Variable interest entities and securitization activities - Consolidated VIE Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 122,265	$ 67,928	$ 47,597
Restricted cash	93,164	51,728	$ 29,979
Loans, held for sale, at fair value	306,328	188,077
Accrued interest	11,383	10,583
Real estate, held for sale	48,292	58,573
Total Assets	5,270,050	4,977,018
Liabilities
Secured borrowings	1,698,937	1,189,392
Total Liabilities	4,494,491	4,132,234
Consolidated VIEs
Assets
Total Assets	2,229,517	2,378,486
Liabilities
Secured borrowings	1,692,074	1,815,154
Consolidated VIEs
Assets
Loans, net	2,195,177	2,326,199
Reportable Legal Entities \| Consolidated VIEs
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	20	23
Restricted cash	8,538	8,301
Loans, held for sale, at fair value	4,017	4,434
Due from servicers	10,279	27,964
Accrued interest	11,486	11,565
Total Assets	2,229,517	2,378,486
Liabilities
Secured borrowings	1,692,074	1,815,154
Total Liabilities	1,692,074	1,815,154
Reportable Legal Entities \| Consolidated VIEs \| Consolidated VIEs
Assets
Loans, net	$ 2,195,177	$ 2,326,199

The net amount of loans and leases receivable of consolidated variable interest entities.

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For an unclassified balance sheet, the amount of fees and other revenue, excluding investment income receivable, earned but not yet received, which were recognized in conformity with revenue recognition criteria based on estimates or specific contractual terms.

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Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

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Amount of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Also includes short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Excludes cash and cash equivalents within disposal group and discontinued operation.

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Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of interest earned but not received. Also called accrued interest or accrued interest receivable.

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Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all liabilities that are recognized. Liabilities are probable future sacrifices of economic benefits arising from present obligations of an entity to transfer assets or provide services to other entities in the future.

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Fair value portion of loans held-for-sale including, but not limited to, mortgage loans and finance receivables.

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Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of investments in land and buildings held for sale, excluding real estate considered to be inventory of the entity.

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Amount of cash restricted as to withdrawal or usage. Cash includes, but is not limited to, currency on hand, demand deposits with banks or financial institutions, and other accounts with general characteristics of demand deposits.

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Carrying value as of the balance sheet date, including the current and noncurrent portions, of collateralized debt obligations (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer). Such obligations include mortgage loans, chattel loans, and any other borrowings secured by assets of the borrower.

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