![Image](data:image/png;base64,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)

Logo

ØARES

## ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2026 RESULTS

First quarter GAAP net income (loss) of $(9.6) million or $(0.17) per diluted common share and Distributable Earnings 1  of $3.2 million or $0.06 per diluted common share

- Subsequent to the three months ended March 31, 2026 -

Closed $95 million of new loan commitments

## Declared second quarter 2026 dividend of $0.15 per common share

NEW YORK-(BUSINESS WIRE)-Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation (the 'Company') (NYSE:ACRE), a specialty finance  company  primarily  engaged  in  directly  originating  and  investing  in  commercial  real  estate  loans  and  related investments, reported generally accepted accounting principles ('GAAP') net income (loss) of $(9.6) million or $(0.17) per diluted common share and Distributable Earnings 1  of $3.2 million or $0.06 per diluted common share for the first quarter of 2026.

'Supported by stable commercial real estate fundamentals, we maintained our investment momentum in the first quarter and grew the portfolio with the closing of $294 million of new loan commitments,' said Bryan Donohoe, Chief Executive Officer of Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation. 'We remain highly focused on resolving the remaining risk rated 4 and 5 loans and REO properties alongside selectively investing in high quality new loans in order to reshape and grow our portfolio.'

'During  the  first  quarter,  we  maintained  our  balance  sheet  flexibility  through  additional  repayments  in  the  loan  portfolio, disciplined liquidity and liability management and expanded borrowing capacity,' said Jeff Gonzales, Chief Financial Officer of Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation. 'We enhanced our financing structure by increasing the capacity on two of our secured funding facilities by $300 million to support future growth and lowered our borrowing costs through the redemption of the FL4 CLO.'

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

(1)  Distributable Earnings (Loss) is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to Schedule I for the definition and reconciliation of Distributable Earnings (Loss).

## COMMON STOCK DIVIDEND

On February 10, 2026, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a regular cash dividend of $0.15 per common share for the first quarter of 2026. The first quarter 2026 dividend was paid on April 15, 2026 to common stockholders of record as of March 31, 2026.

On May 7, 2026, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a regular cash dividend of $0.15 per common share for the second quarter of 2026. The second quarter 2026 dividend will be payable on July 15, 2026 to common stockholders of record as of June 30, 2026.

## ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Company issued a presentation of its first quarter 2026 results, which can be viewed at www.arescre.com on the Investor Resources section of our home page under Events and Presentations. The presentation is titled 'First Quarter 2026 Earnings Presentation.' The Company also filed its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2026 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on May 7, 2026.

## CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST INFORMATION

On Thursday,  May  7,  2026,  the  Company  invites  all  interested  persons  to  attend  its  webcast/conference  call  at  12:00  p.m. (Eastern Time) to discuss its first quarter 2026 financial results.

All interested parties are invited to participate via telephone or the live webcast, which will be hosted on a webcast link located on the Home page of the Investor Resources section of the Company's website at www.arescre.com. Please visit the website to test  your  connection  before  the  webcast.  Domestic  callers  can  access  the  conference  call  by  dialing  +1  (800)  343-5172. International callers can access the conference call by dialing +1 (203) 518-9856. Please provide passcode ACREQ126. All callers  are  asked  to  dial  in  10-15  minutes  prior  to  the  call  so  that  name  and  company  information  can  be  collected.  For interested parties, an archived replay of the call will be available through June 7, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) to domestic callers by dialing +1 (800) 839-4016 and to international callers by dialing +1 (402) 220-7240. An archived replay will also be available through June 7, 2026 on a webcast link located on the Home page of the Investor Resources section of the Company's website.

## ABOUT ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION

Ares  Commercial  Real  Estate  Corporation  (the  'Company')  is  a  specialty  finance  company  primarily  engaged  in  directly originating  and  investing  in  commercial  real  estate  loans  and  related  investments.  Through  its  national  direct  origination platform, the Company provides a broad offering of flexible and reliable financing solutions for commercial real estate owners and  operators.  The  Company  invests  in  whole  and  co-invested  senior  mortgage  loans,  as  well  as  subordinate  financings, mezzanine debt and preferred equity, with an emphasis on providing value added financing on a variety of properties located in liquid markets across the United States. Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation elected and qualified to be taxed as a real estate  investment  trust  and  is  externally  managed  by  a  subsidiary  of  Ares  Management  Corporation.  For  more  information, please visit www.arescre.com. The contents of such website are not, and should not be deemed to be, incorporated by reference herein.

## FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements included herein or on the webcast / conference call may constitute '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, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance or financial condition and include, but are not limited to, statements about potential earnings, the resolution of underperforming loans, increased investment activity, liquidity management, reduction or increase of CECL reserve, reduction or  increase  of  available  borrowings,  the  industry  and  the  loan  market.  These  statements  are  not  guarantees  of  future performance, condition or results and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those  in  the  forward-looking  statements  as  a  result  of  a  number  of  factors,  including  global  economic  trends  and  economic conditions, including slower growth, changes to fiscal and monetary policy, inflation, labor shortages, changing interest rates, foreign currency exchange volatility and uncertainties caused by tariffs and trade disputes, as well as geopolitical instability, changes in interest rates and credit spreads, management's estimate of current expected credit losses and current expected credit loss reserve, the amount of commercial mortgage loans requiring refinancing, the demand for commercial real estate loans, the Company's expected investment capacity and available capital, rates of default or decreased recovery rates on the Company's target investments, the Company's business and investment strategy, the Company's projected operating results, the ability of Ares Commercial Real Estate Management LLC ('ACREM' or the Company's 'Manager') to locate suitable investments for the Company, monitor, service and administer the Company's investments and execute its investment strategy, and the risks described from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC'), including, but not limited to, the risk factors described in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on February 10, 2026. Any forward-looking statement, including any contained herein, speaks only as of the time of  this  press  release  and  Ares  Commercial  Real  Estate  Corporation  undertakes  no  duty  to  update  any  forward-looking statements  made  herein  or  on  the  webcast/conference  call.  Projections  and  forward-looking  statements  are  based  on management's good faith and reasonable assumptions, including the assumptions described herein.

## INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACTS

Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation Carl Drake or John Stilmar (888) 818-5298 iracre@aresmgmt.com

## ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except share and per share data)

|                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | March 31, 2026   | December 31, 2025   |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------|---------------------|
|                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | (unaudited)      |                     |
| ASSETS                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |                  |                     |
| Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                                                                                                                        | $ 86,163         | $ 29,289            |
| Restricted cash ($1,108 related to consolidated VIEs as of December 31, 2025)                                                                                                                                                    | 48,169           | 37,868              |
| Loans held for investment ($138,950 related to consolidated VIEs as of December 31, 2025)                                                                                                                                        | 1,629,366        | 1,528,806           |
| Current expected credit loss reserve                                                                                                                                                                                             | (136,830)        | (125,756)           |
| Loans held for investment, net of current expected credit loss reserve                                                                                                                                                           | 1,492,536        | 1,403,050           |
| Loans held for sale                                                                                                                                                                                                              | 60,544           | —                   |
| Real estate owned held for investment, net ($52,634 related to consolidated VIEs as of December 31, 2025)                                                                                                                        | 76,848           | 130,165             |
| Real estate owned held for sale                                                                                                                                                                                                  | 53,110           | —                   |
| Other assets ($76 of interest receivable related to consolidated VIEs as of December 31, 2025)                                                                                                                                   | 18,934           | 17,770              |
| Total assets                                                                                                                                                                                                                     | $ 1,836,304      | $ 1,618,142         |
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                                                                                                                                                                             |                  |                     |
| LIABILITIES                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |                  |                     |
| Secured funding agreements                                                                                                                                                                                                       | $ 1,182,096      | $ 858,176           |
| Secured term loan                                                                                                                                                                                                                | 89,538           | 89,360              |
| Collateralized loan obligation securitization debt (consolidated VIEs)                                                                                                                                                           | —                | 99,921              |
| Due to affiliate                                                                                                                                                                                                                 | 4,085            | 4,061               |
| Dividends payable                                                                                                                                                                                                                | 8,442            | 8,442               |
| Other liabilities ($257 of interest payable related to consolidated VIEs as of December 31, 2025)                                                                                                                                | 59,725           | 48,614              |
| Total liabilities                                                                                                                                                                                                                | 1,343,886        | 1,108,574           |
| Commitments and contingencies                                                                                                                                                                                                    |                  |                     |
| STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                                                                                                                                                                                             |                  |                     |
| Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 450,000,000 shares authorized at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 and 55,367,672 and 55,026,453 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively | 532              | 532                 |
| Additional paid-in capital                                                                                                                                                                                                       | 821,724          | 820,827             |
| Accumulated earnings (deficit)                                                                                                                                                                                                   | (329,838)        | (311,791)           |
| Total stockholders' equity                                                                                                                                                                                                       | 492,418          | 509,568             |
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                                                                                                                                                                                       | $ 1,836,304      | $ 1,618,142         |

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## ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (in thousands, except share and per share data)

