Ellington Financial (EFC) 10-Q 10 May 21 2021 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Cover Page

Cover Page - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	May 07, 2021
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2021
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-34569
Entity Registrant Name	Ellington Financial Inc.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	26-0489289
Entity Address, Address Line One	53 Forest Avenue
Entity Address, City or Town	Old Greenwich
Entity Address, State or Province	CT
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	06870
City Area Code	203
Local Phone Number	698-1200
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		43,781,684
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Central Index Key	0001411342
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share
Trading Symbol	EFC
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	6.750% Series A Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Trading Symbol	EFC PR A
Security Exchange Name	NYSE

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	[1]	$ 149,350	$ 111,647
Restricted cash	[1]	175	175
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)	[1],[2]	1,909,127	1,514,185
Loans, at fair value	[1],[2]	1,582,516	1,453,480
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	[1]	147,684	141,620
Real estate owned	[1],[2]	35,557	23,598
Financial derivatives—assets, at fair value		23,082	15,479
Reverse repurchase agreements		96,783	38,640
Due from brokers	[1]	91,814	63,147
Investment related receivables	[1]	67,338	49,317
Other assets	[1]	3,499	2,575
Total Assets		4,106,925	3,413,863
Liabilities
Securities sold short, at fair value		96,398	38,642
Repurchase agreements	[1]	1,909,511	1,496,931
Financial derivatives—liabilities, at fair value		19,438	24,553
Due to brokers		5,337	5,059
Investment related payables	[1]	40,836	4,754
Other secured borrowings	[1]	64,506	51,062
Other secured borrowings, at fair value	[1]	911,256	754,921
Senior notes, net		85,627	85,561
Base management fee payable to affiliate		3,277	3,178
Dividends payable		5,740	5,738
Interest payable	[1]	1,915	3,233
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	[1]	19,708	18,659
Total Liabilities		3,163,549	2,492,291
Commitments and contingencies
ANALYSIS OF EQUITY:
Preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized;6.750% Series A Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable; 4,600,000 shares issued and outstanding ($115,000 liquidation preference)		111,034	111,034
Common stock, par value $0.001 per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 43,781,684 and 43,781,684 shares issued and outstanding, respectively		44	44
Additional paid-in-capital		915,577	915,658
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)		(116,799)	(141,521)
Total Stockholders' Equity		909,856	885,215
Non-controlling interests	[1]	33,520	36,357
Total Equity		943,376	921,572
Total Liabilities and Equity		$ 4,106,925	$ 3,413,863
[1]	Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.
[2]	Includes assets pledged as collateral to counterparties. See Note 11 for additional details on the Company's borrowings and related collateral.

Condensed Consolidated Balanc_2

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	43,781,684	43,781,684
Common stock, shares outstanding	43,781,684	43,781,684
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	4,600,000	4,600,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	4,600,000	4,600,000
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage	6.75%	6.75%
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference, Value	$ 115,000	$ 115,000

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Net Interest Income
Interest income		$ 40,079	$ 52,108
Interest expense		(11,342)	(22,090)
Total net interest income		28,737	30,018
Other Income (Loss)
Realized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net		4,276	12,260
Realized (gains) losses on financial derivatives, net		5,795	(12,406)
Realized gains (losses) on real estate owned, net		61	350
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net		(1,781)	(133,738)
Unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net		10,711	(9,984)
Unrealized gains (losses) on real estate owned, net		(792)	(357)
Other, net		1,960	1,679
Total other income (loss)		20,230	(142,196)
Expenses
Base management fee to affiliate (Net of fee rebates)	[1]	3,277	2,443
Other investment related expenses
Servicing expense		986	2,531
Debt issuance costs related to Other secured borrowings, at fair value		1,665	0
Other		2,204	1,423
Professional fees		1,198	1,277
Compensation expense		1,420	788
Other expenses		1,579	1,752
Total expenses		12,329	10,214
Net Income (Loss) before Income Tax Expense (Benefit) and Earnings (Losses) from Investments in Unconsolidated Entities		36,638	(122,392)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)		2,017	(547)
Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities		6,635	(6,497)
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total		41,256	(128,342)
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests		1,459	(885)
Dividends on preferred stock		1,941	1,941
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Common Stockholders		$ 37,856	$ (129,398)
Net Income (Loss) per Share of Common Stock:
Basic and Diluted (USD per share)		$ 0.86	$ (3.04)
[1]	See Note 13 for further details on management fee rebates.

Condensed Consolidated Statem_2

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Consolidated Statement of Operations (Parenthetical) [Abstract]
Management Fee Expense, Rebates	$ 194	$ 507	[1]
[1]	See Note 13 for further details on management fee rebates.

Condensed Consolidated Statem_3

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Total	Total Stockholders' Equity	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings/(Accumulated Deficit)	Non-controlling Interest	Common Stock		Common StockTotal Stockholders' Equity	Common StockCommon Stock	Common StockAdditional Paid-in Capital
CHANGE IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
Preferred Stock, Value, Outstanding		$ 111,034
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019		38,647,943		38,647,943
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2019		$ 868,699	$ 829,265	$ 39	$ 821,747	$ (103,555)	$ 39,434
CHANGE IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		$ (128,342)	(127,457)			(127,457)	(885)
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues		5,290,000						5,290,000	[1]
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues	[1]							$ 95,292		$ 95,292	$ 5	$ 95,287
Shares Issued As Payment of Incentive Fee, Shares		637						637
Shares Issued As Payment of Incentive Fee								$ 12		$ 12	$ 0	$ 12
Contributions from non-controlling interests		$ 3,487					3,487
Dividends	[2]	(20,057)	(19,748)			(19,748)	(309)
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	[3]	(1,941)	(1,941)			(1,941)
Distributions to non-controlling interests		$ (4,798)					(4,798)
Adjustment to non-controlling interests			(545)		(545)		545
Stock issued during period, shares, conversion of units				129,516
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Conversion of Units			2,378		2,378		2,378
Repurchase of shares of common stock (in shares)		(288,172)		(288,172)
Repurchase of shares of common stock		$ (3,035)	(3,035)		(3,035)
Share-based long term incentive plan unit awards		$ 164	162		162		2
Ending balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2020		43,779,924		43,779,924
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2020		$ 809,481	774,383	$ 44	916,006	(252,701)	35,098
CHANGE IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
Dividends declared (in usd per share)		$ 0.45
Preferred Stock, Value, Outstanding		$ 111,034
Preferred Stock, Value, Outstanding		$ 111,034
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2020		43,781,684		43,781,684
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2020		$ 921,572	885,215	$ 44	915,658	(141,521)	36,357
CHANGE IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		$ 41,256	39,797			39,797	1,459
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues		0
Shares Issued As Payment of Incentive Fee, Shares		0
Contributions from non-controlling interests		$ 1,517					1,517
Dividends	[2]	(13,334)	(13,134)			(13,134)	(200)
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	[3]	(1,941)	(1,941)			(1,941)
Distributions to non-controlling interests		$ (5,923)					(5,923)
Adjustment to non-controlling interests			(307)		(307)		307
Repurchase of shares of common stock (in shares)		0
Share-based long term incentive plan unit awards		$ 229	226		226		3
Ending balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2021		43,781,684		43,781,684
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2021		$ 943,376	$ 909,856	$ 44	$ 915,577	$ (116,799)	$ 33,520
CHANGE IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
Dividends declared (in usd per share)		$ 0.30
Preferred Stock, Dividends Per Share, Declared		$ 0.421875
Preferred Stock, Value, Outstanding		$ 111,034
[1]	Net of underwriters' discounts and offering costs.
[2]	For the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, dividends totaling $0.30 and $0.45, respectively, per share of common stock and convertible unit outstanding, were declared.
[3]	For the three-month period ended March 31, 2021 dividends totaling $0.421875 per share of preferred stock was declared. No such dividends were declared during the three-month period ended March 31, 2020.

Condensed Consolidated Statem_4

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		$ 9,164	$ 28,867
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchase of securities		(761,382)	(827,252)
Purchase of loans		(302,567)	(273,571)
Capital improvements of real estate owned		(473)	0
Proceeds from disposition of securities		285,767	1,241,449
Proceeds from disposition of loans		0	38
Contributions to investments in unconsolidated entities		200	(3,034)
Distributions from investments in unconsolidated entities		12,971	13,824
Proceeds from disposition of real estate owned		336	6,946
Proceeds from principal payments of securities		108,082	135,093
Proceeds from principal payments of loans		53,586	154,441
Proceeds from investments sold short		86,373	201,998
Repurchase of securities sold short		(25,219)	(265,932)
Payments on financial derivatives		(14,566)	(48,081)
Proceeds from financial derivatives		18,138	26,877
Payments made on reverse repurchase agreements		(1,866,265)	(5,880,200)
Proceeds from reverse repurchase agreements		1,806,591	5,940,600
Due from brokers, net		6,044	(3,029)
Due to brokers, net		2,088	8,287
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(590,296)	428,454
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	[1]	0	95,537
Offering costs paid		0	(253)
Repurchase of common stock		0	(3,035)
Dividends paid		(15,273)	(21,024)
Contributions from non-controlling interests		1,159	3,487
Distributions to non-controlling interests		(5,923)	(4,798)
Proceeds from issuance of other secured borrowings		20,634	31,913
Principal payments on other secured borrowings		(7,990)	(10,662)
Borrowings under repurchase agreements		1,495,139	1,856,666
Repayments of repurchase agreements		(1,043,777)	(2,267,741)
Proceeds from Issuance of Other Secured Borrowings, at fair value		211,187	0
Due from brokers, net		(34,815)	(73,544)
Due to brokers, net		(1,506)	571
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		618,835	(392,883)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash		37,703	64,438
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash, Beginning of Period		111,822	72,477
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash, End of Period		149,525	136,915
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest paid		12,660	24,126
Income tax paid		(7)	0
Dividends payable		5,740	7,952
Transfers from mortgage loans to real estate owned (non-cash)		12,554	1,422
Transfers from mortgage loans to investments in non-consolidated entities (non-cash)		12,600	10,833
Purchase of Loans Non Cash		800	6,270
Principal payments on Other secured borrowings, at fair value (non-cash)		(92,930)	(44,704)
Proceeds received from Other secured borrowings, at fair value (non-cash)		39,321	0
Proceeds from issuance of Other secured borrowings (non-cash)		800	6,270
Proceeds from principal payments of investments (non-cash)		92,930	44,704
Repayments of repurchase agreement (non-cash)		$ (38,782)	$ 0
[1]	Net of underwriters' discounts.

Organization and Investment Obj

Organization and Investment Objective	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Organization and Investment Objective	Organization and Investment Objective Ellington Financial Inc., formerly known as Ellington Financial LLC, was originally formed as a Delaware limited liability company on July 9, 2007 and commenced operations on August 17, 2007. On February 28, 2019, Ellington Financial LLC filed a certificate of conversion with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the "Secretary") to convert from a Delaware limited liability company to a Delaware corporation (the "Conversion") and change its name to Ellington Financial Inc. The Conversion became effective on March 1, 2019, and upon effectiveness, each of Ellington Financial LLC's existing common shares representing limited liability company interests, no par value, converted into one issued and outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable share of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, of Ellington Financial Inc. In connection with the Conversion, Ellington Financial Inc.'s Board of Directors (the "Board of Directors") approved Ellington Financial Inc.'s Certificate of Incorporation (which was also filed with the Secretary) and Bylaws. Ellington Financial Operating Partnership LLC (the "Operating Partnership"), a 98.7% owned consolidated subsidiary of Ellington Financial Inc., was formed as a Delaware limited liability company on December 14, 2012 and commenced operations on January 1, 2013. All of Ellington Financial Inc.'s operations and business activities are conducted through the Operating Partnership. Ellington Financial Inc., the Operating Partnership, and their consolidated subsidiaries are hereafter collectively referred to as the "Company." All intercompany accounts are eliminated in consolidation. The Company conducts its operations to qualify and be taxed as a real estate investment trust, or "REIT," under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and has elected to be taxed as a corporation effective January 1, 2019. In anticipation of the Company's intended election to be taxed as a REIT under the Code beginning with its 2019 taxable year (the "REIT Election"), the Company implemented an internal restructuring as of December 31, 2018. As part of this restructuring, the Company moved certain of its non-REIT-qualifying investments and financial derivatives to taxable REIT subsidiaries or, "TRSs," and disposed of certain of its investments in non-REIT-qualifying investments and financial derivatives. The Company invests in a diverse array of financial assets, including residential and commercial mortgage loans, residential mortgage-backed securities, or "RMBS," commercial mortgage-backed securities, or "CMBS," consumer loans and asset-backed securities, or "ABS," including ABS backed by consumer loans, collateralized loan obligations, or "CLOs," non-mortgage- and mortgage-related derivatives, equity investments in loan origination companies, and other strategic investments. Ellington Financial Management LLC (the "Manager") is an SEC-registered investment adviser that serves as the Manager to the Company pursuant to the terms of its Seventh Amended and Restated Management Agreement (the "Management Agreement"), which was approved by the Board of Directors effective March 13, 2018. The Manager is an affiliate of Ellington Management Group, L.L.C. ("Ellington"), an investment management firm that is registered as both an investment adviser and a commodity pool operator. In accordance with the terms of the Management Agreement, the Manager implements the investment strategy and manages the business and operations on a day-to-day basis for the Company and performs certain services for the Company, subject to oversight by the Board of Directors.

Significant Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies	Significant Accounting Policies (A) Basis of Presentation : The Company's unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, or "U.S. GAAP," and Regulation S-X. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, the Operating Partnership, its subsidiaries, and variable interest entities, or "VIEs," for which the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be material (particularly in light of the significant volatility, lack of pricing transparency, and market dislocations that have been caused by the novel coronavirus disease, or "COVID-19," pandemic, and associated responses to the pandemic). In management's opinion, all material adjustments considered necessary for a fair statement of the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements have been included and are only of a normal recurring nature. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire fiscal year. The information included in the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. (B) Valuation : The Company applies ASC 820-10, Fair Value Measurement ("ASC 820") to its holdings of financial instruments. ASC 820 establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the observability of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. The three levels are defined as follows: • Level 1—inputs to the valuation methodology are observable and reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. Currently, the types of financial instruments the Company generally includes in this category are listed equities and exchange-traded derivatives; • Level 2—inputs to the valuation methodology other than quoted prices included in Level 1 are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Currently, the types of financial instruments that the Company generally includes in this category are RMBS, for which the principal and interest payments are guaranteed by a U.S. government agency or a U.S. government-sponsored entity, or "Agency RMBS," U.S. Treasury securities and sovereign debt, certain non-Agency RMBS, CMBS, CLOs, corporate debt, and actively traded derivatives such as interest rate swaps, foreign currency forwards, and other over-the-counter derivatives; and • Level 3—inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement. The types of financial instruments that the Company generally includes in this category are certain RMBS, CMBS, CLOs, ABS, credit default swaps, or "CDS," on individual ABS, and total return swaps on distressed corporate debt, in each case where there is less price transparency. Also included in this category are residential and commercial mortgage loans, consumer loans, and private corporate debt and equity investments. For certain financial instruments, the various inputs that management uses to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. For each such financial instrument, the determination of which category within the fair value hierarchy is appropriate is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. ASC 820 prioritizes the various inputs that management uses to measure fair value, with the highest priority given to inputs that are observable and reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets (Level 1), and the lowest priority given to inputs that are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement (Level 3). The assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the financial instrument. The Company may use valuation techniques consistent with the market and income approaches to measure the fair value of its financial instruments. The market approach uses third-party valuations and information obtained from market transactions involving identical or similar financial instruments. The income approach uses projections of the future economic benefit of an instrument to determine its fair value, such as in the discounted cash flow methodology. The inputs or methodology used for valuing financial instruments are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in these financial instruments. The leveling of each financial instrument is reassessed at the end of each period. Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are assumed to occur at the end of the reporting period. Summary Valuation Techniques For financial instruments that are traded in an "active market," the best measure of fair value is the quoted market price. However, many of the Company's financial instruments are not traded in an active market. Therefore, management generally uses third-party valuations when available. If third-party valuations are not available, management uses other valuation techniques, such as the discounted cash flow methodology. The following are summary descriptions, for various categories of financial instruments, of the valuation methodologies management uses in determining fair value of the Company's financial instruments in such categories. Management utilizes such methodologies to assign a fair value (the estimated price that, in an orderly transaction at the valuation date, would be received to sell an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, as the case may be) to each such financial instrument. For mortgage-backed securities, or "MBS," forward settling to-be-announced mortgage-backed-securities, or "TBAs," CLOs, and corporate debt and equity, management seeks to obtain at least one third-party valuation, and often obtains multiple valuations when available. Management has been able to obtain third-party valuations on the vast majority of these instruments and expects to continue to solicit third-party valuations in the future. Management generally values each financial instrument at the average of third-party valuations received and not rejected as described below. Third-party valuations are not binding, management may adjust the valuations it receives (e.g., downward adjustments for odd lots), and management may challenge or reject a valuation when, based on its validation criteria, management determines that such valuation is unreasonable or erroneous. Furthermore, based on its validation criteria, management may determine that the average of the third-party valuations received for a given financial instrument does not result in what management believes to be the fair value of such instrument, and in such circumstances management may override this average with its own good faith valuation. The validation criteria may take into account output from management's own models, recent trading activity in the same or similar instruments, and valuations received from third parties. The use of proprietary models requires the use of a significant amount of judgment and the application of various assumptions including, but not limited to, assumptions concerning future prepayment rates and default rates. Given their relatively high level of price transparency, Agency RMBS pass-throughs are typically classified as Level 2. Non-Agency RMBS, CMBS, Agency interest only and inverse interest only RMBS, CLOs, and corporate bonds are generally classified as either Level 2 or Level 3 based on analysis of available market data and/or third-party valuations. The Company's investments in distressed corporate debt can be in the form of loans as well as total return swaps on loans. These investments, as well as related non-listed equity investments, are generally designated as Level 3 assets. Valuations for total return swaps are typically based on prices of the underlying loans received from third-party pricing services. Private equity investments are generally classified as Level 3. Furthermore, the methodology used by the third-party valuation providers is reviewed at least annually by management, so as to ascertain whether such providers are utilizing observable market data to determine the valuations that they provide. For residential and commercial mortgage loans and consumer loans, management determines fair value by taking into account both external pricing data, which includes third-party valuations, and internal pricing models. Management has obtained third-party valuations on the majority of these investments and expects to continue to solicit third-party valuations in the future. In determining fair value for non-performing mortgage loans, management evaluates third-party valuations, if applicable, as well as management's estimates of the value of the underlying real estate, using information including general economic data, broker price opinions, or "BPOs," recent sales, property appraisals, and bids. In determining fair value for performing mortgage loans and consumer loans, management evaluates third-party valuations, if applicable, as well as discounted cash flows of the loans based on market assumptions. Cash flow assumptions typically include projected default and prepayment rates and loss severities, and may include adjustments based on appraisals and BPOs. Mortgage and consumer loans are classified as Level 3. The Company has securitized certain mortgage loans that are not deemed "qualified mortgage," or "QM," loans under the rules of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or "non-QM loans." The Company's securitized non-QM loans are held as part of a collateralized financing entity, or "CFE." A CFE is a VIE that holds financial assets, issues beneficial interests in those assets, and has no more than nominal equity, and for which the issued beneficial interests have contractual recourse only to the related assets of the CFE. ASC 810, Consolidation ("ASC 810") allows the Company to elect to measure both the financial assets and financial liabilities of the CFE using the more observable of the fair value of the financial assets and the fair value of the financial liabilities of the CFE. The Company has elected the fair value option, or "FVO," for initial and subsequent recognition of the debt issued by its consolidated securitization trusts and has determined that each consolidated securitization trust meets the definition of a CFE; see Note 10 " Securitization Transactions — Residential Mortgage Loan Securitizations " for further discussion on the Company's securitization trusts. The Company has determined the inputs to the fair value measurement of the financial liabilities of each of its CFEs to be more observable than those of the financial assets and, as a result, has used the fair value of the financial liabilities of each of the CFEs to measure the fair value of the financial assets of each of the CFEs. The fair value of the debt issued by each CFE is typically valued using both external pricing data, which includes third-party valuations, and internal pricing models. The securitized non-QM loans, which are assets of the CFEs, are included in Loans, at fair value, on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The debt issued by the CFEs is included in Other secured borrowings, at fair value, on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Unrealized gains (losses) from changes in fair value of Other secured borrowings, at fair value, are included in Other, net, on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The securitized non-QM loans and the debt issued by the Company's CFEs are both classified as Level 3. For financial derivatives with greater price transparency, such as CDS on asset-backed indices, CDS on corporate indices, certain options on the foregoing, and total return swaps on publicly traded equities or indices, market-standard pricing sources are used to obtain valuations; these financial derivatives are generally classified as Level 2. Interest rate swaps, swaptions, and foreign currency forwards are typically valued based on internal models that use observable market data, including applicable interest rates and foreign currency rates in effect as of the measurement date; the model-generated valuations are then typically compared to counterparty valuations for reasonableness. These financial derivatives are also generally classified as Level 2. Financial derivatives with less price transparency, such as CDS on individual ABS, are generally valued based on internal models, and are classified as Level 3. In the case of CDS on individual ABS, the valuation process typically starts with an estimation of the value of the underlying ABS. In valuing its financial derivatives, the Company also considers the creditworthiness of both the Company and its counterparties, along with collateral provisions contained in each financial derivative agreement. Investments in private operating entities, such as loan originators, are valued based on available metrics, such as relevant market multiples and comparable company valuations, company specific-financial data including actual and projected results, and independent third party valuation estimates. These investments are classified as Level 3. The Company's repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. Repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements are classified as Level 2, based on the adequacy of the collateral and their short term nature. The Company's valuation process, including the application of validation criteria, is directed by the Manager's Valuation Committee (the "Valuation Committee"), and overseen by the Company's audit committee. The Valuation Committee includes senior level executives from various departments within the Manager, and each quarter, the Valuation Committee reviews and approves the valuations of the Company's financial instruments. The valuation process also includes a monthly review by the Company's third-party administrator. The goal of this review is to replicate various aspects of the Company's valuation process based on the Company's documented procedures. Because of the inherent uncertainty of valuation, the estimated fair value of the Company's financial instruments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market for the financial instruments existed, and the differences could be material to the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements. (C) Accounting for Securities : Purchases and sales of investments in securities are generally recorded on trade date, and realized and unrealized gains and losses are calculated based on identified cost. Investments in securities are recorded in accordance with ASC 320, Investments—Debt and Equity Securities ("ASC 320") or ASC 325-40, Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets ("ASC 325-40"). The Company generally classifies its securities as available-for-sale. The Company has chosen to elect the FVO pursuant to ASC 825, Financial Instruments ("ASC 825") for its investments in securities. Electing the FVO allows the Company to record changes in fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations, as a component of Unrealized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, which, in management's view, more appropriately reflects the results of operations for a particular reporting period as all investment activities will be recorded in a similar manner. Many of the Company's investments in securities, such as MBS and CLOs, are issued by entities that are deemed to be VIEs. For the majority of such investments, the Company has determined it is not the primary beneficiary of such VIEs and therefore has not consolidated such VIEs. The Company's maximum risk of loss in these unconsolidated VIEs is generally limited to the fair value of the Company's investment in the VIE. The Company evaluates its investments in interest only securities to determine whether they meet the requirements for classification as financial derivatives under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging ("ASC 815"). For interest only securities, where the holder is entitled only to a portion of the interest payments made on the mortgages underlying certain MBS, and inverse interest only securities, which are interest only securities whose coupon has an inverse relationship to its benchmark rate, such as LIBOR, the Company has determined that such investments do not meet the requirements for treatment as financial derivatives and are classified as securities. The Company applies the principles of ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses ("ASU 2016-13") and evaluates the cost basis of its investments in securities on at least a quarterly basis, under ASC 326-30, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses: Available-for-Sale Debt Securities ("ASC 326-30"). When the fair value of a security is less than its amortized cost basis as of the balance sheet date, the security's cost basis is considered impaired. The Company must evaluate the decline in the fair value of the impaired security and determine whether such decline resulted from a credit loss or non-credit related factors. In its assessment of whether a credit loss exists, the Company compares the present value of estimated future cash flows of the impaired security with the amortized cost basis of such security. The estimated future cash flows reflect those that a "market participant" would use and typically include assumptions related to fluctuations in interest rates, prepayment speeds, default rates, collateral performance, and the timing and amount of projected credit losses, as well incorporating observations of current market developments and events. Cash flows are discounted at an interest rate equal to the current yield used to accrete interest income. If the present value of estimated future cash flows is less than the amortized cost basis of the security, an expected credit loss exists and is included in Unrealized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. If it is determined as of the financial reporting date that all or a portion of a security's cost basis is not collectible, then the Company will recognize a realized loss to the extent of the adjustment to the security's cost basis. This adjustment to the amortized cost basis of the security is reflected in Net realized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. (D) Accounting for Loans : The Company's loan portfolio primarily consists of residential mortgage, commercial mortgage, and consumer loans. The Company's loans are accounted for under ASC 310-10, Receivables , and are classified as held-for-investment when the Company has the intent and ability to hold such loans for the foreseeable future or to maturity/payoff. When the Company has the intent to sell loans, such loans will be classified as held-for-sale. Mortgage loans held-for-sale are accounted for under ASC 948-310, Financial services—mortgage banking. The Company may aggregate its loans into pools based on common risk characteristics at purchase. The Company has chosen to elect the FVO pursuant to ASC 825 for its loan portfolios. Loans are recorded at fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and changes in fair value are recorded in earnings on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations as a component of Unrealized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net. The Company generates income from fees on certain loans, generally commercial mortgage loans, that it originates and holds for investment, including origination and exit fees. Such fee income is recorded when earned and included in Other, net on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. Transfers between held-for-investment and held-for-sale occur once the Company's intent to sell the loans changes. For residential and commercial mortgage loans, the Company generally accrues interest payments. Such loans are typically moved to non-accrual status if the loan becomes 90 days or more delinquent. The Company does not accrue interest payments on its consumer loans; interest payments are recorded upon receipt. Once consumer loans are more than 120 days past due, the Company will generally charge off such loans. The Company evaluates its charged-off loans and determines collectibility, if any, on such loans. The Company evaluates the collectibility of both interest and principal on each of its loan investments and whether the cost basis of the loan is impaired. A loan's cost basis is impaired when, based on current information and market developments, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the existing contractual terms. When a loan's cost basis is impaired, the Company does not record an allowance for loan loss as it elected the FVO on all of its loan investments. Consistent with the Company's application of the principles of ASU 2016-13, in its assessment of whether a credit loss exists, the Company compares the present value of the amount expected to be collected on the impaired loan with the amortized cost basis of such loan. If the present value of the amount expected to be collected on the impaired loan is less than the amortized cost basis of such loan, an expected credit loss exists and is included in Unrealized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. If it is determined as of the financial reporting date that all or a portion of a loan's cost basis is not collectible, then the Company will recognize a realized loss to the extent of the adjustment to the loan's cost basis. This adjustment to the amortized cost basis of the loan is reflected in Realized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. (E) Interest Income : The Company amortizes premiums and accretes discounts on its debt securities. Coupon interest income on fixed-income investments is generally accrued based on the outstanding principal balance or notional value and the current coupon rate. For debt securities that are deemed to be of high credit quality at the time of purchase (generally Agency RMBS, exclusive of interest only securities), premiums and discounts are amortized/accreted into interest income over the life of such securities using the effective interest method. For such securities whose cash flows vary depending on prepayments, an effective yield retroactive to the time of purchase is periodically recomputed based on actual prepayments and changes in projected prepayment activity, and a catch-up adjustment, or "Catch-up Premium Amortization Adjustment," is made to amortization to reflect the cumulative impact of the change in effective yield. For debt securities (generally non-Agency RMBS, CMBS, ABS, CLOs, and interest only securities) that are deemed not to be of high credit quality at the time of purchase, interest income is recognized based on the effective interest method. For purposes of estimating future expected cash flows, management uses assumptions including, but not limited to, assumptions for future prepayment rates, default rates, and loss severities (each of which may in turn incorporate various macro-economic assumptions, such as future housing prices, GDP growth rates, and unemployment rates). These assumptions are re-evaluated not less than quarterly. Changes in projected cash flows may result in prospective changes in the yield/interest income recognized on such securities based on the updated expected future cash flows. For each loan purchased with the expectation that both interest and principal will be paid in full, the Company generally amortizes or accretes any premium or discount over the life of the loan utilizing the effective interest method. However, based on current information and market developments, the Company re-assesses the collectibility of interest and principal, and generally designates a loan as in non-accrual status either when any payments have become 90 or more days past due, or when, in the opinion of management, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect either interest or principal in full. Once a loan is designated as in non-accrual status, as long as principal is still expected to be collectible in full, interest payments are recorded as interest income only when received (i.e., under the cash basis method); accruals of interest income are only resumed when the loan becomes contractually current and performance is demonstrated to be resumed. However, if principal is not expected to be collectible in full, the cost recovery method is used (i.e., no interest income is recognized, and all payments received—whether contractually interest or principal—are applied to cost). Certain of the Company's debt securities and loans, at the date of acquisition, have experienced or are expected to experience more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination. Consistent with the Company's application of the principles of ASU 2016-13, if at the date of acquisition for a particular asset the Company projects a significant difference between contractual cash flows and expected cash flows, it establishes an initial estimate for credit losses as an upward adjustment to the acquisition cost of the asset for the purpose of calculating interest income using the effective yield method. In estimating future cash flows on the Company's debt securities, there are a number of assumptions that are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, including, in the case of MBS, assumptions relating to prepayment rates, default rates, loan loss severities, and loan repurchases. These estimates require the use of a significant amount of judgment. (F) Investments in unconsolidated entities : The Company has made and may in the future make non-controlling equity investments in various entities, such as loan originators. Such investments are generally in the form of preferred and/or common equity, or membership interests. In certain cases, the Company can exercise significant influence over the entity (e.g. by having representation on the entity's board of directors) but the requirements for consolidation under ASC 810 are not met; in such cases the Company is required to account for such equity investments under ASC 323-10, Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures ("ASC 323-10"). The Company has chosen to elect the FVO pursuant to ASC 825 for its investments in unconsolidated entities, which, in management's view, more appropriately reflects the results of operations for a particular reporting period, as all investment activities will be recorded in a similar manner. The period change in fair value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated entities is recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities. (G) Real Estate Owned "REO" : When the Company obtains possession of real property in connection with a foreclosure or similar action, the Company de-recognizes the associated mortgage loan according to ASU 2014-04, Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure ("ASU 2014-04"). Under the provisions of ASU 2014-04, the Company is deemed to have received physical possession of real estate property collateralizing a mortgage loan when it obtains legal title to the property upon completion of a foreclosure or when the borrower conveys all interest in the property to it through a deed in lieu of foreclosure or similar legal agreement. The Company's initial cost basis in REO is equal to the fair value of the real estate associated with the foreclosed mortgage loan, less expected costs to sell. REO valuations are reflected at the lower of cost or fair value. The fair value of such REO is typically based on management's estimates which generally use information including general economic data, BPOs, recent sales, property appraisals, and bids, and takes into account the expected costs to sell the property. REO recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis are classified as Level 3. (H) Securities Sold Short : The Company may purchase or engage in short sales of U.S. Treasury securities and sovereign debt to mitigate the potential impact of changes in interest rates and/or foreign exchange rates on the performance of its portfolio. When the Company sells securities short, it typically satisfies its security delivery settlement obligation by borrowing or purchasing the security sold short from the same or a different counterparty. When borrowing a security sold short from a counterparty, the Company generally is required to deliver cash or securities to such counterparty as collateral for the Company's obligation to return the borrowed security. The Company has chosen to elect the FVO pursuant to ASC 825 for its securities sold short. Electing the FVO allows the Company to record changes in fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations, which, in management's view, more appropriately reflects the results of operations for a particular reporting period as all securities activities will be recorded in a similar manner. As such, securities sold short are recorded at fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and the period change in fair value is recorded in current period earnings on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations as a component of Unrealized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net. A realized gain or loss will be recognized upon the termination of a short sale if the market price is less or greater than the original sale price. Such realized gain or loss is recorded on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Realized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net. (I) Financial Derivatives : The Company enters into various types of financial derivatives subject to its investment guidelines, which include restrictions associated with maintaining qualification as a REIT. The Company's financial derivatives are predominantly subject to bilateral collateral arrangements or clearing in accordance with the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, or the "Dodd-Frank Act." The Company may be required to deliver or receive cash or securities as collateral upon entering into derivative transactions. In addition, changes in the value of derivative transactions may require the Company or the counterparty to post or receive additional collateral. In the case of cleared derivatives, the clearinghouse becomes the Company's counterparty and a futures commission merchant acts as an intermediary between the Company and the clearinghouse with respect to all facets of the related transaction, including the posting and receipt of required collateral. Cash collateral received by the Company is included in Due to brokers, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Conversely, cash collateral posted by the Company is included in Due from brokers, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The types of derivatives primarily utilized by the Company are swaps, TBAs, futures, options, and forwards. Swaps : The Company may enter into various types of swaps, including interest rate swaps, credit default swaps, and total return swaps. The primary risk associated with the Company's interest rate swap activity is interest rate risk. The primary risk associated with the Company's credit default swaps and total return swaps is credit risk. The Company is subject to interest rate risk exposure in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. Primarily to help mitigate interest rate risk, the Company enters into interest rate swaps. Interest rate swaps are contractual agreements whereby one party pays a floating interes

