CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Net interest income:
Interest income	[1]	$ 1,138,758	$ 934,068	$ 872,737
Interest expense	[2]	532,748	347,857	259,365
Net interest income		606,010	586,211	613,372
Other-than-temporary impairments:
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses		(5,169)	(9,589)	(8,700)
Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income		(56,687)	(48,398)	(58,744)
Net other-than-temporary credit impairment losses		(61,856)	(57,987)	(67,444)
Other investment gains (losses):
Net unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives		47,976	50,093	67,385
Realized gains (losses) on terminations of interest rate swaps		(16,143)	(60,616)	(98,949)
Net realized gains (losses) on derivatives		(25,645)	(44,886)	(83,073)
Net gains (losses) on derivatives		6,188	(55,409)	(114,637)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value		111,410	59,552	(158,433)
Net realized gains (losses) on sales of investments		9,123	18,155	77,074
Gain (loss) on deconsolidation		0	0	(256)
Gains (losses) on extinguishment of debt		(35,274)	(477)	(5,930)
Total other gains (losses)		91,447	21,821	(202,182)
Other income:
Other income		0	95,000	0
Total other income		0	95,000	0
Other expenses:
Management fees (net of recoveries)		0	0	17,703
Compensation and benefits		30,212	26,901	10,544
General and administrative expenses		17,650	17,516	31,633
Servicing fees		41,690	31,178	25,244
Deal expenses		21,273	17,424	8,272
Total other expenses		110,825	93,019	93,396
Income (loss) before income taxes		524,776	552,026	250,350
Income taxes		108	83	1
Net income (loss)		524,668	551,943	250,349
Dividend on preferred stock		33,484	2,449	0
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders		$ 491,184	$ 549,494	$ 250,349
Net income (loss) per share available to common shareholders:
Basic (usd per share)		$ 2.62	$ 2.93	$ 1.25
Diluted (usd per share)		$ 2.61	$ 2.92	$ 1.25
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (shares)		187,780,355	187,728,634	199,563,196
Diluted (shares)		188,287,320	188,024,838	199,650,177
Dividends declared per share of common stock (usd per share)		$ 2	$ 2.44	$ 1.92

[1] Includes interest income of consolidated VIEs of $914,022, $678,623 and $575,715 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. See Note 8 to consolidated financial statements for further discussion.

[2] Includes interest expense of consolidated VIEs of $390,858, $249,708 and $191,922 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. See Note 8 to consolidated financial statements for further discussion.