MFA Financial (MFA) 10-Q 4 Nov 15 2015 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Oct. 29, 2015
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	1,055,160
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2015
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		370,435,251
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) and credit risk transfer (“CRT”) securities:
Mortgage-backed securities and credit risk securities		$ 11,694,667	$ 10,762,622
Securities obtained and pledged as collateral, at fair value		509,620	512,105
Residential whole loans, at carrying value ($65,894 and $67,536 pledged as collateral, respectively)		245,894	207,923
Residential whole loans, at fair value ($525,798 and $143,072 pledged as collateral, respectively)		531,537	143,472
Cash and cash equivalents		174,160	182,437
Restricted cash		109,997	67,255
Interest receivable		30,115	32,581
Derivative instruments:
MBS linked transactions, net (“Linked Transactions”), at fair value		0	398,336
Interest rate swap agreements (“Swaps”), at fair value		18	3,136
Goodwill		7,189	7,189
Prepaid and other assets		81,206	37,688
Total Assets		13,384,403	12,354,744
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements and other advances		9,475,834	8,267,388
Securitized debt	[1]	32,217	110,574
Obligation to return securities obtained as collateral, at fair value		509,620	512,105
8% Senior Notes due 2042 (“Senior Notes”)		100,000	100,000
Accrued interest payable		15,028	13,095
Swaps, at fair value		105,473	62,198
Dividends and dividend equivalents payable		74,560	74,529
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		19,889	11,583
Total Liabilities		$ 10,332,621	$ 9,151,472
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ Equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 7.50% Series B cumulative redeemable; 8,050 shares authorized; 8,000 shares issued and outstanding ($200,000 aggregate liquidation preference)		$ 80	$ 80
Common stock, $.01 par value; 886,950 shares authorized; 370,254 and 370,084 shares issued and outstanding, respectively		3,702	3,701
Additional paid-in capital, in excess of par		3,017,355	3,013,634
Accumulated deficit		(567,649)	(568,596)
Accumulated other comprehensive income		598,294	754,453
Total Stockholders’ Equity		3,051,782	3,203,272
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity		13,384,403	12,354,744
Agency Mortgage Backed Securities
Mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) and credit risk transfer (“CRT”) securities:
Mortgage-backed securities and credit risk securities		5,020,477	5,904,207
Non-Agency MBS
Mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) and credit risk transfer (“CRT”) securities:
Mortgage-backed securities and credit risk securities		6,524,222	4,755,432
Non-Agency MBS | Non-Agency MBS
Mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) and credit risk transfer (“CRT”) securities:
Mortgage-backed securities and credit risk securities		5,895,371	3,358,426
Non-Agency MBS | Non-Agency MBS Transferred to Consolidated VIEs
Mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) and credit risk transfer (“CRT”) securities:
Mortgage-backed securities and credit risk securities	[2]	628,851	1,397,006
CRT securities
Mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) and credit risk transfer (“CRT”) securities:
Mortgage-backed securities and credit risk securities		$ 149,968	$ 102,983
[1]	Securitized debt represents third-party liabilities of consolidated VIEs and excludes liabilities of the VIEs acquired by the Company that eliminate on consolidation. The third-party beneficial interest holders in the VIEs have no recourse to the general credit of the Company. (See Notes 12 and 17 for further discussion.)
[2]	Non-Agency MBS transferred to consolidated VIEs represent assets of the consolidated VIEs that can be used only to settle the obligations of each respective VIE.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Residential whole loans, at carrying value, pledged as collateral (in dollars)	$ 65,894	$ 67,536
Residential whole loans, at fair value, pledged as collateral (in dollars)	$ 525,798	$ 143,072
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	8,050	8,050
Preferred stock, dividend rate	7.50%
Preferred stock, shares issued	8,000	8,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	8,000	8,000
Preferred stock, aggregate liquidation preference (in dollars)	$ 200,000	$ 200,000
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	886,950	886,950
Common stock, shares issued	370,254	370,084
Common stock, shares outstanding	370,254	370,084
Senior Notes
Stated interest rate (percent)	8.00%	8.00%
Agency Mortgage Backed Securities
Securities, at fair value, pledged as collateral	$ 4,702,437	$ 5,519,813
Non-Agency MBS
Securities, at fair value, pledged as collateral	4,873,424	2,377,343
CRT securities
Securities, at fair value, pledged as collateral	$ 118,616	$ 94,610

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPER

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Interest Income:
Residential whole loans held at carrying value	$ 4,033	$ 1,197	$ 11,817	$ 1,849
Cash and cash equivalent investments	32	20	88	63
Interest Income	119,706	112,157	373,644	352,625
Interest Expense:
Repurchase agreements and other advances	41,331	35,935	122,736	109,354
Securitized debt	363	1,415	1,731	5,471
Senior Notes	2,009	2,008	6,025	6,023
Interest Expense	43,703	39,358	130,492	120,848
Net Interest Income	76,003	72,799	243,152	231,777
Other-Than-Temporary Impairments:
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses	0	0	(525)	0
Portion of loss reclassed from other comprehensive income	0	0	(180)	0
Net Impairment Losses Recognized in Earnings	0	0	(705)	0
Other Income, net:
Unrealized net gains and net interest income from Linked Transactions	0	2,559	0	9,586
Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value	4,979	0	10,176	0
Gain on sales of MBS	11,196	13,880	25,248	25,303
Other, net	327	54	21	(306)
Other Income, net	16,502	16,493	35,445	34,583
Operating and Other Expense:
Compensation and benefits	6,482	5,970	19,759	18,378
Other general and administrative expense	3,538	3,831	11,673	11,461
Loan servicing and other related operating expenses	2,975	609	6,706	1,550
Excise tax and interest	0	0	0	1,175
Operating and Other Expense	12,995	10,410	38,138	32,564
Net Income	79,510	78,882	239,754	233,796
Less Preferred Stock Dividends	3,750	3,750	11,250	11,250
Net Income Available to Common Stock and Participating Securities	$ 75,760	$ 75,132	$ 228,504	$ 222,546
Earnings per Common Share - Basic and Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.20	$ 0.20	$ 0.61	$ 0.60
Dividends Declared per Share of Common Stock (in dollars per share)	$ 0.20	$ 0.20	$ 0.60	$ 0.60
Agency Mortgage Backed Securities
Interest Income:
Securities	$ 23,618	$ 33,066	$ 81,030	$ 110,004
Non-Agency MBS | Non-Agency MBS
Interest Income:
Securities	79,276	48,541	241,440	135,169
Non-Agency MBS | Non-Agency MBS Transferred to Consolidated VIEs
Interest Income:
Securities	11,154	29,303	34,792	105,510
CRT securities
Interest Income:
Securities	$ 1,593	$ 30	$ 4,477	$ 30

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Net income	$ 79,510	$ 78,882	$ 239,754	$ 233,796
Other Comprehensive (Loss)/Income:
Reclassification adjustment for MBS sales included in net income	(11,363)	(13,589)	(26,414)	(21,180)
Reclassification adjustment for other-than-temporary impairments included in net income	0	0	(705)	0
Unrealized (loss)/gain on derivative hedging instruments, net	(40,884)	23,500	(46,393)	(16,401)
Reclassification of unrealized loss on de-designated derivative hedging instruments	0	0	0	447
Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing	0	0	4,537	0
Other Comprehensive (Loss)/Income	(96,286)	(33,499)	(156,159)	79,839
Comprehensive (loss)/income before preferred stock dividends	(16,776)	45,383	83,595	313,635
Dividends declared on preferred stock	(3,750)	(3,750)	(11,250)	(11,250)
Comprehensive (Loss)/Income Available to Common Stock and Participating Securities	(20,526)	41,633	72,345	302,385
Agency Mortgage Backed Securities
Other Comprehensive (Loss)/Income:
Unrealized (loss)/gain on MBS, net	(2,028)	(14,937)	(14,393)	46,000
Non-Agency MBS
Other Comprehensive (Loss)/Income:
Unrealized (loss)/gain on MBS, net	$ (42,011)	$ (28,473)	$ (72,791)	$ 70,973

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANG

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Total	Preferred StockSeries B 7.50% Cumulative Redeemable - Liquidation Preference $25.00 per Share	Common Stock		Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Deficit	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013		$ 3,142,251	$ 80	$ 3,651		$ 2,972,369	$ (571,544)	$ 737,695
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013			8,000,000	365,125,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing		0
Net income		233,796					233,796	0
Issuance of common stock, net of expenses	[1]	26,371		$ 36		26,335	0	0
Issuance of common stock, net of expenses (in shares)	[1]			3,690,000
Repurchase of shares of common stock	[1]	(348)		$ 0		(348)	0	0
Repurchase of shares of common stock (in shares)	[1]			(94,000)
Equity based compensation expense		4,357				4,357	0	0
Accrued dividends attributable to stock-based awards		(164)				(164)	0	0
Dividends declared on common stock		(220,724)				0	(220,724)	0
Dividends declared on preferred stock		(11,250)				0	(11,250)	0
Dividends attributable to dividend equivalents		(384)				0	(384)	0
Change in unrealized gains on MBS, net		95,793				0	0	95,793
Change in unrealized losses on derivative hedging instruments, net		(15,954)				0	0	(15,954)
Balance at Sep. 30, 2014		3,253,744	$ 80	$ 3,687		3,002,549	(570,106)	817,534
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2014			8,000,000	368,721,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014		3,203,272	$ 80	$ 3,701		3,013,634	(568,596)	754,453
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014			8,000,000	370,084,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing		4,537					(4,537)	4,537
Net income		239,754					239,754	0
Issuance of common stock, net of expenses	[1]	926		$ 1		925	0	0
Issuance of common stock, net of expenses (in shares)	[1]			212,000
Repurchase of shares of common stock	[1]	$ (466)		$ 0		(466)	0	0
Repurchase of shares of common stock (in shares)		0		(42,000)	[1]
Equity based compensation expense		$ 3,600				3,600	0	0
Accrued dividends attributable to stock-based awards		(338)				(338)	0	0
Dividends declared on common stock		(222,242)				0	(222,242)	0
Dividends declared on preferred stock		(11,250)				0	(11,250)	0
Dividends attributable to dividend equivalents		(778)				0	(778)	0
Change in unrealized gains on MBS, net		(114,303)				0	0	(114,303)
Change in unrealized losses on derivative hedging instruments, net		(46,393)				0	0	(46,393)
Balance at Sep. 30, 2015		$ 3,051,782	$ 80	$ 3,702		$ 3,017,355	$ (567,649)	$ 598,294
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2015			8,000,000	370,254,000
[1]	For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, includes approximately $465,000 (42,357 shares) and $721,000 (94,073 shares), respectively, surrendered for tax purposes related to equity-based compensation awards.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHAN7

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (UNAUDITED) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Preferred Stock, dividend rate	7.50%	7.50%
Common Stock
Amount surrendered for tax purposes, equity-based compensation awards	$ 465	$ 721
Shares for tax withholding, equity-based compensation awards	42,357	94,073
Preferred Stock | Series B 7.50% Cumulative Redeemable - Liquidation Preference $25.00 per Share
Preferred Stock, dividend rate	7.50%	7.50%
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference per share (in dollars per share)	$ 25	$ 25

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 239,754	$ 233,796
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Gain on sales of MBS	(25,248)	(25,303)
Other-than-temporary impairment charges	705	0
Accretion of purchase discounts on MBS and CRT securities and residential whole loans	(73,192)	(68,871)
Amortization of purchase premiums on MBS	32,745	25,986
Depreciation and amortization on real estate, fixed assets and other assets	567	936
Equity-based compensation expense	3,600	4,357
Unrealized gain on residential whole loans at fair value	(3,872)	0
Unrealized gains on derivative instruments	0	(2,542)
Decrease in interest receivable	3,730	3,318
Increase in prepaid and other assets	(23,207)	(19,824)
Increase/(decrease) in accrued expenses and other liabilities, and excise tax and interest	2,825	(6,434)
Increase in accrued interest payable on financial instruments	784	32,080
Net cash provided by operating activities	159,191	177,499
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Principal payments on MBS and CRT securities	2,323,214	1,468,339
Proceeds from sale of MBS	50,700	103,625
Purchases of MBS and CRT securities	(1,433,207)	(985,782)
Purchases of residential whole loans	(458,146)	(82,931)
Principal payments on residential whole loans	27,051	2,051
Purchases of Federal Home Loan Bank stock	(10,617)	0
Additions to leasehold improvements, furniture and fixtures	(1,090)	(383)
Net cash provided by investing activities	497,905	504,919
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Principal payments on repurchase agreements and other advances	(75,970,367)	(62,567,398)
Proceeds from borrowings under repurchase agreements and other advances	75,659,218	62,353,824
Principal payments on securitized debt	(78,187)	(208,702)
Cash disbursements on financial instruments underlying Linked Transactions	0	(2,738,961)
Cash received from financial instruments underlying Linked Transactions	0	2,583,744
Payments made for margin calls on repurchase agreements and Swaps	(198,824)	(111,800)
Proceeds from reverse margin calls on repurchase agreements and Swaps	156,100	70,900
Proceeds from issuances of common stock	926	26,371
Dividends paid on preferred stock	(11,250)	(11,250)
Dividends paid on common stock and dividend equivalents	(222,989)	(220,625)
Net cash used in financing activities	(665,373)	(823,897)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(8,277)	(141,479)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	182,437	565,370
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	174,160	423,891
Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities:
MBS and CRT securities recorded upon adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing	1,917,813	0
Repurchase agreements recorded upon adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing	1,519,593	0
MBS recorded upon de-linking of Linked Transactions	0	36,258
Net increase in securities obtained as collateral/obligation to return securities obtained as collateral	25,150	63,691
Transfer from residential whole loans to real estate owned	12,894	0
Dividends and dividend equivalents declared and unpaid	$ 74,560	$ 74,126

Organization

Organization	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Organization	Organization MFA Financial, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated in Maryland on July 24, 1997 and began operations on April 10, 1998. The Company has elected to be treated as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In order to maintain its qualification as a REIT, the Company must comply with a number of requirements under federal tax law, including that it must distribute at least 90% of its annual REIT taxable income to its stockholders. The Company has elected to treat certain of its subsidiaries as a taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”). In general, a TRS may hold assets and engage in activities that the Company cannot hold or engage in directly and generally may engage in any real estate or non-real estate related business. (See Notes 2 ( o ) and 13 )

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies ( a ) Basis of Presentation and Consolidation The interim unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted according to these SEC rules and regulations. Management believes that the disclosures included in these interim unaudited consolidated financial statements are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 . In the opinion of management, all normal and recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial condition of the Company at September 30, 2015 and results of operations for all periods presented have been made. The results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 should not be construed as indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Although the Company’s estimates contemplate current conditions and how it expects them to change in the future, it is reasonably possible that actual conditions could be worse than anticipated in those estimates, which could materially impact the Company’s results of operations and its financial condition. Management has made significant estimates in several areas, including other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) on MBS and CRT securities (See Note 3 ), valuation of MBS and CRT securities (See Notes 3 and 16 ), income recognition and valuation of residential whole loans (See Notes 4 and 16 ), derivative instruments (See Notes 6 and 16 ) and income recognition on certain Non-Agency MBS purchased at a discount (See Note 3 ). In addition, estimates are used in the determination of taxable income used in the assessment of REIT compliance and contingent liabilities for related taxes, penalties and interest (See Note 2 ( o )). Actual results could differ from those estimates. The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of all subsidiaries; significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. In addition, the Company consolidates the special purpose entities created to facilitate the resecuritization transactions completed in prior years and the acquisition of residential whole loans. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. ( b ) MBS (including Non-Agency MBS transferred to consolidated VIEs) and CRT Securities The Company has investments in residential MBS that are issued or guaranteed as to principal and/or interest by a federally chartered corporation, such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, or an agency of the U.S. Government, such as Ginnie Mae (collectively, “Agency MBS”), and residential MBS that are not guaranteed by any U.S. Government agency or any federally chartered corporation (“Non-Agency MBS”). In addition, the Company has investments in CRT securities that are issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The coupon payments on CRT securities are paid by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the principal payments received are based on the performance of loans in a reference pool of recently securitized MBS. As the loans in the underlying reference pool are paid, the principal balance of the CRT securities is paid. As an investor in a CRT security, the Company may incur a loss if certain defined credit events occur, including if the loans in the reference pool experience delinquencies exceeding specified thresholds. Designation The Company generally intends to hold its MBS until maturity; however, from time to time, it may sell any of its securities as part of the overall management of its business. As a result, all of the Company’s MBS are designated as “available-for-sale” (“AFS”) and, accordingly, are carried at their fair value with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings (except when an OTTI is recognized, as discussed below) and reported in Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) (“AOCI”), a component of Stockholders’ Equity. Upon the sale of an AFS security, any unrealized gain or loss is reclassified out of AOCI to earnings as a realized gain or loss using the specific identification method. The Company has elected the fair value option for certain of its CRT securities as it considers this method of accounting more appropriately reflects the risk sharing structure of these securities. Such securities are carried at their fair value with changes in fair value included in earnings for the period and reported in Other Income, net on the Company’s consolidated statement of operations. Revenue Recognition, Premium Amortization and Discount Accretion Interest income on securities is accrued based on the outstanding principal balance and their contractual terms. Premiums and discounts associated with Agency MBS and Non-Agency MBS assessed as high credit quality at the time of purchase are amortized into interest income over the life of such securities using the effective yield method. Adjustments to premium amortization are made for actual prepayment activity. Interest income on the Non-Agency MBS that were purchased at a discount to par value and/or are considered to be of less than high credit quality is recognized based on the security’s effective interest rate which is the security’s internal rate of return (“IRR”). The IRR is determined using management’s estimate of the projected cash flows for each security, which are based on the Company’s observation of current information and events and include assumptions related to fluctuations in interest rates, prepayment speeds and the timing and amount of credit losses. On at least a quarterly basis, the Company reviews and, if appropriate, makes adjustments to its cash flow projections based on input and analysis received from external sources, internal models, and its judgment about interest rates, prepayment rates, the timing and amount of credit losses, and other factors. Changes in cash flows from those originally projected, or from those estimated at the last evaluation, may result in a prospective change in the IRR/ interest income recognized on these securities or in the recognition of OTTIs. (See Note 3 ) Based on the projected cash flows from the Company’s Non-Agency MBS purchased at a discount to par value, a portion of the purchase discount may be designated as non-accretable purchase discount (“Credit Reserve”), which effectively mitigates the Company’s risk of loss on the mortgages collateralizing such MBS and is not expected to be accreted into interest income. The amount designated as Credit Reserve may be adjusted over time, based on the actual performance of the security, its underlying collateral, actual and projected cash flow from such collateral, economic conditions and other factors. If the performance of a security with a Credit Reserve is more favorable than forecasted, a portion of the amount designated as Credit Reserve may be reallocated to accretable discount and recognized into interest income over time. Conversely, if the performance of a security with a Credit Reserve is less favorable than forecasted, the amount designated as Credit Reserve may be increased, or impairment charges and write-downs of such securities to a new cost basis could result. Determination of Fair Value for MBS and CRT Securities In determining the fair value of the Company’s MBS and CRT securities, management considers a number of observable market data points, including prices obtained from pricing services, brokers and repurchase agreement counterparties, dialogue with market participants, as well as management’s observations of market activity. (See Note 16 ) Impairments/OTTI When the fair value of an AFS security is less than its amortized cost at the balance sheet date, the security is considered impaired. The Company assesses its impaired securities on at least a quarterly basis and designates such impairments as either “temporary” or “other-than-temporary.” If the Company intends to sell an impaired security, or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the impaired security before its anticipated recovery, then the Company must recognize an OTTI through charges to earnings equal to the entire difference between the investment’s amortized cost and its fair value at the balance sheet date. If the Company does not expect to sell an other-than-temporarily impaired security, only the portion of the OTTI related to credit losses is recognized through charges to earnings with the remainder recognized through AOCI on the consolidated balance sheets. Impairments recognized through other comprehensive income/(loss) (“OCI”) do not impact earnings. Following the recognition of an OTTI through earnings, a new cost basis is established for the security and may not be adjusted for subsequent recoveries in fair value through earnings. However, OTTIs recognized through charges to earnings may be accreted back to the amortized cost basis of the security on a prospective basis through interest income. The determination as to whether an OTTI exists and, if so, the amount of credit impairment recognized in earnings is subjective, as such determinations are based on factual information available at the time of assessment as well as the Company’s estimates of the future performance and cash flow projections. As a result, the timing and amount of OTTIs constitute material estimates that are susceptible to significant change. (See Note 3 ) Non-Agency MBS that are assessed to be of less than high credit quality and on which impairments are recognized have experienced, or are expected to experience, credit-related adverse cash flow changes. The Company’s estimate of cash flows for its Non-Agency MBS is based on its review of the underlying mortgage loans securing the MBS. The Company considers information available about the past and expected future performance of underlying mortgage loans, including timing of expected future cash flows, prepayment rates, default rates, loss severities, delinquency rates, percentage of non-performing loans, Fair Isaac Corporation (“FICO”) scores at loan origination, year of origination, loan-to-value ratios (“LTVs”), geographic concentrations, as well as reports by credit rating agencies, such as Moody’s Investors Services, Inc. (“Moody’s”), Standard & Poor’s Corporation (“S&P”), or Fitch, Inc. (collectively, “Rating Agencies”), general market assessments, and dialogue with market participants. As a result, significant judgment is used in the Company’s analysis to determine the expected cash flows for its Non-Agency MBS. In determining the OTTI related to credit losses for securities that were purchased at significant discounts to par and/or are considered to be of less than high credit quality, the Company compares the present value of the remaining cash flows expected to be collected at the purchase date (or last date previously revised) against the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected at the current financial reporting date. The discount rate used to calculate the present value of expected future cash flows is the current yield used for income recognition purposes. Impairment assessment for Non-Agency MBS and CRT Securities that were purchased at prices close to par and/or are otherwise considered to be of high credit quality involves comparing the present value of the remaining cash flows expected to be collected against the amortized cost of the security at the assessment date. The discount rate used to calculate the present value of the expected future cash flows is based on the instrument’s IRR. Balance Sheet Presentation The Company’s MBS and CRT Securities pledged as collateral against repurchase agreements, Federal Home Loan Bank advances and Swaps are included on the consolidated balance sheets with the fair value of the securities pledged disclosed parenthetically. Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on the trade date. ( c ) Securities Obtained and Pledged as Collateral/Obligation to Return Securities Obtained as Collateral The Company has obtained securities as collateral under collateralized financing arrangements in connection with its financing strategy for Non-Agency MBS. Securities obtained as collateral in connection with these transactions are recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as an asset along with a liability representing the obligation to return the collateral obtained, at fair value. While beneficial ownership of securities obtained remains with the counterparty, the Company has the right to sell the collateral obtained or to pledge it as part of a subsequent collateralized financing transaction. (See Note 2 ( k ) for Repurchase Agreements and Reverse Repurchase Agreements) ( d ) Residential Whole Loans Residential whole loans included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets are comprised of pools of fixed and adjustable rate residential mortgage loans acquired through consolidated trusts in secondary market transactions at discounted purchase prices. The accounting model utilized by the Company is determined at the time each loan package is initially acquired and is generally based on the delinquency status of the majority of the underlying borrowers in the package at acquisition. The accounting model described below under “Residential Whole Loans at Carrying Value” is typically utilized by the Company for loans where the underlying borrower has a delinquency status of less than 60 days at the acquisition date. The accounting model described below under “Residential Whole Loans at Fair Value” is typically utilized by the Company for loans where the underlying borrower has a delinquency status of 60 days or more at the acquisition date. The accounting model initially applied is not subsequently changed. The Company’s residential whole loans pledged as collateral against repurchase agreements are included in the consolidated balance sheets with the fair value of the loans pledged disclosed parenthetically. Purchases and sales of residential whole loans are recorded on the trade date, with amounts recorded reflecting management’s current estimate of assets that will be acquired or disposed at the closing of the transaction. This estimate is subject to revision at the closing of the transaction, pending the outcome of due diligence performed prior to closing. Residential Whole Loans at Carrying Value Notwithstanding that the majority of these loans are considered to be performing substantially in accordance with their current contractual terms and conditions, the Company has elected to account for these loans as credit impaired as they were acquired at discounted prices that reflect, in part, the impaired credit history of the borrower. Substantially all of the borrowers have previously experienced payment delinquencies and the amount owed on the mortgage loan may exceed the value of the property pledged as collateral. Consequently, the Company has assessed that these loans have a higher likelihood of default than newly originated mortgage loans with LTVs of 80% or less to credit worthy borrowers. The Company believes that amounts paid to acquire these loans represent fair market value at the date of acquisition. Such loans are initially recorded at fair value with no allowance for loan losses. Subsequent to acquisition, the recorded amount reflects the original investment amount, plus accretion of interest income, less principal and interest cash flows received. These loans are presented on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at carrying value, which reflects the recorded amount reduced by any allowance for loan losses established subsequent to acquisition. Under the application of this accounting model the Company may aggregate into pools loans acquired in the same fiscal quarter that are assessed as having similar risk characteristics. For each pool established, or on an individual loans basis for loans not aggregated into pools, the Company estimates at acquisition and periodically on at least a quarterly basis, the principal and interest cash flows expected to be collected. The difference between the cash flows expected to be collected and the carrying amount of the loans is referred to as the “accretable yield.” This amount is accreted as interest income over the life of the loans using an effective interest rate (level yield) methodology. Interest income recorded each period reflects the amount of accretable yield recognized and not the coupon interest payments received on the underlying loans. The difference between contractually required principal and interest payments and the cash flows expected to be collected is referred to as the “non-accretable difference,” and includes estimates of both the effect of prepayments and expected credit losses over the life of the underlying loans. A decrease in expected cash flows in subsequent periods may indicate impairment at the pool and/or individual loan level thus requiring the establishment of an allowance for loan losses by a charge to the provision for loan losses. The allowance for loan losses represents the present value of cash flows expected at acquisition, adjusted for any increases due to changes in estimated cash flows, that are subsequently no longer expected to be received at the relevant measurement date. A significant increase in expected cash flows in subsequent periods first reduces any previously recognized allowance for loan losses and then will result in a recalculation in the amount of accretable yield. The adjustment of accretable yield due to a significant increase in expected cash flows is accounted for prospectively as a change in estimate and results in reclassification from nonaccretable difference to accretable yield. (See Notes 4 and 17 ) Residential Whole Loans at Fair Value Certain of the Company’s residential whole loans are presented at fair value on its consolidated balance sheets as a result of a fair value election made at time of acquisition. Given the significant uncertainty associated with estimating the timing of and amount of cash flows associated with these loans that will be collected, and that the cash flows ultimately collected may be dependent on the value of the property securing the loan, the Company considers that accounting for these loans at fair value should result in a better reflection over time of the economic returns from these loans. The Company determines the fair value of its residential whole loans held at fair value after considering portfolio valuations obtained from a third-party who specializes in providing valuations of residential mortgage loans and trading activity observed in the market place. Subsequent changes in fair value are reported in current period earnings and presented in Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Cash received reflecting coupon payments on residential whole loans held at fair value is not included in Interest Income, but rather is presented in Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. (See Notes 4 and 16 ) ( e ) Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include cash on deposit with financial institutions and investments in money market funds, all of which have original maturities of three months or less. Cash and cash equivalents may also include cash pledged as collateral to the Company by its repurchase agreement and/or Swap counterparties as a result of reverse margin calls (i.e., margin calls made by the Company). The Company did not hold any cash pledged by its counterparties at September 30, 2015 or December 31, 2014 . The Company’s investments in overnight money market funds, which are not bank deposits and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency, were $156.2 million and $168.0 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. (See Notes 9 and 16 ) ( f ) Restricted Cash Restricted cash represents the Company’s cash held by its counterparties as collateral or otherwise in connection with the Company’s Swaps and/or repurchase agreements. Restricted cash is not available to the Company for general corporate purposes, but may be applied against amounts due to counterparties to the Company’s repurchase agreements and/or Swaps, or may be returned to the Company when the related collateral requirements are exceeded or at the maturity of the Swap or repurchase agreement. The Company had aggregate restricted cash held as collateral or otherwise in connection with its Swaps and repurchase agreements of $110.0 million and $67.3 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. (See Notes 6 , 8 , 9 and 16 ) ( g ) Goodwill At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , the Company had goodwill of $7.2 million , which represents the unamortized portion of the excess of the fair value of its common stock issued over the fair value of net assets acquired in connection with its formation in 1998. Goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually, or more frequently under certain circumstances, at the entity level. Through September 30, 2015 , the Company had not recognized any impairment against its goodwill. ( h ) Real Estate Owned (“REO”) REO represents real estate acquired by the Company, including through foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure, and is initially recorded at fair value less estimated selling costs. Subsequent to acquisition REO is reported, at each reporting date, at the lower of the current carrying amount or fair value less estimated selling costs and for presentation purposes is included in Prepaid and other assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Changes in fair value that result in an adjustment to the reported amount of a REO property that has a fair value at or below its carrying amount are reported in Other Income, net on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. (See Note 7 ) ( i ) Depreciation Leasehold Improvements and Other Depreciable Assets Depreciation is computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the related assets or, in the case of leasehold improvements, over the shorter of the useful life or the lease term. Furniture, fixtures, computers and related hardware have estimated useful lives ranging from five to eight years at the time of purchase. ( j ) Resecuritization and Senior Notes Related Costs Resecuritization related costs are costs associated with the issuance of beneficial interests by consolidated VIEs and incurred by the Company in connection with various resecuritization transactions completed by the Company. Senior Notes related costs are costs incurred by the Company in connection with the issuance of its Senior Notes in April, 2012. These costs may include underwriting, rating agency, legal, accounting and other fees. Such costs, which reflect deferred charges, are included on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets in Prepaid and other assets. These deferred charges are amortized as an adjustment to interest expense using the effective interest method, based upon the actual repayments of the associated beneficial interests issued to third parties and over the stated legal maturity of the Senior Notes. The Company periodically reviews the recoverability of these deferred costs and in the event an impairment charge is required, such amount will be included in Operating and Other Expense on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. ( k ) Repurchase Agreements and Other Advances Repurchase Agreements The Company finances the holdings of a significant portion of its MBS and CRT securities with repurchase agreements. Under repurchase agreements, the Company sells securities to a lender and agrees to repurchase the same securities in the future for a price that is higher than the original sale price. The difference between the sale price that the Company receives and the repurchase price that the Company pays represents interest paid to the lender. Although legally structured as sale and repurchase transactions, the Company accounts for repurchase agreements as secured borrowings. Under its repurchase agreements, the Company pledges its securities as collateral to secure the borrowing, which is equal in value to a specified percentage of the fair value of the pledged collateral, while the Company retains beneficial ownership of the pledged collateral. At the maturity of a repurchase financing, unless the repurchase financing is renewed with the same counterparty, the Company is required to repay the loan including any accrued interest and concurrently receives back its pledged collateral from the lender. With the consent of the lender, the Company may renew a repurchase financing at the then prevailing financing terms. Margin calls, whereby a lender requires that the Company pledge additional securities or cash as collateral to secure borrowings under its repurchase financing with such lender, are routinely experienced by the Company when the value of the MBS pledged as collateral declines as a result of principal amortization and prepayments or due to changes in market interest rates, spreads or other market conditions. The Company also may make margin calls on counterparties when collateral values increase. The Company’s repurchase financings typically have terms ranging from one month to six months at inception, but may also have longer or shorter terms. Should a counterparty decide not to renew a repurchase financing at maturity, the Company must either refinance elsewhere or be in a position to satisfy the obligation. If, during the term of a repurchase financing, a lender should default on its obligation, the Company might experience difficulty recovering its pledged assets which could result in an unsecured claim against the lender for the difference between the amount loaned to the Company plus interest due to the counterparty and the fair value of the collateral pledged by the Company to such lender, including accrued interest receivable or such collateral. (See Notes 8 , 9 and 16 ) In addition to the repurchase agreement financing arrangements discussed above, as part of its financing strategy for Non-Agency MBS, the Company has entered into contemporaneous repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements with a single counterparty. Under a typical reverse repurchase agreement, the Company buys securities from a borrower for cash and agrees to sell the same securities in the future for a price that is higher than the original purchase price. The difference between the purchase price the Company originally paid and the sale price represents interest received from the borrower. In contrast, the contemporaneous repurchase and reverse repurchase transactions effectively resulted in the Company pledging Non-Agency MBS as collateral to the counterparty in connection with the repurchase agreement financing and obtaining U.S. Treasury securities as collateral from the same counterparty in connection with the reverse repurchase agreement. No net cash was exchanged between the Company and counterparty at the inception of the transactions. Securities obtained and pledged as collateral are recorded as an asset on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Interest income is recorded on the reverse repurchase agreement and interest expense is recorded on the repurchase agreement on an accrual basis. Both the Company and the counterparty have the right to make daily margin calls based on changes in the value of the collateral obtained and/or pledged. The Company’s liability to the counterparty in connection with this financing arrangement is recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and disclosed as “Obligation to return securities obtained as collateral, at fair value.” (See Note 2 ( c )) Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) Advances In July 2015, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, MFA Insurance, Inc. (“MFA Insurance”), became a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines. At September 30, 2015 MFA Insurance had long-term FHLB advances with variable interest rates. Accrued interest payable on FHLB advances is included in Accrued interest payable on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. FHLB advances are secured financing transactions and are carried at their contractual amounts. The ability to borrow from the FHLB is subject to the Company’s continued creditworthiness, pledging of sufficient eligible collateral to secure advances, and compliance with certain agreements with the FHLB. The amount of collateral pledged to the FHLB to secure advances is subject to periodic adjustment based on changes in the fair value of the collateral. (See Notes 8, 9 and 16) In addition, as a condition to membership in the FHLB, MFA Insurance is required to purchase and hold a certain amount of FHLB stock, which is based, in part, upon the outstanding principal balance of advances from the FHLB. FHLB stock is considered a non-marketable, long-term investment, is carried at cost and is subject to recoverability testing under applicable accounting standards. This stock can only be redeemed or sold at its par value, and only to the FHLB. Accordingly, when evaluating FHLB stock for impairment, the Company considers the ultimate recoverability of the par value rather than recognizing temporary declines in value. FHLB stock is included in Prepaid and other assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. ( l ) Equity-Based Compensation Compensation expense for equity-based awards is recognized ratably over the vesting period of such awards, based upon the fair value of such awards at the grant date. With respect to awards granted in 2009 and prior years, the Company applied a zero forfeiture rate for these awards, as they were granted to a limited number of employees, and historical forfeitures have been minimal. Forfeitures, or an indication that forfeitures are expected to occur, may result in a revised forfeiture rate and would be accounted for prospectively as a change in estimate. During 2010, the Company granted certain restricted stock units (“RSUs”) that vested after either two or four years of service and provided that certain criteria are met, which were based on a formula that included changes in the Company’s closing stock price over a two - or four -year period and dividends declared on the Company’s common stock during those periods. From 2011 through 2013, the Company granted certain RSUs that vested annually over a one or three -year period, provided that certain criteria are met, which are based on a formula tied to the Company’s achievement of average total stockholder return during that three -year period. During 2014 and 2015, the Company made grants of RSUs certain of which cliff vest after a three -year period and certain of which cliff vest after a three -year period, subject to the achievement of certain performance criteria based on a formula tied to the Company’s achievement of average total stockholder return during that three -year period. The features in these awards related to the attainment of total stockholder return over a specified period constitute a “market condition” which impacts the amount of compensation expense recognized for these awards. Specifically, the uncertainty regarding the achievement of the market condition was reflected in the grant date fair valuation of the RSUs, which in addition to estimates regarding the amount of RSUs expected to be forfeited during the associated service period, determined the amount of compensation expense recognized. The amount of compensation expense recognized was not dependent on whether the market

