CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 893,387	$ 785,564
Loans:
Loans held for sale, at lower of cost or fair value	0	673,991
Loans Held for Investment, at Amortized Cost	2,212,211	1,503,559
Loans held for investment in consolidated trust, at amortized cost	561,682	563,575
Allowance for loan losses	(7,967)	(11,351)
Total loans, net of allowance	2,765,926	2,729,774
Real estate owned, at lower of cost or fair value	4,417	3,985
Financial derivatives, at fair value	26,254	31,173
Interest receivable	66,535	103,414
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable	42,359	41,789
Deferred Tax Assets, Net	0	3,123
Prepaid expenses and other assets	39,967	66,709
Total Assets	12,892,672	12,622,201
Notes payable:
Due within one year	6,543,973	6,567,366
Due after one year	4,978,118	5,034,739
Total notes payable	11,522,091	11,602,105
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	167,250	167,621
Financial derivatives, at fair value	133,838	150,682
Accrued interest payable	35,474	51,779
Guarantee and commitment obligation	38,905	37,803
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	350,578	13,710
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net	9,423	0
Reserve for losses	6,285	5,539
Total Liabilities	12,263,844	12,029,239
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6)
Common stock:
Additional paid-in capital	108,386	106,617
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, related to available-for-sale securities	92,359	73,969
Retained earnings	117,143	102,243
Total Stockholders' Equity	386,975	351,109
Non-controlling interest - preferred stock	241,853	241,853
Total Equity	628,828	592,962
Total Liabilities and Equity	12,892,672	12,622,201
Investment Securities [Member]
Assets:
Available-for-sale, at fair value	2,296,187	2,498,382
Trading, at fair value	1,129	1,247
Total securities	2,297,316	2,499,629
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Assets:
Available-for-sale, at fair value	5,100,080	4,766,258
USDA Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Assets:
Available-for-sale, at fair value	1,569,160	1,486,595
Trading, at fair value	87,271	104,188
Total securities	1,656,431	1,590,783
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock:
Preferred Stock	58,333	0
Series C Preferred Stock
Preferred stock:
Preferred Stock	0	57,578
Common Stock, Class A Voting
Common stock:
Common stock	1,031	1,031
Common stock, Class B Voting
Common stock:
Common stock	500	500
Common stock, Class C Non-Voting
Common stock:
Common stock	$ 9,223	$ 9,171