Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 33,772	$ 34,864	$ 8,227
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Gain attributable to fair value of future servicing rights, net of guaranty obligation	(92,594)	(54,301)	(43,052)
Gain attributable to fair value of premiums and origination fees	(14,062)	(3,231)	257
Gain on sale of MSR, less prepayment MSR		316
Provision for risk-sharing obligations	3,140	4,724	7,469
Amortization and depreciation	53,925	22,514	16,959
Originations of loans held for sale	(5,590,067)	(3,271,731)	(2,534,883)
Sales of loans to third parties	4,768,155	3,311,383	2,335,548
Stock compensation	5,176	2,422	49
Tax benefit from vesting of equity awards	(244)	(143)
Amortization of deferred loan fees and costs	(45)
Cash allowance received from landlord	1,951
Cash paid to settle risk-sharing obligations	(4,633)	(680)	(2,148)
Deferred tax expense	16,286	9,523	30,226
Cash received from sale of assets acquired	6,828
Changes in:
Restricted cash and pledged securities	(4,831)	(7,262)	298
Servicing fees and other receivables	(14,550)	(5,179)	1,463
Intangible and other assets	(13,596)	(433)	(73)
Accounts payable and other accruals	7,128	10,820	6,984
Performance deposits from borrowers	(922)	4,455	1,385
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(839,183)	58,061	(171,291)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(4,599)	(3,758)	(586)
Acquisition of CW Capital LLC, net of cash acquired and other assets	(208,109)
Net increase in loans held for investment	(9,423)
Net cash used in investing activities	(222,131)	(3,758)	(586)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings (repayments) of warehouse notes payable, net	866,113	(29,993)	151,807
Borrowings (repayments) of notes payable, net	57,056	(3,752)	(5,340)
Debt issuance costs	(1,221)
Distributions to former members		(1,750)	(10,078)
Cash distributed to Column Guaranteed, LLC			(159)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	151,073	2,054	58,369
Repurchase of common stock	(741)	(473)
Tax benefit from vesting of restricted shares	244	143
Other, net			173
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	1,072,524	(33,771)	194,772
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	11,210	20,532	22,895
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	53,817	33,285	10,390
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	65,027	53,817	33,285
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
Cash paid to third parties for interest	11,922	4,662	5,164
Cash paid for taxes	14,329	12,045
Distributions declared, not paid			$ 1,750