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<!-- Created by Merrill Corporation -->
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<!--Generated by IRIS XBRL Generation Engine-->
<link:linkbase xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd" xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xbrli="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">
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  <link:labelLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/link">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_AccretableDiscountMember" xlink:label="AccretableDiscountMember" xlink:title="AccretableDiscountMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccretableDiscountMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AccretableDiscountMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccretableDiscountMember">Accretable Discount [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccretableDiscountMember" xlink:to="label_AccretableDiscountMember" xlink:title="label: AccretableDiscountMember to label_AccretableDiscountMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccretableDiscountMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_AccretableDiscountMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccretableDiscountMember_2">Represents the accretable purchase discount related to available-for-sale securities.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccretableDiscountMember" xlink:to="label_AccretableDiscountMember_2" xlink:title="label: AccretableDiscountMember to label_AccretableDiscountMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccretableDiscountMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AccretableDiscountMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccretableDiscountMember_3">Accretable Discount</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccretableDiscountMember" xlink:to="label_AccretableDiscountMember_3" xlink:title="label: AccretableDiscountMember to label_AccretableDiscountMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_AccretionOfPurchaseDiscounts" xlink:label="AccretionOfPurchaseDiscounts" xlink:title="AccretionOfPurchaseDiscounts" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccretionOfPurchaseDiscounts" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AccretionOfPurchaseDiscounts" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccretionOfPurchaseDiscounts">Accretion of Purchase Discounts</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccretionOfPurchaseDiscounts" xlink:to="label_AccretionOfPurchaseDiscounts" xlink:title="label: AccretionOfPurchaseDiscounts to label_AccretionOfPurchaseDiscounts" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccretionOfPurchaseDiscounts_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel" xlink:title="label_AccretionOfPurchaseDiscounts" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccretionOfPurchaseDiscounts_2">Accretion of purchase discounts on MBS</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccretionOfPurchaseDiscounts" xlink:to="label_AccretionOfPurchaseDiscounts_2" xlink:title="label: AccretionOfPurchaseDiscounts to label_AccretionOfPurchaseDiscounts" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccretionOfPurchaseDiscounts_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_AccretionOfPurchaseDiscounts" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccretionOfPurchaseDiscounts_3">The sum of the periodic adjustments of the differences between securities' face values and purchase prices that are charged against earnings. This is called accretion if the security was purchased at a discount . As a noncash item, this element is an adjustment to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccretionOfPurchaseDiscounts" xlink:to="label_AccretionOfPurchaseDiscounts_3" xlink:title="label: AccretionOfPurchaseDiscounts to label_AccretionOfPurchaseDiscounts" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_AccruedInterestOnSecuritiesPledged" xlink:label="AccruedInterestOnSecuritiesPledged" xlink:title="AccruedInterestOnSecuritiesPledged" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccruedInterestOnSecuritiesPledged" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AccruedInterestOnSecuritiesPledged" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccruedInterestOnSecuritiesPledged">Accrued Interest on Securities Pledged</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccruedInterestOnSecuritiesPledged" xlink:to="label_AccruedInterestOnSecuritiesPledged" xlink:title="label: AccruedInterestOnSecuritiesPledged to label_AccruedInterestOnSecuritiesPledged" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccruedInterestOnSecuritiesPledged_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AccruedInterestOnSecuritiesPledged" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccruedInterestOnSecuritiesPledged_2">Accrued Interest on Pledged MBS</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccruedInterestOnSecuritiesPledged" xlink:to="label_AccruedInterestOnSecuritiesPledged_2" xlink:title="label: AccruedInterestOnSecuritiesPledged to label_AccruedInterestOnSecuritiesPledged" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccruedInterestOnSecuritiesPledged_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_AccruedInterestOnSecuritiesPledged" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccruedInterestOnSecuritiesPledged_3">Represents the amount of interest receivable on securities pledged as collateral.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccruedInterestOnSecuritiesPledged" xlink:to="label_AccruedInterestOnSecuritiesPledged_3" xlink:title="label: AccruedInterestOnSecuritiesPledged to label_AccruedInterestOnSecuritiesPledged" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_AccruedInterestPayableOnDerivatives" xlink:label="AccruedInterestPayableOnDerivatives" xlink:title="AccruedInterestPayableOnDerivatives" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccruedInterestPayableOnDerivatives" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AccruedInterestPayableOnDerivatives" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccruedInterestPayableOnDerivatives">Accrued Interest Payable on Derivatives</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccruedInterestPayableOnDerivatives" xlink:to="label_AccruedInterestPayableOnDerivatives" xlink:title="label: AccruedInterestPayableOnDerivatives to label_AccruedInterestPayableOnDerivatives" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccruedInterestPayableOnDerivatives_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_AccruedInterestPayableOnDerivatives" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccruedInterestPayableOnDerivatives_2">Represents the associated accrued interest payable on derivatives.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccruedInterestPayableOnDerivatives" xlink:to="label_AccruedInterestPayableOnDerivatives_2" xlink:title="label: AccruedInterestPayableOnDerivatives to label_AccruedInterestPayableOnDerivatives" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccruedInterestPayableOnDerivatives_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AccruedInterestPayableOnDerivatives" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccruedInterestPayableOnDerivatives_3">Associated accrued interest payable</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccruedInterestPayableOnDerivatives" xlink:to="label_AccruedInterestPayableOnDerivatives_3" xlink:title="label: AccruedInterestPayableOnDerivatives to label_AccruedInterestPayableOnDerivatives" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesCreditLossesNotToBeAccretedIntoInterestIncomeAvailableForSaleDebtSecurities" xlink:label="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesCreditLossesNotToBeAccretedIntoInterestIncomeAvailableForSaleDebtSecurities" xlink:title="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesCreditLossesNotToBeAccretedIntoInterestIncomeAvailableForSaleDebtSecurities" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesCreditLossesNotToBeAccretedIntoInterestIncomeAvailableForSaleDebtSecurities" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesCreditLossesNotToBeAccretedIntoInterestIncomeAvailableForSaleDebtSecurities" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesCreditLossesNotToBeAccretedIntoInterestIncomeAvailableForSaleDebtSecurities">Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Other than Temporary Impairment Losses Credit Losses Not to be Accreted into Interest Income Available for Sale Debt Securities</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesCreditLossesNotToBeAccretedIntoInterestIncomeAvailableForSaleDebtSecurities" xlink:to="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesCreditLossesNotToBeAccretedIntoInterestIncomeAvailableForSaleDebtSecurities" xlink:title="label: AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesCreditLossesNotToBeAccretedIntoInterestIncomeAvailableForSaleDebtSecurities to label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesCreditLossesNotToBeAccretedIntoInterestIncomeAvailableForSaleDebtSecurities" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesCreditLossesNotToBeAccretedIntoInterestIncomeAvailableForSaleDebtSecurities_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesCreditLossesNotToBeAccretedIntoInterestIncomeAvailableForSaleDebtSecurities" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesCreditLossesNotToBeAccretedIntoInterestIncomeAvailableForSaleDebtSecurities_2">Accumulated other comprehensive loss related to portion of other than temporary impairment (OTTI) due to credit losses that are not expected to be accreted into interest income on debt securities categorized as available-for-sale.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesCreditLossesNotToBeAccretedIntoInterestIncomeAvailableForSaleDebtSecurities" xlink:to="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesCreditLossesNotToBeAccretedIntoInterestIncomeAvailableForSaleDebtSecurities_2" xlink:title="label: AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesCreditLossesNotToBeAccretedIntoInterestIncomeAvailableForSaleDebtSecurities to label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesCreditLossesNotToBeAccretedIntoInterestIncomeAvailableForSaleDebtSecurities" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesCreditLossesNotToBeAccretedIntoInterestIncomeAvailableForSaleDebtSecurities_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesCreditLossesNotToBeAccretedIntoInterestIncomeAvailableForSaleDebtSecurities" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesCreditLossesNotToBeAccretedIntoInterestIncomeAvailableForSaleDebtSecurities_3">OTTI</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesCreditLossesNotToBeAccretedIntoInterestIncomeAvailableForSaleDebtSecurities" xlink:to="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesCreditLossesNotToBeAccretedIntoInterestIncomeAvailableForSaleDebtSecurities_3" xlink:title="label: AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesCreditLossesNotToBeAccretedIntoInterestIncomeAvailableForSaleDebtSecurities to label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesCreditLossesNotToBeAccretedIntoInterestIncomeAvailableForSaleDebtSecurities" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeRollForward" xlink:label="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeRollForward" xlink:title="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeRollForward" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeRollForward" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeRollForward" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeRollForward">Accumulated other comprehensive income from MBS:</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeRollForward" xlink:to="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeRollForward" xlink:title="label: AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeRollForward to label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeRollForward" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeRollForward_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeRollForward" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeRollForward_2">Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeRollForward" xlink:to="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeRollForward_2" xlink:title="label: AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeRollForward to label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeRollForward" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:label="AwardTypeAxis" xlink:title="AwardTypeAxis" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AwardTypeAxis" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AwardTypeAxis">Award Type [Axis]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AwardTypeAxis" xlink:to="label_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:title="label: AwardTypeAxis to label_AwardTypeAxis" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainOnDerivativesNetOfTax" xlink:label="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainOnDerivativesNetOfTax" xlink:title="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainOnDerivativesNetOfTax" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainOnDerivativesNetOfTax" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainOnDerivativesNetOfTax" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainOnDerivativesNetOfTax">Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Gain on Derivatives, Net of Tax</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainOnDerivativesNetOfTax" xlink:to="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainOnDerivativesNetOfTax" xlink:title="label: AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainOnDerivativesNetOfTax to label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainOnDerivativesNetOfTax" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainOnDerivativesNetOfTax_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainOnDerivativesNetOfTax" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainOnDerivativesNetOfTax_2">Unrealized gains</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainOnDerivativesNetOfTax" xlink:to="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainOnDerivativesNetOfTax_2" xlink:title="label: AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainOnDerivativesNetOfTax to label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainOnDerivativesNetOfTax" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainOnDerivativesNetOfTax_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainOnDerivativesNetOfTax" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainOnDerivativesNetOfTax_3">Accumulated change in accumulated gains from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges, net of tax effect.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainOnDerivativesNetOfTax" xlink:to="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainOnDerivativesNetOfTax_3" xlink:title="label: AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainOnDerivativesNetOfTax to label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainOnDerivativesNetOfTax" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainOnDerivativesNetOfTax_4" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel" xlink:title="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainOnDerivativesNetOfTax" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainOnDerivativesNetOfTax_4">Gross unrealized gains</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainOnDerivativesNetOfTax" xlink:to="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainOnDerivativesNetOfTax_4" xlink:title="label: AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainOnDerivativesNetOfTax to label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainOnDerivativesNetOfTax" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedLossOnDerivativesNetOfTax" xlink:label="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedLossOnDerivativesNetOfTax" xlink:title="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedLossOnDerivativesNetOfTax" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedLossOnDerivativesNetOfTax" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedLossOnDerivativesNetOfTax" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedLossOnDerivativesNetOfTax">Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Loss on Derivatives, Net of Tax</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedLossOnDerivativesNetOfTax" xlink:to="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedLossOnDerivativesNetOfTax" xlink:title="label: AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedLossOnDerivativesNetOfTax to label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedLossOnDerivativesNetOfTax" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedLossOnDerivativesNetOfTax_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel" xlink:title="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedLossOnDerivativesNetOfTax" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedLossOnDerivativesNetOfTax_2">Unrealized losses</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedLossOnDerivativesNetOfTax" xlink:to="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedLossOnDerivativesNetOfTax_2" xlink:title="label: AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedLossOnDerivativesNetOfTax to label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedLossOnDerivativesNetOfTax" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedLossOnDerivativesNetOfTax_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedLossOnDerivativesNetOfTax" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedLossOnDerivativesNetOfTax_3">Accumulated change in accumulated losses from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges, net of tax effect.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedLossOnDerivativesNetOfTax" xlink:to="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedLossOnDerivativesNetOfTax_3" xlink:title="label: AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedLossOnDerivativesNetOfTax to label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedLossOnDerivativesNetOfTax" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedLossOnDerivativesNetOfTax_4" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel" xlink:title="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedLossOnDerivativesNetOfTax" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedLossOnDerivativesNetOfTax_4">Gross unrealized losses</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_AgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember" xlink:label="AgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember" xlink:title="AgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember">Agency Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember" xlink:to="label_AgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember" xlink:title="label: AgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember to label_AgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_AgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_2">Represents the mortgage backed securities guaranteed as to principal or interest or both by a federally chartered corporation, such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, or an agency of the U.S. Government, such as Ginnie Mae, and, as such, carry an implied AAA rating.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember" xlink:to="label_AgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_2" xlink:title="label: AgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember to label_AgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_3">Agency MBS</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember" xlink:to="label_AgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_3" xlink:title="label: AgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember to label_AgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_AmendmentOfFinancingArrangementMember" xlink:label="AmendmentOfFinancingArrangementMember" xlink:title="AmendmentOfFinancingArrangementMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AmendmentOfFinancingArrangementMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AmendmentOfFinancingArrangementMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AmendmentOfFinancingArrangementMember">Amendment of financing arrangement</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AmendmentOfFinancingArrangementMember" xlink:to="label_AmendmentOfFinancingArrangementMember" xlink:title="label: AmendmentOfFinancingArrangementMember to label_AmendmentOfFinancingArrangementMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AmendmentOfFinancingArrangementMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AmendmentOfFinancingArrangementMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AmendmentOfFinancingArrangementMember_2">Amendment of Financing Arrangement [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AmendmentOfFinancingArrangementMember" xlink:to="label_AmendmentOfFinancingArrangementMember_2" xlink:title="label: AmendmentOfFinancingArrangementMember to label_AmendmentOfFinancingArrangementMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AmendmentOfFinancingArrangementMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_AmendmentOfFinancingArrangementMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AmendmentOfFinancingArrangementMember_3">Represents the information pertaining to amendment of financing arrangement .</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AmendmentOfFinancingArrangementMember" xlink:to="label_AmendmentOfFinancingArrangementMember_3" xlink:title="label: AmendmentOfFinancingArrangementMember to label_AmendmentOfFinancingArrangementMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2012/dei-2012-01-31.xsd#dei_AmendmentDescription" xlink:label="AmendmentDescription" xlink:title="AmendmentDescription" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AmendmentDescription" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AmendmentDescription" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AmendmentDescription">Amendment Description</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AmendmentDescription" xlink:to="label_AmendmentDescription" xlink:title="label: AmendmentDescription to label_AmendmentDescription" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/invest/2012/invest-2012-01-31.xsd#invest_InvestmentIssuerAxis" xlink:label="InvestmentIssuerAxis" xlink:title="InvestmentIssuerAxis" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InvestmentIssuerAxis" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_InvestmentIssuerAxis" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InvestmentIssuerAxis">Investment Issuer [Axis]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InvestmentIssuerAxis" xlink:to="label_InvestmentIssuerAxis" xlink:title="label: InvestmentIssuerAxis to label_InvestmentIssuerAxis" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseRemainingPeriodBeforeInterestRateResetAxis" xlink:label="AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseRemainingPeriodBeforeInterestRateResetAxis" xlink:title="AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseRemainingPeriodBeforeInterestRateResetAxis" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseRemainingPeriodBeforeInterestRateResetAxis" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseRemainingPeriodBeforeInterestRateResetAxis" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseRemainingPeriodBeforeInterestRateResetAxis">Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase, Remaining Period before Interest Rate Reset [Axis]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseRemainingPeriodBeforeInterestRateResetAxis" xlink:to="label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseRemainingPeriodBeforeInterestRateResetAxis" xlink:title="label: AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseRemainingPeriodBeforeInterestRateResetAxis to label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseRemainingPeriodBeforeInterestRateResetAxis" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseRemainingPeriodBeforeInterestRateResetAxis_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseRemainingPeriodBeforeInterestRateResetAxis" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseRemainingPeriodBeforeInterestRateResetAxis_2">Information by periods before interest rate reset for a group of securities or other assets sold under repurchase agreements.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseRemainingPeriodBeforeInterestRateResetAxis" xlink:to="label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseRemainingPeriodBeforeInterestRateResetAxis_2" xlink:title="label: AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseRemainingPeriodBeforeInterestRateResetAxis to label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseRemainingPeriodBeforeInterestRateResetAxis" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2012/dei-2012-01-31.xsd#dei_AmendmentFlag" xlink:label="AmendmentFlag" xlink:title="AmendmentFlag" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AmendmentFlag" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AmendmentFlag" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AmendmentFlag">Amendment Flag</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AmendmentFlag" xlink:to="label_AmendmentFlag" xlink:title="label: AmendmentFlag to label_AmendmentFlag" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/invest/2012/invest-2012-01-31.xsd#invest_InvestmentIssuerDomain" xlink:label="InvestmentIssuerDomain" xlink:title="InvestmentIssuerDomain" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InvestmentIssuerDomain" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_InvestmentIssuerDomain" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InvestmentIssuerDomain">Investment Issuer [Domain]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InvestmentIssuerDomain" xlink:to="label_InvestmentIssuerDomain" xlink:title="label: InvestmentIssuerDomain to label_InvestmentIssuerDomain" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseRemainingPeriodBeforeInterestRateResetDomain" xlink:label="AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseRemainingPeriodBeforeInterestRateResetDomain" xlink:title="AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseRemainingPeriodBeforeInterestRateResetDomain" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseRemainingPeriodBeforeInterestRateResetDomain" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseRemainingPeriodBeforeInterestRateResetDomain" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseRemainingPeriodBeforeInterestRateResetDomain">Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase, Remaining Period before Interest Rate Reset [Domain]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseRemainingPeriodBeforeInterestRateResetDomain" xlink:to="label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseRemainingPeriodBeforeInterestRateResetDomain" xlink:title="label: AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseRemainingPeriodBeforeInterestRateResetDomain to label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseRemainingPeriodBeforeInterestRateResetDomain" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseRemainingPeriodBeforeInterestRateResetDomain_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseRemainingPeriodBeforeInterestRateResetDomain" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseRemainingPeriodBeforeInterestRateResetDomain_2">Identifies the period before interest rate reset for a group of securities or other assets sold under repurchase agreements.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseRemainingPeriodBeforeInterestRateResetDomain" xlink:to="label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseRemainingPeriodBeforeInterestRateResetDomain_2" xlink:title="label: AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseRemainingPeriodBeforeInterestRateResetDomain to label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseRemainingPeriodBeforeInterestRateResetDomain" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccretablePurchaseDiscounts" xlink:label="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccretablePurchaseDiscounts" xlink:title="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccretablePurchaseDiscounts" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccretablePurchaseDiscounts" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccretablePurchaseDiscounts" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccretablePurchaseDiscounts">Represents the amount of unamortized accretable purchase discounts related to available-for-sale securities.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccretablePurchaseDiscounts" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccretablePurchaseDiscounts" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccretablePurchaseDiscounts to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccretablePurchaseDiscounts" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccretablePurchaseDiscounts_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccretablePurchaseDiscounts" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccretablePurchaseDiscounts_2">Available-for-sale Securities, Accretable Purchase Discounts</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccretablePurchaseDiscounts" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccretablePurchaseDiscounts_2" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccretablePurchaseDiscounts to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccretablePurchaseDiscounts" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccretablePurchaseDiscounts_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccretablePurchaseDiscounts" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccretablePurchaseDiscounts_3">Accretable Purchase Discounts</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccretablePurchaseDiscounts" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccretablePurchaseDiscounts_3" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccretablePurchaseDiscounts to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccretablePurchaseDiscounts" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAgency" xlink:label="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAgency" xlink:title="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAgency" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAgency" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAgency" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAgency">Agency MBS, at fair value ($6,902,954 and $6,666,963 pledged as collateral, respectively)</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAgency" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAgency" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAgency to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAgency" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAgency_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAgency" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAgency_2">For an unclassified balance sheet, represents investments in mortgage backed securities guaranteed as to principal or interest or both by a federally chartered corporation, such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, or an agency of the U.S. Government, such as Ginnie Mae, and, as such, carrying an implied AAA rating, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAgency" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAgency_2" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAgency to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAgency" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAgency_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAgency" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAgency_3">Available-for-sale Securities Agency</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAgency" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAgency_3" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAgency to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAgency" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAgency_4" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAgency" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAgency_4">Agency MBS</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAgency" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAgency_4" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAgency to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAgency" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/invest/2012/invest-2012-01-31.xsd#invest_InvestmentAxis" xlink:label="InvestmentAxis" xlink:title="InvestmentAxis" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InvestmentAxis" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_InvestmentAxis" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InvestmentAxis">Investment [Axis]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InvestmentAxis" xlink:to="label_InvestmentAxis" xlink:title="label: InvestmentAxis to label_InvestmentAxis" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangesInPurchaseDiscountDueToNetImpairmentLossesRecognizedInEarnings" xlink:label="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangesInPurchaseDiscountDueToNetImpairmentLossesRecognizedInEarnings" xlink:title="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangesInPurchaseDiscountDueToNetImpairmentLossesRecognizedInEarnings" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangesInPurchaseDiscountDueToNetImpairmentLossesRecognizedInEarnings" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangesInPurchaseDiscountDueToNetImpairmentLossesRecognizedInEarnings" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangesInPurchaseDiscountDueToNetImpairmentLossesRecognizedInEarnings">Available-for-sale Securities Changes in Purchase Discount Due to Net Impairment Losses Recognized in Earnings</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangesInPurchaseDiscountDueToNetImpairmentLossesRecognizedInEarnings" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangesInPurchaseDiscountDueToNetImpairmentLossesRecognizedInEarnings" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangesInPurchaseDiscountDueToNetImpairmentLossesRecognizedInEarnings to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangesInPurchaseDiscountDueToNetImpairmentLossesRecognizedInEarnings" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangesInPurchaseDiscountDueToNetImpairmentLossesRecognizedInEarnings_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangesInPurchaseDiscountDueToNetImpairmentLossesRecognizedInEarnings" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangesInPurchaseDiscountDueToNetImpairmentLossesRecognizedInEarnings_2">Net impairment losses recognized in earnings</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangesInPurchaseDiscountDueToNetImpairmentLossesRecognizedInEarnings" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangesInPurchaseDiscountDueToNetImpairmentLossesRecognizedInEarnings_2" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangesInPurchaseDiscountDueToNetImpairmentLossesRecognizedInEarnings to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangesInPurchaseDiscountDueToNetImpairmentLossesRecognizedInEarnings" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangesInPurchaseDiscountDueToNetImpairmentLossesRecognizedInEarnings_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangesInPurchaseDiscountDueToNetImpairmentLossesRecognizedInEarnings" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangesInPurchaseDiscountDueToNetImpairmentLossesRecognizedInEarnings_3">Represents the changes in the purchase discount on available-for-sale securities due to net impairment losses recognized in earnings during the period.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangesInPurchaseDiscountDueToNetImpairmentLossesRecognizedInEarnings" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangesInPurchaseDiscountDueToNetImpairmentLossesRecognizedInEarnings_3" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangesInPurchaseDiscountDueToNetImpairmentLossesRecognizedInEarnings to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangesInPurchaseDiscountDueToNetImpairmentLossesRecognizedInEarnings" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/invest/2012/invest-2012-01-31.xsd#invest_InvestmentDomain" xlink:label="InvestmentDomain" xlink:title="InvestmentDomain" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InvestmentDomain" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_InvestmentDomain" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InvestmentDomain">Investment [Domain]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InvestmentDomain" xlink:to="label_InvestmentDomain" xlink:title="label: InvestmentDomain to label_InvestmentDomain" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangesInPurchaseDiscountDueToPurchases" xlink:label="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangesInPurchaseDiscountDueToPurchases" xlink:title="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangesInPurchaseDiscountDueToPurchases" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangesInPurchaseDiscountDueToPurchases" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangesInPurchaseDiscountDueToPurchases" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangesInPurchaseDiscountDueToPurchases">Available-for-sale Securities, Changes in Purchase Discount Due to Purchases</link:label>
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    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesImpairedAmortizedCost_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesImpairedAmortizedCost" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesImpairedAmortizedCost_2">Represents the aggregate amortized cost of available-for-sale securities that are impaired.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesImpairedAmortizedCost" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesImpairedAmortizedCost_2" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesImpairedAmortizedCost to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesImpairedAmortizedCost" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesImpairedAmortizedCost_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesImpairedAmortizedCost" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesImpairedAmortizedCost_3">Available-for-sale Securities Impaired, Amortized Cost</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesImpairedAmortizedCost" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesImpairedAmortizedCost_3" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesImpairedAmortizedCost to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesImpairedAmortizedCost" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositions12MonthsOrMoreNumberOfPositions" xlink:label="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositions12MonthsOrMoreNumberOfPositions" xlink:title="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositions12MonthsOrMoreNumberOfPositions" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositions12MonthsOrMoreNumberOfPositions" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositions12MonthsOrMoreNumberOfPositions" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositions12MonthsOrMoreNumberOfPositions">Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, 12 Months or More, Number of Positions</link:label>
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    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositions12MonthsOrMoreNumberOfPositions_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositions12MonthsOrMoreNumberOfPositions" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositions12MonthsOrMoreNumberOfPositions_2">12 months or more (in security)</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositions12MonthsOrMoreNumberOfPositions" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositions12MonthsOrMoreNumberOfPositions_2" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositions12MonthsOrMoreNumberOfPositions to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositions12MonthsOrMoreNumberOfPositions" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositions12MonthsOrMoreNumberOfPositions_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositions12MonthsOrMoreNumberOfPositions" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositions12MonthsOrMoreNumberOfPositions_3">This item contains disclosure of the number of investment positions in the available-for-sale investments in continuous loss positions for twelve months or more.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositions12MonthsOrMoreNumberOfPositions" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositions12MonthsOrMoreNumberOfPositions_3" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositions12MonthsOrMoreNumberOfPositions to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositions12MonthsOrMoreNumberOfPositions" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsLessThan12MonthsNumberOfPositions" xlink:label="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsLessThan12MonthsNumberOfPositions" xlink:title="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsLessThan12MonthsNumberOfPositions" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsLessThan12MonthsNumberOfPositions" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsLessThan12MonthsNumberOfPositions" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsLessThan12MonthsNumberOfPositions">Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Less than 12 Months, Number of Positions</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsLessThan12MonthsNumberOfPositions" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsLessThan12MonthsNumberOfPositions" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsLessThan12MonthsNumberOfPositions to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsLessThan12MonthsNumberOfPositions" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsLessThan12MonthsNumberOfPositions_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsLessThan12MonthsNumberOfPositions" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsLessThan12MonthsNumberOfPositions_2">Less than 12 months (in security)</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsLessThan12MonthsNumberOfPositions" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsLessThan12MonthsNumberOfPositions_2" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsLessThan12MonthsNumberOfPositions to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsLessThan12MonthsNumberOfPositions" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsLessThan12MonthsNumberOfPositions_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsLessThan12MonthsNumberOfPositions" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsLessThan12MonthsNumberOfPositions_3">This item contains disclosure of the number of investment positions in the available-for-sale investments in continuous loss positions for less than twelve months.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsLessThan12MonthsNumberOfPositions" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsLessThan12MonthsNumberOfPositions_3" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsLessThan12MonthsNumberOfPositions to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsLessThan12MonthsNumberOfPositions" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgency" xlink:label="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgency" xlink:title="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgency" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgency" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgency" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgency">For an unclassified balance sheet, represents investments in mortgage backed securities not guaranteed by an agency of U.S. Government or any federally chartered corporation, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgency" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgency" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgency to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgency" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgency_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgency" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgency_2">Available-for-sale Securities Non Agency</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgency" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgency_2" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgency to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgency" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgency_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgency" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgency_3">Non-Agency MBS, at fair value ($1,489,463 and $692,534 pledged as collateral, respectively)</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgency" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgency_3" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgency to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgency" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2012/dei-2012-01-31.xsd#dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate" xlink:label="CurrentFiscalYearEndDate" xlink:title="CurrentFiscalYearEndDate" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate">Current Fiscal Year End Date</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="CurrentFiscalYearEndDate" xlink:to="label_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate" xlink:title="label: CurrentFiscalYearEndDate to label_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgencyIncludingTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntityFairValueDisclosure" xlink:label="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgencyIncludingTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntityFairValueDisclosure" xlink:title="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgencyIncludingTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntityFairValueDisclosure" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgencyIncludingTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntityFairValueDisclosure" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgencyIncludingTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntityFairValueDisclosure" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgencyIncludingTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntityFairValueDisclosure">Available-for-sale Securities, Non Agency Including Transferred to Consolidated Variable Interest Entity, Fair Value Disclosure</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgencyIncludingTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntityFairValueDisclosure" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgencyIncludingTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntityFairValueDisclosure" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgencyIncludingTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntityFairValueDisclosure to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgencyIncludingTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntityFairValueDisclosure" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgencyIncludingTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntityFairValueDisclosure_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgencyIncludingTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntityFairValueDisclosure" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgencyIncludingTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntityFairValueDisclosure_2">Non-Agency MBS, including MBS transferred to consolidated VIEs</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgencyIncludingTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntityFairValueDisclosure" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgencyIncludingTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntityFairValueDisclosure_2" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgencyIncludingTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntityFairValueDisclosure to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgencyIncludingTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntityFairValueDisclosure" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgencyIncludingTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntityFairValueDisclosure_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgencyIncludingTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntityFairValueDisclosure" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgencyIncludingTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntityFairValueDisclosure_3">Represents the fair value of available-for-sale securities not guaranteed by an agency of U.S. Government or any federally chartered corporation, including such securities transferred to a consolidated variable interest entity</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgencyIncludingTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntityFairValueDisclosure" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgencyIncludingTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntityFairValueDisclosure_3" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgencyIncludingTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntityFairValueDisclosure to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNonAgencyIncludingTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntityFairValueDisclosure" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/invest/2012/invest-2012-01-31.xsd#invest_InvestmentInterestRate" xlink:label="InvestmentInterestRate" xlink:title="InvestmentInterestRate" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InvestmentInterestRate" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_InvestmentInterestRate" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InvestmentInterestRate">Investment Interest Rate</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InvestmentInterestRate" xlink:to="label_InvestmentInterestRate" xlink:title="label: InvestmentInterestRate to label_InvestmentInterestRate" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InvestmentInterestRate_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_InvestmentInterestRate" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InvestmentInterestRate_2">Weighted Average Coupon Rate (as a percent)</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InvestmentInterestRate" xlink:to="label_InvestmentInterestRate_2" xlink:title="label: InvestmentInterestRate to label_InvestmentInterestRate" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNumberWithRecognizedOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLosses" xlink:label="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNumberWithRecognizedOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLosses" xlink:title="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNumberWithRecognizedOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLosses" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNumberWithRecognizedOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLosses" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNumberWithRecognizedOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLosses" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNumberWithRecognizedOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLosses">Number of securities held with recognized credit-related OTTI losses</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNumberWithRecognizedOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLosses" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNumberWithRecognizedOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLosses" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNumberWithRecognizedOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLosses to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNumberWithRecognizedOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLosses" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNumberWithRecognizedOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLosses_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNumberWithRecognizedOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLosses" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNumberWithRecognizedOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLosses_2">Represents the number of available for sale securities held by the entity for which credit related other than temporary impairment losses have been recognized.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNumberWithRecognizedOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLosses" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNumberWithRecognizedOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLosses_2" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNumberWithRecognizedOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLosses to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNumberWithRecognizedOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLosses" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNumberWithRecognizedOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLosses_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNumberWithRecognizedOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLosses" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNumberWithRecognizedOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLosses_3">Available-for-sale Securities Number With Recognized, Other than Temporary Impairment Credit Losses</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNumberWithRecognizedOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLosses" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNumberWithRecognizedOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLosses_3" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNumberWithRecognizedOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLosses to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesNumberWithRecognizedOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLosses" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralAgency" xlink:label="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralAgency" xlink:title="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralAgency" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralAgency" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralAgency" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralAgency">For an unclassified balance sheet, represents the portion of investments in mortgage backed securities guaranteed as to principal or interest or both by a federally chartered corporation, such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, or an agency of the U.S. Government, such as Ginnie Mae, and, as such, carrying an implied AAA rating, categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, which are pledged as collateral.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralAgency" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralAgency" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralAgency to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralAgency" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralAgency_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralAgency" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralAgency_2">Available-for-sale Securities Pledged as Collateral Agency</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralAgency" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralAgency_2" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralAgency to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralAgency" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralAgency_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralAgency" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralAgency_3">Agency MBS, at fair value, pledged as collateral (in dollars)</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralAgency" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralAgency_3" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralAgency to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralAgency" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralNonAgency" xlink:label="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralNonAgency" xlink:title="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralNonAgency" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralNonAgency" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralNonAgency" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralNonAgency">For an unclassified balance sheet, represents the portion of investments in mortgage backed securities not guaranteed by an agency of U.S. Government or any federally chartered corporation, categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, which are pledged as collateral.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralNonAgency" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralNonAgency" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralNonAgency to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralNonAgency" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralNonAgency_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralNonAgency" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralNonAgency_2">Available For Sale Securities Pledged as Collateral Non Agency</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralNonAgency" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralNonAgency_2" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralNonAgency to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralNonAgency" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralNonAgency_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralNonAgency" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralNonAgency_3">Non-Agency MBS, at fair value, pledged as collateral (in dollars)</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralNonAgency" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralNonAgency_3" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralNonAgency to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralNonAgency" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPrincipalPaymentsReceivable" xlink:label="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPrincipalPaymentsReceivable" xlink:title="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPrincipalPaymentsReceivable" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPrincipalPaymentsReceivable" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPrincipalPaymentsReceivable" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPrincipalPaymentsReceivable">Available-for-sale Securities, Principal Payments Receivable</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPrincipalPaymentsReceivable" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPrincipalPaymentsReceivable" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPrincipalPaymentsReceivable to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPrincipalPaymentsReceivable" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPrincipalPaymentsReceivable_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPrincipalPaymentsReceivable" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPrincipalPaymentsReceivable_2">Principal payments receivable</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPrincipalPaymentsReceivable" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPrincipalPaymentsReceivable_2" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPrincipalPaymentsReceivable to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPrincipalPaymentsReceivable" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPrincipalPaymentsReceivable_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPrincipalPaymentsReceivable" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPrincipalPaymentsReceivable_3">Represents the principal payment receivable with respect to available-for-sale securities.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPrincipalPaymentsReceivable" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPrincipalPaymentsReceivable_3" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPrincipalPaymentsReceivable to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPrincipalPaymentsReceivable" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses2" xlink:label="AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses2" xlink:title="AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses2" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses2" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses2">Less than 12 months</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses2" xlink:to="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses2" xlink:title="label: AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses2 to label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses2" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses2_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses2" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses2_2">Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses2" xlink:to="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses2_2" xlink:title="label: AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses2 to label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses2" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountAxis" xlink:label="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountAxis" xlink:title="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountAxis" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountAxis" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountAxis" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountAxis">Available-for-sale Securities, Purchase Discount [Axis]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountAxis" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountAxis" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountAxis to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountAxis" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountAxis_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountAxis" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountAxis_2">A categorization of purchase discounts on available for sale securities on the basis of accounting treatment.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountAxis" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountAxis_2" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountAxis to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountAxis" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReserves" xlink:label="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReserves" xlink:title="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReserves" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReserves" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReserves" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReserves">Available-for-sale Securities, Purchase Discount Designated as Credit Reserves</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReserves" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReserves" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReserves to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReserves" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReserves_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReserves" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReserves_2">Credit Reserve</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReserves" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReserves_2" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReserves to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReserves" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReserves_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReserves" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReserves_3">Represents the amount of purchase discount designated as credit reserves and not expected to be accreted into interest income.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReserves" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReserves_3" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReserves to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReserves" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount" xlink:label="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount" xlink:title="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount">Transfers/release of credit reserve</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount_2">Represent the amount of purchase discount on available-for-sale securities designated as credit reserves reallocated during the period to accretable purchase discount.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount_2" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount_3">Available-for-sale Securities, Purchase Discount Designated as Credit Reserves Reallocated to Accretable Purchase Discount</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount_3" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDomain" xlink:label="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDomain" xlink:title="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDomain" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDomain" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDomain" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDomain">Available-for-sale Securities, Purchase Discount [Domain]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDomain" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDomain" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDomain to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDomain" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDomain_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDomain" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDomain_2">Provides categories of purchase discounts on available for sale securities on the basis of accounting treatment.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDomain" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDomain_2" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDomain to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountDomain" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountRollforward" xlink:label="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountRollforward" xlink:title="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountRollforward" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountRollforward" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountRollforward" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountRollforward">Available-for-sale Securities, Purchase Discount [Roll forward]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountRollforward" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountRollforward" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountRollforward to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountRollforward" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountRollforward_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountRollforward" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountRollforward_2">Changes in the components of the purchase discount on Non-Agency MBS</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountRollforward" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountRollforward_2" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountRollforward to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchaseDiscountRollforward" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchasePremiums" xlink:label="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchasePremiums" xlink:title="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchasePremiums" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchasePremiums" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchasePremiums" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchasePremiums">Available-for-sale Securities, Purchase Premiums</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchasePremiums" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchasePremiums" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchasePremiums to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchasePremiums" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchasePremiums_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchasePremiums" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchasePremiums_2">Purchase Premiums</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchasePremiums" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchasePremiums_2" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchasePremiums to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchasePremiums" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchasePremiums_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchasePremiums" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchasePremiums_3">Represents the amount of unamortized purchase premiums related to available-for-sale securities.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchasePremiums" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchasePremiums_3" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchasePremiums to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPurchasePremiums" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2012/dei-2012-01-31.xsd#dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate" xlink:label="DocumentPeriodEndDate" xlink:title="DocumentPeriodEndDate" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DocumentPeriodEndDate" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_DocumentPeriodEndDate" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DocumentPeriodEndDate">Document Period End Date</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DocumentPeriodEndDate" xlink:to="label_DocumentPeriodEndDate" xlink:title="label: DocumentPeriodEndDate to label_DocumentPeriodEndDate" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesSoldNumber" xlink:label="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesSoldNumber" xlink:title="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesSoldNumber" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesSoldNumber" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesSoldNumber" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesSoldNumber">Available-for-sale Securities, Sold Number</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesSoldNumber" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesSoldNumber" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesSoldNumber to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesSoldNumber" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesSoldNumber_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesSoldNumber" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesSoldNumber_2">Number of MBS sold</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesSoldNumber" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesSoldNumber_2" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesSoldNumber to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesSoldNumber" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesSoldNumber_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesSoldNumber" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesSoldNumber_3">Represents the number of available-for-sale securities sold during the period.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesSoldNumber" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesSoldNumber_3" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesSoldNumber to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesSoldNumber" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_CSMCSeries20111RMember" xlink:label="CSMCSeries20111RMember" xlink:title="CSMCSeries20111RMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_CSMCSeries20111RMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_CSMCSeries20111RMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_CSMCSeries20111RMember">CSMC Series 2011-1R</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="CSMCSeries20111RMember" xlink:to="label_CSMCSeries20111RMember" xlink:title="label: CSMCSeries20111RMember to label_CSMCSeries20111RMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_CSMCSeries20111RMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_CSMCSeries20111RMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_CSMCSeries20111RMember_2">CSMC Series 2011-1R [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="CSMCSeries20111RMember" xlink:to="label_CSMCSeries20111RMember_2" xlink:title="label: CSMCSeries20111RMember to label_CSMCSeries20111RMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_CSMCSeries20111RMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_CSMCSeries20111RMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_CSMCSeries20111RMember_3">Represents CSMC Series 2011-1R, a Delaware statutory trust which is a VIE consolidated by the entity.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="CSMCSeries20111RMember" xlink:to="label_CSMCSeries20111RMember_3" xlink:title="label: CSMCSeries20111RMember to label_CSMCSeries20111RMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_CSMCSeries20117RMember" xlink:label="CSMCSeries20117RMember" xlink:title="CSMCSeries20117RMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_CSMCSeries20117RMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_CSMCSeries20117RMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_CSMCSeries20117RMember">Represents CSMC Series 2011-7R, a Delaware statutory trust which is a VIE consolidated by the entity.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="CSMCSeries20117RMember" xlink:to="label_CSMCSeries20117RMember" xlink:title="label: CSMCSeries20117RMember to label_CSMCSeries20117RMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_CSMCSeries20117RMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_CSMCSeries20117RMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_CSMCSeries20117RMember_2">CSMC Series 2011-7R [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="CSMCSeries20117RMember" xlink:to="label_CSMCSeries20117RMember_2" xlink:title="label: CSMCSeries20117RMember to label_CSMCSeries20117RMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_CSMCSeries20117RMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_CSMCSeries20117RMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_CSMCSeries20117RMember_3">CSMC Series 2011-7R</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="CSMCSeries20117RMember" xlink:to="label_CSMCSeries20117RMember_3" xlink:title="label: CSMCSeries20117RMember to label_CSMCSeries20117RMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesOtherDisclosureItemsAbstract" xlink:label="AvailableforsaleSecuritiesOtherDisclosureItemsAbstract" xlink:title="AvailableforsaleSecuritiesOtherDisclosureItemsAbstract" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesOtherDisclosureItemsAbstract" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesOtherDisclosureItemsAbstract" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesOtherDisclosureItemsAbstract">Available-for-sale Securities, Other Disclosure Items [Abstract]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableforsaleSecuritiesOtherDisclosureItemsAbstract" xlink:to="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesOtherDisclosureItemsAbstract" xlink:title="label: AvailableforsaleSecuritiesOtherDisclosureItemsAbstract to label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesOtherDisclosureItemsAbstract" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesOtherDisclosureItemsAbstract_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesOtherDisclosureItemsAbstract" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesOtherDisclosureItemsAbstract_2">Sales of MBS</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableforsaleSecuritiesOtherDisclosureItemsAbstract" xlink:to="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesOtherDisclosureItemsAbstract_2" xlink:title="label: AvailableforsaleSecuritiesOtherDisclosureItemsAbstract to label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesOtherDisclosureItemsAbstract" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_CollateralPositionsDisclosureAbstract" xlink:label="CollateralPositionsDisclosureAbstract" xlink:title="CollateralPositionsDisclosureAbstract" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_CollateralPositionsDisclosureAbstract" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_CollateralPositionsDisclosureAbstract" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_CollateralPositionsDisclosureAbstract">Collateral Positions</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="CollateralPositionsDisclosureAbstract" xlink:to="label_CollateralPositionsDisclosureAbstract" xlink:title="label: CollateralPositionsDisclosureAbstract to label_CollateralPositionsDisclosureAbstract" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_CollateralPositionsLineItems" xlink:label="CollateralPositionsLineItems" xlink:title="CollateralPositionsLineItems" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_CollateralPositionsLineItems" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_CollateralPositionsLineItems" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_CollateralPositionsLineItems">Collateral Positions [Line Items]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="CollateralPositionsLineItems" xlink:to="label_CollateralPositionsLineItems" xlink:title="label: CollateralPositionsLineItems to label_CollateralPositionsLineItems" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_CollateralPositionsLineItems_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_CollateralPositionsLineItems" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_CollateralPositionsLineItems_2">Collateral Positions</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="CollateralPositionsLineItems" xlink:to="label_CollateralPositionsLineItems_2" xlink:title="label: CollateralPositionsLineItems to label_CollateralPositionsLineItems" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_CollateralPositionsTable" xlink:label="CollateralPositionsTable" xlink:title="CollateralPositionsTable" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_CollateralPositionsTable" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_CollateralPositionsTable" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_CollateralPositionsTable">Collateral Positions [Table]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="CollateralPositionsTable" xlink:to="label_CollateralPositionsTable" xlink:title="label: CollateralPositionsTable to label_CollateralPositionsTable" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_CollateralPositionsTable_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_CollateralPositionsTable" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_CollateralPositionsTable_2">Disclosure pertaining to the entity's collateral positions including collateral pledged and collateral held.