Valuation

Valuation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]	Valuation The tables below reflect the value of the Company's Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 financial instruments that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: March 31, 2021: Description Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total (In thousands) Assets: Securities, at fair value: Agency RMBS $ — $ 1,470,380 $ 17,402 $ 1,487,782 Non-Agency RMBS — 73,430 127,329 200,759 CMBS — 27,779 17,294 45,073 CLOs — 68,814 37,585 106,399 Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans — — 59,473 59,473 Corporate debt securities — 760 4,761 5,521 Corporate equity securities — — 4,120 4,120 Loans, at fair value: Residential mortgage loans — — 1,280,637 1,280,637 Commercial mortgage loans — — 235,948 235,948 Consumer loans — — 52,705 52,705 Corporate loans — — 13,226 13,226 Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value — — 147,684 147,684 Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value: Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities — — 320 320 Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices — 2,087 — 2,087 Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices — 3,427 — 3,427 Interest rate swaps — 10,703 — 10,703 TBAs — 3,409 — 3,409 Total return swaps — — 2 2 Warrants — 42 — 42 Futures 2,704 — — 2,704 Forwards — 388 — 388 Total assets $ 2,704 $ 1,661,219 $ 1,998,486 $ 3,662,409 Liabilities: Securities sold short, at fair value: Government debt $ — $ (96,179) $ — $ (96,179) Corporate debt securities — (219) — (219) Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value: Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices — (127) — (127) Credit default swaps on corporate bonds — (682) — (682) Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices — (5,128) — (5,128) Interest rate swaps — (8,884) — (8,884) TBAs — (4,076) — (4,076) Futures (163) — — (163) Forwards — (40) — (40) Total return swaps — — (338) (338) Other secured borrowings, at fair value — — (911,256) (911,256) Total liabilities $ (163) $ (115,335) $ (911,594) $ (1,027,092) December 31, 2020: Description Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total (In thousands) Assets: Securities, at fair value: Agency RMBS $ — $ 947,780 $ 11,663 $ 959,443 Non-Agency RMBS — 76,276 127,838 204,114 CMBS — 54,505 63,148 117,653 CLOs — 70,171 111,100 181,271 Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans — — 44,925 44,925 Corporate debt securities — 1,107 4,082 5,189 Corporate equity securities — — 1,590 1,590 Loans, at fair value: Residential mortgage loans — — 1,187,069 1,187,069 Commercial mortgage loans — — 213,031 213,031 Consumer loans — — 47,525 47,525 Corporate loans — — 5,855 5,855 Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value — — 141,620 141,620 Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value: Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities — — 347 347 Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices — 2,184 — 2,184 Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices — 3,420 — 3,420 Interest rate swaps — 8,519 — 8,519 TBAs — 962 — 962 Total return swaps — — 9 9 Warrants — 36 — 36 Futures 2 — — 2 Total assets $ 2 $ 1,164,960 $ 1,959,802 $ 3,124,764 Liabilities: Securities sold short, at fair value: Government debt $ — $ (38,424) $ — $ (38,424) Corporate debt securities — (218) — (218) Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value: Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices — (130) — (130) Credit default swaps on corporate bonds — (747) — (747) Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices — (6,438) — (6,438) Interest rate swaps — (15,174) — (15,174) TBAs — (925) — (925) Futures (376) — — (376) Forwards — (279) — (279) Total return swaps — — (484) (484) Other secured borrowings, at fair value — — (754,921) (754,921) Total liabilities $ (376) $ (62,335) $ (755,405) $ (818,116) The following tables identifies the significant unobservable inputs that affect the valuation of the Company's Level 3 assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: March 31, 2021: Fair Value Valuation Unobservable Input Range Weighted Description Min Max (In thousands) Non-Agency RMBS $ 85,241 Market Quotes Non Binding Third-Party Valuation $ 2.13 $ 337.92 $ 86.00 42,088 Discounted Cash Flows 127,329 Yield (1) 0.4 % 66.3 % 7.2 % Projected Collateral Prepayments 5.3 % 74.2 % 48.3 % Projected Collateral Losses — % 22.5 % 6.1 % Projected Collateral Recoveries 0.8 % 22.4 % 13.0 % Non-Agency CMBS 11,177 Market Quotes Non Binding Third-Party Valuation $ 4.65 $ 98.25 $ 38.62 6,117 Discounted Cash Flows 17,294 Yield 3.8 % 28.3 % 9.5 % Projected Collateral Losses 1.2 % 10.6 % 4.4 % Projected Collateral Recoveries 9.6 % 95.4 % 92.0 % CLOs 23,370 Market Quotes Non Binding Third-Party Valuation $ 2.00 $ 95.00 $ 71.18 14,215 Discounted Cash Flows 37,585 Yield 7.0 % 92.5 % 17.6 % Projected Collateral Prepayments 79.2 % 92.9 % 86.5 % Projected Collateral Losses 3.9 % 11.7 % 6.7 % Projected Collateral Recoveries 1.3 % 6.9 % 4.6 % Agency interest only RMBS 4,026 Market Quotes Non Binding Third-Party Valuation $ 0.66 $ 18.45 $ 12.50 13,376 Option Adjusted Spread ("OAS") 17,402 LIBOR OAS (2)(3) 16 2,918 719 Projected Collateral Prepayments 9.2 % 100.0 % 66.0 % ABS backed by consumer loans 87 Market Quotes Non Binding Third-Party Valuation $ 96.92 $ 98.58 $ 97.61 59,386 Discounted Cash Flows 59,473 Yield 11.9 % 33.7 % 15.5 % Projected Collateral Prepayments 0.0 % 11.9 % 8.0 % Projected Collateral Losses 1.0 % 22.2 % 16.2 % Corporate debt and equity 8,881 Discounted Cash Flows Yield 5.0 % 12.2 % 9.8 % Performing and re-performing residential mortgage loans 290,957 Discounted Cash Flows Yield 1.3 % 59.4 % 5.6 % Fair Value Valuation Unobservable Input Range Weighted Description Min Max (continued) (In thousands) Securitized residential mortgage loans (4)(5) $ 921,678 Market Quotes Non Binding Third-Party Valuation $ 0.58 $ 105.92 $ 101.24 39,654 Discounted Cash Flows 961,332 Yield 1.1 % 9.2 % 4.6 % Non-performing residential mortgage loans 28,348 Discounted Cash Flows Yield 1.8 % 34.6 % 13.7 % Recovery Amount 0.3 % 169.9 % 33.8 % Months to Resolution 1.0 105.8 36.8 Performing commercial mortgage loans 201,683 Discounted Cash Flows Yield 6.5 % 11.2 % 8.6 % Non-performing commercial mortgage loans 34,265 Discounted Cash Flows Yield 7.5 % 9.4 % 9.2 % Recovery Amount 100.0 % 100.4 % 100.3 % Months to Resolution 2.8 8.8 6.3 Consumer loans 52,705 Discounted Cash Flows Yield 5.5 % 48.7 % 9.5 % Projected Collateral Prepayments 0.0 % 34.0 % 16.1 % Projected Collateral Losses 0.6 % 86.6 % 10.0 % Corporate loans 13,167 Market Quotes Non Binding Third-Party Valuation $ 100.00 $ 100.00 $ 100.00 59 Discounted Cash Flows 13,226 Yield 21.7 % 21.9 % 21.8 % Investment in unconsolidated entities 147,684 Enterprise Value Equity Price-to-Book (6)(7) 1.0x 1.6x 1.2x Total return swaps—asset 2 Discounted Cash Flows Yield 17.1 % 17.1 % 17.1 % Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities 320 Net Discounted Cash Flows Projected Collateral Prepayments 26.5 % 36.4 % 34.1 % Projected Collateral Losses 6.7 % 10.1 % 8.3 % Projected Collateral Recoveries 14.2 % 18.8 % 15.6 % Total return swaps—liability (338) Discounted Cash Flows Yield 20.6% 20.6% 20.6% Other secured borrowings, at fair value (4) (911,256) Market Quotes Non Binding Third-Party Valuation $ 96.51 $ 105.92 $ 101.60 Yield (8) 1.2% 1.4% 1.3% Projected Collateral Prepayments —% 83.3% 54.0% (1) For the range minimum, the range maximum, and the weighted average yield, excludes non-Agency RMBS with a negative yield, with a total fair value of $0.6 million. Including these securities the weighted average yield was 6.9%. (2) Shown in basis points. (3) For range minimum, range maximum, and the weighted average of LIBOR OAS, excludes Agency interest only securities with a negative LIBOR OAS, with a total fair value of $3.7 million. Including these securities the weighted average was 445 basis points. (4) Securitized residential mortgage loans and Other secured borrowings, at fair value, represent financial assets and liabilities of the Company's CFEs as discussed in Note 2. (5) Includes $21.2 million of non-performing securitized residential mortgage loans. (6) Represents an estimation of where market participants might value an enterprise on a price-to-book basis. (7) For the range minimum, the range maximum, and the weighted average equity price-to-book, excludes investments in unconsolidated entities of $3.4 million. Including these investments in unconsolidated entities the weighted average equity price-to-book was 2.1x. (8) For the range minimum, the range maximum, and the weighted average yield, excludes other secured borrowings with a negative yield, with a total fair value of $(126.8) million. Including these securities the weighted average yield was 0.9%. December 31, 2020: Fair Value Valuation Unobservable Input Range Weighted Description Min Max (In thousands) Non-Agency RMBS $ 70,619 Market Quotes Non Binding Third-Party Valuation $ 9.53 $ 204.61 $ 85.70 57,219 Discounted Cash Flows 127,838 Yield (1) 0.7 % 52.6 % 7.4 % Projected Collateral Prepayments — % 99.1 % 45.3 % Projected Collateral Losses 0.4 % 72.6 % 18.4 % Projected Collateral Recoveries — % 79.1 % 16.8 % Non-Agency CMBS 53,199 Market Quotes Non Binding Third-Party Valuation $ 4.79 $ 98.00 $ 65.20 9,949 Discounted Cash Flows 63,148 Yield 3.7 % 26.3 % 8.7 % Projected Collateral Losses 0.7 % 10.7 % 3.6 % Projected Collateral Recoveries 72.4 % 96.1 % 90.6 % CLOs 102,910 Market Quotes Non Binding Third-Party Valuation $ 2.00 $ 330.00 $ 88.66 8,190 Discounted Cash Flows 111,100 Yield 3.4 % 35.4 % 10.5 % Projected Collateral Prepayments 41.2 % 97.7 % 65.7 % Projected Collateral Losses 1.7 % 28.9 % 11.2 % Projected Collateral Recoveries 0.6 % 15.2 % 7.9 % Agency interest only RMBS 4,844 Market Quotes Non Binding Third-Party Valuation $ 1.91 $ 18.91 $ 8.38 6,819 Option Adjusted Spread ("OAS") 11,663 LIBOR OAS (2)(3) 297 2,886 914 Projected Collateral Prepayments 8.3 % 100.0 % 75.9 % ABS backed by consumer loans 97 Market Quotes Non Binding Third-Party Valuation $ 96.51 $ 98.43 $ 97.33 44,828 Discounted Cash Flows 44,925 Yield 12.6 % 27.5 % 15.6 % Projected Collateral Prepayments 0.0 % 11.6 % 7.7 % Projected Collateral Losses 1.0 % 21.1 % 17.1 % Corporate debt and equity 5,672 Discounted Cash Flows Yield 8.1 % 10.8 % 9.7 % Performing and re-performing residential mortgage loans 338,265 Discounted Cash Flows Yield 2.5 % 28.5 % 5.4 % 15,659 Recent Transactions Transaction Price $ 60.00 $ 103.88 $ 103.44 353,924 Securitized residential mortgage loans (4)(5) $ 783,162 Market Quotes Non Binding Third-Party Valuation $ 5.34 $ 105.61 $ 100.22 18,182 Discounted Cash Flows 801,343 Yield — % 38.7 % 4.4 % Fair Value Valuation Unobservable Input Range Weighted Description Min Max (Continued) (In thousands) Non-performing residential mortgage loans 31,802 Discounted Cash Flows Yield 1.2 % 41.0 % 12.1 % Recovery Amount 0.9 % 1713.0 % 30.6 % Months to Resolution 0.0 106.6 30.0 Performing commercial mortgage loans 181,545 Discounted Cash Flows Yield 3.7 % 9.7 % 8.1 % Non-performing commercial mortgage loans 31,486 Discounted Cash Flows Yield 8.6 % 14.6 % 10.8 % Recovery Amount 100.0 % 102.4 % 100.8 % Months to Resolution 1.8 5.8 3.7 Consumer loans 47,525 Discounted Cash Flows Yield 7.8 % 28.1 % 11.2 % Projected Collateral Prepayments 0.0 % 36.0 % 17.3 % Projected Collateral Losses 0.9 % 86.6 % 9.4 % Corporate loans 5,855 Market Quotes Non Binding Third-Party Valuation $ 100.00 $ 100.00 $ 100.00 Yield 21.1 % 21.1 % 21.1 % Investment in unconsolidated entities 141,620 Enterprise Value Equity Price-to-Book (6) 1.0x 6.2x 1.4x Total return swaps—asset 9 Discounted Cash Flows Yield 22.0 % 22.0 % 22.0 % Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities 347 Net Discounted Cash Flows Projected Collateral Prepayments 32.7 % 39.7 % 38.1 % Projected Collateral Losses 6.6 % 10.8 % 8.9 % Projected Collateral Recoveries 13.9 % 18.1 % 15.6 % Total return swaps—liability (484) Discounted Cash Flows Yield 16.8% 16.8% 16.8% Other secured borrowings, at fair value (4) (754,921) Market Quotes Non Binding Third-Party Valuation $ 85.37 $ 105.61 $ 102.04 Yield 1.6% 3.0% 2.6% Projected Collateral Prepayments —% 75.3% 48.7% (1) For the range minimum, the range maximum, and the weighted average yield, excludes non-Agency RMBS with a negative yield, with a total fair value of $0.3 million. Including these securities the weighted average yield was 7.3%. (2) Shown in basis points. (3) For range minimum, range maximum, and the weighted average of LIBOR OAS, excludes Agency interest only securities with a negative LIBOR OAS, with a total fair value of $4.5 million. Including these securities the weighted average was 396 basis points. (4) Securitized residential mortgage loans and Other secured borrowings, at fair value, represent financial assets and liabilities of the Company's CFEs as discussed in Note 2. (5) Includes $26.4 million of non-performing securitized residential mortgage loans. (6) Represent an estimation of where market participants might value an enterprise on a price-to-book basis. Third-party non-binding valuations are validated by comparing such valuations to internally generated prices based on the Company's models and, when available, to recent trading activity in the same or similar instruments. For those instruments valued using discounted and net discounted cash flows, collateral prepayments, losses, recoveries, and scheduled amortization are projected over the remaining life of the collateral and expressed as a percentage of the collateral's current principal balance. Averages are weighted based on the fair value of the related instrument. In the case of credit default swaps on asset-backed securities, averages are weighted based on each instrument's bond equivalent value. Bond equivalent value represents the investment amount of a corresponding position in the reference obligation, calculated as the difference between the outstanding principal balance of the underlying reference obligation and the fair value, inclusive of accrued interest, of the derivative contract. For those assets valued using the LIBOR Option Adjusted Spread ("LIBOR OAS") valuation methodology, cash flows are projected using the Company's models over multiple interest rate scenarios, and these projected cash flows are then discounted using the LIBOR rates implied by each interest rate scenario. The LIBOR OAS of an asset is then computed as the unique constant yield spread that, when added to all LIBOR rates in each interest rate scenario generated by the model, will equate (a) the expected present value of the projected asset cash flows over all model scenarios to (b) the actual current market price of the asset. LIBOR OAS is therefore model-dependent. Generally speaking, LIBOR OAS measures the additional yield spread over LIBOR that an asset provides at its current market price after taking into account any interest rate options embedded in the asset. The Company considers the expected timeline to resolution in the determination of fair value for its non-performing commercial and residential mortgage loans. Material changes in any of the inputs above in isolation could result in a significant change to reported fair value measurements. Additionally, fair value measurements are impacted by the interrelationships of these inputs. For example, for instruments subject to prepayments and credit losses, such as non-Agency RMBS and consumer loans and ABS backed by consumer loans, a higher expectation of collateral prepayments will generally be accompanied by a lower expectation of collateral losses. Conversely, higher losses will generally be accompanied by lower prepayments. Because the Company's credit default swaps on asset-backed security holdings represent credit default swap contracts whereby the Company has purchased credit protection, such credit default swaps on asset-backed securities generally have the directionally opposite sensitivity to prepayments, losses, and recoveries as compared to the Company's long securities holdings. Prepayments do not represent a significant input for the Company's commercial mortgage-backed securities and commercial mortgage loans. Losses and recoveries do not represent a significant input for the Company's Agency RMBS interest only securities, given the guarantee of the issuing government agency or government-sponsored enterprise. The tables below includes a roll-forward of the Company's financial instruments for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 (including the change in fair value), for financial instruments classified by the Company within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2021 (In thousands) Beginning Balance as of Accreted Net Realized Change in Net Purchases/Payments (1) Sales/Issuances (2) Transfers Into Level 3 Transfers Out of Level 3 Ending Assets: Securities, at fair value: Agency RMBS $ 11,663 $ (1,121) $ (26) $ (136) $ 1,814 $ — $ 5,857 $ (649) $ 17,402 Non-Agency RMBS 127,838 679 (226) (557) 20,742 (18,639) 1,998 (4,506) 127,329 CMBS 63,148 218 2,082 2,525 — (39,705) — (10,974) 17,294 CLOs 111,100 734 912 5,334 1,812 (43,210) 1,511 (40,608) 37,585 Asset-backed securities backed by consumer loans 44,925 (657) 33 (485) 24,334 (8,677) — — 59,473 Corporate debt securities 4,082 — 180 5 1,027 (533) — — 4,761 Corporate equity securities 1,590 — (385) 604 2,311 — — — 4,120 Loans, at fair value: Residential mortgage loans 1,187,069 (2,470) 194 2,214 222,081 (128,451) — — 1,280,637 Commercial mortgage loans 213,031 9 436 (263) 57,166 (34,431) — — 235,948 Consumer loans 47,525 (1,843) (1,265) 327 16,749 (8,788) — — 52,705 Corporate loan 5,855 — — — 7,371 — — — 13,226 Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value 141,620 — 128 6,507 12,870 (13,441) — — 147,684 Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value: Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities 347 — 26 (27) 4 (30) — — 320 Total return swaps 9 — 141 (6) — (142) — — 2 Total assets, at fair value $ 1,959,802 $ (4,451) $ 2,230 $ 16,042 $ 368,281 $ (296,047) $ 9,366 $ (56,737) $ 1,998,486 Liabilities: Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value: Total return swaps $ (484) $ — $ (500) $ 146 $ 500 $ — $ — $ — $ (338) Other secured borrowings, at fair value (754,921) — — 1,243 92,930 (250,508) — — (911,256) Total liabilities, at fair value $ (755,405) $ — $ (500) $ 1,389 $ 93,430 $ (250,508) $ — $ — $ (911,594) (1) For Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value, amount represents contributions to investments in unconsolidated entities. (2) For Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value, amount represents distributions from investments in unconsolidated entities. All amounts of net realized and change in net unrealized gain (loss) in the table above are reflected in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The table above incorporates changes in net unrealized gain (loss) for both Level 3 financial instruments held by the Company at March 31, 2021, as well as Level 3 financial instruments disposed of by the Company during the three-month period ended March 31, 2021. For Level 3 financial instruments held by the Company at March 31, 2021, change in net unrealized gain (loss) of $3.2 million, $2.0 million, $6.3 million, $(33) thousand, $0.1 million, and $1.2 million, for the three-month period ended March 31, 2021 relate to securities, loans, investments in unconsolidated entities, financial derivatives–assets, financial derivatives–liabilities, and other secured borrowings, at fair value, respectively. At March 31, 2021, the Company transferred $56.7 million of assets from Level 3 to Level 2 and $9.4 million from Level 2 to Level 3. Transfers between these hierarchy levels were based on the availability of sufficient observable inputs to meet Level 2 versus Level 3 criteria. The leveling of each financial instrument is reassessed at the end of each period, and is based on pricing information received from third-party pricing sources. Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2020 (In thousands) Beginning Balance as of Accreted Net Realized Change in Net Purchases/ (1) Sales/ (2) Transfers Into Level 3 Transfers Out of Level 3 Ending Assets: Securities, at fair value: Agency RMBS $ 19,904 $ (1,822) $ (1) $ 2,807 $ 5,259 $ — $ 1,088 $ (6,254) $ 20,981 Non-Agency RMBS 89,581 226 (136) (11,533) 33,950 (14,395) 3,659 (7,155) 94,197 CMBS 29,805 207 1,386 (11,193) 31,025 (28,539) 4,071 (6,486) 20,276 CLOs 44,979 (318) (21) (20,261) 22,760 54 6,325 (9,714) 43,804 Asset-backed securities backed by consumer loans 48,610 (1,044) (150) (2,360) 16,271 (6,700) — — 54,627 Corporate debt securities 1,113 — — (96) 10 (417) — — 610 Corporate equity securities 1,394 — — (987) 305 — — — 712 Loans, at fair value: Residential mortgage loans 932,203 (458) 205 (24,323) 131,070 (99,325) — — 939,372 Commercial mortgage loans 274,759 (1) 860 (328) 87,567 (59,557) — — 303,300 Consumer loans 186,954 (7,470) 26 (5,751) 61,100 (40,056) — — 194,803 Corporate loan 18,510 — — — 104 (12,500) — — 6,114 Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value 71,850 — — (6,497) 12,283 (12,239) — — 65,397 Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value: Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities 993 — (994) 917 5 (568) — — 353 Total return swaps 620 — 191 (583) — (191) — — 37 Total assets, at fair value $ 1,721,275 $ (10,680) $ 1,366 $ (80,188) $ 401,709 $ (274,433) $ 15,143 $ (29,609) $ 1,744,583 Liabilities: Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value: Total return swaps $ (436) $ — $ 31 $ (403) $ 10 $ (41) $ — $ — $ (839) Other secured borrowings, at fair value (594,396) — — 24 44,704 — — — (549,668) Total liabilities, at fair value $ (594,832) $ — $ 31 $ (379) $ 44,714 $ (41) $ — $ — $ (550,507) (1) For Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value, amount represents contributions to investments in unconsolidated entities. (2) For Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value, amount represents distributions from investments in unconsolidated entities. All amounts of net realized and change in net unrealized gain (loss) in the table above are reflected in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The table above incorporates changes in net unrealized gain (loss) for both Level 3 financial instruments held by the Company at March 31, 2020, as well as Level 3 financial instruments disposed of by the Company during the three-month period ended March 31, 2020. For Level 3 financial instruments held by the Company at March 31, 2020, change in net unrealized gain (loss) of $(50.9) million, $(30.4) million, $(6.7) million, $0.5 million, $(0.8) million, and $24 thousand, for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020 relate to securities, loans, investments in unconsolidated entities, financial derivatives–assets, financial derivatives–liabilities, and other secured borrowings, at fair value, respectively. At March 31, 2020, the Company transferred $29.6 million of assets from Level 3 to Level 2 and $15.1 million from Level 2 to Level 3. Transfers between these hierarchy levels were based on the availability of sufficient observable inputs to meet Level 2 versus Level 3 criteria. The leveling of each financial instrument is reassessed at the end of each period, and is based on pricing information received from third-party pricing sources. The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of all other financial instruments not measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: As of March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 (In thousands) Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Other financial instruments Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 149,350 $ 149,350 $ 111,647 $ 111,647 Restricted cash 175 175 175 175 Due from brokers 91,814 91,814 63,147 63,147 Reverse repurchase agreements 96,783 96,783 38,640 38,640 Liabilities: Repurchase agreements 1,909,511 1,909,511 1,496,931 1,496,931 Other secured borrowings 64,506 64,506 51,062 51,062 Senior notes, net 86,344 85,627 86,000 85,561 Due to brokers 5,337 5,337 5,059 5,059 Cash and cash equivalents generally includes cash held in interest bearing overnight accounts, for which fair value equals the carrying value, and investments which are liquid in nature, such as investments in money market accounts or U.S. Treasury Bills, for which fair value equals the carrying value; such assets are considered Level 1. Restricted cash includes cash held in a segregated account for which fair value equals the carrying value; such assets are considered Level 1. Due from brokers and Due to brokers include collateral transferred to or received from counterparties, along with receivables and payables for open and/or closed derivative positions. These receivables and payables are short term in nature and any collateral transferred consists primarily of cash; fair value of these items is approximated by carrying value and such items are considered Level 1. The Company's reverse repurchase agreements, repurchase agreements, and other secured borrowings are carried at cost, which approximates fair value due to their short term nature. Reverse repurchase agreements, repurchase agreements, and other secured borrowings are classified as Level 2 based on the adequacy of the collateral and their short term nature. Senior notes, net are considered Level 3 liabilities given the relative unobservability of the most significant inputs to valuation estimation as well as the lack of trading activity of these instruments. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the estimated fair value of the Company's Senior notes was based on a third-party valuation.

Investment in Securities

Investment in Securities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Investment in Securities	Investment in Securities The Company's securities portfolio primarily consists of Agency RMBS, non-Agency RMBS, CMBS, CLOs, ABS backed by consumer loans, and corporate debt and equity. The following tables detail the Company's investment in securities as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. March 31, 2021: Gross Unrealized Weighted Average ($ in thousands) Current Principal Unamortized Premium (Discount) Amortized Cost Gains Losses Fair Value Coupon (1) Yield Life (Years) (2) Long: Agency RMBS: 15-year fixed-rate mortgages $ 177,384 $ 8,396 $ 185,780 $ 1,680 $ (1,646) $ 185,814 2.64 % 1.28 % 4.45 20-year fixed-rate mortgages 52,654 3,140 55,794 45 (1,125) 54,714 2.48 % 1.09 % 5.37 30-year fixed-rate mortgages 1,037,659 55,060 1,092,719 19,811 (12,610) 1,099,920 3.32 % 1.92 % 6.03 Adjustable rate mortgages 5,526 145 5,671 136 — 5,807 3.48 % 2.60 % 4.14 Reverse mortgages 85,309 4,840 90,149 2,339 (12) 92,476 3.66 % 2.35 % 4.54 Interest only securities n/a n/a 44,867 6,034 (1,850) 49,051 3.47 % 9.39 % 5.39 Non-Agency RMBS 332,129 (142,479) 189,650 11,640 (4,677) 196,613 4.15 % 6.95 % 5.52 CMBS 79,301 (35,426) 43,875 1,329 (6,574) 38,630 2.72 % 8.54 % 7.72 Non-Agency interest only securities n/a n/a 8,918 1,861 (190) 10,589 1.08 % 8.56 % 5.16 CLOs n/a n/a 126,830 2,695 (23,126) 106,399 3.80 % 9.12 % 3.41 ABS backed by consumer loans 90,892 (31,149) 59,743 2,069 (2,339) 59,473 9.81 % 18.73 % 1.22 Corporate debt 26,861 (22,622) 4,239 1,302 (20) 5,521 1.34 % 7.58 % 2.63 Corporate equity n/a n/a 3,530 612 (22) 4,120 n/a n/a n/a Total Long 1,887,715 (160,095) 1,911,765 51,553 (54,191) 1,909,127 3.53 % 3.76 % 5.43 Short: Corporate debt (200) (1) (201) — (18) (219) 5.11 % 4.67 % 6.17 U.S. Treasury securities (62,750) 1,721 (61,029) 1,577 — (59,452) 0.86 % 1.21 % 8.38 European sovereign bonds (36,308) 1,682 (34,626) — (2,101) (36,727) 0.22 % 0.06 % 2.86 Total Short (99,258) 3,402 (95,856) 1,577 (2,119) (96,398) 0.64 % 0.80 % 6.28 Total $ 1,788,457 $ (156,693) $ 1,815,909 $ 53,130 $ (56,310) $ 1,812,729 3.68 % 3.62 % 5.38 (1) Weighted average coupon represents the weighted average coupons of the securities, rather than, in the case of collateralized securities, the coupon rates or loan rates on the underlying collateral. (2) Expected average lives of MBS are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by the contractual maturities of the underlying mortgages, scheduled periodic payments of principal, and unscheduled prepayments of principal. December 31, 2020: Gross Unrealized Weighted Average ($ in thousands) Current Principal Unamortized Premium (Discount) Amortized Cost Gains Losses Fair Value Coupon (1) Yield Life (Years) (2) Long: Agency RMBS: 15-year fixed-rate mortgages $ 67,875 $ 2,543 $ 70,418 $ 1,832 $ (36) $ 72,214 3.30 % 1.83 % 3.24 20-year fixed-rate mortgages 50,131 3,097 53,228 182 — 53,410 2.57 % 1.08 % 4.46 30-year fixed-rate mortgages 626,021 30,738 656,759 25,765 (444) 682,080 3.99 % 2.35 % 4.17 Adjustable rate mortgages 6,171 159 6,330 124 — 6,454 3.66 % 2.27 % 3.42 Reverse mortgages 89,383 5,152 94,535 3,123 (29) 97,629 3.97 % 2.37 % 4.60 Interest only securities n/a n/a 43,406 5,808 (1,558) 47,656 3.36 % 10.01 % 4.85 Non-Agency RMBS 321,842 (131,083) 190,759 15,880 (5,549) 201,090 3.15 % 6.40 % 5.46 CMBS 188,085 (61,763) 126,322 1,655 (16,910) 111,067 2.71 % 7.47 % 8.09 Non-Agency interest only securities n/a n/a 8,123 1,792 (305) 9,610 1.17 % 18.85 % 3.49 CLOs n/a n/a 208,907 2,563 (30,199) 181,271 3.67 % 8.50 % 3.50 ABS backed by consumer loans 69,646 (24,936) 44,710 221 (6) 44,925 11.95 % 18.57 % 1.11 Corporate debt 27,083 (23,187) 3,896 1,296 (3) 5,189 2.13 % 6.75 % 3.10 Corporate equity n/a n/a 1,604 376 (390) 1,590 n/a n/a n/a Total Long 1,446,237 (199,280) 1,508,997 60,617 (55,429) 1,514,185 3.84 % 4.88 % 4.45 Short: Corporate debt (200) (1) (201) — (17) (218) 5.09 % 4.67 % 6.42 European sovereign bonds (37,804) 3,163 (34,641) — (3,783) (38,424) 0.23 % 0.06 % 3.11 Total Short (38,004) 3,162 (34,842) — (3,800) (38,642) 0.26 % 0.09 % 3.13 Total $ 1,408,233 $ (196,118) $ 1,474,155 $ 60,617 $ (59,229) $ 1,475,543 3.92 % 4.77 % 4.49 (1) Weighted average coupon represents the weighted average coupons of the securities, rather than, in the case of collateralized securities, the coupon rates or loan rates on the underlying collateral. (2) Expected average lives of MBS are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by the contractual maturities of the underlying mortgages, scheduled periodic payments of principal, and unscheduled prepayments of principal. The following tables detail weighted average life of the Company's Agency RMBS as of March 31, 2021 and December 31 2020. March 31, 2021: ($ in thousands) Agency RMBS Agency Interest Only Securities Estimated Weighted Average Life (1) Fair Value Amortized Cost Weighted Average Coupon (2) Fair Value Amortized Cost Weighted Average Coupon (2) Less than three years $ 79,755 $ 77,736 4.44 % $ 6,335 $ 5,597 3.81 % Greater than three years and less than seven years 1,145,288 1,135,139 3.27 % 35,542 33,166 3.87 % Greater than seven years and less than eleven years 213,688 217,238 2.53 % 4,416 4,269 0.84 % Greater than eleven years — — — % 2,758 1,835 1.16 % Total $ 1,438,731 $ 1,430,113 3.22 % $ 49,051 $ 44,867 3.47 % (1) Expected average lives of RMBS are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by the contractual maturities of the underlying mortgages, scheduled periodic payments of principal, and unscheduled prepayments of principal. (2) Weighted average coupon represents the weighted average coupons of the securities, rather than the coupon rates or loan rates on the underlying collateral. December 31, 2020: ($ in thousands) Agency RMBS Agency Interest Only Securities Estimated Weighted Average Life (1) Fair Value Amortized Cost Weighted Average Coupon (2) Fair Value Amortized Cost Weighted Average Coupon (2) Less than three years $ 139,059 $ 135,844 4.15 % $ 8,143 $ 7,314 3.99 % Greater than three years and less than seven years 770,173 742,946 3.79 % 32,669 29,362 3.74 % Greater than seven years and less than eleven years 2,555 2,480 3.01 % 5,165 5,063 1.04 % Greater than eleven years — — — % 1,679 1,667 0.83 % Total $ 911,787 $ 881,270 3.84 % $ 47,656 $ 43,406 3.36 % (1) Expected average lives of RMBS are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by the contractual maturities of the underlying mortgages, scheduled periodic payments of principal, and unscheduled prepayments of principal. (2) Weighted average coupon represents the weighted average coupons of the securities, rather than the coupon rates or loan rates on the underlying collateral. The following tables detail weighted average life of the Company's long non-Agency RMBS, CMBS, and CLOs and other securities as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. March 31, 2021: ($ in thousands) Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS Non-Agency IOs CLOs and Other Securities (2) Estimated Weighted Average Life (1) Fair Value Amortized Cost Weighted Average Coupon (3) Fair Value Amortized Cost Weighted Average Coupon (3) Fair Value Amortized Cost Weighted Average Coupon (3) Less than three years $ 56,973 $ 54,090 3.53 % $ 4,649 $ 3,333 0.94 % $ 100,024 $ 105,291 6.89 % Greater than three years and less than seven years 102,383 97,457 4.85 % 4,600 4,266 1.44 % 71,369 85,521 4.06 % Greater than seven years and less than eleven years 56,309 61,353 2.67 % — — — % — — — % Greater than eleven years 19,578 20,625 3.79 % 1,340 1,319 0.30 % — — — % Total $ 235,243 $ 233,525 3.88 % $ 10,589 $ 8,918 1.08 % $ 171,393 $ 190,812 5.63 % (1) Expected average lives of MBS are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by the contractual maturities of the underlying mortgages, scheduled periodic payments of principal, and unscheduled prepayments of principal. (2) Other Securities includes asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans and corporate debt. (3) Weighted average coupon represents the weighted average coupons of the securities, rather than the coupon rates or loan rates on the underlying collateral. December 31, 2020: ($ in thousands) Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS Non-Agency IOs CLOs and Other Securities (2) Estimated Weighted Average Life (1) Fair Value Amortized Cost Weighted Average Coupon (3) Fair Value Amortized Cost Weighted Average Coupon (3) Fair Value Amortized Cost Weighted Average Coupon (3) Less than three years $ 58,350 $ 54,339 3.39 % $ 5,163 $ 3,754 0.92 % $ 89,235 $ 90,869 7.73 % Greater than three years and less than seven years 114,815 109,161 3.45 % 4,447 4,369 1.37 % 139,830 163,670 3.69 % Greater than seven years and less than eleven years 109,519 123,782 2.74 % — — — % 2,320 2,974 1.14 % Greater than eleven years 29,473 29,799 1.46 % — — — % — — — % Total $ 312,157 $ 317,081 2.98 % $ 9,610 $ 8,123 1.17 % $ 231,385 $ 257,513 5.09 % (1) Expected average lives of MBS are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by the contractual maturities of the underlying mortgages, scheduled periodic payments of principal, and unscheduled prepayments of principal. (2) Other Securities includes asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans, corporate debt, and U.S. Treasury securities. (3) Weighted average coupon represents the weighted average coupons of the securities, rather than the coupon rates or loan rates on the underlying collateral. The following tables detail the components of interest income by security type for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020: Three-Month Period Ended (In thousands) March 31, 2021 March 31, 2020 Security Type Coupon Interest Net Amortization Interest Income Coupon Interest Net Amortization Interest Income Agency RMBS $ 14,352 $ (7,600) $ 6,752 $ 20,912 $ (8,844) $ 12,068 Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS 3,756 1,467 5,223 4,053 713 4,766 CLOs 2,536 944 3,480 5,419 (1,011) 4,408 Other securities (1) 3,533 (657) 2,876 2,925 (1,045) 1,880 Total $ 24,177 $ (5,846) $ 18,331 $ 33,309 $ (10,187) $ 23,122 (1) Other securities includes ABS backed by consumer loans, corporate debt securities, and U.S. Treasury securities. For the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Catch-Up Premium Amortization Adjustment was $(0.1) million and $(1.1) million, respectively. The following tables present proceeds from sales and the resulting realized gains and (losses) of the Company's securities for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. Three-Month Period Ended (In thousands) March 31, 2021 March 31, 2020 Security Type Proceeds (1) Gross Realized Gains Gross Realized Losses (2) Net Realized Gain (Loss) Proceeds (1) Gross Realized Gains Gross Realized Losses Net Realized Gain (Loss) Agency RMBS $ 71,737 $ 424 $ (395) $ 29 $ 1,285,482 $ 9,221 $ (2,813) $ 6,408 Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS 123,208 6,609 (1,365) 5,244 77,802 8,496 (1,056) 7,440 CLOs 85,575 1,184 (191) 993 34,542 1,122 (23) 1,099 Other securities (3) 9,306 512 (303) 209 120,991 637 (200) 437 Total $ 289,826 $ 8,729 $ (2,254) $ 6,475 $ 1,518,817 $ 19,476 $ (4,092) $ 15,384 (1) Includes proceeds on sales of securities not yet settled as of period end. (2) Excludes realized losses of $(1.2) million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2021, related to adjustments to the cost basis of certain securities for which the Company has determined all or a portion of such securities cost basis to be uncollectible. (3) Other securities includes ABS backed by consumer loans, corporate debt and equity, exchange-traded equity, and U.S. Treasury securities. The following tables present the fair value and gross unrealized losses of our long securities, excluding those where there are expected credit losses as of the balance sheet date in relation to such securities' cost bases, by length of time that such securities have been in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. March 31, 2021: (In thousands) Less than 12 Months Greater than 12 Months Total Security Type Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses Agency RMBS $ 806,309 $ (15,549) $ 629 $ (33) $ 806,938 $ (15,582) Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS 1,048 (103) 16,209 (1,563) 17,257 (1,666) CLOs 1,864 (16) 1,364 (886) 3,228 (902) Other securities (1) — (5) — — — (5) Total $ 809,221 $ (15,673) $ 18,202 $ (2,482) $ 827,423 $ (18,155) (1) Other securities includes ABS backed by consumer loans and corporate debt and equity securities. December 31, 2020: (In thousands) Less than 12 Months Greater than 12 Months Total Security Type Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses Agency RMBS $ 126,926 $ (981) $ 832 $ (44) $ 127,758 $ (1,025) Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS 20,474 (2,616) 2,599 (348) 23,073 (2,964) CLOs 5,279 (753) 1,196 (1,131) 6,475 (1,884) Other securities (1) 1,107 (8) — — 1,107 (8) Total $ 153,786 $ (4,358) $ 4,627 $ (1,523) $ 158,413 $ (5,881) (1) Other securities includes ABS backed by consumer loans, corporate debt and equity, and U.S. Treasury securities.

Investment in Loans

Investment in Loans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Receivables [Abstract]
Investment in Loans	Investment in Loans The Company invests in various types of loans, such as residential mortgage, commercial mortgage, consumer, and corporate loans. As discussed in Note 2, the Company has elected the FVO for its investments in loans. The following table is a summary of the Company's investments in loans as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: As of (In thousands) March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Loan Type Unpaid Principal Balance Fair Unpaid Principal Balance Fair Residential mortgage loans $ 1,236,923 $ 1,280,637 $ 1,150,303 $ 1,187,069 Commercial mortgage loans 235,077 235,948 212,716 213,031 Consumer loans 51,488 52,705 48,180 47,525 Corporate loans 13,226 13,226 5,855 5,855 Total $ 1,536,714 $ 1,582,516 $ 1,417,054 $ 1,453,480 The Company is subject to credit risk in connection with its investments in loans. The two primary components of credit risk are default risk, which is the risk that a borrower fails to make scheduled principal and interest payments, and severity risk, which is the risk of loss upon a borrower default on a mortgage loan or other secured or unsecured loan. Severity risk includes the risk of loss of value of the property or other asset, if any, securing the loan, as well as the risk of loss associated with taking over the property or other asset, if any, including foreclosure costs. Credit risk in our loan portfolio can be amplified by exogenous shocks impacting our borrowers such as man-made or natural disasters, including the COVID-19 pandemic. The following table provides details, by accrual status, for loans that are 90 days or more past due as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: As of March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 (In thousands) Unpaid Principal Balance Fair Value Unpaid Principal Balance Fair Value 90 days or more past due—non-accrual status Residential mortgage loans $ 54,588 $ 50,646 $ 64,509 $ 60,381 Commercial mortgage loans 34,373 34,265 44,233 44,052 Consumer loans 900 665 1,015 930 Residential Mortgage Loans The tables below detail certain information regarding the Company's residential mortgage loans as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. March 31, 2021: Gross Unrealized Weighted Average ($ in thousands) Unpaid Principal Balance Premium (Discount) Amortized Cost Gains Losses Fair Value Coupon Yield Life (Years) (1) Residential mortgage loans, held-for-investment (2) $ 1,236,923 $ 18,997 $ 1,255,920 $ 29,604 $ (4,887) $ 1,280,637 6.12 % 4.21 % 1.34 (1) Average lives of loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by scheduled periodic payments of principal and unscheduled prepayments of principal. (2) Includes $961.3 million of non-QM loans that have been securitized and are held in consolidated securitization trusts. Such loans had $27.5 million and $(0.2) million of gross unrealized gains and gross unrealized losses, respectively; such unrealized gains (losses) are included on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Unrealized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net. See Residential Mortgage Loan Securitizations in Note 10 for additional information. December 31, 2020: Gross Unrealized Weighted Average ($ in thousands) Unpaid Principal Balance Premium (Discount) Amortized Cost Gains Losses Fair Value Coupon Yield Life (Years) (1) Residential mortgage loans, held-for-investment (2) $ 1,150,303 $ 14,263 $ 1,164,566 $ 27,892 $ (5,389) $ 1,187,069 6.19 % 5.60 % 1.90 (1) Average lives of loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by scheduled periodic payments of principal and unscheduled prepayments of principal. (2) Includes $801.3 million of non-QM loans that have been securitized and are held in consolidated securitization trusts. Such loans had $24.8 million and $(0.1) million of gross unrealized gains and gross unrealized losses, respectively; such unrealized gains (losses) are included on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Unrealized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net. See Residential Mortgage Loan Securitizations in Note 10 for additional information. The table below summarizes the geographic distribution of the real estate collateral underlying the Company's residential mortgage loans as a percentage of total outstanding unpaid principal balance as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: Property Location by U.S. State March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 California 42.8 % 43.1 % Florida 15.5 % 14.8 % Texas 9.9 % 10.2 % Colorado 2.8 % 3.1 % Massachusetts 2.8 % 2.6 % Oregon 2.2 % 2.2 % Arizona 2.2 % 2.0 % Nevada 2.1 % 1.9 % Illinois 1.9 % 1.8 % Utah 1.6 % 1.7 % New York 1.6 % 1.6 % Washington 1.3 % 1.4 % New Jersey 1.2 % 1.4 % Georgia 1.2 % 1.3 % North Carolina 1.2 % 1.1 % Connecticut 1.1 % 0.9 % Maryland 0.9 % 1.0 % Other 7.7 % 7.9 % 100.0 % 100.0 % The following table presents information on the Company's residential mortgage loans by re-performing or non-performing status, as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. As of March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 (In thousands) Unpaid Principal Balance Fair Value Unpaid Principal Balance Fair Value Re-performing $ 17,185 $ 15,821 $ 18,120 $ 16,741 Non-performing 53,289 49,586 62,009 58,169 As described in Note 2, the Company evaluates the cost basis of its residential mortgage loans for impairment on at least a quarterly basis. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company had expected future credit losses, which it tracks for purposes of calculating interest income, of $1.6 million and $2.2 million, respectively, related to adverse changes in estimated future cash flows on its residential mortgage loans, primarily due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Certain of the Company's residential mortgage loans, at the date of acquisition, have experienced or are expected to experience more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination and the Company has established an initial estimate for credit losses on such loans; as of both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the estimated credit losses on such loans was $0.2 million. The Company has determined for certain of its residential mortgage loans that a portion of such loans' cost basis is not collectible; for the three-month period ended March 31, 2021, the Company recognized realized losses on these loans of $33 thousand, which are reflected in Net realized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. No such realized losses were recognized for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company had residential mortgage loans that were in the process of foreclosure with a fair value of $16.4 million and $14.9 million, respectively. Commercial Mortgage Loans The tables below detail certain information regarding the Company's commercial mortgage loans as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: March 31, 2021: Gross Unrealized Weighted Average ($ in thousands) Unpaid Principal Balance Premium (Discount) Amortized Cost Gains Losses Fair Value Coupon Yield (1) Life (Years) (2) Commercial mortgage loans, held-for-investment $ 235,077 $ 1,110 $ 236,187 $ 216 $ (455) $ 235,948 8.19 % 8.19 % 0.83 (1) Excludes non-performing commercial mortgage loans, in non-accrual status, with a fair value of $34.3 million. (2) Average lives of loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by scheduled periodic payments of principal and unscheduled prepayments of principal. December 31, 2020: Gross Unrealized Weighted Average ($ in thousands) Unpaid Principal Balance Premium (Discount) Amortized Cost Gains Losses Fair Value Coupon Yield (1) Life (Years) (2) Commercial mortgage loans, held-for-investment $ 212,716 $ 290 $ 213,006 $ 479 $ (454) $ 213,031 8.38 % 8.28 % 0.62 (1) Excludes commercial mortgage loans, held at par in non-accrual status, with a fair value of $31.5 million. (2) Average lives of loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by scheduled periodic payments of principal and unscheduled prepayments of principal. The table below summarizes the geographic distribution of the real estate collateral underlying the Company's commercial mortgage loans as a percentage of total outstanding unpaid principal balance as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: Property Location by U.S. State March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Florida 27.6 % 23.8 % New York 16.6 % 15.2 % Connecticut 10.9 % 11.2 % Ohio 8.8 % 7.3 % Missouri 7.6 % 7.9 % Massachusetts 5.9 % 6.1 % California 5.7 % 5.9 % Arizona 4.2 % 4.3 % Virginia 4.1 % 4.2 % Indiana 2.7 % 2.8 % North Carolina 2.1 % 2.2 % Nevada 1.8 % 1.9 % Illinois 1.3 % 1.4 % New Jersey 0.7 % 5.8 % 100.0 % 100.0 % As of March 31, 2021, the Company had four non-performing commercial mortgage loans with an unpaid principal balance and fair value of $34.4 million and $34.3 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had three non-performing commercial mortgage loans with an unpaid principal balance and fair value of $31.8 million and $31.5 million, respectively. As described in Note 2, the Company evaluates the cost basis of its commercial mortgage loans for impairment on at least a quarterly basis. As of both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the expected future credit losses, which the Company tracks for purposes of calculating interest income, of $0.4 million, related to adverse changes in estimated future cash flows on its commercial mortgage loans. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had one commercial mortgage loans with a fair value of $10.5 million that was in the process of foreclosure. The Company did not have any commercial mortgage loans in the process of foreclosure as of March 31, 2021. Consumer Loans The tables below detail certain information regarding the Company's consumer loans as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: March 31, 2021: Gross Unrealized Weighted Average ($ in thousands) Unpaid Principal Balance Premium (Discount) Amortized Cost Gains Losses Fair Value (1) Life (Years) (2) Delinquency (Days) Consumer loans, held-for-investment $ 51,488 $ 1,616 $ 53,104 $ 990 $ (1,389) $ 52,705 1.04 4 (1) Includes $0.5 million of charged-off loans for which the Company has determined that it is probable the servicer will be able to collect principal and interest. (2) Average lives of loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by scheduled periodic payments of principal and unscheduled prepayments of principal. December 31, 2020: Gross Unrealized Weighted Average ($ in thousands) Unpaid Principal Balance Premium (Discount) Amortized Cost Gains Losses Fair Value (1) Life (Years) (2) Delinquency (Days) Consumer loans, held-for-investment $ 48,180 $ 72 $ 48,252 $ 1,160 $ (1,887) $ 47,525 1.04 7 (1) Includes $0.6 million of charged-off loans for which the Company has determined that it is probable the servicer will be able to collect principal and interest. (2) Average lives of loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by scheduled periodic payments of principal and unscheduled prepayments of principal. The table below provides details on the delinquency status as a percentage of total unpaid principal balance of the Company's consumer loans, which the Company uses as an indicator of credit quality, as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: Days Past Due March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Current 95.2 % 90.4 % 30-59 Days 2.0 % 3.4 % 60-89 Days 1.4 % 3.3 % 90-119 Days 1.3 % 2.8 % >120 Days 0.1 % 0.1 % 100.0 % 100.0 % During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company charged off $3.6 million and $4.9 million, respectively, of unpaid principal balance of consumer loans that were greater than 120 days delinquent. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company held charged-off consumer loans with an aggregate fair value of $0.5 million and $0.6 million, respectively, for which the Company has determined that it is probable the servicer will be able to collect principal and interest. As described in Note 2, the Company evaluates the cost basis of its consumer loans for impairment on at least a quarterly basis. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company had expected future credit losses, which it tracks for purposes of calculating interest income, of $1.3 million and $2.9 million, respectively, on its consumer loans. The Company has determined for certain of its consumer loans that a portion of such loans' cost basis is not collectible; for the three-month period ended March 31, 2021, the Company recognized realized losses on these loans of $1.3 million. No such realized losses were recognized for the three-month period ended March, 31, 2020. Corporate Loans The tables below detail certain information regarding the Company's corporate loans as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: March 31, 2021: Weighted Average ($ in thousands) Unpaid Fair Value Rate Remaining Term (Years) Corporate loans, held-for-investment (1) $ 13,226 $ 13,226 21.02 % 3.13 (1) See Note 21 for further details on the Company's unfunded commitments related to certain of its corporate loans. December 31, 2020: Weighted Average ($ in thousands) Unpaid Fair Value Rate Remaining Term (Years) Corporate loans, held-for-investment (1) $ 5,855 $ 5,855 20.00 % 1.75

Investments in Unconsolidated E

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities	Investments in Unconsolidated EntitiesThe Company has various equity investments in entities where it has the ability to exert significant influence over such entity, but does not control such entity. In these cases the criteria for consolidation have not been met and the Company is required to account for such investments under ASC 323-10; the Company has elected the FVO for its investments in unconsolidated entities. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company's investments in unconsolidated entities had an aggregate fair value of $147.7 million and $141.6 million, respectively, which is included on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet in Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value. For the three month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized $6.6 million and $(6.5) million, respectively, in Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities, on its Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations, primarily related to its investment in mortgage loan originators. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company had non-controlling equity interests in three loan originators with an aggregate fair value of $82.5 million and $79.5 million, respectively. Certain of the entities that the Company accounts for under ASC 323-10 are deemed to be VIEs, and the maximum amount at risk is generally limited to the Company's investment in the VIE. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the fair value of the Company's investments in unconsolidated entities that have been deemed to be VIEs was $14.0 million and $13.6 million, respectively. The following table provides details about the Company's investments in unconsolidated entities as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: Percentage Ownership Investment in Unconsolidated Entity Form of Investment March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Longbridge Financial, LLC (1) Preferred shares 49.7% 49.7% LendSure Mortgage Corp. (1)(2) Common shares 49.9% 49.9% Elizon TCG SBC 2017-1 (1) Membership Interest 36.0% 36.0% Jepson Holdings Limited (1) Membership Interest 30.1% 30.1% Elizon DB 2015-1 LLC (1)(3)(4) Membership Interest 5.7% 8.9% Elizon NM CRE 2020-1 LLC (1)(3)(5) Membership Interest 26.2% —% Other (6)(7) Various 8.0%–56.3% 7.4%–56.3% (1) See Note 13 for additional details on the Company's related party transactions. (2) Excludes investment in warrants convertible into non-voting common shares; including such warrants the Company's additional non-voting stake in the entity was 15.0% as of both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. See Note 13 Related Party Transactions— Transactions Involving Certain Loan Originators for additional information. (3) The Company has evaluated this entity and determined that it meets the definition of a VIE. The Company evaluated its interest in the VIE and determined that the Company does not have the power to direct the activities of the VIE and does not have control of the underlying assets, where applicable. As a result, the Company determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of this VIE and therefore has not consolidated the VIE. (4) As discussed in Note 13 Related Party Transactions— Participation in Multi-Borrower Financing Facilities , the Company and the Affiliated Entities (as defined in Note 13) each consolidate their segregated silos of the Joint Entity (as defined in Note 13). The Company's effective percentage ownership before the effects of consolidation of both its and the Affiliated Entities' respective segregated silos of the Joint Entity, was 50.1% and 58.2% as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. (5) As discussed in Note 13 Related Party Transactions— Participation in Multi-Borrower Financing Facilities , the Company and the Affiliated Entities (as defined in Note 13) each consolidate their segregated silos of the Joint Entity (as defined in Note 13). The Company's effective percentage ownership before the effects of consolidation of both its and the Affiliated Entities' respective segregated silos of the Joint Entity, was 42.5% as of March 31, 2021. (6) Includes interest in Consumer Risk Retention Vehicle, as defined in Note 10 —Participation in Multi-Seller Consumer Loan Securitization . The Company has evaluated this entity and determined that it does not meet the definition of a VIE. The Company evaluated its interest in the entity under the voting interest model outlined in ASC 810, and has determined that the Company does not control this entity. As a result, the Company has not consolidated the entity. See Note 10 for additional details on the Company's securitization transactions. (7) Includes interest in warehouse facilities; see Note 13— Participation in CLO Transactions , for additional details.

