VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]

Preparation of the Company's consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and costs and expenses during the reporting period. The Company makes estimates of its allowance for credit losses, the valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets, discounts and collectability of management fees, the valuation of stock-based compensation, and in determining whether a decrease in the fair value of an investment is an other-than-temporary impairment. The financial fund management segment makes assumptions in determining the fair value of its investments in investment securities. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Prior to the deconsolidation of LEAF, significant estimates specifically for the commercial finance segment included the unguaranteed residual values of leased equipment, servicing liabilities and repurchase obligations, allowance for lease and loan losses, impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill, and the fair values and effectiveness of interest rate swaps.

Loans

The Company performs a review of the collectability of its receivables from managed entities on a quarterly basis. If upon review there is an indication of impairment, the Company will analyze the future cash flows of the managed entity. With respect to the receivables from its commercial finance investment partnerships, this takes into consideration several assumptions by management, primarily concerning estimations of future bad debts and recoveries. For the receivables from the real estate investment entities for which there are indications of impairment, the Company estimates the cash flows through the sale of the underlying properties based on projected net operating income as a multiple of published capitalization rates, as reduced by the underlying mortgage balances and priority distributions due to the investors.

Allowance for Loan Loss

Real estate loans. Real estate loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future, or until maturity or payoff, are stated at the amount of unpaid principal, reduced by unearned income and an allowance for credit losses, if necessary. These loans are included in Investments in Real Estate in the consolidated balance sheets. Interest on the loans is calculated based upon the principal amount outstanding. Accrual of interest ceases on a loan when management believes, after considering economic factors, business conditions and collection efforts, that the borrower’s financial condition is such that collection of interest is doubtful.

An impaired real estate loan may remain on accrual status during the period in which the Company is pursuing repayment of the loan; however, the loan is placed on non-accrual status at such time as (i) management believes that contractual debt service payments will not be met; or (ii) the loan becomes 90 days delinquent; and (iii) management determines the borrower is incapable of, or has ceased efforts toward, curing the cause of the impairment. While on non-accrual status, the Company recognizes interest income only when an actual payment is received. Loans are charged off after being on non-accrual for a period of one year.

The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses for real estate loans at a level deemed sufficient to absorb probable losses. The Company considers general and local economic conditions, neighborhood values, competitive overbuilding, casualty losses and other factors that may affect the value of real estate loans. The value of loans and real estate may also be affected by factors such as the cost of compliance with regulations and liability under applicable environmental laws, changes in interest rates and the availability of financing. Income from a property will be reduced if a significant number of tenants are unable to pay rent or if available space cannot be rented on favorable terms. In addition, the Company reviews all credits on a quarterly basis and continually monitors collections and payments from its borrowers and maintains an allowance for credit losses based upon its historical experience and its knowledge of specific borrower collection issues. Investments in real estate loans and real estate are reflected on the consolidated balance sheet net of the allowance for credit losses.

Investments in Real Estate

Property and equipment, which includes amounts recorded under capital leases, are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are based on cost, less estimated salvage value, using the straight-line method over the asset’s estimated useful life. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Major renewals and improvements that extend the useful lives of property and equipment are capitalized. The amortization of assets classified under capital leases is included in depreciation and amortization expense.

Income Taxes

The objectives of accounting for income taxes are to recognize the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year and to recognize deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s consolidated financial statements or tax returns.

The Company adjusts the balance of its deferred taxes to reflect the tax rates at which future taxable amounts will likely be settled or realized. The effects of tax rate changes on deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets, as well as other changes in income tax laws, are recognized in net earnings in the period during which such changes are enacted. Valuation allowances are established and adjusted, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts expected to be realized. The Company assesses its ability to realize deferred tax assets primarily based on tax planning strategies.

A tax position should only be recognized if it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination by the appropriate taxing authority. A tax position that meets this threshold is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company classifies any tax penalties as general and administrative expenses and any interest as interest expense. The Company does not have any unrecognized tax benefits that would affect the effective tax rate.

Reclassifications

The Company has reclassified short-term insurance notes from debt for 2012 into accrued expenses due to the short-term nature of the loans.

