VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES FINANCING RECEIVABLES (Loan Portfolio Troubled-debt Restructurings) (Details) RSO (RSO [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013 Loan
Troubled debt restructuring [Abstract]
Number of Loans	8
Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Balance	$ 199,827
Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Balance	182,541
Whole Loans [Member]
Troubled debt restructuring [Abstract]
Number of Loans	6
Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Balance	153,958
Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Balance	136,672
B Notes [Member]
Troubled debt restructuring [Abstract]
Number of Loans	0
Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Balance	0
Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Balance	0
Mezzanine Loans [Member]
Troubled debt restructuring [Abstract]
Number of Loans	1
Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Balance	38,072
Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Balance	38,072
Bank Loans [Member]
Troubled debt restructuring [Abstract]
Number of Loans	0
Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Balance	0
Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Balance	0
Loans Receivable [Member]
Troubled debt restructuring [Abstract]
Number of Loans	1
Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Balance	7,797
Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Balance	$ 7,797