Real Estate Owned

Real Estate Owned	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Real Estate Owned, Disclosure of Detailed Components [Abstract]
Real Estate Owned	Real Estate Owned As discussed in Note 2, the Company obtains possession of REO as a result of foreclosures on the associated mortgage loans. The following tables detail activity in the Company's carrying value of REO for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020: Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2021 March 31, 2020 Number of Properties Carrying Value Number of Properties Carrying Value (In thousands) (In thousands) Beginning Balance (December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively) 13 $ 23,598 15 $ 30,584 Transfers from mortgage loans 3 12,554 4 1,422 Capital expenditures and other adjustments to cost 473 114 Adjustments to record at the lower of cost or fair value (790) (683) Disposals (1) (278) (3) (6,383) Ending Balance (March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively) 15 $ 35,557 16 $ 25,054 During the three-month period ended March 31, 2021, the Company sold one REO property, realizing a net gain (loss) of approximately $61 thousand. During the three-month ended March 31, 2020, the Company sold three REO properties, realizing a net gain (loss) of approximately $0.4 million. Such realized gains (losses) are included in Realized gains (losses) on real estate owned, net, on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 all of the Company's REO had been obtained as a result of obtaining physical possession through foreclosure. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company had REO measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis of $23.0 million and $22.4 million, respectively.

Financial Derivatives

Financial Derivatives	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Financial Derivatives	Financial Derivatives The Company is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. The Company manages certain risks associated with its investments and borrowings, including interest rate, credit, liquidity, and foreign exchange rate risk primarily by managing the amount, sources, and duration of its investments and borrowings, and through the use of derivative financial instruments. The Company's derivative financial instruments are used to manage differences in the amount, timing, and duration of its known or expected cash receipts and its known or expected cash payments principally related to its investments and borrowings. The following table details the fair value of the Company's holdings of financial derivatives as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 (In thousands) Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value: TBA securities purchase contracts $ 1 $ 961 TBA securities sale contracts 3,408 1 Fixed payer interest rate swaps 5,331 125 Fixed receiver interest rate swaps 5,372 8,394 Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities 320 347 Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices 2,087 2,184 Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices 3,427 3,420 Total return swaps 2 9 Futures 2,704 2 Forwards 388 — Warrants 42 36 Total financial derivatives–assets, at fair value 23,082 15,479 Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value: TBA securities purchase contracts (3,915) — TBA securities sale contracts (161) (925) Fixed payer interest rate swaps (7,856) (15,109) Fixed receiver interest rate swaps (1,028) (65) Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices (127) (130) Credit default swaps on corporate bonds (682) (747) Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices (5,128) (6,438) Total return swaps (338) (484) Futures (163) (376) Forwards (40) (279) Total financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value (19,438) (24,553) Total $ 3,644 $ (9,074) Interest Rate Swaps The following tables provide information about the Company's fixed payer interest rate swaps as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: March 31, 2021: Weighted Average Maturity Notional Amount Fair Value Pay Rate Receive Rate Remaining Years to Maturity (In thousands) 2022 $ 64,100 $ (503) 0.99 % 0.18 % 0.93 2023 361,650 (3,788) 0.74 0.19 2.00 2024 251,700 669 0.38 0.16 2.94 2025 38,192 (123) 0.92 0.18 4.21 2026 10,000 49 0.90 0.19 4.92 2027 9,732 464 0.49 0.19 6.24 2028 51,644 (52) 1.40 0.19 6.95 2029 19,152 (643) 1.98 0.20 8.30 2030 11,085 572 1.06 0.19 9.08 2031 53,945 1,412 1.46 0.15 9.92 2035 500 67 0.78 0.09 14.56 2036 1,100 84 1.45 0.19 14.89 2040 500 85 0.90 0.09 19.57 2049 5,796 (932) 2.89 0.24 27.78 2050 500 114 0.98 0.09 29.58 Total $ 879,596 $ (2,525) 0.79 % 0.18 % 3.59 December 31, 2020: Weighted Average Maturity Notional Amount Fair Value Pay Rate Receive Rate Remaining Years to Maturity (In thousands) 2021 $ 17,500 $ (231) 2.75 % 0.24 % 0.22 2022 96,533 (1,535) 1.19 0.22 1.14 2023 146,012 (4,770) 1.50 0.23 2.42 2025 66,503 (1,034) 0.73 0.21 4.75 2026 11,216 (458) 1.23 0.25 5.50 2027 9,732 60 0.49 0.24 6.48 2028 16,644 (2,169) 2.39 0.24 7.32 2029 22,744 (2,289) 1.94 0.23 8.61 2030 13,015 (369) 1.13 0.22 9.29 2035 500 15 0.78 0.09 14.81 2036 1,100 (47) 1.45 0.25 15.13 2040 500 20 0.90 0.09 19.82 2049 5,796 (2,208) 2.89 0.23 28.02 2050 500 31 0.98 0.09 29.82 Total $ 408,295 $ (14,984) 1.39 % 0.23 % 3.82 The following tables provide information about the Company's fixed receiver interest rate swaps as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: March 31, 2021: Weighted Average Maturity Notional Amount Fair Value Pay Rate Receive Rate Remaining Years to Maturity (In thousands) 2021 $ 12,950 $ 103 0.19 % 1.75 % 0.46 2022 53,974 887 0.19 1.85 0.92 2023 41,407 1,423 0.19 2.00 1.97 2024 76,342 2,959 0.22 1.57 3.55 2026 47,799 (725) 0.18 0.69 4.90 2031 3,500 (38) 0.19 1.63 9.95 2035 500 (66) 0.09 0.74 14.56 2040 500 (85) 0.09 0.84 19.57 2050 500 (114) 0.09 0.90 29.58 Total $ 237,472 $ 4,344 0.20 % 1.54 % 2.99 December 31, 2020: Weighted Average Maturity Notional Amount Fair Value Pay Rate Receive Rate Remaining Years to Maturity (In thousands) 2021 $ 12,950 $ 205 0.24 % 1.75 % 0.71 2022 103,974 1,413 0.22 1.07 1.48 2023 48,657 2,209 0.24 2.00 2.26 2024 86,342 4,567 0.22 1.65 3.73 2035 500 (14) 0.09 0.74 14.81 2040 500 (20) 0.09 0.84 19.82 2050 500 (31) 0.09 0.90 29.82 Total $ 253,423 $ 8,329 0.22 % 1.48 % 2.48 Credit Default Swaps The following table provides information about the Company's credit default swaps as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: As of March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Type (1) Notional Fair Value Weighted Average Remaining Term (Years) Notional Fair Value Weighted Average Remaining Term (Years) ($ in thousands) Asset: Long: Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices $ 555 $ 6 24.01 $ 395 $ 5 16.99 Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices 67,354 3,422 2.27 67,779 3,296 2.52 Short: Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities (927) 320 14.46 (957) 347 14.70 Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices (13,705) 2,081 43.97 (12,888) 2,179 39.61 Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices (1,642) 5 2.72 (2,173) 124 2.97 Liability: Long: Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices 293 (127) 28.03 479 (130) 32.36 Short: Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices (1) — 28.76 (1) — 29.00 Credit default swaps on corporate bonds (8,400) (682) 3.93 (8,400) (747) 4.17 Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices (93,661) (5,128) 2.33 (110,624) (6,438) 2.78 $ (50,134) $ (103) 13.90 $ (66,390) $ (1,364) 10.25 (1) Long notional represents contracts where the Company has written protection and short notional represents contracts where the Company has purchased protection. Futures The following table provides information about the Company's long and short positions in futures as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: As of March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Description Notional Amount Fair Value Remaining Months to Expiration Notional Amount Fair Value Remaining Months to Expiration (In thousands) (In thousands) Assets: Short Contracts: U.S. Treasury futures $ (178,500) $ 2,704 2.98 $ (300) $ 2 2.70 Liabilities: Long Contracts: U.S. Treasury futures 1,900 (163) 2.73 1,900 (9) 2.70 Short Contracts: U.S. Treasury futures — — — (178,200) (367) 2.94 Total, net $ (176,600) $ 2,541 2.98 $ (176,600) $ (374) 2.94 Warrants The following table provides information about the Company's warrants contracts to purchase shares as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Description Number of Shares Underlying Warrant Fair Value Remaining Years to Expiration Number of Shares Underlying Warrant Fair Value Remaining Years to Expiration (In thousands) (In thousands) Warrants 1,897 $ 42 2.15 1,897 $ 36 2.40 TBAs The Company transacts in the forward settling TBA market. Pursuant to these TBA transactions, the Company agrees to purchase or sell, for future delivery, Agency RMBS with certain principal and interest terms and certain types of underlying collateral, but the particular Agency RMBS to be delivered is not identified until shortly before the TBA settlement date. TBAs are generally liquid, have quoted market prices, and represent the most actively traded class of MBS. The Company uses TBAs to mitigate interest rate risk, usually by taking short positions. The Company also invests in TBAs as a means of acquiring additional exposure to Agency RMBS, or for investment purposes, including holding long positions. The Company does not generally take delivery of TBAs; rather, it settles the associated receivable and payable with its trading counterparties on a net basis. Transactions with the same counterparty for the same TBA that result in a reduction of the position are treated as extinguished. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company had outstanding TBA purchase and sale contracts as follows: March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 TBA Securities Notional Amount (1) Cost Basis (2) Market Value (3) Net Carrying Value (4) Notional Amount (1) Cost Basis (2) Market Value (3) Net Carrying Value (4) (In thousands) Purchase contracts: Assets $ 10,000 $ 10,039 $ 10,040 $ 1 $ 149,990 $ 155,008 $ 155,969 $ 961 Liabilities 174,890 178,474 174,559 (3,915) — — — — 184,890 188,513 184,599 (3,914) 149,990 155,008 155,969 961 Sale contracts: Assets (810,574) (850,708) (847,300) 3,408 (4,400) (4,765) (4,764) 1 Liabilities (108,046) (115,775) (115,936) (161) (499,667) (531,034) (531,959) (925) (918,620) (966,483) (963,236) 3,247 (504,067) (535,799) (536,723) (924) Total TBA securities, net $ (733,730) $ (777,970) $ (778,637) $ (667) $ (354,077) $ (380,791) $ (380,754) $ 37 (1) Notional amount represents the principal balance of the underlying Agency RMBS. (2) Cost basis represents the forward price to be paid (received) for the underlying Agency RMBS. (3) Market value represents the current market value of the underlying Agency RMBS (on a forward delivery basis) as of period end. (4) Net carrying value represents the difference between the market value of the TBA contract as of period end and the cost basis, and is reported in Financial derivatives-assets, at fair value and Financial derivatives-liabilities, at fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Gains and losses on the Company's derivative contracts for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 are summarized in the tables below: Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2021: Derivative Type Primary Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps (1) Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives (1) Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps (2) Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives (2) (In thousands) Interest rate swaps Interest Rate $ (816) $ 447 $ (369) $ 410 $ 7,675 $ 8,085 Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities Credit 26 26 (27) (27) Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices Credit 1,069 1,069 (958) (958) Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices Credit (924) (924) 528 528 Credit default swaps on corporate bonds Credit (72) (72) 66 66 Total return swaps Credit (341) (341) 139 139 TBAs Interest Rate 5,319 5,319 (703) (703) Futures Interest Rate 1,017 1,017 2,915 2,915 Forwards Currency 88 88 627 627 Warrants Equity Market/Credit — — 5 5 Total $ (816) $ 6,629 $ 5,813 $ 410 $ 10,267 $ 10,677 (1) Includes realized gain/(loss) on transactions involving foreign-currency-denominated financial derivatives in the amount of $18 thousand for the three-month period ended March 31, 2021, which is included on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Other, net. (2) Includes foreign currency remeasurement on financial derivatives in the amount of $(34) thousand for the three-month period ended March 31, 2021, which is included on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Other, net. Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2020: Derivative Type Primary Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps (1) Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives (1) Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps (2) Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives (2) (In thousands) Interest rate swaps Interest Rate $ 143 $ (6,384) $ (6,241) $ (111) $ (20,020) $ (20,131) Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities Credit (994) (994) 917 917 Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices Credit (556) (556) 12,524 12,524 Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices Credit 579 579 4,116 4,116 Credit default swaps on corporate bonds Credit 94 94 1,527 1,527 Total return swaps Credit (1,571) (1,571) (213) (213) TBAs Interest Rate (3,173) (3,173) (5,423) (5,423) Futures Interest Rate (1,122) (1,122) (6,115) (6,115) Forwards Currency 592 592 253 253 Warrants Equity Market/Credit — — 20 20 Options Credit — — 2,558 2,558 Total $ 143 $ (12,535) $ (12,392) $ (111) $ (9,856) $ (9,967) (1) Includes realized gain/(loss) on transactions involving foreign-currency-denominated financial derivatives in the amount of $14 thousand for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020, which is included on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Other, net. (2) Includes foreign currency remeasurement on financial derivatives in the amount of $17 thousand for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020, which is included on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Other, net. The table below details the average notional values of the Company's financial derivatives, using absolute value of month end notional values, for the three month-period ended March 31, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020: Derivative Type Three-Month Year Ended (In thousands) TBAs $ 1,017,245 $ 713,634 Interest rate swaps 795,247 1,009,110 Credit default swaps 190,584 277,990 Futures 180,400 149,538 Forwards 24,177 26,413 Total return swaps 4,181 6,975 Warrants 1,897 1,570 Options — 1,500 From time to time the Company enters into credit derivative contracts for which the Company sells credit protection ("written credit derivatives"). As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, all of the Company's open written credit derivatives were credit default swaps on either mortgage/asset-backed indices (ABX and CMBX indices) or corporate bond indices (CDX), collectively referred to as credit indices, or on individual corporate bonds, for which the Company receives periodic payments at fixed rates from credit protection buyers, and is obligated to make payments to the credit protection buyer upon the occurrence of a "credit event" with respect to underlying reference assets. Written credit derivatives held by the Company at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 are summarized below: Credit Derivatives March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 (In thousands) Fair Value of Written Credit Derivatives, Net $ 3,301 $ 3,171 Notional Value of Written Credit Derivatives (1) 68,202 68,653 (1) The notional value is the maximum amount that a seller of credit protection would be obligated to pay, and a buyer of credit protection would receive, upon occurrence of a "credit event." Movements in the value of credit default swap transactions may require the Company or the counterparty to post or receive collateral. Amounts due or owed under credit derivative contracts with an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, or "ISDA," counterparty may be offset against amounts due or owed on other credit derivative contracts with the same ISDA counterparty. As a result, the notional value of written credit derivatives involving a particular underlying reference asset or index has been reduced (but not below zero) by the notional value of any contracts where the Company has purchased credit protection on the same reference asset or index with the same ISDA counterparty. A credit default swap on a credit index or a corporate bond typically terminates at the stated maturity date in the case of corporate indices or bonds, or, in the case of ABX and CMBX indices, the date that all of the reference assets underlying the index are paid off in full, retired, or otherwise cease to exist. Implied credit spreads may be used to determine the market value of such contracts and are reflective of the cost of buying/selling credit protection. Higher spreads would indicate a greater likelihood that a seller will be obligated to perform ( i.e. , make protection payments) under the contract. In situations where the credit quality of the underlying reference assets has deteriorated, the percentage of notional values that would be paid up front to enter into a new such contract ("points up front") is frequently used as an indication of credit risk. Credit protection sellers entering the market in such situations would expect to be paid points up front corresponding to the approximate fair value of the contract. For the Company's written credit derivatives that were outstanding at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, implied credit spreads on such contracts ranged between 28.1 and 264.4 basis points and 40.0 and 274.8 basis points, respectively. Excluded from these spread ranges are contracts outstanding for which the individual spread is greater than 2,000 basis points. The Company believes that these contracts would be quoted based on estimated points up front. The total fair value of contracts with individual implied credit spreads in excess of 2,000 basis points was $(0.1) million as of both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. Estimated points up front on these contracts as of both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 ranged between 56.2 and 85.2. Total net up-front payments (paid) or received relating to written credit derivatives outstanding at both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 were $(2.0) million.

Consolidated VIEs

Consolidated VIEs	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Consolidated VIEs	Consolidated VIEs As discussed in Note 2, the Company has interests in entities that it has determined to be VIEs. The following table summarizes the assets and liabilities of the Company's consolidated VIEs that are included on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. See Note 10 and Note 13 for additional information on the Company's consolidated VIEs. (In thousands) March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 661 $ 701 Restricted cash 175 175 Securities, at fair value 59,162 44,523 Loans, at fair value 1,556,716 1,435,067 Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value 10,642 6,345 Real estate owned 35,557 23,598 Investment related receivables 40,669 24,824 Other assets 2,511 2,001 Total Assets $ 1,706,093 $ 1,537,234 Liabilities Repurchase agreements $ 267,429 $ 275,019 Other secured borrowings 64,506 51,062 Other secured borrowings, at fair value 911,256 754,921 Interest payable 359 776 Accrued expenses and other liabilities 952 1,103 Total Liabilities 1,244,502 1,082,881 Total Stockholders' Equity 441,115 430,554 Non-controlling interests 20,476 23,799 Total Equity 461,591 454,353 Total Liabilities and Equity $ 1,706,093 $ 1,537,234

Securitization Transactions

Securitization Transactions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Securitization Transactions [Abstract]
Securitization Transactions	Securitization Transactions Participation in CLO Transactions Since June 2017, an affiliate of Ellington has sponsored four CLO securitization transactions (the "Ellington-sponsored CLO Securitizations"), collateralized by corporate loans and managed by an affiliate of Ellington (the "CLO Manager"). Ellington, the Company, several other affiliates of Ellington, and in certain cases, third parties, participated in the Ellington-sponsored CLO Securitizations (collectively, the "CLO Co-Participants"). Pursuant to each Ellington-sponsored CLO Securitization, a newly formed securitization trust (each a "CLO Issuer") issued various classes of notes, which were in turn sold to unrelated third parties and the applicable CLO Co-Participants. The CLO Issuers are each deemed to be a VIE. The Company evaluates its interests in the CLO Issuers under ASC 810, and while the Company retains credit risk in each of the securitization trusts through its beneficial ownership of a portion of the subordinated interests of each of the securitization trusts, which are the first to absorb credit losses on the securitized assets, the Company does not retain control of these assets or the power to direct the activities of the CLO Issuers that most significantly impact the CLO Issuers' economic performance. As a result, the Company determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of the CLO Issuers, and therefore the Company has not consolidated the CLO Issuers. The Company's maximum amount at risk is limited to the Company's investment in each of the CLO Issuers. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the fair value of the Company's investment in the notes issued by the CLO Issuers was $20.3 million and $17.3 million, respectively. See Note 13 for further details on the Company's participation in CLO transactions. Residential Mortgage Loan Securitizations Since November 2017, the Company, through certain wholly owned subsidiaries (each, a "Sponsor"), has sponsored several securitizations of non-QM loans. In each case, the applicable Sponsor transferred a pool of non-QM loans (each, a Collateral Pool") to a wholly owned entity (each, a "Depositor") and on the closing date such loans were deposited into newly created securitization trusts (collectively, the "Issuing Entities"). Pursuant to the securitizations, the Issuing Entities issued various classes of mortgage pass-through certificates (the "Certificates") which are backed by the cash flows from the underlying non-QM loans. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, sponsors of securitizations are generally required to retain at least 5% of the economic interest in the credit risk of the securitized assets (the "Risk Retention Rules"). In order to comply with the Risk Retention Rules, in each securitization, the Company purchased and intends to hold, at a minimum, the requisite amount of the most subordinated classes of Certificates and the excess cash flow certificates. The applicable Sponsor also purchased the Certificates entitled to excess servicing fees in each securitization, while the remaining classes of Certificates were purchased by unrelated parties. Notwithstanding that the Certificates carry final scheduled distribution dates in June 2059 or later, the applicable Depositor may, at its sole option, purchase all of the outstanding Certificates (an "Optional Redemption") following the earlier of (1) the applicable anniversary of the closing date (typically two or three years) of the respective securitization or (2) the date on which the aggregate unpaid principal balance of the applicable Collateral Pool has declined below 30% of the aggregate unpaid principal balance of the applicable Collateral Pool as of the date as of which such loans were originally transferred to the applicable Issuing Entity. The purchase price that the Depositor is required to pay in connection with an Optional Redemption is equal to the sum of the unpaid principal balance of each class of Certificates as of the redemption date and any accrued and unpaid interest thereon. In light of these Optional Redemption rights held by the applicable Depositor, the transfers of non-QM loans to each of the Issuing Entities do not qualify as sales under ASC 860-10. In the event that certain breaches of representations or warranties are discovered with respect to any underlying non-QM loans, the Company could be required to repurchase or replace such loans. Each Sponsor also serves as the servicing administrator of its respective securitization, for which it is entitled to receive a monthly fee equal to one-twelfth of the product of (a) 0.03% and (b) the unpaid principal balance of the underlying non-QM loans as of the first day of the related due period. Each Sponsor in its role as servicing administrator provides direction and consent for certain loss mitigation activities to the third-party servicer of the underlying non-QM loans. In certain circumstances, the servicing administrator will be required to reimburse the servicer for principal and interest advances and servicing advances made by the servicer. In light of the Company's retained interests in each of the securitizations, together with the Optional Redemption rights and the Company's ability to direct the third-party servicer regarding certain loss mitigation activities, the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the Issuing Entities, which are VIEs, and has consolidated the Issuing Entities. Interest income from these loans and the expenses related to the servicing of these loans are included in Interest income and Investment related expenses—Servicing expense, respectively, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The Issuing Entities each meet the definition of a CFE as defined in Note 2, and as a result the assets of each of the Issuing Entities have been valued using the fair value of the liabilities of the respective Issuing Entity, as such liabilities have been assessed to be more observable than such assets. The debt of the Issuing Entities is included in Other secured borrowings, at fair value, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and is shown net of the Certificates held by the Company. The following table details the Company's outstanding consolidated residential mortgage loan securitizations: Issuing Entity Closing Date Principal Balance of Loans Transferred to the Depositor Total Face Amount of Certificates Issued (In thousands) Ellington Financial Mortgage Trust 2019-1 6/19 $ 226,913 $ 226,913 (1) Ellington Financial Mortgage Trust 2019-2 11/19 267,255 267,255 (2) Ellington Financial Mortgage Trust 2020-1 6/20 259,273 259,273 (3) Ellington Financial Mortgage Trust 2020-2 11/20 219,732 219,732 (4) Ellington Financial Mortgage Trust 2021-1 2/21 251,771 251,771 (5) (1) In order to comply with the Risk Retention Rules, the Sponsor purchased the two most subordinated classes of Certificates and the excess cash flow certificates, with an aggregate value as of the settlement date equal to 6.1% of the fair value of all Certificates issued. The Sponsor also purchased, for an aggregate purchase price of $1.2 million, the Certificates entitled to excess servicing fees, while the remaining classes of Certificates were purchased by unrelated third parties. (2) In order to comply with the Risk Retention Rules, the Sponsor purchased the two most subordinated classes of Certificates and the excess cash flow certificates, with an aggregate value as of the settlement date equal to 6.4% of the fair value of all Certificates issued. The Sponsor also purchased, for an aggregate purchase price of $1.7 million, the Certificates entitled to excess servicing fees, while the remaining classes of Certificates were purchased by unrelated third parties. (3) In order to comply with the Risk Retention Rules, the Sponsor purchased the two most subordinated classes of Certificates and the excess cash flow certificates, with an aggregate value as of the settlement date equal to 8.0% of the fair value of all Certificates issued. Additionally, the Sponsor purchased another subordinated class of Certificates with an aggregate value equal to 3.5% of the fair value of all Certificates issued as of the settlement date; the Company subsequently sold such securities to a third party. Finally, the Sponsor also purchased, for an aggregate purchase price of $1.9 million, the Certificates entitled to excess servicing fees, while the remaining classes of Certificates were purchased by unrelated third parties. (4) In order to comply with the Risk Retention Rules, the Sponsor purchased the two most subordinated classes of Certificates and the excess cash flow certificates, with an aggregate value as of the settlement date equal to 7.6% of the fair value of all Certificates issued. The Sponsor also purchased, for an aggregate purchase price of $1.4 million, the Certificates entitled to excess servicing fees, while the remaining classes of Certificates were purchased by unrelated third parties. (5) In order to comply with the Risk Retention Rules, the Sponsor purchased the two most subordinated classes of Certificates and the excess cash flow certificates, with an aggregate value as of the settlement date equal to 5.8% of the fair value of all Certificates issued. The Sponsor also purchased, for an aggregate purchase price of $1.6 million, the Certificates entitled to excess servicing fees, while the remaining classes of Certificates were purchased by unrelated third parties. The following table details the assets and liabilities of the consolidated securitization trusts included in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: (In thousands) March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Assets: Loans, at fair value $ 961,332 $ 801,343 Investment related receivables 23,103 15,544 Liabilities: Other secured borrowings, at fair value 911,256 754,921 Participation in Multi-Seller Consumer Loan Securitization In November 2020, the Company participated in a securitization whereby the Company, together with another entity managed by Ellington (the "Consumer Co-Participant"), sold consumer loans with an aggregate unpaid principal balance of approximately $205.1 million to a newly formed securitization trust (the "Consumer Securitization Issuer"). Of the $205.1 million in loans sold to the Consumer Securitization Issuer, the Company's share was 56.3% while the Consumer Co-Participant's share was 43.7%. The transfer was accounted for as a sale in accordance with ASC 860-10. Pursuant to the securitization, the Consumer Securitization Issuer issued senior and subordinated notes in the principal amounts of $158.4 million and $35.2 million, respectively. Trust certificates representing beneficial ownership of the Issuer were also issued. In connection with the transaction, and through a jointly owned newly formed entity (the "Consumer Risk Retention Vehicle"), the Company and the Consumer Co-Participant acquired certain of the subordinated notes as well as the trust certificates in the Issuer. The Company and the co-participant acquired 56.3% and 43.7%, respectively, of the interests in the Consumer Risk Retention Vehicle. As of March 31, 2021, the Company's total interest in the Consumer Risk Retention Vehicle, for which the Company has elected the FVO, was 56.3%, or $21.6 million. As of December 31, 2020, the Company's total interest in the Consumer Risk Retention Vehicle, for which the Company has elected the FVO, was 56.3% or $19.1 million. The fair value of the Consumer Risk Retention Vehicle is included on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet in Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value. The notes and trust certificates issued by the Consumer Securitization Issuer are backed by the cash flows from the underlying consumer loans. If there are breaches of representations and warranties with respect to any underlying consumer loans, the Company could, under certain circumstances, be required to repurchase or replace such loans. Absent such breaches, the Company has no obligation to repurchase or replace any underlying consumer loans that become delinquent or otherwise default. In addition, another affiliate of Ellington acts as the administrator for the securitization and is paid a monthly fee for its services. The Consumer Securitization Issuer is deemed to be a VIE. The Company has evaluated its interest in the Consumer Securitization Issuer under ASC 810, and while the Company retains credit risk in the securitization trust through its beneficial ownership of most of the subordinated interests of the securitization trust, which are the first to absorb credit losses on the securitized assets, neither the Company nor the Consumer Risk Retention Vehicle retains control of these assets or the power to direct the activities of the Consumer Securitization Issuer that most significantly impact the Consumer Securitization Issuer's economic performance. As a result, the Company determined that neither the Company nor the Consumer Risk Retention Vehicle is the primary beneficiary of the Consumer Securitization Issuer, and therefore the Company has not consolidated the Consumer Securitization Issuer. Additionally, the Company evaluated its interest in the Consumer Risk Retention Vehicle, which does not meet the criteria to be deemed a VIE, under the voting interest model provided by ASC 810 and determined the Company does not control the Consumer Risk Retention Vehicle. As a result, the Company has not consolidated the Consumer Risk Retention Vehicle.

Borrowings

Borrowings	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Borrowings	Borrowings Secured Borrowings The Company's secured borrowings consist of repurchase agreements, Other secured borrowings, and Other secured borrowings, at fair value. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company's total secured borrowings were $2.9 billion and $2.3 billion, respectively. Repurchase Agreements The Company enters into repurchase agreements. A repurchase agreement involves the sale of an asset to a counterparty together with a simultaneous agreement to repurchase the transferred asset or similar asset from such counterparty at a future date. The Company accounts for its repurchase agreements as collateralized borrowings, with the transferred assets effectively serving as collateral for the related borrowing. The Company's repurchase agreements typically range in term from 30 to 180 days, although the Company also has repurchase agreements that provide for longer or shorter terms. The principal economic terms of each repurchase agreement—such as loan amount, interest rate, and maturity date—are typically negotiated on a transaction-by-transaction basis. Other terms and conditions, such as those relating to events of default, are typically governed under the Company's master repurchase agreements. Absent an event of default, the Company maintains beneficial ownership of the transferred securities during the term of the repurchase agreement and receives the related principal and interest payments. Interest rates on these borrowings are generally fixed based on prevailing rates corresponding to the terms of the borrowings, and for most repurchase agreements, interest is generally paid at the termination of the repurchase agreement, at which time the Company may enter into a new repurchase agreement at prevailing market rates with the same counterparty, repay that counterparty and possibly negotiate financing terms with a different counterparty, or choose to no longer finance the related asset. Some repurchase agreements provide for periodic payments of interest, such as monthly payments. In response to a decline in the fair value of the transferred securities, whether as a result of changes in market conditions, security paydowns, or other factors, repurchase agreement counterparties will typically make a margin call, whereby the Company will be required to post additional securities and/or cash as collateral with the counterparty in order to re-establish the agreed-upon collateralization requirements. In the event of increases in fair value of the transferred securities, the Company can generally require the counterparty to post collateral with it in the form of cash or securities. The Company is generally permitted to sell or re-pledge any securities posted by the counterparty as collateral; however, upon termination of the repurchase agreement, or other circumstance in which the counterparty is no longer required to post such margin, the Company must return to the counterparty the same security that had been posted. At any given time, the Company seeks to have its outstanding borrowings under repurchase agreements with several different counterparties in order to reduce the exposure to any single counterparty. The Company had outstanding borrowings under repurchase agreements with 24 counterparties as of both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. As of March 31, 2021, remaining days to maturity on the Company's open repurchase agreements ranged from 1 day to 672 days. Interest rates on the Company's open repurchase agreements ranged from 0.15% to 5.00% as of March 31, 2021. As of December 31, 2020, remaining days to maturity on the Company's open repurchase agreements ranged from 4 days to 516 days. Interest rates on the Company's open repurchase agreements ranged from 0.20% to 5.00% as of December 31, 2020. The following table details the Company's outstanding borrowings under repurchase agreements for Agency RMBS and credit assets (which can include non-Agency RMBS, CMBS, CLOs, consumer loans, corporate debt, residential mortgage loans, and commercial mortgage loans and REO), by remaining maturity as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Weighted Average Weighted Average Remaining Maturity Outstanding Interest Rate Remaining Days to Maturity Outstanding Interest Rate Remaining Days to Maturity Agency RMBS: (In thousands) (In thousands) 30 Days or Less $ 223,518 0.23 % 16 $ 265,556 0.28 % 17 31-60 Days 549,479 0.20 % 43 385,141 0.25 % 44 61-90 Days 182,827 0.29 % 73 174,586 0.28 % 70 91-120 Days 7,520 1.03 % 92 — — % — 121-150 Days 152,660 0.20 % 135 2,692 0.27 % 126 151-180 Days 79,809 0.20 % 168 59,857 0.32 % 162 181-360 Days 240,693 0.21 % 326 34,030 0.32 % 252 Total Agency RMBS 1,436,506 0.22 % 107 921,862 0.27 % 57 Credit: 30 Days or Less 14,646 1.87 % 14 37,795 2.11 % 17 31-60 Days 147,187 3.03 % 42 84,554 2.23 % 50 61-90 Days 103,919 1.81 % 76 152,426 2.11 % 75 91-120 Days 78,396 2.22 % 106 89,931 2.47 % 106 121-150 Days — — % — 66,412 4.75 % 125 151-180 Days 5,877 3.75 % 168 11,063 2.27 % 165 181-360 Days 41,885 2.98 % 256 38,640 2.90 % 289 > 360 Days 81,095 2.85 % 446 94,248 2.99 % 447 Total Credit Assets 473,005 2.57 % 149 575,069 2.69 % 155 Total $ 1,909,511 0.80 % 118 $ 1,496,931 1.20 % 94 Repurchase agreements involving underlying investments that the Company sold prior to period end, for settlement following period end, are shown using their contractual maturity dates even though such repurchase agreements may be expected to be terminated early upon settlement of the sale of the underlying investment. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the fair value of investments transferred as collateral under outstanding borrowings under repurchase agreements was $2.160 billion and $1.831 billion, respectively. Collateral transferred under outstanding borrowings under repurchase agreements as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 include investments in the amount of $4.9 million and $1.4 million, respectively, that were sold prior to period end but for which such sale had not yet settled. In addition, as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company posted net cash collateral of $66.1 million and $28.9 million, respectively, to its counterparties. Amount at risk represents the excess, if any, for each counterparty of the fair value of collateral held by such counterparty over the amounts outstanding under repurchase agreements. As of both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, there was no single counterparty for which the amount at risk relating to our repurchase agreements was greater than 10% of total equity. Other Secured Borrowings The Company has entered into agreements to finance a portfolio of unsecured loans through a recourse secured borrowing facility. The facility has a term ending in February 2022. The facility accrues interest on a floating-rate basis. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company had outstanding borrowings under this facility in the amount of $6.7 million and $8.7 million, respectively, which is included under the caption Other secured borrowings, on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The effective interest rate, inclusive of related deferred financing costs, was 2.11% and 2.30% as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the fair value of unsecured loans collateralizing this borrowing was $9.3 million and $11.5 million, respectively. There are a number of covenants, including several financial covenants, associated with this borrowing; as of March 31, 2021, the Company was in compliance with all of its covenants. The Company has a non-recourse secured borrowing facility that is used to finance a portfolio of unsecured loans. The facility includes a reinvestment period ending in March 2022 (or earlier following an early amortization event), whereby the Company can vary its borrowings based on the size of its portfolio, subject to certain maximum limits. Following the reinvestment period, the facility will begin to amortize based on the collections from the underlying loans. The facility accrues interest on a floating rate basis. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company had outstanding borrowings under this facility in the amount of $14.6 million and $7.0 million, respectively, which is included under the caption Other secured borrowings, on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The effective interest rate on this facility, inclusive of any related deferred financing costs, was 2.25% and 2.25%, as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the fair value of unsecured loans collateralizing this borrowing was $41.0 million and $31.8 million, respectively. There are a number of covenants, including several financial covenants, associated with this borrowing; as of both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company was in compliance with all of its covenants. The Company has entered into an agreement to finance a portfolio of ABS backed by consumer loans through a recourse secured borrowing facility. The facility includes a revolving borrowing period ending in September 2022 (or earlier following a trigger event), whereby the Company can vary its borrowings based on the size of its portfolio, subject to certain maximum limits. Following the revolving borrowing period, the facility amortizes, with a final termination date in September 2024. The facility accrues interest on a floating rate basis. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company had outstanding borrowings under this facility in the amount of $35.7 million and $28.7 million, respectively, which is included under the caption Other secured borrowings, on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.The effective interest rate on this facility, inclusive of related deferred financing costs, was 5.12% and 5.22% as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the fair value of ABS backed by consumer loans collateralizing this borrowing was $52.8 million and $44.5 million, respectively. There are a number of covenants, including several financial covenants, associated with this borrowing; as of both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company was in compliance with all of its covenants. The Company has completed securitization transactions, as discussed in Note 10, whereby it financed portfolios of non-QM loans. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the fair value of the Company's outstanding liabilities associated with these securitization transactions was $911.3 million and $754.9 million, respectively, representing the fair value of the securitization trust certificates held by third parties as of such date, and is included on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet in Other secured borrowings, at fair value. The weighted average coupon of the Certificates held by third parties was 2.11% and 2.43% as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the fair value of non-QM loans held in the consolidated securitization trusts was $961.3 million and $801.3 million, respectively. In March 2020, the Company entered into a participation agreement with an unrelated third-party, the "Junior Participant," whereby the Company transferred to the Junior Participant an interest in a small balance commercial mortgage loan, the "Partial Loan," (together with the Company's interest, the "Whole Commercial Loan"). The Partial Loan is subordinate to the interest in the loan held by the Company. In accordance with ASC 860-10, the Partial Loan transferred to the Junior Participant does not meet the definition of a participating interest and, as a result, the Company does not recognize the transfer of the Partial Loan to the Junior Participant as a sale. The Company has recorded the Whole Commercial Loan in Loans, at fair value, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the fair value of the Whole Commercial Loan was $18.0 million and $17.3 million, respectively. The Company's liability to the Junior Participant as of both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, was $7.5 million and $6.7 million, respectively, and is included in Other secured borrowings on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Under the terms of the participation agreement, the Junior Participant is entitled to a portion of the cashflows of the underlying commercial mortgage loan. Unsecured Borrowings Senior Notes The Company has issued $86.0 million in aggregate principal amount of unsecured long-term debt, which is structured as a joint and several co-issuance by certain of the Company's consolidated subsidiaries and fully guaranteed by the Company (the "Senior Notes"). At any time, the Company is permitted to add others of its consolidated subsidiaries as co-issuers of the Senior Notes. The Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 5.50%, subject to adjustment based on changes, if any, in the ratings of the Senior Notes. Interest on the Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on March 1 and September 1 of each year. The Senior Notes mature on September 1, 2022. The Company may redeem the Senior Notes, at its option, in whole or in part, prior to March 1, 2022 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus the applicable "make-whole" premium as of the applicable date of redemption. At any time on or after March 1, 2022, the Company may redeem the Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Senior Notes are carried at amortized cost. There are a number of covenants, including several financial covenants, associated with the Senior Notes. As of both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company was in compliance with all of its covenants. The Company amortizes debt issuance costs over the life of the associated debt; the amortized portion of debt issuance costs is included in Interest expense on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The Senior Notes have an effective interest rate of 5.80%, inclusive of debt issuance costs. The Senior Notes are unsecured and are effectively subordinated to secured indebtedness of the Company, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness. Schedule of Principal Repayments The following table details the Company's principal repayment schedule, over the next 5 years, for outstanding borrowings as of March 31, 2021: Year Repurchase Agreements (1) Other Secured Borrowings (2) Senior Notes (1) Total (In thousands) Next Twelve Months $ 1,828,416 $ 458,602 $ — $ 2,287,018 Year 2 81,095 260,649 86,000 427,744 Year 3 — 282,449 — 282,449 Year 4 — — — — Year 5 — — — — Total $ 1,909,511 $ 1,001,700 $ 86,000 $ 2,997,211 (1) Reflects the Company's contractual principal repayment dates. (2) Includes $937.2 million of expected principal repayments related to the Company's consolidated residential mortgage loan securitizations, which are projected based upon the underlying assets' expected repayments and may be prior to the stated contractual maturities.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Code. A REIT is generally not subject to U.S. federal, state, and local income tax on the portion of its income that is distributed to its owners if it distributes at least 90% of its REIT taxable income within the prescribed time frames, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding any net capital gains. The Company intends to operate in a manner which will allow it to continue to meet the requirements for qualification as a REIT. Accordingly, Ellington Financial Inc. does not believe that it will be subject to U.S. federal, state, and local income tax on the portion of its net taxable income that is distributed to its stockholders as long as certain asset, income, and share ownership tests are met. Certain foreign and domestic subsidiaries of the Company have elected to be treated as TRSs and therefore are taxed as corporations for U.S. federal, state, and local income tax purposes. To the extent that those entities incur, or are expected to incur, U.S. federal, state, or local income taxes, or foreign income taxes, such taxes are recorded in the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements. The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes , or "ASC 740." Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences that may exist between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities under U.S. GAAP and the carrying amounts used for income tax purposes. For the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recorded an income tax expense (benefit) of $2.0 million and $(0.5) million, respectively. The increase in income tax expense for the three-month period ended March 31, 2021, was primarily due to an increase in deferred tax liabilities related to net realized and unrealized gains on investments held in a domestic TRS.