MBS and CRT Securities

MBS and CRT Securities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
MBS and CRT Securities	MBS and CRT Securities Agency and Non-Agency MBS The Company’s MBS are comprised of Agency MBS and Non-Agency MBS which include MBS issued prior to 2008 (“Legacy Non-Agency MBS”) and MBS backed by re-performing/non-performing loans (“RPL/NPL MBS”). These MBS are secured by: (i) hybrid mortgages (“Hybrids”), which have interest rates that are fixed for a specified period of time and, thereafter, generally adjust annually to an increment over a specified interest rate index; (ii) adjustable-rate mortgages (“ARMs”); (iii) mortgages that have interest rates that reset more frequently (collectively, “ARM-MBS”); and (iv) 15 year and longer-term fixed rate mortgages. The Company pledges a significant portion of its MBS as collateral against its borrowings under repurchase agreements, FHLB advances and Swaps. Non-Agency MBS that were accounted for as components of Linked Transactions prior to 2015 are not reflected in the tables for prior periods set forth in this note, as they were accounted for as derivatives. New accounting guidance that was effective for the Company on January 1, 2015 prospectively eliminated the use of Linked Transaction accounting. (See Notes 2 ( t ), 6 and 9 ) Agency MBS: Agency MBS are guaranteed as to principal and/or interest by a federally chartered corporation, such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, or an agency of the U.S. Government, such as Ginnie Mae. The payment of principal and/or interest on Ginnie Mae MBS is explicitly backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. Since the third quarter of 2008, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been under the conservatorship of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which significantly strengthened the backing for these government-sponsored entities. Non-Agency MBS (including Non-Agency MBS transferred to consolidated VIEs): The Company’s Non-Agency MBS are secured by pools of residential mortgages which are not guaranteed by an agency of the U.S. Government or any federally chartered corporation. Credit risk associated with Non-Agency MBS is regularly assessed as new information regarding the underlying collateral becomes available and based on updated estimates of cash flows generated by the underlying collateral. CRT Securities CRT securities are debt obligations issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. While the coupon payments are paid by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac on a monthly basis, the payment of principal is dependent on the performance of loans in a reference pool of MBS securitized by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. As principal on loans in the reference pool are paid, principal payments on the securities are made and the principal balances of the securities are reduced. Consequently, CRT securities mirror the payment and prepayment behavior of the mortgage loans in the reference pool. As an investor in a CRT security, the Company may incur a loss if certain defined credit events occur, including if the loans in the reference pool experience delinquencies exceeding specified thresholds. The Company assesses the credit risk associated with CRT securities by assessing the current and expected future performance of the associated reference pool. CRT securities that were accounted for as components of Linked Transactions prior to 2015 are not reflected in the tables for prior periods set forth in this note, as they were accounted for as derivatives. (See Notes 2 ( t ), 6 and 9 ) The following tables present certain information about the Company’s MBS and CRT securities at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : September 30, 2015 (In Thousands) Principal/ Current Face Purchase Premiums Accretable Purchase Discounts Discount Designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI (1) Amortized Cost (2) Fair Value Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss) Agency MBS: Fannie Mae $ 3,875,329 $ 146,519 $ (61 ) $ — $ 4,021,787 $ 4,086,523 $ 79,498 $ (14,762 ) $ 64,736 Freddie Mac 887,904 34,118 — — 923,134 923,872 8,796 (8,058 ) 738 Ginnie Mae 9,666 169 — — 9,835 10,082 247 — 247 Total Agency MBS 4,772,899 180,806 (61 ) — 4,954,756 5,020,477 88,541 (22,820 ) 65,721 Non-Agency MBS: Expected to Recover Par (3)(4) 2,764,021 232 (31,691 ) — 2,732,562 2,755,036 27,326 (4,853 ) 22,473 Expected to Recover Less than Par (3) 4,271,588 — (304,016 ) (815,397 ) 3,152,175 3,769,186 621,564 (4,553 ) 617,011 Total Non-Agency MBS (5) 7,035,609 232 (335,707 ) (815,397 ) 5,884,737 6,524,222 648,890 (9,406 ) 639,484 Total MBS 11,808,508 181,038 (335,768 ) (815,397 ) 10,839,493 11,544,699 737,431 (32,226 ) 705,205 CRT securities (6) 156,000 — (5,072 ) — 150,928 149,968 788 (1,748 ) (960 ) Total MBS and CRT securities $ 11,964,508 $ 181,038 $ (340,840 ) $ (815,397 ) $ 10,990,421 $ 11,694,667 $ 738,219 $ (33,974 ) $ 704,245 December 31, 2014 (In Thousands) Principal/ Current Face Purchase Premiums Accretable Purchase Discounts Discount Designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI (1) Amortized Cost (2) Fair Value Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss) Agency MBS: Fannie Mae $ 4,587,823 $ 174,245 $ (71 ) $ — $ 4,761,997 $ 4,843,084 $ 102,187 $ (21,100 ) $ 81,087 Freddie Mac 1,011,659 38,895 — — 1,051,096 1,049,854 11,280 (12,522 ) (1,242 ) Ginnie Mae 10,811 189 — — 11,000 11,269 269 — 269 Total Agency MBS 5,610,293 213,329 (71 ) — 5,824,093 5,904,207 113,736 (33,622 ) 80,114 Non-Agency MBS: Expected to Recover Par (3)(4) 431,788 461 (29,501 ) — 402,748 428,431 26,735 (1,052 ) 25,683 Expected to Recover Less than Par (3) 4,888,113 — (370,063 ) (900,557 ) 3,617,493 4,327,001 712,168 (2,660 ) 709,508 Total Non-Agency MBS (5) 5,319,901 461 (399,564 ) (900,557 ) 4,020,241 4,755,432 738,903 (3,712 ) 735,191 Total MBS 10,930,194 213,790 (399,635 ) (900,557 ) 9,844,334 10,659,639 852,639 (37,334 ) 815,305 CRT securities 109,500 — (4,727 ) — 104,773 102,983 324 (2,114 ) (1,790 ) Total MBS and CRT securities $ 11,039,694 $ 213,790 $ (404,362 ) $ (900,557 ) $ 9,949,107 $ 10,762,622 $ 852,963 $ (39,448 ) $ 813,515 (1) Discount designated as Credit Reserve and amounts related to OTTI are generally not expected to be accreted into interest income. Amounts disclosed at September 30, 2015 reflect Credit Reserve of $793.7 million and OTTI of $21.7 million . Amounts disclosed at December 31, 2014 reflect Credit Reserve of $877.6 million and OTTI of $23.0 million . (2) Includes principal payments receivable of $1.1 million and $542,000 at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively, which are not included in the Principal/Current Face. (3) Based on managemen t ’ s current estimates of future principal cash flows expected to be received. (4) At September 30, 2015 RPL/NPL MBS had a $2.492 billion Principal/Current face, $2.490 billion amortized cost and $2.487 billion fair value. At December 31, 2014 , RPL/NPL MBS had a $161.0 million Principal/Current face, $161.0 million amortized cost and $161.0 million fair value (excludes RPL/NPL MBS with $1.850 billion Principal/Current face, $1.847 billion amortized cost and $1.847 billion fair value that were presented as a component of Linked Transactions at December 31, 2014). (5) At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , the Company expected to recover approximately 88% and 83% , respectively, of the then-current face amount of Non-Agency MBS. (6) Amounts disclosed at September 30, 2015 includes CRT securities with a fair value of $27.7 million for which the fair value option has been elected. Such securities have gross unrealized gains of approximately $515,000 , gross unrealized losses of approximately $19,000 and net unrealized gains of approximately $496,000 at September 30, 2015 . For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , such securities generated net unrealized losses of approximately $14,000 and net unrealized gains of approximately $496,000 , respectively, that are included in Other Income, net in our consolidated statements of operations. Unrealized Losses on MBS and CRT Securities The following table presents information about the Company’s MBS and CRT securities that were in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2015 : Unrealized Loss Position For: Less than 12 Months 12 Months or more Total Fair Value Unrealized Losses Number of Securities Fair Value Unrealized Losses Number of Securities Fair Value Unrealized Losses (Dollars in Thousands) Agency MBS: Fannie Mae $ 508,889 $ 2,921 63 $ 852,198 $ 11,841 109 $ 1,361,087 $ 14,762 Freddie Mac 259,638 2,369 35 332,303 5,689 64 591,941 8,058 Total Agency MBS 768,527 5,290 98 1,184,501 17,530 173 1,953,028 22,820 Non-Agency MBS: Expected to Recover Par (1) 1,411,102 4,117 33 13,249 736 8 1,424,351 4,853 Expected to Recover Less than Par (1) 120,040 1,982 24 67,908 2,571 11 187,948 4,553 Total Non-Agency MBS 1,531,142 6,099 57 81,157 3,307 19 1,612,299 9,406 Total MBS 2,299,669 11,389 155 1,265,658 20,837 192 3,565,327 32,226 CRT securities (2) 89,253 1,285 19 4,538 463 1 93,791 1,748 Total MBS and CRT securities $ 2,388,922 $ 12,674 174 $ 1,270,196 $ 21,300 193 $ 3,659,118 $ 33,974 (1) Based on management’s current estimates of future principal cash flows expected to be received. (2) Amounts disclosed at September 30, 2015 includes CRT securities with a fair value of $9.6 million for which the fair value option has been elected. Such securities have unrealized losses of $19,000 at September 30, 2015. At September 30, 2015 , the Company did not intend to sell any of its investments that were in an unrealized loss position, and it is “more likely than not” that the Company will not be required to sell these securities before recovery of their amortized cost basis, which may be at their maturity. With respect to Non-Agency MBS held by consolidated VIEs, the ability of any entity to cause the sale to a third-party by the VIE prior to the maturity of these Non-Agency MBS is either specifically precluded or is limited to specified events of default, none of which has occurred to date. Gross unrealized losses on the Company’s Agency MBS were $22.8 million at September 30, 2015 . Agency MBS are issued by Government Sponsored Entities (“GSEs”) that enjoy either the implicit or explicit backing of the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. While the Company’s Agency MBS are not rated by any rating agency, they are currently perceived by market participants to be of high credit quality, with risk of default limited to the unlikely event that the U.S. Government would not continue to support the GSEs. In addition, the GSEs are currently profitable on a stand-alone basis with such profits being remitted to the U.S. Treasury. Given the credit quality inherent in Agency MBS, the Company does not consider any of the current impairments on its Agency MBS to be credit related. In assessing whether it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell any impaired security before its anticipated recovery, which may be at its maturity, the Company considers for each impaired security, the significance of each investment, the amount of impairment, the projected future performance of such impaired securities, as well as the Company’s current and anticipated leverage capacity and liquidity position. Based on these analyses, the Company determined that at September 30, 2015 any unrealized losses on its Agency MBS were temporary. Unrealized losses on the Company’s Non-Agency MBS (including Non-Agency MBS transferred to consolidated VIEs) were $9.4 million at September 30, 2015 . Based upon the most recent evaluation, the Company does not consider these unrealized losses to be indicative of OTTI and does not believe that these unrealized losses are credit related, but are rather a reflection of current market yields and/or market place bid-ask spreads. The Company has reviewed its Non-Agency MBS that are in an unrealized loss position to identify those securities with losses that are other-than-temporary based on an assessment of changes in expected cash flows for such securities, which considers recent bond performance and, where possible, expected future performance of the underlying collateral. The Company recognized credit-related OTTI losses through earnings related to its Non-Agency MBS of $705,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The Company did no t recognize any credit-related OTTI losses through earnings related to its MBS during the three months ended September 30, 2015 and three and nine months ended September 30, 2014. Non-Agency MBS on which OTTI is recognized have experienced, or are expected to experience, credit-related adverse cash flow changes. The Company’s estimate of cash flows for its Non-Agency MBS is based on its review of the underlying mortgage loans securing these MBS. The Company considers information available about the structure of the securitization, including structural credit enhancement, if any, and the past and expected future performance of underlying mortgage loans, including timing of expected future cash flows, prepayment rates, default rates, loss severities, delinquency rates, percentage of non-performing loans, FICO scores at loan origination, year of origination, LTVs, geographic concentrations, as well as Rating Agency reports, general market assessments, and dialogue with market participants. Changes in the Company’s evaluation of each of these factors impacts the cash flows expected to be collected at the OTTI assessment date. For Non-Agency MBS purchased at a discount to par that were assessed for and had no OTTI recorded this period, such cash flow estimates indicated that the amount of expected losses decreased compared to the previous OTTI assessment date. These positive cash flow changes are primarily driven by recent improvements in LTVs due to loan amortization and home price appreciation, which, in turn, positively impacts the Company’s estimates of default rates and loss severities for the underlying collateral. In addition, voluntary prepayments (i.e., loans that prepay in full with no loss) have generally trended higher for these MBS which also positively impacts the Company’s estimate of expected loss. Overall, the combination of higher voluntary prepayments and lower LTVs supports the Company’s assessment that such MBS are not other-than-temporarily impaired. The following table presents the composition of OTTI charges recorded by the Company for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (In Thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Total OTTI losses $ — $ — $ (525 ) $ — OTTI reclassified from OCI — — (180 ) — OTTI recognized in earnings $ — $ — $ (705 ) $ — The following table presents a roll-forward of the credit loss component of OTTI on the Company’s Non-Agency MBS for which a non-credit component of OTTI was previously recognized in OCI. Changes in the credit loss component of OTTI are presented based upon whether the current period is the first time OTTI was recorded on a security or a subsequent OTTI charge was recorded. (In Thousands) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Credit loss component of OTTI at beginning of period $ 36,820 $ 36,115 Additions for credit related OTTI not previously recognized — 461 Subsequent additional credit related OTTI recorded — 244 Credit loss component of OTTI at end of period $ 36,820 $ 36,820 Purchase Discounts on Non-Agency MBS The following tables present the changes in the components of the Company’s purchase discount on its Non-Agency MBS between purchase discount designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI and accretable purchase discount for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 : Three Months Ended Three Months Ended (In Thousands) Discount Designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI Accretable Discount (1) Discount Designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI (2) Accretable Discount (1)(2) Balance at beginning of period $ (847,017 ) $ (362,946 ) $ (986,842 ) $ (436,111 ) Accretion of discount — 22,805 — 25,504 Realized credit losses 21,527 — 20,733 — Purchases (455 ) 113 (4,200 ) 272 Sales 3,676 11,193 21,024 4,169 Transfers/release of credit reserve 6,872 (6,872 ) 20,185 (20,185 ) Balance at end of period $ (815,397 ) $ (335,707 ) $ (929,100 ) $ (426,351 ) Nine Months Ended Nine Months Ended (In Thousands) Discount Designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI Accretable Discount (1) Discount Designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI (3) Accretable Discount (1)(3) Balance at beginning of period $ (900,557 ) $ (399,564 ) $ (1,043,037 ) $ (460,039 ) Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing (15,543 ) 1,832 — — Accretion of discount — 71,700 — 78,701 Realized credit losses 62,377 — 69,129 — Purchases (1,200 ) (4,012 ) (70,535 ) 25,314 Sales 5,573 28,995 34,780 10,236 Net impairment losses recognized in earnings (705 ) — — — Transfers/release of credit reserve 34,658 (34,658 ) 80,563 (80,563 ) Balance at end of period $ (815,397 ) $ (335,707 ) $ (929,100 ) $ (426,351 ) (1) Together with coupon interest, accretable purchase discount is recognized as interest income over the life of the security. (2) The Company reallocated $333,000 of purchase discount designated as Credit Reserve to accretable purchase discount on Non-Agency MBS underlying Linked Transactions during the three months ended September 30, 2014 . (3) The Company reallocated $218,000 of purchase discount designated as Credit Reserve to accretable purchase discount on Non-Agency MBS underlying Linked Transactions during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 . Impact of AFS Securities on AOCI The following table presents the impact of the Company’s AFS securities on its AOCI for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 : Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, (In Thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 AOCI from AFS securities: Unrealized gain on AFS securities at beginning of period $ 759,151 $ 905,704 $ 813,515 $ 752,912 Unrealized (loss)/gain on Agency MBS, net (2,028 ) (14,937 ) (14,393 ) 46,000 Unrealized (loss)/gain on Non-Agency MBS, net (42,011 ) (28,473 ) (72,791 ) 70,973 Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing — — 4,537 — Reclassification adjustment for MBS sales included in net income (11,363 ) (13,589 ) (26,414 ) (21,180 ) Reclassification adjustment for OTTI included in net income — — (705 ) — Change in AOCI from AFS securities (55,402 ) (56,999 ) (109,766 ) 95,793 Balance at end of period $ 703,749 $ 848,705 $ 703,749 $ 848,705 Sales of MBS During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company sold certain Non-Agency MBS for $23.5 million and $50.7 million , realizing gross gains of $11.2 million and $25.2 million , respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 , the Company sold certain Non-Agency MBS for $61.6 million and $103.6 million , realizing gross gains of $13.9 million and $25.3 million , respectively. The Company has no continuing involvement with any of the sold MBS. Interest Income on MBS and CRT Securities The following table presents the components of interest income on the Company’s MBS and CRT securities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 : Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, (In Thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Agency MBS Coupon interest $ 35,154 $ 46,529 $ 113,543 $ 145,864 Effective yield adjustment (1) (11,536 ) (13,463 ) (32,513 ) (35,860 ) Interest income $ 23,618 $ 33,066 $ 81,030 $ 110,004 Legacy Non-Agency MBS Coupon interest $ 44,824 $ 52,270 $ 141,152 $ 161,318 Effective yield adjustment (2) 21,955 25,477 69,816 78,561 Interest income $ 66,779 $ 77,747 $ 210,968 $ 239,879 RPL/NPL MBS Coupon interest $ 22,898 $ 97 $ 63,602 $ 800 Effective yield adjustment (2) 753 — 1,662 — Interest income $ 23,651 $ 97 $ 65,264 $ 800 CRT securities Coupon interest $ 1,432 $ 30 $ 4,000 $ 30 Effective yield adjustment (2) 161 — 477 — Interest income $ 1,593 $ 30 $ 4,477 $ 30 (1) Includes amortization of premium paid net of accretion of purchase discount. For Agency MBS, interest income is recorded at an effective yield, which reflects net premium amortization based on actual prepayment activity. (2) The effective yield adjustment is the difference between the net income calculated using the net yield, which is based on management’s estimates of the amount and timing of future cash flows, less the current coupon yield.

Residential Whole Loans

Residential Whole Loans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Residential Whole Loans	Residential Whole Loans Included on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , are approximately $777.4 million and $351.4 million , respectively, of residential whole loans arising from the Company’s 100% equity interest in certificates issued by certain trusts established to acquire the loans. Based on its evaluation of these interests and other factors, the Company has determined that the trusts are required to be consolidated for financial reporting purposes. Residential Whole Loans at Carrying Value Residential whole loans at carrying value totaled approximately $245.9 million and $207.9 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. The carrying value reflects the original investment amount, plus accretion of interest income, less principal and interest cash flows received. The carrying value is reduced by any allowance for loan losses established subsequent to acquisition. The Company recorded an allowance for loan losses of approximately $922,000 on its residential whole loan pools held at carrying value as of September 30, 2015 . For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 a net provision for loan losses of approximately $335,000 and $785,000 , respectively, was recorded, which is included in Operating and Other expense on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The following table presents the activity in the Company’s allowance for loan losses on its residential whole loan pools at carrying value for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 . (In Thousands) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Balance at the beginning of period $ 587 $ 137 Provisions for loan losses 335 785 Balance at the end of the period $ 922 $ 922 The following table presents information regarding estimates of the contractually required payments, the cash flows expected to be collected, and the estimated fair value of the residential whole loans held at carrying value acquired by the Company for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 : (In Thousands) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Contractually required principal and interest $ 10,646 $ 103,950 Contractual cash flows not expected to be collected (non-accretable yield) (1,313 ) (18,465 ) Expected cash flows to be collected 9,333 85,485 Interest component of expected cash flows (accretable yield) (3,620 ) (34,901 ) Fair value at the date of acquisition $ 5,713 $ 50,584 The following table presents accretable yield activity for the Company’s residential whole loans held at carrying value for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 : (In Thousands) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Balance at beginning of period $ 155,574 $ 133,012 Additions 3,620 34,901 Accretion (3,972 ) (11,406 ) Reclassifications to non-accretable difference, net 2,692 1,407 Balance at end of period $ 157,914 $ 157,914 Accretable yield for residential whole loans is the excess of loan cash flows expected to be collected over the purchase price. The cash flows expected to be collected represents the Company’s estimate of the amount and timing of undiscounted principal and interest cash flows. Additions include accretable yield estimates for purchases made during the period and reclassification to accretable yield from non-accretable yield. Accretable yield is reduced by accretion during the period. The reclassifications between accretable and non-accretable yield and the accretion of interest income are based on changes in estimates regarding loan performance and the value of the underlying real estate securing the loans. In future periods, as the Company updates estimates of cash flows expected to be collected from the loans and the underlying collateral, the accretable yield may change. Therefore, the amount of accretable income recorded during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 is not necessarily indicative of future results. Residential Whole Loans at Fair Value Certain of the Company’s residential whole loans are presented at fair value on its consolidated balance sheets as a result of a fair value election made at time of acquisition. Subsequent changes in fair value are reported in current period earnings and presented in Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The following table presents information regarding the Company’s residential whole loans at fair value at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : (Dollars in Thousands) September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Outstanding principal balance $ 670,068 $ 182,613 Aggregate fair value $ 531,537 $ 143,472 Number of loans 2,713 885 During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company recorded net gains on residential whole loans at fair value of $5.0 million and $10.2 million , respectively. The Company did not have any residential whole loans held at fair value during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 . The following table presents the components of Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 : (In Thousands) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Coupon payments and other income received $ 2,186 $ 5,018 Net unrealized gains 2,362 3,872 Net gain on payoff/liquidation of loans 431 1,286 Total $ 4,979 $ 10,176

Interest Receivable

Interest Receivable	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Interest Receivable	Interest Receivable The following table presents the Company’s interest receivable by investment category at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : (In Thousands) September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 MBS interest receivable: Fannie Mae $ 9,390 $ 11,761 Freddie Mac 2,271 2,598 Ginnie Mae 15 17 Non-Agency MBS 16,080 16,794 Total MBS interest receivable 27,756 31,170 Residential whole loans 2,229 1,324 CRT securities 110 66 Money market and other investments 20 21 Total interest receivable $ 30,115 $ 32,581

Derivative Instruments

Derivative Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments	Derivative Instruments The Company’s derivative instruments are currently comprised of Swaps, which are designated as cash flow hedges against the interest rate risk associated with its borrowings. Prior to 2015, the Company had also entered into Linked Transactions, which were not designated as hedging instruments. (See Notes 2 ( p ), 2 ( t ) and below) The following table presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative instruments and their balance sheet location at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : September 30, September 30, December 31, Derivative Instrument Designation Balance Sheet Location Notional Amount Fair Value (In Thousands) Linked Transactions Non-Hedging Assets N/A N/A $ 398,336 Non-cleared legacy Swaps (1) Hedging Assets $ 100,000 $ 18 $ 3,136 Non-cleared legacy Swaps (1) Hedging Liabilities $ 400,000 $ (639 ) $ (4,263 ) Cleared Swaps (2) Hedging Liabilities $ 2,550,000 $ (104,834 ) $ (57,935 ) (1) Non-cleared legacy Swaps include Swaps executed and settled bilaterally with counterparties without the use of an organized exchange or central clearing house. (2) Cleared Swaps include Swaps executed bilaterally with a counterparty in the over-the-counter market but then novated to a central clearing house, whereby the central clearing house becomes the counterparty to both of the original counterparties. Linked Transactions Prior to January 1, 2015, the Company’s Linked Transactions had been evaluated on a combined basis, reported as forward (derivative) instruments and presented as assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at fair value. The fair value of Linked Transactions reflected the value of the underlying Non-Agency MBS, linked repurchase agreement borrowings and accrued interest receivable/payable on such instruments. The Company’s Linked Transactions were not designated as hedging instruments and, as a result, the change in the fair value and net interest income from Linked Transactions had been reported in Other Income, net on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. New accounting guidance that was effective for the Company on January 1, 2015 prospectively eliminated the use of Linked Transaction accounting. An entity is required to present changes in accounting for transactions outstanding on the effective date as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. Accordingly, on adoption of the new standard on January 1, 2015, the Company reclassified $1.913 billion of Non-Agency MBS and $4.6 million of CRT securities that were previously reported as a component of Linked Transactions to Non-Agency MBS and CRT securities, respectively on the consolidated balance sheet. In addition, liabilities of $1.520 billion t hat were previously presented as a component of Linked Transactions were reclassified to Repurchase agreements on the consolidated balance sheet. Furthermore, an amount of $4.5 million representing net unrealized gains on securities previously reported as a component of Linked Transactions as of December 31, 2014 was reclassified from Accumulated deficit to AOCI. These reclassification adjustments had no net impact on the Company’s overall Total Stockholders’ Equity. The following tables present certain information about the Legacy Non-Agency MBS, RPL/NPL MBS, CRT securities and repurchase agreements underlying the Company’s Linked Transactions at December 31, 2014 : Linked Transactions at December 31, 2014 Linked Repurchase Agreements Linked MBS/CRT Securities Maturity or Repricing Balance Weighted Average Interest Rate Fair Value Amortized Cost Par/Current Face Weighted Average Coupon Rate (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands) Within 30 days $ 1,514,393 1.47 % Legacy Non-Agency MBS $ 66,382 $ 61,658 $ 72,513 4.20 % >30 days to 90 days 5,200 1.35 RPL/NPL MBS 1,846,807 1,847,118 1,849,974 3.49 Total $ 1,519,593 1.47 % CRT securities 4,624 4,500 4,500 4.56 Total $ 1,917,813 $ 1,913,276 $ 1,926,987 3.52 % At December 31, 2014 , Linked Transactions also included approximately $1.3 million of associated accrued interest receivable and $1.1 million of accrued interest payable. The following table presents certain information about the components of the unrealized net gains and net interest income from Linked Transactions included in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 : Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended (In Thousands) 2014 2014 Interest income attributable to MBS underlying Linked Transactions $ 6,625 $ 11,591 Interest expense attributable to linked repurchase agreement borrowings underlying Linked Transactions (2,246 ) (3,719 ) Change in fair value of Linked Transactions included in earnings (1,820 ) 1,714 Unrealized net gains and net interest income from Linked Transactions $ 2,559 $ 9,586 Swaps Consistent with market practice, the Company has agreements with its Swap counterparties that provide for the posting of collateral based on the fair values of its derivative contracts. Through this margining process, either the Company or its derivative counterparty may be required to pledge cash or securities as collateral. In addition, Swaps novated to and cleared by a central clearing house are subject to initial margin requirements. Certain derivative contracts provide for cross collateralization with repurchase agreements with the same counterparty. A number of the Company’s Swap contracts include financial covenants, which, if breached, could cause an event of default or early termination event to occur under such agreements. Such financial covenants include minimum net worth requirements and maximum debt-to-equity ratios. If the Company were to cause an event of default or trigger an early termination event pursuant to one of its Swap contracts, the counterparty to such agreement may have the option to terminate all of its outstanding Swap contracts with the Company and, if applicable, any close-out amount due to the counterparty upon termination of the Swap contracts would be immediately payable by the Company. The Company was in compliance with all of its financial covenants through September 30, 2015 . At September 30, 2015 , the aggregate fair value of assets needed to immediately settle Swap contracts that were in a liability position to the Company, if so required, was approximately $106.9 million , including accrued interest payable of approximately $1.5 million . The following table presents the assets pledged as collateral against the Company’s Swap contracts at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : (In Thousands) September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Agency MBS, at fair value $ 42,994 $ 57,247 Restricted cash 109,223 66,486 Total assets pledged against Swaps $ 152,217 $ 123,733 The use of derivative hedging instruments exposes the Company to counterparty credit risk. In the event of a default by a derivative counterparty, the Company may not receive payments to which it is entitled under its derivative agreements, and may have difficulty recovering its assets pledged as collateral against such agreements. If, during the term of a derivative contract, a counterparty should file for bankruptcy, the Company may experience difficulty recovering its assets pledged as collateral which could result in the Company having an unsecured claim against such counterparty’s assets for the difference between the fair value of the derivative and the fair value of the collateral pledged to such counterparty. The Company’s derivative hedging instruments, or a portion thereof, could become ineffective in the future if the associated repurchase agreements that such derivatives hedge fail to exist or fail to have terms that match those of the derivatives that hedge such borrowings. At September 30, 2015 , all of the Company’s derivatives were deemed effective for hedging purposes and no derivatives were terminated during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014. The Company’s Swaps designated as hedging transactions have the effect of modifying the repricing characteristics of the Company’s repurchase agreements and cash flows for such liabilities. To date, no cost has been incurred at the inception of a Swap (except for certain transaction fees related to entering into Swaps cleared though a central clearing house), pursuant to which the Company agrees to pay a fixed rate of interest and receive a variable interest rate, generally based on one -month or three -month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), on the notional amount of the Swap. The Company did not recognize any change in the value of its existing Swaps designated as hedges through earnings as a result of hedge ineffectiveness during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 . At September 30, 2015 , the Company had Swaps designated in hedging relationships with an aggregate notional amount of $3.050 billion , which had net unrealized losses of $105.5 million , and extended 48 months on average with a maximum term of approximately 95 months . The following table presents certain information with respect to the Company’s Swap activity during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 : (Dollars in Thousands) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended New Swaps: Aggregate notional amount $ — $ — Weighted average fixed-pay rate — % — % Initial maturity date N/A N/A Number of new Swaps — — Swaps amortized/expired: Aggregate notional amount $ — $ 710,170 Weighted average fixed-pay rate — % 1.96 % The following table presents information about the Company’s Swaps at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Notional Amount Weighted Average Fixed-Pay Interest Rate Weighted Average Variable Interest Rate (2) Notional Amount Weighted Average Fixed-Pay Interest Rate Weighted Average Variable Interest Rate (2) Maturity (1) (Dollars in Thousands) Within 30 days $ — — % — % $ 22,290 3.63 % 0.23 % Over 30 days to 3 months — — — 387,880 1.80 0.16 Over 3 months to 6 months 50,000 2.13 0.20 300,000 2.06 0.17 Over 6 months to 12 months — — — — — — Over 12 months to 24 months 450,000 0.56 0.20 150,000 1.03 0.16 Over 24 months to 36 months 550,000 1.49 0.21 350,000 0.58 0.16 Over 36 months to 48 months 200,000 1.71 0.20 550,000 1.49 0.16 Over 48 months to 60 months 1,500,000 2.22 0.21 200,000 1.71 0.17 Over 60 months to 72 months 200,000 2.20 0.21 1,500,000 2.22 0.16 Over 72 months to 84 months — — — 200,000 2.20 0.17 Over 84 months (3) 100,000 2.75 0.22 100,000 2.75 0.16 Total Swaps $ 3,050,000 1.82 % 0.20 % $ 3,760,170 1.85 % 0.16 % (1) Each maturity category reflects contractual amortization and/or maturity of notional amounts. (2) Reflects the benchmark variable rate due from the counterparty at the date presented, which rate adjusts monthly or quarterly based on one -month or three -month LIBOR, respectively. (3) Reflects one Swap with a maturity date of July 2023. The following table presents the net impact of the Company’s derivative hedging instruments on its interest expense and the weighted average interest rate paid and received for such Swaps for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 : Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (Dollars in Thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Interest expense attributable to Swaps $ 12,711 $ 17,491 $ 41,266 $ 53,129 Weighted average Swap rate paid 1.82 % 1.91 % 1.83 % 1.92 % Weighted average Swap rate received 0.19 % 0.16 % 0.18 % 0.16 % Impact of Derivative Hedging Instruments on AOCI The following table presents the impact of the Company’s derivative hedging instruments on its AOCI for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 : Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (In Thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 AOCI from derivative hedging instruments: Balance at beginning of period $ (64,571 ) $ (54,671 ) $ (59,062 ) $ (15,217 ) Unrealized (loss)/gain on Swaps, net (40,884 ) 23,500 (46,393 ) (16,401 ) Reclassification of unrealized loss on de-designated Swaps — — — 447 Balance at end of period $ (105,455 ) $ (31,171 ) $ (105,455 ) $ (31,171 ) Counterparty Credit Risk from Use of Swaps By using Swaps, the Company is exposed to counterparty credit risk if counterparties to the derivative contracts do not perform as expected. If a counterparty fails to perform, the Company’s counterparty credit risk is equal to the amount reported as a derivative asset on its consolidated balance sheets to the extent that amount exceeds collateral obtained from the counterparty or, if in a net liability position, the extent to which collateral posted exceeds the liability to the counterparty. The amounts reported as a derivative asset/(liability) are derivative contracts in a gain/(loss) position, and to the extent subject to master netting arrangements, net of derivatives in a loss/(gain) position with the same counterparty and collateral received/(pledged). The Company attempts to minimize counterparty credit risk through credit approvals, limits, monitoring procedures, executing master netting arrangements and obtaining collateral, where appropriate. Counterparty credit risk related to the Company’s Swaps is considered in determining the fair value of such derivatives and in its assessment of hedge effectiveness.

