Schedule I - Financial Information (Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
REVENUES
Interest income on loans									$ 134,555	$ 144,651	$ 154,351
Other revenues									107,934	70,625	19,771
Total revenues	317,492	386,000	413,713	369,948	402,839	489,167	595,964	314,529	1,487,153	1,802,499	623,807
EXPENSES
Interest expense									303,103	272,655	179,671
Salaries and benefits									578,627	549,799	230,107
General and administrative									577,506	480,377	136,236
Depreciation and amortization									72,721	71,027	49,267
Corporate allocations									0	0	0
Other expenses, net									10,803	9,395	22,619
Total expenses	429,855	389,523	467,171	338,480	382,604	374,856	359,049	266,744	1,625,029	1,383,253	617,900
OTHER LOSSES
Losses on extinguishments					12,500				0	(12,489)	(48,579)
Other net fair value losses									19,280	6,061	7,221
Total other gains (losses)	3,303	16,204	1,532	(2,503)	(13,330)	6,507	1,656	(1,261)	18,536	(6,428)	(41,358)
Loss before income taxes	(109,060)	12,681	(51,926)	28,965	6,905	120,818	238,571	46,524	(119,340)	412,818	(35,451)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(65,087)	83,484	(38,997)	11,588	(2,892)	48,129	95,339	18,775	(9,012)	159,351	(13,317)
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries and variable interest entities									(110,328)	253,467	(22,134)
Equity in earnings or (losses) of consolidated subsidiaries and variable interest entities									0	0	0
Net income (loss)	(43,973)	(70,803)	(12,929)	17,377	9,797	72,689	143,232	27,749	(110,328)	253,467	(22,134)
Comprehensive income (loss)									(110,431)	253,472	(22,057)
Parent Company [Member]
REVENUES
Interest income on loans									1,007	612	328
Other revenues									1,456	739	382
Total revenues									2,463	1,351	710
EXPENSES
Interest expense									147,633	123,629	77,645
Salaries and benefits									19,311	16,911	19,708
General and administrative									32,198	55,023	17,528
Depreciation and amortization									120	124	131
Corporate allocations									(46,764)	(40,519)	(25,393)
Other expenses, net									1,598	759	1,350
Total expenses									154,096	155,927	90,969
OTHER LOSSES
Losses on extinguishments									0	(12,489)	(48,579)
Other net fair value losses									(54)	(4,813)	(1,197)
Total other gains (losses)									(54)	(17,302)	(49,776)
Loss before income taxes									(151,687)	(171,878)	(140,035)
Income tax expense (benefit)									(49,405)	(55,556)	(48,808)
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries and variable interest entities									(102,282)	(116,322)	(91,227)
Equity in earnings or (losses) of consolidated subsidiaries and variable interest entities									(8,046)	369,789	69,093
Net income (loss)									(110,328)	253,467	(22,134)
Comprehensive income (loss)									$ (110,431)	$ 253,472	$ (22,057)