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	Related Party TransactionsThe Company is party to the Management Agreement (which may be amended from time to time), pursuant to which the Manager manages the assets, operations, and affairs of the Company, in consideration of which the Company pays the Manager management and incentive fees. The descriptions of the Base Management Fees and Incentive Fees are detailed below. Base Management Fees The Operating Partnership pays the Manager 1.50% per annum of total equity of the Operating Partnership calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP as of the end of each fiscal quarter (before deductions for base management fees and incentive fees payable with respect to such fiscal quarter), provided that total equity is adjusted to exclude one-time events pursuant to changes in U.S. GAAP, as well as non-cash charges after discussion between the Manager and the Company's independent directors, and approval by a majority of the Company's independent directors in the case of non-cash charges. Pursuant to the Management Agreement, if the Company invests at issuance in the equity of any collateralized debt obligation that is managed, structured, or originated by Ellington or one of its affiliates, or if the Company invests in any other investment fund or other investment for which Ellington or one of its affiliates receives management, origination, or structuring fees, then, unless agreed otherwise by a majority of the Company's independent directors, the base management and incentive fees payable by the Company to its Manager will be reduced by an amount equal to the applicable portion (as described in the Management Agreement) of any such management, origination, or structuring fees. For the three-month period ended March 31, 2021, the total base management fee incurred was $3.3 million, consisting of $3.5 million of total gross base management fee incurred, less $0.2 million of management fee rebates. For the three-month period ended March 31, 2020, the total base management fee incurred was $2.4 million consisting of $2.9 million of total gross base management fee incurred, less $0.5 million of management fee rebates. See "— Participation in CLO Transactions " below for details on management fee rebates. Incentive Fees The Manager is entitled to receive a quarterly incentive fee equal to the positive excess, if any, of (i) the product of (A) 25% and (B) the excess of (1) Adjusted Net Income (described below) for the Incentive Calculation Period (which means such fiscal quarter and the immediately preceding three fiscal quarters) over (2) the sum of the Hurdle Amounts (described below) for the Incentive Calculation Period, over (ii) the sum of the incentive fees already paid or payable for each fiscal quarter in the Incentive Calculation Period preceding such fiscal quarter. For purposes of calculating the incentive fee, "Adjusted Net Income" for the Incentive Calculation Period means the net increase in equity from operations of the Operating Partnership, after all base management fees but before any incentive fees for such period, and excluding any non-cash equity compensation expenses for such period, as reduced by any Loss Carryforward (as described below) as of the end of the fiscal quarter preceding the Incentive Calculation Period. For purposes of calculating the incentive fee, the "Loss Carryforward" as of the end of any fiscal quarter is calculated by determining the excess, if any, of (1) the Loss Carryforward as of the end of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter over (2) the Company's net increase in equity from operations (expressed as a positive number) or net decrease in equity from operations (expressed as a negative number) of the Operating Partnership for such fiscal quarter. As of both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, there was no Loss Carryforward. For purposes of calculating the incentive fee, the "Hurdle Amount" means, with respect to any fiscal quarter, the product of (i) one-fourth of the greater of (A) 9% and (B) 3% plus the 10-year U.S. Treasury rate for such fiscal quarter, (ii) the sum of (A) the weighted average gross proceeds per share of all common stock and OP Unit issuances since inception of the Company and up to the end of such fiscal quarter, with each issuance weighted by both the number of shares of common stock and OP Units issued in such issuance and the number of days that such issued shares of common stock and OP Units were outstanding during such fiscal quarter, using a first-in first-out basis of accounting ( i.e. attributing any share of common stock and OP Unit repurchases to the earliest issuances first) and (B) the result obtained by dividing (I) retained earnings attributable to shares of common stock and OP Units at the beginning of such fiscal quarter by (II) the average number of shares of common stock and OP Units outstanding for each day during such fiscal quarter, and (iii) the sum of (x) the average number of shares of common stock and long term incentive plan units of the Company outstanding for each day during such fiscal quarter, and (y) the average number of Convertible Non-controlling Interests outstanding for each day during such fiscal quarter. For purposes of determining the Hurdle Amount, issuances of common stock, and Convertible Non-controlling Interests (a) as equity incentive awards, (b) to the Manager as part of its base management fee or incentive fee and (c) to the Manager or any of its affiliates in privately negotiated transactions, are excluded from the calculation. The payment of the incentive fee will be in a combination of shares of common stock and cash, provided that at least 10% of any quarterly payment will be made in shares of common stock. The Company did not accrue an incentive fee for either of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 or 2020, since on a rolling four quarter basis, the Company's income did not exceed the prescribed hurdle amount. Termination Fees The Management Agreement requires the Company to pay a termination fee to the Manager in the event of (1) the Company's termination or non-renewal of the Management Agreement without cause or (2) the Company's termination of the Management Agreement based on unsatisfactory performance by the Manager that is materially detrimental to the Company or (3) the Manager's termination of the Management Agreement upon a default by the Company in the performance of any material term of the Management Agreement. Such termination fee will be equal to the amount of three times the sum of (i) the average annual quarterly base management fee amounts paid or payable with respect to the two 12-month periods ending on the last day of the latest fiscal quarter completed on or prior to the date of the notice of termination or non-renewal and (ii) the average annual quarterly incentive fee amounts paid or payable with respect to the two 12-month periods ending on the last day of the latest fiscal quarter completed on or prior to the date of the notice of termination or non-renewal. Expense Reimbursement Under the terms of the Management Agreement the Company is required to reimburse the Manager for operating expenses related to the Company that are incurred by the Manager, including expenses relating to legal, accounting, due diligence, other services, and all other costs and expenses. The Company's reimbursement obligation is not subject to any dollar limitation. Expenses will be reimbursed in cash within 60 days following delivery of the expense statement by the Manager; provided, however, that such reimbursement may be offset by the Manager against amounts due to the Company from the Manager. The Company will not reimburse the Manager for the salaries and other compensation of the Manager's personnel except that the Company will be responsible for expenses incurred by the Manager in employing certain dedicated or partially dedicated personnel as further described below. The Company reimburses the Manager for the allocable share of the compensation, including, without limitation, wages, salaries, and employee benefits paid or reimbursed, as approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors to certain dedicated or partially dedicated personnel who spend all or a portion of their time managing the Company's affairs, based upon the percentage of time devoted by such personnel to the Company's affairs. In their capacities as officers or personnel of the Manager or its affiliates, such personnel will devote such portion of their time to the Company's affairs as is necessary to enable the Company to operate its business. For the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company reimbursed the Manager $4.1 million and $2.7 million, respectively, for previously incurred operating expenses. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the outstanding payable to the Manager for operating expenses was $1.6 million and $2.5 million, respectively, which are included in Accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Transactions Involving Certain Loan Originators As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the loan originators in which the Company holds equity investments represent related parties. Transactions that have been entered into with these related party loan originators are summarized below. The Company is a party to a mortgage loan purchase and sale flow agreement, with a mortgage originator in which the Company holds a non-controlling equity investment, whereby the Company purchases residential mortgage loans that satisfy certain specified criteria. The Company has also provided a $5.0 million line of credit to the mortgage originator. Under the terms of this line of credit, the Company has agreed to make advances to the mortgage originator solely for the purpose of funding specifically identified residential mortgage loans designated for sale to the Company. To the extent the advances are drawn by the mortgage originator, it must pay interest, at a rate of 15% per annum, on the outstanding balance of each advance from the date the advance is made until such advance is repaid in full. The mortgage originator is required to repay advances in full no later than two business days following the date that the Company purchases the related residential mortgage loans from the mortgage originator. As of both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, there were no advances outstanding. The Company has also entered into two agreements whereby it guarantees the performance of such mortgage originator under third-party master repurchase agreements. See Note 21, Commitments and Contingencies, for further information on the Company's guarantees of the third-party borrowing arrangements. Additionally, in August 2020, the Company entered into a commitment agreement whereby the Company committed to purchase $150 million of residential mortgage loans that meet specified criteria, or the "Commitment Agreement." As of March 31, 2021, the Company had purchased the entire $150 million of eligible residential mortgage loans under the terms of the Commitment Agreement. In connection with the Commitment Agreement, the Company also entered into an agreement whereby the Company would be entitled to receive warrants proportionally as it satisfied its purchase commitment under the Commitment Agreement to purchase a maximum of 9.329 million shares of non-voting common stock. As of March 31, 2021, the Company has received warrants for the maximum 9.329 million shares; such warrants have a fair value of $4.2 million and $3.6 million as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, and are included in Investments in unconsolidated entities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company, through a related party of Ellington, or the "Loan Purchaser," is a party to a consumer loan purchase and sale flow agreement with a consumer loan originator in which the Company holds an investment in preferred stock and warrants to purchase additional preferred stock, whereby the Loan Purchaser purchases consumer loans that satisfy certain specified criteria. The Company has investments in participation certificates related to consumer loans titled in the name of the Loan Purchaser. Through its participation certificates, the Company has beneficial interests in the loan cash flows, net of servicing-related fees and expenses. The total fair value of the Company's participation certificates was $52.8 million and $44.5 million as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Consumer, Residential, and Commercial Loan Transactions with Affiliates The Company purchases certain of its consumer loans through an affiliate, or the "Purchasing Entity." The Purchasing Entity has entered into purchase agreements, open-ended in duration, with third party consumer loan originators whereby it has agreed to purchase eligible consumer loans. The amount of loans purchased under these purchase agreements is dependent on, among other factors, the amount of loans originated in any given period by the selling originators. The Company and certain other affiliates of Ellington have entered into agreements with the Purchasing Entity whereby the Company and each of those other affiliates of Ellington have agreed to purchase their allocated portion (subject to monthly determination based on available capital and other factors) of the eligible loans acquired by the Purchasing Entity under each purchase agreement. Immediately after the Purchasing Entity purchases beneficial interests in the loans, the Company and other affiliates of Ellington purchase such beneficial interests from the Purchasing Entity, at the same price paid by the Purchasing Entity. During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company purchased loans under these agreements with an aggregate principal balance of $11.9 million and $48.1 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the estimated remaining contingent purchase obligations of the Company under these purchase agreements was approximately $66.4 million and $13.0 million, respectively, in principal balance. The Company's beneficial interests in the consumer loans purchased through the Purchasing Entity are evidenced by participation certificates issued by trusts that hold legal title to the loans. These trusts are owned by a related party of Ellington and were established to hold such loans. Through its participation certificates, the Company participates in the cash flows of the underlying loans held by each trust. The total amount of consumer loans underlying the Company's participation certificates and held in the related party trusts was $50.8 million and $45.1 million as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The Company has beneficial interests in residential mortgage loans and REO held in a trust owned by a related party of Ellington. Through these beneficial interests, the Company participates in the cash flows of the underlying loans held by such trust. The total amount of residential mortgage loans and REO underlying the Company's beneficial interests and held in the related party trust was $321.1 million and $387.4 million as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The Company is a co-investor in certain small balance commercial mortgage loans with several other investors, including an unrelated third party and various affiliates of Ellington. These loans are beneficially owned by a consolidated subsidiary of the Company. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the aggregate fair value of the small balance commercial loans was $34.4 million and $34.0 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2021, the non-controlling interests held by the unrelated third party and the Ellington affiliates were $2.8 million and $6.1 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2020, the non-controlling interests held by the unrelated third party and the Ellington affiliates were $4.1 million and $8.9 million, respectively. The Company is also a co-investor in certain small balance commercial mortgage loans and REO with other investors, including various unrelated third parties and various affiliates of Ellington. Each co-investor in a particular loan has an interest in the limited liability company that owns such loan or REO. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the aggregate fair value of the Company's investments in the jointly owned limited liability companies was approximately $38.7 million and $33.9 million, respectively. Such investments are included in Investments in unconsolidated entities, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The consumer, residential mortgage, and certain commercial mortgage loans that are the subject of the foregoing loan transactions are held in trusts, each of which the Company has determined to be a VIE. The Company has evaluated each of these VIEs and determined that the Company has the power to direct the activities of each VIE that most significantly impact such VIE's economic performance and the Company has the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. As a result the Company has determined it is the primary beneficiary of each of these VIEs and has consolidated each VIE. Equity Investment in Unconsolidated Entity The Company was a co-investor, together with other affiliates of Ellington, in Jepson Holdings Limited, the parent of an entity (the "Right Holder Entity") that held a call right (the "Call Right") to a European mortgage loan securitization (the "Initial Securitization"). The Right Holder Entity issued notes (the "Right Holder Notes") to the Company and its affiliates, and to an unrelated third party. In March 2019, the Right Holder Entity assigned the Call Right to a newly formed entity, which exercised the Call Right and re-securitized the underlying European mortgage loan assets of the Initial Securitization through a new securitization trust (the "New Securitization"). In exchange for assigning the Call Right, the Right Holder Entity received a combination of (i) cash and (ii) certain notes issued by the New Securitization (the "New Securitization Notes"). The Right Holder Entity fully repaid the unrelated third party's Right Holder Note with a combination of cash and New Securitization Notes. The Right Holder Notes held by the Company and its affiliates were also fully repaid with cash and New Securitization Notes. Certain of the New Securitization Notes were distributed to the Company and its affiliates on a pro rata basis. The Right Holder Entity is expected to continue to hold certain of the New Securitization Notes in order to comply with European risk retention rules. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company's equity investment in Jepson Holdings Limited had a fair value of $1.9 million and $1.8 million, respectively. See Note 6 for additional details on this equity investment. Participation in Multi-Borrower Financing Facilities The Company is a co-participant with certain other entities managed by Ellington or its affiliates (the "Affiliated Entities") in various entities (each, a "Joint Entity"), which were formed in order to facilitate the financing of small balance commercial mortgage loans, residential mortgage loans, and REO (collectively, the "Mortgage Loan and REO Assets"), through repurchase agreements. Each Joint Entity has a master repurchase agreement with a particular financing counterparty. In connection with the financing of the Mortgage Loan and REO Assets under repurchase agreements, each of the Company and the Affiliated Entities transferred certain of their respective Mortgage Loan and REO Assets to one of the Joint Entities in exchange for its pro rata share of the financing proceeds that the respective Joint Entity received from the financing counterparty. While the Company's Mortgage Loan and REO Assets were transferred to the Joint Entity, the Company's Mortgage Loan and REO Assets and the related debt were not derecognized for financial reporting purposes, in accordance with ASC 860-10, because the Company continued to retain the risks and rewards of ownership of its Mortgage Loan and REO Assets. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Joint Entities had aggregate outstanding issued debt under the repurchase agreements in the amount of $296.0 million and $192.3 million, respectively. The Company's segregated silo of this debt as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was $147.8 million and $116.1 million, respectively, and is included under the caption Repurchase agreements on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. To the extent that there is a default under the repurchase agreements, all of the assets of each respective Joint Entity, including those beneficially owned by any non-defaulting owners of such Joint Entity, could be used to satisfy the outstanding obligations under such repurchase agreement. As of both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, no party to any of the repurchase agreements was in default. Each of the Joint Entities has been determined to be a VIE. The Company has evaluated each of these VIEs and determined that it continued to retain the risks and rewards of ownership of certain of the Mortgage Loan and REO Assets, where such Mortgage Loan and REO Assets and the related debt are segregated for the Company and each of the Affiliated Entities. On account of the segregation of certain of each co-participant's assets and liabilities within each of the Joint Entities, as well as the retention by each co-participant of control over its segregated Mortgage Loan and REO Assets within the Joint Entities, the Company has determined that it is the primary beneficiary of, and has consolidated its segregated silo of assets and liabilities within, each of the Joint Entities. See Note 9 and Note 11 for additional information. Participation in CLO Transactions As discussed in Note 10, the Company participated in a number of CLO securitization transactions, all managed by the CLO Manager. The CLO Manager is entitled to receive management and incentive fees in accordance with the respective management agreements between the CLO Manager and the respective CLO Issuers. In accordance with the Management Agreement, the Manager rebates to the Company the portion of the management fees payable by each CLO Issuer to the CLO Manager that are allocable to the Company's participating interest in the unsecured subordinated notes issued by such CLO Issuer. For the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the amount of such management fee rebates was $0.2 million and $0.5 million, respectively. In addition, from time to time, the Company along with various other affiliates of Ellington, and in certain cases various third parties, advance funds in the form of loans ("Initial Funding Loans") to securitization vehicles to enable them to establish warehouse facilities for the purpose of acquiring the assets to be securitized. Pursuant to the terms of the warehouse facilities and the Initial Funding Loans, the applicable securitization trust is required, at the closing of each respective CLO securitization, first to repay the warehouse facility, then to repay the Initial Funding Loans, and then to distribute interest earned, net of any necessary reserves and/or interest expense, and the aggregate realized or unrealized gains, if any, on assets

Long-Term Incentive Plan Units

Long-Term Incentive Plan Units	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Long-Term Incentive Plan Units	Long-Term Incentive Plan Units OP LTIP Units subject to the Company's incentive plans are generally exercisable by the holder at any time after vesting. Each OP LTIP Unit is convertible into an OP Unit on a one-for-one basis. Subject to certain conditions, the OP Units are redeemable by the holder for an equivalent number of shares of common stock of the Company or for the cash value of such shares of common stock, at the Company's election. Costs associated with the OP LTIP Units issued under the Company's incentive plans are measured as of the grant date and expensed ratably over the vesting period. Total expense associated with OP LTIP Units issued under the Company's incentive plans for each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was $0.2 million. On March 3, 2021, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the issuance of 17,231 OP LTIP Units to certain of Ellington's personnel dedicated to the Company pursuant to the Company's 2017 Equity Incentive Plan. The below table details unvested OP LTIP Units as of March 31, 2021: Grant Recipient Number of OP LTIP Units Granted Grant Date Vesting Date (1) Directors: 22,840 September 10, 2020 September 9, 2021 Dedicated or partially dedicated personnel: 10,067 December 13, 2019 December 13, 2021 18,211 December 17, 2020 December 17, 2021 9,834 March 4, 2020 December 31, 2021 3,697 March 3, 2021 December 31, 2021 14,598 December 17, 2020 December 17, 2022 13,534 March 3, 2021 December 31, 2022 Total unvested OP LTIP Units at March 31, 2021 92,781 (1) Date at which such OP LTIP Units will vest and become non-forfeitable. The following tables summarize issuance and exercise activity of OP LTIP Units for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020: Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2021 March 31, 2020 Manager Director/ Total Manager Director/ Total OP LTIP Units Outstanding (December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively) 365,518 247,020 612,538 365,518 180,198 545,716 Granted — 17,231 17,231 — 14,811 14,811 Exercised — — — — — — OP LTIP Units Outstanding (March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively) 365,518 264,251 629,769 365,518 195,009 560,527 OP LTIP Units Unvested and Outstanding (March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively) — 92,781 92,781 — 60,939 60,939 OP LTIP Units Vested and Outstanding (March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively) 365,518 171,470 536,988 365,518 134,070 499,588

Non-controlling Interests

Non-controlling Interests	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Non-controlling Interests	Non-controlling Interests Operating Partnership Non-controlling interests include the Convertible Non-controlling Interests in the Operating Partnership owned by an affiliate of our Manager, our directors, and certain current and former Ellington employees and their related parties in the form of OP LTIP Units. Income allocated to Convertible Non-controlling Interests is based on the non-controlling interest owners' ownership percentage of the Operating Partnership during the period, calculated using a daily weighted average of all shares of common stock of the Company and Convertible Non-controlling Interests outstanding during the period. Holders of Convertible Non-controlling Interests are entitled to receive the same distributions that holders of shares of common stock of the Company receive. Convertible Non-controlling Interests are non-voting with respect to matters as to which holders of common stock of the Company are entitled to vote. On March 2, 2020, certain related parties of current Ellington employees converted 129,516 OP Units into shares of common stock. As of March 31, 2021, the Convertible Non-controlling Interests consisted of the outstanding 629,769 OP LTIP Units and 48,409 OP Units, and represented an interest of approximately 1.3% in the Operating Partnership. As of December 31, 2020, the Convertible Non-controlling Interests consisted of the outstanding 612,538 OP LTIP Units and 48,409 OP Units, and represented an interest of approximately 1.3% in the Operating Partnership. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, non-controlling interests related to all outstanding Convertible Non-controlling Interests was $12.4 million and $11.7 million, respectively. Joint Venture Interests Non-controlling interests also include the interests of joint venture partners in various consolidated subsidiaries of the Company. These subsidiaries hold the Company's investments in certain commercial mortgage loans and REO. The joint venture partners participate in the income, expense, gains and losses of such subsidiaries as set forth in the related operating agreements of the subsidiaries. The joint venture partners make capital contributions to the subsidiaries as new approved investments are purchased by the subsidiaries, and are generally entitled to distributions when investments are sold or otherwise disposed of. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the joint venture partners' interests in subsidiaries of the Company were $21.0 million and $24.5 million, respectively. The joint venture partners' interests are not convertible into shares of common stock of the Company or OP Units, nor are the joint venture partners entitled to receive distributions that holders of shares of common stock of the Company receive.
Share-based Payment Arrangement	Long-Term Incentive Plan Units OP LTIP Units subject to the Company's incentive plans are generally exercisable by the holder at any time after vesting. Each OP LTIP Unit is convertible into an OP Unit on a one-for-one basis. Subject to certain conditions, the OP Units are redeemable by the holder for an equivalent number of shares of common stock of the Company or for the cash value of such shares of common stock, at the Company's election. Costs associated with the OP LTIP Units issued under the Company's incentive plans are measured as of the grant date and expensed ratably over the vesting period. Total expense associated with OP LTIP Units issued under the Company's incentive plans for each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was $0.2 million. On March 3, 2021, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the issuance of 17,231 OP LTIP Units to certain of Ellington's personnel dedicated to the Company pursuant to the Company's 2017 Equity Incentive Plan. The below table details unvested OP LTIP Units as of March 31, 2021: Grant Recipient Number of OP LTIP Units Granted Grant Date Vesting Date (1) Directors: 22,840 September 10, 2020 September 9, 2021 Dedicated or partially dedicated personnel: 10,067 December 13, 2019 December 13, 2021 18,211 December 17, 2020 December 17, 2021 9,834 March 4, 2020 December 31, 2021 3,697 March 3, 2021 December 31, 2021 14,598 December 17, 2020 December 17, 2022 13,534 March 3, 2021 December 31, 2022 Total unvested OP LTIP Units at March 31, 2021 92,781 (1) Date at which such OP LTIP Units will vest and become non-forfeitable. The following tables summarize issuance and exercise activity of OP LTIP Units for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020: Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2021 March 31, 2020 Manager Director/ Total Manager Director/ Total OP LTIP Units Outstanding (December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively) 365,518 247,020 612,538 365,518 180,198 545,716 Granted — 17,231 17,231 — 14,811 14,811 Exercised — — — — — — OP LTIP Units Outstanding (March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively) 365,518 264,251 629,769 365,518 195,009 560,527 OP LTIP Units Unvested and Outstanding (March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively) — 92,781 92,781 — 60,939 60,939 OP LTIP Units Vested and Outstanding (March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively) 365,518 171,470 536,988 365,518 134,070 499,588

Equity

Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Common Stock Capitalization	Equity Preferred Stock The Company has authorized 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share. As of both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, there were 4,600,000 shares of 6.750% Series A Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value per share ("Series A Preferred Stock") outstanding. The Company's Series A Preferred Stock ranks senior to its common stock and Convertible Non-controlling Interests with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company. Additionally, the Company's Series A Preferred Stock has no stated maturity and is not subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption. The Series A Preferred Stock is not redeemable by the Company prior to October 30, 2024, except under circumstances where it is necessary to allow the Company to maintain its qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes and except in certain instances upon the occurrence of a change of control. Holders of the Company's Series A Preferred Stock generally do not have any voting rights. Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends (i) from and including the original issue date to, but excluding, October 30, 2024, at a fixed rate equal to 6.750% per annum of the $25.00 per share liquidation preference and (ii) from and including October 30, 2024, at a floating rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus a spread of 5.196% per annum of the $25.00 per share liquidation preference. Dividends are payable quarterly in arrears on or about the 30th day of each January, April, July, and October. As of both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the total amount of cumulative preferred dividends in arrears was $1.3 million. Common Stock The Company has authorized 100,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share. The Board of Directors may authorize the issuance of additional shares, subject to the approval of the holders of at least a majority of the shares of common stock then outstanding present in person or represented by proxy at a meeting of the stockholders. As of both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, there were 43,781,684 shares of common stock outstanding. On January 24, 2020, the Company completed a follow-on offering of 5,290,000 shares of its common stock, of which 690,000 shares were issued pursuant to the exercise of the underwriters' option. The issuance and sale of the 5,290,000 shares of common stock generated net proceeds, after underwriters' discount and offering costs, of $95.3 million. The following table summarizes issuance, repurchase, and other activity with respect to the Company's common stock for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020: Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2021 March 31, 2020 Shares of Common Stock Outstanding (December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively) 43,781,684 38,647,943 Share Activity: Shares of common stock issued — 5,290,000 Shares of common stock issued in connection with incentive fee payment — 637 Shares of common stock repurchased — (288,172) OP Units exercised — 129,516 Shares of Common Stock Outstanding (March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively) 43,781,684 43,779,924 If all Convertible Non-controlling Interests that have been previously issued were to become fully vested and exchanged for shares of common stock as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company's issued and outstanding shares of common stock would increase to 44,459,862 and 44,442,631 shares, respectively. On June 13, 2018, the Board of Directors approved the adoption of a share repurchase program under which the Company is authorized to repurchase up to 1.55 million shares of common stock. The program, which is open-ended in duration, allows the Company to make repurchases from time to time on the open market or in negotiated transactions, including under Rule 10b5-1 plans. Repurchases are at the Company's discretion, subject to applicable law, share availability, price and financial performance, among other considerations. During the three-month period ended March 31, 2020, the Company repurchased 288,172 shares at an average price per share of $10.53 and a total cost of $3.0 million; no repurchases of common shares were made during the three-month period ended March 31, 2021. From inception of the current repurchase plan through March 31, 2021, the Company repurchased 701,965 shares at an average price per share of $13.36 and a total cost of $9.4 million.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share The components of the computation of basic and diluted EPS are as follows: Three-Month Period Ended (In thousands except share amounts) March 31, 2021 March 31, 2020 Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders $ 37,856 $ (129,398) Add: Net income (loss) attributable to Convertible Non-controlling Interests (1) 577 (2,055) Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders and Convertible Non-controlling Interests 38,433 (131,453) Dividends Paid: Common stockholders (13,134) (19,748) Convertible Non-controlling Interests (200) (309) Total dividends paid to common stockholders and Convertible Non-controlling Interests (13,334) (20,057) Undistributed (Distributed in excess of) earnings: Common stockholders 24,722 (149,146) Convertible Non-controlling Interests 377 (2,364) Total undistributed (distributed in excess of) earnings attributable to common stockholders and Convertible Non-controlling Interests $ 25,099 $ (151,510) Weighted average shares outstanding (basic and diluted): Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding 43,781,684 42,598,138 Weighted average Convertible Non-controlling Interest Units outstanding 666,499 685,500 Weighted average shares of common stock and Convertible Non-controlling Interest Units outstanding 44,448,183 43,283,638 Basic earnings per share of common stock and Convertible Non-controlling Interest Unit: Distributed $ 0.30 $ 0.45 Undistributed (Distributed in excess of) 0.56 (3.49) $ 0.86 $ (3.04) Diluted earnings per share of common stock and Convertible Non-controlling Interest Unit: Distributed $ 0.30 $ 0.45 Undistributed (Distributed in excess of) 0.56 (3.49) $ 0.86 $ (3.04) (1) For the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, excludes net income (loss) of $0.9 million and $1.2 million, respectively, attributable to joint venture partners, which have non-participating interests as described in Note 15.

Restricted Cash

Restricted Cash	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Restricted Cash and Investments [Abstract]
Restricted Cash	Restricted CashThe Company is required to maintain a specific cash balance in a segregated account pursuant to a flow consumer loan purchase and sale agreement. As of both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company's restricted cash balance related to the flow consumer loan purchase and sale agreement was $0.2 million.

Offsetting of Assets and Liabil

Offsetting of Assets and Liabilities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Offsetting of Assets and Liabilities [Abstract]
Offsetting of Assets and Liabilities	Offsetting of Assets and LiabilitiesThe Company generally records financial instruments at fair value as described in Note 2. Financial instruments are generally recorded on a gross basis on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. In connection with the vast majority of its derivative, reverse repurchase and repurchase agreements, and the related trading agreements, the Company and its counterparties are required to pledge collateral. Cash or other collateral is exchanged as required with each of the Company's counterparties in connection with open derivative positions, and reverse repurchase and repurchase agreements. The following tables present information about certain assets and liabilities representing financial instruments as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. The Company has not entered into master netting agreements with any of its counterparties. Certain of the Company's reverse repurchase and repurchase agreements and financial derivative transactions are governed by underlying agreements that generally provide a right of net settlement, as well as a right of offset in the event of default or in the event of a bankruptcy of either party to the transaction. March 31, 2021: Description Amount of Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (1) Financial Instruments Available for Offset Financial Instruments Transferred or Pledged as Collateral (2)(3) Cash Collateral (Received) Pledged (2)(3) Net Amount (In thousands) Assets Financial derivatives–assets $ 23,082 $ (14,703) $ — $ (2,919) $ 5,460 Reverse repurchase agreements 96,783 (96,783) — — — Liabilities Financial derivatives–liabilities (19,438) 14,703 — 969 (3,766) Repurchase agreements (1,909,511) 1,909,511 (28,884) 28,884 — (1) In the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, all balances associated with repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, and financial derivatives are presented on a gross basis. (2) For the purpose of this presentation, for each row the total amount of financial instruments transferred or pledged and cash collateral (received) or pledged may not exceed the applicable gross amount of assets or (liabilities) as presented here. Therefore, the Company has reduced the amount of financial instruments transferred or pledged as collateral related to the Company's repurchase agreements and cash collateral pledged on the Company's financial derivative liabilities. Total financial instruments transferred or pledged as collateral on the Company's repurchase agreements as of March 31, 2021 was $2.2 billion. As of March 31, 2021, total cash collateral on financial derivative assets and liabilities excludes excess net cash collateral pledged (received) of $17.7 million and $1.8 million, respectively. (3) When collateral is pledged to or pledged by a counterparty, it is often pledged or posted with respect to all positions with such counterparty, and in such cases such collateral cannot be specifically identified as relating to a particular asset or liability. As a result, in preparing the above tables, the Company has made assumptions in allocating pledged or posted collateral among the various rows. December 31, 2020: Description Amount of Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (1) Financial Instruments Available for Offset Financial Instruments Transferred or Pledged as Collateral (2)(3) Cash Collateral (Received) Pledged (2)(3) Net Amount (In thousands) Assets Financial derivatives–assets $ 15,479 $ (12,579) $ — $ (1,404) $ 1,496 Reverse repurchase agreements 38,640 (38,640) — — — Liabilities Financial derivatives–liabilities (24,553) 12,579 — 10,694 (1,280) Repurchase agreements (1,496,931) 1,496,931 (28,884) 28,884 — (1) In the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, all balances associated with repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, and financial derivatives are presented on a gross basis. (2) For the purpose of this presentation, for each row the total amount of financial instruments transferred or pledged and cash collateral (received) or pledged may not exceed the applicable gross amount of assets or (liabilities) as presented here. Therefore, the Company has reduced the amount of financial instruments transferred or pledged as collateral related to the Company's repurchase agreements and cash collateral pledged on the Company's financial derivative liabilities. Total financial instruments transferred or pledged as collateral on the Company's repurchase agreements as of December 31, 2020 was $1.8 billion. As of December 31, 2020, total cash collateral on financial derivative assets and liabilities excludes excess net cash collateral pledged of $4.5 million and $10.3 million, respectively. (3) When collateral is pledged to or pledged by a counterparty, it is often pledged or posted with respect to all positions with such counterparty, and in such cases such collateral cannot be specifically identified as relating to a particular asset or liability. As a result, in preparing the above tables, the Company has made assumptions in allocating pledged or posted collateral among the various rows.

Counterparty Risk

Counterparty Risk	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Counterparty Risk	Counterparty Risk The Company is exposed to concentrations of counterparty risk. It seeks to mitigate such risk by diversifying its exposure among various counterparties, when appropriate. The following table summarizes the Company's exposure to counterparty risk as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. March 31, 2021: Amount of Exposure Number of Counterparties with Exposure Maximum Percentage of Exposure to a Single Counterparty (1) (In thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $ 149,350 7 26.1 % Collateral on repurchase agreements held by dealers (2) 2,226,054 24 16.6 % Due from brokers 91,814 23 25.4 % Receivable for securities sold (3) 5,147 3 95.8 % (1) Each counterparty is a large creditworthy financial institution. (2) Includes securities, loans, and REO as well as cash posted as collateral for repurchase agreements. (3) Included in Investment related receivables on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. December 31, 2020: Amount of Exposure Number of Counterparties with Exposure Maximum Percentage of Exposure to a Single Counterparty (1) (In thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $ 111,647 8 40.1 % Collateral on repurchase agreements held by dealers (2) 1,860,059 24 15.3 % Due from brokers 63,147 22 28.9 % Receivable for securities sold (3) 1,416 2 94.5 % (1) Each counterparty is a large creditworthy financial institution. (2) Includes securities, loans, and REO as well as cash posted as collateral for repurchase agreements. (3) Included in Investment related receivables on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Contingencies and Commitments	Commitments and Contingencies The Company provides current directors and officers with a limited indemnification against liabilities arising in connection with the performance of their duties to the Company. In the normal course of business the Company may also enter into contracts that contain a variety of representations, warranties, and general indemnifications. The Company's maximum exposure under these arrangements, including future claims that may be made against the Company that have not yet occurred, is unknown. The Company has not incurred any costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification agreements. As of both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company has no liabilities recorded for these agreements. The Company's maximum risk of loss from credit events on its securities (excluding Agency securities, which are guaranteed by the issuing government agency or government-sponsored enterprise), loans, and investments in unconsolidated entities is limited to the amount paid for such investment. Commitments and Contingencies Related to Investments in Residential Mortgage Loans In connection with certain of the Company's investments in residential mortgage loans, the Company has unfunded commitments in the amount of $8.4 million and $4.7 million as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Commitments and Contingencies Related to Investments in Mortgage Loan Originators In connection with certain of its investments in mortgage loan originators, the Company has outstanding commitments and contingencies as described below. As described in Note 13, the Company is party to a flow mortgage loan purchase and sale agreement with a mortgage loan originator. The Company has entered into two agreements whereby it guarantees the performance of this mortgage loan originator under master repurchase agreements. The Company's maximum guarantees are capped at $25.0 million. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the mortgage loan originator had $6.3 million and $5.3 million, respectively, of outstanding borrowings under the agreements guaranteed by the Company. The Company's obligations under these arrangements are deemed to be guarantees under ASC 460-10. The Company has elected the FVO for its guarantees, which are included in Accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the estimated fair value of such guarantees was insignificant. Commitments and Contingencies Related to Corporate Loans The Company has investments in certain corporate loans whereby the borrowers can request additional funds under the respective agreements. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company had unfunded commitments related to such investments in the amount of $4.3 million and $0.1 million, respectively. The Company has extended a line of credit whereby the borrower can draw funds up to $1.0 million. As of March 31, 2021, the Company had unfunded commitments related to such line of credit in the amount of $0.9 million.

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Subsequent Events On April 4, 2021, the Board of Directors approved a dividend in the amount of $0.14 per share of common stock payable on May 25, 2021 to stockholders of record as of April 30, 2021 and a dividend in the amount of $0.421875 per share of Series A Preferred Stock payable on April 30, 2021 to stockholders of record as of April 19, 2021. On May 6, 2021, the Board of Directors approved a dividend in the amount of $0.15 per share of common stock payable on June 25, 2021 to stockholders of record as of May 28, 2021.

