Earnings per Common Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Earnings per common share
Net earnings	$ 3,052	$ 4,670	$ 12,525	$ 12,510
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,565	2,242	2,673	6,357
Net earnings attributable to FirstCity	1,487	2,428	9,852	6,153
Less: Net earnings allocable to participating securities	29		147
Net earnings allocable to common shares	$ 1,458	$ 2,428	$ 9,705	$ 6,153
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	10,345,000	10,279,000	10,322,000	10,273,000
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	10,413,000	10,304,000	10,399,000	10,294,000
Net earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.14	$ 0.24	$ 0.94	$ 0.60
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.14	$ 0.24	$ 0.93	$ 0.60
Additional disclosures
Potentially dilutive securities representing common stock excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per common share (in shares)	418,000	705,000	654,000	675,000
Restricted stock awards
Earnings per common share
Dilutive effect of share-based payment arrangements (in shares)	24,000		33,000
Stock options
Earnings per common share
Dilutive effect of share-based payment arrangements (in shares)	44,000	25,000	44,000	21,000