CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 651,713	$ 785,564
Loans:
Loans held for sale, at lower of cost or fair value	0	673,991
Loans Held for Investment, at Amortized Cost	2,435,652	1,503,559
Loans held for investment in consolidated trust, at amortized cost	563,855	563,575
Allowance for loan losses	(6,869)	(11,351)
Total loans, net of allowance	2,992,638	2,729,774
Real estate owned, at lower of cost or fair value	2,880	3,985
Financial derivatives, at fair value	19,676	31,173
Interest receivable	70,625	103,414
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable	43,496	41,789
Deferred Tax Assets, Net	17,226	3,123
Prepaid expenses and other assets	15,875	66,709
Total Assets	13,085,007	12,622,201
Notes payable:
Due within one year	7,021,678	6,567,366
Due after one year	5,037,035	5,034,739
Total notes payable	12,058,713	11,602,105
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	178,076	167,621
Financial derivatives, at fair value	91,445	150,682
Accrued interest payable	37,460	51,779
Guarantee and commitment obligation	40,106	37,803
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	67,386	13,710
Reserve for losses	6,573	5,539
Total Liabilities	12,479,759	12,029,239
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6)
Common stock:
Additional paid-in capital	109,675	106,617
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, related to available-for-sale securities	26,828	73,969
Retained earnings	157,699	102,243
Total Stockholders' Equity	363,395	351,109
Non-controlling interest - preferred stock	241,853	241,853
Total Equity	605,248	592,962
Total Liabilities and Equity	13,085,007	12,622,201
Investment Securities [Member]
Assets:
Available-for-sale, at fair value	2,502,135	2,498,382
Trading, at fair value	977	1,247
Total securities	2,503,112	2,499,629
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Assets:
Available-for-sale, at fair value	5,138,756	4,766,258
USDA Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Assets:
Available-for-sale, at fair value	1,566,691	1,486,595
Trading, at fair value	62,319	104,188
Total securities	1,629,010	1,590,783
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock:
Preferred Stock	58,333	0
Series C Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock:
Preferred Stock	0	57,578
Common Stock, Class A Voting [Member]
Common stock:
Common stock	1,031	1,031
Common stock, Class B Voting [Member]
Common stock:
Common stock	500	500
Common stock, Class C Non-Voting [Member]
Common stock:
Common stock	$ 9,329	$ 9,171