MFA Financial (MFA) 10-K 15 Feb 18 2017 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Billions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Feb. 08, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	1,055,160
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2017
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 3.3
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		398,423,464
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) and credit risk transfer (“CRT”) securities:
MBS and CRT securities		$ 7,023,050	$ 9,828,183
Mortgage servicing rights (“MSR”) related assets ($482,158 and $226,780 pledged as collateral, respectively)		492,080	226,780
Residential whole loans, at carrying value ($448,689 and $427,880 pledged as collateral, respectively) (2)	[1]	908,516	590,540
Residential whole loans, at fair value ($996,226 and $734,331 pledged as collateral, respectively) (2)	[1]	1,325,115	814,682
Securities obtained and pledged as collateral, at fair value		504,062	510,767
Cash and cash equivalents		449,757	260,112
Restricted cash		13,307	58,463
Other assets		238,847	194,495
Total Assets		10,954,734	12,484,022
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements and other advances		6,614,701	8,687,268
Obligation to return securities obtained as collateral, at fair value		504,062	510,767
Other liabilities		574,335	252,085
Total Liabilities		7,693,098	9,450,120
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 10)
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; 397,831 and 371,854 shares issued and outstanding, respectively		3,978	3,719
Additional paid-in capital, in excess of par		3,227,304	3,029,062
Accumulated deficit		(578,950)	(572,641)
Accumulated other comprehensive income		609,224	573,682
Total Stockholders’ Equity		3,261,636	3,033,902
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity		10,954,734	12,484,022
Non-Agency MBS Transfered to Consolidated VIEs
Mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) and credit risk transfer (“CRT”) securities:
Residential whole loans, at carrying value ($448,689 and $427,880 pledged as collateral, respectively) (2)		183,200
Residential whole loans, at fair value ($996,226 and $734,331 pledged as collateral, respectively) (2)		289,300
Agency MBS
Mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) and credit risk transfer (“CRT”) securities:
MBS and CRT securities		2,824,681	3,738,497
Non-Agency MBS
Mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) and credit risk transfer (“CRT”) securities:
MBS and CRT securities		3,533,966	5,684,836
Non-Agency MBS | Non-Agency MBS
Mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) and credit risk transfer (“CRT”) securities:
MBS and CRT securities	[2]	3,533,966	5,684,836
Non-Agency MBS | Non-Agency MBS Transfered to Consolidated VIEs
Mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) and credit risk transfer (“CRT”) securities:
MBS and CRT securities			174,400
CRT securities
Mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) and credit risk transfer (“CRT”) securities:
MBS and CRT securities		$ 664,403	$ 404,850
[1]	Includes approximately $183.2 million of Residential whole loans, at carrying value and $289.3 million of Residential whole loans, at fair value transferred to consolidated VIEs at December 31, 2017. Such assets can be used only to settle the obligations of each respective VIE.
[2]	Includes approximately $174.4 million of Non-Agency MBS transferred to consolidated variable interest entities (“VIEs”) at December 31, 2016. Such assets can be used only to settle the obligations of each respective VIE.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
MSR Related Assets, pledged as collateral	$ 482,158,000	$ 226,780,000
Residential whole loans, pledged as collateral, carrying value	448,689,000	427,880,000
Residential whole loans, pledged as collateral, fair value	$ 996,226,000	$ 734,331,000
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	8,050,000	8,050,000
Preferred stock, dividend rate	7.50%	7.50%
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	8,000,000	8,000,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	8,000,000	8,000,000
Preferred stock, aggregate liquidation preference (in dollars)	$ 200,000,000	$ 200,000,000
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	886,950,000	886,950,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	397,831,000	371,854,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	397,831,000	371,854,000
Agency MBS
Mortgage backed securities pledged as collateral	$ 2,727,510,000	$ 3,540,401,000
Non-Agency MBS
Mortgage backed securities pledged as collateral	2,379,523,000	4,751,419,000
CRT securities
Mortgage backed securities pledged as collateral	$ 595,900,000	$ 357,488,000
Senior Notes
Stated interest rate	8.00%

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPER

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Interest Income:
MSR related assets	$ 24,830	$ 2,100	$ 0
Residential whole loans held at carrying value	36,187	23,916	16,036
Cash and cash equivalent investments	4,249	774	130
Interest Income	433,448	457,450	492,143
Interest Expense:
Repurchase agreements and other advances	186,347	184,986	166,918
Other interest expense	10,794	8,369	10,030
Interest Expense	197,141	193,355	176,948
Net Interest Income	236,307	264,095	315,195
Other-Than-Temporary Impairments:
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses	(63)	(1,255)	(525)
Portion of loss (reclassed from)/recognized in other comprehensive income	(969)	770	(180)
Net Impairment Losses Recognized in Earnings	(1,032)	(485)	(705)
Other Income, net:
Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value	90,019	62,605	19,575
Net gain on sales of MBS and U.S. Treasury securities	39,577	35,837	34,900
Other, net	29,423	10,600	(3,310)
Other Income, net	159,019	109,042	51,165
Operating and Other Expense:
Compensation and benefits	31,673	29,281	26,293
Other general and administrative expense	17,960	16,331	15,752
Loan servicing and other related operating expenses	22,268	14,372	10,384
Operating and Other Expense	71,901	59,984	52,429
Net Income	322,393	312,668	313,226
Less Preferred Stock Dividends	15,000	15,000	15,000
Net Income Available to Common Stock and Participating Securities	$ 307,393	$ 297,668	$ 298,226
Earnings per Common Share - Basic and Diluted	$ 0.79	$ 0.80	$ 0.80
Agency MBS
Interest Income:
Mortgage backed securities	$ 65,355	$ 83,069	$ 105,835
Non-Agency MBS | Non-Agency MBS
Interest Income:
Mortgage backed securities	271,112	332,821	363,570
CRT securities
Interest Income:
Mortgage backed securities	$ 31,715	$ 14,770	$ 6,572

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Net income	$ 322,393	$ 312,668	$ 313,226
Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss):
Reclassification adjustment for MBS sales included in net income	(38,707)	(36,922)	(37,207)
Reclassification adjustment for other-than-temporary impairments included in net income	(1,032)	(485)	(705)
Derivative hedging instrument fair value changes, net	35,297	22,678	(10,337)
Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing	0	0	4,537
Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)	35,542	57,831	(238,602)
Comprehensive income before preferred stock dividends	357,935	370,499	74,624
Dividends declared on preferred stock	(15,000)	(15,000)	(15,000)
Comprehensive Income Available to Common Stock and Participating Securities	342,935	355,499	59,624
Agency MBS
Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss):
Unrealized (loss)/gain on MBS, net	(39,158)	(9,322)	(51,332)
Non-Agency MBS
Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss):
Unrealized (loss)/gain on MBS, net	$ 79,142	$ 81,882	$ (143,558)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHAN

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Total	Preferred StockSeries B Preferred Stock	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Deficit	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014			8,000,000	370,084,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014		$ 3,203,272	$ 80	$ 3,701	$ 3,013,634	$ (568,596)	$ 754,453
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		313,226				313,226
Issuance of common stock, net of expenses (in shares)				809,000
Issuance of common stock, net of expenses (1)		1,221		$ 5	1,216
Repurchase of shares of common stock (in shares)	[1]			(309,000)
Repurchase of shares of common stock	[1]	(2,273)		$ 0	(2,273)
Equity based compensation expense		7,829			7,829
Accrued dividends attributable to stock-based awards		(450)			(450)
Dividends declared on common stock		(296,384)				(296,384)
Dividends declared on preferred stock		(15,000)				(15,000)
Dividends attributable to dividend equivalents		(1,041)				(1,041)
Change in unrealized gains/(losses) on MBS, net		(232,802)					(232,802)
Derivative hedging instrument fair value changes, net		(10,337)					(10,337)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015			8,000,000	370,584,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015		2,967,261	$ 80	$ 3,706	3,019,956	(572,332)	515,851
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing		0					0
Net income		312,668				312,668
Issuance of common stock, net of expenses (in shares)				1,758,000
Issuance of common stock, net of expenses (1)		4,660		$ 13	4,647
Repurchase of shares of common stock (in shares)				(488,000)
Repurchase of shares of common stock		(3,551)			(3,551)
Equity based compensation expense		8,695			8,695
Accrued dividends attributable to stock-based awards		(685)			(685)
Dividends declared on common stock		(297,046)				(297,046)
Dividends declared on preferred stock		(15,000)				(15,000)
Dividends attributable to dividend equivalents		(931)				(931)
Change in unrealized gains/(losses) on MBS, net		35,153					35,153
Derivative hedging instrument fair value changes, net		22,678					22,678
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016			8,000,000	371,854,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2016		3,033,902	$ 80	$ 3,719	3,029,062	(572,641)	573,682
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing		0					0
Net income		322,393				322,393
Issuance of common stock, net of expenses (in shares)				26,722,000
Issuance of common stock, net of expenses (1)		196,808		$ 259	196,549
Repurchase of shares of common stock (in shares)				(745,000)
Repurchase of shares of common stock		(5,995)			(5,995)
Equity based compensation expense		7,872			7,872
Accrued dividends attributable to stock-based awards		(184)			(184)
Dividends declared on common stock		(312,810)				(312,810)
Dividends declared on preferred stock		(15,000)				(15,000)
Dividends attributable to dividend equivalents		(892)				(892)
Change in unrealized gains/(losses) on MBS, net		245					245
Derivative hedging instrument fair value changes, net		35,297					35,297
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017			8,000,000	397,831,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2017		$ 3,261,636	$ 80	$ 3,978	$ 3,227,304	$ (578,950)	$ 609,224
[1]	For the year ended December 31, 2017, includes approximately $6.0 million (744,588 shares) surrendered for tax purposes related to equity-based compensation awards. For the year ended December 31, 2016, includes approximately $3.6 million (487,559 shares) surrendered for tax purposes related to equity-based compensation awards. For the year ended December 31, 2015, includes approximately $2.3 million (309,206 shares) surrendered for tax purposes related to equity-based compensation awards.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHA7

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Preferred stock, dividend rate	7.50%	7.50%
Common Stock
Adjustments related to tax withholding for share-based compensation	$ 6	$ 3.6	$ 2.3
Shares paid for tax withholding for share based compensation	744,588	487,559	309,206
Preferred Stock | Series B Preferred Stock
Preferred stock, dividend rate	7.50%	7.50%
Preferred stock, liquidation preference (in dollars per share)	$ 25	$ 25

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 322,393	$ 312,668	$ 313,226
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Gain on sales of MBS and U.S. Treasury securities	(39,577)	(35,837)	(34,900)
Gain on sales of real estate owned	(4,475)	(3,229)	(76)
Gain on liquidation of residential whole loans	(11,868)	0	0
Other-than-temporary impairment charges	1,032	485	705
Accretion of purchase discounts on MBS and CRT securities, residential whole loans and MSR related assets	(86,318)	(84,615)	(95,377)
Amortization of purchase premiums on MBS and CRT securities	30,330	36,725	41,624
Depreciation and amortization on real estate, fixed assets and other assets	1,519	964	860
Equity-based compensation expense	8,033	9,162	7,832
Unrealized gain on residential whole loans at fair value	(33,617)	(31,254)	(6,532)
Increase in other assets and other	(5,569)	(23,122)	(5,407)
(Decrease)/increase in other liabilities	(5,813)	(6,943)	56,170
Net cash provided by operating activities	176,070	175,004	278,125
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Principal payments on MBS, CRT securities and MSR related assets	3,996,489	3,339,597	2,916,807
Proceeds from sales of MBS and U.S. Treasury securities	243,081	85,594	70,747
Purchases of MBS, CRT securities, MSR related assets, and U.S. Treasury Securities	(1,583,130)	(1,995,013)	(1,810,303)
Purchases of residential whole loans and capitalized advances	(1,065,981)	(677,003)	(617,017)
Principal payments on residential whole loans	160,469	103,997	51,427
Proceeds from sales of real estate owned	75,671	34,200	4,049
Purchases of real estate owned and capital improvements	(19,801)	(2,825)	0
Redemption of Federal Home Loan Bank stock	10,422	51,400	0
Purchases of Federal Home Loan Bank stock	0	(1,805)	(60,017)
Additions to leasehold improvements, furniture and fixtures	(872)	(708)	(1,560)
Net cash provided by investing activities	1,816,348	937,434	554,133
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Principal payments on repurchase agreements and other advances	(72,563,218)	(82,408,484)	(92,012,931)
Proceeds from borrowings under repurchase agreements and other advances	70,490,091	81,706,806	91,614,851
Proceeds from issuance of securitized debt	382,847	0	0
Principal payments on securitized debt	(16,562)	(22,057)	(88,347)
Payments made for securitization related costs	(2,646)	0	0
Payments made for margin calls and settlements on repurchase agreements and interest rate swap agreements (“Swaps”)	(46,022)	(177,363)	(267,200)
Proceeds from reverse margin calls and settlements on repurchase agreements and Swaps	79,517	192,000	215,100
Proceeds from issuances of common stock	196,808	4,660	1,218
Dividends paid on preferred stock	(15,000)	(15,000)	(15,000)
Dividends paid on common stock and dividend equivalents	(308,588)	(297,895)	(297,379)
Net cash used in financing activities	(1,802,773)	(1,017,333)	(849,688)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	189,645	95,105	(17,430)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	260,112	165,007	182,437
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	449,757	260,112	165,007
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information
Interest Paid	198,159	194,626	172,919
Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities:
MBS and CRT securities recorded upon adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing	0	0	1,917,813
Repurchase agreements recorded upon adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing	0	0	1,519,593
Net increase in securities obtained as collateral/obligation to return securities obtained as collateral	134,100	5,385	32,670
Transfer from residential whole loans to real estate owned	136,734	91,896	30,104
Dividends and dividend equivalents declared and unpaid	$ 79,771	$ 74,657	$ 74,575

Organization

Organization	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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 ( p ) and 11 )

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies ( a ) Basis of Presentation and Consolidation The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“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 differ from 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 (See Note 3 ), valuation of MBS, CRT securities and MSR related assets (See Notes 3 and 14 ), income recognition and valuation of residential whole loans (See Notes 4 and 14 ), valuation of derivative instruments (See Notes 5 ( b ) and 14 ) and income recognition on certain Non-Agency MBS (defined below) 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 ( p )) Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company has one reportable segment as it manages its business and analyzes and reports its results of operations on the basis of one operating segment; investing, on a leveraged basis, in residential mortgage assets. The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of all subsidiaries; all intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. In addition, the Company consolidates entities established to facilitate MBS resecuritization transactions completed in prior years as well as transactions related to the acquisition and securitization 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 the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), or an agency of the U.S. Government, such as the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”) (collectively, “Agency MBS”), and residential MBS that are not guaranteed by any agency of the U.S. Government 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 previously 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, for certain CRT securities, 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 to more appropriately reflect 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 statements 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 14 ) 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, 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 with Moody’s and S&P, “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 ) MSR Related Assets The Company has investments in financial instruments whose cash flows are considered to be largely dependent on underlying MSRs that either directly or indirectly act as collateral for the investment. These financial instruments, which are referred to as MSR related assets are discussed in more detail below. The Company’s MSR related assets pledged as collateral against repurchase agreements are included in the consolidated balance sheets with the amounts pledged disclosed parenthetically. Purchases and sales of MSR related assets are recorded on the trade date. (See Notes 3 , 6 , 7 and 14 ) Term Notes Backed by MSR Related Collateral The Company has invested in term notes that are issued by special purpose vehicles (“SPV”) that have acquired rights to receive cash flows representing the servicing fees and/or excess servicing spread associated with certain MSRs. The Company considers payment of principal and interest on these term notes to be largely dependent on the cash flows generated by the underlying MSRs as this impacts the cash flows available to the SPV that issued the term notes. Credit risk borne by the holders of the term notes is also mitigated by structural credit support in the form of over-collateralization. Credit support is also provided by a corporate guarantee from the ultimate parent or sponsor of the SPV that is intended to provide for payment of interest and principal to the holders of the term notes should cash flows generated by the underlying MSRs be insufficient. The Company’s term notes backed by MSR related collateral are reported at fair value on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in AOCI. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The Company’s valuation process for such notes considers a number of factors, including a comparable bond analysis performed by a third-party pricing service which involves determining a pricing spread at issuance of the term note. The pricing spread is used at each subsequent valuation date to determine an implied yield to maturity of the term note, which is then used to derive an indicative market value for the security. This indicative market value is further reviewed by the Company and may be adjusted to ensure it reflects a realistic exit price at the valuation date given the structural features of these securities. Other factors taken into consideration include indicative values provided by repurchase agreement counterparties, estimated changes in fair value of the related underlying MSR collateral and the financial performance of the ultimate parent or sponsoring entity of the issuer, which has provided a guarantee that is intended to provide for payment of interest and principal to the holders of the term notes should cash flows generated by the related underlying MSR collateral be insufficient. Corporate Loan The Company has entered into a loan agreement with an entity that originates loans and owns the related MSRs. Under the terms of loan agreement, the Company has committed to lend $130.0 million of which approximately $111.2 million was drawn at December 31, 2017 . The loan is secured by certain U.S. Government, Agency and private-label MSRs, as well as other unencumbered assets owned by the borrower. The term loan is recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at the drawn amount, on which interest income is recognized on an accrual basis on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Commitment fees received on the undrawn amount are deferred and recognized as interest income over the remaining loan term at the time of draw. At the end of the commitment period, any remaining deferred commitment fees will be recorded as Other Income on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The Company evaluates the recoverability of the loan on a quarterly basis by considering various factors, including the current status of the loan, changes in fair value of the MSRs that secure the loan and the recent financial performance of the borrower. ( d ) Residential Whole Loans (including Residential Whole Loans transferred to consolidated VIEs) 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, with the majority 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 amounts 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. Recorded amounts of residential whole loans for which the closing of the purchase transaction is yet to occur are not eligible to be pledged as collateral against any repurchase agreement financing until the closing of the purchase transaction. (See Notes 4 , 6 , 7 , 14 and 15 ) Residential Whole Loans at Carrying Value The Company has generally 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 underlying 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, these loans generally have a higher likelihood of default than newly originated mortgage loans with LTVs of 80% or less to creditworthy borrowers. The Company believes that amounts paid to acquire these loans represent fair market value at the date of acquisition. Loans considered credit impaired are initially recorded at the purchase price with no allowance for loan losses. Subsequent to acquisition, the recorded amount for these loans 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 the accounting model for credit impaired loans, 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 generally 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. Under the accounting model applied to credit impaired loans, 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. 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. For the majority of these loans, there is significant uncertainty associated with estimating the timing of and amount of cash flows that will be collected. Further, the cash flows ultimately collected may be dependent on the value of the property securing the loan. Consequently, the Company considers that accounting for these loans at fair value should result in a better reflection over time of the economic returns for the majority of 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. Cash outflows associated with loan related advances made by the Company on behalf of the borrower are included in the basis of the loan and are reflected in Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value. ( e ) 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 transfer the collateral obtained or to pledge it as part of a subsequent collateralized financing transaction. (See Note 2 ( l ) for Repurchase Agreements and Reverse Repurchase Agreements) ( f ) 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 December 31, 2017 or 2016 . 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 $354.0 million and $208.9 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. (See Notes 7 and 14 ) ( g ) Restricted Cash Restricted cash represents the Company’s cash held by its counterparties in connection with certain of the Company’s Swaps and/or repurchase agreements that is not available to the Company for general corporate purposes. Restricted cash may be applied against amounts due to repurchase agreement and/or Swaps counterparties, 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 $13.3 million and $58.5 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. (See Notes 5 ( b ), 6 , 7 and 14 ) ( h ) Goodwill At December 31, 2017 and 2016 , 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 December 31, 2017 , the Company had not recognized any impairment against its goodwill. Goodwill is included in Other assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. ( i ) Real Estate Owned (“REO”) REO represents real estate acquired by the Company, including through foreclosure, deed in lieu of foreclosure, or purchased in connection with the acquisition of residential whole loans. REO acquired through foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure is initially recorded at fair value less estimated selling costs. REO acquired in connection with the acquisition of residential whole loans is initially recorded at its purchase price. 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 Other assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Changes in fair value that result in an adjustment to the reported amount of an 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 5 ( a )) ( j ) 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. ( k ) MBS Resecuritization, Loan Securitization and Other Debt Issuance Costs MBS resecuritization and loan securitization related costs are costs associated with the issuance of beneficial interests by consolidated VIEs and incurred by the Company in connection with various financing transactions completed by the Company. Other debt issuance and related costs include costs incurred by the Company in connection with issuing 8% Senior Notes due 2042 (“Senior Notes”) and certain other repurchase agreement financings. 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 as a direct deduction from the corresponding debt liability. These deferred charges are amortized as an adjustment to interest expense using the effective interest method. For Senior Notes and other repurchase agreement financings, such costs are amortized over the shorter of the period to the expected or stated legal maturity of the debt instruments. 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. ( l ) Repurchase Agreements and Other Advances Repurchase Agreements The Company finances the holdings of a significant portion of its residential mortgage assets 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 6 , 7 and 14 ) 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 a

MBS, CRT Securities and MSR Rel

MBS, CRT Securities and MSR Related Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
MBS, CRT Securities and MSR Related Assets	MBS, CRT Securities and MSR Related Assets 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”). 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 fixed-rate mortgages for Agency MBS and, for Non-Agency MBS, 30-year and longer-term fixed-rate mortgages. In addition, the Company’s MBS are also comprised of MBS backed by securitized re-performing/non-performing loans (“RPL/NPL MBS”), where the cash flows of the bond may not reflect the contractual cash flows of the underlying collateral. The Company’s RPL/NPL MBS are structured with a contractual coupon step-up feature where the coupon increases up to 300 basis points at 36 months from issuance or sooner. The Company pledges a significant portion of its MBS as collateral against its borrowings under repurchase agreements and Swaps. (See Note 7 ) 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 primarily 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. The payments of principal and interest on the CRT securities are paid by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, as the case may be, on a monthly basis and are dependent on the performance of loans in a reference pool of Agency MBS securitized by the issuing entity. As an investor in a CRT security, the Company may incur a loss if losses on the mortgage loans in the reference pool exceed the credit enhancement on the underlying CRT security owned by the Company. The Company assesses the credit risk associated with CRT securities by assessing the current and expected future performance of the associated reference pool. The Company pledges a portion of its CRT securities as collateral against its borrowings under repurchase agreements. (See Note 7 ) The following tables present certain information about the Company’s MBS and CRT securities at December 31, 2017 and 2016 : December 31, 2017 (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 $ 2,170,974 $ 82,271 $ (40 ) $ — $ 2,253,205 $ 2,246,600 $ 21,736 $ (28,341 ) $ (6,605 ) Freddie Mac 561,346 21,683 — — 584,920 571,748 1,624 (14,796 ) (13,172 ) Ginnie Mae 6,142 112 — — 6,254 6,333 79 — 79 Total Agency MBS 2,738,462 104,066 (40 ) — 2,844,379 2,824,681 23,439 (43,137 ) (19,698 ) Non-Agency MBS: Expected to Recover Par (3)(4) 1,128,808 50 (22,737 ) — 1,106,121 1,132,205 26,518 (434 ) 26,084 Expected to Recover Less than Par (3) 2,589,935 — (192,588 ) (593,227 ) 1,804,120 2,401,761 597,660 (19 ) 597,641 Total Non-Agency MBS (5) 3,718,743 50 (215,325 ) (593,227 ) 2,910,241 3,533,966 624,178 (453 ) 623,725 Total MBS 6,457,205 104,116 (215,365 ) (593,227 ) 5,754,620 6,358,647 647,617 (43,590 ) 604,027 CRT securities (6) 602,799 8,887 (3,550 ) — 608,136 664,403 56,290 (23 ) 56,267 Total MBS and CRT securities $ 7,060,004 $ 113,003 $ (218,915 ) $ (593,227 ) $ 6,362,756 $ 7,023,050 $ 703,907 $ (43,613 ) $ 660,294 December 31, 2016 (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 $ 2,879,807 $ 108,310 $ (51 ) $ — $ 2,988,066 $ 3,014,464 $ 45,706 $ (19,308 ) $ 26,398 Freddie Mac 693,945 26,736 — — 723,285 716,209 4,809 (11,885 ) (7,076 ) Ginnie Mae 7,550 136 — — 7,686 7,824 138 — 138 Total Agency MBS 3,581,302 135,182 (51 ) — 3,719,037 3,738,497 50,653 (31,193 ) 19,460 Non-Agency MBS: Expected to Recover Par (3)(4) 2,706,418 57 (24,273 ) — 2,682,202 2,706,311 26,477 (2,368 ) 24,109 Expected to Recover Less than Par (3) 3,359,200 — (253,918 ) (694,241 ) 2,411,041 2,978,525 570,318 (2,834 ) 567,484 Total Non-Agency MBS (5) 6,065,618 57 (278,191 ) (694,241 ) 5,093,243 5,684,836 596,795 (5,202 ) 591,593 Total MBS 9,646,920 135,239 (278,242 ) (694,241 ) 8,812,280 9,423,333 647,448 (36,395 ) 611,053 CRT securities (6) 384,993 3,312 (5,557 ) — 382,748 404,850 22,105 (3 ) 22,102 Total MBS and CRT securities $ 10,031,913 $ 138,551 $ (283,799 ) $ (694,241 ) $ 9,195,028 $ 9,828,183 $ 669,553 $ (36,398 ) $ 633,155 (1) Discount designated as Credit Reserve and amounts related to OTTI are generally not expected to be accreted into interest income. Amounts disclosed at December 31, 2017 reflect Credit Reserve of $579 million and OTTI of $14.2 million . Amounts disclosed at December 31, 2016 reflect Credit Reserve of $675.6 million and OTTI of $18.6 million . (2) Includes principal payments receivable of $1.9 million and $2.6 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively, which are not included in the Principal/Current Face. (3) Based on management ’ s current estimates of future principal cash flows expected to be received. (4) Includes RPL/NPL MBS, which at December 31, 2017 had a $922.0 million Principal/Current face, $920.1 million amortized cost and $923.1 million fair value. At December 31, 2016 , RPL/NPL MBS had a $2.5 billion Principal/Current face, $2.5 billion amortized cost and $2.5 billion fair value. (5) At December 31, 2017 and 2016 , the Company expected to recover approximately 84% and 89% , respectively, of the then-current face amount of Non-Agency MBS. (6) Amounts disclosed at December 31, 2017 includes CRT securities with a fair value of $480.8 million for which the fair value option has been elected. Such securities had gross unrealized gains of approximately $40.5 million and gross unrealized losses of approximately $23,000 at December 31, 2017 . Amounts disclosed at December 31, 2016 includes CRT securities with a fair value of $271.2 million for which the fair value option has been elected. Such securities had gross unrealized gains of approximately $12.7 million and gross unrealized losses of approximately $3,000 at December 31, 2016 . 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 December 31, 2017 : Unrealized Loss Position For: Less than 12 Months 12 Months or more Total (Dollars in Thousands) Fair Value Unrealized Losses Number of Securities Fair Value Unrealized Losses Number of Securities Fair Value Unrealized Losses Agency MBS: Fannie Mae $ 385,839 $ 3,128 104 $ 871,828 $ 25,213 200 $ 1,257,667 $ 28,341 Freddie Mac 63,924 472 23 407,885 14,324 105 471,809 14,796 Ginnie Mae 233 — 1 — — — 233 — Total Agency MBS 449,996 3,600 128 1,279,713 39,537 305 1,729,709 43,137 Non-Agency MBS: Expected to Recover Par (1) 64,394 195 2 12,531 239 9 76,925 434 Expected to Recover Less than Par (1) 6,237 19 4 — — — 6,237 19 Total Non-Agency MBS 70,631 214 6 12,531 239 9 83,162 453 Total MBS 520,627 3,814 134 1,292,244 39,776 314 1,812,871 43,590 CRT securities (2) 16,266 23 4 — — — 16,266 23 Total MBS and CRT securities $ 536,893 $ 3,837 138 $ 1,292,244 $ 39,776 314 $ 1,829,137 $ 43,613 (1) Based on management’s current estimates of future principal cash flows expected to be received. (2) Amounts disclosed at December 31, 2017 includes CRT securities with a fair value of $16.3 million for which the fair value option has been elected. Such securities have unrealized losses of $23,000 at December 31, 2017 . At December 31, 2017 , 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. Gross unrealized losses on the Company’s Agency MBS were $43.1 million at December 31, 2017 . Agency MBS are issued by Government Sponsored Entities (“GSEs”) and 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. 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 December 31, 2017 any unrealized losses on its Agency MBS were temporary. Gross unrealized losses on the Company’s Non-Agency MBS were $453,000 at December 31, 2017 . 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 marketplace 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 $1.0 million , $485,000 , and $705,000 during the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 , and 2015 , respectively. 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 these 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, 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 years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 : For the Year Ended December 31, (In Thousands) 2017 2016 2015 Total OTTI losses $ (63 ) $ (1,255 ) $ (525 ) OTTI recognized in/(reclassified from) OCI (969 ) 770 (180 ) OTTI recognized in earnings $ (1,032 ) $ (485 ) $ (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 for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 . 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. For the Year Ended December 31, (In Thousands) 2017 2016 2015 Credit loss component of OTTI at beginning of period $ 37,305 $ 36,820 $ 36,115 Additions for credit related OTTI not previously recognized 63 314 461 Subsequent additional credit related OTTI recorded 969 171 244 Credit loss component of OTTI at end of period $ 38,337 $ 37,305 $ 36,820 Purchase Discounts on Non-Agency MBS The following table presents 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 years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 : For the Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 (In Thousands) Discount Designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI Accretable Discount (1) Discount Designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI Accretable Discount (1) Balance at beginning of period $ (694,241 ) $ (278,191 ) $ (787,541 ) $ (312,182 ) Impact of RMBS Issuer settlement (2) — — — (59,900 ) Accretion of discount — 77,513 — 80,548 Realized credit losses 49,291 — 64,217 — Purchases (29,810 ) 18,386 (25,999 ) 13,094 Sales 31,730 17,802 17,863 37,953 Net impairment losses recognized in earnings (1,032 ) — (485 ) — Transfers/release of credit reserve 50,835 (50,835 ) 37,704 (37,704 ) Balance at end of period $ (593,227 ) $ (215,325 ) $ (694,241 ) $ (278,191 ) (1) Together with coupon interest, accretable purchase discount is recognized as interest income over the life of the security. (2) Includes the impact of approximately $61.8 million and $7.0 million of cash proceeds (a one-time payment) received by the Company during the year ended December 31, 2016 in connection with the settlements of litigation related to certain Countrywide and Citigroup sponsored residential mortgage backed securitization trusts, respectively. Sales of MBS During 2017, the Company sold certain Non-Agency MBS for $104.0 million , realizing gross gains of $39.9 million . During 2016, the Company sold certain Non-Agency MBS for $85.6 million , realizing gross gains of $35.8 million . During 2015, the Company sold certain Non-Agency MBS for $70.7 million realizing gross gains of $34.9 million . The Company has no continuing involvement with any of the sold MBS. MSR Related Assets ( a ) Term Notes Backed by MSR Related Collateral At December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , the Company had $381.8 million and $141.0 million , respectively of term notes issued by SPVs that have acquired rights to receive cash flows representing the servicing fees and/or excess servicing spread associated with certain MSRs. Payment of principal and interest on these term notes is considered to be largely dependent on cash flows generated by the underlying MSRs, as this impacts the cash flows available to the SPV that issued the term notes. At December 31, 2017 , these term notes had an amortized cost of $381.0 million , gross unrealized gains of $804,000 , a weighted average yield of 5.80% and a weighted average term to maturity of 3.4 years . At December 31, 2016 , the term notes had an amortized cost of $141.0 million , no gross unrealized gains, a weighted average yield of 5.50% and a weighted average term to maturity of 4.6 years . ( b ) Corporate Loan The Company has entered into a loan agreement with an entity that originates loans and owns the related MSRs. The loan is secured by certain U.S. Government, Agency and private-label MSRs, as well as other unencumbered assets owned by the borrower. Under the terms of the loan agreement, the Company has committed to lend $130.0 million of which approximately $111.2 million was drawn at December 31, 2017 . At December 31, 2017 , the coupon paid by the borrower on the drawn amount is 8.07% , the remaining term associated with the loan is 2.5 years and the remaining commitment period on any undrawn amount is six months . During the remaining commitment period of six months, the Company receives a commitment fee of 1.5% . For the year ended December 31, 2017 , the Company recognized interest income of $7.9 million including discount accretion and commitment fee income of $296,000 . Impact of AFS Securities on AOCI The following table presents the impact of the Company’s AFS securities on its AOCI for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 , and 2015 : For the Year Ended December 31, (In Thousands) 2017 2016 2015 AOCI from AFS securities: Unrealized gain on AFS securities at beginning of period $ 620,403 $ 585,250 $ 813,515 Unrealized loss on Agency MBS, net (39,158 ) (9,322 ) (51,332 ) Unrealized gain/(loss) on Non-Agency MBS, net 79,142 81,882 (143,558 ) Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing (1) — — 4,537 Reclassification adjustment for MBS sales included in net income (38,707 ) (36,922 ) (37,207 ) Reclassification adjustment for OTTI included in net income (1,032 ) (485 ) (705 ) Change in AOCI from AFS securities 245 35,153 (228,265 ) Balance at end of period $ 620,648 $ 620,403 $ 585,250 (1) Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of accounting guidance that was effective for the Company as of January 1, 2015 which prospectively eliminated the use of linked transactions accounting for certain assets that were purchased from and financed by the same counterparty. Interest Income on MBS, CRT Securities and MSR Related Assets The following table presents components of interest income on the Company’s MBS, CRT securities and MSR related assets for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 : For the Year Ended December 31, (In Thousands) 2017 2016 2015 Agency MBS Coupon interest $ 96,678 $ 119,966 $ 147,066 Effective yield adjustment (1) (31,323 ) (36,897 ) (41,231 ) Interest income $ 65,355 $ 83,069 $ 105,835 Legacy Non-Agency MBS Coupon interest $ 127,645 $ 154,057 $ 183,349 Effective yield adjustment (2) 76,005 78,443 91,003 Interest income $ 203,650 $ 232,500 $ 274,352 RPL/NPL MBS Coupon interest $ 65,957 $ 98,213 $ 87,429 Effective yield adjustment (1) 1,505 2,108 1,789 Interest income $ 67,462 $ 100,321 $ 89,218 CRT securities Coupon interest $ 27,706 $ 13,023 $ 5,844 Effective yield adjustment (2) 4,009 1,747 728 Interest income $ 31,715 $ 14,770 $ 6,572 MSR related assets Coupon interest $ 24,534 $ 2,090 $ — Effective yield adjustment (1) 296 10 — Interest income $ 24,830 $ 2,100 $ — (1) Includes amortization of premium paid net of accretion of purchase discount. For Agency MBS, RPL/NPL MBS and the corporate loan secured by MSRs, interest income is recorded at an effective yield, which reflects net premium amortization/accretion 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	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Residential Whole Loans [Abstract]
Residential Whole Loans	Residential Whole Loans Included on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 are approximately $2.2 billion and $1.4 billion , respectively, of residential whole loans arising from the Company’s interests in certain trusts established to acquire the loans and certain entities established in connection with its loan securitization transactions. The Company has assessed that these entities are required consolidated for financial reporting purposes. Residential Whole Loans at Carrying Value Residential whole loans, at carrying value totaled approximately $908.5 million and $590.5 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016 , 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 had approximately 4,800 and 3,200 Residential whole loans held at carrying value at December 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , the Company had established an allowance for loan losses of approximately $330,000 and $1.0 million , respectively, on its residential whole loan pools held at carrying value. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 , a net reversal of provision for loan losses of approximately $660,000 and $175,000 was recorded, which is included in Operating and Other expense on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. For the year ended December 31, 2015 , a net provision for loan losses of approximately $1.0 million was recorded. 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 years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 : (In Thousands) For the Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Balance at the beginning of period $ 990 $ 1,165 $ 137 (Reversal of provisions)/provisions for loan losses (660 ) (175 ) 1,028 Balance at the end of period $ 330 $ 990 $ 1,165 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 purchase credit impaired residential whole loans held at carrying value acquired by the Company for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 : (In Thousands) For the Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 Contractually required principal and interest $ 534,112 $ 662,747 Contractual cash flows not expected to be collected (non-accretable yield) (129,547 ) (117,694 ) Expected cash flows to be collected 404,565 545,053 Interest component of expected cash flows (accretable yield) (137,378 ) (181,534 ) Fair value at the date of acquisition $ 267,187 $ 363,519 The following table presents accretable yield activity for the Company’s purchase credit impaired residential whole loans held at carrying value for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 : (In Thousands) For the Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 Balance at beginning of period $ 334,379 $ 175,271 Additions 137,378 181,534 Accretion (35,657 ) (23,916 ) Liquidations and other (16,356 ) — Reclassifications from non-accretable difference, net 2,128 1,490 Balance at end of period $ 421,872 $ 334,379 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 represent 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 year ended December 31, 2017 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 held at fair value at December 31, 2017 and 2016 : (Dollars in Thousands) December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Outstanding principal balance $ 1,562,373 $ 966,174 Aggregate fair value $ 1,325,115 $ 814,682 Number of loans 6,514 3,812 During the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , the Company recorded net gains on residential whole loans held at fair value of $90.0 million , $62.6 million and $19.6 million , respectively. The following table presents the components of Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 : For the Year Ended December 31, (In Thousands) 2017 2016 2015 Coupon payments and other income received $ 41,373 $ 23,017 $ 9,304 Net unrealized gains 33,617 31,254 6,539 Net gain on payoff/liquidation of loans 4,958 5,413 1,879 Net gain on transfers to REO 10,071 2,921 1,853 Total $ 90,019 $ 62,605 $ 19,575

