Note 1 - Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Basis of Presentation Capital and Liquidity (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011
Risk to Capital Line Items [Line Items]
Maximum Regulatory Risk To Capital Ratio	25.00%
Parent Company
Risk to Capital Line Items [Line Items]
Unrestricted Cash And Liquid Investments	$ 726,400,000
Committed Preferred Custodial Trust Securities	150,000,000
Related Party Tax Expense, Due to Affiliates, Current	$ 84,000,000
Government [Member]
Risk to Capital Line Items [Line Items]
Maximum Loan To Value Percentage For G.S.E. Acquired Loans	80.00%
Minimum Percentage Of The Loans In Excess Of An 80% L.T.V. Which Must Be Retained By The Mortgage Originator Or Seller	10.00%
Maximum Regulatory Risk To Capital Ratio	25.00%