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

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the information included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, as well as the unaudited financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (the “Quarterly Report”).

In addition, the statements and assumptions in this Quarterly Report that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws. In particular, statements about our plans, strategies and prospects as well as estimates of industry growth for the next quarter and beyond are forward-looking statements. For important information regarding these forward-looking statements, please see the discussion below under the caption “Forward-Looking Statements.”

References to “the Company,” “Velocity,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Velocity Financial, Inc. and include all of its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated or the context requires otherwise.

Business

We are a vertically integrated real estate finance company founded in 2004. We primarily originate and manage investor loans secured by 1-4 unit residential rental and commercial properties, which we refer to collectively as investor real estate loans. We originate loans nationwide across our extensive network of independent mortgage brokers which we have built and refined over the 21 years since our inception. Our objective is to be the preferred and one of the most recognized brands in our core market, particularly within our network of mortgage brokers.

We operate in a large and highly fragmented market with substantial demand for financing and limited supply of institutional financing alternatives. We have developed the highly specialized skill set required to effectively compete in this market, which we believe has afforded us a durable business model capable of generating attractive risk-adjusted returns for our stockholders throughout various business cycles. We offer competitive pricing to our borrowers by pursuing low-cost financing strategies and by driving front-end process efficiencies through customized technology designed to control the cost of originating a loan. Furthermore, by originating loans through our efficient and scalable network of approved mortgage brokers, we are able to maintain a wide geographical presence and nimble operating infrastructure capable of reacting quickly to changing market environments.

Our primary source of revenue is interest income earned on our loan portfolio. Our typical loan is secured by a first lien on the underlying property with a personal guarantee, and based on all loans in our portfolio as of September 30, 2025, has an average balance of approximately $393 thousand. As of September 30, 2025, our loan portfolio totaled $6.3 billion of UPB on properties in 48 states and the District of Columbia. The total portfolio had a weighted average loan-to-value ratio, or LTV at origination, of 65.5%, of which the 1-4 unit residential rental loans, which we refer to as investor 1-4 loans, represented 49.2% of the UPB. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, the annualized yields on our total portfolio were 9.54% and 9.44%, respectively.

We fund our portfolio primarily through a combination of committed and uncommitted secured warehouse facilities, securitized debt, corporate debt, and equity. The securitized debt market is our primary source of long-term financing. We have successfully executed 44 securitized debt transactions, resulting in a total of over $9.9 billion in gross debt proceeds from May 2011 through September 2025. We may also continue to sell loans from time to time for cash in lieu of holding the loans in our loan portfolio.

One of our core profitably measurements is our portfolio related net interest margin, which measures the difference between interest income earned on loans and interest expense paid on portfolio-related debt, relative to the amount of loans outstanding over the period. Our portfolio-related debt consists of warehouse facilities and securitized debt and excludes corporate debt. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, our annualized portfolio related net interest margin were 3.65% and 3.62%, respectively, compared to 3.60% and 3.50% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively. We generate profits to the extent that our portfolio related net interest income exceeds our interest expense on corporate debt, provision for credit losses and operating expenses. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, including net income attributable to noncontrolling interest, we generated pre-tax income of $35.4 million and $96.2 million, and net income of $25.4 million and $70.2 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, including net income attributable to noncontrolling interest, we generated pre-tax income of $21.2 million and $64.4 million, and net income of $15.8 million and $47.8 million, respectively.

On December 28, 2021, the Company acquired an 80% ownership interest in Century Health & Housing Capital, LLC (“Century”). Century is a licensed Ginnie Mae issuer/servicer that provides government-insured Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”) mortgage financing for multifamily housing, senior housing and long-term care/assisted living facilities. Century originates loans through its borrower-direct origination channel and services the loans through its in-house servicing platform, which enables the formation of long-term relationships with its clients and drives strong portfolio retention. Century earns origination fees and servicing fees from the mortgage servicing rights on its servicing portfolio.

Items Affecting Comparability of Results

Due to a number of factors, our historical financial results may not be comparable, either from period to period, or to our financial results in future periods. We have summarized the key factors affecting the comparability of our financial results below.

