CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 302,022,000	$ 265,229,000
Loans:
Loans held for investment, at amortized cost	3,873,755,000	3,379,884,000
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost	1,399,827,000	1,132,966,000
Allowance for loan losses	(6,796,000)	(5,415,000)
Total loans, net of allowance	5,266,786,000	4,507,435,000
Real estate owned, at lower of cost or fair value	139,000	1,528,000
Financial derivatives, at fair value	7,093,000	23,182,000
Interest receivable (includes $17,373 and $12,584, respectively, related to consolidated trusts)	155,278,000	122,782,000
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable	39,895,000	38,871,000
Deferred tax asset, net	2,048,000	12,291,000
Prepaid expenses and other assets	29,023,000	86,322,000
Total Assets	17,792,274,000	15,606,020,000
Notes payable:
Due within one year	8,089,826,000	8,440,123,000
Due after one year	7,432,790,000	5,222,977,000
Total notes payable	15,522,616,000	13,663,100,000
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	1,404,945,000	1,142,704,000
Financial derivatives, at fair value	26,599,000	58,152,000
Accrued interest payable (includes $14,631 and $10,881, respectively, related to consolidated trusts)	75,402,000	49,700,000
Guarantee and commitment obligation	38,400,000	37,282,000
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	14,096,000	9,415,000
Reserve for losses	2,070,000	2,020,000
Total Liabilities	17,084,128,000	14,962,373,000
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 12)
Common stock:
Additional paid-in capital	118,979,000	118,655,000
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	51,085,000	33,758,000
Retained earnings	322,704,000	275,714,000
Total Stockholders' Equity	708,146,000	643,425,000
Non-controlling interest	0	222,000
Total Equity	708,146,000	643,647,000
Total Liabilities and Equity	17,792,274,000	15,606,020,000
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock:
Preferred stock	58,333,000	58,333,000
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock:
Preferred stock	73,044,000	73,044,000
Series C Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock:
Preferred stock	73,382,000	73,382,000
Common Class A, Voting [Member]
Common stock:
Common Stock	1,031,000	1,031,000
Common Class B, Voting [Member]
Common stock:
Common Stock	500,000	500,000
Common Class C, Non-Voting [Member]
Common stock:
Common Stock	9,088,000	9,008,000
Investment Securities [Member]
Assets:
Available-for-sale, at fair value	2,215,405,000	2,515,851,000
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost	45,032,000	0
Marketable Securities	2,260,437,000	2,515,851,000
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
Assets:
Available-for-sale, at fair value	5,471,914,000	4,853,685,000
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost	2,126,274,000	1,149,231,000
Marketable Securities	7,598,188,000	6,002,916,000
USDA Securities [Member]
Assets:
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost	2,117,850,000	2,009,225,000
Trading, at fair value	13,515,000	20,388,000
Marketable Securities	$ 2,131,365,000	$ 2,029,613,000