Other Assets

Other Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Other Assets [Abstract]
Other Assets	Other Assets The following table presents the components of the Company’s Other assets at December 31, 2017 and 2016 : (In Thousands) December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 REO $ 152,356 $ 80,503 Interest receivable 27,415 27,795 Swaps, at fair value 679 233 Goodwill 7,189 7,189 Prepaid and other assets 51,208 78,775 Total Other Assets $ 238,847 $ 194,495 Real Estate Owned At December 31, 2017 , the Company had 709 REO properties with an aggregate carrying value of $152.4 million . At December 31, 2016 , the Company had 447 REO properties with an aggregate carrying value of $80.5 million . During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 , the Company reclassified 698 and 517 mortgage loans to REO at an aggregate estimated fair value less estimated selling costs of $136.7 million and $91.9 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. From time to time, the Company also acquires REO in connection with transactions to acquire residential whole loans. At December 31, 2017 , $140.4 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 $33.5 million of residential whole loans at carrying value and $689.6 million of residential whole loans at fair value at December 31, 2017 . During the year ended December 31, 2017 , the Company sold 517 REO properties for consideration of $78.4 million , realizing net gains of approximately $4.5 million . During the year ended December 31, 2016 , the Company sold 256 REO properties for consideration of $37.9 million , realizing net gains of approximately $3.2 million . During the year ended December 31, 2015 , the Company sold 63 REO properties for consideration of $6.5 million , realizing net gains of approximately $76,000 . These amounts 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 each quarter during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 , an aggregate downward adjustment of approximately $11.0 million and $7.5 million was recorded to reflect certain REO properties at the lower of cost or estimated fair value as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. The following table presents the activity in the Company’s REO for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 : For the Year Ended December 31, (In Thousands) 2017 2016 Balance at beginning of period $ 80,503 $ 28,026 Adjustments to record at lower of cost or fair value (11,018 ) (7,527 ) Transfer from residential whole loans (1) 136,734 91,896 Purchases and capital improvements 19,801 2,825 Disposals (73,664 ) (34,717 ) Balance at end of period $ 152,356 $ 80,503 (1) Includes net gain recorded on transfer of approximately $10.2 million and $2.9 million , respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 . ( b ) 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. The following table presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative instruments and their balance sheet location at December 31, 2017 and 2016 : December 31, 2017 2016 Derivative Instrument Designation Balance Sheet Location Notional Amount Fair Value Notional Amount Fair Value (In Thousands) Non-cleared legacy Swaps (1) Hedging Assets $ — $ — $ 350,000 $ 233 Cleared Swaps (2) Hedging Assets $ 750,000 $ 679 $ — $ — Cleared Swaps (2) Hedging Liabilities $ 1,800,000 $ — $ 2,550,000 $ (46,954 ) (1) Non-cleared legacy Swaps include Swaps executed and settled bilaterally with counterparties without the use of an organized exchange or central clearing house. The Company’s final non-cleared legacy Swaps expired during the three months ended June 30, 2017 . (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. As of December 31, 2017 , all of the Company’s Swaps have been novated to and are cleared by a central clearing house are subject to initial margin requirements. Beginning in January 2017, variation margin payments on the Company’s cleared swaps are treated as a legal settlement of the exposure under the Swap contract. Previously such payments were treated as collateral pledged against the exposure under the Swap contract. The effect of this change is to reduce what would have otherwise been reported as fair value of the Swap. Swaps The following table presents the assets pledged as collateral against the Company’s Swap contracts at December 31, 2017 and 2016 : December 31, (In Thousands) 2017 2016 Agency MBS, at fair value $ 21,756 $ 32,468 Restricted cash 6,405 53,849 Total assets pledged against Swaps $ 28,161 $ 86,317 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 December 31, 2017 , all of the Company’s derivatives were deemed effective for hedging purposes and no derivatives were terminated during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 . 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 any of the three years ended December 31, 2017 . At December 31, 2017 , the Company had Swaps designated in hedging relationships with an aggregate notional amount of $2.6 billion and extended 27 months on average with a maximum term of approximately 68 months . The following table presents certain information with respect to the Company’s Swap activity during the year ended December 31, 2017 : (Dollars in Thousands) December 31, 2017 New Swaps: Aggregate notional amount $ — Weighted average fixed-pay rate — % Initial maturity date N/A Number of new Swaps — Swaps amortized/expired: Aggregate notional amount $ 350,000 Weighted average fixed-pay rate 0.58 % The following table presents information about the Company’s Swaps at December 31, 2017 and 2016 : December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Maturity (1) 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) (Dollars in Thousands) Within 30 days $ — — % — % $ — — % — % Over 30 days to 3 months — — — 50,000 0.67 0.64 Over 3 months to 6 months 50,000 1.45 1.56 300,000 0.57 0.66 Over 6 months to 12 months 500,000 1.50 1.46 — — — Over 12 months to 24 months 200,000 1.71 1.54 550,000 1.49 0.71 Over 24 months to 36 months 1,500,000 2.22 1.51 200,000 1.71 0.76 Over 36 months to 48 months 200,000 2.20 1.53 1,500,000 2.22 0.74 Over 48 months to 60 months — — — 200,000 2.20 0.75 Over 60 months to 72 months (3) 100,000 2.75 1.50 — — — Over 72 months to 84 months (3) — — — 100,000 2.75 0.74 Total Swaps $ 2,550,000 2.04 % 1.50 % $ 2,900,000 1.87 % 0.72 % (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 years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 : For the Year Ended December 31, (Dollars in Thousands) 2017 2016 2015 Interest expense attributable to Swaps $ 24,524 $ 40,898 $ 53,759 Weighted average Swap rate paid 1.98 % 1.82 % 1.86 % Weighted average Swap rate received 1.07 % 0.48 % 0.19 % 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 years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 : For the Year Ended December 31, (In Thousands) 2017 2016 2015 AOCI from derivative hedging instruments: Balance at beginning of period $ (46,721 ) $ (69,399 ) $ (59,062 ) Net gain/(loss) on Swaps 35,297 22,678 (10,337 ) Balance at end of period $ (11,424 ) $ (46,721 ) $ (69,399 )

Repurchase Agreements and Other

Repurchase Agreements and Other Advances	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Repurchase Agreements
Repurchase Agreements and Other Advances	Repurchase Agreements and Other Advances Repurchase Agreements The Company’s repurchase agreements are accounted for as secured borrowings and bear interest that is generally LIBOR-based. (See Notes 2 ( l ) and 7 ) At December 31, 2017 , the Company’s borrowings under repurchase agreements had a weighted average remaining term-to-interest rate reset of 16 days and an effective repricing period of 11 months , including the impact of related Swaps. At December 31, 2016 , the Company’s borrowings under repurchase agreements had a weighted average remaining term-to-interest rate reset of 19 days and an effective repricing period of 12 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 December 31, 2017 and 2016 : (Dollars in Thousands) December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Repurchase agreement borrowings secured by Agency MBS $ 2,501,340 $ 3,095,020 Fair value of Agency MBS pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements $ 2,705,754 $ 3,280,689 Weighted average haircut on Agency MBS (1) 4.65 % 4.67 % Repurchase agreement borrowings secured by Legacy Non-Agency MBS $ 1,256,033 $ 1,690,937 Fair value of Legacy Non-Agency MBS pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements (2) $ 1,652,983 $ 2,317,708 Weighted average haircut on Legacy Non-Agency MBS (1) 21.87 % 24.01 % Repurchase agreement borrowings secured by RPL/NPL MBS $ 567,140 $ 1,943,572 Fair value of RPL/NPL MBS pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements $ 726,540 $ 2,433,711 Weighted average haircut on RPL/NPL MBS (1) 22.05 % 20.98 % Repurchase agreements secured by U.S. Treasuries $ 470,334 $ 504,572 Fair value of U.S. Treasuries pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements $ 472,095 $ 510,767 Weighted average haircut on U.S. Treasuries (1) 1.47 % 1.60 % Repurchase agreements secured by CRT securities $ 459,058 $ 271,205 Fair value of CRT securities pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements $ 595,900 $ 357,488 Weighted average haircut on CRT securities (1) 22.16 % 23.22 % Repurchase agreements secured by MSR related assets $ 317,255 $ 135,112 Fair value of MSR related assets pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements $ 482,158 $ 226,780 Weighted average haircut on MSR related assets (1) 33.19 % 41.40 % Repurchase agreements secured by residential whole loans (3) $ 1,043,747 $ 832,060 Fair value of residential whole loans pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements $ 1,474,704 $ 1,175,088 Weighted average haircut on residential whole loans (1) 26.10 % 25.03 % (1) Haircut represents the percentage amount by which the collateral value is contractually required to exceed the loan amount. (2) Includes $172.4 million of Legacy Non-Agency MBS acquired from consolidated VIEs that are eliminated from the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2016 . (3) Excludes $206,000 and $210,000 of unamortized debt issuance costs at December 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. 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 December 31, 2017 and 2016 : December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Time Until Interest Rate Reset Balance Weighted Average Interest Rate Balance Weighted Average Interest Rate (Dollars in Thousands) Within 30 days $ 6,161,008 2.39 % $ 7,284,062 1.77 % Over 30 days to 3 months 453,899 2.76 1,188,416 1.91 Over 3 months to 12 months — — — — Total repurchase agreements $ 6,614,907 2.42 % $ 8,472,478 1.79 % Less debt issuance costs 206 210 Total repurchase agreements less debt issuance costs $ 6,614,701 $ 8,472,268 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 December 31, 2017 and does not reflect the impact of derivative contracts that hedge such repurchase agreements: December 31, 2017 Contractual Maturity Overnight Within 30 Days Over 30 Days to 3 Months Over 3 Months to 12 Months Over 12 months Total (Dollars in Thousands) Agency MBS $ — $ 2,501,340 $ — $ — $ — $ 2,501,340 Legacy Non-Agency MBS — 797,265 359,730 99,038 — 1,256,033 RPL/NPL MBS — 482,860 69,833 14,447 — 567,140 U.S. Treasuries — 470,334 — — — 470,334 CRT securities — 434,722 24,336 — — 459,058 MSR relates assets — 317,255 — — — 317,255 Residential whole loans — — 113,415 930,332 — 1,043,747 Total (1) $ — $ 5,003,776 $ 567,314 $ 1,043,817 $ — $ 6,614,907 Weighted Average Interest Rate — % 2.09 % 2.95 % 3.69 % — % 2.42 % Gross amount of recognized liabilities for repurchase agreements in Note 8 $ 6,614,907 Amounts related to repurchase agreements not included in offsetting disclosure in Note 8 $ — (1) Excludes $206,000 of unamortized debt issuance costs at December 31, 2017 . The Company had repurchase agreements with 31 counterparties at both December 31, 2017 and 2016 , 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 December 31, 2017 : December 31, 2017 Counterparty Counterparty Rating (1) Amount at Risk (2) Weighted Average Months to Maturity for Repurchase Agreements Percent of Stockholders’ Equity (Dollars in Thousands) Goldman Sachs (3) BBB+/A3/A $ 239,473 5 7.3 % Wells Fargo (4) AA-/Aa2/AA- 189,015 5 5.8 RBC (5) AA-/A1/AA 186,652 1 5.7 Credit Suisse (6) BBB+/Aa2/A- 171,449 2 5.3 UBS (7) A+/A1/A+ 167,390 5 5.1 (1) As rated at December 31, 2017 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 $186.4 million at risk with Goldman Sachs Lending Partners and $53.0 million at risk with Goldman Sachs Bank USA. (4) Includes $178.8 million at risk with Wells Fargo Bank, NA and $10.2 million at risk with Wells Fargo Securities LLC. (5) Includes $166.8 million at risk with RBC Barbados, $15.1 million at risk with Royal of Canada and $4.8 million at risk with RBC Capital Markets LLC. Counterparty ratings are not published for RBC Barbados and RBS Capital Market LLC. (6) Includes $139.5 million at risk with Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands and $31.9 million at risk with Credit Suisse. Counterparty ratings are not published for Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands. (7) Includes Non-Agency MBS pledged as collateral with contemporaneous repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements. FHLB Advances In January 2016, the Federal Housing Finance Agency released its final rule amending its regulation on FHLB membership, which, among other things, provided termination rules for then current captive insurance members. As a result of such regulation, MFA Insurance was required to repay all of its outstanding FHLB advances by February 19, 2017 and its FHLB membership was terminated on such date. At December 31, 2016 , MFA Insurance had $215.0 million in outstanding long-term secured FHLB advances with a weighted average borrowing rate of 0.78% . Interest payable on outstanding FHLB advances at December 31, 2016 totaled approximately $42,000 and was included in Other liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

Collateral Positions

Collateral Positions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Transfers and Servicing [Abstract]
Collateral Positions	Collateral Positions The Company pledges securities or cash as collateral to its counterparties pursuant to its borrowings under repurchase agreements and for initial margin payments on centrally cleared Swaps. In addition, the Company receives securities or cash as collateral pursuant to financing provided under reverse repurchase agreements. The Company exchanges collateral with its counterparties based on changes in the fair value, notional amount and term of the associated repurchase agreements and Swap contracts, as applicable. In connection with these margining practices, either the Company or its counterparty may be required to pledge cash or securities as collateral. 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 December 31, 2017 and 2016 : December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (In Thousands) Assets Pledged Collateral Held Assets Pledged Collateral Held Derivative Hedging Instruments: Agency MBS $ 21,756 $ — $ 32,468 $ — Cash (1) 6,405 — 53,849 — 28,161 — 86,317 — Repurchase Agreement Borrowings: Agency MBS 2,705,754 — 3,280,689 — Legacy Non-Agency MBS (2)(3) 1,652,983 — 2,317,708 — RPL/NPL MBS 726,540 — 2,433,711 — U.S. Treasury securities 472,095 — 510,767 — CRT securities 595,900 — 357,488 — MSR related assets 482,158 — 226,780 — Residential whole loans 1,474,704 — 1,175,088 — Cash (1) 6,902 — 4,614 — 8,117,036 — 10,306,845 — FHLB Advances: Agency MBS — — 227,244 — — — 227,244 — Reverse Repurchase Agreements: U.S. Treasury securities — 504,062 — 510,767 — 504,062 — 510,767 Total $ 8,145,197 $ 504,062 $ 10,620,406 $ 510,767 (1) Cash pledged as collateral is reported as “Restricted cash” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. (2) Includes $172.4 million of Legacy Non-Agency MBS acquired in connection with resecuritization transactions from consolidated VIEs that are eliminated from the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2016 . (3) In addition, at December 31, 2017 and 2016 , $688.1 million and $688.2 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 December 31, 2017 : December 31, 2017 Assets Pledged Under Repurchase Agreements 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 $ 2,705,754 $ 2,724,736 $ 7,069 $ 21,756 $ 22,476 $ 48 $ 2,734,627 Legacy Non-Agency MBS (1) 1,652,983 1,268,702 6,132 — — — 1,659,115 RPL/NPL MBS 726,540 723,719 571 — — — 727,111 U.S. Treasuries 472,095 — — — — 472,095 CRT securities 595,900 542,642 467 — — — 596,367 MSR related assets 482,158 481,354 1,120 — — — 483,278 Residential whole loans (2) 1,474,704 1,444,915 4,168 — — — 1,478,872 Cash (3) 6,902 6,902 — 6,405 6,405 — 13,307 Total $ 8,117,036 $ 7,192,970 $ 19,527 $ 28,161 $ 28,881 $ 48 $ 8,164,772 (1) In addition, at December 31, 2017 , $688.1 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. (2) Includes residential whole loans held at carrying value with an aggregate fair value of $478.5 million and aggregate amortized cost of $448.7 million and residential whole loans held at fair value with an aggregate fair value and amortized cost of $996.2 million . (3) Cash pledged as collateral is reported as “Restricted cash” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

Offsetting Assets and Liabiliti

Offsetting Assets and Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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 December 31, 2017 and 2016 : 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 December 31, 2017 Swaps, at fair value $ 679 $ — $ 679 $ (679 ) $ — $ — Total $ 679 $ — $ 679 $ (679 ) $ — $ — December 31, 2016 Swaps, at fair value $ 233 $ — $ 233 $ (233 ) $ — $ — Total $ 233 $ — $ 233 $ (233 ) $ — $ — 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) December 31, 2017 Swaps, at fair value (2) $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — Repurchase agreements and other advances (3)(4) 6,614,907 — 6,614,907 (6,608,005 ) (6,902 ) — Total $ 6,614,907 $ — $ 6,614,907 $ (6,608,005 ) $ (6,902 ) $ — December 31, 2016 Swaps, at fair value (2) $ 46,954 $ — $ 46,954 $ — $ (46,954 ) $ — Repurchase agreements and other advances (3)(4) 8,687,478 — 8,687,478 (8,682,864 ) (4,614 ) — Total $ 8,734,432 $ — $ 8,734,432 $ (8,682,864 ) $ (51,568 ) $ — (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 $6.4 million and $6.9 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. (2) The fair value of securities pledged against the Company’s Swaps was $21.8 million and $32.5 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. Beginning in January 2017, variation margin payments on the Company’s cleared Swaps are treated as a legal settlement of the exposure under the Swap contract. Previously such payments were treated as collateral pledged against the exposure under the Swap contract. The effect of this change is to reduce what would have otherwise been reported as fair value of the Swap. (3) The fair value of financial instruments pledged against the Company’s repurchase agreements and other advances was $8.1 billion and $10.5 billion at December 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. (4) Excludes $206,000 and $210,000 of unamortized debt issuance costs at December 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. Nature of Setoff Rights In the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, all balances associated with the repurchase agreement and Swap transactions that are not centrally cleared 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.

Other Liabilities

Other Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Other Liabilities [Abstract]
Other Liabilities	Other Liabilities The following table presents the components of the Company’s Other liabilities at December 31, 2017 and 2016 : (In Thousands) December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Securitized debt (1) $ 363,944 $ — Senior Notes 96,773 96,733 Dividends and dividend equivalents payable 79,771 74,657 Accrued interest payable 12,263 14,129 Swaps, at fair value (2) — 46,954 Accrued expenses and other liabilities 21,584 19,612 Total Other Liabilities $ 574,335 $ 252,085 (1) Securitized debt represents third-party liabilities of consolidated VIEs and excludes liabilities of the VIEs acquired by the Company that are eliminated in consolidation. The third-party beneficial interest holders in the VIEs have no recourse to the general credit of the Company. (See Notes 10 and 15 for further discussion.) (2) Beginning in January 2017, variation margin payments on the Company’s cleared Swaps are treated as a legal settlement of the exposure under the Swap contract. Previously such payments were treated as collateral pledged against the exposure under the Swap contract. The effect of this change is to reduce what would have otherwise been reported as fair value of the Swap. 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 Senior Notes have an effective interest rate, including the impact of amortization to interest expense of debt issuance costs, of 8.31% . 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	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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 June 30, 2020 . The lease provides for aggregate cash payments ranging over time of approximately $2.6 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, 2021 for its off-site back-up facility located in Rockville Centre, New York, which provides for, among other things, lease payments totaling $32,000 , annually. The Company recognized lease expense of $2.7 million , $2.5 million and $2.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively, which is included in Other general and administrative expense within the consolidated statements of operations. At December 31, 2017 , the contractual minimum rental payments (exclusive of possible rent escalation charges and normal recurring charges for maintenance, insurance and taxes) were as follows: Year Ended December 31, Minimum Rental Payments (In Thousands) 2018 $ 2,553 2019 2,553 2020 1,082 2021 32 2022 — Total $ 6,220 (b) Corporate Loan The Company has entered into a loan agreement with an entity that originates loans and owns the related MSRs. The loan is secured by certain U.S. Government, Agency and private-label MSRs, as well as other unencumbered assets owned by the borrower. Under the terms of the loan agreement, the Company has committed to lend $130.0 million of which approximately $111.2 million was drawn at December 31, 2017 . (c) Representations and Warranties in Connection with Loan Securitization Transactions In connection with the loan securitization transactions entered into by the Company in 2017 (See Note 15 for further discussion), the Company has the obligation under certain circumstances to repurchase assets previously transferred to securitization vehicles upon breach of certain representations and warranties. As of December 31, 2017 , the Company had no reserve established for repurchases of loans and was not aware of any material unsettled repurchase claims that would require the establishment of such a reserve.