Real Estate Owned

Real Estate Owned	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Real Estate [Abstract]
Real Estate Owned	Real Estate Owned At September 30, 2015 , the Company had 110 REO properties with an aggregate carrying value of $14.5 million . At December 31, 2014 , the Company had 46 REO properties with an aggregate carrying value of $5.5 million . During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company acquired 13 residential properties, for approximately $1.7 million , in connection with the acquisition of residential whole loans. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company reclassified 39 and 87 mortgage loans to REO at an aggregate estimated fair value of $5.9 million and $12.9 million , respectively at the time of transfer. Such transfers occur when the Company takes possession of the property by foreclosing on the borrower or completes a “deed-in-lieu of foreclosure” transaction. At September 30, 2015 , $11.8 million of residential real estate property was held by the Company that was acquired either through a completed foreclosure proceeding or from completion of a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure or similar legal agreement. In addition, formal foreclosure proceedings were in process with respect to $14.1 million of residential whole loans at carrying value and $292.4 million of residential whole loans at fair value at September 30, 2015 . During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company sold 17 and 36 REO properties for consideration of $1.7 million and $3.7 million , realizing net gains of approximately $129,000 and net losses of approximately $102,000 , respectively, which are included in Other, net on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. In addition, following an updated assessment of liquidation amounts expected to be realized that was performed on all REO held at the end of the third quarter of 2015, an adjustment of approximately $560,000 was recorded to reflect certain REO properties at the lower of cost or estimated fair value, bringing the total of such adjustments for the nine month period ended September 30, 2015 to $1.9 million . The following table presents the activity in the Company’s REO for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The Company did not have REO during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 . (In Thousands) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Balance at beginning of period $ 8,857 $ 5,492 Adjustments to record at lower of cost or fair value (560 ) (1,939 ) Transfer from residential whole loans (1) 5,892 12,894 Purchases and capital improvements 2,052 2,052 Disposals (1,716 ) (3,974 ) Balance at end of period $ 14,525 $ 14,525 (1) Includes net gain recorded on transfer of approximately $110,000 and $704,000 , respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 . Real estate owned is included in Prepaid and other assets in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

Repurchase Agreements and Other

Repurchase Agreements and Other Advances	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Disclosure of Repurchase Agreements [Abstract]
Repurchase Agreements and Other Advances	Repurchase Agreements and Other Advances Repurchase Agreements The Company’s repurchase agreements are accounted for as secured borrowings and are collateralized by the Company’s MBS, U.S. Treasury securities (obtained as part of a reverse repurchase agreement), CRT securities, residential whole loans and cash, and bear interest that is generally LIBOR-based. (See Notes 2 ( k ) and 9 ) At September 30, 2015 , the Company’s borrowings under repurchase agreements had a weighted average remaining term-to-interest rate reset of 21 days and an effective repricing period of 16 months , including the impact of related Swaps. At December 31, 2014 , the Company’s borrowings under repurchase agreements had a weighted average remaining term-to-interest rate reset of 25 days and an effective repricing period of 21 months , including the impact of related Swaps. The following table presents information with respect to the Company’s borrowings under repurchase agreements and associated assets pledged as collateral at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : (Dollars in Thousands) September 30, December 31, Repurchase agreement borrowings secured by Agency MBS $ 4,151,976 $ 5,177,835 Fair value of Agency MBS pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements $ 4,373,565 $ 5,462,566 Weighted average haircut on Agency MBS (1) 4.70 % 4.79 % Repurchase agreement borrowings secured by Legacy Non-Agency MBS (2) $ 2,043,188 $ 2,233,236 Fair value of Legacy Non-Agency MBS pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements (2)(3) $ 2,974,878 $ 3,491,312 Weighted average haircut on Legacy Non-Agency MBS (1) 25.74 % 28.88 % Repurchase agreement borrowings secured by RPL/NPL MBS (2) $ 1,997,579 $ 130,919 Fair value of RPL/NPL MBS pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements (2) $ 2,487,168 $ 160,688 Weighted average haircut on RPL/NPL MBS (1) 21.29 % 20.00 % Repurchase agreements secured by U.S. Treasuries $ 497,973 $ 507,114 Fair value of U.S. Treasuries pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements $ 508,838 $ 512,105 Weighted average haircut on U.S. Treasuries (1) 2.00 % 1.62 % Repurchase agreements secured by CRT securities (2) $ 92,566 $ 75,960 Fair value of CRT securities pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements (2) $ 118,616 $ 94,610 Weighted average haircut on CRT securities (1) 25.17 % 25.00 % Repurchase agreements secured by residential whole loans $ 427,552 $ 142,324 Fair value of residential whole loans pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements $ 595,503 $ 212,986 Weighted average haircut on residential whole loans (1) 27.69 % 33.43 % (1) Haircut represents the percentage amount by which the collateral value is contractually required to exceed the loan amount. (2) Does not reflect Legacy Non-Agency MBS, RPL/NPL MBS, CRT securities and repurchase agreement borrowings that were components of Linked Transactions at December 31, 2014. As previously discussed, new accounting guidance effective January 1, 2015 prospectively eliminated the use of Linked Transaction accounting. (See Note 6 ) (3) Includes $588.6 million and $1.275 billion of Legacy Non-Agency MBS acquired from consolidated VIEs at September 30, 2015 , and December 31, 2014 , respectively, that are eliminated from the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The following table presents repricing information about the Company’s borrowings under repurchase agreements, which does not reflect the impact of associated derivative hedging instruments, at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Balance Weighted Average Interest Rate Balance (1) Weighted Average Interest Rate Time Until Interest Rate Reset (Dollars in Thousands) Within 30 days $ 8,065,678 1.05 % $ 7,144,737 0.72 % Over 30 days to 3 months 938,682 1.75 1,000,313 1.12 Over 3 months to 12 months 206,474 2.12 122,338 1.98 Total $ 9,210,834 1.14 % $ 8,267,388 0.79 % (1) At December 31, 2014 , the Company had repurchase agreements of $1.520 billion that were linked to securities purchased and accounted for as Linked Transactions and, as such, the linked repurchase agreements are not included in the above table. As previously discussed, new accounting guidance effective January 1, 2015 prospectively eliminated the use of Linked Transaction accounting. (See Note 6 ) The following table presents contractual maturity information about the Company’s borrowings under repurchase agreements, all of which are accounted for as secured borrowings, at September 30, 2015 and does not reflect the impact of derivative contracts that hedge such repurchase agreements: September 30, 2015 Contractual Maturity Agency MBS Legacy Non-Agency MBS RPL/NPL MBS U.S. Treasuries CRT Securities Residential Whole Loans Total Weighted Average Interest Rate (Dollars in Thousands) Overnight $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — — % Within 30 days 3,828,598 1,356,021 1,310,902 497,973 73,459 126,051 7,193,004 0.98 Over 30 days to 3 months 206,088 480,693 686,677 — 19,107 — 1,392,565 1.56 Over 3 months to 12 months 117,290 206,474 — — — 126,457 450,221 1.76 Over 12 months — — — — — 175,044 175,044 2.83 Total $ 4,151,976 $ 2,043,188 $ 1,997,579 $ 497,973 $ 92,566 $ 427,552 $ 9,210,834 1.14 % Gross amount of recognized liabilities for repurchase agreements in Note 10 $ 9,210,834 Amounts related to repurchase agreements not included in offsetting disclosure in Note 10 $ — The Company had repurchase agreements with 26 and 25 counterparties September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. The following table presents information with respect to each counterparty under repurchase agreements for which the Company had greater than 5% of stockholders’ equity at risk in the aggregate at September 30, 2015 : September 30, 2015 Counterparty Rating (1) Amount at Risk (2) Weighted Average Months to Maturity for Repurchase Agreements Percent of Stockholders’ Equity Counterparty (Dollars in Thousands) Credit Suisse BBB+/Aa2/A $ 382,105 1 12.5 % Wells Fargo (3) AA-/Aa2/AA 345,100 6 11.3 RBC (4) AA-/Aa3/AA 337,792 2 11.1 UBS (5) A/A2/A 214,022 4 7.0 (1) As rated at September 30, 2015 by S&P, Moody’s and Fitch, Inc., respectively. The counterparty rating presented is the lowest published for these entities. (2) The amount at risk reflects the difference between (a) the amount loaned to the Company through repurchase agreements, including interest payable, and (b) the cash and the fair value of the securities pledged by the Company as collateral, including accrued interest receivable on such securities. (3) Includes $278.1 million at risk with Wells Fargo Bank, NA and $67.0 million at risk with Wells Fargo Securities LLC. (4) Includes $311.8 million at risk with RBC Barbados, $17.1 million at risk with Royal Bank of Canada and $8.9 million at risk with RBC Capital Markets LLC. Counterparty ratings are not published for RBC Barbados and RBC Capital Markets LLC. (5) Includes Non-Agency MBS pledged as collateral with contemporaneous repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements. FHLB Advances As of September 30, 2015 , MFA Insurance had $265.0 million in outstanding long-term secured FHLB advances with a weighted average borrowing rate of 0.26% and a weighted average term to maturity of 4.87 years . Interest payable on outstanding FHLB advances at September 30, 2015 totaled approximately $18,000 , and is included in Accrued interest payable on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

Collateral Positions

Collateral Positions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Collateral Positions
Collateral Positions	Collateral Positions The Company pledges securities or cash as collateral to its counterparties pursuant to its borrowings under repurchase agreements, FHLB advances and its derivative contracts that are in an unrealized loss position, and it receives securities or cash as collateral pursuant to financing provided under reverse repurchase agreements and certain of its derivative contracts in an unrealized gain position. The Company exchanges collateral with its counterparties based on changes in the fair value, notional amount and term of the associated repurchase agreements, FHLB advances and derivative contracts, as applicable. Through this margining process, either the Company or its counterparty may be required to pledge cash or securities as collateral. In addition, Swaps novated to and cleared by a central clearing house are subject to initial margin requirements. When the Company’s pledged collateral exceeds the required margin, the Company may initiate a reverse margin call, at which time the counterparty may either return the excess collateral, or provide collateral to the Company in the form of cash or equivalent securities. The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s collateral positions, which includes collateral pledged and collateral held, with respect to its borrowings under repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, derivative hedging instruments and FHLB advances at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 (In Thousands) Assets Pledged Collateral Held Assets Pledged Collateral Held Derivative Hedging Instruments: Agency MBS $ 42,994 $ — $ 57,247 $ — Cash (1) 109,223 — 66,486 — 152,217 — 123,733 — Repurchase Agreement Borrowings: Agency MBS 4,373,565 — 5,462,566 — Legacy Non-Agency MBS (2)(3) 2,974,878 — 3,491,312 — RPL/NPL MBS 2,487,168 — 160,688 — U.S. Treasury securities 508,838 — 512,105 — CRT securities 118,616 — 94,610 — Residential whole loans 595,503 — 212,986 — Cash (1) 774 — 769 — 11,059,342 — 9,935,036 — FHLB Advances: Agency MBS 285,878 — — — 285,878 — — — Reverse Repurchase Agreements: U.S. Treasury securities — 508,838 — 512,105 — 508,838 — 512,105 Total $ 11,497,437 $ 508,838 $ 10,058,769 $ 512,105 (1) Cash pledged as collateral is reported as “Restricted cash” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. (2) Includes $588.6 million and $1.275 billion of Legacy Non-Agency MBS acquired in connection with resecuritization transactions from consolidated VIEs at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively, that are eliminated from the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. (3) In addition, at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , $732.7 million and $731.0 million of Legacy Non-Agency MBS, respectively, are pledged as collateral in connection with contemporaneous repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements entered into with a single counterparty. The following table presents detailed information about the Company’s assets pledged as collateral pursuant to its borrowings under repurchase agreements and other advances, and derivative hedging instruments at September 30, 2015 : September 30, 2015 Assets Pledged Under Repurchase Agreements and Other Advances Assets Pledged Against Derivative Hedging Instruments Total Fair Value of Assets Pledged and Accrued Interest (In Thousands) Fair Value Amortized Cost Accrued Interest on Pledged Assets Fair Value/ Carrying Value Amortized Cost Accrued Interest on Pledged Assets Agency MBS (1) $ 4,659,443 $ 4,599,795 $ 10,863 $ 42,994 $ 43,439 $ 88 $ 4,713,388 Legacy Non-Agency MBS (2)(3) 2,974,878 2,395,645 10,789 — — — 2,985,667 RPL/NPL MBS 2,487,168 2,489,964 1,424 — — — 2,488,592 U.S. Treasuries 508,838 508,838 — — — — 508,838 CRT securities 118,616 120,232 84 — — — 118,700 Residential whole loans 595,503 587,928 1,394 — — — 596,897 Cash (4) 774 774 — 109,223 109,223 — 109,997 Total $ 11,345,220 $ 10,703,176 $ 24,554 $ 152,217 $ 152,662 $ 88 $ 11,522,079 (1) Includes Agency MBS pledged under FHLB advances with an aggregate fair value of $285.9 million , aggregate amortized cost of $281.8 million and aggregate accrued interest of approximately $716,000 at September 30, 2015 . (2) Includes $588.6 million of Legacy Non-Agency MBS acquired in connection with resecuritization transactions from consolidated VIEs at September 30, 2015 , that are eliminated from the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. (3) In addition, at September 30, 2015 , $732.7 million of Legacy Non-Agency MBS are pledged as collateral in connection with contemporaneous repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements entered into with a single counterparty. (4) Cash pledged as collateral is reported as “Restricted cash” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

Offsetting Assets and Liabiliti

Offsetting Assets and Liabilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Offsetting [Abstract]
Offsetting Assets and Liabilities	Offsetting Assets and Liabilities The following tables present information about certain assets and liabilities that are subject to master netting arrangements (or similar agreements) and may potentially be offset on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : Offsetting of Financial Assets and Derivative Assets Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets Net Amount (In Thousands) Financial Instruments Cash Collateral Received September 30, 2015 Swaps, at fair value $ 18 $ — $ 18 $ (18 ) $ — $ — Total $ 18 $ — $ 18 $ (18 ) $ — $ — December 31, 2014 Swaps, at fair value $ 3,136 $ — $ 3,136 $ (3,136 ) $ — $ — Total $ 3,136 $ — $ 3,136 $ (3,136 ) $ — $ — Offsetting of Financial Liabilities and Derivative Liabilities Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets Net Amount (In Thousands) Financial Instruments (1) Cash Collateral Pledged (1) September 30, 2015 Swaps, at fair value (2) $ 105,473 $ — $ 105,473 $ — $ (105,473 ) $ — Repurchase agreements and other advances (3) 9,475,834 — 9,475,834 (9,475,060 ) (774 ) — Total $ 9,581,307 $ — $ 9,581,307 $ (9,475,060 ) $ (106,247 ) $ — December 31, 2014 Swaps, at fair value (2) $ 62,198 $ — $ 62,198 $ — $ (62,198 ) $ — Repurchase agreements (3) 8,267,388 — 8,267,388 (8,266,619 ) (769 ) — Total $ 8,329,586 $ — $ 8,329,586 $ (8,266,619 ) $ (62,967 ) $ — (1) Amounts disclosed in the Financial Instruments column of the table above represent collateral pledged that is available to be offset against liability balances associated with repurchase agreements and other advances, and derivative transactions. Amounts disclosed in the Cash Collateral Pledged column of the table above represent amounts pledged as collateral against derivative transactions and repurchase agreements, and exclude excess collateral of $3.8 million and $4.3 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. (2) The fair value of securities pledged against the Company’s Swaps was $43.0 million and $57.2 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. (3) The fair value of financial instruments pledged against the Company’s repurchase agreements and other advances was $11.344 billion and $9.934 billion at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. Nature of Setoff Rights In the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, all balances associated with the repurchase agreement and derivative transactions are presented on a gross basis. Certain of the Company’s repurchase agreement and derivative transactions are governed by underlying agreements that generally provide for a right of setoff in the event of default or in the event of a bankruptcy of either party to the transaction. For one repurchase agreement counterparty, the underlying agreements provide for an unconditional right of setoff.

Senior Notes

Senior Notes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Senior Notes	Senior Notes On April 11, 2012 the Company issued $100.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its Senior Notes in an underwritten public offering. The total net proceeds to the Company from the offering of the Senior Notes were approximately $96.6 million , after deducting offering expenses and the underwriting discount. The Senior Notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 8.00% per year, paid quarterly in arrears on January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 of each year and will mature on April 15, 2042. The Company may redeem the Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at any time on or after April 15, 2017 at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not excluding, the redemption date. The Senior Notes are the Company’s senior unsecured obligations and are subordinate to all of the Company’s secured indebtedness, which includes the Company’s repurchase agreements, obligation to return securities obtained as collateral, and other financing arrangements, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies ( a ) Lease Commitments The Company pays monthly rent pursuant to two operating leases. The lease term for the Company’s headquarters in New York, New York extends through May 31, 2020. The lease provides for aggregate cash payments ranging over time from approximately $2.4 million to $2.5 million per year, paid on a monthly basis, exclusive of escalation charges. In addition, as part of this lease agreement, the Company has provided the landlord a $785,000 irrevocable standby letter of credit fully collateralized by cash. The letter of credit may be drawn upon by the landlord in the event that the Company defaults under certain terms of the lease. In addition, the Company has a lease through December 31, 2016 for its off-site back-up facility located in Rockville Centre, New York, which provides for, among other things, cash payments ranging over time from $29,000 to $30,000 per year, paid on a monthly basis. ( b ) Representations and Warranties in Connection with Resecuritization Transactions In connection with the resecuritization transactions engaged in by the Company (See Note 17 for further discussion), the Company has the obligation under certain circumstances to repurchase assets from its VIEs upon breach of certain representations and warranties. ( c ) MBS Purchase Commitments At September 30, 2015 , the Company had commitments to purchase Non-Agency MBS at an estimated price of $4.8 million . These commitments are included in the Non-Agency MBS balances presented at fair value on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	Stockholders’ Equity ( a ) Preferred Stock Redemption of 8.50% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series A Preferred Stock”) On May 16, 2013 (the “Redemption Date”), the Company redeemed all 3,840,000 outstanding shares of its Series A Preferred Stock at an aggregate redemption price of approximately $97.0 million , or $25.27153 per share, including all accrued and unpaid dividends to the Redemption Date. The redemption value of the Series A Preferred Stock exceeded its carrying value by $3.9 million , which represents the original offering costs for the Series A Preferred Stock. This amount was included in the determination of net income available to common stock and participating securities from the Redemption Date through the year ended December 31, 2013. In addition, as part of the redemption price on its Series A Preferred Stock, the Company paid a dividend of $0.27153 per share, which reflected accrued and unpaid dividends for the period from April 1, 2013 through and including the Redemption Date. Issuance of 7.50% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series B Preferred Stock”) On April 15, 2013, the Company filed of articles supplementary amending its charter to reclassify 8,050,000 shares of the Company’s authorized but unissued common stock as shares of the Company’s Series B Preferred Stock. On the same date, the Company completed the issuance of 8.0 million shares of its Series B Preferred Stock with a par value of $0.01 per share, and a liquidation preference $ 25.00 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends, in an underwritten public offering. The aggregate net proceeds to the Company from the offering of the Series B Preferred Stock were approximately $193.3 million , after deducting the underwriting discount and related offering expenses. The Company used a portion of the net proceeds to redeem all of its outstanding Series A Preferred Stock (as discussed above), and used the remaining net proceeds of the offering for general corporate purposes, including, without limitation, to acquire additional MBS consistent with its investment policy, and for working capital, which included, among other things, the repayment of its repurchase agreements. The Company’s Series B Preferred Stock is entitled to receive a dividend at a rate of 7.50% per year on the $25.00 liquidation preference before the Company’s common stock is paid any dividends and is senior to the Company’s common stock with respect to distributions upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up. Dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock are payable quarterly in arrears on or about March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year. The Series B Preferred Stock is redeemable at $25.00 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not authorized or declared) exclusively at the Company’s option commencing on April 15, 2018 (subject to the Company’s right, under limited circumstances, to redeem the Series B Preferred Stock prior to that date in order to preserve its qualification as a REIT and upon certain specified change in control transactions in which the Company’s common stock and the acquiring or surviving entity common securities would not be listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), the NYSE MKT or NASDAQ, or any successor exchanges), is entitled to receive a dividend at a rate of 7.50% per year on the $25.00 liquidation preference before the Company’s common stock is paid any dividends and is senior to the Company’s common stock with respect to distributions upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up. The Series B Preferred Stock generally does not have any voting rights, subject to an exception in the event the Company fails to pay dividends on such stock for six or more quarterly periods (whether or not consecutive). Under such circumstances, the Series B Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote to elect two additional directors to the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), until all unpaid dividends have been paid or declared and set apart for payment. In addition, certain material and adverse changes to the terms of the Series B Preferred Stock cannot be made without the affirmative vote of holders of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock. The following table presents cash dividends declared by the Company on its Series B Preferred Stock from January 1, 2015 through September 30, 2015 : Declaration Date Record Date Payment Date Dividend Per Share August 24, 2015 September 9, 2015 September 30, 2015 $ 0.46875 May 18, 2015 June 2, 2015 June 30, 2015 0.46875 February 13, 2015 February 27, 2015 March 31, 2015 0.46875 ( b ) Dividends on Common Stock The following table presents cash dividends declared by the Company on its common stock from January 1, 2015 through September 30, 2015 : Declaration Date (1) Record Date Payment Date Dividend Per Share September 17, 2015 September 29, 2015 October 30, 2015 $ 0.20 (1) June 15, 2015 June 29, 2015 July 31, 2015 0.20 March 13, 2015 March 27, 2015 April 30, 2015 0.20 (1) At September 30, 2015 , the Company had accrued dividends and dividend equivalents payable of $74.6 million related to the common stock dividend declared on September 17, 2015 . ( c ) Discount Waiver, Direct Stock Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Plan (“DRSPP”) On August 8, 2013, the Company filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), for the purpose of registering additional common stock for sale through its DRSPP. Pursuant to Rule 462(e) of the 1933 Act, this shelf registration statement became effective automatically upon filing with the SEC and, when combined with the unused portion of the Company’s previous DRSPP shelf registration statements, registered an aggregate of 15 million shares of common stock. The Company’s DRSPP is designed to provide existing stockholders and new investors with a convenient and economical way to purchase shares of common stock through the automatic reinvestment of dividends and/or optional cash investments. At September 30, 2015 , 6.9 million shares of common stock remained available for issuance pursuant to the DRSPP shelf registration statement. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company issued 40,521 and 120,180 shares of common stock through the DRSPP, raising net proceeds of approximately $303,000 and $926,000 , respectively. From the inception of the DRSPP in September 2003 through September 30, 2015 , the Company issued 30,686,799 shares pursuant to the DRSPP, raising net proceeds of $258.0 million . ( d ) Stock Repurchase Program As previously disclosed, in August 2005, the Company’s Board authorized a stock repurchase program (the “Repurchase Program”) to repurchase up to 4.0 million shares of its outstanding common stock. The Board reaffirmed such authorization in May 2010. In December 2013, the Board increased the number of shares authorized under the Repurchase Program to an aggregate of 10.0 million . Such authorization does not have an expiration date and, at present, there is no intention to modify or otherwise rescind such authorization. Subject to applicable securities laws, repurchases of common stock under the Repurchase Program are made at times and in amounts as the Company deems appropriate, (including, in our discretion, through the use of one or more plans adopted under Rule 10b5-1 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”)) using available cash resources. Shares of common stock repurchased by the Company under the Repurchase Program are cancelled and, until reissued by the Company, are deemed to be authorized but unissued shares of the Company’s common stock. The Repurchase Program may be suspended or discontinued by the Company at any time and without prior notice. The Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . At September 30, 2015 , 6,616,355 shares remained authorized for repurchase under the Repurchase Program. ( e ) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) The following table presents changes in the balances of each component of the Company’s AOCI for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 : Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (In Thousands) Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on AFS Securities Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Swaps Total AOCI Net Unrealized Net Total AOCI Balance at beginning of period $ 759,151 $ (64,571 ) $ 694,580 $ 813,515 $ (59,062 ) $ 754,453 OCI before reclassifications (44,039 ) (40,884 ) (84,923 ) (87,184 ) (46,393 ) (133,577 ) Amounts reclassified from AOCI (1) (11,363 ) — (11,363 ) (27,119 ) — (27,119 ) Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing — — — 4,537 — 4,537 Net OCI during the period (2) (55,402 ) (40,884 ) (96,286 ) (109,766 ) (46,393 ) (156,159 ) Balance at end of period $ 703,749 $ (105,455 ) $ 598,294 $ 703,749 $ (105,455 ) $ 598,294 The following table presents changes in the balances of each component of the Company’s AOCI for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 : Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (In Thousands) Net Unrealized Net Total AOCI Net Unrealized Net Total AOCI Balance at beginning of period $ 905,704 $ (54,671 ) $ 851,033 $ 752,912 $ (15,217 ) $ 737,695 OCI before reclassifications (43,410 ) 23,500 (19,910 ) 116,973 (16,401 ) 100,572 Amounts reclassified from AOCI (1) (13,589 ) — (13,589 ) (21,180 ) 447 (20,733 ) Net OCI during the period (2) (56,999 ) 23,500 (33,499 ) 95,793 (15,954 ) 79,839 Balance at end of period $ 848,705 $ (31,171 ) $ 817,534 $ 848,705 $ (31,171 ) $ 817,534 (1) See separate table below for details about these reclassifications. (2) For further information regarding changes in OCI, see the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss). The following table presents information about the significant amounts reclassified out of the Company’s AOCI for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 : Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Details about AOCI Components Amounts Reclassified from AOCI Affected Line Item in the Statement Where Net Income Is Presented (In Thousands) AFS Securities: Realized gain on sale of securities $ (11,363 ) $ (26,414 ) Gain on sales of MBS OTTI recognized in earnings — (705 ) Net impairment losses recognized in earnings Total AFS Securities $ (11,363 ) $ (27,119 ) Total reclassifications for period $ (11,363 ) $ (27,119 ) The following table presents information about the significant amounts reclassified out of the Company’s AOCI for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 : Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Details about AOCI Components Amounts Amounts Affected Line Item in the Statement (In Thousands) AFS Securities: Realized gain on sale of securities $ (13,589 ) $ (21,180 ) Gain on sales of MBS Swaps designated as cash flow hedges: De-designated Swaps $ — $ 447 Other, net Total reclassifications for period $ (13,589 ) $ (20,733 ) At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , the Company had unrealized losses recorded in AOCI of $576,000 and $629,000 , respectively on securities for which OTTI had been recognized in earnings in prior periods.

EPS Calculation

EPS Calculation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
EPS Calculation	EPS Calculation The following table presents a reconciliation of the earnings and shares used in calculating basic and diluted EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 : Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Numerator: Net income $ 79,510 $ 78,882 $ 239,754 $ 233,796 Dividends declared on preferred stock (3,750 ) (3,750 ) (11,250 ) (11,250 ) Dividends, dividend equivalents and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities (396 ) (281 ) (1,183 ) (842 ) Net income to common stockholders - basic and diluted $ 75,364 $ 74,851 $ 227,321 $ 221,704 Denominator: Weighted average common shares for basic and diluted earnings per share (1) 372,178 369,690 372,056 368,430 Basic and diluted earnings per share $ 0.20 $ 0.20 $ 0.61 $ 0.60 (1) At September 30, 2015 , the Company had an aggregate of 2.1 million equity instruments outstanding that were not included in the calculation of diluted EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. These equity instruments were comprised of approximately 181,000 shares of restricted common stock with a weighted average grant date fair value of $7.49 and approximately 1.9 million RSUs with a weighted average grant date fair value of $6.90 . These equity instruments may have a dilutive impact on future EPS.

Equity Compensation, Employment

Equity Compensation, Employment Agreements and Other Benefit Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Compensation Related Costs [Abstract]
Equity Compensation, Employment Agreements and Other Benefit Plans	Equity Compensation, Employment Agreements and Other Benefit Plans ( a ) Equity Compensation Plan In accordance with the terms of the Company’s Equity Compensation Plan (the “Equity Plan”), which was adopted by the Company’s stockholders on May 21, 2015 (and which amended and restated the Company’s 2010 Equity Compensation Plan, directors, officers and employees of the Company and any of its subsidiaries and other persons expected to provide significant services for the Company and any of its subsidiaries are eligible to receive grants of stock options (“Options”), restricted stock, RSUs, dividend equivalent rights and other stock-based awards under the Equity Plan. Subject to certain exceptions, stock-based awards relating to a maximum of 12.0 million shares of common stock may be granted under the Equity Plan; forfeitures and/or awards that expire unexercised do not count towards this limit. At September 30, 2015 , approximately 9.9 million shares of common stock remained available for grant in connection with stock-based awards under the Equity Plan. A participant may generally not receive stock-based awards in excess of 1,500,000 shares of common stock in any one year and no award may be granted to any person who, assuming exercise of all Options and payment of all awards held by such person, would own or be deemed to own more than 9.8% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock. Unless previously terminated by the Board, awards may be granted under the Equity Plan until May 20, 2025. Dividend Equivalents A dividend equivalent is a right to receive a distribution equal to the dividend distributions that would be paid on a share of the Company’s common stock. Dividend equivalents may be granted as a separate instrument or may be a right associated with the grant of another award (e.g., an RSU) under the Equity Plan, and they are paid in cash or other consideration at such times and in accordance with such rules, as the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”) shall determine in its discretion. Payments made on the Company’s existing dividend equivalents are charged to Stockholders’ Equity when common stock dividends are declared to the extent that such equivalents are expected to vest. The Company made dividend equivalent payments of approximately $5,000 and $10,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively and approximately $15,000 and $64,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. At September 30, 2015 , there were 8,215 dividend equivalent rights outstanding, which had been awarded separately from, but in connection with, grants of RSUs made in prior years. A 0% forfeiture rate was assumed with respect to such dividend equivalent rights outstanding at September 30, 2015 . At September 30, 2015 , the Company had unrecognized compensation expense of approximately $64,000 related to such dividend equivalent rights, which are scheduled to elapse over a weighted average period of 0.8 years . Options Pursuant to Section 422(b) of the Code, in order for Options granted under the Equity Plan and vesting in any one calendar year to qualify as an incentive stock option (“ISO”) for tax purposes, the market value of the common stock to be received upon exercise of such Options as determined on the date of grant shall not exceed $100,000 during such calendar year. The exercise price of an ISO may not be lower than 100% (or 110% in the case of an ISO granted to a 10% stockholder) of the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The exercise price for any other type of Option issued under the Equity Plan may not be less than the fair market value on the date of grant. Each Option is exercisable after the period or periods specified in the award agreement, which will generally not exceed ten years from the date of grant. The Company did not grant any stock options during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 . During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, 5,000 stock options expired which had an exercise price of $8.40 . At September 30, 2015 , the Company had no stock options outstanding. Restricted Stock The Company did no t award any shares of restricted common stock during the three months ended September 30, 2015 and awarded 12,611 shares of restricted common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 , the Company awarded 32,658 and 95,718 shares of restricted common stock, respectively. At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , the Company had unrecognized compensation expense of $1.0 million and $1.8 million , respectively, related to unvested shares of restricted common stock. The Company had accrued dividends payable of approximately $235,000 and $354,000 on unvested shares of restricted stock at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. The unrecognized compensation expense at September 30, 2015 is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.6 years . Restricted Stock Units Under the terms of the Equity Plan, RSUs are instruments that provide the holder with the right to receive, subject to the satisfaction of conditions set by the Compensation Committee at the time of grant, a payment of a specified value, which may be a share of the Company’s common stock, the fair market value of a share of the Company’s common stock, or such fair market value to the extent in excess of an established base value, on the applicable settlement date. Although the Equity Plan permits the Company to issue RSUs that can settle in cash, all of the Company’s outstanding RSUs as of September 30, 2015 are designated to be settled in shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company did no t grant any RSUs during the three months ended September 30, 2015 and granted 682,054 RSUs during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 the Company granted 3,334 and 630,815 RSUs respectively. There were 7,500 RSUs forfeited during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 . During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 , an aggregate of 97,164 previously awarded RSUs were forfeited by the holders’ thereof in connection with the negotiation of such holders’ respective new employment agreements. All RSUs outstanding at September 30, 2015 may be entitled to receive dividend equivalent payments depending on the terms and conditions of the award either in cash at the time dividends are paid by the Company, or for certain performance-based RSU awards, as a grant of stock at the time such awards are settled. At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , the Company had unrecognized compensation expense of $4.7 million and $2.7 million , respectively, related to RSUs. The unrecognized compensation expense at September 30, 2015 is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.9 years . A 0% forfeiture rate was assumed with respect to unvested RSUs at September 30, 2015 . Expense Recognized for Equity-Based Compensation Instruments The following table presents the Company’s expenses related to its equity-based compensation instruments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 : Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (In Thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Restricted shares of common stock $ 247 $ 643 $ 841 $ 1,892 RSUs 764 591 2,698 2,354 (1) Dividend equivalent rights 20 37 61 111 Total $ 1,031 $ 1,271 $ 3,600 $ 4,357 (1) RSU expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 includes approximately $500,000 for a one-time grant to the Company ’ s chief executive officer. ( b ) Employment Agreements At September 30, 2015 , the Company had employment agreements with four of its officers, with varying terms that provide for, among other things, base salary, bonus and change-in-control payments upon the occurrence of certain triggering events. ( c ) Deferred Compensation Plans The Company administers deferred compensation plans for its senior officers and non-employee directors (collectively, the “Deferred Plans”), pursuant to which participants may elect to defer up to 100% of certain cash compensation. The Deferred Plans are designed to align participants’ interests with those of the Company’s stockholders. Amounts deferred under the Deferred Plans are considered to be converted into “stock units” of the Company. Stock units do not represent stock of the Company, but rather are a liability of the Company that changes in value as would equivalent shares of the Company’s common stock. Deferred compensation liabilities are settled in cash at the termination of the deferral period, based on the value of the stock units at that time. The Deferred Plans are non-qualified plans under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and, as such, are not funded. Prior to the time that the deferred accounts are settled, participants are unsecured creditors of the Company. The Company’s liability for stock units in the Deferred Plans is based on the market price of the Company’s common stock at the measurement date. The following table presents the Company’s expenses related to its Deferred Plans for its non-employee directors and senior officers for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 : Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (In Thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Non-employee directors $ (35 ) $ (11 ) $ (51 ) $ 52 Total $ (35 ) $ (11 ) $ (51 ) $ 52 The following table presents the aggregate amount of income deferred by participants of the Deferred Plans through September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 that had not been distributed and the Company’s associated liability for such deferrals at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 (In Thousands) Undistributed Income Deferred (1) Liability Under Deferred Plans Undistributed Income Deferred (1) Liability Under Deferred Plans Non-employee directors $ 488 $ 510 $ 324 $ 446 Total $ 488 $ 510 $ 324 $ 446 (1) Represents the cumulative amounts that were deferred by participants through September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , which had not been distributed through such respective date. ( d ) Savings Plan The Company sponsors a tax-qualified employee savings plan (the “Savings Plan”) in accordance with Section 401(k) of the Code. Subject to certain restrictions, all of the Company’s employees are eligible to make tax-deferred contributions to the Savings Plan subject to limitations under applicable law. Participant’s accounts are self-directed and the Company bears the costs of administering the Savings Plan. The Company matches 100% of the first 3% of eligible compensation deferred by employees and 50% of the next 2% , subject to a maximum as provided by the Code. The Company has elected to operate the Savings Plan under the applicable safe harbor provisions of the Code, whereby among other things, the Company must make contributions for all participating employees and all matches contributed by the Company immediately vest 100% . For the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , the Company recognized expenses for matching contributions of $75,000 and $65,000 , respectively, and $225,000 and $195,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Fair Value of Financial Instrum

