---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001104659-26-114714"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "MFA"
cik: "0001055160"
company_name: "MFA FINANCIAL, INC."
filed_at: "2026-10-08T20:30:20+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-10-12T15:27:16.703934+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.55
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.55
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# MFA Financial sets CEO succession: Knutson retires June 30, 2027; Wulfsohn named CEO, Kail CIO

## Summary
- Craig L. Knutson, 67, CEO, will retire effective June 30, 2027 after serving as CEO/Co-CEO since July 2017; expected to remain on Board subject to 2027 annual meeting election.
- Bryan Wulfsohn, 43, appointed CEO effective July 1, 2027; has been President since Sept 2024 and CIO/Co-CIO since 2019; will join Board effective Jan 1, 2027; joined MFA in 2010.
- Andrew P. Kail, 57, joins as CIO effective Jan 1, 2027; was Managing Director, Head of Residential Lending at Starwood Capital (2022-2025); prior roles at Aspen Capital, Fortress and Bear Stearns.
- Wulfsohn's 2027 base salary rises to $762,500 from $700,000 in 2026; 2027 target bonus $1.7M; annual equity $1.16M TRSUs plus $1.74M PRSUs. Roper's 2027 salary $575,000 and target bonus $850,000.
- Knutson's 2027 equity awards cut 50% from 2026: TRSU grant value $843,000 and PRSUs $1,264,500 under Amendment No. 3 dated Oct. 2, 2026; he remains CEO through June 30, 2027.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001104659-26-114714
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: MFA
- cik: 0001055160
- company_name: MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
- filed_at: 2026-10-08T20:30:20+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.55
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.55
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1055160/000110465926114714/0001104659-26-114714-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1055160/000110465926114714/tm2627083d1_8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-26-114714
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-26-114714.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-26-114714.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Craig L. Knutson departed as Chief Executive Officer at MFA FINANCIAL, INC..
  - Action: retiring
  - Role: Chief Executive Officer
  source text: On October 8, 2026, MFA Financial, Inc. (“MFA” or the “Company”) announced that Craig L. Knutson, age 67, will be retiring as Chief Executive Officer of the Company effective June 30, 2027, after having served as MFA’s CEO or Co-CEO since July 2017.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1055160/000110465926114714/0001104659-26-114714-index.htm
- Executive change
  Bryan Wulfsohn was appointed as Chief Executive Officer at MFA FINANCIAL, INC..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Chief Executive Officer
  source text: On October 8, 2026, MFA announced the appointment of Bryan Wulfsohn, age 43, as CEO of the Company, effective July 1, 2027, following the retirement of Mr. Knutson.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1055160/000110465926114714/0001104659-26-114714-index.htm
- Executive change
  Bryan Wulfsohn was appointed as Director at MFA FINANCIAL, INC..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Director
  source text: In addition, on October 8, 2026, MFA announced that Mr. Wulfsohn will become a member of its Board of Directors, effective January 1, 2027.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1055160/000110465926114714/0001104659-26-114714-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.