ACRES Commercial Realty (ACR) 10-Q 7 Nov 18 2018 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Nov. 02, 2018
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	EXANTAS CAPITAL CORP.
Entity Central Index Key	1,332,551
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		31,660,622

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	[1]	$ 48,053	$ 181,490
Restricted cash	[1]	6,580	22,874
Accrued interest receivable	[1]	7,466	6,859
CRE loans, net of allowances of $1,736 and $5,328	[1]	1,514,829	1,284,822
Investment securities available-for-sale	[1]	352,778	211,737
Principal paydowns receivable	[1]	44,300	76,129
Investments in unconsolidated entities	[1]	1,596	12,051
Derivatives, at fair value	[1]	2,665	602
Other assets	[1]	13,298	7,793
Assets held for sale (amounts include $17,000 and $61,841 of legacy CRE loans held for sale in continuing operations, see Note 20)	[1]	17,854	107,718
Total assets	[1]	2,009,419	1,912,075
LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable and other liabilities	[2]	12,793	5,153
Management fee payable	[2]	938	1,035
Accrued interest payable	[2]	3,937	4,387
Borrowings	[2]	1,422,906	1,163,485
Distributions payable	[2]	6,474	5,581
Preferred stock redemption liability	[2]	0	50,000
Derivatives, at fair value	[2]	0	76
Accrued tax liability	[2]	239	540
Liabilities held for sale (see Note 20)	[2]	1,787	10,342
Total liabilities	[2]	1,449,074	1,240,599
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, par value $0.001: 125,000,000 shares authorized; 31,657,420 and 31,429,892 shares issued and outstanding (including 422,592 and 483,073 unvested restricted shares)		32	31
Additional paid-in capital		1,082,344	1,187,911
Accumulated other comprehensive income		5,629	1,297
Distributions in excess of earnings		(527,665)	(517,773)
Total stockholders' equity		560,345	671,476
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY		2,009,419	1,912,075
8.25% Series B Preferred Stock
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock, par value $0.001		0	5
8.625% Series C Preferred Stock
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock, par value $0.001		$ 5	$ 5
[1]	September 30, 2018December 31, 2017(1) Assets of consolidated variable interest entities ("VIEs") included in total assets above: Cash and cash equivalents$— $—Restricted cash5,504 20,846Accrued interest receivable3,477 3,347CRE loans, pledged as collateral and net of allowances of $927 and $1,330780,302 603,110Loans held for sale— 13Principal paydowns receivable— 72,207Other assets132 73Total assets of consolidated VIEs$789,415 $699,596
[2]	September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017(2) Liabilities of consolidated VIEs included in total liabilities above: Accounts payable and other liabilities$41 $96Accrued interest payable656 592Borrowings548,526 416,655Total liabilities of consolidated VIEs$549,223 $417,343

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Financing receivable, allowance for credit losses	$ 1,736	$ 5,328
Legacy CRE whole loans held for sale	$ 352,778	$ 211,737
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	125,000,000	125,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	31,657,420	31,429,892
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	31,657,420	31,429,892
Common stock, shares issued, non-vested restricted shares (in shares)	422,591	483,073
Assets of consolidated variable interest entities (VIEs) included in total assets above:
Restricted cash	$ 5,504	$ 20,846
Accrued interest receivable	3,477	3,347
CRE loans, pledged as collateral and net of allowances of $927 and $1,330	780,302	603,110
Loans held for sale	0	13
Principal paydowns receivable	0	72,207
Other assets	132	73
Total assets of consolidated VIEs	789,415	699,596
Liabilities of consolidated VIEs included in total liabilities above:
Accounts payable and other liabilities	41	96
Accrued interest payable	656	592
Borrowings	548,526	416,655
Total liabilities of consolidated VIEs	549,223	417,343
Loan allowances, VIEs	$ 927	$ 1,330
8.25% Series B Preferred Stock
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, liquidation preference (in dollars per share)	$ 25	$ 25
Preferred stock, coupon authorized	8.25%	8.25%
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	4,613,596
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	0	4,613,596
8.625% Series C Preferred Stock
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, liquidation preference (in dollars per share)	$ 25	$ 25
Preferred stock, coupon authorized	8.625%	8.625%
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	4,800,000	4,800,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	4,800,000	4,800,000
Discontinued Operations, Held-for-sale
Legacy CRE whole loans held for sale	$ 17,000	$ 93,063
Discontinued Operations, Held-for-sale | Legacy CRE whole loans
Legacy CRE whole loans held for sale	$ 17,000	$ 61,841

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPER

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Interest income:
CRE loans	$ 26,496	$ 21,953	$ 74,314	$ 65,327
Securities	5,217	1,661	12,878	5,298
Other	123	369	261	2,464
Total interest income	31,836	23,983	87,453	73,089
Interest expense	17,322	13,853	47,865	42,454
Net interest income	14,514	10,130	39,588	30,635
Total revenues	14,539	10,260	39,670	32,657
OPERATING EXPENSES
Management fees	2,813	4,924	8,438	10,242
Equity compensation	757	895	2,383	2,417
General and administrative	2,336	4,336	7,943	11,780
Depreciation and amortization	36	26	68	126
Impairment losses	0	0	0	177
(Recovery of) provision for loan and lease losses, net	(461)	(612)	(1,260)	518
Total operating expenses	5,481	9,569	17,572	25,260
Net interest and other revenues less operating expenses	9,058	691	22,098	7,397
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	454	41,047	231	41,290
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities available-for-sale and loans and derivatives	279	(1,465)	569	15,619
Net realized and unrealized (loss) gain on investment securities, trading	0	(9)	53	(970)
Fair value adjustments on financial assets held for sale	(1,588)	0	(6,244)	58
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	(10,365)	0	(10,365)
Other income (expense)	57	(690)	574	(604)
Total other (expense) income	(798)	28,518	(4,817)	45,028
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES	8,260	29,209	17,281	52,425
Income tax (expense) benefit	0	(4,464)	31	(5,938)
NET INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	8,260	24,745	17,312	46,487
NET INCOME (LOSS) FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET OF TAX	364	(6,087)	161	(10,832)
NET INCOME	8,624	18,658	17,473	35,655
Net income allocated to preferred shares	(2,588)	(6,014)	(10,385)	(18,043)
Consideration paid in excess of carrying value of preferred shares	0	0	(7,482)	0
Net loss allocable to non-controlling interest, net of taxes	0	0	0	196
NET INCOME (LOSS) ALLOCABLE TO COMMON SHARES	$ 6,036	$ 12,644	$ (394)	$ 17,808
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE - BASIC:
CONTINUING OPERATIONS (in dollars per share)	$ 0.18	$ 0.61	$ (0.02)	$ 0.93
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (in dollars per share)	0.01	(0.20)	0.01	(0.35)
TOTAL NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE – BASIC (in dollars per share)	0.19	0.41	(0.01)	0.58
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE - DILUTED:
CONTINUING OPERATIONS (in dollars per share)	0.18	0.61	(0.02)	0.92
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (in dollars per share)	0.01	(0.20)	0.01	(0.35)
TOTAL NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE – DILUTED (in dollars per share)	$ 0.19	$ 0.41	$ (0.01)	$ 0.57
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING - BASIC (in shares)	31,229,969	30,857,232	31,186,057	30,810,259
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING - DILUTED (in shares)	31,477,398	31,115,152	31,186,057	31,017,108
Product and Service, Other
Interest income:
Other revenue	$ 25	$ 130	$ 82	$ 2,022

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 8,624	$ 18,658	$ 17,473	$ 35,655
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Reclassification adjustments for realized (gains) losses on investment securities available-for-sale included in net income	(282)	2,521	(65)	1,342
Unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities available-for-sale, net	1,871	(1,673)	1,969	(3,167)
Reclassification adjustments associated with unrealized losses from interest rate hedges included in net income	0	0	0	17
Unrealized gains on derivatives, net	824	136	2,428	211
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	2,413	984	4,332	(1,597)
Comprehensive income before allocation to non-controlling interests and preferred shares	11,037	19,642	21,805	34,058
Net income allocated to preferred shares	(2,588)	(6,014)	(10,385)	(18,043)
Consideration paid in excess of carrying value of preferred shares	0	0	(7,482)	0
Net loss allocable to non-controlling interest	0	0	0	196
Comprehensive income allocable to common shares	$ 8,449	$ 13,628	$ 3,938	$ 16,211

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANG

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY - 9 months ended Sep. 30, 2018 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Preferred StockSeries B Preferred Stock	Preferred StockSeries C Preferred Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Retained Earnings	Distributions in Excess of Earnings
Balance, January 1, 2018 (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017	31,429,892	31,429,892
Balance, January 1, 2018 at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 671,476	$ 31	$ 5	$ 5	$ 1,187,911	$ 1,297	$ 0	$ (517,773)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Stock-based compensation (in shares)		236,387
Stock-based compensation	1	$ 1			0
Amortization of stock-based compensation	2,383				2,383
Retirement of common shares (in shares)		(7,134)
Retirement of common stock	(69)	$ 0			(69)
Forfeiture of unvested stock (in shares)		(1,725)
Net income	17,473						17,473
Distributions on preferred stock	(10,385)						(10,385)
Preferred stock redemption	(115,368)		(5)		(107,881)		(7,482)
Securities available-for-sale, fair value adjustment, net	1,904					1,904
Designated derivatives, fair value adjustment	2,428					2,428
Distributions on common stock	$ (9,498)						394	(9,892)
Balance, September 30, 2018 (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2018	31,657,420	31,657,420
Balance, September 30, 2018 at Sep. 30, 2018	$ 560,345	$ 32	$ 0	$ 5	$ 1,082,344	$ 5,629	$ 0	$ (527,665)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
NET INCOME	$ 17,473	$ 35,655
Net (income) loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(161)	10,832
NET INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	17,312	46,487
Adjustments to reconcile net income from continuing operations to net cash provided by continuing operating activities:
(Recovery of) provision for loan and lease losses, net	(1,260)	518
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	1,919	1,763
Amortization of stock-based compensation	2,383	2,417
Sale of and principal payments on syndicated corporate loans held for sale	69	1,433
Sale of and principal payments on investment securities, trading	241	4,493
Net realized and unrealized (gain) loss on investment securities, trading	(53)	970
Net realized and unrealized gain on investment securities available-for-sale and loans and derivatives	(569)	(15,619)
Fair value adjustments on financial assets held for sale	6,244	(58)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	10,365
Impairment losses	0	177
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	(231)	(41,290)
Return on investment from investments in unconsolidated entities	411	49,713
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	4,443	3,917
Net cash provided by continuing operating activities	30,909	65,286
Net cash provided by discontinued operating activities	329	139,430
Net cash provided by operating activities	31,238	204,716
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Origination and purchase of loans	(570,036)	(348,764)
Principal payments received on loans and leases	399,472	474,729
Proceeds from sale of loans	16,709	0
Purchase of investment securities available-for-sale	(149,100)	(121,887)
Principal payments on investment securities available-for-sale	14,325	33,779
Proceeds from sale of investment securities available-for-sale	48	33,347
Acquisition of the remaining interest in Life Care Funding, LLC	0	(5)
Return of capital from investments in unconsolidated entities	10,369	48,792
Proceeds from the sale of an investment in an unconsolidated entity	0	16,159
Settlement of derivative instruments	(46)	(1,416)
Net cash (used in) provided by continuing investing activities	(278,259)	134,734
Net cash provided by discontinued investing activities	29,712	18,720
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(248,547)	153,454
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Retirement of common stock	(69)	(98)
Repurchase of preferred stock	(165,340)	0
Net proceeds from (repayments of) repurchase agreements	126,740	(13,824)
Proceeds from borrowings:
Securitizations	397,452	251,449
Convertible senior notes	0	121,589
Payments on borrowings:
Securitizations	(262,576)	(266,378)
Convertible senior notes	0	(108,690)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(9,640)	(8,253)
Distributions paid on preferred stock	(12,670)	(18,043)
Distributions paid on common stock	(6,319)	(4,685)
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing financing activities	67,578	(46,933)
Net cash used in discontinued financing activities	0	(133,139)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	67,578	(180,072)
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH	(149,731)	178,098
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD	204,364	119,425
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH AT END OF PERIOD	54,633	297,523
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE:
Interest expense paid in cash	41,341	38,062
Income taxes paid in cash	$ 0	$ 517

ORGANIZATION

ORGANIZATION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
ORGANIZATION	NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION Exantas Capital Corp., a Maryland corporation, and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company") (formerly known as Resource Capital Corp.) is a real estate investment trust ("REIT") that is primarily focused on originating, holding and managing commercial mortgage loans and commercial real estate-related debt investments. The Company is externally managed by Exantas Capital Manager Inc. (the "Manager") (formerly known as Resource Capital Manager, Inc.), which is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of C-III Capital Partners LLC ("C-III"), a leading commercial real estate ("CRE") investment management and services company engaged in a broad range of activities. C-III is the beneficial owner of approximately 2.4% of the Company's outstanding common shares at September 30, 2018 . The Company has qualified, and expects to qualify in the current fiscal year, as a REIT. In November 2016, the Company received approval from its board of directors (the "Board") to execute a strategic plan (the "Plan") to focus its strategy on CRE debt investments. The Plan contemplates disposing of certain loans underwritten prior to 2010 ("legacy CRE loans"), exiting underperforming non-core asset classes (residential real estate-related assets and commercial finance assets) and establishing a dividend policy based on sustainable earnings. As a result, the Company evaluated its residential mortgage and middle market lending segments' assets and liabilities and determined both met all of the criteria to be classified as held for sale in the fourth quarter of 2016. As a result of the reclassification, these segments are reported as discontinued operations and have been excluded from continuing operations. See Note 20 for further discussion. The Company conducts its operations through the use of subsidiaries that it consolidates into its financial statements. The Company's core assets are consolidated through its investment in RCC Real Estate, Inc. ("RCC Real Estate"), a wholly-owned subsidiary that holds CRE loans, CRE-related securities and investments in CRE securitizations, which are consolidated as VIEs, as discussed in Note 3 . Additionally, the Company consolidates investments in wholly and partially-owned qualifying REIT subsidiaries and taxable REIT subsidiaries ("TRS") that historically held whole and partially-owned equity investments in collateralized debt obligations ("CDOs"), collateralized loan obligations ("CLOs"), investments in asset-backed securities ("ABS"), an asset management service provider, life settlement contracts, middle market secured corporate loans, residential mortgage loans, residential mortgage-backed securities ("RMBS") and syndicated corporate loans.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTI

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Principles of Consolidation The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") and the accounting policies set forth in Note 2 included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 . The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, majority-owned or controlled subsidiaries and VIEs for which the Company is considered the primary beneficiary. All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Basis of Presentation All adjustments necessary to present fairly the Company's financial position, results of operations and cash flows have been made. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase. At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , approximately $45.5 million and $177.5 million , respectively, of the reported cash balances exceeded the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Securities Investor Protection Corporation deposit insurance limits of $250,000 per respective depository or brokerage institution. However, all of the Company's cash deposits are held at multiple, established financial institutions to minimize credit risk exposure. Restricted cash includes required account balance minimums primarily for the Company's CRE CDO securitizations and derivative instruments as well as cash held in the syndicated corporate loan CDOs. The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash on the consolidated balance sheets to the total amount shown on the consolidated statements of cash flows (dollars in thousands): September 30, 2018 2017 Cash and cash equivalents $ 48,053 $ 282,984 Restricted cash 6,580 14,539 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown on the Company's consolidated statements of cash flows $ 54,633 $ 297,523 Preferred Equity Investment Preferred equity investments, which are subordinate to any loans but senior to common equity, depending on the investment's characteristics, may be accounted for as real estate, joint ventures or as mortgage loans. The Company's preferred equity investment is accounted for as a CRE loan held for investment, is carried at cost, net of unamortized loan fees and origination costs, and is included within CRE loans on the Company's consolidated balance sheets. The Company accretes or amortizes any discounts or premiums over the life of the related loan utilizing the effective interest method. Interest and fees are recognized as income subject to recoverability, which is substantiated by obtaining annual appraisals on the underlying property. Discontinued Operations The results of operations of a component or a group of components of the Company that either has been disposed of or is classified as held for sale is reported in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on the Company's operations and financial results. Income Taxes The Company recorded a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets of approximately $10.0 million at September 30, 2018 as the Company believes it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized. This assessment was based on the Company's cumulative historical losses and uncertainties as to the amount of taxable income that would be generated in future years by the Company's TRSs. Recent Accounting Standards Accounting Standards Adopted in 2018 In May 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued guidance to clarify which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting. Modification accounting should be applied unless all of the following three criteria are met: (i) the fair value of the modified award is the same as the fair value of the original award immediately before the original award is modified; (ii) the vesting conditions of the modified award are the same as the vesting conditions of the original award immediately before the original award is modified; (iii) the classification of the modified award as an equity instrument or a liability instrument is the same as the classification of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. Adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, the FASB issued guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The guidance provides a screen to determine when an integrated set of assets and activities (a "set") is not a business. The screen requires that when substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets, the set is not a business. If the screen is not met, the guidance requires that: (i) to be considered a business, a set must include, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create an output and (ii) remove the evaluation of whether a market participant could replace missing elements. The guidance also narrows the definition of an output to: the result of inputs and processes applied to those inputs that provide goods or services to customers, investment income (such as dividends or interest), or other revenues. Adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In November 2016, the FASB issued guidance to reduce the diversity in practice of the classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash on the statement of cash flows. The guidance requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In August 2016, the FASB issued guidance to reduce the diversity in practice around the presentation and classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments in the statement of cash flows. The guidance addresses the following eight specific cash flow issues: (i) debt prepayments or extinguishment costs; (ii) contingent consideration payments made after a business combination; (iii) proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims; (iv) proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies (including bank-owned life insurance policies); (v) settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with insignificant coupon rates; (vi) distributions received from equity method investees; (vii) beneficial interests in securitization transactions and (viii) separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. Adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In January 2016, the FASB issued guidance to address certain aspects of the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments in order to provide users of financial statements with more decision-useful information. The guidance requires equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income; simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment; eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet; requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes; requires an entity to present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments; requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial assets on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements, and clarifies that an entity should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale securities in combination with the entity's other deferred tax assets. Adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance that establishes key principles by which an entity determines the amount and timing of revenue recognized from customer contracts. At issuance, the guidance was effective for the first interim or annual period beginning after December 15, 2016. In August 2015, the FASB issued additional guidance that delayed the previous effective date by one year, resulting in the original guidance becoming effective for the first interim or annual period beginning after December 15, 2017. In 2016, the FASB issued multiple amendments to the accounting standard to provide further clarification. Exclusions from the scope of this guidance include revenues resulting from loans, investment securities available-for-sale, investment securities, trading, investments in unconsolidated entities and leases. The Company evaluated the applicability of this guidance, considering the scope exceptions, and determined that adoption did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. Accounting Standards to be Adopted in Future Periods In August 2018, the FASB issued guidance to modify the fair value measurement disclosure requirements, including: disclosures on changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements, the policy for timing of transfers between levels and the narrative description of measurement uncertainty. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of this new guidance. In June 2018, the FASB issued guidance to simplify the accounting for share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees by including these payments in the scope of the guidance for share-based payments to employees. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted. The Company evaluated the applicability of this guidance and determined that, currently, adoption does not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. In February 2018, the FASB issued guidance to allow a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted. The Company evaluated the applicability of this guidance and determined that, currently, adoption does not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. In August 2017, the FASB issued guidance to improve the financial reporting of hedging relationships to better portray the economic results of an entity's risk management activities. Additionally, the guidance simplifies the application of the hedge accounting guidance via certain targeted improvements. In October 2018, the FASB updated the guidance to add a benchmark interest rate permitted for hedge accounting purposes. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted. The Company evaluated the applicability of this guidance and determined that, currently, adoption does not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, the FASB issued guidance to add the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") Staff Announcement "Disclosure of the Impact that Recently Issued Accounting Standards will have on the Financial Statements of a Registrant when such Standards are Adopted in a Future Period (in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 11.M)." The announcement applies to the May 2014 guidance on revenue recognition from contracts with customers, the February 2016 guidance on leases and the June 2016 guidance on how credit losses for financial assets at amortized cost and certain other instruments that are measured at fair value through net income are determined. The announcement provides the SEC staff view that a registrant should evaluate certain recent accounting standards that have not yet been adopted to determine appropriate financial statement disclosures about the potential material effects of those recent accounting standards. If a registrant does not know or cannot reasonably estimate the impact that adoption of the recent accounting standards referenced in this announcement is expected to have on the financial statements, then the registrant should make a statement to that effect and consider the additional qualitative financial statement disclosures to assist the reader in assessing the significance of the impact that the recent accounting standards will have on the financial statements of the registrant when adopted. The Company completed its assessment under the new guidance on revenue recognition from contracts with customers, see "Accounting Standards Adopted in 2018 ." The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on leases and the measurement of credit losses on financial instruments and its impact on its consolidated financial statements. In June 2016, the FASB issued guidance which will change how credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are measured at fair value through net income are determined. The new guidance will replace the current incurred loss approach with an expected loss model for instruments measured at amortized cost. For available-for-sale debt securities, the guidance requires recording allowances rather than reducing the carrying amount, as it is currently under the other-than-temporary impairment model. It also simplifies the accounting model for credit-impaired debt securities and loans. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within that reporting period, with any adjustments reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of this new guidance. In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance requiring lessees to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use asset for all leases. Lessor accounting will remain largely unchanged. The guidance will also require new qualitative and quantitative disclosures to help financial statement users better understand the timing, amount and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. This guidance will be effective for reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted. The Company evaluated the applicability of this guidance and determined that, currently, adoption does not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. Reclassifications Certain reclassifications have been made to the 2017 consolidated financial statements to conform to the 2018 presentation, including the reclassification of investment securities, trading, loans held for sale and direct financing leases to other assets on the consolidated balance sheets. These reclassifications had no effect on the reported consolidated statements of operations.

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES	NOTE 3 - VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES The Company has evaluated its securities, loans, investments in unconsolidated entities, liabilities to subsidiary trusts issuing preferred securities (consisting of unsecured junior subordinated notes), securitizations, guarantees and other financial contracts in order to determine if they are variable interests in VIEs. The Company regularly monitors these legal interests and contracts and, to the extent it has determined that it has a variable interest, analyzes the related entity for potential consolidation. Consolidated VIEs (the Company is the primary beneficiary) Based on management's analysis, the Company was the primary beneficiary of six and seven VIEs at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively (collectively, the "Consolidated VIEs"). The Consolidated VIEs are CRE securitizations, CDOs and CLOs that were formed on behalf of the Company to invest in real estate-related securities, commercial mortgage-backed securities ("CMBS"), syndicated corporate loans, corporate bonds and ABS and were financed by the issuance of debt securities. The Manager and C-III Asset Management LLC ("C3AM"), a subsidiary of C-III, manage the CRE-related entities. By financing these assets with long-term borrowings through the issuance of debt securities, the Company seeks to generate attractive risk-adjusted equity returns and to match the term of its assets and liabilities. The primary beneficiary determination for each of these VIEs was made at each VIE's inception and is continually assessed. The Company has exposure to losses on its securitizations to the extent of its investments in the subordinated debt and preferred equity of each securitization. The Company is entitled to receive payments of principal and interest on the debt securities it holds and, to the extent revenues exceed debt service requirements and other expenses of the securitizations, distributions with respect to its preferred equity interests. As a result of consolidation, the debt and equity interests the Company holds in these securitizations have been eliminated, and the Company's consolidated balance sheets reflect the assets held, debt issued by the securitizations to third parties and any accrued payables to third parties. The Company's operating results and cash flows include the gross amounts related to the securitizations' assets and liabilities as opposed to the Company's net economic interests in the securitizations. Assets and liabilities related to the securitizations are disclosed, in the aggregate, on the Company's consolidated balance sheets. For a discussion of the debt issued through the securitizations see Note 9 . Creditors of the Company's Consolidated VIEs have no recourse to the general credit of the Company, nor to each other. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , the Company did no t provide any financial support to any of its VIEs nor does it have any requirement to do so, although it may choose to do so in the future to maximize future cash flows on such investments by the Company. There are no explicit arrangements that obligate the Company to provide financial support to any of its Consolidated VIEs. The following table shows the classification and carrying values of assets and liabilities of the Company's Consolidated VIEs at September 30, 2018 (in thousands): CRE Securitizations Other Total ASSETS Restricted cash $ 5,000 $ 504 $ 5,504 Accrued interest receivable 3,477 — 3,477 CRE loans, pledged as collateral 780,302 — 780,302 Other assets 132 — 132 Total assets (1) $ 788,911 $ 504 $ 789,415 LIABILITIES Accounts payable and other liabilities $ 41 $ — $ 41 Accrued interest payable 656 — 656 Borrowings 548,526 — 548,526 Total liabilities $ 549,223 $ — $ 549,223 (1) Assets of each of the Consolidated VIEs may only be used to settle the obligations of each respective VIE. Unconsolidated VIEs (the Company is not the primary beneficiary, but has a variable interest) Based on management's analysis, the Company is not the primary beneficiary of the VIEs discussed below since it does not have both (i) the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb the losses of the VIE or the right to receive the benefits from the VIE, which could be significant to the VIE. Accordingly, the following VIEs are not consolidated in the Company's financial statements at September 30, 2018 . The Company's maximum exposure to risk for each of these unconsolidated VIEs is set forth in the "Maximum Exposure to Loss" column in the table below. Unsecured Junior Subordinated Debentures The Company has a 100% interest in the common shares of Resource Capital Trust I ("RCT I") and RCC Trust II ("RCT II"), respectively, with a value of $1.5 million in the aggregate, or 3% of each trust, at September 30, 2018 . RCT I and RCT II were formed for the purposes of providing debt financing to the Company. The Company completed a qualitative analysis to determine whether or not it is the primary beneficiary of each of the trusts and determined that it was not the primary beneficiary of either trust because it does not have the power to direct the activities most significant to the trusts, which include the collection of principal and interest and protection of collateral through servicing rights. Accordingly, neither trust is consolidated into the Company's consolidated financial statements. The Company records its investments in RCT I and RCT II's common shares of $774,000 each as investments in unconsolidated entities using the cost method, recording dividend income when declared by RCT I and RCT II. The trusts each hold subordinated debentures for which the Company is the obligor in the amount of $25.8 million for each of RCT I and RCT II. The debentures were funded by the issuance of trust preferred securities of RCT I and RCT II. The Company will continuously reassess whether it is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the trusts. Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust 2017-C40 In October 2017, the Company purchased 95% of the Class E, F, G, H and J certificates of Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust 2017-C40 ("C40"), a B-piece investment in a Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Securities, Inc., private-label, $705.4 million securitization. C3AM, a related party that is not under common control, is the special servicer of C40. The Company determined that although its investment in C40 represented a variable interest, its investment did not provide the Company with a controlling financial interest. The Company accounts for its various investments in C40 as investment securities available-for-sale on its consolidated financial statements. Prospect Hackensack JV LLC In March 2018, the Company invested $19.2 million in the preferred equity of Prospect Hackensack JV LLC ("Prospect Hackensack"), a joint venture between the Company and an unrelated third party ("Managing Member"). Prospect Hackensack was formed for the purpose of acquiring and operating a multifamily CRE property. The Managing Member manages the daily operations of the property. The Company determined that although its investment in Prospect Hackensack represented a variable interest, its investment did not provide the Company with a controlling financial interest. The Company accounts for its investment in Prospect Hackensack's preferred equity as a CRE loan on its consolidated financial statements. The following table shows the classification, carrying value and maximum exposure to loss with respect to the Company's unconsolidated VIEs at September 30, 2018 (in thousands): Unsecured Junior Subordinated Debentures C40 Prospect Hackensack Total Maximum Exposure to Loss ASSETS Accrued interest receivable $ 33 $ 172 $ — $ 205 $ — CRE loans — — 19,372 19,372 $ 19,372 Investment securities available-for-sale (1) — 21,465 — 21,465 $ 21,117 Investments in unconsolidated entities 1,548 — — 1,548 $ 1,548 Total assets 1,581 21,637 19,372 42,590 LIABILITIES Accrued interest payable 693 — — 693 N/A Borrowings 51,548 — — 51,548 N/A Total liabilities 52,241 — — 52,241 N/A Net (liability) asset $ (50,660 ) $ 21,637 $ 19,372 $ (9,651 ) N/A (1) The Company's investment in C40 is carried at fair value and its maximum exposure to loss is the amortized cost of the investment. At September 30, 2018 , there were no explicit arrangements or implicit variable interests that could require the Company to provide financial support to any of its unconsolidated VIEs.