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	Stockholders’ Equity ( a ) Preferred Stock On April 15, 2013, the Company completed the issuance of 8.0 million shares of its 7.50% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series B Preferred Stock”) with a par value of $0.01 per share, and a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends, in an underwritten public offering. 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 American LLC or NASDAQ, or any successor exchange. 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 December 31, 2017 : Year Declaration Date Record Date Payment Date Dividend Per Share 2017 November 17, 2017 December 1, 2017 December 29, 2017 $0.46875 August 10, 2017 September 1, 2017 September 29, 2017 0.46875 May 16, 2017 June 2, 2017 June 30, 2017 0.46875 February 17, 2017 March 6, 2017 March 31, 2017 0.46875 2016 November 22, 2016 December 6, 2016 December 30, 2016 $0.46875 August 12, 2016 September 2, 2016 September 30, 2016 0.46875 May 18, 2016 June 3, 2016 June 30, 2016 0.46875 February 12, 2016 February 29, 2016 March 31, 2016 0.46875 2015 November 19, 2015 December 3, 2015 December 31, 2015 $0.46875 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 December 31, 2017 : Year Declaration Date Record Date Payment Date Dividend Per Share 2017 December 13, 2017 December 28, 2017 January 31, 2018 $0.20 (1) September 14, 2017 September 28, 2017 October 31, 2017 0.20 June 12, 2017 June 29, 2017 July 28, 2017 0.20 March 8, 2017 March 29, 2017 April 28, 2017 0.20 2016 December 14, 2016 December 28, 2016 January 31, 2017 $0.20 September 15, 2016 September 28, 2016 October 31, 2016 0.20 June 14, 2016 June 28, 2016 July 29, 2016 0.20 March 11, 2016 March 28, 2016 April 29, 2016 0.20 2015 December 9, 2015 December 28, 2015 January 29, 2016 $0.20 September 17, 2015 September 29, 2015 October 30, 2015 0.20 June 15, 2015 June 29, 2015 July 31, 2015 0.20 March 13, 2015 March 27, 2015 April 30, 2015 0.20 (1) At December 31, 2017 , the Company had accrued dividends and dividend equivalents payable of $79.8 million related to the common stock dividend declared on December 13, 2017 . In general, the Company’s common stock dividends have been characterized as ordinary income to its stockholders for income tax purposes. However, a portion of the Company’s common stock dividends may, from time to time, be characterized as capital gains or return of capital. For the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 a portion of the Company’s common stock dividends were deemed to be capitalized gains. ( c ) Public Offering of Common Stock The table below presents information with respect to shares of the Company’s common stock issued through public offerings during the year ended December 31, 2017 . The Company did not issue any common stock through public offerings during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 . Share Issue Date Shares Issued Gross Proceeds Per Share Gross Proceeds (1) (In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts) May 10, 2017 23,000 $ 7.85 $ 180,550 (1) (1) The Company incurred approximately $2.3 million of underwriting discounts and related expenses in connection with this equity offering. ( d ) Discount Waiver, Direct Stock Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Plan (“DRSPP”) On September 16, 2016, 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 December 31, 2017 , 12.0 million shares of common stock remained available for issuance pursuant to the DRSPP shelf registration statement. During the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , the Company issued 2,293,192 , 653,793 and 162,373 shares of common stock through the DRSPP, raising net proceeds of approximately $18.5 million , $4.7 million and $1.2 million , respectively. From the inception of the DRSPP in September 2003 through December 31, 2017 , the Company issued 33,675,977 shares pursuant to the DRSPP, raising net proceeds of $281.4 million . ( e ) 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 three years ended December 31, 2017 . At December 31, 2017 , 6,616,355 shares remained authorized for repurchase under the Repurchase Program. ( f ) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) The following table presents changes in the balances of each component of the Company’s AOCI for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 : For the Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In Thousands) Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on AFS Securities Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Swaps Total AOCI Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on AFS Securities Net Total AOCI Net Net Total AOCI Balance at beginning of period $ 620,403 $ (46,721 ) $ 573,682 $ 585,250 $ (69,399 ) $ 515,851 $ 813,515 $ (59,062 ) $ 754,453 OCI before reclassifications 39,984 35,297 75,281 72,560 22,678 95,238 (194,890 ) (10,337 ) (205,227 ) Amounts reclassified from AOCI (1) (39,739 ) — (39,739 ) (37,407 ) — (37,407 ) (37,912 ) — (37,912 ) Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing — — — — — — 4,537 — 4,537 Net OCI during period (2) 245 35,297 35,542 35,153 22,678 57,831 (228,265 ) (10,337 ) (238,602 ) Balance at end of period $ 620,648 $ (11,424 ) $ 609,224 $ 620,403 $ (46,721 ) $ 573,682 $ 585,250 $ (69,399 ) $ 515,851 (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 years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 , and 2015 : For the Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Details about AOCI Components Amounts Reclassified from AOCI Affected Line Item in the Statement (In Thousands) AFS Securities: Realized gain on sale of securities $ (38,707 ) $ (36,922 ) $ (37,207 ) Net gain on sales of MBS and U.S. Treasury securities OTTI recognized in earnings (1,032 ) (485 ) (705 ) Net impairment losses recognized in earnings Total AFS Securities $ (39,739 ) $ (37,407 ) $ (37,912 ) Total reclassifications for period $ (39,739 ) $ (37,407 ) $ (37,912 ) On securities for which OTTI had been recognized in prior periods, the Company did no t have any unrealized losses recorded in AOCI at December 31, 2017 and had $1.7 million unrealized losses recorded in AOCI at December 31, 2016 .

EPS Calculation

EPS Calculation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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 years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 : For the Year Ended December 31, (In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts) 2017 2016 2015 Numerator: Net income $ 322,393 $ 312,668 $ 313,226 Dividends declared on preferred stock (15,000 ) (15,000 ) (15,000 ) Dividends, dividend equivalents and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities (1,708 ) (1,628 ) (1,539 ) Net income available to common stockholders - basic and diluted $ 305,685 $ 296,040 $ 296,687 Denominator: Weighted average common shares for basic and diluted earnings per share (1) 388,357 371,122 372,114 Basic and diluted earnings per share $ 0.79 $ 0.80 $ 0.80 (1) At December 31, 2017 , the Company had approximately 2.2 million equity instruments outstanding that were not included in the calculation of diluted EPS for the year ended December 31, 2017 , as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. These equity instruments reflect RSUs (based on current estimate of expected share settlement amount) with a weighted average grant date fair value of $6.43 . These equity instruments may have a dilutive impact on future EPS.

Equity Compensation, Employment

Equity Compensation, Employment Agreements and Other Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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 December 31, 2017 , approximately 6.7 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 1.5 million 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. 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 of the Board (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 December 31, 2017 are designated to be settled in shares of the Company’s common stock. All RSUs outstanding at December 31, 2017 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 December 31, 2017 and 2016 , the Company had unrecognized compensation expense of $4.1 million and $3.6 million , respectively, related to RSUs. The unrecognized compensation expense at December 31, 2017 is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.8 years . The following table presents information with respect to the Company’s RSUs during the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 : For the Year Ended December 31, 2017 RSUs With Service Condition Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value RSUs With Market and Service Conditions Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Total RSUs Total Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Outstanding at beginning of year: 1,194,299 $ 7.38 863,800 $ 5.45 2,058,099 $ 6.57 Granted (1) 447,695 7.96 451,250 6.48 898,945 7.22 Settled (616,966 ) 7.32 (293,800 ) 5.83 (910,766 ) 6.84 Cancelled/forfeited — — — — — — Outstanding at end of year 1,025,028 $ 7.67 1,021,250 $ 5.80 2,046,278 $ 6.73 RSUs vested but not settled at end of year 586,419 $ 7.98 275,000 $ 5.73 861,419 $ 7.26 RSUs unvested at end of year 438,609 $ 7.25 746,250 $ 5.82 1,184,859 $ 6.35 For the Year Ended December 31, 2016 RSUs With Service Condition Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value RSUs With Market and Service Conditions Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Total RSUs Total Outstanding at beginning of year: 1,138,930 $ 7.71 736,800 $ 5.66 1,875,730 $ 6.90 Granted (2) 420,695 6.81 307,500 4.81 728,195 5.96 Settled (360,326 ) 7.75 (175,500 ) 5.21 (535,826 ) 6.92 Cancelled/forfeited (5,000 ) 7.32 (5,000 ) 5.27 (10,000 ) 6.29 Outstanding at end of year 1,194,299 $ 7.38 863,800 $ 5.45 2,058,099 $ 6.57 RSUs vested but not settled at end of year 617,518 $ 7.45 293,800 $ 5.83 911,318 $ 6.93 RSUs unvested at end of year 576,781 $ 7.30 570,000 $ 5.25 1,146,781 $ 6.28 For the Year Ended December 31, 2015 RSUs With Service Condition Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value RSUs With Market and Service Conditions Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Total RSUs Total Outstanding at beginning of year: 769,174 $ 7.55 449,300 $ 5.61 1,218,474 $ 6.84 Granted (3) 390,804 7.96 291,250 5.73 682,054 7.01 Settled (17,298 ) 6.60 — — (17,298 ) 6.60 Cancelled/forfeited (3,750 ) 7.97 (3,750 ) 5.73 (7,500 ) 6.85 Outstanding at end of year 1,138,930 $ 7.71 736,800 $ 5.66 1,875,730 $ 6.90 RSUs vested but not settled at end of year 554,023 $ 7.83 175,500 $ 5.21 729,523 $ 7.20 RSUs unvested at end of year 584,907 $ 7.59 561,300 $ 5.80 1,146,207 $ 6.71 (1) The weighted average grant date fair value of these awards require the Company to estimate certain valuation inputs. In determining the fair value for 758,750 of these awards granted in 2017 , the Company applied: (i) a weighted average volatility estimate of approximately 15% , which was determined considering historic volatility in the price of the Company’s and its peer group companies’ common stock over the three -year period prior to the grant date and the implied volatility of certain exchange-traded options on the Company’s and peer group companies’ common stock at the grant date; and (ii) a weighted average risk-free rate of 1.46% based on the continuously compounded constant maturity treasury rate corresponding to a maturity commensurate with the expected vesting term of the awards. The weighted average grant date fair value for the remaining 140,195 awards with a service condition only was estimated based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock at the grant date of $8.31 . There are no post vesting conditions on these awards. (2) The weighted average grant date fair value of these awards require the Company to estimate certain valuation inputs. In determining the fair value for 615,000 of these awards granted in 2016 , the Company applied: (i) a weighted average volatility estimate of approximately 17% , which was determined considering historic volatility in the price of Company’s common stock over the three -year period prior to the grant date and the implied volatility of certain exchange-traded options on the Company’s common stock at the grant date; (ii) a weighted average risk-free rate of 1.20% based on the continuously compounded constant maturity treasury rate corresponding to a maturity commensurate with the expected vesting term of the awards; and (iii) an estimated annual dividend yield of 11% . The weighted average grant date fair value for the remaining 113,195 awards with a service condition only was estimated based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock at the grant date of $7.20 . There are no post vesting conditions on these awards. (3) The weighted average grant date fair value of these awards require the Company to estimate certain valuation inputs. In determining the fair value for 582,500 of these awards granted in 2015 , the Company applied: (i) a weighted average volatility estimate of approximately 18% , which was determined considering historic volatility in the price of Company’s common stock over the three -year period prior to the grant date and the implied volatility of certain exchange-traded options on the Company’s common stock at the grant date; (ii) a weighted average risk-free rate of 0.90% based on the continuously compounded constant maturity treasury rate corresponding to a maturity commensurate with the expected vesting term of the awards; and (iii) an estimated annual dividend yield of 9% . The weighted average grant date fair value for the remaining 99,554 awards with a service condition only was estimated based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock at the grant date ranging from $7.93 to $7.97 . There are no post vesting conditions on these awards. Restricted Stock At December 31, 2017 , the Company did no t have any unvested shares of restricted common stock outstanding. At December 31, 2016 , the Company had unrecognized compensation expense of approximately $203,000 and had accrued dividends payable of approximately $55,000 related to unvested shares of restricted stock, respectively. The total fair value of restricted shares vested during the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 was approximately $2.0 million , $4.3 million and $4.3 million , respectively. The following table presents information with respect to the Company’s restricted stock for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 : For the Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Shares of Restricted Stock Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (1) Shares of Restricted Stock Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (1) Shares of Restricted Stock Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (1) Outstanding at beginning of year: 28,968 $ 7.12 110,920 $ 7.41 243,948 $ 7.48 Granted 214,859 8.06 487,216 7.66 497,007 6.83 Vested (2) (243,827 ) 7.95 (567,851 ) 7.64 (629,212 ) 6.98 Cancelled/forfeited — — (1,317 ) 7.12 (823 ) 7.74 Outstanding at end of year — $ — 28,968 $ 7.12 110,920 $ 7.41 (1) The grant date fair value of restricted stock awards is based on the closing market price of the Company’s common stock at the grant date. (2) All restrictions associated with restricted stock are removed on vesting. 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 shall determine in its discretion. Payments made on the Company’s outstanding dividend equivalent rights that have been granted as a separate instrument are charged to Stockholders’ Equity when common stock dividends are declared to the extent that such equivalents are expected to vest. The Company did not make any payments in respect of such instruments during the year ended December 31, 2017 and made payments of approximately $5,000 and $16,000 during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. The following table presents information about the Company’s dividend equivalents rights awarded as separate instruments at and for each of the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 . No such awards were granted during 2017: For the Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 Number of Dividend Equivalent Rights Outstanding at beginning of year: 8,215 24,402 Granted — — Cancelled, forfeited or expired (8,215 ) (16,187 ) Outstanding at end of year — 8,215 The weighted average grant date fair value of the dividend equivalent rights in the above table is $2.77 . The determination of the weighted average grant date fair value of these awards required the Company to estimate certain valuation inputs. In determining the fair value for these awards granted in 2011, the Company applied: (i) a weighted average volatility estimate of approximately 31% , which was determined considering historic volatility in the price of Company’s common stock over the six -year period prior to the grant date and the implied volatility of certain exchange-traded options on the Company’s common stock at the grant date; (ii) a weighted average risk-free rate of 2.23% based on the continuously compounded constant maturity treasury rate corresponding to a maturity commensurate with the expected vesting term of the awards; and (iii) an estimated annual dividend yield of 13% . Options The Company did no t grant any stock options during the three years ended December 31, 2017 . At December 31, 2017 , the Company had no Options outstanding. Expense Recognized for Equity-Based Compensation Instruments The following table presents the Company’s expenses related to its equity-based compensation instruments for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 : For the Year Ended December 31, (In Thousands) 2017 2016 2015 RSUs (1) $ 6,098 $ 4,792 $ 3,377 Restricted shares of common stock 1,935 4,326 4,373 Dividend equivalent rights — 44 82 Total $ 8,033 $ 9,162 $ 7,832 (1) Equity-based compensation for the year ended December 31, 2017 includes a one-time expense of approximately $900,000 for the accelerated vesting of certain time-based equity awards arising from the death of the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer. ( b ) Employment Agreements At December 31, 2017 , the Company had employment agreements with three 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 years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 : For the Year Ended December 31, (In Thousands) 2017 2016 2015 Non-employee directors $ 171 $ 231 $ (59 ) Total $ 171 $ 231 $ (59 ) The Company did no t distribute cash to the participants of the Deferred Plans during the year ended December 31, 2017 . The Company distributed cash of $122,000 and $109,000 to the participants of the Deferred Plans during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. The following table presents the aggregate amount of income deferred by participants of the Deferred Plans through December 31, 2017 and 2016 that had not been distributed and the Company’s associated liability for such deferrals at December 31, 2017 and 2016 : December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (In Thousands) Undistributed Income Deferred (1) Liability Under Deferred Plans Undistributed Income Deferred (1) Liability Under Deferred Plans Non-employee directors $ 1,688 $ 2,056 $ 1,066 $ 1,263 Total $ 1,688 $ 2,056 $ 1,066 $ 1,263 (1) Represents the cumulative amounts that were deferred by participants through December 31, 2017 and 2016 , 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 years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , the Company recognized expenses for matching contributions of $363,000 , $359,000 and $309,000 , respectively.

Fair Value of Financial Instrum

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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 from various sources, when available. The Company’s Legacy Non-Agency MBS, RPL/NPL MBS and CRT securities are valued using various market data points as described above, which management considers directly or indirectly observable parameters. Accordingly, these securities are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Term Notes Backed by MSR Related Collateral The Company’s valuation process for term notes backed by MSR related collateral considers a number of factors, including a comparable bond analysis performed by a third-party pricing service which involves determining a pricing spread at issuance of the term note. The pricing spread is used at each subsequent valuation date to determine an implied yield to maturity of the term note, which is used to derive an indicative market value for the security. This indicative market value is further reviewed by the Company and may be adjusted to ensure it reflects a realistic exit price at the valuation date given the structural features of these securities. At December 31, 2017, the indicative implied yields used in the valuation of these securities ranged from 5.8% to 6.6% . The weighted average indicative yield to maturity was 6.12% . Other factors taken into consideration include indicative values provided by repurchase agreement counterparties, estimated changes in fair value of the related underlying MSR collateral and the financial performance of the ultimate parent or sponsoring entity of the issuer, who has provided a guarantee that is intended to provide for payment of interest and principal to the holders of the term notes should cash flows generated by the related underlying MSR collateral be insufficient. As this process includes significant unobservable inputs, these securities are classified as Level 3 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 valuations obtained from a third-party who specializes in providing valuations of residential mortgage loans trading activity observed in the marketplace. The Company’s residential whole loans held at fair value are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. Swaps As of December 31, 2017 , all of the Company’s Swaps are cleared by a central clearing house. Valuations provided by the clearing house are used for purposes of determining the fair value of the Company’s Swaps. Such valuations obtained are tested with internally developed models that apply readily observable market parameters. As the Company’s Swaps are subject to the clearing house’s margin requirements, no credit valuation adjustment was considered necessary in determining the fair value of such instruments. Beginning in January 2017, variation margin payments on the Company’s cleared Swaps are treated as a legal settlement of the exposure under the Swap contract. Previously such payments were treated as collateral pledged against the exposure under the Swap contract. The effect of this change is to reduce what would have otherwise been reported as fair value of the Swap. Swaps are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. 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 tables present the Company’s financial instruments carried at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , on the consolidated balance sheets by the valuation hierarchy, as previously described: Fair Value at December 31, 2017 (In Thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets: Agency MBS $ — $ 2,824,681 $ — $ 2,824,681 Non-Agency MBS — 3,533,966 — 3,533,966 CRT securities — 664,403 — 664,403 Term notes backed by MSR related collateral — — 381,804 381,804 Residential whole loans, at fair value — — 1,325,115 1,325,115 Securities obtained and pledged as collateral 504,062 — — 504,062 Swaps — 679 — 679 Total assets carried at fair value $ 504,062 $ 7,023,729 $ 1,706,919 $ 9,234,710 Liabilities: Swaps $ — $ — $ — $ — Obligation to return securities obtained as collateral 504,062 — — 504,062 Total liabilities carried at fair value $ 504,062 $ — $ — $ 504,062 Fair Value at December 31, 2016 (In Thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets: Agency MBS $ — $ 3,738,497 $ — $ 3,738,497 Non-Agency MBS, including MBS transferred to consolidated VIEs — 5,684,836 — 5,684,836 CRT securities — 404,850 — 404,850 Term notes backed by MSR related collateral — 140,980 — 140,980 Residential whole loans, at fair value — — 814,682 814,682 Securities obtained and pledged as collateral 510,767 — — 510,767 Swaps — 233 — 233 Total assets carried at fair value $ 510,767 $ 9,969,396 $ 814,682 $ 11,294,845 Liabilities: Swaps $ — $ 46,954 $ — $ 46,954 Obligation to return securities obtained as collateral 510,767 — — 510,767 Total liabilities carried at fair value $ 510,767 $ 46,954 $ — $ 557,721 Changes in Level 3 Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis The following table presents additional information for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 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: Residential Whole Loans, at Fair Value For the Year Ended December 31, (In Thousands) 2017 2016 Balance at beginning of period $ 814,682 $ 623,276 Purchases and capitalized advances 683,735 316,407 Changes in fair value recorded in Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value 33,617 31,254 Collection of principal, net of liquidation gains/losses (87,072 ) (66,694 ) Repurchases (2,716 ) (2,909 ) Transfers to REO (117,131 ) (86,652 ) Balance at end of period $ 1,325,115 $ 814,682 The following table presents additional information for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 about the Company’s investments in term notes backed by MSR related collateral held at fair value, which are classified as Level 3 and measured at fair value on a recurring basis: Term Notes Backed by MSR Related Collateral Year Ended December 31, (In Thousands) 2017 (1) 2016 Balance at beginning of period $ — $ — Purchases 381,000 — Collection of principal (140,980 ) — Changes in unrealized gain/losses 804 — Transfers from Level 2 to Level 3 (1) 140,980 — Balance at end of period $ 381,804 — (1) Investments in term notes backed by MSR related collateral were transferred from Level 2 to Level 3 during the year ended December 31, 2017 as there has been very limited secondary market trading in these securities since issuance. Transfers between levels are deemed to take place on the first day of the reporting period in which the transfer has taken place. The Company did not transfer any assets or liabilities from one level to another during the year ended December 31, 2016 . Fair Value Methodology for Level 3 Financial Instruments Residential Whole Loans, at Fair Value The following tables present 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 December 31, 2017 and 2016 : December 31, 2017 (Dollars in Thousands) Fair Value (1) Valuation Technique Unobservable Input Weighted Average (2) Range Residential whole loans, at fair value $ 358,871 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 5.5 % 4.5-13.0% Prepayment rate 4.1 % 1.15-15.1% Default rate 2.9 % 0.0-6.5% Loss severity 13.8 % 0.0-100.0% $ 592,940 Liquidation model Discount rate 8.0 % 6.1-50.0% Annual change in home prices 2.5 % (8.0)-8.8% Liquidation timeline (in years) 1.6 0.1-4.5 Current value of underlying properties (3) $ 772 $0-$9,900 Total $ 951,811 December 31, 2016 (Dollars in Thousands) Fair Value (1) Valuation Technique Unobservable Input Weighted Average (2) Range Residential whole loans, at fair value $ 253,287 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 6.6 % 5.0-7.7% Prepayment rate 7.6 % 0.0-12.0% Default rate 2.9 % 0.0-9.7% Loss severity 13.0 % 0.0-77.5% $ 516,014 Liquidation model Discount rate 7.7 % 6.8-26.9% Annual change in home prices 1.7 % (9.2)-7.7% Liquidation timeline (in years) 1.6 0.1-4.4 Current value of underlying properties (3) $ 634 $5-$4,900 Total $ 769,301 (1) Excludes approximately $373.3 million and $45.4 million of loans for which management considers the purchase price continues to reflect the fair value of such loans at December 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. (2) Amounts are weighted based on the fair value of the underlying loan. (3) The simple average value of the properties underlying residential whole loans held at fair value valued via a liquidation model was approximately $336,000 and $320,000 as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. 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 December 31, 2017 and 2016 : Residential Whole Loans December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (In Thousands) Fair Value Unpaid Principal Balance Difference Fair Value Unpaid Principal Balance Difference Residential whole loans, at fair value Total loans $ 1,325,115 $ 1,562,373 $ (237,258 ) $ 814,682 $ 966,174 $ (151,492 ) Loans 90 days or more past due $ 840,572 $ 1,027,818 $ (187,246 ) $ 570,025 $ 695,282 $ (125,257 ) The following table presents the carrying values and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments at December 31, 2017 and 2016 : December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (In Thousands) Carrying Value Estimated Fair Value Carrying Value Estimated Fair Value Financial Assets: Agency MBS $ 2,824,681 $ 2,824,681 $ 3,738,497 $ 3,738,497 Non-Agency MBS, including MBS transferred to consolidated VIEs 3,533,966 3,533,966 5,684,836 5,684,836 CRT securities 664,403 664,403 404,850 404,850 MSR related assets 492,080 493,026 226,780 226,780 Residential whole loans, at carrying value 908,516 988,688 590,540 621,548 Residential whole loans, at fair value 1,325,115 1,325,115 814,682 814,682 Securities obtained and pledged as collateral 504,062 504,062 510,767 510,767 Cash and cash equivalents 449,757 449,757 260,112 260,112 Restricted cash 13,307 13,307 58,463 58,463 Swaps 679 679 233 233 Financial Liabilities (1): Repurchase agreements 6,614,701 6,623,255 8,472,268 8,472,078 FHLB advances — — 215,000 215,000 Obligation to return securities obtained as collateral 504,062 504,062 510,767 510,767 Securitized debt 363,944 366,109 — — Senior Notes 96,773 103,729 96,733 101,111 Swaps — — 46,954 46,954 (1) Carrying value of securitized debt, Senior Notes and certain repurchase agreements is net of associated debt issuance costs. 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, discussed on pages 132 - 137 , 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 that are not reported at fair value on a recurring basis: 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 December 31, 2017 and 2016 , 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. Corporate Loan: The Company determines the fair value of this loan after considering recent past and expected future loan performance, recent financial performance of the borrower and estimates of the current value of the underlying collateral, which includes certain MSRs and other assets of the borrower that are pledged to secure the borrowing. The Company’s investment in this term loan is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. 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: As previously discussed, the Company did not have any FHLB advances as of December 31, 2017. FHLB advances at December 31, 2016 reflected collateralized borrowings at variable market interest rates that reset on a monthly basis. Accordingly, the carrying amount of FHLB advances were considered to approximate fair value. The Company’s FHLB advances at December 31, 2016 were 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. The Company holds REO at the lower of the current carrying amount or fair value less estimated selling costs. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company’s REO had an aggregate carrying value of $152.4 million and $80.5 million , and an aggregate estimated fair value of $175.8 million and $91.1 million , respectively. The Company classifies fair value measurements of REO as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

Use of Special Purpose Entities

Use of Special Purpose Entities and Variable Interest Entities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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 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. The Company has entered into several financing transactions that resulted in the Company consolidating as VIEs the SPEs that were created to facilitate the transactions. See Note 2 ( s ) for a discussion of the accounting policies applied to the consolidation of VIEs and transfers of financial assets in connection with securitization and resecuritization transactions. The Company has engaged in loan securitizations and MBS resecuritization transactions primarily for the purpose of obtaining improved overall financing terms as well as non-recourse financing on a portion of its residential whole loan and Non-Agency MBS portfolios. 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 assets transferred to the VIEs. Loan Securitization Transactions During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company completed two loan securitization transactions. As a part of the transactions, the Company sold residential whole loans with an aggregate unpaid principal balance of $620.9 million (including $193.3 million of loans at carrying value and $296.5 million of loans at fair value) to two entities which the Company consolidates as VIEs. In connection with the transactions, third-party investors purchased $382.8 million face amount of senior and mezzanine bonds (“Senior Bonds”) with a weighted average fixed coupon of 3.12% . As a result of the transactions, the Company acquired $127.0 million face amount of rated and non-rated certificates issued by the securitization vehicle, and received $382.8 million in cash, excluding expenses, accrued interest, and underwriting fees. The following table summarizes the key details of the loan securitization transactions the Company has been involved in to date: (Dollars in Thousands) December 2017 June 2017 Name of Trust (Consolidated as a VIE) MFA 2017-NPL1, LLC MFA 2017-RPL 1 Aggregate unpaid principal balance of residential whole loans sold $ 401,076 $ 219,848 Face amount of Senior Bonds issued by the VIE and purchased by third-party investors $ 235,000 $ 147,847 Outstanding amount of Senior Bonds at December 31, 2017 $ 233,683 $ 132,602 Weighted average fixed rate for Senior Bonds issued 3.35 % (1) 2.753 % Face amount of Senior Support Certificates received by the Company (2) $ 55,000 $ 72,001 Cash received $ 235,000 $ 147,845 (1) The Senior Bond sold in connection with this securitization transaction contains a contractual coupon step-up feature whereby the coupon increases by 300 basis points at 36 months from issuance if the bond is not redeemed before such date. (2) Provides credit support to the Senior Bonds sold to third-party investors in the securitization transactions. As of December 31, 2017 , as a result of the transactions described above, securitized loans with a carrying value of approximately $183.2 million are included in “Residential whole loans, at carrying value,” securitized loans with a fair value of approximately $289.3 million are included in “Residential whole loans, at fair value,” and REO with a carrying value of approximately $5.5 million is included in “Other assets” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2017 , the aggregate carrying value of Senior Bonds issued by consolidated VIEs was $363.9 million . These Senior Bonds are disclosed as “Securitized debt” and are included in Other liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The holders of the securitized debt 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 residential whole loans 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. Resecuritization Transactions During the first quarter of 2017, the Company entered into a transaction to exchange the remaining beneficial interests issued by the WFMLT 2012-RR1 (the “Trust”) and held by the Company for the underlying securities that had previously been transferred to and held by the Trust. Following the completion of this transaction, the remaining beneficial interests were cancelled and the Trust was terminated . For financial reporting purposes, the exchange transaction and termination of this financing structure did not result in any gain or loss to the Company as this resecuritization was accounted for as a financing transaction. However, for purposes of determining REIT taxable income, this resecuritization transaction was originally accounted for as a sale of the underlying securities to the Trust and acquisition of beneficial interests issued by the Trust. Because the fair value of the underlying securities received exceeded the Company’s tax basis in the remaining beneficial interests at the exchange date, the unwind of this resecuritization structure resulted in the Company recognizing taxable income currently estimated to be approximately $53.3 million or $0.13 per common share. In addition, the underlying securities originally transferred as part of this resecuritization are reported as Non-Agency MBS in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2017 and interest income from the underlying securities from the date of exchange transaction through December 31, 2017 is reported as Interest income from Non-Agency MBS in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. As of December 31, 2017 the Company did no t have any Non-Agency MBS that were resecuritized as described above. At December 31, 2016, the aggregate fair value of the Non-Agency MBS that were resecuritized as described above was $174.4 million . These assets were included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and disclosed as “Non-Agency MBS transferred to consolidated VIEs, at fair value.” The Company concluded that the entities created to facilitate these MBS resecuritization and loan securitization transactions are VIEs. The Company then completed an analysis of whether each VIE created to facilitate the securitization and resecuritization transactions 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 loan securitization and MBS resecuritization transactions. Prior to the completion of the Company’s first MBS resecuritization transaction in October 2010, the Company had not transferred assets to VIEs or QSPEs and other than acquiring MBS issued by such entities, had no other involvement with VIEs or QSPEs. Residential Whole Loans (including Residential Whole Loans transferred to consolidated VIEs) Included on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 are a total of $2.2 billion and $1.4 billion of residential whole loans, of which approximately $908.5 million and $590.5 million are reported at carrying value and $1.3 billion and $814.7 million are reported at fair value, respectively. The inclusion of these assets arises from the Company’s interest in certain trusts established to acquire the loans and entities established in connection with its loan securitization transactions. The Company has assessed that these entities are required to be consolidated. During 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , the Company recognized interest income from residential whole loans reported at carrying value of approximately $36.2 million , $23.9 million and $16.0 million , respectively. These amounts are included in Interest Income on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. In addition, the Company recognized net gains on residential whole loans held at fair value during 2017 , 2016 and 2015 of approximately $90.0 million , $62.6 million and $19.6 million , respectively. These amounts are included in Other Income, net on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. (See Note 4 )

Summary of Quarterly Results of

Summary of Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)	Summary of Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited) 2017 Quarter Ended (In Thousands, Except per Share Amounts) March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31 Interest income $ 117,257 $ 110,157 $ 105,133 $ 100,901 Interest expense (50,349 ) (49,022 ) (49,275 ) (48,495 ) Net interest income 66,908 61,135 55,858 52,406 Net impairment losses recognized in earnings (414 ) (618 ) — — Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value 13,773 16,208 18,679 41,359 Net gain on sales of MBS and U.S. Treasury securities 9,708 5,889 14,933 9,047 Other income 4,512 14,847 (4,515 ) 14,579 Operating and other expense (16,427 ) (17,526 ) (21,150 ) (16,798 ) Net income 78,060 79,935 63,805 100,593 Preferred stock dividends (3,750 ) (3,750 ) (3,750 ) (3,750 ) Net income available to common stock and participating securities $ 74,310 $ 76,185 $ 60,055 $ 96,843 Earnings per Common Share - Basic and Diluted $ 0.20 $ 0.20 $ 0.15 $ 0.24 2016 Quarter Ended (In Thousands, Except per Share Amounts) March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31 Interest income $ 117,418 $ 114,507 $ 112,716 $ 112,809 Interest expense (47,600 ) (47,720 ) (48,167 ) (49,868 ) Net interest income 69,818 66,787 64,549 62,941 Net impairment losses recognized in earnings — — (485 ) — Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value 12,348 15,742 19,639 $ 14,876 Net gain on sales of MBS and U.S. Treasury securities 9,745 9,241 7,083 9,768 Other income 618 2,047 7,179 $ 756 Operating and other expense (14,459 ) (14,867 ) (14,954 ) (15,704 ) Net income 78,070 78,950 83,011 72,637 Preferred stock dividends (3,750 ) (3,750 ) (3,750 ) (3,750 ) Net income available to common stock and participating securities $ 74,320 $ 75,200 $ 79,261 $ 68,887 Earnings per Common Share - Basic and Diluted $ 0.20 $ 0.20 $ 0.21 $ 0.18

