VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Details) RSO (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Non-cash financing activities include the following:
Dividends payable	$ 977	$ 590
RSO [Member]
Non-cash investing activities include the following:
Contribution of lease receivables and other assets	0	0	117,840
Conversion of equity in LEAF Funding 3 to preferred stock and warrants	0	0	(21,000)
Acquisition of real estate investments	0	(21,661)	(33,073)
Conversion of loans to investment in real estate	0	21,661	34,550
Conversion of Payment in Kind Interest on Securities Available-for-Sale	0	0	2,364
Net purchase of loans on warehouse line	0	0	(52,735)
Acquisition of loans, pledged as collateral	0	(230,152)	0
Non-cash financing activities include the following:
Issuance of restricted stock	823	2,189	1,203
Contribution of equipment-backed securitized notes and other liabilities	0	0	(96,840)
Subscription receivable	0	1,248	0
Assumption of collateralized debt obligations	0	206,408	0
Acquisition of loans on warehouse line	0	0	52,735
RSO [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Non-cash financing activities include the following:
Dividends payable	25,536	21,024	19,979
RSO [Member] | Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Non-cash financing activities include the following:
Dividends payable	$ 2,159	$ 1,244	$ 0