Recent Developments

Continued Market Uncertainties

Our operational and financial performance will depend on certain market developments, including the impact of tariffs, the actions of the Federal Reserve, the Russia/Ukraine war, the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, the prolonged government shutdown, heightened stress in the real estate and corporate debt markets, and macroeconomic conditions and market fundamentals, which can all affect each of these factors and potentially impact our business performance.

Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires certain judgments and assumptions, based on information available at the time of preparation of the consolidated financial statements, in determining accounting estimates used in preparation of the consolidated financial statements. The following discussion addresses the accounting policies that we believe apply to us based on the nature of our operations. Our most critical accounting policies involve decisions and assessments that could affect our reported assets and liabilities, as well as our reported revenues and expenses. We believe that all the decisions and assessments used to prepare our financial statements are based upon reasonable assumptions given the information available at that time.

These policies and estimates relate to the allowance for credit losses and fair value option accounting. Our critical accounting policies and estimates are described in Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, as filed with the SEC.

How We Assess Our Business Performance

Net income is the primary metric by which we assess our business performance. Accordingly, we closely monitor the primary drivers of net income which consist of the following:

Net Interest Income

Net interest income is the largest contributor to our net income and is monitored both on an absolute basis and relative to provision for credit losses and operating expenses. We generate net interest income to the extent that the rate at which we lend in our portfolio exceeds the cost of financing our portfolio, which we primarily achieve through long-term securitized debt. Accordingly, we closely monitor the financing markets and maintain consistent dialogue with investors and financial institutions as we evaluate our financing sources and cost of funds.

To evaluate net interest income, we measure and monitor: (1) the yields on our loans, (2) the costs of our funding sources, (3) our net interest spread and (4) our net interest margin. Net interest spread measures the difference between the rates earned on our loans and the rates paid on our funding sources. Net interest margin measures the difference between our annualized interest income and annualized interest expense, or net interest income, as a percentage of average loans outstanding over the specified time period.

Periodic changes in net interest income are primarily driven by: (1) origination volume and changes in average outstanding loan balances and (2) interest rates and changes in interest earned on our portfolio or paid on our debt. Historically, origination volume and portfolio size have been the largest contributors to the growth in our net interest income. We measure net interest income before and after interest expense related to our corporate debt and before and after our provision for credit losses.

Credit Losses

We strive to minimize actual credit losses through our rigorous screening and underwriting process and life of loan portfolio management and special servicing practices. We closely monitor the credit performance of our loan portfolio, including delinquency rates and expected and actual credit losses, as a key factor in assessing our overall business performance.

Operating Expenses

We incur operating expenses from compensation and benefits related to our employee base, rent and other occupancy costs associated with our leased facilities, our third-party primary loan servicing vendors, professional fees to the extent we utilize third-party legal, consulting and advisory firms, and costs associated with the resolution and disposition of real estate owned, and securitization expenses, among other items. We monitor and strive to prudently manage operating expenses and to balance current period profitability with investment in the continued development of our platform. Because volume and portfolio size determine the magnitude of the impact of each of the above factors on our earnings, we also closely monitor origination volume along with all key terms of new loan originations, such as interest rates, loan-to-value ratios, estimated credit losses and expected duration.

Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations

Our results of operations depend on, among other things, the level of our net interest income, the credit performance of our loan portfolio and the efficiency of our operating platform. These measures are affected by various factors, including the demand for investor real estate loans, the competitiveness of the market for originating or acquiring investor real estate loans, the cost of financing our portfolio, operating costs, the availability of funding sources and the underlying performance of the collateral supporting our loans. While we have been successful at managing these elements in the past, there are certain circumstances beyond our control, including the ongoing geopolitical conflicts, the changing economic policies, an expected recession, and macroeconomic conditions and market fundamentals, which can all affect each of these factors and potentially impact our business performance.

Competition

The investor real estate loan market is highly competitive which could affect our profitability and growth. We believe we compete favorably through diversified borrower access driven by our extensive network of mortgage brokers and by emphasizing a high level of real estate and financial expertise, customer service, and flexibility in structuring transactions, as well as by attracting and retaining experienced managerial and marketing personnel. However, some of our competitors may be better positioned to market their services and financing programs because of their ability to offer more favorable rates and terms and other services.