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="CollateralPositionsTable" xlink:to="label_CollateralPositionsTable_2" xlink:title="label: CollateralPositionsTable to label_CollateralPositionsTable" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_CollateralPositionsTextBlock" xlink:label="CollateralPositionsTextBlock" xlink:title="CollateralPositionsTextBlock" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_CollateralPositionsTextBlock" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_CollateralPositionsTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_CollateralPositionsTextBlock">Collateral Positions [Text Block]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="CollateralPositionsTextBlock" xlink:to="label_CollateralPositionsTextBlock" xlink:title="label: CollateralPositionsTextBlock to label_CollateralPositionsTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_CollateralPositionsTextBlock_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_CollateralPositionsTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_CollateralPositionsTextBlock_2">Collateral Positions</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="CollateralPositionsTextBlock" xlink:to="label_CollateralPositionsTextBlock_2" xlink:title="label: CollateralPositionsTextBlock to label_CollateralPositionsTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_CollateralPositionsTextBlock_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_CollateralPositionsTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_CollateralPositionsTextBlock_3">Disclosure of both assets pledged as collateral, and assets held as collateral. Assets pledged as collateral are financial instruments held by the entity for its own account for trading or investment purposes and pledged to counterparties as collateral for financing transactions. Assets held as collateral are financial instruments that have been pledged by counterparties sunder financing and lending arrangements, pursuant to which the entity has the right by agreement or custom to sell or re-pledge such securities.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="CollateralPositionsTextBlock" xlink:to="label_CollateralPositionsTextBlock_3" xlink:title="label: CollateralPositionsTextBlock to label_CollateralPositionsTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/invest/2012/invest-2012-01-31.xsd#invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount" xlink:label="DerivativeNotionalAmount" xlink:title="DerivativeNotionalAmount" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DerivativeNotionalAmount" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_DerivativeNotionalAmount" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DerivativeNotionalAmount">Derivative, Notional Amount</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DerivativeNotionalAmount" xlink:to="label_DerivativeNotionalAmount" xlink:title="label: DerivativeNotionalAmount to label_DerivativeNotionalAmount" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DerivativeNotionalAmount_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_DerivativeNotionalAmount" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DerivativeNotionalAmount_2">Aggregate notional amount of derivatives</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DerivativeNotionalAmount" xlink:to="label_DerivativeNotionalAmount_2" xlink:title="label: DerivativeNotionalAmount to label_DerivativeNotionalAmount" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses2" xlink:label="AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses2" xlink:title="AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses2" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses2" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses2">Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses2" xlink:to="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses2" xlink:title="label: AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses2 to label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses2" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses2_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses2" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses2_2">Total</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses2" xlink:to="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses2_2" xlink:title="label: AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses2 to label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses2" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_CommonStockDividendsDeclaredNumberOfDeclarations" xlink:label="CommonStockDividendsDeclaredNumberOfDeclarations" xlink:title="CommonStockDividendsDeclaredNumberOfDeclarations" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_CommonStockDividendsDeclaredNumberOfDeclarations" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_CommonStockDividendsDeclaredNumberOfDeclarations" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_CommonStockDividendsDeclaredNumberOfDeclarations">Common Stock, Dividends Declared, Number of Declarations</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="CommonStockDividendsDeclaredNumberOfDeclarations" xlink:to="label_CommonStockDividendsDeclaredNumberOfDeclarations" xlink:title="label: CommonStockDividendsDeclaredNumberOfDeclarations to label_CommonStockDividendsDeclaredNumberOfDeclarations" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_CommonStockDividendsDeclaredNumberOfDeclarations_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_CommonStockDividendsDeclaredNumberOfDeclarations" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_CommonStockDividendsDeclaredNumberOfDeclarations_2">Number of declarations of common stock dividend</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="CommonStockDividendsDeclaredNumberOfDeclarations" xlink:to="label_CommonStockDividendsDeclaredNumberOfDeclarations_2" xlink:title="label: CommonStockDividendsDeclaredNumberOfDeclarations to label_CommonStockDividendsDeclaredNumberOfDeclarations" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_CommonStockDividendsDeclaredNumberOfDeclarations_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_CommonStockDividendsDeclaredNumberOfDeclarations" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_CommonStockDividendsDeclaredNumberOfDeclarations_3">Represents the number of times the company declared dividend on common stock during the period.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="CommonStockDividendsDeclaredNumberOfDeclarations" xlink:to="label_CommonStockDividendsDeclaredNumberOfDeclarations_3" xlink:title="label: CommonStockDividendsDeclaredNumberOfDeclarations to label_CommonStockDividendsDeclaredNumberOfDeclarations" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_CommonStockDividendsDeclaredPeriodCovered" xlink:label="CommonStockDividendsDeclaredPeriodCovered" xlink:title="CommonStockDividendsDeclaredPeriodCovered" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_CommonStockDividendsDeclaredPeriodCovered" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_CommonStockDividendsDeclaredPeriodCovered" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_CommonStockDividendsDeclaredPeriodCovered">Common Stock, Dividends Declared Period Covered</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="CommonStockDividendsDeclaredPeriodCovered" xlink:to="label_CommonStockDividendsDeclaredPeriodCovered" xlink:title="label: CommonStockDividendsDeclaredPeriodCovered to label_CommonStockDividendsDeclaredPeriodCovered" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_CommonStockDividendsDeclaredPeriodCovered_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_CommonStockDividendsDeclaredPeriodCovered" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_CommonStockDividendsDeclaredPeriodCovered_2">Period for which dividend is declared</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="CommonStockDividendsDeclaredPeriodCovered" xlink:to="label_CommonStockDividendsDeclaredPeriodCovered_2" xlink:title="label: CommonStockDividendsDeclaredPeriodCovered to label_CommonStockDividendsDeclaredPeriodCovered" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_CommonStockDividendsDeclaredPeriodCovered_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_CommonStockDividendsDeclaredPeriodCovered" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_CommonStockDividendsDeclaredPeriodCovered_3">Represents the period for which dividend on common stock was declared.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="CommonStockDividendsDeclaredPeriodCovered" xlink:to="label_CommonStockDividendsDeclaredPeriodCovered_3" xlink:title="label: CommonStockDividendsDeclaredPeriodCovered to label_CommonStockDividendsDeclaredPeriodCovered" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_CommonStockSpecialDividendsPerShareDeclared" xlink:label="CommonStockSpecialDividendsPerShareDeclared" xlink:title="CommonStockSpecialDividendsPerShareDeclared" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_CommonStockSpecialDividendsPerShareDeclared" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_CommonStockSpecialDividendsPerShareDeclared" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_CommonStockSpecialDividendsPerShareDeclared">Represents the special dividend declared during the period for each share of common stock outstanding with cash dividends.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="CommonStockSpecialDividendsPerShareDeclared" xlink:to="label_CommonStockSpecialDividendsPerShareDeclared" xlink:title="label: CommonStockSpecialDividendsPerShareDeclared to label_CommonStockSpecialDividendsPerShareDeclared" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_CommonStockSpecialDividendsPerShareDeclared_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_CommonStockSpecialDividendsPerShareDeclared" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_CommonStockSpecialDividendsPerShareDeclared_2">Common Stock, Special Dividends Per Share Declared</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="CommonStockSpecialDividendsPerShareDeclared" xlink:to="label_CommonStockSpecialDividendsPerShareDeclared_2" xlink:title="label: CommonStockSpecialDividendsPerShareDeclared to label_CommonStockSpecialDividendsPerShareDeclared" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_CommonStockSpecialDividendsPerShareDeclared_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_CommonStockSpecialDividendsPerShareDeclared" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_CommonStockSpecialDividendsPerShareDeclared_3">Common stock, special dividends declared (in dollars per share)</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="CommonStockSpecialDividendsPerShareDeclared" xlink:to="label_CommonStockSpecialDividendsPerShareDeclared_3" xlink:title="label: CommonStockSpecialDividendsPerShareDeclared to label_CommonStockSpecialDividendsPerShareDeclared" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses2" xlink:label="AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses2" xlink:title="AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses2" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses2" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses2">Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses2" xlink:to="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses2" xlink:title="label: AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses2 to label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses2" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses2_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses2" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses2_2">12 months or more</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses2" xlink:to="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses2_2" xlink:title="label: AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses2 to label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses2" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ComprehensiveIncomeLossToCommonStockholdersAndParticipatingSecurities" xlink:label="ComprehensiveIncomeLossToCommonStockholdersAndParticipatingSecurities" xlink:title="ComprehensiveIncomeLossToCommonStockholdersAndParticipatingSecurities" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ComprehensiveIncomeLossToCommonStockholdersAndParticipatingSecurities" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ComprehensiveIncomeLossToCommonStockholdersAndParticipatingSecurities" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ComprehensiveIncomeLossToCommonStockholdersAndParticipatingSecurities">Comprehensive Income (Loss) to Common Stockholders and Participating Securities</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ComprehensiveIncomeLossToCommonStockholdersAndParticipatingSecurities" xlink:to="label_ComprehensiveIncomeLossToCommonStockholdersAndParticipatingSecurities" xlink:title="label: ComprehensiveIncomeLossToCommonStockholdersAndParticipatingSecurities to label_ComprehensiveIncomeLossToCommonStockholdersAndParticipatingSecurities" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ComprehensiveIncomeLossToCommonStockholdersAndParticipatingSecurities_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel" xlink:title="label_ComprehensiveIncomeLossToCommonStockholdersAndParticipatingSecurities" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ComprehensiveIncomeLossToCommonStockholdersAndParticipatingSecurities_2">Comprehensive Income/(Loss) Available to Common Stock and Participating Securities</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ComprehensiveIncomeLossToCommonStockholdersAndParticipatingSecurities" xlink:to="label_ComprehensiveIncomeLossToCommonStockholdersAndParticipatingSecurities_2" xlink:title="label: ComprehensiveIncomeLossToCommonStockholdersAndParticipatingSecurities to label_ComprehensiveIncomeLossToCommonStockholdersAndParticipatingSecurities" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ComprehensiveIncomeLossToCommonStockholdersAndParticipatingSecurities_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ComprehensiveIncomeLossToCommonStockholdersAndParticipatingSecurities" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ComprehensiveIncomeLossToCommonStockholdersAndParticipatingSecurities_3">Comprehensive Income (Loss) after adjustments for dividends on preferred stock (declared in the period) and/or cumulative preferred stock (accumulated for the period).</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ComprehensiveIncomeLossToCommonStockholdersAndParticipatingSecurities" xlink:to="label_ComprehensiveIncomeLossToCommonStockholdersAndParticipatingSecurities_3" xlink:title="label: ComprehensiveIncomeLossToCommonStockholdersAndParticipatingSecurities to label_ComprehensiveIncomeLossToCommonStockholdersAndParticipatingSecurities" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ControlledEquityOfferingProgramMember" xlink:label="ControlledEquityOfferingProgramMember" xlink:title="ControlledEquityOfferingProgramMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ControlledEquityOfferingProgramMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ControlledEquityOfferingProgramMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ControlledEquityOfferingProgramMember">Controlled Equity Offering Program [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ControlledEquityOfferingProgramMember" xlink:to="label_ControlledEquityOfferingProgramMember" xlink:title="label: ControlledEquityOfferingProgramMember to label_ControlledEquityOfferingProgramMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ControlledEquityOfferingProgramMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ControlledEquityOfferingProgramMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ControlledEquityOfferingProgramMember_2">Represents the Controlled Equity Offering Program of the entity through which shares of common stock may be publicly offered and sold through Cantor Fitzgerald and Co. ("Cantor") in privately negotiated and/or at-the-market transactions.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ControlledEquityOfferingProgramMember" xlink:to="label_ControlledEquityOfferingProgramMember_2" xlink:title="label: ControlledEquityOfferingProgramMember to label_ControlledEquityOfferingProgramMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ControlledEquityOfferingProgramMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ControlledEquityOfferingProgramMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ControlledEquityOfferingProgramMember_3">Controlled Equity Offering Program</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ControlledEquityOfferingProgramMember" xlink:to="label_ControlledEquityOfferingProgramMember_3" xlink:title="label: ControlledEquityOfferingProgramMember to label_ControlledEquityOfferingProgramMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_CorporateHeadquartersMember" xlink:label="CorporateHeadquartersMember" xlink:title="CorporateHeadquartersMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_CorporateHeadquartersMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_CorporateHeadquartersMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_CorporateHeadquartersMember">Corporate Headquarters [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="CorporateHeadquartersMember" xlink:to="label_CorporateHeadquartersMember" xlink:title="label: CorporateHeadquartersMember to label_CorporateHeadquartersMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_CorporateHeadquartersMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_CorporateHeadquartersMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_CorporateHeadquartersMember_2">Represents the entity's corporate headquarters in New York, New York.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="CorporateHeadquartersMember" xlink:to="label_CorporateHeadquartersMember_2" xlink:title="label: CorporateHeadquartersMember to label_CorporateHeadquartersMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_CorporateHeadquartersMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_CorporateHeadquartersMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_CorporateHeadquartersMember_3">Corporate headquarters</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="CorporateHeadquartersMember" xlink:to="label_CorporateHeadquartersMember_3" xlink:title="label: CorporateHeadquartersMember to label_CorporateHeadquartersMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_CouponInterestSecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:label="CouponInterestSecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:title="CouponInterestSecuritiesMortgageBacked" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_CouponInterestSecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_CouponInterestSecuritiesMortgageBacked" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_CouponInterestSecuritiesMortgageBacked">Represents the coupon interest income derived from securities backed by a pool of mortgages or trust deeds.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="CouponInterestSecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:to="label_CouponInterestSecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:title="label: CouponInterestSecuritiesMortgageBacked to label_CouponInterestSecuritiesMortgageBacked" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_CouponInterestSecuritiesMortgageBacked_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_CouponInterestSecuritiesMortgageBacked" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_CouponInterestSecuritiesMortgageBacked_2">Coupon Interest Securities Mortgage Backed</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="CouponInterestSecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:to="label_CouponInterestSecuritiesMortgageBacked_2" xlink:title="label: CouponInterestSecuritiesMortgageBacked to label_CouponInterestSecuritiesMortgageBacked" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_CouponInterestSecuritiesMortgageBacked_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_CouponInterestSecuritiesMortgageBacked" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_CouponInterestSecuritiesMortgageBacked_3">Coupon interest</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="CouponInterestSecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:to="label_CouponInterestSecuritiesMortgageBacked_3" xlink:title="label: CouponInterestSecuritiesMortgageBacked to label_CouponInterestSecuritiesMortgageBacked" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_CreditSuisseMember" xlink:label="CreditSuisseMember" xlink:title="CreditSuisseMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_CreditSuisseMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_CreditSuisseMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_CreditSuisseMember">Credit Suisse [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="CreditSuisseMember" xlink:to="label_CreditSuisseMember" xlink:title="label: CreditSuisseMember to label_CreditSuisseMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_CreditSuisseMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_CreditSuisseMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_CreditSuisseMember_2">Represents the counterparty, Credit Suisse.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="CreditSuisseMember" xlink:to="label_CreditSuisseMember_2" xlink:title="label: CreditSuisseMember to label_CreditSuisseMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_CreditSuisseMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_CreditSuisseMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_CreditSuisseMember_3">Credit Suisse</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="CreditSuisseMember" xlink:to="label_CreditSuisseMember_3" xlink:title="label: CreditSuisseMember to label_CreditSuisseMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments" xlink:label="AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments" xlink:title="AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments">Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gain (Loss), Excluding Other than Temporary Impairments</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments" xlink:to="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments" xlink:title="label: AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments to label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments_2">Gross gains on sale of MBS</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments" xlink:to="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments_2" xlink:title="label: AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments to label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationDeferrablePercentageMaximum" xlink:label="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationDeferrablePercentageMaximum" xlink:title="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationDeferrablePercentageMaximum" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationDeferrablePercentageMaximum" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationDeferrablePercentageMaximum" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationDeferrablePercentageMaximum">Deferrable compensation by the employee, maximum (as a percent)</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationDeferrablePercentageMaximum" xlink:to="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationDeferrablePercentageMaximum" xlink:title="label: DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationDeferrablePercentageMaximum to label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationDeferrablePercentageMaximum" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationDeferrablePercentageMaximum_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationDeferrablePercentageMaximum" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationDeferrablePercentageMaximum_2">Represents the maximum percentage of certain compensation that may be deferred by the senior officers and non-employee directors pursuant to Deferred Plans.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationDeferrablePercentageMaximum" xlink:to="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationDeferrablePercentageMaximum_2" xlink:title="label: DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationDeferrablePercentageMaximum to label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationDeferrablePercentageMaximum" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationDeferrablePercentageMaximum_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationDeferrablePercentageMaximum" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationDeferrablePercentageMaximum_3">Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual Compensation Deferrable Percentage, Maximum</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationDeferrablePercentageMaximum" xlink:to="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationDeferrablePercentageMaximum_3" xlink:title="label: DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationDeferrablePercentageMaximum to label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationDeferrablePercentageMaximum" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationExpenseNetOfMarketFluctuations" xlink:label="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationExpenseNetOfMarketFluctuations" xlink:title="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationExpenseNetOfMarketFluctuations" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationExpenseNetOfMarketFluctuations" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationExpenseNetOfMarketFluctuations" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationExpenseNetOfMarketFluctuations">Expenses related to Deferred Plans</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationExpenseNetOfMarketFluctuations" xlink:to="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationExpenseNetOfMarketFluctuations" xlink:title="label: DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationExpenseNetOfMarketFluctuations to label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationExpenseNetOfMarketFluctuations" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationExpenseNetOfMarketFluctuations_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationExpenseNetOfMarketFluctuations" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationExpenseNetOfMarketFluctuations_2">The compensation expense net of market fluctuations recognized during the period pertaining to the deferred compensation arrangement.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationExpenseNetOfMarketFluctuations" xlink:to="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationExpenseNetOfMarketFluctuations_2" xlink:title="label: DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationExpenseNetOfMarketFluctuations to label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationExpenseNetOfMarketFluctuations" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationExpenseNetOfMarketFluctuations_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationExpenseNetOfMarketFluctuations" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationExpenseNetOfMarketFluctuations_3">Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual Compensation Expense Net of Market Fluctuations</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationExpenseNetOfMarketFluctuations" xlink:to="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationExpenseNetOfMarketFluctuations_3" xlink:title="label: DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationExpenseNetOfMarketFluctuations to label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationExpenseNetOfMarketFluctuations" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnFirstTierOfEligibleCompensation" xlink:label="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnFirstTierOfEligibleCompensation" xlink:title="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnFirstTierOfEligibleCompensation" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnFirstTierOfEligibleCompensation" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnFirstTierOfEligibleCompensation" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnFirstTierOfEligibleCompensation">Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual Employer Matching Contribution on First Tier of Eligible Compensation</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnFirstTierOfEligibleCompensation" xlink:to="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnFirstTierOfEligibleCompensation" xlink:title="label: DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnFirstTierOfEligibleCompensation to label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnFirstTierOfEligibleCompensation" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnFirstTierOfEligibleCompensation_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnFirstTierOfEligibleCompensation" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnFirstTierOfEligibleCompensation_2">Employer contribution percentage on first 3 percent of eligible compensation deferred by employees</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnFirstTierOfEligibleCompensation" xlink:to="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnFirstTierOfEligibleCompensation_2" xlink:title="label: DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnFirstTierOfEligibleCompensation to label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnFirstTierOfEligibleCompensation" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnFirstTierOfEligibleCompensation_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnFirstTierOfEligibleCompensation" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnFirstTierOfEligibleCompensation_3">Represents the percentage of the employer's matching contribution on the first tier of eligible compensation deferred by employees.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnFirstTierOfEligibleCompensation" xlink:to="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnFirstTierOfEligibleCompensation_3" xlink:title="label: DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnFirstTierOfEligibleCompensation to label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnFirstTierOfEligibleCompensation" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnSecondTierOfEligibleCompensation" xlink:label="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnSecondTierOfEligibleCompensation" xlink:title="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnSecondTierOfEligibleCompensation" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnSecondTierOfEligibleCompensation" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnSecondTierOfEligibleCompensation" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnSecondTierOfEligibleCompensation">Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual Employer Matching Contribution on Second Tier of Eligible Compensation</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnSecondTierOfEligibleCompensation" xlink:to="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnSecondTierOfEligibleCompensation" xlink:title="label: DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnSecondTierOfEligibleCompensation to label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnSecondTierOfEligibleCompensation" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnSecondTierOfEligibleCompensation_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnSecondTierOfEligibleCompensation" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnSecondTierOfEligibleCompensation_2">Employer contribution percentage on next 2 percent of eligible compensation deferred by employees</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnSecondTierOfEligibleCompensation" xlink:to="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnSecondTierOfEligibleCompensation_2" xlink:title="label: DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnSecondTierOfEligibleCompensation to label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnSecondTierOfEligibleCompensation" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnSecondTierOfEligibleCompensation_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnSecondTierOfEligibleCompensation" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnSecondTierOfEligibleCompensation_3">Represents the percentage of the employer's matching contribution on the second tier of eligible compensation deferred by employees.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnSecondTierOfEligibleCompensation" xlink:to="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnSecondTierOfEligibleCompensation_3" xlink:title="label: DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnSecondTierOfEligibleCompensation to label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerMatchingContributionOnSecondTierOfEligibleCompensation" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfFirstEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch" xlink:label="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfFirstEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch" xlink:title="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfFirstEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfFirstEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfFirstEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfFirstEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch">Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual Percentage of First Eligible Compensation for Employer Contribution Match</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfFirstEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch" xlink:to="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfFirstEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch" xlink:title="label: DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfFirstEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch to label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfFirstEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfFirstEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfFirstEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfFirstEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch_2">Percentage of eligible compensation deferred by employees qualifying for 100 percent matching contribution</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfFirstEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch" xlink:to="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfFirstEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch_2" xlink:title="label: DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfFirstEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch to label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfFirstEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfFirstEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfFirstEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfFirstEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch_3">Represents the percentage of the first tier of eligible compensation deferred by employees and receiving the highest level of employer match.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfFirstEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch" xlink:to="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfFirstEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch_3" xlink:title="label: DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfFirstEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch to label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfFirstEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfNextEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch" xlink:label="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfNextEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch" xlink:title="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfNextEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfNextEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfNextEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfNextEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch">Percentage of eligible compensation deferred by employees qualifying for 50 percent matching contribution</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfNextEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch" xlink:to="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfNextEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch" xlink:title="label: DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfNextEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch to label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfNextEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfNextEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfNextEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfNextEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch_2">Represents the percentage of the second tier of eligible compensation deferred by employees and receiving the second level of employer match.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfNextEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch" xlink:to="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfNextEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch_2" xlink:title="label: DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfNextEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch to label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfNextEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfNextEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfNextEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfNextEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch_3">Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual Percentage of Next Eligible Compensation for Employer Contribution Match</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfNextEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch" xlink:to="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfNextEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch_3" xlink:title="label: DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfNextEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch to label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualPercentageOfNextEligibleCompensationForEmployerContributionMatch" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualUndistributedIncomeDeferred" xlink:label="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualUndistributedIncomeDeferred" xlink:title="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualUndistributedIncomeDeferred" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualUndistributedIncomeDeferred" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualUndistributedIncomeDeferred" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualUndistributedIncomeDeferred">Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual Undistributed Income Deferred</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualUndistributedIncomeDeferred" xlink:to="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualUndistributedIncomeDeferred" xlink:title="label: DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualUndistributedIncomeDeferred to label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualUndistributedIncomeDeferred" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualUndistributedIncomeDeferred_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualUndistributedIncomeDeferred" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualUndistributedIncomeDeferred_2">Undistributed income deferred</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualUndistributedIncomeDeferred" xlink:to="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualUndistributedIncomeDeferred_2" xlink:title="label: DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualUndistributedIncomeDeferred to label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualUndistributedIncomeDeferred" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualUndistributedIncomeDeferred_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualUndistributedIncomeDeferred" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualUndistributedIncomeDeferred_3">Represents undistributed income deferred by participants under a deferred compensation arrangement as of the balance sheet date.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualUndistributedIncomeDeferred" xlink:to="label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualUndistributedIncomeDeferred_3" xlink:title="label: DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualUndistributedIncomeDeferred to label_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualUndistributedIncomeDeferred" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGain" xlink:label="AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGain" xlink:title="AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGain" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGain" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGain" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGain">Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGain" xlink:to="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGain" xlink:title="label: AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGain to label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGain" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGain_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel" xlink:title="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGain" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGain_2">Unrealized gains</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGain" xlink:to="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGain_2" xlink:title="label: AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGain to label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGain" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGain_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGain" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGain_3">Gross Unrealized Gains</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGain" xlink:to="label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGain_3" xlink:title="label: AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGain to label_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGain" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_DerivativeByMaturityAxis" xlink:label="DerivativeByMaturityAxis" xlink:title="DerivativeByMaturityAxis" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DerivativeByMaturityAxis" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_DerivativeByMaturityAxis" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DerivativeByMaturityAxis">Derivative by Maturity [Axis]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DerivativeByMaturityAxis" xlink:to="label_DerivativeByMaturityAxis" xlink:title="label: DerivativeByMaturityAxis to label_DerivativeByMaturityAxis" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DerivativeByMaturityAxis_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_DerivativeByMaturityAxis" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DerivativeByMaturityAxis_2">Categorization of derivative instruments by maturity periods.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DerivativeByMaturityAxis" xlink:to="label_DerivativeByMaturityAxis_2" xlink:title="label: DerivativeByMaturityAxis to label_DerivativeByMaturityAxis" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_DerivativeByMaturityDomain" xlink:label="DerivativeByMaturityDomain" xlink:title="DerivativeByMaturityDomain" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DerivativeByMaturityDomain" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_DerivativeByMaturityDomain" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DerivativeByMaturityDomain">Derivative by Maturity [Domain]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DerivativeByMaturityDomain" xlink:to="label_DerivativeByMaturityDomain" xlink:title="label: DerivativeByMaturityDomain to label_DerivativeByMaturityDomain" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DerivativeByMaturityDomain_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_DerivativeByMaturityDomain" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DerivativeByMaturityDomain_2">Identification of the periods of maturities for groups of derivatives.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DerivativeByMaturityDomain" xlink:to="label_DerivativeByMaturityDomain_2" xlink:title="label: DerivativeByMaturityDomain to label_DerivativeByMaturityDomain" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_DerivativeMaturityOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember" xlink:label="DerivativeMaturityOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember" xlink:title="DerivativeMaturityOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DerivativeMaturityOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_DerivativeMaturityOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DerivativeMaturityOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember">Over 12 months to 24 months</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DerivativeMaturityOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_DerivativeMaturityOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember" xlink:title="label: DerivativeMaturityOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember to label_DerivativeMaturityOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DerivativeMaturityOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_DerivativeMaturityOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DerivativeMaturityOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember_2">Derivative Maturity Over 12 Months to 24 Months [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DerivativeMaturityOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_DerivativeMaturityOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember_2" xlink:title="label: DerivativeMaturityOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember to label_DerivativeMaturityOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DerivativeMaturityOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_DerivativeMaturityOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DerivativeMaturityOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember_3">Period of maturity for derivative instruments which mature over 12 months and within 24 months from the reporting date.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DerivativeMaturityOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_DerivativeMaturityOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember_3" xlink:title="label: DerivativeMaturityOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember to label_DerivativeMaturityOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_DerivativeMaturityOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember" xlink:label="DerivativeMaturityOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember" xlink:title="DerivativeMaturityOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DerivativeMaturityOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_DerivativeMaturityOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DerivativeMaturityOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember">Period of maturity for derivative instruments which mature over 24 months and within 36 months from the reporting date.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DerivativeMaturityOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_DerivativeMaturityOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember" xlink:title="label: DerivativeMaturityOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember to label_DerivativeMaturityOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DerivativeMaturityOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_DerivativeMaturityOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DerivativeMaturityOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember_2">Over 24 months to 36 months</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DerivativeMaturityOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_DerivativeMaturityOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember_2" xlink:title="label: DerivativeMaturityOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember to label_DerivativeMaturityOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DerivativeMaturityOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_DerivativeMaturityOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DerivativeMaturityOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember_3">Derivative Maturity Over 24 Months to 36 Months [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DerivativeMaturityOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_DerivativeMaturityOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember_3" xlink:title="label: DerivativeMaturityOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember to label_DerivativeMaturityOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_DerivativeMaturityOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember" xlink:label="DerivativeMaturityOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember" xlink:title="DerivativeMaturityOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DerivativeMaturityOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_DerivativeMaturityOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DerivativeMaturityOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember">Period of maturity for derivative instruments which mature over 30 days and within 3 months from the reporting date.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DerivativeMaturityOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_DerivativeMaturityOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember" xlink:title="label: DerivativeMaturityOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember to label_DerivativeMaturityOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DerivativeMaturityOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_DerivativeMaturityOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DerivativeMaturityOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember_2">Over 30 days to 3 months</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DerivativeMaturityOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_DerivativeMaturityOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember_2" xlink:title="label: DerivativeMaturityOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember to label_DerivativeMaturityOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DerivativeMaturityOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_DerivativeMaturityOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DerivativeMaturityOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember_3">Derivative Maturity Over 30 Days to 3 Months [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DerivativeMaturityOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_DerivativeMaturityOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember_3" xlink:title="label: DerivativeMaturityOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember to label_DerivativeMaturityOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_DerivativeMaturityOver36MonthsTo48MonthsMember" xlink:label="DerivativeMaturityOver36MonthsTo48MonthsMember" xlink:title="DerivativeMaturityOver36MonthsTo48MonthsMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DerivativeMaturityOver36MonthsTo48MonthsMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_DerivativeMaturityOver36MonthsTo48MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DerivativeMaturityOver36MonthsTo48MonthsMember">Period of maturity for derivative instruments which mature over 36 months and within 48 months from the reporting date.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DerivativeMaturityOver36MonthsTo48MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_DerivativeMaturityOver36MonthsTo48MonthsMember" xlink:title="label: DerivativeMaturityOver36MonthsTo48MonthsMember to label_DerivativeMaturityOver36MonthsTo48MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DerivativeMaturityOver36MonthsTo48MonthsMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_DerivativeMaturityOver36MonthsTo48MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DerivativeMaturityOver36MonthsTo48MonthsMember_2">Over 36 months to 48 months</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DerivativeMaturityOver36MonthsTo48MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_DerivativeMaturityOver36MonthsTo48MonthsMember_2" xlink:title="label: DerivativeMaturityOver36MonthsTo48MonthsMember to label_DerivativeMaturityOver36MonthsTo48MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DerivativeMaturityOver36MonthsTo48MonthsMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_DerivativeMaturityOver36MonthsTo48MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DerivativeMaturityOver36MonthsTo48MonthsMember_3">Derivative Maturity Over 36 Months to 48 Months [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DerivativeMaturityOver36MonthsTo48MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_DerivativeMaturityOver36MonthsTo48MonthsMember_3" xlink:title="label: DerivativeMaturityOver36MonthsTo48MonthsMember to label_DerivativeMaturityOver36MonthsTo48MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_DerivativeMaturityOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember" xlink:label="DerivativeMaturityOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember" xlink:title="DerivativeMaturityOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DerivativeMaturityOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_DerivativeMaturityOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DerivativeMaturityOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember">Period of maturity for derivative instruments which mature over 3 months and within 6 months from the reporting date.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DerivativeMaturityOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_DerivativeMaturityOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember" xlink:title="label: DerivativeMaturityOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember to label_DerivativeMaturityOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DerivativeMaturityOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_DerivativeMaturityOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DerivativeMaturityOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember_2">Over 3 months to 6 months</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DerivativeMaturityOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_DerivativeMaturityOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember_2" xlink:title="label: DerivativeMaturityOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember to label_DerivativeMaturityOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DerivativeMaturityOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_DerivativeMaturityOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DerivativeMaturityOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember_3">Derivative Maturity Over 3 Months to 6 Months [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DerivativeMaturityOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_DerivativeMaturityOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember_3" xlink:title="label: DerivativeMaturityOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember to label_DerivativeMaturityOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_DerivativeMaturityOver48MonthsTo60MonthsMember" xlink:label="DerivativeMaturityOver48MonthsTo60MonthsMember" xlink:title="DerivativeMaturityOver48MonthsTo60MonthsMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DerivativeMaturityOver48MonthsTo60MonthsMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_DerivativeMaturityOver48MonthsTo60MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DerivativeMaturityOver48MonthsTo60MonthsMember">Period of maturity for derivative instruments which mature over 48 months and within 60 months from the reporting date.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DerivativeMaturityOver48MonthsTo60MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_DerivativeMaturityOver48MonthsTo60MonthsMember" xlink:title="label: DerivativeMaturityOver48MonthsTo60MonthsMember to label_DerivativeMaturityOver48MonthsTo60MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DerivativeMaturityOver48MonthsTo60MonthsMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_DerivativeMaturityOver48MonthsTo60MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DerivativeMaturityOver48MonthsTo60MonthsMember_2">Over 48 months to 60 months</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DerivativeMaturityOver48MonthsTo60MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_DerivativeMaturityOver48MonthsTo60MonthsMember_2" xlink:title="label: DerivativeMaturityOver48MonthsTo60MonthsMember to label_DerivativeMaturityOver48MonthsTo60MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DerivativeMaturityOver48MonthsTo60MonthsMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_DerivativeMaturityOver48MonthsTo60MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DerivativeMaturityOver48MonthsTo60MonthsMember_3">Derivative Maturity Over 48 Months to 60 Months [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DerivativeMaturityOver48MonthsTo60MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_DerivativeMaturityOver48MonthsTo60MonthsMember_3" xlink:title="label: DerivativeMaturityOver48MonthsTo60MonthsMember to label_DerivativeMaturityOver48MonthsTo60MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_DerivativeMaturityOver60MonthsMember" xlink:label="DerivativeMaturityOver60MonthsMember" xlink:title="DerivativeMaturityOver60MonthsMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DerivativeMaturityOver60MonthsMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_DerivativeMaturityOver60MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DerivativeMaturityOver60MonthsMember">Period of maturity for derivative instruments which mature over 60 months from the reporting date.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DerivativeMaturityOver60MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_DerivativeMaturityOver60MonthsMember" xlink:title="label: DerivativeMaturityOver60MonthsMember to label_DerivativeMaturityOver60MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DerivativeMaturityOver60MonthsMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_DerivativeMaturityOver60MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DerivativeMaturityOver60MonthsMember_2">Over 60 months</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DerivativeMaturityOver60MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_DerivativeMaturityOver60MonthsMember_2" xlink:title="label: DerivativeMaturityOver60MonthsMember to label_DerivativeMaturityOver60MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DerivativeMaturityOver60MonthsMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_DerivativeMaturityOver60MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DerivativeMaturityOver60MonthsMember_3">Derivative Maturity Over 60 Months [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DerivativeMaturityOver60MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_DerivativeMaturityOver60MonthsMember_3" xlink:title="label: DerivativeMaturityOver60MonthsMember to label_DerivativeMaturityOver60MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_DerivativeMaturityOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember" xlink:label="DerivativeMaturityOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember" xlink:title="DerivativeMaturityOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DerivativeMaturityOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_DerivativeMaturityOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DerivativeMaturityOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember">Period of maturity for derivative instruments which mature over 6 months and within 12 months from the reporting date.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DerivativeMaturityOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_DerivativeMaturityOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember" xlink:title="label: DerivativeMaturityOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember to label_DerivativeMaturityOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DerivativeMaturityOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_DerivativeMaturityOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DerivativeMaturityOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember_2">Over 6 months to 12 months</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DerivativeMaturityOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_DerivativeMaturityOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember_2" xlink:title="label: DerivativeMaturityOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember to label_DerivativeMaturityOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DerivativeMaturityOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_DerivativeMaturityOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DerivativeMaturityOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember_3">Derivative Maturity over 6 Months to 12 Months [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DerivativeMaturityOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_DerivativeMaturityOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember_3" xlink:title="label: DerivativeMaturityOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember to label_DerivativeMaturityOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_DerivativeMaturityWithin30DaysMember" xlink:label="DerivativeMaturityWithin30DaysMember" xlink:title="DerivativeMaturityWithin30DaysMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DerivativeMaturityWithin30DaysMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_DerivativeMaturityWithin30DaysMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DerivativeMaturityWithin30DaysMember">Period of maturity for derivative instruments which mature up to 30 days from the reporting date.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DerivativeMaturityWithin30DaysMember" xlink:to="label_DerivativeMaturityWithin30DaysMember" xlink:title="label: DerivativeMaturityWithin30DaysMember to label_DerivativeMaturityWithin30DaysMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DerivativeMaturityWithin30DaysMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_DerivativeMaturityWithin30DaysMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DerivativeMaturityWithin30DaysMember_2">Within 30 days.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DerivativeMaturityWithin30DaysMember" xlink:to="label_DerivativeMaturityWithin30DaysMember_2" xlink:title="label: DerivativeMaturityWithin30DaysMember to label_DerivativeMaturityWithin30DaysMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DerivativeMaturityWithin30DaysMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_DerivativeMaturityWithin30DaysMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DerivativeMaturityWithin30DaysMember_3">Derivative Maturity within 30 Days [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DerivativeMaturityWithin30DaysMember" xlink:to="label_DerivativeMaturityWithin30DaysMember_3" xlink:title="label: DerivativeMaturityWithin30DaysMember to label_DerivativeMaturityWithin30DaysMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRatePaid" xlink:label="DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRatePaid" xlink:title="DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRatePaid" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRatePaid" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRatePaid" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRatePaid">Derivative, Weighted Average Interest Rate Paid</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRatePaid" xlink:to="label_DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRatePaid" xlink:title="label: DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRatePaid to label_DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRatePaid" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRatePaid_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRatePaid" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRatePaid_2">Weighted average Swap rate paid (as a percent)</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRatePaid" xlink:to="label_DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRatePaid_2" xlink:title="label: DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRatePaid to label_DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRatePaid" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRatePaid_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRatePaid" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRatePaid_3">Represents the weighted average interest rate paid related to derivatives.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRatePaid" xlink:to="label_DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRatePaid_3" xlink:title="label: DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRatePaid to label_DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRatePaid" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRateReceived" xlink:label="DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRateReceived" xlink:title="DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRateReceived" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRateReceived" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRateReceived" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRateReceived">Derivative, Weighted Average Interest Rate Received</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRateReceived" xlink:to="label_DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRateReceived" xlink:title="label: DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRateReceived to label_DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRateReceived" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRateReceived_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRateReceived" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRateReceived_2">Weighted average Swap rate received (as a percent)</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRateReceived" xlink:to="label_DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRateReceived_2" xlink:title="label: DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRateReceived to label_DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRateReceived" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRateReceived_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRateReceived" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRateReceived_3">Represents the weighted average interest rate received related to derivatives.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRateReceived" xlink:to="label_DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRateReceived_3" xlink:title="label: DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRateReceived to label_DerivativeWeightedAverageInterestRateReceived" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_DeutscheBankSecuritiesIncMember" xlink:label="DeutscheBankSecuritiesIncMember" xlink:title="DeutscheBankSecuritiesIncMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DeutscheBankSecuritiesIncMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_DeutscheBankSecuritiesIncMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DeutscheBankSecuritiesIncMember">Deutsche Bank Securities Inc [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DeutscheBankSecuritiesIncMember" xlink:to="label_DeutscheBankSecuritiesIncMember" xlink:title="label: DeutscheBankSecuritiesIncMember to label_DeutscheBankSecuritiesIncMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DeutscheBankSecuritiesIncMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_DeutscheBankSecuritiesIncMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DeutscheBankSecuritiesIncMember_2">Represents Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DeutscheBankSecuritiesIncMember" xlink:to="label_DeutscheBankSecuritiesIncMember_2" xlink:title="label: DeutscheBankSecuritiesIncMember to label_DeutscheBankSecuritiesIncMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DeutscheBankSecuritiesIncMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_DeutscheBankSecuritiesIncMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DeutscheBankSecuritiesIncMember_3">Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DeutscheBankSecuritiesIncMember" xlink:to="label_DeutscheBankSecuritiesIncMember_3" xlink:title="label: DeutscheBankSecuritiesIncMember to label_DeutscheBankSecuritiesIncMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_DeutscheMortgageSecuritiesIncRealEstateMortgageInvestmentConduitTrustSeries2010RS2Member" xlink:label="DeutscheMortgageSecuritiesIncRealEstateMortgageInvestmentConduitTrustSeries2010RS2Member" xlink:title="DeutscheMortgageSecuritiesIncRealEstateMortgageInvestmentConduitTrustSeries2010RS2Member" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DeutscheMortgageSecuritiesIncRealEstateMortgageInvestmentConduitTrustSeries2010RS2Member" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_DeutscheMortgageSecuritiesIncRealEstateMortgageInvestmentConduitTrustSeries2010RS2Member" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DeutscheMortgageSecuritiesIncRealEstateMortgageInvestmentConduitTrustSeries2010RS2Member">Deutsche Mortgage Securities, Inc Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit Trust Series 2010 RS2 [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DeutscheMortgageSecuritiesIncRealEstateMortgageInvestmentConduitTrustSeries2010RS2Member" xlink:to="label_DeutscheMortgageSecuritiesIncRealEstateMortgageInvestmentConduitTrustSeries2010RS2Member" xlink:title="label: DeutscheMortgageSecuritiesIncRealEstateMortgageInvestmentConduitTrustSeries2010RS2Member to label_DeutscheMortgageSecuritiesIncRealEstateMortgageInvestmentConduitTrustSeries2010RS2Member" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DeutscheMortgageSecuritiesIncRealEstateMortgageInvestmentConduitTrustSeries2010RS2Member_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_DeutscheMortgageSecuritiesIncRealEstateMortgageInvestmentConduitTrustSeries2010RS2Member" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DeutscheMortgageSecuritiesIncRealEstateMortgageInvestmentConduitTrustSeries2010RS2Member_2">Represents Deutsche Mortgage Securities, Inc. Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit Trust, Series 2010-RS2, a Delaware statutory trust which is a VIE consolidated by the entity.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DeutscheMortgageSecuritiesIncRealEstateMortgageInvestmentConduitTrustSeries2010RS2Member" xlink:to="label_DeutscheMortgageSecuritiesIncRealEstateMortgageInvestmentConduitTrustSeries2010RS2Member_2" xlink:title="label: DeutscheMortgageSecuritiesIncRealEstateMortgageInvestmentConduitTrustSeries2010RS2Member to label_DeutscheMortgageSecuritiesIncRealEstateMortgageInvestmentConduitTrustSeries2010RS2Member" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DeutscheMortgageSecuritiesIncRealEstateMortgageInvestmentConduitTrustSeries2010RS2Member_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_DeutscheMortgageSecuritiesIncRealEstateMortgageInvestmentConduitTrustSeries2010RS2Member" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DeutscheMortgageSecuritiesIncRealEstateMortgageInvestmentConduitTrustSeries2010RS2Member_3">Deutsche Mortgage Securities, Inc. Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit Trust, Series 2010-RS2</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DeutscheMortgageSecuritiesIncRealEstateMortgageInvestmentConduitTrustSeries2010RS2Member" xlink:to="label_DeutscheMortgageSecuritiesIncRealEstateMortgageInvestmentConduitTrustSeries2010RS2Member_3" xlink:title="label: DeutscheMortgageSecuritiesIncRealEstateMortgageInvestmentConduitTrustSeries2010RS2Member to label_DeutscheMortgageSecuritiesIncRealEstateMortgageInvestmentConduitTrustSeries2010RS2Member" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_DiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesAndOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMember" xlink:label="DiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesAndOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMember" xlink:title="DiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesAndOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesAndOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_DiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesAndOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesAndOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMember">Discount Designated as Credit Reserves and Other than Temporary Impairment [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesAndOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMember" xlink:to="label_DiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesAndOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMember" xlink:title="label: DiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesAndOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMember to label_DiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesAndOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesAndOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_DiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesAndOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesAndOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMember_2">Represent the portion of purchase discount designated as credit reserves and other than temporary impairment which are not expected to be accreted into interest income.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesAndOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMember" xlink:to="label_DiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesAndOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMember_2" xlink:title="label: DiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesAndOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMember to label_DiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesAndOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesAndOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_DiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesAndOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesAndOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMember_3">Discount Designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesAndOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMember" xlink:to="label_DiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesAndOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMember_3" xlink:title="label: DiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesAndOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMember to label_DiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesAndOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_DiscountWaiverDirectStockPurchaseAndDividendReinvestmentPlanMember" xlink:label="DiscountWaiverDirectStockPurchaseAndDividendReinvestmentPlanMember" xlink:title="DiscountWaiverDirectStockPurchaseAndDividendReinvestmentPlanMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DiscountWaiverDirectStockPurchaseAndDividendReinvestmentPlanMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_DiscountWaiverDirectStockPurchaseAndDividendReinvestmentPlanMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DiscountWaiverDirectStockPurchaseAndDividendReinvestmentPlanMember">Discount Waiver Direct Stock Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Plan [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DiscountWaiverDirectStockPurchaseAndDividendReinvestmentPlanMember" xlink:to="label_DiscountWaiverDirectStockPurchaseAndDividendReinvestmentPlanMember" xlink:title="label: DiscountWaiverDirectStockPurchaseAndDividendReinvestmentPlanMember to label_DiscountWaiverDirectStockPurchaseAndDividendReinvestmentPlanMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DiscountWaiverDirectStockPurchaseAndDividendReinvestmentPlanMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_DiscountWaiverDirectStockPurchaseAndDividendReinvestmentPlanMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DiscountWaiverDirectStockPurchaseAndDividendReinvestmentPlanMember_2">Represents the Discount Waiver, Direct Stock Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Plan ("DRSPP") of the entity through which existing stockholders and new investors can purchase shares of common stock through the automatic reinvestment of dividends and/or optional cash investments.