CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Revenues:
Servicing fees ($5,505 and $2,227 from affiliates)	$ 5,744	$ 2,425
Income from Portfolio Assets	8,505	12,840
Gain on sale of SBA loans held for sale, net	572	884
Interest income from SBA loans	355	349
Interest income from loans receivable - affiliates	280	738
Interest income from loans receivable - other	101	188
Revenue from railroad operations	1,685	1,430
Other income	2,545	1,923
Total revenues	19,787	20,777
Costs and expenses:
Interest and fees on notes payable to banks and other	1,738	3,583
Interest and fees on notes payable to affiliates		380
Salaries and benefits	6,128	5,149
Provision for loan and impairment losses	470	639
Asset-level expenses	1,063	1,414
Costs and expenses from railroad operations	1,228	885
Other costs and expenses	3,321	2,161
Total costs and expenses	13,948	14,211
Earnings before other revenue and income taxes	5,839	6,566
Equity income from unconsolidated subsidiaries	4,467	1,871
Gain on sale of subsidiaries		5
Earnings before income taxes	10,306	8,442
Income tax expense	833	602
Net earnings	9,473	7,840
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,108	4,115
Net earnings attributable to FirstCity	$ 8,365	$ 3,725
Basic earnings per share of common stock (in dollars per share)	$ 0.80	$ 0.36
Diluted earnings per share of common stock (in dollars per share)	$ 0.80	$ 0.36