Schedule IV - Mortgage Loans on

Schedule IV - Mortgage Loans on Real Estate	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Abstract]
Schedule IV - Mortgage Loans on Real Estate	Mortgage Loans on Real Estate December 31, 2017 Asset Type Number Interest Rate Maturity Date Range Balance Sheet Reported Amount Principal Amount of Loans Subject to Delinquent Principal or Interest (Dollars in Thousands) Residential Whole Loans, at Carrying Value Original loan balance $0 - $149,999 1,779 0.00% - 13.08% 9/15/2015-11/1/2057 $ 124,818 $ 17,107 Original loan balance $150,000 - $299,999 1,669 1.00% - 11.00% 5/1/2016-11/1/2064 269,846 33,693 Original loan balance $300,000 - $449,999 876 2.00% - 10.00% 3/1/2018-5/1/2062 255,520 26,974 Original loan balance greater than $449,999 468 1.88% - 9.50% 9/1/2018-12/1/2057 258,332 20,300 4,792 $ 908,516 $ 98,074 Residential Whole Loans, at Fair Value Original loan balance $0 - $149,999 2,349 0.00% - 14.99% 7/2/2007-11/1/2057 $ 169,575 $ 118,572 Original loan balance $150,000 - $299,999 2,154 0.00% - 12.38% 7/1/2008-10/25/2057 346,425 262,686 Original loan balance $300,000 - $449,999 1,273 1.50% - 11.00% 7/1/2013-12/1/2057 373,112 271,908 Original loan balance greater than $449,999 738 1.00% - 10.88% 9/1/2013-11/1/2057 436,003 374,652 6,514 $ 1,325,115 $ 1,027,818 11,306 $ 2,233,631 $ 1,125,892 Reconciliation of Balance Sheet Reported Amounts of Mortgage Loans on Real Estate The following table summarizes the changes in the carrying amounts of residential whole loans during the year ended December 31, 2017 : For the Year Ended December 31, 2017 (In Thousands) Residential Whole Loans, at Carrying Value Residential Whole Loans, at Fair Value Beginning Balance $ 590,540 $ 814,682 Additions during period: Purchases and capitalized advances 385,093 683,735 Discount accretion 5,477 N/A Deductions during period: Cash collections for principal and liquidations (63,521 ) (87,072 ) Changes in fair value recorded in Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value N/A 33,617 Provision for loan loss 660 N/A Repurchases — (2,716 ) Transfer to REO (9,733 ) (117,131 ) Ending Balance $ 908,516 $ 1,325,115

Summary of Significant Accoun26

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and Consolidation	Basis of Presentation and Consolidation The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“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 differ from 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 (See Note 3 ), valuation of MBS, CRT securities and MSR related assets (See Notes 3 and 14 ), income recognition and valuation of residential whole loans (See Notes 4 and 14 ), valuation of derivative instruments (See Notes 5 ( b ) and 14 ) and income recognition on certain Non-Agency MBS (defined below) 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 ( p )) Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company has one reportable segment as it manages its business and analyzes and reports its results of operations on the basis of one operating segment; investing, on a leveraged basis, in residential mortgage assets. The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of all subsidiaries; all intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. In addition, the Company consolidates entities established to facilitate MBS resecuritization transactions completed in prior years as well as transactions related to the acquisition and securitization 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 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 the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), or an agency of the U.S. Government, such as the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”) (collectively, “Agency MBS”), and residential MBS that are not guaranteed by any agency of the U.S. Government 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 previously 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, for certain CRT securities, 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 to more appropriately reflect 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 statements 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 14 ) 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, 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 with Moody’s and S&P, “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.
MSR Related Assets	MSR Related Assets The Company has investments in financial instruments whose cash flows are considered to be largely dependent on underlying MSRs that either directly or indirectly act as collateral for the investment. These financial instruments, which are referred to as MSR related assets are discussed in more detail below. The Company’s MSR related assets pledged as collateral against repurchase agreements are included in the consolidated balance sheets with the amounts pledged disclosed parenthetically. Purchases and sales of MSR related assets are recorded on the trade date. (See Notes 3 , 6 , 7 and 14 ) Term Notes Backed by MSR Related Collateral The Company has invested in term notes that are issued by special purpose vehicles (“SPV”) that have acquired rights to receive cash flows representing the servicing fees and/or excess servicing spread associated with certain MSRs. The Company considers payment of principal and interest on these term notes to be largely dependent on the cash flows generated by the underlying MSRs as this impacts the cash flows available to the SPV that issued the term notes. Credit risk borne by the holders of the term notes is also mitigated by structural credit support in the form of over-collateralization. Credit support is also provided by a corporate guarantee from the ultimate parent or sponsor of the SPV that is intended to provide for payment of interest and principal to the holders of the term notes should cash flows generated by the underlying MSRs be insufficient. The Company’s term notes backed by MSR related collateral are reported at fair value on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in AOCI. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The Company’s valuation process for such notes considers a number of factors, including a comparable bond analysis performed by a third-party pricing service which involves determining a pricing spread at issuance of the term note. The pricing spread is used at each subsequent valuation date to determine an implied yield to maturity of the term note, which is then used to derive an indicative market value for the security. This indicative market value is further reviewed by the Company and may be adjusted to ensure it reflects a realistic exit price at the valuation date given the structural features of these securities. Other factors taken into consideration include indicative values provided by repurchase agreement counterparties, estimated changes in fair value of the related underlying MSR collateral and the financial performance of the ultimate parent or sponsoring entity of the issuer, which has provided a guarantee that is intended to provide for payment of interest and principal to the holders of the term notes should cash flows generated by the related underlying MSR collateral be insufficient. Corporate Loan The Company has entered into a loan agreement with an entity that originates loans and owns the related MSRs. Under the terms of loan agreement, the Company has committed to lend $130.0 million of which approximately $111.2 million was drawn at December 31, 2017 . The loan is secured by certain U.S. Government, Agency and private-label MSRs, as well as other unencumbered assets owned by the borrower. The term loan is recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at the drawn amount, on which interest income is recognized on an accrual basis on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Commitment fees received on the undrawn amount are deferred and recognized as interest income over the remaining loan term at the time of draw. At the end of the commitment period, any remaining deferred commitment fees will be recorded as Other Income on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The Company evaluates the recoverability of the loan on a quarterly basis by considering various factors, including the current status of the loan, changes in fair value of the MSRs that secure the loan and the recent financial performance of the borrower.
Residential Whole Loans (including Residential Whole Loans transferred to consolidated VIEs)	Residential Whole Loans (including Residential Whole Loans transferred to consolidated VIEs) 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, with the majority 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 amounts 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. Recorded amounts of residential whole loans for which the closing of the purchase transaction is yet to occur are not eligible to be pledged as collateral against any repurchase agreement financing until the closing of the purchase transaction. (See Notes 4 , 6 , 7 , 14 and 15 ) Residential Whole Loans at Carrying Value The Company has generally 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 underlying 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, these loans generally have a higher likelihood of default than newly originated mortgage loans with LTVs of 80% or less to creditworthy borrowers. The Company believes that amounts paid to acquire these loans represent fair market value at the date of acquisition. Loans considered credit impaired are initially recorded at the purchase price with no allowance for loan losses. Subsequent to acquisition, the recorded amount for these loans 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 the accounting model for credit impaired loans, 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 generally 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. Under the accounting model applied to credit impaired loans, 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. 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. For the majority of these loans, there is significant uncertainty associated with estimating the timing of and amount of cash flows that will be collected. Further, the cash flows ultimately collected may be dependent on the value of the property securing the loan. Consequently, the Company considers that accounting for these loans at fair value should result in a better reflection over time of the economic returns for the majority of 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. Cash outflows associated with loan related advances made by the Company on behalf of the borrower are included in the basis of the loan and are reflected in Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value.
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 transfer the collateral obtained or to pledge it as part of a subsequent collateralized financing transaction.
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 December 31, 2017 or 2016 .
Restricted Cash	Restricted Cash Restricted cash represents the Company’s cash held by its counterparties in connection with certain of the Company’s Swaps and/or repurchase agreements that is not available to the Company for general corporate purposes. Restricted cash may be applied against amounts due to repurchase agreement and/or Swaps counterparties, 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 December 31, 2017 and 2016 , 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 December 31, 2017 , the Company had not recognized any impairment against its goodwill. Goodwill is included in Other assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
Real Estate Owned (REO)	Real Estate Owned (“REO”) REO represents real estate acquired by the Company, including through foreclosure, deed in lieu of foreclosure, or purchased in connection with the acquisition of residential whole loans. REO acquired through foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure is initially recorded at fair value less estimated selling costs. REO acquired in connection with the acquisition of residential whole loans is initially recorded at its purchase price. 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 Other assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Changes in fair value that result in an adjustment to the reported amount of an 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 5 ( a ))
Depreciation	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	MBS Resecuritization, Loan Securitization and Other Debt Issuance Costs MBS resecuritization and loan securitization related costs are costs associated with the issuance of beneficial interests by consolidated VIEs and incurred by the Company in connection with various financing transactions completed by the Company. Other debt issuance and related costs include costs incurred by the Company in connection with issuing 8% Senior Notes due 2042 (“Senior Notes”) and certain other repurchase agreement financings. 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 as a direct deduction from the corresponding debt liability. These deferred charges are amortized as an adjustment to interest expense using the effective interest method. For Senior Notes and other repurchase agreement financings, such costs are amortized over the shorter of the period to the expected or stated legal maturity of the debt instruments. 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 residential mortgage assets 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 6 , 7 and 14 ) 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 ( e ))
Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) Advances	Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) Advances In January 2016, the Federal Housing Finance Agency released its final rule amending its regulation on FHLB membership, which, among other things, provided termination rules for then current captive insurance members. As a result of such regulation, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, MFA Insurance, Inc. (“MFA Insurance”) was required to repay all of its outstanding FHLB advances by February 19, 2017 and its FHLB membership was terminated on such date. FHLB advances were secured financing transactions and were carried at their contractual amounts. Accrued interest payable on FHLB advances is included in Other liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2016. (See Notes 6 , 7 and 14 )
Equity-Based Compensation	Equity-Based Compensation Compensation expense for equity-based awards that are subject to vesting conditions, is recognized ratably over the vesting period of such awards, based upon the fair value of such awards at the grant date. For certain awards granted prior to January 1, 2017, compensation expense recognized included the impact of estimated forfeitures, with any changes in estimated forfeiture rates accounted for as a change in estimate. Upon adoption of new accounting guidance that was effective for the Company on January 1, 2017, the Company made a policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur. (See Note 2 ( u )) From 2011 through 2013, the Company granted certain restricted stock units (“RSUs”) that vested annually over a one or three -year period, provided that certain criteria were met, which were based on a formula tied to the Company’s achievement of average total stockholder return during that three -year period. Starting in 2014, the Company has made annual grants of RSUs certain of which cliff vest after a three -year period and others 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 is recognized as compensation expense over the relevant vesting period. The amount of compensation expense recognized is not dependent on whether the market condition was or will be achieved. The Company has awarded dividend equivalents in connection with its equity-based awards. Payments pursuant to dividend equivalents are generally 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 ( n ) and 13 )
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 an estimate of 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 estimated 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 12 )
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 AFS 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 sold AFS securities 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 for federal income tax purposes. 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% of 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 domestic 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 20% of the value of a REIT’s assets at the end of each calendar quarter may consist of stock or securities in TRS. For purposes of the determination of U. S. federal and state income taxes, the Company’s subsidiaries that elected to be treated as a TRS record current or deferred income taxes based on differences (both permanent and timing) between the determination of their taxable income and net income under GAAP. No deferred tax benefit was recorded by the Company in 2017 or 2016 , as a valuation allowance for the full amount of the associated deferred tax asset was recognized as its recovery is not considered more likely than not. 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 December 31, 2017 , 2016 or 2015 . The Company filed its 2016 tax return prior to October 16, 2017 . The Company’s tax returns for tax years 2014 through 2016 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. 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, in Other assets, if their fair value is positive, or in Other liabilities, if their fair value is negative. Beginning in January 2017, variation margin payments on the Company’s Swaps that have been novated to a clearing house are treated as a legal settlement of the exposure under the Swap contract. Previously such payments were treated as collateral pledged against the exposure under the Swap contract. The effect of this change is to reduce what would have otherwise been reported as fair value of the Swap. 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 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. As of September 30, 2017, all of the Company’s Swaps have been novated to a central clearing house. (See Notes 5 ( b ), 7 and 14 )
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 and CRT securities at time of acquisition. Subsequent changes in the fair value of these loans and CRT securities are reported in Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value and Other income, net respectively 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 14 )
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 disproportionately 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 several financing transactions which resulted in the Company consolidating the VIEs that were created to facilitate the transactions. In determining the accounting treatment to be applied to these 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 transfers of the underlying assets would qualify as a sale or should be accounted for as secured financings under GAAP. (See Note 15 ) The Company also includes on 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.
New Accounting Standards and Interpretations	New Accounting Standards and Interpretations Accounting Standards Adopted in 2017 Compensation - Stock Compensation - Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2016-09”). The amendments of this ASU require all income tax effects of awards to be recognized in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled. ASU 2016-09 also allows an employer to repurchase more of an employee’s shares than it could prior to adoption of this ASU for tax withholding purposes without triggering liability accounting and to make a policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur. ASU 2016-09 was effective for the Company for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company’s adoption of ASU 2016-09 did not have a significant impact on its financial position or financial statement disclosures. Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (“ASU 2017-04”). The amendments in ASU 2017-04 eliminate the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill (Step 2 from today’s goodwill impairment test) to measure a goodwill impairment charge. Instead, entities will record an impairment charge based on the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying amount over its fair value (i.e., measure the charge based on today’s Step 1). Public business entities should adopt the amendments in ASU 2017-04 for its annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates on or after January 1, 2017. The amendments of this ASU should be applied on a prospective basis. The Company adopted this ASU on December 31, 2017 and its adoption did not have any impact on its financial position or financial statement disclosures.

MBS, CRT Securities and MSR R27

MBS, CRT Securities and MSR Related Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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 December 31, 2017 and 2016 : December 31, 2017 (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 $ 2,170,974 $ 82,271 $ (40 ) $ — $ 2,253,205 $ 2,246,600 $ 21,736 $ (28,341 ) $ (6,605 ) Freddie Mac 561,346 21,683 — — 584,920 571,748 1,624 (14,796 ) (13,172 ) Ginnie Mae 6,142 112 — — 6,254 6,333 79 — 79 Total Agency MBS 2,738,462 104,066 (40 ) — 2,844,379 2,824,681 23,439 (43,137 ) (19,698 ) Non-Agency MBS: Expected to Recover Par (3)(4) 1,128,808 50 (22,737 ) — 1,106,121 1,132,205 26,518 (434 ) 26,084 Expected to Recover Less than Par (3) 2,589,935 — (192,588 ) (593,227 ) 1,804,120 2,401,761 597,660 (19 ) 597,641 Total Non-Agency MBS (5) 3,718,743 50 (215,325 ) (593,227 ) 2,910,241 3,533,966 624,178 (453 ) 623,725 Total MBS 6,457,205 104,116 (215,365 ) (593,227 ) 5,754,620 6,358,647 647,617 (43,590 ) 604,027 CRT securities (6) 602,799 8,887 (3,550 ) — 608,136 664,403 56,290 (23 ) 56,267 Total MBS and CRT securities $ 7,060,004 $ 113,003 $ (218,915 ) $ (593,227 ) $ 6,362,756 $ 7,023,050 $ 703,907 $ (43,613 ) $ 660,294 December 31, 2016 (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 $ 2,879,807 $ 108,310 $ (51 ) $ — $ 2,988,066 $ 3,014,464 $ 45,706 $ (19,308 ) $ 26,398 Freddie Mac 693,945 26,736 — — 723,285 716,209 4,809 (11,885 ) (7,076 ) Ginnie Mae 7,550 136 — — 7,686 7,824 138 — 138 Total Agency MBS 3,581,302 135,182 (51 ) — 3,719,037 3,738,497 50,653 (31,193 ) 19,460 Non-Agency MBS: Expected to Recover Par (3)(4) 2,706,418 57 (24,273 ) — 2,682,202 2,706,311 26,477 (2,368 ) 24,109 Expected to Recover Less than Par (3) 3,359,200 — (253,918 ) (694,241 ) 2,411,041 2,978,525 570,318 (2,834 ) 567,484 Total Non-Agency MBS (5) 6,065,618 57 (278,191 ) (694,241 ) 5,093,243 5,684,836 596,795 (5,202 ) 591,593 Total MBS 9,646,920 135,239 (278,242 ) (694,241 ) 8,812,280 9,423,333 647,448 (36,395 ) 611,053 CRT securities (6) 384,993 3,312 (5,557 ) — 382,748 404,850 22,105 (3 ) 22,102 Total MBS and CRT securities $ 10,031,913 $ 138,551 $ (283,799 ) $ (694,241 ) $ 9,195,028 $ 9,828,183 $ 669,553 $ (36,398 ) $ 633,155 (1) Discount designated as Credit Reserve and amounts related to OTTI are generally not expected to be accreted into interest income. Amounts disclosed at December 31, 2017 reflect Credit Reserve of $579 million and OTTI of $14.2 million . Amounts disclosed at December 31, 2016 reflect Credit Reserve of $675.6 million and OTTI of $18.6 million . (2) Includes principal payments receivable of $1.9 million and $2.6 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively, which are not included in the Principal/Current Face. (3) Based on management ’ s current estimates of future principal cash flows expected to be received. (4) Includes RPL/NPL MBS, which at December 31, 2017 had a $922.0 million Principal/Current face, $920.1 million amortized cost and $923.1 million fair value. At December 31, 2016 , RPL/NPL MBS had a $2.5 billion Principal/Current face, $2.5 billion amortized cost and $2.5 billion fair value. (5) At December 31, 2017 and 2016 , the Company expected to recover approximately 84% and 89% , respectively, of the then-current face amount of Non-Agency MBS. (6) Amounts disclosed at December 31, 2017 includes CRT securities with a fair value of $480.8 million for which the fair value option has been elected. Such securities had gross unrealized gains of approximately $40.5 million and gross unrealized losses of approximately $23,000 at December 31, 2017 . Amounts disclosed at December 31, 2016 includes CRT securities with a fair value of $271.2 million for which the fair value option has been elected. Such securities had gross unrealized gains of approximately $12.7 million and gross unrealized losses of approximately $3,000 at December 31, 2016 .
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 December 31, 2017 : Unrealized Loss Position For: Less than 12 Months 12 Months or more Total (Dollars in Thousands) Fair Value Unrealized Losses Number of Securities Fair Value Unrealized Losses Number of Securities Fair Value Unrealized Losses Agency MBS: Fannie Mae $ 385,839 $ 3,128 104 $ 871,828 $ 25,213 200 $ 1,257,667 $ 28,341 Freddie Mac 63,924 472 23 407,885 14,324 105 471,809 14,796 Ginnie Mae 233 — 1 — — — 233 — Total Agency MBS 449,996 3,600 128 1,279,713 39,537 305 1,729,709 43,137 Non-Agency MBS: Expected to Recover Par (1) 64,394 195 2 12,531 239 9 76,925 434 Expected to Recover Less than Par (1) 6,237 19 4 — — — 6,237 19 Total Non-Agency MBS 70,631 214 6 12,531 239 9 83,162 453 Total MBS 520,627 3,814 134 1,292,244 39,776 314 1,812,871 43,590 CRT securities (2) 16,266 23 4 — — — 16,266 23 Total MBS and CRT securities $ 536,893 $ 3,837 138 $ 1,292,244 $ 39,776 314 $ 1,829,137 $ 43,613 (1) Based on management’s current estimates of future principal cash flows expected to be received. (2) Amounts disclosed at December 31, 2017 includes CRT securities with a fair value of $16.3 million for which the fair value option has been elected. Such securities have unrealized losses of $23,000 at December 31, 2017 .
Schedule of composition of OTTI charges recorded	The following table presents the composition of OTTI charges recorded by the Company for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 : For the Year Ended December 31, (In Thousands) 2017 2016 2015 Total OTTI losses $ (63 ) $ (1,255 ) $ (525 ) OTTI recognized in/(reclassified from) OCI (969 ) 770 (180 ) OTTI recognized in earnings $ (1,032 ) $ (485 ) $ (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 for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 . 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. For the Year Ended December 31, (In Thousands) 2017 2016 2015 Credit loss component of OTTI at beginning of period $ 37,305 $ 36,820 $ 36,115 Additions for credit related OTTI not previously recognized 63 314 461 Subsequent additional credit related OTTI recorded 969 171 244 Credit loss component of OTTI at end of period $ 38,337 $ 37,305 $ 36,820
Schedule of changes in the components of the purchase discount on Non-Agency MBS	The following table presents 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 years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 : For the Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 (In Thousands) Discount Designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI Accretable Discount (1) Discount Designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI Accretable Discount (1) Balance at beginning of period $ (694,241 ) $ (278,191 ) $ (787,541 ) $ (312,182 ) Impact of RMBS Issuer settlement (2) — — — (59,900 ) Accretion of discount — 77,513 — 80,548 Realized credit losses 49,291 — 64,217 — Purchases (29,810 ) 18,386 (25,999 ) 13,094 Sales 31,730 17,802 17,863 37,953 Net impairment losses recognized in earnings (1,032 ) — (485 ) — Transfers/release of credit reserve 50,835 (50,835 ) 37,704 (37,704 ) Balance at end of period $ (593,227 ) $ (215,325 ) $ (694,241 ) $ (278,191 ) (1) Together with coupon interest, accretable purchase discount is recognized as interest income over the life of the security. (2) Includes the impact of approximately $61.8 million and $7.0 million of cash proceeds (a one-time payment) received by the Company during the year ended December 31, 2016 in connection with the settlements of litigation related to certain Countrywide and Citigroup sponsored residential mortgage backed securitization trusts, respectively.
Schedule of impact of AFS on AOCI	The following table presents the impact of the Company’s AFS securities on its AOCI for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 , and 2015 : For the Year Ended December 31, (In Thousands) 2017 2016 2015 AOCI from AFS securities: Unrealized gain on AFS securities at beginning of period $ 620,403 $ 585,250 $ 813,515 Unrealized loss on Agency MBS, net (39,158 ) (9,322 ) (51,332 ) Unrealized gain/(loss) on Non-Agency MBS, net 79,142 81,882 (143,558 ) Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing (1) — — 4,537 Reclassification adjustment for MBS sales included in net income (38,707 ) (36,922 ) (37,207 ) Reclassification adjustment for OTTI included in net income (1,032 ) (485 ) (705 ) Change in AOCI from AFS securities 245 35,153 (228,265 ) Balance at end of period $ 620,648 $ 620,403 $ 585,250 (1) Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of accounting guidance that was effective for the Company as of January 1, 2015 which prospectively eliminated the use of linked transactions accounting for certain assets that were purchased from and financed by the same counterparty.
Schedule of interest income on MBS, CRT Securities and MSR Related Assets	The following table presents components of interest income on the Company’s MBS, CRT securities and MSR related assets for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 : For the Year Ended December 31, (In Thousands) 2017 2016 2015 Agency MBS Coupon interest $ 96,678 $ 119,966 $ 147,066 Effective yield adjustment (1) (31,323 ) (36,897 ) (41,231 ) Interest income $ 65,355 $ 83,069 $ 105,835 Legacy Non-Agency MBS Coupon interest $ 127,645 $ 154,057 $ 183,349 Effective yield adjustment (2) 76,005 78,443 91,003 Interest income $ 203,650 $ 232,500 $ 274,352 RPL/NPL MBS Coupon interest $ 65,957 $ 98,213 $ 87,429 Effective yield adjustment (1) 1,505 2,108 1,789 Interest income $ 67,462 $ 100,321 $ 89,218 CRT securities Coupon interest $ 27,706 $ 13,023 $ 5,844 Effective yield adjustment (2) 4,009 1,747 728 Interest income $ 31,715 $ 14,770 $ 6,572 MSR related assets Coupon interest $ 24,534 $ 2,090 $ — Effective yield adjustment (1) 296 10 — Interest income $ 24,830 $ 2,100 $ — (1) Includes amortization of premium paid net of accretion of purchase discount. For Agency MBS, RPL/NPL MBS and the corporate loan secured by MSRs, interest income is recorded at an effective yield, which reflects net premium amortization/accretion 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)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Residential Whole Loans [Abstract]
Schedule of Residential Whole Loan Pools at Carrying Value Allowance for Loan Losses Activity	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 years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 : (In Thousands) For the Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Balance at the beginning of period $ 990 $ 1,165 $ 137 (Reversal of provisions)/provisions for loan losses (660 ) (175 ) 1,028 Balance at the end of period $ 330 $ 990 $ 1,165
Schedule of Residential Whole Loans at Carrying Value 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 purchase credit impaired residential whole loans held at carrying value acquired by the Company for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 : (In Thousands) For the Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 Contractually required principal and interest $ 534,112 $ 662,747 Contractual cash flows not expected to be collected (non-accretable yield) (129,547 ) (117,694 ) Expected cash flows to be collected 404,565 545,053 Interest component of expected cash flows (accretable yield) (137,378 ) (181,534 ) Fair value at the date of acquisition $ 267,187 $ 363,519
Schedule of Residential Whole Loans at Carrying Value Accretable Yield Activity	The following table presents accretable yield activity for the Company’s purchase credit impaired residential whole loans held at carrying value for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 : (In Thousands) For the Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 Balance at beginning of period $ 334,379 $ 175,271 Additions 137,378 181,534 Accretion (35,657 ) (23,916 ) Liquidations and other (16,356 ) — Reclassifications from non-accretable difference, net 2,128 1,490 Balance at end of period $ 421,872 $ 334,379
Residential Whole Loans, Fair Value	The following table presents information regarding the Company’s residential whole loans held at fair value at December 31, 2017 and 2016 : (Dollars in Thousands) December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Outstanding principal balance $ 1,562,373 $ 966,174 Aggregate fair value $ 1,325,115 $ 814,682 Number of loans 6,514 3,812
Residential Whole Loans, Fair Vale, Components of Net Income	The following table presents the components of Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 : For the Year Ended December 31, (In Thousands) 2017 2016 2015 Coupon payments and other income received $ 41,373 $ 23,017 $ 9,304 Net unrealized gains 33,617 31,254 6,539 Net gain on payoff/liquidation of loans 4,958 5,413 1,879 Net gain on transfers to REO 10,071 2,921 1,853 Total $ 90,019 $ 62,605 $ 19,575

Other Assets (Tables)

Other Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Other Assets [Abstract]
Schedule of other assets	The following table presents the components of the Company’s Other assets at December 31, 2017 and 2016 : (In Thousands) December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 REO $ 152,356 $ 80,503 Interest receivable 27,415 27,795 Swaps, at fair value 679 233 Goodwill 7,189 7,189 Prepaid and other assets 51,208 78,775 Total Other Assets $ 238,847 $ 194,495
Schedule of activity for real estate owned	The following table presents the activity in the Company’s REO for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 : For the Year Ended December 31, (In Thousands) 2017 2016 Balance at beginning of period $ 80,503 $ 28,026 Adjustments to record at lower of cost or fair value (11,018 ) (7,527 ) Transfer from residential whole loans (1) 136,734 91,896 Purchases and capital improvements 19,801 2,825 Disposals (73,664 ) (34,717 ) Balance at end of period $ 152,356 $ 80,503 (1) Includes net gain recorded on transfer of approximately $10.2 million and $2.9 million , respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 .
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 December 31, 2017 and 2016 : December 31, 2017 2016 Derivative Instrument Designation Balance Sheet Location Notional Amount Fair Value Notional Amount Fair Value (In Thousands) Non-cleared legacy Swaps (1) Hedging Assets $ — $ — $ 350,000 $ 233 Cleared Swaps (2) Hedging Assets $ 750,000 $ 679 $ — $ — Cleared Swaps (2) Hedging Liabilities $ 1,800,000 $ — $ 2,550,000 $ (46,954 ) (1) Non-cleared legacy Swaps include Swaps executed and settled bilaterally with counterparties without the use of an organized exchange or central clearing house. The Company’s final non-cleared legacy Swaps expired during the three months ended June 30, 2017 . (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. As of December 31, 2017 , all of the Company’s Swaps have been novated to and are cleared by a central clearing house are subject to initial margin requirements. Beginning in January 2017, variation margin payments on the Company’s cleared swaps are treated as a legal settlement of the exposure under the Swap contract. Previously such payments were treated as collateral pledged against the exposure under the Swap contract. The effect of this change is to reduce what would have otherwise been reported as fair value of the Swap.
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 December 31, 2017 and 2016 : December 31, (In Thousands) 2017 2016 Agency MBS, at fair value $ 21,756 $ 32,468 Restricted cash 6,405 53,849 Total assets pledged against Swaps $ 28,161 $ 86,317
Schedule of information about swap activity	The following table presents certain information with respect to the Company’s Swap activity during the year ended December 31, 2017 : (Dollars in Thousands) December 31, 2017 New Swaps: Aggregate notional amount $ — Weighted average fixed-pay rate — % Initial maturity date N/A Number of new Swaps — Swaps amortized/expired: Aggregate notional amount $ 350,000 Weighted average fixed-pay rate 0.58 %
Schedule of information about swaps	The following table presents information about the Company’s Swaps at December 31, 2017 and 2016 : December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Maturity (1) 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) (Dollars in Thousands) Within 30 days $ — — % — % $ — — % — % Over 30 days to 3 months — — — 50,000 0.67 0.64 Over 3 months to 6 months 50,000 1.45 1.56 300,000 0.57 0.66 Over 6 months to 12 months 500,000 1.50 1.46 — — — Over 12 months to 24 months 200,000 1.71 1.54 550,000 1.49 0.71 Over 24 months to 36 months 1,500,000 2.22 1.51 200,000 1.71 0.76 Over 36 months to 48 months 200,000 2.20 1.53 1,500,000 2.22 0.74 Over 48 months to 60 months — — — 200,000 2.20 0.75 Over 60 months to 72 months (3) 100,000 2.75 1.50 — — — Over 72 months to 84 months (3) — — — 100,000 2.75 0.74 Total Swaps $ 2,550,000 2.04 % 1.50 % $ 2,900,000 1.87 % 0.72 % (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 years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 : For the Year Ended December 31, (Dollars in Thousands) 2017 2016 2015 Interest expense attributable to Swaps $ 24,524 $ 40,898 $ 53,759 Weighted average Swap rate paid 1.98 % 1.82 % 1.86 % Weighted average Swap rate received 1.07 % 0.48 % 0.19 %
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 years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 : For the Year Ended December 31, (In Thousands) 2017 2016 2015 AOCI from derivative hedging instruments: Balance at beginning of period $ (46,721 ) $ (69,399 ) $ (59,062 ) Net gain/(loss) on Swaps 35,297 22,678 (10,337 ) Balance at end of period $ (11,424 ) $ (46,721 ) $ (69,399 )