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DiscountWaiverDirectStockPurchaseAndDividendReinvestmentPlanMember" xlink:to="label_DiscountWaiverDirectStockPurchaseAndDividendReinvestmentPlanMember_2" xlink:title="label: DiscountWaiverDirectStockPurchaseAndDividendReinvestmentPlanMember to label_DiscountWaiverDirectStockPurchaseAndDividendReinvestmentPlanMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DiscountWaiverDirectStockPurchaseAndDividendReinvestmentPlanMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_DiscountWaiverDirectStockPurchaseAndDividendReinvestmentPlanMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DiscountWaiverDirectStockPurchaseAndDividendReinvestmentPlanMember_3">DRSPP</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DiscountWaiverDirectStockPurchaseAndDividendReinvestmentPlanMember" xlink:to="label_DiscountWaiverDirectStockPurchaseAndDividendReinvestmentPlanMember_3" xlink:title="label: DiscountWaiverDirectStockPurchaseAndDividendReinvestmentPlanMember to label_DiscountWaiverDirectStockPurchaseAndDividendReinvestmentPlanMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_DividendEquivalentRightsMember" xlink:label="DividendEquivalentRightsMember" xlink:title="DividendEquivalentRightsMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DividendEquivalentRightsMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_DividendEquivalentRightsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DividendEquivalentRightsMember">Dividend Equivalent Rights [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DividendEquivalentRightsMember" xlink:to="label_DividendEquivalentRightsMember" xlink:title="label: DividendEquivalentRightsMember to label_DividendEquivalentRightsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DividendEquivalentRightsMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_DividendEquivalentRightsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DividendEquivalentRightsMember_2">A DER is a right to receive a distribution equal to dividend distributions that would be paid on a share of the company's common stock.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DividendEquivalentRightsMember" xlink:to="label_DividendEquivalentRightsMember_2" xlink:title="label: DividendEquivalentRightsMember to label_DividendEquivalentRightsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DividendEquivalentRightsMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_DividendEquivalentRightsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DividendEquivalentRightsMember_3">DER</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DividendEquivalentRightsMember" xlink:to="label_DividendEquivalentRightsMember_3" xlink:title="label: DividendEquivalentRightsMember to label_DividendEquivalentRightsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_DividendsDividendEquivalentRights" xlink:label="DividendsDividendEquivalentRights" xlink:title="DividendsDividendEquivalentRights" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DividendsDividendEquivalentRights" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_DividendsDividendEquivalentRights" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DividendsDividendEquivalentRights">Aggregate cash, stock, and paid-in-kind dividends declared on dividend equivalent rights during the period. Dividend equivalent rights relate to participating securities representing unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DividendsDividendEquivalentRights" xlink:to="label_DividendsDividendEquivalentRights" xlink:title="label: DividendsDividendEquivalentRights to label_DividendsDividendEquivalentRights" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DividendsDividendEquivalentRights_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel" xlink:title="label_DividendsDividendEquivalentRights" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DividendsDividendEquivalentRights_2">Dividends attributable to DERs</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DividendsDividendEquivalentRights" xlink:to="label_DividendsDividendEquivalentRights_2" xlink:title="label: DividendsDividendEquivalentRights to label_DividendsDividendEquivalentRights" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DividendsDividendEquivalentRights_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_DividendsDividendEquivalentRights" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DividendsDividendEquivalentRights_3">Dividends, Dividend Equivalent Rights</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DividendsDividendEquivalentRights" xlink:to="label_DividendsDividendEquivalentRights_3" xlink:title="label: DividendsDividendEquivalentRights to label_DividendsDividendEquivalentRights" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_DocumentAndEntityInformationAbstract" xlink:label="DocumentAndEntityInformationAbstract" xlink:title="DocumentAndEntityInformationAbstract" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DocumentAndEntityInformationAbstract" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_DocumentAndEntityInformationAbstract" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DocumentAndEntityInformationAbstract">Document and Entity Information</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DocumentAndEntityInformationAbstract" xlink:to="label_DocumentAndEntityInformationAbstract" xlink:title="label: DocumentAndEntityInformationAbstract to label_DocumentAndEntityInformationAbstract" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_EffectiveYieldAdjustmentSecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:label="EffectiveYieldAdjustmentSecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:title="EffectiveYieldAdjustmentSecuritiesMortgageBacked" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_EffectiveYieldAdjustmentSecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_EffectiveYieldAdjustmentSecuritiesMortgageBacked" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_EffectiveYieldAdjustmentSecuritiesMortgageBacked">Effective Yield Adjustment Securities Mortgage Backed</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="EffectiveYieldAdjustmentSecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:to="label_EffectiveYieldAdjustmentSecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:title="label: EffectiveYieldAdjustmentSecuritiesMortgageBacked to label_EffectiveYieldAdjustmentSecuritiesMortgageBacked" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_EffectiveYieldAdjustmentSecuritiesMortgageBacked_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_EffectiveYieldAdjustmentSecuritiesMortgageBacked" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_EffectiveYieldAdjustmentSecuritiesMortgageBacked_2">Effective yield adjustment</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="EffectiveYieldAdjustmentSecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:to="label_EffectiveYieldAdjustmentSecuritiesMortgageBacked_2" xlink:title="label: EffectiveYieldAdjustmentSecuritiesMortgageBacked to label_EffectiveYieldAdjustmentSecuritiesMortgageBacked" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_EffectiveYieldAdjustmentSecuritiesMortgageBacked_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_EffectiveYieldAdjustmentSecuritiesMortgageBacked" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_EffectiveYieldAdjustmentSecuritiesMortgageBacked_3">Represents the following effective yield adjustments pertaining to mortgage backed securities. (1) For Agency MBS, this reflects net premium amortization and discount accretion based on actual prepayment activity. (2) For Non-Agency MBS, this is the difference between the net income calculated using the net yield, which is based on management's estimates of future cash flows, less the current coupon yield.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="EffectiveYieldAdjustmentSecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:to="label_EffectiveYieldAdjustmentSecuritiesMortgageBacked_3" xlink:title="label: EffectiveYieldAdjustmentSecuritiesMortgageBacked to label_EffectiveYieldAdjustmentSecuritiesMortgageBacked" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_EmploymentAgreementAbstract" xlink:label="EmploymentAgreementAbstract" xlink:title="EmploymentAgreementAbstract" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_EmploymentAgreementAbstract" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_EmploymentAgreementAbstract" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_EmploymentAgreementAbstract">Employment Agreement [Abstract]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="EmploymentAgreementAbstract" xlink:to="label_EmploymentAgreementAbstract" xlink:title="label: EmploymentAgreementAbstract to label_EmploymentAgreementAbstract" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_EmploymentAgreementAbstract_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_EmploymentAgreementAbstract" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_EmploymentAgreementAbstract_2">Employment Agreements</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="EmploymentAgreementAbstract" xlink:to="label_EmploymentAgreementAbstract_2" xlink:title="label: EmploymentAgreementAbstract to label_EmploymentAgreementAbstract" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_EmploymentAgreementsNumberOfOfficers" xlink:label="EmploymentAgreementsNumberOfOfficers" xlink:title="EmploymentAgreementsNumberOfOfficers" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_EmploymentAgreementsNumberOfOfficers" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_EmploymentAgreementsNumberOfOfficers" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_EmploymentAgreementsNumberOfOfficers">Employment Agreements Number of Officers</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="EmploymentAgreementsNumberOfOfficers" xlink:to="label_EmploymentAgreementsNumberOfOfficers" xlink:title="label: EmploymentAgreementsNumberOfOfficers to label_EmploymentAgreementsNumberOfOfficers" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_EmploymentAgreementsNumberOfOfficers_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_EmploymentAgreementsNumberOfOfficers" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_EmploymentAgreementsNumberOfOfficers_2">Number of officers having employment agreements with the company</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="EmploymentAgreementsNumberOfOfficers" xlink:to="label_EmploymentAgreementsNumberOfOfficers_2" xlink:title="label: EmploymentAgreementsNumberOfOfficers to label_EmploymentAgreementsNumberOfOfficers" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_EmploymentAgreementsNumberOfOfficers_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_EmploymentAgreementsNumberOfOfficers" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_EmploymentAgreementsNumberOfOfficers_3">Represents the number of officers having employment agreements with the company.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="EmploymentAgreementsNumberOfOfficers" xlink:to="label_EmploymentAgreementsNumberOfOfficers_3" xlink:title="label: EmploymentAgreementsNumberOfOfficers to label_EmploymentAgreementsNumberOfOfficers" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_EquityCompensationPlan2010Member" xlink:label="EquityCompensationPlan2010Member" xlink:title="EquityCompensationPlan2010Member" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_EquityCompensationPlan2010Member" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_EquityCompensationPlan2010Member" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_EquityCompensationPlan2010Member">Equity Compensation Plan 2010 [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="EquityCompensationPlan2010Member" xlink:to="label_EquityCompensationPlan2010Member" xlink:title="label: EquityCompensationPlan2010Member to label_EquityCompensationPlan2010Member" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_EquityCompensationPlan2010Member_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_EquityCompensationPlan2010Member" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_EquityCompensationPlan2010Member_2">It represents the 2010 Equity Compensation Plan.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="EquityCompensationPlan2010Member" xlink:to="label_EquityCompensationPlan2010Member_2" xlink:title="label: EquityCompensationPlan2010Member to label_EquityCompensationPlan2010Member" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_EquityCompensationPlan2010Member_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_EquityCompensationPlan2010Member" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_EquityCompensationPlan2010Member_3">2010 Equity Compensation Plan</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="EquityCompensationPlan2010Member" xlink:to="label_EquityCompensationPlan2010Member_3" xlink:title="label: EquityCompensationPlan2010Member to label_EquityCompensationPlan2010Member" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_EquityOfferingCost" xlink:label="EquityOfferingCost" xlink:title="EquityOfferingCost" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_EquityOfferingCost" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_EquityOfferingCost" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_EquityOfferingCost">Equity Offering Cost</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="EquityOfferingCost" xlink:to="label_EquityOfferingCost" xlink:title="label: EquityOfferingCost to label_EquityOfferingCost" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_EquityOfferingCost_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_EquityOfferingCost" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_EquityOfferingCost_2">Expenses incurred in connection with equity offering</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="EquityOfferingCost" xlink:to="label_EquityOfferingCost_2" xlink:title="label: EquityOfferingCost to label_EquityOfferingCost" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_EquityOfferingCost_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_EquityOfferingCost" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_EquityOfferingCost_3">Represents the cost incurred by the entity in connection with the issuance of equity.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="EquityOfferingCost" xlink:to="label_EquityOfferingCost_3" xlink:title="label: EquityOfferingCost to label_EquityOfferingCost" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_EquityOfferingCostUnderwritingDiscountsAndRelatedExpenses" xlink:label="EquityOfferingCostUnderwritingDiscountsAndRelatedExpenses" xlink:title="EquityOfferingCostUnderwritingDiscountsAndRelatedExpenses" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_EquityOfferingCostUnderwritingDiscountsAndRelatedExpenses" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_EquityOfferingCostUnderwritingDiscountsAndRelatedExpenses" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_EquityOfferingCostUnderwritingDiscountsAndRelatedExpenses">Represents the Underwriting discounts and related expenses incurred by the entity in connection with the issuance of equity.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="EquityOfferingCostUnderwritingDiscountsAndRelatedExpenses" xlink:to="label_EquityOfferingCostUnderwritingDiscountsAndRelatedExpenses" xlink:title="label: EquityOfferingCostUnderwritingDiscountsAndRelatedExpenses to label_EquityOfferingCostUnderwritingDiscountsAndRelatedExpenses" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_EquityOfferingCostUnderwritingDiscountsAndRelatedExpenses_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_EquityOfferingCostUnderwritingDiscountsAndRelatedExpenses" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_EquityOfferingCostUnderwritingDiscountsAndRelatedExpenses_2">Equity Offering Cost Underwriting Discounts and Related Expenses</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="EquityOfferingCostUnderwritingDiscountsAndRelatedExpenses" xlink:to="label_EquityOfferingCostUnderwritingDiscountsAndRelatedExpenses_2" xlink:title="label: EquityOfferingCostUnderwritingDiscountsAndRelatedExpenses to label_EquityOfferingCostUnderwritingDiscountsAndRelatedExpenses" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_EquityOfferingCostUnderwritingDiscountsAndRelatedExpenses_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_EquityOfferingCostUnderwritingDiscountsAndRelatedExpenses" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_EquityOfferingCostUnderwritingDiscountsAndRelatedExpenses_3">Underwriting discounts and related expenses</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="EquityOfferingCostUnderwritingDiscountsAndRelatedExpenses" xlink:to="label_EquityOfferingCostUnderwritingDiscountsAndRelatedExpenses_3" xlink:title="label: EquityOfferingCostUnderwritingDiscountsAndRelatedExpenses to label_EquityOfferingCostUnderwritingDiscountsAndRelatedExpenses" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ExercisePriceDollars10.25Member" xlink:label="ExercisePriceDollars10.25Member" xlink:title="ExercisePriceDollars10.25Member" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ExercisePriceDollars10.25Member" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ExercisePriceDollars10.25Member" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ExercisePriceDollars10.25Member">Exercise Price Dollars 10.25 [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ExercisePriceDollars10.25Member" xlink:to="label_ExercisePriceDollars10.25Member" xlink:title="label: ExercisePriceDollars10.25Member to label_ExercisePriceDollars10.25Member" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ExercisePriceDollars10.25Member_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ExercisePriceDollars10.25Member" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ExercisePriceDollars10.25Member_2">Exercise price 10.25</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ExercisePriceDollars10.25Member" xlink:to="label_ExercisePriceDollars10.25Member_2" xlink:title="label: ExercisePriceDollars10.25Member to label_ExercisePriceDollars10.25Member" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ExercisePriceDollars10.25Member_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ExercisePriceDollars10.25Member" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ExercisePriceDollars10.25Member_3">Represents the exercise price $10.25.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ExercisePriceDollars10.25Member" xlink:to="label_ExercisePriceDollars10.25Member_3" xlink:title="label: ExercisePriceDollars10.25Member to label_ExercisePriceDollars10.25Member" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ExercisePriceDollars6.99Member" xlink:label="ExercisePriceDollars6.99Member" xlink:title="ExercisePriceDollars6.99Member" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ExercisePriceDollars6.99Member" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ExercisePriceDollars6.99Member" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ExercisePriceDollars6.99Member">Exercise price 6.99</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ExercisePriceDollars6.99Member" xlink:to="label_ExercisePriceDollars6.99Member" xlink:title="label: ExercisePriceDollars6.99Member to label_ExercisePriceDollars6.99Member" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ExercisePriceDollars6.99Member_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ExercisePriceDollars6.99Member" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ExercisePriceDollars6.99Member_2">Represents the exercise price $6.99.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ExercisePriceDollars6.99Member" xlink:to="label_ExercisePriceDollars6.99Member_2" xlink:title="label: ExercisePriceDollars6.99Member to label_ExercisePriceDollars6.99Member" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ExercisePriceDollars6.99Member_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ExercisePriceDollars6.99Member" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ExercisePriceDollars6.99Member_3">Exercise Price Dollars 6.99 [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ExercisePriceDollars6.99Member" xlink:to="label_ExercisePriceDollars6.99Member_3" xlink:title="label: ExercisePriceDollars6.99Member to label_ExercisePriceDollars6.99Member" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ExercisePriceDollars8.40Member" xlink:label="ExercisePriceDollars8.40Member" xlink:title="ExercisePriceDollars8.40Member" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ExercisePriceDollars8.40Member" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ExercisePriceDollars8.40Member" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ExercisePriceDollars8.40Member">Exercise Price Dollars 8.40 [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ExercisePriceDollars8.40Member" xlink:to="label_ExercisePriceDollars8.40Member" xlink:title="label: ExercisePriceDollars8.40Member to label_ExercisePriceDollars8.40Member" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ExercisePriceDollars8.40Member_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ExercisePriceDollars8.40Member" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ExercisePriceDollars8.40Member_2">Exercise price 8.40</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ExercisePriceDollars8.40Member" xlink:to="label_ExercisePriceDollars8.40Member_2" xlink:title="label: ExercisePriceDollars8.40Member to label_ExercisePriceDollars8.40Member" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ExercisePriceDollars8.40Member_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ExercisePriceDollars8.40Member" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ExercisePriceDollars8.40Member_3">Represents the exercise price 8.40 dollars.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ExercisePriceDollars8.40Member" xlink:to="label_ExercisePriceDollars8.40Member_3" xlink:title="label: ExercisePriceDollars8.40Member to label_ExercisePriceDollars8.40Member" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountingPoliciesAbstract" xlink:label="AccountingPoliciesAbstract" xlink:title="AccountingPoliciesAbstract" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccountingPoliciesAbstract" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AccountingPoliciesAbstract" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccountingPoliciesAbstract">Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccountingPoliciesAbstract" xlink:to="label_AccountingPoliciesAbstract" xlink:title="label: AccountingPoliciesAbstract to label_AccountingPoliciesAbstract" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_FixedRateMortgages15YearMember" xlink:label="FixedRateMortgages15YearMember" xlink:title="FixedRateMortgages15YearMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_FixedRateMortgages15YearMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_FixedRateMortgages15YearMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_FixedRateMortgages15YearMember">Fixed Rate Mortgages 15 Year [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="FixedRateMortgages15YearMember" xlink:to="label_FixedRateMortgages15YearMember" xlink:title="label: FixedRateMortgages15YearMember to label_FixedRateMortgages15YearMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_FixedRateMortgages15YearMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_FixedRateMortgages15YearMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_FixedRateMortgages15YearMember_2">Represents fixed rate mortgages having a term of 15 years.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="FixedRateMortgages15YearMember" xlink:to="label_FixedRateMortgages15YearMember_2" xlink:title="label: FixedRateMortgages15YearMember to label_FixedRateMortgages15YearMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_FixedRateMortgages15YearMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_FixedRateMortgages15YearMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_FixedRateMortgages15YearMember_3">15-year fixed rate</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="FixedRateMortgages15YearMember" xlink:to="label_FixedRateMortgages15YearMember_3" xlink:title="label: FixedRateMortgages15YearMember to label_FixedRateMortgages15YearMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_FixedRateMortgagesGreaterThan15YearMember" xlink:label="FixedRateMortgagesGreaterThan15YearMember" xlink:title="FixedRateMortgagesGreaterThan15YearMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_FixedRateMortgagesGreaterThan15YearMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_FixedRateMortgagesGreaterThan15YearMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_FixedRateMortgagesGreaterThan15YearMember">Fixed Rate Mortgages Greater than 15 Year [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="FixedRateMortgagesGreaterThan15YearMember" xlink:to="label_FixedRateMortgagesGreaterThan15YearMember" xlink:title="label: FixedRateMortgagesGreaterThan15YearMember to label_FixedRateMortgagesGreaterThan15YearMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_FixedRateMortgagesGreaterThan15YearMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_FixedRateMortgagesGreaterThan15YearMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_FixedRateMortgagesGreaterThan15YearMember_2">Represents fixed rate mortgages having a term of greater than 15 years.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="FixedRateMortgagesGreaterThan15YearMember" xlink:to="label_FixedRateMortgagesGreaterThan15YearMember_2" xlink:title="label: FixedRateMortgagesGreaterThan15YearMember to label_FixedRateMortgagesGreaterThan15YearMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_FixedRateMortgagesGreaterThan15YearMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_FixedRateMortgagesGreaterThan15YearMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_FixedRateMortgagesGreaterThan15YearMember_3">Greater than 15-year fixed rate</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="FixedRateMortgagesGreaterThan15YearMember" xlink:to="label_FixedRateMortgagesGreaterThan15YearMember_3" xlink:title="label: FixedRateMortgagesGreaterThan15YearMember to label_FixedRateMortgagesGreaterThan15YearMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2012/dei-2012-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityWellKnownSeasonedIssuer" xlink:label="EntityWellKnownSeasonedIssuer" xlink:title="EntityWellKnownSeasonedIssuer" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_EntityWellKnownSeasonedIssuer" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_EntityWellKnownSeasonedIssuer" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_EntityWellKnownSeasonedIssuer">Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="EntityWellKnownSeasonedIssuer" xlink:to="label_EntityWellKnownSeasonedIssuer" xlink:title="label: EntityWellKnownSeasonedIssuer to label_EntityWellKnownSeasonedIssuer" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_FloatersMember" xlink:label="FloatersMember" xlink:title="FloatersMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_FloatersMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_FloatersMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_FloatersMember">Floaters</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="FloatersMember" xlink:to="label_FloatersMember" xlink:title="label: FloatersMember to label_FloatersMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_FloatersMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_FloatersMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_FloatersMember_2">Floaters [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="FloatersMember" xlink:to="label_FloatersMember_2" xlink:title="label: FloatersMember to label_FloatersMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_FloatersMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_FloatersMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_FloatersMember_3">Represents adjustable rate mortgages that have interest rates that reset more frequently.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="FloatersMember" xlink:to="label_FloatersMember_3" xlink:title="label: FloatersMember to label_FloatersMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2012/dei-2012-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityVoluntaryFilers" xlink:label="EntityVoluntaryFilers" xlink:title="EntityVoluntaryFilers" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_EntityVoluntaryFilers" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_EntityVoluntaryFilers" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_EntityVoluntaryFilers">Entity Voluntary Filers</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="EntityVoluntaryFilers" xlink:to="label_EntityVoluntaryFilers" xlink:title="label: EntityVoluntaryFilers to label_EntityVoluntaryFilers" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_GainOnLinkedTransactions" xlink:label="GainOnLinkedTransactions" xlink:title="GainOnLinkedTransactions" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_GainOnLinkedTransactions" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_GainOnLinkedTransactions" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_GainOnLinkedTransactions">Gain on Linked Transactions</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="GainOnLinkedTransactions" xlink:to="label_GainOnLinkedTransactions" xlink:title="label: GainOnLinkedTransactions to label_GainOnLinkedTransactions" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_GainOnLinkedTransactions_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_GainOnLinkedTransactions" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_GainOnLinkedTransactions_2">This element represents the net unrealized gain or loss and net interest income on linked transactions.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="GainOnLinkedTransactions" xlink:to="label_GainOnLinkedTransactions_2" xlink:title="label: GainOnLinkedTransactions to label_GainOnLinkedTransactions" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_GainOnLinkedTransactions_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel" xlink:title="label_GainOnLinkedTransactions" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_GainOnLinkedTransactions_3">Unrealized net gains/(losses) and net interest income from Linked Transactions</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="GainOnLinkedTransactions" xlink:to="label_GainOnLinkedTransactions_3" xlink:title="label: GainOnLinkedTransactions to label_GainOnLinkedTransactions" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_GainOnLinkedTransactions_4" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_GainOnLinkedTransactions" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_GainOnLinkedTransactions_4">Unrealized net gains and net interest income from Linked Transactions</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="GainOnLinkedTransactions" xlink:to="label_GainOnLinkedTransactions_4" xlink:title="label: GainOnLinkedTransactions to label_GainOnLinkedTransactions" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2012/dei-2012-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus" xlink:label="EntityCurrentReportingStatus" xlink:title="EntityCurrentReportingStatus" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_EntityCurrentReportingStatus" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_EntityCurrentReportingStatus" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_EntityCurrentReportingStatus">Entity Current Reporting Status</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="EntityCurrentReportingStatus" xlink:to="label_EntityCurrentReportingStatus" xlink:title="label: EntityCurrentReportingStatus to label_EntityCurrentReportingStatus" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_GainOnLinkedTransactionsAbstract" xlink:label="GainOnLinkedTransactionsAbstract" xlink:title="GainOnLinkedTransactionsAbstract" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_GainOnLinkedTransactionsAbstract" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_GainOnLinkedTransactionsAbstract" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_GainOnLinkedTransactionsAbstract">Gain on Linked Transactions [Abstract]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="GainOnLinkedTransactionsAbstract" xlink:to="label_GainOnLinkedTransactionsAbstract" xlink:title="label: GainOnLinkedTransactionsAbstract to label_GainOnLinkedTransactionsAbstract" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_GainOnLinkedTransactionsAbstract_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_GainOnLinkedTransactionsAbstract" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_GainOnLinkedTransactionsAbstract_2">Components of the gain on Linked Transactions</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="GainOnLinkedTransactionsAbstract" xlink:to="label_GainOnLinkedTransactionsAbstract_2" xlink:title="label: GainOnLinkedTransactionsAbstract to label_GainOnLinkedTransactionsAbstract" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2012/dei-2012-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityFilerCategory" xlink:label="EntityFilerCategory" xlink:title="EntityFilerCategory" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_EntityFilerCategory" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_EntityFilerCategory" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_EntityFilerCategory">Entity Filer Category</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="EntityFilerCategory" xlink:to="label_EntityFilerCategory" xlink:title="label: EntityFilerCategory to label_EntityFilerCategory" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_GainOnMBSForwards" xlink:label="GainOnMBSForwards" xlink:title="GainOnMBSForwards" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_GainOnMBSForwards" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_GainOnMBSForwards" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_GainOnMBSForwards">Gains on MBS Forwards, net</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="GainOnMBSForwards" xlink:to="label_GainOnMBSForwards" xlink:title="label: GainOnMBSForwards to label_GainOnMBSForwards" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_GainOnMBSForwards_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_GainOnMBSForwards" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_GainOnMBSForwards_2">Gain on MBS Forwards</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="GainOnMBSForwards" xlink:to="label_GainOnMBSForwards_2" xlink:title="label: GainOnMBSForwards to label_GainOnMBSForwards" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_GainOnMBSForwards_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_GainOnMBSForwards" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_GainOnMBSForwards_3">Net gain/loss on MBS forwards.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="GainOnMBSForwards" xlink:to="label_GainOnMBSForwards_3" xlink:title="label: GainOnMBSForwards to label_GainOnMBSForwards" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2012/dei-2012-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityPublicFloat" xlink:label="EntityPublicFloat" xlink:title="EntityPublicFloat" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_EntityPublicFloat" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_EntityPublicFloat" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_EntityPublicFloat">Entity Public Float</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="EntityPublicFloat" xlink:to="label_EntityPublicFloat" xlink:title="label: EntityPublicFloat to label_EntityPublicFloat" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_GainOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities" xlink:label="GainOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities" xlink:title="GainOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_GainOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel" xlink:title="label_GainOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_GainOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities">Gain on sales of MBS</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="GainOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities" xlink:to="label_GainOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities" xlink:title="label: GainOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities to label_GainOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_GainOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_GainOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_GainOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities_2">Gain on Sales of Mortgage Backed Securities</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="GainOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities" xlink:to="label_GainOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities_2" xlink:title="label: GainOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities to label_GainOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_GainOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_GainOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_GainOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities_3">Gains resulting from the sales of securitized, pay-through debt securities collateralized by real estate mortgage loans (mortgages).</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="GainOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities" xlink:to="label_GainOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities_3" xlink:title="label: GainOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities to label_GainOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2012/dei-2012-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityRegistrantName" xlink:label="EntityRegistrantName" xlink:title="EntityRegistrantName" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_EntityRegistrantName" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_EntityRegistrantName" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_EntityRegistrantName">Entity Registrant Name</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="EntityRegistrantName" xlink:to="label_EntityRegistrantName" xlink:title="label: EntityRegistrantName to label_EntityRegistrantName" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_HedgingAgainstChangesInInterestComponentPeriodOfFixedRateBorrowings" xlink:label="HedgingAgainstChangesInInterestComponentPeriodOfFixedRateBorrowings" xlink:title="HedgingAgainstChangesInInterestComponentPeriodOfFixedRateBorrowings" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_HedgingAgainstChangesInInterestComponentPeriodOfFixedRateBorrowings" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_HedgingAgainstChangesInInterestComponentPeriodOfFixedRateBorrowings" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_HedgingAgainstChangesInInterestComponentPeriodOfFixedRateBorrowings">Hedging Against Changes in Interest Component Period of Fixed Rate Borrowings</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="HedgingAgainstChangesInInterestComponentPeriodOfFixedRateBorrowings" xlink:to="label_HedgingAgainstChangesInInterestComponentPeriodOfFixedRateBorrowings" xlink:title="label: HedgingAgainstChangesInInterestComponentPeriodOfFixedRateBorrowings to label_HedgingAgainstChangesInInterestComponentPeriodOfFixedRateBorrowings" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_HedgingAgainstChangesInInterestComponentPeriodOfFixedRateBorrowings_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_HedgingAgainstChangesInInterestComponentPeriodOfFixedRateBorrowings" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_HedgingAgainstChangesInInterestComponentPeriodOfFixedRateBorrowings_2">Represents the period of fixed rate borrowings which is used as a basis for hedging the risk of changes in interest rate component.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="HedgingAgainstChangesInInterestComponentPeriodOfFixedRateBorrowings" xlink:to="label_HedgingAgainstChangesInInterestComponentPeriodOfFixedRateBorrowings_2" xlink:title="label: HedgingAgainstChangesInInterestComponentPeriodOfFixedRateBorrowings to label_HedgingAgainstChangesInInterestComponentPeriodOfFixedRateBorrowings" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_HedgingAgainstChangesInInterestComponentPeriodOfFixedRateBorrowings_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_HedgingAgainstChangesInInterestComponentPeriodOfFixedRateBorrowings" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_HedgingAgainstChangesInInterestComponentPeriodOfFixedRateBorrowings_3">Period of fixed rate borrowings</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="HedgingAgainstChangesInInterestComponentPeriodOfFixedRateBorrowings" xlink:to="label_HedgingAgainstChangesInInterestComponentPeriodOfFixedRateBorrowings_3" xlink:title="label: HedgingAgainstChangesInInterestComponentPeriodOfFixedRateBorrowings to label_HedgingAgainstChangesInInterestComponentPeriodOfFixedRateBorrowings" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2012/dei-2012-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityCentralIndexKey" xlink:label="EntityCentralIndexKey" xlink:title="EntityCentralIndexKey" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_EntityCentralIndexKey" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_EntityCentralIndexKey" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_EntityCentralIndexKey">Entity Central Index Key</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="EntityCentralIndexKey" xlink:to="label_EntityCentralIndexKey" xlink:title="label: EntityCentralIndexKey to label_EntityCentralIndexKey" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_HybridsInAdjustablePeriodMember" xlink:label="HybridsInAdjustablePeriodMember" xlink:title="HybridsInAdjustablePeriodMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_HybridsInAdjustablePeriodMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_HybridsInAdjustablePeriodMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_HybridsInAdjustablePeriodMember">Hybrids in Adjustable Period [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="HybridsInAdjustablePeriodMember" xlink:to="label_HybridsInAdjustablePeriodMember" xlink:title="label: HybridsInAdjustablePeriodMember to label_HybridsInAdjustablePeriodMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_HybridsInAdjustablePeriodMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_HybridsInAdjustablePeriodMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_HybridsInAdjustablePeriodMember_2">For hybrid mortgages which have interest rates that are fixed for a specified period and, thereafter, generally adjust annually to an increment over a specified interest rate index, this represents mortgages that are in the variable rate period.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="HybridsInAdjustablePeriodMember" xlink:to="label_HybridsInAdjustablePeriodMember_2" xlink:title="label: HybridsInAdjustablePeriodMember to label_HybridsInAdjustablePeriodMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_HybridsInAdjustablePeriodMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_HybridsInAdjustablePeriodMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_HybridsInAdjustablePeriodMember_3">Hybrids in adjustable period</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="HybridsInAdjustablePeriodMember" xlink:to="label_HybridsInAdjustablePeriodMember_3" xlink:title="label: HybridsInAdjustablePeriodMember to label_HybridsInAdjustablePeriodMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_HybridsInFixedRatePeriodMember" xlink:label="HybridsInFixedRatePeriodMember" xlink:title="HybridsInFixedRatePeriodMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_HybridsInFixedRatePeriodMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_HybridsInFixedRatePeriodMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_HybridsInFixedRatePeriodMember">Hybrids in Fixed Rate Period [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="HybridsInFixedRatePeriodMember" xlink:to="label_HybridsInFixedRatePeriodMember" xlink:title="label: HybridsInFixedRatePeriodMember to label_HybridsInFixedRatePeriodMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_HybridsInFixedRatePeriodMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_HybridsInFixedRatePeriodMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_HybridsInFixedRatePeriodMember_2">For hybrid mortgages which have interest rates that are fixed for a specified period and, thereafter, generally adjust annually to an increment over a specified interest rate index, this represents mortgages that are in the fixed rate period.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="HybridsInFixedRatePeriodMember" xlink:to="label_HybridsInFixedRatePeriodMember_2" xlink:title="label: HybridsInFixedRatePeriodMember to label_HybridsInFixedRatePeriodMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_HybridsInFixedRatePeriodMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_HybridsInFixedRatePeriodMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_HybridsInFixedRatePeriodMember_3">Hybrids in contractual fixed-rate period</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="HybridsInFixedRatePeriodMember" xlink:to="label_HybridsInFixedRatePeriodMember_3" xlink:title="label: HybridsInFixedRatePeriodMember to label_HybridsInFixedRatePeriodMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_IncomeLossDueToChangeInTimeValueComponentOfDerivative" xlink:label="IncomeLossDueToChangeInTimeValueComponentOfDerivative" xlink:title="IncomeLossDueToChangeInTimeValueComponentOfDerivative" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_IncomeLossDueToChangeInTimeValueComponentOfDerivative" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_IncomeLossDueToChangeInTimeValueComponentOfDerivative" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_IncomeLossDueToChangeInTimeValueComponentOfDerivative">Income (Loss) Due to Change in Time Value Component of Derivative</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="IncomeLossDueToChangeInTimeValueComponentOfDerivative" xlink:to="label_IncomeLossDueToChangeInTimeValueComponentOfDerivative" xlink:title="label: IncomeLossDueToChangeInTimeValueComponentOfDerivative to label_IncomeLossDueToChangeInTimeValueComponentOfDerivative" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_IncomeLossDueToChangeInTimeValueComponentOfDerivative_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_IncomeLossDueToChangeInTimeValueComponentOfDerivative" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_IncomeLossDueToChangeInTimeValueComponentOfDerivative_2">Represents the income loss due to change in time value component of derivative.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="IncomeLossDueToChangeInTimeValueComponentOfDerivative" xlink:to="label_IncomeLossDueToChangeInTimeValueComponentOfDerivative_2" xlink:title="label: IncomeLossDueToChangeInTimeValueComponentOfDerivative to label_IncomeLossDueToChangeInTimeValueComponentOfDerivative" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_IncomeLossDueToChangeInTimeValueComponentOfDerivative_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_IncomeLossDueToChangeInTimeValueComponentOfDerivative" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_IncomeLossDueToChangeInTimeValueComponentOfDerivative_3">Income (loss) due to change in time value component of derivative</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="IncomeLossDueToChangeInTimeValueComponentOfDerivative" xlink:to="label_IncomeLossDueToChangeInTimeValueComponentOfDerivative_3" xlink:title="label: IncomeLossDueToChangeInTimeValueComponentOfDerivative to label_IncomeLossDueToChangeInTimeValueComponentOfDerivative" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_InterestExpenseMortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactions" xlink:label="InterestExpenseMortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactions" xlink:title="InterestExpenseMortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactions" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestExpenseMortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactions" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_InterestExpenseMortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactions" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestExpenseMortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactions">Interest Expense, Mortgage Backed Securities, Underlying Linked Transactions</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestExpenseMortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactions" xlink:to="label_InterestExpenseMortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactions" xlink:title="label: InterestExpenseMortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactions to label_InterestExpenseMortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactions" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestExpenseMortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactions_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_InterestExpenseMortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactions" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestExpenseMortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactions_2">Interest expense attributable to repurchase agreement borrowings underlying Linked Transactions</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestExpenseMortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactions" xlink:to="label_InterestExpenseMortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactions_2" xlink:title="label: InterestExpenseMortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactions to label_InterestExpenseMortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactions" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestExpenseMortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactions_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_InterestExpenseMortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactions" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestExpenseMortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactions_3">Represents the interest expense on mortgage backed securities in linked transactions (MBS purchase and repurchase financing) accounted for as derivative forward contracts.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestExpenseMortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactions" xlink:to="label_InterestExpenseMortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactions_3" xlink:title="label: InterestExpenseMortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactions to label_InterestExpenseMortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactions" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestExpenseMortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactions_4" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel" xlink:title="label_InterestExpenseMortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactions" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestExpenseMortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactions_4">Interest expense attributable to linked repurchase agreement borrowings underlying Linked Transactions</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestExpenseMortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactions" xlink:to="label_InterestExpenseMortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactions_4" xlink:title="label: InterestExpenseMortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactions to label_InterestExpenseMortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactions" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2012/dei-2012-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding" xlink:label="EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding" xlink:title="EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding">Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding" xlink:to="label_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding" xlink:title="label: EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding to label_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_InterestExpenseSeniorNotes" xlink:label="InterestExpenseSeniorNotes" xlink:title="InterestExpenseSeniorNotes" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestExpenseSeniorNotes" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_InterestExpenseSeniorNotes" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestExpenseSeniorNotes">Interest Expense, Senior Notes</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestExpenseSeniorNotes" xlink:to="label_InterestExpenseSeniorNotes" xlink:title="label: InterestExpenseSeniorNotes to label_InterestExpenseSeniorNotes" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestExpenseSeniorNotes_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_InterestExpenseSeniorNotes" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestExpenseSeniorNotes_2">Senior Notes</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestExpenseSeniorNotes" xlink:to="label_InterestExpenseSeniorNotes_2" xlink:title="label: InterestExpenseSeniorNotes to label_InterestExpenseSeniorNotes" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestExpenseSeniorNotes_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel" xlink:title="label_InterestExpenseSeniorNotes" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestExpenseSeniorNotes_3">Payments made for Senior Notes related costs</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestExpenseSeniorNotes" xlink:to="label_InterestExpenseSeniorNotes_3" xlink:title="label: InterestExpenseSeniorNotes to label_InterestExpenseSeniorNotes" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestExpenseSeniorNotes_4" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_InterestExpenseSeniorNotes" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestExpenseSeniorNotes_4">Interest expense incurred during the reporting period on senior notes. Includes amortization of expenses incurred in the issuance of senior notes.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestExpenseSeniorNotes" xlink:to="label_InterestExpenseSeniorNotes_4" xlink:title="label: InterestExpenseSeniorNotes to label_InterestExpenseSeniorNotes" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_InterestIncomeAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:label="InterestIncomeAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:title="InterestIncomeAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestIncomeAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_InterestIncomeAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestIncomeAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked">Agency MBS</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestIncomeAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:to="label_InterestIncomeAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:title="label: InterestIncomeAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked to label_InterestIncomeAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestIncomeAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_InterestIncomeAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestIncomeAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked_2">Interest Income, Agency Securities Mortgage Backed</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestIncomeAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:to="label_InterestIncomeAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked_2" xlink:title="label: InterestIncomeAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked to label_InterestIncomeAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestIncomeAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_InterestIncomeAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestIncomeAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked_3">This element represents the interest income, including any amortization and accretion (as applicable) of discounts and premiums, derived from agency securities backed by a pool of mortgages or trust deeds.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestIncomeAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:to="label_InterestIncomeAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked_3" xlink:title="label: InterestIncomeAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked to label_InterestIncomeAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:label="InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:title="InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked">Interest Income, Non Agency Securities Mortgage Backed</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:to="label_InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:title="label: InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked to label_InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked_2">Non-Agency MBS</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:to="label_InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked_2" xlink:title="label: InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked to label_InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked_3">Represents the interest income, including any amortization and accretion (as applicable) of discounts and premiums, derived from non agency securities backed by a pool of mortgages or trust deeds.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:to="label_InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked_3" xlink:title="label: InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked to label_InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBacked" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBackedTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" xlink:label="InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBackedTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" xlink:title="InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBackedTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBackedTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBackedTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBackedTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity">Non-Agency MBS transferred to consolidated VIEs</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBackedTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" xlink:to="label_InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBackedTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" xlink:title="label: InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBackedTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity to label_InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBackedTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBackedTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBackedTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBackedTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity_2">Represents the interest income, including any amortization and accretion (as applicable) of discounts and premiums, derived from non agency securities backed by a pool of mortgages or trust deeds, which are transferred to a consolidated variable interest entity .</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBackedTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" xlink:to="label_InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBackedTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity_2" xlink:title="label: InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBackedTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity to label_InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBackedTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBackedTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBackedTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBackedTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity_3">Interest Income, Non Agency Securities Mortgage Backed Transferred to Consolidated Variable Interest Entity</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBackedTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" xlink:to="label_InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBackedTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity_3" xlink:title="label: InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBackedTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity to label_InterestIncomeNonAgencySecuritiesMortgageBackedTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_InterestIncomeNotes" xlink:label="InterestIncomeNotes" xlink:title="InterestIncomeNotes" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestIncomeNotes" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_InterestIncomeNotes" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestIncomeNotes">Interest Income, Notes</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestIncomeNotes" xlink:to="label_InterestIncomeNotes" xlink:title="label: InterestIncomeNotes to label_InterestIncomeNotes" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestIncomeNotes_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_InterestIncomeNotes" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestIncomeNotes_2">Income notes</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestIncomeNotes" xlink:to="label_InterestIncomeNotes_2" xlink:title="label: InterestIncomeNotes to label_InterestIncomeNotes" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestIncomeNotes_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_InterestIncomeNotes" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestIncomeNotes_3">Represents the interest income, derived from income notes.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestIncomeNotes" xlink:to="label_InterestIncomeNotes_3" xlink:title="label: InterestIncomeNotes to label_InterestIncomeNotes" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_InterestOnlySeniorCertificatesAcquiredNotionalAmount" xlink:label="InterestOnlySeniorCertificatesAcquiredNotionalAmount" xlink:title="InterestOnlySeniorCertificatesAcquiredNotionalAmount" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestOnlySeniorCertificatesAcquiredNotionalAmount" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_InterestOnlySeniorCertificatesAcquiredNotionalAmount" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestOnlySeniorCertificatesAcquiredNotionalAmount">Interest Only Senior Certificates Acquired Notional Amount</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestOnlySeniorCertificatesAcquiredNotionalAmount" xlink:to="label_InterestOnlySeniorCertificatesAcquiredNotionalAmount" xlink:title="label: InterestOnlySeniorCertificatesAcquiredNotionalAmount to label_InterestOnlySeniorCertificatesAcquiredNotionalAmount" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestOnlySeniorCertificatesAcquiredNotionalAmount_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_InterestOnlySeniorCertificatesAcquiredNotionalAmount" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestOnlySeniorCertificatesAcquiredNotionalAmount_2">Notional amount of interest only senior certificates issued by trust</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestOnlySeniorCertificatesAcquiredNotionalAmount" xlink:to="label_InterestOnlySeniorCertificatesAcquiredNotionalAmount_2" xlink:title="label: InterestOnlySeniorCertificatesAcquiredNotionalAmount to label_InterestOnlySeniorCertificatesAcquiredNotionalAmount" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestOnlySeniorCertificatesAcquiredNotionalAmount_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_InterestOnlySeniorCertificatesAcquiredNotionalAmount" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestOnlySeniorCertificatesAcquiredNotionalAmount_3">Represents the notional amount of interest only securities issued by the trust in connection with resecuritization transaction.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestOnlySeniorCertificatesAcquiredNotionalAmount" xlink:to="label_InterestOnlySeniorCertificatesAcquiredNotionalAmount_3" xlink:title="label: InterestOnlySeniorCertificatesAcquiredNotionalAmount to label_InterestOnlySeniorCertificatesAcquiredNotionalAmount" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_InterestPayableSecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:label="InterestPayableSecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:title="InterestPayableSecuritiesMortgageBacked" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestPayableSecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_InterestPayableSecuritiesMortgageBacked" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestPayableSecuritiesMortgageBacked">Interest Payable Securities Mortgage Backed</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestPayableSecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:to="label_InterestPayableSecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:title="label: InterestPayableSecuritiesMortgageBacked to label_InterestPayableSecuritiesMortgageBacked" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestPayableSecuritiesMortgageBacked_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_InterestPayableSecuritiesMortgageBacked" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestPayableSecuritiesMortgageBacked_2">Associated accrued interest payable</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestPayableSecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:to="label_InterestPayableSecuritiesMortgageBacked_2" xlink:title="label: InterestPayableSecuritiesMortgageBacked to label_InterestPayableSecuritiesMortgageBacked" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestPayableSecuritiesMortgageBacked_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_InterestPayableSecuritiesMortgageBacked" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestPayableSecuritiesMortgageBacked_3">Represents interest payable, derived from securities backed by a pool of mortgages or trust deeds.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestPayableSecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:to="label_InterestPayableSecuritiesMortgageBacked_3" xlink:title="label: InterestPayableSecuritiesMortgageBacked to label_InterestPayableSecuritiesMortgageBacked" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_InterestRateResetOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember" xlink:label="InterestRateResetOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember" xlink:title="InterestRateResetOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestRateResetOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_InterestRateResetOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestRateResetOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember">Period until interest rate reset for a group of securities or other assets sold under repurchase agreements for which the time until interest rate reset is over 12 months to 24 months from the reporting date.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestRateResetOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_InterestRateResetOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember" xlink:title="label: InterestRateResetOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember to label_InterestRateResetOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestRateResetOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_InterestRateResetOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestRateResetOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember_2">Over 12 months to 24 months.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestRateResetOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_InterestRateResetOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember_2" xlink:title="label: InterestRateResetOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember to label_InterestRateResetOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestRateResetOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_InterestRateResetOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestRateResetOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember_3">Interest Rate Reset Over 12 Months to 24 Months [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestRateResetOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_InterestRateResetOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember_3" xlink:title="label: InterestRateResetOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember to label_InterestRateResetOver12MonthsTo24MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_InterestRateResetOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember" xlink:label="InterestRateResetOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember" xlink:title="InterestRateResetOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestRateResetOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_InterestRateResetOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestRateResetOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember">Interest Rate Reset Over 24 Months to 36 Months [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestRateResetOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_InterestRateResetOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember" xlink:title="label: InterestRateResetOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember to label_InterestRateResetOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestRateResetOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_InterestRateResetOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestRateResetOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember_2">Period until interest rate reset for a group of securities or other assets sold under repurchase agreements for which the time until interest rate reset is over 24 months to 36 months from the reporting date.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestRateResetOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_InterestRateResetOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember_2" xlink:title="label: InterestRateResetOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember to label_InterestRateResetOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestRateResetOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_InterestRateResetOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestRateResetOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember_3">Over 24 months to 36 months.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestRateResetOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_InterestRateResetOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember_3" xlink:title="label: InterestRateResetOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember to label_InterestRateResetOver24MonthsTo36MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_InterestRateResetOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember" xlink:label="InterestRateResetOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember" xlink:title="InterestRateResetOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestRateResetOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_InterestRateResetOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestRateResetOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember">Interest Rate Reset Over 30 Days to 3 Months [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestRateResetOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_InterestRateResetOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember" xlink:title="label: InterestRateResetOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember to label_InterestRateResetOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestRateResetOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_InterestRateResetOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestRateResetOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember_2">Period until interest rate reset for a group of securities or other assets sold under repurchase agreements for which the time until interest rate reset is over 30 days to 3 months from the reporting date.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestRateResetOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_InterestRateResetOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember_2" xlink:title="label: InterestRateResetOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember to label_InterestRateResetOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestRateResetOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_InterestRateResetOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestRateResetOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember_3">Over 30 days to 3 months.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestRateResetOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_InterestRateResetOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember_3" xlink:title="label: InterestRateResetOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember to label_InterestRateResetOver30DaysTo3MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_InterestRateResetOver36MonthsMember" xlink:label="InterestRateResetOver36MonthsMember" xlink:title="InterestRateResetOver36MonthsMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestRateResetOver36MonthsMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_InterestRateResetOver36MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestRateResetOver36MonthsMember">Interest Rate Reset Over 36 Months [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestRateResetOver36MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_InterestRateResetOver36MonthsMember" xlink:title="label: InterestRateResetOver36MonthsMember to label_InterestRateResetOver36MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestRateResetOver36MonthsMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_InterestRateResetOver36MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestRateResetOver36MonthsMember_2">Period until interest rate reset for a group of securities or other assets sold under repurchase agreements for which the time until interest rate reset is over 36 months from the reporting date.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestRateResetOver36MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_InterestRateResetOver36MonthsMember_2" xlink:title="label: InterestRateResetOver36MonthsMember to label_InterestRateResetOver36MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestRateResetOver36MonthsMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_InterestRateResetOver36MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestRateResetOver36MonthsMember_3">Over 36 months</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestRateResetOver36MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_InterestRateResetOver36MonthsMember_3" xlink:title="label: InterestRateResetOver36MonthsMember to label_InterestRateResetOver36MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_InterestRateResetOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember" xlink:label="InterestRateResetOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember" xlink:title="InterestRateResetOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestRateResetOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_InterestRateResetOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestRateResetOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember">Interest Rate Reset Over 3 Months to 6 Months [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestRateResetOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_InterestRateResetOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember" xlink:title="label: InterestRateResetOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember to label_InterestRateResetOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestRateResetOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_InterestRateResetOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestRateResetOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember_2">Period until interest rate reset for a group of securities or other assets sold under repurchase agreements for which the time until interest rate reset is over 3 months to 6 months from the reporting date.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestRateResetOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_InterestRateResetOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember_2" xlink:title="label: InterestRateResetOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember to label_InterestRateResetOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestRateResetOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_InterestRateResetOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestRateResetOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember_3">Over 3 months to 6 months.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestRateResetOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_InterestRateResetOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember_3" xlink:title="label: InterestRateResetOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember to label_InterestRateResetOver3MonthsTo6MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_InterestRateResetOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember" xlink:label="InterestRateResetOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember" xlink:title="InterestRateResetOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestRateResetOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_InterestRateResetOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestRateResetOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember">Period until interest rate reset for a group of securities or other assets sold under repurchase agreements for which the time until interest rate reset is over 6 months to 12 months from the reporting date.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestRateResetOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_InterestRateResetOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember" xlink:title="label: InterestRateResetOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember to label_InterestRateResetOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestRateResetOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_InterestRateResetOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestRateResetOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember_2">Over 6 months to 12 months.