INVESTMENTS IN CONSUMER LOANS - Consumer Loan Variable Interest Entities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Real estate securities retained from loan securitizations	$ 310,579	$ 122,585
VIE, consolidated
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Total assets	1,092,286		$ 1,789,286
Notes and bonds payable	819,190		1,464,851
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	3,637		5,187
Total liabilities	822,827		$ 1,470,038
VIE, consolidated | Consumer Loan Companies
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Consumer loans, held-for-investment	1,365,498
Restricted cash	11,965
Accrued interest receivable	19,890
Total assets	1,397,353
Notes and bonds payable	1,364,186
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	4,834
Total liabilities	1,369,020
Real estate securities retained from loan securitizations	$ 121,000