Repurchase Agreements and Oth30

Repurchase Agreements and Other Advances (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Repurchase Agreements
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 December 31, 2017 and 2016 : (Dollars in Thousands) December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Repurchase agreement borrowings secured by Agency MBS $ 2,501,340 $ 3,095,020 Fair value of Agency MBS pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements $ 2,705,754 $ 3,280,689 Weighted average haircut on Agency MBS (1) 4.65 % 4.67 % Repurchase agreement borrowings secured by Legacy Non-Agency MBS $ 1,256,033 $ 1,690,937 Fair value of Legacy Non-Agency MBS pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements (2) $ 1,652,983 $ 2,317,708 Weighted average haircut on Legacy Non-Agency MBS (1) 21.87 % 24.01 % Repurchase agreement borrowings secured by RPL/NPL MBS $ 567,140 $ 1,943,572 Fair value of RPL/NPL MBS pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements $ 726,540 $ 2,433,711 Weighted average haircut on RPL/NPL MBS (1) 22.05 % 20.98 % Repurchase agreements secured by U.S. Treasuries $ 470,334 $ 504,572 Fair value of U.S. Treasuries pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements $ 472,095 $ 510,767 Weighted average haircut on U.S. Treasuries (1) 1.47 % 1.60 % Repurchase agreements secured by CRT securities $ 459,058 $ 271,205 Fair value of CRT securities pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements $ 595,900 $ 357,488 Weighted average haircut on CRT securities (1) 22.16 % 23.22 % Repurchase agreements secured by MSR related assets $ 317,255 $ 135,112 Fair value of MSR related assets pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements $ 482,158 $ 226,780 Weighted average haircut on MSR related assets (1) 33.19 % 41.40 % Repurchase agreements secured by residential whole loans (3) $ 1,043,747 $ 832,060 Fair value of residential whole loans pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements $ 1,474,704 $ 1,175,088 Weighted average haircut on residential whole loans (1) 26.10 % 25.03 % (1) Haircut represents the percentage amount by which the collateral value is contractually required to exceed the loan amount. (2) Includes $172.4 million of Legacy Non-Agency MBS acquired from consolidated VIEs that are eliminated from the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2016 . (3) Excludes $206,000 and $210,000 of unamortized debt issuance costs at December 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively.
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 December 31, 2017 and 2016 : December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Time Until Interest Rate Reset Balance Weighted Average Interest Rate Balance Weighted Average Interest Rate (Dollars in Thousands) Within 30 days $ 6,161,008 2.39 % $ 7,284,062 1.77 % Over 30 days to 3 months 453,899 2.76 1,188,416 1.91 Over 3 months to 12 months — — — — Total repurchase agreements $ 6,614,907 2.42 % $ 8,472,478 1.79 % Less debt issuance costs 206 210 Total repurchase agreements less debt issuance costs $ 6,614,701 $ 8,472,268
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 December 31, 2017 and does not reflect the impact of derivative contracts that hedge such repurchase agreements: December 31, 2017 Contractual Maturity Overnight Within 30 Days Over 30 Days to 3 Months Over 3 Months to 12 Months Over 12 months Total (Dollars in Thousands) Agency MBS $ — $ 2,501,340 $ — $ — $ — $ 2,501,340 Legacy Non-Agency MBS — 797,265 359,730 99,038 — 1,256,033 RPL/NPL MBS — 482,860 69,833 14,447 — 567,140 U.S. Treasuries — 470,334 — — — 470,334 CRT securities — 434,722 24,336 — — 459,058 MSR relates assets — 317,255 — — — 317,255 Residential whole loans — — 113,415 930,332 — 1,043,747 Total (1) $ — $ 5,003,776 $ 567,314 $ 1,043,817 $ — $ 6,614,907 Weighted Average Interest Rate — % 2.09 % 2.95 % 3.69 % — % 2.42 % Gross amount of recognized liabilities for repurchase agreements in Note 8 $ 6,614,907 Amounts related to repurchase agreements not included in offsetting disclosure in Note 8 $ — (1) Excludes $206,000 of unamortized debt issuance costs at December 31, 2017 .
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 December 31, 2017 : December 31, 2017 Counterparty Counterparty Rating (1) Amount at Risk (2) Weighted Average Months to Maturity for Repurchase Agreements Percent of Stockholders’ Equity (Dollars in Thousands) Goldman Sachs (3) BBB+/A3/A $ 239,473 5 7.3 % Wells Fargo (4) AA-/Aa2/AA- 189,015 5 5.8 RBC (5) AA-/A1/AA 186,652 1 5.7 Credit Suisse (6) BBB+/Aa2/A- 171,449 2 5.3 UBS (7) A+/A1/A+ 167,390 5 5.1 (1) As rated at December 31, 2017 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 $186.4 million at risk with Goldman Sachs Lending Partners and $53.0 million at risk with Goldman Sachs Bank USA. (4) Includes $178.8 million at risk with Wells Fargo Bank, NA and $10.2 million at risk with Wells Fargo Securities LLC. (5) Includes $166.8 million at risk with RBC Barbados, $15.1 million at risk with Royal of Canada and $4.8 million at risk with RBC Capital Markets LLC. Counterparty ratings are not published for RBC Barbados and RBS Capital Market LLC. (6) Includes $139.5 million at risk with Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands and $31.9 million at risk with Credit Suisse. Counterparty ratings are not published for Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands. (7) Includes Non-Agency MBS pledged as collateral with contemporaneous repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements.

Collateral Positions (Tables)

Collateral Positions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Transfers and Servicing [Abstract]
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 December 31, 2017 and 2016 : December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (In Thousands) Assets Pledged Collateral Held Assets Pledged Collateral Held Derivative Hedging Instruments: Agency MBS $ 21,756 $ — $ 32,468 $ — Cash (1) 6,405 — 53,849 — 28,161 — 86,317 — Repurchase Agreement Borrowings: Agency MBS 2,705,754 — 3,280,689 — Legacy Non-Agency MBS (2)(3) 1,652,983 — 2,317,708 — RPL/NPL MBS 726,540 — 2,433,711 — U.S. Treasury securities 472,095 — 510,767 — CRT securities 595,900 — 357,488 — MSR related assets 482,158 — 226,780 — Residential whole loans 1,474,704 — 1,175,088 — Cash (1) 6,902 — 4,614 — 8,117,036 — 10,306,845 — FHLB Advances: Agency MBS — — 227,244 — — — 227,244 — Reverse Repurchase Agreements: U.S. Treasury securities — 504,062 — 510,767 — 504,062 — 510,767 Total $ 8,145,197 $ 504,062 $ 10,620,406 $ 510,767 (1) Cash pledged as collateral is reported as “Restricted cash” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. (2) Includes $172.4 million of Legacy Non-Agency MBS acquired in connection with resecuritization transactions from consolidated VIEs that are eliminated from the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2016 . (3) In addition, at December 31, 2017 and 2016 , $688.1 million and $688.2 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 December 31, 2017 : December 31, 2017 Assets Pledged Under Repurchase Agreements 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 $ 2,705,754 $ 2,724,736 $ 7,069 $ 21,756 $ 22,476 $ 48 $ 2,734,627 Legacy Non-Agency MBS (1) 1,652,983 1,268,702 6,132 — — — 1,659,115 RPL/NPL MBS 726,540 723,719 571 — — — 727,111 U.S. Treasuries 472,095 — — — — 472,095 CRT securities 595,900 542,642 467 — — — 596,367 MSR related assets 482,158 481,354 1,120 — — — 483,278 Residential whole loans (2) 1,474,704 1,444,915 4,168 — — — 1,478,872 Cash (3) 6,902 6,902 — 6,405 6,405 — 13,307 Total $ 8,117,036 $ 7,192,970 $ 19,527 $ 28,161 $ 28,881 $ 48 $ 8,164,772 (1) In addition, at December 31, 2017 , $688.1 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. (2) Includes residential whole loans held at carrying value with an aggregate fair value of $478.5 million and aggregate amortized cost of $448.7 million and residential whole loans held at fair value with an aggregate fair value and amortized cost of $996.2 million . (3) Cash pledged as collateral is reported as “Restricted cash” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

Offsetting Assets and Liabili32

Offsetting Assets and Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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 December 31, 2017 and 2016 : 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 December 31, 2017 Swaps, at fair value $ 679 $ — $ 679 $ (679 ) $ — $ — Total $ 679 $ — $ 679 $ (679 ) $ — $ — December 31, 2016 Swaps, at fair value $ 233 $ — $ 233 $ (233 ) $ — $ — Total $ 233 $ — $ 233 $ (233 ) $ — $ —
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) December 31, 2017 Swaps, at fair value (2) $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — Repurchase agreements and other advances (3)(4) 6,614,907 — 6,614,907 (6,608,005 ) (6,902 ) — Total $ 6,614,907 $ — $ 6,614,907 $ (6,608,005 ) $ (6,902 ) $ — December 31, 2016 Swaps, at fair value (2) $ 46,954 $ — $ 46,954 $ — $ (46,954 ) $ — Repurchase agreements and other advances (3)(4) 8,687,478 — 8,687,478 (8,682,864 ) (4,614 ) — Total $ 8,734,432 $ — $ 8,734,432 $ (8,682,864 ) $ (51,568 ) $ — (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 $6.4 million and $6.9 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. (2) The fair value of securities pledged against the Company’s Swaps was $21.8 million and $32.5 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. Beginning in January 2017, variation margin payments on the Company’s cleared Swaps are treated as a legal settlement of the exposure under the Swap contract. Previously such payments were treated as collateral pledged against the exposure under the Swap contract. The effect of this change is to reduce what would have otherwise been reported as fair value of the Swap. (3) The fair value of financial instruments pledged against the Company’s repurchase agreements and other advances was $8.1 billion and $10.5 billion at December 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. (4) Excludes $206,000 and $210,000 of unamortized debt issuance costs at December 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively.

Other Liabilities (Tables)

Other Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Other Liabilities [Abstract]
Other Liabilities	The following table presents the components of the Company’s Other liabilities at December 31, 2017 and 2016 : (In Thousands) December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Securitized debt (1) $ 363,944 $ — Senior Notes 96,773 96,733 Dividends and dividend equivalents payable 79,771 74,657 Accrued interest payable 12,263 14,129 Swaps, at fair value (2) — 46,954 Accrued expenses and other liabilities 21,584 19,612 Total Other Liabilities $ 574,335 $ 252,085 (1) Securitized debt represents third-party liabilities of consolidated VIEs and excludes liabilities of the VIEs acquired by the Company that are eliminated in consolidation. The third-party beneficial interest holders in the VIEs have no recourse to the general credit of the Company. (See Notes 10 and 15 for further discussion.) (2) Beginning in January 2017, variation margin payments on the Company’s cleared Swaps are treated as a legal settlement of the exposure under the Swap contract. Previously such payments were treated as collateral pledged against the exposure under the Swap contract. The effect of this change is to reduce what would have otherwise been reported as fair value of the Swap.

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of contractual minimum rental payments	At December 31, 2017 , the contractual minimum rental payments (exclusive of possible rent escalation charges and normal recurring charges for maintenance, insurance and taxes) were as follows: Year Ended December 31, Minimum Rental Payments (In Thousands) 2018 $ 2,553 2019 2,553 2020 1,082 2021 32 2022 — Total $ 6,220

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Schedule of cash dividends declared on 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 December 31, 2017 : Year Declaration Date Record Date Payment Date Dividend Per Share 2017 November 17, 2017 December 1, 2017 December 29, 2017 $0.46875 August 10, 2017 September 1, 2017 September 29, 2017 0.46875 May 16, 2017 June 2, 2017 June 30, 2017 0.46875 February 17, 2017 March 6, 2017 March 31, 2017 0.46875 2016 November 22, 2016 December 6, 2016 December 30, 2016 $0.46875 August 12, 2016 September 2, 2016 September 30, 2016 0.46875 May 18, 2016 June 3, 2016 June 30, 2016 0.46875 February 12, 2016 February 29, 2016 March 31, 2016 0.46875 2015 November 19, 2015 December 3, 2015 December 31, 2015 $0.46875 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 December 31, 2017 : Year Declaration Date Record Date Payment Date Dividend Per Share 2017 December 13, 2017 December 28, 2017 January 31, 2018 $0.20 (1) September 14, 2017 September 28, 2017 October 31, 2017 0.20 June 12, 2017 June 29, 2017 July 28, 2017 0.20 March 8, 2017 March 29, 2017 April 28, 2017 0.20 2016 December 14, 2016 December 28, 2016 January 31, 2017 $0.20 September 15, 2016 September 28, 2016 October 31, 2016 0.20 June 14, 2016 June 28, 2016 July 29, 2016 0.20 March 11, 2016 March 28, 2016 April 29, 2016 0.20 2015 December 9, 2015 December 28, 2015 January 29, 2016 $0.20 September 17, 2015 September 29, 2015 October 30, 2015 0.20 June 15, 2015 June 29, 2015 July 31, 2015 0.20 March 13, 2015 March 27, 2015 April 30, 2015 0.20 (1) At December 31, 2017 , the Company had accrued dividends and dividend equivalents payable of $79.8 million related to the common stock dividend declared on December 13, 2017 .
Public Offering of Common Stock	Share Issue Date Shares Issued Gross Proceeds Per Share Gross Proceeds (1) (In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts) May 10, 2017 23,000 $ 7.85 $ 180,550 (1) (1) The Company incurred approximately $2.3 million of underwriting discounts and related expenses in connection with this equity offering.
Schedule of changes in balances in 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 years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 : For the Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In Thousands) Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on AFS Securities Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Swaps Total AOCI Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on AFS Securities Net Total AOCI Net Net Total AOCI Balance at beginning of period $ 620,403 $ (46,721 ) $ 573,682 $ 585,250 $ (69,399 ) $ 515,851 $ 813,515 $ (59,062 ) $ 754,453 OCI before reclassifications 39,984 35,297 75,281 72,560 22,678 95,238 (194,890 ) (10,337 ) (205,227 ) Amounts reclassified from AOCI (1) (39,739 ) — (39,739 ) (37,407 ) — (37,407 ) (37,912 ) — (37,912 ) Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing — — — — — — 4,537 — 4,537 Net OCI during period (2) 245 35,297 35,542 35,153 22,678 57,831 (228,265 ) (10,337 ) (238,602 ) Balance at end of period $ 620,648 $ (11,424 ) $ 609,224 $ 620,403 $ (46,721 ) $ 573,682 $ 585,250 $ (69,399 ) $ 515,851 (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 years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 , and 2015 : For the Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Details about AOCI Components Amounts Reclassified from AOCI Affected Line Item in the Statement (In Thousands) AFS Securities: Realized gain on sale of securities $ (38,707 ) $ (36,922 ) $ (37,207 ) Net gain on sales of MBS and U.S. Treasury securities OTTI recognized in earnings (1,032 ) (485 ) (705 ) Net impairment losses recognized in earnings Total AFS Securities $ (39,739 ) $ (37,407 ) $ (37,912 ) Total reclassifications for period $ (39,739 ) $ (37,407 ) $ (37,912 )

EPS Calculation (Tables)

EPS Calculation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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 years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 : For the Year Ended December 31, (In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts) 2017 2016 2015 Numerator: Net income $ 322,393 $ 312,668 $ 313,226 Dividends declared on preferred stock (15,000 ) (15,000 ) (15,000 ) Dividends, dividend equivalents and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities (1,708 ) (1,628 ) (1,539 ) Net income available to common stockholders - basic and diluted $ 305,685 $ 296,040 $ 296,687 Denominator: Weighted average common shares for basic and diluted earnings per share (1) 388,357 371,122 372,114 Basic and diluted earnings per share $ 0.79 $ 0.80 $ 0.80 (1) At December 31, 2017 , the Company had approximately 2.2 million equity instruments outstanding that were not included in the calculation of diluted EPS for the year ended December 31, 2017 , as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. These equity instruments reflect RSUs (based on current estimate of expected share settlement amount) with a weighted average grant date fair value of $6.43 . These equity instruments may have a dilutive impact on future EPS.

Equity Compensation, Employme37

Equity Compensation, Employment Agreements and Other Benefit Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Compensation Related Costs [Abstract]
Schedule of restricted stock units activity	The following table presents information with respect to the Company’s RSUs during the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 : For the Year Ended December 31, 2017 RSUs With Service Condition Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value RSUs With Market and Service Conditions Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Total RSUs Total Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Outstanding at beginning of year: 1,194,299 $ 7.38 863,800 $ 5.45 2,058,099 $ 6.57 Granted (1) 447,695 7.96 451,250 6.48 898,945 7.22 Settled (616,966 ) 7.32 (293,800 ) 5.83 (910,766 ) 6.84 Cancelled/forfeited — — — — — — Outstanding at end of year 1,025,028 $ 7.67 1,021,250 $ 5.80 2,046,278 $ 6.73 RSUs vested but not settled at end of year 586,419 $ 7.98 275,000 $ 5.73 861,419 $ 7.26 RSUs unvested at end of year 438,609 $ 7.25 746,250 $ 5.82 1,184,859 $ 6.35 For the Year Ended December 31, 2016 RSUs With Service Condition Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value RSUs With Market and Service Conditions Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Total RSUs Total Outstanding at beginning of year: 1,138,930 $ 7.71 736,800 $ 5.66 1,875,730 $ 6.90 Granted (2) 420,695 6.81 307,500 4.81 728,195 5.96 Settled (360,326 ) 7.75 (175,500 ) 5.21 (535,826 ) 6.92 Cancelled/forfeited (5,000 ) 7.32 (5,000 ) 5.27 (10,000 ) 6.29 Outstanding at end of year 1,194,299 $ 7.38 863,800 $ 5.45 2,058,099 $ 6.57 RSUs vested but not settled at end of year 617,518 $ 7.45 293,800 $ 5.83 911,318 $ 6.93 RSUs unvested at end of year 576,781 $ 7.30 570,000 $ 5.25 1,146,781 $ 6.28 For the Year Ended December 31, 2015 RSUs With Service Condition Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value RSUs With Market and Service Conditions Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Total RSUs Total Outstanding at beginning of year: 769,174 $ 7.55 449,300 $ 5.61 1,218,474 $ 6.84 Granted (3) 390,804 7.96 291,250 5.73 682,054 7.01 Settled (17,298 ) 6.60 — — (17,298 ) 6.60 Cancelled/forfeited (3,750 ) 7.97 (3,750 ) 5.73 (7,500 ) 6.85 Outstanding at end of year 1,138,930 $ 7.71 736,800 $ 5.66 1,875,730 $ 6.90 RSUs vested but not settled at end of year 554,023 $ 7.83 175,500 $ 5.21 729,523 $ 7.20 RSUs unvested at end of year 584,907 $ 7.59 561,300 $ 5.80 1,146,207 $ 6.71 (1) The weighted average grant date fair value of these awards require the Company to estimate certain valuation inputs. In determining the fair value for 758,750 of these awards granted in 2017 , the Company applied: (i) a weighted average volatility estimate of approximately 15% , which was determined considering historic volatility in the price of the Company’s and its peer group companies’ common stock over the three -year period prior to the grant date and the implied volatility of certain exchange-traded options on the Company’s and peer group companies’ common stock at the grant date; and (ii) a weighted average risk-free rate of 1.46% based on the continuously compounded constant maturity treasury rate corresponding to a maturity commensurate with the expected vesting term of the awards. The weighted average grant date fair value for the remaining 140,195 awards with a service condition only was estimated based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock at the grant date of $8.31 . There are no post vesting conditions on these awards. (2) The weighted average grant date fair value of these awards require the Company to estimate certain valuation inputs. In determining the fair value for 615,000 of these awards granted in 2016 , the Company applied: (i) a weighted average volatility estimate of approximately 17% , which was determined considering historic volatility in the price of Company’s common stock over the three -year period prior to the grant date and the implied volatility of certain exchange-traded options on the Company’s common stock at the grant date; (ii) a weighted average risk-free rate of 1.20% based on the continuously compounded constant maturity treasury rate corresponding to a maturity commensurate with the expected vesting term of the awards; and (iii) an estimated annual dividend yield of 11% . The weighted average grant date fair value for the remaining 113,195 awards with a service condition only was estimated based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock at the grant date of $7.20 . There are no post vesting conditions on these awards. (3) The weighted average grant date fair value of these awards require the Company to estimate certain valuation inputs. In determining the fair value for 582,500 of these awards granted in 2015 , the Company applied: (i) a weighted average volatility estimate of approximately 18% , which was determined considering historic volatility in the price of Company’s common stock over the three -year period prior to the grant date and the implied volatility of certain exchange-traded options on the Company’s common stock at the grant date; (ii) a weighted average risk-free rate of 0.90% based on the continuously compounded constant maturity treasury rate corresponding to a maturity commensurate with the expected vesting term of the awards; and (iii) an estimated annual dividend yield of 9% . The weighted average grant date fair value for the remaining 99,554 awards with a service condition only was estimated based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock at the grant date ranging from $7.93 to $7.97 . There are no post vesting conditions on these awards.
Schedule of restricted stock activity	The following table presents information with respect to the Company’s restricted stock for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 : For the Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Shares of Restricted Stock Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (1) Shares of Restricted Stock Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (1) Shares of Restricted Stock Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (1) Outstanding at beginning of year: 28,968 $ 7.12 110,920 $ 7.41 243,948 $ 7.48 Granted 214,859 8.06 487,216 7.66 497,007 6.83 Vested (2) (243,827 ) 7.95 (567,851 ) 7.64 (629,212 ) 6.98 Cancelled/forfeited — — (1,317 ) 7.12 (823 ) 7.74 Outstanding at end of year — $ — 28,968 $ 7.12 110,920 $ 7.41 (1) The grant date fair value of restricted stock awards is based on the closing market price of the Company’s common stock at the grant date. (2) All restrictions associated with restricted stock are removed on vesting.
Schedule of dividend equivalent rights activity	The following table presents information about the Company’s dividend equivalents rights awarded as separate instruments at and for each of the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 . No such awards were granted during 2017: For the Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 Number of Dividend Equivalent Rights Outstanding at beginning of year: 8,215 24,402 Granted — — Cancelled, forfeited or expired (8,215 ) (16,187 ) Outstanding at end of year — 8,215
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 years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 : For the Year Ended December 31, (In Thousands) 2017 2016 2015 RSUs (1) $ 6,098 $ 4,792 $ 3,377 Restricted shares of common stock 1,935 4,326 4,373 Dividend equivalent rights — 44 82 Total $ 8,033 $ 9,162 $ 7,832 (1) Equity-based compensation for the year ended December 31, 2017 includes a one-time expense of approximately $900,000 for the accelerated vesting of certain time-based equity awards arising from the death of the Company’s former 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 years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 : For the Year Ended December 31, (In Thousands) 2017 2016 2015 Non-employee directors $ 171 $ 231 $ (59 ) Total $ 171 $ 231 $ (59 )
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 December 31, 2017 and 2016 that had not been distributed and the Company’s associated liability for such deferrals at December 31, 2017 and 2016 : December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (In Thousands) Undistributed Income Deferred (1) Liability Under Deferred Plans Undistributed Income Deferred (1) Liability Under Deferred Plans Non-employee directors $ 1,688 $ 2,056 $ 1,066 $ 1,263 Total $ 1,688 $ 2,056 $ 1,066 $ 1,263 (1) Represents the cumulative amounts that were deferred by participants through December 31, 2017 and 2016 , which had not been distributed through such respective date.

Fair Value of Financial Instr38

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of financial instruments carried at fair value by valuation hierarchy	The following tables present the Company’s financial instruments carried at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , on the consolidated balance sheets by the valuation hierarchy, as previously described: Fair Value at December 31, 2017 (In Thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets: Agency MBS $ — $ 2,824,681 $ — $ 2,824,681 Non-Agency MBS — 3,533,966 — 3,533,966 CRT securities — 664,403 — 664,403 Term notes backed by MSR related collateral — — 381,804 381,804 Residential whole loans, at fair value — — 1,325,115 1,325,115 Securities obtained and pledged as collateral 504,062 — — 504,062 Swaps — 679 — 679 Total assets carried at fair value $ 504,062 $ 7,023,729 $ 1,706,919 $ 9,234,710 Liabilities: Swaps $ — $ — $ — $ — Obligation to return securities obtained as collateral 504,062 — — 504,062 Total liabilities carried at fair value $ 504,062 $ — $ — $ 504,062 Fair Value at December 31, 2016 (In Thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets: Agency MBS $ — $ 3,738,497 $ — $ 3,738,497 Non-Agency MBS, including MBS transferred to consolidated VIEs — 5,684,836 — 5,684,836 CRT securities — 404,850 — 404,850 Term notes backed by MSR related collateral — 140,980 — 140,980 Residential whole loans, at fair value — — 814,682 814,682 Securities obtained and pledged as collateral 510,767 — — 510,767 Swaps — 233 — 233 Total assets carried at fair value $ 510,767 $ 9,969,396 $ 814,682 $ 11,294,845 Liabilities: Swaps $ — $ 46,954 $ — $ 46,954 Obligation to return securities obtained as collateral 510,767 — — 510,767 Total liabilities carried at fair value $ 510,767 $ 46,954 $ — $ 557,721
Schedule of significant unobservable inputs used in fair value measurement	The following table presents additional information for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 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: Residential Whole Loans, at Fair Value For the Year Ended December 31, (In Thousands) 2017 2016 Balance at beginning of period $ 814,682 $ 623,276 Purchases and capitalized advances 683,735 316,407 Changes in fair value recorded in Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value 33,617 31,254 Collection of principal, net of liquidation gains/losses (87,072 ) (66,694 ) Repurchases (2,716 ) (2,909 ) Transfers to REO (117,131 ) (86,652 ) Balance at end of period $ 1,325,115 $ 814,682 The following table presents additional information for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 about the Company’s investments in term notes backed by MSR related collateral held at fair value, which are classified as Level 3 and measured at fair value on a recurring basis: Term Notes Backed by MSR Related Collateral Year Ended December 31, (In Thousands) 2017 (1) 2016 Balance at beginning of period $ — $ — Purchases 381,000 — Collection of principal (140,980 ) — Changes in unrealized gain/losses 804 — Transfers from Level 2 to Level 3 (1) 140,980 — Balance at end of period $ 381,804 — (1) Investments in term notes backed by MSR related collateral were transferred from Level 2 to Level 3 during the year ended December 31, 2017 as there has been very limited secondary market trading in these securities since issuance. Transfers between levels are deemed to take place on the first day of the reporting period in which the transfer has taken place.
Schedule of quantitative information about significant unobservable inputs	The following tables present 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 December 31, 2017 and 2016 : December 31, 2017 (Dollars in Thousands) Fair Value (1) Valuation Technique Unobservable Input Weighted Average (2) Range Residential whole loans, at fair value $ 358,871 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 5.5 % 4.5-13.0% Prepayment rate 4.1 % 1.15-15.1% Default rate 2.9 % 0.0-6.5% Loss severity 13.8 % 0.0-100.0% $ 592,940 Liquidation model Discount rate 8.0 % 6.1-50.0% Annual change in home prices 2.5 % (8.0)-8.8% Liquidation timeline (in years) 1.6 0.1-4.5 Current value of underlying properties (3) $ 772 $0-$9,900 Total $ 951,811 December 31, 2016 (Dollars in Thousands) Fair Value (1) Valuation Technique Unobservable Input Weighted Average (2) Range Residential whole loans, at fair value $ 253,287 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 6.6 % 5.0-7.7% Prepayment rate 7.6 % 0.0-12.0% Default rate 2.9 % 0.0-9.7% Loss severity 13.0 % 0.0-77.5% $ 516,014 Liquidation model Discount rate 7.7 % 6.8-26.9% Annual change in home prices 1.7 % (9.2)-7.7% Liquidation timeline (in years) 1.6 0.1-4.4 Current value of underlying properties (3) $ 634 $5-$4,900 Total $ 769,301 (1) Excludes approximately $373.3 million and $45.4 million of loans for which management considers the purchase price continues to reflect the fair value of such loans at December 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. (2) Amounts are weighted based on the fair value of the underlying loan. (3) The simple average value of the properties underlying residential whole loans held at fair value valued via a liquidation model was approximately $336,000 and $320,000 as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively.
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 December 31, 2017 and 2016 : Residential Whole Loans December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (In Thousands) Fair Value Unpaid Principal Balance Difference Fair Value Unpaid Principal Balance Difference Residential whole loans, at fair value Total loans $ 1,325,115 $ 1,562,373 $ (237,258 ) $ 814,682 $ 966,174 $ (151,492 ) Loans 90 days or more past due $ 840,572 $ 1,027,818 $ (187,246 ) $ 570,025 $ 695,282 $ (125,257 )
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 December 31, 2017 and 2016 : December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (In Thousands) Carrying Value Estimated Fair Value Carrying Value Estimated Fair Value Financial Assets: Agency MBS $ 2,824,681 $ 2,824,681 $ 3,738,497 $ 3,738,497 Non-Agency MBS, including MBS transferred to consolidated VIEs 3,533,966 3,533,966 5,684,836 5,684,836 CRT securities 664,403 664,403 404,850 404,850 MSR related assets 492,080 493,026 226,780 226,780 Residential whole loans, at carrying value 908,516 988,688 590,540 621,548 Residential whole loans, at fair value 1,325,115 1,325,115 814,682 814,682 Securities obtained and pledged as collateral 504,062 504,062 510,767 510,767 Cash and cash equivalents 449,757 449,757 260,112 260,112 Restricted cash 13,307 13,307 58,463 58,463 Swaps 679 679 233 233 Financial Liabilities (1): Repurchase agreements 6,614,701 6,623,255 8,472,268 8,472,078 FHLB advances — — 215,000 215,000 Obligation to return securities obtained as collateral 504,062 504,062 510,767 510,767 Securitized debt 363,944 366,109 — — Senior Notes 96,773 103,729 96,733 101,111 Swaps — — 46,954 46,954 (1) Carrying value of securitized debt, Senior Notes and certain repurchase agreements is net of associated debt issuance costs.

