INVESTMENTS IN CONSUMER LOANS - Changes in Consumer Loan Equity Method Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018	Nov. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Increase (Decrease) in Equity Method Investments [Roll Forward]
Distributions of earnings from equity method investees	$ (11,059)		$ (13,668)	$ (22,046)
Distributions of capital from equity method investees	(300,056)		(393,722)	0
Earnings from investments in consumer loans, equity method investees	10,803		25,617	$ 0
Consumer Portfolio Segment \| LoanCo and WarrantCo
Increase (Decrease) in Equity Method Investments [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	51,412	$ 42,473
Contributions to equity method investees	308,050
Distributions of earnings from equity method investees	(6,176)
Distributions of capital from equity method investees	(325,795)
Earnings from investments in consumer loans, equity method investees	10,803	10,803
Balance at end of period	$ 38,294	$ 42,875	$ 51,412

Increase (Decrease) in Equity Method Investments [Roll Forward]

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Amount of distribution received from equity method investee for return on investment, classified as operating activities. Excludes distribution for return of investment, classified as investing activities.

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This item represents the carrying amount on the entity's balance sheet of its investment in common stock of an equity method investee. This is not an indicator of the fair value of the investment, rather it is the initial cost adjusted for the entity's share of earnings and losses of the investee, adjusted for any distributions (dividends) and other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses recognized.

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