VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES BORROWINGS (Schedule of Debt - Parenthetical) (Details) RSO (RSO [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014 CRE Repurchase Facilities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 CRE Repurchase Facilities [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 RREF CDO 2006-1 Senior Notes [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 RREF CDO 2006-1 Senior Notes [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 RREF CDO 2007-1 Senior Notes [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 RREF CDO 2007-1 Senior Notes [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 Apidos CDO I Senior Notes [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Apidos CDO I Senior Notes [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 Apidos CDO III Senior Notes [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Apidos CDO III Senior Notes [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 Apidos Cinco CDO Senior Notes [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Apidos Cinco CDO Senior Notes [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 CMBS - Term Repurchase Facilities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 CMBS - Term Repurchase Facilities [Member]	Aug. 01, 2011 Mortgages [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 RMBS - Term Repurchase Facility [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 Whitney CLO I, Ltd. [Member]	May 31, 2013 Whitney CLO I, Ltd. [Member]	Oct. 31, 2012 Whitney CLO I, Ltd. [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 Long-term Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	$ 60,480	$ 69,069
Principal outstanding	1,592,846	1,336,026			106,080	94,209	126,359	178,556	56,922	87,131	97,458	133,326	320,192	322,000	30,833	47,613	13,600	23,025
Unamortized debt issuance costs	13,012	16,216			51	205	355	719	0	0	0	117	553	853	0	12		28
Accrued interest expense	2,063	1,693	207	26											14	22		1
Purchased equity interests																				550	20,900
Ownership interests in variable interest entity																			68.30%		66.60%
CDO notes																						$ 143,000