CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2014		May 31, 2013		May 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Interest income	$ 957,540		$ 955,753		$ 960,961
Interest expense	(654,655)	[1]	(692,025)	[1]	(761,778)	[1]
Net interest income	302,885		263,728		199,183
Provision for loan losses	(3,498)		70,091		18,108
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	299,387		333,819		217,291
Non-interest income:
Fee and other income	17,762		38,181		17,749
Derivative (losses) gains	(34,421)		84,843		(236,620)
Results of operations of foreclosed assets	(13,494)		(897)		(67,497)
Total non-interest income	(30,153)		122,127		(286,368)
Non-interest expense:
Salaries and employee benefits	(41,176)		(55,536)		(39,364)
Other general and administrative expenses	(31,390)		(28,646)		(25,973)
Provision for guarantee liability	(217)		4,772		(726)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	(1,452)		(10,636)		(15,525)
Other	(69)		(5,064)		(739)
Total non-interest expense	(74,304)		(95,110)		(82,327)
Income (loss) prior to income taxes	194,930		360,836		(151,404)
Income tax (expense) benefit	(2,004)		(2,749)		2,607
Net income (loss)	192,926		358,087		(148,797)
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	(2,859)		(4,328)		4,070
Net income (loss) attributable to CFC	$ 190,067		$ 353,759		$ (144,727)

[1] Represents interest expense and the amortization of discounts on debt.