<?xml version="1.0" encoding="us-ascii"?>
<!-- Created by Merrill Corporation -->
<!-- Generated by Fujitsu Interstage XWand B0166_M01 -->
<!--Generated by IRIS XBRL Generation Engine-->
<xsd:schema targetNamespace="http://www.mfa-reit.com/20120930" attributeFormDefault="unqualified" elementFormDefault="qualified" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:mfa="http://www.mfa-reit.com/20120930" xmlns:us-types="http://fasb.org/us-types/2012-01-31" xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:invest="http://xbrl.sec.gov/invest/2012-01-31" xmlns:ref="http://www.xbrl.org/2006/ref" xmlns:num="http://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/numeric" xmlns:nonnum="http://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/non-numeric" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" xmlns:negated="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negated" xmlns:dei="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2012-01-31" xmlns:xl="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/XLink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xbrli="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance" xmlns:attributeFormDefault="unqualified" xmlns:us-gaap="http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2012-01-31" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">
  <xsd:annotation>
    <xsd:appinfo>
      <link:linkbaseRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mfa-20120930_pre.xml" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationLinkbaseRef" xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" />
      <link:linkbaseRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mfa-20120930_cal.xml" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/calculationLinkbaseRef" xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" />
      <link:linkbaseRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mfa-20120930_def.xml" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/definitionLinkbaseRef" xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" />
      <link:linkbaseRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mfa-20120930_lab.xml" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/labelLinkbaseRef" xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" />
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation" id="DocumentAndEntityInformation">
        <link:definition>0000 - Document - Document and Entity Information</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/BalanceSheet" id="BalanceSheet">
        <link:definition>0010 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/BalanceSheetParenthetical" id="BalanceSheetParenthetical">
        <link:definition>0015 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/StatementOfIncome" id="StatementOfIncome">
        <link:definition>0020 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/StatementOfComprehensiveIncomeLoss" id="StatementOfComprehensiveIncomeLoss">
        <link:definition>0030 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/StatementOfStockholdersEquity" id="StatementOfStockholdersEquity">
        <link:definition>0040 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/StatementOfStockholdersEquityParenthetical" id="StatementOfStockholdersEquityParenthetical">
        <link:definition>0045 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/CashFlows" id="CashFlows">
        <link:definition>0050 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureOrganization" id="DisclosureOrganization">
        <link:definition>1010 - Disclosure - Organization</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies" id="DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies">
        <link:definition>1020 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureMBS" id="DisclosureMBS">
        <link:definition>1030 - Disclosure - MBS</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureDerivatives" id="DisclosureDerivatives">
        <link:definition>1040 - Disclosure - Derivatives</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureInterestReceivable" id="DisclosureInterestReceivable">
        <link:definition>1050 - Disclosure - Interest Receivable</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureRealEstate" id="DisclosureRealEstate">
        <link:definition>1060 - Disclosure - Real Estate</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureRepurchaseAgreements" id="DisclosureRepurchaseAgreements">
        <link:definition>1070 - Disclosure - Repurchase Agreements</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureCollateralPositions" id="DisclosureCollateralPositions">
        <link:definition>1080 - Disclosure - Collateral Positions</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureSeniorNotes" id="DisclosureSeniorNotes">
        <link:definition>1090 - Disclosure - Senior Notes</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingencies" id="DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingencies">
        <link:definition>1100 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquity" id="DisclosureStockholdersEquity">
        <link:definition>1110 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureEPSCalculation" id="DisclosureEPSCalculation">
        <link:definition>1120 - Disclosure - EPS Calculation</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureEquityCompensationEmploymentAgreementsAndOtherBenefitPlans" id="DisclosureEquityCompensationEmploymentAgreementsAndOtherBenefitPlans">
        <link:definition>1130 - Disclosure - Equity Compensation, Employment Agreements and Other Benefit Plans</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureFairValueOfFinancialInstruments" id="DisclosureFairValueOfFinancialInstruments">
        <link:definition>1140 - Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Instruments</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureUseOfSpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntities" id="DisclosureUseOfSpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntities">
        <link:definition>1150 - Disclosure - Use of Special Purpose Entities and Variable Interest Entities</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies" id="DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies">
        <link:definition>2020 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureMBSTables" id="DisclosureMBSTables">
        <link:definition>3030 - Disclosure - MBS (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureDerivativesTables" id="DisclosureDerivativesTables">
        <link:definition>3040 - Disclosure - Derivatives (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureInterestReceivableTables" id="DisclosureInterestReceivableTables">
        <link:definition>3050 - Disclosure - Interest Receivable (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureRealEstateTables" id="DisclosureRealEstateTables">
        <link:definition>3060 - Disclosure - Real Estate (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureRepurchaseAgreementsTables" id="DisclosureRepurchaseAgreementsTables">
        <link:definition>3070 - Disclosure - Repurchase Agreements (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureCollateralPositionsTables" id="DisclosureCollateralPositionsTables">
        <link:definition>3080 - Disclosure - Collateral Positions (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityTables" id="DisclosureStockholdersEquityTables">
        <link:definition>3110 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureEPSCalculationTables" id="DisclosureEPSCalculationTables">
        <link:definition>3120 - Disclosure - EPS Calculation (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureEquityCompensationEmploymentAgreementsAndOtherBenefitPlansTables" id="DisclosureEquityCompensationEmploymentAgreementsAndOtherBenefitPlansTables">
        <link:definition>3130 - Disclosure - Equity Compensation, Employment Agreements and Other Benefit Plans (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsTables" id="DisclosureFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsTables">
        <link:definition>3140 - Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureUseOfSpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesTables" id="DisclosureUseOfSpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesTables">
        <link:definition>3150 - Disclosure - Use of Special Purpose Entities and Variable Interest Entities (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureOrganizationDetails" id="DisclosureOrganizationDetails">
