INVESTMENTS IN CONSUMER LOANS - Changes in Consumer Loan Equity Method Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Increase (Decrease) in Equity Method Investments [Roll Forward]
Distributions of earnings from equity method investees	$ (13,668)	$ (22,046)	$ (37,874)
Earnings from investments in consumer loans, equity method investees	25,617	0	$ 0
Consumer Portfolio Segment \| LoanCo and WarrantCo
Increase (Decrease) in Equity Method Investments [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	0
Contributions to equity method investees	470,344
Distributions of earnings from equity method investees	(6,240)
Distributions of capital from equity method investees	(438,309)
Earnings from investments in consumer loans, equity method investees	25,617
Ending balance	$ 51,412	$ 0

Increase (Decrease) in Equity Method Investments [Roll Forward]

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Amount of distribution received from equity method investee for return on investment, classified as operating activities. Excludes distribution for return of investment, classified as investing activities.

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This item represents the carrying amount on the entity's balance sheet of its investment in common stock of an equity method investee. This is not an indicator of the fair value of the investment, rather it is the initial cost adjusted for the entity's share of earnings and losses of the investee, adjusted for any distributions (dividends) and other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses recognized.

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This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. This item includes income or expense related to stock-based compensation based on the investor's grant of stock to employees of an equity method investee.

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The cash outflow associated with the purchase of or advances to an equity method investments, which are investments in joint ventures and entities in which the entity has an equity ownership interest normally of 20 to 50 percent and exercises significant influence.

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Amount of distribution received from equity method investee for return of investment, classified as investing activities. Excludes distribution for return on investment, classified as operating activities.

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