RSO [Member]

Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates affecting RSO's consolidated financial statements include the net realizable and fair values of RSO's investments and derivatives, the estimated life used to calculate depreciation, amortization, and accretion of premiums and discounts, respectively, provisions for loan losses, valuation of servicing asset and the disclosure of contingent liabilities.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase.

Investment Securities

RSO classifies its investment portfolio as trading or available-for-sale. RSO, from time to time, may sell any of its investments due to changes in market conditions or in accordance with its investment strategy.

RSO’s investment securities, trading and investment securities available-for-sale are reported at fair value. To determine fair value, RSO uses an independent third-party valuation firm utilizing data available in the market as well as appropriate prepayment default, and recovery rates. These valuations are validated utilizing dealer quotes or bids. If there is a material difference between the value indicated by the third-party valuation firm and the dealer quote or bid, RSO will evaluate the difference which could result in an updated valuation from the third-party or a revised dealer quote. Based on a prioritization of inputs used in valuation of each position, RSO categorizes these investments as either Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. Any changes in fair value to RSO's investment securities, trading are recorded in RSO's consolidated statements of income as net realized and unrealized (loss) gain on investment securities, trading. Any changes in fair value to RSO's investment securities available-for-sale are recorded in RSO's consolidated balance sheets as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders' equity.

On a quarterly basis, RSO evaluates its available-for-sale investments for other-than-temporary impairment. An available-for-sale investment is impaired when its fair value has declined below its amortized cost basis. An impairment is considered other-than-temporary when the amortized cost basis of the investment or some portion thereof will not be recovered. In addition, RSO’s intent to sell as well as the likelihood that RSO will be required to sell the security before the recovery of the amortized cost basis is considered. Where credit quality is believed to be the cause of the other-than-temporary impairment, that component of the impairment is recognized as an impairment loss in RSO's consolidated statements of income. Where other market components are believed to be the cause of the impairment, that component of the impairment is recognized as other comprehensive loss.

RSO performs an on-going review of third-party reports and updated financial data on the underlying properties in order to analyze current and projected security performance. Rating agency downgrades are considered with respect to RSO's income approach when determining other-than-temporary impairment and, when inputs are subjected to testing for economic changes within possible ranges, the resulting projected cash flows reflect a full recovery of principal and interest indicating no impairment.

The determination of other-than-temporary impairment is a subjective process, and different judgments and assumptions could affect the timing of loss realization. RSO reviews its portfolios and makes other-than-temporary impairment determinations at least quarterly. RSO considers the following factors when determining if there is an other-than-temporary impairment on a security:


•	the length of time the market value has been less than amortized cost;


•	the severity of the impairment;


•	the expected loss of the security as generated by a third-party valuation model;


•	original and current credit ratings from the rating agencies;


•	underlying credit fundamentals of the collateral backing the securities;


•	whether, based upon RSO's intent, it is more likely than not that RSO will sell the security before the recovery of the amortized cost basis; and


•	third-party support for default, for recovery, prepayment speed and reinvestment price assumptions.

Investment security transactions are recorded on the trade date. Realized gains and losses on investment securities are determined on the specific identification method.

Investment Interest Income Recognition

Interest income on RSO’s mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities is accrued using the effective yield method based on the actual coupon rate and the outstanding principal amount of the underlying mortgages or other assets. Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted into interest income over the lives of the securities also using the effective yield method, adjusted for the effects of estimated prepayments. For an investment purchased at par, the effective yield is the contractual interest rate on the investment. If the investment is purchased at a discount or at a premium, the effective yield is computed based on the contractual interest rate increased for the accretion of a purchase discount or decreased for the amortization of a purchase premium. The effective yield method requires RSO to make estimates of future prepayment rates for its investments that can be contractually prepaid before their contractual maturity date so that the purchase discount can be accreted, or the purchase premium can be amortized, over the estimated remaining life of the investment. The prepayment estimates that RSO uses directly impact the estimated remaining lives of its investments. Actual prepayment estimates are reviewed as of each quarter end or more frequently if RSO becomes aware of any material information that would lead it to believe that an adjustment is necessary. If prepayment estimates are incorrect, the amortization or accretion of premiums and discounts may have to be adjusted, which would have an impact on future income.

