CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016	May 31, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Interest income		$ 1,036,634	$ 1,012,636	$ 952,976
Interest expense	[1],[2],[3]	(741,738)	(681,850)	(635,684)
Net interest income		294,896	330,786	317,292
Benefit (provision) for loan losses		(5,978)	646	21,954
Net interest income after benefit (provision) for loan losses		288,918	331,432	339,246
Non-interest income:
Fee and other income		19,713	21,785	36,783
Derivative gains (losses)		94,903	(309,841)	(196,999)
Results of operations of foreclosed assets		(1,749)	(6,899)	(120,148)
Total non-interest income		112,867	(294,955)	(280,364)
Non-interest expense:
Salaries and employee benefits		(47,769)	(44,590)	(43,845)
Other general and administrative expenses		(38,457)	(41,753)	(32,685)
Gains (losses) on early extinguishment of debt		192	(333)	(703)
Other non-interest expense		(1,948)	(1,260)	(167)
Total non-interest expense		(87,982)	(87,936)	(77,400)
Income (loss) before income taxes		313,803	(51,459)	(18,518)
Income tax expense		(1,704)	(57)	(409)
Net income (loss)		312,099	(51,516)	(18,927)
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests		(2,193)	1,863	(105)
Net income (loss) attributable to CFC		$ 309,906	$ (49,653)	$ (19,032)

[1] Includes fees related to funding activities, including fees paid to banks participating in our committed bank revolving line of credit agreements. Amounts are recognized as incurred or amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the agreement.

[2] Includes underwriter’s fees, legal fees, printing costs and certain accounting fees, which are deferred and recognized in interest expense using the effective interest method. Also includes issuance costs related to dealer commercial paper, which are recognized immediately as incurred.

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