 The information discussed on this conference call today may contain or refer to forward-looking statements regarding MFA Financial, Inc., which reflect managements beliefs, expectations and assumptions as to MFAs future performance and operations. When used statements that are not historical in nature, including those containing words such as will, believe, expect, anticipate, estimate, should, could, would or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. 