Loans

RSO acquires loans through direct origination, through the acquisition of participations in commercial real estate loans and corporate leveraged loans in the secondary market and through syndications of newly originated loans. Loans are held for investment; therefore, RSO initially records them at their acquisition price, and subsequently, accounts for them based on their outstanding principal plus or minus unamortized premiums or discounts. RSO may sell a loan held for investment where the credit fundamentals underlying a particular loan have changed in such a manner that RSO's expected return on investment may decrease. Once the determination has been made by RSO that it no longer will hold the loan for investment, RSO identifies these loans as “Loans held for sale” and will account for them at the lower of amortized cost or fair value.

Loan Interest Income Recognition

Interest income on loans includes interest at stated rates adjusted for amortization or accretion of premiums and discounts. Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted into income using the effective yield method. If a loan with a premium or discount is prepaid, RSO immediately recognizes the unamortized portion as a decrease or increase to interest income. In addition, RSO defers loan origination fees and loan origination costs and recognizes them over the life of the related loan against interest income using the effective yield method.

Residential Loan Origination

RSO originates residential loans to be funded by permanent investors. Origination fees and direct origination costs are initially deferred and are recognized as income at the time the loan is sold to a permanent investor. RSO originates loans primarily in six states with a focus on the Southeast. RSO may sell or retain the right to service the loans. Servicing fees are recognized as income when the related mortgage payments are collected based on the outstanding balance of the related mortgage loans or on an agreed upon rate. Servicing fee income is reduced by amortization of capitalized servicing rights.

Mortgage loans held for sale are valued at the lower of cost or market, determined on an aggregate basis for each type of loan after the net effect of any hedging activities. Market value is determined using sales commitments to permanent investors or on current market rates for loans of similar quality and type (Level 2). Mortgage loans are included as loans held for sale in the consolidated balance sheets.

Residential real estate properties acquired through foreclosure to be sold are initially recorded at fair value less selling costs at the date of foreclosure, establishing a new cost basis. Any write down to fair value at the time of foreclosure is charged to the allowance for loan losses. After foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and the real estate is carried at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. Costs related to holding foreclosed real estate and subsequent adjustments to value are expensed. The fair value of real estate owned is determined using unobservable inputs including estimates of selling costs and marketability of the property (Level 3).

The unpaid principal balances of loans serviced by RSO for others are not included in the RSO's consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of residential servicing rights included on RSO's consolidated balance sheets was determined using an estimated current market value at the date of loan origination and other assumptions. Capitalized servicing rights are amortized over the life of the loan, assuming certain prepayment and other assumptions.

Allowance for Loan Loss

RSO maintains an allowance for loan loss. For RSO's bank and CRE loan portfolios, loans held for investment are first individually evaluated for impairment to determine whether a specific reserve is required. Loans that are not determined to be impaired individually are then evaluated for impairment as a homogeneous pool of loans with substantially similar characteristics so that a general reserve can be established, if needed. The reviews are performed at least quarterly.

RSO considers a loan to be impaired if one of two conditions exists. The first condition is if, based on current information and events, management believes it is probable that RSO will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The second condition is if the loan is deemed to be a troubled-debt restructuring (“TDR”) where a concession has been given to a borrower in financial difficulty. These TDRs may not have an associated specific loan loss allowance if the principal and interest amount is considered recoverable based on current market conditions, expected collateral performance and/or guarantees made by the borrowers.

When a loan is impaired under either of these two conditions, the allowance for loan losses is increased by the amount of the excess of the amortized cost basis of the loan over its fair value. Fair value may be determined based on the present value of estimated cash flows; on market price, if available; or on the fair value of the collateral less estimated disposition costs. When a loan, or a portion thereof, is considered uncollectible and pursuit of collection is not warranted, RSO will record a charge-off or write-down of the loan against the allowance for loan losses.

