CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 313,641	$ 265,229
Loans:
Loans held for investment, at amortized cost	3,432,091	3,379,884
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost	1,208,950	1,132,966
Allowance for loan losses	(5,811)	(5,415)
Total loans, net of allowance	4,635,230	4,507,435
Real estate owned, at lower of cost or fair value	5,456	1,528
Financial derivatives, at fair value	2,674	23,182
Interest receivable (includes $8,163 and $12,584, respectively, related to consolidated trusts)	85,522	122,782
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable	38,748	38,871
Deferred tax asset, net	5,085	12,291
Prepaid expenses and other assets	4,001	86,322
Total Assets	15,931,757	15,606,020
Notes payable:
Due within one year	7,616,431	8,440,123
Due after one year	6,300,750	5,222,977
Total notes payable	13,917,181	13,663,100
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	1,212,792	1,142,704
Financial derivatives, at fair value	32,054	58,152
Accrued interest payable (includes $6,771 and $10,881, respectively, related to consolidated trusts)	46,845	49,700
Guarantee and commitment obligation	36,802	37,282
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	18,234	9,415
Reserve for losses	1,827	2,020
Total Liabilities	15,265,735	14,962,373
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6)
Common stock:
Additional paid-in capital	118,386	118,655
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	41,544	33,758
Retained earnings	290,530	275,714
Total Stockholders' Equity	665,815	643,425
Non-controlling interest	207	222
Total Equity	666,022	643,647
Total Liabilities and Equity	15,931,757	15,606,020
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock:
Preferred stock	58,333	58,333
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock:
Preferred stock	73,044	73,044
Series C Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock:
Preferred stock	73,382	73,382
Common Class A, Voting [Member]
Common stock:
Common Stock	1,031	1,031
Common Class B, Voting [Member]
Common stock:
Common Stock	500	500
Common Class C, Non-Voting [Member]
Common stock:
Common Stock	9,065	9,008
Investment Securities [Member]
Assets:
Available-for-sale, at fair value	2,479,244	2,515,851
Marketable Securities	2,479,244	2,515,851
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
Assets:
Available-for-sale, at fair value	5,243,046	4,853,685
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost	1,074,686	1,149,231
Marketable Securities	6,317,732	6,002,916
USDA Securities [Member]
Assets:
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost	2,025,822	2,009,225
Trading, at fair value	18,602	20,388
Marketable Securities	$ 2,044,424	$ 2,029,613