Note 7 - Use of Special Purpose Entities and Variable Interest Entities (Details) - Classification and Carrying Value of Unconsolidated VIEs (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Note 7 - Use of Special Purpose Entities and Variable Interest Entities (Details) - Classification and Carrying Value of Unconsolidated VIEs [Line Items]
Investment securities for sale, at fair value, held in securitization trusts	$ 38,379		$ 92,578
Receivables and other Assets	172,539		135,286
Total	10,052,252	[1]	9,898,675	[1]
Multi-Family CMBS [Member]
Note 7 - Use of Special Purpose Entities and Variable Interest Entities (Details) - Classification and Carrying Value of Unconsolidated VIEs [Line Items]
Investment securities for sale, at fair value, held in securitization trusts	84,332	[2]	92,578
Receivables and other Assets	161		183
Total	84,493		92,761
Mezzanine, Debt and Equity Investments [Member]
Note 7 - Use of Special Purpose Entities and Variable Interest Entities (Details) - Classification and Carrying Value of Unconsolidated VIEs [Line Items]
Investment securities for sale, at fair value, held in securitization trusts		[2]
Receivables and other Assets	35,763		28,058
Total	35,763		28,058
Total Unconsolidated VIEs [Member]
Note 7 - Use of Special Purpose Entities and Variable Interest Entities (Details) - Classification and Carrying Value of Unconsolidated VIEs [Line Items]
Investment securities for sale, at fair value, held in securitization trusts	84,332	[2]	92,578
Receivables and other Assets	35,924		28,241
Total	$ 120,256		$ 120,819

[1] Our consolidated balance sheets include assets and liabilities of consolidated variable interest entities ("VIEs") as the Company is the primary beneficiary of these VIEs. As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, assets of consolidated VIEs totaled $8,942,214 and $8,665,829, respectively, and the liabilities of consolidated VIEs totaled $8,589,402 and $8,365,345, respectively. See Note 7 for further discussion.

[2] Multi-Family CMBS amounting to $38.4 million are held in a securitization trust and are included in investment securities available for sale, held in securitization trust in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2014.