VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES RSO Income Statement Detail (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Interest income:
Interest expense	$ 483	$ 494
Equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities	631	1,261
Total revenues	49,302	43,327
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
General and administrative	3,154	2,153
Depreciation and amortization	451	416
Income tax expense	1,085
Costs and Expenses	28,485	28,454
OTHER REVENUE (EXPENSE)
Other expenses	(1,631)	(488)
Other expense, net from consolidated VIE - RSO	(1,631)
Income from continuing operations before taxes	19,186	14,385
Income tax expense	1,085
Net income	990	496
RSO [Member]
Interest income:
Loans	20,229	27,812
Securities	4,004	3,642
Interest income − other	2,852	1,866
Total interest income	27,085	33,320
Interest expense	9,637	11,165
Net interest income	17,448	22,155
Rental income	5,152	6,174
Dividend income	136	16
Equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities	2,014	(425)
Fee income	2,756	1,410
Net realized gain on sales of investment securities available-for-sale and loans	3,680	391
Net realized and unrealized gain on investment securities, trading	(1,560)	1,116
Unrealized gain and net interest income on linked transactions, net	2,305	(259)
Total revenues	31,931	30,578
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Management fees − related party	3,080	2,978
Equity compensation − related party	1,667	3,591
Rental operating expense	3,396	3,937
General and administrative	8,105	3,481
Depreciation and amortization	836	1,138
Income tax expense	16	1,762
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings	0	21
Provision for loan losses	(3,960)	1,042
Total operating expenses	13,140	17,950
Costs and Expenses	13,124	16,188
Adjusted operating income	18,807	14,390
OTHER REVENUE (EXPENSE)
Other expenses	(1,262)	0
Loss on the extinguishment of debt	(69)	0
Other expense, net from consolidated VIE - RSO	(1,331)	0
Income from continuing operations before taxes	17,476	14,390
Income tax expense	16	1,762
Net income	17,460	12,628
Net income allocated to preferred shares	(2,400)	(1,311)
Net income allocated to noncontrolling interests	56	209
NET INCOME ALLOCABLE TO RSO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS	$ 15,116	$ 11,526