trademark License Agreement. If the license is terminated, the Company will be required to change its name and cease using the "Lument" brand.
Investor Verification Checklist
- Verify the effective date of the name change (December 28, 2020) and confirm the ticker symbol remains HCFT on the NYSE.
- Review the full text of the Trademark License Agreement (Exhibit 10.1) to understand termination triggers and the duration of the "Lument" brand usage rights.
- Confirm the payment dates for the Q4 2020 dividend ($0.09) and the special dividend ($0.04) referenced in the press releases (Exhibits 99.1 and 99.3).
- Check the investor presentation (Exhibit 99.2) for updated portfolio metrics and liquidity positions not included in this summary.