APOLLO COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE FINANCE, INC.

Item 8.01 Other Events. On June 15, 2026, Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. (“ARI” or the “Company”) issued a press release announcing that the Board of Directors declared a dividend of $3.75 per share of common stock, which is payable on July 15, 2026 to common stockholders of record on June 30, 2026. The dividend payment will be predominately classified as return of capital. The Company also announced that following an extensive review of potential strategic alternatives for ARI, the Board of Directors determined that the dissolution of the Company, the liquidation of its assets and the winding down of its business and affairs are advisable and in the best interest of the Company and ARI stockholders. To effectuate a dissolution, ARI must receive the approval of the Company’s stockholders. ARI intends to file a preliminary proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) detailing a plan of complete liquidation and dissolution, which would authorize the Company to sell its remaining properties, wind down ARI’s affairs and distribute net proceeds to stockholders (the “Dissolution”). The Board of Directors, in its discretion, may, at any time, terminate, modify or amend the plan of complete liquidation and dissolution, without stockholder approval, and authorize the Company to dispose of its assets through a merger, business combination or other strategic alternative. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference into this Item 8.01.