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments A financial instrument’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels of valuation hierarchy are defined as follows: Level 1 — Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. Level 2 — Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument. Level 3 — Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement. The following describes the valuation methodologies used for the Company’s financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy. Securities Obtained and Pledged as Collateral/Obligation to Return Securities Obtained as Collateral The fair value of U.S. Treasury securities obtained as collateral and the associated obligation to return securities obtained as collateral are based upon prices obtained from a third-party pricing service, which are indicative of market activity. Securities obtained as collateral are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. MBS and CRT securities The Company determines the fair value of its Agency MBS, based upon prices obtained from third-party pricing services, which are indicative of market activity and repurchase agreement counterparties. For Agency MBS, the valuation methodology of the Company’s third-party pricing services incorporate commonly used market pricing methods, trading activity observed in the marketplace and other data inputs. The methodology also considers the underlying characteristics of each security, which are also observable inputs, including: collateral vintage, coupon, maturity date, loan age, reset date, collateral type, periodic and life cap, geography, and prepayment speeds. Management analyzes pricing data received from third-party pricing services and compares it to other indications of fair value including data received from repurchase agreement counterparties and its own observations of trading activity observed in the marketplace. In determining the fair value of its Non-Agency MBS and CRT securities, management considers a number of observable market data points, including prices obtained from pricing services and brokers as well as dialogue with market participants. In valuing Non-Agency MBS, the Company understands that pricing services use observable inputs that include, in addition to trading activity observed in the marketplace, loan delinquency data, credit enhancement levels and vintage, which are taken into account to assign pricing factors such as spread and prepayment assumptions. For tranches of Legacy Non-Agency MBS that are cross-collateralized, performance of all collateral groups involved in the tranche are considered. The Company collects and considers current market intelligence on all major markets, including benchmark security evaluations and bid-lists throughout the day from various sources, when available. The Company’s MBS and CRT securities are valued using various market data points as described above, which management considers directly or indirectly observable parameters. Accordingly, the Company’s MBS and CRT securities are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Residential Whole Loans, at Fair Value The Company determines the fair value of its residential whole loans held at fair value after considering portfolio valuations obtained from a third-party who specializes in providing valuations of residential mortgage loans and trading activity observed in the market place. The Company’s residential whole loans held at fair value are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. Swaps The Company determines the fair value of non-centrally cleared Swaps considering valuations obtained from a third-party pricing service. For Swaps that are cleared by a central clearing house valuations provided by the clearing house are used. All valuations obtained are tested with internally developed models that apply readily observable market parameters. The Company considers the creditworthiness of both the Company and its counterparties, along with collateral provisions contained in each derivative agreement, from the perspective of both the Company and its counterparties. All of the Company’s Swaps are subject either to bilateral collateral arrangements, or for cleared Swaps, to the clearing house’s margin requirements. Consequently, no credit valuation adjustment was made in determining the fair value of such instruments. Swaps are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. The following table presents the Company’s financial instruments carried at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2015 , on the consolidated balance sheet by the valuation hierarchy, as previously described: (In Thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets: Agency MBS $ — $ 5,020,477 $ — $ 5,020,477 Non-Agency MBS, including MBS transferred to consolidated VIEs — 6,524,222 — 6,524,222 CRT securities — 149,968 — 149,968 Securities obtained and pledged as collateral 509,620 — — 509,620 Residential whole loans, at fair value — — 531,537 531,537 Swaps — 18 — 18 Total assets carried at fair value $ 509,620 $ 11,694,685 $ 531,537 $ 12,735,842 Liabilities: Swaps $ — $ 105,473 $ — $ 105,473 Obligation to return securities obtained as collateral 509,620 — — 509,620 Total liabilities carried at fair value $ 509,620 $ 105,473 $ — $ 615,093 The following table presents additional information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 about the Company’s Residential whole loans, at fair value, which are classified as Level 3 and measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The Company did not own any residential whole loans held at fair value during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 . Changes in Level 3 Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (In Thousands) Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Nine Months Ended Balance at beginning of period $ 183,861 $ 143,472 Purchases and capitalized advances 357,258 410,981 Changes in fair value recorded in Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value 2,362 3,872 Collection of principal, net of liquidation gains/losses (7,152 ) (15,716 ) Transfer to REO (4,792 ) (11,072 ) Balance at end of period $ 531,537 $ 531,537 The Company did not transfer any assets or liabilities from one level to another during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The following table presents a summary of quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s residential whole loans held at fair value for which it has utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value as of September 30, 2015 : Fair Value Methodology for Level 3 Financial Instruments September 30, 2015 (Dollars in Thousands) Fair Value (1) Valuation Technique Unobservable Input Range Weighted Average Residential whole loans, at fair value $ 65,176 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 6.00-7.83% 6.85 % Prepayment rate 0.25-10.60% 6.62 % Default rate 0.00-8.80% 3.23 % Loss severity 10.00-75.62% 19.02 % $ 105,757 Liquidation model Discount rate 6.75-9.56% 7.13 % Annual change in home prices (6.75)-4.94% 1.56 % Liquidation timeline (in years) 0.92-4.67 1.86 Current value of underlying properties $29-$3,440 $475 Total $ 170,933 (1) Excludes approximately $360.6 million of loans for which the purchase transaction closed in September 2015 as management considers the purchase price continues to reflect the fair value of such loans at September 30, 2015. The following table presents the difference between the fair value and the aggregate unpaid principal balance of the Company’s residential whole loans for which the fair value option was elected, at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 (In Thousands) Fair Value Unpaid Principal Balance Difference Fair Value Unpaid Principal Balance Difference Residential whole loans, at fair value Total loans $ 531,537 $ 670,068 $ (138,531 ) $ 143,472 $ 182,613 $ (39,141 ) Loans 90 days or more past due $ 432,974 $ 555,861 $ (122,887 ) $ 128,591 $ 165,358 $ (36,767 ) Changes to the valuation methodologies used with respect to the Company’s financial instruments are reviewed by management to ensure any such changes result in appropriate exit price valuations. The Company will refine its valuation methodologies as markets and products develop and pricing methodologies evolve. The methods described above may produce fair value estimates that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, while the Company believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with those used by market participants, the use of different methodologies, or assumptions, to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date. The Company uses inputs that are current as of the measurement date, which may include periods of market dislocation, during which price transparency may be reduced. The Company reviews the classification of its financial instruments within the fair value hierarchy on a quarterly basis, and management may conclude that its financial instruments should be reclassified to a different level in the future. The following table presents the carrying values and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Carrying Value Estimated Fair Value Carrying Value Estimated Fair Value (In Thousands) Financial Assets: Agency MBS $ 5,020,477 $ 5,020,477 $ 5,904,207 $ 5,904,207 Non-Agency MBS, including MBS transferred to consolidated VIEs 6,524,222 6,524,222 4,755,432 4,755,432 CRT securities 149,968 149,968 102,983 102,983 Securities obtained and pledged as collateral 509,620 509,620 512,105 512,105 Residential whole loans, at carrying value 245,894 262,330 207,923 217,386 Residential whole loans, at fair value 531,537 531,537 143,472 143,472 Cash and cash equivalents 174,160 174,160 182,437 182,437 Restricted cash 109,997 109,997 67,255 67,255 Linked Transactions — — 398,336 398,336 Swaps 18 18 3,136 3,136 Financial Liabilities: Repurchase agreements 9,210,834 9,210,989 8,267,388 8,266,699 FHLB advances 265,000 265,000 — — Securitized debt 32,217 32,298 110,574 110,791 Obligation to return securities obtained as collateral 509,620 509,620 512,105 512,105 Senior Notes 100,000 100,351 100,000 103,031 Swaps 105,473 105,473 62,198 62,198 In addition to the methodologies used to determine the fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities reported at fair value on a recurring basis, as previously described, the following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in arriving at the fair value of the Company’s other financial instruments presented in the above table: Residential Whole Loans at Carrying Value: The Company determines the fair value of its residential whole loans held at carrying value after considering portfolio valuations obtained from a third-party who specializes in providing valuations of residential mortgage loans and trading activity observed in the market place. The Company’s residential whole loans held at carrying value are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash: Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash are comprised of cash held in overnight money market investments and demand deposit accounts. At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , the Company’s money market funds were invested in securities issued by the U.S. Government, or its agencies, instrumentalities, and sponsored entities, and repurchase agreements involving the securities described above. Given the overnight term and assessed credit risk, the Company’s investments in money market funds are determined to have a fair value equal to their carrying value. Linked Transactions: As previously discussed, new accounting guidance that was effective for the Company on January 1, 2015 prospectively eliminated the use of Linked Transaction accounting, and as a result, the Company did not have any Linked Transactions at September 30, 2015 . The Non-Agency MBS that prior to January 1, 2015 were accounted for as a component of Linked Transactions were valued using similar techniques to those used for the Company’s other Non-Agency MBS. The value of the underlying MBS was then netted against the carrying amount (which approximates fair value) of the repurchase agreement borrowing at the valuation date. The fair value of Linked Transactions also included accrued interest receivable on the MBS and accrued interest payable on the underlying repurchase agreement borrowings. The Company’s Linked Transactions were classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy at December 31, 2014 . Repurchase Agreements: The fair value of repurchase agreements reflects the present value of the contractual cash flows discounted at market interest rates at the valuation date for repurchase agreements with a term equivalent to the remaining term to interest rate repricing, which may be at maturity. Such interest rates are estimated based on LIBOR rates observed in the market. The Company’s repurchase agreements are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. FHLB Advances: FHLB advances reflect collateralized borrowings at variable market interest rates that reset on a monthly basis. Accordingly, the carrying amount of FHLB advances are considered to approximate fair value. The Company’s FHLB advances are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Securitized Debt: In determining the fair value of securitized debt, management considers a number of observable market data points, including prices obtained from pricing services and brokers as well as dialogue with market participants. Accordingly, the Company’s securitized debt is classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Senior Notes: The fair value of the Senior Notes is determined using the end of day market price quoted on the NYSE at the reporting date. The Company’s Senior Notes are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Use of Special Purpose Entities

Use of Special Purpose Entities and Variable Interest Entities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Use of Special Purpose Entities and Variable Interest Entities
Use of Special Purpose Entities and Variable Interest Entities	Use of Special Purpose Entities and Variable Interest Entities A Special Purpose Entity (“SPE”) is an entity designed to fulfill a specific limited need of the company that organized it. SPEs are often used to facilitate transactions that involve securitizing financial assets or resecuritizing previously securitized financial assets. The objective of such transactions may include obtaining non-recourse financing, obtaining liquidity or refinancing the underlying securitized financial assets on improved terms. Securitization involves transferring assets to a SPE to convert all or a portion of those assets into cash before they would have been realized in the normal course of business, through the SPE’s issuance of debt or equity instruments. Investors in an SPE usually have recourse only to the assets in the SPE and, depending on the overall structure of the transaction, may benefit from various forms of credit enhancement such as over-collateralization in the form of excess assets in the SPE, priority with respect to receipt of cash flows relative to holders of other debt or equity instruments issued by the SPE, or a line of credit or other form of liquidity agreement that is designed with the objective of ensuring that investors receive principal and/or interest cash flow on the investment in accordance with the terms of their investment agreement. Resecuritization transactions The Company has entered into several resecuritization transactions that resulted in the Company consolidating as VIEs the SPEs that were created to facilitate the transactions and to which the underlying assets in connection with the resecuritizations were transferred. See Note 2 ( r ) for a discussion of the accounting policies applied to the consolidation of VIEs and transfers of financial assets in connection with resecuritization transactions. The following table summarizes the key details of the resecuritization transactions in which the Company participated as of September 30, 2015 : (Dollars in Thousands) February 2012 October 2010 Name of Trust (Consolidated as a VIE) WFMLT Series DMSI Principal value of Non-Agency MBS sold $ 433,347 $ 985,228 Face amount of Bonds issued by the VIE and purchased by 3rd party investors (1) $ 186,691 $ 373,577 Outstanding amount of Senior Bonds at September 30, 2015 (1) $ 32,217 $ — Pass-through rate for Senior Bonds issued 2.85 % — % Face amount of Senior Support Certificates received by the Company (2) $ 217,857 $ 472,588 Cash received $ 186,691 $ 375,621 Notional amount acquired of non-rated, interest only senior certificates (1) $ 186,691 $ — Unamortized deferred costs $ 277 $ — (1) Amount disclosed reflects principal balances of the DMSI 2010-RS A1, A2 and A3 bonds. The DMSI 2010-RS2 A2 and A3 bonds were sold to third party investors during 2013. The principal balance of the DMSI 2010-RS2 A1 Bond and associated interest only Senior certificate was paid off during 2013. The principal balances of the DMSI 2010-RS2 A2 and A3 Bonds were paid off in January 2015 and September 2015, respectively. (2) Provides credit support for the sequential Senior Non-Agency MBS sold to third-party investors in resecuritization transactions (“Senior Bonds”). The Company engaged in these transactions primarily for the purpose of obtaining non-recourse financing on a portion of its Non-Agency MBS portfolio, as well as refinancing a portion of its Non-Agency MBS portfolio on improved terms. Notwithstanding the Company’s participation in these transactions, the risks facing the Company are largely unchanged as the Company remains economically exposed to the first loss position on the underlying MBS transferred to the VIEs. The activities that can be performed by an entity created to facilitate a resecuritization transaction are generally specified in the entity’s formation documents. Those documents do not permit the entity, any beneficial interest holder in the entity, or any other party associated with the entity to cause the entity to sell or replace the assets held by the entity, or limit such ability to when specific events of default occur. The Company concluded that the entities created to facilitate these resecuritization transactions are VIEs. The Company then completed an analysis of whether each VIE created to facilitate the resecuritization transaction should be consolidated by the Company, based on consideration of its involvement in each VIE, including the design and purpose of the SPE, and whether its involvement reflected a controlling financial interest that resulted in the Company being deemed the primary beneficiary of each VIE. In determining whether the Company would be considered the primary beneficiary, the following factors were assessed: • Whether the Company has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE; and • Whether the Company has a right to receive benefits or absorb losses of the entity that could be potentially significant to the VIE. Based on its evaluation of the factors discussed above, including its involvement in the purpose and design of the entity, the Company determined that it was required to consolidate each VIE created to facilitate these resecuritization transactions. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , the aggregate fair value of the Non-Agency MBS that were resecuritized as described above was $628.9 million and $1.397 billion , respectively. These assets are included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and disclosed as “Non-Agency MBS transferred to consolidated VIEs, at fair value”. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , the aggregate outstanding balance of Senior Bonds issued by consolidated VIEs was $32.2 million and $110.6 million , respectively. These Senior Bonds are included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and disclosed as “Securitized debt,” The holders of the Senior Bonds have no recourse to the general credit of the Company, but the Company does have the obligation, under certain circumstances to repurchase assets from the VIE upon the breach of certain representations and warranties in relation to the Non-Agency MBS sold to the VIE. In the absence of such a breach, the Company has no obligation to provide any other explicit or implicit support to any VIE. During 2015 and subsequent to the repayment of the outstanding balance of Senior Bonds issued by the CSMC Series 2011-1R Trust (the “Trust”), this resecuritization financing structure was terminated. The termination was effected through an exchange of the remaining beneficial interests previously issued by the Trust and held by the Company for the underlying securities that had previously been transferred to and held by the Trust at the date of termination. Following the exchange, the beneficial interests were cancelled by the trustee and the Trust was terminated. The exchange and termination of this financing structure did not result in any gain or loss to the Company. As a result of the termination, the underlying securities originally transferred as part of this resecuritization are reported as Non-Agency MBS in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2015 and interest income from the underlying securities from the date of termination through September 30, 2015 is reported as Interest income from Non-Agency MBS in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Prior to the completion of the Company’s first resecuritization transaction in October 2010, the Company had not transferred assets to VIEs or QSPEs and, other than acquiring MBS issued by such entities, it had no other involvement with VIEs or QSPEs. Residential Whole Loans Included on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2015 is a total of $777.4 million of residential whole loans, of which approximately $245.9 million are reported at carrying value and $531.5 million are reported at fair value. The inclusion of these assets arises from the Company’s 100% equity interest in certificates issued by certain trusts established to acquire the loans. Based on its evaluation of its 100% interest in these trusts and other factors, the Company has determined that the trusts are required to be consolidated for financial reporting purposes. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , approximately $4.0 million and $11.8 million , respectively, of interest income was recognized from residential whole loans reported at carrying value which is included in Interest Income on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. In addition, the Company recognized a net gain of approximately $5.0 million and $10.2 million , on residential whole loans held at fair value during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , respectively, which amounts are included in Other Income, net on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. (See Note 4 )