Availability and Cost of Funding

Our primary funding sources have historically included cash from operations, warehouse facilities, term securitized debt, corporate debt, and equity. We believe we have an established brand in the term securitized debt market and that this market will continue to support our portfolio growth with long-term financing. Changes in macroeconomic conditions can adversely impact our ability to issue securitized debt and, thereby, limit our options for long-term financing. In consideration of this potential risk, we have entered into a credit facility for longer-term financing that will provide us with capital resources to fund loan growth in the event we are not able to issue securitized debt.

All our warehouse repurchase and revolving loan facilities have interest payment obligations tied to the Secured Overnight Offering Rate (“SOFR”).

Loan Performance

We underwrite and structure our loans to minimize potential losses. We believe our fully amortizing loan structures and avoidance of large balloon payments, coupled with meaningful borrower equity in properties, limit the probability of losses and that our proven in-house asset management capability allows us to minimize potential losses in situations where there is insufficient equity in the property. Our income is highly dependent upon borrowers making their payments and resolving delinquent loans as favorably as possible. Macroeconomic conditions can, however, impact credit trends in our core market and adversely affect financial results.

(A) Reflects the UPB of loans 90 days or more past due or placed on nonaccrual status. Includes $31.6 million, $31.7 million and $43.2 million of COVID-19 forbearance-granted loans 90 days or more past due or placed on nonaccrual status as of September 30, 2025, June 30, 2025, and September 30, 2024, respectively.

Total Loans. Total loans reflects the aggregate UPB at the end of the period. It excludes deferred origination costs, acquisition discounts, fair value adjustments and allowance for credit losses.

Loan Count. Loan count reflects the number of loans at the end of the period. It includes all loans with an outstanding principal balance.

Average Loan Balance. Average loan balance reflects the average UPB at the end of the period (i.e., total loans divided by loan count).

Weighted Average Loan-to-Value. Loan-to-value, or LTV, reflects the ratio of the original loan amount to the appraised value of the underlying property at the time of origination. In instances where the LTV at origination is not available for an acquired loan, the LTV reflects our best estimate of value at the time of acquisition. Weighted average LTV is calculated for the population of loans outstanding at the end of each specified period using the original loan amounts and appraised LTVs at the time of origination of each loan. LTV is a key statistic because requiring the borrower to invest more equity in the collateral minimizes our exposure for future credit losses.

Weighted Average Coupon. Weighted average coupon reflects the weighted average loan rate at the end of the period.

Nonperforming Loans. Loans that are 90 or more days past due, in bankruptcy, in foreclosure, or not accruing interest, are considered nonperforming loans. The dollar amount of nonperforming loans presented in the table above reflects the UPB of all loans that meet this definition.

During the third quarter of 2025, loan originations including unfunded commitments increased $13.6 million and $262.2 million from the quarters ended June 30, 2025 and September 30, 2024, respectively.

The following table illustrates the contractual maturities of our loans held for investment in aggregate UPB and as a percentage of total held for investment loan portfolio as of the dates indicated:

Charge-offs, Gain (Loss) on REO

Our actual charge-offs have been minimal as a percentage of nonperforming loans held for investment. The valuation impact to our earnings from loans becoming REO or in REO is a combination of: (1) loan charge-offs, (2) gain on transfer to REO included in “Gain on disposition of loans” in the Consolidated Statements of Income, (3) net valuation adjustments on REO, and (4) net gain or loss on sale of REO.

The table below shows our actual charge-offs, gain on transfer of nonperforming loans to REO, net valuation adjustments on REO, and gain on sale of REO, for the periods indicated:

Allowance for Credit Losses

For the September 30, 2025 current expected credit loss (“CECL”) estimate, we considered a severe stress scenario with a seven-quarter reasonable and supportable forecast period followed by a three-quarter straight-line reversion period. Management concluded that applying the severe stress scenario was appropriate and reflected the uncertainties of a volatile market in light of the economic uncertainties surrounding tariffs and federal government layoffs and prolonged shutdown, contributing to a forecasted decreasing GDP and rising unemployment.