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMAT

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION	NOTE 4 - SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION The following table summarizes the Company's supplemental disclosure of cash flow information (in thousands): For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 Non-cash continuing financing activities include the following: Proceeds from the private exchange of convertible senior notes $ — $ 22,161 Payments on the private exchange of convertible senior notes $ — $ (22,161 ) Distributions on common stock accrued but not paid $ 4,749 $ 1,566 Distribution on preferred stock accrued but not paid $ 1,725 $ 4,010

LOANS

LOANS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
LOANS HELD FOR INVESTMENT [Abstract]
LOANS	NOTE 5 - LOANS The following is a summary of the Company's loans (dollars in thousands, except amounts in footnotes): Description Quantity Principal Unamortized (Discount) (1) Amortized Cost Allowance for Loan Losses Carrying (2) Contractual Interest Rates (3) Maturity Dates (4)(5)(6) At September 30, 2018: CRE loans held for investment: Whole loans (7)(8) 78 $ 1,501,076 $ (8,583 ) $ 1,492,493 $ (1,736 ) $ 1,490,757 1M LIBOR plus 2.50% to 1M LIBOR plus 6.25% November 2018 to October 2021 Mezzanine loan 1 4,700 — 4,700 — 4,700 10.00% June 2028 Preferred equity investment (see Note 3) (9)(10) 1 19,545 (173 ) 19,372 — 19,372 11.50% April 2025 Total CRE loans held for investment 1,525,321 (8,756 ) 1,516,565 (1,736 ) 1,514,829 Total loans $ 1,525,321 $ (8,756 ) $ 1,516,565 $ (1,736 ) $ 1,514,829 At December 31, 2017: CRE loans held for investment: Whole loans (7) 70 $ 1,297,164 $ (7,014 ) $ 1,290,150 $ (5,328 ) $ 1,284,822 1M LIBOR plus 3.60% to 1M LIBOR plus 6.25% February 2018 to January 2021 Total CRE loans held for investment 1,297,164 (7,014 ) 1,290,150 (5,328 ) 1,284,822 Total loans $ 1,297,164 $ (7,014 ) $ 1,290,150 $ (5,328 ) $ 1,284,822 (1) Amounts include unamortized loan origination fees of $8.5 million and $6.7 million and deferred amendment fees of $295,000 and $268,000 being amortized over the life of the loans at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. (2) Substantially all loans are pledged as collateral under various borrowings at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 . (3) LIBOR refers to the London Interbank Offered Rate. (4) Maturity dates exclude contractual extension options, subject to the satisfaction of certain terms, that may be available to the borrowers. (5) Maturity dates exclude one whole loan, with an amortized cost of $7.0 million , in default at December 31, 2017 . (6) Maturity dates exclude one whole loan, with an amortized cost of $11.5 million , in maturity default and performing with respect to debt service due in accordance with a forbearance agreement at September 30, 2018 . The loan was classified as an asset held for sale and in maturity default at December 31, 2017 . (7) Whole loans had $92.2 million and $84.1 million in unfunded loan commitments at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. These unfunded loan commitments are advanced as the borrowers formally request additional funding, as permitted under the loan agreement, and any necessary approvals have been obtained. (8) At June 30, 2018, two legacy CRE loans with amortized costs of $28.3 million were reclassified to whole loans from assets held for sale as the Company now intends to hold these loans to maturity. (9) The interest rate on the Company's preferred equity investment pays currently at 8.00% . The remaining interest is deferred until maturity. (10) Beginning in April 2023, the Company has the right to unilaterally force the sale of the underlying property. The following is a summary of the contractual maturities, assuming full exercise of the extension options available to the borrowers, of the Company's CRE loans held for investment, at amortized cost (in thousands, except amounts in footnotes): Description 2018 2019 2020 and Thereafter Total At September 30, 2018: Whole loans (1) $ — $ 80,830 $ 1,400,147 $ 1,480,977 Mezzanine loan — — 4,700 4,700 Preferred equity investment — — 19,372 19,372 Total CRE loans (1)(2) $ — $ 80,830 $ 1,424,219 $ 1,505,049 Description 2018 2019 2020 and Thereafter Total At December 31, 2017: Whole loans (2) $ — $ 148,622 $ 1,134,528 $ 1,283,150 (1) Excludes one whole loan, with an amortized cost of $11.5 million , in maturity default and performing with respect to debt service due in accordance with a forbearance agreement at September 30, 2018 . The loan was classified as an asset held for sale and in maturity default at December 31, 2017 . (2) Excludes one whole loan, with an amortized cost of $7.0 million , in default at December 31, 2017 . At September 30, 2018 , approximately 33.1% , 20.9% and 20.1% of the Company's CRE loan portfolio was concentrated in the Southwest, Pacific and Mountain regions, respectively, based on carrying value, as defined by the National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries ("NCREIF"). At December 31, 2017 , approximately 28.0% , 24.3% , and 12.5% of the Company's CRE loan portfolio was concentrated in the Southwest, Pacific and Mountain regions, respectively, based on carrying value. Principal Paydowns Receivable Principal paydowns receivable represents loan principal payments that have been received by the Company's servicers and trustees but have not been remitted to the Company. At September 30, 2018 , the Company had $44.3 million of loan principal paydowns receivable, all of which was received in cash by the Company in October 2018. At December 31, 2017 , the Company had $75.9 million of loan principal paydowns receivable, all of which was received in cash by the Company in January 2018.

FINANCING RECEIVABLES

FINANCING RECEIVABLES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Receivables [Abstract]
FINANCING RECEIVABLES	NOTE 6 - FINANCING RECEIVABLES The following tables show the activity in the allowance for loan losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and year ended December 31, 2017 and the allowance for loan losses and recorded investments in loans at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands): Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Year Ended December 31, 2017 Commercial Real Estate Loans Commercial Real Estate Loans Allowance for loan losses: Allowance for loan losses at beginning of period $ 5,328 $ 3,829 (Recovery of) provision for loan losses, net (1,260 ) 1,499 Loans charged-off (2,332 ) — Allowance for loan losses at end of period $ 1,736 $ 5,328 September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Commercial Real Estate Loans Commercial Real Estate Loans Allowance for loan losses ending balance: Individually evaluated for impairment $ — $ 2,500 Collectively evaluated for impairment $ 1,736 $ 2,828 Loans: Amortized cost ending balance: Individually evaluated for impairment $ 24,072 $ 7,000 Collectively evaluated for impairment $ 1,492,493 $ 1,283,150 Credit quality indicators Commercial Real Estate Loans CRE loans are collateralized by a diversified mix of real estate properties and are assessed for credit quality based on the collective evaluation of several factors, including but not limited to: collateral performance relative to underwritten plan, time since origination, current implied and/or reunderwritten loan-to-collateral value ratios, loan structure and exit plan. Depending on the loan's performance against these various factors, loans are rated on a scale from 1 to 5, with loans rated 1 representing loans with the highest credit quality and loans rated 5 representing loans with lowest credit quality. The factors evaluated provide general criteria to monitor credit migration in the Company's loan portfolio; as such, a loan's rating may improve or worsen, depending on new information received. The criteria set forth below should be used as general guidelines and, therefore, not every loan will have all of the characteristics described in each category below. Loans that are performing according to their underwritten plans generally will not require an allowance for loan loss. Risk Rating Risk Characteristics 1 • Property performance has surpassed underwritten expectations. • Occupancy is stabilized, the property has had a history of consistently high occupancy, and the property has a diverse and high quality tenant mix. 2 • Property performance is consistent with underwritten expectations and covenants and performance criteria are being met or exceeded. • Occupancy is stabilized, near stabilized or is on track with underwriting. 3 • Property performance lags behind underwritten expectations. • Occupancy is not stabilized and the property has some tenancy rollover. 4 • Property performance significantly lags behind underwritten expectations. Performance criteria and loan covenants have required occasional waivers. • Occupancy is not stabilized and the property has a large amount of tenancy rollover. 5 • Property performance is significantly worse than underwritten expectations. The loan is not in compliance with loan covenants and performance criteria and may be in default. Expected sale proceeds would not be sufficient to pay off the loan at maturity. • The property has a material vacancy rate and significant rollover of remaining tenants. • An updated appraisal is required. All CRE loans are evaluated for any credit deterioration by debt asset management and certain finance personnel on at least a quarterly basis. Whole loans are first individually evaluated for impairment; and to the extent not deemed impaired, a general reserve is established. The allowance for loan loss is computed as (i) 1.5% of the aggregate face values of loans rated as a 3, plus (ii) 5.0% of the aggregate face values of loans rated as a 4, plus (iii) specific allowances measured and determined on loans individually evaluated, which are loans rated as a 5. While the overall risk rating is generally not the sole factor used in determining whether a loan is impaired, a loan with a higher overall risk rating would tend to have more adverse indicators of impairment, and therefore would be more likely to experience a credit loss. The Company's mezzanine loan and preferred equity investment are evaluated individually for impairment. Credit risk profiles of CRE loans at amortized cost and legacy CRE loans held for sale at the lower of cost or fair value were as follows (in thousands, except amounts in footnotes): Rating 1 Rating 2 Rating 3 (1) Rating 4 Rating 5 (2) Held for Sale (3) Total At September 30, 2018: Whole loans $ — $ 1,376,836 $ 110,808 $ 4,849 $ — $ — $ 1,492,493 Mezzanine loan (4) — 4,700 — — — — 4,700 Preferred equity investment (4) — 19,372 — — — — 19,372 Legacy CRE loans held for sale — — — — — 17,000 17,000 $ — $ 1,400,908 $ 110,808 $ 4,849 $ — $ 17,000 $ 1,533,565 At December 31, 2017: Whole loans $ 65,589 $ 1,040,883 $ 171,841 $ 4,837 $ 7,000 $ — $ 1,290,150 Legacy CRE loans held for sale — — — — — 61,841 61,841 $ 65,589 $ 1,040,883 $ 171,841 $ 4,837 $ 7,000 $ 61,841 $ 1,351,991 (1) Includes one whole loan, with an amortized cost of $11.5 million , that was in maturity default at September 30, 2018 . The loan is performing with respect to debt service due in accordance with a forbearance agreement at September 30, 2018 . (2) Includes one whole loan, with an amortized cost of $7.0 million , that was in default at December 31, 2017 . (3) Includes one and two legacy CRE loans that were in default with total carrying values of $17.0 million and $22.5 million at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. (4) The Company's mezzanine loan and preferred equity investment are evaluated individually for impairment. At December 31, 2017 , the Company had one CRE whole loan designated as an impaired loan with a risk rating of 5 due to short term vacancy/tenant concerns and a past due maturity of February 2017. The loan had an amortized cost of $7.0 million and a carrying value of $4.5 million at December 31, 2017 . In September 2018, the note was sold for $4.7 million . Except as previously discussed, all of the Company's CRE loans, its mezzanine loan and its preferred equity investment were current with respect to contractual principal and interest at September 30, 2018 . Loan Portfolios Aging Analysis The following table presents the CRE loan portfolio aging analysis as of the dates indicated for CRE loans at amortized cost and legacy CRE loans held for sale at the lower of cost or fair value (in thousands, except amounts in footnotes): 30-59 Days 60-89 Days Greater (1)(2) Total Past Due (3) Current Total Total Loans > 90 Days and Accruing (2) At September 30, 2018: Whole loans $ — $ — $ 11,516 $ 11,516 $ 1,480,977 $ 1,492,493 $ 11,516 Mezzanine loan — — — — 4,700 4,700 — Preferred equity investment — — — — 19,372 19,372 — Legacy CRE loans held for sale — — 17,000 17,000 — 17,000 — Total loans $ — $ — $ 28,516 $ 28,516 $ 1,505,049 $ 1,533,565 $ 11,516 At December 31, 2017: Whole loans $ — $ — $ 7,000 $ 7,000 $ 1,283,150 $ 1,290,150 $ — Legacy CRE loans held for sale 11,516 — 11,000 22,516 39,325 61,841 — Total loans $ 11,516 $ — $ 18,000 $ 29,516 $ 1,322,475 $ 1,351,991 $ — (1) Includes one whole loan, with an amortized cost of $7.0 million , that was in default at December 31, 2017 . (2) Includes one whole loan, with an amortized cost of $11.5 million , that was in maturity default at September 30, 2018 . The loan is performing with respect to debt service due in accordance with a forbearance agreement at September 30, 2018 . (3) Includes one and two legacy CRE loans that were in default with total carrying values of $17.0 million and $22.5 million at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. Impaired Loans The following tables show impaired loans at December 31, 2017 (in thousands): Recorded Balance Unpaid Principal Balance Specific Allowance Average Investment in Impaired Loans Interest Income Recognized Loans without a specific valuation allowance: Whole loans $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — Loans with a specific valuation allowance: Whole loans $ 7,000 $ 7,000 $ (2,500 ) $ 7,000 $ — Total: Whole loans $ 7,000 $ 7,000 $ (2,500 ) $ 7,000 $ — The Company did not have any impaired loans at September 30, 2018 . Troubled-Debt Restructurings ("TDR") There were no TDRs for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 .

INVESTMENT SECURITIES AVAILABLE

INVESTMENT SECURITIES AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Abstract]
INVESTMENT SECURITIES AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE	NOTE 7 - INVESTMENT SECURITIES AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE The following table summarizes the Company's investment securities available-for-sale, including those pledged as collateral. As of December 31, 2017 , ABS may include, but are not limited to, the Company's investments in securities backed by syndicated corporate loans and other loan obligations. Investment securities available-for-sale are carried at fair value (in thousands, except amounts in the footnote): Amortized Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Fair Value (1) At September 30, 2018: CMBS $ 350,179 $ 3,755 $ (1,156 ) $ 352,778 Total $ 350,179 $ 3,755 $ (1,156 ) $ 352,778 At December 31, 2017: CMBS $ 210,806 $ 1,947 $ (1,174 ) $ 211,579 ABS 259 — (101 ) 158 Total $ 211,065 $ 1,947 $ (1,275 ) $ 211,737 (1) At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , $325.7 million and $169.6 million , respectively, of investment securities available-for-sale were pledged as collateral under related financings. The following table summarizes the estimated payoff dates of the Company's investment securities available-for-sale according to their estimated weighted average life classifications (in thousands, except percentages): September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Amortized Cost Fair Value Weighted Average Coupon Amortized Cost Fair Value Weighted Average Coupon Less than one year (1) $ 126,349 $ 126,749 5.40% $ 25,475 $ 25,275 5.55% Greater than one year and less than five years 70,778 70,976 5.10% 126,273 127,104 4.65% Greater than five years and less than ten years 153,052 155,053 3.83% 59,317 59,358 3.53% Total $ 350,179 $ 352,778 4.65% $ 211,065 $ 211,737 4.45% (1) The Company expects that the payoff dates of these CMBS and ABS will either be extended or that the securities will be paid off in full. At September 30, 2018 , the contractual maturities of the CMBS investment securities available-for-sale range from June 2022 to August 2061 . The following table summarizes the fair value, gross unrealized losses and number of securities aggregated by investment category and the length of time that individual investment securities available-for-sale have been in a continuous unrealized loss position during the periods specified (in thousands, except number of securities): Less than 12 Months More than 12 Months Total Fair Unrealized Losses Number of Fair Unrealized Losses Number of Fair Unrealized Losses Number of At September 30, 2018: CMBS $ 39,398 $ (350 ) 11 $ 6,286 $ (806 ) 6 $ 45,684 $ (1,156 ) 17 Total temporarily impaired securities $ 39,398 $ (350 ) 11 $ 6,286 $ (806 ) 6 $ 45,684 $ (1,156 ) 17 At December 31, 2017: CMBS $ 49,016 $ (888 ) 12 $ 1,308 $ (286 ) 4 $ 50,324 $ (1,174 ) 16 ABS 158 (101 ) 1 — — — 158 (101 ) 1 Total temporarily impaired securities $ 49,174 $ (989 ) 13 $ 1,308 $ (286 ) 4 $ 50,482 $ (1,275 ) 17 The unrealized losses in the above table are considered to be temporary impairments due to market factors and are not reflective of credit deterioration. The Company recognized no other-than-temporary impairments on its investment securities available-for-sale for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 . The following table summarizes the Company's sales of investment securities available-for-sale (in thousands, except positions sold and redeemed): For the Three Months Ended For the Nine Months Ended Positions Sold/Redeemed Par Amount Sold/Redeemed Amortized Cost Realized Gain (Loss) (1) Proceeds (2) Positions Sold/Redeemed Par Amount Sold/Redeemed Amortized Cost Realized Gain (Loss) (1) Proceeds (2) September 30, 2018: ABS — $ — $ — $ — $ — 2 $ 411 $ 265 $ (217 ) $ 48 CMBS 2 10,000 7,821 282 8,103 2 10,000 7,821 282 8,103 Total 2 $ 10,000 $ 7,821 $ 282 $ 8,103 4 $ 10,411 $ 8,086 $ 65 $ 8,151 September 30, 2017: ABS 5 $ 18,301 $ 14,249 $ (2,110 ) $ 12,647 7 $ 27,906 $ 21,723 $ (318 ) $ 19,881 CMBS 1 5,000 4,279 (254 ) 4,046 1 5,000 4,279 (254 ) 4,046 RMBS 3 153,519 1,274 (158 ) 1,116 3 153,519 1,274 (158 ) 1,116 Total 9 $ 176,820 $ 19,802 $ (2,522 ) $ 17,809 11 $ 186,425 $ 27,276 $ (730 ) $ 25,043 (1) The realized losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 exclude foreign currency exchange gains and losses on ABS sales that were hedged with foreign currency forward contracts. (2) Includes unsettled proceeds of $8.1 million , received in October 2018, from the sale of two CMBS positions during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 .

INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED E

INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED ENTITIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED ENTITIES	NOTE 8 - INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED ENTITIES The following table summarizes the Company's investments in unconsolidated entities at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 and equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 (in thousands, except percentages and amounts in footnotes): Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Unconsolidated Entities For the Three Months Ended For the Nine Months Ended Ownership % at September 30, 2018 September 30, 2018 December 31, September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 Pelium Capital (1) 80.2% $ 7 $ 10,503 $ 50 $ 54 $ (180 ) $ (22 ) RCM Global 63.8% 41 — (7 ) (61 ) — (231 ) Investment in LCC Preferred Stock (2) —% — — 411 41,048 411 41,334 RRE VIP Borrower, LLC (3) —% — — — 6 — 44 Pearlmark Mezzanine Realty Partners IV, L.P. (4) —% — — — — — 165 Subtotal 48 10,503 454 41,047 231 41,290 Investment in RCT I and II (5) 3.0% 1,548 1,548 (829 ) (689 ) (2,359 ) (1,989 ) Total $ 1,596 $ 12,051 $ (375 ) $ 40,358 $ (2,128 ) $ 39,301 (1) During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , the Company received distributions of $10.4 million and $13.6 million , respectively, on its investment in Pelium Capital Partners, L.P. ("Pelium Capital"). (2) The Company's investment in LEAF Commercial Capital, Inc. ("LCC") liquidated in July 2017 as a result of the sale of LCC. Earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 are related to the receipt of a distribution of funds formerly held in escrow accounts established as part of the sale. (3) The Company sold its investment in RRE VIP Borrower, LLC in December 2014. Earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 are related to insurance premium refunds with respect to the underlying sold properties in the portfolio. (4) The Company sold its investment in Pearlmark Mezzanine Reality Partners IV, L.P. ("Pearlmark Mezz") in May 2017. (5) During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , distributions from the trusts are recorded in interest expense on the Company's consolidated statements of operations as the investments are accounted for under the cost method. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , investments held by Pelium Capital and RCM Global LLC were substantially liquidated.

BORROWINGS

BORROWINGS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
BORROWINGS	NOTE 9 - BORROWINGS The Company historically has financed the acquisition of its investments, including investment securities and loans, through the use of secured and unsecured borrowings in the form of securitized notes, repurchase agreements, secured term facilities, warehouse facilities, convertible senior notes and trust preferred securities issuances. Certain information with respect to the Company's borrowings is summarized in the following table (in thousands, except percentages, time periods and amounts in footnotes): Principal Outstanding Unamortized Issuance Costs and Discounts Outstanding Borrowings Weighted Average Borrowing Rate Weighted Average Remaining Maturity Value of Collateral At September 30, 2018: RCC 2017-CRE5 Senior Notes $ 158,376 $ 2,312 $ 156,064 3.30% 15.8 years $ 277,156 XAN 2018-RSO6 Senior Notes 397,452 4,990 392,462 3.26% 16.7 years 514,225 Unsecured junior subordinated debentures 51,548 — 51,548 6.29% 17.9 years — 4.50% Convertible Senior Notes 143,750 14,313 129,437 4.50% 3.9 years — 6.00% Convertible Senior Notes 70,453 171 70,282 6.00% 62 days — 8.00% Convertible Senior Notes 21,182 295 20,887 8.00% 1.3 years — CRE - term repurchase facilities (1) 313,516 3,696 309,820 4.33% 1.9 years 452,697 Trust certificates - term repurchase facility (2) 47,438 319 47,119 6.11% 2.0 years 118,780 CMBS - short term repurchase agreements (3) 245,287 — 245,287 3.46% 38 days 341,289 Total $ 1,449,002 $ 26,096 $ 1,422,906 4.06% 7.9 years $ 1,704,147 Principal Outstanding Unamortized Issuance Costs and Discounts Outstanding Borrowings Weighted Average Borrowing Rate Weighted Average Remaining Maturity Value of Collateral At December 31, 2017: RCC 2015-CRE3 Senior Notes $ 85,788 $ 396 $ 85,392 4.50% 14.2 years $ 149,828 RCC 2015-CRE4 Senior Notes 90,883 407 90,476 3.65% 14.6 years 180,066 RCC 2017-CRE5 Senior Notes 244,280 3,493 240,787 2.51% 16.6 years 369,534 Unsecured junior subordinated debentures 51,548 — 51,548 5.49% 18.7 years — 4.50% Convertible Senior Notes 143,750 16,626 127,124 4.50% 4.6 years — 6.00% Convertible Senior Notes 70,453 928 69,525 6.00% 335 days — 8.00% Convertible Senior Notes 21,182 466 20,716 8.00% 2.0 years — CRE - term repurchase facilities (1) 292,511 1,013 291,498 3.82% 222 days 432,125 Trust certificates - term repurchase facilities (2) 76,714 570 76,144 5.97% 2.1 years 214,375 CMBS - short term repurchase agreements (3) 82,647 — 82,647 2.79% 14 days 131,522 CMBS - term repurchase facilities (4) 27,628 — 27,628 3.05% 121 days 38,060 Total $ 1,187,384 $ 23,899 $ 1,163,485 4.00% 7.3 years $ 1,515,510 (1) Principal outstanding includes accrued interest payable of $460,000 and $534,000 at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. (2) Principal outstanding includes accrued interest payable of $104,000 and $203,000 at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. (3) Principal outstanding includes accrued interest payable of $786,000 and $279,000 at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. (4) Principal outstanding includes accrued interest payable of $46,000 at December 31, 2017 . Securitizations The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the Company's consolidated securitizations at September 30, 2018 (in thousands): Securitization Closing Date Maturity Date End of Designated Principal Reinvestment Period (1) Total Note Paydowns Received from Closing Date through September 30, 2018 RCC 2017-CRE5 July 2017 July 2034 July 2020 $ 93,074 XAN 2018-RSO6 June 2018 June 2035 December 2020 $ — (1) The designated principal reinvestment period is the period in which principal repayments can be utilized to purchase loans held outside of the respective securitization that represent the funded commitments of existing collateral in the respective securitization that were not funded as of the date the respective securitization was closed. The investments held by the Company's securitizations collateralize the securitizations' borrowings and, as a result, are not available to the Company, its creditors, or stockholders. All senior notes of the securitizations held by the Company at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are eliminated in consolidation. RCC 2015-CRE3 In August 2018, a subsidiary of the Company exercised the optional redemption feature of Resource Capital Corp. 2015-CRE3, Ltd. ("RCC 2015-CRE3"), and all of the outstanding senior notes were paid off from the payoff proceeds of certain of the securitization's assets. RCC 2015-CRE4 In July 2018, a subsidiary of the Company exercised the optional redemption feature of Resource Capital Corp. 2015-CRE4, Ltd. ("RCC 2015-CRE4"), and all of the outstanding senior notes were paid off from the payoff proceeds of certain of the securitizations's assets. Repurchase and Credit Facilities Borrowings under the Company's repurchase agreements are guaranteed by the Company or one of its subsidiaries. The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the Company's repurchase agreements (in thousands, except percentages and amounts in footnotes): September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Outstanding Borrowings (1) Value of Collateral Number of Positions as Collateral Weighted Average Interest Rate Outstanding Borrowings (1) Value of Collateral Number of Positions as Collateral Weighted Average Interest Rate CRE - Term Repurchase Facilities Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (2) $ 109,039 $ 170,355 10 4.21% $ 179,347 $ 268,003 19 3.68% Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A. (3) 67,886 113,831 5 4.76% 112,151 164,122 9 4.05% Barclays Bank PLC (4) 132,895 168,511 8 4.22% — — — —% Trust Certificates - Term Repurchase Facilities RSO Repo SPE Trust 2015 (5) — — — —% 26,548 89,121 2 6.98% RSO Repo SPE Trust 2017 (6) 47,119 118,780 2 6.11% 49,596 125,254 2 5.43% CMBS - Short-Term Repurchase Agreements RBC Capital Markets, LLC 201,635 266,182 31 3.46% 72,131 97,745 6 2.77% JP Morgan Securities LLC 32,718 61,380 12 3.42% 10,516 33,777 2 2.93% Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. (7) 10,934 13,727 10 3.61% — — — —% CMBS - Term Repurchase Facilities Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. — — — —% 12,272 14,984 8 2.45% Deutsche Bank AG (7) — — — —% 15,356 23,076 14 3.53% Total $ 602,226 $ 912,766 $ 477,917 $ 816,082 (1) Outstanding borrowings include accrued interest payable . (2) Includes $1.9 million and $565,000 of deferred debt issuance costs at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. (3) Includes $167,000 and $448,000 of deferred debt issuance costs at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. (4) Includes $1.6 million of deferred debt issuance costs at September 30, 2018 and no deferred debt issuance costs at December 31, 2017 . (5) Includes $133,000 of deferred debt issuance costs at December 31, 2017 . (6) Includes $233,000 and $320,000 of deferred debt issuance costs at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. (7) In May 2018, the facility's term was rolled from a one -year basis, with extensions at the buyer's option, to a three -month basis. At June 30, 2018, the facility was reclassified from CMBS - term repurchase facilities to CMBS - short term repurchase agreements. The following table shows information about the amount at risk under the repurchase facilities at September 30, 2018 (in thousands, except percentages and time periods): Amount at Risk (1) Weighted Average Remaining Weighted Average At September 30, 2018: CRE - Term Repurchase Facilities Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. $ 60,183 1.8 years 4.21% Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A. $ 46,322 345 days 4.76% Barclays Bank PLC $ 34,686 2.5 years 4.22% Trust Certificates - Term Repurchase Facility RSO Repo SPE Trust 2017 $ 71,439 2.0 years 6.11% CMBS - Short-Term Repurchase Agreements RBC Capital Markets, LLC $ 65,173 37 days 3.46% JP Morgan Securities LLC $ 28,828 33 days 3.42% Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. $ 2,831 57 days 3.61% (1) Equal to the total of the estimated fair value of securities or loans sold and accrued interest receivable , minus the total of the repurchase agreement liabilities and accrued interest payable . The Company was in compliance with all covenants in each of the respective agreements at September 30, 2018 . CRE - Term Repurchase Facilities In February 2012, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company entered into a master repurchase and securities agreement (the "2012 Facility") with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. ("Wells Fargo") to finance the origination of CRE loans. In July 2018, the subsidiary entered into an amended and restated master repurchase agreement (the "2018 Facility"), in exchange for an extension fee and other reasonable costs, that maintained the $400.0 million maximum facility amount and extended the term of the facility to July 2020 with three one -year extension options exercisable at the Company's discretion. The 2018 Facility charges interest rates of one-month LIBOR plus spreads from 1.75% to 2.50% . The 2018 Facility, consistent with the 2012 Facility, contains customary events of default. The remedies for such events of default are also customary for this type of transaction and include the acceleration of all obligations of the Company to repay the purchase price for purchased assets. The 2018 Facility, consistent with the 2012 Facility, also contains margin call provisions relating to a decline in the market value of a security. Under these circumstances, Wells Fargo may require the Company to transfer cash in an amount sufficient to eliminate any margin deficit resulting from such a decline. Consistent with the guaranty agreement dated February 2012, the Company continues to guarantee the payment and performance of its subsidiaries' obligations to the lender through an amended and restated guaranty agreement dated in July 2018 (the "2018 Guaranty"), including all reasonable expenses that are incurred by the lender in connection with the enforcement of the 2018 Facility. The 2018 Guaranty includes covenants that, among other requirements, stipulate certain thresholds, including: required liquidity, required capital, total indebtedness to total equity, EBITDA to interest expense, and total indebtedness. In September 2015, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company entered into a master repurchase and securities agreement (the "Morgan Stanley Facility") with Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A. ("Morgan Stanley") to finance the origination of CRE loans. In September 2018, the Company entered into an amendment to the Morgan Stanley Facility, which reduced its maximum capacity to $67.9 million and extended the maturity date through September 2019. In October 2018, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company entered into a master repurchase agreement (the "JPMorgan Chase Facility") with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. ("JPMorgan Chase") to finance the origination of CRE loans. The JPMorgan Chase Facility has a maximum facility amount of $250.0 million , charges interest of one-month LIBOR plus a spread between 2.00% and 2.25% and matures in October 2021 , subject to two one -year extension options in accordance with the facility's terms. The Company paid a structuring fee to JPMorgan Chase as well as other reasonable closing costs. The JPMorgan Chase Facility contains margin call provisions that provide JPMorgan Chase with certain rights if the value of purchased assets declines. Under these circumstances, JPMorgan Chase may require the Company to transfer cash in an amount necessary to eliminate such margin deficit or repurchase the asset(s) that resulted in the margin call. In connection with the JPMorgan Chase Facility, the Company guaranteed the payment and performance under the JPMorgan Chase Facility pursuant to a guarantee agreement (the "JPMorgan Chase Guarantee") subject to a limit of 25% of the then currently unpaid aggregate repurchase price of all purchased assets. The JPMorgan Chase Guarantee includes certain financial covenants required of the Company, including required liquidity, required capital, ratios of total indebtedness to equity and EBITDA requirements. Also, RCC Real Estate, the direct owner of the wholly-owned subsidiary, executed a pledge agreement with JPMorgan Chase pursuant to which it pledged and granted to JPMorgan Chase a continuing security interest in any and all of its right, title and interest in and to the wholly-owned subsidiary, including all distributions, proceeds, payments, income and profits from its interests in the wholly-owned subsidiary. The JPMorgan Chase Facility specifies events of default, subject to certain materiality thresholds and grace periods, customary for this type of financing arrangement. The remedies for such events of default are also customary for this type of financing arrangement and include the acceleration of the principal amount outstanding under the JPMorgan Chase Facility and the liquidation by JPMorgan Chase of purchased assets then subject to the JPMorgan Chase Facility. Trust Certificates - Term Repurchase Facilities In November 2015, a subsidiary entered into a repurchase and securities agreement (the "2015 Term Repurchase Trust Facility") with RSO Repo SPE Trust 2015, a structure that provides financing under a structured sale of trust certificates to qualified institutional buyers through an offering led by Wells Fargo Securities, LLC. In July 2018, the 2015 Term Repurchase Trust Facility was paid off as a result of the exercise of the optional redemption of RCC 2015-CRE4. Contractual maturity dates of the Company's borrowings' principal outstanding by category and year are presented in the table below at September 30, 2018 (in thousands): Total 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 and Thereafter At September 30, 2018: CRE securitizations $ 555,828 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 555,828 Unsecured junior subordinated debentures 51,548 — — — — 51,548 4.50% Convertible Senior Notes 143,750 — — — — 143,750 6.00% Convertible Senior Notes 70,453 70,453 — — — — 8.00% Convertible Senior Notes 21,182 — — 21,182 — — Repurchase and credit facilities 606,241 245,287 68,052 158,386 134,516 — Total $ 1,449,002 $ 315,740 $ 68,052 $ 179,568 $ 134,516 $ 751,126