Summary of Significant Accoun26

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and Consolidation	Basis of Presentation and Consolidation The interim unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted according to these SEC rules and regulations. Management believes that the disclosures included in these interim unaudited consolidated financial statements are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 . In the opinion of management, all normal and recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial condition of the Company at September 30, 2015 and results of operations for all periods presented have been made. The results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 should not be construed as indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Although the Company’s estimates contemplate current conditions and how it expects them to change in the future, it is reasonably possible that actual conditions could be worse than anticipated in those estimates, which could materially impact the Company’s results of operations and its financial condition. Management has made significant estimates in several areas, including other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) on MBS and CRT securities (See Note 3 ), valuation of MBS and CRT securities (See Notes 3 and 16 ), income recognition and valuation of residential whole loans (See Notes 4 and 16 ), derivative instruments (See Notes 6 and 16 ) and income recognition on certain Non-Agency MBS purchased at a discount (See Note 3 ). In addition, estimates are used in the determination of taxable income used in the assessment of REIT compliance and contingent liabilities for related taxes, penalties and interest (See Note 2 ( o )). Actual results could differ from those estimates. The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of all subsidiaries; significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. In addition, the Company consolidates the special purpose entities created to facilitate the resecuritization transactions completed in prior years and the acquisition of residential whole loans. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.
MBS (including Non-Agency MBS transferred to a consolidated VIEs) and CRT Securities	MBS (including Non-Agency MBS transferred to consolidated VIEs) and CRT Securities The Company has investments in residential MBS that are issued or guaranteed as to principal and/or interest by a federally chartered corporation, such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, or an agency of the U.S. Government, such as Ginnie Mae (collectively, “Agency MBS”), and residential MBS that are not guaranteed by any U.S. Government agency or any federally chartered corporation (“Non-Agency MBS”). In addition, the Company has investments in CRT securities that are issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The coupon payments on CRT securities are paid by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the principal payments received are based on the performance of loans in a reference pool of recently securitized MBS. As the loans in the underlying reference pool are paid, the principal balance of the CRT securities is paid. As an investor in a CRT security, the Company may incur a loss if certain defined credit events occur, including if the loans in the reference pool experience delinquencies exceeding specified thresholds. Designation The Company generally intends to hold its MBS until maturity; however, from time to time, it may sell any of its securities as part of the overall management of its business. As a result, all of the Company’s MBS are designated as “available-for-sale” (“AFS”) and, accordingly, are carried at their fair value with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings (except when an OTTI is recognized, as discussed below) and reported in Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) (“AOCI”), a component of Stockholders’ Equity. Upon the sale of an AFS security, any unrealized gain or loss is reclassified out of AOCI to earnings as a realized gain or loss using the specific identification method. The Company has elected the fair value option for certain of its CRT securities as it considers this method of accounting more appropriately reflects the risk sharing structure of these securities. Such securities are carried at their fair value with changes in fair value included in earnings for the period and reported in Other Income, net on the Company’s consolidated statement of operations. Revenue Recognition, Premium Amortization and Discount Accretion Interest income on securities is accrued based on the outstanding principal balance and their contractual terms. Premiums and discounts associated with Agency MBS and Non-Agency MBS assessed as high credit quality at the time of purchase are amortized into interest income over the life of such securities using the effective yield method. Adjustments to premium amortization are made for actual prepayment activity. Interest income on the Non-Agency MBS that were purchased at a discount to par value and/or are considered to be of less than high credit quality is recognized based on the security’s effective interest rate which is the security’s internal rate of return (“IRR”). The IRR is determined using management’s estimate of the projected cash flows for each security, which are based on the Company’s observation of current information and events and include assumptions related to fluctuations in interest rates, prepayment speeds and the timing and amount of credit losses. On at least a quarterly basis, the Company reviews and, if appropriate, makes adjustments to its cash flow projections based on input and analysis received from external sources, internal models, and its judgment about interest rates, prepayment rates, the timing and amount of credit losses, and other factors. Changes in cash flows from those originally projected, or from those estimated at the last evaluation, may result in a prospective change in the IRR/ interest income recognized on these securities or in the recognition of OTTIs. (See Note 3 ) Based on the projected cash flows from the Company’s Non-Agency MBS purchased at a discount to par value, a portion of the purchase discount may be designated as non-accretable purchase discount (“Credit Reserve”), which effectively mitigates the Company’s risk of loss on the mortgages collateralizing such MBS and is not expected to be accreted into interest income. The amount designated as Credit Reserve may be adjusted over time, based on the actual performance of the security, its underlying collateral, actual and projected cash flow from such collateral, economic conditions and other factors. If the performance of a security with a Credit Reserve is more favorable than forecasted, a portion of the amount designated as Credit Reserve may be reallocated to accretable discount and recognized into interest income over time. Conversely, if the performance of a security with a Credit Reserve is less favorable than forecasted, the amount designated as Credit Reserve may be increased, or impairment charges and write-downs of such securities to a new cost basis could result. Determination of Fair Value for MBS and CRT Securities In determining the fair value of the Company’s MBS and CRT securities, management considers a number of observable market data points, including prices obtained from pricing services, brokers and repurchase agreement counterparties, dialogue with market participants, as well as management’s observations of market activity. (See Note 16 ) Impairments/OTTI When the fair value of an AFS security is less than its amortized cost at the balance sheet date, the security is considered impaired. The Company assesses its impaired securities on at least a quarterly basis and designates such impairments as either “temporary” or “other-than-temporary.” If the Company intends to sell an impaired security, or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the impaired security before its anticipated recovery, then the Company must recognize an OTTI through charges to earnings equal to the entire difference between the investment’s amortized cost and its fair value at the balance sheet date. If the Company does not expect to sell an other-than-temporarily impaired security, only the portion of the OTTI related to credit losses is recognized through charges to earnings with the remainder recognized through AOCI on the consolidated balance sheets. Impairments recognized through other comprehensive income/(loss) (“OCI”) do not impact earnings. Following the recognition of an OTTI through earnings, a new cost basis is established for the security and may not be adjusted for subsequent recoveries in fair value through earnings. However, OTTIs recognized through charges to earnings may be accreted back to the amortized cost basis of the security on a prospective basis through interest income. The determination as to whether an OTTI exists and, if so, the amount of credit impairment recognized in earnings is subjective, as such determinations are based on factual information available at the time of assessment as well as the Company’s estimates of the future performance and cash flow projections. As a result, the timing and amount of OTTIs constitute material estimates that are susceptible to significant change. (See Note 3 ) Non-Agency MBS that are assessed to be of less than high credit quality and on which impairments are recognized have experienced, or are expected to experience, credit-related adverse cash flow changes. The Company’s estimate of cash flows for its Non-Agency MBS is based on its review of the underlying mortgage loans securing the MBS. The Company considers information available about the past and expected future performance of underlying mortgage loans, including timing of expected future cash flows, prepayment rates, default rates, loss severities, delinquency rates, percentage of non-performing loans, Fair Isaac Corporation (“FICO”) scores at loan origination, year of origination, loan-to-value ratios (“LTVs”), geographic concentrations, as well as reports by credit rating agencies, such as Moody’s Investors Services, Inc. (“Moody’s”), Standard & Poor’s Corporation (“S&P”), or Fitch, Inc. (collectively, “Rating Agencies”), general market assessments, and dialogue with market participants. As a result, significant judgment is used in the Company’s analysis to determine the expected cash flows for its Non-Agency MBS. In determining the OTTI related to credit losses for securities that were purchased at significant discounts to par and/or are considered to be of less than high credit quality, the Company compares the present value of the remaining cash flows expected to be collected at the purchase date (or last date previously revised) against the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected at the current financial reporting date. The discount rate used to calculate the present value of expected future cash flows is the current yield used for income recognition purposes. Impairment assessment for Non-Agency MBS and CRT Securities that were purchased at prices close to par and/or are otherwise considered to be of high credit quality involves comparing the present value of the remaining cash flows expected to be collected against the amortized cost of the security at the assessment date. The discount rate used to calculate the present value of the expected future cash flows is based on the instrument’s IRR. Balance Sheet Presentation The Company’s MBS and CRT Securities pledged as collateral against repurchase agreements, Federal Home Loan Bank advances and Swaps are included on the consolidated balance sheets with the fair value of the securities pledged disclosed parenthetically. Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on the trade date.
Securities Obtained and Pledged as Collateral/Obligation to Return Securities Obtained as Collateral	Securities Obtained and Pledged as Collateral/Obligation to Return Securities Obtained as Collateral The Company has obtained securities as collateral under collateralized financing arrangements in connection with its financing strategy for Non-Agency MBS. Securities obtained as collateral in connection with these transactions are recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as an asset along with a liability representing the obligation to return the collateral obtained, at fair value. While beneficial ownership of securities obtained remains with the counterparty, the Company has the right to sell the collateral obtained or to pledge it as part of a subsequent collateralized financing transaction. (See Note 2 ( k ) for Repurchase Agreements and Reverse Repurchase Agreements)
Residential Whole Loans	Residential Whole Loans Residential whole loans included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets are comprised of pools of fixed and adjustable rate residential mortgage loans acquired through consolidated trusts in secondary market transactions at discounted purchase prices. The accounting model utilized by the Company is determined at the time each loan package is initially acquired and is generally based on the delinquency status of the majority of the underlying borrowers in the package at acquisition. The accounting model described below under “Residential Whole Loans at Carrying Value” is typically utilized by the Company for loans where the underlying borrower has a delinquency status of less than 60 days at the acquisition date. The accounting model described below under “Residential Whole Loans at Fair Value” is typically utilized by the Company for loans where the underlying borrower has a delinquency status of 60 days or more at the acquisition date. The accounting model initially applied is not subsequently changed. The Company’s residential whole loans pledged as collateral against repurchase agreements are included in the consolidated balance sheets with the fair value of the loans pledged disclosed parenthetically. Purchases and sales of residential whole loans are recorded on the trade date, with amounts recorded reflecting management’s current estimate of assets that will be acquired or disposed at the closing of the transaction. This estimate is subject to revision at the closing of the transaction, pending the outcome of due diligence performed prior to closing. Residential Whole Loans at Carrying Value Notwithstanding that the majority of these loans are considered to be performing substantially in accordance with their current contractual terms and conditions, the Company has elected to account for these loans as credit impaired as they were acquired at discounted prices that reflect, in part, the impaired credit history of the borrower. Substantially all of the borrowers have previously experienced payment delinquencies and the amount owed on the mortgage loan may exceed the value of the property pledged as collateral. Consequently, the Company has assessed that these loans have a higher likelihood of default than newly originated mortgage loans with LTVs of 80% or less to credit worthy borrowers. The Company believes that amounts paid to acquire these loans represent fair market value at the date of acquisition. Such loans are initially recorded at fair value with no allowance for loan losses. Subsequent to acquisition, the recorded amount reflects the original investment amount, plus accretion of interest income, less principal and interest cash flows received. These loans are presented on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at carrying value, which reflects the recorded amount reduced by any allowance for loan losses established subsequent to acquisition. Under the application of this accounting model the Company may aggregate into pools loans acquired in the same fiscal quarter that are assessed as having similar risk characteristics. For each pool established, or on an individual loans basis for loans not aggregated into pools, the Company estimates at acquisition and periodically on at least a quarterly basis, the principal and interest cash flows expected to be collected. The difference between the cash flows expected to be collected and the carrying amount of the loans is referred to as the “accretable yield.” This amount is accreted as interest income over the life of the loans using an effective interest rate (level yield) methodology. Interest income recorded each period reflects the amount of accretable yield recognized and not the coupon interest payments received on the underlying loans. The difference between contractually required principal and interest payments and the cash flows expected to be collected is referred to as the “non-accretable difference,” and includes estimates of both the effect of prepayments and expected credit losses over the life of the underlying loans. A decrease in expected cash flows in subsequent periods may indicate impairment at the pool and/or individual loan level thus requiring the establishment of an allowance for loan losses by a charge to the provision for loan losses. The allowance for loan losses represents the present value of cash flows expected at acquisition, adjusted for any increases due to changes in estimated cash flows, that are subsequently no longer expected to be received at the relevant measurement date. A significant increase in expected cash flows in subsequent periods first reduces any previously recognized allowance for loan losses and then will result in a recalculation in the amount of accretable yield. The adjustment of accretable yield due to a significant increase in expected cash flows is accounted for prospectively as a change in estimate and results in reclassification from nonaccretable difference to accretable yield. (See Notes 4 and 17 ) Residential Whole Loans at Fair Value Certain of the Company’s residential whole loans are presented at fair value on its consolidated balance sheets as a result of a fair value election made at time of acquisition. Given the significant uncertainty associated with estimating the timing of and amount of cash flows associated with these loans that will be collected, and that the cash flows ultimately collected may be dependent on the value of the property securing the loan, the Company considers that accounting for these loans at fair value should result in a better reflection over time of the economic returns from these loans. The Company determines the fair value of its residential whole loans held at fair value after considering portfolio valuations obtained from a third-party who specializes in providing valuations of residential mortgage loans and trading activity observed in the market place. Subsequent changes in fair value are reported in current period earnings and presented in Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Cash received reflecting coupon payments on residential whole loans held at fair value is not included in Interest Income, but rather is presented in Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. (See Notes 4 and 16 )
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include cash on deposit with financial institutions and investments in money market funds, all of which have original maturities of three months or less. Cash and cash equivalents may also include cash pledged as collateral to the Company by its repurchase agreement and/or Swap counterparties as a result of reverse margin calls (i.e., margin calls made by the Company). The Company did not hold any cash pledged by its counterparties at September 30, 2015 or December 31, 2014 .
Restricted Cash	Restricted Cash Restricted cash represents the Company’s cash held by its counterparties as collateral or otherwise in connection with the Company’s Swaps and/or repurchase agreements. Restricted cash is not available to the Company for general corporate purposes, but may be applied against amounts due to counterparties to the Company’s repurchase agreements and/or Swaps, or may be returned to the Company when the related collateral requirements are exceeded or at the maturity of the Swap or repurchase agreement.
Goodwill	Goodwill At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , the Company had goodwill of $7.2 million , which represents the unamortized portion of the excess of the fair value of its common stock issued over the fair value of net assets acquired in connection with its formation in 1998. Goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually, or more frequently under certain circumstances, at the entity level. Through September 30, 2015 , the Company had not recognized any impairment against its goodwill.
Real Estate Owned (REO)	Real Estate Owned (“REO”) REO represents real estate acquired by the Company, including through foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure, and is initially recorded at fair value less estimated selling costs. Subsequent to acquisition REO is reported, at each reporting date, at the lower of the current carrying amount or fair value less estimated selling costs and for presentation purposes is included in Prepaid and other assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Changes in fair value that result in an adjustment to the reported amount of a REO property that has a fair value at or below its carrying amount are reported in Other Income, net on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. (See Note 7 )
Depreciation	Leasehold Improvements and Other Depreciable Assets Depreciation is computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the related assets or, in the case of leasehold improvements, over the shorter of the useful life or the lease term. Furniture, fixtures, computers and related hardware have estimated useful lives ranging from five to eight years at the time of purchase.
Resecuritization and Senior Notes Related Costs	Resecuritization and Senior Notes Related Costs Resecuritization related costs are costs associated with the issuance of beneficial interests by consolidated VIEs and incurred by the Company in connection with various resecuritization transactions completed by the Company. Senior Notes related costs are costs incurred by the Company in connection with the issuance of its Senior Notes in April, 2012. These costs may include underwriting, rating agency, legal, accounting and other fees. Such costs, which reflect deferred charges, are included on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets in Prepaid and other assets. These deferred charges are amortized as an adjustment to interest expense using the effective interest method, based upon the actual repayments of the associated beneficial interests issued to third parties and over the stated legal maturity of the Senior Notes. The Company periodically reviews the recoverability of these deferred costs and in the event an impairment charge is required, such amount will be included in Operating and Other Expense on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
Repurchase Agreements and Other Advances	Repurchase Agreements and Other Advances Repurchase Agreements The Company finances the holdings of a significant portion of its MBS and CRT securities with repurchase agreements. Under repurchase agreements, the Company sells securities to a lender and agrees to repurchase the same securities in the future for a price that is higher than the original sale price. The difference between the sale price that the Company receives and the repurchase price that the Company pays represents interest paid to the lender. Although legally structured as sale and repurchase transactions, the Company accounts for repurchase agreements as secured borrowings. Under its repurchase agreements, the Company pledges its securities as collateral to secure the borrowing, which is equal in value to a specified percentage of the fair value of the pledged collateral, while the Company retains beneficial ownership of the pledged collateral. At the maturity of a repurchase financing, unless the repurchase financing is renewed with the same counterparty, the Company is required to repay the loan including any accrued interest and concurrently receives back its pledged collateral from the lender. With the consent of the lender, the Company may renew a repurchase financing at the then prevailing financing terms. Margin calls, whereby a lender requires that the Company pledge additional securities or cash as collateral to secure borrowings under its repurchase financing with such lender, are routinely experienced by the Company when the value of the MBS pledged as collateral declines as a result of principal amortization and prepayments or due to changes in market interest rates, spreads or other market conditions. The Company also may make margin calls on counterparties when collateral values increase. The Company’s repurchase financings typically have terms ranging from one month to six months at inception, but may also have longer or shorter terms. Should a counterparty decide not to renew a repurchase financing at maturity, the Company must either refinance elsewhere or be in a position to satisfy the obligation. If, during the term of a repurchase financing, a lender should default on its obligation, the Company might experience difficulty recovering its pledged assets which could result in an unsecured claim against the lender for the difference between the amount loaned to the Company plus interest due to the counterparty and the fair value of the collateral pledged by the Company to such lender, including accrued interest receivable or such collateral. (See Notes 8 , 9 and 16 ) In addition to the repurchase agreement financing arrangements discussed above, as part of its financing strategy for Non-Agency MBS, the Company has entered into contemporaneous repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements with a single counterparty. Under a typical reverse repurchase agreement, the Company buys securities from a borrower for cash and agrees to sell the same securities in the future for a price that is higher than the original purchase price. The difference between the purchase price the Company originally paid and the sale price represents interest received from the borrower. In contrast, the contemporaneous repurchase and reverse repurchase transactions effectively resulted in the Company pledging Non-Agency MBS as collateral to the counterparty in connection with the repurchase agreement financing and obtaining U.S. Treasury securities as collateral from the same counterparty in connection with the reverse repurchase agreement. No net cash was exchanged between the Company and counterparty at the inception of the transactions. Securities obtained and pledged as collateral are recorded as an asset on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Interest income is recorded on the reverse repurchase agreement and interest expense is recorded on the repurchase agreement on an accrual basis. Both the Company and the counterparty have the right to make daily margin calls based on changes in the value of the collateral obtained and/or pledged. The Company’s liability to the counterparty in connection with this financing arrangement is recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and disclosed as “Obligation to return securities obtained as collateral, at fair value.” (See Note 2 ( c )) Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) Advances In July 2015, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, MFA Insurance, Inc. (“MFA Insurance”), became a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines. At September 30, 2015 MFA Insurance had long-term FHLB advances with variable interest rates. Accrued interest payable on FHLB advances is included in Accrued interest payable on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. FHLB advances are secured financing transactions and are carried at their contractual amounts. The ability to borrow from the FHLB is subject to the Company’s continued creditworthiness, pledging of sufficient eligible collateral to secure advances, and compliance with certain agreements with the FHLB. The amount of collateral pledged to the FHLB to secure advances is subject to periodic adjustment based on changes in the fair value of the collateral. (See Notes 8, 9 and 16) In addition, as a condition to membership in the FHLB, MFA Insurance is required to purchase and hold a certain amount of FHLB stock, which is based, in part, upon the outstanding principal balance of advances from the FHLB. FHLB stock is considered a non-marketable, long-term investment, is carried at cost and is subject to recoverability testing under applicable accounting standards. This stock can only be redeemed or sold at its par value, and only to the FHLB. Accordingly, when evaluating FHLB stock for impairment, the Company considers the ultimate recoverability of the par value rather than recognizing temporary declines in value. FHLB stock is included in Prepaid and other assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
Equity-Based Compensation	Equity-Based Compensation Compensation expense for equity-based awards is recognized ratably over the vesting period of such awards, based upon the fair value of such awards at the grant date. With respect to awards granted in 2009 and prior years, the Company applied a zero forfeiture rate for these awards, as they were granted to a limited number of employees, and historical forfeitures have been minimal. Forfeitures, or an indication that forfeitures are expected to occur, may result in a revised forfeiture rate and would be accounted for prospectively as a change in estimate. During 2010, the Company granted certain restricted stock units (“RSUs”) that vested after either two or four years of service and provided that certain criteria are met, which were based on a formula that included changes in the Company’s closing stock price over a two - or four -year period and dividends declared on the Company’s common stock during those periods. From 2011 through 2013, the Company granted certain RSUs that vested annually over a one or three -year period, provided that certain criteria are met, which are based on a formula tied to the Company’s achievement of average total stockholder return during that three -year period. During 2014 and 2015, the Company made grants of RSUs certain of which cliff vest after a three -year period and certain of which cliff vest after a three -year period, subject to the achievement of certain performance criteria based on a formula tied to the Company’s achievement of average total stockholder return during that three -year period. The features in these awards related to the attainment of total stockholder return over a specified period constitute a “market condition” which impacts the amount of compensation expense recognized for these awards. Specifically, the uncertainty regarding the achievement of the market condition was reflected in the grant date fair valuation of the RSUs, which in addition to estimates regarding the amount of RSUs expected to be forfeited during the associated service period, determined the amount of compensation expense recognized. The amount of compensation expense recognized was not dependent on whether the market condition was or will be achieved, while differences in actual forfeiture experience relative to estimated forfeitures results in adjustments to the timing and amount of compensation expense recognized. The Company has awarded dividend equivalents that may be granted as a separate instrument or may be a right associated with the grant of another equity-based award. Compensation expense for separately awarded dividend equivalents is based on the grant date fair value of such awards and is recognized over the vesting period. Payments pursuant to these dividend equivalents are charged to Stockholders’ Equity. Payments pursuant to dividend equivalents that are attached to equity based awards are charged to Stockholders’ Equity to the extent that the attached equity awards are expected to vest. Compensation expense is recognized for payments made for dividend equivalents to the extent that the attached equity awards do not or are not expected to vest and grantees are not required to return payments of dividends or dividend equivalents to the Company. (See Notes 2 ( m ) and 15 )
Earnings per Common Share (EPS)	Earnings per Common Share (“EPS”) Basic EPS is computed using the two-class method, which includes the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period and other securities that participate in dividends, such as the Company’s unvested restricted stock and RSUs that have non-forfeitable rights to dividends and dividend equivalents attached to/associated with RSUs and vested stock options to arrive at total common equivalent shares. In applying the two-class method, earnings are allocated to both shares of common stock and securities that participate in dividends based on their respective weighted-average shares outstanding for the period. For the diluted EPS calculation, common equivalent shares are further adjusted for the effect of dilutive unexercised stock options and RSUs outstanding that are unvested and have dividends that are subject to forfeiture using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, common equivalent shares are calculated assuming that all dilutive common stock equivalents are exercised and the proceeds, along with future compensation expenses associated with such instruments, are used to repurchase shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock at the average market price during the reported period. (See Note 14 )
Comprehensive Income/(Loss)	Comprehensive Income/(Loss) The Company’s comprehensive income/(loss) available to common stock and participating securities includes net income, the change in net unrealized gains/(losses) on its MBS, CRT securities and derivative hedging instruments, (to the extent that such changes are not recorded in earnings), adjusted by realized net gains/(losses) reclassified out of AOCI for MBS, CRT securities and de-designated derivative hedging instruments and is reduced by dividends declared on the Company’s preferred stock and issuance costs of redeemed preferred stock.
U.S. Federal Income Taxes	U.S. Federal Income Taxes The Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the “Code”) and the corresponding provisions of state law. The Company expects to operate in a manner that will enable it to satisfy the various requirements to maintain its status as a REIT. In order to maintain its status as a REIT, the Company must, among other things, distribute at least 90% of its REIT taxable income (excluding net long-term capital gains) to stockholders in the timeframe permitted by the Code. As long as the Company maintains its status as a REIT, the Company will not be subject to regular Federal income tax to the extent that it distributes 100% of its REIT taxable income (including net long-term capital gains) to its stockholders within the permitted timeframe. Should this not occur, the Company would be subject to federal taxes at prevailing corporate tax rates on the difference between its REIT taxable income and the amounts deemed to be distributed for that tax year. As the Company’s objective is to distribute 100% of its REIT taxable income to its stockholders within the permitted timeframe, no provision for current or deferred income taxes has been made in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Should the Company incur a liability for corporate income tax, such amounts would be recorded as REIT income tax expense on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Furthermore, if the Company fails to distribute during each calendar year, or by the end of January following the calendar year in the case of distributions with declaration and record dates falling in the last three months of the calendar year, at least the sum of (i) 85% its REIT ordinary income for such year, (ii) 95% of its REIT capital gain income for such year, and (iii) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, the Company would be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the excess of the required distribution over the amounts actually distributed. To the extent that the Company incurs interest, penalties or related excise taxes in connection with its tax obligations, including as a result of its assessment of uncertain tax positions, such amounts will be included in Operating and Other Expense on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. In addition, the Company has elected to treat certain of its subsidiaries as a TRS. In general, a TRS may hold assets and engage in activities that the Company cannot hold or engage in directly and generally may engage in any real estate or non-real estate-related business. Generally, a TRS is subject to U.S. federal, state and local corporate income taxes. Since a portion of the Company’s business may be conducted through one or more TRS, its income earned by TRS may be subject to corporate income taxation. To maintain the Company’s REIT election, no more than 25% of the value of a REIT’s assets at the end of each calendar quarter may consist of stock or securities in TRS. Based on its analysis of any potential uncertain tax positions, the Company concluded that it does not have any material uncertain tax positions that meet the relevant recognition or measurement criteria as of September 30, 2015 , December 31, 2014 , or September 30, 2014 . The Company filed its 2014 tax return prior to September 15, 2015. The Company’s tax returns for tax years 2010 through 2014 are open to examination.
Derivative Financial Instruments	Derivative Financial Instruments The Company may use a variety of derivative instruments to economically hedge a portion of its exposure to market risks, including interest rate risk and prepayment risk. The objective of the Company’s risk management strategy is to reduce fluctuations in net book value over a range of interest rate scenarios. In particular, the Company attempts to mitigate the risk of the cost of its variable rate liabilities increasing during a period of rising interest rates. The Company’s derivative instruments are currently comprised of Swaps, which are designated as cash flow hedges against the interest rate risk associated with its borrowings. Prior to 2015, the Company’s derivative financial instruments also included Linked Transactions, which were not designated as hedging instruments. New accounting guidance that was effective for the Company on January 1, 2015 prospectively eliminated the use of Linked Transaction accounting. (See Note 6 ) During 2013, the Company also entered into forward contracts for the sale of Agency MBS securities on a generic pool, or to-be-announced basis (“TBA short positions”) which were not designated as hedging instruments. Linked Transactions Prior to 2015, it was presumed that the initial transfer of a financial asset (i.e., the purchase of an MBS by the Company) and contemporaneous repurchase financing of such security with the same counterparty were considered part of the same arrangement, or a “linked transaction,” unless certain criteria were met. The two components of a linked transaction (security purchase and repurchase financing) were not reported separately but were evaluated on a combined basis and reported as a forward (derivative) contract and were presented as “Linked Transactions” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Changes in the fair value of the assets and liabilities underlying Linked Transactions and associated interest income and expense were reported as “Unrealized net gains/(losses) and net interest income from Linked Transactions” on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and were not included in OCI. However, if certain criteria were met, the initial transfer (i.e., the purchase of a security by the Company) and repurchase financing were not treated as a Linked Transaction and would have been evaluated and reported separately as an MBS purchase and MBS repurchase financing. When or if a transaction was no longer considered to be linked, the security and repurchase financing were reported on a gross basis. In this case, the fair value of the MBS at the time the transactions were no longer considered linked became the cost basis of the MBS, and the income recognition yield for such MBS was calculated prospectively using this new cost basis. New accounting guidance that was effective for the Company on January 1, 2015 prospectively eliminated the use of Linked Transaction accounting as described above. This resulted in changes subsequent to January 1, 2015 to the presentation of assets and liabilities, and revenues and expenses of Non-Agency MBS and associated repurchase agreements that had been accounted for as Linked Transactions prior to that date. The changes include the presentation of Non-Agency MBS and associated repurchase agreements as separate assets and liabilities, rather than on a combined basis on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. In addition, starting in 2015, interest income related to the securities and interest expense related to the associated repurchase agreements are separately presented and included in the determination of the Company’s net interest income on its consolidated statement of operations. Further, the previous treatment of Linked Transactions as forward (derivative) instruments recorded at fair value at the end of each period, with changes in fair value included in net income, was discontinued and effective January 1, 2015 MBS that were previously accounted for as components of Linked Transactions are accounted for on a consistent basis with other MBS held by the Company as AFS securities. (See Notes 2 ( t ), 6 and 16 ) Swaps The Company documents its risk-management policies, including objectives and strategies, as they relate to its hedging activities and the relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged liability for all Swaps designated as hedging transactions. The Company assesses, both at inception of a hedge and on a quarterly basis thereafter, whether or not the hedge is “highly effective.” Swaps are carried on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at fair value, as assets, if their fair value is positive, or as liabilities, if their fair value is negative. Changes in the fair value of the Company’s Swaps designated in hedging transactions are recorded in OCI provided that the hedge remains effective. Changes in fair value for any ineffective amount of a Swap are recognized in earnings. The Company has not recognized any change in the value of its existing Swaps designated as hedges through earnings as a result of hedge ineffectiveness. The Company discontinues hedge accounting on a prospective basis and recognizes changes in the fair value through earnings when: (i) it is determined that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting cash flows of a hedged item (including forecasted transactions); (ii) it is no longer probable that the forecasted transaction will occur; or (iii) it is determined that designating the derivative as a hedge is no longer appropriate. Although permitted under certain circumstances, the Company does not offset cash collateral receivables or payables against its net derivative positions. (See Notes 6 , 9 and 16 ) TBA Short Positions During 2013, the Company entered into TBA short positions as a means of managing interest rate risk and MBS basis risk associated with its investment and financing activities. A TBA short position is a forward contract for the sale of Agency MBS at a predetermined price, face amount, issuer, coupon and maturity on an agreed-upon future date. The specific Agency MBS that could be delivered into the contract upon the settlement date, published each month by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (“SIFMA”), are not known at the time of the transaction. The Company accounts for TBA short positions as derivative instruments since it cannot assert that it is probable at inception, and throughout the term of the TBA contract, that it will physically deliver the Agency security upon settlement of the contract. The Company presents TBA short positions as either derivative assets or liabilities, at fair value, on its consolidated balance sheets. Gains and losses associated with TBA short positions are reported in Other Income, net on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. (See Note 6 ) The Company did not have any TBA short positions at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 .
Fair Value Measurements and the Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities	Fair Value Measurements and the Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities The Company’s presentation of fair value for its financial assets and liabilities is determined within a framework that stipulates that the fair value of a financial asset or liability is an exchange price in an orderly transaction between market participants to sell the asset or transfer the liability in the market in which the reporting entity would transact for the asset or liability, that is, the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability. The transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability is a hypothetical transaction at the measurement date, considered from the perspective of a market participant that holds the asset or owes the liability. This definition of fair value focuses on exit price and prioritizes the use of market-based inputs over entity-specific inputs when determining fair value. In addition, the framework for measuring fair value establishes a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the observability of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. In addition to the financial instruments that it is required to report at fair value, the Company has elected the fair value option for certain of its residential whole loans at time of acquisition. Subsequent changes in the fair value of these loans are reported in Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. A decision to elect the fair value option for an eligible financial instrument, which may be made on an instrument by instrument basis, is irrevocable. (See Notes 2 ( d ), 4 and 16 )
Variable Interest Entities	Variable Interest Entities An entity is referred to as a VIE if it meets at least one of the following criteria: (i) the entity has equity that is insufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support of other parties; or (ii) as a group, the holders of the equity investment at risk lack (a) the power to direct the activities of an entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance; (b) the obligation to absorb the expected losses; or (c) the right to receive the expected residual returns; or (iii) have disproportional voting rights and the entity’s activities are conducted on behalf of the investor that has disproportionally few voting rights. The Company consolidates a VIE when it has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and a right to receive benefits or absorb losses of the entity that could be potentially significant to the VIE. The Company is required to reconsider its evaluation of whether to consolidate a VIE each reporting period, based upon changes in the facts and circumstances pertaining to the VIE. The Company has entered into resecuritization transactions which result in the Company consolidating the VIEs that were created to facilitate the transactions and to which the underlying assets in connection with the resecuritizations were transferred. In determining the accounting treatment to be applied to these resecuritization transactions, the Company concluded that the entities used to facilitate these transactions were VIEs and that they should be consolidated. If the Company had determined that consolidation was not required, it would have then assessed whether the transfer of the underlying assets would qualify as a sale or should be accounted for as secured financings under GAAP. Prior to the completion of its initial resecuritization transaction in October 2010, the Company had not transferred assets to VIEs or Qualifying Special Purpose Entities (“QSPEs”) and other than acquiring MBS issued by such entities, had no other involvement with VIEs or QSPEs. (See Note 17 ) The Company also includes in its consolidated balance sheets certain financial assets and liabilities that are acquired/issued by trusts and /or other special purpose entities that have been evaluated as being required to be consolidated by the Company under the applicable accounting guidance.
Offering Costs Related to Issuance and Redemption of Preferred Stock	Offering Costs Related to Issuance and Redemption of Preferred Stock Offering costs related to issuance of preferred stock are recorded as a reduction in Additional paid-in capital, a component of Stockholders’ Equity, at the time such preferred stock is issued. On redemption of preferred stock, any excess of the fair value of the consideration transferred to the holders of the preferred stock over the carrying amount of the preferred stock in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets is included in the determination of Net Income Available to Common Stock and Participating Securities in the calculation of EPS. (See Notes 13 and 14 )
New Accounting Standards and Interpretations	New Accounting Standards and Interpretations Accounting Standards Adopted in 2015 Receivables - Recognition of Residential Real Estate upon Foreclosure In January 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-04, Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure (“ASU 2014-04”). This ASU applies to all creditors who obtain physical possession (resulting from an in substance repossession or foreclosure) of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan in satisfaction of a receivable. The ASU clarifies that an in substance repossession or foreclosure occurs, and a creditor is considered to have received physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan, upon either (i) the creditor obtaining legal title to the residential real estate property upon completion of a foreclosure or (ii) the borrower conveying all interest in the residential real estate property to the creditor to satisfy that loan through completion of a deed in lieu of foreclosure or through a similar legal agreement. Additionally, the amendments require interim and annual disclosure of both (i) the amount of foreclosed residential real estate property held by the creditor and (ii) the recorded investment in consumer mortgage loans collateralized by residential real estate property that are in the process of foreclosure according to local requirements of the applicable jurisdiction. ASU 2014-04 was effective for the Company for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014. The Company has elected to adopt the amendments in this ASU using a prospective transition method. The Company’s adoption of ASU 2014-04 beginning on January 1, 2015, did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Transfers and Servicing In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-11, Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures (“ASU 2014-11”). The amendments of ASU 2014-11 require two accounting changes. First, the amendments in this ASU change the accounting for repurchase-to-maturity transactions to secured borrowing accounting. Second, for repurchase financing arrangements, the amendments require separate accounting for a transfer of a financial asset executed contemporaneously with a repurchase agreement with the same counterparty, which will result in secured borrowing accounting for the repurchase agreement. In addition, the amendments in ASU 2014-11 require disclosures for certain transactions comprising (i) a transfer of a financial asset accounted for as a sale and (ii) an agreement with the same transferee entered into in contemplation of the initial transfer that results in the transferor retaining substantially all of the exposure to the economic return on the transferred asset throughout the term of the transaction. ASU 2014-11 also requires disclosures for repurchase agreements, securities lending transactions, and repurchase-to-maturity transactions that are accounted for as secured borrowings. ASU 2014-11 was effective for the Company for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014. An entity is required to present changes in accounting for transactions outstanding on the effective date as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. Accordingly, on adoption of the new standard on January 1, 2015, the Company reclassified $1.913 billion of Non-Agency MBS and $4.6 million of CRT securities, that were previously reported on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as a component of Linked Transactions to Non-Agency MBS and CRT securities, respectively. In addition, liabilities of $1.520 billion that were previously presented on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as a component of Linked Transactions were reclassified to Repurchase agreements. Furthermore, an amount of $4.5 million representing net unrealized gains on securities previously reported as a component of Linked Transactions as of December 31, 2014 was reclassified from Accumulated deficit to AOCI. These reclassification adjustments had no net impact on the Company’s overall Total Stockholders’ Equity. While the Company’s adoption of this new standard beginning on January 1, 2015, did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, it did result in changes, subsequent to adoption, to the presentation of assets and liabilities and revenues and expenses of Non-Agency MBS and CRT securities and associated repurchase agreements that had been accounted for as MBS Linked Transactions prior to that date. These changes include the presentation, as noted above, of Non-Agency MBS and CRT securities and associated repurchase agreements as separate assets and liabilities, rather than on a combined basis. In addition, subsequent to the date of adoption the interest income related to the securities and the interest expense related to the associated repurchase agreements are separately presented and included in the determination of the Company’s Net Interest Income. Further, the prior accounting requirement for MBS Linked Transactions, which involved treating the combined transaction as a derivative that was recorded at fair value each period, with changes in fair value included in net income, was discontinued and effective January 1, 2015. MBS that were previously accounted for as components of Linked Transactions are accounted for in a manner consistent with other MBS held by the Company as AFS securities.

MBS and CRT Securities (Tables)

MBS and CRT Securities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Schedule of information about MBS and CRT Securities	The following tables present certain information about the Company’s MBS and CRT securities at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : September 30, 2015 (In Thousands) Principal/ Current Face Purchase Premiums Accretable Purchase Discounts Discount Designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI (1) Amortized Cost (2) Fair Value Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss) Agency MBS: Fannie Mae $ 3,875,329 $ 146,519 $ (61 ) $ — $ 4,021,787 $ 4,086,523 $ 79,498 $ (14,762 ) $ 64,736 Freddie Mac 887,904 34,118 — — 923,134 923,872 8,796 (8,058 ) 738 Ginnie Mae 9,666 169 — — 9,835 10,082 247 — 247 Total Agency MBS 4,772,899 180,806 (61 ) — 4,954,756 5,020,477 88,541 (22,820 ) 65,721 Non-Agency MBS: Expected to Recover Par (3)(4) 2,764,021 232 (31,691 ) — 2,732,562 2,755,036 27,326 (4,853 ) 22,473 Expected to Recover Less than Par (3) 4,271,588 — (304,016 ) (815,397 ) 3,152,175 3,769,186 621,564 (4,553 ) 617,011 Total Non-Agency MBS (5) 7,035,609 232 (335,707 ) (815,397 ) 5,884,737 6,524,222 648,890 (9,406 ) 639,484 Total MBS 11,808,508 181,038 (335,768 ) (815,397 ) 10,839,493 11,544,699 737,431 (32,226 ) 705,205 CRT securities (6) 156,000 — (5,072 ) — 150,928 149,968 788 (1,748 ) (960 ) Total MBS and CRT securities $ 11,964,508 $ 181,038 $ (340,840 ) $ (815,397 ) $ 10,990,421 $ 11,694,667 $ 738,219 $ (33,974 ) $ 704,245 December 31, 2014 (In Thousands) Principal/ Current Face Purchase Premiums Accretable Purchase Discounts Discount Designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI (1) Amortized Cost (2) Fair Value Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss) Agency MBS: Fannie Mae $ 4,587,823 $ 174,245 $ (71 ) $ — $ 4,761,997 $ 4,843,084 $ 102,187 $ (21,100 ) $ 81,087 Freddie Mac 1,011,659 38,895 — — 1,051,096 1,049,854 11,280 (12,522 ) (1,242 ) Ginnie Mae 10,811 189 — — 11,000 11,269 269 — 269 Total Agency MBS 5,610,293 213,329 (71 ) — 5,824,093 5,904,207 113,736 (33,622 ) 80,114 Non-Agency MBS: Expected to Recover Par (3)(4) 431,788 461 (29,501 ) — 402,748 428,431 26,735 (1,052 ) 25,683 Expected to Recover Less than Par (3) 4,888,113 — (370,063 ) (900,557 ) 3,617,493 4,327,001 712,168 (2,660 ) 709,508 Total Non-Agency MBS (5) 5,319,901 461 (399,564 ) (900,557 ) 4,020,241 4,755,432 738,903 (3,712 ) 735,191 Total MBS 10,930,194 213,790 (399,635 ) (900,557 ) 9,844,334 10,659,639 852,639 (37,334 ) 815,305 CRT securities 109,500 — (4,727 ) — 104,773 102,983 324 (2,114 ) (1,790 ) Total MBS and CRT securities $ 11,039,694 $ 213,790 $ (404,362 ) $ (900,557 ) $ 9,949,107 $ 10,762,622 $ 852,963 $ (39,448 ) $ 813,515 (1) Discount designated as Credit Reserve and amounts related to OTTI are generally not expected to be accreted into interest income. Amounts disclosed at September 30, 2015 reflect Credit Reserve of $793.7 million and OTTI of $21.7 million . Amounts disclosed at December 31, 2014 reflect Credit Reserve of $877.6 million and OTTI of $23.0 million . (2) Includes principal payments receivable of $1.1 million and $542,000 at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively, which are not included in the Principal/Current Face. (3) Based on managemen t ’ s current estimates of future principal cash flows expected to be received. (4) At September 30, 2015 RPL/NPL MBS had a $2.492 billion Principal/Current face, $2.490 billion amortized cost and $2.487 billion fair value. At December 31, 2014 , RPL/NPL MBS had a $161.0 million Principal/Current face, $161.0 million amortized cost and $161.0 million fair value (excludes RPL/NPL MBS with $1.850 billion Principal/Current face, $1.847 billion amortized cost and $1.847 billion fair value that were presented as a component of Linked Transactions at December 31, 2014). (5) At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , the Company expected to recover approximately 88% and 83% , respectively, of the then-current face amount of Non-Agency MBS. (6) Amounts disclosed at September 30, 2015 includes CRT securities with a fair value of $27.7 million for which the fair value option has been elected. Such securities have gross unrealized gains of approximately $515,000 , gross unrealized losses of approximately $19,000 and net unrealized gains of approximately $496,000 at September 30, 2015 . For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , such securities generated net unrealized losses of approximately $14,000 and net unrealized gains of approximately $496,000 , respectively, that are included in Other Income, net in our consolidated statements of operations.
Schedule of information about MBS and CRT Securities that were in an unrealized loss position	The following table presents information about the Company’s MBS and CRT securities that were in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2015 : Unrealized Loss Position For: Less than 12 Months 12 Months or more Total Fair Value Unrealized Losses Number of Securities Fair Value Unrealized Losses Number of Securities Fair Value Unrealized Losses (Dollars in Thousands) Agency MBS: Fannie Mae $ 508,889 $ 2,921 63 $ 852,198 $ 11,841 109 $ 1,361,087 $ 14,762 Freddie Mac 259,638 2,369 35 332,303 5,689 64 591,941 8,058 Total Agency MBS 768,527 5,290 98 1,184,501 17,530 173 1,953,028 22,820 Non-Agency MBS: Expected to Recover Par (1) 1,411,102 4,117 33 13,249 736 8 1,424,351 4,853 Expected to Recover Less than Par (1) 120,040 1,982 24 67,908 2,571 11 187,948 4,553 Total Non-Agency MBS 1,531,142 6,099 57 81,157 3,307 19 1,612,299 9,406 Total MBS 2,299,669 11,389 155 1,265,658 20,837 192 3,565,327 32,226 CRT securities (2) 89,253 1,285 19 4,538 463 1 93,791 1,748 Total MBS and CRT securities $ 2,388,922 $ 12,674 174 $ 1,270,196 $ 21,300 193 $ 3,659,118 $ 33,974 (1) Based on management’s current estimates of future principal cash flows expected to be received. (2) Amounts disclosed at September 30, 2015 includes CRT securities with a fair value of $9.6 million for which the fair value option has been elected. Such securities have unrealized losses of $19,000 at September 30, 2015.
Schedule of composition of OTTI charges recorded	The following table presents the composition of OTTI charges recorded by the Company for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (In Thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Total OTTI losses $ — $ — $ (525 ) $ — OTTI reclassified from OCI — — (180 ) — OTTI recognized in earnings $ — $ — $ (705 ) $ —
Schedule of changes in credit loss component of OTTI	The following table presents a roll-forward of the credit loss component of OTTI on the Company’s Non-Agency MBS for which a non-credit component of OTTI was previously recognized in OCI. Changes in the credit loss component of OTTI are presented based upon whether the current period is the first time OTTI was recorded on a security or a subsequent OTTI charge was recorded. (In Thousands) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Credit loss component of OTTI at beginning of period $ 36,820 $ 36,115 Additions for credit related OTTI not previously recognized — 461 Subsequent additional credit related OTTI recorded — 244 Credit loss component of OTTI at end of period $ 36,820 $ 36,820
Schedule of changes in the components of the purchase discount on Non-Agency MBS	The following tables present the changes in the components of the Company’s purchase discount on its Non-Agency MBS between purchase discount designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI and accretable purchase discount for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 : Three Months Ended Three Months Ended (In Thousands) Discount Designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI Accretable Discount (1) Discount Designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI (2) Accretable Discount (1)(2) Balance at beginning of period $ (847,017 ) $ (362,946 ) $ (986,842 ) $ (436,111 ) Accretion of discount — 22,805 — 25,504 Realized credit losses 21,527 — 20,733 — Purchases (455 ) 113 (4,200 ) 272 Sales 3,676 11,193 21,024 4,169 Transfers/release of credit reserve 6,872 (6,872 ) 20,185 (20,185 ) Balance at end of period $ (815,397 ) $ (335,707 ) $ (929,100 ) $ (426,351 ) Nine Months Ended Nine Months Ended (In Thousands) Discount Designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI Accretable Discount (1) Discount Designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI (3) Accretable Discount (1)(3) Balance at beginning of period $ (900,557 ) $ (399,564 ) $ (1,043,037 ) $ (460,039 ) Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing (15,543 ) 1,832 — — Accretion of discount — 71,700 — 78,701 Realized credit losses 62,377 — 69,129 — Purchases (1,200 ) (4,012 ) (70,535 ) 25,314 Sales 5,573 28,995 34,780 10,236 Net impairment losses recognized in earnings (705 ) — — — Transfers/release of credit reserve 34,658 (34,658 ) 80,563 (80,563 ) Balance at end of period $ (815,397 ) $ (335,707 ) $ (929,100 ) $ (426,351 ) (1) Together with coupon interest, accretable purchase discount is recognized as interest income over the life of the security. (2) The Company reallocated $333,000 of purchase discount designated as Credit Reserve to accretable purchase discount on Non-Agency MBS underlying Linked Transactions during the three months ended September 30, 2014 . (3) The Company reallocated $218,000 of purchase discount designated as Credit Reserve to accretable purchase discount on Non-Agency MBS underlying Linked Transactions during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 .
Schedule of impact of AFS on AOCI	The following table presents the impact of the Company’s AFS securities on its AOCI for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 : Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, (In Thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 AOCI from AFS securities: Unrealized gain on AFS securities at beginning of period $ 759,151 $ 905,704 $ 813,515 $ 752,912 Unrealized (loss)/gain on Agency MBS, net (2,028 ) (14,937 ) (14,393 ) 46,000 Unrealized (loss)/gain on Non-Agency MBS, net (42,011 ) (28,473 ) (72,791 ) 70,973 Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing — — 4,537 — Reclassification adjustment for MBS sales included in net income (11,363 ) (13,589 ) (26,414 ) (21,180 ) Reclassification adjustment for OTTI included in net income — — (705 ) — Change in AOCI from AFS securities (55,402 ) (56,999 ) (109,766 ) 95,793 Balance at end of period $ 703,749 $ 848,705 $ 703,749 $ 848,705
Schedule of interest income on MBS and CRT Securities	The following table presents the components of interest income on the Company’s MBS and CRT securities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 : Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, (In Thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Agency MBS Coupon interest $ 35,154 $ 46,529 $ 113,543 $ 145,864 Effective yield adjustment (1) (11,536 ) (13,463 ) (32,513 ) (35,860 ) Interest income $ 23,618 $ 33,066 $ 81,030 $ 110,004 Legacy Non-Agency MBS Coupon interest $ 44,824 $ 52,270 $ 141,152 $ 161,318 Effective yield adjustment (2) 21,955 25,477 69,816 78,561 Interest income $ 66,779 $ 77,747 $ 210,968 $ 239,879 RPL/NPL MBS Coupon interest $ 22,898 $ 97 $ 63,602 $ 800 Effective yield adjustment (2) 753 — 1,662 — Interest income $ 23,651 $ 97 $ 65,264 $ 800 CRT securities Coupon interest $ 1,432 $ 30 $ 4,000 $ 30 Effective yield adjustment (2) 161 — 477 — Interest income $ 1,593 $ 30 $ 4,477 $ 30 (1) Includes amortization of premium paid net of accretion of purchase discount. For Agency MBS, interest income is recorded at an effective yield, which reflects net premium amortization based on actual prepayment activity. (2) The effective yield adjustment is the difference between the net income calculated using the net yield, which is based on management’s estimates of the amount and timing of future cash flows, less the current coupon yield.