Significant Accounting Polici_2

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation: The Company's unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, or "U.S. GAAP," and Regulation S-X. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, the Operating Partnership, its subsidiaries, and variable interest entities, or "VIEs," for which the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be material (particularly in light of the significant volatility, lack of pricing transparency, and market dislocations that have been caused by the novel coronavirus disease, or "COVID-19," pandemic, and associated responses to the pandemic). In management's opinion, all material adjustments considered necessary for a fair statement of the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements have been included and are only of a normal recurring nature. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire fiscal year. The information included in the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Valuation	Valuation : The Company applies ASC 820-10, Fair Value Measurement ("ASC 820") to its holdings of financial instruments. ASC 820 establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the observability of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. The three levels are defined as follows: • Level 1—inputs to the valuation methodology are observable and reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. Currently, the types of financial instruments the Company generally includes in this category are listed equities and exchange-traded derivatives; • Level 2—inputs to the valuation methodology other than quoted prices included in Level 1 are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Currently, the types of financial instruments that the Company generally includes in this category are RMBS, for which the principal and interest payments are guaranteed by a U.S. government agency or a U.S. government-sponsored entity, or "Agency RMBS," U.S. Treasury securities and sovereign debt, certain non-Agency RMBS, CMBS, CLOs, corporate debt, and actively traded derivatives such as interest rate swaps, foreign currency forwards, and other over-the-counter derivatives; and • Level 3—inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement. The types of financial instruments that the Company generally includes in this category are certain RMBS, CMBS, CLOs, ABS, credit default swaps, or "CDS," on individual ABS, and total return swaps on distressed corporate debt, in each case where there is less price transparency. Also included in this category are residential and commercial mortgage loans, consumer loans, and private corporate debt and equity investments. For certain financial instruments, the various inputs that management uses to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. For each such financial instrument, the determination of which category within the fair value hierarchy is appropriate is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. ASC 820 prioritizes the various inputs that management uses to measure fair value, with the highest priority given to inputs that are observable and reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets (Level 1), and the lowest priority given to inputs that are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement (Level 3). The assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the financial instrument. The Company may use valuation techniques consistent with the market and income approaches to measure the fair value of its financial instruments. The market approach uses third-party valuations and information obtained from market transactions involving identical or similar financial instruments. The income approach uses projections of the future economic benefit of an instrument to determine its fair value, such as in the discounted cash flow methodology. The inputs or methodology used for valuing financial instruments are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in these financial instruments. The leveling of each financial instrument is reassessed at the end of each period. Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are assumed to occur at the end of the reporting period. Summary Valuation Techniques For financial instruments that are traded in an "active market," the best measure of fair value is the quoted market price. However, many of the Company's financial instruments are not traded in an active market. Therefore, management generally uses third-party valuations when available. If third-party valuations are not available, management uses other valuation techniques, such as the discounted cash flow methodology. The following are summary descriptions, for various categories of financial instruments, of the valuation methodologies management uses in determining fair value of the Company's financial instruments in such categories. Management utilizes such methodologies to assign a fair value (the estimated price that, in an orderly transaction at the valuation date, would be received to sell an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, as the case may be) to each such financial instrument. For mortgage-backed securities, or "MBS," forward settling to-be-announced mortgage-backed-securities, or "TBAs," CLOs, and corporate debt and equity, management seeks to obtain at least one third-party valuation, and often obtains multiple valuations when available. Management has been able to obtain third-party valuations on the vast majority of these instruments and expects to continue to solicit third-party valuations in the future. Management generally values each financial instrument at the average of third-party valuations received and not rejected as described below. Third-party valuations are not binding, management may adjust the valuations it receives (e.g., downward adjustments for odd lots), and management may challenge or reject a valuation when, based on its validation criteria, management determines that such valuation is unreasonable or erroneous. Furthermore, based on its validation criteria, management may determine that the average of the third-party valuations received for a given financial instrument does not result in what management believes to be the fair value of such instrument, and in such circumstances management may override this average with its own good faith valuation. The validation criteria may take into account output from management's own models, recent trading activity in the same or similar instruments, and valuations received from third parties. The use of proprietary models requires the use of a significant amount of judgment and the application of various assumptions including, but not limited to, assumptions concerning future prepayment rates and default rates. Given their relatively high level of price transparency, Agency RMBS pass-throughs are typically classified as Level 2. Non-Agency RMBS, CMBS, Agency interest only and inverse interest only RMBS, CLOs, and corporate bonds are generally classified as either Level 2 or Level 3 based on analysis of available market data and/or third-party valuations. The Company's investments in distressed corporate debt can be in the form of loans as well as total return swaps on loans. These investments, as well as related non-listed equity investments, are generally designated as Level 3 assets. Valuations for total return swaps are typically based on prices of the underlying loans received from third-party pricing services. Private equity investments are generally classified as Level 3. Furthermore, the methodology used by the third-party valuation providers is reviewed at least annually by management, so as to ascertain whether such providers are utilizing observable market data to determine the valuations that they provide. For residential and commercial mortgage loans and consumer loans, management determines fair value by taking into account both external pricing data, which includes third-party valuations, and internal pricing models. Management has obtained third-party valuations on the majority of these investments and expects to continue to solicit third-party valuations in the future. In determining fair value for non-performing mortgage loans, management evaluates third-party valuations, if applicable, as well as management's estimates of the value of the underlying real estate, using information including general economic data, broker price opinions, or "BPOs," recent sales, property appraisals, and bids. In determining fair value for performing mortgage loans and consumer loans, management evaluates third-party valuations, if applicable, as well as discounted cash flows of the loans based on market assumptions. Cash flow assumptions typically include projected default and prepayment rates and loss severities, and may include adjustments based on appraisals and BPOs. Mortgage and consumer loans are classified as Level 3. The Company has securitized certain mortgage loans that are not deemed "qualified mortgage," or "QM," loans under the rules of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or "non-QM loans." The Company's securitized non-QM loans are held as part of a collateralized financing entity, or "CFE." A CFE is a VIE that holds financial assets, issues beneficial interests in those assets, and has no more than nominal equity, and for which the issued beneficial interests have contractual recourse only to the related assets of the CFE. ASC 810, Consolidation ("ASC 810") allows the Company to elect to measure both the financial assets and financial liabilities of the CFE using the more observable of the fair value of the financial assets and the fair value of the financial liabilities of the CFE. The Company has elected the fair value option, or "FVO," for initial and subsequent recognition of the debt issued by its consolidated securitization trusts and has determined that each consolidated securitization trust meets the definition of a CFE; see Note 10 " Securitization Transactions — Residential Mortgage Loan Securitizations " for further discussion on the Company's securitization trusts. The Company has determined the inputs to the fair value measurement of the financial liabilities of each of its CFEs to be more observable than those of the financial assets and, as a result, has used the fair value of the financial liabilities of each of the CFEs to measure the fair value of the financial assets of each of the CFEs. The fair value of the debt issued by each CFE is typically valued using both external pricing data, which includes third-party valuations, and internal pricing models. The securitized non-QM loans, which are assets of the CFEs, are included in Loans, at fair value, on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The debt issued by the CFEs is included in Other secured borrowings, at fair value, on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Unrealized gains (losses) from changes in fair value of Other secured borrowings, at fair value, are included in Other, net, on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The securitized non-QM loans and the debt issued by the Company's CFEs are both classified as Level 3. For financial derivatives with greater price transparency, such as CDS on asset-backed indices, CDS on corporate indices, certain options on the foregoing, and total return swaps on publicly traded equities or indices, market-standard pricing sources are used to obtain valuations; these financial derivatives are generally classified as Level 2. Interest rate swaps, swaptions, and foreign currency forwards are typically valued based on internal models that use observable market data, including applicable interest rates and foreign currency rates in effect as of the measurement date; the model-generated valuations are then typically compared to counterparty valuations for reasonableness. These financial derivatives are also generally classified as Level 2. Financial derivatives with less price transparency, such as CDS on individual ABS, are generally valued based on internal models, and are classified as Level 3. In the case of CDS on individual ABS, the valuation process typically starts with an estimation of the value of the underlying ABS. In valuing its financial derivatives, the Company also considers the creditworthiness of both the Company and its counterparties, along with collateral provisions contained in each financial derivative agreement. Investments in private operating entities, such as loan originators, are valued based on available metrics, such as relevant market multiples and comparable company valuations, company specific-financial data including actual and projected results, and independent third party valuation estimates. These investments are classified as Level 3. The Company's repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. Repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements are classified as Level 2, based on the adequacy of the collateral and their short term nature.
Accounting for Securities	Accounting for Securities : Purchases and sales of investments in securities are generally recorded on trade date, and realized and unrealized gains and losses are calculated based on identified cost. Investments in securities are recorded in accordance with ASC 320, Investments—Debt and Equity Securities ("ASC 320") or ASC 325-40, Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets ("ASC 325-40"). The Company generally classifies its securities as available-for-sale. The Company has chosen to elect the FVO pursuant to ASC 825, Financial Instruments ("ASC 825") for its investments in securities. Electing the FVO allows the Company to record changes in fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations, as a component of Unrealized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, which, in management's view, more appropriately reflects the results of operations for a particular reporting period as all investment activities will be recorded in a similar manner. Many of the Company's investments in securities, such as MBS and CLOs, are issued by entities that are deemed to be VIEs. For the majority of such investments, the Company has determined it is not the primary beneficiary of such VIEs and therefore has not consolidated such VIEs. The Company's maximum risk of loss in these unconsolidated VIEs is generally limited to the fair value of the Company's investment in the VIE. The Company evaluates its investments in interest only securities to determine whether they meet the requirements for classification as financial derivatives under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging ("ASC 815"). For interest only securities, where the holder is entitled only to a portion of the interest payments made on the mortgages underlying certain MBS, and inverse interest only securities, which are interest only securities whose coupon has an inverse relationship to its benchmark rate, such as LIBOR, the Company has determined that such investments do not meet the requirements for treatment as financial derivatives and are classified as securities. The Company applies the principles of ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses ("ASU 2016-13") and evaluates the cost basis of its investments in securities on at least a quarterly basis, under ASC 326-30, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses: Available-for-Sale Debt Securities ("ASC 326-30"). When the fair value of a security is less than its amortized cost basis as of the balance sheet date, the security's cost basis is considered impaired. The Company must evaluate the decline in the fair value of the impaired security and determine whether such decline resulted from a credit loss or non-credit related factors. In its assessment of whether a credit loss exists, the Company compares the present value of estimated future cash flows of the impaired security with the amortized cost basis of such security. The estimated future cash flows reflect those that a "market participant" would use and typically include assumptions related to fluctuations in interest rates, prepayment speeds, default rates, collateral performance, and the timing and amount of projected credit losses, as well incorporating observations of current market developments and events. Cash flows are discounted at an interest rate equal to the current yield used to accrete interest income. If the present value of estimated future cash flows is less than the amortized cost basis of the security, an expected credit loss exists and is included in Unrealized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. If it is determined as of the financial reporting date that all or a portion of a security's cost basis is not collectible, then the Company will recognize a realized loss to the extent of the adjustment to the security's cost basis. This adjustment to the amortized cost basis of the security is reflected in Net realized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.
Accounting for Loans	Accounting for Loans : The Company's loan portfolio primarily consists of residential mortgage, commercial mortgage, and consumer loans. The Company's loans are accounted for under ASC 310-10, Receivables , and are classified as held-for-investment when the Company has the intent and ability to hold such loans for the foreseeable future or to maturity/payoff. When the Company has the intent to sell loans, such loans will be classified as held-for-sale. Mortgage loans held-for-sale are accounted for under ASC 948-310, Financial services—mortgage banking. The Company may aggregate its loans into pools based on common risk characteristics at purchase. The Company has chosen to elect the FVO pursuant to ASC 825 for its loan portfolios. Loans are recorded at fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and changes in fair value are recorded in earnings on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations as a component of Unrealized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net. The Company generates income from fees on certain loans, generally commercial mortgage loans, that it originates and holds for investment, including origination and exit fees. Such fee income is recorded when earned and included in Other, net on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. Transfers between held-for-investment and held-for-sale occur once the Company's intent to sell the loans changes. For residential and commercial mortgage loans, the Company generally accrues interest payments. Such loans are typically moved to non-accrual status if the loan becomes 90 days or more delinquent. The Company does not accrue interest payments on its consumer loans; interest payments are recorded upon receipt. Once consumer loans are more than 120 days past due, the Company will generally charge off such loans. The Company evaluates its charged-off loans and determines collectibility, if any, on such loans. The Company evaluates the collectibility of both interest and principal on each of its loan investments and whether the cost basis of the loan is impaired. A loan's cost basis is impaired when, based on current information and market developments, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the existing contractual terms. When a loan's cost basis is impaired, the Company does not record an allowance for loan loss as it elected the FVO on all of its loan investments. Consistent with the Company's application of the principles of ASU 2016-13, in its assessment of whether a credit loss exists, the Company compares the present value of the amount expected to be collected on the impaired loan with the amortized cost basis of such loan. If the present value of the amount expected to be collected on the impaired loan is less than the amortized cost basis of such loan, an expected credit loss exists and is included in Unrealized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. If it is determined as of the financial reporting date that all or a portion of a loan's cost basis is not collectible, then the Company will recognize a realized loss to the extent of the adjustment to the loan's cost basis. This adjustment to the amortized cost basis of the loan is reflected in Realized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.
Interest Income	(E) Interest Income : The Company amortizes premiums and accretes discounts on its debt securities. Coupon interest income on fixed-income investments is generally accrued based on the outstanding principal balance or notional value and the current coupon rate. For debt securities that are deemed to be of high credit quality at the time of purchase (generally Agency RMBS, exclusive of interest only securities), premiums and discounts are amortized/accreted into interest income over the life of such securities using the effective interest method. For such securities whose cash flows vary depending on prepayments, an effective yield retroactive to the time of purchase is periodically recomputed based on actual prepayments and changes in projected prepayment activity, and a catch-up adjustment, or "Catch-up Premium Amortization Adjustment," is made to amortization to reflect the cumulative impact of the change in effective yield. For debt securities (generally non-Agency RMBS, CMBS, ABS, CLOs, and interest only securities) that are deemed not to be of high credit quality at the time of purchase, interest income is recognized based on the effective interest method. For purposes of estimating future expected cash flows, management uses assumptions including, but not limited to, assumptions for future prepayment rates, default rates, and loss severities (each of which may in turn incorporate various macro-economic assumptions, such as future housing prices, GDP growth rates, and unemployment rates). These assumptions are re-evaluated not less than quarterly. Changes in projected cash flows may result in prospective changes in the yield/interest income recognized on such securities based on the updated expected future cash flows. For each loan purchased with the expectation that both interest and principal will be paid in full, the Company generally amortizes or accretes any premium or discount over the life of the loan utilizing the effective interest method. However, based on current information and market developments, the Company re-assesses the collectibility of interest and principal, and generally designates a loan as in non-accrual status either when any payments have become 90 or more days past due, or when, in the opinion of management, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect either interest or principal in full. Once a loan is designated as in non-accrual status, as long as principal is still expected to be collectible in full, interest payments are recorded as interest income only when received (i.e., under the cash basis method); accruals of interest income are only resumed when the loan becomes contractually current and performance is demonstrated to be resumed. However, if principal is not expected to be collectible in full, the cost recovery method is used (i.e., no interest income is recognized, and all payments received—whether contractually interest or principal—are applied to cost). Certain of the Company's debt securities and loans, at the date of acquisition, have experienced or are expected to experience more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination. Consistent with the Company's application of the principles of ASU 2016-13, if at the date of acquisition for a particular asset the Company projects a significant difference between contractual cash flows and expected cash flows, it establishes an initial estimate for credit losses as an upward adjustment to the acquisition cost of the asset for the purpose of calculating interest income using the effective yield method.
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities	Investments in unconsolidated entities : The Company has made and may in the future make non-controlling equity investments in various entities, such as loan originators. Such investments are generally in the form of preferred and/or common equity, or membership interests. In certain cases, the Company can exercise significant influence over the entity (e.g. by having representation on the entity's board of directors) but the requirements for consolidation under ASC 810 are not met; in such cases the Company is required to account for such equity investments under ASC 323-10, Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures
REO	Real Estate Owned "REO" : When the Company obtains possession of real property in connection with a foreclosure or similar action, the Company de-recognizes the associated mortgage loan according to ASU 2014-04, Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure ("ASU 2014-04"). Under the provisions of ASU 2014-04, the Company is deemed to have received physical possession of real estate property collateralizing a mortgage loan when it obtains legal title to the property upon completion of a foreclosure or when the borrower conveys all interest in the property to it through a deed in lieu of foreclosure or similar legal agreement. The Company's initial cost basis in REO is equal to the fair value of the real estate associated with the foreclosed mortgage loan, less expected costs to sell. REO valuations are reflected at the lower of cost or fair value. The fair value of such REO is typically based on management's estimates which generally use information including general economic data, BPOs, recent sales, property appraisals, and bids, and takes into account the expected costs to sell the property. REO recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis are classified as Level 3.
Securities Sold Short	Securities Sold Short: The Company may purchase or engage in short sales of U.S. Treasury securities and sovereign debt to mitigate the potential impact of changes in interest rates and/or foreign exchange rates on the performance of its portfolio. When the Company sells securities short, it typically satisfies its security delivery settlement obligation by borrowing or purchasing the security sold short from the same or a different counterparty. When borrowing a security sold short from a counterparty, the Company generally is required to deliver cash or securities to such counterparty as collateral for the Company's obligation to return the borrowed security. The Company has chosen to elect the FVO pursuant to ASC 825 for its securities sold short. Electing the FVO allows the Company to record changes in fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations, which, in management's view, more appropriately reflects the results of operations for a particular reporting period as all securities activities will be recorded in a similar manner. As such, securities sold short are recorded at fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and the period change in fair value is recorded in current period earnings on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations as a component of Unrealized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net. A realized gain or loss will be recognized upon the termination of a short sale if the market price is less or greater than the original sale price. Such realized gain or loss is recorded on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Realized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net.
Financial Derivatives	Financial Derivatives: The Company enters into various types of financial derivatives subject to its investment guidelines, which include restrictions associated with maintaining qualification as a REIT. The Company's financial derivatives are predominantly subject to bilateral collateral arrangements or clearing in accordance with the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, or the "Dodd-Frank Act." The Company may be required to deliver or receive cash or securities as collateral upon entering into derivative transactions. In addition, changes in the value of derivative transactions may require the Company or the counterparty to post or receive additional collateral. In the case of cleared derivatives, the clearinghouse becomes the Company's counterparty and a futures commission merchant acts as an intermediary between the Company and the clearinghouse with respect to all facets of the related transaction, including the posting and receipt of required collateral. Cash collateral received by the Company is included in Due to brokers, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Conversely, cash collateral posted by the Company is included in Due from brokers, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The types of derivatives primarily utilized by the Company are swaps, TBAs, futures, options, and forwards. Swaps : The Company may enter into various types of swaps, including interest rate swaps, credit default swaps, and total return swaps. The primary risk associated with the Company's interest rate swap activity is interest rate risk. The primary risk associated with the Company's credit default swaps and total return swaps is credit risk. The Company is subject to interest rate risk exposure in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. Primarily to help mitigate interest rate risk, the Company enters into interest rate swaps. Interest rate swaps are contractual agreements whereby one party pays a floating interest rate on a notional principal amount and receives a fixed-rate payment on the same notional principal, or vice versa, for a fixed period of time. Interest rate swaps change in value with movements in interest rates. The Company also enters into interest rate swaps whereby the Company pays one floating rate and receives a different floating rate, or "basis swaps." The Company enters into credit default swaps. A credit default swap is a contract under which one party agrees to compensate another party for the financial loss associated with the occurrence of a "credit event" in relation to a "reference amount" or notional value of a "reference asset" (usually a bond, loan, or an index or basket of bonds or loans). The definition of a credit event may vary from contract to contract. A credit event may occur (i) when the reference asset (or underlying asset, in the case of a reference asset that is an index or basket) fails to make scheduled principal or interest payments to its holders, (ii) with respect to credit default swaps referencing mortgage/asset-backed securities and indices, when the reference asset (or underlying asset, in the case of a reference asset that is an index or basket) is downgraded below a certain rating level, or (iii) with respect to credit default swaps referencing corporate entities and indices, upon the bankruptcy of the obligor of the reference asset (or underlying obligor, in the case of a reference asset that is an index). The Company typically writes (sells) protection to take a "long" position with respect to the underlying reference assets, or purchases (buys) protection to take a "short" position with respect to the underlying reference assets or to hedge exposure to other investment holdings. The Company enters into total return swaps in order to take a "long" or "short" position with respect to an underlying reference asset. The Company is subject to market price volatility of the underlying reference asset. A total return swap involves commitments to pay interest in exchange for a market-linked return based on a notional value. To the extent that the total return of the corporate debt, security, group of securities or index underlying the transaction exceeds or falls short of the offsetting interest obligation, the Company will receive a payment from or make a payment to the counterparty. Swaps change in value with movements in interest rates, credit quality, or total return of the reference securities. During the term of swap contracts, changes in value are recognized as unrealized gains or losses on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. When a contract is terminated, the Company realizes a gain or loss equal to the difference between the proceeds from (or cost of) the closing transaction and the Company's basis in the contract, if any. Periodic payments or receipts required by swap agreements are recorded as unrealized gains or losses when accrued and realized gains or losses when received or paid. Upfront payments paid and/or received by the Company to open swap contracts are recorded as an asset and/or liability on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and are recorded as a realized gain or loss on the termination date. TBA Securities : The Company transacts in the forward settling TBA market. A TBA position is a forward contract for the purchase ("long position") or sale ("short position") of Agency RMBS at a predetermined price, face amount, issuer, coupon, and maturity on an agreed-upon future delivery date. For each TBA contract and delivery month, a uniform settlement date for all market participants is determined by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association. The specific Agency RMBS to be delivered into the contract at the settlement date are not known at the time of the transaction. The Company typically does not take delivery of TBAs, but rather enters into offsetting transactions and settles the associated receivable and payable balances with its counterparties. The Company uses TBAs to mitigate interest rate risk, usually by taking short positions. The Company also invests in TBAs as a means of acquiring additional exposure to Agency RMBS, or for speculative purposes, including holding long positions. TBAs are accounted for by the Company as financial derivatives. The difference between the forward contract price and the market value of the TBA position as of the reporting date is included in Unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. Futures Contracts : A futures contract is an exchange-traded agreement to buy or sell an asset for a set price on a future date. The Company enters into Eurodollar and/or U.S. Treasury security futures contracts to hedge its interest rate risk. The Company may also enter into various other futures contracts, including equity index futures and foreign currency futures. Initial margin deposits are made upon entering into futures contracts and can generally be either in the form of cash or securities. During the period the futures contract is open, changes in the value of the contract are recognized as unrealized gains or losses by marking-to-market to reflect the current market value of the contract. Variation margin payments are made or received periodically, depending upon whether unrealized losses or gains are incurred. When the contract is closed, the Company records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the proceeds of the closing transaction and the Company's basis in the contract. Options : The Company may purchase or write put or call options contracts or enter into swaptions. The Company enters into options contracts typically to help mitigate overall market, credit, or interest rate risk depending on the type of options contract. However, the Company also enters into options contracts from time to time for speculative purposes. When the Company purchases an options contract, the option asset is initially recorded at an amount equal to the premium paid, if any, and is subsequently marked-to-market. Premiums paid for purchasing options contracts that expire unexercised are recognized on the expiration date as realized losses. If an options contract is exercised, the premium paid is subtracted from the proceeds of the sale or added to the cost of the purchase to determine whether the Company has realized a gain or loss on the related transaction. When the Company writes an options contract, the option liability is initially recorded at an amount equal to the premium received, if any, and is subsequently marked-to-market. Premiums received for writing options contracts that expire unexercised are recognized on the expiration date as realized gains. If an options contract is exercised, the premium received is subtracted from the cost of the purchase or added to the proceeds of the sale to determine whether the Company has realized a gain or loss on the related investment transaction. When the Company enters into a closing transaction, the Company will realize a gain or loss depending upon whether the amount from the closing transaction is greater or less than the premiums paid or received. The Company may also enter into options contracts that contain forward-settling premiums. In this case, no money is exchanged upfront. Instead, the agreed-upon premium is paid by the buyer upon expiration of the option, regardless of whether or not the option is exercised. Forward Currency Contracts : A forward currency contract is an agreement between two parties to purchase or sell a specific quantity of currency with the delivery and settlement at a specific future date and exchange rate. During the period the forward currency contract is open, changes in the value of the contract are recognized as unrealized gains or losses. When the contract is settled, the Company records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the proceeds of the closing transaction and the Company's basis in the contract.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents include cash and short term investments with original maturities of three months or less at the date of acquisition. Cash and cash equivalents typically include amounts held in interest bearing overnight accounts and amounts held in money market funds, and these balances generally exceed insured limits. The Company holds its cash at institutions that it believes to be highly creditworthy. Restricted cash represents cash that the Company can use only for specific purposes. See Note 18 for further discussion of restricted cash balances.
Transfers of Financial Assets	Transfers of Financial Assets : The Company enters into transactions whereby it transfers financial assets to third parties. Upon such a transfer of financial assets, the Company will sometimes retain or acquire interests in the related assets. The Company evaluates transferred assets pursuant to ASC 860-10, Transfers of Financial Assets , or "ASC 860-10," which
Variable Interest Entities	Variable Interest Entities: VIEs are entities in which: (i) the equity investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest, or (ii) there is insufficient equity to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. Consolidation of a VIE is required by the entity that is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE. The Company evaluates all of its interests in VIEs for consolidation under ASC 810. The primary beneficiary is generally the party with both (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance, and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses and the right to receive benefits from the VIE which could be potentially significant to the VIE. When the Company has an interest in an entity that has been determined to be a VIE, the Company assesses whether it is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE. The Company will only consolidate a VIE for which it has concluded it is the primary beneficiary. To assess whether the Company has the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance, the Company considers all facts and circumstances, including its role in establishing the VIE and its ongoing rights and responsibilities. This assessment includes (i) identifying the activities that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance; and (ii) identifying which party, if any, has power over those activities. To assess whether the Company has the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE, it considers all of its economic interests, including debt and/or equity investments, as well as other arrangements deemed to be variable interests in the VIE. These assessments to determine whether the Company is the primary beneficiary require significant judgment. In instances where the Company and its related parties have interests in a VIE, the Company considers whether there is a single party in the related party group that meets the criteria to be deemed the primary beneficiary. If one party within the related party group meets such criteria, that reporting entity would be deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE and no further analysis is needed. If no party within the related party group on its own meets the criteria to be deemed the primary beneficiary, but the related party group as a whole meets such criteria, the determination of the primary beneficiary within the related party group requires significant judgment. The Company performs analysis, which is based upon qualitative as well as quantitative factors, such as the relationship of the VIE to each of the members of the related party group, as well as the significance of the VIE's activities to those members, with the objective of determining which party is most closely associated with the VIE. The Company performs ongoing reassessments of (i) whether any entities previously evaluated have become VIEs, based on certain events, and therefore subject to assessment to determine whether consolidation is appropriate, and (ii) whether changes in the facts and circumstances regarding the Company's involvement with a VIE causes its consolidation conclusion regarding the VIE to change. See Note 9 and Note 13 for further information on the Company's consolidated VIEs. The Company's maximum amount at risk is generally limited to the Company's investment in the VIE. The Company is generally not contractually required to provide and has not provided any form of financial support to the VIEs. The Company holds beneficial interests in certain securitization trusts that are considered VIEs. The beneficial interests in these securitization trusts are represented by certificates issued by the trusts. The securitization trusts have been structured as pass-through entities that receive principal and interest payments on the underlying collateral and distribute those payments to the certificate holders, which include both third-party investors and the Company. The certificates held by the Company typically include some or all of the most subordinated tranches. The assets held by the trusts are restricted in that they can only be used to fulfill the obligations of the related trust. In certain cases, the design and structure of the securitization trust is such that the Company effectively retains control of the assets as well as the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the trust. In such cases, the Company is determined to be the primary beneficiary, and the Company consolidates the trust and all intercompany transactions are eliminated in consolidation. In cases where the Company does not effectively retain control of the assets of, or have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of, the related trust, it does not consolidate the trust. See Note 10 for further discussion of the Company's securitization trusts.
Offering Costs/Underwriters' Discount	Offering Costs/Underwriters' Discount :
Debt Issuance Costs	Debt Issuance Costs: Debt issuance costs associated with debt for which the Company has elected the FVO are expensed at the issuance of the debt, and are included in Investment related expenses—Other on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. Costs associated with the issuance of debt for which the Company has not elected the FVO are deferred and amortized over the life of the debt, which approximates the effective interest rate method, and are included in Interest expense on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. Deferred debt issuance costs are presented on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as a direct deduction from the related debt liability, unless such deferred debt issuance costs are associated with borrowing facilities that are expected to have a future benefit, such as giving the Company the ability to access additional borrowings over the contractual term of the debt, in which case such deferred debt issuance costs are included in Other assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Debt issuance costs include legal and accounting fees, purchasers' or underwriters' discount, as well as other fees associated with the cost of the issuance of the related debt.
Expenses	Expenses: Expenses are recognized as incurred on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.
Investment Related Expenses	Investment Related Expenses: Investment related expenses consist of expenses directly related to specific financial instruments. Such expenses generally include dividend expense on common stock sold short, servicing fees and corporate and escrow advances on mortgage and consumer loans, and various other expenses and fees related directly to the Company's financial instruments. The Company has elected the FVO for its investments, and as a result all investment related expenses are expensed as incurred and included in Investment related expenses on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.
Investment Related Receivables [Policy Text Block]	Investment Related Receivables: Investment related receivables on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes receivables for securities sold and interest and principal receivable on securities and loans.
LTIP Units	Long Term Incentive Plan Units : Long term incentive plan units of the Operating Partnership ("OP LTIP Units") have been issued to certain Ellington personnel dedicated or partially dedicated to the Company, certain of the Company's directors, as well as the Manager. Costs associated with OP LTIP Units issued to dedicated or partially dedicated personnel, or to the Company's directors, are measured as of the grant date based on the Company's closing stock price on the New York Stock Exchange and are amortized over the vesting period in accordance with ASC 718-10, Compensation—Stock Compensation . The vesting periods for OP LTIP Units are typically one year from issuance for non-executive directors, and are typically one year to two years from issuance for dedicated or partially dedicated personnel.
Non-controlling interest	Non-controlling interests : Non-controlling interests include interests in the Operating Partnership represented by units convertible into shares of the Company's common stock ("Convertible Non-controlling Interests"). Convertible Non-controlling Interests include both the OP LTIP Units and those common units ("OP Units") of the Operating Partnership not held by the Company (collectively, the "Convertible Non-controlling Interest Units"). Non-controlling interests also include the interests of joint venture partners in certain of our consolidated subsidiaries. The joint venture partners' interests are not convertible into shares of the Company's common stock. The Company adjusts the Convertible Non-controlling Interests to align their carrying value with their share of total outstanding Operating Partnership units, including both the OP Units held by the Company and the Convertible Non-controlling Interests. Any such adjustments are reflected in Adjustment to non-controlling interests, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity. See Note 15 for further discussion of non-controlling interests.
Dividends	Dividends: Dividends payable on shares of common stock and Convertible Non-controlling Interest Units are recorded on the declaration date.
Shares Repurchased	Shares Repurchased: Shares of common stock that are repurchased by the Company subsequent to issuance are immediately retired upon settlement and decrease the total number of shares of common stock issued and outstanding. The cost of such repurchases is charged against Additional paid-in-capital on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Earnings Per Share ("EPS")	Earnings Per Share ("EPS"): Basic EPS is computed using the two class method by dividing net income (loss) after adjusting for the impact of Convertible Non-controlling Interests which are participating securities, by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding calculated including Convertible Non-controlling Interests. Because the Company's Convertible Non-controlling Interests are participating securities, they are included in the calculation of both basic and diluted EPS.
Foreign Currency	Foreign Currency: The functional currency of the Company is U.S. dollars. Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are remeasured into U.S. dollars at current exchange rates at the following dates: (i) assets, liabilities, and unrealized gains/losses—at the valuation date; and (ii) income, expenses, and realized gains/losses—at the accrual/transaction date. The Company isolates the portion of realized and change in unrealized gain (loss) resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates on investments and financial derivatives from the fluctuations arising from changes in fair value of investments and financial derivatives held. Changes in realized and change in unrealized gain (loss) due to foreign currency are included in Other, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The Company's reporting currency is U.S. Dollars. If the Company has investments in unconsolidated entities that have a functional currency other than U.S. Dollars, the fair value is translated to U.S. dollars using the current exchange rate at the valuation date. The cumulative translation adjustment, if any, associated with the Company's investments in unconsolidated entities is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a component of consolidated stockholders' equity.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes: The Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code. As a REIT, the Company is generally not subject to corporate-level federal and state income tax on net income it distributes to its stockholders within the prescribed timeframes. To qualify as a REIT, the Company must meet a number of organizational and operational requirements, including distributing at least 90% of its annual taxable income to stockholders. Even if the Company qualifies as a REIT, it may be subject to certain federal, state, local and foreign taxes on its income and property, and to federal income and excise taxes on its undistributed taxable income. If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT, and does not qualify for certain statutory relief provisions, it will be subject to U.S. federal, state, and local income taxes and may be precluded from qualifying as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year in which the Company fails to qualify as a REIT. As a REIT, if the Company fails to distribute in any calendar year (subject to specific timing rules for certain dividends paid in January) at least the sum of (i) 85% of its ordinary income for such year, (ii) 95% of its capital gain net income for such year, and (iii) any undistributed taxable income from the prior year, the Company would be subject to a non-deductible 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the sum of (i) the amounts actually distributed and (ii) the amounts of income retained and on which the Company has paid corporate income tax. The Company elected to treat certain domestic and foreign subsidiaries as TRSs, and may in the future elect to treat other current or future subsidiaries as TRSs. In general, a TRS may hold assets and engage in activities that the Company cannot hold or engage in directly and generally may engage in any real estate or non-real estate-related business. A domestic TRS may, but is not required to, declare dividends to the Company; such dividends will be included in the Company's taxable income/(loss) and may necessitate a distribution to the Company's stockholders. Conversely, if the Company retains earnings at the level of a domestic TRS, such earnings will increase the book equity of the consolidated entity. A domestic TRS is subject to U.S. federal, state, and local corporate income taxes. The Company has elected and may elect in the future to treat certain of its foreign corporate subsidiaries as TRSs and, accordingly, taxable income generated by these TRSs may not be subject to U.S. federal, state, and local corporate income taxation, but generally will be included in the Company's income on a current basis as Subpart F income, whether or not distributed. However, certain of the Company's foreign subsidiaries may be subject to income taxes in the relevant foreign jurisdictions. The Company's financial results are generally not expected to reflect provisions for current or deferred income taxes, except for any activities conducted through one or more TRSs that are subject to corporate income taxation. The Company follows the authoritative guidance on accounting for and disclosure of uncertainty on tax positions, which requires management to determine whether a tax position of the Company is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. For uncertain tax positions, the tax benefit to be recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company did not have any unrecognized tax benefits resulting from tax positions related to the current period or its open tax years. In the normal course of business, the Company may be subject to examination by federal, state, local, and foreign jurisdictions, where applicable, for the current period and its open tax years. The Company may take positions with respect to certain tax issues which depend on legal interpretation of facts or applicable tax regulations. Should the relevant tax regulators successfully challenge any of such positions, the Company might be found to have a tax liability that has not been recorded in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. Also, management's conclusions regarding the authoritative guidance may be subject to review and adjustment at a later date based on changing tax laws, regulations, and interpretations thereof.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements : In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform—Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting
Financial Assets Sold under Agreement to Repurchase [Member]
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]
Repurchase and Resale Agreements	Repurchase Agreements: The Company enters into repurchase agreements with third-party broker-dealers whereby it sells securities under agreements to be repurchased at an agreed-upon price and date. The Company accounts for repurchase agreements as collateralized borrowings, with the initial sale price representing the amount borrowed, and with the future repurchase price consisting of the amount borrowed plus interest, at the implied interest rate of the repurchase agreement, on the amount borrowed over the term of the repurchase agreement. The interest rate on a repurchase agreement is based on competitive rates (or competitive market spreads, in the case of agreements with floating interest rates) at the time such agreement is entered into. When the Company enters into a repurchase agreement, the lender establishes and maintains an account containing cash and/or securities having a value not less than the repurchase price, including accrued interest, of the repurchase agreement. Repurchase agreements are carried at their contractual amounts, which approximate fair value as the debt is short-term in nature.
Securities Purchased under Agreements to Resell [Member]
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]
Repurchase and Resale Agreements	Reverse Repurchase Agreements : The Company enters into reverse repurchase agreement transactions whereby it purchases securities under agreements to resell at an agreed-upon price and date. In general, securities received pursuant to reverse repurchase agreements are delivered to counterparties of short sale transactions. The interest rate on a reverse repurchase agreement is based on competitive rates (or competitive market spreads, in the case of agreements with floating interest rates) at the time such agreement is entered into. Assets held pursuant to reverse repurchase agreements are reflected as assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Reverse repurchase agreements are carried at their contractual amounts, which approximates fair value due to their short-term nature. Repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements that are conducted with the same counterparty may be reported on a net basis if they meet the requirements of ASC 210-20, Balance Sheet Offsetting . There are no repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements reported on a net basis in the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.

Valuation (Tables)

