CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 19,422	$ 17,894
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash used in operating activities:
Net principal advances on SBA loans held for sale	(8,649)	(16,258)
Proceeds from sales of SBA loans held for sale, net	15,171	23,637
Proceeds applied to income from Portfolio Assets	589	4,059
Income from Portfolio Assets	(22,111)	(33,902)
Provision for loan and impairment losses	3,408	2,370
Foreign currency transaction gains, net	(170)	(763)
Equity income from unconsolidated subsidiaries	(10,797)	(7,931)
Gain on sale of SBA loans held for sale, net	(1,104)	(1,836)
Gain on sale of subsidiaries and equity investments	(746)	(312)
Gain on sale of railroad property		(948)
Gain on business combinations	(935)	(433)
Depreciation and amortization, net	2,660	1,950
Increase in other assets	(1,429)	(2,645)
Increase in other liabilities	3,060	3,095
Other, net	(670)	646
Net cash used in operating activities	(2,301)	(11,377)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment, net	(2,489)	(1,507)
Proceeds from sale of railroad property		1,199
Proceeds from sale of equity investments and consolidated subsidiaries	5,511
Cash paid for business combinations, net of cash acquired	123	(2,599)
Decrease in cash from deconsolidation of subsidiary	(2,855)
Net principal payments on loans receivable	2,718	1,348
Purchases of SBA loans held for investment		(696)
Net principal advances on SBA loans held for investment	(1,094)	(2,930)
Purchase of investment securities available for sale		(3,843)
Net principal payments on investment securities available for sale	988	1,400
Purchases of Portfolio Assets	(4,067)	(12,792)
Proceeds applied to principal on Portfolio Assets	73,999	113,906
Contributions to unconsolidated subsidiaries	(21,612)	(34,016)
Distributions from unconsolidated subsidiaries	34,618	28,287
Net cash provided by investing activities	85,840	87,757
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under notes payable to affiliates		696
Borrowings under notes payable to banks and other	17,982	37,319
Principal payments of notes payable to affiliates		(2,525)
Principal payments of notes payable to banks and other	(83,844)	(94,736)
Proceeds from secured borrowings, net		(4,302)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(10,572)	(12,771)
Other, net	(350)	(15)
Net cash used in financing activities	(76,784)	(76,334)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	99	499
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	6,854	545
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	34,802	46,597
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	41,656	47,142
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for interest	2,316	8,477
Cash paid during the period for income taxes, net of refunds	$ 1,699	$ 2,544