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestRateResetOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_InterestRateResetOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember_2" xlink:title="label: InterestRateResetOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember to label_InterestRateResetOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestRateResetOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_InterestRateResetOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestRateResetOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember_3">Interest Rate Reset Over 6 Months to 12 Months [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestRateResetOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_InterestRateResetOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember_3" xlink:title="label: InterestRateResetOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember to label_InterestRateResetOver6MonthsTo12MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_InterestRateResetWithin30DaysMember" xlink:label="InterestRateResetWithin30DaysMember" xlink:title="InterestRateResetWithin30DaysMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestRateResetWithin30DaysMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_InterestRateResetWithin30DaysMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestRateResetWithin30DaysMember">Interest Rate Reset within 30 Days [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestRateResetWithin30DaysMember" xlink:to="label_InterestRateResetWithin30DaysMember" xlink:title="label: InterestRateResetWithin30DaysMember to label_InterestRateResetWithin30DaysMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestRateResetWithin30DaysMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_InterestRateResetWithin30DaysMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestRateResetWithin30DaysMember_2">Period until interest rate reset for a group of securities or other assets sold under repurchase agreements for which the time until interest rate reset is within 30 days from the reporting date.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestRateResetWithin30DaysMember" xlink:to="label_InterestRateResetWithin30DaysMember_2" xlink:title="label: InterestRateResetWithin30DaysMember to label_InterestRateResetWithin30DaysMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestRateResetWithin30DaysMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_InterestRateResetWithin30DaysMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestRateResetWithin30DaysMember_3">Within 30 days:</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestRateResetWithin30DaysMember" xlink:to="label_InterestRateResetWithin30DaysMember_3" xlink:title="label: InterestRateResetWithin30DaysMember to label_InterestRateResetWithin30DaysMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems" xlink:label="InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems" xlink:title="InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems">Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems" xlink:to="label_InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems" xlink:title="label: InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems to label_InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems_2">Interest Receivable, Reported Amounts by Category [Line Items]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems" xlink:to="label_InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems_2" xlink:title="label: InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems to label_InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems_3">Interest receivable by investment category</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems" xlink:to="label_InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems_3" xlink:title="label: InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems to label_InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryTable" xlink:label="InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryTable" xlink:title="InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryTable" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryTable" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryTable" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryTable">Interest Receivable, Reported Amounts, by Category [Table]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryTable" xlink:to="label_InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryTable" xlink:title="label: InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryTable to label_InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryTable" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryTable_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryTable" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryTable_2">Summarization of information required and determined to be disclosed concerning interest receivables derived from investments in debt and equity securities and on cash and cash equivalents.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryTable" xlink:to="label_InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryTable_2" xlink:title="label: InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryTable to label_InterestReceivableReportedAmountsByCategoryTable" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_InterestReceivableSecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:label="InterestReceivableSecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:title="InterestReceivableSecuritiesMortgageBacked" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestReceivableSecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_InterestReceivableSecuritiesMortgageBacked" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestReceivableSecuritiesMortgageBacked">Interest Receivable, Securities Mortgage Backed</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestReceivableSecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:to="label_InterestReceivableSecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:title="label: InterestReceivableSecuritiesMortgageBacked to label_InterestReceivableSecuritiesMortgageBacked" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestReceivableSecuritiesMortgageBacked_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_InterestReceivableSecuritiesMortgageBacked" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestReceivableSecuritiesMortgageBacked_2">Associated accrued interest receivable</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestReceivableSecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:to="label_InterestReceivableSecuritiesMortgageBacked_2" xlink:title="label: InterestReceivableSecuritiesMortgageBacked to label_InterestReceivableSecuritiesMortgageBacked" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestReceivableSecuritiesMortgageBacked_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_InterestReceivableSecuritiesMortgageBacked" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestReceivableSecuritiesMortgageBacked_3">Represents interest receivable, derived from securities backed by a pool of mortgages or trust deeds.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestReceivableSecuritiesMortgageBacked" xlink:to="label_InterestReceivableSecuritiesMortgageBacked_3" xlink:title="label: InterestReceivableSecuritiesMortgageBacked to label_InterestReceivableSecuritiesMortgageBacked" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2012/dei-2012-01-31.xsd#dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus" xlink:label="DocumentFiscalYearFocus" xlink:title="DocumentFiscalYearFocus" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DocumentFiscalYearFocus" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_DocumentFiscalYearFocus" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DocumentFiscalYearFocus">Document Fiscal Year Focus</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DocumentFiscalYearFocus" xlink:to="label_DocumentFiscalYearFocus" xlink:title="label: DocumentFiscalYearFocus to label_DocumentFiscalYearFocus" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_InterestReceivableTableTextBlock" xlink:label="InterestReceivableTableTextBlock" xlink:title="InterestReceivableTableTextBlock" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestReceivableTableTextBlock" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_InterestReceivableTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestReceivableTableTextBlock">Interest Receivable [Table Text Block]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestReceivableTableTextBlock" xlink:to="label_InterestReceivableTableTextBlock" xlink:title="label: InterestReceivableTableTextBlock to label_InterestReceivableTableTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestReceivableTableTextBlock_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_InterestReceivableTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestReceivableTableTextBlock_2">Schedule of company's interest receivable by investment category</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestReceivableTableTextBlock" xlink:to="label_InterestReceivableTableTextBlock_2" xlink:title="label: InterestReceivableTableTextBlock to label_InterestReceivableTableTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InterestReceivableTableTextBlock_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_InterestReceivableTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InterestReceivableTableTextBlock_3">Tabular disclosure of interest receivable by investment category as of the balance sheet date.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InterestReceivableTableTextBlock" xlink:to="label_InterestReceivableTableTextBlock_3" xlink:title="label: InterestReceivableTableTextBlock to label_InterestReceivableTableTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2012/dei-2012-01-31.xsd#dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus" xlink:label="DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus" xlink:title="DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus">Document Fiscal Period Focus</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus" xlink:to="label_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus" xlink:title="label: DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus to label_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_InvestmentAcquiredByThirdPartyPrincipalAmount" xlink:label="InvestmentAcquiredByThirdPartyPrincipalAmount" xlink:title="InvestmentAcquiredByThirdPartyPrincipalAmount" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InvestmentAcquiredByThirdPartyPrincipalAmount" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_InvestmentAcquiredByThirdPartyPrincipalAmount" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InvestmentAcquiredByThirdPartyPrincipalAmount">Investment purchased by third-party investors</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InvestmentAcquiredByThirdPartyPrincipalAmount" xlink:to="label_InvestmentAcquiredByThirdPartyPrincipalAmount" xlink:title="label: InvestmentAcquiredByThirdPartyPrincipalAmount to label_InvestmentAcquiredByThirdPartyPrincipalAmount" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InvestmentAcquiredByThirdPartyPrincipalAmount_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_InvestmentAcquiredByThirdPartyPrincipalAmount" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InvestmentAcquiredByThirdPartyPrincipalAmount_2">Represents investment purchased by third-party investors as part of a resecuritization transaction.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InvestmentAcquiredByThirdPartyPrincipalAmount" xlink:to="label_InvestmentAcquiredByThirdPartyPrincipalAmount_2" xlink:title="label: InvestmentAcquiredByThirdPartyPrincipalAmount to label_InvestmentAcquiredByThirdPartyPrincipalAmount" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InvestmentAcquiredByThirdPartyPrincipalAmount_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_InvestmentAcquiredByThirdPartyPrincipalAmount" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InvestmentAcquiredByThirdPartyPrincipalAmount_3">Investment Acquired by Third Party Principal Amount</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InvestmentAcquiredByThirdPartyPrincipalAmount" xlink:to="label_InvestmentAcquiredByThirdPartyPrincipalAmount_3" xlink:title="label: InvestmentAcquiredByThirdPartyPrincipalAmount to label_InvestmentAcquiredByThirdPartyPrincipalAmount" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_InvestmentAcquiredFromTrustPrincipalAmount" xlink:label="InvestmentAcquiredFromTrustPrincipalAmount" xlink:title="InvestmentAcquiredFromTrustPrincipalAmount" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InvestmentAcquiredFromTrustPrincipalAmount" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_InvestmentAcquiredFromTrustPrincipalAmount" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InvestmentAcquiredFromTrustPrincipalAmount">Investment Acquired from Trust Principal Amount</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InvestmentAcquiredFromTrustPrincipalAmount" xlink:to="label_InvestmentAcquiredFromTrustPrincipalAmount" xlink:title="label: InvestmentAcquiredFromTrustPrincipalAmount to label_InvestmentAcquiredFromTrustPrincipalAmount" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InvestmentAcquiredFromTrustPrincipalAmount_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_InvestmentAcquiredFromTrustPrincipalAmount" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InvestmentAcquiredFromTrustPrincipalAmount_2">In principal value of investments acquired from trust</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InvestmentAcquiredFromTrustPrincipalAmount" xlink:to="label_InvestmentAcquiredFromTrustPrincipalAmount_2" xlink:title="label: InvestmentAcquiredFromTrustPrincipalAmount to label_InvestmentAcquiredFromTrustPrincipalAmount" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InvestmentAcquiredFromTrustPrincipalAmount_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_InvestmentAcquiredFromTrustPrincipalAmount" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InvestmentAcquiredFromTrustPrincipalAmount_3">For investments which are quantified by principal amount, the principle amount of investments acquired from the trust during the period.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InvestmentAcquiredFromTrustPrincipalAmount" xlink:to="label_InvestmentAcquiredFromTrustPrincipalAmount_3" xlink:title="label: InvestmentAcquiredFromTrustPrincipalAmount to label_InvestmentAcquiredFromTrustPrincipalAmount" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_InvestmentFaceAmount" xlink:label="InvestmentFaceAmount" xlink:title="InvestmentFaceAmount" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InvestmentFaceAmount" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_InvestmentFaceAmount" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InvestmentFaceAmount">Investment Face Amount</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InvestmentFaceAmount" xlink:to="label_InvestmentFaceAmount" xlink:title="label: InvestmentFaceAmount to label_InvestmentFaceAmount" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InvestmentFaceAmount_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_InvestmentFaceAmount" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InvestmentFaceAmount_2">Face amount of Senior Support Certificates received by the Company</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InvestmentFaceAmount" xlink:to="label_InvestmentFaceAmount_2" xlink:title="label: InvestmentFaceAmount to label_InvestmentFaceAmount" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InvestmentFaceAmount_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_InvestmentFaceAmount" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InvestmentFaceAmount_3">Represents the face or principal amount of investments acquired.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InvestmentFaceAmount" xlink:to="label_InvestmentFaceAmount_3" xlink:title="label: InvestmentFaceAmount to label_InvestmentFaceAmount" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_InvestmentNotionalAmount" xlink:label="InvestmentNotionalAmount" xlink:title="InvestmentNotionalAmount" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InvestmentNotionalAmount" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_InvestmentNotionalAmount" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InvestmentNotionalAmount">Investment Notional Amount</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InvestmentNotionalAmount" xlink:to="label_InvestmentNotionalAmount" xlink:title="label: InvestmentNotionalAmount to label_InvestmentNotionalAmount" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InvestmentNotionalAmount_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_InvestmentNotionalAmount" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InvestmentNotionalAmount_2">Notional amount of investment acquired</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InvestmentNotionalAmount" xlink:to="label_InvestmentNotionalAmount_2" xlink:title="label: InvestmentNotionalAmount to label_InvestmentNotionalAmount" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InvestmentNotionalAmount_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_InvestmentNotionalAmount" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InvestmentNotionalAmount_3">Represents the notional amount of investments acquired during the period.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InvestmentNotionalAmount" xlink:to="label_InvestmentNotionalAmount_3" xlink:title="label: InvestmentNotionalAmount to label_InvestmentNotionalAmount" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InvestmentNotionalAmount_4" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel" xlink:title="label_InvestmentNotionalAmount" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InvestmentNotionalAmount_4">Notional amount acquired of non-rated, interest only senior certificates</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InvestmentNotionalAmount" xlink:to="label_InvestmentNotionalAmount_4" xlink:title="label: InvestmentNotionalAmount to label_InvestmentNotionalAmount" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsPayableOtherCurrentAndNoncurrent" xlink:label="AccountsPayableOtherCurrentAndNoncurrent" xlink:title="AccountsPayableOtherCurrentAndNoncurrent" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccountsPayableOtherCurrentAndNoncurrent_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AccountsPayableOtherCurrentAndNoncurrent" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccountsPayableOtherCurrentAndNoncurrent_2">Payable for unsettled purchases</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccountsPayableOtherCurrentAndNoncurrent" xlink:to="label_AccountsPayableOtherCurrentAndNoncurrent_2" xlink:title="label: AccountsPayableOtherCurrentAndNoncurrent to label_AccountsPayableOtherCurrentAndNoncurrent" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccountsPayableOtherCurrentAndNoncurrent" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AccountsPayableOtherCurrentAndNoncurrent" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccountsPayableOtherCurrentAndNoncurrent">Accounts Payable, Other</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccountsPayableOtherCurrentAndNoncurrent" xlink:to="label_AccountsPayableOtherCurrentAndNoncurrent" xlink:title="label: AccountsPayableOtherCurrentAndNoncurrent to label_AccountsPayableOtherCurrentAndNoncurrent" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_InvestmentSoldPrincipalAmount" xlink:label="InvestmentSoldPrincipalAmount" xlink:title="InvestmentSoldPrincipalAmount" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InvestmentSoldPrincipalAmount" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_InvestmentSoldPrincipalAmount" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InvestmentSoldPrincipalAmount">Investment Sold Principal Amount</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InvestmentSoldPrincipalAmount" xlink:to="label_InvestmentSoldPrincipalAmount" xlink:title="label: InvestmentSoldPrincipalAmount to label_InvestmentSoldPrincipalAmount" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InvestmentSoldPrincipalAmount_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_InvestmentSoldPrincipalAmount" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InvestmentSoldPrincipalAmount_2">In principal value of investments sold</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InvestmentSoldPrincipalAmount" xlink:to="label_InvestmentSoldPrincipalAmount_2" xlink:title="label: InvestmentSoldPrincipalAmount to label_InvestmentSoldPrincipalAmount" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InvestmentSoldPrincipalAmount_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_InvestmentSoldPrincipalAmount" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_InvestmentSoldPrincipalAmount_3">For investments which are quantified by principal amount, the principle amount of investments sold during the period.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InvestmentSoldPrincipalAmount" xlink:to="label_InvestmentSoldPrincipalAmount_3" xlink:title="label: InvestmentSoldPrincipalAmount to label_InvestmentSoldPrincipalAmount" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_LiabilitiesMember" xlink:label="LiabilitiesMember" xlink:title="LiabilitiesMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_LiabilitiesMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_LiabilitiesMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_LiabilitiesMember">Liabilities [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="LiabilitiesMember" xlink:to="label_LiabilitiesMember" xlink:title="label: LiabilitiesMember to label_LiabilitiesMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_LiabilitiesMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_LiabilitiesMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_LiabilitiesMember_2">Line item for liabilities in the statement of financial position, in which the fair value amounts of the derivative instruments are included.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="LiabilitiesMember" xlink:to="label_LiabilitiesMember_2" xlink:title="label: LiabilitiesMember to label_LiabilitiesMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_LiabilitiesMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_LiabilitiesMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_LiabilitiesMember_3">Liabilities.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="LiabilitiesMember" xlink:to="label_LiabilitiesMember_3" xlink:title="label: LiabilitiesMember to label_LiabilitiesMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_LongTermDebtRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount" xlink:label="LongTermDebtRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount" xlink:title="LongTermDebtRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_LongTermDebtRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_LongTermDebtRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_LongTermDebtRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount">Long Term Debt, Redemption Price as Percentage of Principal Amount</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="LongTermDebtRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount" xlink:to="label_LongTermDebtRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount" xlink:title="label: LongTermDebtRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount to label_LongTermDebtRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_LongTermDebtRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_LongTermDebtRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_LongTermDebtRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount_2">The percentage of principal amount used in the computation of the redemption price at which the entity may redeem some or all of the debt instruments.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="LongTermDebtRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount" xlink:to="label_LongTermDebtRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount_2" xlink:title="label: LongTermDebtRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount to label_LongTermDebtRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_LongTermDebtRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_LongTermDebtRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_LongTermDebtRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount_3">Redemption price as percentage of principal amount</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="LongTermDebtRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount" xlink:to="label_LongTermDebtRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount_3" xlink:title="label: LongTermDebtRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount to label_LongTermDebtRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_LossOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities" xlink:label="LossOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities" xlink:title="LossOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_LossOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_LossOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_LossOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities">Losses on sale of MBS</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="LossOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities" xlink:to="label_LossOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities" xlink:title="label: LossOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities to label_LossOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_LossOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_LossOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_LossOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities_2">Loss on Sales of Mortgage Backed Securities</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="LossOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities" xlink:to="label_LossOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities_2" xlink:title="label: LossOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities to label_LossOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_LossOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_LossOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_LossOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities_3">Losses resulting from the sales of mortgage backed securities (MBS).</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="LossOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities" xlink:to="label_LossOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities_3" xlink:title="label: LossOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities to label_LossOnSalesOfMortgageBackedSecurities" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_LossOnTerminationOfRepurchaseAgreements" xlink:label="LossOnTerminationOfRepurchaseAgreements" xlink:title="LossOnTerminationOfRepurchaseAgreements" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_LossOnTerminationOfRepurchaseAgreements" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_LossOnTerminationOfRepurchaseAgreements" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_LossOnTerminationOfRepurchaseAgreements">Loss on Termination of Repurchase Agreements</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="LossOnTerminationOfRepurchaseAgreements" xlink:to="label_LossOnTerminationOfRepurchaseAgreements" xlink:title="label: LossOnTerminationOfRepurchaseAgreements to label_LossOnTerminationOfRepurchaseAgreements" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_LossOnTerminationOfRepurchaseAgreements_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_LossOnTerminationOfRepurchaseAgreements" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_LossOnTerminationOfRepurchaseAgreements_2">Losses on termination of repurchase agreements</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="LossOnTerminationOfRepurchaseAgreements" xlink:to="label_LossOnTerminationOfRepurchaseAgreements_2" xlink:title="label: LossOnTerminationOfRepurchaseAgreements to label_LossOnTerminationOfRepurchaseAgreements" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_LossOnTerminationOfRepurchaseAgreements_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_LossOnTerminationOfRepurchaseAgreements" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_LossOnTerminationOfRepurchaseAgreements_3">This element represents loss arising on termination of repurchase agreements arising during the period. Under repurchase agreements, the Company sells securities to a lender and agrees to repurchase the same securities in the future for a price that is higher than the original sale price.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="LossOnTerminationOfRepurchaseAgreements" xlink:to="label_LossOnTerminationOfRepurchaseAgreements_3" xlink:title="label: LossOnTerminationOfRepurchaseAgreements to label_LossOnTerminationOfRepurchaseAgreements" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_LossOnTerminationOfRepurchaseAgreements_4" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel" xlink:title="label_LossOnTerminationOfRepurchaseAgreements" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_LossOnTerminationOfRepurchaseAgreements_4">Loss on termination of repurchase agreements</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="LossOnTerminationOfRepurchaseAgreements" xlink:to="label_LossOnTerminationOfRepurchaseAgreements_4" xlink:title="label: LossOnTerminationOfRepurchaseAgreements to label_LossOnTerminationOfRepurchaseAgreements" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_MBSLinkedTransactionsNet" xlink:label="MBSLinkedTransactionsNet" xlink:title="MBSLinkedTransactionsNet" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsNet" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel" xlink:title="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsNet" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsNet">Linked Transactions</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="MBSLinkedTransactionsNet" xlink:to="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsNet" xlink:title="label: MBSLinkedTransactionsNet to label_MBSLinkedTransactionsNet" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsNet_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/positiveLabel" xlink:title="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsNet" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsNet_2">Linked Transactions, at fair value</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="MBSLinkedTransactionsNet" xlink:to="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsNet_2" xlink:title="label: MBSLinkedTransactionsNet to label_MBSLinkedTransactionsNet" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsNet_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsNet" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsNet_3">MBS Linked Transactions Net</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="MBSLinkedTransactionsNet" xlink:to="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsNet_3" xlink:title="label: MBSLinkedTransactionsNet to label_MBSLinkedTransactionsNet" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsNet_4" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsNet" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsNet_4">The fair value of forward contracts to repurchase mortgage-backed securities.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="MBSLinkedTransactionsNet" xlink:to="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsNet_4" xlink:title="label: MBSLinkedTransactionsNet to label_MBSLinkedTransactionsNet" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsNet_5" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsNet" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsNet_5">MBS linked transactions, net ("Linked Transactions"), at fair value</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="MBSLinkedTransactionsNet" xlink:to="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsNet_5" xlink:title="label: MBSLinkedTransactionsNet to label_MBSLinkedTransactionsNet" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsAccretablePurchaseDiscountReallocatedToCreditReserves" xlink:label="MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsAccretablePurchaseDiscountReallocatedToCreditReserves" xlink:title="MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsAccretablePurchaseDiscountReallocatedToCreditReserves" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsAccretablePurchaseDiscountReallocatedToCreditReserves" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsAccretablePurchaseDiscountReallocatedToCreditReserves" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsAccretablePurchaseDiscountReallocatedToCreditReserves">MBS Linked Transactions Purchase Discount Designated as Accretable Purchase Discount Reallocated to Credit Reserves</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsAccretablePurchaseDiscountReallocatedToCreditReserves" xlink:to="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsAccretablePurchaseDiscountReallocatedToCreditReserves" xlink:title="label: MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsAccretablePurchaseDiscountReallocatedToCreditReserves to label_MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsAccretablePurchaseDiscountReallocatedToCreditReserves" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsAccretablePurchaseDiscountReallocatedToCreditReserves_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsAccretablePurchaseDiscountReallocatedToCreditReserves" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsAccretablePurchaseDiscountReallocatedToCreditReserves_2">Purchase discount pertaining to linked transactions designated as accretable purchase discount reallocated to credit reserve</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsAccretablePurchaseDiscountReallocatedToCreditReserves" xlink:to="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsAccretablePurchaseDiscountReallocatedToCreditReserves_2" xlink:title="label: MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsAccretablePurchaseDiscountReallocatedToCreditReserves to label_MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsAccretablePurchaseDiscountReallocatedToCreditReserves" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsAccretablePurchaseDiscountReallocatedToCreditReserves_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsAccretablePurchaseDiscountReallocatedToCreditReserves" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsAccretablePurchaseDiscountReallocatedToCreditReserves_3">Represent the amount of purchase discount on linked transactions designated as accretable purchase discount reallocated to credit reserves during the period.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsAccretablePurchaseDiscountReallocatedToCreditReserves" xlink:to="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsAccretablePurchaseDiscountReallocatedToCreditReserves_3" xlink:title="label: MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsAccretablePurchaseDiscountReallocatedToCreditReserves to label_MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsAccretablePurchaseDiscountReallocatedToCreditReserves" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount" xlink:label="MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount" xlink:title="MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount">MBS Linked Transactions Purchase Discount Designated as Credit Reserves Reallocated to Accretable Purchase Discount</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount" xlink:to="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount" xlink:title="label: MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount to label_MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount_2">Purchase discount pertaining to linked transactions designated as credit reserve reallocated to accretable purchase discount</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount" xlink:to="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount_2" xlink:title="label: MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount to label_MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount_3">Represent the amount of purchase discount on linked transactions designated as credit reserves reallocated during the period to accretable purchase discount.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount" xlink:to="label_MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount_3" xlink:title="label: MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount to label_MBSLinkedTransactionsPurchaseDiscountDesignatedAsCreditReservesReallocatedToAccretablePurchaseDiscount" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2012/dei-2012-01-31.xsd#dei_DocumentType" xlink:label="DocumentType" xlink:title="DocumentType" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DocumentType" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_DocumentType" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_DocumentType">Document Type</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DocumentType" xlink:to="label_DocumentType" xlink:title="label: DocumentType to label_DocumentType" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_MatchingContributionByEmployerVestingPercent" xlink:label="MatchingContributionByEmployerVestingPercent" xlink:title="MatchingContributionByEmployerVestingPercent" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MatchingContributionByEmployerVestingPercent" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_MatchingContributionByEmployerVestingPercent" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_MatchingContributionByEmployerVestingPercent">Percentage of employer matching contributions that vest immediately</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="MatchingContributionByEmployerVestingPercent" xlink:to="label_MatchingContributionByEmployerVestingPercent" xlink:title="label: MatchingContributionByEmployerVestingPercent to label_MatchingContributionByEmployerVestingPercent" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MatchingContributionByEmployerVestingPercent_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_MatchingContributionByEmployerVestingPercent" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_MatchingContributionByEmployerVestingPercent_2">The percentage of employer matching contributions under a deferred compensation arrangement that vest immediately.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="MatchingContributionByEmployerVestingPercent" xlink:to="label_MatchingContributionByEmployerVestingPercent_2" xlink:title="label: MatchingContributionByEmployerVestingPercent to label_MatchingContributionByEmployerVestingPercent" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MatchingContributionByEmployerVestingPercent_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_MatchingContributionByEmployerVestingPercent" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_MatchingContributionByEmployerVestingPercent_3">Matching Contribution by Employer Vesting Percent</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="MatchingContributionByEmployerVestingPercent" xlink:to="label_MatchingContributionByEmployerVestingPercent_3" xlink:title="label: MatchingContributionByEmployerVestingPercent to label_MatchingContributionByEmployerVestingPercent" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_Maturity180To360DaysMember" xlink:label="Maturity180To360DaysMember" xlink:title="Maturity180To360DaysMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_Maturity180To360DaysMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_Maturity180To360DaysMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_Maturity180To360DaysMember">Maturity 180 to 360 Days [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="Maturity180To360DaysMember" xlink:to="label_Maturity180To360DaysMember" xlink:title="label: Maturity180To360DaysMember to label_Maturity180To360DaysMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_Maturity180To360DaysMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_Maturity180To360DaysMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_Maturity180To360DaysMember_2">Period of maturity for a group of securities or other assets sold under repurchase agreements which mature over 180 days and within 360 days from the reporting date.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="Maturity180To360DaysMember" xlink:to="label_Maturity180To360DaysMember_2" xlink:title="label: Maturity180To360DaysMember to label_Maturity180To360DaysMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_Maturity180To360DaysMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_Maturity180To360DaysMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_Maturity180To360DaysMember_3">180 days to 360 days</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="Maturity180To360DaysMember" xlink:to="label_Maturity180To360DaysMember_3" xlink:title="label: Maturity180To360DaysMember to label_Maturity180To360DaysMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_Maturity90To180DaysMember" xlink:label="Maturity90To180DaysMember" xlink:title="Maturity90To180DaysMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_Maturity90To180DaysMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_Maturity90To180DaysMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_Maturity90To180DaysMember">Period of maturity for a group of securities or other assets sold under repurchase agreements which mature over 90 days and within 180 days from the reporting date.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="Maturity90To180DaysMember" xlink:to="label_Maturity90To180DaysMember" xlink:title="label: Maturity90To180DaysMember to label_Maturity90To180DaysMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_Maturity90To180DaysMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_Maturity90To180DaysMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_Maturity90To180DaysMember_2">90 days to 180 days</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="Maturity90To180DaysMember" xlink:to="label_Maturity90To180DaysMember_2" xlink:title="label: Maturity90To180DaysMember to label_Maturity90To180DaysMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_Maturity90To180DaysMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_Maturity90To180DaysMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_Maturity90To180DaysMember_3">Maturity 90 to 180 Days [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="Maturity90To180DaysMember" xlink:to="label_Maturity90To180DaysMember_3" xlink:title="label: Maturity90To180DaysMember to label_Maturity90To180DaysMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_MaturityOver12MonthsMember" xlink:label="MaturityOver12MonthsMember" xlink:title="MaturityOver12MonthsMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MaturityOver12MonthsMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_MaturityOver12MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_MaturityOver12MonthsMember">Period of maturity for a group of securities or other assets sold under repurchase agreements which mature over 12 months from the reporting date.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="MaturityOver12MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_MaturityOver12MonthsMember" xlink:title="label: MaturityOver12MonthsMember to label_MaturityOver12MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MaturityOver12MonthsMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_MaturityOver12MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_MaturityOver12MonthsMember_2">Over 12 months</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="MaturityOver12MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_MaturityOver12MonthsMember_2" xlink:title="label: MaturityOver12MonthsMember to label_MaturityOver12MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MaturityOver12MonthsMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_MaturityOver12MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_MaturityOver12MonthsMember_3">Maturity Over 12 Months [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="MaturityOver12MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_MaturityOver12MonthsMember_3" xlink:title="label: MaturityOver12MonthsMember to label_MaturityOver12MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_MaturityOver90DaysTo12MonthsMember" xlink:label="MaturityOver90DaysTo12MonthsMember" xlink:title="MaturityOver90DaysTo12MonthsMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MaturityOver90DaysTo12MonthsMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_MaturityOver90DaysTo12MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_MaturityOver90DaysTo12MonthsMember">Maturity Over 90 Days to 12 Months [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="MaturityOver90DaysTo12MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_MaturityOver90DaysTo12MonthsMember" xlink:title="label: MaturityOver90DaysTo12MonthsMember to label_MaturityOver90DaysTo12MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MaturityOver90DaysTo12MonthsMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_MaturityOver90DaysTo12MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_MaturityOver90DaysTo12MonthsMember_2">Period of maturity for a group of securities or other assets sold under repurchase agreements which mature between 90 days to 12 months from the reporting date.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="MaturityOver90DaysTo12MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_MaturityOver90DaysTo12MonthsMember_2" xlink:title="label: MaturityOver90DaysTo12MonthsMember to label_MaturityOver90DaysTo12MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MaturityOver90DaysTo12MonthsMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_MaturityOver90DaysTo12MonthsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_MaturityOver90DaysTo12MonthsMember_3">Over 90 days to 12 months</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="MaturityOver90DaysTo12MonthsMember" xlink:to="label_MaturityOver90DaysTo12MonthsMember_3" xlink:title="label: MaturityOver90DaysTo12MonthsMember to label_MaturityOver90DaysTo12MonthsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_MaximumNumberOfSharesThatCanBeOfferedUnderSaleAgreement" xlink:label="MaximumNumberOfSharesThatCanBeOfferedUnderSaleAgreement" xlink:title="MaximumNumberOfSharesThatCanBeOfferedUnderSaleAgreement" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MaximumNumberOfSharesThatCanBeOfferedUnderSaleAgreement" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_MaximumNumberOfSharesThatCanBeOfferedUnderSaleAgreement" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_MaximumNumberOfSharesThatCanBeOfferedUnderSaleAgreement">Maximum number of shares that may be offered and sold through Cantor</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="MaximumNumberOfSharesThatCanBeOfferedUnderSaleAgreement" xlink:to="label_MaximumNumberOfSharesThatCanBeOfferedUnderSaleAgreement" xlink:title="label: MaximumNumberOfSharesThatCanBeOfferedUnderSaleAgreement to label_MaximumNumberOfSharesThatCanBeOfferedUnderSaleAgreement" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MaximumNumberOfSharesThatCanBeOfferedUnderSaleAgreement_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_MaximumNumberOfSharesThatCanBeOfferedUnderSaleAgreement" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_MaximumNumberOfSharesThatCanBeOfferedUnderSaleAgreement_2">Represents the maximum number of shares of common stock that the entity may offer and sell through the sales agreement with a sales agent.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="MaximumNumberOfSharesThatCanBeOfferedUnderSaleAgreement" xlink:to="label_MaximumNumberOfSharesThatCanBeOfferedUnderSaleAgreement_2" xlink:title="label: MaximumNumberOfSharesThatCanBeOfferedUnderSaleAgreement to label_MaximumNumberOfSharesThatCanBeOfferedUnderSaleAgreement" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MaximumNumberOfSharesThatCanBeOfferedUnderSaleAgreement_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_MaximumNumberOfSharesThatCanBeOfferedUnderSaleAgreement" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_MaximumNumberOfSharesThatCanBeOfferedUnderSaleAgreement_3">Maximum Number of Shares that Can be Offered under Sale Agreement</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="MaximumNumberOfSharesThatCanBeOfferedUnderSaleAgreement" xlink:to="label_MaximumNumberOfSharesThatCanBeOfferedUnderSaleAgreement_3" xlink:title="label: MaximumNumberOfSharesThatCanBeOfferedUnderSaleAgreement to label_MaximumNumberOfSharesThatCanBeOfferedUnderSaleAgreement" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_MortgageBackedSecuritiesAbstract" xlink:label="MortgageBackedSecuritiesAbstract" xlink:title="MortgageBackedSecuritiesAbstract" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesAbstract" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesAbstract" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesAbstract">Mortgage Backed Securities [Abstract]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="MortgageBackedSecuritiesAbstract" xlink:to="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesAbstract" xlink:title="label: MortgageBackedSecuritiesAbstract to label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesAbstract" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesAbstract_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesAbstract" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesAbstract_2">Mortgage-backed securities ("MBS"):</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="MortgageBackedSecuritiesAbstract" xlink:to="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesAbstract_2" xlink:title="label: MortgageBackedSecuritiesAbstract to label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesAbstract" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_MortgageBackedSecuritiesPeriodOfFixedRateMortgagesMinimum" xlink:label="MortgageBackedSecuritiesPeriodOfFixedRateMortgagesMinimum" xlink:title="MortgageBackedSecuritiesPeriodOfFixedRateMortgagesMinimum" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesPeriodOfFixedRateMortgagesMinimum" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesPeriodOfFixedRateMortgagesMinimum" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesPeriodOfFixedRateMortgagesMinimum">Mortgage Backed Securities, Period of Fixed Rate Mortgages Minimum</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="MortgageBackedSecuritiesPeriodOfFixedRateMortgagesMinimum" xlink:to="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesPeriodOfFixedRateMortgagesMinimum" xlink:title="label: MortgageBackedSecuritiesPeriodOfFixedRateMortgagesMinimum to label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesPeriodOfFixedRateMortgagesMinimum" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesPeriodOfFixedRateMortgagesMinimum_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesPeriodOfFixedRateMortgagesMinimum" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesPeriodOfFixedRateMortgagesMinimum_2">Minimum term of fixed rate mortgages underlying MBS</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="MortgageBackedSecuritiesPeriodOfFixedRateMortgagesMinimum" xlink:to="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesPeriodOfFixedRateMortgagesMinimum_2" xlink:title="label: MortgageBackedSecuritiesPeriodOfFixedRateMortgagesMinimum to label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesPeriodOfFixedRateMortgagesMinimum" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesPeriodOfFixedRateMortgagesMinimum_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesPeriodOfFixedRateMortgagesMinimum" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesPeriodOfFixedRateMortgagesMinimum_3">Represents the minimum period of the fixed rate mortgages which act as security for mortgage backed securities in the entity's portfolio.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="MortgageBackedSecuritiesPeriodOfFixedRateMortgagesMinimum" xlink:to="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesPeriodOfFixedRateMortgagesMinimum_3" xlink:title="label: MortgageBackedSecuritiesPeriodOfFixedRateMortgagesMinimum to label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesPeriodOfFixedRateMortgagesMinimum" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_MortgageBackedSecuritiesRecordedUponDeLinking" xlink:label="MortgageBackedSecuritiesRecordedUponDeLinking" xlink:title="MortgageBackedSecuritiesRecordedUponDeLinking" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesRecordedUponDeLinking" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesRecordedUponDeLinking" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesRecordedUponDeLinking">MBS recorded upon de-linking of Linked Transactions</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="MortgageBackedSecuritiesRecordedUponDeLinking" xlink:to="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesRecordedUponDeLinking" xlink:title="label: MortgageBackedSecuritiesRecordedUponDeLinking to label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesRecordedUponDeLinking" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesRecordedUponDeLinking_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesRecordedUponDeLinking" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesRecordedUponDeLinking_2">Mortgage Backed Securities, Recorded upon De-Linking</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="MortgageBackedSecuritiesRecordedUponDeLinking" xlink:to="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesRecordedUponDeLinking_2" xlink:title="label: MortgageBackedSecuritiesRecordedUponDeLinking to label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesRecordedUponDeLinking" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesRecordedUponDeLinking_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesRecordedUponDeLinking" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesRecordedUponDeLinking_3">This element represents the noncash investing or financing activities arising due to mortgage based securities recorded upon de-linking of linked transactions.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="MortgageBackedSecuritiesRecordedUponDeLinking" xlink:to="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesRecordedUponDeLinking_3" xlink:title="label: MortgageBackedSecuritiesRecordedUponDeLinking to label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesRecordedUponDeLinking" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionAbstract" xlink:label="MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionAbstract" xlink:title="MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionAbstract" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionAbstract" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionAbstract" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionAbstract">Mortgage Backed Securities, Underlying Linked Transaction [Abstract]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionAbstract" xlink:to="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionAbstract" xlink:title="label: MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionAbstract to label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionAbstract" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionAbstract_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionAbstract" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionAbstract_2">Linked MBS</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionAbstract" xlink:to="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionAbstract_2" xlink:title="label: MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionAbstract to label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionAbstract" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsAmortizedCost" xlink:label="MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsAmortizedCost" xlink:title="MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsAmortizedCost" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsAmortizedCost" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsAmortizedCost" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsAmortizedCost">Mortgage Backed Securities, Underlying Linked Transactions, Amortized Cost</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsAmortizedCost" xlink:to="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsAmortizedCost" xlink:title="label: MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsAmortizedCost to label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsAmortizedCost" use="optional" />
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    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsAmortizedCost_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsAmortizedCost" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsAmortizedCost_3">Represents the amortized cost of mortgage backed securities in linked transactions (MBS purchase and repurchase financing) accounted for as derivative forward contracts.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsAmortizedCost" xlink:to="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsAmortizedCost_3" xlink:title="label: MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsAmortizedCost to label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsAmortizedCost" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsFairValue" xlink:label="MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsFairValue" xlink:title="MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsFairValue" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsFairValue" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsFairValue" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsFairValue">Represents the fair value of mortgage backed securities in linked transactions (MBS purchase and repurchase financing) accounted for as derivative forward contracts.</link:label>
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    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsFairValue_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsFairValue" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsFairValue_2">Mortgage Backed Securities, Underlying Linked Transactions, Fair Value</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsFairValue" xlink:to="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsFairValue_2" xlink:title="label: MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsFairValue to label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsFairValue" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsFairValue_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsFairValue" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsFairValue_3">Fair Value</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsParValue" xlink:label="MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsParValue" xlink:title="MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsParValue" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsParValue" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsParValue" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsParValue">Par/Current Face</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsParValue" xlink:to="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsParValue" xlink:title="label: MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsParValue to label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsParValue" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsParValue_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsParValue" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsParValue_2">Represents the principal balance of mortgage backed securities in linked transactions (MBS purchase and repurchase financing) accounted for as derivative forward contracts.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsParValue" xlink:to="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsParValue_2" xlink:title="label: MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsParValue to label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsParValue" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsParValue_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsParValue" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsParValue_3">Mortgage Backed Securities, Underlying Linked Transactions, Par Value</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsParValue" xlink:to="label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsParValue_3" xlink:title="label: MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsParValue to label_MortgageBackedSecuritiesUnderlyingLinkedTransactionsParValue" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_NegativeAmortizationAndPrincipalAccretionOnMBS" xlink:label="NegativeAmortizationAndPrincipalAccretionOnMBS" xlink:title="NegativeAmortizationAndPrincipalAccretionOnMBS" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NegativeAmortizationAndPrincipalAccretionOnMBS" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_NegativeAmortizationAndPrincipalAccretionOnMBS" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NegativeAmortizationAndPrincipalAccretionOnMBS">Negative Amortization and Principal Accretion on MBS</link:label>
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    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NegativeAmortizationAndPrincipalAccretionOnMBS_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_NegativeAmortizationAndPrincipalAccretionOnMBS" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NegativeAmortizationAndPrincipalAccretionOnMBS_2">Negative amortization and principal accretion on MBS</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NegativeAmortizationAndPrincipalAccretionOnMBS" xlink:to="label_NegativeAmortizationAndPrincipalAccretionOnMBS_2" xlink:title="label: NegativeAmortizationAndPrincipalAccretionOnMBS to label_NegativeAmortizationAndPrincipalAccretionOnMBS" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NegativeAmortizationAndPrincipalAccretionOnMBS_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_NegativeAmortizationAndPrincipalAccretionOnMBS" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NegativeAmortizationAndPrincipalAccretionOnMBS_3">This element represents negative amortization and principal accretion on MBS during the period. Negative amortization occurs whenever the loan payment for any period is less than the interest charged over that period so that the outstanding balance of the loan increases.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NegativeAmortizationAndPrincipalAccretionOnMBS" xlink:to="label_NegativeAmortizationAndPrincipalAccretionOnMBS_3" xlink:title="label: NegativeAmortizationAndPrincipalAccretionOnMBS to label_NegativeAmortizationAndPrincipalAccretionOnMBS" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasicAndDilutedAbstract" xlink:label="NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasicAndDilutedAbstract" xlink:title="NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasicAndDilutedAbstract" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasicAndDilutedAbstract" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasicAndDilutedAbstract" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasicAndDilutedAbstract">Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic and Diluted [Abstract]</link:label>
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    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasicAndDilutedAbstract_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasicAndDilutedAbstract" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasicAndDilutedAbstract_2">Numerator:</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasicAndDilutedNetOfAllocationToParticipatingSecurities" xlink:label="NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasicAndDilutedNetOfAllocationToParticipatingSecurities" xlink:title="NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasicAndDilutedNetOfAllocationToParticipatingSecurities" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasicAndDilutedNetOfAllocationToParticipatingSecurities" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel" xlink:title="label_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasicAndDilutedNetOfAllocationToParticipatingSecurities" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasicAndDilutedNetOfAllocationToParticipatingSecurities">Net income allocable to common stockholders - basic and diluted</link:label>
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    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasicAndDilutedNetOfAllocationToParticipatingSecurities_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasicAndDilutedNetOfAllocationToParticipatingSecurities" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasicAndDilutedNetOfAllocationToParticipatingSecurities_2">Net income after adjustments for dividends on preferred stock (declared in the period) and/or cumulative preferred stock (accumulated for the period) and after allocation of earnings to participating securities.</link:label>
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    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasicAndDilutedNetOfAllocationToParticipatingSecurities_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasicAndDilutedNetOfAllocationToParticipatingSecurities" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasicAndDilutedNetOfAllocationToParticipatingSecurities_3">Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic and Diluted, Net of Allocation to Participating Securities</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_NewAndProposedAccountingPronouncementsPolicyTextBlock" xlink:label="NewAndProposedAccountingPronouncementsPolicyTextBlock" xlink:title="NewAndProposedAccountingPronouncementsPolicyTextBlock" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NewAndProposedAccountingPronouncementsPolicyTextBlock" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_NewAndProposedAccountingPronouncementsPolicyTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NewAndProposedAccountingPronouncementsPolicyTextBlock">New and Proposed Accounting Pronouncements [Policy Text Block]</link:label>
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    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NewAndProposedAccountingPronouncementsPolicyTextBlock" xlink:to="label_NewAndProposedAccountingPronouncementsPolicyTextBlock_2" xlink:title="label: NewAndProposedAccountingPronouncementsPolicyTextBlock to label_NewAndProposedAccountingPronouncementsPolicyTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NewAndProposedAccountingPronouncementsPolicyTextBlock_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_NewAndProposedAccountingPronouncementsPolicyTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NewAndProposedAccountingPronouncementsPolicyTextBlock_3">New and Proposed Accounting Standards and Interpretations</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NewAndProposedAccountingPronouncementsPolicyTextBlock" xlink:to="label_NewAndProposedAccountingPronouncementsPolicyTextBlock_3" xlink:title="label: NewAndProposedAccountingPronouncementsPolicyTextBlock to label_NewAndProposedAccountingPronouncementsPolicyTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesAcquiredFromConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" xlink:label="NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesAcquiredFromConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" xlink:title="NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesAcquiredFromConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesAcquiredFromConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesAcquiredFromConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesAcquiredFromConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity">Non-Agency MBS acquired from consolidated VIEs</link:label>
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    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesAcquiredFromConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesAcquiredFromConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesAcquiredFromConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity_2">For an unclassified balance sheet, represents investments in debt and equity securities, categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, which are acquired from a consolidated variable interest entity and eliminated on the entity's consolidated balance sheet.</link:label>
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    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesAcquiredFromConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel" xlink:title="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesAcquiredFromConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesAcquiredFromConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity_3">Non-Agency MBS acquired from consolidated VIEs in connection with resecuritization transactions</link:label>