An impaired loan may remain on accrual status during the period in which RSO is pursuing repayment of the loan; however, the loan would be placed on non-accrual status at such time as (i) RSO's management believes that scheduled debt service payments will not be met within the coming 12 months; (ii) the loan becomes 90 days delinquent; (iii) RSO's management determines the borrower is incapable of, or has ceased efforts toward, curing the cause of the impairment; or (iv) the net realizable value of the loan’s underlying collateral approximates RSO’s carrying value for such loan. While on non-accrual status, RSO recognizes interest income only when an actual payment is received. When a loan is placed on non-accrual, previously accrued interest is reversed from interest income.

For RSO's residential mortgage loans, the allowance is based upon management's periodic review of the collectability of the loans in light of historical experience, the nature and amount of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower's ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral, and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective, as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available. The allowance consists of specific and general components. The specific component relates to loans that are classified as doubtful, substandard, or special mention. For such loans that are also identified as impaired, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value or observable market price) of the impaired loan are lower than the carrying value of that loan. A general component is maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect RSO management's estimate of probable losses. The general component of the allowance reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating specific and general losses in the portfolio.

Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. RSO's management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower's prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impaired loans are carried at fair value and are measured on a nonrecurring basis. The fair value is determined using unobservable inputs including estimates of selling costs (Level 3).

Investments in Real Estate

Investments in real estate are carried net of accumulated depreciation. Costs directly related to the acquisition are expensed as incurred. Ordinary repairs and maintenance which are not reimbursed by the tenants are expensed as incurred. Costs related to the improvement of the real property are capitalized and depreciated over their useful lives.

Acquisitions of real estate assets and any related intangible assets are recorded initially at fair value under Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 805, “Business Combinations.” RSO allocates the purchase price of its investments in real estate to land, building, site improvements, the value of in-place leases and the value of above or below market leases. The value allocated to above or below market leases is amortized over the remaining lease term as an adjustment to rental income. RSO amortizes the value allocated to in-place leases over the weighted average remaining lease term to depreciation and amortization expense. RSO depreciates real property using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:



Category	Term
Building	25 - 40 years
Site improvements	Lesser of the remaining life of building or useful lives

Long-Lived and Intangible Assets

Long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles to be held and used are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. The review of recoverability is based on an estimate of the future undiscounted cash flows (excluding interest charges) expected to result from the long-lived asset’s use and eventual disposition. If impairment has occurred, the loss will be measured as the excess of the carrying amount of the asset over the fair value of the asset.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) for RSO includes net income and the change in net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, derivative instruments used to hedge exposure to interest rate fluctuations and protect against declines in the market value of assets resulting from general market trends as well as translation of currency as a result of RSO's investment in the equity of foreign CDOs.

Income Taxes

RSO operates in such a manner as to qualify as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"); therefore, applicable REIT taxable income is included in the taxable income of its shareholders, to the extent distributed by RSO. To maintain REIT status for federal income tax purposes, RSO is generally required to distribute at least 90% of its REIT taxable income to its shareholders as well as comply with certain other qualification requirements as defined under the Code. As a REIT, RSO is not subject to federal corporate income tax to the extent that it distributes 100% of its REIT taxable income each year.

Taxable income, from non-REIT activities managed through RSO's taxable REIT subsidiaries ("TRSs"), is subject to federal, state and local income taxes. Income taxes for the TRSs are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Under the asset and liability method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and tax basis of assets and liabilities.

Apidos CDO I, Apidos CDO III, Apidos Cinco CDO, Apidos CLO VIII, Whitney CLO I, and Harvest CLO VII, RSO's foreign TRSs, are organized as exempted companies incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the Cayman Islands and, with respect to Harvest CLO VII, Ireland, and are generally exempt from federal and state income at the corporate level because their activities in the United States are limited to trading in stock and securities for their own account. Therefore, despite their status as TRSs, they generally will not be subject to corporate tax on their earnings and no provision for income taxes is required; however, because they are “controlled foreign corporations,” RSO will generally be required to include Apidos CDO I's, Apidos CDO III's, Apidos Cinco CDO's, Apidos CLO VIII's, Whitney CLO I's, and Harvest CLO VII's current taxable income in its calculation of REIT taxable income.

On October 27, 2011 RSO reorganized the ownership structure of Apidos CDO I and Apidos CDO III. As a result, the earnings from Apidos CDO I and Apidos CDO III are excluded from RSO's calculation of REIT taxable income and are subject to corporate tax. On January 24, 2012, RSO again reorganized the ownership structure of Apidos CDO I and Apidos CDO III. As a result, for the period January 1, 2012 through January 23, 2012, the earnings from Apidos CDO I and Apidos CDO III are excluded from RSO's calculation of REIT taxable income and are subject to corporate tax. For the period January 24, 2012 through December 31, 2012 the earnings from Apidos CDO I are included in RSO's calculation of REIT taxable income.

On December 11, 2012, RSO further reorganized the ownership structure of Apidos CDO III. As a result, for the period from January 24, 2012 through December 10, 2012 the earnings from Apidos CDO III are included in RSO's calculation of REIT taxable income. Also as a result of the reorganization on December 11, 2012, for the period December 11, 2012 through December 31, 2012, the earnings from Apidos CDO III are excluded from RSO's calculation of REIT taxable income and are subject to corporate tax.

On November 12, 2012, RSO reorganized the ownership structure of Apidos Cinco CDO and Whitney CLO I. As a result, for the period November 12, 2012 through December 31, 2012, the earnings from Apidos Cinco CDO and Whitney CLO I are excluded from RSO's calculation of REIT taxable income and are subject to corporate tax. Accordingly, a provision for income taxes on the earnings from November 12, 2012 through December 31, 2012 was recorded.

On February 13, 2013, RSO further reorganized the ownership structure of Apidos Cinco CDO and Whitney CLO I. As a result, for the period January 1, 2013 through February 12, 2013, the earnings from Apidos Cinco CDO and Whitney CLO I are excluded from RSO’s calculation of REIT taxable income and are subject to corporate tax. Accordingly, a provision for income taxes on the earnings from January 1, 2013 through February 12, 2013 has been recorded. Also, as a result of the reorganization on February 13, 2013, for the period February 13, 2013 and ending December 31, 2013 the earnings from Apidos Cinco CDO and Whitney CLO I are included in RSO’s calculation of REIT taxable income.

On March 8, 2013, RSO reorganized the ownership structure of Apidos CDO III. As a result, the earnings from Apidos CDO III for the period January 1, 2013 through March 7, 2013 are excluded from RSO’s calculation of REIT taxable income and are subject to corporate tax. Accordingly, a provision for income taxes on the earnings from January 1, 2013 through March 7, 2013 has been recorded. Also, as a result of the reorganization on March 8, 2013, for the period March 8, 2013 and ending December 31, 2013 the earnings from Apidos CDO III are included in RSO’s calculation of REIT taxable income.

On September 10, 2013, RSO acquired approximately 9.5% of the equity of Harvest CLO VII, which is a foreign TRS, organized as an exempt company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of Ireland. This equity is directly owned by a domestic QRS (Qualified REIT Subsidiary) of RSO; therefore, its earnings are included in RSO’s calculation of REIT taxable income.

RSO accounts for taxes assessed by a governmental authority that is directly imposed on a revenue-producing transaction (e.g., sales, use, value added) on a net (excluded from revenue) basis.

Linked Transactions

If RSO finances the purchase of securities with repurchase agreements with the same counterparty from whom the securities are purchased and both transactions are entered into contemporaneously or in contemplation of each other, the transactions are presumed not to meet sale accounting criteria and RSO will account for the purchase of such securities and the repurchase agreement on a net basis and record a forward purchase commitment to purchase securities (each, a “Linked Transaction”) at fair value on RSO's consolidated balance sheets in the line item Linked Transactions, at fair value. Changes in the fair value of the assets and liabilities underlying the Linked Transactions and associated interest income and expense are reported as unrealized (loss) gain and net interest income on linked transactions, net on RSO's consolidated statements of income.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to RSO's 2011 and 2012 consolidated financial statements to conform to the 2013 presentation.