Valuation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]	The tables below reflect the value of the Company's Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 financial instruments that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: March 31, 2021: Description Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total (In thousands) Assets: Securities, at fair value: Agency RMBS $ — $ 1,470,380 $ 17,402 $ 1,487,782 Non-Agency RMBS — 73,430 127,329 200,759 CMBS — 27,779 17,294 45,073 CLOs — 68,814 37,585 106,399 Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans — — 59,473 59,473 Corporate debt securities — 760 4,761 5,521 Corporate equity securities — — 4,120 4,120 Loans, at fair value: Residential mortgage loans — — 1,280,637 1,280,637 Commercial mortgage loans — — 235,948 235,948 Consumer loans — — 52,705 52,705 Corporate loans — — 13,226 13,226 Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value — — 147,684 147,684 Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value: Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities — — 320 320 Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices — 2,087 — 2,087 Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices — 3,427 — 3,427 Interest rate swaps — 10,703 — 10,703 TBAs — 3,409 — 3,409 Total return swaps — — 2 2 Warrants — 42 — 42 Futures 2,704 — — 2,704 Forwards — 388 — 388 Total assets $ 2,704 $ 1,661,219 $ 1,998,486 $ 3,662,409 Liabilities: Securities sold short, at fair value: Government debt $ — $ (96,179) $ — $ (96,179) Corporate debt securities — (219) — (219) Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value: Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices — (127) — (127) Credit default swaps on corporate bonds — (682) — (682) Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices — (5,128) — (5,128) Interest rate swaps — (8,884) — (8,884) TBAs — (4,076) — (4,076) Futures (163) — — (163) Forwards — (40) — (40) Total return swaps — — (338) (338) Other secured borrowings, at fair value — — (911,256) (911,256) Total liabilities $ (163) $ (115,335) $ (911,594) $ (1,027,092) December 31, 2020: Description Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total (In thousands) Assets: Securities, at fair value: Agency RMBS $ — $ 947,780 $ 11,663 $ 959,443 Non-Agency RMBS — 76,276 127,838 204,114 CMBS — 54,505 63,148 117,653 CLOs — 70,171 111,100 181,271 Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans — — 44,925 44,925 Corporate debt securities — 1,107 4,082 5,189 Corporate equity securities — — 1,590 1,590 Loans, at fair value: Residential mortgage loans — — 1,187,069 1,187,069 Commercial mortgage loans — — 213,031 213,031 Consumer loans — — 47,525 47,525 Corporate loans — — 5,855 5,855 Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value — — 141,620 141,620 Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value: Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities — — 347 347 Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices — 2,184 — 2,184 Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices — 3,420 — 3,420 Interest rate swaps — 8,519 — 8,519 TBAs — 962 — 962 Total return swaps — — 9 9 Warrants — 36 — 36 Futures 2 — — 2 Total assets $ 2 $ 1,164,960 $ 1,959,802 $ 3,124,764 Liabilities: Securities sold short, at fair value: Government debt $ — $ (38,424) $ — $ (38,424) Corporate debt securities — (218) — (218) Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value: Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices — (130) — (130) Credit default swaps on corporate bonds — (747) — (747) Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices — (6,438) — (6,438) Interest rate swaps — (15,174) — (15,174) TBAs — (925) — (925) Futures (376) — — (376) Forwards — (279) — (279) Total return swaps — — (484) (484) Other secured borrowings, at fair value — — (754,921) (754,921) Total liabilities $ (376) $ (62,335) $ (755,405) $ (818,116)
Schedule of Significant Unobservable Inputs, Qualitative Information	The following tables identifies the significant unobservable inputs that affect the valuation of the Company's Level 3 assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: March 31, 2021: Fair Value Valuation Unobservable Input Range Weighted Description Min Max (In thousands) Non-Agency RMBS $ 85,241 Market Quotes Non Binding Third-Party Valuation $ 2.13 $ 337.92 $ 86.00 42,088 Discounted Cash Flows 127,329 Yield (1) 0.4 % 66.3 % 7.2 % Projected Collateral Prepayments 5.3 % 74.2 % 48.3 % Projected Collateral Losses — % 22.5 % 6.1 % Projected Collateral Recoveries 0.8 % 22.4 % 13.0 % Non-Agency CMBS 11,177 Market Quotes Non Binding Third-Party Valuation $ 4.65 $ 98.25 $ 38.62 6,117 Discounted Cash Flows 17,294 Yield 3.8 % 28.3 % 9.5 % Projected Collateral Losses 1.2 % 10.6 % 4.4 % Projected Collateral Recoveries 9.6 % 95.4 % 92.0 % CLOs 23,370 Market Quotes Non Binding Third-Party Valuation $ 2.00 $ 95.00 $ 71.18 14,215 Discounted Cash Flows 37,585 Yield 7.0 % 92.5 % 17.6 % Projected Collateral Prepayments 79.2 % 92.9 % 86.5 % Projected Collateral Losses 3.9 % 11.7 % 6.7 % Projected Collateral Recoveries 1.3 % 6.9 % 4.6 % Agency interest only RMBS 4,026 Market Quotes Non Binding Third-Party Valuation $ 0.66 $ 18.45 $ 12.50 13,376 Option Adjusted Spread ("OAS") 17,402 LIBOR OAS (2)(3) 16 2,918 719 Projected Collateral Prepayments 9.2 % 100.0 % 66.0 % ABS backed by consumer loans 87 Market Quotes Non Binding Third-Party Valuation $ 96.92 $ 98.58 $ 97.61 59,386 Discounted Cash Flows 59,473 Yield 11.9 % 33.7 % 15.5 % Projected Collateral Prepayments 0.0 % 11.9 % 8.0 % Projected Collateral Losses 1.0 % 22.2 % 16.2 % Corporate debt and equity 8,881 Discounted Cash Flows Yield 5.0 % 12.2 % 9.8 % Performing and re-performing residential mortgage loans 290,957 Discounted Cash Flows Yield 1.3 % 59.4 % 5.6 % Fair Value Valuation Unobservable Input Range Weighted Description Min Max (continued) (In thousands) Securitized residential mortgage loans (4)(5) $ 921,678 Market Quotes Non Binding Third-Party Valuation $ 0.58 $ 105.92 $ 101.24 39,654 Discounted Cash Flows 961,332 Yield 1.1 % 9.2 % 4.6 % Non-performing residential mortgage loans 28,348 Discounted Cash Flows Yield 1.8 % 34.6 % 13.7 % Recovery Amount 0.3 % 169.9 % 33.8 % Months to Resolution 1.0 105.8 36.8 Performing commercial mortgage loans 201,683 Discounted Cash Flows Yield 6.5 % 11.2 % 8.6 % Non-performing commercial mortgage loans 34,265 Discounted Cash Flows Yield 7.5 % 9.4 % 9.2 % Recovery Amount 100.0 % 100.4 % 100.3 % Months to Resolution 2.8 8.8 6.3 Consumer loans 52,705 Discounted Cash Flows Yield 5.5 % 48.7 % 9.5 % Projected Collateral Prepayments 0.0 % 34.0 % 16.1 % Projected Collateral Losses 0.6 % 86.6 % 10.0 % Corporate loans 13,167 Market Quotes Non Binding Third-Party Valuation $ 100.00 $ 100.00 $ 100.00 59 Discounted Cash Flows 13,226 Yield 21.7 % 21.9 % 21.8 % Investment in unconsolidated entities 147,684 Enterprise Value Equity Price-to-Book (6)(7) 1.0x 1.6x 1.2x Total return swaps—asset 2 Discounted Cash Flows Yield 17.1 % 17.1 % 17.1 % Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities 320 Net Discounted Cash Flows Projected Collateral Prepayments 26.5 % 36.4 % 34.1 % Projected Collateral Losses 6.7 % 10.1 % 8.3 % Projected Collateral Recoveries 14.2 % 18.8 % 15.6 % Total return swaps—liability (338) Discounted Cash Flows Yield 20.6% 20.6% 20.6% Other secured borrowings, at fair value (4) (911,256) Market Quotes Non Binding Third-Party Valuation $ 96.51 $ 105.92 $ 101.60 Yield (8) 1.2% 1.4% 1.3% Projected Collateral Prepayments —% 83.3% 54.0% (1) For the range minimum, the range maximum, and the weighted average yield, excludes non-Agency RMBS with a negative yield, with a total fair value of $0.6 million. Including these securities the weighted average yield was 6.9%. (2) Shown in basis points. (3) For range minimum, range maximum, and the weighted average of LIBOR OAS, excludes Agency interest only securities with a negative LIBOR OAS, with a total fair value of $3.7 million. Including these securities the weighted average was 445 basis points. (4) Securitized residential mortgage loans and Other secured borrowings, at fair value, represent financial assets and liabilities of the Company's CFEs as discussed in Note 2. (5) Includes $21.2 million of non-performing securitized residential mortgage loans. (6) Represents an estimation of where market participants might value an enterprise on a price-to-book basis. (7) For the range minimum, the range maximum, and the weighted average equity price-to-book, excludes investments in unconsolidated entities of $3.4 million. Including these investments in unconsolidated entities the weighted average equity price-to-book was 2.1x. (8) For the range minimum, the range maximum, and the weighted average yield, excludes other secured borrowings with a negative yield, with a total fair value of $(126.8) million. Including these securities the weighted average yield was 0.9%. December 31, 2020: Fair Value Valuation Unobservable Input Range Weighted Description Min Max (In thousands) Non-Agency RMBS $ 70,619 Market Quotes Non Binding Third-Party Valuation $ 9.53 $ 204.61 $ 85.70 57,219 Discounted Cash Flows 127,838 Yield (1) 0.7 % 52.6 % 7.4 % Projected Collateral Prepayments — % 99.1 % 45.3 % Projected Collateral Losses 0.4 % 72.6 % 18.4 % Projected Collateral Recoveries — % 79.1 % 16.8 % Non-Agency CMBS 53,199 Market Quotes Non Binding Third-Party Valuation $ 4.79 $ 98.00 $ 65.20 9,949 Discounted Cash Flows 63,148 Yield 3.7 % 26.3 % 8.7 % Projected Collateral Losses 0.7 % 10.7 % 3.6 % Projected Collateral Recoveries 72.4 % 96.1 % 90.6 % CLOs 102,910 Market Quotes Non Binding Third-Party Valuation $ 2.00 $ 330.00 $ 88.66 8,190 Discounted Cash Flows 111,100 Yield 3.4 % 35.4 % 10.5 % Projected Collateral Prepayments 41.2 % 97.7 % 65.7 % Projected Collateral Losses 1.7 % 28.9 % 11.2 % Projected Collateral Recoveries 0.6 % 15.2 % 7.9 % Agency interest only RMBS 4,844 Market Quotes Non Binding Third-Party Valuation $ 1.91 $ 18.91 $ 8.38 6,819 Option Adjusted Spread ("OAS") 11,663 LIBOR OAS (2)(3) 297 2,886 914 Projected Collateral Prepayments 8.3 % 100.0 % 75.9 % ABS backed by consumer loans 97 Market Quotes Non Binding Third-Party Valuation $ 96.51 $ 98.43 $ 97.33 44,828 Discounted Cash Flows 44,925 Yield 12.6 % 27.5 % 15.6 % Projected Collateral Prepayments 0.0 % 11.6 % 7.7 % Projected Collateral Losses 1.0 % 21.1 % 17.1 % Corporate debt and equity 5,672 Discounted Cash Flows Yield 8.1 % 10.8 % 9.7 % Performing and re-performing residential mortgage loans 338,265 Discounted Cash Flows Yield 2.5 % 28.5 % 5.4 % 15,659 Recent Transactions Transaction Price $ 60.00 $ 103.88 $ 103.44 353,924 Securitized residential mortgage loans (4)(5) $ 783,162 Market Quotes Non Binding Third-Party Valuation $ 5.34 $ 105.61 $ 100.22 18,182 Discounted Cash Flows 801,343 Yield — % 38.7 % 4.4 % Fair Value Valuation Unobservable Input Range Weighted Description Min Max (Continued) (In thousands) Non-performing residential mortgage loans 31,802 Discounted Cash Flows Yield 1.2 % 41.0 % 12.1 % Recovery Amount 0.9 % 1713.0 % 30.6 % Months to Resolution 0.0 106.6 30.0 Performing commercial mortgage loans 181,545 Discounted Cash Flows Yield 3.7 % 9.7 % 8.1 % Non-performing commercial mortgage loans 31,486 Discounted Cash Flows Yield 8.6 % 14.6 % 10.8 % Recovery Amount 100.0 % 102.4 % 100.8 % Months to Resolution 1.8 5.8 3.7 Consumer loans 47,525 Discounted Cash Flows Yield 7.8 % 28.1 % 11.2 % Projected Collateral Prepayments 0.0 % 36.0 % 17.3 % Projected Collateral Losses 0.9 % 86.6 % 9.4 % Corporate loans 5,855 Market Quotes Non Binding Third-Party Valuation $ 100.00 $ 100.00 $ 100.00 Yield 21.1 % 21.1 % 21.1 % Investment in unconsolidated entities 141,620 Enterprise Value Equity Price-to-Book (6) 1.0x 6.2x 1.4x Total return swaps—asset 9 Discounted Cash Flows Yield 22.0 % 22.0 % 22.0 % Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities 347 Net Discounted Cash Flows Projected Collateral Prepayments 32.7 % 39.7 % 38.1 % Projected Collateral Losses 6.6 % 10.8 % 8.9 % Projected Collateral Recoveries 13.9 % 18.1 % 15.6 % Total return swaps—liability (484) Discounted Cash Flows Yield 16.8% 16.8% 16.8% Other secured borrowings, at fair value (4) (754,921) Market Quotes Non Binding Third-Party Valuation $ 85.37 $ 105.61 $ 102.04 Yield 1.6% 3.0% 2.6% Projected Collateral Prepayments —% 75.3% 48.7% (1) For the range minimum, the range maximum, and the weighted average yield, excludes non-Agency RMBS with a negative yield, with a total fair value of $0.3 million. Including these securities the weighted average yield was 7.3%. (2) Shown in basis points. (3) For range minimum, range maximum, and the weighted average of LIBOR OAS, excludes Agency interest only securities with a negative LIBOR OAS, with a total fair value of $4.5 million. Including these securities the weighted average was 396 basis points. (4) Securitized residential mortgage loans and Other secured borrowings, at fair value, represent financial assets and liabilities of the Company's CFEs as discussed in Note 2. (5) Includes $26.4 million of non-performing securitized residential mortgage loans. (6) Represent an estimation of where market participants might value an enterprise on a price-to-book basis.
Fair Value Measurement Using Significant Unobservable Inputs	The tables below includes a roll-forward of the Company's financial instruments for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 (including the change in fair value), for financial instruments classified by the Company within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2021 (In thousands) Beginning Balance as of Accreted Net Realized Change in Net Purchases/Payments (1) Sales/Issuances (2) Transfers Into Level 3 Transfers Out of Level 3 Ending Assets: Securities, at fair value: Agency RMBS $ 11,663 $ (1,121) $ (26) $ (136) $ 1,814 $ — $ 5,857 $ (649) $ 17,402 Non-Agency RMBS 127,838 679 (226) (557) 20,742 (18,639) 1,998 (4,506) 127,329 CMBS 63,148 218 2,082 2,525 — (39,705) — (10,974) 17,294 CLOs 111,100 734 912 5,334 1,812 (43,210) 1,511 (40,608) 37,585 Asset-backed securities backed by consumer loans 44,925 (657) 33 (485) 24,334 (8,677) — — 59,473 Corporate debt securities 4,082 — 180 5 1,027 (533) — — 4,761 Corporate equity securities 1,590 — (385) 604 2,311 — — — 4,120 Loans, at fair value: Residential mortgage loans 1,187,069 (2,470) 194 2,214 222,081 (128,451) — — 1,280,637 Commercial mortgage loans 213,031 9 436 (263) 57,166 (34,431) — — 235,948 Consumer loans 47,525 (1,843) (1,265) 327 16,749 (8,788) — — 52,705 Corporate loan 5,855 — — — 7,371 — — — 13,226 Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value 141,620 — 128 6,507 12,870 (13,441) — — 147,684 Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value: Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities 347 — 26 (27) 4 (30) — — 320 Total return swaps 9 — 141 (6) — (142) — — 2 Total assets, at fair value $ 1,959,802 $ (4,451) $ 2,230 $ 16,042 $ 368,281 $ (296,047) $ 9,366 $ (56,737) $ 1,998,486 Liabilities: Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value: Total return swaps $ (484) $ — $ (500) $ 146 $ 500 $ — $ — $ — $ (338) Other secured borrowings, at fair value (754,921) — — 1,243 92,930 (250,508) — — (911,256) Total liabilities, at fair value $ (755,405) $ — $ (500) $ 1,389 $ 93,430 $ (250,508) $ — $ — $ (911,594) (1) For Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value, amount represents contributions to investments in unconsolidated entities. (2) For Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value, amount represents distributions from investments in unconsolidated entities. All amounts of net realized and change in net unrealized gain (loss) in the table above are reflected in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The table above incorporates changes in net unrealized gain (loss) for both Level 3 financial instruments held by the Company at March 31, 2021, as well as Level 3 financial instruments disposed of by the Company during the three-month period ended March 31, 2021. For Level 3 financial instruments held by the Company at March 31, 2021, change in net unrealized gain (loss) of $3.2 million, $2.0 million, $6.3 million, $(33) thousand, $0.1 million, and $1.2 million, for the three-month period ended March 31, 2021 relate to securities, loans, investments in unconsolidated entities, financial derivatives–assets, financial derivatives–liabilities, and other secured borrowings, at fair value, respectively. At March 31, 2021, the Company transferred $56.7 million of assets from Level 3 to Level 2 and $9.4 million from Level 2 to Level 3. Transfers between these hierarchy levels were based on the availability of sufficient observable inputs to meet Level 2 versus Level 3 criteria. The leveling of each financial instrument is reassessed at the end of each period, and is based on pricing information received from third-party pricing sources. Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2020 (In thousands) Beginning Balance as of Accreted Net Realized Change in Net Purchases/ (1) Sales/ (2) Transfers Into Level 3 Transfers Out of Level 3 Ending Assets: Securities, at fair value: Agency RMBS $ 19,904 $ (1,822) $ (1) $ 2,807 $ 5,259 $ — $ 1,088 $ (6,254) $ 20,981 Non-Agency RMBS 89,581 226 (136) (11,533) 33,950 (14,395) 3,659 (7,155) 94,197 CMBS 29,805 207 1,386 (11,193) 31,025 (28,539) 4,071 (6,486) 20,276 CLOs 44,979 (318) (21) (20,261) 22,760 54 6,325 (9,714) 43,804 Asset-backed securities backed by consumer loans 48,610 (1,044) (150) (2,360) 16,271 (6,700) — — 54,627 Corporate debt securities 1,113 — — (96) 10 (417) — — 610 Corporate equity securities 1,394 — — (987) 305 — — — 712 Loans, at fair value: Residential mortgage loans 932,203 (458) 205 (24,323) 131,070 (99,325) — — 939,372 Commercial mortgage loans 274,759 (1) 860 (328) 87,567 (59,557) — — 303,300 Consumer loans 186,954 (7,470) 26 (5,751) 61,100 (40,056) — — 194,803 Corporate loan 18,510 — — — 104 (12,500) — — 6,114 Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value 71,850 — — (6,497) 12,283 (12,239) — — 65,397 Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value: Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities 993 — (994) 917 5 (568) — — 353 Total return swaps 620 — 191 (583) — (191) — — 37 Total assets, at fair value $ 1,721,275 $ (10,680) $ 1,366 $ (80,188) $ 401,709 $ (274,433) $ 15,143 $ (29,609) $ 1,744,583 Liabilities: Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value: Total return swaps $ (436) $ — $ 31 $ (403) $ 10 $ (41) $ — $ — $ (839) Other secured borrowings, at fair value (594,396) — — 24 44,704 — — — (549,668) Total liabilities, at fair value $ (594,832) $ — $ 31 $ (379) $ 44,714 $ (41) $ — $ — $ (550,507) (1) For Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value, amount represents contributions to investments in unconsolidated entities. (2) For Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value, amount represents distributions from investments in unconsolidated entities. All amounts of net realized and change in net unrealized gain (loss) in the table above are reflected in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The table above incorporates changes in net unrealized gain (loss) for both Level 3 financial instruments held by the Company at March 31, 2020, as well as Level 3 financial instruments disposed of by the Company during the three-month period ended March 31, 2020. For Level 3 financial instruments held by the Company at March 31, 2020, change in net unrealized gain (loss) of $(50.9) million, $(30.4) million, $(6.7) million, $0.5 million, $(0.8) million, and $24 thousand, for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020 relate to securities, loans, investments in unconsolidated entities, financial derivatives–assets, financial derivatives–liabilities, and other secured borrowings, at fair value, respectively. At March 31, 2020, the Company transferred $29.6 million of assets from Level 3 to Level 2 and $15.1 million from Level 2 to Level 3. Transfers between these hierarchy levels were based on the availability of sufficient observable inputs to meet Level 2 versus Level 3 criteria. The leveling of each financial instrument is reassessed at the end of each period, and is based on pricing information received from third-party pricing sources.
Schedule of Financial Instruments	The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of all other financial instruments not measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: As of March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 (In thousands) Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Other financial instruments Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 149,350 $ 149,350 $ 111,647 $ 111,647 Restricted cash 175 175 175 175 Due from brokers 91,814 91,814 63,147 63,147 Reverse repurchase agreements 96,783 96,783 38,640 38,640 Liabilities: Repurchase agreements 1,909,511 1,909,511 1,496,931 1,496,931 Other secured borrowings 64,506 64,506 51,062 51,062 Senior notes, net 86,344 85,627 86,000 85,561 Due to brokers 5,337 5,337 5,059 5,059 Cash and cash equivalents generally includes cash held in interest bearing overnight accounts, for which fair value equals the carrying value, and investments which are liquid in nature, such as investments in money market accounts or U.S. Treasury Bills, for which fair value equals the carrying value; such assets are considered Level 1. Restricted cash includes cash held in a segregated account for which fair value equals the carrying value; such assets are considered Level 1. Due from brokers and Due to brokers include collateral transferred to or received from counterparties, along with receivables and payables for open and/or closed derivative positions. These receivables and payables are short term in nature and any collateral transferred consists primarily of cash; fair value of these items is approximated by carrying value and such items are considered Level 1. The Company's reverse repurchase agreements, repurchase agreements, and other secured borrowings are carried at cost, which approximates fair value due to their short term nature. Reverse repurchase agreements, repurchase agreements, and other secured borrowings are classified as Level 2 based on the adequacy of the collateral and their short term nature. Senior notes, net are considered Level 3 liabilities given the relative unobservability of the most significant inputs to valuation estimation as well as the lack of trading activity of these instruments. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the estimated fair value of the Company's Senior notes was based on a third-party valuation.

Investment in Securities (Table

Investment in Securities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Summary of Investment Holdings	The following tables detail the Company's investment in securities as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. March 31, 2021: Gross Unrealized Weighted Average ($ in thousands) Current Principal Unamortized Premium (Discount) Amortized Cost Gains Losses Fair Value Coupon (1) Yield Life (Years) (2) Long: Agency RMBS: 15-year fixed-rate mortgages $ 177,384 $ 8,396 $ 185,780 $ 1,680 $ (1,646) $ 185,814 2.64 % 1.28 % 4.45 20-year fixed-rate mortgages 52,654 3,140 55,794 45 (1,125) 54,714 2.48 % 1.09 % 5.37 30-year fixed-rate mortgages 1,037,659 55,060 1,092,719 19,811 (12,610) 1,099,920 3.32 % 1.92 % 6.03 Adjustable rate mortgages 5,526 145 5,671 136 — 5,807 3.48 % 2.60 % 4.14 Reverse mortgages 85,309 4,840 90,149 2,339 (12) 92,476 3.66 % 2.35 % 4.54 Interest only securities n/a n/a 44,867 6,034 (1,850) 49,051 3.47 % 9.39 % 5.39 Non-Agency RMBS 332,129 (142,479) 189,650 11,640 (4,677) 196,613 4.15 % 6.95 % 5.52 CMBS 79,301 (35,426) 43,875 1,329 (6,574) 38,630 2.72 % 8.54 % 7.72 Non-Agency interest only securities n/a n/a 8,918 1,861 (190) 10,589 1.08 % 8.56 % 5.16 CLOs n/a n/a 126,830 2,695 (23,126) 106,399 3.80 % 9.12 % 3.41 ABS backed by consumer loans 90,892 (31,149) 59,743 2,069 (2,339) 59,473 9.81 % 18.73 % 1.22 Corporate debt 26,861 (22,622) 4,239 1,302 (20) 5,521 1.34 % 7.58 % 2.63 Corporate equity n/a n/a 3,530 612 (22) 4,120 n/a n/a n/a Total Long 1,887,715 (160,095) 1,911,765 51,553 (54,191) 1,909,127 3.53 % 3.76 % 5.43 Short: Corporate debt (200) (1) (201) — (18) (219) 5.11 % 4.67 % 6.17 U.S. Treasury securities (62,750) 1,721 (61,029) 1,577 — (59,452) 0.86 % 1.21 % 8.38 European sovereign bonds (36,308) 1,682 (34,626) — (2,101) (36,727) 0.22 % 0.06 % 2.86 Total Short (99,258) 3,402 (95,856) 1,577 (2,119) (96,398) 0.64 % 0.80 % 6.28 Total $ 1,788,457 $ (156,693) $ 1,815,909 $ 53,130 $ (56,310) $ 1,812,729 3.68 % 3.62 % 5.38 (1) Weighted average coupon represents the weighted average coupons of the securities, rather than, in the case of collateralized securities, the coupon rates or loan rates on the underlying collateral. (2) Expected average lives of MBS are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by the contractual maturities of the underlying mortgages, scheduled periodic payments of principal, and unscheduled prepayments of principal. December 31, 2020: Gross Unrealized Weighted Average ($ in thousands) Current Principal Unamortized Premium (Discount) Amortized Cost Gains Losses Fair Value Coupon (1) Yield Life (Years) (2) Long: Agency RMBS: 15-year fixed-rate mortgages $ 67,875 $ 2,543 $ 70,418 $ 1,832 $ (36) $ 72,214 3.30 % 1.83 % 3.24 20-year fixed-rate mortgages 50,131 3,097 53,228 182 — 53,410 2.57 % 1.08 % 4.46 30-year fixed-rate mortgages 626,021 30,738 656,759 25,765 (444) 682,080 3.99 % 2.35 % 4.17 Adjustable rate mortgages 6,171 159 6,330 124 — 6,454 3.66 % 2.27 % 3.42 Reverse mortgages 89,383 5,152 94,535 3,123 (29) 97,629 3.97 % 2.37 % 4.60 Interest only securities n/a n/a 43,406 5,808 (1,558) 47,656 3.36 % 10.01 % 4.85 Non-Agency RMBS 321,842 (131,083) 190,759 15,880 (5,549) 201,090 3.15 % 6.40 % 5.46 CMBS 188,085 (61,763) 126,322 1,655 (16,910) 111,067 2.71 % 7.47 % 8.09 Non-Agency interest only securities n/a n/a 8,123 1,792 (305) 9,610 1.17 % 18.85 % 3.49 CLOs n/a n/a 208,907 2,563 (30,199) 181,271 3.67 % 8.50 % 3.50 ABS backed by consumer loans 69,646 (24,936) 44,710 221 (6) 44,925 11.95 % 18.57 % 1.11 Corporate debt 27,083 (23,187) 3,896 1,296 (3) 5,189 2.13 % 6.75 % 3.10 Corporate equity n/a n/a 1,604 376 (390) 1,590 n/a n/a n/a Total Long 1,446,237 (199,280) 1,508,997 60,617 (55,429) 1,514,185 3.84 % 4.88 % 4.45 Short: Corporate debt (200) (1) (201) — (17) (218) 5.09 % 4.67 % 6.42 European sovereign bonds (37,804) 3,163 (34,641) — (3,783) (38,424) 0.23 % 0.06 % 3.11 Total Short (38,004) 3,162 (34,842) — (3,800) (38,642) 0.26 % 0.09 % 3.13 Total $ 1,408,233 $ (196,118) $ 1,474,155 $ 60,617 $ (59,229) $ 1,475,543 3.92 % 4.77 % 4.49 (1) Weighted average coupon represents the weighted average coupons of the securities, rather than, in the case of collateralized securities, the coupon rates or loan rates on the underlying collateral. (2) Expected average lives of MBS are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by the contractual maturities of the underlying mortgages, scheduled periodic payments of principal, and unscheduled prepayments of principal.
Securities by Weighted Average Life	The following tables detail weighted average life of the Company's Agency RMBS as of March 31, 2021 and December 31 2020. March 31, 2021: ($ in thousands) Agency RMBS Agency Interest Only Securities Estimated Weighted Average Life (1) Fair Value Amortized Cost Weighted Average Coupon (2) Fair Value Amortized Cost Weighted Average Coupon (2) Less than three years $ 79,755 $ 77,736 4.44 % $ 6,335 $ 5,597 3.81 % Greater than three years and less than seven years 1,145,288 1,135,139 3.27 % 35,542 33,166 3.87 % Greater than seven years and less than eleven years 213,688 217,238 2.53 % 4,416 4,269 0.84 % Greater than eleven years — — — % 2,758 1,835 1.16 % Total $ 1,438,731 $ 1,430,113 3.22 % $ 49,051 $ 44,867 3.47 % (1) Expected average lives of RMBS are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by the contractual maturities of the underlying mortgages, scheduled periodic payments of principal, and unscheduled prepayments of principal. (2) Weighted average coupon represents the weighted average coupons of the securities, rather than the coupon rates or loan rates on the underlying collateral. December 31, 2020: ($ in thousands) Agency RMBS Agency Interest Only Securities Estimated Weighted Average Life (1) Fair Value Amortized Cost Weighted Average Coupon (2) Fair Value Amortized Cost Weighted Average Coupon (2) Less than three years $ 139,059 $ 135,844 4.15 % $ 8,143 $ 7,314 3.99 % Greater than three years and less than seven years 770,173 742,946 3.79 % 32,669 29,362 3.74 % Greater than seven years and less than eleven years 2,555 2,480 3.01 % 5,165 5,063 1.04 % Greater than eleven years — — — % 1,679 1,667 0.83 % Total $ 911,787 $ 881,270 3.84 % $ 47,656 $ 43,406 3.36 % (1) Expected average lives of RMBS are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by the contractual maturities of the underlying mortgages, scheduled periodic payments of principal, and unscheduled prepayments of principal. (2) Weighted average coupon represents the weighted average coupons of the securities, rather than the coupon rates or loan rates on the underlying collateral. The following tables detail weighted average life of the Company's long non-Agency RMBS, CMBS, and CLOs and other securities as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. March 31, 2021: ($ in thousands) Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS Non-Agency IOs CLOs and Other Securities (2) Estimated Weighted Average Life (1) Fair Value Amortized Cost Weighted Average Coupon (3) Fair Value Amortized Cost Weighted Average Coupon (3) Fair Value Amortized Cost Weighted Average Coupon (3) Less than three years $ 56,973 $ 54,090 3.53 % $ 4,649 $ 3,333 0.94 % $ 100,024 $ 105,291 6.89 % Greater than three years and less than seven years 102,383 97,457 4.85 % 4,600 4,266 1.44 % 71,369 85,521 4.06 % Greater than seven years and less than eleven years 56,309 61,353 2.67 % — — — % — — — % Greater than eleven years 19,578 20,625 3.79 % 1,340 1,319 0.30 % — — — % Total $ 235,243 $ 233,525 3.88 % $ 10,589 $ 8,918 1.08 % $ 171,393 $ 190,812 5.63 % (1) Expected average lives of MBS are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by the contractual maturities of the underlying mortgages, scheduled periodic payments of principal, and unscheduled prepayments of principal. (2) Other Securities includes asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans and corporate debt. (3) Weighted average coupon represents the weighted average coupons of the securities, rather than the coupon rates or loan rates on the underlying collateral. December 31, 2020: ($ in thousands) Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS Non-Agency IOs CLOs and Other Securities (2) Estimated Weighted Average Life (1) Fair Value Amortized Cost Weighted Average Coupon (3) Fair Value Amortized Cost Weighted Average Coupon (3) Fair Value Amortized Cost Weighted Average Coupon (3) Less than three years $ 58,350 $ 54,339 3.39 % $ 5,163 $ 3,754 0.92 % $ 89,235 $ 90,869 7.73 % Greater than three years and less than seven years 114,815 109,161 3.45 % 4,447 4,369 1.37 % 139,830 163,670 3.69 % Greater than seven years and less than eleven years 109,519 123,782 2.74 % — — — % 2,320 2,974 1.14 % Greater than eleven years 29,473 29,799 1.46 % — — — % — — — % Total $ 312,157 $ 317,081 2.98 % $ 9,610 $ 8,123 1.17 % $ 231,385 $ 257,513 5.09 % (1) Expected average lives of MBS are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by the contractual maturities of the underlying mortgages, scheduled periodic payments of principal, and unscheduled prepayments of principal. (2) Other Securities includes asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans, corporate debt, and U.S. Treasury securities. (3) Weighted average coupon represents the weighted average coupons of the securities, rather than the coupon rates or loan rates on the underlying collateral.
Investment Income	The following tables detail the components of interest income by security type for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020: Three-Month Period Ended (In thousands) March 31, 2021 March 31, 2020 Security Type Coupon Interest Net Amortization Interest Income Coupon Interest Net Amortization Interest Income Agency RMBS $ 14,352 $ (7,600) $ 6,752 $ 20,912 $ (8,844) $ 12,068 Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS 3,756 1,467 5,223 4,053 713 4,766 CLOs 2,536 944 3,480 5,419 (1,011) 4,408 Other securities (1) 3,533 (657) 2,876 2,925 (1,045) 1,880 Total $ 24,177 $ (5,846) $ 18,331 $ 33,309 $ (10,187) $ 23,122 (1) Other securities includes ABS backed by consumer loans, corporate debt securities, and U.S. Treasury securities.
Schedule of Realized Gain (Loss)	The following tables present proceeds from sales and the resulting realized gains and (losses) of the Company's securities for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. Three-Month Period Ended (In thousands) March 31, 2021 March 31, 2020 Security Type Proceeds (1) Gross Realized Gains Gross Realized Losses (2) Net Realized Gain (Loss) Proceeds (1) Gross Realized Gains Gross Realized Losses Net Realized Gain (Loss) Agency RMBS $ 71,737 $ 424 $ (395) $ 29 $ 1,285,482 $ 9,221 $ (2,813) $ 6,408 Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS 123,208 6,609 (1,365) 5,244 77,802 8,496 (1,056) 7,440 CLOs 85,575 1,184 (191) 993 34,542 1,122 (23) 1,099 Other securities (3) 9,306 512 (303) 209 120,991 637 (200) 437 Total $ 289,826 $ 8,729 $ (2,254) $ 6,475 $ 1,518,817 $ 19,476 $ (4,092) $ 15,384 (1) Includes proceeds on sales of securities not yet settled as of period end. (2) Excludes realized losses of $(1.2) million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2021, related to adjustments to the cost basis of certain securities for which the Company has determined all or a portion of such securities cost basis to be uncollectible. (3) Other securities includes ABS backed by consumer loans, corporate debt and equity, exchange-traded equity, and U.S. Treasury securities.
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	The following tables present the fair value and gross unrealized losses of our long securities, excluding those where there are expected credit losses as of the balance sheet date in relation to such securities' cost bases, by length of time that such securities have been in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. March 31, 2021: (In thousands) Less than 12 Months Greater than 12 Months Total Security Type Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses Agency RMBS $ 806,309 $ (15,549) $ 629 $ (33) $ 806,938 $ (15,582) Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS 1,048 (103) 16,209 (1,563) 17,257 (1,666) CLOs 1,864 (16) 1,364 (886) 3,228 (902) Other securities (1) — (5) — — — (5) Total $ 809,221 $ (15,673) $ 18,202 $ (2,482) $ 827,423 $ (18,155) (1) Other securities includes ABS backed by consumer loans and corporate debt and equity securities. December 31, 2020: (In thousands) Less than 12 Months Greater than 12 Months Total Security Type Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses Agency RMBS $ 126,926 $ (981) $ 832 $ (44) $ 127,758 $ (1,025) Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS 20,474 (2,616) 2,599 (348) 23,073 (2,964) CLOs 5,279 (753) 1,196 (1,131) 6,475 (1,884) Other securities (1) 1,107 (8) — — 1,107 (8) Total $ 153,786 $ (4,358) $ 4,627 $ (1,523) $ 158,413 $ (5,881) (1) Other securities includes ABS backed by consumer loans, corporate debt and equity, and U.S. Treasury securities.

Investment in Loans (Tables)

Investment in Loans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Receivables [Abstract]
Summary of Investments in Loans	The following table is a summary of the Company's investments in loans as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: As of (In thousands) March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Loan Type Unpaid Principal Balance Fair Unpaid Principal Balance Fair Residential mortgage loans $ 1,236,923 $ 1,280,637 $ 1,150,303 $ 1,187,069 Commercial mortgage loans 235,077 235,948 212,716 213,031 Consumer loans 51,488 52,705 48,180 47,525 Corporate loans 13,226 13,226 5,855 5,855 Total $ 1,536,714 $ 1,582,516 $ 1,417,054 $ 1,453,480 The tables below detail certain information regarding the Company's residential mortgage loans as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. March 31, 2021: Gross Unrealized Weighted Average ($ in thousands) Unpaid Principal Balance Premium (Discount) Amortized Cost Gains Losses Fair Value Coupon Yield Life (Years) (1) Residential mortgage loans, held-for-investment (2) $ 1,236,923 $ 18,997 $ 1,255,920 $ 29,604 $ (4,887) $ 1,280,637 6.12 % 4.21 % 1.34 (1) Average lives of loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by scheduled periodic payments of principal and unscheduled prepayments of principal. (2) Includes $961.3 million of non-QM loans that have been securitized and are held in consolidated securitization trusts. Such loans had $27.5 million and $(0.2) million of gross unrealized gains and gross unrealized losses, respectively; such unrealized gains (losses) are included on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Unrealized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net. See Residential Mortgage Loan Securitizations in Note 10 for additional information. December 31, 2020: Gross Unrealized Weighted Average ($ in thousands) Unpaid Principal Balance Premium (Discount) Amortized Cost Gains Losses Fair Value Coupon Yield Life (Years) (1) Residential mortgage loans, held-for-investment (2) $ 1,150,303 $ 14,263 $ 1,164,566 $ 27,892 $ (5,389) $ 1,187,069 6.19 % 5.60 % 1.90 (1) Average lives of loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by scheduled periodic payments of principal and unscheduled prepayments of principal. (2) Includes $801.3 million of non-QM loans that have been securitized and are held in consolidated securitization trusts. Such loans had $24.8 million and $(0.1) million of gross unrealized gains and gross unrealized losses, respectively; such unrealized gains (losses) are included on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Unrealized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net. See Residential Mortgage Loan Securitizations in Note 10 for additional information. The tables below detail certain information regarding the Company's commercial mortgage loans as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: March 31, 2021: Gross Unrealized Weighted Average ($ in thousands) Unpaid Principal Balance Premium (Discount) Amortized Cost Gains Losses Fair Value Coupon Yield (1) Life (Years) (2) Commercial mortgage loans, held-for-investment $ 235,077 $ 1,110 $ 236,187 $ 216 $ (455) $ 235,948 8.19 % 8.19 % 0.83 (1) Excludes non-performing commercial mortgage loans, in non-accrual status, with a fair value of $34.3 million. (2) Average lives of loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by scheduled periodic payments of principal and unscheduled prepayments of principal. December 31, 2020: Gross Unrealized Weighted Average ($ in thousands) Unpaid Principal Balance Premium (Discount) Amortized Cost Gains Losses Fair Value Coupon Yield (1) Life (Years) (2) Commercial mortgage loans, held-for-investment $ 212,716 $ 290 $ 213,006 $ 479 $ (454) $ 213,031 8.38 % 8.28 % 0.62 (1) Excludes commercial mortgage loans, held at par in non-accrual status, with a fair value of $31.5 million. (2) Average lives of loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by scheduled periodic payments of principal and unscheduled prepayments of principal. The tables below detail certain information regarding the Company's consumer loans as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: March 31, 2021: Gross Unrealized Weighted Average ($ in thousands) Unpaid Principal Balance Premium (Discount) Amortized Cost Gains Losses Fair Value (1) Life (Years) (2) Delinquency (Days) Consumer loans, held-for-investment $ 51,488 $ 1,616 $ 53,104 $ 990 $ (1,389) $ 52,705 1.04 4 (1) Includes $0.5 million of charged-off loans for which the Company has determined that it is probable the servicer will be able to collect principal and interest. (2) Average lives of loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by scheduled periodic payments of principal and unscheduled prepayments of principal. December 31, 2020: Gross Unrealized Weighted Average ($ in thousands) Unpaid Principal Balance Premium (Discount) Amortized Cost Gains Losses Fair Value (1) Life (Years) (2) Delinquency (Days) Consumer loans, held-for-investment $ 48,180 $ 72 $ 48,252 $ 1,160 $ (1,887) $ 47,525 1.04 7 (1) Includes $0.6 million of charged-off loans for which the Company has determined that it is probable the servicer will be able to collect principal and interest. (2) Average lives of loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Average lives are affected by scheduled periodic payments of principal and unscheduled prepayments of principal. The tables below detail certain information regarding the Company's corporate loans as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: March 31, 2021: Weighted Average ($ in thousands) Unpaid Fair Value Rate Remaining Term (Years) Corporate loans, held-for-investment (1) $ 13,226 $ 13,226 21.02 % 3.13 (1) See Note 21 for further details on the Company's unfunded commitments related to certain of its corporate loans. December 31, 2020: Weighted Average ($ in thousands) Unpaid Fair Value Rate Remaining Term (Years) Corporate loans, held-for-investment (1) $ 5,855 $ 5,855 20.00 % 1.75
Financing Receivable, Past Due [Table Text Block]	The following table provides details, by accrual status, for loans that are 90 days or more past due as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: As of March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 (In thousands) Unpaid Principal Balance Fair Value Unpaid Principal Balance Fair Value 90 days or more past due—non-accrual status Residential mortgage loans $ 54,588 $ 50,646 $ 64,509 $ 60,381 Commercial mortgage loans 34,373 34,265 44,233 44,052 Consumer loans 900 665 1,015 930
Schedules of Exposure to Counterparty Risk	The table below summarizes the geographic distribution of the real estate collateral underlying the Company's residential mortgage loans as a percentage of total outstanding unpaid principal balance as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: Property Location by U.S. State March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 California 42.8 % 43.1 % Florida 15.5 % 14.8 % Texas 9.9 % 10.2 % Colorado 2.8 % 3.1 % Massachusetts 2.8 % 2.6 % Oregon 2.2 % 2.2 % Arizona 2.2 % 2.0 % Nevada 2.1 % 1.9 % Illinois 1.9 % 1.8 % Utah 1.6 % 1.7 % New York 1.6 % 1.6 % Washington 1.3 % 1.4 % New Jersey 1.2 % 1.4 % Georgia 1.2 % 1.3 % North Carolina 1.2 % 1.1 % Connecticut 1.1 % 0.9 % Maryland 0.9 % 1.0 % Other 7.7 % 7.9 % 100.0 % 100.0 % The table below summarizes the geographic distribution of the real estate collateral underlying the Company's commercial mortgage loans as a percentage of total outstanding unpaid principal balance as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: Property Location by U.S. State March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Florida 27.6 % 23.8 % New York 16.6 % 15.2 % Connecticut 10.9 % 11.2 % Ohio 8.8 % 7.3 % Missouri 7.6 % 7.9 % Massachusetts 5.9 % 6.1 % California 5.7 % 5.9 % Arizona 4.2 % 4.3 % Virginia 4.1 % 4.2 % Indiana 2.7 % 2.8 % North Carolina 2.1 % 2.2 % Nevada 1.8 % 1.9 % Illinois 1.3 % 1.4 % New Jersey 0.7 % 5.8 % 100.0 % 100.0 % March 31, 2021: Amount of Exposure Number of Counterparties with Exposure Maximum Percentage of Exposure to a Single Counterparty (1) (In thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $ 149,350 7 26.1 % Collateral on repurchase agreements held by dealers (2) 2,226,054 24 16.6 % Due from brokers 91,814 23 25.4 % Receivable for securities sold (3) 5,147 3 95.8 % (1) Each counterparty is a large creditworthy financial institution. (2) Includes securities, loans, and REO as well as cash posted as collateral for repurchase agreements. (3) Included in Investment related receivables on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. December 31, 2020: Amount of Exposure Number of Counterparties with Exposure Maximum Percentage of Exposure to a Single Counterparty (1) (In thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $ 111,647 8 40.1 % Collateral on repurchase agreements held by dealers (2) 1,860,059 24 15.3 % Due from brokers 63,147 22 28.9 % Receivable for securities sold (3) 1,416 2 94.5 % (1) Each counterparty is a large creditworthy financial institution. (2) Includes securities, loans, and REO as well as cash posted as collateral for repurchase agreements. (3) Included in Investment related receivables on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Financing Receivable Credit Quality Indicators [Table Text Block]	The following table presents information on the Company's residential mortgage loans by re-performing or non-performing status, as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. As of March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 (In thousands) Unpaid Principal Balance Fair Value Unpaid Principal Balance Fair Value Re-performing $ 17,185 $ 15,821 $ 18,120 $ 16,741 Non-performing 53,289 49,586 62,009 58,169
Consumer Loans, Delinquency Status [Table Text Block]	The table below provides details on the delinquency status as a percentage of total unpaid principal balance of the Company's consumer loans, which the Company uses as an indicator of credit quality, as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: Days Past Due March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Current 95.2 % 90.4 % 30-59 Days 2.0 % 3.4 % 60-89 Days 1.4 % 3.3 % 90-119 Days 1.3 % 2.8 % >120 Days 0.1 % 0.1 % 100.0 % 100.0 %

Investments in Unconsolidated_2

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Schedule of Investments in Unconsolidated Entities	The following table provides details about the Company's investments in unconsolidated entities as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: Percentage Ownership Investment in Unconsolidated Entity Form of Investment March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Longbridge Financial, LLC (1) Preferred shares 49.7% 49.7% LendSure Mortgage Corp. (1)(2) Common shares 49.9% 49.9% Elizon TCG SBC 2017-1 (1) Membership Interest 36.0% 36.0% Jepson Holdings Limited (1) Membership Interest 30.1% 30.1% Elizon DB 2015-1 LLC (1)(3)(4) Membership Interest 5.7% 8.9% Elizon NM CRE 2020-1 LLC (1)(3)(5) Membership Interest 26.2% —% Other (6)(7) Various 8.0%–56.3% 7.4%–56.3% (1) See Note 13 for additional details on the Company's related party transactions. (2) Excludes investment in warrants convertible into non-voting common shares; including such warrants the Company's additional non-voting stake in the entity was 15.0% as of both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. See Note 13 Related Party Transactions— Transactions Involving Certain Loan Originators for additional information. (3) The Company has evaluated this entity and determined that it meets the definition of a VIE. The Company evaluated its interest in the VIE and determined that the Company does not have the power to direct the activities of the VIE and does not have control of the underlying assets, where applicable. As a result, the Company determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of this VIE and therefore has not consolidated the VIE. (4) As discussed in Note 13 Related Party Transactions— Participation in Multi-Borrower Financing Facilities , the Company and the Affiliated Entities (as defined in Note 13) each consolidate their segregated silos of the Joint Entity (as defined in Note 13). The Company's effective percentage ownership before the effects of consolidation of both its and the Affiliated Entities' respective segregated silos of the Joint Entity, was 50.1% and 58.2% as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. (5) As discussed in Note 13 Related Party Transactions— Participation in Multi-Borrower Financing Facilities , the Company and the Affiliated Entities (as defined in Note 13) each consolidate their segregated silos of the Joint Entity (as defined in Note 13). The Company's effective percentage ownership before the effects of consolidation of both its and the Affiliated Entities' respective segregated silos of the Joint Entity, was 42.5% as of March 31, 2021. (6) Includes interest in Consumer Risk Retention Vehicle, as defined in Note 10 —Participation in Multi-Seller Consumer Loan Securitization . The Company has evaluated this entity and determined that it does not meet the definition of a VIE. The Company evaluated its interest in the entity under the voting interest model outlined in ASC 810, and has determined that the Company does not control this entity. As a result, the Company has not consolidated the entity. See Note 10 for additional details on the Company's securitization transactions. (7) Includes interest in warehouse facilities; see Note 13— Participation in CLO Transactions , for additional details.

