CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2016		May 31, 2015	May 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Interest income	$ 1,012,636		$ 952,976	$ 957,540
Interest expense	(681,850)	[1]	(635,684)	(654,655)
Net interest income	330,786		317,292	302,885
Benefit (provision) for loan losses	646		21,954	(3,498)
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	331,432		339,246	299,387
Non-interest income:
Fee and other income	21,785		36,783	17,762
Derivative losses	(309,841)		(196,999)	(34,421)
Results of operations of foreclosed assets	(6,899)		(120,148)	(13,494)
Total non-interest income	(294,955)		(280,364)	(30,153)
Non-interest expense:
Salaries and employee benefits	(44,590)		(43,845)	(41,176)
Other general and administrative expenses	(41,753)		(32,685)	(31,390)
Losses on early extinguishment of debt	(333)		(703)	(1,452)
Other	(1,260)		(167)	(286)
Total non-interest expense	(87,936)		(77,400)	(74,304)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(51,459)		(18,518)	194,930
Income tax expense	(57)		(409)	(2,004)
Net income (loss)	(51,516)		(18,927)	192,926
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,863		(105)	(2,859)
Net income (loss) attributable to CFC	$ (49,653)		$ (19,032)	$ 190,067

[1] (1) Represents interest expense and the amortization of discounts on debt.