CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,556,246	$ 1,363,387
Loans:
Loans held for investment, at amortized cost	3,082,378	2,833,461
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost	457,117	692,478
Allowance for loan losses	(5,940)	(5,864)
Total loans, net of allowance	3,533,555	3,520,075
Real estate owned, at lower of cost or fair value	421	421
Financial derivatives, at fair value	4,808	4,177
Interest receivable (includes $3,422 and $9,509, respectively, related to consolidated trusts)	66,312	106,874
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable	38,342	39,462
Deferred tax asset, net	14,750	33,391
Prepaid expenses and other assets	53,327	55,413
Total Assets	14,849,685	14,287,821
Notes payable:
Due within one year	7,957,193	7,353,953
Due after one year	5,648,752	5,471,186
Total notes payable	13,605,945	12,825,139
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	457,903	424,214
Financial derivatives, at fair value	95,493	84,844
Accrued interest payable (includes $2,740 and $5,145, respectively, related to consolidated trusts)	36,383	48,355
Guarantee and commitment obligation	36,537	37,925
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	31,433	81,252
Reserve for losses	3,491	4,263
Total Liabilities	14,267,185	13,505,992
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6)
Common stock:
Additional paid-in capital	114,364	113,559
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	51,184	15,533
Retained earnings	201,081	201,013
Total Stockholders' Equity	582,325	545,801
Non-controlling interest	175	236,028
Total Equity	582,500	781,829
Total Liabilities and Equity	14,849,685	14,287,821
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock:
Preferred stock	58,333	58,333
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock:
Preferred stock	73,044	73,044
Series C Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock:
Preferred stock	73,382	73,382
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	9,406	9,406
Investment Securities [Member]
Assets:
Available-for-sale, at fair value	2,139,544	1,938,499
Trading, at fair value	638	689
Marketable Securities	2,140,182	1,939,188
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
Assets:
Available-for-sale, at fair value	3,842,209	3,659,281
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost	1,767,096	1,794,620
Marketable Securities	5,609,305	5,453,901
USDA Securities [Member]
Assets:
Available-for-sale, at fair value	1,794,844	1,731,222
Trading, at fair value	37,593	40,310
Marketable Securities	$ 1,832,437	$ 1,771,532