CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 33,041	$ 25,928
Less income from discontinued operations		(3,962)
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash used in operating activities:
Net principal advances on SBA loans held for sale	(21,801)	(18,329)
Proceeds from sales of SBA loans held for sale, net	29,146	8,615
Proceeds applied to income from Portfolio Assets	4,470	3,493
Income from Portfolio Assets	(40,622)	(45,971)
Capitalized interest and costs on Portfolio Assets and loans receivable	(698)	(630)
Provision for loan and impairment losses	7,258	9,294
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains), net	533	991
Equity income from unconsolidated subsidiaries	(2,231)	(14,609)
Gain on sale of SBA loans held for sale, net	(2,261)	(654)
Gain on sale of subsidiaries and equity investments	(2,172)
Gain on debt extinguishment	(26,543)
Gain on sale of railroad property	(1,087)
Gain on business combinations	(433)	(4,595)
Gain on sale of investment securities	(90)	(3,250)
Depreciation and amortization, net	2,533	4,205
Stock-based compensation expense	739	665
Increase in other assets	(2,778)	(3,253)
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	380	151
Decrease in other liabilities	815	6,269
Net cash used in operating activities	(21,801)	(35,642)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment, net	(1,734)	(3,219)
Proceeds from sale of railroad property	1,372
Proceeds from sale of equity investments	253	125
Cash paid for business combinations, net of cash acquired	(2,599)	(1,999)
Proceeds from sale and deconsolidation of subsidiaries, net of cash disposed	2,561	(875)
Net principal payments on loans receivable	2,206	3,458
Purchases of SBA loans held for investment	(696)
Net principal advances on SBA loans held for investment	(3,685)	(325)
Purchase of investment securities available for sale	(3,843)	(3,627)
Net principal payments on investment securities available for sale	1,789	1,164
Proceeds from sale of investment securities	1,980	3,250
Purchases of Portfolio Assets	(14,894)	(35,939)
Proceeds applied to principal on Portfolio Assets	132,947	121,782
Contributions to unconsolidated subsidiaries	(44,723)	(45,574)
Distributions from unconsolidated subsidiaries	43,467	17,123
Net cash provided by investing activities	114,401	55,344
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under notes payable to affiliates	696
Borrowings under notes payable to banks and other	96,796	73,273
Principal payments of notes payable to affiliates	(3,237)	(209)
Principal payments of notes payable to banks and other	(172,641)	(112,603)
Payments of debt issuance costs and loan fees	(1,620)	(3,535)
Proceeds from secured borrowings, net	(4,302)	4,302
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	228	5,264
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(19,904)	(26,756)
Cash paid for subsidiary shares in noncontrolling interests		(325)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	70	966
Net cash used in financing activities	(103,914)	(59,623)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(481)	122
Net cash used in continuing operations	(11,795)	(39,799)
Cash flows from discontinued operations (see Note 4):
Net cash provided by operating activities		11,087
Net cash used in financing activities		(5,059)
Net cash provided by discontinued operations		6,028
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(11,795)	(33,771)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	46,597	80,368
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	34,802	46,597
Cash paid during the period for:
Cash paid for interest	10,869	11,652
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds	$ 3,473	$ 205