CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 19,048	$ 33,041
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash used in operating activities:
Net principal advances on SBA loans held for sale	(11,034)	(21,801)
Proceeds from sales of SBA loans held for sale, net	19,937	29,146
Proceeds applied to income from Portfolio Assets	600	4,470
Income from Portfolio Assets	(26,707)	(40,622)
Provision for loan and impairment losses	3,930	7,258
Foreign currency transaction gains, net	(185)	533
Equity income from unconsolidated subsidiaries	(15,244)	(2,231)
Gain on sale of SBA loans held for sale, net	(1,481)	(2,261)
Gain on sale of subsidiaries and equity investments	(1,451)	(2,172)
Gain on debt extinguishment		(26,543)
Gain on sale of railroad property		(1,087)
Gain on business combinations	(935)	(433)
Gain on sale of investment securities	(343)	(90)
Depreciation and amortization, net	3,631	2,533
Increase in other assets	(1,707)	(2,778)
Increase in other liabilities	7,941	815
Other, net	(588)	421
Net cash used in operating activities	(4,588)	(21,801)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment, net	(3,880)	(1,734)
Proceeds from sale of railroad property		1,372
Proceeds from sale of equity investments and consolidated subsidiaries	32,189	253
Proceeds from sale and deconsolidation of subsidiaries, net of cash disposed		2,561
Cash paid for business combinations, net of cash acquired	123	(2,599)
Decrease in cash from deconsolidation of subsidiary	(2,855)
Net principal payments on loans receivable	1,897	2,206
Purchases of SBA loans held for investment		(696)
Net principal advances on SBA loans held for investment	(1,083)	(3,685)
Purchase of investment securities available for sale		(3,843)
Net principal payments on investment securities available for sale	1,170	1,789
Proceeds from sale of investment securities	1,459	1,980
Purchases of Portfolio Assets	(4,720)	(14,894)
Proceeds applied to principal on Portfolio Assets	90,139	132,947
Contributions to unconsolidated subsidiaries	(33,606)	(44,723)
Distributions from unconsolidated subsidiaries	48,625	43,467
Net cash provided by investing activities	129,458	114,401
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under notes payable to affiliates		696
Borrowings under notes payable to banks and other	22,429	96,796
Principal payments of notes payable to affiliates		(3,237)
Principal payments of notes payable to banks and other	(129,937)	(172,641)
Proceeds from secured borrowings, net		(4,302)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(11,990)	(19,904)
Other, net	(408)	(1,322)
Net cash used in financing activities	(119,906)	(103,914)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	175	(481)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	5,139	(11,795)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	34,802	46,597
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	39,941	34,802
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for interest	2,825	10,869
Cash paid during the period for income taxes, net of refunds	$ 1,698	$ 3,473