Residential Whole Loans (Tables

Residential Whole Loans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Schedule of Activity in Allowance for Loan Losses, Residential Whole Loans	The following table presents the activity in the Company’s allowance for loan losses on its residential whole loan pools at carrying value for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 . (In Thousands) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Balance at the beginning of period $ 587 $ 137 Provisions for loan losses 335 785 Balance at the end of the period $ 922 $ 922
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities Acquired During Period	The following table presents information regarding estimates of the contractually required payments, the cash flows expected to be collected, and the estimated fair value of the residential whole loans held at carrying value acquired by the Company for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 : (In Thousands) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Contractually required principal and interest $ 10,646 $ 103,950 Contractual cash flows not expected to be collected (non-accretable yield) (1,313 ) (18,465 ) Expected cash flows to be collected 9,333 85,485 Interest component of expected cash flows (accretable yield) (3,620 ) (34,901 ) Fair value at the date of acquisition $ 5,713 $ 50,584
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Accounted for as Debt Securities, Accretable Yield Movement	The following table presents accretable yield activity for the Company’s residential whole loans held at carrying value for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 : (In Thousands) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Balance at beginning of period $ 155,574 $ 133,012 Additions 3,620 34,901 Accretion (3,972 ) (11,406 ) Reclassifications to non-accretable difference, net 2,692 1,407 Balance at end of period $ 157,914 $ 157,914
Residential Whole Loans, Fair Value	The following table presents information regarding the Company’s residential whole loans at fair value at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : (Dollars in Thousands) September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Outstanding principal balance $ 670,068 $ 182,613 Aggregate fair value $ 531,537 $ 143,472 Number of loans 2,713 885
Residential Whole Loans, Fair Value, Component of Net gain on residential whole loans	The following table presents the components of Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 : (In Thousands) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Coupon payments and other income received $ 2,186 $ 5,018 Net unrealized gains 2,362 3,872 Net gain on payoff/liquidation of loans 431 1,286 Total $ 4,979 $ 10,176

Interest Receivable (Tables)

Interest Receivable (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Schedule of company's interest receivable by investment category	The following table presents the Company’s interest receivable by investment category at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : (In Thousands) September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 MBS interest receivable: Fannie Mae $ 9,390 $ 11,761 Freddie Mac 2,271 2,598 Ginnie Mae 15 17 Non-Agency MBS 16,080 16,794 Total MBS interest receivable 27,756 31,170 Residential whole loans 2,229 1,324 CRT securities 110 66 Money market and other investments 20 21 Total interest receivable $ 30,115 $ 32,581

Derivative Instruments (Tables)

Derivative Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of derivative instruments and balance sheet location	The following table presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative instruments and their balance sheet location at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : September 30, September 30, December 31, Derivative Instrument Designation Balance Sheet Location Notional Amount Fair Value (In Thousands) Linked Transactions Non-Hedging Assets N/A N/A $ 398,336 Non-cleared legacy Swaps (1) Hedging Assets $ 100,000 $ 18 $ 3,136 Non-cleared legacy Swaps (1) Hedging Liabilities $ 400,000 $ (639 ) $ (4,263 ) Cleared Swaps (2) Hedging Liabilities $ 2,550,000 $ (104,834 ) $ (57,935 ) (1) Non-cleared legacy Swaps include Swaps executed and settled bilaterally with counterparties without the use of an organized exchange or central clearing house. (2) Cleared Swaps include Swaps executed bilaterally with a counterparty in the over-the-counter market but then novated to a central clearing house, whereby the central clearing house becomes the counterparty to both of the original counterparties.
Schedule of information about the Legacy Non-Agency MBS, RPL/NPL MBS, CRT securities and repurchase agreements underlying the Linked Transactions	The following tables present certain information about the Legacy Non-Agency MBS, RPL/NPL MBS, CRT securities and repurchase agreements underlying the Company’s Linked Transactions at December 31, 2014 : Linked Transactions at December 31, 2014 Linked Repurchase Agreements Linked MBS/CRT Securities Maturity or Repricing Balance Weighted Average Interest Rate Fair Value Amortized Cost Par/Current Face Weighted Average Coupon Rate (Dollars in Thousands) (Dollars in Thousands) Within 30 days $ 1,514,393 1.47 % Legacy Non-Agency MBS $ 66,382 $ 61,658 $ 72,513 4.20 % >30 days to 90 days 5,200 1.35 RPL/NPL MBS 1,846,807 1,847,118 1,849,974 3.49 Total $ 1,519,593 1.47 % CRT securities 4,624 4,500 4,500 4.56 Total $ 1,917,813 $ 1,913,276 $ 1,926,987 3.52 %
Schedule of information about the components of the unrealized net gains/(losses) and net interest income from Linked Transactions	The following table presents certain information about the components of the unrealized net gains and net interest income from Linked Transactions included in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 : Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended (In Thousands) 2014 2014 Interest income attributable to MBS underlying Linked Transactions $ 6,625 $ 11,591 Interest expense attributable to linked repurchase agreement borrowings underlying Linked Transactions (2,246 ) (3,719 ) Change in fair value of Linked Transactions included in earnings (1,820 ) 1,714 Unrealized net gains and net interest income from Linked Transactions $ 2,559 $ 9,586
Schedule of assets pledged as collateral against derivative contracts	The following table presents the assets pledged as collateral against the Company’s Swap contracts at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : (In Thousands) September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Agency MBS, at fair value $ 42,994 $ 57,247 Restricted cash 109,223 66,486 Total assets pledged against Swaps $ 152,217 $ 123,733
Schedule of information about Swap activity	The following table presents certain information with respect to the Company’s Swap activity during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 : (Dollars in Thousands) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended New Swaps: Aggregate notional amount $ — $ — Weighted average fixed-pay rate — % — % Initial maturity date N/A N/A Number of new Swaps — — Swaps amortized/expired: Aggregate notional amount $ — $ 710,170 Weighted average fixed-pay rate — % 1.96 %
Schedule of information about swaps	The following table presents information about the Company’s Swaps at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Notional Amount Weighted Average Fixed-Pay Interest Rate Weighted Average Variable Interest Rate (2) Notional Amount Weighted Average Fixed-Pay Interest Rate Weighted Average Variable Interest Rate (2) Maturity (1) (Dollars in Thousands) Within 30 days $ — — % — % $ 22,290 3.63 % 0.23 % Over 30 days to 3 months — — — 387,880 1.80 0.16 Over 3 months to 6 months 50,000 2.13 0.20 300,000 2.06 0.17 Over 6 months to 12 months — — — — — — Over 12 months to 24 months 450,000 0.56 0.20 150,000 1.03 0.16 Over 24 months to 36 months 550,000 1.49 0.21 350,000 0.58 0.16 Over 36 months to 48 months 200,000 1.71 0.20 550,000 1.49 0.16 Over 48 months to 60 months 1,500,000 2.22 0.21 200,000 1.71 0.17 Over 60 months to 72 months 200,000 2.20 0.21 1,500,000 2.22 0.16 Over 72 months to 84 months — — — 200,000 2.20 0.17 Over 84 months (3) 100,000 2.75 0.22 100,000 2.75 0.16 Total Swaps $ 3,050,000 1.82 % 0.20 % $ 3,760,170 1.85 % 0.16 % (1) Each maturity category reflects contractual amortization and/or maturity of notional amounts. (2) Reflects the benchmark variable rate due from the counterparty at the date presented, which rate adjusts monthly or quarterly based on one -month or three -month LIBOR, respectively. (3) Reflects one Swap with a maturity date of July 2023.
Schedule of interest expense and the weighted average interest rate paid and received on swaps	The following table presents the net impact of the Company’s derivative hedging instruments on its interest expense and the weighted average interest rate paid and received for such Swaps for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 : Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (Dollars in Thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Interest expense attributable to Swaps $ 12,711 $ 17,491 $ 41,266 $ 53,129 Weighted average Swap rate paid 1.82 % 1.91 % 1.83 % 1.92 % Weighted average Swap rate received 0.19 % 0.16 % 0.18 % 0.16 %
Schedule of impact of hedging instruments on AOCI	The following table presents the impact of the Company’s derivative hedging instruments on its AOCI for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 : Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (In Thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 AOCI from derivative hedging instruments: Balance at beginning of period $ (64,571 ) $ (54,671 ) $ (59,062 ) $ (15,217 ) Unrealized (loss)/gain on Swaps, net (40,884 ) 23,500 (46,393 ) (16,401 ) Reclassification of unrealized loss on de-designated Swaps — — — 447 Balance at end of period $ (105,455 ) $ (31,171 ) $ (105,455 ) $ (31,171 )

Real Estate Owned (Tables)

Real Estate Owned (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Real Estate [Abstract]
Schedule of Activity for Real Estate Owned	The following table presents the activity in the Company’s REO for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The Company did not have REO during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 . (In Thousands) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Balance at beginning of period $ 8,857 $ 5,492 Adjustments to record at lower of cost or fair value (560 ) (1,939 ) Transfer from residential whole loans (1) 5,892 12,894 Purchases and capital improvements 2,052 2,052 Disposals (1,716 ) (3,974 ) Balance at end of period $ 14,525 $ 14,525 (1) Includes net gain recorded on transfer of approximately $110,000 and $704,000 , respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 .

Repurchase Agreements and Oth32

Repurchase Agreements and Other Advances (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Disclosure of Repurchase Agreements [Abstract]
Schedule of Company's borrowings under repurchase agreements and associated assets pledged as collateral	The following table presents information with respect to the Company’s borrowings under repurchase agreements and associated assets pledged as collateral at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : (Dollars in Thousands) September 30, December 31, Repurchase agreement borrowings secured by Agency MBS $ 4,151,976 $ 5,177,835 Fair value of Agency MBS pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements $ 4,373,565 $ 5,462,566 Weighted average haircut on Agency MBS (1) 4.70 % 4.79 % Repurchase agreement borrowings secured by Legacy Non-Agency MBS (2) $ 2,043,188 $ 2,233,236 Fair value of Legacy Non-Agency MBS pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements (2)(3) $ 2,974,878 $ 3,491,312 Weighted average haircut on Legacy Non-Agency MBS (1) 25.74 % 28.88 % Repurchase agreement borrowings secured by RPL/NPL MBS (2) $ 1,997,579 $ 130,919 Fair value of RPL/NPL MBS pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements (2) $ 2,487,168 $ 160,688 Weighted average haircut on RPL/NPL MBS (1) 21.29 % 20.00 % Repurchase agreements secured by U.S. Treasuries $ 497,973 $ 507,114 Fair value of U.S. Treasuries pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements $ 508,838 $ 512,105 Weighted average haircut on U.S. Treasuries (1) 2.00 % 1.62 % Repurchase agreements secured by CRT securities (2) $ 92,566 $ 75,960 Fair value of CRT securities pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements (2) $ 118,616 $ 94,610 Weighted average haircut on CRT securities (1) 25.17 % 25.00 % Repurchase agreements secured by residential whole loans $ 427,552 $ 142,324 Fair value of residential whole loans pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements $ 595,503 $ 212,986 Weighted average haircut on residential whole loans (1) 27.69 % 33.43 % (1) Haircut represents the percentage amount by which the collateral value is contractually required to exceed the loan amount. (2) Does not reflect Legacy Non-Agency MBS, RPL/NPL MBS, CRT securities and repurchase agreement borrowings that were components of Linked Transactions at December 31, 2014. As previously discussed, new accounting guidance effective January 1, 2015 prospectively eliminated the use of Linked Transaction accounting. (See Note 6 ) (3) Includes $588.6 million and $1.275 billion of Legacy Non-Agency MBS acquired from consolidated VIEs at September 30, 2015 , and December 31, 2014 , respectively, that are eliminated from the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
Schedule of repricing information about borrowings under repurchase agreements	The following table presents repricing information about the Company’s borrowings under repurchase agreements, which does not reflect the impact of associated derivative hedging instruments, at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Balance Weighted Average Interest Rate Balance (1) Weighted Average Interest Rate Time Until Interest Rate Reset (Dollars in Thousands) Within 30 days $ 8,065,678 1.05 % $ 7,144,737 0.72 % Over 30 days to 3 months 938,682 1.75 1,000,313 1.12 Over 3 months to 12 months 206,474 2.12 122,338 1.98 Total $ 9,210,834 1.14 % $ 8,267,388 0.79 % (1) At December 31, 2014 , the Company had repurchase agreements of $1.520 billion that were linked to securities purchased and accounted for as Linked Transactions and, as such, the linked repurchase agreements are not included in the above table. As previously discussed, new accounting guidance effective January 1, 2015 prospectively eliminated the use of Linked Transaction accounting. (See Note 6 )
Schedule of contractual maturity information about repurchase agreements	The following table presents contractual maturity information about the Company’s borrowings under repurchase agreements, all of which are accounted for as secured borrowings, at September 30, 2015 and does not reflect the impact of derivative contracts that hedge such repurchase agreements: September 30, 2015 Contractual Maturity Agency MBS Legacy Non-Agency MBS RPL/NPL MBS U.S. Treasuries CRT Securities Residential Whole Loans Total Weighted Average Interest Rate (Dollars in Thousands) Overnight $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — — % Within 30 days 3,828,598 1,356,021 1,310,902 497,973 73,459 126,051 7,193,004 0.98 Over 30 days to 3 months 206,088 480,693 686,677 — 19,107 — 1,392,565 1.56 Over 3 months to 12 months 117,290 206,474 — — — 126,457 450,221 1.76 Over 12 months — — — — — 175,044 175,044 2.83 Total $ 4,151,976 $ 2,043,188 $ 1,997,579 $ 497,973 $ 92,566 $ 427,552 $ 9,210,834 1.14 % Gross amount of recognized liabilities for repurchase agreements in Note 10 $ 9,210,834 Amounts related to repurchase agreements not included in offsetting disclosure in Note 10 $ —
Schedule of information about counterparty for repurchase agreements for which the entity had greater than 5% of stockholders' equity at risk	The following table presents information with respect to each counterparty under repurchase agreements for which the Company had greater than 5% of stockholders’ equity at risk in the aggregate at September 30, 2015 : September 30, 2015 Counterparty Rating (1) Amount at Risk (2) Weighted Average Months to Maturity for Repurchase Agreements Percent of Stockholders’ Equity Counterparty (Dollars in Thousands) Credit Suisse BBB+/Aa2/A $ 382,105 1 12.5 % Wells Fargo (3) AA-/Aa2/AA 345,100 6 11.3 RBC (4) AA-/Aa3/AA 337,792 2 11.1 UBS (5) A/A2/A 214,022 4 7.0 (1) As rated at September 30, 2015 by S&P, Moody’s and Fitch, Inc., respectively. The counterparty rating presented is the lowest published for these entities. (2) The amount at risk reflects the difference between (a) the amount loaned to the Company through repurchase agreements, including interest payable, and (b) the cash and the fair value of the securities pledged by the Company as collateral, including accrued interest receivable on such securities. (3) Includes $278.1 million at risk with Wells Fargo Bank, NA and $67.0 million at risk with Wells Fargo Securities LLC. (4) Includes $311.8 million at risk with RBC Barbados, $17.1 million at risk with Royal Bank of Canada and $8.9 million at risk with RBC Capital Markets LLC. Counterparty ratings are not published for RBC Barbados and RBC Capital Markets LLC. (5) Includes Non-Agency MBS pledged as collateral with contemporaneous repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements.

Collateral Positions (Tables)

Collateral Positions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Collateral Positions
Schedule of fair value of collateral pledged and collateral held	The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s collateral positions, which includes collateral pledged and collateral held, with respect to its borrowings under repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, derivative hedging instruments and FHLB advances at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 (In Thousands) Assets Pledged Collateral Held Assets Pledged Collateral Held Derivative Hedging Instruments: Agency MBS $ 42,994 $ — $ 57,247 $ — Cash (1) 109,223 — 66,486 — 152,217 — 123,733 — Repurchase Agreement Borrowings: Agency MBS 4,373,565 — 5,462,566 — Legacy Non-Agency MBS (2)(3) 2,974,878 — 3,491,312 — RPL/NPL MBS 2,487,168 — 160,688 — U.S. Treasury securities 508,838 — 512,105 — CRT securities 118,616 — 94,610 — Residential whole loans 595,503 — 212,986 — Cash (1) 774 — 769 — 11,059,342 — 9,935,036 — FHLB Advances: Agency MBS 285,878 — — — 285,878 — — — Reverse Repurchase Agreements: U.S. Treasury securities — 508,838 — 512,105 — 508,838 — 512,105 Total $ 11,497,437 $ 508,838 $ 10,058,769 $ 512,105 (1) Cash pledged as collateral is reported as “Restricted cash” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. (2) Includes $588.6 million and $1.275 billion of Legacy Non-Agency MBS acquired in connection with resecuritization transactions from consolidated VIEs at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively, that are eliminated from the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. (3) In addition, at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , $732.7 million and $731.0 million of Legacy Non-Agency MBS, respectively, are pledged as collateral in connection with contemporaneous repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements entered into with a single counterparty.
Schedule of additional information about assets Pledged as collateral pursuant to borrowings under repurchase agreements and Derivative Hedging Contracts	The following table presents detailed information about the Company’s assets pledged as collateral pursuant to its borrowings under repurchase agreements and other advances, and derivative hedging instruments at September 30, 2015 : September 30, 2015 Assets Pledged Under Repurchase Agreements and Other Advances Assets Pledged Against Derivative Hedging Instruments Total Fair Value of Assets Pledged and Accrued Interest (In Thousands) Fair Value Amortized Cost Accrued Interest on Pledged Assets Fair Value/ Carrying Value Amortized Cost Accrued Interest on Pledged Assets Agency MBS (1) $ 4,659,443 $ 4,599,795 $ 10,863 $ 42,994 $ 43,439 $ 88 $ 4,713,388 Legacy Non-Agency MBS (2)(3) 2,974,878 2,395,645 10,789 — — — 2,985,667 RPL/NPL MBS 2,487,168 2,489,964 1,424 — — — 2,488,592 U.S. Treasuries 508,838 508,838 — — — — 508,838 CRT securities 118,616 120,232 84 — — — 118,700 Residential whole loans 595,503 587,928 1,394 — — — 596,897 Cash (4) 774 774 — 109,223 109,223 — 109,997 Total $ 11,345,220 $ 10,703,176 $ 24,554 $ 152,217 $ 152,662 $ 88 $ 11,522,079 (1) Includes Agency MBS pledged under FHLB advances with an aggregate fair value of $285.9 million , aggregate amortized cost of $281.8 million and aggregate accrued interest of approximately $716,000 at September 30, 2015 . (2) Includes $588.6 million of Legacy Non-Agency MBS acquired in connection with resecuritization transactions from consolidated VIEs at September 30, 2015 , that are eliminated from the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. (3) In addition, at September 30, 2015 , $732.7 million of Legacy Non-Agency MBS are pledged as collateral in connection with contemporaneous repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements entered into with a single counterparty. (4) Cash pledged as collateral is reported as “Restricted cash” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

Offsetting Assets and Liabili34

Offsetting Assets and Liabilities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Offsetting [Abstract]
Schedule of information about certain assets that are subject to master netting arrangements (or similar agreements)	The following tables present information about certain assets and liabilities that are subject to master netting arrangements (or similar agreements) and may potentially be offset on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : Offsetting of Financial Assets and Derivative Assets Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets Net Amount (In Thousands) Financial Instruments Cash Collateral Received September 30, 2015 Swaps, at fair value $ 18 $ — $ 18 $ (18 ) $ — $ — Total $ 18 $ — $ 18 $ (18 ) $ — $ — December 31, 2014 Swaps, at fair value $ 3,136 $ — $ 3,136 $ (3,136 ) $ — $ — Total $ 3,136 $ — $ 3,136 $ (3,136 ) $ — $ —
Schedule of information about certain liabilities that are subject to master netting arrangements (or similar agreements)	Offsetting of Financial Liabilities and Derivative Liabilities Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets Net Amount (In Thousands) Financial Instruments (1) Cash Collateral Pledged (1) September 30, 2015 Swaps, at fair value (2) $ 105,473 $ — $ 105,473 $ — $ (105,473 ) $ — Repurchase agreements and other advances (3) 9,475,834 — 9,475,834 (9,475,060 ) (774 ) — Total $ 9,581,307 $ — $ 9,581,307 $ (9,475,060 ) $ (106,247 ) $ — December 31, 2014 Swaps, at fair value (2) $ 62,198 $ — $ 62,198 $ — $ (62,198 ) $ — Repurchase agreements (3) 8,267,388 — 8,267,388 (8,266,619 ) (769 ) — Total $ 8,329,586 $ — $ 8,329,586 $ (8,266,619 ) $ (62,967 ) $ — (1) Amounts disclosed in the Financial Instruments column of the table above represent collateral pledged that is available to be offset against liability balances associated with repurchase agreements and other advances, and derivative transactions. Amounts disclosed in the Cash Collateral Pledged column of the table above represent amounts pledged as collateral against derivative transactions and repurchase agreements, and exclude excess collateral of $3.8 million and $4.3 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. (2) The fair value of securities pledged against the Company’s Swaps was $43.0 million and $57.2 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. (3) The fair value of financial instruments pledged against the Company’s repurchase agreements and other advances was $11.344 billion and $9.934 billion at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively.

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Schedule of preferred stock dividend declaration and payment	The following table presents cash dividends declared by the Company on its Series B Preferred Stock from January 1, 2015 through September 30, 2015 : Declaration Date Record Date Payment Date Dividend Per Share August 24, 2015 September 9, 2015 September 30, 2015 $ 0.46875 May 18, 2015 June 2, 2015 June 30, 2015 0.46875 February 13, 2015 February 27, 2015 March 31, 2015 0.46875
Schedule of cash dividends declared on common stock	The following table presents cash dividends declared by the Company on its common stock from January 1, 2015 through September 30, 2015 : Declaration Date (1) Record Date Payment Date Dividend Per Share September 17, 2015 September 29, 2015 October 30, 2015 $ 0.20 (1) June 15, 2015 June 29, 2015 July 31, 2015 0.20 March 13, 2015 March 27, 2015 April 30, 2015 0.20 (1) At September 30, 2015 , the Company had accrued dividends and dividend equivalents payable of $74.6 million related to the common stock dividend declared on September 17, 2015 .
Schedule of changes in balances of each component of the entity's AOCI	The following table presents changes in the balances of each component of the Company’s AOCI for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 : Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (In Thousands) Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on AFS Securities Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Swaps Total AOCI Net Unrealized Net Total AOCI Balance at beginning of period $ 759,151 $ (64,571 ) $ 694,580 $ 813,515 $ (59,062 ) $ 754,453 OCI before reclassifications (44,039 ) (40,884 ) (84,923 ) (87,184 ) (46,393 ) (133,577 ) Amounts reclassified from AOCI (1) (11,363 ) — (11,363 ) (27,119 ) — (27,119 ) Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing — — — 4,537 — 4,537 Net OCI during the period (2) (55,402 ) (40,884 ) (96,286 ) (109,766 ) (46,393 ) (156,159 ) Balance at end of period $ 703,749 $ (105,455 ) $ 598,294 $ 703,749 $ (105,455 ) $ 598,294 The following table presents changes in the balances of each component of the Company’s AOCI for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 : Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (In Thousands) Net Unrealized Net Total AOCI Net Unrealized Net Total AOCI Balance at beginning of period $ 905,704 $ (54,671 ) $ 851,033 $ 752,912 $ (15,217 ) $ 737,695 OCI before reclassifications (43,410 ) 23,500 (19,910 ) 116,973 (16,401 ) 100,572 Amounts reclassified from AOCI (1) (13,589 ) — (13,589 ) (21,180 ) 447 (20,733 ) Net OCI during the period (2) (56,999 ) 23,500 (33,499 ) 95,793 (15,954 ) 79,839 Balance at end of period $ 848,705 $ (31,171 ) $ 817,534 $ 848,705 $ (31,171 ) $ 817,534 (1) See separate table below for details about these reclassifications. (2) For further information regarding changes in OCI, see the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss).
Information about the significant amounts reclassified out of the entity's AOCI	The following table presents information about the significant amounts reclassified out of the Company’s AOCI for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 : Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Details about AOCI Components Amounts Reclassified from AOCI Affected Line Item in the Statement Where Net Income Is Presented (In Thousands) AFS Securities: Realized gain on sale of securities $ (11,363 ) $ (26,414 ) Gain on sales of MBS OTTI recognized in earnings — (705 ) Net impairment losses recognized in earnings Total AFS Securities $ (11,363 ) $ (27,119 ) Total reclassifications for period $ (11,363 ) $ (27,119 ) The following table presents information about the significant amounts reclassified out of the Company’s AOCI for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 : Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Details about AOCI Components Amounts Amounts Affected Line Item in the Statement (In Thousands) AFS Securities: Realized gain on sale of securities $ (13,589 ) $ (21,180 ) Gain on sales of MBS Swaps designated as cash flow hedges: De-designated Swaps $ — $ 447 Other, net Total reclassifications for period $ (13,589 ) $ (20,733 )

EPS Calculation (Tables)

EPS Calculation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of reconciliation of the earnings and shares used in calculating basic and diluted EPS	The following table presents a reconciliation of the earnings and shares used in calculating basic and diluted EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 : Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Numerator: Net income $ 79,510 $ 78,882 $ 239,754 $ 233,796 Dividends declared on preferred stock (3,750 ) (3,750 ) (11,250 ) (11,250 ) Dividends, dividend equivalents and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities (396 ) (281 ) (1,183 ) (842 ) Net income to common stockholders - basic and diluted $ 75,364 $ 74,851 $ 227,321 $ 221,704 Denominator: Weighted average common shares for basic and diluted earnings per share (1) 372,178 369,690 372,056 368,430 Basic and diluted earnings per share $ 0.20 $ 0.20 $ 0.61 $ 0.60 (1) At September 30, 2015 , the Company had an aggregate of 2.1 million equity instruments outstanding that were not included in the calculation of diluted EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. These equity instruments were comprised of approximately 181,000 shares of restricted common stock with a weighted average grant date fair value of $7.49 and approximately 1.9 million RSUs with a weighted average grant date fair value of $6.90 . These equity instruments may have a dilutive impact on future EPS.

Equity Compensation, Employme37

Equity Compensation, Employment Agreements and Other Benefit Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Compensation Related Costs [Abstract]
Schedule of expenses related to equity-based compensation	The following table presents the Company’s expenses related to its equity-based compensation instruments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 : Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (In Thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Restricted shares of common stock $ 247 $ 643 $ 841 $ 1,892 RSUs 764 591 2,698 2,354 (1) Dividend equivalent rights 20 37 61 111 Total $ 1,031 $ 1,271 $ 3,600 $ 4,357 (1) RSU expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 includes approximately $500,000 for a one-time grant to the Company ’ s chief executive officer.
Schedule of expenses related to deferred compensation plans	The following table presents the Company’s expenses related to its Deferred Plans for its non-employee directors and senior officers for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 : Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (In Thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Non-employee directors $ (35 ) $ (11 ) $ (51 ) $ 52 Total $ (35 ) $ (11 ) $ (51 ) $ 52
Schedule of aggregate income deferred by participants and associated liability under deferred compensation plans	The following table presents the aggregate amount of income deferred by participants of the Deferred Plans through September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 that had not been distributed and the Company’s associated liability for such deferrals at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 (In Thousands) Undistributed Income Deferred (1) Liability Under Deferred Plans Undistributed Income Deferred (1) Liability Under Deferred Plans Non-employee directors $ 488 $ 510 $ 324 $ 446 Total $ 488 $ 510 $ 324 $ 446 (1) Represents the cumulative amounts that were deferred by participants through September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , which had not been distributed through such respective date.

Fair Value of Financial Instr38

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of financial instruments carried at fair value by valuation hierarchy	The following table presents the Company’s financial instruments carried at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2015 , on the consolidated balance sheet by the valuation hierarchy, as previously described: (In Thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets: Agency MBS $ — $ 5,020,477 $ — $ 5,020,477 Non-Agency MBS, including MBS transferred to consolidated VIEs — 6,524,222 — 6,524,222 CRT securities — 149,968 — 149,968 Securities obtained and pledged as collateral 509,620 — — 509,620 Residential whole loans, at fair value — — 531,537 531,537 Swaps — 18 — 18 Total assets carried at fair value $ 509,620 $ 11,694,685 $ 531,537 $ 12,735,842 Liabilities: Swaps $ — $ 105,473 $ — $ 105,473 Obligation to return securities obtained as collateral 509,620 — — 509,620 Total liabilities carried at fair value $ 509,620 $ 105,473 $ — $ 615,093
Schedule of significant unobservable inputs used in fair value measurement of residential whole loans	The following table presents additional information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 about the Company’s Residential whole loans, at fair value, which are classified as Level 3 and measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The Company did not own any residential whole loans held at fair value during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 . Changes in Level 3 Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (In Thousands) Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Nine Months Ended Balance at beginning of period $ 183,861 $ 143,472 Purchases and capitalized advances 357,258 410,981 Changes in fair value recorded in Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value 2,362 3,872 Collection of principal, net of liquidation gains/losses (7,152 ) (15,716 ) Transfer to REO (4,792 ) (11,072 ) Balance at end of period $ 531,537 $ 531,537
Schedule of quantitative information about significant unobservable inputs	The following table presents a summary of quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s residential whole loans held at fair value for which it has utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value as of September 30, 2015 : Fair Value Methodology for Level 3 Financial Instruments September 30, 2015 (Dollars in Thousands) Fair Value (1) Valuation Technique Unobservable Input Range Weighted Average Residential whole loans, at fair value $ 65,176 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 6.00-7.83% 6.85 % Prepayment rate 0.25-10.60% 6.62 % Default rate 0.00-8.80% 3.23 % Loss severity 10.00-75.62% 19.02 % $ 105,757 Liquidation model Discount rate 6.75-9.56% 7.13 % Annual change in home prices (6.75)-4.94% 1.56 % Liquidation timeline (in years) 0.92-4.67 1.86 Current value of underlying properties $29-$3,440 $475 Total $ 170,933 (1) Excludes approximately $360.6 million of loans for which the purchase transaction closed in September 2015 as management considers the purchase price continues to reflect the fair value of such loans at September 30, 2015.
Schedule of residential whole loans, fair value and aggregate unpaid principal, fair value option elected	The following table presents the difference between the fair value and the aggregate unpaid principal balance of the Company’s residential whole loans for which the fair value option was elected, at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 (In Thousands) Fair Value Unpaid Principal Balance Difference Fair Value Unpaid Principal Balance Difference Residential whole loans, at fair value Total loans $ 531,537 $ 670,068 $ (138,531 ) $ 143,472 $ 182,613 $ (39,141 ) Loans 90 days or more past due $ 432,974 $ 555,861 $ (122,887 ) $ 128,591 $ 165,358 $ (36,767 )
Schedule of carrying value and fair value of financial instruments	The following table presents the carrying values and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Carrying Value Estimated Fair Value Carrying Value Estimated Fair Value (In Thousands) Financial Assets: Agency MBS $ 5,020,477 $ 5,020,477 $ 5,904,207 $ 5,904,207 Non-Agency MBS, including MBS transferred to consolidated VIEs 6,524,222 6,524,222 4,755,432 4,755,432 CRT securities 149,968 149,968 102,983 102,983 Securities obtained and pledged as collateral 509,620 509,620 512,105 512,105 Residential whole loans, at carrying value 245,894 262,330 207,923 217,386 Residential whole loans, at fair value 531,537 531,537 143,472 143,472 Cash and cash equivalents 174,160 174,160 182,437 182,437 Restricted cash 109,997 109,997 67,255 67,255 Linked Transactions — — 398,336 398,336 Swaps 18 18 3,136 3,136 Financial Liabilities: Repurchase agreements 9,210,834 9,210,989 8,267,388 8,266,699 FHLB advances 265,000 265,000 — — Securitized debt 32,217 32,298 110,574 110,791 Obligation to return securities obtained as collateral 509,620 509,620 512,105 512,105 Senior Notes 100,000 100,351 100,000 103,031 Swaps 105,473 105,473 62,198 62,198

Use of Special Purpose Entiti39

Use of Special Purpose Entities and Variable Interest Entities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Use of Special Purpose Entities and Variable Interest Entities
Summary of key details related to resecuritization transactions	The following table summarizes the key details of the resecuritization transactions in which the Company participated as of September 30, 2015 : (Dollars in Thousands) February 2012 October 2010 Name of Trust (Consolidated as a VIE) WFMLT Series DMSI Principal value of Non-Agency MBS sold $ 433,347 $ 985,228 Face amount of Bonds issued by the VIE and purchased by 3rd party investors (1) $ 186,691 $ 373,577 Outstanding amount of Senior Bonds at September 30, 2015 (1) $ 32,217 $ — Pass-through rate for Senior Bonds issued 2.85 % — % Face amount of Senior Support Certificates received by the Company (2) $ 217,857 $ 472,588 Cash received $ 186,691 $ 375,621 Notional amount acquired of non-rated, interest only senior certificates (1) $ 186,691 $ — Unamortized deferred costs $ 277 $ — (1) Amount disclosed reflects principal balances of the DMSI 2010-RS A1, A2 and A3 bonds. The DMSI 2010-RS2 A2 and A3 bonds were sold to third party investors during 2013. The principal balance of the DMSI 2010-RS2 A1 Bond and associated interest only Senior certificate was paid off during 2013. The principal balances of the DMSI 2010-RS2 A2 and A3 Bonds were paid off in January 2015 and September 2015, respectively. (2) Provides credit support for the sequential Senior Non-Agency MBS sold to third-party investors in resecuritization transactions (“Senior Bonds”).