Use of Special Purpose Entiti39

Use of Special Purpose Entities and Variable Interest Entities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Use of Special Purpose Entities and Variable Interest Entities
Summary of key details related to securitization transactions	The following table summarizes the key details of the loan securitization transactions the Company has been involved in to date: (Dollars in Thousands) December 2017 June 2017 Name of Trust (Consolidated as a VIE) MFA 2017-NPL1, LLC MFA 2017-RPL 1 Aggregate unpaid principal balance of residential whole loans sold $ 401,076 $ 219,848 Face amount of Senior Bonds issued by the VIE and purchased by third-party investors $ 235,000 $ 147,847 Outstanding amount of Senior Bonds at December 31, 2017 $ 233,683 $ 132,602 Weighted average fixed rate for Senior Bonds issued 3.35 % (1) 2.753 % Face amount of Senior Support Certificates received by the Company (2) $ 55,000 $ 72,001 Cash received $ 235,000 $ 147,845 (1) The Senior Bond sold in connection with this securitization transaction contains a contractual coupon step-up feature whereby the coupon increases by 300 basis points at 36 months from issuance if the bond is not redeemed before such date. (2) Provides credit support to the Senior Bonds sold to third-party investors in the securitization transactions.

Summary of Quarterly Results 40

Summary of Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)	2017 Quarter Ended (In Thousands, Except per Share Amounts) March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31 Interest income $ 117,257 $ 110,157 $ 105,133 $ 100,901 Interest expense (50,349 ) (49,022 ) (49,275 ) (48,495 ) Net interest income 66,908 61,135 55,858 52,406 Net impairment losses recognized in earnings (414 ) (618 ) — — Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value 13,773 16,208 18,679 41,359 Net gain on sales of MBS and U.S. Treasury securities 9,708 5,889 14,933 9,047 Other income 4,512 14,847 (4,515 ) 14,579 Operating and other expense (16,427 ) (17,526 ) (21,150 ) (16,798 ) Net income 78,060 79,935 63,805 100,593 Preferred stock dividends (3,750 ) (3,750 ) (3,750 ) (3,750 ) Net income available to common stock and participating securities $ 74,310 $ 76,185 $ 60,055 $ 96,843 Earnings per Common Share - Basic and Diluted $ 0.20 $ 0.20 $ 0.15 $ 0.24 2016 Quarter Ended (In Thousands, Except per Share Amounts) March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31 Interest income $ 117,418 $ 114,507 $ 112,716 $ 112,809 Interest expense (47,600 ) (47,720 ) (48,167 ) (49,868 ) Net interest income 69,818 66,787 64,549 62,941 Net impairment losses recognized in earnings — — (485 ) — Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value 12,348 15,742 19,639 $ 14,876 Net gain on sales of MBS and U.S. Treasury securities 9,745 9,241 7,083 9,768 Other income 618 2,047 7,179 $ 756 Operating and other expense (14,459 ) (14,867 ) (14,954 ) (15,704 ) Net income 78,070 78,950 83,011 72,637 Preferred stock dividends (3,750 ) (3,750 ) (3,750 ) (3,750 ) Net income available to common stock and participating securities $ 74,320 $ 75,200 $ 79,261 $ 68,887 Earnings per Common Share - Basic and Diluted $ 0.20 $ 0.20 $ 0.21 $ 0.18

Summary of Significant Accoun41

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - MSR Related Assets, Residential Whole Loans, Cash and Goodwill (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)segment	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Commitment to lend	$ 130,000
Amount drawn	$ 111,200
Number of reportable segments | segment	1
Number of operating segments | segment	1
Number of days considered to classify loans delinquent (less than)	60 days
LTV percentage (or less)	80.00%
Overnight money market funds	$ 354,000	$ 208,900
Restricted cash	13,307	58,463
Goodwill	$ 7,189	$ 7,189

Summary of Significant Accoun42

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Depreciation (Details) - Furniture, fixtures, computers and related hardwares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Minimum
Estimated useful life of long-lived assets
Estimated useful life	5 years
Maximum
Estimated useful life of long-lived assets
Estimated useful life	8 years

Summary of Significant Accoun43

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Repurchase Agreements (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Repurchase financing period, low end of range	1 month
Repurchase financing period, high end of range	6 months

Summary of Significant Accoun44

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Equity-Based Compensation, Taxes, Derivatives (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended		36 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure
Percentage of annual REIT taxable income intended to be distributed to stockholders	100.00%
Income tax expense	$ 0
Restricted Stock Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period of restricted share units (RSUs)		3 years	3 years
Restricted Stock Units | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period of restricted share units (RSUs)			1 year
Restricted Stock Units | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period of restricted share units (RSUs)			3 years

MBS, CRT Securities and MSR R45

MBS, CRT Securities and MSR Related Assets (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Minimum term of fixed rate mortgages underlying MBS, years									15 years
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, accumulated loss	$ 43,613								$ 43,613
Reclassification adjustment for other-than-temporary impairments included in net income	0	$ 0	$ 618	$ 414	$ 0	$ 485	$ 0	$ 0	1,032	$ 485	$ 705
Agency MBS
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, accumulated loss	43,137								$ 43,137
RPL/NPL MBS
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate									3.00%
Debt instrument, coupon step-up period									36 months
Non-Agency MBS
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, accumulated loss	$ 453								$ 453

MBS, CRT Securities and MSR R46

MBS, CRT Securities and MSR Related Assets (MBS and CRT Securities) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Principal/ Current Face	$ 7,060,004,000	$ 10,031,913,000
Purchase Premiums	113,003,000	138,551,000
Accretable Purchase Discounts	(218,915,000)	(283,799,000)
Discount Designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI	(593,227,000)	(694,241,000)
Amortized Cost	6,362,756,000	9,195,028,000
MBS and CRT securities	7,023,050,000	9,828,183,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	703,907,000	669,553,000
Gross Unrealized Losses	43,613,000	36,398,000
Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	660,294,000	633,155,000
Principal payments receivable	1,900,000	2,600,000
Agency MBS
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Principal/ Current Face	2,738,462,000	3,581,302,000
Purchase Premiums	104,066,000	135,182,000
Accretable Purchase Discounts	(40,000)	(51,000)
Discount Designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI	0	0
Amortized Cost	2,844,379,000	3,719,037,000
MBS and CRT securities	2,824,681,000	3,738,497,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	23,439,000	50,653,000
Gross Unrealized Losses	43,137,000	31,193,000
Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	(19,698,000)	19,460,000
Agency MBS | Fannie Mae
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Principal/ Current Face	2,170,974,000	2,879,807,000
Purchase Premiums	82,271,000	108,310,000
Accretable Purchase Discounts	(40,000)	(51,000)
Discount Designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI	0	0
Amortized Cost	2,253,205,000	2,988,066,000
MBS and CRT securities	2,246,600,000	3,014,464,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	21,736,000	45,706,000
Gross Unrealized Losses	28,341,000	19,308,000
Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	(6,605,000)	26,398,000
Agency MBS | Freddie Mac
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Principal/ Current Face	561,346,000	693,945,000
Purchase Premiums	21,683,000	26,736,000
Accretable Purchase Discounts	0	0
Discount Designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI	0	0
Amortized Cost	584,920,000	723,285,000
MBS and CRT securities	571,748,000	716,209,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	1,624,000	4,809,000
Gross Unrealized Losses	14,796,000	11,885,000
Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	(13,172,000)	(7,076,000)
Agency MBS | Ginnie Mae
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Principal/ Current Face	6,142,000	7,550,000
Purchase Premiums	112,000	136,000
Accretable Purchase Discounts	0	0
Discount Designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI	0	0
Amortized Cost	6,254,000	7,686,000
MBS and CRT securities	6,333,000	7,824,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	79,000	138,000
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	79,000	138,000
Non-Agency MBS
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Principal/ Current Face	3,718,743,000	6,065,618,000
Purchase Premiums	50,000	57,000
Accretable Purchase Discounts	(215,325,000)	(278,191,000)
Discount Designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI	(593,227,000)	(694,241,000)
Amortized Cost	2,910,241,000	5,093,243,000
MBS and CRT securities	3,533,966,000	5,684,836,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	624,178,000	596,795,000
Gross Unrealized Losses	453,000	5,202,000
Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	623,725,000	591,593,000
Credit reserve	579,000,000	675,600,000
OTTI	14,200,000	18,600,000
Non-Agency MBS | Expected to Recover Par
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Principal/ Current Face	1,128,808,000	2,706,418,000
Purchase Premiums	50,000	57,000
Accretable Purchase Discounts	(22,737,000)	(24,273,000)
Discount Designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI	0	0
Amortized Cost	1,106,121,000	2,682,202,000
MBS and CRT securities	1,132,205,000	2,706,311,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	26,518,000	26,477,000
Gross Unrealized Losses	434,000	2,368,000
Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	26,084,000	24,109,000
Non-Agency MBS | Expected to Recover Less Than Par
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Principal/ Current Face	2,589,935,000	3,359,200,000
Purchase Premiums	0	0
Accretable Purchase Discounts	(192,588,000)	(253,918,000)
Discount Designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI	(593,227,000)	(694,241,000)
Amortized Cost	1,804,120,000	2,411,041,000
MBS and CRT securities	2,401,761,000	2,978,525,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	597,660,000	570,318,000
Gross Unrealized Losses	19,000	2,834,000
Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	$ 597,641,000	$ 567,484,000
Percentage of current face amount of Non-Agency MBS to be recovered	84.00%	89.00%
Total MBS
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Principal/ Current Face	$ 6,457,205,000	$ 9,646,920,000
Purchase Premiums	104,116,000	135,239,000
Accretable Purchase Discounts	(215,365,000)	(278,242,000)
Discount Designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI	(593,227,000)	(694,241,000)
Amortized Cost	5,754,620,000	8,812,280,000
MBS and CRT securities	6,358,647,000	9,423,333,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	647,617,000	647,448,000
Gross Unrealized Losses	43,590,000	36,395,000
Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	604,027,000	611,053,000
CRT securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Principal/ Current Face	602,799,000	384,993,000
Purchase Premiums	8,887,000	3,312,000
Accretable Purchase Discounts	(3,550,000)	(5,557,000)
Discount Designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI	0	0
Amortized Cost	608,136,000	382,748,000
MBS and CRT securities	664,403,000	404,850,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	56,290,000	22,105,000
Gross Unrealized Losses	23,000	3,000
Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	56,267,000	22,102,000
CRT securities | Fair value option elected, debt securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
MBS and CRT securities	480,800,000	271,200,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	40,500,000	12,700,000
Gross Unrealized Losses	23,000
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	23,000	3,000
RPL/NPL MBS
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Principal/ Current Face	922,000,000	2,500,000,000
Amortized Cost	920,100,000	2,500,000,000
MBS and CRT securities	$ 923,100,000	$ 2,500,000,000

MBS, CRT Securities and MSR R47

MBS, CRT Securities and MSR Related Assets (Unrealized Losses) (Details)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)security	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Fair Value
Less than 12 Months	$ 536,893,000
12 Months or more	1,292,244,000
Total	1,829,137,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	43,613,000	$ 36,398,000
Unrealized Losses
Less than 12 Months	3,837,000
12 Months or more	39,776,000
Total	$ 43,613,000
Number of Securities
Less than 12 months (in security) | security	138
12 months or more (in security) | security	314
Agency MBS
Fair Value
Less than 12 Months	$ 449,996,000
12 Months or more	1,279,713,000
Total	1,729,709,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	43,137,000	31,193,000
Unrealized Losses
Less than 12 Months	3,600,000
12 Months or more	39,537,000
Total	$ 43,137,000
Number of Securities
Less than 12 months (in security) | security	128
12 months or more (in security) | security	305
Agency MBS | Fannie Mae
Fair Value
Less than 12 Months	$ 385,839,000
12 Months or more	871,828,000
Total	1,257,667,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	28,341,000	19,308,000
Unrealized Losses
Less than 12 Months	3,128,000
12 Months or more	25,213,000
Total	$ 28,341,000
Number of Securities
Less than 12 months (in security) | security	104
12 months or more (in security) | security	200
Agency MBS | Freddie Mac
Fair Value
Less than 12 Months	$ 63,924,000
12 Months or more	407,885,000
Total	471,809,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	14,796,000	11,885,000
Unrealized Losses
Less than 12 Months	472,000
12 Months or more	14,324,000
Total	$ 14,796,000
Number of Securities
Less than 12 months (in security) | security	23
12 months or more (in security) | security	105
Agency MBS | Ginnie Mae
Fair Value
Less than 12 Months	$ 233,000
12 Months or more	0
Total	233,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0	0
Unrealized Losses
Less than 12 Months	0
12 Months or more	0
Total	$ 0
Number of Securities
Less than 12 months (in security) | security	1
12 months or more (in security) | security	0
Non-Agency MBS
Fair Value
Less than 12 Months	$ 70,631,000
12 Months or more	12,531,000
Total	83,162,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	453,000	5,202,000
Unrealized Losses
Less than 12 Months	214,000
12 Months or more	239,000
Total	$ 453,000
Number of Securities
Less than 12 months (in security) | security	6
12 months or more (in security) | security	9
Non-Agency MBS | Expected to Recover Par
Fair Value
Less than 12 Months	$ 64,394,000
12 Months or more	12,531,000
Total	76,925,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	434,000	2,368,000
Unrealized Losses
Less than 12 Months	195,000
12 Months or more	239,000
Total	$ 434,000
Number of Securities
Less than 12 months (in security) | security	2
12 months or more (in security) | security	9
Non-Agency MBS | Expected to Recover Less Than Par
Fair Value
Less than 12 Months	$ 6,237,000
12 Months or more	0
Total	6,237,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	19,000	2,834,000
Unrealized Losses
Less than 12 Months	19,000
12 Months or more	0
Total	$ 19,000
Number of Securities
Less than 12 months (in security) | security	4
12 months or more (in security) | security	0
Total MBS
Fair Value
Less than 12 Months	$ 520,627,000
12 Months or more	1,292,244,000
Total	1,812,871,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	43,590,000	36,395,000
Unrealized Losses
Less than 12 Months	3,814,000
12 Months or more	39,776,000
Total	$ 43,590,000
Number of Securities
Less than 12 months (in security) | security	134
12 months or more (in security) | security	314
CRT securities
Fair Value
Less than 12 Months	$ 16,266,000
12 Months or more	0
Total	16,266,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	23,000	$ 3,000
Unrealized Losses
Less than 12 Months	23,000
12 Months or more	0
Total	$ 23,000
Number of Securities
Less than 12 months (in security) | security	4
12 months or more (in security) | security	0
Fair value option elected, debt securities | CRT securities
Fair Value
Total	$ 16,300,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	$ 23,000

MBS, CRT Securities and MSR R48

MBS, CRT Securities and MSR Related Assets (Composition of OTTI Charges) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Total OTTI losses									$ (63)	$ (1,255)	$ (525)
OTTI reclassified from OCI									(969)	770	(180)
Net Impairment Losses Recognized in Earnings	$ 0	$ 0	$ (618)	$ (414)	$ 0	$ (485)	$ 0	$ 0	$ (1,032)	$ (485)	$ (705)

MBS, CRT Securities and MSR R49

MBS, CRT Securities and MSR Related Assets (Credit Loss Component of OTTI) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Roll Forward]
Credit loss component of OTTI at beginning of period	$ 37,305	$ 36,820	$ 36,115
Additions for credit related OTTI not previously recognized	63	314	461
Subsequent additional credit related OTTI recorded	969	171	244
Credit loss component of OTTI at end of period	$ 38,337	$ 37,305	$ 36,820

MBS, CRT Securities and MSR R50

MBS, CRT Securities and MSR Related Assets (Purchase Discounts) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Discount Designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI | Non-Agency MBS
Changes in the components of the purchase discount on Non-Agency MBS
Balance at beginning of period	$ (694,241)	$ (787,541)
Impact of RMBS Issuer Settlement	0	0
Accretion of discount	0	0
Realized credit losses	49,291	64,217
Purchases	(29,810)	(25,999)
Sales	31,730	17,863
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings	(1,032)	(485)
Transfers/release of credit reserve	50,835	37,704
Balance at end of period	(593,227)	(694,241)
Accretable Discount | Non-Agency MBS
Changes in the components of the purchase discount on Non-Agency MBS
Balance at beginning of period	(278,191)	(312,182)
Impact of RMBS Issuer Settlement	0	(59,900)
Accretion of discount	77,513	80,548
Realized credit losses	0	0
Purchases	18,386	13,094
Sales	17,802	37,953
Transfers/release of credit reserve	(50,835)	(37,704)
Balance at end of period	$ (215,325)	(278,191)
Countrywide
Changes in the components of the purchase discount on Non-Agency MBS
Proceeds from legal settlements		61,800
Citigroup
Changes in the components of the purchase discount on Non-Agency MBS
Proceeds from legal settlements		$ 7,000

MBS, CRT Securities and MSR R51

MBS, CRT Securities and MSR Related Assets (Sale of MBS) (Details) - Non-Agency MBS - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of MBS categorized as available-for-sale	$ 104	$ 85.6	$ 70.7
Gains on sales of MBS	$ 39.9	$ 35.8	$ 34.9

MBS, CRT Securities and MSR R52

MBS, CRT Securities and MSR Related Assets (MSR Related Assets - Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Commitment to lend	$ 130,000
Amount drawn	111,200
Term notes backed by MSR related collateral
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Term notes backed by MSR related collateral	381,800	$ 141,000
Amortized costs	381,000	141,000
Gross unrealized gains	$ 804	$ 0
Weighted average yield	5.80%	5.50%
Weighted average to maturity	3 years 4 months 24 days	4 years 7 months 6 days
Corporate Loan
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Commitment to lend	$ 130,000
Amount drawn	$ 111,200
Interest coupon rate	8.07%
Remaining term	2 years 6 months
Commitment period on undrawn amount	6 months
Interest income	$ 7,900
Discount accretion	$ 296
First Three Months | Corporate Loan
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Commitment fee income	1.50%

MBS, CRT Securities and MSR R53

MBS, CRT Securities and MSR Related Assets (Impact of AFS Securities on AOCI) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
AOCI from AFS Securities:
Unrealized gain on AFS securities at beginning of period	$ 620,403	$ 585,250	$ 813,515
Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing (1)	0	0	4,537
Reclassification adjustment for MBS sales included in net income	(38,707)	(36,922)	(37,207)
Reclassification adjustment for OTTI included in net income	(1,032)	(485)	(705)
Change in AOCI from AFS securities	245	35,153	(228,265)
Balance at end of period	620,648	620,403	585,250
Agency MBS
AOCI from AFS Securities:
Unrealized (loss)/gain on AFS securities, net	(39,158)	(9,322)	(51,332)
Non-Agency MBS
AOCI from AFS Securities:
Unrealized (loss)/gain on AFS securities, net	$ 79,142	$ 81,882	$ (143,558)

MBS, CRT Securities and MSR R54

MBS, CRT Securities and MSR Related Assets (Interest Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Agency MBS
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Coupon interest	$ 96,678	$ 119,966	$ 147,066
Effective yield adjustment	(31,323)	(36,897)	(41,231)
Interest income	65,355	83,069	105,835
Legacy Non-Agency MBS
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Coupon interest	127,645	154,057	183,349
Effective yield adjustment	76,005	78,443	91,003
Interest income	203,650	232,500	274,352
RPL/NPL MBS
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Coupon interest	65,957	98,213	87,429
Effective yield adjustment	1,505	2,108	1,789
Interest income	67,462	100,321	89,218
CRT securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Coupon interest	27,706	13,023	5,844
Effective yield adjustment	4,009	1,747	728
Interest income	31,715	14,770	6,572
MSR related assets
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Coupon interest	24,534	2,090	0
Effective yield adjustment	296	10	0
Interest income	$ 24,830	$ 2,100	$ 0

Residential Whole Loans - Narra

Residential Whole Loans - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)loan	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)loan	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)loan	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)loan	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Residential Whole Loans [Abstract]
Residential whole loans		$ 2,200,000				$ 1,400,000				$ 2,200,000	$ 1,400,000
Residential whole loans at carrying value	[1]	$ 908,516				$ 590,540				$ 908,516	$ 590,540
Residential whole loans | loan		4,800				3,200				4,800	3,200
Allowance for loan leases		$ 330				$ 990				$ 330	$ 990	$ 1,165	$ 137
(Reversal of provisions)/provisions for loan losses										(660)	(175)	1,028
Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value		$ 41,359	$ 18,679	$ 16,208	$ 13,773	$ 14,876	$ 19,639	$ 15,742	$ 12,348	$ 90,019	$ 62,605	$ 19,575
[1]	Includes approximately $183.2 million of Residential whole loans, at carrying value and $289.3 million of Residential whole loans, at fair value transferred to consolidated VIEs at December 31, 2017. Such assets can be used only to settle the obligations of each respective VIE.

Residential Whole Loans at Carr

Residential Whole Loans at Carrying Value-Provision for Loan Losses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Balance at the beginning of period	$ 990	$ 1,165	$ 137
(Reversal of provisions)/provisions for loan losses	(660)	(175)	1,028
Balance at the end of period	$ 330	$ 990	$ 1,165

Residential Whole Loans at Ca57

Residential Whole Loans at Carrying Value (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Residential Whole Loans [Abstract]
Contractually required principal and interest	$ 534,112	$ 662,747
Contractual cash flows not expected to be collected (non-accretable yield)	(129,547)	(117,694)
Expected cash flows to be collected	404,565	545,053
Interest component of expected cash flows (accretable yield)	(137,378)	(181,534)
Fair value at the date of acquisition	$ 267,187	$ 363,519

Residential Whole Loans at Ca58

Residential Whole Loans at Carrying Value Accretable Yield Rollforward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Residential Whole Loans [Roll Forward]
Accretable yield, beginning balance	$ 334,379	$ 175,271
Additions	137,378	181,534
Accretion	(35,657)	(23,916)
Liquidations and other	(16,356)	0
Reclassifications from non-accretable difference, net	2,128	1,490
Accretable yield, ending balance	$ 421,872	$ 334,379

Residential Whole Loans - Fair

Residential Whole Loans - Fair Value (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)loan	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)loan
Residential Whole Loans [Abstract]
Outstanding principal balance	$ 1,562,373	$ 966,174
Aggregate fair value	$ 1,325,115	$ 814,682
Number of loans | loan	6,514	3,812

Residential Whole Loans-Fair Va

Residential Whole Loans-Fair Value Components of Net Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Residential Whole Loans [Abstract]
Coupon payments and other income received									$ 41,373	$ 23,017	$ 9,304
Net unrealized gains									33,617	31,254	6,539
Net gain on payoff/liquidation of loans									4,958	5,413	1,879
Net gain on transfers to REO									10,071	2,921	1,853
Total	$ 41,359	$ 18,679	$ 16,208	$ 13,773	$ 14,876	$ 19,639	$ 15,742	$ 12,348	$ 90,019	$ 62,605	$ 19,575

Other Assets (Details)

Other Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Other Assets [Abstract]
REO	$ 152,356	$ 80,503	$ 28,026
Interest receivable	27,415	27,795
Swaps, at fair value	679	233
Goodwill	7,189	7,189
Prepaid and other assets	51,208	78,775
Total Other Assets	$ 238,847	$ 194,495

Other Assets - Real Estate Owne

Other Assets - Real Estate Owned (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)property	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)property	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)property
Real Estate Owned Properties [Line Items]
Number of real estate owned properties | property	709	447
Other real estate, fair value	$ 175,800	$ 91,100
Real estate owned	$ 152,356	$ 80,503	$ 28,026
Number of real estate properties reclassified to REO during period | property	698	517
Transfer from residential whole loans	$ 136,734	$ 91,896	$ 30,104
Residential Whole Loans acquired through foreclosure ordered in lieu	$ 140,400
Number of REO properties sold during period | property	517	256	63
Proceeds from sale of real estate owned	$ 78,400	$ 37,900	$ 6,500
Gains/(losses) on sales of real estate owned	4,475	3,229	$ 76
Adjustments to record at lower of cost or fair value	11,018	7,527
Estimated fair value
Real Estate Owned Properties [Line Items]
Transfer from residential whole loans	136,700	$ 91,900
Mortgage loans in process of foreclosure	689,600
Carrying value
Real Estate Owned Properties [Line Items]
Mortgage loans in process of foreclosure	$ 33,500

Other Assets - Real Estate Ow63

Other Assets - Real Estate Owned - Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Real Estate Owned [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 80,503	$ 28,026
Adjustments to record at lower of cost or fair value	(11,018)	(7,527)
Transfer from residential whole loans	136,734	91,896	$ 30,104
Purchases and capital improvements	19,801	2,825
Disposals	(73,664)	(34,717)
Balance at end of period	152,356	80,503	$ 28,026
Gain recorded on transfer from residential whole loans to real estate owned	$ 10,200	$ 2,900

Other Assets - Derivative Instr

Other Assets - Derivative Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Derivative Instruments
Derivative assets, fair value	$ 679	$ 233
Non-cleared Interest Rate Swap | Hedging | Assets
Derivative Instruments
Notional amount of derivative assets	0	350,000
Derivative assets, fair value	0	233
Cleared Interest Rate Swap | Hedging | Assets
Derivative Instruments
Notional amount of derivative assets	750,000	0
Derivative assets, fair value	679	0
Cleared Interest Rate Swap | Hedging | Liabilities
Derivative Instruments
Notional amount of derivative liabilities	1,800,000	2,550,000
Derivative liabilities, at fair value	$ 0	$ (46,954)

Other Assets - Derivative Ins65

Other Assets - Derivative Instruments (Details 2) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)derivative	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Derivative [Line Items]
Assets Pledged												$ 8,145,197	$ 10,620,406
Number of terminated derivatives | derivative									0
Net unrealized gains (losses)	$ (11,424)			$ (46,721)	$ (46,721)			$ (69,399)	$ (46,721)	$ (69,399)	$ (59,062)	(11,424)	(46,721)
Interest expense attributable to Swaps	48,495	$ 49,275	$ 49,022	50,349	49,868	$ 48,167	$ 47,720	47,600	197,141	193,355	176,948
AOCI from derivative hedging instruments:
Balance at beginning of period				$ (46,721)				$ (69,399)	(46,721)	(69,399)	(59,062)
Net gain/(loss) on Swaps									35,297	22,678	(10,337)
Balance at end of period	$ (11,424)				$ (46,721)				$ (11,424)	(46,721)	(69,399)
Interest Rate Contract
Derivative [Line Items]
Assets Pledged												28,161	86,317
Interest Rate Contract | Agency MBS, at fair value
Derivative [Line Items]
Assets Pledged												21,756	32,468
Interest Rate Contract | Restricted cash
Derivative [Line Items]
Assets Pledged												6,405	53,849
Swaps, at fair value
Derivative [Line Items]
Aggregate notional amount of derivatives												$ 2,550,000	$ 2,900,000
Average maturity term of swaps									27 months
Weighted average fixed-pay rate												2.04%	1.87%
Weighted Average Variable Interest Rate												1.50%	0.72%
Interest expense attributable to Swaps									$ 24,524	$ 40,898	$ 53,759
Weighted average Swap rate paid									1.98%	1.82%	1.86%
Weighted average Swap rate received									1.07%	0.48%	0.19%
Swaps, at fair value | Within 30 days
Derivative [Line Items]
Aggregate notional amount of derivatives												$ 0	$ 0
Weighted average fixed-pay rate												0.00%	0.00%
Weighted Average Variable Interest Rate												0.00%	0.00%
Swaps, at fair value | Over 30 days to 3 months
Derivative [Line Items]
Aggregate notional amount of derivatives												$ 0	$ 50,000
Weighted average fixed-pay rate												0.00%	0.67%
Weighted Average Variable Interest Rate												0.00%	0.64%
Swaps, at fair value | Over 3 months to 6 months
Derivative [Line Items]
Aggregate notional amount of derivatives												$ 50,000	$ 300,000
Weighted average fixed-pay rate												1.45%	0.57%
Weighted Average Variable Interest Rate												1.56%	0.66%
Swaps, at fair value | Over 6 months to 12 months
Derivative [Line Items]
Aggregate notional amount of derivatives												$ 500,000	$ 0
Weighted average fixed-pay rate												1.50%	0.00%
Weighted Average Variable Interest Rate												1.46%	0.00%
Swaps, at fair value | Over 12 months to 24 months
Derivative [Line Items]
Aggregate notional amount of derivatives												$ 200,000	$ 550,000
Weighted average fixed-pay rate												1.71%	1.49%
Weighted Average Variable Interest Rate												1.54%	0.71%
Swaps, at fair value | Over 24 months to 36 months
Derivative [Line Items]
Aggregate notional amount of derivatives												$ 1,500,000	$ 200,000
Weighted average fixed-pay rate												2.22%	1.71%
Weighted Average Variable Interest Rate												1.51%	0.76%
Swaps, at fair value | Over 36 months to 48 months
Derivative [Line Items]
Aggregate notional amount of derivatives												$ 200,000	$ 1,500,000
Weighted average fixed-pay rate												2.20%	2.22%
Weighted Average Variable Interest Rate												1.53%	0.74%
Swaps, at fair value | Over 48 months to 60 months
Derivative [Line Items]
Aggregate notional amount of derivatives												$ 0	$ 200,000
Weighted average fixed-pay rate												0.00%	2.20%
Weighted Average Variable Interest Rate												0.00%	0.75%
Swaps, at fair value | Over 60 months to 72 months (3)
Derivative [Line Items]
Aggregate notional amount of derivatives												$ 100,000	$ 0
Weighted average fixed-pay rate												2.75%	0.00%
Weighted Average Variable Interest Rate												1.50%	0.00%
Swaps, at fair value | Over 72 months to 84 months
Derivative [Line Items]
Aggregate notional amount of derivatives												$ 0	$ 100,000
Weighted average fixed-pay rate												0.00%	2.75%
Weighted Average Variable Interest Rate												0.00%	0.74%
Swaps, at fair value | Hedging
Derivative [Line Items]
Aggregate notional amount of derivatives												$ 2,600,000
Swaps, at fair value | Minimum | LIBOR
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, variable interest rate, term									1 month
Swaps, at fair value | Maximum
Derivative [Line Items]
Maximum maturity term of swaps									68 months
Swaps, at fair value | Maximum | LIBOR
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, variable interest rate, term									3 months
New Swaps:
Derivative [Line Items]
Aggregate notional amount									$ 0
Weighted average fixed-pay rate												0.00%
Number of new Swaps | derivative									0
Swaps amortized/expired:
Derivative [Line Items]
Aggregate notional amount									$ 350,000
Swaps amortized/expired: | YTD
Derivative [Line Items]
Weighted average fixed-pay rate												0.58%

