CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 627,670	$ 749,313
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	1,630,427	0
Loans:
Loans held for investment, at amortized cost	2,689,531	2,570,125
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost	670,140	629,989
Allowance for loan losses	(6,326)	(6,866)
Total loans, net of allowance	3,353,345	3,193,248
Real estate owned, at lower of cost or fair value	1,182	2,617
Financial derivatives, at fair value	5,743	19,718
Interest receivable (includes $4,256 and $9,276, respectively, related to consolidated trusts)	65,522	107,201
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable	42,078	43,904
Deferred tax asset, net	39,781	44,045
Prepaid expenses and other assets	33,938	14,046
Total Assets	14,525,697	13,361,780
Notes payable:
Due within one year	6,332,887	7,338,781
Due after one year	5,186,393	5,001,169
Total notes payable	11,519,280	12,339,950
Securities sold, not yet purchased	1,657,901	0
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	400,012	261,760
Financial derivatives, at fair value	69,995	75,708
Accrued interest payable (includes $2,731 and $2,823, respectively, related to consolidated trusts)	34,853	53,772
Guarantee and commitment obligation	38,957	39,667
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	18,019	9,986
Reserve for losses	4,280	6,468
Total Liabilities	13,743,297	12,787,311
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6)
Common stock:
Additional paid-in capital	112,861	110,722
Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	21,080	(16,202)
Retained earnings	196,897	168,877
Total Stockholders' Equity	546,547	332,616
Non-controlling interest - preferred stock	235,853	241,853
Total Equity	782,400	574,469
Total Liabilities and Equity	14,525,697	13,361,780
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock:
Preferred stock	58,333	58,333
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock:
Preferred stock	73,061	0
Series C Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock:
Preferred stock	73,379	0
Common Class A, Voting [Member]
Common stock:
Common Stock	1,031	1,031
Common Class B, Voting [Member]
Common stock:
Common Stock	500	500
Common Class C, Non-Voting [Member]
Common stock:
Common Stock	9,405	9,355
Investment Securities [Member]
Assets:
Available-for-sale, at fair value	1,984,983	2,483,147
Trading, at fair value	777	928
Marketable Securities	1,985,760	2,484,075
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
Assets:
Available-for-sale, at fair value	3,356,775	5,091,600
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost	1,652,631	0
Marketable Securities	5,009,406	5,091,600
USDA Securities [Member]
Assets:
Available-for-sale, at fair value	1,687,881	1,553,669
Trading, at fair value	42,964	58,344
Marketable Securities	$ 1,730,845	$ 1,612,013