        <link:definition>4010 - Disclosure - Organization (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails" id="DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails">
        <link:definition>4020 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails2" id="DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails2">
        <link:definition>4021 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 2)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails3" id="DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails3">
        <link:definition>4022 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 3)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureMBSDetails" id="DisclosureMBSDetails">
        <link:definition>4030 - Disclosure - MBS (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureMBSDetails2" id="DisclosureMBSDetails2">
        <link:definition>4031 - Disclosure - MBS (Details 2)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureDerivativesDetails" id="DisclosureDerivativesDetails">
        <link:definition>4040 - Disclosure - Derivatives (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureDerivativesDetails2" id="DisclosureDerivativesDetails2">
        <link:definition>4041 - Disclosure - Derivatives (Details 2)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureDerivativesDetails3" id="DisclosureDerivativesDetails3">
        <link:definition>4042 - Disclosure - Derivatives (Details 3)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureInterestReceivableDetails" id="DisclosureInterestReceivableDetails">
        <link:definition>4050 - Disclosure - Interest Receivable (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureRealEstateDetails" id="DisclosureRealEstateDetails">
        <link:definition>4060 - Disclosure - Real Estate (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureRepurchaseAgreementsDetails" id="DisclosureRepurchaseAgreementsDetails">
        <link:definition>4070 - Disclosure - Repurchase Agreements (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureRepurchaseAgreementsDetails2" id="DisclosureRepurchaseAgreementsDetails2">
        <link:definition>4071 - Disclosure - Repurchase Agreements (Details 2)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureRepurchaseAgreementsDetails3" id="DisclosureRepurchaseAgreementsDetails3">
        <link:definition>4072 - Disclosure - Repurchase Agreements (Details 3)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureCollateralPositionsDetails" id="DisclosureCollateralPositionsDetails">
        <link:definition>4080 - Disclosure - Collateral Positions (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureCollateralPositionsDetails2" id="DisclosureCollateralPositionsDetails2">
        <link:definition>4081 - Disclosure - Collateral Positions (Details 2)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureSeniorNotesDetails" id="DisclosureSeniorNotesDetails">
        <link:definition>4090 - Disclosure - Senior Notes (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails" id="DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails">
        <link:definition>4100 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails2" id="DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails2">
        <link:definition>4101 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Details 2)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityDetails" id="DisclosureStockholdersEquityDetails">
        <link:definition>4110 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityDetails2" id="DisclosureStockholdersEquityDetails2">
        <link:definition>4111 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity (Details 2)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureEPSCalculationDetails" id="DisclosureEPSCalculationDetails">
        <link:definition>4120 - Disclosure - EPS Calculation (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureEquityCompensationEmploymentAgreementsAndOtherBenefitPlansDetails" id="DisclosureEquityCompensationEmploymentAgreementsAndOtherBenefitPlansDetails">
        <link:definition>4130 - Disclosure - Equity Compensation, Employment Agreements and Other Benefit Plans (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureEquityCompensationEmploymentAgreementsAndOtherBenefitPlansDetails2" id="DisclosureEquityCompensationEmploymentAgreementsAndOtherBenefitPlansDetails2">
        <link:definition>4131 - Disclosure - Equity Compensation, Employment Agreements and Other Benefit Plans (Details 2)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsDetails" id="DisclosureFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsDetails">
        <link:definition>4140 - Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsDetails2" id="DisclosureFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsDetails2">
        <link:definition>4141 - Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details 2)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureUseOfSpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesDetails" id="DisclosureUseOfSpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesDetails">
        <link:definition>4150 - Disclosure - Use of Special Purpose Entities and Variable Interest Entities (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfQuarterlyResultsOfOperations" id="DisclosureSummaryOfQuarterlyResultsOfOperations">
        <link:definition>8000 - Disclosure - Summary of Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfQuarterlyResultsOfOperationsTables" id="DisclosureSummaryOfQuarterlyResultsOfOperationsTables">
        <link:definition>8010 - Disclosure - Summary of Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited) (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesTables" id="DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesTables">
        <link:definition>8020 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureEquityCompensationEmploymentAgreementsAndOtherBenefitPlansDetails4" id="DisclosureEquityCompensationEmploymentAgreementsAndOtherBenefitPlansDetails4">
        <link:definition>8030 - Disclosure - Equity Compensation, Employment Agreements and Other Benefit Plans (Details 4)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.mfa-reit.com/role/DisclosureSubsequentEventDetails" id="DisclosureSubsequentEventDetails">
        <link:definition>8040 - Disclosure - Subsequent Event (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
    </xsd:appinfo>
  </xsd:annotation>
  <xsd:import namespace="http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2012-01-31" schemaLocation="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd" />
  <xsd:import namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/numeric" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/numeric-2009-12-16.xsd" />
  <xsd:import namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/non-numeric" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/nonNumeric-2009-12-16.xsd" />
  <xsd:import namespace="http://fasb.org/us-types/2012-01-31" schemaLocation="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-types-2012-01-31.xsd" />
  <xsd:import namespace="http://xbrl.sec.gov/invest/2012-01-31" schemaLocation="http://xbrl.sec.gov/invest/2012/invest-2012-01-31.xsd" />
  <xsd:import namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negated" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/lrr/role/negated-2009-12-16.xsd" />
  <xsd:import namespace="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2012-01-31" schemaLocation="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2012/dei-2012-01-31.xsd" />
  <xsd:import namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-instance-2003-12-31.xsd" />
  <xsd:import namespace="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd" />
