VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES - Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities (Details) (RSO [Member], Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Investment in Unconsolidated Entities	$ 40,965
Maximum Exposure to Loss in Non-consolidated VIEs	1,534
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	9,434
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets	50,399
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Borrowed Funds	51,205
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Liabilities	51,205
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net	(806)
LEAF Commercial Capital Inc [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Investment in Unconsolidated Entities	39,417
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	0
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets	39,417
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Borrowed Funds	0
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Liabilities	0
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net	39,417
Unsecured Junior Subordinated Debentures [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Investment in Unconsolidated Entities	1,548
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	0
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets	1,548
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Borrowed Funds	51,205
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Liabilities	51,205
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net	(49,657)
Resource Capital Asset Management [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Investment in Unconsolidated Entities	0
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	9,434
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets	9,434
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Borrowed Funds	0
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Liabilities	0
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net	9,434
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Maximum Exposure to Loss in Non-consolidated VIEs	40,965
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Maximum Exposure to Loss in Non-consolidated VIEs	$ 9,434