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    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesAcquiredFromConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity_4" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesAcquiredFromConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesAcquiredFromConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity_4">Non Agency Mortgage Backed Securities, Acquired from Consolidated Variable Interest Entity</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember" xlink:label="NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember" xlink:title="NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember">Non Agency Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember" xlink:to="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember" xlink:title="label: NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember to label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_2">Represents the mortgage backed securities which are not guaranteed by an agency of U.S. Government or any federally chartered corporation.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember" xlink:to="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_2" xlink:title="label: NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember to label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_3">Non-Agency MBS</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember" xlink:to="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_3" xlink:title="label: NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember to label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesSoldAsPartOfResecuritizationTransactionPrincipalAmount" xlink:label="NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesSoldAsPartOfResecuritizationTransactionPrincipalAmount" xlink:title="NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesSoldAsPartOfResecuritizationTransactionPrincipalAmount" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesSoldAsPartOfResecuritizationTransactionPrincipalAmount" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesSoldAsPartOfResecuritizationTransactionPrincipalAmount" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesSoldAsPartOfResecuritizationTransactionPrincipalAmount">Non Agency Mortgage Backed Securities Sold, as Part of Resecuritization Transaction Principal Amount</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesSoldAsPartOfResecuritizationTransactionPrincipalAmount" xlink:to="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesSoldAsPartOfResecuritizationTransactionPrincipalAmount" xlink:title="label: NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesSoldAsPartOfResecuritizationTransactionPrincipalAmount to label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesSoldAsPartOfResecuritizationTransactionPrincipalAmount" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesSoldAsPartOfResecuritizationTransactionPrincipalAmount_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesSoldAsPartOfResecuritizationTransactionPrincipalAmount" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesSoldAsPartOfResecuritizationTransactionPrincipalAmount_2">Represents the aggregate principal value of the non-agency mortgage backed securities sold as part of a resecuritization transaction.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesSoldAsPartOfResecuritizationTransactionPrincipalAmount" xlink:to="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesSoldAsPartOfResecuritizationTransactionPrincipalAmount_2" xlink:title="label: NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesSoldAsPartOfResecuritizationTransactionPrincipalAmount to label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesSoldAsPartOfResecuritizationTransactionPrincipalAmount" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesSoldAsPartOfResecuritizationTransactionPrincipalAmount_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesSoldAsPartOfResecuritizationTransactionPrincipalAmount" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesSoldAsPartOfResecuritizationTransactionPrincipalAmount_3">Principal value of Non-Agency MBS sold</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesSoldAsPartOfResecuritizationTransactionPrincipalAmount" xlink:to="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesSoldAsPartOfResecuritizationTransactionPrincipalAmount_3" xlink:title="label: NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesSoldAsPartOfResecuritizationTransactionPrincipalAmount to label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesSoldAsPartOfResecuritizationTransactionPrincipalAmount" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" xlink:label="NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" xlink:title="NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity">Non Agency Mortgage Backed Securities Transferred to Consolidated Variable Interest Entity</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" xlink:to="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" xlink:title="label: NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity to label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity_2">Non-Agency MBS transferred to consolidated variable interest entities ("VIEs")</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" xlink:to="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity_2" xlink:title="label: NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity to label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity_3">For an unclassified balance sheet, represents investments in mortgage backed securities not guaranteed by an agency of U.S. Government or any federally chartered corporation, categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, which are transferred to a consolidated variable interest entity.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" xlink:to="label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity_3" xlink:title="label: NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity to label_NonAgencyMortgageBackedSecuritiesTransferredToConsolidatedVariableInterestEntity" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_NonMFACollateralMember" xlink:label="NonMFACollateralMember" xlink:title="NonMFACollateralMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NonMFACollateralMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_NonMFACollateralMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NonMFACollateralMember">Non MFA Collateral [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NonMFACollateralMember" xlink:to="label_NonMFACollateralMember" xlink:title="label: NonMFACollateralMember to label_NonMFACollateralMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NonMFACollateralMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_NonMFACollateralMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NonMFACollateralMember_2">Represents securities held as collateral and not owned by the entity.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NonMFACollateralMember" xlink:to="label_NonMFACollateralMember_2" xlink:title="label: NonMFACollateralMember to label_NonMFACollateralMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NonMFACollateralMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_NonMFACollateralMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NonMFACollateralMember_3">Non-MFA Collateral</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NonMFACollateralMember" xlink:to="label_NonMFACollateralMember_3" xlink:title="label: NonMFACollateralMember to label_NonMFACollateralMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent" xlink:label="AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent" xlink:title="AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent">Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent" xlink:to="label_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent" xlink:title="label: AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent to label_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel" xlink:title="label_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent_2">Accrued interest and other payables</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent" xlink:to="label_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent_2" xlink:title="label: AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent to label_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_NonRatedInterestOnlySeniorCertificateMember" xlink:label="NonRatedInterestOnlySeniorCertificateMember" xlink:title="NonRatedInterestOnlySeniorCertificateMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NonRatedInterestOnlySeniorCertificateMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_NonRatedInterestOnlySeniorCertificateMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NonRatedInterestOnlySeniorCertificateMember">Non-rated interest only senior certificates</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NonRatedInterestOnlySeniorCertificateMember" xlink:to="label_NonRatedInterestOnlySeniorCertificateMember" xlink:title="label: NonRatedInterestOnlySeniorCertificateMember to label_NonRatedInterestOnlySeniorCertificateMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NonRatedInterestOnlySeniorCertificateMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_NonRatedInterestOnlySeniorCertificateMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NonRatedInterestOnlySeniorCertificateMember_2">Non Rated Interest Only Senior Certificate [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NonRatedInterestOnlySeniorCertificateMember" xlink:to="label_NonRatedInterestOnlySeniorCertificateMember_2" xlink:title="label: NonRatedInterestOnlySeniorCertificateMember to label_NonRatedInterestOnlySeniorCertificateMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NonRatedInterestOnlySeniorCertificateMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_NonRatedInterestOnlySeniorCertificateMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NonRatedInterestOnlySeniorCertificateMember_3">Represents non-rated interest only senior certificates acquired by the entity as part of a resecuritization transaction.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NonRatedInterestOnlySeniorCertificateMember" xlink:to="label_NonRatedInterestOnlySeniorCertificateMember_3" xlink:title="label: NonRatedInterestOnlySeniorCertificateMember to label_NonRatedInterestOnlySeniorCertificateMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_NonRatedMember" xlink:label="NonRatedMember" xlink:title="NonRatedMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NonRatedMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_NonRatedMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NonRatedMember">Non Rated [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NonRatedMember" xlink:to="label_NonRatedMember" xlink:title="label: NonRatedMember to label_NonRatedMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NonRatedMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_NonRatedMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NonRatedMember_2">Represents no rating by any rating agency.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NonRatedMember" xlink:to="label_NonRatedMember_2" xlink:title="label: NonRatedMember to label_NonRatedMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NonRatedMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_NonRatedMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NonRatedMember_3">Not Rated</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NonRatedMember" xlink:to="label_NonRatedMember_3" xlink:title="label: NonRatedMember to label_NonRatedMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_NonRatedNonAgencyMBSMember" xlink:label="NonRatedNonAgencyMBSMember" xlink:title="NonRatedNonAgencyMBSMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NonRatedNonAgencyMBSMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_NonRatedNonAgencyMBSMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NonRatedNonAgencyMBSMember">Non Rated Non Agency MBS [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NonRatedNonAgencyMBSMember" xlink:to="label_NonRatedNonAgencyMBSMember" xlink:title="label: NonRatedNonAgencyMBSMember to label_NonRatedNonAgencyMBSMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NonRatedNonAgencyMBSMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_NonRatedNonAgencyMBSMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NonRatedNonAgencyMBSMember_2">Represents non-rated subordinate non-agency mortgage backed securities acquired by the entity as part of a resecuritization transaction.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NonRatedNonAgencyMBSMember" xlink:to="label_NonRatedNonAgencyMBSMember_2" xlink:title="label: NonRatedNonAgencyMBSMember to label_NonRatedNonAgencyMBSMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NonRatedNonAgencyMBSMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_NonRatedNonAgencyMBSMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NonRatedNonAgencyMBSMember_3">Non-rated subordinate Non-Agency MBS</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NonRatedNonAgencyMBSMember" xlink:to="label_NonRatedNonAgencyMBSMember_3" xlink:title="label: NonRatedNonAgencyMBSMember to label_NonRatedNonAgencyMBSMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_NonRatedSeniorSupportCertificateMember" xlink:label="NonRatedSeniorSupportCertificateMember" xlink:title="NonRatedSeniorSupportCertificateMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NonRatedSeniorSupportCertificateMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_NonRatedSeniorSupportCertificateMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NonRatedSeniorSupportCertificateMember">Non Rated Senior Support Certificate [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NonRatedSeniorSupportCertificateMember" xlink:to="label_NonRatedSeniorSupportCertificateMember" xlink:title="label: NonRatedSeniorSupportCertificateMember to label_NonRatedSeniorSupportCertificateMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NonRatedSeniorSupportCertificateMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_NonRatedSeniorSupportCertificateMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NonRatedSeniorSupportCertificateMember_2">Represents non-rated senior support certificates acquired by the entity as part of a resecuritization transaction.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NonRatedSeniorSupportCertificateMember" xlink:to="label_NonRatedSeniorSupportCertificateMember_2" xlink:title="label: NonRatedSeniorSupportCertificateMember to label_NonRatedSeniorSupportCertificateMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NonRatedSeniorSupportCertificateMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_NonRatedSeniorSupportCertificateMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NonRatedSeniorSupportCertificateMember_3">Non-rated senior support certificates</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NonRatedSeniorSupportCertificateMember" xlink:to="label_NonRatedSeniorSupportCertificateMember_3" xlink:title="label: NonRatedSeniorSupportCertificateMember to label_NonRatedSeniorSupportCertificateMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_NotionalAmountOfDerivativesEntered" xlink:label="NotionalAmountOfDerivativesEntered" xlink:title="NotionalAmountOfDerivativesEntered" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NotionalAmountOfDerivativesEntered" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_NotionalAmountOfDerivativesEntered" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NotionalAmountOfDerivativesEntered">Notional Amount of Derivatives Entered</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NotionalAmountOfDerivativesEntered" xlink:to="label_NotionalAmountOfDerivativesEntered" xlink:title="label: NotionalAmountOfDerivativesEntered to label_NotionalAmountOfDerivativesEntered" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NotionalAmountOfDerivativesEntered_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_NotionalAmountOfDerivativesEntered" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NotionalAmountOfDerivativesEntered_2">Aggregate notional amount of derivatives entered</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NotionalAmountOfDerivativesEntered" xlink:to="label_NotionalAmountOfDerivativesEntered_2" xlink:title="label: NotionalAmountOfDerivativesEntered to label_NotionalAmountOfDerivativesEntered" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NotionalAmountOfDerivativesEntered_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_NotionalAmountOfDerivativesEntered" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NotionalAmountOfDerivativesEntered_3">Represents the notional amount of derivatives entered into by the entity during the period.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NotionalAmountOfDerivativesEntered" xlink:to="label_NotionalAmountOfDerivativesEntered_3" xlink:title="label: NotionalAmountOfDerivativesEntered to label_NotionalAmountOfDerivativesEntered" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_NotionalAmountOfDerivativesExpired" xlink:label="NotionalAmountOfDerivativesExpired" xlink:title="NotionalAmountOfDerivativesExpired" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NotionalAmountOfDerivativesExpired" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_NotionalAmountOfDerivativesExpired" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NotionalAmountOfDerivativesExpired">Notional Amount of Derivatives Expired</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NotionalAmountOfDerivativesExpired" xlink:to="label_NotionalAmountOfDerivativesExpired" xlink:title="label: NotionalAmountOfDerivativesExpired to label_NotionalAmountOfDerivativesExpired" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NotionalAmountOfDerivativesExpired_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_NotionalAmountOfDerivativesExpired" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NotionalAmountOfDerivativesExpired_2">Aggregate notional amount of derivatives expired</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NotionalAmountOfDerivativesExpired" xlink:to="label_NotionalAmountOfDerivativesExpired_2" xlink:title="label: NotionalAmountOfDerivativesExpired to label_NotionalAmountOfDerivativesExpired" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NotionalAmountOfDerivativesExpired_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_NotionalAmountOfDerivativesExpired" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NotionalAmountOfDerivativesExpired_3">Represents the notional amount of derivatives expired during the period.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NotionalAmountOfDerivativesExpired" xlink:to="label_NotionalAmountOfDerivativesExpired_3" xlink:title="label: NotionalAmountOfDerivativesExpired to label_NotionalAmountOfDerivativesExpired" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_NumberOfClassesOfInvestmentAcquired" xlink:label="NumberOfClassesOfInvestmentAcquired" xlink:title="NumberOfClassesOfInvestmentAcquired" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NumberOfClassesOfInvestmentAcquired" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_NumberOfClassesOfInvestmentAcquired" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NumberOfClassesOfInvestmentAcquired">Number of classes of investment acquired</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NumberOfClassesOfInvestmentAcquired" xlink:to="label_NumberOfClassesOfInvestmentAcquired" xlink:title="label: NumberOfClassesOfInvestmentAcquired to label_NumberOfClassesOfInvestmentAcquired" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NumberOfClassesOfInvestmentAcquired_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_NumberOfClassesOfInvestmentAcquired" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NumberOfClassesOfInvestmentAcquired_2">Represents the number of classes of a particular investment acquired during the period.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NumberOfClassesOfInvestmentAcquired" xlink:to="label_NumberOfClassesOfInvestmentAcquired_2" xlink:title="label: NumberOfClassesOfInvestmentAcquired to label_NumberOfClassesOfInvestmentAcquired" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NumberOfClassesOfInvestmentAcquired_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_NumberOfClassesOfInvestmentAcquired" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NumberOfClassesOfInvestmentAcquired_3">Number of Classes of Investment Acquired</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NumberOfClassesOfInvestmentAcquired" xlink:to="label_NumberOfClassesOfInvestmentAcquired_3" xlink:title="label: NumberOfClassesOfInvestmentAcquired to label_NumberOfClassesOfInvestmentAcquired" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_NumberOfComponentsOfLinkedTransactions" xlink:label="NumberOfComponentsOfLinkedTransactions" xlink:title="NumberOfComponentsOfLinkedTransactions" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NumberOfComponentsOfLinkedTransactions" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_NumberOfComponentsOfLinkedTransactions" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NumberOfComponentsOfLinkedTransactions">Number of Components of Linked Transactions</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NumberOfComponentsOfLinkedTransactions" xlink:to="label_NumberOfComponentsOfLinkedTransactions" xlink:title="label: NumberOfComponentsOfLinkedTransactions to label_NumberOfComponentsOfLinkedTransactions" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NumberOfComponentsOfLinkedTransactions_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_NumberOfComponentsOfLinkedTransactions" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NumberOfComponentsOfLinkedTransactions_2">Number of components in a linked transaction</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NumberOfComponentsOfLinkedTransactions" xlink:to="label_NumberOfComponentsOfLinkedTransactions_2" xlink:title="label: NumberOfComponentsOfLinkedTransactions to label_NumberOfComponentsOfLinkedTransactions" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NumberOfComponentsOfLinkedTransactions_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_NumberOfComponentsOfLinkedTransactions" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NumberOfComponentsOfLinkedTransactions_3">Represents the number of components that make up a linked transaction which is not reported separately but evaluated on a combined basis and reported as a forward (derivative) contract.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NumberOfComponentsOfLinkedTransactions" xlink:to="label_NumberOfComponentsOfLinkedTransactions_3" xlink:title="label: NumberOfComponentsOfLinkedTransactions to label_NumberOfComponentsOfLinkedTransactions" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_NumberOfCounterpartiesInRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreements" xlink:label="NumberOfCounterpartiesInRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreements" xlink:title="NumberOfCounterpartiesInRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreements" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NumberOfCounterpartiesInRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreements" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_NumberOfCounterpartiesInRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreements" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NumberOfCounterpartiesInRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreements">Number of Counterparties in Repurchase and Reverse Repurchase Agreements</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NumberOfCounterpartiesInRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreements" xlink:to="label_NumberOfCounterpartiesInRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreements" xlink:title="label: NumberOfCounterpartiesInRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreements to label_NumberOfCounterpartiesInRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreements" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NumberOfCounterpartiesInRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreements_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_NumberOfCounterpartiesInRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreements" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NumberOfCounterpartiesInRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreements_2">Number of counterparties with whom entity entered into amendment of a financing arrangement involving certain repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NumberOfCounterpartiesInRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreements" xlink:to="label_NumberOfCounterpartiesInRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreements_2" xlink:title="label: NumberOfCounterpartiesInRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreements to label_NumberOfCounterpartiesInRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreements" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NumberOfCounterpartiesInRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreements_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_NumberOfCounterpartiesInRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreements" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NumberOfCounterpartiesInRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreements_3">Represents the number of counterparties with whom entity entered into amendment of a financing arrangement involving certain repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NumberOfCounterpartiesInRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreements" xlink:to="label_NumberOfCounterpartiesInRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreements_3" xlink:title="label: NumberOfCounterpartiesInRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreements to label_NumberOfCounterpartiesInRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreements" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_NumberOfCounterpartyRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreementsEntered" xlink:label="NumberOfCounterpartyRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreementsEntered" xlink:title="NumberOfCounterpartyRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreementsEntered" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NumberOfCounterpartyRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreementsEntered" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_NumberOfCounterpartyRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreementsEntered" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NumberOfCounterpartyRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreementsEntered">Number of Counterparty Repurchase and Reverse Repurchase Agreements Entered</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NumberOfCounterpartyRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreementsEntered" xlink:to="label_NumberOfCounterpartyRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreementsEntered" xlink:title="label: NumberOfCounterpartyRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreementsEntered to label_NumberOfCounterpartyRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreementsEntered" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NumberOfCounterpartyRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreementsEntered_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_NumberOfCounterpartyRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreementsEntered" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NumberOfCounterpartyRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreementsEntered_2">Number of counterparties with whom the company has entered into repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NumberOfCounterpartyRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreementsEntered" xlink:to="label_NumberOfCounterpartyRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreementsEntered_2" xlink:title="label: NumberOfCounterpartyRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreementsEntered to label_NumberOfCounterpartyRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreementsEntered" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NumberOfCounterpartyRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreementsEntered_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_NumberOfCounterpartyRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreementsEntered" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NumberOfCounterpartyRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreementsEntered_3">Represents the number of counterparties with whom the entity has entered into repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NumberOfCounterpartyRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreementsEntered" xlink:to="label_NumberOfCounterpartyRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreementsEntered_3" xlink:title="label: NumberOfCounterpartyRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreementsEntered to label_NumberOfCounterpartyRepurchaseAndReverseRepurchaseAgreementsEntered" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_NumberOfDaysConsideredToClassifyLoansDelinquent" xlink:label="NumberOfDaysConsideredToClassifyLoansDelinquent" xlink:title="NumberOfDaysConsideredToClassifyLoansDelinquent" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NumberOfDaysConsideredToClassifyLoansDelinquent" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_NumberOfDaysConsideredToClassifyLoansDelinquent" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NumberOfDaysConsideredToClassifyLoansDelinquent">Number of Days Considered to Classify Loans Delinquent</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NumberOfDaysConsideredToClassifyLoansDelinquent" xlink:to="label_NumberOfDaysConsideredToClassifyLoansDelinquent" xlink:title="label: NumberOfDaysConsideredToClassifyLoansDelinquent to label_NumberOfDaysConsideredToClassifyLoansDelinquent" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NumberOfDaysConsideredToClassifyLoansDelinquent_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_NumberOfDaysConsideredToClassifyLoansDelinquent" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NumberOfDaysConsideredToClassifyLoansDelinquent_2">Represents the number of days considered to classify loans delinquent.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NumberOfDaysConsideredToClassifyLoansDelinquent" xlink:to="label_NumberOfDaysConsideredToClassifyLoansDelinquent_2" xlink:title="label: NumberOfDaysConsideredToClassifyLoansDelinquent to label_NumberOfDaysConsideredToClassifyLoansDelinquent" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NumberOfDaysConsideredToClassifyLoansDelinquent_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_NumberOfDaysConsideredToClassifyLoansDelinquent" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NumberOfDaysConsideredToClassifyLoansDelinquent_3">Number of days considered to classify loans delinquent</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NumberOfDaysConsideredToClassifyLoansDelinquent" xlink:to="label_NumberOfDaysConsideredToClassifyLoansDelinquent_3" xlink:title="label: NumberOfDaysConsideredToClassifyLoansDelinquent to label_NumberOfDaysConsideredToClassifyLoansDelinquent" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_NumberOfMortgageBackedSecuritiesHeld" xlink:label="NumberOfMortgageBackedSecuritiesHeld" xlink:title="NumberOfMortgageBackedSecuritiesHeld" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NumberOfMortgageBackedSecuritiesHeld" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_NumberOfMortgageBackedSecuritiesHeld" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NumberOfMortgageBackedSecuritiesHeld">Represents the number of mortgage backed securities held by the entity.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NumberOfMortgageBackedSecuritiesHeld" xlink:to="label_NumberOfMortgageBackedSecuritiesHeld" xlink:title="label: NumberOfMortgageBackedSecuritiesHeld to label_NumberOfMortgageBackedSecuritiesHeld" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NumberOfMortgageBackedSecuritiesHeld_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_NumberOfMortgageBackedSecuritiesHeld" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NumberOfMortgageBackedSecuritiesHeld_2">Number of Mortgage Backed Securities Held</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NumberOfMortgageBackedSecuritiesHeld" xlink:to="label_NumberOfMortgageBackedSecuritiesHeld_2" xlink:title="label: NumberOfMortgageBackedSecuritiesHeld to label_NumberOfMortgageBackedSecuritiesHeld" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NumberOfMortgageBackedSecuritiesHeld_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_NumberOfMortgageBackedSecuritiesHeld" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NumberOfMortgageBackedSecuritiesHeld_3">Number of mortgage backed securities held</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NumberOfMortgageBackedSecuritiesHeld" xlink:to="label_NumberOfMortgageBackedSecuritiesHeld_3" xlink:title="label: NumberOfMortgageBackedSecuritiesHeld to label_NumberOfMortgageBackedSecuritiesHeld" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_NumberOfNonagencyMortgageBackedSecurities" xlink:label="NumberOfNonagencyMortgageBackedSecurities" xlink:title="NumberOfNonagencyMortgageBackedSecurities" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NumberOfNonagencyMortgageBackedSecurities" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_NumberOfNonagencyMortgageBackedSecurities" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NumberOfNonagencyMortgageBackedSecurities">Number of Non-agency Mortgage Backed Securities</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NumberOfNonagencyMortgageBackedSecurities" xlink:to="label_NumberOfNonagencyMortgageBackedSecurities" xlink:title="label: NumberOfNonagencyMortgageBackedSecurities to label_NumberOfNonagencyMortgageBackedSecurities" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NumberOfNonagencyMortgageBackedSecurities_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_NumberOfNonagencyMortgageBackedSecurities" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NumberOfNonagencyMortgageBackedSecurities_2">Number of non-agency MBS</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NumberOfNonagencyMortgageBackedSecurities" xlink:to="label_NumberOfNonagencyMortgageBackedSecurities_2" xlink:title="label: NumberOfNonagencyMortgageBackedSecurities to label_NumberOfNonagencyMortgageBackedSecurities" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NumberOfNonagencyMortgageBackedSecurities_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_NumberOfNonagencyMortgageBackedSecurities" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_NumberOfNonagencyMortgageBackedSecurities_3">Represents the number of non-agency mortgage-backed securities.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NumberOfNonagencyMortgageBackedSecurities" xlink:to="label_NumberOfNonagencyMortgageBackedSecurities_3" xlink:title="label: NumberOfNonagencyMortgageBackedSecurities to label_NumberOfNonagencyMortgageBackedSecurities" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_OffsiteBackupFacilityMember" xlink:label="OffsiteBackupFacilityMember" xlink:title="OffsiteBackupFacilityMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_OffsiteBackupFacilityMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_OffsiteBackupFacilityMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_OffsiteBackupFacilityMember">Off-site Back-up Facility [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="OffsiteBackupFacilityMember" xlink:to="label_OffsiteBackupFacilityMember" xlink:title="label: OffsiteBackupFacilityMember to label_OffsiteBackupFacilityMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_OffsiteBackupFacilityMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_OffsiteBackupFacilityMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_OffsiteBackupFacilityMember_2">Represents the entity's off-site back-up facility in Rockville Centre, New York.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="OffsiteBackupFacilityMember" xlink:to="label_OffsiteBackupFacilityMember_2" xlink:title="label: OffsiteBackupFacilityMember to label_OffsiteBackupFacilityMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_OffsiteBackupFacilityMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_OffsiteBackupFacilityMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_OffsiteBackupFacilityMember_3">Off-site back-up facility</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="OffsiteBackupFacilityMember" xlink:to="label_OffsiteBackupFacilityMember_3" xlink:title="label: OffsiteBackupFacilityMember to label_OffsiteBackupFacilityMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_OperatingLeasedPropertiesDomain" xlink:label="OperatingLeasedPropertiesDomain" xlink:title="OperatingLeasedPropertiesDomain" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_OperatingLeasedPropertiesDomain" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_OperatingLeasedPropertiesDomain" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_OperatingLeasedPropertiesDomain">Operating Leased Properties [Domain]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="OperatingLeasedPropertiesDomain" xlink:to="label_OperatingLeasedPropertiesDomain" xlink:title="label: OperatingLeasedPropertiesDomain to label_OperatingLeasedPropertiesDomain" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_OperatingLeasedPropertiesDomain_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_OperatingLeasedPropertiesDomain" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_OperatingLeasedPropertiesDomain_2">Identifies the specific property under operating lease.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="OperatingLeasedPropertiesDomain" xlink:to="label_OperatingLeasedPropertiesDomain_2" xlink:title="label: OperatingLeasedPropertiesDomain to label_OperatingLeasedPropertiesDomain" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_OperatingLeasesByPropertyAxis" xlink:label="OperatingLeasesByPropertyAxis" xlink:title="OperatingLeasesByPropertyAxis" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_OperatingLeasesByPropertyAxis" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_OperatingLeasesByPropertyAxis" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_OperatingLeasesByPropertyAxis">Operating Leases by Property [Axis]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="OperatingLeasesByPropertyAxis" xlink:to="label_OperatingLeasesByPropertyAxis" xlink:title="label: OperatingLeasesByPropertyAxis to label_OperatingLeasesByPropertyAxis" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_OperatingLeasesByPropertyAxis_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_OperatingLeasesByPropertyAxis" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_OperatingLeasesByPropertyAxis_2">Information pertaining to operating leases by property.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="OperatingLeasesByPropertyAxis" xlink:to="label_OperatingLeasesByPropertyAxis_2" xlink:title="label: OperatingLeasesByPropertyAxis to label_OperatingLeasesByPropertyAxis" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_OperatingLeasesNumberOfOperatingLeases" xlink:label="OperatingLeasesNumberOfOperatingLeases" xlink:title="OperatingLeasesNumberOfOperatingLeases" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_OperatingLeasesNumberOfOperatingLeases" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_OperatingLeasesNumberOfOperatingLeases" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_OperatingLeasesNumberOfOperatingLeases">Operating Leases, Number of Operating Leases</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="OperatingLeasesNumberOfOperatingLeases" xlink:to="label_OperatingLeasesNumberOfOperatingLeases" xlink:title="label: OperatingLeasesNumberOfOperatingLeases to label_OperatingLeasesNumberOfOperatingLeases" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_OperatingLeasesNumberOfOperatingLeases_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_OperatingLeasesNumberOfOperatingLeases" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_OperatingLeasesNumberOfOperatingLeases_2">Number of operating leases</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="OperatingLeasesNumberOfOperatingLeases" xlink:to="label_OperatingLeasesNumberOfOperatingLeases_2" xlink:title="label: OperatingLeasesNumberOfOperatingLeases to label_OperatingLeasesNumberOfOperatingLeases" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_OperatingLeasesNumberOfOperatingLeases_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_OperatingLeasesNumberOfOperatingLeases" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_OperatingLeasesNumberOfOperatingLeases_3">Represents the number of operating leases.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="OperatingLeasesNumberOfOperatingLeases" xlink:to="label_OperatingLeasesNumberOfOperatingLeases_3" xlink:title="label: OperatingLeasesNumberOfOperatingLeases to label_OperatingLeasesNumberOfOperatingLeases" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseMinimumAnnualRentals" xlink:label="OperatingLeasesRentExpenseMinimumAnnualRentals" xlink:title="OperatingLeasesRentExpenseMinimumAnnualRentals" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseMinimumAnnualRentals" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseMinimumAnnualRentals" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseMinimumAnnualRentals">Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Minimum Annual Rentals</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="OperatingLeasesRentExpenseMinimumAnnualRentals" xlink:to="label_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseMinimumAnnualRentals" xlink:title="label: OperatingLeasesRentExpenseMinimumAnnualRentals to label_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseMinimumAnnualRentals" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseMinimumAnnualRentals_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseMinimumAnnualRentals" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseMinimumAnnualRentals_2">Annual rent</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="OperatingLeasesRentExpenseMinimumAnnualRentals" xlink:to="label_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseMinimumAnnualRentals_2" xlink:title="label: OperatingLeasesRentExpenseMinimumAnnualRentals to label_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseMinimumAnnualRentals" use="optional" />
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    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesSignificantInputsAndAssumptionsProjectedLossSeverity_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesSignificantInputsAndAssumptionsProjectedLossSeverity" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesSignificantInputsAndAssumptionsProjectedLossSeverity_3">Represents the projected amount of loss realized on liquidated properties as a percentage of the principal balance, used to determined the measurement of the component of other-than-temporary impairment losses recorded in earnings.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesSignificantInputsAndAssumptionsProjectedLossSeverity" xlink:to="label_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesSignificantInputsAndAssumptionsProjectedLossSeverity_3" xlink:title="label: OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesSignificantInputsAndAssumptionsProjectedLossSeverity to label_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesSignificantInputsAndAssumptionsProjectedLossSeverity" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMeasurementSignificantInputsAndAssumptionsTableTextBlock" xlink:label="OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMeasurementSignificantInputsAndAssumptionsTableTextBlock" xlink:title="OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMeasurementSignificantInputsAndAssumptionsTableTextBlock" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMeasurementSignificantInputsAndAssumptionsTableTextBlock" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMeasurementSignificantInputsAndAssumptionsTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMeasurementSignificantInputsAndAssumptionsTableTextBlock">Other than Temporary Impairment, Measurement Significant Inputs and Assumptions [Table Text Block]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMeasurementSignificantInputsAndAssumptionsTableTextBlock" xlink:to="label_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMeasurementSignificantInputsAndAssumptionsTableTextBlock" xlink:title="label: OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMeasurementSignificantInputsAndAssumptionsTableTextBlock to label_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMeasurementSignificantInputsAndAssumptionsTableTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMeasurementSignificantInputsAndAssumptionsTableTextBlock_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMeasurementSignificantInputsAndAssumptionsTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMeasurementSignificantInputsAndAssumptionsTableTextBlock_2">Schedule of significant inputs considered and assumptions made in determining the measurement of the component of OTTI recorded earnings</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMeasurementSignificantInputsAndAssumptionsTableTextBlock" xlink:to="label_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMeasurementSignificantInputsAndAssumptionsTableTextBlock_2" xlink:title="label: OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMeasurementSignificantInputsAndAssumptionsTableTextBlock to label_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMeasurementSignificantInputsAndAssumptionsTableTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMeasurementSignificantInputsAndAssumptionsTableTextBlock_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMeasurementSignificantInputsAndAssumptionsTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMeasurementSignificantInputsAndAssumptionsTableTextBlock_3">Tabular disclosure of the information pertaining to significant inputs considered and assumptions made in determining the measurement of the component of OTTI recorded in earnings.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMeasurementSignificantInputsAndAssumptionsTableTextBlock" xlink:to="label_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMeasurementSignificantInputsAndAssumptionsTableTextBlock_3" xlink:title="label: OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMeasurementSignificantInputsAndAssumptionsTableTextBlock to label_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMeasurementSignificantInputsAndAssumptionsTableTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_OwnershipInterestInRealEstatePropertyHeldForSale" xlink:label="OwnershipInterestInRealEstatePropertyHeldForSale" xlink:title="OwnershipInterestInRealEstatePropertyHeldForSale" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_OwnershipInterestInRealEstatePropertyHeldForSale" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_OwnershipInterestInRealEstatePropertyHeldForSale" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_OwnershipInterestInRealEstatePropertyHeldForSale">Represents the ownership interest in real estate assets held for sale.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="OwnershipInterestInRealEstatePropertyHeldForSale" xlink:to="label_OwnershipInterestInRealEstatePropertyHeldForSale" xlink:title="label: OwnershipInterestInRealEstatePropertyHeldForSale to label_OwnershipInterestInRealEstatePropertyHeldForSale" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_OwnershipInterestInRealEstatePropertyHeldForSale_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_OwnershipInterestInRealEstatePropertyHeldForSale" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_OwnershipInterestInRealEstatePropertyHeldForSale_2">Ownership Interest in Real Estate Property Held-for-sale</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="OwnershipInterestInRealEstatePropertyHeldForSale" xlink:to="label_OwnershipInterestInRealEstatePropertyHeldForSale_2" xlink:title="label: OwnershipInterestInRealEstatePropertyHeldForSale to label_OwnershipInterestInRealEstatePropertyHeldForSale" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_OwnershipInterestInRealEstatePropertyHeldForSale_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_OwnershipInterestInRealEstatePropertyHeldForSale" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_OwnershipInterestInRealEstatePropertyHeldForSale_3">Ownership interest in Lealand Place (as a percent)</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="OwnershipInterestInRealEstatePropertyHeldForSale" xlink:to="label_OwnershipInterestInRealEstatePropertyHeldForSale_3" xlink:title="label: OwnershipInterestInRealEstatePropertyHeldForSale to label_OwnershipInterestInRealEstatePropertyHeldForSale" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_PaymentOfPremiumOnPurchaseOfDerivative" xlink:label="PaymentOfPremiumOnPurchaseOfDerivative" xlink:title="PaymentOfPremiumOnPurchaseOfDerivative" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_PaymentOfPremiumOnPurchaseOfDerivative" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_PaymentOfPremiumOnPurchaseOfDerivative" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_PaymentOfPremiumOnPurchaseOfDerivative">Premium paid on purchase of derivative</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="PaymentOfPremiumOnPurchaseOfDerivative" xlink:to="label_PaymentOfPremiumOnPurchaseOfDerivative" xlink:title="label: PaymentOfPremiumOnPurchaseOfDerivative to label_PaymentOfPremiumOnPurchaseOfDerivative" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_PaymentOfPremiumOnPurchaseOfDerivative_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_PaymentOfPremiumOnPurchaseOfDerivative" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_PaymentOfPremiumOnPurchaseOfDerivative_2">Represents the amount of premium paid by the entity during the period in connection with purchase of derivative.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="PaymentOfPremiumOnPurchaseOfDerivative" xlink:to="label_PaymentOfPremiumOnPurchaseOfDerivative_2" xlink:title="label: PaymentOfPremiumOnPurchaseOfDerivative to label_PaymentOfPremiumOnPurchaseOfDerivative" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_PaymentOfPremiumOnPurchaseOfDerivative_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_PaymentOfPremiumOnPurchaseOfDerivative" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_PaymentOfPremiumOnPurchaseOfDerivative_3">Payment of Premium on Purchase of Derivative</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="PaymentOfPremiumOnPurchaseOfDerivative" xlink:to="label_PaymentOfPremiumOnPurchaseOfDerivative_3" xlink:title="label: PaymentOfPremiumOnPurchaseOfDerivative to label_PaymentOfPremiumOnPurchaseOfDerivative" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_PaymentToTerminateSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase" xlink:label="PaymentToTerminateSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase" xlink:title="PaymentToTerminateSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_PaymentToTerminateSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_PaymentToTerminateSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_PaymentToTerminateSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase">The cash outflow from investments terminated under the agreement to repurchase such investments.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="PaymentToTerminateSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase" xlink:to="label_PaymentToTerminateSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase" xlink:title="label: PaymentToTerminateSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase to label_PaymentToTerminateSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_PaymentToTerminateSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel" xlink:title="label_PaymentToTerminateSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_PaymentToTerminateSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase_2">Payments to terminate repurchase agreements</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="PaymentToTerminateSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase" xlink:to="label_PaymentToTerminateSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase_2" xlink:title="label: PaymentToTerminateSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase to label_PaymentToTerminateSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_PaymentToTerminateSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_PaymentToTerminateSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_PaymentToTerminateSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase_3">Payment to Terminate Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="PaymentToTerminateSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase" xlink:to="label_PaymentToTerminateSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase_3" xlink:title="label: PaymentToTerminateSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase to label_PaymentToTerminateSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccretionAmortizationOfDiscountsAndPremiumsInvestments" xlink:label="AccretionAmortizationOfDiscountsAndPremiumsInvestments" xlink:title="AccretionAmortizationOfDiscountsAndPremiumsInvestments" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccretionAmortizationOfDiscountsAndPremiumsInvestments" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AccretionAmortizationOfDiscountsAndPremiumsInvestments" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccretionAmortizationOfDiscountsAndPremiumsInvestments">Accretion (Amortization) of Discounts and Premiums, Investments</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccretionAmortizationOfDiscountsAndPremiumsInvestments" xlink:to="label_AccretionAmortizationOfDiscountsAndPremiumsInvestments" xlink:title="label: AccretionAmortizationOfDiscountsAndPremiumsInvestments to label_AccretionAmortizationOfDiscountsAndPremiumsInvestments" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccretionAmortizationOfDiscountsAndPremiumsInvestments_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel" xlink:title="label_AccretionAmortizationOfDiscountsAndPremiumsInvestments" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccretionAmortizationOfDiscountsAndPremiumsInvestments_2">Amortization of purchase premiums on MBS</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccretionAmortizationOfDiscountsAndPremiumsInvestments" xlink:to="label_AccretionAmortizationOfDiscountsAndPremiumsInvestments_2" xlink:title="label: AccretionAmortizationOfDiscountsAndPremiumsInvestments to label_AccretionAmortizationOfDiscountsAndPremiumsInvestments" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_PaymentsForResecuritizationRelatedCosts" xlink:label="PaymentsForResecuritizationRelatedCosts" xlink:title="PaymentsForResecuritizationRelatedCosts" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_PaymentsForResecuritizationRelatedCosts" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_PaymentsForResecuritizationRelatedCosts" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_PaymentsForResecuritizationRelatedCosts">This element represents the cash outflow from payments for resecuritization related costs.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="PaymentsForResecuritizationRelatedCosts" xlink:to="label_PaymentsForResecuritizationRelatedCosts" xlink:title="label: PaymentsForResecuritizationRelatedCosts to label_PaymentsForResecuritizationRelatedCosts" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_PaymentsForResecuritizationRelatedCosts_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel" xlink:title="label_PaymentsForResecuritizationRelatedCosts" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_PaymentsForResecuritizationRelatedCosts_2">Payments made for resecuritization related costs</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="PaymentsForResecuritizationRelatedCosts" xlink:to="label_PaymentsForResecuritizationRelatedCosts_2" xlink:title="label: PaymentsForResecuritizationRelatedCosts to label_PaymentsForResecuritizationRelatedCosts" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_PaymentsForResecuritizationRelatedCosts_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_PaymentsForResecuritizationRelatedCosts" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_PaymentsForResecuritizationRelatedCosts_3">Payments for Resecuritization Related Costs</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="PaymentsForResecuritizationRelatedCosts" xlink:to="label_PaymentsForResecuritizationRelatedCosts_3" xlink:title="label: PaymentsForResecuritizationRelatedCosts to label_PaymentsForResecuritizationRelatedCosts" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_PaymentsMadeForMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives" xlink:label="PaymentsMadeForMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives" xlink:title="PaymentsMadeForMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_PaymentsMadeForMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel" xlink:title="label_PaymentsMadeForMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_PaymentsMadeForMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives">Payments made for margin calls on repurchase agreements and interest rate swap agreements ("Swaps")</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="PaymentsMadeForMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives" xlink:to="label_PaymentsMadeForMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives" xlink:title="label: PaymentsMadeForMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives to label_PaymentsMadeForMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_PaymentsMadeForMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_PaymentsMadeForMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_PaymentsMadeForMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives_2">Payments Made for Margin Calls on Repurchase Agreements and Derivatives</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="PaymentsMadeForMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives" xlink:to="label_PaymentsMadeForMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives_2" xlink:title="label: PaymentsMadeForMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives to label_PaymentsMadeForMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_PaymentsMadeForMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_PaymentsMadeForMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_PaymentsMadeForMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives_3">Payment made for Margin Calls on Repurchase Agreements and the sale price of options, swaps, futures, forward contracts, and other derivative instruments.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="PaymentsMadeForMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives" xlink:to="label_PaymentsMadeForMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives_3" xlink:title="label: PaymentsMadeForMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives to label_PaymentsMadeForMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_PaymentsOnSecuritizedDebt" xlink:label="PaymentsOnSecuritizedDebt" xlink:title="PaymentsOnSecuritizedDebt" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_PaymentsOnSecuritizedDebt" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel" xlink:title="label_PaymentsOnSecuritizedDebt" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_PaymentsOnSecuritizedDebt">Principal payments on securitized debt</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="PaymentsOnSecuritizedDebt" xlink:to="label_PaymentsOnSecuritizedDebt" xlink:title="label: PaymentsOnSecuritizedDebt to label_PaymentsOnSecuritizedDebt" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_PaymentsOnSecuritizedDebt_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_PaymentsOnSecuritizedDebt" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_PaymentsOnSecuritizedDebt_2">Payments on Securitized Debt</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="PaymentsOnSecuritizedDebt" xlink:to="label_PaymentsOnSecuritizedDebt_2" xlink:title="label: PaymentsOnSecuritizedDebt to label_PaymentsOnSecuritizedDebt" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_PaymentsOnSecuritizedDebt_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_PaymentsOnSecuritizedDebt" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_PaymentsOnSecuritizedDebt_3">This element represents the cash outflow from principal payments on securitized debt.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="PaymentsOnSecuritizedDebt" xlink:to="label_PaymentsOnSecuritizedDebt_3" xlink:title="label: PaymentsOnSecuritizedDebt to label_PaymentsOnSecuritizedDebt" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_PercentageOfAnnualREITTaxableIncomeDistributableToStockholdersMinimum" xlink:label="PercentageOfAnnualREITTaxableIncomeDistributableToStockholdersMinimum" xlink:title="PercentageOfAnnualREITTaxableIncomeDistributableToStockholdersMinimum" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_PercentageOfAnnualREITTaxableIncomeDistributableToStockholdersMinimum" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_PercentageOfAnnualREITTaxableIncomeDistributableToStockholdersMinimum" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_PercentageOfAnnualREITTaxableIncomeDistributableToStockholdersMinimum">Percentage of Annual REIT Taxable Income, Distributable to Stockholders, Minimum</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="PercentageOfAnnualREITTaxableIncomeDistributableToStockholdersMinimum" xlink:to="label_PercentageOfAnnualREITTaxableIncomeDistributableToStockholdersMinimum" xlink:title="label: PercentageOfAnnualREITTaxableIncomeDistributableToStockholdersMinimum to label_PercentageOfAnnualREITTaxableIncomeDistributableToStockholdersMinimum" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_PercentageOfAnnualREITTaxableIncomeDistributableToStockholdersMinimum_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_PercentageOfAnnualREITTaxableIncomeDistributableToStockholdersMinimum" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_PercentageOfAnnualREITTaxableIncomeDistributableToStockholdersMinimum_2">Minimum annual REIT taxable income distributable to stockholders (as a percent)</link:label>
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    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_PercentageOfAnnualREITTaxableIncomeDistributableToStockholdersMinimum_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_PercentageOfAnnualREITTaxableIncomeDistributableToStockholdersMinimum" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_PercentageOfAnnualREITTaxableIncomeDistributableToStockholdersMinimum_3">Represents the minimum percentage of annual taxable income which must be distributed to stockholders in order to comply with requirements of the federal tax law for treatment as a real estate investment trust.</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_PreferredStockVotingRightsAvailableIfCompanyFailsToPayDividendMinimumPeriod" xlink:label="PreferredStockVotingRightsAvailableIfCompanyFailsToPayDividendMinimumPeriod" xlink:title="PreferredStockVotingRightsAvailableIfCompanyFailsToPayDividendMinimumPeriod" />
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_PreferredStockVotingRightsNumberOfAdditionalDirectorsThatCanBeElected" xlink:label="PreferredStockVotingRightsNumberOfAdditionalDirectorsThatCanBeElected" xlink:title="PreferredStockVotingRightsNumberOfAdditionalDirectorsThatCanBeElected" />
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_PreferredStockVotingRightsPercentageRequiredForMakingMaterialAndAdverseChangesToTermsMinimum" xlink:label="PreferredStockVotingRightsPercentageRequiredForMakingMaterialAndAdverseChangesToTermsMinimum" xlink:title="PreferredStockVotingRightsPercentageRequiredForMakingMaterialAndAdverseChangesToTermsMinimum" />
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_PrincipalPaymentsOnLinkedTransactions" xlink:label="PrincipalPaymentsOnLinkedTransactions" xlink:title="PrincipalPaymentsOnLinkedTransactions" />
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_PrincipalPaymentsOnSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase" xlink:label="PrincipalPaymentsOnSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase" xlink:title="PrincipalPaymentsOnSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase" />
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSecuritizedDebt" xlink:label="ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSecuritizedDebt" xlink:title="ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSecuritizedDebt" />
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    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSecuritizedDebt" xlink:to="label_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSecuritizedDebt_3" xlink:title="label: ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSecuritizedDebt to label_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSecuritizedDebt" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSecuritizedDebt_4" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel" xlink:title="label_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSecuritizedDebt" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSecuritizedDebt_4">Cash received</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSecuritizedDebt" xlink:to="label_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSecuritizedDebt_4" xlink:title="label: ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSecuritizedDebt to label_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSecuritizedDebt" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ProceedsFromLinkedTransactions" xlink:label="ProceedsFromLinkedTransactions" xlink:title="ProceedsFromLinkedTransactions" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ProceedsFromLinkedTransactions" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ProceedsFromLinkedTransactions" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ProceedsFromLinkedTransactions">Proceeds from Linked Transactions</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ProceedsFromLinkedTransactions" xlink:to="label_ProceedsFromLinkedTransactions" xlink:title="label: ProceedsFromLinkedTransactions to label_ProceedsFromLinkedTransactions" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ProceedsFromLinkedTransactions_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ProceedsFromLinkedTransactions" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ProceedsFromLinkedTransactions_2">Cash received from financial instruments underlying Linked Transactions</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ProceedsFromLinkedTransactions" xlink:to="label_ProceedsFromLinkedTransactions_2" xlink:title="label: ProceedsFromLinkedTransactions to label_ProceedsFromLinkedTransactions" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ProceedsFromLinkedTransactions_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ProceedsFromLinkedTransactions" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ProceedsFromLinkedTransactions_3">Represents the cash inflow arising due to proceeds from linked transactions during the reporting period.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ProceedsFromLinkedTransactions" xlink:to="label_ProceedsFromLinkedTransactions_3" xlink:title="label: ProceedsFromLinkedTransactions to label_ProceedsFromLinkedTransactions" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ProceedsFromMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives" xlink:label="ProceedsFromMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives" xlink:title="ProceedsFromMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ProceedsFromMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ProceedsFromMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ProceedsFromMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives">Proceeds from Margin Calls on Repurchase Agreements and Derivatives</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ProceedsFromMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives" xlink:to="label_ProceedsFromMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives" xlink:title="label: ProceedsFromMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives to label_ProceedsFromMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ProceedsFromMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ProceedsFromMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ProceedsFromMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives_2">Proceeds from reverse margin calls on repurchase agreements and Swaps</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ProceedsFromMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives" xlink:to="label_ProceedsFromMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives_2" xlink:title="label: ProceedsFromMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives to label_ProceedsFromMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ProceedsFromMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ProceedsFromMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ProceedsFromMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives_3">The cash inflow form margin calls on repurchase agreements and derivatives.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ProceedsFromMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives" xlink:to="label_ProceedsFromMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives_3" xlink:title="label: ProceedsFromMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives to label_ProceedsFromMarginCallsOnRepurchaseAgreementsAndDerivatives" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ProceedsFromSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase" xlink:label="ProceedsFromSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase" xlink:title="ProceedsFromSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ProceedsFromSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ProceedsFromSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ProceedsFromSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase">Proceeds from borrowings under repurchase agreements</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ProceedsFromSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase" xlink:to="label_ProceedsFromSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase" xlink:title="label: ProceedsFromSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase to label_ProceedsFromSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ProceedsFromSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ProceedsFromSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ProceedsFromSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase_2">Proceeds from Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ProceedsFromSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase" xlink:to="label_ProceedsFromSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase_2" xlink:title="label: ProceedsFromSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase to label_ProceedsFromSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ProceedsFromSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ProceedsFromSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ProceedsFromSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase_3">The cash inflow from investments sold under the agreement to repurchase such investments.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ProceedsFromSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase" xlink:to="label_ProceedsFromSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase_3" xlink:title="label: ProceedsFromSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase to label_ProceedsFromSecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_PublicOfferingMember" xlink:label="PublicOfferingMember" xlink:title="PublicOfferingMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_PublicOfferingMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_PublicOfferingMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_PublicOfferingMember">Public Offering [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="PublicOfferingMember" xlink:to="label_PublicOfferingMember" xlink:title="label: PublicOfferingMember to label_PublicOfferingMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_PublicOfferingMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_PublicOfferingMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_PublicOfferingMember_2">Represents the public offering of shares of the entity.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="PublicOfferingMember" xlink:to="label_PublicOfferingMember_2" xlink:title="label: PublicOfferingMember to label_PublicOfferingMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_PublicOfferingMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_PublicOfferingMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_PublicOfferingMember_3">Public Offering of Common Stock</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="PublicOfferingMember" xlink:to="label_PublicOfferingMember_3" xlink:title="label: PublicOfferingMember to label_PublicOfferingMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_RangeOfExercisePrice10.23DollarsTo10.25DollarsMember" xlink:label="RangeOfExercisePrice10.23DollarsTo10.25DollarsMember" xlink:title="RangeOfExercisePrice10.23DollarsTo10.25DollarsMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RangeOfExercisePrice10.23DollarsTo10.25DollarsMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_RangeOfExercisePrice10.23DollarsTo10.25DollarsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RangeOfExercisePrice10.23DollarsTo10.25DollarsMember">Range of Exercise Price 10.23 Dollars to 10.25 Dollars [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RangeOfExercisePrice10.23DollarsTo10.25DollarsMember" xlink:to="label_RangeOfExercisePrice10.23DollarsTo10.25DollarsMember" xlink:title="label: RangeOfExercisePrice10.23DollarsTo10.25DollarsMember to label_RangeOfExercisePrice10.23DollarsTo10.25DollarsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RangeOfExercisePrice10.23DollarsTo10.25DollarsMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_RangeOfExercisePrice10.23DollarsTo10.25DollarsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RangeOfExercisePrice10.23DollarsTo10.25DollarsMember_2">Range of Exercise Prices $10.23 to $10.25</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RangeOfExercisePrice10.23DollarsTo10.25DollarsMember" xlink:to="label_RangeOfExercisePrice10.23DollarsTo10.25DollarsMember_2" xlink:title="label: RangeOfExercisePrice10.23DollarsTo10.25DollarsMember to label_RangeOfExercisePrice10.23DollarsTo10.25DollarsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RangeOfExercisePrice10.23DollarsTo10.25DollarsMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_RangeOfExercisePrice10.23DollarsTo10.25DollarsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RangeOfExercisePrice10.23DollarsTo10.25DollarsMember_3">Represents the exercise price range from 10.23 dollars to 10.25 dollars.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RangeOfExercisePrice10.23DollarsTo10.25DollarsMember" xlink:to="label_RangeOfExercisePrice10.23DollarsTo10.25DollarsMember_3" xlink:title="label: RangeOfExercisePrice10.23DollarsTo10.25DollarsMember to label_RangeOfExercisePrice10.23DollarsTo10.25DollarsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_RatedAAAMember" xlink:label="RatedAAAMember" xlink:title="RatedAAAMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RatedAAAMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_RatedAAAMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RatedAAAMember">Rated AAA [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RatedAAAMember" xlink:to="label_RatedAAAMember" xlink:title="label: RatedAAAMember to label_RatedAAAMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RatedAAAMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_RatedAAAMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RatedAAAMember_2">Represents the AAA credit rating as defined by one or more rating agencies.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RatedAAAMember" xlink:to="label_RatedAAAMember_2" xlink:title="label: RatedAAAMember to label_RatedAAAMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RatedAAAMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_RatedAAAMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RatedAAAMember_3">Rated AAA</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RatedAAAMember" xlink:to="label_RatedAAAMember_3" xlink:title="label: RatedAAAMember to label_RatedAAAMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_RatedAAAndAMember" xlink:label="RatedAAAndAMember" xlink:title="RatedAAAndAMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RatedAAAndAMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_RatedAAAndAMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RatedAAAndAMember">Rated AA and A [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RatedAAAndAMember" xlink:to="label_RatedAAAndAMember" xlink:title="label: RatedAAAndAMember to label_RatedAAAndAMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RatedAAAndAMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_RatedAAAndAMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RatedAAAndAMember_2">Rated AA and A</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RatedAAAndAMember" xlink:to="label_RatedAAAndAMember_2" xlink:title="label: RatedAAAndAMember to label_RatedAAAndAMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RatedAAAndAMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_RatedAAAndAMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RatedAAAndAMember_3">Represents the AA and A credit rating as defined by one or more rating agencies.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RatedAAAndAMember" xlink:to="label_RatedAAAndAMember_3" xlink:title="label: RatedAAAndAMember to label_RatedAAAndAMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_RatedAAMember" xlink:label="RatedAAMember" xlink:title="RatedAAMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RatedAAMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_RatedAAMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RatedAAMember">Rated AA [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RatedAAMember" xlink:to="label_RatedAAMember" xlink:title="label: RatedAAMember to label_RatedAAMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RatedAAMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_RatedAAMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RatedAAMember_2">Represents the AA credit rating as defined by one or more rating agencies.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RatedAAMember" xlink:to="label_RatedAAMember_2" xlink:title="label: RatedAAMember to label_RatedAAMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RatedAAMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_RatedAAMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RatedAAMember_3">Rated AA</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RatedAAMember" xlink:to="label_RatedAAMember_3" xlink:title="label: RatedAAMember to label_RatedAAMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_RatedAMember" xlink:label="RatedAMember" xlink:title="RatedAMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RatedAMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_RatedAMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RatedAMember">Rated A [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RatedAMember" xlink:to="label_RatedAMember" xlink:title="label: RatedAMember to label_RatedAMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RatedAMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_RatedAMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RatedAMember_2">Represents the A credit rating as defined by one or more rating agencies.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RatedAMember" xlink:to="label_RatedAMember_2" xlink:title="label: RatedAMember to label_RatedAMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RatedAMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_RatedAMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RatedAMember_3">Rated A</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RatedAMember" xlink:to="label_RatedAMember_3" xlink:title="label: RatedAMember to label_RatedAMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_RatedBBBMember" xlink:label="RatedBBBMember" xlink:title="RatedBBBMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RatedBBBMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_RatedBBBMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RatedBBBMember">Rated BBB [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RatedBBBMember" xlink:to="label_RatedBBBMember" xlink:title="label: RatedBBBMember to label_RatedBBBMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RatedBBBMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_RatedBBBMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RatedBBBMember_2">Represents the BBB credit rating as defined by one or more rating agencies.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RatedBBBMember" xlink:to="label_RatedBBBMember_2" xlink:title="label: RatedBBBMember to label_RatedBBBMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RatedBBBMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_RatedBBBMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RatedBBBMember_3">Rated BBB</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RatedBBBMember" xlink:to="label_RatedBBBMember_3" xlink:title="label: RatedBBBMember to label_RatedBBBMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_RatedBBMember" xlink:label="RatedBBMember" xlink:title="RatedBBMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RatedBBMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_RatedBBMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RatedBBMember">Rated BB [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RatedBBMember" xlink:to="label_RatedBBMember" xlink:title="label: RatedBBMember to label_RatedBBMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RatedBBMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_RatedBBMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RatedBBMember_2">Represents the BB credit rating as defined by one or more rating agencies.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RatedBBMember" xlink:to="label_RatedBBMember_2" xlink:title="label: RatedBBMember to label_RatedBBMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RatedBBMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_RatedBBMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RatedBBMember_3">Rated BB</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RatedBBMember" xlink:to="label_RatedBBMember_3" xlink:title="label: RatedBBMember to label_RatedBBMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_RatedBMember" xlink:label="RatedBMember" xlink:title="RatedBMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RatedBMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_RatedBMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RatedBMember">Rated B [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RatedBMember" xlink:to="label_RatedBMember" xlink:title="label: RatedBMember to label_RatedBMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RatedBMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_RatedBMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RatedBMember_2">Represents the B credit rating as defined by one or more rating agencies.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RatedBMember" xlink:to="label_RatedBMember_2" xlink:title="label: RatedBMember to label_RatedBMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RatedBMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_RatedBMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RatedBMember_3">Rated B</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RatedBMember" xlink:to="label_RatedBMember_3" xlink:title="label: RatedBMember to label_RatedBMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_RatedCCCMember" xlink:label="RatedCCCMember" xlink:title="RatedCCCMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RatedCCCMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_RatedCCCMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RatedCCCMember">Represents the CCC credit rating as defined by one or more rating agencies.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RatedCCCMember" xlink:to="label_RatedCCCMember" xlink:title="label: RatedCCCMember to label_RatedCCCMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RatedCCCMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_RatedCCCMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RatedCCCMember_2">Rated CCC</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RatedCCCMember" xlink:to="label_RatedCCCMember_2" xlink:title="label: RatedCCCMember to label_RatedCCCMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RatedCCCMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_RatedCCCMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RatedCCCMember_3">Rated CCC [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RatedCCCMember" xlink:to="label_RatedCCCMember_3" xlink:title="label: RatedCCCMember to label_RatedCCCMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_RatedCCMember" xlink:label="RatedCCMember" xlink:title="RatedCCMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RatedCCMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_RatedCCMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RatedCCMember">Rated CC [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RatedCCMember" xlink:to="label_RatedCCMember" xlink:title="label: RatedCCMember to label_RatedCCMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RatedCCMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_RatedCCMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RatedCCMember_2">Represents the CC credit rating as defined by one or more rating agencies.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RatedCCMember" xlink:to="label_RatedCCMember_2" xlink:title="label: RatedCCMember to label_RatedCCMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RatedCCMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_RatedCCMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RatedCCMember_3">Rated CC</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RatedCCMember" xlink:to="label_RatedCCMember_3" xlink:title="label: RatedCCMember to label_RatedCCMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_RatedCMember" xlink:label="RatedCMember" xlink:title="RatedCMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RatedCMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_RatedCMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RatedCMember">Rated C [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RatedCMember" xlink:to="label_RatedCMember" xlink:title="label: RatedCMember to label_RatedCMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RatedCMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_RatedCMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RatedCMember_2">Represents the C credit rating as defined by one or more rating agencies.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RatedCMember" xlink:to="label_RatedCMember_2" xlink:title="label: RatedCMember to label_RatedCMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RatedCMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_RatedCMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RatedCMember_3">Rated C</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RatedCMember" xlink:to="label_RatedCMember_3" xlink:title="label: RatedCMember to label_RatedCMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_RatedDMember" xlink:label="RatedDMember" xlink:title="RatedDMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RatedDMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_RatedDMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RatedDMember">Rated D [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RatedDMember" xlink:to="label_RatedDMember" xlink:title="label: RatedDMember to label_RatedDMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RatedDMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_RatedDMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RatedDMember_2">Represents the D credit rating as defined by one or more rating agencies.