  <xsd:element name="AccretableDiscountMember" id="mfa_AccretableDiscountMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="AccretionOfPurchaseDiscounts" id="mfa_AccretionOfPurchaseDiscounts" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="AccruedInterestOnSecuritiesPledged" id="mfa_AccruedInterestOnSecuritiesPledged" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="AccruedInterestPayableOnDerivatives" id="mfa_AccruedInterestPayableOnDerivatives" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesCreditLossesNotToBeAccretedIntoInterestIncomeAvailableForSaleDebtSecurities" id="mfa_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesCreditLossesNotToBeAccretedIntoInterestIncomeAvailableForSaleDebtSecurities" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeRollForward" id="mfa_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeRollForward" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainOnDerivativesNetOfTax" id="mfa_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainOnDerivativesNetOfTax" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedLossOnDerivativesNetOfTax" id="mfa_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedLossOnDerivativesNetOfTax" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="AgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember" id="mfa_AgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="AmendmentOfFinancingArrangementMember" id="mfa_AmendmentOfFinancingArrangementMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseRemainingPeriodBeforeInterestRateResetAxis" id="mfa_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseRemainingPeriodBeforeInterestRateResetAxis" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:dimensionItem" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseRemainingPeriodBeforeInterestRateResetDomain" id="mfa_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseRemainingPeriodBeforeInterestRateResetDomain" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccretablePurchaseDiscounts" id="mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccretablePurchaseDiscounts" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAgency" id="mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAgency" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangesInPurchaseDiscountDueToNetImpairmentLossesRecognizedInEarnings" id="mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangesInPurchaseDiscountDueToNetImpairmentLossesRecognizedInEarnings" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangesInPurchaseDiscountDueToPurchases" id="mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangesInPurchaseDiscountDueToPurchases" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangesInPurchaseDiscountDueToReclassificationAdjustmentForOtherThanTemporaryImpairment" id="mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangesInPurchaseDiscountDueToReclassificationAdjustmentForOtherThanTemporaryImpairment" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangesInPurchaseDiscountDueToSales" id="mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangesInPurchaseDiscountDueToSales" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangesInPurchaseDiscountDueToUnlinkingOfLinkedTransactions" id="mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangesInPurchaseDiscountDueToUnlinkingOfLinkedTransactions" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDiscount" id="mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDiscount" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReserveAndOtherThanTemporaryImpairments" id="mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReserveAndOtherThanTemporaryImpairments" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueExcludingPrincipalPaymentsReceivable" id="mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueExcludingPrincipalPaymentsReceivable" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueExcludingPrincipalPaymentsReceivableAsPercentOfTotal" id="mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueExcludingPrincipalPaymentsReceivableAsPercentOfTotal" type="num:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesImpairedAmortizedCost" id="mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesImpairedAmortizedCost" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositions12MonthsOrMoreNumberOfPositions" id="mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositions12MonthsOrMoreNumberOfPositions" type="xbrli:decimalItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsLessThan12MonthsNumberOfPositions" id="mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsLessThan12MonthsNumberOfPositions" type="xbrli:decimalItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgency" id="mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgency" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgencyIncludingTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntityFairValueDisclosure" id="mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgencyIncludingTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntityFairValueDisclosure" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNumberWithRecognizedOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLosses" id="mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNumberWithRecognizedOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLosses" type="xbrli:integerItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralAgency" id="mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralAgency" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralNonAgency" id="mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralNonAgency" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPrincipalPaymentsReceivable" id="mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPrincipalPaymentsReceivable" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountAxis" id="mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountAxis" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:dimensionItem" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReserves" id="mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReserves" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount" id="mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDomain" id="mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDomain" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountRollforward" id="mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountRollforward" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchasePremiums" id="mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchasePremiums" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesSoldNumber" id="mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesSoldNumber" type="xbrli:integerItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="CSMCSeries20111RMember" id="mfa_CSMCSeries20111RMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="CSMCSeries20117RMember" id="mfa_CSMCSeries20117RMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="CollateralPositionsDisclosureAbstract" id="mfa_CollateralPositionsDisclosureAbstract" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="CollateralPositionsLineItems" id="mfa_CollateralPositionsLineItems" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="CollateralPositionsTable" id="mfa_CollateralPositionsTable" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="CollateralPositionsTextBlock" id="mfa_CollateralPositionsTextBlock" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="CommonStockDividendsDeclaredNumberOfDeclarations" id="mfa_CommonStockDividendsDeclaredNumberOfDeclarations" type="xbrli:integerItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="CommonStockDividendsDeclaredPeriodCovered" id="mfa_CommonStockDividendsDeclaredPeriodCovered" type="xbrli:durationItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="CommonStockSpecialDividendsPerShareDeclared" id="mfa_CommonStockSpecialDividendsPerShareDeclared" type="num:perShareItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ComprehensiveIncomeLossToCommonStockholdersAndParticipatingSecurities" id="mfa_ComprehensiveIncomeLossToCommonStockholdersAndParticipatingSecurities" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ControlledEquityOfferingProgramMember" id="mfa_ControlledEquityOfferingProgramMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="CorporateHeadquartersMember" id="mfa_CorporateHeadquartersMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="CouponInterestSecuritiesMortgageBacked" id="mfa_CouponInterestSecuritiesMortgageBacked" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="CreditSuisseMember" id="mfa_CreditSuisseMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationDeferrablePercentageMaximum" id="mfa_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationDeferrablePercentageMaximum" type="num:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationExpenseNetOfMarketFluctuations" id="mfa_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationExpenseNetOfMarketFluctuations" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnFirstTierOfEligibleCompensation" id="mfa_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnFirstTierOfEligibleCompensation" type="num:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnSecondTierOfEligibleCompensation" id="mfa_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnSecondTierOfEligibleCompensation" type="num:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfFirstEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch" id="mfa_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfFirstEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch" type="num:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfNextEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch" id="mfa_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfNextEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch" type="num:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualUndistributedIncomeDeferred" id="mfa_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualUndistributedIncomeDeferred" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="DerivativeByMaturityAxis" id="mfa_DerivativeByMaturityAxis" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:dimensionItem" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="DerivativeByMaturityDomain" id="mfa_DerivativeByMaturityDomain" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="DerivativeMaturityOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember" id="mfa_DerivativeMaturityOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="DerivativeMaturityOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember" id="mfa_DerivativeMaturityOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="DerivativeMaturityOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember" id="mfa_DerivativeMaturityOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="DerivativeMaturityOver36MonthsTo48MonthsMember" id="mfa_DerivativeMaturityOver36MonthsTo48MonthsMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="DerivativeMaturityOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember" id="mfa_DerivativeMaturityOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="DerivativeMaturityOver48MonthsTo60MonthsMember" id="mfa_DerivativeMaturityOver48MonthsTo60MonthsMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="DerivativeMaturityOver60MonthsMember" id="mfa_DerivativeMaturityOver60MonthsMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="DerivativeMaturityOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember" id="mfa_DerivativeMaturityOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="DerivativeMaturityWithin30DaysMember" id="mfa_DerivativeMaturityWithin30DaysMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRatePaid" id="mfa_DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRatePaid" type="num:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRateReceived" id="mfa_DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRateReceived" type="num:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="DeutscheBankSecuritiesIncMember" id="mfa_DeutscheBankSecuritiesIncMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="DeutscheMortgageSecuritiesIncRealEstateMortgageInvestmentConduitTrustSeries2010RS2Member" id="mfa_DeutscheMortgageSecuritiesIncRealEstateMortgageInvestmentConduitTrustSeries2010RS2Member" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="DiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesAndOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMember" id="mfa_DiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesAndOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="DiscountWaiverDirectStockPurchaseAndDividendReinvestmentPlanMember" id="mfa_DiscountWaiverDirectStockPurchaseAndDividendReinvestmentPlanMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="DividendEquivalentRightsMember" id="mfa_DividendEquivalentRightsMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="DividendsDividendEquivalentRights" id="mfa_DividendsDividendEquivalentRights" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="DocumentAndEntityInformationAbstract" id="mfa_DocumentAndEntityInformationAbstract" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="EffectiveYieldAdjustmentSecuritiesMortgageBacked" id="mfa_EffectiveYieldAdjustmentSecuritiesMortgageBacked" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="EmploymentAgreementAbstract" id="mfa_EmploymentAgreementAbstract" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="EmploymentAgreementsNumberOfOfficers" id="mfa_EmploymentAgreementsNumberOfOfficers" type="xbrli:integerItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="EquityCompensationPlan2010Member" id="mfa_EquityCompensationPlan2010Member" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="EquityOfferingCost" id="mfa_EquityOfferingCost" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="EquityOfferingCostUnderwritingDiscountsAndRelatedExpenses" id="mfa_EquityOfferingCostUnderwritingDiscountsAndRelatedExpenses" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ExercisePriceDollars10.25Member" id="mfa_ExercisePriceDollars10.25Member" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ExercisePriceDollars6.99Member" id="mfa_ExercisePriceDollars6.99Member" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ExercisePriceDollars8.40Member" id="mfa_ExercisePriceDollars8.40Member" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="FixedRateMortgages15YearMember" id="mfa_FixedRateMortgages15YearMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="FixedRateMortgagesGreaterThan15YearMember" id="mfa_FixedRateMortgagesGreaterThan15YearMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="FloatersMember" id="mfa_FloatersMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="GainOnLinkedTransactions" id="mfa_GainOnLinkedTransactions" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="GainOnLinkedTransactionsAbstract" id="mfa_GainOnLinkedTransactionsAbstract" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="GainOnMBSForwards" id="mfa_GainOnMBSForwards" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="GainOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities" id="mfa_GainOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="HedgingAgainstChangesInInterestComponentPeriodOfFixedRateBorrowings" id="mfa_HedgingAgainstChangesInInterestComponentPeriodOfFixedRateBorrowings" type="xbrli:durationItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="HybridsInAdjustablePeriodMember" id="mfa_HybridsInAdjustablePeriodMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="HybridsInFixedRatePeriodMember" id="mfa_HybridsInFixedRatePeriodMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="IncomeLossDueToChangeInTimeValueComponentOfDerivative" id="mfa_IncomeLossDueToChangeInTimeValueComponentOfDerivative" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="InterestExpenseMortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactions" id="mfa_InterestExpenseMortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactions" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="InterestExpenseSeniorNotes" id="mfa_InterestExpenseSeniorNotes" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="InterestIncomeAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked" id="mfa_InterestIncomeAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked" id="mfa_InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBackedTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" id="mfa_InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBackedTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="InterestIncomeNotes" id="mfa_InterestIncomeNotes" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="InterestOnlySeniorCertificatesAcquiredNotionalAmount" id="mfa_InterestOnlySeniorCertificatesAcquiredNotionalAmount" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="InterestPayableSecuritiesMortgageBacked" id="mfa_InterestPayableSecuritiesMortgageBacked" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="InterestRateResetOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember" id="mfa_InterestRateResetOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="InterestRateResetOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember" id="mfa_InterestRateResetOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="InterestRateResetOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember" id="mfa_InterestRateResetOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="InterestRateResetOver36MonthsMember" id="mfa_InterestRateResetOver36MonthsMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="InterestRateResetOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember" id="mfa_InterestRateResetOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="InterestRateResetOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember" id="mfa_InterestRateResetOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="InterestRateResetWithin30DaysMember" id="mfa_InterestRateResetWithin30DaysMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems" id="mfa_InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryTable" id="mfa_InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryTable" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="InterestReceivableSecuritiesMortgageBacked" id="mfa_InterestReceivableSecuritiesMortgageBacked" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="InterestReceivableTableTextBlock" id="mfa_InterestReceivableTableTextBlock" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="InvestmentAcquiredByThirdPartyPrincipalAmount" id="mfa_InvestmentAcquiredByThirdPartyPrincipalAmount" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="InvestmentAcquiredFromTrustPrincipalAmount" id="mfa_InvestmentAcquiredFromTrustPrincipalAmount" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="InvestmentFaceAmount" id="mfa_InvestmentFaceAmount" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="InvestmentNotionalAmount" id="mfa_InvestmentNotionalAmount" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="InvestmentSoldPrincipalAmount" id="mfa_InvestmentSoldPrincipalAmount" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="LiabilitiesMember" id="mfa_LiabilitiesMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="LongTermDebtRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount" id="mfa_LongTermDebtRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount" type="num:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="LossOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities" id="mfa_LossOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="LossOnTerminationOfRepurchaseAgreements" id="mfa_LossOnTerminationOfRepurchaseAgreements" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="MBSLinkedTransactionsNet" id="mfa_MBSLinkedTransactionsNet" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsAccretablePurchaseDiscountReallocatedToCreditReserves" id="mfa_MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsAccretablePurchaseDiscountReallocatedToCreditReserves" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount" id="mfa_MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="MatchingContributionByEmployerVestingPercent" id="mfa_MatchingContributionByEmployerVestingPercent" type="num:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="Maturity180To360DaysMember" id="mfa_Maturity180To360DaysMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="Maturity90To180DaysMember" id="mfa_Maturity90To180DaysMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="MaturityOver12MonthsMember" id="mfa_MaturityOver12MonthsMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="MaturityOver90DaysTo12MonthsMember" id="mfa_MaturityOver90DaysTo12MonthsMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="MaximumNumberOfSharesThatCanBeOfferedUnderSaleAgreement" id="mfa_MaximumNumberOfSharesThatCanBeOfferedUnderSaleAgreement" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="MortgageBackedSecuritiesAbstract" id="mfa_MortgageBackedSecuritiesAbstract" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="MortgageBackedSecuritiesPeriodOfFixedRateMortgagesMinimum" id="mfa_MortgageBackedSecuritiesPeriodOfFixedRateMortgagesMinimum" type="xbrli:durationItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="MortgageBackedSecuritiesRecordedUponDeLinking" id="mfa_MortgageBackedSecuritiesRecordedUponDeLinking" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionAbstract" id="mfa_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionAbstract" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsAmortizedCost" id="mfa_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsAmortizedCost" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsFairValue" id="mfa_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsFairValue" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsParValue" id="mfa_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsParValue" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="NegativeAmortizationAndPrincipalAccretionOnMBS" id="mfa_NegativeAmortizationAndPrincipalAccretionOnMBS" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasicAndDilutedAbstract" id="mfa_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasicAndDilutedAbstract" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasicAndDilutedNetOfAllocationToParticipatingSecurities" id="mfa_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasicAndDilutedNetOfAllocationToParticipatingSecurities" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="NewAndProposedAccountingPronouncementsPolicyTextBlock" id="mfa_NewAndProposedAccountingPronouncementsPolicyTextBlock" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesAcquiredFromConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" id="mfa_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesAcquiredFromConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember" id="mfa_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralWithSingleCounterparty" id="mfa_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralWithSingleCounterparty" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesSoldAsPartOfResecuritizationTransactionPrincipalAmount" id="mfa_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesSoldAsPartOfResecuritizationTransactionPrincipalAmount" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" id="mfa_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="NonMFACollateralMember" id="mfa_NonMFACollateralMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="NonRatedInterestOnlySeniorCertificateMember" id="mfa_NonRatedInterestOnlySeniorCertificateMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="NonRatedMember" id="mfa_NonRatedMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="NonRatedNonAgencyMBSMember" id="mfa_NonRatedNonAgencyMBSMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="NonRatedSeniorSupportCertificateMember" id="mfa_NonRatedSeniorSupportCertificateMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="NotionalAmountOfDerivativesEntered" id="mfa_NotionalAmountOfDerivativesEntered" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="NotionalAmountOfDerivativesExpired" id="mfa_NotionalAmountOfDerivativesExpired" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="NumberOfClassesOfInvestmentAcquired" id="mfa_NumberOfClassesOfInvestmentAcquired" type="xbrli:integerItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="NumberOfComponentsOfLinkedTransactions" id="mfa_NumberOfComponentsOfLinkedTransactions" type="xbrli:integerItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="NumberOfCounterpartiesInRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreements" id="mfa_NumberOfCounterpartiesInRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreements" type="xbrli:integerItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="NumberOfCounterpartyRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreementsEntered" id="mfa_NumberOfCounterpartyRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreementsEntered" type="xbrli:integerItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="NumberOfDaysConsideredToClassifyLoansDelinquent" id="mfa_NumberOfDaysConsideredToClassifyLoansDelinquent" type="xbrli:durationItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="NumberOfMortgageBackedSecuritiesHeld" id="mfa_NumberOfMortgageBackedSecuritiesHeld" type="xbrli:integerItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="NumberOfNonagencyMortgageBackedSecurities" id="mfa_NumberOfNonagencyMortgageBackedSecurities" type="xbrli:integerItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="OffsiteBackupFacilityMember" id="mfa_OffsiteBackupFacilityMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="OperatingLeasedPropertiesDomain" id="mfa_OperatingLeasedPropertiesDomain" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="OperatingLeasesByPropertyAxis" id="mfa_OperatingLeasesByPropertyAxis" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:dimensionItem" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="OperatingLeasesNumberOfOperatingLeases" id="mfa_OperatingLeasesNumberOfOperatingLeases" type="xbrli:integerItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="OperatingLeasesRentExpenseMinimumAnnualRentals" id="mfa_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseMinimumAnnualRentals" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax" id="mfa_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnNonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax" id="mfa_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnNonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesSignificantInputsAndAssumptionsCreditEnhancement" id="mfa_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesSignificantInputsAndAssumptionsCreditEnhancement" type="num:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesSignificantInputsAndAssumptionsDelinquent60OrMoreDays" id="mfa_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesSignificantInputsAndAssumptionsDelinquent60OrMoreDays" type="num:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesSignificantInputsAndAssumptionsProjectedConditionalPrepaymentRate" id="mfa_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesSignificantInputsAndAssumptionsProjectedConditionalPrepaymentRate" type="num:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesSignificantInputsAndAssumptionsProjectedLossSeverity" id="mfa_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesSignificantInputsAndAssumptionsProjectedLossSeverity" type="num:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMeasurementSignificantInputsAndAssumptionsTableTextBlock" id="mfa_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMeasurementSignificantInputsAndAssumptionsTableTextBlock" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="OwnershipInterestInRealEstatePropertyHeldForSale" id="mfa_OwnershipInterestInRealEstatePropertyHeldForSale" type="num:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="PaymentOfPremiumOnPurchaseOfDerivative" id="mfa_PaymentOfPremiumOnPurchaseOfDerivative" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="PaymentToTerminateSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase" id="mfa_PaymentToTerminateSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="PaymentsForResecuritizationRelatedCosts" id="mfa_PaymentsForResecuritizationRelatedCosts" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="PaymentsMadeForMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives" id="mfa_PaymentsMadeForMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="PaymentsOnSecuritizedDebt" id="mfa_PaymentsOnSecuritizedDebt" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="PercentageOfAnnualREITTaxableIncomeDistributableToStockholdersMinimum" id="mfa_PercentageOfAnnualREITTaxableIncomeDistributableToStockholdersMinimum" type="num:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="PledgedFinancialInstrumentsNotSeparatelyReportedSecuritiesPledgedAggregateFairValueAndAccruedInterest" id="mfa_PledgedFinancialInstrumentsNotSeparatelyReportedSecuritiesPledgedAggregateFairValueAndAccruedInterest" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="PledgedFinancialInstrumentsNotSeparatelyReportedSecuritiesPledgedAmortizedCost" id="mfa_PledgedFinancialInstrumentsNotSeparatelyReportedSecuritiesPledgedAmortizedCost" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="PreferredStockVotingRightsAvailableIfCompanyFailsToPayDividendMinimumPeriod" id="mfa_PreferredStockVotingRightsAvailableIfCompanyFailsToPayDividendMinimumPeriod" type="xbrli:integerItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="PreferredStockVotingRightsNumberOfAdditionalDirectorsThatCanBeElected" id="mfa_PreferredStockVotingRightsNumberOfAdditionalDirectorsThatCanBeElected" type="xbrli:integerItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="PreferredStockVotingRightsPercentageRequiredForMakingMaterialAndAdverseChangesToTermsMinimum" id="mfa_PreferredStockVotingRightsPercentageRequiredForMakingMaterialAndAdverseChangesToTermsMinimum" type="num:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="PrincipalPaymentsOnLinkedTransactions" id="mfa_PrincipalPaymentsOnLinkedTransactions" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="PrincipalPaymentsOnSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase" id="mfa_PrincipalPaymentsOnSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSecuritizedDebt" id="mfa_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSecuritizedDebt" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ProceedsFromLinkedTransactions" id="mfa_ProceedsFromLinkedTransactions" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ProceedsFromMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives" id="mfa_ProceedsFromMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ProceedsFromSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase" id="mfa_ProceedsFromSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="PublicOfferingMember" id="mfa_PublicOfferingMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="RangeOfExercisePrice10.23DollarsTo10.25DollarsMember" id="mfa_RangeOfExercisePrice10.23DollarsTo10.25DollarsMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="RatedAAAMember" id="mfa_RatedAAAMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="RatedAAAndAMember" id="mfa_RatedAAAndAMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="RatedAAMember" id="mfa_RatedAAMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="RatedAMember" id="mfa_RatedAMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="RatedBBBMember" id="mfa_RatedBBBMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="RatedBBMember" id="mfa_RatedBBMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="RatedBMember" id="mfa_RatedBMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="RatedCCCMember" id="mfa_RatedCCCMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="RatedCCMember" id="mfa_RatedCCMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="RatedCMember" id="mfa_RatedCMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="RatedDMember" id="mfa_RatedDMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="RatedNonAgencyMBSMember" id="mfa_RatedNonAgencyMBSMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="RealEstateAggregateSalesPrice" id="mfa_RealEstateAggregateSalesPrice" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="RealEstateInvestmentFurnitureAndFixturesMember" id="mfa_RealEstateInvestmentFurnitureAndFixturesMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="RealEstateMortgageInterestAndPrepaymentPenalty" id="mfa_RealEstateMortgageInterestAndPrepaymentPenalty" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="RealEstateNetIncomeLoss" id="mfa_RealEstateNetIncomeLoss" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="RealEstateOperatingExpenseAndMortgageInterest" id="mfa_RealEstateOperatingExpenseAndMortgageInterest" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity" id="mfa_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity" type="num:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskMinimumAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity" id="mfa_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskMinimumAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity" type="num:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="RepurchaseAgreementMember" id="mfa_RepurchaseAgreementMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="RepurchaseAgreementRecordedUponDeLinking" id="mfa_RepurchaseAgreementRecordedUponDeLinking" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="RepurchaseAgreementsDisclosureAbstract" id="mfa_RepurchaseAgreementsDisclosureAbstract" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="RepurchaseAgreementsEffectiveRepricingPeriod" id="mfa_RepurchaseAgreementsEffectiveRepricingPeriod" type="xbrli:durationItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodHighEndOfRange" id="mfa_RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodHighEndOfRange" type="xbrli:durationItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodLowEndOfRange" id="mfa_RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodLowEndOfRange" type="xbrli:durationItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransaction" id="mfa_RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransaction" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransactionAbstract" id="mfa_RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransactionAbstract" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="RepurchaseAgreementsMaximumLoanFromSingleLenderExpressedInMultipleOfStockholdersEquity" id="mfa_RepurchaseAgreementsMaximumLoanFromSingleLenderExpressedInMultipleOfStockholdersEquity" type="us-types:durationStringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="RepurchaseAgreementsNumberOfCounterparties" id="mfa_RepurchaseAgreementsNumberOfCounterparties" type="xbrli:integerItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="RepurchaseAgreementsTerminatedAmount" id="mfa_RepurchaseAgreementsTerminatedAmount" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="RepurchaseAgreementsWeightedAverageRemainingTermToInterestRateReset" id="mfa_RepurchaseAgreementsWeightedAverageRemainingTermToInterestRateReset" type="xbrli:durationItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ResecuritizationOfNonAgencyMBSMember" id="mfa_ResecuritizationOfNonAgencyMBSMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="RestrictedCashMember" id="mfa_RestrictedCashMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="RestrictedStockAwardOtherThanAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate" id="mfa_RestrictedStockAwardOtherThanAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate" type="num:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="RestrictedStockAwardThatAreAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate" id="mfa_RestrictedStockAwardThatAreAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate" type="num:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="RestrictedStockAwardsMember" id="mfa_RestrictedStockAwardsMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithMarketAndServiceConditionsMember" id="mfa_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithMarketAndServiceConditionsMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithServiceConditionsMember" id="mfa_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithServiceConditionsMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ReverseRepurchaseAgreementsMember" id="mfa_ReverseRepurchaseAgreementsMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="SavingsPlanMember" id="mfa_SavingsPlanMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ScheduleOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMortgageBackedSecuritiesTableTextBlock" id="mfa_ScheduleOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMortgageBackedSecuritiesTableTextBlock" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ScheduleOfBorrowingsUnderRepurchaseAgreementsAndAssetsPledgedAsCollateralTableTextBlock" id="mfa_ScheduleOfBorrowingsUnderRepurchaseAgreementsAndAssetsPledgedAsCollateralTableTextBlock" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ScheduleOfChangesInPurchaseDiscountsNonAgencyMBSTableTextBlock" id="mfa_ScheduleOfChangesInPurchaseDiscountsNonAgencyMBSTableTextBlock" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ScheduleOfCollateralPledgedAgainstDerivativeContractsTableTextBlock" id="mfa_ScheduleOfCollateralPledgedAgainstDerivativeContractsTableTextBlock" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ScheduleOfCollateralPositionsTableTextBlock" id="mfa_ScheduleOfCollateralPositionsTableTextBlock" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ScheduleOfCommonStockDividendDeclarationAndPaymentTableTextBlock" id="mfa_ScheduleOfCommonStockDividendDeclarationAndPaymentTableTextBlock" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ScheduleOfCompensationCostForDeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualTableTextBlock" id="mfa_ScheduleOfCompensationCostForDeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualTableTextBlock" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ScheduleOfComponentsOfOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentChargesTableTextBlock" id="mfa_ScheduleOfComponentsOfOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentChargesTableTextBlock" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ScheduleOfDeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualDeferredIncomeAndAssociatedLiabilityTableTextBlock" id="mfa_ScheduleOfDeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualDeferredIncomeAndAssociatedLiabilityTableTextBlock" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ScheduleOfDerivativeInstrumentsComponentsOfLinkedTransactionsTableTextBlock" id="mfa_ScheduleOfDerivativeInstrumentsComponentsOfLinkedTransactionsTableTextBlock" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ScheduleOfInterestOnAgencyMBSTableTextBlock" id="mfa_ScheduleOfInterestOnAgencyMBSTableTextBlock" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ScheduleOfInterestOnNonAgencyMBSTableTextBlock" id="mfa_ScheduleOfInterestOnNonAgencyMBSTableTextBlock" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ScheduleOfIssuanceOfSharesTableTextBlock" id="mfa_ScheduleOfIssuanceOfSharesTableTextBlock" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ScheduleOfPreferredStockDividendDeclarationAndPaymentTableTextBlock" id="mfa_ScheduleOfPreferredStockDividendDeclarationAndPaymentTableTextBlock" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ScheduleOfRealEstateAssetsAndLiabilitiesTableTextBlock" id="mfa_ScheduleOfRealEstateAssetsAndLiabilitiesTableTextBlock" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ScheduleOfRealEstateResultsOfOperationsTableTextBlock" id="mfa_ScheduleOfRealEstateResultsOfOperationsTableTextBlock" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ScheduleOfRepricingCharacteristicsOfUnderlyingMortgagesTableTextBlock" id="mfa_ScheduleOfRepricingCharacteristicsOfUnderlyingMortgagesTableTextBlock" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementCounterpartiesWithWhomTheRepurchaseAgreementsExceeds5PercentOfStockholdersEquityTextBlock" id="mfa_ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementCounterpartiesWithWhomTheRepurchaseAgreementsExceeds5PercentOfStockholdersEquityTextBlock" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementsByRepricingPeriodTableTextBlock" id="mfa_ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementsByRepricingPeriodTableTextBlock" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ScheduleOfResecuritizationTransactionsTableTextBlock" id="mfa_ScheduleOfResecuritizationTransactionsTableTextBlock" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationDividendDistributionRightsActivityTableTextBlock" id="mfa_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationDividendDistributionRightsActivityTableTextBlock" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ScheduleOfUnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactionsTableTextBlock" id="mfa_ScheduleOfUnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactionsTableTextBlock" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="SecuritiesObtainedAsCollateral" id="mfa_SecuritiesObtainedAsCollateral" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="SecuritizedDebt" id="mfa_SecuritizedDebt" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="SeniorSupportCertificatesMember" id="mfa_SeniorSupportCertificatesMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning30June2012" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning30June2012" type="xbrli:integerItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning5September2012" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning5September2012" type="xbrli:integerItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsEntitledToDistributions" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsEntitledToDistributions" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsPayment" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsPayment" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstanding" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstanding" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstandingForDersThatAreAttachedToOptions" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstandingForDersThatAreAttachedToOptions" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstandingThatAreAwardedForDersThatAreAttachedToRSUs" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstandingThatAreAwardedForDersThatAreAttachedToRSUs" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNumberVested" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNumberVested" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsOutstandingNumber" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsOutstandingNumber" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsOutstandingRollForward" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsOutstandingRollForward" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsPeriodForWhichClosingStockPricersAreConsideredForSharesBeginningToVestOn30June2012" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsPeriodForWhichClosingStockPricersAreConsideredForSharesBeginningToVestOn30June2012" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsPeriodForWhichClosingStockPricesAreConsideredForSharesVestingOn31December2012" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsPeriodForWhichClosingStockPricesAreConsideredForSharesVestingOn31December2012" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsPeriodForWhichClosingStockPricesAreConsideredForSharesVestingOn31December2014" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsPeriodForWhichClosingStockPricesAreConsideredForSharesVestingOn31December2014" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsSettledInPeriod" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsSettledInPeriod" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsSettledInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsSettledInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" type="num:perShareItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestAnnuallyOverThreeYearPeriodBeginning30June2012Number" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestAnnuallyOverThreeYearPeriodBeginning30June2012Number" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestAnnuallyOverThreeYearPeriodBeginning5September2012Number" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestAnnuallyOverThreeYearPeriodBeginning5September2012Number" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestYear2012Number" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestYear2012Number" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestYear2014Number" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestYear2014Number" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2012Number" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2012Number" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2014Number" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2014Number" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" type="num:perShareItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueVested" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueVested" type="num:perShareItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod" type="xbrli:durationItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardForfeitureRate2009AndPrior" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardForfeitureRate2009AndPrior" type="num:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriod" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriod" type="xbrli:durationItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyOverThreeYearPeriodBeginning30June2012" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyOverThreeYearPeriodBeginning30June2012" type="xbrli:durationItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2012" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2012" type="xbrli:durationItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2014" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2014" type="xbrli:durationItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerEmployeePeriod" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerEmployeePeriod" type="xbrli:durationItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerParticipant" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerParticipant" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumPercentageOfSharesPerEmployee" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumPercentageOfSharesPerEmployee" type="num:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue" type="num:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceForISOGrantedTo10PercentShareholderAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceForISOGrantedTo10PercentShareholderAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue" type="num:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodDERsAttached" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodDERsAttached" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGrantDateTotalFairValue" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGrantDateTotalFairValue" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsMaximumMarketValueOfExercisesInPeriod" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsMaximumMarketValueOfExercisesInPeriod" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableNumber" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableNumber" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice" type="num:perShareItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsPercentageOfShareholdersToWhom110PercentOfISOIsGranted" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsPercentageOfShareholdersToWhom110PercentOfISOIsGranted" type="num:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardVestingPeriodToMeasureQualificationAsIncentiveStockOptions" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardVestingPeriodToMeasureQualificationAsIncentiveStockOptions" type="xbrli:durationItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardWeightedAverageForfeitureRatePercent" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardWeightedAverageForfeitureRatePercent" type="num:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePrice" id="mfa_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePrice" type="num:perShareItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="SharesIssuedForCommonStockOptionExercisesNetofSharesWithheld" id="mfa_SharesIssuedForCommonStockOptionExercisesNetofSharesWithheld" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="SignificantPurchaseCommitmentEstimatedFaceAmountOfSecurities" id="mfa_SignificantPurchaseCommitmentEstimatedFaceAmountOfSecurities" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="SignificantPurchaseCommitmentQuantityOfSecurities" id="mfa_SignificantPurchaseCommitmentQuantityOfSecurities" type="xbrli:integerItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="SpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesDisclosureTextBlock" id="mfa_SpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesDisclosureTextBlock" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesPricePerShare" id="mfa_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesPricePerShare" type="num:perShareItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssuesNetOfExpenses" id="mfa_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssuesNetOfExpenses" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="StockholdersEquityLineItems" id="mfa_StockholdersEquityLineItems" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="StockholdersEquityTable" id="mfa_StockholdersEquityTable" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="SubsequentEventDebtInstrumentAdditionalBorrowingCapacity" id="mfa_SubsequentEventDebtInstrumentAdditionalBorrowingCapacity" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element name="TermOfDerivative" id="mfa_TermOfDerivative" type="xbrli:durationItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="TypeOfTransactionAxis" id="mfa_TypeOfTransactionAxis" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:dimensionItem" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="TypeOfTransactionDomain" id="mfa_TypeOfTransactionDomain" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="UBSAGMember" id="mfa_UBSAGMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="UBSMember" id="mfa_UBSMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="UBSSecuritiesLlcMember" id="mfa_UBSSecuritiesLlcMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="UnratedAndOtherMember" id="mfa_UnratedAndOtherMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="UnrealizedGainAndOtherOnLinkedTransactions" id="mfa_UnrealizedGainAndOtherOnLinkedTransactions" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="UnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactions" id="mfa_UnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactions" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="UseOfSpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesDisclosureAbstract" id="mfa_UseOfSpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesDisclosureAbstract" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="WFMLTSeries2012RR1Member" id="mfa_WFMLTSeries2012RR1Member" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="WeightedAveragePeriodOverWhichDersAreScheduledToElapse" id="mfa_WeightedAveragePeriodOverWhichDersAreScheduledToElapse" type="xbrli:durationItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="WellsFargoBankMember" id="mfa_WellsFargoBankMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="WellsFargoMember" id="mfa_WellsFargoMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="WellsFargoSecuritiesLlcMember" id="mfa_WellsFargoSecuritiesLlcMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="ScheduleOfInterestExpenseWeightedAverageInterestRatesPaidReceived" id="mfa_ScheduleOfInterestExpenseWeightedAverageInterestRatesPaidReceived" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element name="HaircutOnSecuritiesWeightedAveragePercentage" id="mfa_HaircutOnSecuritiesWeightedAveragePercentage" type="num:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
</xsd:schema>
