CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Interest income
Interest on investment securities	$ 52,545	$ 39,566	$ 13,940
Dividends and other interest income	0	1	139
Total interest income	52,545	39,567	14,079
Interest expense
Interest on short-term debt	2,043	593	495
Interest on long-term debt	465	562	3,150
Total interest expense	2,508	1,155	3,645
Net interest income	50,037	38,412	10,434
Other (loss) income, net
Investment (loss) gain, net	(19,166)	3,328	3,926
Other loss	(14)	(14)	(151)
Gain on extinguishment of long-term debt	0	0	160,435
Total other (loss) income, net	(19,180)	3,314	164,210
Income from continuing operations before other expenses	30,857	41,726	174,644
Other expenses
Compensation and benefits	10,065	10,660	14,366
Professional services	1,833	1,263	7,053
Business development	121	97	6,577
Occupancy and equipment	374	388	538
Communications	197	204	246
Other operating expenses	1,599	2,022	5,709
Total other expenses	14,189	14,634	34,489
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	16,668	27,092	140,155
Income tax provision	1,495	506	9,522
Net income from continuing operations, net of taxes	15,173	26,586	130,633
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	0	0	(25,547)
Net income	15,173	26,586	105,086
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	(11,459)
Net income	15,173	26,586	116,545
Amounts attributable to Arlington Asset Investment Corp. shareholders
Income from continuing operations, net of taxes	15,173	26,586	130,633
Discontinued operations, net of taxes	0	0	(14,088)
Net income	$ 15,173	$ 26,586	$ 116,545
Earnings per share - basic, attributable to Arlington Asset Investment Corp. shareholders:
Income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 1.97	$ 3.44	$ 17.02
Loss from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0	$ (1.83)
Net income (in dollars per share)	$ 1.97	$ 3.44	$ 15.19
Earnings per share - diluted, attributable to Arlington Asset Investment Corp. shareholders:
Income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 1.96	$ 3.38	$ 16.69
Loss from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0	$ (1.80)
Net income (in dollars per share)	$ 1.96	$ 3.38	$ 14.89
Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$ 3.375	$ 1.90	$ 0
Weighted-average shares outstanding (in thousands)
Basic (in shares)	7,720	7,734	7,675
Diluted (in shares)	7,741	7,873	7,825