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RatedDMember" xlink:to="label_RatedDMember_2" xlink:title="label: RatedDMember to label_RatedDMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RatedDMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_RatedDMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RatedDMember_3">D-rated</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RatedDMember" xlink:to="label_RatedDMember_3" xlink:title="label: RatedDMember to label_RatedDMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_RatedNonAgencyMBSMember" xlink:label="RatedNonAgencyMBSMember" xlink:title="RatedNonAgencyMBSMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RatedNonAgencyMBSMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_RatedNonAgencyMBSMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RatedNonAgencyMBSMember">Rated Non Agency MBS [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RatedNonAgencyMBSMember" xlink:to="label_RatedNonAgencyMBSMember" xlink:title="label: RatedNonAgencyMBSMember to label_RatedNonAgencyMBSMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RatedNonAgencyMBSMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_RatedNonAgencyMBSMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RatedNonAgencyMBSMember_2">Represents mezzanine non-agency mortgage backed securities with various S &amp; P ratings acquired by the entity as part of a resecuritization transaction.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RatedNonAgencyMBSMember" xlink:to="label_RatedNonAgencyMBSMember_2" xlink:title="label: RatedNonAgencyMBSMember to label_RatedNonAgencyMBSMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RatedNonAgencyMBSMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_RatedNonAgencyMBSMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RatedNonAgencyMBSMember_3">Mezzanine Non-Agency MBS with S and P ratings</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RatedNonAgencyMBSMember" xlink:to="label_RatedNonAgencyMBSMember_3" xlink:title="label: RatedNonAgencyMBSMember to label_RatedNonAgencyMBSMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_RealEstateAggregateSalesPrice" xlink:label="RealEstateAggregateSalesPrice" xlink:title="RealEstateAggregateSalesPrice" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RealEstateAggregateSalesPrice" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_RealEstateAggregateSalesPrice" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RealEstateAggregateSalesPrice">Represents the aggregate sales price of real estate properties sold or agreed to be sold by the entity.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RealEstateAggregateSalesPrice" xlink:to="label_RealEstateAggregateSalesPrice" xlink:title="label: RealEstateAggregateSalesPrice to label_RealEstateAggregateSalesPrice" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RealEstateAggregateSalesPrice_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_RealEstateAggregateSalesPrice" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RealEstateAggregateSalesPrice_2">Real Estate Aggregate Sales Price</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RealEstateAggregateSalesPrice" xlink:to="label_RealEstateAggregateSalesPrice_2" xlink:title="label: RealEstateAggregateSalesPrice to label_RealEstateAggregateSalesPrice" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RealEstateAggregateSalesPrice_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_RealEstateAggregateSalesPrice" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RealEstateAggregateSalesPrice_3">Approximate sale price of the property to be sold</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RealEstateAggregateSalesPrice" xlink:to="label_RealEstateAggregateSalesPrice_3" xlink:title="label: RealEstateAggregateSalesPrice to label_RealEstateAggregateSalesPrice" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_RealEstateInvestmentFurnitureAndFixturesMember" xlink:label="RealEstateInvestmentFurnitureAndFixturesMember" xlink:title="RealEstateInvestmentFurnitureAndFixturesMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RealEstateInvestmentFurnitureAndFixturesMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_RealEstateInvestmentFurnitureAndFixturesMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RealEstateInvestmentFurnitureAndFixturesMember">Furniture and fixtures</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RealEstateInvestmentFurnitureAndFixturesMember" xlink:to="label_RealEstateInvestmentFurnitureAndFixturesMember" xlink:title="label: RealEstateInvestmentFurnitureAndFixturesMember to label_RealEstateInvestmentFurnitureAndFixturesMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RealEstateInvestmentFurnitureAndFixturesMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_RealEstateInvestmentFurnitureAndFixturesMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RealEstateInvestmentFurnitureAndFixturesMember_2">Represents furniture and fixtures for real estate investment property.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RealEstateInvestmentFurnitureAndFixturesMember" xlink:to="label_RealEstateInvestmentFurnitureAndFixturesMember_2" xlink:title="label: RealEstateInvestmentFurnitureAndFixturesMember to label_RealEstateInvestmentFurnitureAndFixturesMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RealEstateInvestmentFurnitureAndFixturesMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_RealEstateInvestmentFurnitureAndFixturesMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RealEstateInvestmentFurnitureAndFixturesMember_3">Real Estate Investment Furniture and Fixtures [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RealEstateInvestmentFurnitureAndFixturesMember" xlink:to="label_RealEstateInvestmentFurnitureAndFixturesMember_3" xlink:title="label: RealEstateInvestmentFurnitureAndFixturesMember to label_RealEstateInvestmentFurnitureAndFixturesMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_RealEstateMortgageInterestAndPrepaymentPenalty" xlink:label="RealEstateMortgageInterestAndPrepaymentPenalty" xlink:title="RealEstateMortgageInterestAndPrepaymentPenalty" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RealEstateMortgageInterestAndPrepaymentPenalty" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_RealEstateMortgageInterestAndPrepaymentPenalty" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RealEstateMortgageInterestAndPrepaymentPenalty">Real Estate, Mortgage Interest and Prepayment Penalty</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RealEstateMortgageInterestAndPrepaymentPenalty" xlink:to="label_RealEstateMortgageInterestAndPrepaymentPenalty" xlink:title="label: RealEstateMortgageInterestAndPrepaymentPenalty to label_RealEstateMortgageInterestAndPrepaymentPenalty" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RealEstateMortgageInterestAndPrepaymentPenalty_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel" xlink:title="label_RealEstateMortgageInterestAndPrepaymentPenalty" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RealEstateMortgageInterestAndPrepaymentPenalty_2">Mortgage interest expense and prepayment penalty</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RealEstateMortgageInterestAndPrepaymentPenalty" xlink:to="label_RealEstateMortgageInterestAndPrepaymentPenalty_2" xlink:title="label: RealEstateMortgageInterestAndPrepaymentPenalty to label_RealEstateMortgageInterestAndPrepaymentPenalty" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RealEstateMortgageInterestAndPrepaymentPenalty_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_RealEstateMortgageInterestAndPrepaymentPenalty" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RealEstateMortgageInterestAndPrepaymentPenalty_3">Represents the mortgage interest and prepayment penalty recognized for real estate operations during the reporting period that is nonoperating in nature.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RealEstateMortgageInterestAndPrepaymentPenalty" xlink:to="label_RealEstateMortgageInterestAndPrepaymentPenalty_3" xlink:title="label: RealEstateMortgageInterestAndPrepaymentPenalty to label_RealEstateMortgageInterestAndPrepaymentPenalty" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_RealEstateNetIncomeLoss" xlink:label="RealEstateNetIncomeLoss" xlink:title="RealEstateNetIncomeLoss" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RealEstateNetIncomeLoss" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_RealEstateNetIncomeLoss" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RealEstateNetIncomeLoss">Represents the profit or loss for the period for real estate operations.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RealEstateNetIncomeLoss" xlink:to="label_RealEstateNetIncomeLoss" xlink:title="label: RealEstateNetIncomeLoss to label_RealEstateNetIncomeLoss" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RealEstateNetIncomeLoss_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_RealEstateNetIncomeLoss" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RealEstateNetIncomeLoss_2">Real Estate Net Income (Loss)</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RealEstateNetIncomeLoss" xlink:to="label_RealEstateNetIncomeLoss_2" xlink:title="label: RealEstateNetIncomeLoss to label_RealEstateNetIncomeLoss" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RealEstateNetIncomeLoss_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel" xlink:title="label_RealEstateNetIncomeLoss" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RealEstateNetIncomeLoss_3">Gain from real estate operation, net</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RealEstateNetIncomeLoss" xlink:to="label_RealEstateNetIncomeLoss_3" xlink:title="label: RealEstateNetIncomeLoss to label_RealEstateNetIncomeLoss" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_RealEstateOperatingExpenseAndMortgageInterest" xlink:label="RealEstateOperatingExpenseAndMortgageInterest" xlink:title="RealEstateOperatingExpenseAndMortgageInterest" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RealEstateOperatingExpenseAndMortgageInterest" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_RealEstateOperatingExpenseAndMortgageInterest" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RealEstateOperatingExpenseAndMortgageInterest">Real Estate, Operating Expense and Mortgage Interest</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RealEstateOperatingExpenseAndMortgageInterest" xlink:to="label_RealEstateOperatingExpenseAndMortgageInterest" xlink:title="label: RealEstateOperatingExpenseAndMortgageInterest to label_RealEstateOperatingExpenseAndMortgageInterest" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RealEstateOperatingExpenseAndMortgageInterest_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_RealEstateOperatingExpenseAndMortgageInterest" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RealEstateOperatingExpenseAndMortgageInterest_2">Real estate held-for-sale operating expense</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RealEstateOperatingExpenseAndMortgageInterest" xlink:to="label_RealEstateOperatingExpenseAndMortgageInterest_2" xlink:title="label: RealEstateOperatingExpenseAndMortgageInterest to label_RealEstateOperatingExpenseAndMortgageInterest" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RealEstateOperatingExpenseAndMortgageInterest_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_RealEstateOperatingExpenseAndMortgageInterest" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RealEstateOperatingExpenseAndMortgageInterest_3">The aggregate real estate operating expense and mortgage interest from real estate operations during the reporting period that is nonoperating in nature.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RealEstateOperatingExpenseAndMortgageInterest" xlink:to="label_RealEstateOperatingExpenseAndMortgageInterest_3" xlink:title="label: RealEstateOperatingExpenseAndMortgageInterest to label_RealEstateOperatingExpenseAndMortgageInterest" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity" xlink:label="RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity" xlink:title="RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity">Threshold percent of stockholders' equity at risk with single counterparty to repurchase agreements or Linked Transactions</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity" xlink:to="label_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity" xlink:title="label: RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity to label_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity_2">Represents the percentage of stockholders' equity at risk with respect to repurchase agreements with any single counterparty, used as a threshold for disclosure.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity" xlink:to="label_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity_2" xlink:title="label: RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity to label_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity_3">Repurchase Agreement Counterparty, Risk as Percentage of Stockholders' Equity</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity" xlink:to="label_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity_3" xlink:title="label: RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity to label_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskMinimumAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity" xlink:label="RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskMinimumAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity" xlink:title="RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskMinimumAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskMinimumAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskMinimumAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskMinimumAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity">Represents the minimum percentage of stockholders' equity at risk with respect to repurchase agreements with any single counterparty.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskMinimumAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity" xlink:to="label_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskMinimumAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity" xlink:title="label: RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskMinimumAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity to label_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskMinimumAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskMinimumAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskMinimumAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskMinimumAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity_2">Repurchase Agreement Counterparty, Risk Minimum as Percentage of Stockholders' Equity</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskMinimumAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity" xlink:to="label_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskMinimumAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity_2" xlink:title="label: RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskMinimumAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity to label_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskMinimumAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskMinimumAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskMinimumAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskMinimumAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity_3">Counterparty risk as percent of Stockholders' Equity, minimum</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskMinimumAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity" xlink:to="label_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskMinimumAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity_3" xlink:title="label: RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskMinimumAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity to label_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyRiskMinimumAsPercentageOfStockholdersEquity" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_RepurchaseAgreementMember" xlink:label="RepurchaseAgreementMember" xlink:title="RepurchaseAgreementMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RepurchaseAgreementMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_RepurchaseAgreementMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RepurchaseAgreementMember">Repurchase Agreement [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementMember" xlink:to="label_RepurchaseAgreementMember" xlink:title="label: RepurchaseAgreementMember to label_RepurchaseAgreementMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RepurchaseAgreementMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_RepurchaseAgreementMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RepurchaseAgreementMember_2">Represents repurchase agreements under which the entity has borrowed funds.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementMember" xlink:to="label_RepurchaseAgreementMember_2" xlink:title="label: RepurchaseAgreementMember to label_RepurchaseAgreementMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RepurchaseAgreementMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_RepurchaseAgreementMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RepurchaseAgreementMember_3">Repurchase Agreement Borrowings</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementMember" xlink:to="label_RepurchaseAgreementMember_3" xlink:title="label: RepurchaseAgreementMember to label_RepurchaseAgreementMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_RepurchaseAgreementRecordedUponDeLinking" xlink:label="RepurchaseAgreementRecordedUponDeLinking" xlink:title="RepurchaseAgreementRecordedUponDeLinking" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RepurchaseAgreementRecordedUponDeLinking" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_RepurchaseAgreementRecordedUponDeLinking" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RepurchaseAgreementRecordedUponDeLinking">Repurchase agreements recorded upon de-linking of Linked Transactions</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementRecordedUponDeLinking" xlink:to="label_RepurchaseAgreementRecordedUponDeLinking" xlink:title="label: RepurchaseAgreementRecordedUponDeLinking to label_RepurchaseAgreementRecordedUponDeLinking" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RepurchaseAgreementRecordedUponDeLinking_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_RepurchaseAgreementRecordedUponDeLinking" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RepurchaseAgreementRecordedUponDeLinking_2">Repurchase Agreements Recorded upon De-Linking</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementRecordedUponDeLinking" xlink:to="label_RepurchaseAgreementRecordedUponDeLinking_2" xlink:title="label: RepurchaseAgreementRecordedUponDeLinking to label_RepurchaseAgreementRecordedUponDeLinking" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RepurchaseAgreementRecordedUponDeLinking_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_RepurchaseAgreementRecordedUponDeLinking" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RepurchaseAgreementRecordedUponDeLinking_3">This element represents the noncash investing or financing activities arising due to repurchase agreements recorded upon de-linking of linked transactions.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementRecordedUponDeLinking" xlink:to="label_RepurchaseAgreementRecordedUponDeLinking_3" xlink:title="label: RepurchaseAgreementRecordedUponDeLinking to label_RepurchaseAgreementRecordedUponDeLinking" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_RepurchaseAgreementsDisclosureAbstract" xlink:label="RepurchaseAgreementsDisclosureAbstract" xlink:title="RepurchaseAgreementsDisclosureAbstract" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RepurchaseAgreementsDisclosureAbstract" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_RepurchaseAgreementsDisclosureAbstract" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RepurchaseAgreementsDisclosureAbstract">Repurchase Agreements</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementsDisclosureAbstract" xlink:to="label_RepurchaseAgreementsDisclosureAbstract" xlink:title="label: RepurchaseAgreementsDisclosureAbstract to label_RepurchaseAgreementsDisclosureAbstract" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_RepurchaseAgreementsEffectiveRepricingPeriod" xlink:label="RepurchaseAgreementsEffectiveRepricingPeriod" xlink:title="RepurchaseAgreementsEffectiveRepricingPeriod" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RepurchaseAgreementsEffectiveRepricingPeriod" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_RepurchaseAgreementsEffectiveRepricingPeriod" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RepurchaseAgreementsEffectiveRepricingPeriod">Repurchase Agreements Effective Repricing Period</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementsEffectiveRepricingPeriod" xlink:to="label_RepurchaseAgreementsEffectiveRepricingPeriod" xlink:title="label: RepurchaseAgreementsEffectiveRepricingPeriod to label_RepurchaseAgreementsEffectiveRepricingPeriod" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RepurchaseAgreementsEffectiveRepricingPeriod_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_RepurchaseAgreementsEffectiveRepricingPeriod" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RepurchaseAgreementsEffectiveRepricingPeriod_2">Effective repricing period</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementsEffectiveRepricingPeriod" xlink:to="label_RepurchaseAgreementsEffectiveRepricingPeriod_2" xlink:title="label: RepurchaseAgreementsEffectiveRepricingPeriod to label_RepurchaseAgreementsEffectiveRepricingPeriod" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RepurchaseAgreementsEffectiveRepricingPeriod_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_RepurchaseAgreementsEffectiveRepricingPeriod" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RepurchaseAgreementsEffectiveRepricingPeriod_3">Represents the effective repricing period of the entity's repurchase agreements, including the impact of swaps that hedge the related borrowings.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementsEffectiveRepricingPeriod" xlink:to="label_RepurchaseAgreementsEffectiveRepricingPeriod_3" xlink:title="label: RepurchaseAgreementsEffectiveRepricingPeriod to label_RepurchaseAgreementsEffectiveRepricingPeriod" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodHighEndOfRange" xlink:label="RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodHighEndOfRange" xlink:title="RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodHighEndOfRange" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodHighEndOfRange" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodHighEndOfRange" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodHighEndOfRange">Repurchase financing period, high end of range</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodHighEndOfRange" xlink:to="label_RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodHighEndOfRange" xlink:title="label: RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodHighEndOfRange to label_RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodHighEndOfRange" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodHighEndOfRange_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodHighEndOfRange" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodHighEndOfRange_2">Represents the high end of the range of the typical period for repurchase financing agreements.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodHighEndOfRange" xlink:to="label_RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodHighEndOfRange_2" xlink:title="label: RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodHighEndOfRange to label_RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodHighEndOfRange" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodHighEndOfRange_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodHighEndOfRange" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodHighEndOfRange_3">Repurchase Agreements Financing Period, High End of Range</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodHighEndOfRange" xlink:to="label_RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodHighEndOfRange_3" xlink:title="label: RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodHighEndOfRange to label_RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodHighEndOfRange" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodLowEndOfRange" xlink:label="RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodLowEndOfRange" xlink:title="RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodLowEndOfRange" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodLowEndOfRange" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodLowEndOfRange" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodLowEndOfRange">Repurchase Agreements Financing Period, Low End of Range</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodLowEndOfRange" xlink:to="label_RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodLowEndOfRange" xlink:title="label: RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodLowEndOfRange to label_RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodLowEndOfRange" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodLowEndOfRange_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodLowEndOfRange" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodLowEndOfRange_2">Repurchase financing period, low end of range</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodLowEndOfRange" xlink:to="label_RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodLowEndOfRange_2" xlink:title="label: RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodLowEndOfRange to label_RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodLowEndOfRange" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodLowEndOfRange_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodLowEndOfRange" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodLowEndOfRange_3">Represents the low end of the range of the typical period for repurchase financing agreements.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodLowEndOfRange" xlink:to="label_RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodLowEndOfRange_3" xlink:title="label: RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodLowEndOfRange to label_RepurchaseAgreementsFinancingPeriodLowEndOfRange" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransaction" xlink:label="RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransaction" xlink:title="RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransaction" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransaction" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransaction" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransaction">Repurchase Agreements MBS Linked Transaction</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransaction" xlink:to="label_RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransaction" xlink:title="label: RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransaction to label_RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransaction" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransaction_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransaction" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransaction_2">Linked repurchase agreements</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransaction" xlink:to="label_RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransaction_2" xlink:title="label: RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransaction to label_RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransaction" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransaction_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransaction" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransaction_3">Represents the carrying value as of the balance sheet date of repurchase financing agreements related to MBS purchases, which are accounted for as forward purchase agreements and are netted against the carrying value of the associated MBS.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransaction" xlink:to="label_RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransaction_3" xlink:title="label: RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransaction to label_RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransaction" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransaction_4" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel" xlink:title="label_RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransaction" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransaction_4">Balance</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransaction" xlink:to="label_RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransaction_4" xlink:title="label: RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransaction to label_RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransaction" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransactionAbstract" xlink:label="RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransactionAbstract" xlink:title="RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransactionAbstract" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransactionAbstract" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransactionAbstract" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransactionAbstract">Repurchase Agreements, MBS Linked Transaction [Abstract]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransactionAbstract" xlink:to="label_RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransactionAbstract" xlink:title="label: RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransactionAbstract to label_RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransactionAbstract" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransactionAbstract_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransactionAbstract" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransactionAbstract_2">Linked Repurchase Agreements</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransactionAbstract" xlink:to="label_RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransactionAbstract_2" xlink:title="label: RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransactionAbstract to label_RepurchaseAgreementsMBSLinkedTransactionAbstract" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_RepurchaseAgreementsMaximumLoanFromSingleLenderExpressedInMultipleOfStockholdersEquity" xlink:label="RepurchaseAgreementsMaximumLoanFromSingleLenderExpressedInMultipleOfStockholdersEquity" xlink:title="RepurchaseAgreementsMaximumLoanFromSingleLenderExpressedInMultipleOfStockholdersEquity" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RepurchaseAgreementsMaximumLoanFromSingleLenderExpressedInMultipleOfStockholdersEquity" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_RepurchaseAgreementsMaximumLoanFromSingleLenderExpressedInMultipleOfStockholdersEquity" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RepurchaseAgreementsMaximumLoanFromSingleLenderExpressedInMultipleOfStockholdersEquity">Maximum repurchase agreement loan from any lender expressed in multiples of stockholders' equity</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementsMaximumLoanFromSingleLenderExpressedInMultipleOfStockholdersEquity" xlink:to="label_RepurchaseAgreementsMaximumLoanFromSingleLenderExpressedInMultipleOfStockholdersEquity" xlink:title="label: RepurchaseAgreementsMaximumLoanFromSingleLenderExpressedInMultipleOfStockholdersEquity to label_RepurchaseAgreementsMaximumLoanFromSingleLenderExpressedInMultipleOfStockholdersEquity" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RepurchaseAgreementsMaximumLoanFromSingleLenderExpressedInMultipleOfStockholdersEquity_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_RepurchaseAgreementsMaximumLoanFromSingleLenderExpressedInMultipleOfStockholdersEquity" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RepurchaseAgreementsMaximumLoanFromSingleLenderExpressedInMultipleOfStockholdersEquity_2">Represents the maximum loan that the entity can receive from a single lender under repurchase agreements. It is expressed as multiple of the entity's stockholders' equity.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementsMaximumLoanFromSingleLenderExpressedInMultipleOfStockholdersEquity" xlink:to="label_RepurchaseAgreementsMaximumLoanFromSingleLenderExpressedInMultipleOfStockholdersEquity_2" xlink:title="label: RepurchaseAgreementsMaximumLoanFromSingleLenderExpressedInMultipleOfStockholdersEquity to label_RepurchaseAgreementsMaximumLoanFromSingleLenderExpressedInMultipleOfStockholdersEquity" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RepurchaseAgreementsMaximumLoanFromSingleLenderExpressedInMultipleOfStockholdersEquity_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_RepurchaseAgreementsMaximumLoanFromSingleLenderExpressedInMultipleOfStockholdersEquity" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RepurchaseAgreementsMaximumLoanFromSingleLenderExpressedInMultipleOfStockholdersEquity_3">Repurchase Agreements, Maximum Loan from Single Lender Expressed in Multiple of Stockholders' Equity</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementsMaximumLoanFromSingleLenderExpressedInMultipleOfStockholdersEquity" xlink:to="label_RepurchaseAgreementsMaximumLoanFromSingleLenderExpressedInMultipleOfStockholdersEquity_3" xlink:title="label: RepurchaseAgreementsMaximumLoanFromSingleLenderExpressedInMultipleOfStockholdersEquity to label_RepurchaseAgreementsMaximumLoanFromSingleLenderExpressedInMultipleOfStockholdersEquity" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_RepurchaseAgreementsNumberOfCounterparties" xlink:label="RepurchaseAgreementsNumberOfCounterparties" xlink:title="RepurchaseAgreementsNumberOfCounterparties" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RepurchaseAgreementsNumberOfCounterparties" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_RepurchaseAgreementsNumberOfCounterparties" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RepurchaseAgreementsNumberOfCounterparties">Repurchase Agreements Number of Counterparties</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementsNumberOfCounterparties" xlink:to="label_RepurchaseAgreementsNumberOfCounterparties" xlink:title="label: RepurchaseAgreementsNumberOfCounterparties to label_RepurchaseAgreementsNumberOfCounterparties" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RepurchaseAgreementsNumberOfCounterparties_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_RepurchaseAgreementsNumberOfCounterparties" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RepurchaseAgreementsNumberOfCounterparties_2">Number of counterparties</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementsNumberOfCounterparties" xlink:to="label_RepurchaseAgreementsNumberOfCounterparties_2" xlink:title="label: RepurchaseAgreementsNumberOfCounterparties to label_RepurchaseAgreementsNumberOfCounterparties" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RepurchaseAgreementsNumberOfCounterparties_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_RepurchaseAgreementsNumberOfCounterparties" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RepurchaseAgreementsNumberOfCounterparties_3">Represents the number of parties with whom the entity had repurchase agreements on the balance sheet date.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementsNumberOfCounterparties" xlink:to="label_RepurchaseAgreementsNumberOfCounterparties_3" xlink:title="label: RepurchaseAgreementsNumberOfCounterparties to label_RepurchaseAgreementsNumberOfCounterparties" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_RepurchaseAgreementsTerminatedAmount" xlink:label="RepurchaseAgreementsTerminatedAmount" xlink:title="RepurchaseAgreementsTerminatedAmount" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RepurchaseAgreementsTerminatedAmount" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_RepurchaseAgreementsTerminatedAmount" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RepurchaseAgreementsTerminatedAmount">Repurchase Agreements Terminated Amount</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementsTerminatedAmount" xlink:to="label_RepurchaseAgreementsTerminatedAmount" xlink:title="label: RepurchaseAgreementsTerminatedAmount to label_RepurchaseAgreementsTerminatedAmount" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RepurchaseAgreementsTerminatedAmount_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_RepurchaseAgreementsTerminatedAmount" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RepurchaseAgreementsTerminatedAmount_2">Borrowings under repurchase agreements terminated</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementsTerminatedAmount" xlink:to="label_RepurchaseAgreementsTerminatedAmount_2" xlink:title="label: RepurchaseAgreementsTerminatedAmount to label_RepurchaseAgreementsTerminatedAmount" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RepurchaseAgreementsTerminatedAmount_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_RepurchaseAgreementsTerminatedAmount" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RepurchaseAgreementsTerminatedAmount_3">Represents amounts of borrowings under repurchase agreements that were terminated during the period.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementsTerminatedAmount" xlink:to="label_RepurchaseAgreementsTerminatedAmount_3" xlink:title="label: RepurchaseAgreementsTerminatedAmount to label_RepurchaseAgreementsTerminatedAmount" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_RepurchaseAgreementsWeightedAverageRemainingTermToInterestRateReset" xlink:label="RepurchaseAgreementsWeightedAverageRemainingTermToInterestRateReset" xlink:title="RepurchaseAgreementsWeightedAverageRemainingTermToInterestRateReset" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RepurchaseAgreementsWeightedAverageRemainingTermToInterestRateReset" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_RepurchaseAgreementsWeightedAverageRemainingTermToInterestRateReset" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RepurchaseAgreementsWeightedAverageRemainingTermToInterestRateReset">Weighted average remaining term-to-interest rate reset of borrowings under repurchase agreements</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementsWeightedAverageRemainingTermToInterestRateReset" xlink:to="label_RepurchaseAgreementsWeightedAverageRemainingTermToInterestRateReset" xlink:title="label: RepurchaseAgreementsWeightedAverageRemainingTermToInterestRateReset to label_RepurchaseAgreementsWeightedAverageRemainingTermToInterestRateReset" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RepurchaseAgreementsWeightedAverageRemainingTermToInterestRateReset_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_RepurchaseAgreementsWeightedAverageRemainingTermToInterestRateReset" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RepurchaseAgreementsWeightedAverageRemainingTermToInterestRateReset_2">Represents the weighted average period remaining before the rate of interest for repurchase agreements is reset.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementsWeightedAverageRemainingTermToInterestRateReset" xlink:to="label_RepurchaseAgreementsWeightedAverageRemainingTermToInterestRateReset_2" xlink:title="label: RepurchaseAgreementsWeightedAverageRemainingTermToInterestRateReset to label_RepurchaseAgreementsWeightedAverageRemainingTermToInterestRateReset" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RepurchaseAgreementsWeightedAverageRemainingTermToInterestRateReset_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_RepurchaseAgreementsWeightedAverageRemainingTermToInterestRateReset" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RepurchaseAgreementsWeightedAverageRemainingTermToInterestRateReset_3">Repurchase Agreements, Weighted Average Remaining Term to Interest Rate Reset</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RepurchaseAgreementsWeightedAverageRemainingTermToInterestRateReset" xlink:to="label_RepurchaseAgreementsWeightedAverageRemainingTermToInterestRateReset_3" xlink:title="label: RepurchaseAgreementsWeightedAverageRemainingTermToInterestRateReset to label_RepurchaseAgreementsWeightedAverageRemainingTermToInterestRateReset" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ResecuritizationOfNonAgencyMBSMember" xlink:label="ResecuritizationOfNonAgencyMBSMember" xlink:title="ResecuritizationOfNonAgencyMBSMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ResecuritizationOfNonAgencyMBSMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ResecuritizationOfNonAgencyMBSMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ResecuritizationOfNonAgencyMBSMember">Resecuritization of Non Agency MBS [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ResecuritizationOfNonAgencyMBSMember" xlink:to="label_ResecuritizationOfNonAgencyMBSMember" xlink:title="label: ResecuritizationOfNonAgencyMBSMember to label_ResecuritizationOfNonAgencyMBSMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ResecuritizationOfNonAgencyMBSMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ResecuritizationOfNonAgencyMBSMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ResecuritizationOfNonAgencyMBSMember_2">Resecuritization Of non,agency MBS</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ResecuritizationOfNonAgencyMBSMember" xlink:to="label_ResecuritizationOfNonAgencyMBSMember_2" xlink:title="label: ResecuritizationOfNonAgencyMBSMember to label_ResecuritizationOfNonAgencyMBSMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ResecuritizationOfNonAgencyMBSMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ResecuritizationOfNonAgencyMBSMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ResecuritizationOfNonAgencyMBSMember_3">Represents the information pertaining to resecuritization of non-agency MBS.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ResecuritizationOfNonAgencyMBSMember" xlink:to="label_ResecuritizationOfNonAgencyMBSMember_3" xlink:title="label: ResecuritizationOfNonAgencyMBSMember to label_ResecuritizationOfNonAgencyMBSMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_RestrictedCashMember" xlink:label="RestrictedCashMember" xlink:title="RestrictedCashMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RestrictedCashMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_RestrictedCashMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RestrictedCashMember">Restricted Cash [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RestrictedCashMember" xlink:to="label_RestrictedCashMember" xlink:title="label: RestrictedCashMember to label_RestrictedCashMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RestrictedCashMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_RestrictedCashMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RestrictedCashMember_2">Represents cash and cash equivalent items which are restricted as to withdrawal or usage. Restrictions may include legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or entity statements of intention with regard to particular deposits; however, time deposits and short-term certificates of deposit are not generally included in legally restricted deposits.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RestrictedCashMember" xlink:to="label_RestrictedCashMember_2" xlink:title="label: RestrictedCashMember to label_RestrictedCashMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RestrictedCashMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_RestrictedCashMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RestrictedCashMember_3">Restricted cash</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RestrictedCashMember" xlink:to="label_RestrictedCashMember_3" xlink:title="label: RestrictedCashMember to label_RestrictedCashMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_RestrictedStockAwardOtherThanAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate" xlink:label="RestrictedStockAwardOtherThanAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate" xlink:title="RestrictedStockAwardOtherThanAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RestrictedStockAwardOtherThanAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_RestrictedStockAwardOtherThanAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RestrictedStockAwardOtherThanAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate">Restricted Stock Award Other than Attached to RSUs Forfeiture Rate</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RestrictedStockAwardOtherThanAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate" xlink:to="label_RestrictedStockAwardOtherThanAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate" xlink:title="label: RestrictedStockAwardOtherThanAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate to label_RestrictedStockAwardOtherThanAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RestrictedStockAwardOtherThanAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_RestrictedStockAwardOtherThanAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RestrictedStockAwardOtherThanAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate_2">Represents the average forfeiture rate on DERs outstanding, that are other than those attached to restricted stock units.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RestrictedStockAwardOtherThanAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate" xlink:to="label_RestrictedStockAwardOtherThanAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate_2" xlink:title="label: RestrictedStockAwardOtherThanAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate to label_RestrictedStockAwardOtherThanAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RestrictedStockAwardOtherThanAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_RestrictedStockAwardOtherThanAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RestrictedStockAwardOtherThanAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate_3">Average forfeiture rate on DERs outstanding, other than attached to RSUs</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RestrictedStockAwardOtherThanAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate" xlink:to="label_RestrictedStockAwardOtherThanAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate_3" xlink:title="label: RestrictedStockAwardOtherThanAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate to label_RestrictedStockAwardOtherThanAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_RestrictedStockAwardThatAreAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate" xlink:label="RestrictedStockAwardThatAreAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate" xlink:title="RestrictedStockAwardThatAreAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RestrictedStockAwardThatAreAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_RestrictedStockAwardThatAreAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RestrictedStockAwardThatAreAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate">Restricted Stock Award that are Attached to RSUs for Future Rate</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RestrictedStockAwardThatAreAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate" xlink:to="label_RestrictedStockAwardThatAreAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate" xlink:title="label: RestrictedStockAwardThatAreAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate to label_RestrictedStockAwardThatAreAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RestrictedStockAwardThatAreAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_RestrictedStockAwardThatAreAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RestrictedStockAwardThatAreAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate_2">Represents the average forfeiture rate on DERs outstanding attached to restricted stock units.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RestrictedStockAwardThatAreAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate" xlink:to="label_RestrictedStockAwardThatAreAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate_2" xlink:title="label: RestrictedStockAwardThatAreAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate to label_RestrictedStockAwardThatAreAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RestrictedStockAwardThatAreAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_RestrictedStockAwardThatAreAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RestrictedStockAwardThatAreAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate_3">Average forfeiture rate on DERs outstanding attached to RSUs (as a percent)</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RestrictedStockAwardThatAreAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate" xlink:to="label_RestrictedStockAwardThatAreAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate_3" xlink:title="label: RestrictedStockAwardThatAreAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate to label_RestrictedStockAwardThatAreAttachedToRSUsForfeitureRate" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_RestrictedStockAwardsMember" xlink:label="RestrictedStockAwardsMember" xlink:title="RestrictedStockAwardsMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RestrictedStockAwardsMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_RestrictedStockAwardsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RestrictedStockAwardsMember">Restricted Stock</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RestrictedStockAwardsMember" xlink:to="label_RestrictedStockAwardsMember" xlink:title="label: RestrictedStockAwardsMember to label_RestrictedStockAwardsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RestrictedStockAwardsMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_RestrictedStockAwardsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RestrictedStockAwardsMember_2">Restricted Stock Awards [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RestrictedStockAwardsMember" xlink:to="label_RestrictedStockAwardsMember_2" xlink:title="label: RestrictedStockAwardsMember to label_RestrictedStockAwardsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RestrictedStockAwardsMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_RestrictedStockAwardsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RestrictedStockAwardsMember_3">Represents restricted common stock as awarded by a company to their employees as a form of incentive compensation.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RestrictedStockAwardsMember" xlink:to="label_RestrictedStockAwardsMember_3" xlink:title="label: RestrictedStockAwardsMember to label_RestrictedStockAwardsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithMarketAndServiceConditionsMember" xlink:label="RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithMarketAndServiceConditionsMember" xlink:title="RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithMarketAndServiceConditionsMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithMarketAndServiceConditionsMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithMarketAndServiceConditionsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithMarketAndServiceConditionsMember">Restricted Stock Units RSU with Market and Service Conditions [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithMarketAndServiceConditionsMember" xlink:to="label_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithMarketAndServiceConditionsMember" xlink:title="label: RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithMarketAndServiceConditionsMember to label_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithMarketAndServiceConditionsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithMarketAndServiceConditionsMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithMarketAndServiceConditionsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithMarketAndServiceConditionsMember_2">RSUs With Market and Service Conditions</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithMarketAndServiceConditionsMember" xlink:to="label_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithMarketAndServiceConditionsMember_2" xlink:title="label: RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithMarketAndServiceConditionsMember to label_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithMarketAndServiceConditionsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithMarketAndServiceConditionsMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithMarketAndServiceConditionsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithMarketAndServiceConditionsMember_3">Represents the restricted stock units with market and service conditions as awarded by the company to their employees as a form of incentive compensation.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithMarketAndServiceConditionsMember" xlink:to="label_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithMarketAndServiceConditionsMember_3" xlink:title="label: RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithMarketAndServiceConditionsMember to label_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithMarketAndServiceConditionsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithServiceConditionsMember" xlink:label="RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithServiceConditionsMember" xlink:title="RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithServiceConditionsMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithServiceConditionsMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithServiceConditionsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithServiceConditionsMember">Restricted Stock Units RSU with Service Conditions [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithServiceConditionsMember" xlink:to="label_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithServiceConditionsMember" xlink:title="label: RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithServiceConditionsMember to label_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithServiceConditionsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithServiceConditionsMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithServiceConditionsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithServiceConditionsMember_2">RSUs With Service Condition</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithServiceConditionsMember" xlink:to="label_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithServiceConditionsMember_2" xlink:title="label: RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithServiceConditionsMember to label_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithServiceConditionsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithServiceConditionsMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithServiceConditionsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithServiceConditionsMember_3">Represents the restricted stock units with service conditions as awarded by the company to their employees as a form of incentive compensation.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithServiceConditionsMember" xlink:to="label_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithServiceConditionsMember_3" xlink:title="label: RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithServiceConditionsMember to label_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUWithServiceConditionsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ReverseRepurchaseAgreementsMember" xlink:label="ReverseRepurchaseAgreementsMember" xlink:title="ReverseRepurchaseAgreementsMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ReverseRepurchaseAgreementsMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ReverseRepurchaseAgreementsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ReverseRepurchaseAgreementsMember">Reverse Repurchase Agreements [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ReverseRepurchaseAgreementsMember" xlink:to="label_ReverseRepurchaseAgreementsMember" xlink:title="label: ReverseRepurchaseAgreementsMember to label_ReverseRepurchaseAgreementsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ReverseRepurchaseAgreementsMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ReverseRepurchaseAgreementsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ReverseRepurchaseAgreementsMember_2">Reverse Repurchase Agreements:</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ReverseRepurchaseAgreementsMember" xlink:to="label_ReverseRepurchaseAgreementsMember_2" xlink:title="label: ReverseRepurchaseAgreementsMember to label_ReverseRepurchaseAgreementsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ReverseRepurchaseAgreementsMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ReverseRepurchaseAgreementsMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ReverseRepurchaseAgreementsMember_3">Represents an agreement in which the securities are purchased to be resold in the reverse repurchase transactions.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ReverseRepurchaseAgreementsMember" xlink:to="label_ReverseRepurchaseAgreementsMember_3" xlink:title="label: ReverseRepurchaseAgreementsMember to label_ReverseRepurchaseAgreementsMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_SavingsPlanMember" xlink:label="SavingsPlanMember" xlink:title="SavingsPlanMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_SavingsPlanMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_SavingsPlanMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_SavingsPlanMember">Savings Plan [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="SavingsPlanMember" xlink:to="label_SavingsPlanMember" xlink:title="label: SavingsPlanMember to label_SavingsPlanMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_SavingsPlanMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_SavingsPlanMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_SavingsPlanMember_2">Represents the tax-qualified employee savings plan sponsored by the entity.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="SavingsPlanMember" xlink:to="label_SavingsPlanMember_2" xlink:title="label: SavingsPlanMember to label_SavingsPlanMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_SavingsPlanMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_SavingsPlanMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_SavingsPlanMember_3">Savings Plan</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="SavingsPlanMember" xlink:to="label_SavingsPlanMember_3" xlink:title="label: SavingsPlanMember to label_SavingsPlanMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ScheduleOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMortgageBackedSecuritiesTableTextBlock" xlink:label="ScheduleOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMortgageBackedSecuritiesTableTextBlock" xlink:title="ScheduleOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMortgageBackedSecuritiesTableTextBlock" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ScheduleOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMortgageBackedSecuritiesTableTextBlock" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ScheduleOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMortgageBackedSecuritiesTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ScheduleOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMortgageBackedSecuritiesTableTextBlock">Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Mortgage Backed Securities [Table Text Block]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ScheduleOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMortgageBackedSecuritiesTableTextBlock" xlink:to="label_ScheduleOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMortgageBackedSecuritiesTableTextBlock" xlink:title="label: ScheduleOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMortgageBackedSecuritiesTableTextBlock to label_ScheduleOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMortgageBackedSecuritiesTableTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ScheduleOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMortgageBackedSecuritiesTableTextBlock_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ScheduleOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMortgageBackedSecuritiesTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ScheduleOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMortgageBackedSecuritiesTableTextBlock_2">Schedule of impact of MBS on accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ScheduleOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMortgageBackedSecuritiesTableTextBlock" xlink:to="label_ScheduleOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMortgageBackedSecuritiesTableTextBlock_2" xlink:title="label: ScheduleOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMortgageBackedSecuritiesTableTextBlock to label_ScheduleOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMortgageBackedSecuritiesTableTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ScheduleOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMortgageBackedSecuritiesTableTextBlock_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ScheduleOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMortgageBackedSecuritiesTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ScheduleOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMortgageBackedSecuritiesTableTextBlock_3">Tabular disclosure of the impact of available-for-sale securities on accumulated other comprehensive income.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ScheduleOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMortgageBackedSecuritiesTableTextBlock" xlink:to="label_ScheduleOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMortgageBackedSecuritiesTableTextBlock_3" xlink:title="label: ScheduleOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMortgageBackedSecuritiesTableTextBlock to label_ScheduleOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMortgageBackedSecuritiesTableTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ScheduleOfBorrowingsUnderRepurchaseAgreementsAndAssetsPledgedAsCollateralTableTextBlock" xlink:label="ScheduleOfBorrowingsUnderRepurchaseAgreementsAndAssetsPledgedAsCollateralTableTextBlock" xlink:title="ScheduleOfBorrowingsUnderRepurchaseAgreementsAndAssetsPledgedAsCollateralTableTextBlock" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ScheduleOfBorrowingsUnderRepurchaseAgreementsAndAssetsPledgedAsCollateralTableTextBlock" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ScheduleOfBorrowingsUnderRepurchaseAgreementsAndAssetsPledgedAsCollateralTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ScheduleOfBorrowingsUnderRepurchaseAgreementsAndAssetsPledgedAsCollateralTableTextBlock">Tabular disclosure of information pertaining to the company's borrowings under repurchase agreements and associated assets pledged as collateral.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ScheduleOfBorrowingsUnderRepurchaseAgreementsAndAssetsPledgedAsCollateralTableTextBlock" xlink:to="label_ScheduleOfBorrowingsUnderRepurchaseAgreementsAndAssetsPledgedAsCollateralTableTextBlock" xlink:title="label: ScheduleOfBorrowingsUnderRepurchaseAgreementsAndAssetsPledgedAsCollateralTableTextBlock to label_ScheduleOfBorrowingsUnderRepurchaseAgreementsAndAssetsPledgedAsCollateralTableTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ScheduleOfBorrowingsUnderRepurchaseAgreementsAndAssetsPledgedAsCollateralTableTextBlock_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ScheduleOfBorrowingsUnderRepurchaseAgreementsAndAssetsPledgedAsCollateralTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ScheduleOfBorrowingsUnderRepurchaseAgreementsAndAssetsPledgedAsCollateralTableTextBlock_2">Schedule of Borrowings under Repurchase Agreements and Assets Pledged as Collateral [Table Text Block]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ScheduleOfBorrowingsUnderRepurchaseAgreementsAndAssetsPledgedAsCollateralTableTextBlock" xlink:to="label_ScheduleOfBorrowingsUnderRepurchaseAgreementsAndAssetsPledgedAsCollateralTableTextBlock_2" xlink:title="label: ScheduleOfBorrowingsUnderRepurchaseAgreementsAndAssetsPledgedAsCollateralTableTextBlock to label_ScheduleOfBorrowingsUnderRepurchaseAgreementsAndAssetsPledgedAsCollateralTableTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ScheduleOfBorrowingsUnderRepurchaseAgreementsAndAssetsPledgedAsCollateralTableTextBlock_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ScheduleOfBorrowingsUnderRepurchaseAgreementsAndAssetsPledgedAsCollateralTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ScheduleOfBorrowingsUnderRepurchaseAgreementsAndAssetsPledgedAsCollateralTableTextBlock_3">Schedule of Company's borrowings under repurchase agreements and associated assets pledged as collateral</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ScheduleOfBorrowingsUnderRepurchaseAgreementsAndAssetsPledgedAsCollateralTableTextBlock" xlink:to="label_ScheduleOfBorrowingsUnderRepurchaseAgreementsAndAssetsPledgedAsCollateralTableTextBlock_3" xlink:title="label: ScheduleOfBorrowingsUnderRepurchaseAgreementsAndAssetsPledgedAsCollateralTableTextBlock to label_ScheduleOfBorrowingsUnderRepurchaseAgreementsAndAssetsPledgedAsCollateralTableTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ScheduleOfChangesInPurchaseDiscountsNonAgencyMBSTableTextBlock" xlink:label="ScheduleOfChangesInPurchaseDiscountsNonAgencyMBSTableTextBlock" xlink:title="ScheduleOfChangesInPurchaseDiscountsNonAgencyMBSTableTextBlock" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ScheduleOfChangesInPurchaseDiscountsNonAgencyMBSTableTextBlock" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ScheduleOfChangesInPurchaseDiscountsNonAgencyMBSTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ScheduleOfChangesInPurchaseDiscountsNonAgencyMBSTableTextBlock">Schedule of Changes in Purchase Discounts Non Agency MBS [Table Text Block]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ScheduleOfChangesInPurchaseDiscountsNonAgencyMBSTableTextBlock" xlink:to="label_ScheduleOfChangesInPurchaseDiscountsNonAgencyMBSTableTextBlock" xlink:title="label: ScheduleOfChangesInPurchaseDiscountsNonAgencyMBSTableTextBlock to label_ScheduleOfChangesInPurchaseDiscountsNonAgencyMBSTableTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ScheduleOfChangesInPurchaseDiscountsNonAgencyMBSTableTextBlock_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ScheduleOfChangesInPurchaseDiscountsNonAgencyMBSTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ScheduleOfChangesInPurchaseDiscountsNonAgencyMBSTableTextBlock_2">Schedule of changes in the components of the purchase discount on Non-Agency MBS</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ScheduleOfChangesInPurchaseDiscountsNonAgencyMBSTableTextBlock" xlink:to="label_ScheduleOfChangesInPurchaseDiscountsNonAgencyMBSTableTextBlock_2" xlink:title="label: ScheduleOfChangesInPurchaseDiscountsNonAgencyMBSTableTextBlock to label_ScheduleOfChangesInPurchaseDiscountsNonAgencyMBSTableTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ScheduleOfChangesInPurchaseDiscountsNonAgencyMBSTableTextBlock_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ScheduleOfChangesInPurchaseDiscountsNonAgencyMBSTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ScheduleOfChangesInPurchaseDiscountsNonAgencyMBSTableTextBlock_3">Tabular disclosure of the changes in the components of the entity's purchase discount on mortgage backed securities not guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies and corporations between purchase discount designated as Cresit Reserve and OTTI and accretable purchase discount.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ScheduleOfChangesInPurchaseDiscountsNonAgencyMBSTableTextBlock" xlink:to="label_ScheduleOfChangesInPurchaseDiscountsNonAgencyMBSTableTextBlock_3" xlink:title="label: ScheduleOfChangesInPurchaseDiscountsNonAgencyMBSTableTextBlock to label_ScheduleOfChangesInPurchaseDiscountsNonAgencyMBSTableTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ScheduleOfCollateralPledgedAgainstDerivativeContractsTableTextBlock" xlink:label="ScheduleOfCollateralPledgedAgainstDerivativeContractsTableTextBlock" xlink:title="ScheduleOfCollateralPledgedAgainstDerivativeContractsTableTextBlock" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ScheduleOfCollateralPledgedAgainstDerivativeContractsTableTextBlock" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ScheduleOfCollateralPledgedAgainstDerivativeContractsTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ScheduleOfCollateralPledgedAgainstDerivativeContractsTableTextBlock">Schedule of Collateral Pledged Against Derivative Contracts [Table Text Block]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ScheduleOfCollateralPledgedAgainstDerivativeContractsTableTextBlock" xlink:to="label_ScheduleOfCollateralPledgedAgainstDerivativeContractsTableTextBlock" xlink:title="label: ScheduleOfCollateralPledgedAgainstDerivativeContractsTableTextBlock to label_ScheduleOfCollateralPledgedAgainstDerivativeContractsTableTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ScheduleOfCollateralPledgedAgainstDerivativeContractsTableTextBlock_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ScheduleOfCollateralPledgedAgainstDerivativeContractsTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ScheduleOfCollateralPledgedAgainstDerivativeContractsTableTextBlock_2">Schedule of assets pledged as collateral against derivative contracts</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ScheduleOfCollateralPledgedAgainstDerivativeContractsTableTextBlock" xlink:to="label_ScheduleOfCollateralPledgedAgainstDerivativeContractsTableTextBlock_2" xlink:title="label: ScheduleOfCollateralPledgedAgainstDerivativeContractsTableTextBlock to label_ScheduleOfCollateralPledgedAgainstDerivativeContractsTableTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ScheduleOfCollateralPledgedAgainstDerivativeContractsTableTextBlock_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ScheduleOfCollateralPledgedAgainstDerivativeContractsTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ScheduleOfCollateralPledgedAgainstDerivativeContractsTableTextBlock_3">Tabular disclosure of assets held by the entity and pledged as collateral against derivative contracts.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ScheduleOfCollateralPledgedAgainstDerivativeContractsTableTextBlock" xlink:to="label_ScheduleOfCollateralPledgedAgainstDerivativeContractsTableTextBlock_3" xlink:title="label: ScheduleOfCollateralPledgedAgainstDerivativeContractsTableTextBlock to label_ScheduleOfCollateralPledgedAgainstDerivativeContractsTableTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ScheduleOfCollateralPositionsTableTextBlock" xlink:label="ScheduleOfCollateralPositionsTableTextBlock" xlink:title="ScheduleOfCollateralPositionsTableTextBlock" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ScheduleOfCollateralPositionsTableTextBlock" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ScheduleOfCollateralPositionsTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ScheduleOfCollateralPositionsTableTextBlock">Schedule of Collateral Positions [Table Text Block]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ScheduleOfCollateralPositionsTableTextBlock" xlink:to="label_ScheduleOfCollateralPositionsTableTextBlock" xlink:title="label: ScheduleOfCollateralPositionsTableTextBlock to label_ScheduleOfCollateralPositionsTableTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ScheduleOfCollateralPositionsTableTextBlock_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ScheduleOfCollateralPositionsTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ScheduleOfCollateralPositionsTableTextBlock_2">Schedule of fair value of collateral pledged and collateral held</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ScheduleOfCollateralPositionsTableTextBlock" xlink:to="label_ScheduleOfCollateralPositionsTableTextBlock_2" xlink:title="label: ScheduleOfCollateralPositionsTableTextBlock to label_ScheduleOfCollateralPositionsTableTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ScheduleOfCollateralPositionsTableTextBlock_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ScheduleOfCollateralPositionsTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ScheduleOfCollateralPositionsTableTextBlock_3">Tabular disclosure of the collateral positions of the entity as of the balance sheet date. Disclosure may include: (1) Type of assets pledged and/or held as collateral (2) Nature of the transactions for which such assets have been pledged and/or held as collateral (3) Fair values of the assets pledged and/or held as collateral as of the balance sheet date.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ScheduleOfCollateralPositionsTableTextBlock" xlink:to="label_ScheduleOfCollateralPositionsTableTextBlock_3" xlink:title="label: ScheduleOfCollateralPositionsTableTextBlock to label_ScheduleOfCollateralPositionsTableTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ScheduleOfCommonStockDividendDeclarationAndPaymentTableTextBlock" xlink:label="ScheduleOfCommonStockDividendDeclarationAndPaymentTableTextBlock" xlink:title="ScheduleOfCommonStockDividendDeclarationAndPaymentTableTextBlock" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ScheduleOfCommonStockDividendDeclarationAndPaymentTableTextBlock" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ScheduleOfCommonStockDividendDeclarationAndPaymentTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ScheduleOfCommonStockDividendDeclarationAndPaymentTableTextBlock">Schedule of Common Stock Dividend Declaration and Payment [Table Text Block]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ScheduleOfCommonStockDividendDeclarationAndPaymentTableTextBlock" xlink:to="label_ScheduleOfCommonStockDividendDeclarationAndPaymentTableTextBlock" xlink:title="label: ScheduleOfCommonStockDividendDeclarationAndPaymentTableTextBlock to label_ScheduleOfCommonStockDividendDeclarationAndPaymentTableTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ScheduleOfCommonStockDividendDeclarationAndPaymentTableTextBlock_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ScheduleOfCommonStockDividendDeclarationAndPaymentTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ScheduleOfCommonStockDividendDeclarationAndPaymentTableTextBlock_2">Schedule of cash dividends declared on common stock</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ScheduleOfCommonStockDividendDeclarationAndPaymentTableTextBlock" xlink:to="label_ScheduleOfCommonStockDividendDeclarationAndPaymentTableTextBlock_2" xlink:title="label: ScheduleOfCommonStockDividendDeclarationAndPaymentTableTextBlock to label_ScheduleOfCommonStockDividendDeclarationAndPaymentTableTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ScheduleOfCommonStockDividendDeclarationAndPaymentTableTextBlock_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ScheduleOfCommonStockDividendDeclarationAndPaymentTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ScheduleOfCommonStockDividendDeclarationAndPaymentTableTextBlock_3">Tabular disclosure of information pertaining to declaration and payment of dividends on common stock. This item may also include dates pertaining to declaration, recording and payment of dividends on common stock, the amount of dividends declared or paid in aggregate as well as for each share.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ScheduleOfCommonStockDividendDeclarationAndPaymentTableTextBlock" xlink:to="label_ScheduleOfCommonStockDividendDeclarationAndPaymentTableTextBlock_3" xlink:title="label: ScheduleOfCommonStockDividendDeclarationAndPaymentTableTextBlock to label_ScheduleOfCommonStockDividendDeclarationAndPaymentTableTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ScheduleOfCompensationCostForDeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualTableTextBlock" xlink:label="ScheduleOfCompensationCostForDeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualTableTextBlock" xlink:title="ScheduleOfCompensationCostForDeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualTableTextBlock" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ScheduleOfCompensationCostForDeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualTableTextBlock" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ScheduleOfCompensationCostForDeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ScheduleOfCompensationCostForDeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualTableTextBlock">Schedule of Compensation Cost for Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual [Table Text Block]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ScheduleOfCompensationCostForDeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualTableTextBlock" xlink:to="label_ScheduleOfCompensationCostForDeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualTableTextBlock" xlink:title="label: ScheduleOfCompensationCostForDeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualTableTextBlock to label_ScheduleOfCompensationCostForDeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualTableTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ScheduleOfCompensationCostForDeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualTableTextBlock_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ScheduleOfCompensationCostForDeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ScheduleOfCompensationCostForDeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualTableTextBlock_2">Schedule of expenses related to deferred compensation plans</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ScheduleOfCompensationCostForDeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualTableTextBlock" xlink:to="label_ScheduleOfCompensationCostForDeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualTableTextBlock_2" xlink:title="label: ScheduleOfCompensationCostForDeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualTableTextBlock to label_ScheduleOfCompensationCostForDeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualTableTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ScheduleOfCompensationCostForDeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualTableTextBlock_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ScheduleOfCompensationCostForDeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ScheduleOfCompensationCostForDeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualTableTextBlock_3">Tabular disclosure of the entity's expenses related to deferred compensation plans.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ScheduleOfCompensationCostForDeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualTableTextBlock" xlink:to="label_ScheduleOfCompensationCostForDeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualTableTextBlock_3" xlink:title="label: ScheduleOfCompensationCostForDeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualTableTextBlock to label_ScheduleOfCompensationCostForDeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualTableTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ScheduleOfComponentsOfOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentChargesTableTextBlock" xlink:label="ScheduleOfComponentsOfOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentChargesTableTextBlock" xlink:title="ScheduleOfComponentsOfOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentChargesTableTextBlock" />