SHARE ISSUANCE AND REPURCHASE

SHARE ISSUANCE AND REPURCHASE	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
SHARE ISSUANCE AND REPURCHASE	NOTE 10 - SHARE ISSUANCE AND REPURCHASE In January 2018, the Company redeemed all shares of its 8.50% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock ("Series A Preferred Stock") and 930,983 shares of its 8.25% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock ("Series B Preferred Stock") at redemption prices of $25.00 per share plus accrued but unpaid distributions. The total redemption cost of $50.0 million was reported as a preferred stock redemption liability on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2017 . In March 2018, the Company redeemed all remaining shares of its Series B Preferred Stock at a redemption price of $25.00 per share, or $115.3 million , plus accrued but unpaid distributions, resulting in a preferred stock redemption charge of $7.5 million on the consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 . On or after July 30, 2024 , the Company may, at its option, redeem its 8.625% Fixed-to-Floating Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock ("Series C Preferred Stock"), in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, for cash at $25.00 per share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends, if any, to the redemption date. Effective July 30, 2024 and thereafter, the Company will pay cumulative distributions on the Series C Preferred Stock at a floating rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus 5.927% per annum based on the $25.00 liquidation preference, provided that such floating rate shall not be less than the initial rate of 8.625% at any date of determination. Under a share repurchase plan authorized by the Board in August 2015, the Company was authorized to repurchase up to $50.0 million of its outstanding equity and debt securities. In March 2016, the Company's Board approved a new securities repurchase program for up to $50.0 million of its outstanding securities, which replaced the August 2015 repurchase plan. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , the Company did not repurchase any shares of its common or preferred stock through this program. At September 30, 2018 , $44.9 million remains available under this repurchase plan. At September 30, 2018 , the Company had 4.8 million shares of Series C Preferred Stock outstanding, with a weighted average issuance price, excluding offering costs, of $25.00 .

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION	NOTE 11 - SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION The following table summarizes the Company's restricted common stock transactions: Non-Employee Directors Non-Employees (1) Former Employees Total Unvested shares at January 1, 2018 34,565 419,541 28,967 483,073 Issued 27,032 209,355 — 236,387 Vested (33,193 ) (238,792 ) (23,158 ) (295,143 ) Forfeited — (1,725 ) — (1,725 ) Unvested shares at September 30, 2018 28,404 388,379 5,809 422,592 (1) Non-employees are employees of C-III or Resource America, Inc. ("Resource America"). The Company is required to value any unvested shares of restricted common stock granted to non-employees at the current market price. The fair values at grant date of the shares of restricted common stock granted to non-employees during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 were $2.0 million and $2.7 million , respectively. The fair values at grant date of shares of restricted common stock issued to the Company's eight non-employee directors during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 were $255,000 and $325,000 , respectively. At September 30, 2018 , the total unrecognized restricted common stock expense for non-employees was $1.8 million , with a weighted average amortization period remaining of 2.0 years . At December 31, 2017 , the total unrecognized restricted common stock expense for non-employees was $1.4 million , with a weighted average amortization period remaining of 2.0 years . The following table summarizes restricted common stock grants during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 : Grant Date Shares Vesting per Year Vesting Date(s) January 18, 2018 209,355 33.3% January 18, 2019, January 18, 2020 and January 18, 2021 February 1, 2018 3,727 100.0% February 1, 2019 March 8, 2018 16,302 100.0% March 8, 2019 June 1, 2018 3,493 100.0% June 1, 2019 June 6, 2018 3,510 100.0% June 6, 2019 The following table summarizes the status of the Company's vested stock options at September 30, 2018 : Vested Options Number of Options Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years) Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands) Vested at January 1, 2018 10,000 $ 25.60 Vested — — Exercised — — Forfeited — — Expired — — Vested at September 30, 2018 10,000 $ 25.60 2.63 $ — There were no options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 or 2017 . The outstanding stock options have contractual terms of ten years and will expire in 2021. The components of equity compensation expense for the periods presented are as follows (in thousands): For the Three Months Ended For the Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Restricted shares granted to non-employees (1) $ 685 $ 817 $ 2,166 $ 2,207 Restricted shares granted to non-employee directors 72 78 217 210 Total equity compensation expense (2) $ 757 $ 895 $ 2,383 $ 2,417 (1) Non-employees are employees of C-III or Resource America. (2) Amounts exclude equity compensation expense for employees of Primary Capital Mortgage, LLC ("PCM"), which is included in net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax on the consolidated statements of operations during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 . Under the Company's Third Amended and Restated Management Agreement ("Management Agreement"), incentive compensation is paid quarterly. Up to 75% of the incentive compensation is paid in cash and at least 25% is paid in the form of an award of common stock, recorded in management fee on the consolidated statements of operations. The Manager received no incentive management fee for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 . The Manager earned approximately 51,300 shares as incentive compensation valued at approximately $539,000 for the three and nine months ended 2017 . All equity awards, apart from incentive compensation under the Management Agreement, are discretionary in nature and subject to approval by the compensation committee of the Company's Board.

EARNINGS PER SHARE

EARNINGS PER SHARE	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
EARNINGS PER SHARE	NOTE 12 - EARNINGS PER SHARE The following table presents a reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings (losses) per share for the periods presented as follows (in thousands, except share and per share amounts): For the Three Months Ended For the Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Net income from continuing operations $ 8,260 $ 24,745 $ 17,312 $ 46,487 Net income allocated to preferred shares (2,588 ) (6,014 ) (10,385 ) (18,043 ) Consideration paid in excess of carrying value of preferred shares — — (7,482 ) — Net loss allocable to non-controlling interest, net of taxes — — — 196 Net income (loss) from continuing operations allocable to common shares 5,672 18,731 (555 ) 28,640 Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax 364 (6,087 ) 161 (10,832 ) Net income (loss) allocable to common shares $ 6,036 $ 12,644 $ (394 ) $ 17,808 Net income (loss) per common share - basic: Weighted average number of shares outstanding 31,229,969 30,857,232 31,186,057 30,810,259 Continuing operations $ 0.18 $ 0.61 $ (0.02 ) $ 0.93 Discontinued operations 0.01 (0.20 ) 0.01 (0.35 ) Net income (loss) per common share - basic $ 0.19 $ 0.41 $ (0.01 ) $ 0.58 Net income (loss) per common share - diluted: Weighted average number of shares outstanding 31,229,969 30,857,232 31,186,057 30,810,259 Additional shares due to assumed conversion of dilutive instruments 247,429 257,920 — 206,849 Adjusted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding 31,477,398 31,115,152 31,186,057 31,017,108 Continuing operations $ 0.18 $ 0.61 $ (0.02 ) $ 0.92 Discontinued operations 0.01 (0.20 ) 0.01 (0.35 ) Net income (loss) per common share - diluted $ 0.19 $ 0.41 $ (0.01 ) $ 0.57 Potentially dilutive shares excluded from calculation due to anti-dilutive effect (1) 14,937,427 12,215,259 14,937,427 10,085,439 (1) Potentially dilutive shares issuable in connection with the potential conversion of the Company's 4.50% convertible senior notes due 2022 (" 4.50% Convertible Senior Notes"), 6.00% convertible senior notes due 2018 (" 6.00% Convertible Senior Notes") and 8.00% convertible senior notes due 2020 (" 8.00% Convertible Senior Notes") ( see Note 9 ) were not included in the calculation of diluted net income (loss) per share because the effect would be anti-dilutive.

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Equity [Abstract]
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	NOTE 13 - ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME The following table presents the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 (in thousands): Net Unrealized Gain on Derivatives Net Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investment Securities Available-for-Sale Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Balance at January 1, 2018 $ 602 $ 695 $ 1,297 Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 2,428 1,969 4,397 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (1) — (65 ) (65 ) Balance at September 30, 2018 $ 3,030 $ 2,599 $ 5,629 (1) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income are reclassified to net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities available-for-sale and loans and derivatives on the Company's consolidated statements of operations.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS	NOTE 14 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS Relationship with C-III and Certain of its Subsidiaries. The Manager is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resource America, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of C-III, a leading CRE investment management and services company engaged in a broad range of activities, including primary and special loan servicing, loan origination, fund management, CDO management, principal investment, zoning due diligence, investment sales and multifamily property management. C-III is indirectly controlled and partially owned by Island Capital Group LLC ("Island Capital"), of which Andrew L. Farkas, the Company's Chairman, is the managing member. Mr. Farkas is also chairman and chief executive officer of C-III. In addition, Robert C. Lieber, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, is an executive managing director of both C-III and Island Capital. Matthew J. Stern, the Company's President, is a senior managing director of both C-III and Island Capital. Jeffrey P. Cohen, who is a member of the Company's Board, is an executive managing director of C-III and president of Island Capital. Those officers and the Company's other executive officers are also officers of the Company's Manager, Resource America, C-III and/or affiliates of those companies. At September 30, 2018 , C-III indirectly beneficially owned 766,718 , or 2.4% , of the Company's outstanding common shares. The Company has a Management Agreement with the Manager, amended and restated on December 14, 2017, pursuant to which the Manager provides the day-to-day management of the Company's operations and receives substantial fees. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 , the Manager earned base management fees of approximately $2.8 million and $8.4 million , respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 , the Manager earned base management fees of $2.7 million and $8.0 million , respectively. No incentive management fees were earned for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 . For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 , the Manager earned incentive management fees of $2.2 million , of which $1.6 million was paid in cash and approximately $539,000 was paid in common stock. At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , $938,000 and $1.0 million , respectively, of base management fees were payable by the Company to the Manager. The Manager and its affiliates provide the Company with a Chief Financial Officer and a sufficient number of additional accounting, finance, tax and investor relations professionals. The Company reimburses the Manager's and its affiliates' expenses for (a) the wages, salaries and benefits of the Chief Financial Officer, (b) a portion of the wages, salaries and benefits of accounting, finance, tax and investor relations professionals, in proportion to such personnel's percentage of time allocated to the Company's operations, and (c) personnel principally devoted to the Company's ancillary operating subsidiaries. The Company reimburses out-of-pocket expenses and certain other costs incurred by the Manager and its affiliates that relate directly to the Company's operations. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 , the Company reimbursed the Manager $1.2 million and $4.0 million , respectively, for all such compensation and costs. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 , the Company reimbursed the Manager $1.2 million and $4.2 million , respectively, for all such compensation and costs. At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , the Company had payables to Resource America and its subsidiaries pursuant to the Management Agreement aggregating approximately $373,000 and $629,000 , respectively. The Company's base management fee payable and expense reimbursements payable are recorded in management fee payable and accounts payable and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets, respectively. At September 30, 2018 , the Company retained equity in five securitizations that were structured for the Company by the Manager, although three of the securitizations had been substantially liquidated as of September 30, 2018 . Under the Management Agreement, the Manager was not separately compensated by the Company for executing these transactions and is not separately compensated for managing the securitization entities and their assets. Relationship with Resource Real Estate, LLC. Resource Real Estate, LLC ("Resource Real Estate"), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Resource America and C-III, originates, finances and manages the Company's CRE loan portfolio. The Company reimburses Resource Real Estate for loan origination costs associated with all loans originated. At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , the Company had receivables from Resource Real Estate for loan deposits of $488,000 and $185,000 , respectively. Resource Real Estate served as special servicer for the following liquidated real estate securitization transactions, which provided financing for CRE loans: (i) Resource Capital Corp. CRE Notes 2013, Ltd. ("RCC CRE Notes 2013"), a $307.8 million securitization that closed in December 2013 and liquidated in December 2016; (ii) Resource Capital Corp. 2014-CRE2, Ltd. ("RCC 2014-CRE2"), a $353.9 million securitization that closed in July 2014 and liquidated in August 2017; (iii) RCC 2015-CRE3, a $346.2 million securitization that closed in February 2015 and liquidated in August 2018; and (iv) RCC 2015-CRE4, a $312.9 million securitization that closed in August 2015 and liquidated in July 2018. Resource Real Estate serves as special servicer for Resource Capital Corp. 2017-CRE5, Ltd. ("RCC 2017-CRE5"), a $376.7 million securitization that closed in July 2017. With respect to each specially serviced mortgage loan, Resource Real Estate receives a special servicing fee, payable monthly and on an asset-by-asset basis, equal to the product of (a) the special servicing fee rate, 0.25% per annum, multiplied by (b) the outstanding principal balance of such specially serviced mortgage loan. Resource Real Estate did not earn any special servicing fees during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 . Relationship with C3AM and C-III Commercial Mortgage. C3AM serves as the primary servicer for RCC 2017-CRE5 and Exantas Capital Corp. 2018-RSO6, Ltd. ("XAN 2018-RSO6"), a $514.2 million securitization that closed in June 2018, and receives a servicing fee, payable monthly and on an asset-by-asset basis, equal to the product of (a) the servicing fee rate, 0.05% per annum, multiplied by (b) the outstanding principal balance of each mortgage loan for each securitization. C3AM serves as special servicer for C40 and XAN 2018-RSO6, under which it receives a special servicing fee equal to the product of (a) the special servicing fee rate, 0.25% per annum, multiplied by (b) the outstanding principal balance of such specially serviced mortgage loan. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 , C3AM earned approximately $109,000 and $217,000 , respectively, in servicing fees. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 , C3AM earned approximately $46,000 in servicing fees. C3AM did not earn any special servicing fees during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 . The Company had payables to C3AM of approximately $29,000 and $14,000 at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. In October 2017, C-III Commercial Mortgage LLC contributed loans to collateralize the C40 securitization, amounting to 10.2% of the total collateral pool value to the securitization.

DISTRIBUTIONS

DISTRIBUTIONS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
DISTRIBUTIONS [Abstract]
DISTRIBUTIONS	NOTE 15 - DISTRIBUTIONS For the quarters ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , the Company declared and subsequently paid dividends of $0.15 and $0.05 per common share, respectively. In order to qualify as a REIT, the Company must currently distribute at least 90% of its taxable income. In addition, the Company must distribute 100% of its taxable income in order to not be subject to corporate federal income taxes on retained income. The Company anticipates it will distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its stockholders. Because taxable income differs from cash flow from operations due to non-cash revenues or expenses (such as provisions for loan and lease losses and depreciation), in certain circumstances the Company may generate operating cash flow in excess of its distributions or, alternatively, may be required to borrow funds to make sufficient distribution payments. The Company's 2018 dividends are, and will be, determined by the Company's Board, which will also consider the composition of any dividends declared, including the option of paying a portion in cash and the balance in additional shares of common stock. The following tables present dividends declared (on a per share basis) for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , year ended December 31, 2017 and for the period from January 1, 2018 through March 26, 2018 with respect to the Company's Series B Preferred Stock: Common Stock Date Paid Total Dividend (in thousands) 2018 March 31 April 27 $ 1,584 $ 0.05 June 30 July 27 $ 3,165 $ 0.10 September 30 October 26 $ 4,749 $ 0.15 2017 March 31 April 27 $ 1,568 $ 0.05 June 30 July 28 $ 1,567 $ 0.05 September 30 October 27 $ 1,566 $ 0.05 December 31 January 26, 2018 $ 1,572 $ 0.05 Series A Preferred Stock Series B Preferred Stock Series C Preferred Stock Date Paid Total Dividend Date Paid Total Dividend Date Paid Total Dividend (in thousands) (in thousands) (in thousands) 2018 March 26 N/A N/A N/A March 26 $ 1,480 $ 0.320830 N/A N/A N/A March 31 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A April 30 $ 2,588 $ 0.539063 June 30 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A July 30 $ 2,588 $ 0.539063 September 30 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A October 30 $ 2,588 $ 0.539063 2017 March 31 May 1 $ 568 $ 0.531250 May 1 $ 2,859 $ 0.515625 May 1 $ 2,588 $ 0.539063 June 30 July 31 $ 568 $ 0.531250 July 31 $ 2,859 $ 0.515625 July 31 $ 2,588 $ 0.539063 September 30 October 30 $ 568 $ 0.531250 October 30 $ 2,859 $ 0.515625 October 30 $ 2,588 $ 0.539063 December 31 January 30, 2018 $ 568 $ 0.531250 January 30, 2018 $ 2,859 $ 0.515625 January 30, 2018 $ 2,588 $ 0.539063

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUM

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	NOTE 16 - FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS The following table presents the Company's financial instruments carried at fair value on a recurring basis based upon the fair value hierarchy (in thousands): Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total At September 30, 2018: Assets: Investment securities available-for-sale $ — $ — $ 352,778 $ 352,778 Derivatives — 2,665 — 2,665 Total assets at fair value $ — $ 2,665 $ 352,778 $ 355,443 At December 31, 2017: Assets: Investment securities available-for-sale $ — $ — $ 211,737 $ 211,737 Derivatives — 602 — 602 Total assets at fair value $ — $ 602 $ 211,737 $ 212,339 Liabilities: Derivatives $ — $ 76 $ — $ 76 Total liabilities at fair value $ — $ 76 $ — $ 76 In accordance with guidance on fair value measurements and disclosures, the Company is not required to disclose quantitative information with respect to unobservable inputs contained in fair value measurements that are not developed by the Company. As a consequence, the Company has not disclosed such information associated with fair values obtained for investment securities available-for-sale and derivatives from third-party pricing sources. The following table presents additional information about the Company's assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis for which the Company has utilized Level 3 inputs (in thousands, except amount in footnote): CMBS ABS Total Balance, January 1, 2018 $ 211,579 $ 158 $ 211,737 Included in earnings 2,492 (217 ) 2,275 Purchases 159,116 — 159,116 Sales (8,103 ) (48 ) (8,151 ) Paydowns (14,132 ) — (14,132 ) Capitalized interest — 7 7 Included in OCI 1,826 100 1,926 Balance, September 30, 2018 $ 352,778 $ — $ 352,778 The Company reclassified securities and loans held for sale, measured at fair value utilizing Level 3 inputs, into other assets on its consolidated balance sheets that did not have any balances at September 30, 2018 and had balances of $178,000 and $13,000 , respectively, at December 31, 2017 . Legacy CRE loans are measured at the lower of cost or market on a nonrecurring basis. To determine fair value of the legacy CRE loans, the Company primarily uses appraisals obtained from third-parties as a practical expedient. The Company may also use the present value of estimated cash flows, market price, if available, or other determinants of the fair value of the collateral less estimated disposition costs. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 , the Company recorded losses of $1.6 million and $6.3 million , respectively, on one legacy CRE loan, which included protective advances to cover borrower operating losses of $600,000 and $772,000 , respectively, to adjust the loan to the average value of two appraisals, less estimated costs to repair the underlying collateral, equal to $17.0 million at September 30, 2018 . The loan had a carrying value of $22.5 million at December 31, 2017 . The capitalization rates used in the updated appraisals were 9.25% and 9.75% at September 30, 2018 . The Company is required to disclose the fair value of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value. The fair values of the Company's short-term financial instruments such as cash and cash equivalents , restricted cash , accrued interest receivable , principal paydowns receivable , accrued interest payable and distributions payable approximate their carrying values on the consolidated balance sheets. The fair values of the Company's investment securities available-for-sale are reported in Note 7 . The fair values of the Company's derivative instruments are reported in Note 17 . The fair values of the Company's loans held for investment are measured by discounting the expected future cash flows using the current interest rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities. Fair values of loans with variable interest rates are expected to approximate fair value. Fair values of loans with fixed rates are calculated using the net present values of future cash flows, discounted at market rates. The Company's CRE loans have interest rates from 4.61% to 8.36% and 5.06% to 7.63% at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. The fair value of the Company's mezzanine loan is measured by discounting the expected cash flows using the future expected coupon rate. The Company's mezzanine loan is discounted at a rate of 10.63% . The fair value of the Company's preferred equity investment is measured by discounting the expected cash flows using the future expected coupon rates. The Company's preferred equity investment is discounted at a rate of 12.78% . Senior notes in CRE securitizations are valued using dealer quotes, typically sourced from the dealer who underwrote the applicable CRE securitization. The fair values of the junior subordinated notes RCT I and RCT II are estimated by using a discounted cash flow model with discount rates of 11.34% and 11.34% , respectively. The fair value of the convertible notes is determined using a discounted cash flow model that discounts the expected future cash flows using current interest rates on similar debts that do not have a conversion option. The 6.00% Convertible Senior Notes are discounted at a rate of 4.54% , the 8.00% Convertible Senior Notes are discounted at a rate of 4.92% and the 4.50% Convertible Senior Notes are discounted at a rate of 7.17% . Repurchase agreements are variable rate debt instruments indexed to LIBOR that reset periodically and, as a result, their carrying value approximates their fair value, excluding deferred debt issuance costs. The fair values of the Company's remaining financial instruments that are not reported at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets are reported in the following table (in thousands): Fair Value Measurements Carrying Amount Fair Value Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets of Liabilities (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) At September 30, 2018: Assets: CRE whole loans held for investment $ 1,490,757 $ 1,501,076 $ — $ — $ 1,501,076 Legacy CRE loans held for sale $ 17,000 $ 17,000 $ — $ — $ 17,000 CRE mezzanine loan $ 4,700 $ 4,700 $ — $ — $ 4,700 CRE preferred equity investment $ 19,372 $ 19,545 $ — $ — $ 19,545 Liabilities: Senior notes in CRE securitizations $ 548,526 $ 556,930 $ — $ — $ 556,930 Junior subordinated notes $ 51,548 $ 29,200 $ — $ — $ 29,200 Convertible notes $ 220,606 $ 235,385 $ — $ — $ 235,385 Repurchase agreements $ 602,226 $ 606,155 $ — $ — $ 606,155 At December 31, 2017: Assets: CRE whole loans held for investment $ 1,284,822 $ 1,294,664 $ — $ — $ 1,294,664 Legacy CRE loans held for sale $ 61,841 $ 62,841 $ — $ — $ 62,841 Liabilities: Senior notes in CRE securitizations $ 416,655 $ 420,084 $ — $ — $ 420,084 Junior subordinated notes $ 51,548 $ 26,574 $ — $ — $ 26,574 Convertible notes $ 217,365 $ 235,385 $ — $ — $ 235,385 Repurchase agreements $ 477,917 $ 479,383 $ — $ — $ 479,383

MARKET RISK AND DERIVATIVE INST

MARKET RISK AND DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
MARKET RISK AND DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS	NOTE 17 - MARKET RISK AND DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS The Company is affected by changes in certain market conditions. These changes in market conditions may adversely impact the Company's financial performance and are referred to as "market risks." When deemed appropriate, the Company uses derivatives as a risk management tool to mitigate the potential impact of certain market risks. The primary market risk managed by the Company through the use of derivative instruments is interest rate risk. The Company may hold various derivatives in the ordinary course of business, including interest rate swaps. Interest rate swaps are contracts between two parties to exchange cash flows based on specified underlying notional amounts, assets and/or indices. A significant market risk to the Company is interest rate risk. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental monetary and tax policies, domestic and international economic and political considerations and other factors beyond the Company's control. Changes in the general level of interest rates can affect net interest income, which is the difference between the interest income earned on interest-earning assets and the interest expense incurred in connection with the interest-bearing liabilities. Changes in the level of interest rates also can affect the value of the Company's interest-earning assets and the Company's ability to realize gains from the sale of these assets. A decline in the value of the Company's interest-earning assets pledged as collateral for borrowings could result in the counterparties demanding additional collateral pledges or liquidation of some of the existing collateral to reduce borrowing levels. The Company seeks to manage the extent to which net income changes as a function of changes in interest rates by matching adjustable-rate assets with variable-rate borrowings. The Company seeks to mitigate the potential impact on net income (loss) of adverse fluctuations in interest rates incurred on its borrowings by entering into hedging agreements. The Company classifies its interest rate risk hedges as cash flow hedges, which are hedges that eliminate the risk of changes in the cash flows of a financial asset or liability. The Company records changes in fair value of derivatives designated and effective as cash flow hedges in accumulated other comprehensive income, and records changes in fair value of derivatives designated and ineffective as cash flow hedges in earnings. At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , the Company had 18 and seven , respectively, interest rate swap contracts outstanding whereby the Company paid a weighted average fixed rate of 2.51% and 2.08% , respectively, and received a variable rate equal to one-month LIBOR. The aggregate notional amount of these contracts was $85.0 million and $41.8 million at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. The counterparty for the Company's designated interest rate hedge contracts at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 was Wells Fargo. At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , the estimated fair value of the Company's assets related to interest rate swaps was $2.7 million and $602,000 , respectively. The Company had aggregate unrealized gains of $2.7 million and $602,000 on its active interest rate swaps at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively, which are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income on the consolidated balance sheets. In September 2018, the Company elected to partially terminate one interest rate swap and recognized a gain of $366,000 in accumulated other comprehensive income on the consolidated balance sheets, to be amortized into earnings over the remaining life of the remaining debt. The Company incurred interest expense of $18,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 to fully amortize the remaining accumulated other comprehensive loss on a swap agreement that was terminated in April 2016. The Company did not record any interest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and the three months ended September 30, 2017 relating to amortization of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for terminated swap agreements. The Company had a master netting agreement with Wells Fargo at September 30, 2018 . Regulations promulgated under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 mandate that the Company clear certain new interest rate swap transactions through a central counterparty. Transactions that are centrally cleared result in the Company facing a clearing house, rather than a swap dealer, as counterparty. Central clearing requires the Company to post collateral in the form of initial and variation margin to satisfy potential future obligations. At September 30, 2018 , the Company had centrally cleared interest rate swaps with fair values in an asset position of $2.7 million . At December 31, 2017 , the Company had centrally cleared interest rate swap contracts with a fair value in an asset position of $602,000 . The following tables present the fair value of the Company's derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the Company's consolidated balance sheets and on the consolidated statements of operations for the periods presented: Fair Value of Derivative Instruments at September 30, 2018 (in thousands) Asset Derivatives Notional Amount Consolidated Balance Sheets Location Fair Value Interest rate swap contracts, hedging (1) $ 85,011 Derivatives, at fair value $ 2,665 Liability Derivatives Notional Amount Consolidated Balance Sheets Location Fair Value Interest rate swap contracts, hedging $ 85,011 Accumulated other comprehensive income $ 3,030 (1) Interest rate swap contracts are accounted for as cash flow hedges. Fair Value of Derivative Instruments at December 31, 2017 (in thousands, except amount in footnotes) Asset Derivatives Notional Amount Consolidated Balance Sheets Location Fair Value Interest rate swap contracts, hedging (1) $ 41,750 Derivatives, at fair value $ 602 Liability Derivatives Notional Amount Consolidated Balance Sheets Location Fair Value Forward contracts - foreign currency, hedging (2)(3) $ 3,602 Derivatives, at fair value $ 76 Interest rate swap contracts, hedging $ 41,750 Accumulated other comprehensive income $ 602 (1) Interest rate swap contracts are accounted for as cash flow hedges. (2) Foreign currency forward contracts are accounted for as fair value hedges. (3) Notional amount is presented on a currency converted basis. The base currency notional amount of the Company's foreign currency hedging forward contracts in a liability position was €3.0 million at December 31, 2017 . The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 (in thousands) Derivatives Consolidated Statements of Operations Location Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) (1) Interest rate swap contracts, hedging Interest expense $ (141 ) (1) Negative values indicate a decrease to the associated consolidated statements of operations line items. The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 (in thousands) Derivatives Consolidated Statements of Operations Location Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) (1) Interest rate swap contracts, hedging Interest expense $ (53 ) Forward contracts - foreign currency, hedging Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities available-for-sale and loans and derivatives $ (1,998 ) (1) Negative values indicate a decrease to the associated consolidated statements of operations line items.