Summary of Significant Accoun40

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies-Residential Whole Loans (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Number of days considered to classify loans delinquent	60 days
LTV ratio percentage (or less than)	80.00%

Summary of Significant Accoun41

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies-Cash (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Overnight money market funds	$ 156,200	$ 168,000
Restricted cash	$ 109,997	$ 67,255

Summary of Significant Accoun42

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies-Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Goodwill	$ 7,189	$ 7,189

Summary of Significant Accoun43

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies-Depreciation (Details) - Furniture, fixtures, computers and related hardwares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Low end of range
Estimated useful life of long-lived assets
Estimated useful life	5 years
High end of range
Estimated useful life of long-lived assets
Estimated useful life	8 years

Summary of Significant Accoun44

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies-Repurchase (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Repurchase financing period, low end of range	1 month
Repurchase financing period, high end of range	6 months

Summary of Significant Accoun45

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies-Equity Based Compensation (Details)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	21 Months Ended	36 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013
Share based compensation
Forfeiture rate assumption for equity based awards granted in 2009 and prior years (as a percent)	0.00%
Restricted Stock Units
Share based compensation
Vesting period of restricted share units (RSUs)			3 years
Period for measuring market condition of award			3 years	3 years
Restricted Stock Units | Minimum
Share based compensation
Vesting period of restricted share units (RSUs)		2 years		1 year
Period for measuring market condition of award		2 years
Restricted Stock Units | Maximum
Share based compensation
Vesting period of restricted share units (RSUs)		4 years		3 years
Period for measuring market condition of award		4 years

Summary of Significant Accoun46

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies-Income Tax (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
REIT income tax expense	$ 0

Summary of Significant Accoun47

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies-Linked Transactions (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015Component
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Number of components in a linked transaction	2

Summary of Significant Accoun48

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies-New Accounting Standards and Interpretations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
MBS securities recorded upon adoption of revised accounting standard			$ 1,913,000
CRT securities recorded upon adoption of revised accounting standard			4,600
Repurchase agreements recorded upon adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing			1,519,593	$ 0
Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing	$ 0	$ 0	$ 4,537	$ 0

MBS and CRT Securities (Details

MBS and CRT Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of MBS and CRT Securities [Line Items]
Minimum term of fixed rate mortgages underlying MBS		15 years
Principal/ Current Face	$ 11,964,508	$ 11,964,508	$ 11,039,694
Purchase Premiums	181,038	181,038	213,790
Accretable Purchase Discounts	(340,840)	(340,840)	(404,362)
Discount Designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI	(815,397)	(815,397)	(900,557)
Amortized Cost	10,990,421	10,990,421	9,949,107
Fair Value	11,694,667	11,694,667	10,762,622
Gross Unrealized Gains	738,219	738,219	852,963
Gross Unrealized Losses	(33,974)	(33,974)	(39,448)
Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	704,245	704,245	813,515
Principal payments receivable	1,100	1,100	542
Linked Transactions
Schedule of MBS and CRT Securities [Line Items]
Par/Current Face			1,926,987
Amortized Cost			1,913,276
Fair Value			1,917,813
Total MBS
Schedule of MBS and CRT Securities [Line Items]
Principal/ Current Face	11,808,508	11,808,508	10,930,194
Purchase Premiums	181,038	181,038	213,790
Accretable Purchase Discounts	(335,768)	(335,768)	(399,635)
Discount Designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI	(815,397)	(815,397)	(900,557)
Amortized Cost	10,839,493	10,839,493	9,844,334
Fair Value	11,544,699	11,544,699	10,659,639
Gross Unrealized Gains	737,431	737,431	852,639
Gross Unrealized Losses	(32,226)	(32,226)	(37,334)
Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	705,205	705,205	815,305
Agency Mortgage Backed Securities
Schedule of MBS and CRT Securities [Line Items]
Principal/ Current Face	4,772,899	4,772,899	5,610,293
Purchase Premiums	180,806	180,806	213,329
Accretable Purchase Discounts	(61)	(61)	(71)
Discount Designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI	0	0	0
Amortized Cost	4,954,756	4,954,756	5,824,093
Fair Value	5,020,477	5,020,477	5,904,207
Gross Unrealized Gains	88,541	88,541	113,736
Gross Unrealized Losses	(22,820)	(22,820)	(33,622)
Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	65,721	65,721	80,114
Agency Mortgage Backed Securities | Fannie Mae
Schedule of MBS and CRT Securities [Line Items]
Principal/ Current Face	3,875,329	3,875,329	4,587,823
Purchase Premiums	146,519	146,519	174,245
Accretable Purchase Discounts	(61)	(61)	(71)
Discount Designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI	0	0	0
Amortized Cost	4,021,787	4,021,787	4,761,997
Fair Value	4,086,523	4,086,523	4,843,084
Gross Unrealized Gains	79,498	79,498	102,187
Gross Unrealized Losses	(14,762)	(14,762)	(21,100)
Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	64,736	64,736	81,087
Agency Mortgage Backed Securities | Freddie Mac
Schedule of MBS and CRT Securities [Line Items]
Principal/ Current Face	887,904	887,904	1,011,659
Purchase Premiums	34,118	34,118	38,895
Accretable Purchase Discounts	0	0	0
Discount Designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI	0	0	0
Amortized Cost	923,134	923,134	1,051,096
Fair Value	923,872	923,872	1,049,854
Gross Unrealized Gains	8,796	8,796	11,280
Gross Unrealized Losses	(8,058)	(8,058)	(12,522)
Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	738	738	(1,242)
Agency Mortgage Backed Securities | Ginnie Mae
Schedule of MBS and CRT Securities [Line Items]
Principal/ Current Face	9,666	9,666	10,811
Purchase Premiums	169	169	189
Accretable Purchase Discounts	0	0	0
Discount Designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI	0	0	0
Amortized Cost	9,835	9,835	11,000
Fair Value	10,082	10,082	11,269
Gross Unrealized Gains	247	247	269
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0	0
Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	247	247	269
Non-Agency MBS
Schedule of MBS and CRT Securities [Line Items]
Principal/ Current Face	7,035,609	7,035,609	5,319,901
Purchase Premiums	232	232	461
Accretable Purchase Discounts	(335,707)	(335,707)	(399,564)
Discount Designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI	(815,397)	(815,397)	(900,557)
Amortized Cost	5,884,737	5,884,737	4,020,241
Fair Value	6,524,222	6,524,222	4,755,432
Gross Unrealized Gains	648,890	648,890	738,903
Gross Unrealized Losses	(9,406)	(9,406)	(3,712)
Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	639,484	639,484	735,191
Credit Reserve		793,700	877,600
OTTI	21,700	21,700	23,000
Non-Agency MBS | Expected to Recover Par
Schedule of MBS and CRT Securities [Line Items]
Principal/ Current Face	2,764,021	2,764,021	431,788
Purchase Premiums	232	232	461
Accretable Purchase Discounts	(31,691)	(31,691)	(29,501)
Discount Designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI	0	0	0
Amortized Cost	2,732,562	2,732,562	402,748
Fair Value	2,755,036	2,755,036	428,431
Gross Unrealized Gains	27,326	27,326	26,735
Gross Unrealized Losses	(4,853)	(4,853)	(1,052)
Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	22,473	22,473	25,683
Non-Agency MBS | Expected to Recover Less Than Par
Schedule of MBS and CRT Securities [Line Items]
Principal/ Current Face	4,271,588	4,271,588	4,888,113
Purchase Premiums	0	0	0
Accretable Purchase Discounts	(304,016)	(304,016)	(370,063)
Discount Designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI	(815,397)	(815,397)	(900,557)
Amortized Cost	3,152,175	3,152,175	3,617,493
Fair Value	3,769,186	3,769,186	4,327,001
Gross Unrealized Gains	621,564	621,564	712,168
Gross Unrealized Losses	(4,553)	(4,553)	(2,660)
Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	$ 617,011	$ 617,011	$ 709,508
Percentage of current face amount of Non-Agency MBS to be recovered	88.00%	88.00%	83.00%
CRT securities
Schedule of MBS and CRT Securities [Line Items]
Principal/ Current Face	$ 156,000	$ 156,000	$ 109,500
Purchase Premiums	0	0	0
Accretable Purchase Discounts	(5,072)	(5,072)	(4,727)
Discount Designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI	0	0	0
Amortized Cost	150,928	150,928	104,773
Fair Value	149,968	149,968	102,983
Gross Unrealized Gains	788	788	324
Gross Unrealized Losses	(1,748)	(1,748)	(2,114)
Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	(960)	(960)	(1,790)
CRT securities | Fair value option elected, debt securities
Schedule of MBS and CRT Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value	27,700	27,700
Gross Unrealized Gains	515	515
Gross Unrealized Losses	(19)	(19)
Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	496	496
CRT securities | Fair value option elected, debt securities | Other income, net
Schedule of MBS and CRT Securities [Line Items]
Unrealized gains (losses), net	(14)	496
CRT securities | Linked Transactions
Schedule of MBS and CRT Securities [Line Items]
Par/Current Face			4,500
Amortized Cost			4,500
Fair Value			4,624
RPL/NPL MBS
Schedule of MBS and CRT Securities [Line Items]
Principal/ Current Face	2,492,000	2,492,000	161,000
Amortized Cost	2,490,000	2,490,000	161,000
Fair Value	$ 2,487,000	$ 2,487,000	161,000
RPL/NPL MBS | Linked Transactions
Schedule of MBS and CRT Securities [Line Items]
Par/Current Face			1,849,974
Amortized Cost			1,847,118
Fair Value			$ 1,846,807

MBS and CRT Securities (Detai50

MBS and CRT Securities (Details 2)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)Security	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)Security	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Fair Value
Less than 12 Months	$ 2,388,922,000		$ 2,388,922,000
12 Months or more	1,270,196,000		1,270,196,000
Total	3,659,118,000		3,659,118,000
Unrealized Losses
Less than 12 Months	12,674,000		12,674,000
12 Months or more	21,300,000		21,300,000
Total	$ 33,974,000		$ 33,974,000
Number of Securities
Less than 12 months (in security) | Security	174		174
12 months or more (in security) | Security	193		193
Unrealized loss on investment securities	$ (33,974,000)		$ (33,974,000)		$ (39,448,000)
Total OTTI losses	0	$ 0	(525,000)	$ 0
OTTI reclassified from OCI	0	0	(180,000)	0
Net Impairment Losses Recognized in Earnings	0	0	(705,000)	0
Roll-forward of the credit loss component of OTTI
Credit loss component of OTTI at beginning of period	36,820,000		36,115,000
Additions for credit related OTTI not previously recognized	0		461,000
Subsequent additional credit related OTTI recorded	0		244,000
Credit loss component of OTTI at end of period	36,820,000		36,820,000
Changes in the components of the purchase discount on Non-Agency MBS
Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing	0	0	4,537,000	0
AOCI from AFS Securities:
Unrealized gain on AFS securities at beginning of period	759,151,000	905,704,000	813,515,000	752,912,000
Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing	0	0	4,537,000	0
Reclassification adjustment for MBS sales included in net income	(11,363,000)	(13,589,000)	(26,414,000)	(21,180,000)
Reclassification adjustment for OTTI included in net income	0	0	(705,000)	0
Change in AOCI from AFS securities	(55,402,000)	(56,999,000)	(109,766,000)	95,793,000
Balance at end of period	703,749,000	848,705,000	703,749,000	848,705,000
Total MBS
Fair Value
Less than 12 Months	2,299,669,000		2,299,669,000
12 Months or more	1,265,658,000		1,265,658,000
Total	3,565,327,000		3,565,327,000
Unrealized Losses
Less than 12 Months	11,389,000		11,389,000
12 Months or more	20,837,000		20,837,000
Total	$ 32,226,000		$ 32,226,000
Number of Securities
Less than 12 months (in security) | Security	155		155
12 months or more (in security) | Security	192		192
Unrealized loss on investment securities	$ (32,226,000)		$ (32,226,000)		(37,334,000)
Agency Mortgage Backed Securities
Fair Value
Less than 12 Months	768,527,000		768,527,000
12 Months or more	1,184,501,000		1,184,501,000
Total	1,953,028,000		1,953,028,000
Unrealized Losses
Less than 12 Months	5,290,000		5,290,000
12 Months or more	17,530,000		17,530,000
Total	$ 22,820,000		$ 22,820,000
Number of Securities
Less than 12 months (in security) | Security	98		98
12 months or more (in security) | Security	173		173
Unrealized loss on investment securities	$ (22,820,000)		$ (22,820,000)		(33,622,000)
AOCI from AFS Securities:
Unrealized (loss)/gain on AFS securities, net	(2,028,000)	(14,937,000)	(14,393,000)	46,000,000
MBS and CRT Securities Interest Income
Coupon interest	35,154,000	46,529,000	113,543,000	145,864,000
Effective yield adjustment	(11,536,000)	(13,463,000)	(32,513,000)	(35,860,000)
Interest income	23,618,000	33,066,000	81,030,000	110,004,000
Agency Mortgage Backed Securities | Fannie Mae
Fair Value
Less than 12 Months	508,889,000		508,889,000
12 Months or more	852,198,000		852,198,000
Total	1,361,087,000		1,361,087,000
Unrealized Losses
Less than 12 Months	2,921,000		2,921,000
12 Months or more	11,841,000		11,841,000
Total	$ 14,762,000		$ 14,762,000
Number of Securities
Less than 12 months (in security) | Security	63		63
12 months or more (in security) | Security	109		109
Unrealized loss on investment securities	$ (14,762,000)		$ (14,762,000)		(21,100,000)
Agency Mortgage Backed Securities | Freddie Mac
Fair Value
Less than 12 Months	259,638,000		259,638,000
12 Months or more	332,303,000		332,303,000
Total	591,941,000		591,941,000
Unrealized Losses
Less than 12 Months	2,369,000		2,369,000
12 Months or more	5,689,000		5,689,000
Total	$ 8,058,000		$ 8,058,000
Number of Securities
Less than 12 months (in security) | Security	35		35
12 months or more (in security) | Security	64		64
Unrealized loss on investment securities	$ (8,058,000)		$ (8,058,000)		(12,522,000)
Non-Agency MBS
Fair Value
Less than 12 Months	1,531,142,000		1,531,142,000
12 Months or more	81,157,000		81,157,000
Total	1,612,299,000		1,612,299,000
Unrealized Losses
Less than 12 Months	6,099,000		6,099,000
12 Months or more	3,307,000		3,307,000
Total	$ 9,406,000		$ 9,406,000
Number of Securities
Less than 12 months (in security) | Security	57		57
12 months or more (in security) | Security	19		19
Unrealized loss on investment securities	$ (9,406,000)		$ (9,406,000)		(3,712,000)
Credit-related OTTI losses	0		(705,000)
Changes in the components of the purchase discount on Non-Agency MBS
MBS linked transactions purchase discount designated as credit reserve reallocated to accretable purchase discount		333,000		218,000
AOCI from AFS Securities:
Unrealized (loss)/gain on AFS securities, net	(42,011,000)	(28,473,000)	(72,791,000)	70,973,000
Sales of MBS
Proceeds from sale of MBS categorized as available-for-sale	23,500,000	61,600,000	50,700,000	103,600,000
Gains on sales of MBS	11,200,000	13,900,000	25,200,000	25,300,000
Non-Agency MBS | Discount Designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI
Changes in the components of the purchase discount on Non-Agency MBS
Balance at beginning of period	(847,017,000)	(986,842,000)	(900,557,000)	(1,043,037,000)
Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing			(15,543,000)	0
Accretion of discount	0	0	0	0
Realized credit losses	21,527,000	20,733,000	62,377,000	69,129,000
Purchases	(455,000)	(4,200,000)	(1,200,000)	(70,535,000)
Sales	3,676,000	21,024,000	5,573,000	34,780,000
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings			(705,000)	0
Transfers/release of credit reserve	6,872,000	20,185,000	34,658,000	80,563,000
Balance at end of period	(815,397,000)	(929,100,000)	(815,397,000)	(929,100,000)
AOCI from AFS Securities:
Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing			(15,543,000)	0
Non-Agency MBS | Accretable Discount
Changes in the components of the purchase discount on Non-Agency MBS
Balance at beginning of period	(362,946,000)	(436,111,000)	(399,564,000)	(460,039,000)
Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing			1,832,000	0
Accretion of discount	22,805,000	25,504,000	71,700,000	78,701,000
Realized credit losses	0	0	0	0
Purchases	113,000	272,000	(4,012,000)	25,314,000
Sales	11,193,000	4,169,000	28,995,000	10,236,000
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings			0	0
Transfers/release of credit reserve	(6,872,000)	(20,185,000)	(34,658,000)	(80,563,000)
Balance at end of period	(335,707,000)	(426,351,000)	(335,707,000)	(426,351,000)
AOCI from AFS Securities:
Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing			1,832,000	0
Non-Agency MBS | Expected to Recover Par
Fair Value
Less than 12 Months	1,411,102,000		1,411,102,000
12 Months or more	13,249,000		13,249,000
Total	1,424,351,000		1,424,351,000
Unrealized Losses
Less than 12 Months	4,117,000		4,117,000
12 Months or more	736,000		736,000
Total	$ 4,853,000		$ 4,853,000
Number of Securities
Less than 12 months (in security) | Security	33		33
12 months or more (in security) | Security	8		8
Unrealized loss on investment securities	$ (4,853,000)		$ (4,853,000)		(1,052,000)
Non-Agency MBS | Expected to Recover Less Than Par
Fair Value
Less than 12 Months	120,040,000		120,040,000
12 Months or more	67,908,000		67,908,000
Total	187,948,000		187,948,000
Unrealized Losses
Less than 12 Months	1,982,000		1,982,000
12 Months or more	2,571,000		2,571,000
Total	$ 4,553,000		$ 4,553,000
Number of Securities
Less than 12 months (in security) | Security	24		24
12 months or more (in security) | Security	11		11
Unrealized loss on investment securities	$ (4,553,000)		$ (4,553,000)		(2,660,000)
Legacy Non-Agency MBS
MBS and CRT Securities Interest Income
Coupon interest	44,824,000	52,270,000	141,152,000	161,318,000
Effective yield adjustment	21,955,000	25,477,000	69,816,000	78,561,000
Interest income	66,779,000	77,747,000	210,968,000	239,879,000
RPL/NPL MBS
MBS and CRT Securities Interest Income
Coupon interest	22,898,000	97,000	63,602,000	800,000
Effective yield adjustment	753,000	0	1,662,000	0
Interest income	23,651,000	97,000	65,264,000	800,000
CRT securities
Fair Value
Less than 12 Months	89,253,000		89,253,000
12 Months or more	4,538,000		4,538,000
Total	93,791,000		93,791,000
Unrealized Losses
Less than 12 Months	1,285,000		1,285,000
12 Months or more	463,000		463,000
Total	$ 1,748,000		$ 1,748,000
Number of Securities
Less than 12 months (in security) | Security	19		19
12 months or more (in security) | Security	1		1
Unrealized loss on investment securities	$ (1,748,000)		$ (1,748,000)		$ (2,114,000)
MBS and CRT Securities Interest Income
Coupon interest	1,432,000	30,000	4,000,000	30,000
Effective yield adjustment	161,000	0	477,000	0
Interest income	1,593,000	$ 30,000	4,477,000	$ 30,000
CRT securities | Fair value option elected, debt securities
Fair Value
Total	9,600,000		9,600,000
Number of Securities
Unrealized loss on investment securities	$ (19,000)		$ (19,000)

Residential Whole Loans-Narrati

Residential Whole Loans-Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Residential whole loans	$ 777,400	$ 777,400		$ 351,400
Equity interest in certificates (percent)	100.00%	100.00%
Residential whole loans at carrying value	$ 245,894	$ 245,894		207,923
Allowance for loan losses, residential whole loan at carrying value	922	922	$ 587	$ 137
Provisions for loan losses, residential whole loan at carrying value	$ 335	$ 785

Residential Whole Loans at Carr

Residential Whole Loans at Carrying Value-Provision for Loan Losses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Balance at the beginning of period	$ 587	$ 137
Provisions for loan losses	335	785
Balance at the end of the period	$ 922	$ 922

Residential Whole Loans-Carryin

Residential Whole Loans-Carrying Value (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Contractual cash flows not expected to be collected (non-accretable yield)	$ (1,313)	$ (18,465)
Interest component of expected cash flows (accretable yield)	(3,620)	(34,901)
QTD
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Contractually required principal and interest	10,646	10,646
Expected cash flows to be collected	9,333	9,333
Fair value at the date of acquisition	5,713	5,713
YTD
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Contractually required principal and interest	103,950	103,950
Expected cash flows to be collected	85,485	85,485
Fair value at the date of acquisition	$ 50,584	$ 50,584

Residential Whole Loans-Carry54

Residential Whole Loans-Carrying Value Accretable Yield Rollforward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015
Residential Whole Loans Accretable Yield [Roll Forward]
Accretable yield, beginning balance	$ 155,574	$ 133,012
Additions	3,620	34,901
Accretion	(3,972)	(11,406)
Reclassifications to non-accretable difference, net	2,692	1,407
Accretable yield, ending balance	$ 157,914	$ 157,914

Residential Whole Loans-Fair Va

Residential Whole Loans-Fair Value (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)loan	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)loan
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Outstanding principal balance	$ 670,068	$ 182,613
Aggregate fair value	$ 531,537	$ 143,472
Number of loans | loan	2,713	885

Residential Whole Loans-Fair 56

Residential Whole Loans-Fair Value Components of Net Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Coupon payments and other income received	$ 2,186		$ 5,018
Net unrealized gains	2,362		3,872
Net gain on payoff/liquidation of loans	431		1,286
Total	$ 4,979	$ 0	$ 10,176	$ 0

Interest Receivable (Details)

Interest Receivable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Interest receivable by investment category
Total interest receivable	$ 30,115	$ 32,581
Total MBS interest receivable
Interest receivable by investment category
Total interest receivable	27,756	31,170
Fannie Mae
Interest receivable by investment category
Total interest receivable	9,390	11,761
Freddie Mac
Interest receivable by investment category
Total interest receivable	2,271	2,598
Ginnie Mae
Interest receivable by investment category
Total interest receivable	15	17
Non-Agency MBS
Interest receivable by investment category
Total interest receivable	16,080	16,794
Residential whole loans
Interest receivable by investment category
Total interest receivable	2,229	1,324
CRT securities
Interest receivable by investment category
Total interest receivable	110	66
Money market and other investments
Interest receivable by investment category
Total interest receivable	$ 20	$ 21

Derivative Instruments (Details

Derivative Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments
Derivative assets, fair value	$ 18		$ 18		$ 3,136
MBS securities recorded upon adoption of revised accounting standard			1,913,000
CRT securities recorded upon adoption of revised accounting standard			4,600
Repurchase agreements recorded upon adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing			1,519,593	$ 0
Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing	0	$ 0	4,537	$ 0
Linked Transactions | Non-Hedging | Assets
Derivative Instruments
Linked Transactions, at fair value					398,336
Swaps | Hedging | Assets | Non-cleared legacy Swaps
Derivative Instruments
Notional amount of derivative assets	100,000		100,000
Derivative assets, fair value	18		18		3,136
Swaps | Hedging | Liabilities | Non-cleared legacy Swaps
Derivative Instruments
Notional amount of derivative liabilities	400,000		400,000
Derivative liabilities, at fair value	(639)		(639)		(4,263)
Swaps | Hedging | Liabilities | Cleared Swaps
Derivative Instruments
Notional amount of derivative liabilities	2,550,000		2,550,000
Derivative liabilities, at fair value	$ (104,834)		$ (104,834)		$ (57,935)

Derivative Instruments (Detai59

Derivative Instruments (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Components of unrealized net gains and net interest income
Change in fair value of Linked Transactions included in earnings			$ 0	$ 2,542
Legacy Non-Agency MBS
Components of unrealized net gains and net interest income
Interest income attributable to MBS underlying Linked Transactions	$ 66,779	$ 77,747	210,968	239,879
RPL/NPL MBS
Components of unrealized net gains and net interest income
Interest income attributable to MBS underlying Linked Transactions	23,651	97	65,264	800
CRT securities
Components of unrealized net gains and net interest income
Interest income attributable to MBS underlying Linked Transactions	$ 1,593	30	$ 4,477	30
Linked Transactions
Linked Repurchase Agreements
Balance					$ 1,519,593
Weighted Average Interest Rate (as a percent)					1.47%
Linked MBS
Fair Value					$ 1,917,813
Amortized Cost					1,913,276
Par/Current Face					$ 1,926,987
Weighted Average Coupon Rate (as a percent)					3.52%
Accrued interest receivable					$ 1,300
Accrued interest payable					1,100
Components of unrealized net gains and net interest income
Interest income attributable to MBS underlying Linked Transactions		6,625		11,591
Interest expense attributable to linked repurchase agreement borrowings underlying Linked Transactions		(2,246)		(3,719)
Change in fair value of Linked Transactions included in earnings		(1,820)		1,714
Unrealized net gains and net interest income from Linked Transactions		$ 2,559		$ 9,586
Linked Transactions | Within 30 days
Linked Repurchase Agreements
Balance					$ 1,514,393
Weighted Average Interest Rate (as a percent)					1.47%
Linked Transactions | Over 30 days to 90 days
Linked Repurchase Agreements
Balance					$ 5,200
Weighted Average Interest Rate (as a percent)					1.35%
Linked Transactions | Legacy Non-Agency MBS
Linked MBS
Fair Value					$ 66,382
Amortized Cost					61,658
Par/Current Face					$ 72,513
Weighted Average Coupon Rate (as a percent)					4.20%
Linked Transactions | RPL/NPL MBS
Linked MBS
Fair Value					$ 1,846,807
Amortized Cost					1,847,118
Par/Current Face					$ 1,849,974
Weighted Average Coupon Rate (as a percent)					3.49%
Linked Transactions | CRT securities
Linked MBS
Fair Value					$ 4,624
Amortized Cost					4,500
Par/Current Face					$ 4,500
Weighted Average Coupon Rate (as a percent)					4.56%

Derivative Instruments (Detai60

Derivative Instruments (Details 3) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)derivative	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)derivative	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Derivative Instruments
Assets pledged					$ 11,497,437	$ 10,058,769
Net unrealized gains (losses)	$ (64,571)	$ (54,671)	$ (59,062)	$ (15,217)	(105,455)	(59,062)
Interest expense attributable to Swaps	43,703	39,358	130,492	120,848
AOCI from derivative hedging instruments:
Balance at beginning of period	(64,571)	(54,671)	(59,062)	(15,217)
Unrealized (loss)/gain on Swaps, net	(40,884)	23,500	(46,393)	(16,401)
Reclassification of unrealized loss on de-designated Swaps	0	0	0	447
Balance at end of period	(105,455)	(31,171)	$ (105,455)	(31,171)
Interest Rate Contract
Derivative Instruments
Aggregate fair value of assets needed to immediately settle					106,900
Associated accrued interest payable					1,500
Assets pledged					152,217	123,733
Interest Rate Contract | Agency MBS, at fair value
Derivative Instruments
Assets pledged					42,994	57,247
Interest Rate Contract | Restricted cash
Derivative Instruments
Assets pledged					109,223	66,486
Swaps
Derivative Instruments
Interest rate, description			one-month or three-month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Aggregate notional amount of derivatives					$ 3,050,000	$ 3,760,170
Weighted Average Fixed-Pay Interest Rate (as a percent)					1.82%	1.85%
Weighted Average Variable Interest Rate (as a percent)					0.20%	0.16%
Interest expense attributable to Swaps	$ 12,711	$ 17,491	$ 41,266	$ 53,129
Weighted average Swap rate paid (as a percent)	1.82%	1.91%	1.83%	1.92%
Weighted average Swap rate received (as a percent)	0.19%	0.16%	0.18%	0.16%
Swaps | Within 30 days
Derivative Instruments
Aggregate notional amount of derivatives					$ 0	$ 22,290
Weighted Average Fixed-Pay Interest Rate (as a percent)					0.00%	3.63%
Weighted Average Variable Interest Rate (as a percent)					0.00%	0.23%
Swaps | Over 30 days to 3 months
Derivative Instruments
Aggregate notional amount of derivatives					$ 0	$ 387,880
Weighted Average Fixed-Pay Interest Rate (as a percent)					0.00%	1.80%
Weighted Average Variable Interest Rate (as a percent)					0.00%	0.16%
Swaps | Over 3 months to 6 months
Derivative Instruments
Aggregate notional amount of derivatives					$ 50,000	$ 300,000
Weighted Average Fixed-Pay Interest Rate (as a percent)					2.13%	2.06%
Weighted Average Variable Interest Rate (as a percent)					0.20%	0.17%
Swaps | Over 6 months to 12 months
Derivative Instruments
Aggregate notional amount of derivatives					$ 0	$ 0
Weighted Average Fixed-Pay Interest Rate (as a percent)					0.00%	0.00%
Weighted Average Variable Interest Rate (as a percent)					0.00%	0.00%
Swaps | Over 12 months to 24 months
Derivative Instruments
Aggregate notional amount of derivatives					$ 450,000	$ 150,000
Weighted Average Fixed-Pay Interest Rate (as a percent)					0.56%	1.03%
Weighted Average Variable Interest Rate (as a percent)					0.20%	0.16%
Swaps | Over 24 months to 36 months
Derivative Instruments
Aggregate notional amount of derivatives					$ 550,000	$ 350,000
Weighted Average Fixed-Pay Interest Rate (as a percent)					1.49%	0.58%
Weighted Average Variable Interest Rate (as a percent)					0.21%	0.16%
Swaps | Over 36 months to 48 months
Derivative Instruments
Aggregate notional amount of derivatives					$ 200,000	$ 550,000
Weighted Average Fixed-Pay Interest Rate (as a percent)					1.71%	1.49%
Weighted Average Variable Interest Rate (as a percent)					0.20%	0.16%
Swaps | Over 48 months to 60 months
Derivative Instruments
Aggregate notional amount of derivatives					$ 1,500,000	$ 200,000
Weighted Average Fixed-Pay Interest Rate (as a percent)					2.22%	1.71%
Weighted Average Variable Interest Rate (as a percent)					0.21%	0.17%
Swaps | Over 60 months to 72 months
Derivative Instruments
Aggregate notional amount of derivatives					$ 200,000	$ 1,500,000
Weighted Average Fixed-Pay Interest Rate (as a percent)					2.20%	2.22%
Weighted Average Variable Interest Rate (as a percent)					0.21%	0.16%
Swaps | Over 72 months to 84 months
Derivative Instruments
Aggregate notional amount of derivatives					$ 0	$ 200,000
Weighted Average Fixed-Pay Interest Rate (as a percent)					0.00%	2.20%
Weighted Average Variable Interest Rate (as a percent)					0.00%	0.17%
Swaps | Over 84 Months
Derivative Instruments
Aggregate notional amount of derivatives					$ 100,000	$ 100,000
Weighted Average Fixed-Pay Interest Rate (as a percent)					2.75%	2.75%
Weighted Average Variable Interest Rate (as a percent)					0.22%	0.16%
Swaps | New Swaps
Derivative Instruments
Aggregate notional amount	$ 0		$ 0
Weighted Average Fixed-Pay Interest Rate (as a percent)					0.00%
Number of new Swaps | derivative	0		0
Swaps | Swaps amortized expired
Derivative Instruments
Aggregate notional amount	$ 0		$ 710,170
Swaps | Swaps amortized expired | QTD
Derivative Instruments
Weighted Average Fixed-Pay Interest Rate (as a percent)					0.00%
Swaps | Swaps amortized expired | YTD
Derivative Instruments
Weighted Average Fixed-Pay Interest Rate (as a percent)					1.96%
Swaps | Hedging
Derivative Instruments
Aggregate notional amount of derivatives					$ 3,050,000
Net unrealized gains (losses)	(105,500)		$ (105,500)		$ (105,500)
Average maturity term of swaps			48 months
Maximum maturity term of swaps			95 months
AOCI from derivative hedging instruments:
Balance at end of period	$ (105,500)		$ (105,500)
Swaps | Minimum | LIBOR
Derivative Instruments
Derivative, variable interest rate, term			1 month
Swaps | Maximum | LIBOR
Derivative Instruments
Derivative, variable interest rate, term			3 months

Real Estate Owned (Details)

Real Estate Owned (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)property	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)property	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)property
Real Estate Owned Properties [Line Items]
Number of real estate owned properties | property	110	110			46
Real estate owned	$ 14,525	$ 14,525		$ 8,857	$ 5,492
Acquisition of residential properties	$ 2,052	$ 2,052
Number of real estate properties reclassified to REO during period | property	39	87
Mortgage loans reclassified to REO	$ 5,892	$ 12,894	$ 0
Residential Whole Loans acquired through foreclosure ordered in lieu	$ 11,800	$ 11,800
Number of REO properties sold during period | property	17	36
Proceeds from sale of real estate owned	$ 1,700	$ 3,700
Gains/(losses) on sales of real estate owned	129	(102)
Adjustments to record at lower of cost or fair value	560	1,939
Estimated Fair Value
Real Estate Owned Properties [Line Items]
Mortgage loans reclassified to REO	5,900	12,900
Mortgage loans in process of foreclosure	292,400	292,400
Carrying Value
Real Estate Owned Properties [Line Items]
Mortgage loans in process of foreclosure	$ 14,100	$ 14,100
Residential properties
Real Estate Owned Properties [Line Items]
Number of residential properties acquired | property	13	13
Acquisition of residential properties	$ 1,700	$ 1,700

Real Estate Owned - Activity (D

Real Estate Owned - Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Real Estate Owned [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 8,857	$ 5,492
Adjustments to record at lower of cost or fair value	(560)	(1,939)
Transfer from residential whole loans	5,892	12,894	$ 0
Purchases and capital improvements	2,052	2,052
Disposals	(1,716)	(3,974)
Balance at end of period	14,525	14,525
Gain recorded on transfer from residential whole loans to real estate owned	$ 110	$ 704

Repurchase Agreements and Oth63

Repurchase Agreements and Other Advances (Details) - Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]
Weighted average remaining term-to-interest rate reset of borrowings under repurchase agreements	21 days	25 days
Effective repricing period	16 months	21 months
Balance of repurchase agreements	$ 9,210,834	$ 8,267,388
Agency Mortgage Backed Securities
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]
Balance of repurchase agreements	4,151,976	5,177,835
Fair value of securities pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements	$ 4,373,565	$ 5,462,566
Weighted average haircut (percent)	4.70%	4.79%
Legacy Non-Agency MBS
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]
Balance of repurchase agreements	$ 2,043,188	$ 2,233,236
Fair value of securities pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements	$ 2,974,878	$ 3,491,312
Weighted average haircut (percent)	25.74%	28.88%
Non-Agency MBS acquired from consolidated VIEs	$ 588,600	$ 1,275,000
RPL/NPL MBS
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]
Balance of repurchase agreements	1,997,579	130,919
Fair value of securities pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements	$ 2,487,168	$ 160,688
Weighted average haircut (percent)	21.29%	20.00%
U.S. Treasuries
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]
Balance of repurchase agreements	$ 497,973	$ 507,114
Fair value of securities pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements	$ 508,838	$ 512,105
Weighted average haircut (percent)	2.00%	1.62%
CRT securities
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]
Balance of repurchase agreements	$ 92,566	$ 75,960
Fair value of securities pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements	$ 118,616	$ 94,610
Weighted average haircut (percent)	25.17%	25.00%
Residential whole loans
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]
Balance of repurchase agreements	$ 427,552	$ 142,324
Fair value of securities pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements	$ 595,503	$ 212,986
Weighted average haircut (percent)	27.69%	33.43%

Repurchase Agreements and Oth64

Repurchase Agreements and Other Advances (Details 2) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)counterparty	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)counterparty
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for repurchase agreements	$ 9,210,834
Amounts related to repurchase agreements not included in offsetting disclosure	$ 0
Number of counterparties | counterparty	26	25
Threshold of stockholders' equity at risk with single counterparty to repurchase agreements or linked transactions (greater than) (percent)	5.00%
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	$ 9,210,834	$ 8,267,388
Weighted Average Interest Rate (as a percent)	1.14%	0.79%
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | Overnight
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	$ 0
Weighted Average Interest Rate (as a percent)	0.00%
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | Within 30 days
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	$ 7,193,004
Weighted Average Interest Rate (as a percent)	0.98%
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | Over 30 days to 3 months
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	$ 1,392,565
Weighted Average Interest Rate (as a percent)	1.56%
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | Over 3 months to 12 months
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	$ 450,221
Weighted Average Interest Rate (as a percent)	1.76%
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | Over 12 Months
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	$ 175,044
Weighted Average Interest Rate (as a percent)	2.83%
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | Agency MBS
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	$ 4,151,976	$ 5,177,835
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | Agency MBS | Overnight
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	0
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | Agency MBS | Within 30 days
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	3,828,598
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | Agency MBS | Over 30 days to 3 months
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	206,088
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | Agency MBS | Over 3 months to 12 months
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	117,290
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | Agency MBS | Over 12 Months
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	0
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | Legacy Non-Agency MBS
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	2,043,188
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | Legacy Non-Agency MBS | Overnight
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	0
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | Legacy Non-Agency MBS | Within 30 days
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	1,356,021
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | Legacy Non-Agency MBS | Over 30 days to 3 months
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	480,693
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | Legacy Non-Agency MBS | Over 3 months to 12 months
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	206,474
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | Legacy Non-Agency MBS | Over 12 Months
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	0
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | RPL/NPL MBS
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	1,997,579	130,919
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | RPL/NPL MBS | Overnight
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	0
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | RPL/NPL MBS | Within 30 days
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	1,310,902
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | RPL/NPL MBS | Over 30 days to 3 months
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	686,677
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | RPL/NPL MBS | Over 3 months to 12 months
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	0
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | RPL/NPL MBS | Over 12 Months
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	0
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | U.S. Treasuries
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	497,973	507,114
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | U.S. Treasuries | Overnight
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	0
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | U.S. Treasuries | Within 30 days
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	497,973
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | U.S. Treasuries | Over 30 days to 3 months
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	0
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | U.S. Treasuries | Over 3 months to 12 months
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	0
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | U.S. Treasuries | Over 12 Months
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	0
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | CRT securities
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	92,566	75,960
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | CRT securities | Overnight
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	0
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | CRT securities | Within 30 days
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	73,459
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | CRT securities | Over 30 days to 3 months
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	19,107
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | CRT securities | Over 3 months to 12 months
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	0
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | CRT securities | Over 12 Months
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	0
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | Residential whole loans
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	427,552	142,324
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | Residential whole loans | Overnight
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	0
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | Residential whole loans | Within 30 days
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	126,051
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | Residential whole loans | Over 30 days to 3 months
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	0
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | Residential whole loans | Over 3 months to 12 months
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	126,457
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | Residential whole loans | Over 12 Months
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	175,044
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | Within 30 days
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	$ 8,065,678	$ 7,144,737
Weighted Average Interest Rate (as a percent)	1.05%	0.72%
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | Over 30 days to 3 months
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	$ 938,682	$ 1,000,313
Weighted Average Interest Rate (as a percent)	1.75%	1.12%
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | Over 3 months to 12 months
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	$ 206,474	$ 122,338
Weighted Average Interest Rate (as a percent)	2.12%	1.98%
Linked Transactions | Legacy Non-Agency MBS
Information about MBS [Line Items]
Linked repurchase agreements		$ 1,520,000