Real Estate Owned (Tables)

Real Estate Owned (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Real Estate Owned, Disclosure of Detailed Components [Abstract]
Schedule of Real Estate Owned	The following tables detail activity in the Company's carrying value of REO for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020: Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2021 March 31, 2020 Number of Properties Carrying Value Number of Properties Carrying Value (In thousands) (In thousands) Beginning Balance (December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively) 13 $ 23,598 15 $ 30,584 Transfers from mortgage loans 3 12,554 4 1,422 Capital expenditures and other adjustments to cost 473 114 Adjustments to record at the lower of cost or fair value (790) (683) Disposals (1) (278) (3) (6,383) Ending Balance (March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively) 15 $ 35,557 16 $ 25,054

Financial Derivatives (Tables)

Financial Derivatives (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Derivative Instruments	The following table details the fair value of the Company's holdings of financial derivatives as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 (In thousands) Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value: TBA securities purchase contracts $ 1 $ 961 TBA securities sale contracts 3,408 1 Fixed payer interest rate swaps 5,331 125 Fixed receiver interest rate swaps 5,372 8,394 Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities 320 347 Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices 2,087 2,184 Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices 3,427 3,420 Total return swaps 2 9 Futures 2,704 2 Forwards 388 — Warrants 42 36 Total financial derivatives–assets, at fair value 23,082 15,479 Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value: TBA securities purchase contracts (3,915) — TBA securities sale contracts (161) (925) Fixed payer interest rate swaps (7,856) (15,109) Fixed receiver interest rate swaps (1,028) (65) Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices (127) (130) Credit default swaps on corporate bonds (682) (747) Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices (5,128) (6,438) Total return swaps (338) (484) Futures (163) (376) Forwards (40) (279) Total financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value (19,438) (24,553) Total $ 3,644 $ (9,074)
Schedule of Interest Rate Derivatives [Table Text Block]	The following tables provide information about the Company's fixed payer interest rate swaps as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: March 31, 2021: Weighted Average Maturity Notional Amount Fair Value Pay Rate Receive Rate Remaining Years to Maturity (In thousands) 2022 $ 64,100 $ (503) 0.99 % 0.18 % 0.93 2023 361,650 (3,788) 0.74 0.19 2.00 2024 251,700 669 0.38 0.16 2.94 2025 38,192 (123) 0.92 0.18 4.21 2026 10,000 49 0.90 0.19 4.92 2027 9,732 464 0.49 0.19 6.24 2028 51,644 (52) 1.40 0.19 6.95 2029 19,152 (643) 1.98 0.20 8.30 2030 11,085 572 1.06 0.19 9.08 2031 53,945 1,412 1.46 0.15 9.92 2035 500 67 0.78 0.09 14.56 2036 1,100 84 1.45 0.19 14.89 2040 500 85 0.90 0.09 19.57 2049 5,796 (932) 2.89 0.24 27.78 2050 500 114 0.98 0.09 29.58 Total $ 879,596 $ (2,525) 0.79 % 0.18 % 3.59 December 31, 2020: Weighted Average Maturity Notional Amount Fair Value Pay Rate Receive Rate Remaining Years to Maturity (In thousands) 2021 $ 17,500 $ (231) 2.75 % 0.24 % 0.22 2022 96,533 (1,535) 1.19 0.22 1.14 2023 146,012 (4,770) 1.50 0.23 2.42 2025 66,503 (1,034) 0.73 0.21 4.75 2026 11,216 (458) 1.23 0.25 5.50 2027 9,732 60 0.49 0.24 6.48 2028 16,644 (2,169) 2.39 0.24 7.32 2029 22,744 (2,289) 1.94 0.23 8.61 2030 13,015 (369) 1.13 0.22 9.29 2035 500 15 0.78 0.09 14.81 2036 1,100 (47) 1.45 0.25 15.13 2040 500 20 0.90 0.09 19.82 2049 5,796 (2,208) 2.89 0.23 28.02 2050 500 31 0.98 0.09 29.82 Total $ 408,295 $ (14,984) 1.39 % 0.23 % 3.82 The following tables provide information about the Company's fixed receiver interest rate swaps as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: March 31, 2021: Weighted Average Maturity Notional Amount Fair Value Pay Rate Receive Rate Remaining Years to Maturity (In thousands) 2021 $ 12,950 $ 103 0.19 % 1.75 % 0.46 2022 53,974 887 0.19 1.85 0.92 2023 41,407 1,423 0.19 2.00 1.97 2024 76,342 2,959 0.22 1.57 3.55 2026 47,799 (725) 0.18 0.69 4.90 2031 3,500 (38) 0.19 1.63 9.95 2035 500 (66) 0.09 0.74 14.56 2040 500 (85) 0.09 0.84 19.57 2050 500 (114) 0.09 0.90 29.58 Total $ 237,472 $ 4,344 0.20 % 1.54 % 2.99 December 31, 2020: Weighted Average Maturity Notional Amount Fair Value Pay Rate Receive Rate Remaining Years to Maturity (In thousands) 2021 $ 12,950 $ 205 0.24 % 1.75 % 0.71 2022 103,974 1,413 0.22 1.07 1.48 2023 48,657 2,209 0.24 2.00 2.26 2024 86,342 4,567 0.22 1.65 3.73 2035 500 (14) 0.09 0.74 14.81 2040 500 (20) 0.09 0.84 19.82 2050 500 (31) 0.09 0.90 29.82 Total $ 253,423 $ 8,329 0.22 % 1.48 % 2.48
Schedule of Credit Default Swaps [Table Text Block]	The following table provides information about the Company's credit default swaps as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: As of March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Type (1) Notional Fair Value Weighted Average Remaining Term (Years) Notional Fair Value Weighted Average Remaining Term (Years) ($ in thousands) Asset: Long: Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices $ 555 $ 6 24.01 $ 395 $ 5 16.99 Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices 67,354 3,422 2.27 67,779 3,296 2.52 Short: Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities (927) 320 14.46 (957) 347 14.70 Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices (13,705) 2,081 43.97 (12,888) 2,179 39.61 Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices (1,642) 5 2.72 (2,173) 124 2.97 Liability: Long: Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices 293 (127) 28.03 479 (130) 32.36 Short: Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices (1) — 28.76 (1) — 29.00 Credit default swaps on corporate bonds (8,400) (682) 3.93 (8,400) (747) 4.17 Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices (93,661) (5,128) 2.33 (110,624) (6,438) 2.78 $ (50,134) $ (103) 13.90 $ (66,390) $ (1,364) 10.25 (1) Long notional represents contracts where the Company has written protection and short notional represents contracts where the Company has purchased protection.
Schedule of Futures Contracts [Table Text Block]	The following table provides information about the Company's long and short positions in futures as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: As of March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Description Notional Amount Fair Value Remaining Months to Expiration Notional Amount Fair Value Remaining Months to Expiration (In thousands) (In thousands) Assets: Short Contracts: U.S. Treasury futures $ (178,500) $ 2,704 2.98 $ (300) $ 2 2.70 Liabilities: Long Contracts: U.S. Treasury futures 1,900 (163) 2.73 1,900 (9) 2.70 Short Contracts: U.S. Treasury futures — — — (178,200) (367) 2.94 Total, net $ (176,600) $ 2,541 2.98 $ (176,600) $ (374) 2.94
Schedule of Derivative Warrant Contracts [Table Text Block]	Warrants The following table provides information about the Company's warrants contracts to purchase shares as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Description Number of Shares Underlying Warrant Fair Value Remaining Years to Expiration Number of Shares Underlying Warrant Fair Value Remaining Years to Expiration (In thousands) (In thousands) Warrants 1,897 $ 42 2.15 1,897 $ 36 2.40
Schedule of TBA securities [Table Text Block]	As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company had outstanding TBA purchase and sale contracts as follows: March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 TBA Securities Notional Amount (1) Cost Basis (2) Market Value (3) Net Carrying Value (4) Notional Amount (1) Cost Basis (2) Market Value (3) Net Carrying Value (4) (In thousands) Purchase contracts: Assets $ 10,000 $ 10,039 $ 10,040 $ 1 $ 149,990 $ 155,008 $ 155,969 $ 961 Liabilities 174,890 178,474 174,559 (3,915) — — — — 184,890 188,513 184,599 (3,914) 149,990 155,008 155,969 961 Sale contracts: Assets (810,574) (850,708) (847,300) 3,408 (4,400) (4,765) (4,764) 1 Liabilities (108,046) (115,775) (115,936) (161) (499,667) (531,034) (531,959) (925) (918,620) (966,483) (963,236) 3,247 (504,067) (535,799) (536,723) (924) Total TBA securities, net $ (733,730) $ (777,970) $ (778,637) $ (667) $ (354,077) $ (380,791) $ (380,754) $ 37 (1) Notional amount represents the principal balance of the underlying Agency RMBS. (2) Cost basis represents the forward price to be paid (received) for the underlying Agency RMBS. (3) Market value represents the current market value of the underlying Agency RMBS (on a forward delivery basis) as of period end. (4) Net carrying value represents the difference between the market value of the TBA contract as of period end and the cost basis, and is reported in Financial derivatives-assets, at fair value and Financial derivatives-liabilities, at fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Schedule of Gains and Losses on Derivative Contracts	Gains and losses on the Company's derivative contracts for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 are summarized in the tables below: Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2021: Derivative Type Primary Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps (1) Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives (1) Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps (2) Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives (2) (In thousands) Interest rate swaps Interest Rate $ (816) $ 447 $ (369) $ 410 $ 7,675 $ 8,085 Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities Credit 26 26 (27) (27) Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices Credit 1,069 1,069 (958) (958) Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices Credit (924) (924) 528 528 Credit default swaps on corporate bonds Credit (72) (72) 66 66 Total return swaps Credit (341) (341) 139 139 TBAs Interest Rate 5,319 5,319 (703) (703) Futures Interest Rate 1,017 1,017 2,915 2,915 Forwards Currency 88 88 627 627 Warrants Equity Market/Credit — — 5 5 Total $ (816) $ 6,629 $ 5,813 $ 410 $ 10,267 $ 10,677 (1) Includes realized gain/(loss) on transactions involving foreign-currency-denominated financial derivatives in the amount of $18 thousand for the three-month period ended March 31, 2021, which is included on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Other, net. (2) Includes foreign currency remeasurement on financial derivatives in the amount of $(34) thousand for the three-month period ended March 31, 2021, which is included on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Other, net. Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2020: Derivative Type Primary Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps (1) Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives (1) Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps (2) Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives (2) (In thousands) Interest rate swaps Interest Rate $ 143 $ (6,384) $ (6,241) $ (111) $ (20,020) $ (20,131) Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities Credit (994) (994) 917 917 Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices Credit (556) (556) 12,524 12,524 Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices Credit 579 579 4,116 4,116 Credit default swaps on corporate bonds Credit 94 94 1,527 1,527 Total return swaps Credit (1,571) (1,571) (213) (213) TBAs Interest Rate (3,173) (3,173) (5,423) (5,423) Futures Interest Rate (1,122) (1,122) (6,115) (6,115) Forwards Currency 592 592 253 253 Warrants Equity Market/Credit — — 20 20 Options Credit — — 2,558 2,558 Total $ 143 $ (12,535) $ (12,392) $ (111) $ (9,856) $ (9,967) (1) Includes realized gain/(loss) on transactions involving foreign-currency-denominated financial derivatives in the amount of $14 thousand for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020, which is included on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Other, net. (2) Includes foreign currency remeasurement on financial derivatives in the amount of $17 thousand for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020, which is included on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in Other, net.
Derivative activity, volume	The table below details the average notional values of the Company's financial derivatives, using absolute value of month end notional values, for the three month-period ended March 31, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020: Derivative Type Three-Month Year Ended (In thousands) TBAs $ 1,017,245 $ 713,634 Interest rate swaps 795,247 1,009,110 Credit default swaps 190,584 277,990 Futures 180,400 149,538 Forwards 24,177 26,413 Total return swaps 4,181 6,975 Warrants 1,897 1,570 Options — 1,500
Schedule of Credit Derivatives	Written credit derivatives held by the Company at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 are summarized below: Credit Derivatives March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 (In thousands) Fair Value of Written Credit Derivatives, Net $ 3,301 $ 3,171 Notional Value of Written Credit Derivatives (1) 68,202 68,653 (1) The notional value is the maximum amount that a seller of credit protection would be obligated to pay, and a buyer of credit protection would receive, upon occurrence of a "credit event." Movements in the value of credit default swap transactions may require the Company or the counterparty to post or receive collateral. Amounts due or owed under credit derivative contracts with an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, or "ISDA," counterparty may be offset against amounts due or owed on other credit derivative contracts with the same ISDA counterparty. As a result, the notional value of written credit derivatives involving a particular underlying reference asset or index has been reduced (but not below zero) by the notional value of any contracts where the Company has purchased credit protection on the same reference asset or index with the same ISDA counterparty.

Consolidated VIEs (Tables)

Consolidated VIEs (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Schedule of Consolidated VIEs	The following table summarizes the assets and liabilities of the Company's consolidated VIEs that are included on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. See Note 10 and Note 13 for additional information on the Company's consolidated VIEs. (In thousands) March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 661 $ 701 Restricted cash 175 175 Securities, at fair value 59,162 44,523 Loans, at fair value 1,556,716 1,435,067 Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value 10,642 6,345 Real estate owned 35,557 23,598 Investment related receivables 40,669 24,824 Other assets 2,511 2,001 Total Assets $ 1,706,093 $ 1,537,234 Liabilities Repurchase agreements $ 267,429 $ 275,019 Other secured borrowings 64,506 51,062 Other secured borrowings, at fair value 911,256 754,921 Interest payable 359 776 Accrued expenses and other liabilities 952 1,103 Total Liabilities 1,244,502 1,082,881 Total Stockholders' Equity 441,115 430,554 Non-controlling interests 20,476 23,799 Total Equity 461,591 454,353 Total Liabilities and Equity $ 1,706,093 $ 1,537,234

Securitization Transactions (Ta

Securitization Transactions (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Securitization Transactions [Abstract]
Schedule of Residential Loan Securitizations	The following table details the Company's outstanding consolidated residential mortgage loan securitizations: Issuing Entity Closing Date Principal Balance of Loans Transferred to the Depositor Total Face Amount of Certificates Issued (In thousands) Ellington Financial Mortgage Trust 2019-1 6/19 $ 226,913 $ 226,913 (1) Ellington Financial Mortgage Trust 2019-2 11/19 267,255 267,255 (2) Ellington Financial Mortgage Trust 2020-1 6/20 259,273 259,273 (3) Ellington Financial Mortgage Trust 2020-2 11/20 219,732 219,732 (4) Ellington Financial Mortgage Trust 2021-1 2/21 251,771 251,771 (5) (1) In order to comply with the Risk Retention Rules, the Sponsor purchased the two most subordinated classes of Certificates and the excess cash flow certificates, with an aggregate value as of the settlement date equal to 6.1% of the fair value of all Certificates issued. The Sponsor also purchased, for an aggregate purchase price of $1.2 million, the Certificates entitled to excess servicing fees, while the remaining classes of Certificates were purchased by unrelated third parties. (2) In order to comply with the Risk Retention Rules, the Sponsor purchased the two most subordinated classes of Certificates and the excess cash flow certificates, with an aggregate value as of the settlement date equal to 6.4% of the fair value of all Certificates issued. The Sponsor also purchased, for an aggregate purchase price of $1.7 million, the Certificates entitled to excess servicing fees, while the remaining classes of Certificates were purchased by unrelated third parties. (3) In order to comply with the Risk Retention Rules, the Sponsor purchased the two most subordinated classes of Certificates and the excess cash flow certificates, with an aggregate value as of the settlement date equal to 8.0% of the fair value of all Certificates issued. Additionally, the Sponsor purchased another subordinated class of Certificates with an aggregate value equal to 3.5% of the fair value of all Certificates issued as of the settlement date; the Company subsequently sold such securities to a third party. Finally, the Sponsor also purchased, for an aggregate purchase price of $1.9 million, the Certificates entitled to excess servicing fees, while the remaining classes of Certificates were purchased by unrelated third parties. (4) In order to comply with the Risk Retention Rules, the Sponsor purchased the two most subordinated classes of Certificates and the excess cash flow certificates, with an aggregate value as of the settlement date equal to 7.6% of the fair value of all Certificates issued. The Sponsor also purchased, for an aggregate purchase price of $1.4 million, the Certificates entitled to excess servicing fees, while the remaining classes of Certificates were purchased by unrelated third parties. (5) In order to comply with the Risk Retention Rules, the Sponsor purchased the two most subordinated classes of Certificates and the excess cash flow certificates, with an aggregate value as of the settlement date equal to 5.8% of the fair value of all Certificates issued. The Sponsor also purchased, for an aggregate purchase price of $1.6 million, the Certificates entitled to excess servicing fees, while the remaining classes of Certificates were purchased by unrelated third parties.
Schedule of Assets and Liabilities of Consolidated Securitization Trusts	The following table details the assets and liabilities of the consolidated securitization trusts included in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: (In thousands) March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Assets: Loans, at fair value $ 961,332 $ 801,343 Investment related receivables 23,103 15,544 Liabilities: Other secured borrowings, at fair value 911,256 754,921

Borrowings (Tables)

Borrowings (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Repurchase Agreements [Table Text Block]	The following table details the Company's outstanding borrowings under repurchase agreements for Agency RMBS and credit assets (which can include non-Agency RMBS, CMBS, CLOs, consumer loans, corporate debt, residential mortgage loans, and commercial mortgage loans and REO), by remaining maturity as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Weighted Average Weighted Average Remaining Maturity Outstanding Interest Rate Remaining Days to Maturity Outstanding Interest Rate Remaining Days to Maturity Agency RMBS: (In thousands) (In thousands) 30 Days or Less $ 223,518 0.23 % 16 $ 265,556 0.28 % 17 31-60 Days 549,479 0.20 % 43 385,141 0.25 % 44 61-90 Days 182,827 0.29 % 73 174,586 0.28 % 70 91-120 Days 7,520 1.03 % 92 — — % — 121-150 Days 152,660 0.20 % 135 2,692 0.27 % 126 151-180 Days 79,809 0.20 % 168 59,857 0.32 % 162 181-360 Days 240,693 0.21 % 326 34,030 0.32 % 252 Total Agency RMBS 1,436,506 0.22 % 107 921,862 0.27 % 57 Credit: 30 Days or Less 14,646 1.87 % 14 37,795 2.11 % 17 31-60 Days 147,187 3.03 % 42 84,554 2.23 % 50 61-90 Days 103,919 1.81 % 76 152,426 2.11 % 75 91-120 Days 78,396 2.22 % 106 89,931 2.47 % 106 121-150 Days — — % — 66,412 4.75 % 125 151-180 Days 5,877 3.75 % 168 11,063 2.27 % 165 181-360 Days 41,885 2.98 % 256 38,640 2.90 % 289 > 360 Days 81,095 2.85 % 446 94,248 2.99 % 447 Total Credit Assets 473,005 2.57 % 149 575,069 2.69 % 155 Total $ 1,909,511 0.80 % 118 $ 1,496,931 1.20 % 94
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]	Schedule of Principal Repayments The following table details the Company's principal repayment schedule, over the next 5 years, for outstanding borrowings as of March 31, 2021: Year Repurchase Agreements (1) Other Secured Borrowings (2) Senior Notes (1) Total (In thousands) Next Twelve Months $ 1,828,416 $ 458,602 $ — $ 2,287,018 Year 2 81,095 260,649 86,000 427,744 Year 3 — 282,449 — 282,449 Year 4 — — — — Year 5 — — — — Total $ 1,909,511 $ 1,001,700 $ 86,000 $ 2,997,211 (1) Reflects the Company's contractual principal repayment dates. (2) Includes $937.2 million of expected principal repayments related to the Company's consolidated residential mortgage loan securitizations, which are projected based upon the underlying assets' expected repayments and may be prior to the stated contractual maturities.

Long-Term Incentive Plan Units

Long-Term Incentive Plan Units (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Unvested LTIP Units	The below table details unvested OP LTIP Units as of March 31, 2021: Grant Recipient Number of OP LTIP Units Granted Grant Date Vesting Date (1) Directors: 22,840 September 10, 2020 September 9, 2021 Dedicated or partially dedicated personnel: 10,067 December 13, 2019 December 13, 2021 18,211 December 17, 2020 December 17, 2021 9,834 March 4, 2020 December 31, 2021 3,697 March 3, 2021 December 31, 2021 14,598 December 17, 2020 December 17, 2022 13,534 March 3, 2021 December 31, 2022 Total unvested OP LTIP Units at March 31, 2021 92,781 (1) Date at which such OP LTIP Units will vest and become non-forfeitable.
Roll-Forward of Company's LTIP Units Outstanding	The following tables summarize issuance and exercise activity of OP LTIP Units for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020: Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2021 March 31, 2020 Manager Director/ Total Manager Director/ Total OP LTIP Units Outstanding (December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively) 365,518 247,020 612,538 365,518 180,198 545,716 Granted — 17,231 17,231 — 14,811 14,811 Exercised — — — — — — OP LTIP Units Outstanding (March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively) 365,518 264,251 629,769 365,518 195,009 560,527 OP LTIP Units Unvested and Outstanding (March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively) — 92,781 92,781 — 60,939 60,939 OP LTIP Units Vested and Outstanding (March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively) 365,518 171,470 536,988 365,518 134,070 499,588

Equity (Tables)

Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Summary of Common Shares Outstanding	The following table summarizes issuance, repurchase, and other activity with respect to the Company's common stock for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020: Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2021 March 31, 2020 Shares of Common Stock Outstanding (December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively) 43,781,684 38,647,943 Share Activity: Shares of common stock issued — 5,290,000 Shares of common stock issued in connection with incentive fee payment — 637 Shares of common stock repurchased — (288,172) OP Units exercised — 129,516 Shares of Common Stock Outstanding (March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively) 43,781,684 43,779,924

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computation Of Basic And Diluted EPS	The components of the computation of basic and diluted EPS are as follows: Three-Month Period Ended (In thousands except share amounts) March 31, 2021 March 31, 2020 Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders $ 37,856 $ (129,398) Add: Net income (loss) attributable to Convertible Non-controlling Interests (1) 577 (2,055) Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders and Convertible Non-controlling Interests 38,433 (131,453) Dividends Paid: Common stockholders (13,134) (19,748) Convertible Non-controlling Interests (200) (309) Total dividends paid to common stockholders and Convertible Non-controlling Interests (13,334) (20,057) Undistributed (Distributed in excess of) earnings: Common stockholders 24,722 (149,146) Convertible Non-controlling Interests 377 (2,364) Total undistributed (distributed in excess of) earnings attributable to common stockholders and Convertible Non-controlling Interests $ 25,099 $ (151,510) Weighted average shares outstanding (basic and diluted): Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding 43,781,684 42,598,138 Weighted average Convertible Non-controlling Interest Units outstanding 666,499 685,500 Weighted average shares of common stock and Convertible Non-controlling Interest Units outstanding 44,448,183 43,283,638 Basic earnings per share of common stock and Convertible Non-controlling Interest Unit: Distributed $ 0.30 $ 0.45 Undistributed (Distributed in excess of) 0.56 (3.49) $ 0.86 $ (3.04) Diluted earnings per share of common stock and Convertible Non-controlling Interest Unit: Distributed $ 0.30 $ 0.45 Undistributed (Distributed in excess of) 0.56 (3.49) $ 0.86 $ (3.04) (1) For the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, excludes net income (loss) of $0.9 million and $1.2 million, respectively, attributable to joint venture partners, which have non-participating interests as described in Note 15.

Offsetting of Assets and Liab_2

Offsetting of Assets and Liabilities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Offsetting of Assets and Liabilities [Abstract]
Schedule of Offsetting of Assets and Liabilities	The following tables present information about certain assets and liabilities representing financial instruments as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. The Company has not entered into master netting agreements with any of its counterparties. Certain of the Company's reverse repurchase and repurchase agreements and financial derivative transactions are governed by underlying agreements that generally provide a right of net settlement, as well as a right of offset in the event of default or in the event of a bankruptcy of either party to the transaction. March 31, 2021: Description Amount of Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (1) Financial Instruments Available for Offset Financial Instruments Transferred or Pledged as Collateral (2)(3) Cash Collateral (Received) Pledged (2)(3) Net Amount (In thousands) Assets Financial derivatives–assets $ 23,082 $ (14,703) $ — $ (2,919) $ 5,460 Reverse repurchase agreements 96,783 (96,783) — — — Liabilities Financial derivatives–liabilities (19,438) 14,703 — 969 (3,766) Repurchase agreements (1,909,511) 1,909,511 (28,884) 28,884 — (1) In the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, all balances associated with repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, and financial derivatives are presented on a gross basis. (2) For the purpose of this presentation, for each row the total amount of financial instruments transferred or pledged and cash collateral (received) or pledged may not exceed the applicable gross amount of assets or (liabilities) as presented here. Therefore, the Company has reduced the amount of financial instruments transferred or pledged as collateral related to the Company's repurchase agreements and cash collateral pledged on the Company's financial derivative liabilities. Total financial instruments transferred or pledged as collateral on the Company's repurchase agreements as of March 31, 2021 was $2.2 billion. As of March 31, 2021, total cash collateral on financial derivative assets and liabilities excludes excess net cash collateral pledged (received) of $17.7 million and $1.8 million, respectively. (3) When collateral is pledged to or pledged by a counterparty, it is often pledged or posted with respect to all positions with such counterparty, and in such cases such collateral cannot be specifically identified as relating to a particular asset or liability. As a result, in preparing the above tables, the Company has made assumptions in allocating pledged or posted collateral among the various rows. December 31, 2020: Description Amount of Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (1) Financial Instruments Available for Offset Financial Instruments Transferred or Pledged as Collateral (2)(3) Cash Collateral (Received) Pledged (2)(3) Net Amount (In thousands) Assets Financial derivatives–assets $ 15,479 $ (12,579) $ — $ (1,404) $ 1,496 Reverse repurchase agreements 38,640 (38,640) — — — Liabilities Financial derivatives–liabilities (24,553) 12,579 — 10,694 (1,280) Repurchase agreements (1,496,931) 1,496,931 (28,884) 28,884 — (1) In the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, all balances associated with repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, and financial derivatives are presented on a gross basis. (2) For the purpose of this presentation, for each row the total amount of financial instruments transferred or pledged and cash collateral (received) or pledged may not exceed the applicable gross amount of assets or (liabilities) as presented here. Therefore, the Company has reduced the amount of financial instruments transferred or pledged as collateral related to the Company's repurchase agreements and cash collateral pledged on the Company's financial derivative liabilities. Total financial instruments transferred or pledged as collateral on the Company's repurchase agreements as of December 31, 2020 was $1.8 billion. As of December 31, 2020, total cash collateral on financial derivative assets and liabilities excludes excess net cash collateral pledged of $4.5 million and $10.3 million, respectively. (3) When collateral is pledged to or pledged by a counterparty, it is often pledged or posted with respect to all positions with such counterparty, and in such cases such collateral cannot be specifically identified as relating to a particular asset or liability. As a result, in preparing the above tables, the Company has made assumptions in allocating pledged or posted collateral among the various rows.

Counterparty Risk (Tables)

Counterparty Risk (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Schedules of Exposure to Counterparty Risk	The table below summarizes the geographic distribution of the real estate collateral underlying the Company's residential mortgage loans as a percentage of total outstanding unpaid principal balance as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: Property Location by U.S. State March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 California 42.8 % 43.1 % Florida 15.5 % 14.8 % Texas 9.9 % 10.2 % Colorado 2.8 % 3.1 % Massachusetts 2.8 % 2.6 % Oregon 2.2 % 2.2 % Arizona 2.2 % 2.0 % Nevada 2.1 % 1.9 % Illinois 1.9 % 1.8 % Utah 1.6 % 1.7 % New York 1.6 % 1.6 % Washington 1.3 % 1.4 % New Jersey 1.2 % 1.4 % Georgia 1.2 % 1.3 % North Carolina 1.2 % 1.1 % Connecticut 1.1 % 0.9 % Maryland 0.9 % 1.0 % Other 7.7 % 7.9 % 100.0 % 100.0 % The table below summarizes the geographic distribution of the real estate collateral underlying the Company's commercial mortgage loans as a percentage of total outstanding unpaid principal balance as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: Property Location by U.S. State March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Florida 27.6 % 23.8 % New York 16.6 % 15.2 % Connecticut 10.9 % 11.2 % Ohio 8.8 % 7.3 % Missouri 7.6 % 7.9 % Massachusetts 5.9 % 6.1 % California 5.7 % 5.9 % Arizona 4.2 % 4.3 % Virginia 4.1 % 4.2 % Indiana 2.7 % 2.8 % North Carolina 2.1 % 2.2 % Nevada 1.8 % 1.9 % Illinois 1.3 % 1.4 % New Jersey 0.7 % 5.8 % 100.0 % 100.0 % March 31, 2021: Amount of Exposure Number of Counterparties with Exposure Maximum Percentage of Exposure to a Single Counterparty (1) (In thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $ 149,350 7 26.1 % Collateral on repurchase agreements held by dealers (2) 2,226,054 24 16.6 % Due from brokers 91,814 23 25.4 % Receivable for securities sold (3) 5,147 3 95.8 % (1) Each counterparty is a large creditworthy financial institution. (2) Includes securities, loans, and REO as well as cash posted as collateral for repurchase agreements. (3) Included in Investment related receivables on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. December 31, 2020: Amount of Exposure Number of Counterparties with Exposure Maximum Percentage of Exposure to a Single Counterparty (1) (In thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $ 111,647 8 40.1 % Collateral on repurchase agreements held by dealers (2) 1,860,059 24 15.3 % Due from brokers 63,147 22 28.9 % Receivable for securities sold (3) 1,416 2 94.5 % (1) Each counterparty is a large creditworthy financial institution. (2) Includes securities, loans, and REO as well as cash posted as collateral for repurchase agreements. (3) Included in Investment related receivables on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Organization and Investment O_2

Organization and Investment Objective (Details) - $ / shares	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Ellington Financial Operating Partnership LLC [Member] | Total Stockholders' Equity
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Line Items]
Ownership Percentage	98.70%

Significant Accounting Polici_3

Significant Accounting Policies (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of days to determine non-performance of loan	90 days
Long-Term Incentive Plan Units [Member] | Director [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Vesting period	1 year
Minimum | Long-Term Incentive Plan Units [Member] | Dedicated or partially dedicated personnel [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Vesting period	1 year
Maximum | Long-Term Incentive Plan Units [Member] | Dedicated or partially dedicated personnel [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Vesting period	2 years

Valuation (Schedule of Financia

Valuation (Schedule of Financial Instruments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)	[1],[2]	$ 1,909,127	$ 1,514,185
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	[1]	147,684	141,620
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		23,082	15,479
Investments sold short, at fair value-		(96,398)	(38,642)
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(19,438)	(24,553)
Other secured borrowings, at fair value	[1]	(911,256)	(754,921)
Level 3 | Non-Agency RMBS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets		127,329	127,838
Level 3 | CMBS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets		17,294	63,148
Level 3 | CLOs
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets		37,585	111,100
Level 3 | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets		59,473	44,925
Level 3 | Corporate loan [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets		13,226
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets		3,662,409	3,124,764
Total liabilities		(1,027,092)	(818,116)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Investments Sold Short | Corporate debt securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments sold short, at fair value-		(219)	(218)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Investments Sold Short | Government debt
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments sold short, at fair value-		(96,179)	(38,424)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(5,128)	(6,438)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(682)	(747)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(127)	(130)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Interest rate swaps
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(8,884)	(15,174)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | TBA securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(4,076)	(925)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Futures
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(163)	(376)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Forwards
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(40)	(279)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Total return swaps
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(338)	(484)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Other secured borrowings, at fair value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other secured borrowings, at fair value		(911,256)	(754,921)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | Agency RMBS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		1,487,782	959,443
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | Non-Agency RMBS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		200,759	204,114
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | CMBS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		45,073	117,653
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | CLOs
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		106,399	181,271
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		59,473	44,925
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | Corporate debt securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		5,521	5,189
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | Corporate equity securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		4,120	1,590
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Loans | Residential mortgage loans
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		1,280,637	1,187,069
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Loans | Commercial mortgage loans
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		235,948	213,031
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Loans | Consumer loans
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		52,705	47,525
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Loans | Corporate loan [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		13,226	5,855
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		320	347
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		3,427	3,420
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		2,087	2,184
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Interest rate swaps
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		10,703	8,519
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | TBA securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		3,409	962
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Futures
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		2,704	2
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Forwards
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		388
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Total return swaps
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		2	9
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Warrants
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		42	36
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Investment in unconsolidated entities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		147,684	141,620
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets		2,704	2
Total liabilities		(163)	(376)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Investments Sold Short | Corporate debt securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments sold short, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Investments Sold Short | Government debt
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments sold short, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Interest rate swaps
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | TBA securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Futures
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(163)	(376)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Forwards
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Total return swaps
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Other secured borrowings, at fair value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other secured borrowings, at fair value		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | Agency RMBS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | Non-Agency RMBS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | CMBS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | CLOs
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | Corporate debt securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | Corporate equity securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Loans | Residential mortgage loans
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Loans | Commercial mortgage loans
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Loans | Consumer loans
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Loans | Corporate loan [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Interest rate swaps
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | TBA securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Futures
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		2,704	2
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Forwards
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Total return swaps
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Warrants
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Investment in unconsolidated entities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets		1,661,219	1,164,960
Total liabilities		(115,335)	(62,335)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Investments Sold Short | Corporate debt securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments sold short, at fair value-		(219)	(218)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Investments Sold Short | Government debt
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments sold short, at fair value-		(96,179)	(38,424)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(5,128)	(6,438)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(682)	(747)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(127)	(130)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Interest rate swaps
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(8,884)	(15,174)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | TBA securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(4,076)	(925)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Futures
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Forwards
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(40)	(279)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Total return swaps
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Other secured borrowings, at fair value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other secured borrowings, at fair value		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | Agency RMBS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		1,470,380	947,780
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | Non-Agency RMBS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		73,430	76,276
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | CMBS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		27,779	54,505
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | CLOs
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		68,814	70,171
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | Corporate debt securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		760	1,107
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | Corporate equity securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Loans | Residential mortgage loans
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Loans | Commercial mortgage loans
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Loans | Consumer loans
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Loans | Corporate loan [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		3,427	3,420
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		2,087	2,184
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Interest rate swaps
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		10,703	8,519
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | TBA securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		3,409	962
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Futures
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Forwards
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		388
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Total return swaps
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Warrants
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		42	36
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Investment in unconsolidated entities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets		1,998,486	1,959,802
Total liabilities		(911,594)	(755,405)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Investments Sold Short | Corporate debt securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments sold short, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Investments Sold Short | Government debt
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments sold short, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Interest rate swaps
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | TBA securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Futures
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Forwards
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Total return swaps
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-		(338)	(484)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Other secured borrowings, at fair value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other secured borrowings, at fair value		(911,256)	(754,921)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | Agency RMBS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		17,402	11,663
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | Non-Agency RMBS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		127,329	127,838
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | CMBS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		17,294	63,148
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | CLOs
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		37,585	111,100
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		59,473	44,925
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | Corporate debt securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		4,761	4,082
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | Corporate equity securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		4,120	1,590
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Loans | Residential mortgage loans
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		1,280,637	1,187,069
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Loans | Commercial mortgage loans
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		235,948	213,031
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Loans | Consumer loans
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		52,705	47,525
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Loans | Corporate loan [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		13,226	5,855
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		320	347
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Interest rate swaps
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | TBA securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Futures
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Forwards
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Total return swaps
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		2	9
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Warrants
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Investment in unconsolidated entities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		$ 147,684	$ 141,620
[1]	Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.
[2]	Includes assets pledged as collateral to counterparties. See Note 11 for additional details on the Company's borrowings and related collateral.