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ScheduleOfInterestOnAgencyMBSTableTextBlock" xlink:label="ScheduleOfInterestOnAgencyMBSTableTextBlock" xlink:title="ScheduleOfInterestOnAgencyMBSTableTextBlock" />
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ScheduleOfIssuanceOfSharesTableTextBlock" xlink:label="ScheduleOfIssuanceOfSharesTableTextBlock" xlink:title="ScheduleOfIssuanceOfSharesTableTextBlock" />
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    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ScheduleOfIssuanceOfSharesTableTextBlock_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ScheduleOfIssuanceOfSharesTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ScheduleOfIssuanceOfSharesTableTextBlock_2">Schedule of public offering of common stock</link:label>
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    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ScheduleOfIssuanceOfSharesTableTextBlock" xlink:to="label_ScheduleOfIssuanceOfSharesTableTextBlock_3" xlink:title="label: ScheduleOfIssuanceOfSharesTableTextBlock to label_ScheduleOfIssuanceOfSharesTableTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ScheduleOfPreferredStockDividendDeclarationAndPaymentTableTextBlock" xlink:label="ScheduleOfPreferredStockDividendDeclarationAndPaymentTableTextBlock" xlink:title="ScheduleOfPreferredStockDividendDeclarationAndPaymentTableTextBlock" />
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ScheduleOfRealEstateAssetsAndLiabilitiesTableTextBlock" xlink:label="ScheduleOfRealEstateAssetsAndLiabilitiesTableTextBlock" xlink:title="ScheduleOfRealEstateAssetsAndLiabilitiesTableTextBlock" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ScheduleOfRealEstateAssetsAndLiabilitiesTableTextBlock" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ScheduleOfRealEstateAssetsAndLiabilitiesTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ScheduleOfRealEstateAssetsAndLiabilitiesTableTextBlock">Schedule of assets and liabilities held in Lealand</link:label>
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    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ScheduleOfRealEstateAssetsAndLiabilitiesTableTextBlock_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ScheduleOfRealEstateAssetsAndLiabilitiesTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ScheduleOfRealEstateAssetsAndLiabilitiesTableTextBlock_3">Schedule of Real Estate Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ScheduleOfRepricingCharacteristicsOfUnderlyingMortgagesTableTextBlock" xlink:label="ScheduleOfRepricingCharacteristicsOfUnderlyingMortgagesTableTextBlock" xlink:title="ScheduleOfRepricingCharacteristicsOfUnderlyingMortgagesTableTextBlock" />
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    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ScheduleOfRepricingCharacteristicsOfUnderlyingMortgagesTableTextBlock_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ScheduleOfRepricingCharacteristicsOfUnderlyingMortgagesTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ScheduleOfRepricingCharacteristicsOfUnderlyingMortgagesTableTextBlock_2">Schedule of repricing characteristics of mortgages underlying the MBS portfolio</link:label>
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    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ScheduleOfRepricingCharacteristicsOfUnderlyingMortgagesTableTextBlock_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ScheduleOfRepricingCharacteristicsOfUnderlyingMortgagesTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ScheduleOfRepricingCharacteristicsOfUnderlyingMortgagesTableTextBlock_3">Tabular disclosure of repricing characteristics of mortgages underlying the entity's portfolio of mortgage-backed securities.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ScheduleOfRepricingCharacteristicsOfUnderlyingMortgagesTableTextBlock" xlink:to="label_ScheduleOfRepricingCharacteristicsOfUnderlyingMortgagesTableTextBlock_3" xlink:title="label: ScheduleOfRepricingCharacteristicsOfUnderlyingMortgagesTableTextBlock to label_ScheduleOfRepricingCharacteristicsOfUnderlyingMortgagesTableTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementCounterpartiesWithWhomTheRepurchaseAgreementsExceeds5PercentOfStockholdersEquityTextBlock" xlink:label="ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementCounterpartiesWithWhomTheRepurchaseAgreementsExceeds5PercentOfStockholdersEquityTextBlock" xlink:title="ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementCounterpartiesWithWhomTheRepurchaseAgreementsExceeds5PercentOfStockholdersEquityTextBlock" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementCounterpartiesWithWhomTheRepurchaseAgreementsExceeds5PercentOfStockholdersEquityTextBlock" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementCounterpartiesWithWhomTheRepurchaseAgreementsExceeds5PercentOfStockholdersEquityTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementCounterpartiesWithWhomTheRepurchaseAgreementsExceeds5PercentOfStockholdersEquityTextBlock">Schedule of Repurchase Agreement Counterparties with whom the Repurchase Agreements Exceeds 5 Percent of Stockholders Equity [Text Block]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementCounterpartiesWithWhomTheRepurchaseAgreementsExceeds5PercentOfStockholdersEquityTextBlock" xlink:to="label_ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementCounterpartiesWithWhomTheRepurchaseAgreementsExceeds5PercentOfStockholdersEquityTextBlock" xlink:title="label: ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementCounterpartiesWithWhomTheRepurchaseAgreementsExceeds5PercentOfStockholdersEquityTextBlock to label_ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementCounterpartiesWithWhomTheRepurchaseAgreementsExceeds5PercentOfStockholdersEquityTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementCounterpartiesWithWhomTheRepurchaseAgreementsExceeds5PercentOfStockholdersEquityTextBlock_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementCounterpartiesWithWhomTheRepurchaseAgreementsExceeds5PercentOfStockholdersEquityTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementCounterpartiesWithWhomTheRepurchaseAgreementsExceeds5PercentOfStockholdersEquityTextBlock_2">Tabular disclosure, as of the balance sheet date, of the amount at risk under repurchase agreements with any individual counterparty or group of related counterparties which exceeds 5 percent of stockholders' equity. This includes the name of each counterparty or group of related counterparties, the amount at risk with each, and the weighted average maturity of the repurchase agreements with each. The amount at risk under repurchase agreements is defined as the difference between (a) the amount loaned to the Company through repurchase agreements and repurchase agreements underlying Linked Transactions, including interest payable, and (b) the cash and the fair value of the securities pledged by the Company as collateral and MBS underlying Linked Transactions, including accrued interest receivable on such securities.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementCounterpartiesWithWhomTheRepurchaseAgreementsExceeds5PercentOfStockholdersEquityTextBlock" xlink:to="label_ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementCounterpartiesWithWhomTheRepurchaseAgreementsExceeds5PercentOfStockholdersEquityTextBlock_2" xlink:title="label: ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementCounterpartiesWithWhomTheRepurchaseAgreementsExceeds5PercentOfStockholdersEquityTextBlock to label_ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementCounterpartiesWithWhomTheRepurchaseAgreementsExceeds5PercentOfStockholdersEquityTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementCounterpartiesWithWhomTheRepurchaseAgreementsExceeds5PercentOfStockholdersEquityTextBlock_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementCounterpartiesWithWhomTheRepurchaseAgreementsExceeds5PercentOfStockholdersEquityTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementCounterpartiesWithWhomTheRepurchaseAgreementsExceeds5PercentOfStockholdersEquityTextBlock_3">Schedule of information about counterparty for repurchase agreements and/or Linked Transactions for which the entity had greater than 5% of stockholders' equity at risk</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementsByRepricingPeriodTableTextBlock" xlink:label="ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementsByRepricingPeriodTableTextBlock" xlink:title="ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementsByRepricingPeriodTableTextBlock" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementsByRepricingPeriodTableTextBlock" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementsByRepricingPeriodTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementsByRepricingPeriodTableTextBlock">Schedule of repricing information about borrowings under repurchase agreements</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementsByRepricingPeriodTableTextBlock" xlink:to="label_ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementsByRepricingPeriodTableTextBlock" xlink:title="label: ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementsByRepricingPeriodTableTextBlock to label_ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementsByRepricingPeriodTableTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementsByRepricingPeriodTableTextBlock_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementsByRepricingPeriodTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementsByRepricingPeriodTableTextBlock_2">Schedule of Repurchase Agreements by Repricing Period [Table Text Block]</link:label>
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    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementsByRepricingPeriodTableTextBlock_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementsByRepricingPeriodTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementsByRepricingPeriodTableTextBlock_3">Tabular disclosure of the amounts and weighted average interest rates of repurchase agreements by length of time until interest rate reset.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementsByRepricingPeriodTableTextBlock" xlink:to="label_ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementsByRepricingPeriodTableTextBlock_3" xlink:title="label: ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementsByRepricingPeriodTableTextBlock to label_ScheduleOfRepurchaseAgreementsByRepricingPeriodTableTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ScheduleOfResecuritizationTransactionsTableTextBlock" xlink:label="ScheduleOfResecuritizationTransactionsTableTextBlock" xlink:title="ScheduleOfResecuritizationTransactionsTableTextBlock" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ScheduleOfResecuritizationTransactionsTableTextBlock" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ScheduleOfResecuritizationTransactionsTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ScheduleOfResecuritizationTransactionsTableTextBlock">Schedule of Resecuritization Transactions [Table Text Block]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ScheduleOfResecuritizationTransactionsTableTextBlock" xlink:to="label_ScheduleOfResecuritizationTransactionsTableTextBlock" xlink:title="label: ScheduleOfResecuritizationTransactionsTableTextBlock to label_ScheduleOfResecuritizationTransactionsTableTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ScheduleOfResecuritizationTransactionsTableTextBlock_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ScheduleOfResecuritizationTransactionsTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ScheduleOfResecuritizationTransactionsTableTextBlock_2">Summary of key details related to resecuritization transactions</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ScheduleOfResecuritizationTransactionsTableTextBlock" xlink:to="label_ScheduleOfResecuritizationTransactionsTableTextBlock_2" xlink:title="label: ScheduleOfResecuritizationTransactionsTableTextBlock to label_ScheduleOfResecuritizationTransactionsTableTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ScheduleOfResecuritizationTransactionsTableTextBlock_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ScheduleOfResecuritizationTransactionsTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ScheduleOfResecuritizationTransactionsTableTextBlock_3">Tabular disclosure of key details related to resecuritization transactions.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ScheduleOfResecuritizationTransactionsTableTextBlock" xlink:to="label_ScheduleOfResecuritizationTransactionsTableTextBlock_3" xlink:title="label: ScheduleOfResecuritizationTransactionsTableTextBlock to label_ScheduleOfResecuritizationTransactionsTableTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationDividendDistributionRightsActivityTableTextBlock" xlink:label="ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationDividendDistributionRightsActivityTableTextBlock" xlink:title="ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationDividendDistributionRightsActivityTableTextBlock" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationDividendDistributionRightsActivityTableTextBlock" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationDividendDistributionRightsActivityTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationDividendDistributionRightsActivityTableTextBlock">Schedule of Share-based Compensation Dividend Distribution Rights Activity [Table Text Block]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationDividendDistributionRightsActivityTableTextBlock" xlink:to="label_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationDividendDistributionRightsActivityTableTextBlock" xlink:title="label: ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationDividendDistributionRightsActivityTableTextBlock to label_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationDividendDistributionRightsActivityTableTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationDividendDistributionRightsActivityTableTextBlock_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationDividendDistributionRightsActivityTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationDividendDistributionRightsActivityTableTextBlock_2">Tabular disclosure of the number and weighted-average grant date fair value for dividend distribution rights that were outstanding at the beginning and end of the year, and the number of dividend distribution rights that were granted, exercised or converted, forfeited, and expired during the year.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationDividendDistributionRightsActivityTableTextBlock" xlink:to="label_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationDividendDistributionRightsActivityTableTextBlock_2" xlink:title="label: ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationDividendDistributionRightsActivityTableTextBlock to label_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationDividendDistributionRightsActivityTableTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationDividendDistributionRightsActivityTableTextBlock_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationDividendDistributionRightsActivityTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationDividendDistributionRightsActivityTableTextBlock_3">Schedule of dividend distributions activity</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationDividendDistributionRightsActivityTableTextBlock" xlink:to="label_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationDividendDistributionRightsActivityTableTextBlock_3" xlink:title="label: ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationDividendDistributionRightsActivityTableTextBlock to label_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationDividendDistributionRightsActivityTableTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ScheduleOfUnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactionsTableTextBlock" xlink:label="ScheduleOfUnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactionsTableTextBlock" xlink:title="ScheduleOfUnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactionsTableTextBlock" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ScheduleOfUnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactionsTableTextBlock" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ScheduleOfUnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactionsTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ScheduleOfUnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactionsTableTextBlock">Schedule of information about the components of the unrealized net gains/(losses) and net interest income from Linked Transactions</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ScheduleOfUnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactionsTableTextBlock" xlink:to="label_ScheduleOfUnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactionsTableTextBlock" xlink:title="label: ScheduleOfUnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactionsTableTextBlock to label_ScheduleOfUnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactionsTableTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ScheduleOfUnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactionsTableTextBlock_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ScheduleOfUnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactionsTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ScheduleOfUnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactionsTableTextBlock_2">Tabular disclosure of the information pertaining to unrealized net (losses)/gains and net interest income from linked transactions of the entity.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ScheduleOfUnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactionsTableTextBlock" xlink:to="label_ScheduleOfUnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactionsTableTextBlock_2" xlink:title="label: ScheduleOfUnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactionsTableTextBlock to label_ScheduleOfUnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactionsTableTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ScheduleOfUnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactionsTableTextBlock_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ScheduleOfUnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactionsTableTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ScheduleOfUnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactionsTableTextBlock_3">Schedule of Unrealized Net Gains (Losses) and Net Interest Income from Linked Transactions [Table Text Block]</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_SecuritiesObtainedAsCollateral" xlink:label="SecuritiesObtainedAsCollateral" xlink:title="SecuritiesObtainedAsCollateral" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_SecuritiesObtainedAsCollateral" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_SecuritiesObtainedAsCollateral" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_SecuritiesObtainedAsCollateral">Securities Obtained as Collateral</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="SecuritiesObtainedAsCollateral" xlink:to="label_SecuritiesObtainedAsCollateral" xlink:title="label: SecuritiesObtainedAsCollateral to label_SecuritiesObtainedAsCollateral" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_SecuritiesObtainedAsCollateral_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_SecuritiesObtainedAsCollateral" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_SecuritiesObtainedAsCollateral_2">Securities obtained as collateral</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="SecuritiesObtainedAsCollateral" xlink:to="label_SecuritiesObtainedAsCollateral_2" xlink:title="label: SecuritiesObtainedAsCollateral to label_SecuritiesObtainedAsCollateral" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_SecuritiesObtainedAsCollateral_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_SecuritiesObtainedAsCollateral" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_SecuritiesObtainedAsCollateral_3">This represents assets obtained during the period as collateral against securities loaned to other broker-dealers. Borrowers of securities generally are required to provide collateral to the lenders of securities, commonly cash but sometimes other securities or standby letters of credit, with a value slightly higher than that of the securities borrowed. In instances where the entity is permitted to sell or re-pledge these securities, the entity reports the fair value of the collateral received and the related obligation to return the collateral as a liability.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="SecuritiesObtainedAsCollateral" xlink:to="label_SecuritiesObtainedAsCollateral_3" xlink:title="label: SecuritiesObtainedAsCollateral to label_SecuritiesObtainedAsCollateral" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_SecuritizedDebt" xlink:label="SecuritizedDebt" xlink:title="SecuritizedDebt" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_SecuritizedDebt" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_SecuritizedDebt" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_SecuritizedDebt">Securitized Debt</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="SecuritizedDebt" xlink:to="label_SecuritizedDebt" xlink:title="label: SecuritizedDebt to label_SecuritizedDebt" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_SecuritizedDebt_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_SecuritizedDebt" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_SecuritizedDebt_2">Securitized debt</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="SecuritizedDebt" xlink:to="label_SecuritizedDebt_2" xlink:title="label: SecuritizedDebt to label_SecuritizedDebt" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_SecuritizedDebt_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_SecuritizedDebt" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_SecuritizedDebt_3">Represents third party liabilities of the company's consolidated VIE and excludes inter-company liabilities that eliminate on consolidation.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="SecuritizedDebt" xlink:to="label_SecuritizedDebt_3" xlink:title="label: SecuritizedDebt to label_SecuritizedDebt" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_SecuritizedDebt_4" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel" xlink:title="label_SecuritizedDebt" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_SecuritizedDebt_4">Outstanding amount of Senior Bonds</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="SecuritizedDebt" xlink:to="label_SecuritizedDebt_4" xlink:title="label: SecuritizedDebt to label_SecuritizedDebt" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_SeniorSupportCertificatesMember" xlink:label="SeniorSupportCertificatesMember" xlink:title="SeniorSupportCertificatesMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_SeniorSupportCertificatesMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_SeniorSupportCertificatesMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_SeniorSupportCertificatesMember">Senior-support certificates</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="SeniorSupportCertificatesMember" xlink:to="label_SeniorSupportCertificatesMember" xlink:title="label: SeniorSupportCertificatesMember to label_SeniorSupportCertificatesMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_SeniorSupportCertificatesMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_SeniorSupportCertificatesMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_SeniorSupportCertificatesMember_2">Senior Support Certificates [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="SeniorSupportCertificatesMember" xlink:to="label_SeniorSupportCertificatesMember_2" xlink:title="label: SeniorSupportCertificatesMember to label_SeniorSupportCertificatesMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_SeniorSupportCertificatesMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_SeniorSupportCertificatesMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_SeniorSupportCertificatesMember_3">Represents senior-support certificates acquired by the entity as part of a resecuritization transaction.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="SeniorSupportCertificatesMember" xlink:to="label_SeniorSupportCertificatesMember_3" xlink:title="label: SeniorSupportCertificatesMember to label_SeniorSupportCertificatesMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning30June2012" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning30June2012" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning30June2012" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning30June2012" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning30June2012" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning30June2012">Period over which shares will vest beginning June 30, 2012</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning30June2012" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning30June2012" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning30June2012 to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning30June2012" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning30June2012_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning30June2012" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning30June2012_2">Represents the period of time over which an employee's right to exercise an award is no longer contingent on satisfaction of either a service condition, market condition or a performance condition, for shares vesting annually beginning from June 30, 2012.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning30June2012" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning30June2012_2" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning30June2012 to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning30June2012" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning30June2012_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning30June2012" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning30June2012_3">Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period for Shares Vesting Annually Beginning 30, June 2012</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning30June2012" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning30June2012_3" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning30June2012 to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning30June2012" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning5September2012" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning5September2012" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning5September2012" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning5September2012" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning5September2012" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning5September2012">Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period for Shares Vesting Annually Beginning 5, September 2012</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning5September2012" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning5September2012" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning5September2012 to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning5September2012" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning5September2012_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning5September2012" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning5September2012_2">Represents the period of time over which an employee's right to exercise an award is no longer contingent on satisfaction of either a service condition, market condition or a performance condition, for shares vesting annually beginning from September 5, 2012.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning5September2012" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning5September2012_2" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning5September2012 to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning5September2012" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning5September2012_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning5September2012" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning5September2012_3">Period over which shares will vest beginning September 5, 2012</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning5September2012" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning5September2012_3" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning5September2012 to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyBeginning5September2012" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsEntitledToDistributions" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsEntitledToDistributions" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsEntitledToDistributions" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsEntitledToDistributions" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsEntitledToDistributions" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsEntitledToDistributions">Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Dividend Equivalent Rights Entitled to Distributions</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsEntitledToDistributions" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsEntitledToDistributions" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsEntitledToDistributions to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsEntitledToDistributions" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsEntitledToDistributions_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsEntitledToDistributions" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsEntitledToDistributions_2">DERs entitled to receive distributions (in shares)</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsEntitledToDistributions" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsEntitledToDistributions_2" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsEntitledToDistributions to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsEntitledToDistributions" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsEntitledToDistributions_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsEntitledToDistributions" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsEntitledToDistributions_3">Represents dividend equivalent rights outstanding and entitled to receive distributions as of the balance sheet date.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsEntitledToDistributions" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsEntitledToDistributions_3" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsEntitledToDistributions to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsEntitledToDistributions" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsPayment" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsPayment" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsPayment" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsPayment" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsPayment" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsPayment">Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Dividend, Equivalent Rights Payment</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsPayment" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsPayment" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsPayment to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsPayment" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsPayment_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsPayment" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsPayment_2">Payments attributable to DERs</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsPayment" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsPayment_2" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsPayment to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsPayment" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsPayment_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsPayment" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsPayment_3">Aggregate payments on account of dividend equivalent rights during the period. Dividend equivalent rights relate to participating securities representing share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsPayment" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsPayment_3" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsPayment to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDividendEquivalentRightsPayment" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstanding" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstanding" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstanding" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstanding" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstanding" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstanding">Awards Outstanding (in shares)</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstanding" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstanding" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstanding to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstanding" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstanding_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstanding" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstanding_2">The number of outstanding equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, as of the balance sheet date.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstanding" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstanding_2" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstanding to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstanding" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstanding_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstanding" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstanding_3">Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instrument Other than Options, Outstanding</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstanding" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstanding_3" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstanding to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstanding" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstandingForDersThatAreAttachedToOptions" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstandingForDersThatAreAttachedToOptions" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstandingForDersThatAreAttachedToOptions" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstandingForDersThatAreAttachedToOptions" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstandingForDersThatAreAttachedToOptions" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstandingForDersThatAreAttachedToOptions">DERs outstanding that are attached to common stock options (in shares)</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstandingForDersThatAreAttachedToOptions" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstandingForDersThatAreAttachedToOptions" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstandingForDersThatAreAttachedToOptions to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstandingForDersThatAreAttachedToOptions" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstandingForDersThatAreAttachedToOptions_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstandingForDersThatAreAttachedToOptions" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstandingForDersThatAreAttachedToOptions_2">Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instrument Other than Options Outstanding for Ders that are Attached to Options</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstandingForDersThatAreAttachedToOptions" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstandingForDersThatAreAttachedToOptions_2" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstandingForDersThatAreAttachedToOptions to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstandingForDersThatAreAttachedToOptions" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstandingForDersThatAreAttachedToOptions_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstandingForDersThatAreAttachedToOptions" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstandingForDersThatAreAttachedToOptions_3">The number of DERS that are attached to outstanding common stock options as of the balance sheet date.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstandingForDersThatAreAttachedToOptions" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstandingForDersThatAreAttachedToOptions_3" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstandingForDersThatAreAttachedToOptions to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstandingForDersThatAreAttachedToOptions" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstandingThatAreAwardedForDersThatAreAttachedToRSUs" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstandingThatAreAwardedForDersThatAreAttachedToRSUs" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstandingThatAreAwardedForDersThatAreAttachedToRSUs" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstandingThatAreAwardedForDersThatAreAttachedToRSUs" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstandingThatAreAwardedForDersThatAreAttachedToRSUs" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstandingThatAreAwardedForDersThatAreAttachedToRSUs">Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award Equity Instrument Other Than Options Outstanding That Are Awarded for Ders That Are Attached To RSUs</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstandingThatAreAwardedForDersThatAreAttachedToRSUs" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstandingThatAreAwardedForDersThatAreAttachedToRSUs" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstandingThatAreAwardedForDersThatAreAttachedToRSUs to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstandingThatAreAwardedForDersThatAreAttachedToRSUs" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstandingThatAreAwardedForDersThatAreAttachedToRSUs_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstandingThatAreAwardedForDersThatAreAttachedToRSUs" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentOtherThanOptionsOutstandingThatAreAwardedForDersThatAreAttachedToRSUs_2">The number of DERS outstanding that are awarded in connection with or attached to RSU as of the balance sheet date.</link:label>
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    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsOutstandingNumber" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsOutstandingNumber" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsOutstandingNumber to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsOutstandingNumber" use="optional" />
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsOutstandingRollForward" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsOutstandingRollForward" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsOutstandingRollForward" />
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsPeriodForWhichClosingStockPricersAreConsideredForSharesBeginningToVestOn30June2012" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsPeriodForWhichClosingStockPricersAreConsideredForSharesBeginningToVestOn30June2012" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsPeriodForWhichClosingStockPricersAreConsideredForSharesBeginningToVestOn30June2012" />
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    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsSettledInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsSettledInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsSettledInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue">The weighted average fair value as of the grant date of equity-based award plans other than stock (unit) option plans that were settled during the reporting period.</link:label>
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    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsSettledInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsSettledInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsSettledInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_2">Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options Settled in Period Weighted Average Grant Date, Fair Value</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsSettledInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsSettledInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_2" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsSettledInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsSettledInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsSettledInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsSettledInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsSettledInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_3">Settled (in dollars per share)</link:label>
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    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestAnnuallyOverThreeYearPeriodBeginning30June2012Number_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestAnnuallyOverThreeYearPeriodBeginning30June2012Number" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestAnnuallyOverThreeYearPeriodBeginning30June2012Number_3">Represents the number of equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options that were vested and expected to vest over a three-year period beginning June 30, 2012 under the plan.</link:label>
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    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestAnnuallyOverThreeYearPeriodBeginning5September2012Number" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestAnnuallyOverThreeYearPeriodBeginning5September2012Number" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestAnnuallyOverThreeYearPeriodBeginning5September2012Number">Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options Vested and Expected to Vest Annually Over Three Year Period Beginning 5, September 2012 Number</link:label>
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    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestAnnuallyOverThreeYearPeriodBeginning5September2012Number_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestAnnuallyOverThreeYearPeriodBeginning5September2012Number" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestAnnuallyOverThreeYearPeriodBeginning5September2012Number_2">Represents the number of equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options that were vested and expected to vest over a three-year period beginning September 5, 2012 under the plan.</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestYear2014Number" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestYear2014Number" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestYear2014Number" />
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2012Number" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2012Number" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2012Number" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2012Number" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2012Number" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2012Number">Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Vesting on 31 December 2012 Number</link:label>
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    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2012Number_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2012Number" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2012Number_2">Number of shares scheduled to vest on December 31, 2012</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2012Number" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2012Number_2" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2012Number to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2012Number" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2012Number_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2012Number" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2012Number_3">Represents the number of equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options that were vested and expected to vest on December 31, 2012 under the plan.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2012Number" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2012Number_3" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2012Number to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2012Number" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2014Number" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2014Number" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2014Number" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2014Number" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2014Number" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2014Number">Number of shares scheduled to vest on December 31, 2014</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2014Number" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2014Number" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2014Number to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2014Number" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2014Number_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2014Number" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2014Number_2">Represents the number of equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options that are scheduled to vest on December 31, 2014.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2014Number" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2014Number_2" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2014Number to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2014Number" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2014Number_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2014Number" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2014Number_3">Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Vesting on 31 December 2014 Number</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2014Number" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2014Number_3" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2014Number to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestingOn31December2014Number" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue">Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other than Options Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/periodStartLabel" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_2">Outstanding at beginning of year (in dollars per share)</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_2" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_3">The weighted average fair value as of the beginning of the year pertaining to an equity-based payment instrument, excluding stock (or unit) options that are outstanding under the plan.</link:label>
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    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_4" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/periodEndLabel" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_4">Outstanding at end of year (in dollars per share)</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_4" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract" />
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    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract_2">Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other than Options Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract_2" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueVested" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueVested" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueVested" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueVested" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueVested" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueVested">Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other than Options Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Vested</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueVested" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueVested" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueVested to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueVested" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueVested_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueVested" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueVested_2">Vested but not settled at end of year (in dollars per share)</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueVested" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueVested_2" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueVested to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueVested" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueVested_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueVested" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueVested_3">Represents the weighted average fair value pertaining to an equity-based payment instrument, excluding stock (or unit) options, that are vested as of the end of the year.</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod">Represents the information pertaining to the expiration period of share based compensation arrangement by share based payment.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod_2">Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award Expiration Period</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod_2" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod_3">Maximum period for exercise of stock options</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod_3" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardForfeitureRate2009AndPrior" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardForfeitureRate2009AndPrior" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardForfeitureRate2009AndPrior" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardForfeitureRate2009AndPrior" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardForfeitureRate2009AndPrior" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardForfeitureRate2009AndPrior">Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Forfeiture Rate 2009 and Prior</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardForfeitureRate2009AndPrior" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardForfeitureRate2009AndPrior" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardForfeitureRate2009AndPrior to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardForfeitureRate2009AndPrior" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardForfeitureRate2009AndPrior_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardForfeitureRate2009AndPrior" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardForfeitureRate2009AndPrior_2">Represents the forfeiture rate applied to equity based awards granted in 2009 and prior years for determining the fair value of the awards.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardForfeitureRate2009AndPrior" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardForfeitureRate2009AndPrior_2" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardForfeitureRate2009AndPrior to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardForfeitureRate2009AndPrior" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardForfeitureRate2009AndPrior_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardForfeitureRate2009AndPrior" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardForfeitureRate2009AndPrior_3">Forfeiture rate assumption for equity based awards granted in 2009 and prior years (as a percent)</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardForfeitureRate2009AndPrior" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardForfeitureRate2009AndPrior_3" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardForfeitureRate2009AndPrior to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardForfeitureRate2009AndPrior" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriod" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriod" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriod" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriod" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriod" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriod">Period for measuring market condition of award</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriod" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriod" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriod to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriod" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriod_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriod" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriod_2">Represents the period over which changes in the entity's closing stock price and dividends declared on the entity's common stock are measured to determine stockholder returns that represent a market condition upon which an employee's right to exercise an award is contingent.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriod" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriod_2" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriod to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriod" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriod_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriod" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriod_3">Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Market Condition Period</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriod" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriod_3" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriod to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriod" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyOverThreeYearPeriodBeginning30June2012" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyOverThreeYearPeriodBeginning30June2012" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyOverThreeYearPeriodBeginning30June2012" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyOverThreeYearPeriodBeginning30June2012" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyOverThreeYearPeriodBeginning30June2012" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyOverThreeYearPeriodBeginning30June2012">Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Market Condition Period for Shares Vesting Annually Over Three Year Period Beginning 30, June 2012</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyOverThreeYearPeriodBeginning30June2012" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyOverThreeYearPeriodBeginning30June2012" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyOverThreeYearPeriodBeginning30June2012 to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyOverThreeYearPeriodBeginning30June2012" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyOverThreeYearPeriodBeginning30June2012_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyOverThreeYearPeriodBeginning30June2012" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyOverThreeYearPeriodBeginning30June2012_2">Period for measuring market condition of award for shares vesting annually over a three-year period beginning June 30, 2012</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyOverThreeYearPeriodBeginning30June2012" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyOverThreeYearPeriodBeginning30June2012_2" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyOverThreeYearPeriodBeginning30June2012 to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyOverThreeYearPeriodBeginning30June2012" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyOverThreeYearPeriodBeginning30June2012_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyOverThreeYearPeriodBeginning30June2012" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyOverThreeYearPeriodBeginning30June2012_3">Represents the period over which changes in the entity's closing stock price and dividends declared on the entity's common stock are measured to determine stockholder returns that represent a market condition upon which an employee's right to exercise an award is contingent for shares vesting annually over a three-year period beginning June 30, 2012.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyOverThreeYearPeriodBeginning30June2012" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyOverThreeYearPeriodBeginning30June2012_3" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyOverThreeYearPeriodBeginning30June2012 to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingAnnuallyOverThreeYearPeriodBeginning30June2012" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2012" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2012" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2012" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2012" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2012" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2012">Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Market Condition Period for Shares Vesting in Year 2012</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2012" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2012" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2012 to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2012" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2012_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2012" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2012_2">Period for measuring market condition of award for shares vesting in year 2012</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2012" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2012_2" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2012 to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2012" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2012_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2012" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2012_3">Represents the period over which changes in the entity's closing stock price and dividends declared on the entity's common stock are measured to determine stockholder returns that represent a market condition upon which an employee's right to exercise an award is contingent for shares vesting in year 2012.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2012" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2012_3" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2012 to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2012" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2014" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2014" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2014" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2014" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2014" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2014">Represents the period over which changes in the entity's closing stock price and dividends declared on the entity's common stock are measured to determine stockholder returns that represent a market condition upon which an employee's right to exercise an award is contingent for shares vesting in year 2014.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2014" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2014" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2014 to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2014" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2014_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2014" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2014_2">Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Market Condition Period for Shares Vesting in Year 2014</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2014" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2014_2" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2014 to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2014" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2014_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2014" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2014_3">Period for measuring market condition of award for shares vesting in year 2014</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2014" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2014_3" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2014 to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMarketConditionPeriodForSharesVestingInYear2014" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerEmployeePeriod" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerEmployeePeriod" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerEmployeePeriod" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerEmployeePeriod" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerEmployeePeriod" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerEmployeePeriod">Represents the period during which an employee can be awarded the maximum number of shares allowable under the Plan.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerEmployeePeriod" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerEmployeePeriod" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerEmployeePeriod to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerEmployeePeriod" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerEmployeePeriod_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerEmployeePeriod" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerEmployeePeriod_2">Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Maximum Number of Shares Per Employee Period</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerEmployeePeriod" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerEmployeePeriod_2" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerEmployeePeriod to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerEmployeePeriod" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerEmployeePeriod_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerEmployeePeriod" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerEmployeePeriod_3">Period during which an employee can be awarded the maximum number of shares allowable under the Plan</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerEmployeePeriod" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerEmployeePeriod_3" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerEmployeePeriod to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerEmployeePeriod" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerParticipant" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerParticipant" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerParticipant" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerParticipant" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerParticipant" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerParticipant">Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Maximum Number of Shares Per Participant</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerParticipant" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerParticipant" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerParticipant to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerParticipant" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerParticipant_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerParticipant" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerParticipant_2">The highest quantity of shares an employee can be awarded in any one year under the plan.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerParticipant" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerParticipant_2" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerParticipant to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerParticipant" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerParticipant_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerParticipant" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerParticipant_3">Maximum number of common shares that can be granted to participant in any one year</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumPercentageOfSharesPerEmployee" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumPercentageOfSharesPerEmployee" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumPercentageOfSharesPerEmployee" />
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    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumPercentageOfSharesPerEmployee_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumPercentageOfSharesPerEmployee" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumPercentageOfSharesPerEmployee_2">The maximum percentage of common shares that can be owned or deemed to be owned by a participant. If the maximum ownership or deemed ownership is attained no awards may be granted to that participant.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumPercentageOfSharesPerEmployee" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumPercentageOfSharesPerEmployee_2" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumPercentageOfSharesPerEmployee to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumPercentageOfSharesPerEmployee" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumPercentageOfSharesPerEmployee_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumPercentageOfSharesPerEmployee" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumPercentageOfSharesPerEmployee_3">Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Maximum Percentage of Shares Per Employee</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumPercentageOfSharesPerEmployee" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumPercentageOfSharesPerEmployee_3" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumPercentageOfSharesPerEmployee to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumPercentageOfSharesPerEmployee" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue">Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercise Price as Percentage of Common Stock Fair Market Value</link:label>
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    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue_2">Exercise price of an ISO relative to fair market value on the grant date, minimum (as a percent)</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue_2" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue_3">Represents the minimum exercise price of an ISO expressed as a percentage of fair market value of the company's common stock on the grant date.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue_3" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceForISOGrantedTo10PercentShareholderAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceForISOGrantedTo10PercentShareholderAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceForISOGrantedTo10PercentShareholderAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceForISOGrantedTo10PercentShareholderAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceForISOGrantedTo10PercentShareholderAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceForISOGrantedTo10PercentShareholderAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue">Represents the minimum exercise price of an ISO granted to a 10% stockholder expressed as a percentage of fair market value of the company's common stock on the grant date.</link:label>
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    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceForISOGrantedTo10PercentShareholderAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceForISOGrantedTo10PercentShareholderAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceForISOGrantedTo10PercentShareholderAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue_2">Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercise Price for ISO Granted to 10 Percent Shareholder as Percentage of Common Stock Fair Market Value</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceForISOGrantedTo10PercentShareholderAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceForISOGrantedTo10PercentShareholderAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue_2" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceForISOGrantedTo10PercentShareholderAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceForISOGrantedTo10PercentShareholderAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceForISOGrantedTo10PercentShareholderAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceForISOGrantedTo10PercentShareholderAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceForISOGrantedTo10PercentShareholderAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue_3">Exercise price of an ISO granted to a 10% stockholder relative to fair market value on the grant date, minimum (as a percent)</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceForISOGrantedTo10PercentShareholderAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceForISOGrantedTo10PercentShareholderAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue_3" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceForISOGrantedTo10PercentShareholderAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisePriceForISOGrantedTo10PercentShareholderAsPercentageOfCommonStockFairMarketValue" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodDERsAttached" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodDERsAttached" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodDERsAttached" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodDERsAttached" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodDERsAttached" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodDERsAttached">DERs attached (in shares)</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodDERsAttached" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodDERsAttached" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodDERsAttached to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodDERsAttached" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodDERsAttached_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodDERsAttached" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodDERsAttached_2">Represents the DERs attached with the stock options granted.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodDERsAttached" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodDERsAttached_2" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodDERsAttached to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodDERsAttached" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodDERsAttached_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodDERsAttached" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodDERsAttached_3">Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, DERs Attached</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodDERsAttached" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodDERsAttached_3" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodDERsAttached to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodDERsAttached" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGrantDateTotalFairValue" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGrantDateTotalFairValue" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGrantDateTotalFairValue" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGrantDateTotalFairValue" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGrantDateTotalFairValue" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGrantDateTotalFairValue">Aggregate grant date fair value</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGrantDateTotalFairValue" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGrantDateTotalFairValue" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGrantDateTotalFairValue to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGrantDateTotalFairValue" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGrantDateTotalFairValue_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGrantDateTotalFairValue" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGrantDateTotalFairValue_2">Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of options granted during the reporting period as calculated by applying the disclosed option pricing methodology.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGrantDateTotalFairValue" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGrantDateTotalFairValue_2" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGrantDateTotalFairValue to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGrantDateTotalFairValue" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGrantDateTotalFairValue_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGrantDateTotalFairValue" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGrantDateTotalFairValue_3">Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Options Grants in Period Grant Date Total Fair Value</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGrantDateTotalFairValue" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGrantDateTotalFairValue_3" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGrantDateTotalFairValue to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGrantDateTotalFairValue" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsMaximumMarketValueOfExercisesInPeriod" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsMaximumMarketValueOfExercisesInPeriod" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsMaximumMarketValueOfExercisesInPeriod" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsMaximumMarketValueOfExercisesInPeriod" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsMaximumMarketValueOfExercisesInPeriod" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsMaximumMarketValueOfExercisesInPeriod">Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Maximum Market Value of Exercises in Period</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsMaximumMarketValueOfExercisesInPeriod" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsMaximumMarketValueOfExercisesInPeriod" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsMaximumMarketValueOfExercisesInPeriod to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsMaximumMarketValueOfExercisesInPeriod" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsMaximumMarketValueOfExercisesInPeriod_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsMaximumMarketValueOfExercisesInPeriod" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsMaximumMarketValueOfExercisesInPeriod_2">Maximum grant date market value of the common stock to be received upon exercise of options in one calendar year</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsMaximumMarketValueOfExercisesInPeriod" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsMaximumMarketValueOfExercisesInPeriod_2" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsMaximumMarketValueOfExercisesInPeriod to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsMaximumMarketValueOfExercisesInPeriod" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsMaximumMarketValueOfExercisesInPeriod_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsMaximumMarketValueOfExercisesInPeriod" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsMaximumMarketValueOfExercisesInPeriod_3">Represents the maximum market value, as determined on the date of grant, of the common stock that can be received for options that vest in any one calendar year for the awards to qualify as incentive stock options for tax purposes.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsMaximumMarketValueOfExercisesInPeriod" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsMaximumMarketValueOfExercisesInPeriod_3" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsMaximumMarketValueOfExercisesInPeriod to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsMaximumMarketValueOfExercisesInPeriod" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableNumber" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableNumber" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableNumber" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableNumber" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableNumber" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableNumber">Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding Not Exercisable Number</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableNumber" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableNumber" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableNumber to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableNumber" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableNumber_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableNumber" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableNumber_2">Stock Options not exercisable, outstanding (in shares)</link:label>
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    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableNumber_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableNumber" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableNumber_3">Represents the number of non exercisable stock options outstanding as of the balance sheet date.</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice">Weighted average exercise price of stock options outstanding, not exercisable (in dollars per share)</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice_2">The weighted average exercise price of non exercisable stock options that are outstanding as of the balance sheet date.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice_2" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice_3">Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Not Exercisable Weighted Average Exercise Price</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice_3" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNotExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsPercentageOfShareholdersToWhom110PercentOfISOIsGranted" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsPercentageOfShareholdersToWhom110PercentOfISOIsGranted" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsPercentageOfShareholdersToWhom110PercentOfISOIsGranted" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsPercentageOfShareholdersToWhom110PercentOfISOIsGranted" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsPercentageOfShareholdersToWhom110PercentOfISOIsGranted" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsPercentageOfShareholdersToWhom110PercentOfISOIsGranted">Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Options Percentage of Shareholders to whom 110 Percent of ISO is Granted</link:label>