Repurchase Agreements and Oth65

Repurchase Agreements and Other Advances (Details 3) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Credit Suisse
Repurchase agreements counterparty risk
Amount at Risk	$ 382,105
Weighted Average Months to Maturity for Repurchase Agreements	1 month
Percent of Stockholders’ Equity	12.50%
Wells Fargo
Repurchase agreements counterparty risk
Amount at Risk	$ 345,100
Weighted Average Months to Maturity for Repurchase Agreements	6 months
Percent of Stockholders’ Equity	11.30%
Wells Fargo Bank
Repurchase agreements counterparty risk
Amount at Risk	$ 278,100
Wells Fargo Securities LLC
Repurchase agreements counterparty risk
Amount at Risk	67,000
RBC
Repurchase agreements counterparty risk
Amount at Risk	$ 337,792
Weighted Average Months to Maturity for Repurchase Agreements	2 months
Percent of Stockholders’ Equity	11.10%
RBC Barbados
Repurchase agreements counterparty risk
Amount at Risk	$ 311,800
Royal Bank of Canada
Repurchase agreements counterparty risk
Amount at Risk	17,100
RBC Capital Markets LLC
Repurchase agreements counterparty risk
Amount at Risk	8,900
UBS
Repurchase agreements counterparty risk
Amount at Risk	$ 214,022
Weighted Average Months to Maturity for Repurchase Agreements	4 months
Percent of Stockholders’ Equity	7.00%

Repurchase Agreements and Oth66

Repurchase Agreements and Other Advances - FHLB Advances (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Federal Home Loan Bank, Advances, Branch of FHLB Bank [Line Items]
FHLB advances, long-term	$ 265,000
FHLB advances, weighted average borrowing rate	0.26%
FHLB advances, weighted average term to maturity	4 years 10 months 13 days
Accrued interest payable	$ 15,028	$ 13,095
Federal Home Loan Bank Advances
Federal Home Loan Bank, Advances, Branch of FHLB Bank [Line Items]
Accrued interest payable	$ 18

Collateral Positions (Details)

Collateral Positions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Collateral Positions
Assets Pledged	$ 11,497,437	$ 10,058,769
Collateral Held	508,838	512,105
Derivative Hedging Instruments
Collateral Positions
Assets Pledged	152,217	123,733
Derivative Hedging Instruments | Agency MBS
Collateral Positions
Assets Pledged	42,994	57,247
Derivative Hedging Instruments | Cash
Collateral Positions
Assets Pledged	109,223	66,486
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings
Collateral Positions
Assets Pledged	11,059,342	9,935,036
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | Agency MBS
Collateral Positions
Assets Pledged	4,373,565	5,462,566
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | Legacy Non-Agency MBS
Collateral Positions
Assets Pledged	2,974,878	3,491,312
Non-Agency MBS acquired from consolidated VIEs	588,600	1,275,000
Non-Agency MBS pledged as collateral in connection with contemporaneous repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements entered into with a single counterparty	732,700	731,000
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | RPL/NPL MBS
Collateral Positions
Assets Pledged	2,487,168	160,688
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | U.S. Treasury securities
Collateral Positions
Assets Pledged	508,838	512,105
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | CRT securities
Collateral Positions
Assets Pledged	118,616	94,610
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | Residential whole loans
Collateral Positions
Assets Pledged	595,503	212,986
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings | Cash
Collateral Positions
Assets Pledged	774	769
FHLB Advances
Collateral Positions
Assets Pledged	285,878	0
FHLB Advances | Agency MBS
Collateral Positions
Assets Pledged	285,878	0
Reverse Repurchase Agreements
Collateral Positions
Collateral Held	508,838	512,105
Reverse Repurchase Agreements | U.S. Treasury securities
Collateral Positions
Collateral Held	$ 508,838	$ 512,105

Collateral Positions (Details 2

Collateral Positions (Details 2) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Collateral Positions
Total Fair Value of Assets Pledged and Accrued Interest	$ 11,522,079
Agency MBS
Collateral Positions
Total Fair Value of Assets Pledged and Accrued Interest	4,713,388
Legacy Non-Agency MBS
Collateral Positions
Total Fair Value of Assets Pledged and Accrued Interest	2,985,667
RPL/NPL MBS
Collateral Positions
Total Fair Value of Assets Pledged and Accrued Interest	2,488,592
U.S. Treasuries
Collateral Positions
Total Fair Value of Assets Pledged and Accrued Interest	508,838
CRT securities
Collateral Positions
Total Fair Value of Assets Pledged and Accrued Interest	118,700
Residential whole loans
Collateral Positions
Total Fair Value of Assets Pledged and Accrued Interest	596,897
Cash
Collateral Positions
Total Fair Value of Assets Pledged and Accrued Interest	109,997
Repurchase Agreements and Other Advances
Collateral Positions
Fair Value	11,345,220
Amortized Cost	10,703,176
Accrued Interest on Pledged Assets	24,554
Repurchase Agreements and Other Advances | Agency MBS
Collateral Positions
Fair Value	4,659,443
Amortized Cost	4,599,795
Accrued Interest on Pledged Assets	10,863
Repurchase Agreements and Other Advances | Agency MBS | FHLB Advances
Collateral Positions
Fair Value	285,900
Amortized Cost	281,800
Accrued Interest on Pledged Assets	716
Repurchase Agreements and Other Advances | Legacy Non-Agency MBS
Collateral Positions
Fair Value	2,974,878
Amortized Cost	2,395,645
Accrued Interest on Pledged Assets	10,789
Non-Agency MBS acquired from consolidated VIEs in connection with resecuritization transactions	588,600
Non-Agency MBS pledged as collateral in connection with contemporaneous repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements entered into with a single counterparty	732,700
Repurchase Agreements and Other Advances | RPL/NPL MBS
Collateral Positions
Fair Value	2,487,168
Amortized Cost	2,489,964
Accrued Interest on Pledged Assets	1,424
Repurchase Agreements and Other Advances | U.S. Treasuries
Collateral Positions
Fair Value	508,838
Amortized Cost	508,838
Accrued Interest on Pledged Assets	0
Repurchase Agreements and Other Advances | CRT securities
Collateral Positions
Fair Value	118,616
Amortized Cost	120,232
Accrued Interest on Pledged Assets	84
Repurchase Agreements and Other Advances | Residential whole loans
Collateral Positions
Fair Value	595,503
Amortized Cost	587,928
Accrued Interest on Pledged Assets	1,394
Repurchase Agreements and Other Advances | Cash
Collateral Positions
Fair Value	774
Amortized Cost	774
Accrued Interest on Pledged Assets	0
Derivative Hedging Instruments
Collateral Positions
Fair Value	152,217
Amortized Cost	152,662
Accrued Interest on Pledged Assets	88
Derivative Hedging Instruments | Agency MBS
Collateral Positions
Fair Value	42,994
Amortized Cost	43,439
Accrued Interest on Pledged Assets	88
Derivative Hedging Instruments | Legacy Non-Agency MBS
Collateral Positions
Fair Value	0
Amortized Cost	0
Accrued Interest on Pledged Assets	0
Derivative Hedging Instruments | RPL/NPL MBS
Collateral Positions
Fair Value	0
Amortized Cost	0
Accrued Interest on Pledged Assets	0
Derivative Hedging Instruments | U.S. Treasuries
Collateral Positions
Fair Value	0
Amortized Cost	0
Accrued Interest on Pledged Assets	0
Derivative Hedging Instruments | CRT securities
Collateral Positions
Fair Value	0
Amortized Cost	0
Accrued Interest on Pledged Assets	0
Derivative Hedging Instruments | Residential whole loans
Collateral Positions
Fair Value	0
Amortized Cost	0
Accrued Interest on Pledged Assets	0
Derivative Hedging Instruments | Cash
Collateral Positions
Fair Value	109,223
Amortized Cost	109,223
Accrued Interest on Pledged Assets	$ 0

Offsetting Assets and Liabili69

Offsetting Assets and Liabilities (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)counterparty	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Swaps, at fair value
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets	$ 18	$ 3,136
Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	0	0
Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	18	3,136
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Financial Instruments	(18)	(3,136)
Cash Collateral Received	0	0
Net Amount	0	0
Swaps, at fair value
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities	105,473	62,198
Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	0	0
Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	105,473	62,198
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Financial Instruments	0	0
Cash Collateral Pledged	(105,473)	(62,198)
Net Amount	0	0
Repurchase agreements and other advances
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities	9,475,834	8,267,388
Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	0	0
Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	9,475,834	8,267,388
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Financial Instruments	(9,475,060)	(8,266,619)
Cash Collateral Pledged	(774)	(769)
Net Amount	0	0
Total
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities	9,581,307	8,329,586
Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	0	0
Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	9,581,307	8,329,586
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet
Financial Instruments	(9,475,060)	(8,266,619)
Cash Collateral Pledged	(106,247)	(62,967)
Net Amount	0	0
Additional disclosures
Excess collateral	3,800	4,300
Fair value of securities pledged against the swaps	43,000	57,200
Fair value of securities pledged against the repurchase agreements and other advances	$ 11,344,000	9,934,000
Number of repurchase agreement counterparties with unconditional right of setoff | counterparty	1
Swaps
Swaps, at fair value
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets	$ 18	3,136
Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	0	0
Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	18	3,136
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Financial Instruments	(18)	(3,136)
Cash Collateral Received	0	0
Net Amount	$ 0	$ 0

Senior Notes (Details)

Senior Notes (Details) - Senior Unsecured Notes - USD ($)	Apr. 11, 2012	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Senior Notes
Aggregate principal amount	$ 100,000,000
Proceed from senior notes net of offering expenses and underwriting discount	$ 96,600,000
Interest rate (as a percent)		8.00%	8.00%
Redemption price as percentage of principal amount		100.00%

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)lease
Lease Commitments
Number of operating leases | lease	2
Non-Agency MBS
MBS Purchase Commitments
Obligation to purchase MBS	$ 4,800,000
Corporate headquarters
Lease Commitments
Irrevocable standby letter of credit provided to landlord	785,000
Corporate headquarters | Low end of range
Lease Commitments
Aggregate annual lease payments	2,400,000
Corporate headquarters | High end of range
Lease Commitments
Aggregate annual lease payments	2,500,000
Off-site back-up facility | Low end of range
Lease Commitments
Aggregate annual lease payments	29,000
Off-site back-up facility | High end of range
Lease Commitments
Aggregate annual lease payments	$ 30,000

Stockholders' Equity (Details)

Stockholders' Equity (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Sep. 17, 2015$ / shares	Aug. 24, 2015$ / shares	Jun. 15, 2015$ / shares	May. 18, 2015$ / shares	Mar. 13, 2015$ / shares	Feb. 13, 2015$ / shares	May. 16, 2013USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Apr. 15, 2013USD ($)director$ / sharesshares	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Sep. 30, 2014$ / shares	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Sep. 30, 2014$ / shares	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2014$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2013shares	Aug. 08, 2013shares	Aug. 31, 2005shares
Stockholders' Equity
Preferred stock, dividend rate											7.50%	7.50%
Preferred stock, shares issued									8,000,000		8,000,000		8,000,000	8,000,000	8,000,000
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares									$ 0.01		$ 0.01		$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, cash dividends declared (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 0.20		$ 0.20		$ 0.20				$ 0.20	$ 0.20	$ 0.60	$ 0.60
Common stock, accrued dividends and DERs payable | $									$ 74,600		$ 74,600		$ 74,600	$ 74,600
Aggregate number of shares of common stock authorized									886,950,000		886,950,000		886,950,000	886,950,000	886,950,000
Number of shares authorized to be repurchased under the Repurchase Program																10,000,000		4,000,000
Repurchase of common stock, shares											0
Number of remaining shares authorized to be repurchased under the Repurchase Program (in shares)									6,616,355		6,616,355		6,616,355	6,616,355
DRSPP
Stockholders' Equity
Aggregate number of shares of common stock authorized																	15,000,000
Shares of common stock authorized and available for issuance									6,900,000		6,900,000		6,900,000	6,900,000
Common shares issued through DRSPP									40,521		120,180			30,686,799
Net proceeds from shares issued through DRSPP | $									$ 303		$ 926		$ 258,000
Series B
Stockholders' Equity
Dividend Declared Per Share, preferred stock (in dollars per share) | $ / shares		$ 0.46875		$ 0.46875		$ 0.46875
Preferred Stock | Series A
Stockholders' Equity
Preferred stock, dividend rate											8.50%
Preferred stock redeemed (in shares)							3,840,000
Payments to redeem preferred stock | $							$ 97,000
Preferred stock, redemption price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares							$ 25.27153
Preferred stock, redemption value in excess of carrying value | $							$ 3,900
Preferred stock, cash dividends (in dollars per share) | $ / shares							$ 0.27153
Preferred Stock | Series B
Stockholders' Equity
Preferred stock, dividend rate								7.50%			7.50%	7.50%
Preferred stock, redemption price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares								$ 25
Shares of common stock reclassified to preferred stock								8,050,000
Preferred stock, shares issued								8,000,000
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares								$ 0.01
Preferred stock, liquidation preference (in dollars per share) | $ / shares								$ 25	$ 25	$ 25	$ 25	$ 25	$ 25	$ 25
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock | $								$ 193,300
Number of additional directors that can be elected by preferred stock holders | director								2
Minimum percentage of preferred shareholders required for approval (percent)								66.67%

Stockholders' Equity (Details 2

Stockholders' Equity (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Components of accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)
Balance at beginning of period			$ 754,453
Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing	$ 0	$ 0	4,537	$ 0
Net OCI during the period	(96,286)	(33,499)	(156,159)	79,839
Balance at end of period	598,294		598,294
Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on AFS Securities
Components of accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)
Balance at beginning of period	759,151	905,704	813,515	752,912
OCI before reclassifications	(44,039)	(43,410)	(87,184)	116,973
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(11,363)	(13,589)	(27,119)	(21,180)
Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing	0		4,537
Net OCI during the period	(55,402)	(56,999)	(109,766)	95,793
Balance at end of period	703,749	848,705	703,749	848,705
Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Swaps
Components of accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)
Balance at beginning of period	(64,571)	(54,671)	(59,062)	(15,217)
OCI before reclassifications	(40,884)	23,500	(46,393)	(16,401)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	0	0	0	447
Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing	0		0
Net OCI during the period	(40,884)	23,500	(46,393)	(15,954)
Balance at end of period	(105,455)	(31,171)	(105,455)	(31,171)
Total AOCI
Components of accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)
Balance at beginning of period	694,580	851,033	754,453	737,695
OCI before reclassifications	(84,923)	(19,910)	(133,577)	100,572
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(11,363)	(13,589)	(27,119)	(20,733)
Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing	0		4,537
Net OCI during the period	(96,286)	(33,499)	(156,159)	79,839
Balance at end of period	$ 598,294	$ 817,534	$ 598,294	$ 817,534

Stockholders' Equity (Details 3

Stockholders' Equity (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Amounts Reclassified from AOCI
Realized gain on sale of securities	$ (11,363)	$ (13,589)	$ (26,414)	$ (21,180)
OTTI recognized in earnings	0	0	(705)	0
De-designated Swaps	0	0	0	447
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
Unrealized losses recorded in AOCI on securities for which Other-than-temporary impairments had been recognized in earnings in prior periods	576		576		$ 629
Available-for-sale MBS
Amounts Reclassified from AOCI
Total reclassifications for period	(11,363)	(13,589)	(27,119)	(21,180)
Swaps Designated as Cash Flow Hedges
Amounts Reclassified from AOCI
Total reclassifications for period	0	0	0	447
Amounts Reclassified from AOCI
Amounts Reclassified from AOCI
OTTI recognized in earnings	0		(705)
Total AFS Securities	(11,363)		(27,119)
Total reclassifications for period	(11,363)		(27,119)
Amounts Reclassified from AOCI | Available-for-sale MBS
Amounts Reclassified from AOCI
Realized gain on sale of securities	$ (11,363)	(13,589)	$ (26,414)	(21,180)
Total reclassifications for period		(13,589)		(20,733)
Amounts Reclassified from AOCI | Swaps Designated as Cash Flow Hedges
Amounts Reclassified from AOCI
De-designated Swaps		$ 0		$ 447

EPS Calculation (Details)

EPS Calculation (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Numerator:
Net income	$ 79,510	$ 78,882	$ 239,754	$ 233,796
Dividends declared on preferred stock	(3,750)	(3,750)	(11,250)	(11,250)
Dividends, dividend equivalents and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	(396)	(281)	(1,183)	(842)
Net income to common stockholders - basic and diluted	$ 75,364	$ 74,851	$ 227,321	$ 221,704
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares for basic and diluted earnings per share (in shares)	372,178	369,690	372,056	368,430
Basic and diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.20	$ 0.20	$ 0.61	$ 0.60
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from diluted earnings per share calculations (in shares)	2,100		2,100
Restricted Common Stock
Denominator:
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from diluted earnings per share calculations (in shares)	181		181
Weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$ 7.49		$ 7.49
Restricted Stock Units
Denominator:
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from diluted earnings per share calculations (in shares)	1,900		1,900
Weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$ 6.90		$ 6.90

Equity Compensation, Employme76

Equity Compensation, Employment Agreements and Other Benefit Plans (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Share based compensation
Maximum shares authorized for grant	12,000,000		12,000,000
Shares available for grant	9,900,000		9,900,000
Accrued dividends payable	$ 74,560,000	$ 74,126,000	$ 74,560,000	$ 74,126,000	$ 74,529,000
Expense recognized for equity-based compensation instruments	1,031,000	1,271,000	3,600,000	4,357,000
Dividend Equivalents
Share based compensation
Payments attributable to dividend equivalent rights	$ 5,000	10,000	$ 15,000	64,000
Share-based awards outstanding (in shares)	8,215		8,215
Average forfeiture rate on dividend equivalent rights outstanding			0.00%
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 64,000		$ 64,000
Weighted average period over which dividend equivalent rights are scheduled to elapse			9 months
Expense recognized for equity-based compensation instruments	$ 20,000	$ 37,000	$ 61,000	$ 111,000
Stock options
Share based compensation
Period to determine market value of the common stock to qualify as an incentive stock option for tax purposes			1 year
Maximum grant date market value of the common stock to be received upon exercise of options in one calendar year			$ 100,000
Exercise price of an ISO relative to fair market value on the grant date, minimum (as a percent)			100.00%
Exercise price of an ISO granted to a 10% stockholder relative to fair market value on the grant date, minimum (as a percent)			110.00%
Percentage of stockholders to whom 110% of ISO is granted			10.00%
Maximum period for exercise of stock options			10 years
Stock options, grants in period (in shares)			0	0
Stock options, expirations during period (in shares)		5,000		5,000
Stock options, expirations during period, exercise price (in dollars per share)		$ 8.40		$ 8.40
Stock options, outstanding (in shares)	0		0
Restricted Common Stock
Share based compensation
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 1,000,000		$ 1,000,000		1,800,000
Awards granted (in shares)	0	32,658	12,611	95,718
Accrued dividends payable	$ 235,000		$ 235,000		354,000
Period for recognizing unrecognized compensation cost			1 year 7 months 6 days
Expense recognized for equity-based compensation instruments	247,000	$ 643,000	$ 841,000	$ 1,892,000
Restricted Stock Units
Share based compensation
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 4,700,000		$ 4,700,000		$ 2,700,000
Awards granted (in shares)	0	3,334	682,054	630,815
Period for recognizing unrecognized compensation cost			1 year 10 months 24 days
Forfeitures (in shares)	7,500		7,500	97,164
Weighted average forfeiture rate of unvested RSUs (as a percent)			0.00%
Expense recognized for equity-based compensation instruments	$ 764,000	$ 591,000	$ 2,698,000	$ 2,354,000
Restricted Stock Units | Chief Executive Officer
Share based compensation
Expense recognized for equity-based compensation instruments				$ 500,000
Equity Compensation Plan
Share based compensation
Maximum number of common shares that can be granted to participant in any one year			1,500,000
Period during which a participant can be awarded the maximum number of shares allowable under the Plan			1 year
Maximum percentage of common shares that can be owned or deemed to be owned by a participant (more than)			9.80%

Equity Compensation, Employme77

Equity Compensation, Employment Agreements and Other Benefit Plans (Details 2) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)officer	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)officer	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Deferred Compensation Activity
Number of officers having employment agreements with the company | officer	4		4
Deferred Compensation Plans
Deferred Compensation Activity
Deferrable compensation by the employee, maximum (as a percent)			100.00%
Expenses related to deferred plans	$ (35)	$ (11)	$ (51)	$ 52
Undistributed Income Deferred	488		488		$ 324
Liability Under Deferred Plans	510		510		446
Deferred Compensation Plans | Non-employee directors
Deferred Compensation Activity
Expenses related to deferred plans	(35)	(11)	(51)	52
Undistributed Income Deferred	488		488		324
Liability Under Deferred Plans	510		$ 510		$ 446
Savings Plan
Deferred Compensation Activity
Employer contribution percentage on first 3 percent of eligible compensation deferred by employees (percent)			100.00%
Percentage of eligible compensation deferred by employees qualifying for 100 percent matching contribution (percent)			3.00%
Employer contribution percentage on next 2 percent of eligible compensation deferred by employees (percent)			50.00%
Percentage of eligible compensation deferred by employees qualifying for 50 percent matching contribution (percent)			2.00%
Percentage of employer matching contributions that vest immediately (percent)			100.00%
Expenses for matching contributions	$ 75	$ 65	$ 225	$ 195

Fair Value of Financial Instr78

Fair Value of Financial Instruments-Fair Value Hierarchy (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities	$ 11,694,667,000	$ 10,762,622,000
Securities obtained and pledged as collateral	508,838,000	512,105,000
Residential whole loans, at fair value	531,537,000	143,472,000
Swaps	18,000	3,136,000
Liabilities:
Obligation to return securities obtained as collateral	509,620,000	512,105,000
Agency MBS
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities	5,020,477,000	5,904,207,000
Non-Agency MBS, including MBS transferred to consolidated VIEs
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities	6,524,222,000	4,755,432,000
CRT securities
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities	149,968,000	$ 102,983,000
Recurring basis
Assets:
Securities obtained and pledged as collateral	509,620,000
Swaps	18,000
Total assets carried at fair value	12,735,842,000
Liabilities:
Swaps	105,473,000
Obligation to return securities obtained as collateral	509,620,000
Total liabilities carried at fair value	615,093,000
Recurring basis | Agency MBS
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities	5,020,477,000
Recurring basis | Non-Agency MBS, including MBS transferred to consolidated VIEs
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities	6,524,222,000
Recurring basis | CRT securities
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities	149,968,000
Recurring basis | Residential whole loans
Assets:
Residential whole loans, at fair value	531,537,000
Level 1 | Recurring basis
Assets:
Securities obtained and pledged as collateral	509,620,000
Swaps	0
Total assets carried at fair value	509,620,000
Liabilities:
Swaps	0
Obligation to return securities obtained as collateral	509,620,000
Total liabilities carried at fair value	509,620,000
Level 1 | Recurring basis | Agency MBS
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities	0
Level 1 | Recurring basis | Non-Agency MBS, including MBS transferred to consolidated VIEs
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities	0
Level 1 | Recurring basis | CRT securities
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities	0
Level 1 | Recurring basis | Residential whole loans
Assets:
Residential whole loans, at fair value	0
Level 2
Components of financial instruments carried at fair value
Credit valuation adjustment to derivative liabilities	0
Credit valuation adjustment to derivative assets	0
Level 2 | Recurring basis
Assets:
Securities obtained and pledged as collateral	0
Swaps	18,000
Total assets carried at fair value	11,694,685,000
Liabilities:
Swaps	105,473,000
Obligation to return securities obtained as collateral	0
Total liabilities carried at fair value	105,473,000
Level 2 | Recurring basis | Agency MBS
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities	5,020,477,000
Level 2 | Recurring basis | Non-Agency MBS, including MBS transferred to consolidated VIEs
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities	6,524,222,000
Level 2 | Recurring basis | CRT securities
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities	149,968,000
Level 2 | Recurring basis | Residential whole loans
Assets:
Residential whole loans, at fair value	0
Level 3 | Recurring basis
Assets:
Securities obtained and pledged as collateral	0
Swaps	0
Total assets carried at fair value	531,537,000
Liabilities:
Swaps	0
Obligation to return securities obtained as collateral	0
Total liabilities carried at fair value	0
Level 3 | Recurring basis | Agency MBS
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities	0
Level 3 | Recurring basis | Non-Agency MBS, including MBS transferred to consolidated VIEs
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities	0
Level 3 | Recurring basis | CRT securities
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities	0
Level 3 | Recurring basis | Residential whole loans
Assets:
Residential whole loans, at fair value	$ 531,537,000

Fair Value of Financial Instr79

Fair Value of Financial Instruments-Level 3 Assets (Details) - Recurring basis - Level 3 - Residential whole loans - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 183,861	$ 143,472
Purchases and capitalized advances	357,258	410,981
Changes in fair value recorded in Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value	2,362	3,872
Collection of principal, net of liquidation gains/losses	(7,152)	(15,716)
Transfer to REO	(4,792)	(11,072)
Balance at end of period	$ 531,537	$ 531,537

Fair Value of Financial Instr80

Fair Value of Financial Instruments-Fair Value Methodology (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Residential whole loans, at fair value, excluding unsettled loan purchases	$ 170,933
Residential whole loans, at fair value, unsettled loan purchases	360,600
Discounted cash flow
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Residential whole loans, at fair value, excluding unsettled loan purchases	65,176
Liquidation model
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Residential whole loans, at fair value, excluding unsettled loan purchases	$ 105,757
Residential whole loans | Level 3 | Discounted cash flow | Minimum
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Discount rate (percent)	6.00%
Prepayment rate (percent)	0.25%
Default rate (percent)	0.00%
Loss severity (percent)	10.00%
Residential whole loans | Level 3 | Discounted cash flow | Maximum
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Discount rate (percent)	7.83%
Prepayment rate (percent)	10.60%
Default rate (percent)	8.80%
Loss severity (percent)	75.62%
Residential whole loans | Level 3 | Discounted cash flow | Weighted Average
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Discount rate (percent)	6.85%
Prepayment rate (percent)	6.62%
Default rate (percent)	3.23%
Loss severity (percent)	19.02%
Residential whole loans | Level 3 | Liquidation model | Minimum
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Discount rate (percent)	6.75%
Annual change in home prices (percent)	(6.75%)
Liquidation timeline (in years)	11 months 1 day
Current value of underlying properties	$ 29
Residential whole loans | Level 3 | Liquidation model | Maximum
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Discount rate (percent)	9.56%
Annual change in home prices (percent)	4.94%
Liquidation timeline (in years)	4 years 8 months 1 day
Current value of underlying properties	$ 3,440
Residential whole loans | Level 3 | Liquidation model | Weighted Average
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Discount rate (percent)	7.13%
Annual change in home prices (percent)	1.56%
Liquidation timeline (in years)	1 year 10 months 10 days
Current value of underlying properties	$ 475

Fair Value of Financial Instr81

Fair Value of Financial Instruments-Fair Value vs Unpaid Principal Balance (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total Residential Whole Loans, Fair Value	$ 531,537	$ 143,472
Total Residential Whole Loans, Unpaid Principal Balance	670,068	182,613
Residential whole loans
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total Residential Whole Loans, Fair Value	531,537	143,472
Total Residential Whole Loans, Unpaid Principal Balance	670,068	182,613
Total Residential Whole Loans, Difference	(138,531)	(39,141)
Residential Whole Loans 90 days or more past due, Fair Value	432,974	128,591
Residential Whole Loans 90 days or more past due, Unpaid Principal Balance	555,861	165,358
Residential Whole Loans 90 days or more past due, Difference	$ (122,887)	$ (36,767)

Fair Value of Financial Instr82

Fair Value of Financial Instruments-Carrying Value vs Fair Value (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Financial Assets:
Available-for-sale securities		$ 11,694,667	$ 10,762,622
Securities obtained and pledged as collateral		508,838	512,105
Residential whole loans, at carrying value		245,894	207,923
Residential whole loans, at fair value		531,537	143,472
Restricted cash		109,997	67,255
Linked Transactions		0	398,336
Swaps		18	3,136
Financial Liabilities:
Securitized debt	[1]	32,217	110,574
Obligation to return securities obtained as collateral		509,620	512,105
Senior Notes		100,000	100,000
Carrying Value
Financial Assets:
Securities obtained and pledged as collateral		509,620	512,105
Cash and cash equivalents		174,160	182,437
Restricted cash		109,997	67,255
Linked Transactions		0	398,336
Swaps		18	3,136
Financial Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements		9,210,834	8,267,388
FHLB advances		265,000	0
Securitized debt		32,217	110,574
Obligation to return securities obtained as collateral		509,620	512,105
Senior Notes		100,000	100,000
Swaps		105,473	62,198
Estimated Fair Value
Financial Assets:
Securities obtained and pledged as collateral		509,620	512,105
Cash and cash equivalents		174,160	182,437
Restricted cash		109,997	67,255
Linked Transactions		0	398,336
Swaps		18	3,136
Financial Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements		9,210,989	8,266,699
FHLB advances		265,000	0
Securitized debt		32,298	110,791
Obligation to return securities obtained as collateral		509,620	512,105
Senior Notes		100,351	103,031
Swaps		105,473	62,198
Agency MBS
Financial Assets:
Available-for-sale securities		5,020,477	5,904,207
Agency MBS | Carrying Value
Financial Assets:
Available-for-sale securities		5,020,477	5,904,207
Agency MBS | Estimated Fair Value
Financial Assets:
Available-for-sale securities		5,020,477	5,904,207
Non-Agency MBS, including MBS transferred to consolidated VIEs
Financial Assets:
Available-for-sale securities		6,524,222	4,755,432
Non-Agency MBS, including MBS transferred to consolidated VIEs | Carrying Value
Financial Assets:
Available-for-sale securities		6,524,222	4,755,432
Non-Agency MBS, including MBS transferred to consolidated VIEs | Estimated Fair Value
Financial Assets:
Available-for-sale securities		6,524,222	4,755,432
CRT securities
Financial Assets:
Available-for-sale securities		149,968	102,983
CRT securities | Carrying Value
Financial Assets:
Available-for-sale securities		149,968	102,983
CRT securities | Estimated Fair Value
Financial Assets:
Available-for-sale securities		149,968	102,983
Residential whole loans | Carrying Value
Financial Assets:
Residential whole loans, at carrying value		245,894	207,923
Residential whole loans, at fair value		531,537	143,472
Residential whole loans | Estimated Fair Value
Financial Assets:
Residential whole loans, at carrying value		262,330	217,386
Residential whole loans, at fair value		$ 531,537	$ 143,472
[1]	Securitized debt represents third-party liabilities of consolidated VIEs and excludes liabilities of the VIEs acquired by the Company that eliminate on consolidation. The third-party beneficial interest holders in the VIEs have no recourse to the general credit of the Company. (See Notes 12 and 17 for further discussion.)

Use of Special Purpose Entiti83

Use of Special Purpose Entities and Variable Interest Entities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Feb. 29, 2012	Oct. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Special purpose entities and variable interest entities
Outstanding amount of Senior Bonds	[1]			$ 32,217		$ 32,217		$ 110,574
Available-for-sale securities				11,694,667		11,694,667		10,762,622
Residential whole loans				777,400		777,400		351,400
Residential whole loans at carrying value				245,894		245,894		207,923
Residential whole loans, at fair value				$ 531,537		$ 531,537		143,472
Ownership percentage by parent				100.00%		100.00%
Residential whole loans held at carrying value				$ 4,033	$ 1,197	$ 11,817	$ 1,849
Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value				4,979	$ 0	10,176	$ 0
Non-Agency MBS
Special purpose entities and variable interest entities
Available-for-sale securities				6,524,222		6,524,222		4,755,432
Non-Agency MBS | Recurring basis
Special purpose entities and variable interest entities
Available-for-sale securities				6,524,222		6,524,222
Non-Agency MBS | Recurring basis | Level 3
Special purpose entities and variable interest entities
Available-for-sale securities				0		0
Residential whole loans | Recurring basis
Special purpose entities and variable interest entities
Residential whole loans, at fair value				531,537		531,537
Residential whole loans | Recurring basis | Level 3
Special purpose entities and variable interest entities
Residential whole loans, at fair value				531,537		531,537
WFMLT Series 2012-RR1
Special purpose entities and variable interest entities
Principal value of Non-Agency MBS sold		$ 433,347
Face amount of Bonds issued by the VIE and purchased by 3rd party investors		186,691
Outstanding amount of Senior Bonds		$ 32,217
Pass-through rate for Senior Bonds issued		2.85%
Cash received		$ 186,691
Notional amount acquired of non-rated, interest only senior certificates		186,691
Unamortized deferred costs		277
WFMLT Series 2012-RR1 | Senior-support certificates
Special purpose entities and variable interest entities
Face amount of Senior Support Certificates received by the Company		$ 217,857
DMSI 2010-RS2
Special purpose entities and variable interest entities
Principal value of Non-Agency MBS sold			$ 985,228
Face amount of Bonds issued by the VIE and purchased by 3rd party investors			373,577
Outstanding amount of Senior Bonds			$ 0
Pass-through rate for Senior Bonds issued			0.00%
Cash received			$ 375,621
Notional amount acquired of non-rated, interest only senior certificates			0
Unamortized deferred costs			0
DMSI 2010-RS2 | Senior-support certificates
Special purpose entities and variable interest entities
Face amount of Senior Support Certificates received by the Company			$ 472,588
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary | Non-Agency MBS
Special purpose entities and variable interest entities
Available-for-sale securities	[2]			$ 628,900		$ 628,900		$ 1,397,000
Trust, ownership in residential whole loans
Special purpose entities and variable interest entities
Ownership percentage by parent				100.00%		100.00%
[1]	Securitized debt represents third-party liabilities of consolidated VIEs and excludes liabilities of the VIEs acquired by the Company that eliminate on consolidation. The third-party beneficial interest holders in the VIEs have no recourse to the general credit of the Company. (See Notes 12 and 17 for further discussion.)
[2]	Non-Agency MBS transferred to consolidated VIEs represent assets of the consolidated VIEs that can be used only to settle the obligations of each respective VIE.