Equity Investments (Details 8) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Summarized statements of operations of loan and other equity investments
Interest, dividends and discount accretion									$ 15,720	$ 13,290
Expenses
Interest									17,658	15,759	15,114
General and administrative									3,561	3,558	3,402
Total expenses									71,486	67,553	43,864
Other income
Total other income									23,439	10,398	9,568
Net income loss	(2,088)	15,108	3,358	8,253	(9,839)	9,846	3,728	7,198	24,631	10,933	16,477
Consolidated net income									24,384	11,747	17,365
Loan and Other Equity Investments [Member]
Summarized statements of operations of loan and other equity investments
Interest, dividends and discount accretion									28,565	24,251	6,917
Expenses
Interest									8,411	9,127	3,258
Loan loss provision									10,745	3,889
General and administrative									6,956	7,216	840
Other expenses									130	67
Total expenses									26,242	20,299	4,098
Other income
Gain on debt extinguishment										8,252	17,000
Gain (loss) on sale of investment									285	(1,258)	(7,129)
Other income									618	324
Total other income									903	7,318	9,871
Net income loss									3,226	11,270	12,690
Consolidated net income									$ 2,554	$ 2,126	$ 472