VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES FINANCING RECEIVABLES (Loan Portfolio Aging Analysis as of the Dates Indicated at Cost Basis) (Details) RSO (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Greater than 90 days	$ 639	$ 1,257
Total Past Due	64,488	62,849
Current	7,534	4,394
RSO [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
30-59 Days	258	234
60-89 Days	0	91
Greater than 90 days	612	3,822
Total Past Due	870	4,147
Current	1,624,334	1,408,068
Total Loans Receivable	1,625,204	1,412,215
Total Loans Greater Than 90 days and accruing	0	0
RSO [Member] | Whole Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
30-59 Days	0	0
60-89 Days	0	0
Greater than 90 days	0	0
Total Past Due	0	0
Current	833,853	745,789
Total Loans Receivable	833,853	745,789
Total Loans Greater Than 90 days and accruing	0
RSO [Member] | B Notes [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
30-59 Days	0	0
60-89 Days	0	0
Greater than 90 days	0	0
Total Past Due	0	0
Current	16,168	16,205
Total Loans Receivable	16,168	16,205
Total Loans Greater Than 90 days and accruing	0	0
RSO [Member] | Mezzanine Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
30-59 Days	0	0
60-89 Days	0	0
Greater than 90 days	0	0
Total Past Due	0	0
Current	64,299	64,317
Total Loans Receivable	64,299	64,317
Total Loans Greater Than 90 days and accruing	0	0
RSO [Member] | Bank Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
30-59 Days	0	0
60-89 Days	0	0
Greater than 90 days	612	3,554
Total Past Due	612	3,554
Current	686,814	558,469
Total Loans Receivable	687,426	562,023
Total Loans Greater Than 90 days and accruing	0	0
RSO [Member] | Residential Mortgage [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
30-59 Days	258	234
60-89 Days	0	91
Greater than 90 days	0	268
Total Past Due	258	593
Current	16,702	16,322
Total Loans Receivable	16,960	16,915
Total Loans Greater Than 90 days and accruing	0	0
RSO [Member] | Loans Receivable - Related Party [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
30-59 Days	0	0
60-89 Days	0	0
Greater than 90 days	0	0
Total Past Due	0	0
Current	6,498	6,966
Total Loans Receivable	6,498	6,966
Total Loans Greater Than 90 days and accruing	$ 0	$ 0