For the June 30, 2025 CECL estimate, we considered a severe stress scenario with a seven-quarter reasonable and supportable forecast period followed by a three-quarter straight-line reversion period. Management concluded that applying the severe stress scenario was appropriate and reflected the uncertainties of a volatile market in light of the announced tariffs and federal government layoffs, contributing to a forecasted decreasing GDP and rising unemployment.

For the March 31, 2025 CECL estimate, we considered a severe stress scenario with a seven-quarter reasonable and supportable forecast period followed by a three-quarter straight-line reversion period. Management concluded that applying the severe stress scenario was appropriate and reflected the uncertainties of a volatile market in light of the announced tariffs and federal government layoffs, contributing to a forecasted decreasing GDP and rising unemployment.

Our allowance for credit losses as of September 30, 2025 was $4.6 million compared to $4.9 million as of September 30, 2024. The decrease in allowance for credit losses from September 30, 2024 was primarily due to a decrease in the amortized cost loan portfolio subject to CECL, and the removal of COVID pandemic era data from the macroeconomic forecasts in the latest CECL model update. We strive to minimize actual credit losses through our rigorous screening and underwriting process, life of loan portfolio management and special servicing practices. Additionally, we believe borrower equity of 25% to 40% provides significant protection against credit losses. The various scenarios, the weighting of scenarios, as well as the forecast period and reversion to historical loss are subject to change as conditions in the market change and our ability to forecast as economic events evolve.

To estimate the allowance for credit losses in our portfolio of loans held for investment carried at amortized cost, we follow a detailed internal review process, considering a number of different factors including, but not limited to, our ongoing analyses of loans, historical loss rates, relevant environmental factors, relevant market research, trends in delinquencies, effects and changes in credit concentrations, and ongoing evaluation of fair values.

The following table illustrates the activity in our allowance for credit losses of loans held for investment, excluding loans held for investment, at fair value over the periods indicated:

The allowance for credit losses was 0.22% of total UPB of loans held for investment carried at amortized cost as of September 30, 2025. Nonperforming loans were 12.3% of total UPB of loans held for investment carried at amortized cost as of September 30, 2025. We believe the allowance for credit losses is adequate because historically, most loans that become nonperforming resolve prior to converting to REO. This is due to low LTVs at origination and active management of our portfolio. Historically, our actual annual charge-offs rate was 0.07% over the last six years.

Loans that are 90+ days past due, in bankruptcy, in foreclosure, or not accruing interest are considered nonperforming loans. Nonperforming loans were $614.2 million, or 9.8% of our held for investment loan portfolio as of September 30, 2025, compared to $601.8 million, or 10.3% as of June 30, 2025, and $503.9 million, or 10.6% as of September 30, 2024. The increase in total nonperforming loans as of September 30, 2025 compared to June 30, 2025 and September 30, 2024 was due to an increase in the size of our portfolio and management’s decision to move loans into foreclosure early in the delinquency process.

Resolution of Nonperforming Assets

Historically, most loans that become nonperforming resolve prior to converting to REO. This is due to low LTVs at origination and our active management of the portfolio. The following tables summarize the resolution activities of loans that became nonperforming prior to the beginning of the periods indicated or became nonperforming and subsequently resolved during the periods indicated. We resolved $108.0 million of long-term and short-term nonperforming assets for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, which was higher compared to $104.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, and $68.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024. From these resolution activities, we realized net gains of $2.8 million, $3.6 million, and $2.3 million for the quarters ended September 30, 2025, June 30, 2025, and September 30, 2024, respectively. This is largely the result of collecting default interest and prepayment penalties in excess of the principal on loans and selling our REOs at prices higher than their carrying value.