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    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsPercentageOfShareholdersToWhom110PercentOfISOIsGranted_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsPercentageOfShareholdersToWhom110PercentOfISOIsGranted" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsPercentageOfShareholdersToWhom110PercentOfISOIsGranted_2">Percentage of stockholders to whom 110% of ISO is granted</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsPercentageOfShareholdersToWhom110PercentOfISOIsGranted" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsPercentageOfShareholdersToWhom110PercentOfISOIsGranted_2" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsPercentageOfShareholdersToWhom110PercentOfISOIsGranted to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsPercentageOfShareholdersToWhom110PercentOfISOIsGranted" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsPercentageOfShareholdersToWhom110PercentOfISOIsGranted_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsPercentageOfShareholdersToWhom110PercentOfISOIsGranted" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsPercentageOfShareholdersToWhom110PercentOfISOIsGranted_3">Represents the percentage of stockholders to whom 110% of ISO is granted on the grant date.</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardVestingPeriodToMeasureQualificationAsIncentiveStockOptions" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardVestingPeriodToMeasureQualificationAsIncentiveStockOptions" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardVestingPeriodToMeasureQualificationAsIncentiveStockOptions" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardVestingPeriodToMeasureQualificationAsIncentiveStockOptions" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardVestingPeriodToMeasureQualificationAsIncentiveStockOptions" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardVestingPeriodToMeasureQualificationAsIncentiveStockOptions">Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Vesting Period to Measure Qualification as Incentive Stock Options</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardVestingPeriodToMeasureQualificationAsIncentiveStockOptions" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardVestingPeriodToMeasureQualificationAsIncentiveStockOptions" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardVestingPeriodToMeasureQualificationAsIncentiveStockOptions to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardVestingPeriodToMeasureQualificationAsIncentiveStockOptions" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardVestingPeriodToMeasureQualificationAsIncentiveStockOptions_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardVestingPeriodToMeasureQualificationAsIncentiveStockOptions" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardVestingPeriodToMeasureQualificationAsIncentiveStockOptions_2">Period to determine market value of the common stock to qualify as an incentive stock option for tax purposes</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardVestingPeriodToMeasureQualificationAsIncentiveStockOptions" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardVestingPeriodToMeasureQualificationAsIncentiveStockOptions_2" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardVestingPeriodToMeasureQualificationAsIncentiveStockOptions to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardVestingPeriodToMeasureQualificationAsIncentiveStockOptions" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardVestingPeriodToMeasureQualificationAsIncentiveStockOptions_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardVestingPeriodToMeasureQualificationAsIncentiveStockOptions" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardVestingPeriodToMeasureQualificationAsIncentiveStockOptions_3">The vesting period during which the market value of the stock to be received upon exercise of stock options, as determined on the grant date, cannot exceed $100,000 in order for the awards to qualify as an incentive stock options for tax purposes.</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardWeightedAverageForfeitureRatePercent" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardWeightedAverageForfeitureRatePercent" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardWeightedAverageForfeitureRatePercent" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardWeightedAverageForfeitureRatePercent" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardWeightedAverageForfeitureRatePercent" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardWeightedAverageForfeitureRatePercent">Weighted average forfeiture rate of unvested RSUs (as a percent)</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardWeightedAverageForfeitureRatePercent" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardWeightedAverageForfeitureRatePercent" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardWeightedAverageForfeitureRatePercent to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardWeightedAverageForfeitureRatePercent" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardWeightedAverageForfeitureRatePercent_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardWeightedAverageForfeitureRatePercent" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardWeightedAverageForfeitureRatePercent_2">Represents the weighted average forfeiture rate applied to determine the amount of compensation expense to be recognized for an equity-based award.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardWeightedAverageForfeitureRatePercent" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardWeightedAverageForfeitureRatePercent_2" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardWeightedAverageForfeitureRatePercent to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardWeightedAverageForfeitureRatePercent" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardWeightedAverageForfeitureRatePercent_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardWeightedAverageForfeitureRatePercent" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardWeightedAverageForfeitureRatePercent_3">Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Weighted Average, Forfeiture Rate Percent</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardWeightedAverageForfeitureRatePercent" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardWeightedAverageForfeitureRatePercent_3" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardWeightedAverageForfeitureRatePercent to label_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardWeightedAverageForfeitureRatePercent" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePrice" xlink:label="ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePrice" xlink:title="ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePrice" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePrice" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePrice" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePrice">Exercise price (in dollars per share)</link:label>
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    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePrice_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePrice" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePrice_2">Customized exercise prices for purposes of disclosing shares potentially issuable under outstanding stock option awards on all stock option plans.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePrice" xlink:to="label_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePrice_2" xlink:title="label: ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePrice to label_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePrice" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePrice_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePrice" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePrice_3">Share-based Compensation Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_SharesIssuedForCommonStockOptionExercisesNetofSharesWithheld" xlink:label="SharesIssuedForCommonStockOptionExercisesNetofSharesWithheld" xlink:title="SharesIssuedForCommonStockOptionExercisesNetofSharesWithheld" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_SharesIssuedForCommonStockOptionExercisesNetofSharesWithheld" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_SharesIssuedForCommonStockOptionExercisesNetofSharesWithheld" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_SharesIssuedForCommonStockOptionExercisesNetofSharesWithheld">Shares issued for common stock option exercises, net of shares withheld</link:label>
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    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_SharesIssuedForCommonStockOptionExercisesNetofSharesWithheld_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_SharesIssuedForCommonStockOptionExercisesNetofSharesWithheld" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_SharesIssuedForCommonStockOptionExercisesNetofSharesWithheld_2">The value of shares issued for common stock option exercises net of shares withheld.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="SharesIssuedForCommonStockOptionExercisesNetofSharesWithheld" xlink:to="label_SharesIssuedForCommonStockOptionExercisesNetofSharesWithheld_2" xlink:title="label: SharesIssuedForCommonStockOptionExercisesNetofSharesWithheld to label_SharesIssuedForCommonStockOptionExercisesNetofSharesWithheld" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_SharesIssuedForCommonStockOptionExercisesNetofSharesWithheld_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_SharesIssuedForCommonStockOptionExercisesNetofSharesWithheld" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_SharesIssuedForCommonStockOptionExercisesNetofSharesWithheld_3">Shares Issued for Common Stock Option Exercises, Net of Shares Withheld</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_SignificantPurchaseCommitmentEstimatedFaceAmountOfSecurities" xlink:label="SignificantPurchaseCommitmentEstimatedFaceAmountOfSecurities" xlink:title="SignificantPurchaseCommitmentEstimatedFaceAmountOfSecurities" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_SignificantPurchaseCommitmentEstimatedFaceAmountOfSecurities" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_SignificantPurchaseCommitmentEstimatedFaceAmountOfSecurities" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_SignificantPurchaseCommitmentEstimatedFaceAmountOfSecurities">Significant Purchase Commitment, Estimated Face Amount of Securities</link:label>
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    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_SignificantPurchaseCommitmentEstimatedFaceAmountOfSecurities_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_SignificantPurchaseCommitmentEstimatedFaceAmountOfSecurities" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_SignificantPurchaseCommitmentEstimatedFaceAmountOfSecurities_2">Estimated face value</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="SignificantPurchaseCommitmentEstimatedFaceAmountOfSecurities" xlink:to="label_SignificantPurchaseCommitmentEstimatedFaceAmountOfSecurities_2" xlink:title="label: SignificantPurchaseCommitmentEstimatedFaceAmountOfSecurities to label_SignificantPurchaseCommitmentEstimatedFaceAmountOfSecurities" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_SignificantPurchaseCommitmentEstimatedFaceAmountOfSecurities_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_SignificantPurchaseCommitmentEstimatedFaceAmountOfSecurities" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_SignificantPurchaseCommitmentEstimatedFaceAmountOfSecurities_3">Represents the face amount of the securities as of the balance sheet date for which the entity has agreed to expend funds, other than under a long-term purchase commitment or an unconditional purchase obligation.</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember" xlink:label="AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember" xlink:title="AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember">Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember" xlink:to="label_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember" xlink:title="label: AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember to label_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember_2">Net Unrealized Gain on Available-for-Sale MBS</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember" xlink:to="label_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember_2" xlink:title="label: AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember to label_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_SignificantPurchaseCommitmentQuantityOfSecurities" xlink:label="SignificantPurchaseCommitmentQuantityOfSecurities" xlink:title="SignificantPurchaseCommitmentQuantityOfSecurities" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_SignificantPurchaseCommitmentQuantityOfSecurities" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_SignificantPurchaseCommitmentQuantityOfSecurities" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_SignificantPurchaseCommitmentQuantityOfSecurities">Significant Purchase Commitment, Quantity of Securities</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="SignificantPurchaseCommitmentQuantityOfSecurities" xlink:to="label_SignificantPurchaseCommitmentQuantityOfSecurities" xlink:title="label: SignificantPurchaseCommitmentQuantityOfSecurities to label_SignificantPurchaseCommitmentQuantityOfSecurities" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_SignificantPurchaseCommitmentQuantityOfSecurities_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_SignificantPurchaseCommitmentQuantityOfSecurities" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_SignificantPurchaseCommitmentQuantityOfSecurities_2">Number of MBS committed to be purchased</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="SignificantPurchaseCommitmentQuantityOfSecurities" xlink:to="label_SignificantPurchaseCommitmentQuantityOfSecurities_2" xlink:title="label: SignificantPurchaseCommitmentQuantityOfSecurities to label_SignificantPurchaseCommitmentQuantityOfSecurities" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_SignificantPurchaseCommitmentQuantityOfSecurities_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_SignificantPurchaseCommitmentQuantityOfSecurities" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_SignificantPurchaseCommitmentQuantityOfSecurities_3">Represents the quantity of securities as of the balance sheet date for which the entity has agreed to expend funds, other than under a long-term purchase commitment or an unconditional purchase obligation.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="SignificantPurchaseCommitmentQuantityOfSecurities" xlink:to="label_SignificantPurchaseCommitmentQuantityOfSecurities_3" xlink:title="label: SignificantPurchaseCommitmentQuantityOfSecurities to label_SignificantPurchaseCommitmentQuantityOfSecurities" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentNotCreditLossNetOfTaxDebtSecurities" xlink:label="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentNotCreditLossNetOfTaxDebtSecurities" xlink:title="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentNotCreditLossNetOfTaxDebtSecurities" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentNotCreditLossNetOfTaxDebtSecurities" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentNotCreditLossNetOfTaxDebtSecurities" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentNotCreditLossNetOfTaxDebtSecurities">Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Other than Temporary Impairment, Not Credit Loss, Net of Tax, Debt Securities</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentNotCreditLossNetOfTaxDebtSecurities" xlink:to="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentNotCreditLossNetOfTaxDebtSecurities" xlink:title="label: AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentNotCreditLossNetOfTaxDebtSecurities to label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentNotCreditLossNetOfTaxDebtSecurities" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentNotCreditLossNetOfTaxDebtSecurities_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentNotCreditLossNetOfTaxDebtSecurities" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentNotCreditLossNetOfTaxDebtSecurities_2">Other-than-temporary impairments recognized in accumulated other comprehensive(loss)/income</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentNotCreditLossNetOfTaxDebtSecurities" xlink:to="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentNotCreditLossNetOfTaxDebtSecurities_2" xlink:title="label: AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentNotCreditLossNetOfTaxDebtSecurities to label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentNotCreditLossNetOfTaxDebtSecurities" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_SpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesDisclosureTextBlock" xlink:label="SpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesDisclosureTextBlock" xlink:title="SpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesDisclosureTextBlock" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_SpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesDisclosureTextBlock" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_SpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesDisclosureTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_SpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesDisclosureTextBlock">Use of Special Purpose Entities and Variable Interest Entities</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="SpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesDisclosureTextBlock" xlink:to="label_SpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesDisclosureTextBlock" xlink:title="label: SpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesDisclosureTextBlock to label_SpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesDisclosureTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_SpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesDisclosureTextBlock_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_SpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesDisclosureTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_SpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesDisclosureTextBlock_2">Special Purpose Entities and Variable Interest Entities Disclosure [Text Block]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="SpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesDisclosureTextBlock" xlink:to="label_SpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesDisclosureTextBlock_2" xlink:title="label: SpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesDisclosureTextBlock to label_SpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesDisclosureTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_SpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesDisclosureTextBlock_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_SpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesDisclosureTextBlock" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_SpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesDisclosureTextBlock_3">Represents the disclosure of special purpose entities and variable interest entities of the reporting entity.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="SpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesDisclosureTextBlock" xlink:to="label_SpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesDisclosureTextBlock_3" xlink:title="label: SpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesDisclosureTextBlock to label_SpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesDisclosureTextBlock" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesPricePerShare" xlink:label="StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesPricePerShare" xlink:title="StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesPricePerShare" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesPricePerShare" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesPricePerShare" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesPricePerShare">Stock Issued During Period, Shares Price Per Share</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesPricePerShare" xlink:to="label_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesPricePerShare" xlink:title="label: StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesPricePerShare to label_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesPricePerShare" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesPricePerShare_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesPricePerShare" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesPricePerShare_2">Gross Proceeds Per Share</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesPricePerShare" xlink:to="label_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesPricePerShare_2" xlink:title="label: StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesPricePerShare to label_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesPricePerShare" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesPricePerShare_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesPricePerShare" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesPricePerShare_3">Represents the offer price per share of the new shares issued during the period.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesPricePerShare" xlink:to="label_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesPricePerShare_3" xlink:title="label: StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesPricePerShare to label_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesPricePerShare" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember" xlink:label="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember" xlink:title="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember">Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember" xlink:to="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember" xlink:title="label: AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember to label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_2">Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income:</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember" xlink:to="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_2" xlink:title="label: AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember to label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssuesNetOfExpenses" xlink:label="StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssuesNetOfExpenses" xlink:title="StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssuesNetOfExpenses" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssuesNetOfExpenses" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssuesNetOfExpenses" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssuesNetOfExpenses">Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues, Net of Expenses</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssuesNetOfExpenses" xlink:to="label_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssuesNetOfExpenses" xlink:title="label: StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssuesNetOfExpenses to label_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssuesNetOfExpenses" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssuesNetOfExpenses_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssuesNetOfExpenses" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssuesNetOfExpenses_2">Issuance of common stock, net of expenses</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssuesNetOfExpenses" xlink:to="label_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssuesNetOfExpenses_2" xlink:title="label: StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssuesNetOfExpenses to label_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssuesNetOfExpenses" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssuesNetOfExpenses_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssuesNetOfExpenses" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssuesNetOfExpenses_3">The value of new stock issued during the period, net of expenses incurred for issuance.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssuesNetOfExpenses" xlink:to="label_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssuesNetOfExpenses_3" xlink:title="label: StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssuesNetOfExpenses to label_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssuesNetOfExpenses" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssuesNetOfExpenses_4" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel" xlink:title="label_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssuesNetOfExpenses" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssuesNetOfExpenses_4">Net proceeds</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssuesNetOfExpenses" xlink:to="label_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssuesNetOfExpenses_4" xlink:title="label: StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssuesNetOfExpenses to label_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssuesNetOfExpenses" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_StockholdersEquityLineItems" xlink:label="StockholdersEquityLineItems" xlink:title="StockholdersEquityLineItems" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_StockholdersEquityLineItems" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_StockholdersEquityLineItems" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_StockholdersEquityLineItems">Stockholders' Equity [Line Items]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="StockholdersEquityLineItems" xlink:to="label_StockholdersEquityLineItems" xlink:title="label: StockholdersEquityLineItems to label_StockholdersEquityLineItems" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_StockholdersEquityLineItems_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_StockholdersEquityLineItems" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_StockholdersEquityLineItems_2">Stockholders' Equity</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="StockholdersEquityLineItems" xlink:to="label_StockholdersEquityLineItems_2" xlink:title="label: StockholdersEquityLineItems to label_StockholdersEquityLineItems" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_StockholdersEquityTable" xlink:label="StockholdersEquityTable" xlink:title="StockholdersEquityTable" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_StockholdersEquityTable" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_StockholdersEquityTable" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_StockholdersEquityTable">Stockholder's Equity [Table]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="StockholdersEquityTable" xlink:to="label_StockholdersEquityTable" xlink:title="label: StockholdersEquityTable to label_StockholdersEquityTable" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_StockholdersEquityTable_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_StockholdersEquityTable" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_StockholdersEquityTable_2">Disclosure of information pertaining to changes in stockholders' equity during the period.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="StockholdersEquityTable" xlink:to="label_StockholdersEquityTable_2" xlink:title="label: StockholdersEquityTable to label_StockholdersEquityTable" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_SubsequentEventDebtInstrumentAdditionalBorrowingCapacity" xlink:label="SubsequentEventDebtInstrumentAdditionalBorrowingCapacity" xlink:title="SubsequentEventDebtInstrumentAdditionalBorrowingCapacity" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_SubsequentEventDebtInstrumentAdditionalBorrowingCapacity" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_SubsequentEventDebtInstrumentAdditionalBorrowingCapacity" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_SubsequentEventDebtInstrumentAdditionalBorrowingCapacity">Subsequent Event Debt Instrument Additional Borrowing Capacity</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="SubsequentEventDebtInstrumentAdditionalBorrowingCapacity" xlink:to="label_SubsequentEventDebtInstrumentAdditionalBorrowingCapacity" xlink:title="label: SubsequentEventDebtInstrumentAdditionalBorrowingCapacity to label_SubsequentEventDebtInstrumentAdditionalBorrowingCapacity" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_SubsequentEventDebtInstrumentAdditionalBorrowingCapacity_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_SubsequentEventDebtInstrumentAdditionalBorrowingCapacity" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_SubsequentEventDebtInstrumentAdditionalBorrowingCapacity_2">Additional Borrowing Capacity</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="SubsequentEventDebtInstrumentAdditionalBorrowingCapacity" xlink:to="label_SubsequentEventDebtInstrumentAdditionalBorrowingCapacity_2" xlink:title="label: SubsequentEventDebtInstrumentAdditionalBorrowingCapacity to label_SubsequentEventDebtInstrumentAdditionalBorrowingCapacity" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_SubsequentEventDebtInstrumentAdditionalBorrowingCapacity_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_SubsequentEventDebtInstrumentAdditionalBorrowingCapacity" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_SubsequentEventDebtInstrumentAdditionalBorrowingCapacity_3">Represents the increase in entity's borrowing capacity pursuant to an amendment of a financing arrangement involving certain repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="SubsequentEventDebtInstrumentAdditionalBorrowingCapacity" xlink:to="label_SubsequentEventDebtInstrumentAdditionalBorrowingCapacity_3" xlink:title="label: SubsequentEventDebtInstrumentAdditionalBorrowingCapacity to label_SubsequentEventDebtInstrumentAdditionalBorrowingCapacity" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_TermOfDerivative" xlink:label="TermOfDerivative" xlink:title="TermOfDerivative" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_TermOfDerivative" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_TermOfDerivative" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_TermOfDerivative">Term of Derivative</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="TermOfDerivative" xlink:to="label_TermOfDerivative" xlink:title="label: TermOfDerivative to label_TermOfDerivative" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_TermOfDerivative_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_TermOfDerivative" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_TermOfDerivative_2">Term of derivative</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="TermOfDerivative" xlink:to="label_TermOfDerivative_2" xlink:title="label: TermOfDerivative to label_TermOfDerivative" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_TermOfDerivative_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_TermOfDerivative" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_TermOfDerivative_3">Represents the period for which the derivative instrument will be in force.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="TermOfDerivative" xlink:to="label_TermOfDerivative_3" xlink:title="label: TermOfDerivative to label_TermOfDerivative" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_TypeOfTransactionAxis" xlink:label="TypeOfTransactionAxis" xlink:title="TypeOfTransactionAxis" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_TypeOfTransactionAxis" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_TypeOfTransactionAxis" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_TypeOfTransactionAxis">Type of Transaction [Axis]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="TypeOfTransactionAxis" xlink:to="label_TypeOfTransactionAxis" xlink:title="label: TypeOfTransactionAxis to label_TypeOfTransactionAxis" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_TypeOfTransactionAxis_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_TypeOfTransactionAxis" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_TypeOfTransactionAxis_2">A categorization of types of transactions entered into by the entity.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="TypeOfTransactionAxis" xlink:to="label_TypeOfTransactionAxis_2" xlink:title="label: TypeOfTransactionAxis to label_TypeOfTransactionAxis" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_TypeOfTransactionDomain" xlink:label="TypeOfTransactionDomain" xlink:title="TypeOfTransactionDomain" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_TypeOfTransactionDomain" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_TypeOfTransactionDomain" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_TypeOfTransactionDomain">Type of Transaction [Domain]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="TypeOfTransactionDomain" xlink:to="label_TypeOfTransactionDomain" xlink:title="label: TypeOfTransactionDomain to label_TypeOfTransactionDomain" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_TypeOfTransactionDomain_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_TypeOfTransactionDomain" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_TypeOfTransactionDomain_2">Identification of the types of transactions entered into by the entity.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="TypeOfTransactionDomain" xlink:to="label_TypeOfTransactionDomain_2" xlink:title="label: TypeOfTransactionDomain to label_TypeOfTransactionDomain" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_UBSAGMember" xlink:label="UBSAGMember" xlink:title="UBSAGMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_UBSAGMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_UBSAGMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_UBSAGMember">UBS AG [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="UBSAGMember" xlink:to="label_UBSAGMember" xlink:title="label: UBSAGMember to label_UBSAGMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_UBSAGMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_UBSAGMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_UBSAGMember_2">Represents the counterparty, UBS AG.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="UBSAGMember" xlink:to="label_UBSAGMember_2" xlink:title="label: UBSAGMember to label_UBSAGMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_UBSAGMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_UBSAGMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_UBSAGMember_3">UBS AG</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="UBSAGMember" xlink:to="label_UBSAGMember_3" xlink:title="label: UBSAGMember to label_UBSAGMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_UBSMember" xlink:label="UBSMember" xlink:title="UBSMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_UBSMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_UBSMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_UBSMember">UBS [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="UBSMember" xlink:to="label_UBSMember" xlink:title="label: UBSMember to label_UBSMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_UBSMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_UBSMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_UBSMember_2">UBS</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="UBSMember" xlink:to="label_UBSMember_2" xlink:title="label: UBSMember to label_UBSMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_UBSMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_UBSMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_UBSMember_3">Represents the counterparty, Wells UBS.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="UBSMember" xlink:to="label_UBSMember_3" xlink:title="label: UBSMember to label_UBSMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_UBSSecuritiesLlcMember" xlink:label="UBSSecuritiesLlcMember" xlink:title="UBSSecuritiesLlcMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_UBSSecuritiesLlcMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_UBSSecuritiesLlcMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_UBSSecuritiesLlcMember">UBS Securities Llc [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="UBSSecuritiesLlcMember" xlink:to="label_UBSSecuritiesLlcMember" xlink:title="label: UBSSecuritiesLlcMember to label_UBSSecuritiesLlcMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_UBSSecuritiesLlcMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_UBSSecuritiesLlcMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_UBSSecuritiesLlcMember_2">UBS Securities LLC</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="UBSSecuritiesLlcMember" xlink:to="label_UBSSecuritiesLlcMember_2" xlink:title="label: UBSSecuritiesLlcMember to label_UBSSecuritiesLlcMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_UBSSecuritiesLlcMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_UBSSecuritiesLlcMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_UBSSecuritiesLlcMember_3">Represents the counterparty, Wells UBS.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="UBSSecuritiesLlcMember" xlink:to="label_UBSSecuritiesLlcMember_3" xlink:title="label: UBSSecuritiesLlcMember to label_UBSSecuritiesLlcMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax" xlink:label="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax" xlink:title="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax">Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges, Effect Net of Tax</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax" xlink:to="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax" xlink:title="label: AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax to label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel" xlink:title="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax_2">Net unrealized gain (loss) on Hedging instruments</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax" xlink:to="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax_2" xlink:title="label: AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax to label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/periodStartLabel" xlink:title="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax_3">Balance at beginning of period</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax" xlink:to="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax_3" xlink:title="label: AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax to label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax_4" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/periodEndLabel" xlink:title="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax_4">Balance at end of period</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax" xlink:to="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax_4" xlink:title="label: AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax to label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_UnratedAndOtherMember" xlink:label="UnratedAndOtherMember" xlink:title="UnratedAndOtherMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_UnratedAndOtherMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_UnratedAndOtherMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_UnratedAndOtherMember">Unrated and Other [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="UnratedAndOtherMember" xlink:to="label_UnratedAndOtherMember" xlink:title="label: UnratedAndOtherMember to label_UnratedAndOtherMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_UnratedAndOtherMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_UnratedAndOtherMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_UnratedAndOtherMember_2">Represents no rating by any agency or other credit ratings not separately specified as defined by one or more rating agencies.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="UnratedAndOtherMember" xlink:to="label_UnratedAndOtherMember_2" xlink:title="label: UnratedAndOtherMember to label_UnratedAndOtherMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_UnratedAndOtherMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_UnratedAndOtherMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_UnratedAndOtherMember_3">Unrated and other</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="UnratedAndOtherMember" xlink:to="label_UnratedAndOtherMember_3" xlink:title="label: UnratedAndOtherMember to label_UnratedAndOtherMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_UnratedAndOtherMember_4" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel" xlink:title="label_UnratedAndOtherMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_UnratedAndOtherMember_4">Unrated</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="UnratedAndOtherMember" xlink:to="label_UnratedAndOtherMember_4" xlink:title="label: UnratedAndOtherMember to label_UnratedAndOtherMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember" xlink:label="AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember" xlink:title="AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember">Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember" xlink:to="label_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember" xlink:title="label: AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember to label_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember_2">Net Unrealized (Loss)/Gain on Swaps</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember" xlink:to="label_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember_2" xlink:title="label: AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember to label_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_UnrealizedGainAndOtherOnLinkedTransactions" xlink:label="UnrealizedGainAndOtherOnLinkedTransactions" xlink:title="UnrealizedGainAndOtherOnLinkedTransactions" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_UnrealizedGainAndOtherOnLinkedTransactions" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_UnrealizedGainAndOtherOnLinkedTransactions" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_UnrealizedGainAndOtherOnLinkedTransactions">Unrealized Gain and Other on Linked Transactions</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="UnrealizedGainAndOtherOnLinkedTransactions" xlink:to="label_UnrealizedGainAndOtherOnLinkedTransactions" xlink:title="label: UnrealizedGainAndOtherOnLinkedTransactions to label_UnrealizedGainAndOtherOnLinkedTransactions" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_UnrealizedGainAndOtherOnLinkedTransactions_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel" xlink:title="label_UnrealizedGainAndOtherOnLinkedTransactions" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_UnrealizedGainAndOtherOnLinkedTransactions_2">Unrealized (gains)/losses and other on Linked Transactions</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="UnrealizedGainAndOtherOnLinkedTransactions" xlink:to="label_UnrealizedGainAndOtherOnLinkedTransactions_2" xlink:title="label: UnrealizedGainAndOtherOnLinkedTransactions to label_UnrealizedGainAndOtherOnLinkedTransactions" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_UnrealizedGainAndOtherOnLinkedTransactions_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_UnrealizedGainAndOtherOnLinkedTransactions" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_UnrealizedGainAndOtherOnLinkedTransactions_3">Represents the unrealized gains (losses) and other changes in value on linked transactions during the reporting period.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="UnrealizedGainAndOtherOnLinkedTransactions" xlink:to="label_UnrealizedGainAndOtherOnLinkedTransactions_3" xlink:title="label: UnrealizedGainAndOtherOnLinkedTransactions to label_UnrealizedGainAndOtherOnLinkedTransactions" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_UnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactions" xlink:label="UnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactions" xlink:title="UnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactions" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_UnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactions" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel" xlink:title="label_UnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactions" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_UnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactions">Unrealized net gains and net interest income from Linked Transactions</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="UnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactions" xlink:to="label_UnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactions" xlink:title="label: UnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactions to label_UnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactions" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_UnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactions_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_UnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactions" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_UnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactions_2">Represents unrealized net (losses)/gains and net interest income from linked transactions of the entity.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="UnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactions" xlink:to="label_UnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactions_2" xlink:title="label: UnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactions to label_UnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactions" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_UnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactions_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_UnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactions" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_UnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactions_3">Unrealized Net Gains (Losses) and Net Interest Income from Linked Transactions</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="UnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactions" xlink:to="label_UnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactions_3" xlink:title="label: UnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactions to label_UnrealizedNetGainsLossesAndNetInterestIncomeFromLinkedTransactions" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxAbstract" xlink:label="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxAbstract" xlink:title="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxAbstract" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxAbstract" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxAbstract" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxAbstract">Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxAbstract" xlink:to="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxAbstract" xlink:title="label: AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxAbstract to label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxAbstract" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxAbstract_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxAbstract" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxAbstract_2">Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxAbstract" xlink:to="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxAbstract_2" xlink:title="label: AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxAbstract to label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxAbstract" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxAbstract_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel" xlink:title="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxAbstract" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxAbstract_3">Impact of Hedging Instruments on Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxAbstract" xlink:to="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxAbstract_3" xlink:title="label: AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxAbstract to label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxAbstract" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_UseOfSpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesDisclosureAbstract" xlink:label="UseOfSpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesDisclosureAbstract" xlink:title="UseOfSpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesDisclosureAbstract" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_UseOfSpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesDisclosureAbstract" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_UseOfSpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesDisclosureAbstract" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_UseOfSpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesDisclosureAbstract">Use of Special Purpose Entities and Variable Interest Entities</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="UseOfSpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesDisclosureAbstract" xlink:to="label_UseOfSpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesDisclosureAbstract" xlink:title="label: UseOfSpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesDisclosureAbstract to label_UseOfSpecialPurposeEntitiesAndVariableInterestEntitiesDisclosureAbstract" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_WFMLTSeries2012RR1Member" xlink:label="WFMLTSeries2012RR1Member" xlink:title="WFMLTSeries2012RR1Member" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_WFMLTSeries2012RR1Member" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_WFMLTSeries2012RR1Member" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_WFMLTSeries2012RR1Member">Represents WFMLT Series 2012-RR1, a Delaware statutory trust which is a VIE consolidated by the entity.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="WFMLTSeries2012RR1Member" xlink:to="label_WFMLTSeries2012RR1Member" xlink:title="label: WFMLTSeries2012RR1Member to label_WFMLTSeries2012RR1Member" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_WFMLTSeries2012RR1Member_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_WFMLTSeries2012RR1Member" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_WFMLTSeries2012RR1Member_2">WFMLT Series 2012-RR1</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="WFMLTSeries2012RR1Member" xlink:to="label_WFMLTSeries2012RR1Member_2" xlink:title="label: WFMLTSeries2012RR1Member to label_WFMLTSeries2012RR1Member" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_WFMLTSeries2012RR1Member_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_WFMLTSeries2012RR1Member" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_WFMLTSeries2012RR1Member_3">WFMLT Series 2012-RR1 [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="WFMLTSeries2012RR1Member" xlink:to="label_WFMLTSeries2012RR1Member_3" xlink:title="label: WFMLTSeries2012RR1Member to label_WFMLTSeries2012RR1Member" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_WeightedAveragePeriodOverWhichDersAreScheduledToElapse" xlink:label="WeightedAveragePeriodOverWhichDersAreScheduledToElapse" xlink:title="WeightedAveragePeriodOverWhichDersAreScheduledToElapse" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_WeightedAveragePeriodOverWhichDersAreScheduledToElapse" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_WeightedAveragePeriodOverWhichDersAreScheduledToElapse" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_WeightedAveragePeriodOverWhichDersAreScheduledToElapse">Weighted Average Period Over which Ders are Scheduled to Elapse</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="WeightedAveragePeriodOverWhichDersAreScheduledToElapse" xlink:to="label_WeightedAveragePeriodOverWhichDersAreScheduledToElapse" xlink:title="label: WeightedAveragePeriodOverWhichDersAreScheduledToElapse to label_WeightedAveragePeriodOverWhichDersAreScheduledToElapse" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_WeightedAveragePeriodOverWhichDersAreScheduledToElapse_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_WeightedAveragePeriodOverWhichDersAreScheduledToElapse" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_WeightedAveragePeriodOverWhichDersAreScheduledToElapse_2">Represents the weighted average period over which DERs are scheduled to elapse.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="WeightedAveragePeriodOverWhichDersAreScheduledToElapse" xlink:to="label_WeightedAveragePeriodOverWhichDersAreScheduledToElapse_2" xlink:title="label: WeightedAveragePeriodOverWhichDersAreScheduledToElapse to label_WeightedAveragePeriodOverWhichDersAreScheduledToElapse" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_WeightedAveragePeriodOverWhichDersAreScheduledToElapse_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_WeightedAveragePeriodOverWhichDersAreScheduledToElapse" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_WeightedAveragePeriodOverWhichDersAreScheduledToElapse_3">Weighted average period over which DERs are scheduled to elapse</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="WeightedAveragePeriodOverWhichDersAreScheduledToElapse" xlink:to="label_WeightedAveragePeriodOverWhichDersAreScheduledToElapse_3" xlink:title="label: WeightedAveragePeriodOverWhichDersAreScheduledToElapse to label_WeightedAveragePeriodOverWhichDersAreScheduledToElapse" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_WellsFargoBankMember" xlink:label="WellsFargoBankMember" xlink:title="WellsFargoBankMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_WellsFargoBankMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_WellsFargoBankMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_WellsFargoBankMember">Wells Fargo Bank [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="WellsFargoBankMember" xlink:to="label_WellsFargoBankMember" xlink:title="label: WellsFargoBankMember to label_WellsFargoBankMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_WellsFargoBankMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_WellsFargoBankMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_WellsFargoBankMember_2">Wells Fargo Bank</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="WellsFargoBankMember" xlink:to="label_WellsFargoBankMember_2" xlink:title="label: WellsFargoBankMember to label_WellsFargoBankMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_WellsFargoBankMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_WellsFargoBankMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_WellsFargoBankMember_3">Represents the counterparty, Wells Fargo Bank.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="WellsFargoBankMember" xlink:to="label_WellsFargoBankMember_3" xlink:title="label: WellsFargoBankMember to label_WellsFargoBankMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_WellsFargoMember" xlink:label="WellsFargoMember" xlink:title="WellsFargoMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_WellsFargoMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_WellsFargoMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_WellsFargoMember">Wells Fargo [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="WellsFargoMember" xlink:to="label_WellsFargoMember" xlink:title="label: WellsFargoMember to label_WellsFargoMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_WellsFargoMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_WellsFargoMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_WellsFargoMember_2">Wells Fargo</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="WellsFargoMember" xlink:to="label_WellsFargoMember_2" xlink:title="label: WellsFargoMember to label_WellsFargoMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_WellsFargoMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_WellsFargoMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_WellsFargoMember_3">Represents the counterparty, Wells Fargo.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="WellsFargoMember" xlink:to="label_WellsFargoMember_3" xlink:title="label: WellsFargoMember to label_WellsFargoMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax" xlink:label="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax" xlink:title="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/periodStartLabel" xlink:title="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax">Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax" xlink:to="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax" xlink:title="label: AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax to label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/periodEndLabel" xlink:title="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_2">Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax" xlink:to="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_2" xlink:title="label: AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax to label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_3">Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax" xlink:to="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_3" xlink:title="label: AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax to label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_4" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_4">Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax" xlink:to="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_4" xlink:title="label: AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax to label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_5" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel" xlink:title="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_5">Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax" xlink:to="label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_5" xlink:title="label: AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax to label_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_WellsFargoSecuritiesLlcMember" xlink:label="WellsFargoSecuritiesLlcMember" xlink:title="WellsFargoSecuritiesLlcMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_WellsFargoSecuritiesLlcMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_WellsFargoSecuritiesLlcMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_WellsFargoSecuritiesLlcMember">Wells Fargo Securities Llc [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="WellsFargoSecuritiesLlcMember" xlink:to="label_WellsFargoSecuritiesLlcMember" xlink:title="label: WellsFargoSecuritiesLlcMember to label_WellsFargoSecuritiesLlcMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_WellsFargoSecuritiesLlcMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_WellsFargoSecuritiesLlcMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_WellsFargoSecuritiesLlcMember_2">Wells Fargo Securities LLC</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="WellsFargoSecuritiesLlcMember" xlink:to="label_WellsFargoSecuritiesLlcMember_2" xlink:title="label: WellsFargoSecuritiesLlcMember to label_WellsFargoSecuritiesLlcMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_WellsFargoSecuritiesLlcMember_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_WellsFargoSecuritiesLlcMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_WellsFargoSecuritiesLlcMember_3">Represents the counterparty, Wells Fargo Securities LLC.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="WellsFargoSecuritiesLlcMember" xlink:to="label_WellsFargoSecuritiesLlcMember_3" xlink:title="label: WellsFargoSecuritiesLlcMember to label_WellsFargoSecuritiesLlcMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="mfa-20120930.xsd#mfa_HaircutOnSecuritiesWeightedAveragePercentage" xlink:label="HaircutOnSecuritiesWeightedAveragePercentage" xlink:title="HaircutOnSecuritiesWeightedAveragePercentage" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_HaircutOnSecuritiesWeightedAveragePercentage" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_HaircutOnSecuritiesWeightedAveragePercentage" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_HaircutOnSecuritiesWeightedAveragePercentage">Haircut on Securities Weighted Average Percentage</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="HaircutOnSecuritiesWeightedAveragePercentage" xlink:to="label_HaircutOnSecuritiesWeightedAveragePercentage" xlink:title="label: HaircutOnSecuritiesWeightedAveragePercentage to label_HaircutOnSecuritiesWeightedAveragePercentage" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_HaircutOnSecuritiesWeightedAveragePercentage_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_HaircutOnSecuritiesWeightedAveragePercentage" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_HaircutOnSecuritiesWeightedAveragePercentage_2">Weighted average haircut (as a percent)</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="HaircutOnSecuritiesWeightedAveragePercentage" xlink:to="label_HaircutOnSecuritiesWeightedAveragePercentage_2" xlink:title="label: HaircutOnSecuritiesWeightedAveragePercentage to label_HaircutOnSecuritiesWeightedAveragePercentage" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_HaircutOnSecuritiesWeightedAveragePercentage_3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:title="label_HaircutOnSecuritiesWeightedAveragePercentage" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_HaircutOnSecuritiesWeightedAveragePercentage_3">The weighted average percentage amount by which the collateral value is contractually required to exceed the loan amount on the Company's repurchase agreements borrowings.</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="HaircutOnSecuritiesWeightedAveragePercentage" xlink:to="label_HaircutOnSecuritiesWeightedAveragePercentage_3" xlink:title="label: HaircutOnSecuritiesWeightedAveragePercentage to label_HaircutOnSecuritiesWeightedAveragePercentage" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapital" xlink:label="AdditionalPaidInCapital" xlink:title="AdditionalPaidInCapital" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AdditionalPaidInCapital" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AdditionalPaidInCapital" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AdditionalPaidInCapital">Additional Paid in Capital</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AdditionalPaidInCapital" xlink:to="label_AdditionalPaidInCapital" xlink:title="label: AdditionalPaidInCapital to label_AdditionalPaidInCapital" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AdditionalPaidInCapital_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AdditionalPaidInCapital" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AdditionalPaidInCapital_2">Additional paid-in capital, in excess of par</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AdditionalPaidInCapital" xlink:to="label_AdditionalPaidInCapital_2" xlink:title="label: AdditionalPaidInCapital to label_AdditionalPaidInCapital" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember" xlink:label="AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember" xlink:title="AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember">Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember" xlink:to="label_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember" xlink:title="label: AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember to label_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_2">Additional Paid-in Capital, in excess of Par:</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember" xlink:to="label_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_2" xlink:title="label: AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember to label_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract" xlink:label="AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract" xlink:title="AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract">Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract" xlink:to="label_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract" xlink:title="label: AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract to label_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_2">Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense" xlink:label="AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense" xlink:title="AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense" />
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    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense" xlink:to="label_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense" xlink:title="label: AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense to label_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_2">Expense Recognized for Equity-Based Compensation Instruments</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount" xlink:label="AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount" xlink:title="AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount">Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount" xlink:to="label_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount" xlink:title="label: AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount to label_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount" use="optional" />
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    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount" xlink:to="label_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_2" xlink:title="label: AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount to label_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems" xlink:label="AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems" xlink:title="AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems" />
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    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_2">Anti-dilutive securities</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain" xlink:label="AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain" xlink:title="AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain">Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain" xlink:to="label_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain" xlink:title="label: AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain to label_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis" xlink:label="AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis" xlink:title="AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis">Antidilutive Securities [Axis]</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseMaturityPeriodsAxis" xlink:label="AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseMaturityPeriodsAxis" xlink:title="AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseMaturityPeriodsAxis" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseMaturityPeriodsAxis" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseMaturityPeriodsAxis" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseMaturityPeriodsAxis">Securities or Other Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase, Maturity Periods [Axis]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseMaturityPeriodsAxis" xlink:to="label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseMaturityPeriodsAxis" xlink:title="label: AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseMaturityPeriodsAxis to label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseMaturityPeriodsAxis" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure" xlink:label="AssetsFairValueDisclosure" xlink:title="AssetsFairValueDisclosure" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AssetsFairValueDisclosure" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AssetsFairValueDisclosure" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AssetsFairValueDisclosure">Assets, Fair Value Disclosure</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AssetsFairValueDisclosure" xlink:to="label_AssetsFairValueDisclosure" xlink:title="label: AssetsFairValueDisclosure to label_AssetsFairValueDisclosure" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AssetsFairValueDisclosure_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel" xlink:title="label_AssetsFairValueDisclosure" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AssetsFairValueDisclosure_2">Total assets carried at fair value</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AssetsFairValueDisclosure" xlink:to="label_AssetsFairValueDisclosure_2" xlink:title="label: AssetsFairValueDisclosure to label_AssetsFairValueDisclosure" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsAbstract" xlink:label="AssetsAbstract" xlink:title="AssetsAbstract" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AssetsAbstract" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AssetsAbstract" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AssetsAbstract">Assets [Abstract]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AssetsAbstract" xlink:to="label_AssetsAbstract" xlink:title="label: AssetsAbstract to label_AssetsAbstract" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AssetsAbstract_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AssetsAbstract" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AssetsAbstract_2">Assets:</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AssetsAbstract" xlink:to="label_AssetsAbstract_2" xlink:title="label: AssetsAbstract to label_AssetsAbstract" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseInterestRate" xlink:label="AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseInterestRate" xlink:title="AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseInterestRate" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseInterestRate" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseInterestRate" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseInterestRate">Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase, Interest Rate</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseInterestRate" xlink:to="label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseInterestRate" xlink:title="label: AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseInterestRate to label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseInterestRate" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseInterestRate_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseInterestRate" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseInterestRate_2">Weighted Average Interest Rate (as a percent)</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseInterestRate" xlink:to="label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseInterestRate_2" xlink:title="label: AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseInterestRate to label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseInterestRate" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseLineItems" xlink:label="AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseLineItems" xlink:title="AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseLineItems" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseLineItems" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseLineItems" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseLineItems">Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseLineItems" xlink:to="label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseLineItems" xlink:title="label: AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseLineItems to label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseLineItems" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseLineItems_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseLineItems" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseLineItems_2">Repurchase Agreements</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseLineItems" xlink:to="label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseLineItems_2" xlink:title="label: AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseLineItems to label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseLineItems" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Assets" xlink:label="Assets" xlink:title="Assets" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_Assets" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_Assets" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_Assets">Assets</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="Assets" xlink:to="label_Assets" xlink:title="label: Assets to label_Assets" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_Assets_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel" xlink:title="label_Assets" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_Assets_2">Total Assets</link:label>
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    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract">Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]</link:label>
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    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_2">Assets:</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract" xlink:to="label_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_2" xlink:title="label: AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract to label_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseMaturityPeriodDomain" xlink:label="AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseMaturityPeriodDomain" xlink:title="AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseMaturityPeriodDomain" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseMaturityPeriodDomain" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseMaturityPeriodDomain" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseMaturityPeriodDomain">Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase, Maturity Period [Domain]</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValueAbstract" xlink:label="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValueAbstract" xlink:title="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValueAbstract" />
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLossesAbstract" xlink:label="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLossesAbstract" xlink:title="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLossesAbstract" />
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue" xlink:label="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue" xlink:title="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue" />
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    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue_2">12 months or more</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainLoss" xlink:label="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainLoss" xlink:title="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainLoss" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainLoss" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainLoss" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainLoss">Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gain (Loss)</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesTextBlock" xlink:label="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesTextBlock" xlink:title="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesTextBlock" />
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    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionQualitativeDisclosureAbstract_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionQualitativeDisclosureAbstract" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionQualitativeDisclosureAbstract_2">Number of Securities</link:label>
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    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainsLossesSaleProceeds" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainsLossesSaleProceeds" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainsLossesSaleProceeds">Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gains (Losses), Sale Proceeds</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainsLossesSaleProceeds" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainsLossesSaleProceeds" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainsLossesSaleProceeds to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainsLossesSaleProceeds" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainsLossesSaleProceeds_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:title="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainsLossesSaleProceeds" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainsLossesSaleProceeds_2">Amount of MBS sold</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainsLossesSaleProceeds" xlink:to="label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainsLossesSaleProceeds_2" xlink:title="label: AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainsLossesSaleProceeds to label_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainsLossesSaleProceeds" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis" xlink:label="BalanceSheetLocationAxis" xlink:title="BalanceSheetLocationAxis" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_BalanceSheetLocationAxis" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_BalanceSheetLocationAxis" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_BalanceSheetLocationAxis">Balance Sheet Location [Axis]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="BalanceSheetLocationAxis" xlink:to="label_BalanceSheetLocationAxis" xlink:title="label: BalanceSheetLocationAxis to label_BalanceSheetLocationAxis" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain" xlink:label="BalanceSheetLocationDomain" xlink:title="BalanceSheetLocationDomain" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_BalanceSheetLocationDomain" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_BalanceSheetLocationDomain" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_BalanceSheetLocationDomain">Balance Sheet Location [Domain]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="BalanceSheetLocationDomain" xlink:to="label_BalanceSheetLocationDomain" xlink:title="label: BalanceSheetLocationDomain to label_BalanceSheetLocationDomain" use="optional" />
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BuildingMember" xlink:label="BuildingMember" xlink:title="BuildingMember" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_BuildingMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:title="label_BuildingMember" xml:lang="en-US" id="label_BuildingMember">Building [Member]</link:label>
    <link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="BuildingMember" xlink:to="label_BuildingMember" xlink:title="label: BuildingMember to label_BuildingMember" use="optional" />
    <link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_BuildingMember_2" xlink:r