CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Interest Income:
Residential whole loans held at carrying value	$ 23,916	$ 16,036	$ 4,083
Cash and cash equivalent investments	774	130	89
Interest Income	457,169	492,143	463,817
Interest Expense:
Repurchase agreements and other advances	184,986	166,918	145,244
Senior Notes and other interest expense	8,369	10,030	14,564
Interest Expense	193,355	176,948	159,808
Net Interest Income	263,814	315,195	304,009
Other-Than-Temporary Impairments:
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses	(1,255)	(525)	0
Portion of loss recognized in/(reclassed from) other comprehensive income	770	(180)	0
Net Impairment Losses Recognized in Earnings	(485)	(705)	0
Other Income, net:
Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value	59,684	17,722	116
Gain on sales of MBS	35,837	34,900	37,497
Unrealized net gains and net interest income from Linked Transactions	0	0	17,092
Other, net	13,802	(1,457)	80
Other Income, net	109,323	51,165	54,785
Operating and Other Expense:
Compensation and benefits	29,281	26,293	25,581
Other general and administrative expense	16,331	15,752	15,164
Loan servicing and other related operating expenses	14,372	10,384	3,383
Excise tax and interest	0	0	1,162
Operating and Other Expense	59,984	52,429	45,290
Net Income	312,668	313,226	313,504
Less Preferred Stock Dividends	15,000	15,000	15,000
Net Income Available to Common Stock and Participating Securities	$ 297,668	$ 298,226	$ 298,504
Earnings per Common Share - Basic and Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.80	$ 0.80	$ 0.81
Agency MBS
Interest Income:
Mortgage backed securities	$ 83,069	$ 105,835	$ 142,543
Non-Agency MBS | Non-Agency MBS
Interest Income:
Mortgage backed securities	319,030	317,821	185,806
Non-Agency MBS | Non-Agency MBS Transfered to Consolidated VIEs
Interest Income:
Mortgage backed securities	15,610	45,749	130,524
CRT securities
Interest Income:
Mortgage backed securities	$ 14,770	$ 6,572	$ 772