The table below includes resolutions of our long-term nonperforming loans and REOs for the periods indicated:

Short-term loans, or loans with a maturity of two-year or less, do not require prepayment fees and usually result in a lower gain when paid in full, as compared to long-term loans. The table below includes resolutions of our short-term nonperforming loans and REOs, and loans granted a COVID-19 forbearance in 2020, for the periods indicated:

Real Estate Owned, Net (“REO”)

REO includes real estate we acquire through foreclosure or by deed-in-lieu of foreclosure. REO assets are initially recorded at fair value, less estimated costs to sell on the date of foreclosure. Adjustments that reduce the carrying value of the loan to the fair value of the real estate at the time of foreclosure are recognized as charge-offs in the allowance for credit losses. Gains at the time of foreclosure are recognized in other operating income. After foreclosure, we periodically obtain new valuations and any subsequent changes to fair value, less estimated costs to sell, are reflected as valuation adjustments, included in “Real estate owned, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

As of September 30, 2025, REO included 223 properties with a lower of cost or estimated fair value of $113.7 million compared to 175 properties with a lower of cost or estimated fair value of $93.4 million as of June 30, 2025, and 112 properties with a lower of cost or estimated fair value of $62.4 million as of September 30, 2024.

Average Loans

Average loans reflects the daily average of total outstanding loans, including both loans held for investment and loans held for sale, as measured by UPB, over the specified time period.

Portfolio Yield

Portfolio yield is an annualized measure of the total interest income earned on our loan portfolio as a percentage of average loans over the given period. Interest income includes interest earned on performing loans, cash interest received on nonperforming loans, default interest and prepayment fees. The increase in our portfolio yield for the three months ended September 30, 2025 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2024 was primarily driven by the increase in weighted average loan coupons. Portfolio yield for the three months ended September 30, 2025 decreased slightly from three months ended June 30, 2025 mainly attributable to less interest income and default interest collected on nonperforming loans.

Average Debt — Portfolio Related and Total Company

Portfolio-related debt consists of borrowings related directly to financing our loan portfolio, which includes our warehouse facilities and securitized debt. Total company debt consists of portfolio-related debt and corporate debt. The measures presented here reflect the monthly average of all portfolio-related and total company debt, as measured by outstanding principal balance, over the specified time period.

Cost of Funds — Portfolio Related and Total Company

Portfolio related cost of funds is an annualized measure of the interest expense incurred on our portfolio-related debt as a percentage of average portfolio-related debt outstanding over the given period. Total company cost of funds is an annualized measure of the interest expense incurred on our portfolio-related debt and corporate debt outstanding over the given period. Interest expense includes the amortization of expenses incurred in connection with our portfolio related financing activities and corporate debt. Through the issuance of long-term securitized debt, we have been able to fix a significant portion of our borrowing costs over time. The strong credit performance on our securitized debt has allowed us to issue debt at attractive rates.

Our portfolio related cost of funds slightly increased to 6.27% for the three months ended September 30, 2025 from 6.24% for the prior quarter and 6.15% for the three months ended September 30, 2024. The increase was primarily due to higher securitized debt interest expense.

Net Interest Margin — Portfolio Related and Total Company

Portfolio related net interest margin measures the difference between the interest income earned on our loan portfolio and the interest expense paid on our portfolio-related debt as a percentage of average loans over the specified time period. Total company net interest margin measures the difference between the interest income earned on our loan portfolio and the interest expense paid on our portfolio-related debt and corporate debt as a percentage of average loans over the specified time period.

Over the periods shown in the tables below, portfolio related net interest margin increased to 3.65% for the three months ended September 30, 2025 from 3.60% for the three months ended September 30, 2024. Portfolio related net interest margin increased to 3.62% for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 from 3.50% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. The increases were primarily due to higher average yields and balances.

Total company net interest margin of 3.25% for the three months ended September 30, 2025 increased from 3.06% for the three months ended September 30, 2024. Total company net interest margin of 3.18% for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 increased from 2.96% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. The increases were primarily due to the higher increase in the average yields on our loan portfolio than the increase in our average cost of funds.

The following tables show the average outstanding balance of our loan portfolio and portfolio-related debt, together with interest income and the corresponding yield earned on our portfolio, and interest expense and the corresponding rate paid on our portfolio-related debt for the periods indicated: