CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 650,723	$ 785,564
Loans:
Loans held for sale, at lower of cost or fair value	0	673,991
Loans Held for Investment, at Amortized Cost	2,397,485	1,503,559
Loans held for investment in consolidated trust, at amortized cost	559,048	563,575
Allowance for loan losses	(7,368)	(11,351)
Total loans, net of allowance	2,949,165	2,729,774
Real estate owned, at lower of cost or fair value	2,841	3,985
Financial derivatives, at fair value	23,164	31,173
Interest receivable	94,181	103,414
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable	43,074	41,789
Deferred Tax Assets, Net	11,331	3,123
Prepaid expenses and other assets	28,347	66,709
Total Assets	12,935,951	12,622,201
Notes payable:
Due within one year	6,785,164	6,567,366
Due after one year	5,173,667	5,034,739
Total notes payable	11,958,831	11,602,105
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	168,488	167,621
Financial derivatives, at fair value	99,063	150,682
Accrued interest payable	52,733	51,779
Guarantee and commitment obligation	39,027	37,803
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	9,378	13,710
Reserve for losses	6,110	5,539
Total Liabilities	12,333,630	12,029,239
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6)
Common stock:
Additional paid-in capital	109,001	106,617
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, related to available-for-sale securities	38,721	73,969
Retained earnings	143,589	102,243
Total Stockholders' Equity	360,468	351,109
Non-controlling interest - preferred stock	241,853	241,853
Total Equity	602,321	592,962
Total Liabilities and Equity	12,935,951	12,622,201
Investment Securities [Member]
Assets:
Available-for-sale, at fair value	2,455,852	2,498,382
Trading, at fair value	1,064	1,247
Total securities	2,456,916	2,499,629
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Assets:
Available-for-sale, at fair value	5,058,853	4,766,258
USDA Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Assets:
Available-for-sale, at fair value	1,543,764	1,486,595
Trading, at fair value	73,592	104,188
Total securities	1,617,356	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	$ 9,293	$ 9,171