| Line Item                                                       | For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2026   | For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2025   |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------|
| Revenue:                                                        |                                             |                                             |
| Interest income                                                 | $ 24,906                                    | $ 27,480                                    |
| Interest expense                                                | (17,361)                                    | (18,189)                                    |
| Net interest margin                                             | 7,545                                       | 9,291                                       |
| Revenue from real estate owned                                  | 5,915                                       | 5,657                                       |
| Total revenue                                                   | 13,460                                      | 14,948                                      |
| Expenses:                                                       |                                             |                                             |
| Management and incentive fees to affiliate                      | 2,400                                       | 2,567                                       |
| Professional fees                                               | 819                                         | 877                                         |
| General and administrative expenses                             | 1,417                                       | 1,720                                       |
| General and administrative expenses reimbursed to affiliate     | 787                                         | 1,003                                       |
| Expenses from real estate owned                                 | 3,134                                       | 4,495                                       |
| Total expenses                                                  | 8,557                                       | 10,662                                      |
| (Provision for) reversal of current expected credit losses, net | (11,138)                                    | 5,340                                       |
| Realized losses on loans                                        | (3,340)                                     | —                                           |
| Income (loss) before income taxes                               | (9,575)                                     | 9,626                                       |
| Income tax expense (benefit), including excise tax              | 30                                          | 281                                         |
| Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders           | $ (9,605)                                   | $ 9,345                                     |
| Earnings (loss) per common share:                               |                                             |                                             |
| Basic earnings (loss) per common share                          | $ (0.17)                                    | $ 0.17                                      |
| Diluted earnings (loss) per common share                        | $ (0.17)                                    | $ 0.17                                      |
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:           |                                             |                                             |
| Basic weighted average shares of common stock outstanding       | 55,322,222                                  | 54,828,751                                  |
| Diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding     | 55,322,222                                  | 55,694,939                                  |
| Dividends declared per share of common stock1                   | $ 0.15                                      | $ 0.15                                      |

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(unaudited)

1 There is no assurance dividends will continue at these levels or at all.

## SCHEDULE I

## Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Non-GAAP Distributable Earnings (Loss)

Distributable Earnings (Loss) is a non-GAAP financial measure that helps the Company evaluate its financial performance excluding the effects of certain transactions and GAAP adjustments that it believes are not necessarily indicative of its current loan origination portfolio  and  operations.  To  maintain  the  Company's  REIT  status,  the  Company  is  generally  required  to  annually  distribute  to  its stockholders substantially all of its taxable income. The Company believes the disclosure of Distributable Earnings (Loss) provides useful information to investors regarding the Company's ability to pay dividends, which is one of the principal reasons the Company believes investors invest in the Company. The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP. Distributable Earnings (Loss) is defined as net income (loss) attributable  to  common  stockholders  computed  in  accordance  with  GAAP,  excluding  non-cash  equity  compensation  expense,  the incentive  fees  the  Company  pays  to  its  Manager,  depreciation  and  amortization  (to  the  extent  that  any  of  the  Company's  target investments are structured as debt and the Company forecloses on any properties underlying such debt), any unrealized gains, losses or other  non-cash  items  recorded  in  net  income  (loss)  for  the  period,  regardless  of  whether  such  items  are  included  in  other comprehensive income or loss, or in net income (loss), one-time events pursuant to changes in GAAP and certain non-cash charges after discussions between the Company's Manager and the Company's independent directors and after approval by a majority of the Company's independent directors. Loan balances that are deemed to be uncollectible are written-off as a realized loss and are included in Distributable Earnings (Loss). Distributable Earnings (Loss) is aligned with the calculation of 'Core Earnings,' which is defined in the Management Agreement and is used to calculate the incentive fees the Company pays to its Manager.

Reconciliation of net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, to Distributable  Earnings  (Loss)  is  set  forth  in  the  table  below  for  the  three  and  twelve  months  ended  March  31,  2026  ($  in thousands):

Reconciliation of net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, to Distributable Earnings (Loss) is set forth in the table below for the three and twelve months ended March 31, 2026 ($ in thousands):

|                                                                 | For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2026   | For the Twelve Months Ended March 31, 2026   |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------|
| Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders           | $ (9,605)                                   | $ (19,852)                                   |
| Stock-based compensation                                        | 897                                         | 3,752                                        |
| Incentive fees to affiliate                                     | —                                           | —                                            |
| Depreciation and amortization of real estate owned              | 741                                         | 6,674                                        |
| Provision for (reversal of) current expected credit losses, net | 11,138                                      | (1,367)                                      |
| Distributable Earnings (Loss)                                   | $ 3,171                                     | $ (10,793)                                   |
| Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders           | $ (0.17)                                    | $ (0.36)                                     |
| Stock-based compensation                                        | 0.02                                        | 0.07                                         |
| Incentive fees to affiliate                                     | —                                           | —                                            |
| Depreciation and amortization of real estate owned              | 0.01                                        | 0.12                                         |
| Provision for (reversal of) current expected credit losses, net | 0.20                                        | (0.02)                                       |
| Basic Distributable Earnings (Loss) per common share            | $ 0.06                                      | $ (0.20)                                     |
| Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders           | $ (0.17)                                    | $ (0.36)                                     |
| Stock-based compensation                                        | 0.02                                        | 0.07                                         |
| Incentive fees to affiliate                                     | —                                           | —                                            |
| Depreciation and amortization of real estate owned              | 0.01                                        | 0.12                                         |
| Provision for (reversal of) current expected credit losses, net | 0.20                                        | (0.02)                                       |
| Diluted Distributable Earnings (Loss) per common share          | $ 0.06                                      | $ (0.20)                                     |

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Numbers presented may not foot due to rounding.