CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Interest income:
Investments and cash equivalents	$ 13,338		$ 17,269		$ 21,940
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities	134,443		128,923		139,730
Loans	117,042		94,875		85,059
Total interest income	264,823	[1]	241,067	[2]	246,729	[2]
Total interest expense	139,016	[3]	170,720	[4]	137,276	[4]
Net interest income	125,807		70,347		109,453
(Provision for)/release of allowance for loan losses	(2,388)		961		481
Net interest income after (provision for)/release of allowance for loan losses	123,419		71,308		109,934
Non-interest income:
Guarantee and commitment fees	14,077		14,694		15,627
Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities	2,531		(21,646)		31,764
Gains/(losses) on trading securities	1,220		38,629		(819)
Gains/(losses) on sale of available-for-sale investment securities	9		(238)		2,113
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt	0		0		1,462
(Losses)/gains on sale of real estate owned	(1)		137		1,236
Other income	2,305		1,714		3,057
Non-interest income	20,141		33,290		54,440
Non-interest expense:
Compensation and employee benefits	22,047		19,009		17,817
General and administrative	13,111		12,197		11,563
Regulatory fees	2,413		2,381		2,375
Real estate owned operating costs, net	91		110		423
(Release of)/provision for reserve for losses	(2,180)		(2,205)		929
Non-interest expense	35,482	[5]	31,492	[6]	33,107	[6]
Income before income taxes	108,078		73,106		131,267
Income tax expense	34,239		2,824		33,752
Net income	73,839		70,282		97,515
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	(5,139)		(22,192)		(22,187)
Net income attributable to Farmer Mac	68,700		48,090		75,328
Preferred stock dividends	(13,182)		(9,839)		(3,495)
Loss on retirement of preferred stock	(8,147)		0		0
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 47,371		$ 38,251		$ 71,833
Earnings per common share and dividends:
Basic earnings per common share	$ 4.33		$ 3.50		$ 6.64
Diluted earnings per common share	$ 4.19000		$ 3.37000		$ 6.41000

[1] Includes reconciling adjustments for the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value to reflect core earnings amounts.

[2] Includes reconciling adjustments for the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value to reflect core earnings amounts and interest income related to securities purchased under agreements to resell.

[3] Based on effective funding cost determined for each operating segment, including expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in "Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities" on the consolidated financial statements.

[4] Based on effective funding cost determined for each operating segment, including expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in "Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities" on the consolidated financial statements. Includes reconciling adjustments for interest expense related to securities sold, not yet purchased.

[5] Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on headcount

[6] Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on headcount.