SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2011
Cash paid during the period for: [Abstract]
Interest	$ 3,246		$ 6,992
Income Taxes	1,200		749
Non-cash activities [Abstract]
Repurchase common stock from employees to pay for income taxes and option exercises	1,187		0
Issuance of treasury stock for Company investment savings plan contributions	457		568
Common stock issued to former director in exchange for vested director units	135		0
Non-Cash Effects from the Sale of Apidos [Member]
Non-cash effects from the deconsolidation and sale [Abstract]
Receivables from managed entities and related parties, net	715	[1]	0	[1]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	(1,824)	[1]	0	[1]
Other assets	20	[1]	0	[1]
Accrued expense and other liabilities	(938)	[1]	0	[1]
Non Cash Deconsolidation Of LEAF [Member]
Non-cash effects from the deconsolidation and sale [Abstract]
Restricted cash	20,282	[2]	0	[2]
Receivables	954	[2]	0	[2]
Receivables from managed entities and related parties, net	(3,411)	[2]	0	[2]
Investments in commercial finance assets, net	199,955	[2]	0	[2]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	7,049	[2]	0	[2]
Property and equipment, net	3,754	[2]	0	[2]
Deferred tax assets, net	4,558	[2]	0	[2]
Goodwill	7,969	[2]	0	[2]
Other assets	6,806	[2]	0	[2]
Accrued expense and other liabilities	(10,208)	[2]	0	[2]
Payables to managed entities and related parties	(98)	[2]	0	[2]
Borrowings	(202,481)	[2]	0	[2]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	255	[2]	0	[2]
Noncontrolling interests	(37,668)	[2]	0	[2]
LEAF Preferred Stock and Warrants Issued to RSO [Member]
LEAF preferred stock issued to RSO [Abstract]
Restricted cash	0		5,912
Investments in commercial finance	0		111,028
Borrowings	0		(96,088)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	0		(596)
Payable to RSO	0		736
Noncontrolling interests	0		(20,992)
Stock dividend issued on LEAF preferred stock held by RSO	$ 0		$ 1,222

[1] As a result of the Company's sale and deconsolidation of Apidos during the three months ended June 30, 2012, the amounts set forth in this table were removed from the consolidated balance sheets. The sum of the assets removed and cash equates to the sum of the liabilities and equity that were similarly eliminated and, as such, there was no change in the Company's net assets.

[2] As a result of the Company's deconsolidation of LEAF during the three months ended December 31, 2011, the amounts set forth in this table were removed from the consolidated balance sheets. The sum of the assets removed and cash equates to the sum of the liabilities and equity that were similarly eliminated and, as such, there was no change in the Company's net assets.