Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION

PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE

SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002, 10 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

In connection with the annual report on Form 10-K of MFA Financial, Inc. (the “Company”) for the period ended December 31, 2009 to be filed with Securities and Exchange Commission on or about the date hereof (the “Report”), I, William S. Gorin, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that:

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

It is not intended that this statement be deemed to be filed for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Date:  February 10, 2010

By:	/s/ William S. Gorin
	William S. Gorin
Title:	President and Chief Financial Officer