OFFSETTING OF FINANCIAL ASSETS

OFFSETTING OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Offsetting [Abstract]
OFFSETTING OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES	NOTE 18 - OFFSETTING OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES The following table presents a summary of the Company's offsetting of derivative assets (in thousands, except amounts in footnotes): (iv) (i) (ii) (iii) = (i) - (ii) Financial Cash (v) = (iii) - (iv) At September 30, 2018: Derivatives, at fair value (1) $ 2,665 $ — $ 2,665 $ — $ — $ 2,665 At December 31, 2017: Derivatives, at fair value (1) $ 602 $ — $ 602 $ — $ — $ 602 (1) The Company posted cash margin of $1.0 million and $1.9 million related to interest rate swap contracts outstanding at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. The following table presents a summary of the Company's offsetting of financial liabilities and derivative liabilities (in thousands, except amounts in footnotes): (iv) (i) (ii) (iii) = (i) - (ii) Financial (1) Cash (v) = (iii) - (iv) At September 30, 2018: Repurchase agreements and term facilities (2) $ 602,226 $ — $ 602,226 $ 602,226 $ — $ — Total $ 602,226 $ — $ 602,226 $ 602,226 $ — $ — At December 31, 2017: Derivatives, at fair value $ 76 $ — $ 76 $ — $ — $ 76 Repurchase agreements and term facilities (2) 477,917 — 477,917 477,917 — — Total $ 477,993 $ — $ 477,993 $ 477,917 $ — $ 76 (1) Amounts represent financial instruments pledged that are available to be offset against liability balances associated with term facilities, repurchase agreements and derivatives. (2) The combined fair value of securities and loans pledged against the Company's various repurchase agreements and term facilities was $912.8 million and $816.1 million at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. All balances associated with repurchase agreements and derivatives are presented on a gross basis on the Company's consolidated balance sheets. Certain of the Company's repurchase agreements and derivative transactions are governed by underlying agreements that generally provide for a right of offset in the event of default or in the event of a bankruptcy of either party to the transaction.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	NOTE 19 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES The Company may become involved in litigation on various matters due to the nature of the Company's business activities. The resolution of these matters may result in adverse judgments, fines, penalties, injunctions and other relief against the Company as well as monetary payments or other agreements and obligations. In addition, the Company may enter into settlements on certain matters in order to avoid the additional costs of engaging in litigation. Except as discussed below, the Company is unaware of any contingencies arising from such litigation that would require accrual or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements at September 30, 2018 . Open Litigation Matters Six separate shareholder derivative suits (the "New York State Actions") purporting to assert claims on behalf of the Company were filed in the Supreme Court of New York on the following dates: December 2015 (the "Reaves Action"), February 2017 (the "Caito Action"), March 2017 (the "Simpson Action"), March 2017 (the "Heckel Action"), May 2017 (the "Schwartz Action") and August 2017 (the "Greff Action"). Plaintiffs in the Schwartz Action and Greff Action made demands on the Company's Board before filing suit, but plaintiffs in the Reaves Action, Caito Action, Simpson Action and Heckel Action did not. All of the shareholder derivative suits are substantially similar and allege that certain of the Company's current and former officers and directors breached their fiduciary duties, wasted corporate assets and/or were unjustly enriched. Certain complaints assert additional claims against the Manager and Resource America for unjust enrichment based on allegations that the Manager received excessive management fees from the Company. In June 2017, the Court stayed the Reaves Action, Caito Action, Simpson Action and Heckel Action (collectively, the "New York State Demand Futile Actions") in favor of the federal shareholder derivative litigation described below. The Company's time to respond to the complaints in the Schwartz Action and Greff Action is presently stayed by stipulation of the parties. The Company believes that the plaintiffs in each of the New York State Actions lack standing to assert claims derivatively on its behalf, and it intends to seek the dismissal of any New York State Action as to which the stay is lifted. Four separate shareholder derivative suits purporting to assert claims on behalf of the Company were filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (the "Court") on the following dates by shareholders who declined to make a demand on the Board prior to filing suit: January 2017 (the "Greenberg Action"), January 2017 (the "Canoles Action"), January 2017 (the "DeCaro Action") and April 2017 (the "Gehan Action"). In May 2017, the Court consolidated the Greenberg Action, Canoles Action, DeCaro Action and Gehan Action as the "Federal Demand Futile Actions" and, in July 2017, appointed lead counsel and directed that a consolidated complaint be filed. Following consolidation, the plaintiffs in the Canoles Action and Gehan Action voluntarily dismissed their suits. The consolidated complaint in the Federal Demand Futile Actions, filed in August 2017, alleged claims for breach of fiduciary duty, corporate waste, unjust enrichment and violations of Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In April 2018, the consolidated complaint in the Federal Demand Futile Actions was dismissed, but such dismissal is currently on appeal. Three additional shareholder derivative suits purporting to assert claims on behalf of the Company were filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on the following dates by shareholders who served demands on the Board to bring litigation and allege that their demands were wrongfully refused: February 2017 (the "McKinney Action"), March 2017 (the "Sherek/Speigel Action") and April 2017 (the "Sebenoler Action"). In May 2017, the Court consolidated the McKinney Action, Sherek/Speigel Action and Sebenoler Action as the "Federal Demand Refused Actions." A consolidated complaint was filed on June 30, 2017, alleging claims for breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment and violations of Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The consolidated complaint in the Federal Demand Refused Actions was dismissed in February 2018 but such dismissal is currently on appeal. In August 2017, Robert Canoles filed a shareholder derivative suit in Maryland Circuit Court against certain of the Company's current and former officers and directors, as well as the Manager and Resource America (the "Canoles Action"). Mr. Canoles had previously filed his suit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, but voluntarily dismissed that action after the Court declined to appoint his counsel as lead counsel in the Federal Demand Futile Actions. The complaint in the Canoles Action, as amended in October 2017, asserts a variety of claims, including claims for breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment and corporate waste, which are based on allegations substantially similar to those at issue in the Federal Demand Futile Actions. The Canoles Action was stayed by the Maryland Circuit Court in favor of the federal shareholder litigation described above. The Company believes that Canoles lacks standing to assert claims derivatively on its behalf and intends to seek the dismissal of the Canoles Action on that basis if the stay is lifted. In September 2017, Michael Hafkey filed a shareholder derivative suit in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland against certain of the Company's former officers and directors and the Manager (the "Hafkey Action"). The complaint asserts a breach of fiduciary duty claim that is substantially similar to the claims at issue in the Federal Demand Refused Actions. Mr. Hafkey previously made a demand on the Board to investigate this claim, which was ultimately denied. The Company believes that Hafkey's claim that his demand to bring litigation was wrongfully refused is without merit and that Hafkey consequently lacks standing to assert claims derivatively on the Company's behalf. The Company filed a motion to stay the Hafkey Action in favor of the duplicative Federal Demand Futile Actions, which is pending. In April 2018, the Company funded $2.0 million into escrow in connection with the proposed settlement of outstanding litigation. The Company did not have any general litigation reserve at September 30, 2018 , and it had a general litigation reserve of $2.2 million , including estimated legal costs, at December 31, 2017 . PCM is subject to litigation related to claims for repurchases or indemnifications on loans that PCM has sold to third parties. At September 30, 2018 , no such litigation demand was outstanding. At December 31, 2017 , such litigation demands totaled approximately $6.5 million . Reserves for such litigation demands are included in the reserve for mortgage repurchases and indemnifications that totaled $1.7 million and $5.7 million at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. The reserves for mortgage repurchases and indemnifications are included in liabilities held for sale on the consolidated balance sheets. Settled Litigation Matters PCM was the subject of a lawsuit brought by a purchaser of residential mortgage loans alleging breaches of representations and warranties made on loans sold to the purchaser. The asserted repurchase claims related to loans sold to the purchaser that were subsequently sold by the purchaser to either the Federal National Mortgage Association or Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and loans sold to the purchaser that were subsequently securitized and sold as RMBS by the purchaser to RMBS investors. This matter was settled on January 8, 2018. On November 22, 2017, the Plaintiff's motion for class certification was granted in Levin v. Resource Capital Corp. (the "Levin Action"), a previously disclosed securities litigation against the Company and certain of its current and former officers that was pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. On February 5, 2018, the Company entered into a stipulation and agreement of settlement (the "Settlement Agreement"), which received final approval from the Court on August 3, 2018. The Settlement Agreement settled all claims asserted in the action on behalf of the certified class (the "Settlement"), which consisted, with specified exceptions, of all persons who purchased the Company's common stock, Series B Preferred Stock or Series C Preferred Stock between October 31, 2012 and August 5, 2015. Under the terms of the Settlement Agreement, a payment of $9.5 million has been made to settle the litigation. The settlement payment was funded principally by insurance coverage, and the Company does not anticipate that the Settlement will have a material adverse impact on its financial condition. In exchange for the settlement consideration, the Company and the individual defendants in the Levin Action (and certain related parties) have been released from all claims that have been or could have been asserted in the case by class members (and certain related parties), excluding one holder of less than 500 shares who opted out of the Settlement. The terms of the Settlement and release of claims are described in greater detail in the Settlement Agreement filed with the Court and the Final Judgment and Order of Dismissal with Prejudice entered by the Court on August 3, 2018. The Settlement Agreement contains no admission of misconduct by the Company or any of the individual defendants and expressly acknowledges that the Company and the individual defendants deny all allegations of wrongdoing and maintain that it and they have at all times acted in good faith and in compliance with the law. Other Contingencies In May 2017, the Company received proceeds of $16.2 million from the sale of its equity interest in Pearlmark Mezz, an unconsolidated entity. As part of the sale of Pearlmark Mezz, the Company entered into an indemnification agreement whereby the Company agreed to indemnify the purchaser against realized losses of up to $4.3 million on one mezzanine loan until its final maturity date in 2020. At September 30, 2018 , the Company has a contingent liability, reported in accounts payable and other liabilities on its consolidated balance sheets, of $703,000 outstanding as a reserve for probable indemnification losses. The Company did not record any additional reserve for probable losses during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2018 . PCM is subject to additional claims for repurchases or indemnifications on loans that PCM has sold to investors. At both September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , outstanding demands for indemnification, repurchase or make whole payments totaled $3.3 million . The Company's estimated exposure for such outstanding claims, as well as unasserted claims, is included in its reserve for mortgage repurchases and indemnifications. Unfunded Commitments Unfunded commitments on the Company's originated CRE loans generally fall into two categories: (1) pre-approved capital improvement projects; and (2) new or additional construction costs subject, in each case, to the borrower meeting specified criteria. Upon completion of the improvements or construction, the Company would receive additional interest income on the advanced amount. Whole loans had $92.2 million and $84.1 million in unfunded loan commitments at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively.

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND ASS

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE	NOTE 20 - DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE In November 2016, the Company received approval from its Board to execute the Plan to focus its strategy on CRE debt investments. The Plan contemplates disposing of certain legacy CRE loans and exiting underperforming non-core asset classes. Non-CRE businesses identified for sale were the residential mortgage and middle market lending segments as well as the Company's life settlement policy portfolio, or Life Care Funding, LLC ("LCF"). The Company reclassified the operating results of the residential mortgage and middle market lending segments as discontinued operations and excluded from continuing operations for all periods presented. In addition, the Company transferred the assets and liabilities of LCF and non-performing legacy CRE loans to held for sale in the fourth quarter of 2016. As of September 30, 2018 , the Company has disposed of substantially all of the non-CRE businesses identified for sale. The following table summarizes the operating results of the residential mortgage and middle market lending segments' discontinued operations as reported separately as net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 (in thousands): For the Three Months Ended For the Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 REVENUES Interest income: Loans $ — $ 892 $ 580 $ 2,682 Other — 44 13 76 Total interest income — 936 593 2,758 Interest expense — — — — Net interest income — 936 593 2,758 (Loss) gain on sale of residential mortgage loans — (1,186 ) (1 ) 5,688 Fee income (loss) 280 (197 ) 313 3,480 Total revenues 280 (447 ) 905 11,926 OPERATING EXPENSES Equity compensation — 65 — 286 General and administrative 62 5,590 1,165 21,985 Total operating expenses 62 5,655 1,165 22,271 218 (6,102 ) (260 ) (10,345 ) OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) Net realized and unrealized gain on investment securities available-for-sale and loans and derivatives 146 97 421 13 Fair value adjustments on financial assets held for sale — (82 ) — (500 ) Total other income (expense) 146 15 421 (487 ) INCOME (LOSS) FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES 364 (6,087 ) 161 (10,832 ) Income tax expense — — — — NET INCOME (LOSS) FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET OF TAX 364 (6,087 ) 161 (10,832 ) Loss from disposal of discontinued operations — — — — TOTAL INCOME (LOSS) FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS $ 364 $ (6,087 ) $ 161 $ (10,832 ) The assets and liabilities of business segments classified as discontinued operations and other assets and liabilities classified as held for sale are reported separately in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and are summarized as follows at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands, except amounts in the footnote): September 30, December 31, ASSETS Restricted cash $ — $ 138 Accrued interest receivable — 67 Loans held for sale (1) 17,000 93,063 Other assets (2) 854 14,450 Total assets held for sale $ 17,854 $ 107,718 LIABILITIES Accounts payable and other liabilities $ 1,787 $ 10,283 Management fee payable — 56 Accrued interest payable — 3 Total liabilities held for sale $ 1,787 $ 10,342 (1) Includes a directly originated middle market loan with a carrying value of $2.0 million at December 31, 2017 . In July 2018 substantially all of the assets of the borrower were sold, resulting in $2.1 million of loan repayments. (2) Includes the Company's investment in life settlement contracts of $5.1 million at December 31, 2017 . In 2018, substantially all of the life settlement contracts were sold or matured and there were no life settlement contracts remaining at September 30, 2018 . In 2018 , the Company sold its remaining syndicated middle market loans and its remaining directly originated middle market loan paid off in excess of its carrying value as a result of which the Company recognized a $390,000 net realized gain for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 . The following table summarizes the loans held for sale in the residential mortgage and middle market lending segments as well as the non-performing legacy CRE loans transferred to held for sale in the fourth quarter of 2016. The loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value (in thousands, except quantities and amounts in footnotes): Loan Description Number of Loans Amortized Cost Carrying Value At September 30, 2018: Legacy CRE loan (1) 1 $ 25,202 $ 17,000 Mezzanine loan (2) 1 — — Total loans held for sale 2 $ 25,202 $ 17,000 At December 31, 2017: Legacy CRE loans (1) 5 $ 63,783 $ 61,841 Mezzanine loan (2) 1 — — Middle market loans (3) 5 41,199 29,308 Residential mortgage loans (4)(5) 14 1,914 1,914 Total loans held for sale 25 $ 106,896 $ 93,063 (1) Two legacy CRE loans with amortized costs of $28.3 million were reclassified as CRE loans on the consolidated balance sheets at June 30, 2018 as the Company now intends to hold these loans to maturity. (2) The mezzanine loan has a par value of $38.1 million and was acquired at a fair value of zero as a result of the liquidations of Resource Real Estate Funding CDO 2006-1, Ltd. in April 2016 and Resource Real Estate Funding CDO 2007-1, Ltd. in November 2016. The mezzanine loan is comprised of two tranches, maturing in November 2018 and September 2021. (3) Includes a directly originated middle market loan with a fair value of $2.0 million at December 31, 2017 . In July 2018 substantially all of the assets of the borrower were sold, resulting in $2.1 million of loan repayments. The loan's fair value was supported by a third party valuation mark prepared at December 31, 2017 . (4) The fair value option was elected for residential mortgage loans held for sale. (5) The Company's residential mortgage loan portfolio was comprised of both agency loans and non-agency jumbo loans. The fair values of the agency loan portfolio were generally classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy, as those values are determined based on quoted market prices for similar assets or upon other observable inputs. The fair values of the jumbo loan portfolio were generally classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy, as those values are generally based upon valuation techniques that utilize unobservable inputs that reflect the assumptions that a market participant would use in pricing those assets.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	NOTE 21 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the filing of this report and determined that there have not been any events, excluding the execution of the JPMorgan Chase Facility ( see Note 9 ) that have occurred that would require adjustments to or disclosures in the consolidated financial statements.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_2

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") and the accounting policies set forth in Note 2 included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 . The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, majority-owned or controlled subsidiaries and VIEs for which the Company is considered the primary beneficiary. All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation All adjustments necessary to present fairly the Company's financial position, results of operations and cash flows have been made.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase. At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , approximately $45.5 million and $177.5 million , respectively, of the reported cash balances exceeded the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Securities Investor Protection Corporation deposit insurance limits of $250,000 per respective depository or brokerage institution. However, all of the Company's cash deposits are held at multiple, established financial institutions to minimize credit risk exposure. Restricted cash includes required account balance minimums primarily for the Company's CRE CDO securitizations and derivative instruments as well as cash held in the syndicated corporate loan CDOs.
Preferred Equity Investment	Preferred Equity Investment Preferred equity investments, which are subordinate to any loans but senior to common equity, depending on the investment's characteristics, may be accounted for as real estate, joint ventures or as mortgage loans. The Company's preferred equity investment is accounted for as a CRE loan held for investment, is carried at cost, net of unamortized loan fees and origination costs, and is included within CRE loans on the Company's consolidated balance sheets. The Company accretes or amortizes any discounts or premiums over the life of the related loan utilizing the effective interest method. Interest and fees are recognized as income subject to recoverability, which is substantiated by obtaining annual appraisals on the underlying property.
Discontinued Operations	Discontinued Operations The results of operations of a component or a group of components of the Company that either has been disposed of or is classified as held for sale is reported in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on the Company's operations and financial results.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The Company recorded a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets of approximately $10.0 million at September 30, 2018 as the Company believes it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized. This assessment was based on the Company's cumulative historical losses and uncertainties as to the amount of taxable income that would be generated in future years by the Company's TRSs.
Recent Accounting Standards	Recent Accounting Standards Accounting Standards Adopted in 2018 In May 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued guidance to clarify which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting. Modification accounting should be applied unless all of the following three criteria are met: (i) the fair value of the modified award is the same as the fair value of the original award immediately before the original award is modified; (ii) the vesting conditions of the modified award are the same as the vesting conditions of the original award immediately before the original award is modified; (iii) the classification of the modified award as an equity instrument or a liability instrument is the same as the classification of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. Adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, the FASB issued guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The guidance provides a screen to determine when an integrated set of assets and activities (a "set") is not a business. The screen requires that when substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets, the set is not a business. If the screen is not met, the guidance requires that: (i) to be considered a business, a set must include, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create an output and (ii) remove the evaluation of whether a market participant could replace missing elements. The guidance also narrows the definition of an output to: the result of inputs and processes applied to those inputs that provide goods or services to customers, investment income (such as dividends or interest), or other revenues. Adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In November 2016, the FASB issued guidance to reduce the diversity in practice of the classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash on the statement of cash flows. The guidance requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In August 2016, the FASB issued guidance to reduce the diversity in practice around the presentation and classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments in the statement of cash flows. The guidance addresses the following eight specific cash flow issues: (i) debt prepayments or extinguishment costs; (ii) contingent consideration payments made after a business combination; (iii) proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims; (iv) proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies (including bank-owned life insurance policies); (v) settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with insignificant coupon rates; (vi) distributions received from equity method investees; (vii) beneficial interests in securitization transactions and (viii) separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. Adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In January 2016, the FASB issued guidance to address certain aspects of the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments in order to provide users of financial statements with more decision-useful information. The guidance requires equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income; simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment; eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet; requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes; requires an entity to present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments; requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial assets on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements, and clarifies that an entity should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale securities in combination with the entity's other deferred tax assets. Adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance that establishes key principles by which an entity determines the amount and timing of revenue recognized from customer contracts. At issuance, the guidance was effective for the first interim or annual period beginning after December 15, 2016. In August 2015, the FASB issued additional guidance that delayed the previous effective date by one year, resulting in the original guidance becoming effective for the first interim or annual period beginning after December 15, 2017. In 2016, the FASB issued multiple amendments to the accounting standard to provide further clarification. Exclusions from the scope of this guidance include revenues resulting from loans, investment securities available-for-sale, investment securities, trading, investments in unconsolidated entities and leases. The Company evaluated the applicability of this guidance, considering the scope exceptions, and determined that adoption did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. Accounting Standards to be Adopted in Future Periods In August 2018, the FASB issued guidance to modify the fair value measurement disclosure requirements, including: disclosures on changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements, the policy for timing of transfers between levels and the narrative description of measurement uncertainty. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of this new guidance. In June 2018, the FASB issued guidance to simplify the accounting for share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees by including these payments in the scope of the guidance for share-based payments to employees. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted. The Company evaluated the applicability of this guidance and determined that, currently, adoption does not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. In February 2018, the FASB issued guidance to allow a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted. The Company evaluated the applicability of this guidance and determined that, currently, adoption does not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. In August 2017, the FASB issued guidance to improve the financial reporting of hedging relationships to better portray the economic results of an entity's risk management activities. Additionally, the guidance simplifies the application of the hedge accounting guidance via certain targeted improvements. In October 2018, the FASB updated the guidance to add a benchmark interest rate permitted for hedge accounting purposes. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted. The Company evaluated the applicability of this guidance and determined that, currently, adoption does not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, the FASB issued guidance to add the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") Staff Announcement "Disclosure of the Impact that Recently Issued Accounting Standards will have on the Financial Statements of a Registrant when such Standards are Adopted in a Future Period (in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 11.M)." The announcement applies to the May 2014 guidance on revenue recognition from contracts with customers, the February 2016 guidance on leases and the June 2016 guidance on how credit losses for financial assets at amortized cost and certain other instruments that are measured at fair value through net income are determined. The announcement provides the SEC staff view that a registrant should evaluate certain recent accounting standards that have not yet been adopted to determine appropriate financial statement disclosures about the potential material effects of those recent accounting standards. If a registrant does not know or cannot reasonably estimate the impact that adoption of the recent accounting standards referenced in this announcement is expected to have on the financial statements, then the registrant should make a statement to that effect and consider the additional qualitative financial statement disclosures to assist the reader in assessing the significance of the impact that the recent accounting standards will have on the financial statements of the registrant when adopted. The Company completed its assessment under the new guidance on revenue recognition from contracts with customers, see "Accounting Standards Adopted in 2018 ." The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on leases and the measurement of credit losses on financial instruments and its impact on its consolidated financial statements. In June 2016, the FASB issued guidance which will change how credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are measured at fair value through net income are determined. The new guidance will replace the current incurred loss approach with an expected loss model for instruments measured at amortized cost. For available-for-sale debt securities, the guidance requires recording allowances rather than reducing the carrying amount, as it is currently under the other-than-temporary impairment model. It also simplifies the accounting model for credit-impaired debt securities and loans. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within that reporting period, with any adjustments reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of this new guidance. In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance requiring lessees to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use asset for all leases. Lessor accounting will remain largely unchanged. The guidance will also require new qualitative and quantitative disclosures to help financial statement users better understand the timing, amount and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. This guidance will be effective for reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted. The Company evaluated the applicability of this guidance and determined that, currently, adoption does not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications Certain reclassifications have been made to the 2017 consolidated financial statements to conform to the 2018 presentation, including the reclassification of investment securities, trading, loans held for sale and direct financing leases to other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.
Policy for Allowance for Loan Loss	All CRE loans are evaluated for any credit deterioration by debt asset management and certain finance personnel on at least a quarterly basis. Whole loans are first individually evaluated for impairment; and to the extent not deemed impaired, a general reserve is established. The allowance for loan loss is computed as (i) 1.5% of the aggregate face values of loans rated as a 3, plus (ii) 5.0% of the aggregate face values of loans rated as a 4, plus (iii) specific allowances measured and determined on loans individually evaluated, which are loans rated as a 5. While the overall risk rating is generally not the sole factor used in determining whether a loan is impaired, a loan with a higher overall risk rating would tend to have more adverse indicators of impairment, and therefore would be more likely to experience a credit loss.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_3

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Schedule of cash and cash equivalents	The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash on the consolidated balance sheets to the total amount shown on the consolidated statements of cash flows (dollars in thousands): September 30, 2018 2017 Cash and cash equivalents $ 48,053 $ 282,984 Restricted cash 6,580 14,539 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown on the Company's consolidated statements of cash flows $ 54,633 $ 297,523
Restrictions on cash and cash equivalents	The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash on the consolidated balance sheets to the total amount shown on the consolidated statements of cash flows (dollars in thousands): September 30, 2018 2017 Cash and cash equivalents $ 48,053 $ 282,984 Restricted cash 6,580 14,539 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown on the Company's consolidated statements of cash flows $ 54,633 $ 297,523

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (Tab

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Schedule of variable interest entities	The following table shows the classification, carrying value and maximum exposure to loss with respect to the Company's unconsolidated VIEs at September 30, 2018 (in thousands): Unsecured Junior Subordinated Debentures C40 Prospect Hackensack Total Maximum Exposure to Loss ASSETS Accrued interest receivable $ 33 $ 172 $ — $ 205 $ — CRE loans — — 19,372 19,372 $ 19,372 Investment securities available-for-sale (1) — 21,465 — 21,465 $ 21,117 Investments in unconsolidated entities 1,548 — — 1,548 $ 1,548 Total assets 1,581 21,637 19,372 42,590 LIABILITIES Accrued interest payable 693 — — 693 N/A Borrowings 51,548 — — 51,548 N/A Total liabilities 52,241 — — 52,241 N/A Net (liability) asset $ (50,660 ) $ 21,637 $ 19,372 $ (9,651 ) N/A (1) The Company's investment in C40 is carried at fair value and its maximum exposure to loss is the amortized cost of the investment. The following table shows the classification and carrying values of assets and liabilities of the Company's Consolidated VIEs at September 30, 2018 (in thousands): CRE Securitizations Other Total ASSETS Restricted cash $ 5,000 $ 504 $ 5,504 Accrued interest receivable 3,477 — 3,477 CRE loans, pledged as collateral 780,302 — 780,302 Other assets 132 — 132 Total assets (1) $ 788,911 $ 504 $ 789,415 LIABILITIES Accounts payable and other liabilities $ 41 $ — $ 41 Accrued interest payable 656 — 656 Borrowings 548,526 — 548,526 Total liabilities $ 549,223 $ — $ 549,223 (1) Assets of each of the Consolidated VIEs may only be used to settle the obligations of each respective VIE.

