CLOs and Consolidated Variable Interest Entities (Assets and Liabilities of the Consolidated CLOs) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Assets:
Restricted cash	$ 23,785		$ 23,785		$ 26,395
Investment in loans	222,020		222,020		171,087
Investment in trading securities	38,837		38,837		35,991
Other assets	46,202		46,202		49,201
Total assets	1,627,680		1,627,680		1,414,616
Liabilities:
Other liabilities	52,627		52,627		13,636
Total liabilities of consolidated CLOs	1,417,141		1,417,141		1,175,606
Income:
Realized loss	2,383	0	5,117	0
Interest income	7,363	3,916	17,664	11,131
Other income	1,537	325	3,404	701
Total (loss) income attributable to consolidated CLOs	(4,093)	11,256	20,742	33,475
Expenses:
Interest expense	8,500	4,110	20,721	12,008
Other expenses	5,505	4,227	15,562	10,722
Total expenses attributable to consolidated CLOs	15,552	12,783	44,541	34,021
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net	210,539		210,539		239,010
Telos Asset Management LLC
Expenses:
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net	60,846		60,846		42,674
Telos Asset Management LLC | Primary beneficiary
Assets:
Restricted cash	60,995		60,995		67,604
Investment in loans	1,516,054		1,516,054		1,298,155
Investment in trading securities	22,650		22,650		19,366
Due from brokers	12,408		12,408		15,945
Accrued interest receivable	3,835		3,835		4,108
Deferred debt issuance costs	11,551		11,551		9,261
Other assets	187		187		177
Total assets	1,627,680		1,627,680		1,414,616
Liabilities:
Notes payable	1,386,212		1,386,212		1,154,097
Due to brokers	20,901		20,901		11,479
Accrued interest payable	9,446		9,446		9,745
Other liabilities	582		582		285
Total liabilities of consolidated CLOs	1,417,141		1,417,141		1,175,606
Income:
Realized loss	(9,661)		(21,993)	(16,550)
Unrealized (loss) gain loans	(14,949)		(16,426)	(2,071)
Interest income	20,517		59,161	52,096
Total (loss) income attributable to consolidated CLOs	(4,093)	11,256	20,742	33,475
Expenses:
Interest expense	15,119		43,463	33,106
Other expenses	433		1,078	915
Total expenses attributable to consolidated CLOs	15,552	12,783	44,541	34,021
Notes Payable | Primary beneficiary
Liabilities:
Notes payable	1,386,212		1,386,212		1,154,097
Expenses:
Aggregate principal amount	1,546,589		1,546,589		1,341,701
Notes Payable, Class B-2 Note [Member] | Notes Payable | Telos CLO 2014-5, Ltd. [Member] [Member] | Primary beneficiary
Liabilities:
Notes payable	7,432		7,432
Expenses:
Aggregate principal amount	7,500		7,500
Variable interest rate (as a percent)			2.15%
Subordinated | Notes Payable | Telos CLO 2014-5, Ltd. [Member] [Member] | Primary beneficiary
Liabilities:
Notes payable	9,505		9,505
Expenses:
Aggregate principal amount	10,500		10,500
Subordinated | Notes Payable | Telos 3 (maturity October 2024) | Primary beneficiary
Liabilities:
Notes payable	32,899		32,899		27,678
Expenses:
Aggregate principal amount	$ 34,350		$ 34,350		$ 29,000