Other Assets - Derivative Ins66

Other Assets - Derivative Instruments (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Other Assets [Abstract]
Repurchase agreements recorded upon adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing	$ 0	$ 0	$ 1,519,593
Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing	$ 0	$ 0	$ 4,537

Repurchase Agreements and Oth67

Repurchase Agreements and Other Advances (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Repurchase Agreements
Unamortized debt issuance expense	$ 206,000	$ 210,000
Repurchase agreements
Repurchase Agreements
Weighted average remaining term-to-interest rate reset of borrowings under repurchase agreements	16 days	19 days
Effective repricing period	11 months	12 months
Repurchase agreements	$ 6,614,907,000	$ 8,472,478,000
Unamortized debt issuance expense	206,000	210,000
Total repurchase agreements less debt issuance costs	$ 6,614,701,000	$ 8,472,268,000
Weighted Average Interest Rate	2.42%	1.79%
Repurchase agreements | Within 30 days
Repurchase Agreements
Repurchase agreements	$ 6,161,008,000	$ 7,284,062,000
Weighted Average Interest Rate	2.39%	1.77%
Repurchase agreements | Over 30 days to 3 months
Repurchase Agreements
Repurchase agreements	$ 453,899,000	$ 1,188,416,000
Weighted Average Interest Rate	2.76%	1.91%
Repurchase agreements | Over 3 months to 12 months
Repurchase Agreements
Repurchase agreements	$ 0	$ 0
Weighted Average Interest Rate	0.00%	0.00%
Repurchase agreements | Agency MBS
Repurchase Agreements
Repurchase agreements	$ 2,501,340,000	$ 3,095,020,000
Fair Value of assets pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements	$ 2,705,754,000	$ 3,280,689,000
Weighted average haircut rate	4.65%	4.67%
Repurchase agreements | Non-Agency MBS
Repurchase Agreements
Repurchase agreements	$ 1,256,033,000	$ 1,690,937,000
Fair Value of assets pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements	$ 1,652,983,000	$ 2,317,708,000
Weighted average haircut rate	21.87%	24.01%
Non-Agency MBS acquired from consolidated VIEs		$ 172,400,000
Repurchase agreements | RPL/NPL MBS
Repurchase Agreements
Repurchase agreements	$ 567,140,000	1,943,572,000
Fair Value of assets pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements	$ 726,540,000	$ 2,433,711,000
Weighted average haircut rate	22.05%	20.98%
Repurchase agreements | U.S. Treasuries
Repurchase Agreements
Repurchase agreements	$ 470,334,000	$ 504,572,000
Fair Value of assets pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements	$ 472,095,000	$ 510,767,000
Weighted average haircut rate	1.47%	1.60%
Repurchase agreements | CRT securities
Repurchase Agreements
Repurchase agreements	$ 459,058,000	$ 271,205,000
Fair Value of assets pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements	$ 595,900,000	$ 357,488,000
Weighted average haircut rate	22.16%	23.22%
Repurchase agreements | MSR relates assets
Repurchase Agreements
Repurchase agreements	$ 317,255,000	$ 135,112,000
Fair Value of assets pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements	$ 482,158,000	$ 226,780,000
Weighted average haircut rate	33.19%	41.40%
Repurchase agreements | Residential whole loans, at fair value
Repurchase Agreements
Repurchase agreements	$ 1,043,747,000	$ 832,060,000
Fair Value of assets pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements	$ 1,474,704,000	$ 1,175,088,000
Weighted average haircut rate	26.10%	25.03%

Repurchase Agreements and Oth68

Repurchase Agreements and Other Advances (Details 2)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)counterparty	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)counterparty
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amounts related to repurchase agreements not included in offsetting disclosure in Note 8	$ 0
Unamortized debt issuance expense	$ 206,000	$ 210,000
Repurchase agreements, number of counterparties | counterparty	31	31
Threshold percent of stockholders' equity at risk with single counterparty to repurchase agreements or Linked Transactions (greater than)	5.00%
Repurchase agreements
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	$ 6,614,907,000	$ 8,472,478,000
Weighted Average Interest Rate	2.42%	1.79%
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for repurchase agreements in Note 8	$ 6,614,701,000	$ 8,472,268,000
Unamortized debt issuance expense	206,000	210,000
Repurchase agreements | Agency MBS
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	2,501,340,000	3,095,020,000
Repurchase agreements | Non-Agency MBS
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	1,256,033,000	1,690,937,000
Repurchase agreements | RPL/NPL MBS
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	567,140,000	1,943,572,000
Repurchase agreements | U.S. Treasuries
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	470,334,000	504,572,000
Repurchase agreements | CRT securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	459,058,000	271,205,000
Repurchase agreements | MSR relates assets
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	317,255,000	135,112,000
Repurchase agreements | Residential whole loans, at fair value
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	1,043,747,000	$ 832,060,000
Overnight | Repurchase agreements
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	$ 0
Weighted Average Interest Rate	0.00%
Overnight | Repurchase agreements | Agency MBS
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	$ 0
Overnight | Repurchase agreements | Non-Agency MBS
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	0
Overnight | Repurchase agreements | RPL/NPL MBS
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	0
Overnight | Repurchase agreements | U.S. Treasuries
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	0
Overnight | Repurchase agreements | CRT securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	0
Overnight | Repurchase agreements | MSR relates assets
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	0
Overnight | Repurchase agreements | Residential whole loans, at fair value
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	0
Within 30 days | Repurchase agreements
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	$ 5,003,776,000
Weighted Average Interest Rate	2.09%
Within 30 days | Repurchase agreements | Agency MBS
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	$ 2,501,340,000
Within 30 days | Repurchase agreements | Non-Agency MBS
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	797,265,000
Within 30 days | Repurchase agreements | RPL/NPL MBS
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	482,860,000
Within 30 days | Repurchase agreements | U.S. Treasuries
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	470,334,000
Within 30 days | Repurchase agreements | CRT securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	434,722,000
Within 30 days | Repurchase agreements | MSR relates assets
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	317,255,000
Within 30 days | Repurchase agreements | Residential whole loans, at fair value
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	0
Over 30 days to 90 days | Repurchase agreements
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	$ 567,314,000
Weighted Average Interest Rate	2.95%
Over 30 days to 90 days | Repurchase agreements | Agency MBS
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	$ 0
Over 30 days to 90 days | Repurchase agreements | Non-Agency MBS
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	359,730,000
Over 30 days to 90 days | Repurchase agreements | RPL/NPL MBS
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	69,833,000
Over 30 days to 90 days | Repurchase agreements | U.S. Treasuries
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	0
Over 30 days to 90 days | Repurchase agreements | CRT securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	24,336,000
Over 30 days to 90 days | Repurchase agreements | MSR relates assets
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	0
Over 30 days to 90 days | Repurchase agreements | Residential whole loans, at fair value
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	113,415,000
Over 90 days to 12 months | Repurchase agreements
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	$ 1,043,817,000
Weighted Average Interest Rate	3.69%
Over 90 days to 12 months | Repurchase agreements | Agency MBS
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	$ 0
Over 90 days to 12 months | Repurchase agreements | Non-Agency MBS
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	99,038,000
Over 90 days to 12 months | Repurchase agreements | RPL/NPL MBS
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	14,447,000
Over 90 days to 12 months | Repurchase agreements | U.S. Treasuries
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	0
Over 90 days to 12 months | Repurchase agreements | CRT securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	0
Over 90 days to 12 months | Repurchase agreements | MSR relates assets
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	0
Over 90 days to 12 months | Repurchase agreements | Residential whole loans, at fair value
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	930,332,000
Over 12 months | Repurchase agreements
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	$ 0
Weighted Average Interest Rate	0.00%
Over 12 months | Repurchase agreements | Agency MBS
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	$ 0
Over 12 months | Repurchase agreements | Non-Agency MBS
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	0
Over 12 months | Repurchase agreements | RPL/NPL MBS
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	0
Over 12 months | Repurchase agreements | U.S. Treasuries
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	0
Over 12 months | Repurchase agreements | CRT securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	0
Over 12 months | Repurchase agreements | MSR relates assets
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	0
Over 12 months | Repurchase agreements | Residential whole loans, at fair value
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	$ 0

Repurchase Agreements and Oth69

Repurchase Agreements and Other Advances (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
FHLB Advances
Long-term federal home loan bank advances		$ 215,000
Accrued interest payable	$ 12,263	14,129
Goldman Sachs
Repurchase agreements counterparty risk
Amount at risk	$ 239,473
Weighted Average Months to Maturity for Repurchase Agreements	5 months
Percent of Stockholders’ Equity	7.30%
Wells Fargo
Repurchase agreements counterparty risk
Amount at risk	$ 189,015
Weighted Average Months to Maturity for Repurchase Agreements	5 months
Percent of Stockholders’ Equity	5.80%
RBC
Repurchase agreements counterparty risk
Amount at risk	$ 186,652
Weighted Average Months to Maturity for Repurchase Agreements	1 month
Percent of Stockholders’ Equity	5.70%
Credit Suisse
Repurchase agreements counterparty risk
Amount at risk	$ 171,449
Weighted Average Months to Maturity for Repurchase Agreements	2 months
Percent of Stockholders’ Equity	5.30%
UBS
Repurchase agreements counterparty risk
Amount at risk	$ 167,390
Weighted Average Months to Maturity for Repurchase Agreements	5 months
Percent of Stockholders’ Equity	5.10%
Goldman Sachs Lending Partners
Repurchase agreements counterparty risk
Amount at risk	$ 186,400
Goldman Sachs Bank USA
Repurchase agreements counterparty risk
Amount at risk	53,000
Wells Fargo Bank
Repurchase agreements counterparty risk
Amount at risk	178,800
Wells Fargo Securities LLC
Repurchase agreements counterparty risk
Amount at risk	10,200
RBC Barbados
Repurchase agreements counterparty risk
Amount at risk	166,800
Royal Bank of Canada
Repurchase agreements counterparty risk
Amount at risk	15,100
RBC Capital Markets LLC
Repurchase agreements counterparty risk
Amount at risk	4,800
Credit Suisse AG
Repurchase agreements counterparty risk
Amount at risk	139,500
Credit Suisse Cayman Islands
Repurchase agreements counterparty risk
Amount at risk	$ 31,900
Federal Home Loan Bank Advances
FHLB Advances
Accrued interest payable		$ 42
Weighted Average (2)
FHLB Advances
Federal home loan bank, weighted average interest rate		0.78%

Collateral Positions (Details)

Collateral Positions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Assets Pledged	$ 8,145,197	$ 10,620,406
Collateral Held	504,062	510,767
Derivative Hedging Instruments
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Assets Pledged	28,161	86,317
Collateral Held	0	0
Repurchase Agreement Borrowings
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Assets Pledged	8,117,036	10,306,845
Collateral Held	0	0
Federal Home Loan Bank Advances
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Assets Pledged	0	227,244
Collateral Held	0	0
Reverse Repurchase Agreements
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Assets Pledged	0	0
Collateral Held	504,062	510,767
Agency MBS | Derivative Hedging Instruments
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Assets Pledged	21,756	32,468
Collateral Held	0	0
Agency MBS | Repurchase Agreement Borrowings
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Assets Pledged	2,705,754	3,280,689
Collateral Held	0	0
Agency MBS | Federal Home Loan Bank Advances
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Assets Pledged	0	227,244
Collateral Held	0	0
Legacy Non-Agency MBS | Repurchase Agreement Borrowings
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Assets Pledged	1,652,983	2,317,708
Collateral Held	0	0
RPL/NPL MBS | Repurchase Agreement Borrowings
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Assets Pledged	726,540	2,433,711
Collateral Held	0	0
U.S. Treasury securities | Repurchase Agreement Borrowings
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Assets Pledged	472,095	510,767
Collateral Held	0	0
U.S. Treasury securities | Reverse Repurchase Agreements
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Assets Pledged	0	0
Collateral Held	504,062	510,767
CRT securities | Repurchase Agreement Borrowings
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Assets Pledged	595,900	357,488
Collateral Held	0	0
MSR relates assets | Repurchase Agreement Borrowings
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Assets Pledged	482,158	226,780
Residential whole loans, at fair value | Repurchase Agreement Borrowings
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Assets Pledged	1,474,704	1,175,088
Collateral Held	0	0
Cash | Derivative Hedging Instruments
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Assets Pledged	6,405	53,849
Collateral Held	0	0
Cash | Repurchase Agreement Borrowings
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Assets Pledged	6,902	4,614
Collateral Held	0	0
Non-Agency MBS | Repurchase Agreement Borrowings
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Non-Agency MBS acquired from consolidated VIEs		172,400
Non-Agency MBS pledged as collateral in connection with contemporaneous repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements entered into with a single counterparty	$ 688,100	$ 688,200

Collateral Positions (Details 2

Collateral Positions (Details 2) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Total Fair Value of Assets Pledged and Accrued Interest	$ 8,164,772
Assets Pledged Under Repurchase Agreements
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Fair Value	8,117,036
Amortized Cost	7,192,970
Accrued Interest on Pledged Assets	19,527
Derivative Hedging Instruments
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Fair Value	28,161
Amortized Cost	28,881
Accrued Interest on Pledged Assets	48
Agency MBS
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Total Fair Value of Assets Pledged and Accrued Interest	2,734,627
Agency MBS | Assets Pledged Under Repurchase Agreements
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Fair Value	2,705,754
Amortized Cost	2,724,736
Accrued Interest on Pledged Assets	7,069
Agency MBS | Derivative Hedging Instruments
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Fair Value	21,756
Amortized Cost	22,476
Accrued Interest on Pledged Assets	48
Legacy Non-Agency MBS
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Total Fair Value of Assets Pledged and Accrued Interest	1,659,115
Legacy Non-Agency MBS | Assets Pledged Under Repurchase Agreements
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Fair Value	1,652,983
Amortized Cost	1,268,702
Accrued Interest on Pledged Assets	6,132
Non-Agency MBS pledged as collateral in connection with contemporaneous repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements entered into with a single counterparty	688,100
Legacy Non-Agency MBS | Derivative Hedging Instruments
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Fair Value	0
Amortized Cost	0
Accrued Interest on Pledged Assets	0
RPL/NPL MBS
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Total Fair Value of Assets Pledged and Accrued Interest	727,111
RPL/NPL MBS | Assets Pledged Under Repurchase Agreements
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Fair Value	726,540
Amortized Cost	723,719
Accrued Interest on Pledged Assets	571
RPL/NPL MBS | Derivative Hedging Instruments
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Fair Value	0
Amortized Cost	0
Accrued Interest on Pledged Assets	0
U.S. Treasury securities
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Total Fair Value of Assets Pledged and Accrued Interest	472,095
U.S. Treasury securities | Assets Pledged Under Repurchase Agreements
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Fair Value	472,095
Amortized Cost
Accrued Interest on Pledged Assets	0
U.S. Treasury securities | Derivative Hedging Instruments
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Fair Value	0
Amortized Cost	0
Accrued Interest on Pledged Assets	0
CRT securities
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Total Fair Value of Assets Pledged and Accrued Interest	596,367
CRT securities | Assets Pledged Under Repurchase Agreements
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Fair Value	595,900
Amortized Cost	542,642
Accrued Interest on Pledged Assets	467
CRT securities | Derivative Hedging Instruments
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Fair Value	0
Amortized Cost	0
Accrued Interest on Pledged Assets	0
MSR relates assets
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Total Fair Value of Assets Pledged and Accrued Interest	483,278
MSR relates assets | Assets Pledged Under Repurchase Agreements
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Fair Value	482,158
Amortized Cost	481,354
Accrued Interest on Pledged Assets	1,120
MSR relates assets | Derivative Hedging Instruments
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Fair Value	0
Amortized Cost	0
Accrued Interest on Pledged Assets	0
Residential whole loans, at fair value
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Total Fair Value of Assets Pledged and Accrued Interest	1,478,872
Residential whole loans, at fair value | Assets Pledged Under Repurchase Agreements
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Fair Value	1,474,704
Amortized Cost	1,444,915
Accrued Interest on Pledged Assets	4,168
Residential whole loans, at fair value | Derivative Hedging Instruments
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Fair Value	0
Amortized Cost	0
Accrued Interest on Pledged Assets	0
Cash
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Total Fair Value of Assets Pledged and Accrued Interest	13,307
Cash | Assets Pledged Under Repurchase Agreements
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Fair Value	6,902
Amortized Cost	6,902
Accrued Interest on Pledged Assets	0
Cash | Derivative Hedging Instruments
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Fair Value	6,405
Amortized Cost	6,405
Accrued Interest on Pledged Assets	0
Fair Value, Estimate Not Practicable, Carrying (Reported) Amount | Residential whole loans, at fair value | Assets Pledged Under Repurchase Agreements
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Fair Value	478,500
Amortized Cost	448,700
Total Fair Value of Assets Pledged and Accrued Interest	$ 996,200

Offsetting Assets and Liabili72

Offsetting Assets and Liabilities (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)counterparty	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Derivative hedging instruments, at fair value
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets	$ 679	$ 233
Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	0	0
Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	679	233
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Financial Instruments	(679)	(233)
Cash Collateral Received	0	0
Net Amount	0	0
Swaps, at fair value
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities	0	46,954
Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	0	0
Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	0	46,954
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Financial Instruments	0	0
Cash Collateral Pledged	0	(46,954)
Net Amount	0	0
Repurchase agreements and other advances
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities	6,614,907	8,687,478
Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	0	0
Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	6,614,907	8,687,478
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Financial Instruments	(6,608,005)	(8,682,864)
Cash Collateral Pledged	(6,902)	(4,614)
Net Amount	0	0
Total
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities	6,614,907	8,734,432
Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	0	0
Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	6,614,907	8,734,432
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Financial Instruments	(6,608,005)	(8,682,864)
Cash Collateral Pledged	(6,902)	(51,568)
Net Amount	0	0
Additional disclosures
Derivatives, excess collateral	6,400	6,900
Fair value of securities pledged against the swaps	21,800	32,500
Fair value of securities pledged against the repurchase agreements	8,100,000	10,500,000
Unamortized debt issuance expense	$ 206	210
Number of repurchase agreement counterparties with unconditional right of setoff | counterparty	1
Swaps
Derivative hedging instruments, at fair value
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets	$ 679	233
Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	0	0
Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	679	233
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Financial Instruments	(679)	(233)
Cash Collateral Received	0	0
Net Amount	$ 0	$ 0

Other Liabilities (Details)

Other Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Other Liabilities [Abstract]
Securitized debt	$ 363,944	$ 0
Senior Notes	96,773	96,733
Dividends and dividend equivalents declared and unpaid	79,771	74,657	$ 74,575
Accrued interest payable	12,263	14,129
Swaps, at fair value	0	46,954
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	21,584	19,612
Total Other Liabilities	$ 574,335	$ 252,085

Other Liabilities (Senior Notes

Other Liabilities (Senior Notes) (Details) - Senior Notes - USD ($)	Apr. 11, 2012	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from issuance of debt	$ 100,000,000
Proceed from senior notes net of offering expenses and underwriting discount	$ 96,600,000
Stated interest rate		8.00%	8.00%
Effective interest rate			8.31%
Redemption price as percentage of principal amount		100.00%

Commitments and Contingencies75

Commitments and Contingencies (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)lease	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Lease Commitments
Number of operating leases | lease	2
Lease expense	$ 2,700,000	$ 2,500,000	$ 2,600,000
Minimum Rental Payments
2,018	2,553,000
2,019	2,553,000
2,020	1,082,000
2,021	32,000
2,022	0
Total	6,220,000
Corporate headquarters
Lease Commitments
Aggregate cash payments, operating leases	2,600,000
Irrevocable standby letter of credit provided to landlord	785,000
Off-site back-up facility
Lease Commitments
Aggregate cash payments, operating leases	$ 32,000

Commitments and Contingencies -

Commitments and Contingencies - Corporate Loan (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Commitment to lend	$ 130
Amount drawn	111.2
Corporate Loan
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Commitment to lend	130
Amount drawn	$ 111.2

Stockholders' Equity (Details)

Stockholders' Equity (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Nov. 17, 2017$ / shares	Sep. 14, 2017$ / shares	Aug. 10, 2017$ / shares	Jun. 12, 2017$ / shares	May 16, 2017$ / shares	Mar. 08, 2017$ / shares	Feb. 17, 2017$ / shares	Dec. 14, 2016$ / shares	Nov. 22, 2016$ / shares	Sep. 15, 2016$ / shares	Aug. 12, 2016$ / shares	Jun. 14, 2016$ / shares	May 18, 2016$ / shares	Mar. 11, 2016$ / shares	Feb. 12, 2016$ / shares	Dec. 09, 2015$ / shares	Nov. 19, 2015$ / shares	Sep. 17, 2015$ / shares	Aug. 24, 2015$ / shares	Jun. 15, 2015$ / shares	May 18, 2015$ / shares	Mar. 13, 2015$ / shares	Feb. 13, 2015$ / shares	Apr. 15, 2013$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)quarterdirector$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2013shares	Aug. 08, 2013shares	Aug. 31, 2005shares
Dividends on Preferred Stock
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)																									8,000,000	8,000,000		8,000,000
Preferred stock, dividend rate																								7.50%	7.50%	7.50%
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares																									$ 0.01	$ 0.01		$ 0.01
Maximum quarters without dividends to get voting rights, in quarters | quarter																									6
Minimum percentage of preferred shareholders required for approval																									66.67%
Dividends on Common Stock
Common stock, cash dividends declared (in dollars per share) | $ / shares		$ 0.20		$ 0.20		$ 0.20		$ 0.20		$ 0.20		$ 0.20		$ 0.20		$ 0.20		$ 0.20		$ 0.20		$ 0.20
Dividends payable | $																									$ 79,771	$ 74,657	$ 74,575	$ 79,771
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)																									886,950,000	886,950,000		886,950,000
Number of shares authorized to be repurchased under the Repurchase Program (in shares)																													10,000,000		4,000,000
Number of shares repurchased through the Company's publicly announced stock repurchase program (in shares)																									0
Number of remaining shares authorized to be repurchased under the Repurchase Program (in shares)																									6,616,355			6,616,355
DRSPP
Dividends on Common Stock
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)																														15,000,000
Shares of common stock authorized and available for issuance																									12,000,000			12,000,000
Shares issued																									2,293,192	653,793	162,373	33,675,977
Net proceeds | $																									$ 18,500	$ 4,700	$ 1,200	$ 281,400
Series B Preferred Stock
Dividends on Preferred Stock
Preferred stock, cash dividends declared (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 0.46875		$ 0.46875		$ 0.46875		$ 0.46875		$ 0.46875		$ 0.46875		$ 0.46875		$ 0.46875		$ 0.46875		$ 0.46875		$ 0.46875		$ 0.46875
Preferred Stock | Series B Preferred Stock
Dividends on Preferred Stock
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)																								8,000,000
Preferred stock, dividend rate																								7.50%	7.50%	7.50%
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares																								$ 0.01
Preferred stock, liquidation preference (in dollars per share) | $ / shares																								25	$ 25	$ 25		$ 25
Preferred stock, redemption price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares																								$ 25
Number of additional directors that can be elected by preferred stock holders | director																									2

Stockholders' Equity - AOCI (De

Stockholders' Equity - AOCI (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	$ 39,739	$ 37,407	$ 37,912
Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing	0	0	4,537
Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)	35,542	57,831	(238,602)
Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on AFS Securities
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	620,403	585,250	813,515
OCI before reclassifications	39,984	72,560	(194,890)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(39,739)	(37,407)	(37,912)
Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing	0	0	4,537
Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)	245	35,153	(228,265)
Balance at end of period	620,648	620,403	585,250
Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Swaps
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	(46,721)	(69,399)	(59,062)
OCI before reclassifications	35,297	22,678	(10,337)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	0	0	0
Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing	0	0	0
Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)	35,297	22,678	(10,337)
Balance at end of period	(11,424)	(46,721)	(69,399)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	573,682	515,851	754,453
OCI before reclassifications	75,281	95,238	(205,227)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(39,739)	(37,407)	(37,912)
Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing	0	0	4,537
Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)	35,542	57,831	(238,602)
Balance at end of period	$ 609,224	$ 573,682	$ 515,851

Stockholders' Equity - Public O

Stockholders' Equity - Public Offering (Details) - Public Offering $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	May 10, 2017USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Shares Issued | shares	23,000
Gross Proceeds Per Share | $ / shares	$ 7.85
Gross proceeds	$ 180,550
Stock issuance costs	$ 2,300

Stockholders' Equity - AOCI Rec

Stockholders' Equity - AOCI Reclassifications (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net Income Available to Common Stock and Participating Securities	$ 96,843	$ 60,055	$ 76,185	$ 74,310	$ 68,887	$ 79,261	$ 75,200	$ 74,320	$ 307,393	$ 297,668	$ 298,226
Total reclassifications for period									39,739	37,407	37,912
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	$ 0				$ 1,700				0	1,700
Available for sale MBS
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total reclassifications for period									(39,739)	(37,407)	(37,912)
Amounts Reclassified from AOCI
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net Income Available to Common Stock and Participating Securities									(39,739)	(37,407)	(37,912)
Amounts Reclassified from AOCI | Available for sale MBS
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Realized gain on sale of securities									(38,707)	(36,922)	(37,207)
Amounts Reclassified from AOCI | Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
OTTI recognized in earnings									$ (1,032)	$ (485)	$ (705)

EPS Calculation (Details)

EPS Calculation (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Numerator:
Net income	$ 100,593	$ 63,805	$ 79,935	$ 78,060	$ 72,637	$ 83,011	$ 78,950	$ 78,070	$ 322,393	$ 312,668	$ 313,226
Dividends declared on preferred stock									(15,000)	(15,000)	(15,000)
Dividends, dividend equivalents and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities									(1,708)	(1,628)	(1,539)
Net income available to common stockholders - basic and diluted									$ 305,685	$ 296,040	$ 296,687
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares for basic and diluted earnings per share									388,357	371,122	372,114	[1]
Earnings per Common Share - Basic and Diluted	$ 0.24	$ 0.15	$ 0.20	$ 0.20	$ 0.18	$ 0.21	$ 0.20	$ 0.20	$ 0.79	$ 0.80	$ 0.80
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from diluted earnings per share calculations (in shares)									2,200
Restricted Stock Units
Denominator:
Weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$ 6.43								$ 6.43
[1]	At December 31, 2017, the Company had approximately 2.2 million equity instruments outstanding that were not included in the calculation of diluted EPS for the year ended December 31, 2017, as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. These equity instruments reflect RSUs (based on current estimate of expected share settlement amount) with a weighted average grant date fair value of $6.43. These equity instruments may have a dilutive impact on future EPS.