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORM_2

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Schedule of other significant noncash transactions	The following table summarizes the Company's supplemental disclosure of cash flow information (in thousands): For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 Non-cash continuing financing activities include the following: Proceeds from the private exchange of convertible senior notes $ — $ 22,161 Payments on the private exchange of convertible senior notes $ — $ (22,161 ) Distributions on common stock accrued but not paid $ 4,749 $ 1,566 Distribution on preferred stock accrued but not paid $ 1,725 $ 4,010

LOANS (Tables)

LOANS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
LOANS HELD FOR INVESTMENT [Abstract]
Summary of loans held for Investments	The following is a summary of the Company's loans (dollars in thousands, except amounts in footnotes): Description Quantity Principal Unamortized (Discount) (1) Amortized Cost Allowance for Loan Losses Carrying (2) Contractual Interest Rates (3) Maturity Dates (4)(5)(6) At September 30, 2018: CRE loans held for investment: Whole loans (7)(8) 78 $ 1,501,076 $ (8,583 ) $ 1,492,493 $ (1,736 ) $ 1,490,757 1M LIBOR plus 2.50% to 1M LIBOR plus 6.25% November 2018 to October 2021 Mezzanine loan 1 4,700 — 4,700 — 4,700 10.00% June 2028 Preferred equity investment (see Note 3) (9)(10) 1 19,545 (173 ) 19,372 — 19,372 11.50% April 2025 Total CRE loans held for investment 1,525,321 (8,756 ) 1,516,565 (1,736 ) 1,514,829 Total loans $ 1,525,321 $ (8,756 ) $ 1,516,565 $ (1,736 ) $ 1,514,829 At December 31, 2017: CRE loans held for investment: Whole loans (7) 70 $ 1,297,164 $ (7,014 ) $ 1,290,150 $ (5,328 ) $ 1,284,822 1M LIBOR plus 3.60% to 1M LIBOR plus 6.25% February 2018 to January 2021 Total CRE loans held for investment 1,297,164 (7,014 ) 1,290,150 (5,328 ) 1,284,822 Total loans $ 1,297,164 $ (7,014 ) $ 1,290,150 $ (5,328 ) $ 1,284,822 (1) Amounts include unamortized loan origination fees of $8.5 million and $6.7 million and deferred amendment fees of $295,000 and $268,000 being amortized over the life of the loans at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. (2) Substantially all loans are pledged as collateral under various borrowings at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 . (3) LIBOR refers to the London Interbank Offered Rate. (4) Maturity dates exclude contractual extension options, subject to the satisfaction of certain terms, that may be available to the borrowers. (5) Maturity dates exclude one whole loan, with an amortized cost of $7.0 million , in default at December 31, 2017 . (6) Maturity dates exclude one whole loan, with an amortized cost of $11.5 million , in maturity default and performing with respect to debt service due in accordance with a forbearance agreement at September 30, 2018 . The loan was classified as an asset held for sale and in maturity default at December 31, 2017 . (7) Whole loans had $92.2 million and $84.1 million in unfunded loan commitments at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. These unfunded loan commitments are advanced as the borrowers formally request additional funding, as permitted under the loan agreement, and any necessary approvals have been obtained. (8) At June 30, 2018, two legacy CRE loans with amortized costs of $28.3 million were reclassified to whole loans from assets held for sale as the Company now intends to hold these loans to maturity. (9) The interest rate on the Company's preferred equity investment pays currently at 8.00% . The remaining interest is deferred until maturity. (10) Beginning in April 2023, the Company has the right to unilaterally force the sale of the underlying property.
Summary of the weighted average life of the commercial real estate loans at amortized cost	The following is a summary of the contractual maturities, assuming full exercise of the extension options available to the borrowers, of the Company's CRE loans held for investment, at amortized cost (in thousands, except amounts in footnotes): Description 2018 2019 2020 and Thereafter Total At September 30, 2018: Whole loans (1) $ — $ 80,830 $ 1,400,147 $ 1,480,977 Mezzanine loan — — 4,700 4,700 Preferred equity investment — — 19,372 19,372 Total CRE loans (1)(2) $ — $ 80,830 $ 1,424,219 $ 1,505,049 Description 2018 2019 2020 and Thereafter Total At December 31, 2017: Whole loans (2) $ — $ 148,622 $ 1,134,528 $ 1,283,150 (1) Excludes one whole loan, with an amortized cost of $11.5 million , in maturity default and performing with respect to debt service due in accordance with a forbearance agreement at September 30, 2018 . The loan was classified as an asset held for sale and in maturity default at December 31, 2017 . (2) Excludes one whole loan, with an amortized cost of $7.0 million , in default at December 31, 2017 .

FINANCING RECEIVABLES (Tables)

FINANCING RECEIVABLES (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Receivables [Abstract]
Allowance for loan losses and recorded investments in loans	The following tables show the activity in the allowance for loan losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and year ended December 31, 2017 and the allowance for loan losses and recorded investments in loans at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands): Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Year Ended December 31, 2017 Commercial Real Estate Loans Commercial Real Estate Loans Allowance for loan losses: Allowance for loan losses at beginning of period $ 5,328 $ 3,829 (Recovery of) provision for loan losses, net (1,260 ) 1,499 Loans charged-off (2,332 ) — Allowance for loan losses at end of period $ 1,736 $ 5,328 September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Commercial Real Estate Loans Commercial Real Estate Loans Allowance for loan losses ending balance: Individually evaluated for impairment $ — $ 2,500 Collectively evaluated for impairment $ 1,736 $ 2,828 Loans: Amortized cost ending balance: Individually evaluated for impairment $ 24,072 $ 7,000 Collectively evaluated for impairment $ 1,492,493 $ 1,283,150
Credit quality indicators for bank loans and commercial real estate loans	The criteria set forth below should be used as general guidelines and, therefore, not every loan will have all of the characteristics described in each category below. Loans that are performing according to their underwritten plans generally will not require an allowance for loan loss. Risk Rating Risk Characteristics 1 • Property performance has surpassed underwritten expectations. • Occupancy is stabilized, the property has had a history of consistently high occupancy, and the property has a diverse and high quality tenant mix. 2 • Property performance is consistent with underwritten expectations and covenants and performance criteria are being met or exceeded. • Occupancy is stabilized, near stabilized or is on track with underwriting. 3 • Property performance lags behind underwritten expectations. • Occupancy is not stabilized and the property has some tenancy rollover. 4 • Property performance significantly lags behind underwritten expectations. Performance criteria and loan covenants have required occasional waivers. • Occupancy is not stabilized and the property has a large amount of tenancy rollover. 5 • Property performance is significantly worse than underwritten expectations. The loan is not in compliance with loan covenants and performance criteria and may be in default. Expected sale proceeds would not be sufficient to pay off the loan at maturity. • The property has a material vacancy rate and significant rollover of remaining tenants. • An updated appraisal is required. Credit risk profiles of CRE loans at amortized cost and legacy CRE loans held for sale at the lower of cost or fair value were as follows (in thousands, except amounts in footnotes): Rating 1 Rating 2 Rating 3 (1) Rating 4 Rating 5 (2) Held for Sale (3) Total At September 30, 2018: Whole loans $ — $ 1,376,836 $ 110,808 $ 4,849 $ — $ — $ 1,492,493 Mezzanine loan (4) — 4,700 — — — — 4,700 Preferred equity investment (4) — 19,372 — — — — 19,372 Legacy CRE loans held for sale — — — — — 17,000 17,000 $ — $ 1,400,908 $ 110,808 $ 4,849 $ — $ 17,000 $ 1,533,565 At December 31, 2017: Whole loans $ 65,589 $ 1,040,883 $ 171,841 $ 4,837 $ 7,000 $ — $ 1,290,150 Legacy CRE loans held for sale — — — — — 61,841 61,841 $ 65,589 $ 1,040,883 $ 171,841 $ 4,837 $ 7,000 $ 61,841 $ 1,351,991 (1) Includes one whole loan, with an amortized cost of $11.5 million , that was in maturity default at September 30, 2018 . The loan is performing with respect to debt service due in accordance with a forbearance agreement at September 30, 2018 . (2) Includes one whole loan, with an amortized cost of $7.0 million , that was in default at December 31, 2017 . (3) Includes one and two legacy CRE loans that were in default with total carrying values of $17.0 million and $22.5 million at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. (4) The Company's mezzanine loan and preferred equity investment are evaluated individually for impairment.
Loan portfolios aging analysis	The following table presents the CRE loan portfolio aging analysis as of the dates indicated for CRE loans at amortized cost and legacy CRE loans held for sale at the lower of cost or fair value (in thousands, except amounts in footnotes): 30-59 Days 60-89 Days Greater (1)(2) Total Past Due (3) Current Total Total Loans > 90 Days and Accruing (2) At September 30, 2018: Whole loans $ — $ — $ 11,516 $ 11,516 $ 1,480,977 $ 1,492,493 $ 11,516 Mezzanine loan — — — — 4,700 4,700 — Preferred equity investment — — — — 19,372 19,372 — Legacy CRE loans held for sale — — 17,000 17,000 — 17,000 — Total loans $ — $ — $ 28,516 $ 28,516 $ 1,505,049 $ 1,533,565 $ 11,516 At December 31, 2017: Whole loans $ — $ — $ 7,000 $ 7,000 $ 1,283,150 $ 1,290,150 $ — Legacy CRE loans held for sale 11,516 — 11,000 22,516 39,325 61,841 — Total loans $ 11,516 $ — $ 18,000 $ 29,516 $ 1,322,475 $ 1,351,991 $ — (1) Includes one whole loan, with an amortized cost of $7.0 million , that was in default at December 31, 2017 . (2) Includes one whole loan, with an amortized cost of $11.5 million , that was in maturity default at September 30, 2018 . The loan is performing with respect to debt service due in accordance with a forbearance agreement at September 30, 2018 . (3) Includes one and two legacy CRE loans that were in default with total carrying values of $17.0 million and $22.5 million at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively.
Impaired loans	The following tables show impaired loans at December 31, 2017 (in thousands): Recorded Balance Unpaid Principal Balance Specific Allowance Average Investment in Impaired Loans Interest Income Recognized Loans without a specific valuation allowance: Whole loans $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — Loans with a specific valuation allowance: Whole loans $ 7,000 $ 7,000 $ (2,500 ) $ 7,000 $ — Total: Whole loans $ 7,000 $ 7,000 $ (2,500 ) $ 7,000 $ —

INVESTMENT SECURITIES AVAILAB_2

INVESTMENT SECURITIES AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities	The following table summarizes the Company's investment securities available-for-sale, including those pledged as collateral. As of December 31, 2017 , ABS may include, but are not limited to, the Company's investments in securities backed by syndicated corporate loans and other loan obligations. Investment securities available-for-sale are carried at fair value (in thousands, except amounts in the footnote): Amortized Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Fair Value (1) At September 30, 2018: CMBS $ 350,179 $ 3,755 $ (1,156 ) $ 352,778 Total $ 350,179 $ 3,755 $ (1,156 ) $ 352,778 At December 31, 2017: CMBS $ 210,806 $ 1,947 $ (1,174 ) $ 211,579 ABS 259 — (101 ) 158 Total $ 211,065 $ 1,947 $ (1,275 ) $ 211,737 (1) At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , $325.7 million and $169.6 million , respectively, of investment securities available-for-sale were pledged as collateral under related financings.
Estimated maturities of available-for-sale securities	The following table summarizes the estimated payoff dates of the Company's investment securities available-for-sale according to their estimated weighted average life classifications (in thousands, except percentages): September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Amortized Cost Fair Value Weighted Average Coupon Amortized Cost Fair Value Weighted Average Coupon Less than one year (1) $ 126,349 $ 126,749 5.40% $ 25,475 $ 25,275 5.55% Greater than one year and less than five years 70,778 70,976 5.10% 126,273 127,104 4.65% Greater than five years and less than ten years 153,052 155,053 3.83% 59,317 59,358 3.53% Total $ 350,179 $ 352,778 4.65% $ 211,065 $ 211,737 4.45% (1) The Company expects that the payoff dates of these CMBS and ABS will either be extended or that the securities will be paid off in full.
Gross unrealized loss and fair value of securities	The following table summarizes the fair value, gross unrealized losses and number of securities aggregated by investment category and the length of time that individual investment securities available-for-sale have been in a continuous unrealized loss position during the periods specified (in thousands, except number of securities): Less than 12 Months More than 12 Months Total Fair Unrealized Losses Number of Fair Unrealized Losses Number of Fair Unrealized Losses Number of At September 30, 2018: CMBS $ 39,398 $ (350 ) 11 $ 6,286 $ (806 ) 6 $ 45,684 $ (1,156 ) 17 Total temporarily impaired securities $ 39,398 $ (350 ) 11 $ 6,286 $ (806 ) 6 $ 45,684 $ (1,156 ) 17 At December 31, 2017: CMBS $ 49,016 $ (888 ) 12 $ 1,308 $ (286 ) 4 $ 50,324 $ (1,174 ) 16 ABS 158 (101 ) 1 — — — 158 (101 ) 1 Total temporarily impaired securities $ 49,174 $ (989 ) 13 $ 1,308 $ (286 ) 4 $ 50,482 $ (1,275 ) 17
Summary of investment securities available-for-sale	The following table summarizes the Company's sales of investment securities available-for-sale (in thousands, except positions sold and redeemed): For the Three Months Ended For the Nine Months Ended Positions Sold/Redeemed Par Amount Sold/Redeemed Amortized Cost Realized Gain (Loss) (1) Proceeds (2) Positions Sold/Redeemed Par Amount Sold/Redeemed Amortized Cost Realized Gain (Loss) (1) Proceeds (2) September 30, 2018: ABS — $ — $ — $ — $ — 2 $ 411 $ 265 $ (217 ) $ 48 CMBS 2 10,000 7,821 282 8,103 2 10,000 7,821 282 8,103 Total 2 $ 10,000 $ 7,821 $ 282 $ 8,103 4 $ 10,411 $ 8,086 $ 65 $ 8,151 September 30, 2017: ABS 5 $ 18,301 $ 14,249 $ (2,110 ) $ 12,647 7 $ 27,906 $ 21,723 $ (318 ) $ 19,881 CMBS 1 5,000 4,279 (254 ) 4,046 1 5,000 4,279 (254 ) 4,046 RMBS 3 153,519 1,274 (158 ) 1,116 3 153,519 1,274 (158 ) 1,116 Total 9 $ 176,820 $ 19,802 $ (2,522 ) $ 17,809 11 $ 186,425 $ 27,276 $ (730 ) $ 25,043 (1) The realized losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 exclude foreign currency exchange gains and losses on ABS sales that were hedged with foreign currency forward contracts. (2) Includes unsettled proceeds of $8.1 million , received in October 2018, from the sale of two CMBS positions during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 .

INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED_2

INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED ENTITIES (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Schedule of unconsolidated entities	The following table summarizes the Company's investments in unconsolidated entities at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 and equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 (in thousands, except percentages and amounts in footnotes): Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Unconsolidated Entities For the Three Months Ended For the Nine Months Ended Ownership % at September 30, 2018 September 30, 2018 December 31, September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 Pelium Capital (1) 80.2% $ 7 $ 10,503 $ 50 $ 54 $ (180 ) $ (22 ) RCM Global 63.8% 41 — (7 ) (61 ) — (231 ) Investment in LCC Preferred Stock (2) —% — — 411 41,048 411 41,334 RRE VIP Borrower, LLC (3) —% — — — 6 — 44 Pearlmark Mezzanine Realty Partners IV, L.P. (4) —% — — — — — 165 Subtotal 48 10,503 454 41,047 231 41,290 Investment in RCT I and II (5) 3.0% 1,548 1,548 (829 ) (689 ) (2,359 ) (1,989 ) Total $ 1,596 $ 12,051 $ (375 ) $ 40,358 $ (2,128 ) $ 39,301 (1) During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , the Company received distributions of $10.4 million and $13.6 million , respectively, on its investment in Pelium Capital Partners, L.P. ("Pelium Capital"). (2) The Company's investment in LEAF Commercial Capital, Inc. ("LCC") liquidated in July 2017 as a result of the sale of LCC. Earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 are related to the receipt of a distribution of funds formerly held in escrow accounts established as part of the sale. (3) The Company sold its investment in RRE VIP Borrower, LLC in December 2014. Earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 are related to insurance premium refunds with respect to the underlying sold properties in the portfolio. (4) The Company sold its investment in Pearlmark Mezzanine Reality Partners IV, L.P. ("Pearlmark Mezz") in May 2017. (5) During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , distributions from the trusts are recorded in interest expense on the Company's consolidated statements of operations as the investments are accounted for under the cost method.

BORROWINGS (Tables)

BORROWINGS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Information with respect to borrowings	Certain information with respect to the Company's borrowings is summarized in the following table (in thousands, except percentages, time periods and amounts in footnotes): Principal Outstanding Unamortized Issuance Costs and Discounts Outstanding Borrowings Weighted Average Borrowing Rate Weighted Average Remaining Maturity Value of Collateral At September 30, 2018: RCC 2017-CRE5 Senior Notes $ 158,376 $ 2,312 $ 156,064 3.30% 15.8 years $ 277,156 XAN 2018-RSO6 Senior Notes 397,452 4,990 392,462 3.26% 16.7 years 514,225 Unsecured junior subordinated debentures 51,548 — 51,548 6.29% 17.9 years — 4.50% Convertible Senior Notes 143,750 14,313 129,437 4.50% 3.9 years — 6.00% Convertible Senior Notes 70,453 171 70,282 6.00% 62 days — 8.00% Convertible Senior Notes 21,182 295 20,887 8.00% 1.3 years — CRE - term repurchase facilities (1) 313,516 3,696 309,820 4.33% 1.9 years 452,697 Trust certificates - term repurchase facility (2) 47,438 319 47,119 6.11% 2.0 years 118,780 CMBS - short term repurchase agreements (3) 245,287 — 245,287 3.46% 38 days 341,289 Total $ 1,449,002 $ 26,096 $ 1,422,906 4.06% 7.9 years $ 1,704,147 Principal Outstanding Unamortized Issuance Costs and Discounts Outstanding Borrowings Weighted Average Borrowing Rate Weighted Average Remaining Maturity Value of Collateral At December 31, 2017: RCC 2015-CRE3 Senior Notes $ 85,788 $ 396 $ 85,392 4.50% 14.2 years $ 149,828 RCC 2015-CRE4 Senior Notes 90,883 407 90,476 3.65% 14.6 years 180,066 RCC 2017-CRE5 Senior Notes 244,280 3,493 240,787 2.51% 16.6 years 369,534 Unsecured junior subordinated debentures 51,548 — 51,548 5.49% 18.7 years — 4.50% Convertible Senior Notes 143,750 16,626 127,124 4.50% 4.6 years — 6.00% Convertible Senior Notes 70,453 928 69,525 6.00% 335 days — 8.00% Convertible Senior Notes 21,182 466 20,716 8.00% 2.0 years — CRE - term repurchase facilities (1) 292,511 1,013 291,498 3.82% 222 days 432,125 Trust certificates - term repurchase facilities (2) 76,714 570 76,144 5.97% 2.1 years 214,375 CMBS - short term repurchase agreements (3) 82,647 — 82,647 2.79% 14 days 131,522 CMBS - term repurchase facilities (4) 27,628 — 27,628 3.05% 121 days 38,060 Total $ 1,187,384 $ 23,899 $ 1,163,485 4.00% 7.3 years $ 1,515,510 (1) Principal outstanding includes accrued interest payable of $460,000 and $534,000 at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. (2) Principal outstanding includes accrued interest payable of $104,000 and $203,000 at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. (3) Principal outstanding includes accrued interest payable of $786,000 and $279,000 at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. (4) Principal outstanding includes accrued interest payable of $46,000 at December 31, 2017 .
Schedule of securitizations	The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the Company's consolidated securitizations at September 30, 2018 (in thousands): Securitization Closing Date Maturity Date End of Designated Principal Reinvestment Period (1) Total Note Paydowns Received from Closing Date through September 30, 2018 RCC 2017-CRE5 July 2017 July 2034 July 2020 $ 93,074 XAN 2018-RSO6 June 2018 June 2035 December 2020 $ — (1) The designated principal reinvestment period is the period in which principal repayments can be utilized to purchase loans held outside of the respective securitization that represent the funded commitments of existing collateral in the respective securitization that were not funded as of the date the respective securitization was closed.
Repurchase and mortgage finance facilities	The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the Company's repurchase agreements (in thousands, except percentages and amounts in footnotes): September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Outstanding Borrowings (1) Value of Collateral Number of Positions as Collateral Weighted Average Interest Rate Outstanding Borrowings (1) Value of Collateral Number of Positions as Collateral Weighted Average Interest Rate CRE - Term Repurchase Facilities Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (2) $ 109,039 $ 170,355 10 4.21% $ 179,347 $ 268,003 19 3.68% Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A. (3) 67,886 113,831 5 4.76% 112,151 164,122 9 4.05% Barclays Bank PLC (4) 132,895 168,511 8 4.22% — — — —% Trust Certificates - Term Repurchase Facilities RSO Repo SPE Trust 2015 (5) — — — —% 26,548 89,121 2 6.98% RSO Repo SPE Trust 2017 (6) 47,119 118,780 2 6.11% 49,596 125,254 2 5.43% CMBS - Short-Term Repurchase Agreements RBC Capital Markets, LLC 201,635 266,182 31 3.46% 72,131 97,745 6 2.77% JP Morgan Securities LLC 32,718 61,380 12 3.42% 10,516 33,777 2 2.93% Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. (7) 10,934 13,727 10 3.61% — — — —% CMBS - Term Repurchase Facilities Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. — — — —% 12,272 14,984 8 2.45% Deutsche Bank AG (7) — — — —% 15,356 23,076 14 3.53% Total $ 602,226 $ 912,766 $ 477,917 $ 816,082 (1) Outstanding borrowings include accrued interest payable . (2) Includes $1.9 million and $565,000 of deferred debt issuance costs at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. (3) Includes $167,000 and $448,000 of deferred debt issuance costs at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. (4) Includes $1.6 million of deferred debt issuance costs at September 30, 2018 and no deferred debt issuance costs at December 31, 2017 . (5) Includes $133,000 of deferred debt issuance costs at December 31, 2017 . (6) Includes $233,000 and $320,000 of deferred debt issuance costs at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. (7) In May 2018, the facility's term was rolled from a one -year basis, with extensions at the buyer's option, to a three -month basis. At June 30, 2018, the facility was reclassified from CMBS - term repurchase facilities to CMBS - short term repurchase agreements.
Schedule of amount at risk under credit facility	The following table shows information about the amount at risk under the repurchase facilities at September 30, 2018 (in thousands, except percentages and time periods): Amount at Risk (1) Weighted Average Remaining Weighted Average At September 30, 2018: CRE - Term Repurchase Facilities Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. $ 60,183 1.8 years 4.21% Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A. $ 46,322 345 days 4.76% Barclays Bank PLC $ 34,686 2.5 years 4.22% Trust Certificates - Term Repurchase Facility RSO Repo SPE Trust 2017 $ 71,439 2.0 years 6.11% CMBS - Short-Term Repurchase Agreements RBC Capital Markets, LLC $ 65,173 37 days 3.46% JP Morgan Securities LLC $ 28,828 33 days 3.42% Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. $ 2,831 57 days 3.61% (1) Equal to the total of the estimated fair value of securities or loans sold and accrued interest receivable , minus the total of the repurchase agreement liabilities and accrued interest payable .
Schedule of contractual obligations and commitments	Contractual maturity dates of the Company's borrowings' principal outstanding by category and year are presented in the table below at September 30, 2018 (in thousands): Total 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 and Thereafter At September 30, 2018: CRE securitizations $ 555,828 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 555,828 Unsecured junior subordinated debentures 51,548 — — — — 51,548 4.50% Convertible Senior Notes 143,750 — — — — 143,750 6.00% Convertible Senior Notes 70,453 70,453 — — — — 8.00% Convertible Senior Notes 21,182 — — 21,182 — — Repurchase and credit facilities 606,241 245,287 68,052 158,386 134,516 — Total $ 1,449,002 $ 315,740 $ 68,052 $ 179,568 $ 134,516 $ 751,126

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Table

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Summary of restricted common stock transactions	The following table summarizes the Company's restricted common stock transactions: Non-Employee Directors Non-Employees (1) Former Employees Total Unvested shares at January 1, 2018 34,565 419,541 28,967 483,073 Issued 27,032 209,355 — 236,387 Vested (33,193 ) (238,792 ) (23,158 ) (295,143 ) Forfeited — (1,725 ) — (1,725 ) Unvested shares at September 30, 2018 28,404 388,379 5,809 422,592 (1) Non-employees are employees of C-III or Resource America, Inc. ("Resource America").
Schedule of restricted stock granted	The following table summarizes restricted common stock grants during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 : Grant Date Shares Vesting per Year Vesting Date(s) January 18, 2018 209,355 33.3% January 18, 2019, January 18, 2020 and January 18, 2021 February 1, 2018 3,727 100.0% February 1, 2019 March 8, 2018 16,302 100.0% March 8, 2019 June 1, 2018 3,493 100.0% June 1, 2019 June 6, 2018 3,510 100.0% June 6, 2019
Summary of stock option transactions	The following table summarizes the status of the Company's vested stock options at September 30, 2018 : Vested Options Number of Options Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years) Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands) Vested at January 1, 2018 10,000 $ 25.60 Vested — — Exercised — — Forfeited — — Expired — — Vested at September 30, 2018 10,000 $ 25.60 2.63 $ —
Summary of share based compensation expense	The components of equity compensation expense for the periods presented are as follows (in thousands): For the Three Months Ended For the Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Restricted shares granted to non-employees (1) $ 685 $ 817 $ 2,166 $ 2,207 Restricted shares granted to non-employee directors 72 78 217 210 Total equity compensation expense (2) $ 757 $ 895 $ 2,383 $ 2,417 (1) Non-employees are employees of C-III or Resource America. (2) Amounts exclude equity compensation expense for employees of Primary Capital Mortgage, LLC ("PCM"), which is included in net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax on the consolidated statements of operations during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 .

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Reconciliation of basic and diluted (losses) earnings per share	The following table presents a reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings (losses) per share for the periods presented as follows (in thousands, except share and per share amounts): For the Three Months Ended For the Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Net income from continuing operations $ 8,260 $ 24,745 $ 17,312 $ 46,487 Net income allocated to preferred shares (2,588 ) (6,014 ) (10,385 ) (18,043 ) Consideration paid in excess of carrying value of preferred shares — — (7,482 ) — Net loss allocable to non-controlling interest, net of taxes — — — 196 Net income (loss) from continuing operations allocable to common shares 5,672 18,731 (555 ) 28,640 Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax 364 (6,087 ) 161 (10,832 ) Net income (loss) allocable to common shares $ 6,036 $ 12,644 $ (394 ) $ 17,808 Net income (loss) per common share - basic: Weighted average number of shares outstanding 31,229,969 30,857,232 31,186,057 30,810,259 Continuing operations $ 0.18 $ 0.61 $ (0.02 ) $ 0.93 Discontinued operations 0.01 (0.20 ) 0.01 (0.35 ) Net income (loss) per common share - basic $ 0.19 $ 0.41 $ (0.01 ) $ 0.58 Net income (loss) per common share - diluted: Weighted average number of shares outstanding 31,229,969 30,857,232 31,186,057 30,810,259 Additional shares due to assumed conversion of dilutive instruments 247,429 257,920 — 206,849 Adjusted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding 31,477,398 31,115,152 31,186,057 31,017,108 Continuing operations $ 0.18 $ 0.61 $ (0.02 ) $ 0.92 Discontinued operations 0.01 (0.20 ) 0.01 (0.35 ) Net income (loss) per common share - diluted $ 0.19 $ 0.41 $ (0.01 ) $ 0.57 Potentially dilutive shares excluded from calculation due to anti-dilutive effect (1) 14,937,427 12,215,259 14,937,427 10,085,439 (1) Potentially dilutive shares issuable in connection with the potential conversion of the Company's 4.50% convertible senior notes due 2022 (" 4.50% Convertible Senior Notes"), 6.00% convertible senior notes due 2018 (" 6.00% Convertible Senior Notes") and 8.00% convertible senior notes due 2020 (" 8.00% Convertible Senior Notes") ( see Note 9 ) were not included in the calculation of diluted net income (loss) per share because the effect would be anti-dilutive.

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI_2

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of accumulated other comprehensive income	The following table presents the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 (in thousands): Net Unrealized Gain on Derivatives Net Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investment Securities Available-for-Sale Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Balance at January 1, 2018 $ 602 $ 695 $ 1,297 Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 2,428 1,969 4,397 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (1) — (65 ) (65 ) Balance at September 30, 2018 $ 3,030 $ 2,599 $ 5,629 (1) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income are reclassified to net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities available-for-sale and loans and derivatives on the Company's consolidated statements of operations.

DISTRIBUTIONS (Tables)

DISTRIBUTIONS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
DISTRIBUTIONS [Abstract]
Dividends declared	The following tables present dividends declared (on a per share basis) for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , year ended December 31, 2017 and for the period from January 1, 2018 through March 26, 2018 with respect to the Company's Series B Preferred Stock: Common Stock Date Paid Total Dividend (in thousands) 2018 March 31 April 27 $ 1,584 $ 0.05 June 30 July 27 $ 3,165 $ 0.10 September 30 October 26 $ 4,749 $ 0.15 2017 March 31 April 27 $ 1,568 $ 0.05 June 30 July 28 $ 1,567 $ 0.05 September 30 October 27 $ 1,566 $ 0.05 December 31 January 26, 2018 $ 1,572 $ 0.05 Series A Preferred Stock Series B Preferred Stock Series C Preferred Stock Date Paid Total Dividend Date Paid Total Dividend Date Paid Total Dividend (in thousands) (in thousands) (in thousands) 2018 March 26 N/A N/A N/A March 26 $ 1,480 $ 0.320830 N/A N/A N/A March 31 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A April 30 $ 2,588 $ 0.539063 June 30 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A July 30 $ 2,588 $ 0.539063 September 30 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A October 30 $ 2,588 $ 0.539063 2017 March 31 May 1 $ 568 $ 0.531250 May 1 $ 2,859 $ 0.515625 May 1 $ 2,588 $ 0.539063 June 30 July 31 $ 568 $ 0.531250 July 31 $ 2,859 $ 0.515625 July 31 $ 2,588 $ 0.539063 September 30 October 30 $ 568 $ 0.531250 October 30 $ 2,859 $ 0.515625 October 30 $ 2,588 $ 0.539063 December 31 January 30, 2018 $ 568 $ 0.531250 January 30, 2018 $ 2,859 $ 0.515625 January 30, 2018 $ 2,588 $ 0.539063

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTR_2

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair value of financial instruments measured on recurring basis	The following table presents the Company's financial instruments carried at fair value on a recurring basis based upon the fair value hierarchy (in thousands): Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total At September 30, 2018: Assets: Investment securities available-for-sale $ — $ — $ 352,778 $ 352,778 Derivatives — 2,665 — 2,665 Total assets at fair value $ — $ 2,665 $ 352,778 $ 355,443 At December 31, 2017: Assets: Investment securities available-for-sale $ — $ — $ 211,737 $ 211,737 Derivatives — 602 — 602 Total assets at fair value $ — $ 602 $ 211,737 $ 212,339 Liabilities: Derivatives $ — $ 76 $ — $ 76 Total liabilities at fair value $ — $ 76 $ — $ 76
Fair value assets unobservable input reconciliation	The following table presents additional information about the Company's assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis for which the Company has utilized Level 3 inputs (in thousands, except amount in footnote): CMBS ABS Total Balance, January 1, 2018 $ 211,579 $ 158 $ 211,737 Included in earnings 2,492 (217 ) 2,275 Purchases 159,116 — 159,116 Sales (8,103 ) (48 ) (8,151 ) Paydowns (14,132 ) — (14,132 ) Capitalized interest — 7 7 Included in OCI 1,826 100 1,926 Balance, September 30, 2018 $ 352,778 $ — $ 352,778
Fair value financial instruments not reported at fair value	The fair values of the Company's remaining financial instruments that are not reported at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets are reported in the following table (in thousands): Fair Value Measurements Carrying Amount Fair Value Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets of Liabilities (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) At September 30, 2018: Assets: CRE whole loans held for investment $ 1,490,757 $ 1,501,076 $ — $ — $ 1,501,076 Legacy CRE loans held for sale $ 17,000 $ 17,000 $ — $ — $ 17,000 CRE mezzanine loan $ 4,700 $ 4,700 $ — $ — $ 4,700 CRE preferred equity investment $ 19,372 $ 19,545 $ — $ — $ 19,545 Liabilities: Senior notes in CRE securitizations $ 548,526 $ 556,930 $ — $ — $ 556,930 Junior subordinated notes $ 51,548 $ 29,200 $ — $ — $ 29,200 Convertible notes $ 220,606 $ 235,385 $ — $ — $ 235,385 Repurchase agreements $ 602,226 $ 606,155 $ — $ — $ 606,155 At December 31, 2017: Assets: CRE whole loans held for investment $ 1,284,822 $ 1,294,664 $ — $ — $ 1,294,664 Legacy CRE loans held for sale $ 61,841 $ 62,841 $ — $ — $ 62,841 Liabilities: Senior notes in CRE securitizations $ 416,655 $ 420,084 $ — $ — $ 420,084 Junior subordinated notes $ 51,548 $ 26,574 $ — $ — $ 26,574 Convertible notes $ 217,365 $ 235,385 $ — $ — $ 235,385 Repurchase agreements $ 477,917 $ 479,383 $ — $ — $ 479,383

MARKET RISK AND DERIVATIVE IN_2

MARKET RISK AND DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair value of derivative instruments	The following tables present the fair value of the Company's derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the Company's consolidated balance sheets and on the consolidated statements of operations for the periods presented: Fair Value of Derivative Instruments at September 30, 2018 (in thousands) Asset Derivatives Notional Amount Consolidated Balance Sheets Location Fair Value Interest rate swap contracts, hedging (1) $ 85,011 Derivatives, at fair value $ 2,665 Liability Derivatives Notional Amount Consolidated Balance Sheets Location Fair Value Interest rate swap contracts, hedging $ 85,011 Accumulated other comprehensive income $ 3,030 (1) Interest rate swap contracts are accounted for as cash flow hedges. Fair Value of Derivative Instruments at December 31, 2017 (in thousands, except amount in footnotes) Asset Derivatives Notional Amount Consolidated Balance Sheets Location Fair Value Interest rate swap contracts, hedging (1) $ 41,750 Derivatives, at fair value $ 602 Liability Derivatives Notional Amount Consolidated Balance Sheets Location Fair Value Forward contracts - foreign currency, hedging (2)(3) $ 3,602 Derivatives, at fair value $ 76 Interest rate swap contracts, hedging $ 41,750 Accumulated other comprehensive income $ 602 (1) Interest rate swap contracts are accounted for as cash flow hedges. (2) Foreign currency forward contracts are accounted for as fair value hedges. (3) Notional amount is presented on a currency converted basis. The base currency notional amount of the Company's foreign currency hedging forward contracts in a liability position was €3.0 million at December 31, 2017 .
The effect of derivative instruments on the statement of income	The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 (in thousands) Derivatives Consolidated Statements of Operations Location Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) (1) Interest rate swap contracts, hedging Interest expense $ (141 ) (1) Negative values indicate a decrease to the associated consolidated statements of operations line items. The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 (in thousands) Derivatives Consolidated Statements of Operations Location Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) (1) Interest rate swap contracts, hedging Interest expense $ (53 ) Forward contracts - foreign currency, hedging Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities available-for-sale and loans and derivatives $ (1,998 ) (1) Negative values indicate a decrease to the associated consolidated statements of operations line items.

OFFSETTING OF FINANCIAL ASSET_2

OFFSETTING OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Offsetting [Abstract]
Offsetting financial assets and derivative assets	The following table presents a summary of the Company's offsetting of derivative assets (in thousands, except amounts in footnotes): (iv) (i) (ii) (iii) = (i) - (ii) Financial Cash (v) = (iii) - (iv) At September 30, 2018: Derivatives, at fair value (1) $ 2,665 $ — $ 2,665 $ — $ — $ 2,665 At December 31, 2017: Derivatives, at fair value (1) $ 602 $ — $ 602 $ — $ — $ 602 (1) The Company posted cash margin of $1.0 million and $1.9 million related to interest rate swap contracts outstanding at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively.
Offsetting financial liabilities and derivative liabilities	The following table presents a summary of the Company's offsetting of financial liabilities and derivative liabilities (in thousands, except amounts in footnotes): (iv) (i) (ii) (iii) = (i) - (ii) Financial (1) Cash (v) = (iii) - (iv) At September 30, 2018: Repurchase agreements and term facilities (2) $ 602,226 $ — $ 602,226 $ 602,226 $ — $ — Total $ 602,226 $ — $ 602,226 $ 602,226 $ — $ — At December 31, 2017: Derivatives, at fair value $ 76 $ — $ 76 $ — $ — $ 76 Repurchase agreements and term facilities (2) 477,917 — 477,917 477,917 — — Total $ 477,993 $ — $ 477,993 $ 477,917 $ — $ 76 (1) Amounts represent financial instruments pledged that are available to be offset against liability balances associated with term facilities, repurchase agreements and derivatives. (2) The combined fair value of securities and loans pledged against the Company's various repurchase agreements and term facilities was $912.8 million and $816.1 million at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively.

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND A_2

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Disposal groups, including discontinued operations	The following table summarizes the operating results of the residential mortgage and middle market lending segments' discontinued operations as reported separately as net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 (in thousands): For the Three Months Ended For the Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 REVENUES Interest income: Loans $ — $ 892 $ 580 $ 2,682 Other — 44 13 76 Total interest income — 936 593 2,758 Interest expense — — — — Net interest income — 936 593 2,758 (Loss) gain on sale of residential mortgage loans — (1,186 ) (1 ) 5,688 Fee income (loss) 280 (197 ) 313 3,480 Total revenues 280 (447 ) 905 11,926 OPERATING EXPENSES Equity compensation — 65 — 286 General and administrative 62 5,590 1,165 21,985 Total operating expenses 62 5,655 1,165 22,271 218 (6,102 ) (260 ) (10,345 ) OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) Net realized and unrealized gain on investment securities available-for-sale and loans and derivatives 146 97 421 13 Fair value adjustments on financial assets held for sale — (82 ) — (500 ) Total other income (expense) 146 15 421 (487 ) INCOME (LOSS) FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES 364 (6,087 ) 161 (10,832 ) Income tax expense — — — — NET INCOME (LOSS) FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET OF TAX 364 (6,087 ) 161 (10,832 ) Loss from disposal of discontinued operations — — — — TOTAL INCOME (LOSS) FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS $ 364 $ (6,087 ) $ 161 $ (10,832 ) The assets and liabilities of business segments classified as discontinued operations and other assets and liabilities classified as held for sale are reported separately in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and are summarized as follows at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands, except amounts in the footnote): September 30, December 31, ASSETS Restricted cash $ — $ 138 Accrued interest receivable — 67 Loans held for sale (1) 17,000 93,063 Other assets (2) 854 14,450 Total assets held for sale $ 17,854 $ 107,718 LIABILITIES Accounts payable and other liabilities $ 1,787 $ 10,283 Management fee payable — 56 Accrued interest payable — 3 Total liabilities held for sale $ 1,787 $ 10,342 (1) Includes a directly originated middle market loan with a carrying value of $2.0 million at December 31, 2017 . In July 2018 substantially all of the assets of the borrower were sold, resulting in $2.1 million of loan repayments. (2) Includes the Company's investment in life settlement contracts of $5.1 million at December 31, 2017 . In 2018, substantially all of the life settlement contracts were sold or matured and there were no life settlement contracts remaining at September 30, 2018 .
Summary of loans held-for-sale	The following table summarizes the loans held for sale in the residential mortgage and middle market lending segments as well as the non-performing legacy CRE loans transferred to held for sale in the fourth quarter of 2016. The loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value (in thousands, except quantities and amounts in footnotes): Loan Description Number of Loans Amortized Cost Carrying Value At September 30, 2018: Legacy CRE loan (1) 1 $ 25,202 $ 17,000 Mezzanine loan (2) 1 — — Total loans held for sale 2 $ 25,202 $ 17,000 At December 31, 2017: Legacy CRE loans (1) 5 $ 63,783 $ 61,841 Mezzanine loan (2) 1 — — Middle market loans (3) 5 41,199 29,308 Residential mortgage loans (4)(5) 14 1,914 1,914 Total loans held for sale 25 $ 106,896 $ 93,063 (1) Two legacy CRE loans with amortized costs of $28.3 million were reclassified as CRE loans on the consolidated balance sheets at June 30, 2018 as the Company now intends to hold these loans to maturity. (2) The mezzanine loan has a par value of $38.1 million and was acquired at a fair value of zero as a result of the liquidations of Resource Real Estate Funding CDO 2006-1, Ltd. in April 2016 and Resource Real Estate Funding CDO 2007-1, Ltd. in November 2016. The mezzanine loan is comprised of two tranches, maturing in November 2018 and September 2021. (3) Includes a directly originated middle market loan with a fair value of $2.0 million at December 31, 2017 . In July 2018 substantially all of the assets of the borrower were sold, resulting in $2.1 million of loan repayments. The loan's fair value was supported by a third party valuation mark prepared at December 31, 2017 . (4) The fair value option was elected for residential mortgage loans held for sale. (5) The Company's residential mortgage loan portfolio was comprised of both agency loans and non-agency jumbo loans. The fair values of the agency loan portfolio were generally classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy, as those values are determined based on quoted market prices for similar assets or upon other observable inputs. The fair values of the jumbo loan portfolio were generally classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy, as those values are generally based upon valuation techniques that utilize unobservable inputs that reflect the assumptions that a market participant would use in pricing those assets.

ORGANIZATION (Details)

ORGANIZATION (Details)	Sep. 30, 2018
Exantas Capital Corp | C-III Capital Partners LLC
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	2.40%

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_4

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2018		Dec. 31, 2017		Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Cash balance in excess of federal deposit Insurance limit, amount	[1]	$ 45,500		$ 177,500
Cash and cash equivalents		48,053	[1]	181,490	[1]	$ 282,984
Restricted cash		6,580	[1]	22,874	[1]	14,539
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown on the Company's consolidated statements of cash flows		54,633		$ 204,364		$ 297,523	$ 119,425
Deferred tax assets, gross, tax expense impact		$ 10,000
[1]	September 30, 2018December 31, 2017(1) Assets of consolidated variable interest entities ("VIEs") included in total assets above: Cash and cash equivalents$— $—Restricted cash5,504 20,846Accrued interest receivable3,477 3,347CRE loans, pledged as collateral and net of allowances of $927 and $1,330780,302 603,110Loans held for sale— 13Principal paydowns receivable— 72,207Other assets132 73Total assets of consolidated VIEs$789,415 $699,596

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (Con

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (Consolidated VIEs) (the Company is the primary beneficiary) (Details) - VIE, Primary Beneficiary	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)entity	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)entity	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017entity
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Number of consolidated VIEs | entity	6		6		7
Financial support, amount | $	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (Sch

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (Schedule of Carrying Value of Assets and Liabilities of Consolidated VIEs) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
ASSETS:
Restricted cash	$ 5,504	$ 20,846
CRE loans, pledged as collateral	780,302	603,110
Other assets	132	73
Total assets of consolidated VIEs	789,415	699,596
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and other liabilities	41	96
Accrued interest payable	656	592
Borrowings	548,526	416,655
Total liabilities of consolidated VIEs	549,223	$ 417,343
VIE, Primary Beneficiary
ASSETS:
Restricted cash	5,504
Accrued interest receivable	3,477
CRE loans, pledged as collateral	780,302
Other assets	132
Total assets of consolidated VIEs	789,415
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and other liabilities	41
Accrued interest payable	656
Borrowings	548,526
Total liabilities of consolidated VIEs	549,223
CRE Securitizations | VIE, Primary Beneficiary
ASSETS:
Restricted cash	5,000
Accrued interest receivable	3,477
CRE loans, pledged as collateral	780,302
Other assets	132
Total assets of consolidated VIEs	788,911
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and other liabilities	41
Accrued interest payable	656
Borrowings	548,526
Total liabilities of consolidated VIEs	549,223
Other | VIE, Primary Beneficiary
ASSETS:
Restricted cash	504
Accrued interest receivable	0
CRE loans, pledged as collateral	0
Other assets	0
Total assets of consolidated VIEs	504
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and other liabilities	0
Accrued interest payable	0
Borrowings	0
Total liabilities of consolidated VIEs	$ 0

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (Unc

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (Unconsolidated VIEs) (the Company is not the primary beneficiary, but has a variable interest) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		1 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	[1]			$ 1,596	$ 12,051
Borrowings	[2]			1,422,906	$ 1,163,485
VIE, Not Primary Beneficiary
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Carrying amount of private-label securitization				$ (9,651)
VIE, Not Primary Beneficiary | Investment in RCT I and II
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership percentage in VIE				100.00%
Investments in unconsolidated entities				$ 1,500
VIE, Not Primary Beneficiary | Interest in RCT I
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities				$ 774
Percentage of total value of trusts owned				3.00%
Borrowings				$ 25,800
VIE, Not Primary Beneficiary | Interest in RCT II
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities				$ 774
Percentage of total value of trusts owned				3.00%
Borrowings				$ 25,800
VIE, Not Primary Beneficiary | C40
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership percentage in VIE			95.00%
Carrying amount of private-label securitization			$ 705,400	21,637
VIE, Not Primary Beneficiary | Prospect Hackensack
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Carrying amount of private-label securitization				$ 19,372
Payments to acquire interest in joint venture		$ 19,200
[1]	September 30, 2018December 31, 2017(1) Assets of consolidated variable interest entities ("VIEs") included in total assets above: Cash and cash equivalents$— $—Restricted cash5,504 20,846Accrued interest receivable3,477 3,347CRE loans, pledged as collateral and net of allowances of $927 and $1,330780,302 603,110Loans held for sale— 13Principal paydowns receivable— 72,207Other assets132 73Total assets of consolidated VIEs$789,415 $699,596
[2]	September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017(2) Liabilities of consolidated VIEs included in total liabilities above: Accounts payable and other liabilities$41 $96Accrued interest payable656 592Borrowings548,526 416,655Total liabilities of consolidated VIEs$549,223 $417,343

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (S_2

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (Schedule of Classification, Carrying Value, and Maximum Exposure to Loss of Unconsolidated VIEs) (Details) - VIE, Not Primary Beneficiary - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Accrued interest receivable	$ 205
CRE loans	19,372
Investment securities available-for-sale	21,465
Investments in unconsolidated entities	1,548
Total assets	42,590
Accrued interest payable	693
Borrowings	51,548
Total liabilities	52,241
Net (liability) asset	(9,651)
Interest Receivable
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Maximum Exposure to Loss	0
Loans Pledged as Collateral
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Maximum Exposure to Loss	19,372
Available-for-sale Securities
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Maximum Exposure to Loss	21,117
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Maximum Exposure to Loss	1,548
Unsecured Junior Subordinated Debentures
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Accrued interest receivable	33
CRE loans	0
Investment securities available-for-sale	0
Investments in unconsolidated entities	1,548
Total assets	1,581
Accrued interest payable	693
Borrowings	51,548
Total liabilities	52,241
Net (liability) asset	(50,660)
C40
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Accrued interest receivable	172
CRE loans	0
Investment securities available-for-sale	21,465
Investments in unconsolidated entities	0
Total assets	21,637
Accrued interest payable	0
Borrowings	0
Total liabilities	0
Net (liability) asset	21,637	$ 705,400
Prospect Hackensack
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Accrued interest receivable	0
CRE loans	19,372
Investment securities available-for-sale	0
Investments in unconsolidated entities	0
Total assets	19,372
Accrued interest payable	0
Borrowings	0
Total liabilities	0
Net (liability) asset	$ 19,372

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORM_3

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Details) - Continuing Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Non-cash continuing financing activities include the following:
Proceeds from the private exchange of convertible senior notes	$ 0	$ 22,161
Payments on the private exchange of convertible senior notes	0	(22,161)
Common Stock
Non-cash continuing financing activities include the following:
Distributions accrued but not paid	4,749	1,566
Preferred Stock
Non-cash continuing financing activities include the following:
Distributions accrued but not paid	$ 1,725	$ 4,010

LOANS (Summary of Loans) (Detai

LOANS (Summary of Loans) (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)loan	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)loan
Receivables with Imputed Interest [Line Items]
Unamortized (Discount) Premium, net	$ (8,756)	$ (7,014)
Allowance for Loan Losses	(1,736)	(5,328)
Principal, Total loans	1,525,321	1,297,164
Amortized Cost, Total loans	1,516,565	1,290,150
Carrying Value, Total loans	1,514,829	1,284,822
Commercial Real Estate Loans
Receivables with Imputed Interest [Line Items]
Principal, Loans held for investment	1,525,321	1,297,164
Unamortized (Discount) Premium, net	(8,756)	(7,014)
Amortized Cost, Loans held for investment	1,516,565	1,290,150
Allowance for Loan Losses	(1,736)	(5,328)
Carrying Value, Loans held for investment	1,514,829	1,284,822
Loan origination fees	8,500	6,700
Deferred amendment fees	$ 295	$ 268
CRE whole loans | Commercial Real Estate Loans
Receivables with Imputed Interest [Line Items]
Quantity | loan	78	70
Principal, Loans held for investment	$ 1,501,076	$ 1,297,164
Unamortized (Discount) Premium, net	(8,583)	(7,014)
Amortized Cost, Loans held for investment	1,492,493	1,290,150
Allowance for Loan Losses	(1,736)	(5,328)
Carrying Value, Loans held for investment	1,490,757	1,284,822
Loans held for investment, unfunded loan commitments	$ 92,200	$ 84,100
CRE whole loans | Commercial Real Estate Loans | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) | Minimum
Receivables with Imputed Interest [Line Items]
Contractual Interest Rates	2.50%	3.60%
CRE whole loans | Commercial Real Estate Loans | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) | Maximum
Receivables with Imputed Interest [Line Items]
Contractual Interest Rates	6.25%	6.25%
Mezzanine loan | Commercial Real Estate Loans
Receivables with Imputed Interest [Line Items]
Quantity | loan	1
Principal, Loans held for investment	$ 4,700
Unamortized (Discount) Premium, net	0
Amortized Cost, Loans held for investment	4,700
Allowance for Loan Losses	0
Carrying Value, Loans held for investment	$ 4,700
Contractual Interest Rates	10.00%
Preferred equity investment | Commercial Real Estate Loans
Receivables with Imputed Interest [Line Items]
Quantity | loan	1
Principal, Loans held for investment	$ 19,545
Unamortized (Discount) Premium, net	(173)
Amortized Cost, Loans held for investment	19,372
Allowance for Loan Losses	0
Carrying Value, Loans held for investment	$ 19,372
Contractual Interest Rates	11.50%
Loans receivable, contracted interest rate	8.00%
Whole Loans in Default | Commercial Real Estate Loans
Receivables with Imputed Interest [Line Items]
Quantity | loan		1
Amortized Cost, Loans held for investment		$ 7,000
Whole Loans Classified as Held-for-sale | Commercial Real Estate Loans
Receivables with Imputed Interest [Line Items]
Quantity | loan	1
Amortized Cost, Loans held for investment	$ 11,500
Whole Loans Reclassified from Held-for-sale | Commercial Real Estate Loans
Receivables with Imputed Interest [Line Items]
Amortized Cost, Loans held for investment	$ 28,300
Number of loans transferred to held-to-maturity | loan	2

LOANS (Commercial Real Estate L

LOANS (Commercial Real Estate Loans, at Amortized Cost) (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)loan
Commercial Real Estate Loans
Receivables with Imputed Interest [Line Items]
Amortized Cost, Loans held for investment	$ 1,516,565	$ 1,290,150
Commercial Real Estate Loans | Whole Loans in Default
Receivables with Imputed Interest [Line Items]
Amortized Cost, Loans held for investment		$ 7,000
Number of Loans | loan		1
Commercial Real Estate Debt Investments
Receivables with Imputed Interest [Line Items]
2,018	0
2,019	80,830
2020 and Thereafter	1,424,219
Amortized Cost, Loans held for investment	1,505,049
Commercial Real Estate Debt Investments | CRE whole loans
Receivables with Imputed Interest [Line Items]
2,018	0	$ 0
2,019	80,830	148,622
2020 and Thereafter	1,400,147	1,134,528
Amortized Cost, Loans held for investment	1,480,977	$ 1,283,150
Commercial Real Estate Debt Investments | Mezzanine loan
Receivables with Imputed Interest [Line Items]
2,018	0
2,019	0
2020 and Thereafter	4,700
Amortized Cost, Loans held for investment	4,700
Commercial Real Estate Debt Investments | Preferred equity investment
Receivables with Imputed Interest [Line Items]
2,018	0
2,019	0
2020 and Thereafter	19,372
Amortized Cost, Loans held for investment	$ 19,372

LOANS (Details)

LOANS (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Loans receivable–related party	$ 44,300,000	$ 75,900,000
Commercial Real Estate Loans | Southwest Region
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Concentration of loan portfolio risk	33.10%	28.00%
Commercial Real Estate Loans | Pacific Region
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Concentration of loan portfolio risk	20.90%	24.30%
Commercial Real Estate Loans | Mountain Region
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Concentration of loan portfolio risk	20.10%	12.50%

FINANCING RECEIVABLES (Allowanc

FINANCING RECEIVABLES (Allowance for Loan Losses and Recorded Investments in Loans) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Allowance for loan losses:
(Recovery of) provision for loan losses, net	$ (1,260)	$ 518
Commercial Real Estate Loans
Allowance for loan losses:
Allowance for loan losses at beginning of period	5,328	$ 3,829	$ 3,829
(Recovery of) provision for loan losses, net	(1,260)		1,499
Loans charged-off	(2,332)		0
Allowance for loan losses at end of period	1,736		5,328
Allowance for loan losses ending balance:
Individually evaluated for impairment	0		2,500
Collectively evaluated for impairment	1,736		2,828
Loans: Amortized cost ending balance:
Individually evaluated for impairment	24,072		7,000
Collectively evaluated for impairment	$ 1,492,493		$ 1,283,150

FINANCING RECEIVABLES (Credit R

FINANCING RECEIVABLES (Credit Risk Profiles and Allowance For Loan Losses) (Details) - Commercial Real Estate Loans	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)loan	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)loan
Schedule Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Loans and receivables	$ 1,533,565,000	$ 1,351,991,000
Whole loans
Schedule Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Loans and receivables	1,492,493,000	$ 1,290,150,000
Number of defaulted loans | loan		1
Recorded investment	0	$ 7,000,000
Mezzanine loan
Schedule Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Loans and receivables	4,700,000
Preferred equity investment
Schedule Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Loans and receivables	19,372,000
Legacy CRE whole loans
Schedule Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Loans and receivables	$ 17,000,000	$ 61,841,000
Number of defaulted loans | loan	1	2
Recorded investment	$ 17,000,000	$ 22,500,000
Rating 3
Schedule Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Allowance for credit losses, percentage of aggregate par amount of loans	1.50%
Loans and receivables	$ 110,808,000	171,841,000
Rating 3 | Whole loans
Schedule Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Loans and receivables	110,808,000	171,841,000
Rating 3 | Mezzanine loan
Schedule Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Loans and receivables	0
Rating 3 | Preferred equity investment
Schedule Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Loans and receivables	0
Rating 3 | Legacy CRE whole loans
Schedule Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Loans and receivables	$ 0	0
Rating 4
Schedule Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Allowance for credit losses, percentage of aggregate carrying amount of loans	5.00%
Loans and receivables	$ 4,849,000	4,837,000
Rating 4 | Whole loans
Schedule Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Loans and receivables	4,849,000	4,837,000
Rating 4 | Mezzanine loan
Schedule Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Loans and receivables	0
Rating 4 | Preferred equity investment
Schedule Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Loans and receivables	0
Rating 4 | Legacy CRE whole loans
Schedule Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Loans and receivables	0	0
Rating 1
Schedule Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Loans and receivables	0	65,589,000
Rating 1 | Whole loans
Schedule Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Loans and receivables	0	65,589,000
Rating 1 | Mezzanine loan
Schedule Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Loans and receivables	0
Rating 1 | Preferred equity investment
Schedule Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Loans and receivables	0
Rating 1 | Legacy CRE whole loans
Schedule Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Loans and receivables	0	0
Rating 2
Schedule Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Loans and receivables	1,400,908,000	1,040,883,000
Rating 2 | Whole loans
Schedule Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Loans and receivables	1,376,836,000	1,040,883,000
Rating 2 | Mezzanine loan
Schedule Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Loans and receivables	4,700,000
Rating 2 | Preferred equity investment
Schedule Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Loans and receivables	19,372,000
Rating 2 | Legacy CRE whole loans
Schedule Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Loans and receivables	0	0
Rating 5
Schedule Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Loans and receivables	0	7,000,000
Rating 5 | Whole loans
Schedule Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Loans and receivables	0	7,000,000
Rating 5 | Mezzanine loan
Schedule Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Loans and receivables	0
Rating 5 | Preferred equity investment
Schedule Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Loans and receivables	0
Rating 5 | Legacy CRE whole loans
Schedule Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Loans and receivables	0	0
Held for Sale
Schedule Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Loans and receivables, held for sale	17,000,000	61,841,000
Held for Sale | Whole loans
Schedule Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Loans and receivables, held for sale	0	0
Held for Sale | Mezzanine loan
Schedule Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Loans and receivables, held for sale	0
Held for Sale | Preferred equity investment
Schedule Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Loans and receivables, held for sale	0
Held for Sale | Legacy CRE whole loans
Schedule Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Loans and receivables, held for sale	$ 17,000,000	$ 61,841,000