Equity Compensation, Employme82

Equity Compensation, Employment Agreements and Other Benefit Plans (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum shares authorized for grant (in shares)	12,000,000
Shares available for grant	6,700,000
Equity Compensation Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum number of common shares that can be granted to participant in any one year (in shares)	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, Employme83

Equity Compensation, Employment Agreements and Other Benefit Plans (Restricted Stock Units) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
RSUs With Service Condition
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Outstanding at beginning of year (in shares)	1,194,299	1,138,930	769,174
Outstanding at beginning of year (in dollars per share)	$ 7.38	$ 7.71	$ 7.55
Granted (in shares)	447,695	420,695	390,804
Granted (in dollars per share)	$ 7.96	$ 6.81	$ 7.96
Settled (in shares)	(616,966)	(360,326)	(17,298)
Settled (in dollars per share)	$ 7.32	$ 7.75	$ 6.60
Cancelled, forfeited or expired (in shares)	0	(5,000)	(3,750)
Cancelled/forfeited (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 7.32	$ 7.97
Outstanding at end of year (in shares)	1,025,028	1,194,299	1,138,930
Outstanding at end of year (in dollars per share)	$ 7.67	$ 7.38	$ 7.71
RSUs vested but not settled at end of year (in shares)	586,419	617,518	554,023
RSUs vested but not settled at end of year (in dollars per share)	$ 7.98	$ 7.45	$ 7.83
RSUs unvested at end of year	438,609	576,781	584,907
Weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$ 7.25	$ 7.30	$ 7.59
RSUs With Market and Service Conditions
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Outstanding at beginning of year (in shares)	863,800	736,800	449,300
Outstanding at beginning of year (in dollars per share)	$ 5.45	$ 5.66	$ 5.61
Granted (in shares)	451,250	307,500	291,250
Granted (in dollars per share)	$ 6.48	$ 4.81	$ 5.73
Settled (in shares)	(293,800)	(175,500)	0
Settled (in dollars per share)	$ 5.83	$ 5.21	$ 0
Cancelled, forfeited or expired (in shares)	0	(5,000)	(3,750)
Cancelled/forfeited (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 5.27	$ 5.73
Outstanding at end of year (in shares)	1,021,250	863,800	736,800
Outstanding at end of year (in dollars per share)	$ 5.80	$ 5.45	$ 5.66
RSUs vested but not settled at end of year (in shares)	275,000	293,800	175,500
RSUs vested but not settled at end of year (in dollars per share)	$ 5.73	$ 5.83	$ 5.21
RSUs unvested at end of year	746,250	570,000	561,300
Weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$ 5.82	$ 5.25	$ 5.80
Restricted Stock Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 4.1	$ 3.6
Period for recognizing unrecognized compensation cost	1 year 9 months 4 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Outstanding at beginning of year (in shares)	2,058,099	1,875,730	1,218,474
Outstanding at beginning of year (in dollars per share)	$ 6.57	$ 6.90	$ 6.84
Granted (in shares)	898,945	728,195	682,054
Granted (in dollars per share)	$ 7.22	$ 5.96	$ 7.01
Settled (in shares)	(910,766)	(535,826)	(17,298)
Settled (in dollars per share)	$ 6.84	$ 6.92	$ 6.60
Cancelled, forfeited or expired (in shares)	0	(10,000)	(7,500)
Cancelled/forfeited (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 6.29	$ 6.85
Outstanding at end of year (in shares)	2,046,278	2,058,099	1,875,730
Outstanding at end of year (in dollars per share)	$ 6.73	$ 6.57	$ 6.90
RSUs vested but not settled at end of year (in shares)	861,419	911,318	729,523
RSUs vested but not settled at end of year (in dollars per share)	$ 7.26	$ 6.93	$ 7.20
RSUs unvested at end of year	1,184,859	1,146,781	1,146,207
Weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$ 6.35	$ 6.28	$ 6.71
RSUs with Service Condition and both Service and Market Conditions
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Granted (in shares)	758,750	615,000	582,500
Weighted average volatility estimated	15.00%	17.00%	18.00%
Expected term	3 years	3 years	3 years
Weighted average risk-free rate	1.46%	1.20%	0.90%
Estimated annual dividend yield		11.00%	9.00%
RSUs with Service Condition, weighted average grant date fair value based on share closing price
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Granted (in shares)	140,195	113,195	99,554
Share price (dollars per share)	$ 8.31	$ 7.20
RSUs with Service Condition, weighted average grant date fair value based on share closing price | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Share price (dollars per share)			$ 7.93
RSUs with Service Condition, weighted average grant date fair value based on share closing price | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Share price (dollars per share)			$ 7.97

Equity Compensation, Employme84

Equity Compensation, Employment Agreements and Other Benefit Plans (Restricted Stock) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Dividends payable	$ 79,771	$ 74,657	$ 74,575
Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost		203
Dividends payable		55
Total fair value of stock vested	$ 2,000	$ 4,300	$ 4,300
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Outstanding at beginning of year (in shares)	28,968	110,920	243,948
Outstanding at beginning of year (in dollars per share)	$ 7.12	$ 7.41	$ 7.48
Granted (in shares)	214,859	487,216	497,007
Granted (in dollars per share)	$ 8.06	$ 7.66	$ 6.83
Vested (in shares)	(243,827)	(567,851)	(629,212)
Vested (in dollars per share)	$ 7.95	$ 7.64	$ 6.98
Cancelled, forfeited or expired (in shares)	0	(1,317)	(823)
Cancelled/forfeited (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 7.12	$ 7.74
Outstanding at end of year (in shares)	0	28,968	110,920
Outstanding at end of year (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 7.12	$ 7.41

Equity Compensation, Employme85

Equity Compensation, Employment Agreements and Other Benefit Plans (Dividend Equivalents) (Details) - DER - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Payments attributable to DERs		$ 5	$ 16
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Outstanding at beginning of year (in shares)	0	8,215	24,402
Granted (in shares)		0	0
Cancelled, forfeited or expired (in shares)		(8,215)	(16,187)
Outstanding at end of year (in shares)	0	0	8,215
Granted (in dollars per share)	$ 2.77
Weighted average volatility estimated	31.00%
Expected term	6 years
Weighted average risk-free rate	2.23%
Estimated annual dividend yield	13.00%

Equity Compensation, Employme86

Equity Compensation, Employment Agreements and Other Benefit Plans (Options) (Details) - Stock options	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Aggregate intrinsic value of total stock options Outstanding | $	$ 0
Granted (in shares) | shares	0

Equity Compensation, Employme87

Equity Compensation, Employment Agreements and Other Benefit Plans (Expense Allocation) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expense related to equity-based compensation instruments	$ 8,033	$ 9,162	$ 7,832
Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expense related to equity-based compensation instruments	1,935	4,326	4,373
Restricted Stock Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expense related to equity-based compensation instruments	6,098	4,792	3,377
DER
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expense related to equity-based compensation instruments	0	$ 44	$ 82
Chief Executive Officer
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expense related to equity-based compensation instruments	$ 900

Equity Compensation, Employme88

Equity Compensation, Employment Agreements and Other Benefit Plans (Employment Agreements) (Details)	Dec. 31, 2017officer
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Number of officers having employment agreements with the company	3

Equity Compensation, Employme89

Equity Compensation, Employment Agreements and Other Benefit Plans (Deferred Compensation Plans) (Details) - Deferred Compensation Plans - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Deferrable compensation by the employee, maximum	100.00%
Expenses related to Deferred Plans	$ 171	$ 231	$ (59)
Cash distributed to the participants	0	122	109
Undistributed Income Deferred	1,688	1,066
Liability Under Deferred Plans	2,056	1,263
Non-employee directors
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Expenses related to Deferred Plans	171	231	$ (59)
Undistributed Income Deferred	1,688	1,066
Liability Under Deferred Plans	$ 2,056	$ 1,263

Equity Compensation, Employme90

Equity Compensation, Employment Agreements and Other Benefit Plans (Savings Plan) (Details) - Savings Plan - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Employer contribution percentage on first 3 percent of eligible compensation deferred by employees	100.00%
Percentage of eligible compensation deferred by employees qualifying for 100 percent matching contribution	3.00%
Employer contribution percentage on next 2 percent of eligible compensation deferred by employees	50.00%
Percentage of eligible compensation deferred by employees qualifying for 50 percent matching contribution	2.00%
Percentage of employer matching contributions that vest immediately	100.00%
Expenses for matching contributions	$ 363	$ 359	$ 309

Fair Value of Financial Instr91

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Real estate owned	$ 152,356,000	$ 80,503,000	$ 28,026,000
Other real estate, fair value	$ 175,800,000	$ 91,100,000
Term Notes backed by MSR Related Collateral
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair Value Assumptions, Weighted Average Yield to Maturity	6.12%
Minimum | Term Notes backed by MSR Related Collateral
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair Value Assumption, Implied Yields	5.80%
Maximum | Term Notes backed by MSR Related Collateral
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair Value Assumption, Implied Yields	6.60%
Level 2
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative credit risk valuation adjustment, derivative liabilities	$ 0

Fair Value of Financial Instr92

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Fair Value Hierarchy (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		$ 7,023,050	$ 9,828,183
Residential whole loans, at fair value	[1]	1,325,115	814,682
Securities obtained and pledged as collateral, at fair value		504,062	510,767
Swaps, at fair value		679	233
Obligation to return securities obtained as collateral, at fair value		504,062	510,767
Agency MBS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		2,824,681	3,738,497
Non-Agency MBS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		3,533,966	5,684,836
CRT securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		664,403	404,850
Term notes backed by MSR related collateral
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Term notes backed by MSR related collateral		381,800	141,000
Recurring basis
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities obtained and pledged as collateral, at fair value		504,062	510,767
Swaps, at fair value		679	233
Total assets carried at fair value		9,234,710	11,294,845
Swaps		0	46,954
Obligation to return securities obtained as collateral, at fair value		504,062	510,767
Total liabilities carried at fair value		504,062	557,721
Recurring basis | Agency MBS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		2,824,681	3,738,497
Recurring basis | Non-Agency MBS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		3,533,966	5,684,836
Recurring basis | CRT securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		664,403	404,850
Recurring basis | Term notes backed by MSR related collateral
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Term notes backed by MSR related collateral		381,804	140,980
Recurring basis | Residential whole loans, at fair value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Residential whole loans, at fair value		1,325,115	814,682
Level 1 | Recurring basis
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities obtained and pledged as collateral, at fair value		504,062	510,767
Swaps, at fair value		0	0
Total assets carried at fair value		504,062	510,767
Swaps		0	0
Obligation to return securities obtained as collateral, at fair value		504,062	510,767
Total liabilities carried at fair value		504,062	510,767
Level 1 | Recurring basis | Agency MBS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		0	0
Level 1 | Recurring basis | Non-Agency MBS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		0	0
Level 1 | Recurring basis | CRT securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		0	0
Level 1 | Recurring basis | Term notes backed by MSR related collateral
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Term notes backed by MSR related collateral		0	0
Level 1 | Recurring basis | Residential whole loans, at fair value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Residential whole loans, at fair value		0	0
Level 2 | Recurring basis
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities obtained and pledged as collateral, at fair value		0	0
Swaps, at fair value		679	233
Total assets carried at fair value		7,023,729	9,969,396
Swaps		0	46,954
Obligation to return securities obtained as collateral, at fair value		0	0
Total liabilities carried at fair value		0	46,954
Level 2 | Recurring basis | Agency MBS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		2,824,681	3,738,497
Level 2 | Recurring basis | Non-Agency MBS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		3,533,966	5,684,836
Level 2 | Recurring basis | CRT securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		664,403	404,850
Level 2 | Recurring basis | Term notes backed by MSR related collateral
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Term notes backed by MSR related collateral		0	140,980
Level 2 | Recurring basis | Residential whole loans, at fair value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Residential whole loans, at fair value		0	0
Level 3 | Recurring basis
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities obtained and pledged as collateral, at fair value		0	0
Swaps, at fair value		0	0
Total assets carried at fair value		1,706,919	814,682
Swaps		0	0
Obligation to return securities obtained as collateral, at fair value		0	0
Total liabilities carried at fair value		0	0
Level 3 | Recurring basis | Agency MBS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		0	0
Level 3 | Recurring basis | Non-Agency MBS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		0	0
Level 3 | Recurring basis | CRT securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		0	0
Level 3 | Recurring basis | Term notes backed by MSR related collateral
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Term notes backed by MSR related collateral		381,804	0
Level 3 | Recurring basis | Residential whole loans, at fair value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Residential whole loans, at fair value		$ 1,325,115	$ 814,682
[1]	Includes approximately $183.2 million of Residential whole loans, at carrying value and $289.3 million of Residential whole loans, at fair value transferred to consolidated VIEs at December 31, 2017. Such assets can be used only to settle the obligations of each respective VIE.

Fair Value of Financial Instr93

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Level 3 Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Changes in unrealized gain/losses	$ 804	$ 0
Recurring basis | Level 3 | Residential whole loans, at fair value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of period	814,682	623,276
Purchases	683,735	316,407
Changes in unrealized gain/losses	33,617	31,254
Collection of principal	(87,072)	(66,694)
Repurchases	(2,716)	(2,909)
Transfers to REO	(117,131)	(86,652)
Balance at end of period	1,325,115	814,682
Recurring basis | Level 3 | Term Notes Backed by MSR Related Collateral
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of period	0	0
Purchases	381,000	0
Collection of principal	(140,980)	0
Transfers to REO	140,980	0
Balance at end of period	$ 381,804	$ 0

Fair Value of Financial Instr94

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Fair Value Methodology (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Residential whole loans, at fair value	$ 951,811	$ 769,301
Loan purchases excluded from Level 3 fair value methodology disclosures	373,300	45,400
Discounted cash flow
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Residential whole loans, at fair value	358,871	253,287
Liquidation model
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Residential whole loans, at fair value	592,940	516,014
Residential loans, simple average, amount	$ 336	$ 320
Residential whole loans, at fair value | Level 3 | Discounted cash flow | Maximum
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Discount rate	13.00%	7.70%
Prepayment rate	15.10%	12.00%
Default rate	6.50%	9.70%
Loss severity	100.00%	77.50%
Residential whole loans, at fair value | Level 3 | Discounted cash flow | Minimum
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Discount rate	4.50%	5.00%
Prepayment rate	1.15%	0.00%
Default rate	0.00%	0.00%
Loss severity	0.00%	0.00%
Residential whole loans, at fair value | Level 3 | Discounted cash flow | Weighted Average (2)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Discount rate	5.50%	6.60%
Prepayment rate	4.10%	7.60%
Default rate	2.90%	2.90%
Loss severity	13.80%	13.00%
Residential whole loans, at fair value | Level 3 | Liquidation model | Maximum
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Discount rate	50.00%	26.90%
Annual change in home prices	8.80%	7.70%
Liquidation timeline (in years)	4 years 6 months	4 years 4 months 24 days
Current value of underlying properties (3)	$ 9,900	$ 4,900
Residential whole loans, at fair value | Level 3 | Liquidation model | Minimum
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Discount rate	6.10%	6.80%
Annual change in home prices	(8.00%)	(9.20%)
Liquidation timeline (in years)	1 month 6 days	1 month 6 days
Current value of underlying properties (3)	$ 0	$ 5
Residential whole loans, at fair value | Level 3 | Liquidation model | Weighted Average (2)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Discount rate	8.00%	7.70%
Annual change in home prices	2.50%	1.70%
Liquidation timeline (in years)	1 year 7 months 6 days	1 year 7 months 6 days
Current value of underlying properties (3)	$ 772	$ 634

Fair Value of Financial Instr95

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Fair Value vs Unpaid Principal Balance (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total Residential Whole Loans, Fair Value	[1]	$ 1,325,115	$ 814,682
Outstanding principal balance		1,562,373	966,174
Residential whole loans, at fair value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total Residential Whole Loans, Fair Value		1,325,115	814,682
Outstanding principal balance		1,562,373	966,174
Total Residential Whole Loans, Difference		(237,258)	(151,492)
Residential Whole Loans 90 days or more past due, Fair Value		840,572	570,025
Residential Whole Loans 90 days or more past due, Unpaid Principal Balance		1,027,818	695,282
Residential Whole Loans 90 days or more past due, Difference		$ (187,246)	$ (125,257)
[1]	Includes approximately $183.2 million of Residential whole loans, at carrying value and $289.3 million of Residential whole loans, at fair value transferred to consolidated VIEs at December 31, 2017. Such assets can be used only to settle the obligations of each respective VIE.

Fair Value of Financial Instr96

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Carry Value vs Fair Value (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		$ 7,023,050	$ 9,828,183
MSR related assets		492,080	226,780
Residential whole loans, at carrying value	[1]	908,516	590,540
Residential whole loans, at fair value	[1]	1,325,115	814,682
Securities obtained and pledged as collateral, at fair value		504,062	510,767
Restricted cash		13,307	58,463
Swaps, at fair value		679	233
Obligation to return securities obtained as collateral, at fair value		504,062	510,767
Securitized debt		363,944	0
Senior Notes		96,773	96,733
Carrying value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
MSR related assets		492,080	226,780
Securities obtained and pledged as collateral, at fair value		504,062	510,767
Cash and cash equivalents		449,757	260,112
Restricted cash		13,307	58,463
Swaps, at fair value		679	233
Repurchase agreements		6,614,701	8,472,268
FHLB advances		0	215,000
Obligation to return securities obtained as collateral, at fair value		504,062	510,767
Securitized debt		363,944	0
Senior Notes		96,773	96,733
Swaps		0	46,954
Estimated fair value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
MSR related assets		493,026	226,780
Securities obtained and pledged as collateral, at fair value		504,062	510,767
Cash and cash equivalents		449,757	260,112
Restricted cash		13,307	58,463
Swaps, at fair value		679	233
Repurchase agreements		6,623,255	8,472,078
FHLB advances		0	215,000
Obligation to return securities obtained as collateral, at fair value		504,062	510,767
Securitized debt		366,109	0
Senior Notes		103,729	101,111
Swaps		0	46,954
Agency MBS
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		2,824,681	3,738,497
Agency MBS | Carrying value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		2,824,681	3,738,497
Agency MBS | Estimated fair value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		2,824,681	3,738,497
Non-Agency MBS
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		3,533,966	5,684,836
Non-Agency MBS | Carrying value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		3,533,966	5,684,836
Non-Agency MBS | Estimated fair value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		3,533,966	5,684,836
CRT securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		664,403	404,850
CRT securities | Carrying value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		664,403	404,850
CRT securities | Estimated fair value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		664,403	404,850
Residential whole loans, at fair value | Carrying value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Residential whole loans, at carrying value		908,516	590,540
Residential whole loans, at fair value		1,325,115	814,682
Residential whole loans, at fair value | Estimated fair value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Residential whole loans, at carrying value		988,688	621,548
Residential whole loans, at fair value		$ 1,325,115	$ 814,682
[1]	Includes approximately $183.2 million of Residential whole loans, at carrying value and $289.3 million of Residential whole loans, at fair value transferred to consolidated VIEs at December 31, 2017. Such assets can be used only to settle the obligations of each respective VIE.

Use of Special Purpose Entiti97

Use of Special Purpose Entities and Variable Interest Entities (Details) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Unpaid principal balance residential whole loans sold		$ 1,325,115,000				$ 814,682,000				$ 1,325,115,000	$ 814,682,000
Residential whole loans, at carrying value	[1]	908,516,000				590,540,000				908,516,000	590,540,000
Residential whole loans, at fair value	[1]	1,325,115,000				814,682,000				1,325,115,000	814,682,000
Securitized debt		363,944,000				0				363,944,000	0
MBS and CRT securities		7,023,050,000				9,828,183,000				7,023,050,000	9,828,183,000
Residential whole loans		2,200,000,000				1,400,000,000				2,200,000,000	1,400,000,000
Interest income residential whole loans										36,187,000	23,916,000	$ 16,036,000
Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value		41,359,000	$ 18,679,000	$ 16,208,000	$ 13,773,000	14,876,000	$ 19,639,000	$ 15,742,000	$ 12,348,000	90,019,000	62,605,000	$ 19,575,000
Non-Agency MBS
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
MBS and CRT securities		3,533,966,000				5,684,836,000				3,533,966,000	5,684,836,000
Non-Agency MBS Transfered to Consolidated VIEs
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Taxable income currently estimated										$ 53,300,000
Taxable income currently estimated per share (in USD per share)										$ 0.13
Non-Agency MBS Transfered to Consolidated VIEs | Non-Agency MBS
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
MBS and CRT securities		0				$ 174,400,000				$ 0	$ 174,400,000
Asset-backed Securities, Securitized Loans and Receivables
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Unpaid principal balance residential whole loans sold		620,900,000								620,900,000
Residential whole loans at carrying value sold		193,300,000								193,300,000
Fair value of mortgages		296,500,000								296,500,000
Residential whole loans, at carrying value		183,200,000								183,200,000
Residential whole loans, at fair value		289,300,000								289,300,000
Securitized debt		363,900,000								363,900,000
Bonds | Asset-backed Securities, Securitized Loans and Receivables | Trust, Ownership in Residential Whole Loans
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Face amount		$ 382,800,000								$ 382,800,000
Weighted average interest rate		3.12%								3.12%
Rated and Non-Rated Certificates | Asset-backed Securities, Securitized Loans and Receivables | Trust, Ownership in Residential Whole Loans
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Face amount		$ 127,000,000								$ 127,000,000
Proceeds from issuance of debt										382,800,000
Other Assets | Asset-backed Securities, Securitized Loans and Receivables
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Residential whole loans, at fair value		$ 5,500,000								$ 5,500,000
[1]	Includes approximately $183.2 million of Residential whole loans, at carrying value and $289.3 million of Residential whole loans, at fair value transferred to consolidated VIEs at December 31, 2017. Such assets can be used only to settle the obligations of each respective VIE.

Use of Special Purpose Entiti98

Use of Special Purpose Entities and Variable Interest Entities - Loan Securitization Transactions (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Unpaid principal balance residential whole loans sold	$ 1,325,115,000		$ 1,325,115,000	$ 814,682,000
Senior Notes	96,773,000		96,773,000	$ 96,733,000
Asset-backed Securities, Securitized Loans and Receivables
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Unpaid principal balance residential whole loans sold	620,900,000		620,900,000
MFA 2017-NPL1, LLC | Asset-backed Securities, Securitized Loans and Receivables
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Unpaid principal balance residential whole loans sold	401,076,000		401,076,000
Senior Notes	$ 233,683,000		$ 233,683,000
Weighted average interest rate	3.35%		3.35%
Cash received	$ 235,000,000
Spread			300.00%
Debt instrument, coupon step-up period			36 months
MFA 2017-RPL 1 | Asset-backed Securities, Securitized Loans and Receivables
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Unpaid principal balance residential whole loans sold		$ 219,848,000
Senior Notes		$ 132,602,000
Weighted average interest rate		2.753%
Cash received		$ 147,845,000
Senior Notes | MFA 2017-NPL1, LLC | Asset-backed Securities, Securitized Loans and Receivables
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Face amount	235,000,000		$ 235,000,000
Senior Notes | MFA 2017-RPL 1 | Asset-backed Securities, Securitized Loans and Receivables
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Face amount		147,847,000
Rated and Non-Rated Certificates | MFA 2017-NPL1, LLC | Asset-backed Securities, Securitized Loans and Receivables
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Face amount	$ 55,000,000		$ 55,000,000
Rated and Non-Rated Certificates | MFA 2017-RPL 1 | Asset-backed Securities, Securitized Loans and Receivables
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Face amount		$ 72,001,000

Summary of Quarterly Results 99

Summary of Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Interest income	$ 100,901	$ 105,133	$ 110,157	$ 117,257	$ 112,809	$ 112,716	$ 114,507	$ 117,418	$ 433,448	$ 457,450	$ 492,143
Interest expense	(48,495)	(49,275)	(49,022)	(50,349)	(49,868)	(48,167)	(47,720)	(47,600)	(197,141)	(193,355)	(176,948)
Net Interest Income	52,406	55,858	61,135	66,908	62,941	64,549	66,787	69,818	236,307	264,095	315,195
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings	0	0	(618)	(414)	0	(485)	0	0	(1,032)	(485)	(705)
Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value	41,359	18,679	16,208	13,773	14,876	19,639	15,742	12,348	90,019	62,605	19,575
Net gain on sales of MBS and U.S. Treasury securities	9,047	14,933	5,889	9,708	9,768	7,083	9,241	9,745	39,577	35,837	34,900
Other income	14,579	(4,515)	14,847	4,512	756	7,179	2,047	618
Operating and other expense	(16,798)	(21,150)	(17,526)	(16,427)	(15,704)	(14,954)	(14,867)	(14,459)	(71,901)	(59,984)	(52,429)
Net Income	100,593	63,805	79,935	78,060	72,637	83,011	78,950	78,070	322,393	312,668	313,226
Preferred stock dividends	(3,750)	(3,750)	(3,750)	(3,750)	(3,750)	(3,750)	(3,750)	(3,750)	(15,000)	(15,000)	(15,000)
Net Income Available to Common Stock and Participating Securities	$ 96,843	$ 60,055	$ 76,185	$ 74,310	$ 68,887	$ 79,261	$ 75,200	$ 74,320	$ 307,393	$ 297,668	$ 298,226
Earnings per Common Share - Basic and Diluted	$ 0.24	$ 0.15	$ 0.20	$ 0.20	$ 0.18	$ 0.21	$ 0.20	$ 0.20	$ 0.79	$ 0.80	$ 0.80

Schedule IV - Mortgage Loans100

Schedule IV - Mortgage Loans on Real Estate (Details) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)loan	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)loan
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Number (loans) | loan		6,514	3,812
Movement in Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Roll Forward]
Residential whole loans, at carrying value, beginning balance	[1]	$ 590,540
Residential whole loans, at fair value, beginning balance	[1]	814,682
Residential whole loans, at carrying value, ending balance	[1]	908,516	$ 590,540
Residential whole loans, at fair value, ending balance	[1]	$ 1,325,115	814,682
Residential whole loans, at fair value
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Number (loans) | loan		11,306
Balance Sheet Reported Amount		$ 2,233,631
Principal Amount of Loans Subject to Delinquent Principal or Interest		$ 1,125,892
Residential whole loans, at fair value | Carrying value
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Number (loans) | loan		4,792
Balance Sheet Reported Amount		$ 908,516
Principal Amount of Loans Subject to Delinquent Principal or Interest		98,074
Movement in Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Roll Forward]
Residential whole loans, at carrying value, beginning balance		590,540
Purchases and capitalized advances		385,093
Discount accretion		5,477
Cash collections for principal and liquidations		(63,521)
Provision for loan loss		660
Repurchases		0
Transfer to REO		(9,733)
Residential whole loans, at carrying value, ending balance		$ 908,516	590,540
Residential whole loans, at fair value | Fair value
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Number (loans) | loan		6,514
Balance Sheet Reported Amount		$ 1,325,115
Principal Amount of Loans Subject to Delinquent Principal or Interest		1,027,818
Movement in Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Roll Forward]
Residential whole loans, at fair value, beginning balance		814,682
Purchases and capitalized advances		683,735
Cash collections for principal and liquidations		(87,072)
Changes in unrealized gain/losses		33,617
Repurchases		(2,716)
Transfer to REO		(117,131)
Residential whole loans, at fair value, ending balance		$ 1,325,115	$ 814,682
Original loan balance $0 - $149,999 | Residential whole loans, at fair value | Carrying value
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Number (loans) | loan		1,779
Balance Sheet Reported Amount		$ 124,818
Principal Amount of Loans Subject to Delinquent Principal or Interest		$ 17,107
Original loan balance $0 - $149,999 | Residential whole loans, at fair value | Carrying value | Minimum
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Interest Rate		0.00%
Original loan balance $0 - $149,999 | Residential whole loans, at fair value | Carrying value | Maximum
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Interest Rate		13.08%
Original loan balance $0 - $149,999 | Residential whole loans, at fair value | Fair value
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Number (loans) | loan		2,349
Balance Sheet Reported Amount		$ 169,575
Principal Amount of Loans Subject to Delinquent Principal or Interest		$ 118,572
Original loan balance $0 - $149,999 | Residential whole loans, at fair value | Fair value | Minimum
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Interest Rate		0.00%
Original loan balance $0 - $149,999 | Residential whole loans, at fair value | Fair value | Maximum
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Interest Rate		14.99%
Original loan balance $150,000 - $299,999 | Residential whole loans, at fair value | Carrying value
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Number (loans) | loan		1,669
Balance Sheet Reported Amount		$ 269,846
Principal Amount of Loans Subject to Delinquent Principal or Interest		$ 33,693
Original loan balance $150,000 - $299,999 | Residential whole loans, at fair value | Carrying value | Minimum
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Interest Rate		1.00%
Original loan balance $150,000 - $299,999 | Residential whole loans, at fair value | Carrying value | Maximum
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Interest Rate		11.00%
Original loan balance $150,000 - $299,999 | Residential whole loans, at fair value | Fair value
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Number (loans) | loan		2,154
Balance Sheet Reported Amount		$ 346,425
Principal Amount of Loans Subject to Delinquent Principal or Interest		$ 262,686
Original loan balance $150,000 - $299,999 | Residential whole loans, at fair value | Fair value | Minimum
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Interest Rate		0.00%
Original loan balance $150,000 - $299,999 | Residential whole loans, at fair value | Fair value | Maximum
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Interest Rate		12.38%
Original loan balance $300,000 - $449,999 | Residential whole loans, at fair value | Carrying value
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Number (loans) | loan		876
Balance Sheet Reported Amount		$ 255,520
Principal Amount of Loans Subject to Delinquent Principal or Interest		$ 26,974
Original loan balance $300,000 - $449,999 | Residential whole loans, at fair value | Carrying value | Minimum
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Interest Rate		2.00%
Original loan balance $300,000 - $449,999 | Residential whole loans, at fair value | Carrying value | Maximum
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Interest Rate		10.00%
Original loan balance $300,000 - $449,999 | Residential whole loans, at fair value | Fair value
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Number (loans) | loan		1,273
Balance Sheet Reported Amount		$ 373,112
Principal Amount of Loans Subject to Delinquent Principal or Interest		$ 271,908
Original loan balance $300,000 - $449,999 | Residential whole loans, at fair value | Fair value | Minimum
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Interest Rate		1.50%
Original loan balance $300,000 - $449,999 | Residential whole loans, at fair value | Fair value | Maximum
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Interest Rate		11.00%
Original loan balance greater than $449,999 | Residential whole loans, at fair value | Carrying value
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Number (loans) | loan		468
Balance Sheet Reported Amount		$ 258,332
Principal Amount of Loans Subject to Delinquent Principal or Interest		$ 20,300
Original loan balance greater than $449,999 | Residential whole loans, at fair value | Carrying value | Minimum
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Interest Rate		1.88%
Original loan balance greater than $449,999 | Residential whole loans, at fair value | Carrying value | Maximum
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Interest Rate		9.50%
Original loan balance greater than $449,999 | Residential whole loans, at fair value | Fair value
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Number (loans) | loan		738
Balance Sheet Reported Amount		$ 436,003
Principal Amount of Loans Subject to Delinquent Principal or Interest		$ 374,652
Original loan balance greater than $449,999 | Residential whole loans, at fair value | Fair value | Minimum
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Interest Rate		1.00%
Original loan balance greater than $449,999 | Residential whole loans, at fair value | Fair value | Maximum
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Interest Rate		10.88%
[1]	Includes approximately $183.2 million of Residential whole loans, at carrying value and $289.3 million of Residential whole loans, at fair value transferred to consolidated VIEs at December 31, 2017. Such assets can be used only to settle the obligations of each respective VIE.