FINANCING RECEIVABLES (Details)

FINANCING RECEIVABLES (Details) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)loan
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Carrying value	$ 912,766	$ 816,082
Commercial Real Estate Loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans held for investment, amortized cost	1,516,565	$ 1,290,150
Rating 5 | Commercial Real Estate Loans | Legacy CRE whole loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Number of impaired loans | loan		1
Loans held for investment, amortized cost		$ 7,000
Carrying value		$ 4,500
Financing receivable, significant sales	$ 4,700

FINANCING RECEIVABLES (Loan Por

FINANCING RECEIVABLES (Loan Portfolio Aging Analysis) (Details)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)loan	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)loan
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Past due	$ 28,516,000	$ 29,516,000
Current	1,505,049,000	1,322,475,000
Total Loans Receivable	1,533,565,000	1,351,991,000
Total Loans Greater Than 90 days and Accruing	11,516,000	0
30-59 Days
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Past due	0	11,516,000
60-89 Days
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Past due	0	0
Greater than 90 Days
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Past due	28,516,000	18,000,000
Commercial Real Estate Loans | Whole loans
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Past due	11,516,000	7,000,000
Current	1,480,977,000	1,283,150,000
Total Loans Receivable	1,492,493,000	1,290,150,000
Total Loans Greater Than 90 days and Accruing	11,516,000	$ 0
Number of defaulted loans | loan		1
Recorded investment	0	$ 7,000,000
Commercial Real Estate Loans | Mezzanine loan
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Past due	0
Current	4,700,000
Total Loans Receivable	4,700,000
Total Loans Greater Than 90 days and Accruing	0
Commercial Real Estate Loans | Preferred equity investment
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Past due	0
Current	19,372,000
Total Loans Receivable	19,372,000
Total Loans Greater Than 90 days and Accruing	0
Commercial Real Estate Loans | Legacy CRE whole loans
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Past due	17,000,000	22,516,000
Current	0	39,325,000
Total Loans Receivable	17,000,000	61,841,000
Total Loans Greater Than 90 days and Accruing	$ 0	$ 0
Number of defaulted loans | loan	1	2
Recorded investment	$ 17,000,000	$ 22,500,000
Commercial Real Estate Loans | Whole loans in technical default
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Number of defaulted loans | loan	1
Recorded investment	$ 11,500,000
Commercial Real Estate Loans | 30-59 Days | Whole loans
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Past due	0	0
Commercial Real Estate Loans | 30-59 Days | Mezzanine loan
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Past due	0
Commercial Real Estate Loans | 30-59 Days | Preferred equity investment
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Past due	0
Commercial Real Estate Loans | 30-59 Days | Legacy CRE whole loans
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Past due	0	11,516,000
Commercial Real Estate Loans | 60-89 Days | Whole loans
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Past due	0	0
Commercial Real Estate Loans | 60-89 Days | Mezzanine loan
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Past due	0
Commercial Real Estate Loans | 60-89 Days | Preferred equity investment
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Past due	0
Commercial Real Estate Loans | 60-89 Days | Legacy CRE whole loans
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Past due	0	0
Commercial Real Estate Loans | Greater than 90 Days | Whole loans
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Past due	11,516,000	7,000,000
Commercial Real Estate Loans | Greater than 90 Days | Mezzanine loan
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Past due	0
Commercial Real Estate Loans | Greater than 90 Days | Preferred equity investment
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Past due	0
Commercial Real Estate Loans | Greater than 90 Days | Legacy CRE whole loans
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Past due	$ 17,000,000	$ 11,000,000

FINANCING RECEIVABLES (Impaired

FINANCING RECEIVABLES (Impaired Loans) (Details) - Commercial Real Estate Loans - Whole loans - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Recorded Balance, Loans without a specific valuation allowance	$ 0
Recorded Balance, Loans with a specific valuation allowance	7,000,000
Recorded Balance	7,000,000	$ 0
Unpaid Principal Balance, Loans without a specific valuation allowance	0
Unpaid Principal Balance, Loans with a specific valuation allowance	7,000,000
Unpaid Principal Balance	7,000,000
Specific Allowance	(2,500,000)
Average Investment in Impaired Loans, Loans without a specific valuation allowance	0
Average Investment in Impaired Loans, Loans with specific valuation allowance	7,000,000
Average Investment in Impaired Loans	7,000,000
Interest Income Recognized, Loans without a specific valuation allowance	0
Interest Income Recognized, Loans with a specific valuation allowance	0
Interest Income Recognized	$ 0

INVESTMENT SECURITIES AVAILAB_3

INVESTMENT SECURITIES AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE (Schedule of Available-for-Sale Securities, Fair Value) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$ 350,179	$ 211,065
Unrealized Gains	3,755	1,947
Unrealized Losses	(1,156)	(1,275)
Legacy CRE whole loans held for sale	352,778	211,737
Assets pledged as collateral	325,700	169,600
CMBS
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	350,179	210,806
Unrealized Gains	3,755	1,947
Unrealized Losses	(1,156)	(1,174)
Legacy CRE whole loans held for sale	$ 352,778	211,579
ABS
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		259
Unrealized Gains		0
Unrealized Losses		(101)
Legacy CRE whole loans held for sale		$ 158

INVESTMENT SECURITIES AVAILAB_4

INVESTMENT SECURITIES AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE (Estimated Maturities of Available-For-Sale Securities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Amortized Cost
Less than one year	$ 126,349	$ 25,475
Greater than one year and less than five years	70,778	126,273
Greater than five years and less than ten years	153,052	59,317
Total	350,179	211,065
Fair Value
Less than one year	126,749	25,275
Greater than one year and less than five years	70,976	127,104
Greater than five years and less than ten years	155,053	59,358
Total	$ 352,778	$ 211,737
Weighted Average Coupon
Less than one year	5.40%	5.55%
Greater than one year and less than five years	5.10%	4.65%
Greater than five years and less than ten years	3.83%	3.53%
Total	4.65%	4.45%

INVESTMENT SECURITIES AVAILAB_5

INVESTMENT SECURITIES AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE (Gross Unrealized Loss and Fair Value of Securities) (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)security	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)security
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Fair Value, less than 12 months	$ 39,398	$ 49,174
Unrealized Losses, less than 12 months	$ (350)	$ (989)
Number of Securities, less than 12 months | security	11	13
Fair Value, more than 12 months	$ 6,286	$ 1,308
Unrealized losses, more than 12 Months	$ (806)	$ (286)
Number of Securities, more than 12 Months | security	6	4
Fair Value, total	$ 45,684	$ 50,482
Unrealized losses, total	$ (1,156)	$ (1,275)
Number of Securities, total | security	17	17
CMBS
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Fair Value, less than 12 months	$ 39,398	$ 49,016
Unrealized Losses, less than 12 months	$ (350)	$ (888)
Number of Securities, less than 12 months | security	11	12
Fair Value, more than 12 months	$ 6,286	$ 1,308
Unrealized losses, more than 12 Months	$ (806)	$ (286)
Number of Securities, more than 12 Months | security	6	4
Fair Value, total	$ 45,684	$ 50,324
Unrealized losses, total	$ (1,156)	$ (1,174)
Number of Securities, total | security	17	16
ABS
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Fair Value, less than 12 months		$ 158
Unrealized Losses, less than 12 months		$ (101)
Number of Securities, less than 12 months | security		1
Fair Value, more than 12 months		$ 0
Unrealized losses, more than 12 Months		$ 0
Number of Securities, more than 12 Months | security		0
Fair Value, total		$ 158
Unrealized losses, total		$ (101)
Number of Securities, total | security		1

INVESTMENT SECURITIES AVAILAB_6

INVESTMENT SECURITIES AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Abstract]
Other than temporary impairment losses	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

INVESTMENT SECURITIES AVAILAB_7

INVESTMENT SECURITIES AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE (Sale of Available-for-Sale Debt Securities) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)position	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)position	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)position	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)position
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Positions Sold/Redeemed | position	2	9	4	11
Par Amount Sold/Redeemed	$ 10,000	$ 176,820	$ 10,411	$ 186,425
Amortized Cost	7,821	19,802	8,086	27,276
Realized Gain (Loss)	282	(2,522)	65	(730)
Proceeds	$ 8,103	$ 17,809	48	33,347
Proceeds, including amounts not yet received in cash			$ 8,151	$ 25,043
ABS
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Positions Sold/Redeemed | position	0	5	2	7
Par Amount Sold/Redeemed	$ 0	$ 18,301	$ 411	$ 27,906
Amortized Cost	0	14,249	265	21,723
Realized Gain (Loss)	0	(2,110)	(217)	(318)
Proceeds	$ 0	$ 12,647	$ 48	$ 19,881
CMBS
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Positions Sold/Redeemed | position	2	1	2	1
Par Amount Sold/Redeemed	$ 10,000	$ 5,000	$ 10,000	$ 5,000
Amortized Cost	7,821	4,279	7,821	4,279
Realized Gain (Loss)	282	(254)	282	(254)
Proceeds	8,103	$ 4,046	8,103	$ 4,046
Proceeds, including amounts not yet received in cash	$ 8,100		$ 8,100
Number of positions sold | position	2		2
RMBS
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Positions Sold/Redeemed | position		3		3
Par Amount Sold/Redeemed		$ 153,519		$ 153,519
Amortized Cost		1,274		1,274
Realized Gain (Loss)		(158)		(158)
Proceeds		$ 1,116		$ 1,116

INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED_3

INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED ENTITIES (Schedule of Unconsolidated Entities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Equity Method Investment, Financial Statement, Reported Amounts [Abstract]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	[1]	$ 1,596		$ 1,596		$ 12,051
Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Unconsolidated Entities		$ (375)	$ 40,358	(2,128)	$ 39,301
Return on investment from investments in unconsolidated entities				$ 411	49,713
Pelium Capital
Equity Method Investment, Financial Statement, Reported Amounts [Abstract]
Ownership % at September 30, 2018		80.20%		80.20%
Investments in unconsolidated entities		$ 7		$ 7		10,503
Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Unconsolidated Entities		$ 50	54	(180)	(22)
Return on investment from investments in unconsolidated entities				$ 10,400	13,600
RCM Global
Equity Method Investment, Financial Statement, Reported Amounts [Abstract]
Ownership % at September 30, 2018		63.80%		63.80%
Investments in unconsolidated entities		$ 41		$ 41		0
Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Unconsolidated Entities		$ (7)	(61)	$ 0	(231)
RRE VIP Borrower, LLC
Equity Method Investment, Financial Statement, Reported Amounts [Abstract]
Ownership % at September 30, 2018		0.00%		0.00%
Investments in unconsolidated entities		$ 0		$ 0		0
Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Unconsolidated Entities		$ 0	6	$ 0	44
Pearlmark Mezzanine Realty Partners IV, L.P.
Equity Method Investment, Financial Statement, Reported Amounts [Abstract]
Ownership % at September 30, 2018		0.00%		0.00%
Investments in unconsolidated entities		$ 0		$ 0		0
Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Unconsolidated Entities		$ 0	0	$ 0	165
Investment in LCC Preferred Stock
Equity Method Investment, Financial Statement, Reported Amounts [Abstract]
Ownership % at September 30, 2018		0.00%		0.00%
Investments in unconsolidated entities		$ 0		$ 0		0
Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Unconsolidated Entities		411	41,048	411	41,334
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities
Equity Method Investment, Financial Statement, Reported Amounts [Abstract]
Investments in unconsolidated entities		48		48		10,503
Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Unconsolidated Entities		$ 454	41,047	$ 231	41,290
Investment in RCT I and II
Equity Method Investment, Financial Statement, Reported Amounts [Abstract]
Ownership % at September 30, 2018		3.00%		3.00%
Investments in unconsolidated entities		$ 1,548		$ 1,548		$ 1,548
Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Unconsolidated Entities		$ (829)	$ (689)	$ (2,359)	$ (1,989)
[1]	September 30, 2018December 31, 2017(1) Assets of consolidated variable interest entities ("VIEs") included in total assets above: Cash and cash equivalents$— $—Restricted cash5,504 20,846Accrued interest receivable3,477 3,347CRE loans, pledged as collateral and net of allowances of $927 and $1,330780,302 603,110Loans held for sale— 13Principal paydowns receivable— 72,207Other assets132 73Total assets of consolidated VIEs$789,415 $699,596

BORROWINGS (Schedule of Debt) (

BORROWINGS (Schedule of Debt) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding		$ 1,449,002	$ 1,187,384
Unamortized Issuance Costs and Discounts		26,096	23,899
Outstanding Borrowings		$ 1,422,906	$ 1,163,485
Weighted Average Borrowing Rate		4.06%	4.00%
Weighted Average Remaining Maturity		7 years 11 months	7 years 4 months
Value of Collateral		$ 1,704,147	$ 1,515,510
Accrued interest costs	[1]	3,937	4,387
RCC 2015-CRE3 Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding			85,788
Unamortized Issuance Costs and Discounts			396
Outstanding Borrowings			$ 85,392
Weighted Average Borrowing Rate			4.50%
Weighted Average Remaining Maturity			14 years 2 months 12 days
Value of Collateral			$ 149,828
RCC 2015-CRE4 Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding			90,883
Unamortized Issuance Costs and Discounts			407
Outstanding Borrowings			$ 90,476
Weighted Average Borrowing Rate			3.65%
Weighted Average Remaining Maturity			14 years 7 months 6 days
Value of Collateral			$ 180,066
RCC 2017-CRE5 Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding		158,376	244,280
Unamortized Issuance Costs and Discounts		2,312	3,493
Outstanding Borrowings		$ 156,064	$ 240,787
Weighted Average Borrowing Rate		3.30%	2.51%
Weighted Average Remaining Maturity		15 years 9 months	16 years 7 months 6 days
Value of Collateral		$ 277,156	$ 369,534
XAN 2018-RSO6 Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding		397,452
Unamortized Issuance Costs and Discounts		4,990
Outstanding Borrowings		$ 392,462
Weighted Average Borrowing Rate		3.26%
Weighted Average Remaining Maturity		16 years 8 months
Value of Collateral		$ 514,225
Unsecured Junior Subordinated Debentures
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding		51,548	51,548
Unamortized Issuance Costs and Discounts		0	0
Outstanding Borrowings		$ 51,548	$ 51,548
Weighted Average Borrowing Rate		6.29%	5.49%
Weighted Average Remaining Maturity		17 years 11 months	18 years 8 months 18 days
Value of Collateral		$ 0	$ 0
4.50% Convertible Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding		143,750	143,750
Unamortized Issuance Costs and Discounts		14,313	16,626
Outstanding Borrowings		$ 129,437	$ 127,124
Weighted Average Borrowing Rate		4.50%	4.50%
Weighted Average Remaining Maturity		3 years 11 months	4 years 7 months 6 days
Value of Collateral		$ 0	$ 0
Interest rate, stated percentage		4.50%
6.00% Convertible Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding		$ 70,453	70,453
Unamortized Issuance Costs and Discounts		171	928
Outstanding Borrowings		$ 70,282	$ 69,525
Weighted Average Borrowing Rate		6.00%	6.00%
Weighted Average Remaining Maturity		62 days	335 days
Value of Collateral		$ 0	$ 0
Interest rate, stated percentage		6.00%
8.00% Convertible Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding		$ 21,182	21,182
Unamortized Issuance Costs and Discounts		295	466
Outstanding Borrowings		$ 20,887	$ 20,716
Weighted Average Borrowing Rate		8.00%	8.00%
Weighted Average Remaining Maturity		1 year 4 months	2 years
Value of Collateral		$ 0	$ 0
Interest rate, stated percentage		8.00%
CRE - Term Repurchase Facilities
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding		$ 313,516	292,511
Unamortized Issuance Costs and Discounts		3,696	1,013
Outstanding Borrowings		$ 309,820	$ 291,498
Weighted Average Borrowing Rate		4.33%	3.82%
Weighted Average Remaining Maturity		1 year 11 months	222 days
Value of Collateral		$ 452,697	$ 432,125
Accrued interest costs		460	534
Trust Certificates - Term Repurchase Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding		47,438	76,714
Unamortized Issuance Costs and Discounts		319	570
Outstanding Borrowings		$ 47,119	$ 76,144
Weighted Average Borrowing Rate		6.11%	5.97%
Weighted Average Remaining Maturity		2 years	2 years 1 month
Value of Collateral		$ 118,780	$ 214,375
Accrued interest costs		104	203
CMBS - Short Term Repurchase Agreements
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding		245,287	82,647
Unamortized Issuance Costs and Discounts		0	0
Outstanding Borrowings		$ 245,287	$ 82,647
Weighted Average Borrowing Rate		3.46%	2.79%
Weighted Average Remaining Maturity		38 days	14 days
Value of Collateral		$ 341,289	$ 131,522
Accrued interest costs		$ 786	279
CMBS - Term Repurchase Facilities
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding			27,628
Unamortized Issuance Costs and Discounts			0
Outstanding Borrowings			$ 27,628
Weighted Average Borrowing Rate			3.05%
Weighted Average Remaining Maturity			121 days
Value of Collateral			$ 38,060
Accrued interest costs			$ 46
[1]	September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017(2) Liabilities of consolidated VIEs included in total liabilities above: Accounts payable and other liabilities$41 $96Accrued interest payable656 592Borrowings548,526 416,655Total liabilities of consolidated VIEs$549,223 $417,343

BORROWINGS (Securitization) (De

BORROWINGS (Securitization) (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)
RCC 2017-CRE5 Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total Note Paydowns Received from Closing Date through September 30, 2018	$ 93,074
XAN 2018-RSO6, Ltd.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total Note Paydowns Received from Closing Date through September 30, 2018	$ 0

BORROWINGS (Repurchase and Cred

BORROWINGS (Repurchase and Credit Facilities) (Details) $ in Thousands	Apr. 30, 2018	May 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)loan	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding Borrowings			$ 602,226	$ 477,917
Value of Collateral			$ 912,766	$ 816,082
Weighted Average Interest Rate			4.06%	4.00%
Unamortized issuance costs and discounts			$ 26,096	$ 23,899
RBC Capital Markets, LLC
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding Borrowings			201,635	72,131
Value of Collateral			$ 266,182	$ 97,745
Number of Positions as Collateral | loan			31	6
Weighted Average Interest Rate			3.46%	2.77%
JP Morgan Securities LLC
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding Borrowings			$ 32,718	$ 10,516
Value of Collateral			$ 61,380	$ 33,777
Number of Positions as Collateral | loan			12	2
Weighted Average Interest Rate			3.42%	2.93%
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding Borrowings			$ 10,934	$ 0
Value of Collateral			$ 13,727	$ 0
Number of Positions as Collateral | loan			10	0
Weighted Average Interest Rate			3.61%	0.00%
Deutsche Bank AG
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term basis	1 year	3 months
CRE - Term Repurchase Facilities | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding Borrowings			$ 109,039	$ 179,347
Value of Collateral			$ 170,355	$ 268,003
Number of Positions as Collateral | loan			10	19
Weighted Average Interest Rate			4.21%	3.68%
Unamortized issuance costs and discounts			$ 1,900	$ 565
CRE - Term Repurchase Facilities | Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding Borrowings			67,886	112,151
Value of Collateral			$ 113,831	$ 164,122
Number of Positions as Collateral | loan			5	9
Weighted Average Interest Rate			4.76%	4.05%
Unamortized issuance costs and discounts			$ 167	$ 448
CRE - Term Repurchase Facilities | Barclays Bank PLC
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding Borrowings			132,895	0
Value of Collateral			$ 168,511	$ 0
Number of Positions as Collateral | loan			8	0
Weighted Average Interest Rate			4.22%	0.00%
Unamortized issuance costs and discounts			$ 1,600	$ 0
Trust Certificates - Term Repurchase Facilities | RSO Repo SPE Trust 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding Borrowings			0	26,548
Value of Collateral			$ 0	$ 89,121
Number of Positions as Collateral | loan			0	2
Weighted Average Interest Rate			0.00%	6.98%
Unamortized issuance costs and discounts				$ 133
Trust Certificates - Term Repurchase Facilities | RSO Repo SPE Trust 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding Borrowings			$ 47,119	49,596
Value of Collateral			$ 118,780	$ 125,254
Number of Positions as Collateral | loan			2	2
Weighted Average Interest Rate			6.11%	5.43%
Unamortized issuance costs and discounts			$ 233	$ 320
CMBS - Term Repurchase Facilities | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding Borrowings			0	12,272
Value of Collateral			$ 0	$ 14,984
Number of Positions as Collateral | loan			0	8
Weighted Average Interest Rate			0.00%	2.45%
CMBS - Term Repurchase Facilities | Deutsche Bank AG
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding Borrowings			$ 0	$ 15,356
Value of Collateral			$ 0	$ 23,076
Number of Positions as Collateral | loan			0	14
Weighted Average Interest Rate			0.00%	3.53%

BORROWINGS (Amount at Risk Unde

BORROWINGS (Amount at Risk Under Repurchase Facilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted Average Remaining Maturity	7 years 11 months	7 years 4 months
Weighted Average Interest Rate	4.06%	4.00%
RBC Capital Markets, LLC
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted Average Interest Rate	3.46%	2.77%
JP Morgan Securities LLC
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted Average Interest Rate	3.42%	2.93%
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted Average Interest Rate	3.61%	0.00%
CRE - Term Repurchase Facilities
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted Average Remaining Maturity	1 year 11 months	222 days
Weighted Average Interest Rate	4.33%	3.82%
Trust Certificates - Term Repurchase Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted Average Remaining Maturity	2 years	2 years 1 month
Weighted Average Interest Rate	6.11%	5.97%
Linked and Non-linked Transactions | RBC Capital Markets, LLC | CMBS - Short-Term Repurchase Agreements
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount at Risk	$ 65,173
Weighted Average Remaining Maturity	37 days
Weighted Average Interest Rate	3.46%
Linked and Non-linked Transactions | JP Morgan Securities LLC | CMBS - Short-Term Repurchase Agreements
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount at Risk	$ 28,828
Weighted Average Remaining Maturity	33 days
Weighted Average Interest Rate	3.42%
Linked and Non-linked Transactions | Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. | CMBS - Short-Term Repurchase Agreements
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount at Risk	$ 2,831
Weighted Average Remaining Maturity	57 days
Weighted Average Interest Rate	3.61%
Linked and Non-linked Transactions | CRE - Term Repurchase Facilities | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount at Risk	$ 60,183
Weighted Average Remaining Maturity	1 year 9 months
Weighted Average Interest Rate	4.21%
Linked and Non-linked Transactions | CRE - Term Repurchase Facilities | Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount at Risk	$ 46,322
Weighted Average Remaining Maturity	345 days
Weighted Average Interest Rate	4.76%
Linked and Non-linked Transactions | CRE - Term Repurchase Facilities | Barclays Bank PLC
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount at Risk	$ 34,686
Weighted Average Remaining Maturity	2 years 6 months
Weighted Average Interest Rate	4.22%
Linked and Non-linked Transactions | Trust Certificates - Term Repurchase Facility | RSO Repo SPE Trust 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount at Risk	$ 71,439
Weighted Average Remaining Maturity	2 years
Weighted Average Interest Rate	6.11%

BORROWINGS (CRE _ Term Repurcha

BORROWINGS (CRE – Term Repurchase Facilities) (Details) - CRE - Term Repurchase Facilities	1 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018USD ($)extension	Jul. 31, 2018USD ($)extension	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Line of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum facility amount		$ 400,000,000
Number of options to extend | extension		3
Option to extend, term		1 year
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Line of Credit | Minimum | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate		1.75%
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Line of Credit | Maximum | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate		2.50%
Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A. | Line of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum facility amount			$ 67,900,000
JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. | Line of Credit | Subsequent Event
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum facility amount	$ 250,000,000
Number of options to extend | extension	2
Option to extend, term	1 year
Guaranty Agreement, maximum percentage of then current unpaid aggregate repurchase price of all purchased assets	25.00%
JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. | Line of Credit | Minimum | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) | Subsequent Event
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	2.00%
JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. | Line of Credit | Maximum | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) | Subsequent Event
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	2.25%

BORROWINGS (Contractual Commitm

BORROWINGS (Contractual Commitments) (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total	$ 1,449,002
2,018	315,740
2,019	68,052
2,020	179,568
2,021	134,516
2022 and Thereafter	751,126
CRE securitizations
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total	555,828
2,018	0
2,019	0
2,020	0
2,021	0
2022 and Thereafter	555,828
Unsecured Junior Subordinated Debentures
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total	51,548
2,018	0
2,019	0
2,020	0
2,021	0
2022 and Thereafter	51,548
Convertible Debt | 4.50% Convertible Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total	143,750
2,018	0
2,019	0
2,020	0
2,021	0
2022 and Thereafter	143,750
Convertible Debt | 6.00% Convertible Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total	70,453
2,018	70,453
2,019	0
2,020	0
2,021	0
2022 and Thereafter	0
Convertible Debt | 8.00% Convertible Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total	21,182
2,018	0
2,019	0
2,020	21,182
2,021	0
2022 and Thereafter	0
Repurchase and credit facilities
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total	606,241
2,018	245,287
2,019	68,052
2,020	158,386
2,021	134,516
2022 and Thereafter	$ 0

SHARE ISSUANCE AND REPURCHASE (

SHARE ISSUANCE AND REPURCHASE (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2018	Jan. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock redeemed during period, value						$ 115,368,000
Preferred stock redemption premium				$ 0	$ 0	7,482,000	$ 0
Equity and Debt Securities Repurchase Program
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount (up to)									$ 50,000,000	$ 50,000,000
Stock repurchase program, remaining authorized repurchase amount				$ 44,900,000		$ 44,900,000
8.50% Series A Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, coupon authorized			8.50%
Series B Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, coupon authorized			8.25%			8.25%		8.25%
Stock redeemed or called during period (in shares)			930,983
Redemption price per share (in dollars per share)		$ 25
Stock redeemed during period, value		$ 115,300,000
Preferred stock, liquidation preference (in dollars per share)	$ 25			$ 25		$ 25		$ 25
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	4,613,596			0		0		4,613,596
Redeemable Preferred Stock Series A and Series B
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Redemption price per share (in dollars per share)			$ 25
Stock redeemed during period, value	$ 50,000,000
Series C Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, coupon authorized						8.625%		8.625%
Preferred stock, liquidation preference (in dollars per share)	$ 25			$ 25		$ 25		$ 25
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	4,800,000			4,800,000		4,800,000		4,800,000
Sale of stock, weighted average price per share (in dollars per share)						$ 25
Series C Preferred Stock | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Dividend payment rate, variable, basis spread on variable rate				5.927%		5.927%

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Commo

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Common Stock Activity) (Details) - Restricted Stock	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018shares
January 18, 2018
Restricted common stock transactions
Stock-based compensation (in shares)	209,355
Vesting per Year	33.30%
February 1, 2018
Restricted common stock transactions
Stock-based compensation (in shares)	3,727
Vesting per Year	100.00%
March 8, 2018
Restricted common stock transactions
Stock-based compensation (in shares)	16,302
Vesting per Year	100.00%
June 1, 2018
Restricted common stock transactions
Stock-based compensation (in shares)	3,493
Vesting per Year	100.00%
June 6, 2018
Restricted common stock transactions
Stock-based compensation (in shares)	3,510
Vesting per Year	100.00%
Non-Employee Directors
Restricted common stock transactions
Unvested shares, beginning of period (in shares)	34,565
Issued (shares)	27,032
Vested (shares)	(33,193)
Forfeited (shares)	0
Unvested shares, end of period (in shares)	28,404
Non-Employees
Restricted common stock transactions
Unvested shares, beginning of period (in shares)	419,541
Issued (shares)	209,355
Vested (shares)	(238,792)
Forfeited (shares)	(1,725)
Unvested shares, end of period (in shares)	388,379
Former Employees
Restricted common stock transactions
Unvested shares, beginning of period (in shares)	28,967
Issued (shares)	0
Vested (shares)	(23,158)
Forfeited (shares)	0
Unvested shares, end of period (in shares)	5,809
Manager and Non Employees
Restricted common stock transactions
Unvested shares, beginning of period (in shares)	483,073
Issued (shares)	236,387
Vested (shares)	(295,143)
Forfeited (shares)	(1,725)
Unvested shares, end of period (in shares)	422,592

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Detai

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)directorshares	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)directorshares	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Incentive management fee pursuant to the management agreement	$ 0	$ 51,300	$ 0	$ 539,000
Manager pursuant to the Management Agreement | Exantas Capital Corp
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Cash awards, percentage (up to)	75.00%
Common stock awards, percentage (at least)	25.00%
Incentive management fee pursuant to the management agreement		$ 1,600,000		$ 1,600,000
Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Grants in period (in shares) | shares			0	0
Contractual term			10 years
Non-Employees | Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Estimated fair value of shares granted			$ 2,000,000	$ 2,700,000
Compensation cost not yet recognized	$ 1,800,000		$ 1,800,000		$ 1,400,000
Weighted average remaining contractual term			1 year 11 months 24 days		2 years 8 days
Non-Employee Directors | Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of non employee directors granted shares | director			8	8
Payment award, grant date fair value			$ 255,000	$ 325,000

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Statu

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Status of Vested Stock Options) (Details) - Vested $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Number of Options
Outstanding beginning of period (in shares) | shares	10,000
Vested (in shares) | shares	0
Exercised (in shares) | shares	0
Forfeited (in shares) | shares	0
Expired (in shares) | shares	0
Outstanding end of period (in shares) | shares	10,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding beginning of period (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 25.60
Vested (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	0
Exercised (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	0
Forfeited (usd per share) | $ / shares	0
Expired (in shares) | $ / shares	0
Outstanding end of period (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 25.60
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	2 years 7 months 16 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value | $	$ 0

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Compo

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Components of Equity Compensation Expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total equity compensation expense	$ 757	$ 895	$ 2,383	$ 2,417
Non-Employees | Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total equity compensation expense	685	817	2,166	2,207
Non-Employee Directors | Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total equity compensation expense	$ 72	$ 78	$ 217	$ 210

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details)

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Net income from continuing operations	$ 8,260	$ 24,745	$ 17,312	$ 46,487
Net income allocated to preferred shares	(2,588)	(6,014)	(10,385)	(18,043)
Consideration paid in excess of carrying value of preferred shares	0	0	(7,482)	0
Net loss allocable to non-controlling interest, net of taxes	0	0	0	196
Net income (loss) from continuing operations allocable to common shares	5,672	18,731	(555)	28,640
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	364	(6,087)	161	(10,832)
NET INCOME (LOSS) ALLOCABLE TO COMMON SHARES	$ 6,036	$ 12,644	$ (394)	$ 17,808
Net income (loss) per common share - basic:
Weighted average number of shares outstanding (in shares)	31,229,969	30,857,232	31,186,057	30,810,259
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.18	$ 0.61	$ (0.02)	$ 0.93
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0.01	(0.20)	0.01	(0.35)
TOTAL NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE – BASIC (in dollars per share)	$ 0.19	$ 0.41	$ (0.01)	$ 0.58
Net income (loss) per common share - diluted:
Weighted average number of shares outstanding (in shares)	31,229,969	30,857,232	31,186,057	30,810,259
Additional shares due to assumed conversion of dilutive instruments (in shares)	247,429	257,920	0	206,849
Adjusted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (in shares)	31,477,398	31,115,152	31,186,057	31,017,108
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.18	$ 0.61	$ (0.02)	$ 0.92
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0.01	(0.20)	0.01	(0.35)
TOTAL NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE – DILUTED (in dollars per share)	$ 0.19	$ 0.41	$ (0.01)	$ 0.57
4.50% Convertible Senior Notes
Net income (loss) per common share - diluted:
Interest rate, stated percentage	4.50%		4.50%
6.00% Convertible Senior Notes
Net income (loss) per common share - diluted:
Interest rate, stated percentage	6.00%		6.00%
8.00% Convertible Senior Notes
Net income (loss) per common share - diluted:
Interest rate, stated percentage	8.00%		8.00%
6%, 8% and 4.5% Convertible Senior Notes
Net income (loss) per common share - diluted:
Antidilutive securities excluded (in shares)	14,937,427	12,215,259	14,937,427	10,085,439

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI_3

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Balance, January 1, 2018	$ 671,476
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	4,397
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(65)
Balance, September 30, 2018	560,345
Net Unrealized Gain on Derivatives
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Balance, January 1, 2018	602
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	2,428
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	0
Balance, September 30, 2018	3,030
Net Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investment Securities Available-for-Sale
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Balance, January 1, 2018	695
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	1,969
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(65)
Balance, September 30, 2018	2,599
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Balance, January 1, 2018	1,297
Balance, September 30, 2018	$ 5,629

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Rel

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Relationship with C-III and Certain of its Subsidiaries) (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)transactionshares	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)transactionshares	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Base management fees paid by the Company	$ 2,813,000	$ 4,924,000	$ 8,438,000	$ 10,242,000
Incentive management, cash portion	0	51,300	0	539,000
General and administrative	$ 2,336,000	4,336,000	$ 7,943,000	11,780,000
C3AM | Exantas Capital Corp
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of common shares of the Company owned by a related party (in shares) | shares	766,718		766,718
Ownership percentage	2.40%		2.40%
Manager pursuant to the Management Agreement | Exantas Capital Corp
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Base management fees paid by the Company	$ 2,800,000	2,700,000	$ 8,400,000	8,000,000
Incentive management fees	0	2,200,000	0	2,200,000
Incentive management, cash portion		1,600,000		1,600,000
Incentive management, common stock portion		539,000		539,000
Total indebtedness	938,000		938,000		$ 1,000,000
General and administrative	$ 1,200,000	$ 1,200,000	$ 4,000,000	$ 4,200,000
Number of executed CDO transactions | transaction	5		5
Number of liquidated CDO transactions | transaction	3		3
Resource Real Estate | Exantas Capital Corp
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Total indebtedness	$ 373,000		$ 373,000		$ 629,000

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (R_2

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Relationship with Resource Real Estate, LLC) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2015	Feb. 28, 2015	Jul. 30, 2014
RCC CRE Notes 2013 Senior Notes
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Closing transaction amount	$ 307,800
Servicing fee rate	0.25%
RCC 2014-CRE2 Senior Notes
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Closing transaction amount							$ 353,900
RCC 2015-CRE3
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Closing transaction amount						$ 346,200
Resource Capital Corp. 2015-CRE4, Ltd.
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Closing transaction amount					$ 312,900
RCC 2017-CRE5
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Closing transaction amount				$ 376,700
Resource Real Estate | Commercial Real Estate Debt Investments
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party transaction, due from related party		$ 488	$ 185

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (R_3

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Relationship with C3AM and C-III Commercial Mortgage) (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2017
RCC 2017-CRE5
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Closing transaction amount								$ 376,700,000
C3AM | Asset Management Agreement
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of total collateral pool value to securitization, related party contribution		10.20%
C3AM | RCC 2017-CRE5 | Asset Management Agreement
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Servicing fee rate	0.05%
Servicing fees earned			$ 109,000	$ 46,000	$ 217,000	$ 46,000
Special servicing fees earned			0	$ 0	0	$ 0
Servicing fees payable			$ 29,000		$ 29,000		$ 14,000
C3AM | XAN 2018-RSO6, Ltd. | Asset Management Agreement
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Closing transaction amount	$ 514,200,000
Servicing fee rate	0.25%

DISTRIBUTIONS (Details)

DISTRIBUTIONS (Details) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018
DISTRIBUTIONS [Abstract]
Dividend per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.15	$ 0.05
REIT required taxable income distribution, percentage (at least)			90.00%
REIT taxable income distribution required for exempt federal income taxes, percentage			100.00%

DISTRIBUTIONS (Dividends Declar

DISTRIBUTIONS (Dividends Declared) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 26, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Dividend Per Share (in dollars per share)									$ 0.15	$ 0.05
Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Total Dividend Paid	$ 4,749	$ 3,165	$ 1,584		$ 1,572	$ 1,566	$ 1,567	$ 1,568
Dividend Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.15	$ 0.10	$ 0.05		$ 0.05	$ 0.05	$ 0.05	$ 0.05
Series A Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Total Dividend Paid					$ 568	$ 568	$ 568	$ 568
Dividend Per Share (in dollars per share)					$ 0.53125	$ 0.53125	$ 0.53125	$ 0.53125
Series B Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Total Dividend Paid				$ 1,480	$ 2,859	$ 2,859	$ 2,859	$ 2,859
Dividend Per Share (in dollars per share)				$ 0.320830	$ 0.515625	$ 0.515625	$ 0.515625	$ 0.515625
Series C Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Total Dividend Paid	$ 2,588	$ 2,588	$ 2,588		$ 2,588	$ 2,588	$ 2,588	$ 2,588
Dividend Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.539063	$ 0.539063	$ 0.539063		$ 0.539063	$ 0.539063	$ 0.539063	$ 0.539063

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTR_3

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Assets:
Investment securities available-for-sale		$ 352,778	$ 211,737
Derivatives	[1]	2,665	602
Recurring Basis
Assets:
Investment securities available-for-sale		352,778	211,737
Derivatives		2,665	602
Total assets at fair value		355,443	212,339
Liabilities:
Derivatives			76
Total liabilities at fair value			76
Recurring Basis | Level 1
Assets:
Investment securities available-for-sale		0	0
Derivatives		0	0
Total assets at fair value		0	0
Liabilities:
Derivatives			0
Total liabilities at fair value			0
Recurring Basis | Level 2
Assets:
Investment securities available-for-sale		0	0
Derivatives		2,665	602
Total assets at fair value		2,665	602
Liabilities:
Derivatives			76
Total liabilities at fair value			76
Recurring Basis | Level 3
Assets:
Investment securities available-for-sale		352,778	211,737
Derivatives		0	0
Total assets at fair value		$ 352,778	211,737
Liabilities:
Derivatives			0
Total liabilities at fair value			$ 0
[1]	September 30, 2018December 31, 2017(1) Assets of consolidated variable interest entities ("VIEs") included in total assets above: Cash and cash equivalents$— $—Restricted cash5,504 20,846Accrued interest receivable3,477 3,347CRE loans, pledged as collateral and net of allowances of $927 and $1,330780,302 603,110Loans held for sale— 13Principal paydowns receivable— 72,207Other assets132 73Total assets of consolidated VIEs$789,415 $699,596

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTR_4

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Assets Measured on Recurring Basis) (Details) - Level 3 - Recurring Basis $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation
Balance, January 1, 2018	$ 211,737
Included in earnings	2,275
Purchases	159,116
Sales	(8,151)
Paydowns	(14,132)
Capitalized interest	7
Included in OCI	1,926
Balance, September 30, 2018	352,778
CMBS
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation
Balance, January 1, 2018	211,579
Included in earnings	2,492
Purchases	159,116
Sales	(8,103)
Paydowns	(14,132)
Capitalized interest	0
Included in OCI	1,826
Balance, September 30, 2018	352,778
ABS
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation
Balance, January 1, 2018	158
Included in earnings	(217)
Purchases	0
Sales	(48)
Paydowns	0
Capitalized interest	7
Included in OCI	100
Balance, September 30, 2018	$ 0

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTR_5

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details)		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)loanappraisal	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)loanappraisal	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Net realized and unrealized loss on investment securities available-for-sale and loans and derivatives		$ (279,000)	$ 1,465,000	$ (569,000)	$ (15,619,000)
Loans held for investment	[1]	1,514,829,000		1,514,829,000		$ 1,284,822,000
Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans held for investment		$ 19,545,000		$ 19,545,000
6.00% Convertible Senior Notes
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage		6.00%		6.00%
6.00% Convertible Senior Notes | Measurement Input, Discount Rate
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value inputs, discount rate		0.0454		0.0454
8.00% Convertible Senior Notes
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage		8.00%		8.00%
8.00% Convertible Senior Notes | Measurement Input, Discount Rate
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value inputs, discount rate		0.0492		0.0492
4.50% Convertible Senior Notes
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage		4.50%		4.50%
4.50% Convertible Senior Notes | Measurement Input, Discount Rate
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value inputs, discount rate		0.0717		0.0717
Expected Future Cash Flows | Mezzanine loan | VIE, Not Primary Beneficiary | Measurement Input, Discount Rate
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value inputs, discount rate		0.1063		0.1063
Expected Future Cash Flows | Preferred equity investment | VIE, Not Primary Beneficiary | Measurement Input, Discount Rate
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value inputs, discount rate		0.1278		0.1278
Expected Future Cash Flows | Unsecured Junior Subordinated Debentures | VIE, Not Primary Beneficiary | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Interest in RCT I
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value inputs, discount rate		0.1134		0.1134
Expected Future Cash Flows | Unsecured Junior Subordinated Debentures | VIE, Not Primary Beneficiary | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Interest in RCT II
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value inputs, discount rate		0.1134		0.1134
Minimum | Expected Future Cash Flows | CRE Loans | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans receivable, interest rate, stated percentage		4.61%		4.61%		5.06%
Maximum | Expected Future Cash Flows | CRE Loans | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans receivable, interest rate, stated percentage		8.36%		8.36%		7.63%
Commercial Real Estate Loans | Legacy CRE whole loans
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Net realized and unrealized loss on investment securities available-for-sale and loans and derivatives		$ 1,600,000		$ 6,300,000
Number of loans | loan		1		1
Provision for protective advances		$ 600,000		$ 772,000
Number of appraisals | appraisal		2		2
Financing receivable, average value		$ 17,000,000		$ 17,000,000
Loans held for investment						$ 22,500,000
Commercial Real Estate Loans | Legacy CRE whole loans | Minimum
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Capitalization rate		9.25%		9.25%
Commercial Real Estate Loans | Legacy CRE whole loans | Maximum
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Capitalization rate		9.75%		9.75%
Structured Finance Securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Outstanding value		$ 0		$ 0		178,000
Held for Sale
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Outstanding value		$ 0		$ 0		$ 13,000
[1]	September 30, 2018December 31, 2017(1) Assets of consolidated variable interest entities ("VIEs") included in total assets above: Cash and cash equivalents$— $—Restricted cash5,504 20,846Accrued interest receivable3,477 3,347CRE loans, pledged as collateral and net of allowances of $927 and $1,330780,302 603,110Loans held for sale— 13Principal paydowns receivable— 72,207Other assets132 73Total assets of consolidated VIEs$789,415 $699,596

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTR_6

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
CRE preferred equity investment	[1]	$ 1,514,829	$ 1,284,822
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets of Liabilities (Level 1)
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
CRE loans		0	0
Legacy CRE loans held for sale		0	0
CRE preferred equity investment		0
Senior notes in CRE securitizations		0	0
Junior subordinated notes		0	0
Convertible notes		0	0
Repurchase agreements		0	0
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets of Liabilities (Level 1) | Mezzanine loan
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
CRE loans		0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
CRE loans		0	0
Legacy CRE loans held for sale		0	0
CRE preferred equity investment		0
Senior notes in CRE securitizations		0	0
Junior subordinated notes		0	0
Convertible notes		0	0
Repurchase agreements		0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Mezzanine loan
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
CRE loans		0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
CRE loans		1,501,076	1,294,664
Legacy CRE loans held for sale		17,000	62,841
CRE preferred equity investment		19,545
Senior notes in CRE securitizations		556,930	420,084
Junior subordinated notes		29,200	26,574
Convertible notes		235,385	235,385
Repurchase agreements		606,155	479,383
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Mezzanine loan
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
CRE loans		4,700
Carrying Amount
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
CRE loans		1,490,757	1,284,822
Legacy CRE loans held for sale		17,000	61,841
CRE preferred equity investment		19,372
Senior notes in CRE securitizations		548,526	416,655
Junior subordinated notes		51,548	51,548
Convertible notes		220,606	217,365
Repurchase agreements		602,226	477,917
Carrying Amount | Mezzanine loan
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
CRE loans		4,700
Fair Value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
CRE loans		1,501,076	1,294,664
Legacy CRE loans held for sale		17,000	62,841
CRE preferred equity investment		19,545
Senior notes in CRE securitizations		556,930	420,084
Junior subordinated notes		29,200	26,574
Convertible notes		235,385	235,385
Repurchase agreements		606,155	$ 479,383
Fair Value | Mezzanine loan
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
CRE loans		$ 4,700
[1]	September 30, 2018December 31, 2017(1) Assets of consolidated variable interest entities ("VIEs") included in total assets above: Cash and cash equivalents$— $—Restricted cash5,504 20,846Accrued interest receivable3,477 3,347CRE loans, pledged as collateral and net of allowances of $927 and $1,330780,302 603,110Loans held for sale— 13Principal paydowns receivable— 72,207Other assets132 73Total assets of consolidated VIEs$789,415 $699,596

MARKET RISK AND DERIVATIVE IN_3

MARKET RISK AND DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS (Details)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)derivative	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)derivative	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)derivative	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)derivative
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair Value	$ 2,665,000	$ 2,665,000		$ 2,665,000		$ 602,000
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities						$ 76,000
Unrealized gains on derivatives, net		$ 824,000	$ 136,000	$ 2,428,000	$ 211,000
Interest rate swaps
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Number of instruments held | derivative	18	18		18		7
Average fixed interest rate	2.51%	2.51%		2.51%		2.08%
Notional amount	$ 85,000,000	$ 85,000,000		$ 85,000,000		$ 41,800,000
Gain on derivatives				2,700,000		602,000
Number of instruments partially terminated | derivative	1
Interest expense to fully amortize		0	$ 0	0	$ 18,000
Interest rate swaps | Derivatives, at fair value
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair Value	$ 2,665,000	$ 2,665,000		$ 2,665,000		$ 602,000
Terminated interest rate swap
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Unrealized gains on derivatives, net	$ 366,000

MARKET RISK AND DERIVATIVE IN_4

MARKET RISK AND DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS (Fair Value and Classification of Derivatives) (Details) $ in Thousands, € in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017EUR (€)
Asset Derivatives
Fair Value	$ 2,665		$ 602
Liability Derivatives
Fair Value			76
Interest rate swaps | Interest expense
Liability Derivatives
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)	(141)	$ (53)
Interest rate swaps | Derivatives, at fair value
Asset Derivatives
Notional Amount	85,011		41,750
Fair Value	2,665		602
Interest rate swaps | Accumulated other comprehensive income
Liability Derivatives
Notional Amount	85,011		41,750
Fair Value	$ 3,030		602
Forward contracts - foreign currency, hedging
Liability Derivatives
Notional Amount | €				€ 3
Forward contracts - foreign currency, hedging | Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities available-for-sale and loans and derivatives
Liability Derivatives
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)		$ (1,998)
Forward contracts - foreign currency, hedging | Derivatives, at fair value
Liability Derivatives
Notional Amount			3,602
Fair Value			$ 76

OFFSETTING OF FINANCIAL ASSET_3

OFFSETTING OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Offsetting Derivative Assets
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets	$ 2,665	$ 602
Gross Amounts Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets	0	0
Net Amounts of Assets Included on the Consolidated Balance Sheets	2,665	602
Gross Amounts Not Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets- Financial Instruments	0	0
Gross Amounts Not Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets- Cash Collateral Pledged	0	0
Net Amount	2,665	602
Offsetting Derivative Liabilities
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities		76
Gross Amounts Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets		0
Net Amounts of Liabilities Included on the Consolidated Balance Sheets		76
Gross Amounts Not Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets- Financial Instruments		0
Gross Amounts Not Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets- Cash Collateral Pledged		0
Net Amount		76
Repurchase agreements and term facilties
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities	602,226	477,917
Gross Amounts Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets	0	0
Net Amounts of Liabilities Included on the Consolidated Balance Sheets	602,226	477,917
Gross Amounts Not Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets- Financial Instruments	602,226	477,917
Gross Amounts Not Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets- Cash Collateral Pledged	0	0
Net Amount	0	0
Total-Liabilities
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities	602,226	477,993
Gross Amounts Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets	0	0
Net Amounts of Liabilities Included on the Consolidated Balance Sheets	602,226	477,993
Gross Amounts Not Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets- Financial Instruments	602,226	477,917
Gross Amounts Not Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets- Cash Collateral Pledged	0	0
Net Amount	0	76
Fair value of securities pledged against repurchase agreements	912,800	816,100
Interest rate swaps
Offsetting Derivative Assets
Cash margin deposits related to interest rate swap contracts	$ 1,000	$ 1,900

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details)	Feb. 05, 2018USD ($)holdershares	Apr. 30, 2018USD ($)	May 31, 2017USD ($)loan	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)category	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2017claim	Apr. 30, 2017claim	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)category	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2017claim	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of investment securities available-for-sale				$ 8,103,000	$ 17,809,000			$ 48,000	$ 33,347,000
Commercial Real Estate Loans
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Financing receivable, category of loans | category				2				2
Commercial Real Estate Loans | Whole loans
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loans held for investment, unfunded loan commitments				$ 92,200,000				$ 92,200,000			$ 84,100,000
Pearlmark Mezz
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of investment securities available-for-sale			$ 16,200,000
Indemnification Agreement | Pearlmark Mezz
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of instruments held | loan			1
Loss contingency, reserve				703,000				703,000
Reserve for probable losses				0				0
Indemnification Agreement | Pearlmark Mezz | Maximum
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss contingency, estimate of possible loss			$ 4,300,000
PCM
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Estimated litigation liability				3,300,000				3,300,000			3,300,000
Open Litigation Matters
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Payments of legal costs in excess of insurance coverage		$ 2,000,000
Estimated litigation liability				0				0			2,200,000
Open Litigation Matters | Indemnification Agreement
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Estimated litigation liability				1,700,000				1,700,000			5,700,000
Open Litigation Matters | Reaves, Caito, Simpson, and Heckel Complaints
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss contingency, new claims filed, number | claim										6
Open Litigation Matters | Greenberg, Canoles, DeCaro, and Gehan Complaints
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss contingency, new claims filed, number | claim							4
Open Litigation Matters | McKinney, Sherek/Speigel, and Sebenoler Complaints
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss contingency, new claims filed, number | claim						3
Open Litigation Matters | PCM | Indemnification Agreement
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Estimated litigation liability				$ 0				$ 0			$ 6,500,000
Open Litigation Matters | Levin v. Resource Capital Corp.
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of shareholders who opted out of settlement | holder	1
Number of shares held by individual shareholder who opted out of settlement (in shares) | shares	500
Settled Litigation Matters, Including Pending Settlements | Levin v. Resource Capital Corp.
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Litigation settlement, amount awarded to other party	$ 9,500,000

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND A_3

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE (Operating Results of the Residential Mortgage and Middle Market Lending Segments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Interest income:
Loans	$ 26,496	$ 21,953	$ 74,314	$ 65,327
Other	123	369	261	2,464
Total interest income	31,836	23,983	87,453	73,089
Interest expense	17,322	13,853	47,865	42,454
Net interest income	14,514	10,130	39,588	30,635
Total revenues	14,539	10,260	39,670	32,657
OPERATING EXPENSES
Equity compensation	757	895	2,383	2,417
General and administrative	2,336	4,336	7,943	11,780
Total operating expenses	5,481	9,569	17,572	25,260
Net interest and other revenues less operating expenses	9,058	691	22,098	7,397
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Net realized and unrealized gain on investment securities available-for-sale and loans and derivatives	279	(1,465)	569	15,619
Total other (expense) income	(798)	28,518	(4,817)	45,028
NET INCOME (LOSS) FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET OF TAX	364	(6,087)	161	(10,832)
Discontinued Operations
Interest income:
Loans	0	892	580	2,682
Other	0	44	13	76
Total interest income	0	936	593	2,758
Interest expense	0	0	0	0
Net interest income	0	936	593	2,758
(Loss) gain on sale of residential mortgage loans	0	(1,186)	(1)	5,688
Total revenues	280	(447)	905	11,926
OPERATING EXPENSES
Equity compensation	0	65	0	286
General and administrative	62	5,590	1,165	21,985
Total operating expenses	62	5,655	1,165	22,271
Net interest and other revenues less operating expenses	218	(6,102)	(260)	(10,345)
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Net realized and unrealized gain on investment securities available-for-sale and loans and derivatives	146	97	421	13
Fair value adjustments on financial assets held for sale	0	(82)	0	(500)
Total other (expense) income	146	15	421	(487)
INCOME (LOSS) FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES	364	(6,087)	161	(10,832)
Income tax expense	0	0	0	0
NET INCOME (LOSS) FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET OF TAX	364	(6,087)	161	(10,832)
Loss from disposal of discontinued operations	0	0	0	0
TOTAL INCOME (LOSS) FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS	364	(6,087)	161	(10,832)
Discontinued Operations | Management Service
Interest income:
Fee income (loss)	$ 280	$ (197)	$ 313	$ 3,480

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND A_4

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE (Assets and Liabilities of Business Segments Classified as Discontinued Operations) (Details) - USD ($)		1 Months Ended
		Jul. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018		Dec. 31, 2017		Sep. 30, 2017
ASSETS
Restricted cash			$ 6,580,000	[1]	$ 22,874,000	[1]	$ 14,539,000
Accrued interest receivable	[1]		7,466,000		6,859,000
Other assets	[1]		13,298,000		7,793,000
Total assets held for sale	[1]		17,854,000		107,718,000
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and other liabilities	[2]		12,793,000		5,153,000
Management fee payable	[2]		938,000		1,035,000
Accrued interest payable	[2]		3,937,000		4,387,000
Total liabilities held for sale	[2]		1,787,000		10,342,000
Investment securities available-for-sale			352,778,000		211,737,000
Discontinued Operations, Held-for-sale
ASSETS
Restricted cash			0		138,000
Accrued interest receivable			0		67,000
Loans held for sale			17,000,000		93,063,000
Other assets			854,000		14,450,000
Total assets held for sale			17,854,000		107,718,000
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and other liabilities			1,787,000		10,283,000
Management fee payable			0		56,000
Accrued interest payable			0		3,000
Total liabilities held for sale			1,787,000		10,342,000
Investment securities available-for-sale			17,000,000		93,063,000
Life settlement contracts			$ 0		5,100,000
Discontinued Operations, Held-for-sale | Direct Origination Middle-Market Loans
LIABILITIES
Investment securities available-for-sale					$ 2,000,000
Proceeds from loan repayments		$ 2,100,000
[1]	September 30, 2018December 31, 2017(1) Assets of consolidated variable interest entities ("VIEs") included in total assets above: Cash and cash equivalents$— $—Restricted cash5,504 20,846Accrued interest receivable3,477 3,347CRE loans, pledged as collateral and net of allowances of $927 and $1,330780,302 603,110Loans held for sale— 13Principal paydowns receivable— 72,207Other assets132 73Total assets of consolidated VIEs$789,415 $699,596
[2]	September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017(2) Liabilities of consolidated VIEs included in total liabilities above: Accounts payable and other liabilities$41 $96Accrued interest payable656 592Borrowings548,526 416,655Total liabilities of consolidated VIEs$549,223 $417,343

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND A_5

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)
Commercial Syndicated Portfolio Segment | Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Realized gain on disposal	$ 390

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND A_6

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE (Loans Held for Sale in the Residential Mortgage and Middle Market Lending Segments) (Details)	1 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)loantranche	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)loan
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Carrying Value		$ 352,778,000	$ 211,737,000
Carrying value		912,766,000	$ 816,082,000
Legacy CRE whole loans | Loans Reclassified to Held-to-Maturity
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		$ 28,300,000
Number of loans transferred to held-to-maturity | loan		2
Discontinued Operations, Held-for-sale
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of Loans | loan		2	25
Amortized Cost		$ 25,202,000	$ 106,896,000
Carrying Value		$ 17,000,000	$ 93,063,000
Discontinued Operations, Held-for-sale | Legacy CRE whole loans
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of Loans | loan		1	5
Amortized Cost		$ 25,202,000	$ 63,783,000
Carrying Value		$ 17,000,000	$ 61,841,000
Discontinued Operations, Held-for-sale | Mezzanine loan
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of Loans | loan		1	1
Amortized Cost		$ 0	$ 0
Carrying Value		0	$ 0
Discontinued Operations, Held-for-sale | Mezzanine loan | RREF CDO 2006-1 Senior Notes | VIE, Not Primary Beneficiary
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Debt instrument, par value		38,100,000
Carrying value		$ 0
Number of tranches | tranche		2
Discontinued Operations, Held-for-sale | Middle Market Loans
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of Loans | loan			5
Amortized Cost			$ 41,199,000
Carrying Value			$ 29,308,000
Discontinued Operations, Held-for-sale | Residential mortgage loans
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of Loans | loan			14
Amortized Cost			$ 1,914,000
Carrying Value			1,914,000
Discontinued Operations, Held-for-sale | Direct Origination Middle-Market Loans
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Carrying Value			$ 2,000,000
Proceeds from loan repayments	$ 2,100,000