Valuation (Schedule of Signific

Valuation (Schedule of Significant Unobservable Inputs, Qualitative Information) (Details) - Level 3	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021USD ($)$ / shares	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)$ / shares
Non-Agency RMBS
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value	$ 127,329,000		$ 127,838,000
Fair Value of Level 3 Assets, Negative Yield	$ 600,000		$ 300,000
Non-Agency RMBS | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Yield Including Negative	6.90%		7.30%
Non-Agency RMBS | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.004		0.007
Non-Agency RMBS | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.663		0.526
Non-Agency RMBS | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.072		0.074
Non-Agency RMBS | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.053		0
Non-Agency RMBS | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.742		0.991
Non-Agency RMBS | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.483		0.453
Non-Agency RMBS | Measurement Input, Default Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0		0.004
Non-Agency RMBS | Measurement Input, Default Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.225		0.726
Non-Agency RMBS | Measurement Input, Default Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.061		0.184
Non-Agency RMBS | Measurement Input, Projected Collateral Recoveries | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.008		0
Non-Agency RMBS | Measurement Input, Projected Collateral Recoveries | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.224		0.791
Non-Agency RMBS | Measurement Input, Projected Collateral Recoveries | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.130		0.168
CMBS
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value	$ 17,294,000		$ 63,148,000
CMBS | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.038		0.037
CMBS | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.283		0.263
CMBS | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.095		0.087
CMBS | Measurement Input, Default Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.012		0.007
CMBS | Measurement Input, Default Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.106		0.107
CMBS | Measurement Input, Default Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.044		0.036
CMBS | Measurement Input, Projected Collateral Recoveries | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.096		0.724
CMBS | Measurement Input, Projected Collateral Recoveries | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.954		0.961
CMBS | Measurement Input, Projected Collateral Recoveries | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.920		0.906
CLOs
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value	$ 37,585,000		$ 111,100,000
CLOs | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.070		0.034
CLOs | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.925		0.354
CLOs | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.176		0.105
CLOs | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.792		0.412
CLOs | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.929		0.977
CLOs | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.865		0.657
CLOs | Measurement Input, Default Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.039		0.017
CLOs | Measurement Input, Default Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.117		0.289
CLOs | Measurement Input, Default Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.067		0.112
CLOs | Measurement Input, Projected Collateral Recoveries | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.013		0.006
CLOs | Measurement Input, Projected Collateral Recoveries | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.069		0.152
CLOs | Measurement Input, Projected Collateral Recoveries | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.046		0.079
Agency RMBS | Interest only securities
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value	$ 17,402,000		$ 11,663,000
Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.092		0.083
Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	1		1
Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.660		0.759
Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value	$ 59,473,000		$ 44,925,000
Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.119		0.126
Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.337		0.275
Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.155		0.156
Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0		0
Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.119		0.116
Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.080		0.077
Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans | Measurement Input, Default Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.010		0.010
Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans | Measurement Input, Default Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.222		0.211
Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans | Measurement Input, Default Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.162		0.171
Investment in unconsolidated entities
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value excluded from range of inputs	$ 3,400,000
Corporate loan [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value	$ 13,226,000
Corporate loan [Member] | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input			0.211
Corporate loan [Member] | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input			0.211
Corporate loan [Member] | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input			0.211
Total return swaps | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Derivative asset, measurement input	0.171		0.220
Derivative Liability, Measurement Input	0.206		0.168
Total return swaps | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Derivative asset, measurement input	0.171		0.220
Derivative Liability, Measurement Input	0.206		0.168
Total return swaps | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Derivative asset, measurement input	0.171		0.220
Derivative Liability, Measurement Input	0.206		0.168
Other secured borrowings, at fair value
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value of Level 3 Liabilities, Negative Yield	$ (126,800,000)
Other secured borrowings, at fair value | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Yield Including Negative	0.90%
Valuation, Market Approach | Non-Agency RMBS
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value	$ 85,241,000		$ 70,619,000
Valuation, Market Approach | Non-Agency RMBS | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input | $ / shares	2.13		9.53
Valuation, Market Approach | Non-Agency RMBS | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input | $ / shares	337.92		204.61
Valuation, Market Approach | Non-Agency RMBS | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input | $ / shares	86		85.70
Valuation, Market Approach | CMBS
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value	$ 11,177,000		$ 53,199,000
Valuation, Market Approach | CMBS | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input | $ / shares	4.65		4.79
Valuation, Market Approach | CMBS | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input | $ / shares	98.25		98
Valuation, Market Approach | CMBS | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input | $ / shares	38.62		65.20
Valuation, Market Approach | CLOs
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value	$ 23,370,000		$ 102,910,000
Valuation, Market Approach | CLOs | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input | $ / shares	2		2
Valuation, Market Approach | CLOs | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input | $ / shares	95		330
Valuation, Market Approach | CLOs | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input | $ / shares	71.18		88.66
Valuation, Market Approach | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value	$ 4,026,000		$ 4,844,000
Valuation, Market Approach | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input | $ / shares	0.66		1.91
Valuation, Market Approach | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input | $ / shares	18.45		18.91
Valuation, Market Approach | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input | $ / shares	12.50		8.38
Valuation, Market Approach | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value	$ 87,000		$ 97,000
Valuation, Market Approach | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input | $ / shares	96.92		96.51
Valuation, Market Approach | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input | $ / shares	98.58		98.43
Valuation, Market Approach | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input | $ / shares	97.61		97.33
Valuation, Market Approach | Corporate loan [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value	$ 13,167,000		$ 5,855,000
Valuation, Market Approach | Corporate loan [Member] | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input | $ / shares	100		100
Valuation, Market Approach | Corporate loan [Member] | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input | $ / shares	100		100
Valuation, Market Approach | Corporate loan [Member] | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input | $ / shares	100		100
Valuation, Market Approach | Other secured borrowings, at fair value
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value	$ (911,256,000)		$ (754,921,000)
Valuation, Market Approach | Other secured borrowings, at fair value | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Debt instrument, measurement input	96.51		85.37
Valuation, Market Approach | Other secured borrowings, at fair value | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Debt instrument, measurement input	105.92		105.61
Valuation, Market Approach | Other secured borrowings, at fair value | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Debt instrument, measurement input	101.60		102.04
Valuation, Market Approach | Other secured borrowings, at fair value | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Debt instrument, measurement input	0.012		0.016
Valuation, Market Approach | Other secured borrowings, at fair value | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Debt instrument, measurement input	0.014		0.030
Valuation, Market Approach | Other secured borrowings, at fair value | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Debt instrument, measurement input	0.013		0.026
Valuation, Market Approach | Other secured borrowings, at fair value | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Debt instrument, measurement input	0		0
Valuation, Market Approach | Other secured borrowings, at fair value | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Debt instrument, measurement input	0.833		0.753
Valuation, Market Approach | Other secured borrowings, at fair value | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Debt instrument, measurement input	0.540		0.487
Valuation, Income Approach | Non-Agency RMBS
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value	$ 42,088,000		$ 57,219,000
Valuation, Income Approach | CMBS
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value	6,117,000		9,949,000
Valuation, Income Approach | CLOs
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value	14,215,000		8,190,000
Valuation, Income Approach | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value	13,376,000		6,819,000
Fair Value of Agency IOs, negative OAS measurement input	$ 3,700,000		$ 4,500,000
Valuation, Income Approach | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Measurement Input, LIBOR OAS | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.0016		0.0297
Valuation, Income Approach | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Measurement Input, LIBOR OAS | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.2918		0.2886
Valuation, Income Approach | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Measurement Input, LIBOR OAS | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.0719		0.0914
Valuation, Income Approach | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Net LIBOR OAS [Member] | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.069		0.0396
Valuation, Income Approach | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value	$ 59,386,000		$ 44,828,000
Valuation, Income Approach | Corporate debt and equity
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value	$ 8,881,000		$ 5,672,000
Valuation, Income Approach | Corporate debt and equity | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.050		0.081
Valuation, Income Approach | Corporate debt and equity | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.122		0.108
Valuation, Income Approach | Corporate debt and equity | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.098		0.097
Valuation, Income Approach | Consumer loans
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value	$ 52,705,000		$ 47,525,000
Valuation, Income Approach | Consumer loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input	0.055		0.078
Valuation, Income Approach | Consumer loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input	0.487		0.281
Valuation, Income Approach | Consumer loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input	0.095		0.112
Valuation, Income Approach | Consumer loans | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0		0
Valuation, Income Approach | Consumer loans | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.340		0.360
Valuation, Income Approach | Consumer loans | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.161		0.173
Valuation, Income Approach | Consumer loans | Measurement Input, Default Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.006		0.009
Valuation, Income Approach | Consumer loans | Measurement Input, Default Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.866		0.866
Valuation, Income Approach | Consumer loans | Measurement Input, Default Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Securities, measurement input	0.100		0.094
Valuation, Income Approach | Corporate loan [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value	$ 59,000
Valuation, Income Approach | Corporate loan [Member] | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input	0.217
Valuation, Income Approach | Corporate loan [Member] | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input	0.219
Valuation, Income Approach | Corporate loan [Member] | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input	0.218
Valuation, Income Approach | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value	$ 320,000		$ 347,000
Valuation, Income Approach | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Derivative asset, measurement input	0.265		0.327
Valuation, Income Approach | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Derivative asset, measurement input	0.364		0.397
Valuation, Income Approach | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities | Measurement Input, Prepayment Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Derivative asset, measurement input	0.341		0.381
Valuation, Income Approach | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities | Measurement Input, Default Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Derivative asset, measurement input	0.067		0.066
Valuation, Income Approach | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities | Measurement Input, Default Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Derivative asset, measurement input	0.101		0.108
Valuation, Income Approach | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities | Measurement Input, Default Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Derivative asset, measurement input	0.083		0.089
Valuation, Income Approach | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities | Measurement Input, Projected Collateral Recoveries | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Derivative asset, measurement input	0.142		0.139
Valuation, Income Approach | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities | Measurement Input, Projected Collateral Recoveries | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Derivative asset, measurement input	0.188		0.181
Valuation, Income Approach | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities | Measurement Input, Projected Collateral Recoveries | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Derivative asset, measurement input	0.156		0.156
Valuation, Income Approach | Total return swaps
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value	$ 2,000		$ 9,000
Fair value	(338,000)		(484,000)
Enterprise Value | Investment in unconsolidated entities
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value	$ 147,684,000		$ 141,620,000
measurement input equity multiple | Investment in unconsolidated entities | Measurement Input, Equity Price-to-Book | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Equity method investment, measurement input	1		1
measurement input equity multiple | Investment in unconsolidated entities | Measurement Input, Equity Price-to-Book | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Equity method investment, measurement input	1.6		6.2
measurement input equity multiple | Investment in unconsolidated entities | Measurement Input, Equity Price-to-Book | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Equity method investment, measurement input	1.2		1.4
Equity Method Investment, Measurement Input, Including excluded ratio	2,100
Performing and/or Re-performing | Residential mortgage loans
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value			$ 353,924,000
Performing and/or Re-performing | Residential mortgage loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input	0.013		0.025
Performing and/or Re-performing | Residential mortgage loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input	0.594		0.285
Performing and/or Re-performing | Residential mortgage loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input	0.056		0.054
Performing and/or Re-performing | Residential mortgage loans | Measurement Input, Offered Price | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input			60
Performing and/or Re-performing | Residential mortgage loans | Measurement Input, Offered Price | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input			103.88
Performing and/or Re-performing | Residential mortgage loans | Measurement Input, Offered Price | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input			103.44
Performing and/or Re-performing | Valuation, Market Approach | Residential mortgage loans
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value			$ 15,659,000
Performing and/or Re-performing | Valuation, Income Approach | Commercial mortgage loans
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value	$ 201,683,000		$ 181,545,000
Performing and/or Re-performing | Valuation, Income Approach | Commercial mortgage loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input	0.065		0.037
Performing and/or Re-performing | Valuation, Income Approach | Commercial mortgage loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input	0.112		0.097
Performing and/or Re-performing | Valuation, Income Approach | Commercial mortgage loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input	0.086		0.081
Performing and/or Re-performing | Valuation, Income Approach | Residential mortgage loans
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value	$ 290,957,000		$ 338,265,000
Securitized loans [Member] | Residential mortgage loans
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value	961,332,000		801,343,000
Securitized loans [Member] | Valuation, Market Approach | Residential mortgage loans
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value	$ 921,678,000		$ 783,162,000
Securitized loans [Member] | Valuation, Market Approach | Residential mortgage loans | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input	0.58		5.34
Securitized loans [Member] | Valuation, Market Approach | Residential mortgage loans | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input	105.92		105.61
Securitized loans [Member] | Valuation, Market Approach | Residential mortgage loans | Measurement Input, Quoted Price | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input	101.24		100.22
Securitized loans [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach | Residential mortgage loans
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value	$ 39,654,000		$ 18,182,000
Securitized loans [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach | Residential mortgage loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input	0.011		0
Securitized loans [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach | Residential mortgage loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input	0.092		0.387
Securitized loans [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach | Residential mortgage loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input	0.046		0.044
Non-performing | Residential mortgage loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input	0.018		0.012
Non-performing | Residential mortgage loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input	0.346		0.410
Non-performing | Residential mortgage loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input	0.137		0.121
Non-performing | Residential mortgage loans | Measurement Input recovery amount | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input, Recovery Amount	$ 0.003		$ 0.009
Non-performing | Residential mortgage loans | Measurement Input recovery amount | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input, Recovery Amount	1.699		17.130
Non-performing | Residential mortgage loans | Measurement Input recovery amount | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input, Recovery Amount	0.338		0.306
Non-performing | Valuation, Income Approach | Commercial mortgage loans
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value	$ 34,265,000		$ 31,486,000
Non-performing | Valuation, Income Approach | Commercial mortgage loans | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Investment, measurement input, recovery time	2 months 24 days	1 month 24 days
Non-performing | Valuation, Income Approach | Commercial mortgage loans | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Investment, measurement input, recovery time	8 months 24 days	5 months 24 days
Non-performing | Valuation, Income Approach | Commercial mortgage loans | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Investment, measurement input, recovery time	6 months 9 days	3 months 21 days
Non-performing | Valuation, Income Approach | Commercial mortgage loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input	0.075		0.086
Non-performing | Valuation, Income Approach | Commercial mortgage loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input	0.094		0.146
Non-performing | Valuation, Income Approach | Commercial mortgage loans | Measurement Input, Discount Rate | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input	0.092		0.108
Non-performing | Valuation, Income Approach | Commercial mortgage loans | Measurement Input recovery amount | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input, Recovery Amount	$ 1		$ 1
Non-performing | Valuation, Income Approach | Commercial mortgage loans | Measurement Input recovery amount | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input, Recovery Amount	1.004		1.024
Non-performing | Valuation, Income Approach | Commercial mortgage loans | Measurement Input recovery amount | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loans, Measurement Input, Recovery Amount	1.003		1.008
Non-performing | Valuation, Income Approach | Residential mortgage loans
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value	$ 28,348,000		31,802,000
Non-performing | Valuation, Income Approach | Residential mortgage loans | Minimum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Investment, measurement input, recovery time	1 month	0 months
Non-performing | Valuation, Income Approach | Residential mortgage loans | Maximum
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Investment, measurement input, recovery time	105 months 24 days	106 months 18 days
Non-performing | Valuation, Income Approach | Residential mortgage loans | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Investment, measurement input, recovery time	36 months 24 days	30 months
Non-performing securitized residential mortgage loans [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach | Residential mortgage loans
Fair Value Measurements Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value	$ 21,200,000		$ 26,400,000

Valuation (Significant Unobserv

Valuation (Significant Unobservable Inputs Rollforward) (Details) - Level 3 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Assets, Beginning Balance	$ 1,959,802	$ 1,721,275
Assets, Accreted Discounts/Amortized Premiums	(4,451)	(10,680)
Assets, Realized Gain (Loss)	2,230	1,366
Assets, Change In Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	16,042	(80,188)
Assets, Purchases	368,281	401,709
Assets, Sales	(296,047)	(274,433)
Assets, Transfers into Level 3	9,366	15,143
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3	(56,737)	(29,609)
Assets, Ending Balance	1,998,486	1,744,583
Liabilities, Begining Balance	(755,405)	(594,832)
Liabilities, Accreted Discounts/Amortized Premiums	0	0
Liabilities, Realized Gain/(Loss)	(500)	31
Liabilities, Change In Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	1,389	(379)
Liabilities Purchases/Payments	93,430	44,714
Liabilities, Sales/Issuance	(250,508)	(41)
Liabilities, Transfers into Level 3	0	0
Liabilities, Transfers out of Level 3	0	0
Liabilities, Ending Balance	(911,594)	(550,507)
Other secured borrowings, at fair value
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Liabilities, Payments		44,704
Liabilities, Issuances		0
Liabilities, Begining Balance	(754,921)	(594,396)
Liabilities, Accreted Discounts/Amortized Premiums	0	0
Liabilities, Realized Gain/(Loss)	0	0
Liabilities, Change In Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	1,243	24
Liabilities Purchases/Payments	92,930
Liabilities, Sales/Issuance	(250,508)
Liabilities, Transfers into Level 3	0	0
Liabilities, Transfers out of Level 3	0	0
Liabilities, Ending Balance	(911,256)	(549,668)
Change in unrealized gains (losses), liabilities	1,200	24
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Change in unrealized gains (losses), liabilities	100	(800)
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Total return swaps
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Liabilities, Begining Balance	(484)
Liabilities, Accreted Discounts/Amortized Premiums	0
Liabilities, Realized Gain/(Loss)	(500)
Liabilities, Change In Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	146
Liabilities Purchases/Payments	500
Liabilities, Sales/Issuance	0
Liabilities, Transfers into Level 3	0
Liabilities, Transfers out of Level 3	0
Liabilities, Ending Balance	(338)
Securities
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Change in unrealized gain (loss), assets	3,200	(50,900)
Securities | Agency RMBS
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Assets, Beginning Balance	11,663	19,904
Assets, Accreted Discounts/Amortized Premiums	(1,121)	(1,822)
Assets, Realized Gain (Loss)	(26)	(1)
Assets, Change In Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	(136)	2,807
Assets, Purchases	1,814	5,259
Assets, Sales	0	0
Assets, Transfers into Level 3	5,857	1,088
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3	(649)	(6,254)
Assets, Ending Balance	17,402	20,981
Securities | Non-Agency RMBS
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Assets, Beginning Balance	127,838	89,581
Assets, Accreted Discounts/Amortized Premiums	679	226
Assets, Realized Gain (Loss)	(226)	(136)
Assets, Change In Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	(557)	(11,533)
Assets, Purchases	20,742	33,950
Assets, Sales	(18,639)	(14,395)
Assets, Transfers into Level 3	1,998	3,659
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3	(4,506)	(7,155)
Assets, Ending Balance	127,329	94,197
Securities | CMBS
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Assets, Beginning Balance	63,148	29,805
Assets, Accreted Discounts/Amortized Premiums	218	207
Assets, Realized Gain (Loss)	2,082	1,386
Assets, Change In Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	2,525	(11,193)
Assets, Purchases	0	31,025
Assets, Sales	(39,705)	(28,539)
Assets, Transfers into Level 3	0	4,071
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3	10,974	6,486
Assets, Ending Balance	17,294	20,276
Securities | CLOs
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Assets, Beginning Balance	111,100	44,979
Assets, Accreted Discounts/Amortized Premiums	734	(318)
Assets, Realized Gain (Loss)	912	(21)
Assets, Change In Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	5,334	(20,261)
Assets, Purchases	1,812	22,760
Assets, Sales	(43,210)	54
Assets, Transfers into Level 3	1,511	6,325
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3	(40,608)	(9,714)
Assets, Ending Balance	37,585	43,804
Securities | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Assets, Beginning Balance	44,925	48,610
Assets, Accreted Discounts/Amortized Premiums	(657)	(1,044)
Assets, Realized Gain (Loss)	33	(150)
Assets, Change In Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	(485)	(2,360)
Assets, Purchases	24,334	16,271
Assets, Sales	(8,677)	(6,700)
Assets, Transfers into Level 3	0	0
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3	0	0
Assets, Ending Balance	59,473	54,627
Securities | Corporate debt securities
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Assets, Beginning Balance	4,082	1,113
Assets, Accreted Discounts/Amortized Premiums	0	0
Assets, Realized Gain (Loss)	180	0
Assets, Change In Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	5	(96)
Assets, Purchases	1,027	10
Assets, Sales	(533)	(417)
Assets, Transfers into Level 3	0	0
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3	0	0
Assets, Ending Balance	4,761	610
Securities | Corporate equity securities
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Assets, Beginning Balance	1,590	1,394
Assets, Accreted Discounts/Amortized Premiums	0	0
Assets, Realized Gain (Loss)	(385)	0
Assets, Change In Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	604	(987)
Assets, Purchases	2,311	305
Assets, Sales	0	0
Assets, Transfers into Level 3	0	0
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3	0	0
Assets, Ending Balance	4,120	712
Loans
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Change in unrealized gain (loss), assets	2,000	(30,400)
Loans | Residential mortgage loans
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Assets, Beginning Balance	1,187,069	932,203
Assets, Accreted Discounts/Amortized Premiums	(2,470)	(458)
Assets, Realized Gain (Loss)	194	205
Assets, Change In Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	2,214	(24,323)
Assets, Purchases	222,081	131,070
Assets, Sales	(128,451)	(99,325)
Assets, Transfers into Level 3	0	0
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3	0	0
Assets, Ending Balance	1,280,637	939,372
Loans | Commercial mortgage loans
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Assets, Beginning Balance	213,031	274,759
Assets, Accreted Discounts/Amortized Premiums	9	(1)
Assets, Realized Gain (Loss)	436	860
Assets, Change In Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	(263)	(328)
Assets, Purchases	57,166	87,567
Assets, Sales	(34,431)	(59,557)
Assets, Transfers into Level 3	0	0
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3	0	0
Assets, Ending Balance	235,948	303,300
Loans | Consumer loans
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Assets, Beginning Balance	47,525	186,954
Assets, Accreted Discounts/Amortized Premiums	(1,843)	(7,470)
Assets, Realized Gain (Loss)	(1,265)	26
Assets, Change In Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	327	(5,751)
Assets, Purchases	16,749	61,100
Assets, Sales	(8,788)	(40,056)
Assets, Transfers into Level 3	0	0
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3	0	0
Assets, Ending Balance	52,705	194,803
Loans | Corporate loan [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Assets, Beginning Balance	5,855	18,510
Assets, Accreted Discounts/Amortized Premiums	0	0
Assets, Realized Gain (Loss)	0	0
Assets, Change In Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	0	0
Assets, Purchases	7,371	104
Assets, Sales	0	(12,500)
Assets, Transfers into Level 3	0	0
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3	0	0
Assets, Ending Balance	13,226	6,114
Investment in unconsolidated entities
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Assets, Beginning Balance	141,620	71,850
Assets, Accreted Discounts/Amortized Premiums	0	0
Assets, Realized Gain (Loss)	128	0
Assets, Change In Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	6,507	(6,497)
Assets, Purchases	12,870	12,283
Assets, Sales	(13,441)	(12,239)
Assets, Transfers into Level 3	0	0
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3	0	0
Assets, Ending Balance	147,684	65,397
Change in unrealized gain (loss), assets	6,300	(6,700)
Financial Derivatives - Assets
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Change in unrealized gain (loss), assets	(33)	500
Financial Derivatives - Assets | Total return swaps
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Assets, Beginning Balance	9	620
Assets, Accreted Discounts/Amortized Premiums	0	0
Assets, Realized Gain (Loss)	141	191
Assets, Change In Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	(6)	(583)
Assets, Purchases	0	0
Assets, Sales	(142)	(191)
Assets, Transfers into Level 3	0	0
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3	0	0
Assets, Ending Balance	2	37
Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Assets, Beginning Balance	347	993
Assets, Accreted Discounts/Amortized Premiums	0	0
Assets, Realized Gain (Loss)	26	(994)
Assets, Change In Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	(27)	917
Assets, Purchases	4	5
Assets, Sales	(30)	(568)
Assets, Transfers into Level 3	0	0
Assets, Transfers out of Level 3	0	0
Assets, Ending Balance	$ 320	353
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Total return swaps
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Liabilities, Payments		10
Liabilities, Issuances		(41)
Liabilities, Begining Balance		(436)
Liabilities, Accreted Discounts/Amortized Premiums		0
Liabilities, Realized Gain/(Loss)		31
Liabilities, Change In Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)		(403)
Liabilities, Transfers into Level 3		0
Liabilities, Transfers out of Level 3		0
Liabilities, Ending Balance		$ (839)

Valuation (Fair Value of Other

Valuation (Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	[1]	$ 149,350	$ 111,647
Due from brokers	[1]	91,814	63,147
Reverse repurchase agreements		96,783	38,640
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements	[1]	1,909,511	1,496,931
Other secured borrowings	[1]	64,506	51,062
Senior notes, net		85,627	85,561
Due to brokers		5,337	5,059
Fair Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		149,350	111,647
Restricted cash		175	175
Due from brokers		91,814	63,147
Reverse repurchase agreements		96,783	38,640
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements		1,909,511	1,496,931
Other secured borrowings		64,506	51,062
Senior notes, net		86,344	86,000
Due to brokers		5,337	5,059
Carrying Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		149,350	111,647
Restricted cash		175	175
Due from brokers		91,814	63,147
Reverse repurchase agreements		96,783	38,640
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements		1,909,511	1,496,931
Other secured borrowings		64,506	51,062
Senior notes, net		85,627	85,561
Due to brokers		$ 5,337	$ 5,059
[1]	Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.

Investment in Securities (Summa

Investment in Securities (Summary of Investment in Securities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Current Principal		$ 1,788,457	$ 1,408,233
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		(156,693)	(196,118)
Amortized Cost		1,815,909	1,474,155
Gross Unrealized Gains		53,130	60,617
Gross Unrealized Losses		(56,310)	(59,229)
Investment Owned At Fair Value, Net		1,812,729	1,475,543
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)	[1],[2]	1,909,127	1,514,185
Securities sold short, at fair value		$ (96,398)	$ (38,642)
Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.68%	3.92%
Weighted Average Yield		3.62%	4.77%
Weighted average life		5 years 4 months 17 days	4 years 5 months 26 days
Long
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Current Principal		$ 1,887,715	$ 1,446,237
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		(160,095)	(199,280)
Amortized Cost		1,911,765	1,508,997
Gross Unrealized Gains		51,553	60,617
Gross Unrealized Losses		(54,191)	(55,429)
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 1,909,127	$ 1,514,185
Long | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.53%	3.84%
Weighted Average Yield		3.76%	4.88%
Weighted average life		5 years 5 months 4 days	4 years 5 months 12 days
Long | 15-year fixed-rate mortgages
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Current Principal		$ 177,384	$ 67,875
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		8,396	2,543
Amortized Cost		185,780	70,418
Gross Unrealized Gains		1,680	1,832
Gross Unrealized Losses		(1,646)	(36)
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 185,814	$ 72,214
Long | 15-year fixed-rate mortgages | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		2.64%	3.30%
Weighted Average Yield		1.28%	1.83%
Weighted average life		4 years 5 months 12 days	3 years 2 months 26 days
Long | 20-year fixed-rate mortgages
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Current Principal		$ 52,654	$ 50,131
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		3,140	3,097
Amortized Cost		55,794	53,228
Gross Unrealized Gains		45	182
Gross Unrealized Losses		(1,125)	0
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 54,714	$ 53,410
Long | 20-year fixed-rate mortgages | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		2.48%	2.57%
Weighted Average Yield		1.09%	1.08%
Weighted average life		5 years 4 months 13 days	4 years 5 months 15 days
Long | 30-year fixed-rate mortgages
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Current Principal		$ 1,037,659	$ 626,021
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		55,060	30,738
Amortized Cost		1,092,719	656,759
Gross Unrealized Gains		19,811	25,765
Gross Unrealized Losses		(12,610)	(444)
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 1,099,920	$ 682,080
Long | 30-year fixed-rate mortgages | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.32%	3.99%
Weighted Average Yield		1.92%	2.35%
Weighted average life		6 years 10 days	4 years 2 months 1 day
Long | Adjustable rate mortgages
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Current Principal		$ 5,526	$ 6,171
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		145	159
Amortized Cost		5,671	6,330
Gross Unrealized Gains		136	124
Gross Unrealized Losses		0	0
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 5,807	$ 6,454
Long | Adjustable rate mortgages | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.48%	3.66%
Weighted Average Yield		2.60%	2.27%
Weighted average life		4 years 1 month 20 days	3 years 5 months 1 day
Long | Reverse mortgages
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Current Principal		$ 85,309	$ 89,383
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		4,840	5,152
Amortized Cost		90,149	94,535
Gross Unrealized Gains		2,339	3,123
Gross Unrealized Losses		(12)	(29)
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 92,476	$ 97,629
Long | Reverse mortgages | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.66%	3.97%
Weighted Average Yield		2.35%	2.37%
Weighted average life		4 years 6 months 14 days	4 years 7 months 6 days
Long | Interest only securities
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		$ 44,867	$ 43,406
Gross Unrealized Gains		6,034	5,808
Gross Unrealized Losses		(1,850)	(1,558)
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 49,051	$ 47,656
Long | Interest only securities | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.47%	3.36%
Weighted Average Yield		9.39%	10.01%
Weighted average life		5 years 4 months 20 days	4 years 10 months 6 days
Long | Non-Agency RMBS
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Current Principal		$ 332,129	$ 321,842
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		(142,479)	(131,083)
Amortized Cost		189,650	190,759
Gross Unrealized Gains		11,640	15,880
Gross Unrealized Losses		(4,677)	(5,549)
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 196,613	$ 201,090
Long | Non-Agency RMBS | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		4.15%	3.15%
Weighted Average Yield		6.95%	6.40%
Weighted average life		5 years 6 months 7 days	5 years 5 months 15 days
Long | CMBS
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Current Principal		$ 79,301	$ 188,085
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		(35,426)	(61,763)
Amortized Cost		43,875	126,322
Gross Unrealized Gains		1,329	1,655
Gross Unrealized Losses		(6,574)	(16,910)
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 38,630	$ 111,067
Long | CMBS | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		2.72%	2.71%
Weighted Average Yield		8.54%	7.47%
Weighted average life		7 years 8 months 19 days	8 years 1 month 2 days
Long | Non-Agency IOs
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		$ 8,918	$ 8,123
Gross Unrealized Gains		1,861	1,792
Gross Unrealized Losses		(190)	(305)
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 10,589	$ 9,610
Long | Non-Agency IOs | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		1.08%	1.17%
Weighted Average Yield		8.56%	18.85%
Weighted average life		5 years 1 month 28 days	3 years 5 months 26 days
Long | CLOs
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		$ 126,830	$ 208,907
Gross Unrealized Gains		2,695	2,563
Gross Unrealized Losses		(23,126)	(30,199)
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 106,399	$ 181,271
Long | CLOs | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.80%	3.67%
Weighted Average Yield		9.12%	8.50%
Weighted average life		3 years 4 months 28 days	3 years 6 months
Long | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Current Principal		$ 90,892	$ 69,646
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		(31,149)	(24,936)
Amortized Cost		59,743	44,710
Gross Unrealized Gains		2,069	221
Gross Unrealized Losses		(2,339)	(6)
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 59,473	$ 44,925
Long | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		9.81%	11.95%
Weighted Average Yield		18.73%	18.57%
Weighted average life		1 year 2 months 19 days	1 year 1 month 9 days
Long | Corporate debt securities
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Current Principal		$ 26,861	$ 27,083
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		(22,622)	(23,187)
Amortized Cost		4,239	3,896
Gross Unrealized Gains		1,302	1,296
Gross Unrealized Losses		(20)	(3)
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 5,521	$ 5,189
Long | Corporate debt securities | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		1.34%	2.13%
Weighted Average Yield		7.58%	6.75%
Weighted average life		2 years 7 months 17 days	3 years 1 month 6 days
Long | Corporate equity securities
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		$ 3,530	$ 1,604
Gross Unrealized Gains		612	376
Gross Unrealized Losses		(22)	(390)
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		4,120	1,590
Short
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Current Principal		(99,258)	(38,004)
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		3,402	3,162
Investment Sold, Not yet Purchased, Sale Proceeds		(95,856)	(34,842)
Gross Unrealized Gains		1,577	0
Gross Unrealized Losses		(2,119)	(3,800)
Securities sold short, at fair value		$ (96,398)	$ (38,642)
Short | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		0.64%	0.26%
Weighted Average Yield		0.80%	0.09%
Weighted average life		6 years 3 months 10 days	3 years 1 month 17 days
Short | Corporate debt securities
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Current Principal		$ (200)	$ (200)
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		(1)	(1)
Investment Sold, Not yet Purchased, Sale Proceeds		(201)	(201)
Gross Unrealized Gains		0	0
Gross Unrealized Losses		(18)	(17)
Securities sold short, at fair value		$ (219)	$ (218)
Short | Corporate debt securities | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		5.11%	5.09%
Weighted Average Yield		4.67%	4.67%
Weighted average life		6 years 2 months 1 day	6 years 5 months 1 day
Short | U.S. Treasury securities
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Current Principal		$ (62,750)
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		1,721
Investment Sold, Not yet Purchased, Sale Proceeds		(61,029)
Gross Unrealized Gains		1,577
Gross Unrealized Losses		0
Securities sold short, at fair value		$ (59,452)
Short | U.S. Treasury securities | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		0.86%
Weighted Average Yield		1.21%
Weighted average life		8 years 4 months 17 days
Short | European sovereign bonds
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Current Principal		$ (36,308)	$ (37,804)
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		1,682	3,163
Investment Sold, Not yet Purchased, Sale Proceeds		(34,626)	(34,641)
Gross Unrealized Gains		0	0
Gross Unrealized Losses		(2,101)	(3,783)
Securities sold short, at fair value		$ (36,727)	$ (38,424)
Short | European sovereign bonds | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		0.22%	0.23%
Weighted Average Yield		0.06%	0.06%
Weighted average life		2 years 10 months 9 days	3 years 1 month 9 days
[1]	Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.
[2]	Includes assets pledged as collateral to counterparties. See Note 11 for additional details on the Company's borrowings and related collateral.

Investment in Securities (Matur

Investment in Securities (Maturities of Securities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)	[1],[2]	$ 1,909,127	$ 1,514,185
Amortized Cost		$ 1,815,909	$ 1,474,155
Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.68%	3.92%
Long
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 1,909,127	$ 1,514,185
Amortized Cost		$ 1,911,765	$ 1,508,997
Long | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.53%	3.84%
Long | Agency RMBS
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 1,438,731	$ 911,787
Amortized Cost		$ 1,430,113	$ 881,270
Long | Agency RMBS | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.22%	3.84%
Long | Agency RMBS | Less than three years [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 79,755	$ 139,059
Amortized Cost		$ 77,736	$ 135,844
Long | Agency RMBS | Less than three years [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		4.44%	4.15%
Long | Agency RMBS | Greater than three years less than seven years [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 1,145,288	$ 770,173
Amortized Cost		$ 1,135,139	$ 742,946
Long | Agency RMBS | Greater than three years less than seven years [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.27%	3.79%
Long | Agency RMBS | Greater than seven years less than eleven [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 213,688	$ 2,555
Amortized Cost		$ 217,238	$ 2,480
Long | Agency RMBS | Greater than seven years less than eleven [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		2.53%	3.01%
Long | Agency RMBS | Greater than eleven year [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 0	$ 0
Amortized Cost		$ 0	$ 0
Long | Agency RMBS | Greater than eleven year [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		0.00%	0.00%
Long | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 49,051	$ 47,656
Amortized Cost		$ 44,867	$ 43,406
Long | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.47%	3.36%
Long | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Less than three years [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 6,335	$ 8,143
Amortized Cost		$ 5,597	$ 7,314
Long | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Less than three years [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.81%	3.99%
Long | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Greater than three years less than seven years [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 35,542	$ 32,669
Amortized Cost		$ 33,166	$ 29,362
Long | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Greater than three years less than seven years [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.87%	3.74%
Long | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Greater than seven years less than eleven [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 4,416	$ 5,165
Amortized Cost		$ 4,269	$ 5,063
Long | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Greater than seven years less than eleven [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		0.84%	1.04%
Long | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Greater than eleven year [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 2,758	$ 1,679
Amortized Cost		$ 1,835	$ 1,667
Long | Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Greater than eleven year [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		1.16%	0.83%
Long | Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 235,243	$ 312,157
Amortized Cost		$ 233,525	$ 317,081
Long | Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.88%	2.98%
Long | Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS | Less than three years [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 56,973	$ 58,350
Amortized Cost		$ 54,090	$ 54,339
Long | Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS | Less than three years [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.53%	3.39%
Long | Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS | Greater than three years less than seven years [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 102,383	$ 114,815
Amortized Cost		$ 97,457	$ 109,161
Long | Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS | Greater than three years less than seven years [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		4.85%	3.45%
Long | Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS | Greater than seven years less than eleven [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 56,309	$ 109,519
Amortized Cost		$ 61,353	$ 123,782
Long | Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS | Greater than seven years less than eleven [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		2.67%	2.74%
Long | Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS | Greater than eleven year [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 19,578	$ 29,473
Amortized Cost		$ 20,625	$ 29,799
Long | Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS | Greater than eleven year [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.79%	1.46%
Long | Non-Agency RMBS
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 196,613	$ 201,090
Amortized Cost		$ 189,650	$ 190,759
Long | Non-Agency RMBS | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		4.15%	3.15%
Long | Non-Agency RMBS | Interest only securities
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 10,589	$ 9,610
Amortized Cost		$ 8,918	$ 8,123
Long | Non-Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		1.08%	1.17%
Long | Non-Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Less than three years [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 4,649	$ 5,163
Amortized Cost		$ 3,333	$ 3,754
Long | Non-Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Less than three years [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		0.94%	0.92%
Long | Non-Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Greater than three years less than seven years [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 4,600	$ 4,447
Amortized Cost		$ 4,266	$ 4,369
Long | Non-Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Greater than three years less than seven years [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		1.44%	1.37%
Long | Non-Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Greater than seven years less than eleven [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 0	$ 0
Amortized Cost		$ 0	$ 0
Long | Non-Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Greater than seven years less than eleven [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		0.00%	0.00%
Long | Non-Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Greater than eleven year [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 1,340	$ 0
Amortized Cost		$ 1,319	$ 0
Long | Non-Agency RMBS | Interest only securities | Greater than eleven year [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		0.30%	0.00%
Long | CLOs And Other Securities [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 171,393	$ 231,385
Amortized Cost		$ 190,812	$ 257,513
Long | CLOs And Other Securities [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		5.63%	5.09%
Long | CLOs And Other Securities [Member] | Less than three years [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 100,024	$ 89,235
Amortized Cost		$ 105,291	$ 90,869
Long | CLOs And Other Securities [Member] | Less than three years [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		6.89%	7.73%
Long | CLOs And Other Securities [Member] | Greater than three years less than seven years [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 71,369	$ 139,830
Amortized Cost		$ 85,521	$ 163,670
Long | CLOs And Other Securities [Member] | Greater than three years less than seven years [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		4.06%	3.69%
Long | CLOs And Other Securities [Member] | Greater than seven years less than eleven [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 0	$ 2,320
Amortized Cost		$ 0	$ 2,974
Long | CLOs And Other Securities [Member] | Greater than seven years less than eleven [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		0.00%	1.14%
Long | CLOs And Other Securities [Member] | Greater than eleven year [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 0	$ 0
Amortized Cost		$ 0	$ 0
Long | CLOs And Other Securities [Member] | Greater than eleven year [Member] | Weighted Average
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		0.00%	0.00%
[1]	Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.
[2]	Includes assets pledged as collateral to counterparties. See Note 11 for additional details on the Company's borrowings and related collateral.

Investment in Securities (Sum_2

Investment in Securities (Summary of Investment Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Interest Income	$ 40,079	$ 52,108
Agency RMBS
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Coupon Interest	14,352	20,912
Net Amortization	(7,600)	(8,844)
Interest Income	6,752	12,068
Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Coupon Interest	3,756	4,053
Net Amortization	1,467	713
Interest Income	5,223	4,766
CLOs
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Coupon Interest	2,536	5,419
Net Amortization	944	(1,011)
Interest Income	3,480	4,408
Other Securities
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Coupon Interest	3,533	2,925
Net Amortization	(657)	(1,045)
Interest Income	2,876	1,880
Securities Investment [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Coupon Interest	24,177	33,309
Net Amortization	(5,846)	(10,187)
Interest Income	$ 18,331	$ 23,122

Investment in Securities (Proce

Investment in Securities (Proceeds, Realized Gains (Losses) on Sales) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Proceeds	$ 289,826	$ 1,518,817
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gains	8,729	19,476
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Losses	(2,254)	(4,092)
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gain (Loss)	6,475	15,384
Available-for-sale securities Realizes Losses - adjustments to cost basis of certain securities	(1,200)
Agency RMBS
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Proceeds	71,737	1,285,482
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gains	424	9,221
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Losses	(395)	(2,813)
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gain (Loss)	29	6,408
Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Proceeds	123,208	77,802
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gains	6,609	8,496
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Losses	(1,365)	(1,056)
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gain (Loss)	5,244	7,440
CLOs
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Proceeds	85,575	34,542
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gains	1,184	1,122
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Losses	(191)	(23)
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gain (Loss)	993	1,099
Other Securities
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Proceeds	9,306	120,991
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gains	512	637
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Losses	(303)	(200)
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gain (Loss)	$ 209	$ 437

Investment in Securities (Unrea

Investment in Securities (Unrealized Loss Positions Securities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than 12 Months	$ 809,221	$ 153,786
Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 Months	(15,673)	(4,358)
Fair Value, Greater than 12 Months	18,202	4,627
Unrealized Losses, Greater than 12 Months	(2,482)	(1,523)
Fair Value, Total	827,423	158,413
Unrealized Loss, Total	(18,155)	(5,881)
Agency RMBS
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than 12 Months	806,309	126,926
Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 Months	(15,549)	(981)
Fair Value, Greater than 12 Months	629	832
Unrealized Losses, Greater than 12 Months	(33)	(44)
Fair Value, Total	806,938	127,758
Unrealized Loss, Total	(15,582)	(1,025)
Non-Agency RMBS
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than 12 Months	1,048	20,474
Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 Months	(103)	(2,616)
Fair Value, Greater than 12 Months	16,209	2,599
Unrealized Losses, Greater than 12 Months	(1,563)	(348)
Fair Value, Total	17,257	23,073
Unrealized Loss, Total	(1,666)	(2,964)
CLOs
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than 12 Months	1,864	5,279
Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 Months	(16)	(753)
Fair Value, Greater than 12 Months	1,364	1,196
Unrealized Losses, Greater than 12 Months	(886)	(1,131)
Fair Value, Total	3,228	6,475
Unrealized Loss, Total	(902)	(1,884)
Other Securities
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than 12 Months	0	1,107
Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 Months	(5)	(8)
Fair Value, Greater than 12 Months	0	0
Unrealized Losses, Greater than 12 Months	0	0
Fair Value, Total	0	1,107
Unrealized Loss, Total	$ (5)	$ (8)

Investment in Securities (Narra

Investment in Securities (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Allowance for Credit Loss	$ 19.7		$ 24.9
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Purchased with Credit Deterioration, Allowance for Credit Loss at Acquisition Date	0.6		2.6
Available-for-sale securities Realizes Losses - Write offs	(1.2)
Catch-up premium amortization adjustment	(0.1)	$ (1.1)
Residential mortgage loans | Loans held-for-investment [Member]
Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss	$ 1.6		$ 2.2

Investment in Loans (Schedule o

Investment in Loans (Schedule of Investments in Loans) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Principal/Notional Amount		$ 1,536,714	$ 1,417,054
Fair Value	[1],[2]	1,582,516	1,453,480
Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Principal/Notional Amount		1,236,923	1,150,303
Fair Value		1,280,637	1,187,069
Commercial mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Principal/Notional Amount		235,077	212,716
Fair Value		235,948	213,031
Consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Principal/Notional Amount		51,488	48,180
Fair Value		52,705	47,525
Corporate loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Principal/Notional Amount		13,226	5,855
Fair Value		$ 13,226	$ 5,855
[1]	Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.
[2]	Includes assets pledged as collateral to counterparties. See Note 11 for additional details on the Company's borrowings and related collateral.

Investment in Loans (Schedule_2

Investment in Loans (Schedule of 90 Days or More Past Due) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		$ 1,536,714	$ 1,417,054
Loans, at fair value	[1],[2]	1,582,516	1,453,480
Commercial mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		235,077	212,716
Loans, at fair value		235,948	213,031
Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		1,236,923	1,150,303
Loans, at fair value		1,280,637	1,187,069
Consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		51,488	48,180
Loans, at fair value		52,705	47,525
Non-accrual status [Member] | Commercial mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value			31,500
Non-accrual status [Member] | Commercial mortgage loans | 90 Days or More Past Due [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		34,373	44,233
Loans, at fair value		34,265	44,052
Non-accrual status [Member] | Residential mortgage loans | 90 Days or More Past Due [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		54,588	64,509
Loans, at fair value		50,646	60,381
Non-accrual status [Member] | Consumer loans | 90 Days or More Past Due [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		900	1,015
Loans, at fair value		$ 665	$ 930
[1]	Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.
[2]	Includes assets pledged as collateral to counterparties. See Note 11 for additional details on the Company's borrowings and related collateral.

Investment in Loans (Schedule_3

Investment in Loans (Schedule of Residential Mortgage Loans) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		$ 1,536,714	$ 1,417,054
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		(156,693)	(196,118)
Fair Value	[1],[2]	$ 1,582,516	$ 1,453,480
Weighted Average
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.68%	3.92%
Weighted Average Yield		3.62%	4.77%
Weighted average life		5 years 4 months 17 days	4 years 5 months 26 days
Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		$ 1,236,923	$ 1,150,303
Fair Value		1,280,637	1,187,069
Residential mortgage loans | Non-performing
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		53,289	62,009
Fair Value		49,586	58,169
Consolidated securitization trusts [Member] | Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Gains		27,500	24,800
Losses		200	100
Loans held-for-investment [Member] | Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		1,236,923	1,150,303
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		18,997	14,263
Amortized Cost		1,255,920	1,164,566
Gains		29,604	27,892
Losses		(4,887)	(5,389)
Fair Value		$ 1,280,637	$ 1,187,069
Loans held-for-investment [Member] | Residential mortgage loans | Weighted Average
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		6.12%	6.19%
Weighted Average Yield		4.21%	5.60%
Weighted average life		1 year 4 months 2 days	1 year 10 months 24 days
Non-QM loan securitization | Residential mortgage loans | Consolidated Entities [Member] | Securitized loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Fair Value		$ 961,332	$ 801,343
[1]	Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.
[2]	Includes assets pledged as collateral to counterparties. See Note 11 for additional details on the Company's borrowings and related collateral.

Investment in Loans (Schedule_4

Investment in Loans (Schedule of Residential Mortgage Loans: Geographic Distribution) (Details)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Schedules of Exposure to Counterparty Risk	The table below summarizes the geographic distribution of the real estate collateral underlying the Company's residential mortgage loans as a percentage of total outstanding unpaid principal balance as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: Property Location by U.S. State March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 California 42.8 % 43.1 % Florida 15.5 % 14.8 % Texas 9.9 % 10.2 % Colorado 2.8 % 3.1 % Massachusetts 2.8 % 2.6 % Oregon 2.2 % 2.2 % Arizona 2.2 % 2.0 % Nevada 2.1 % 1.9 % Illinois 1.9 % 1.8 % Utah 1.6 % 1.7 % New York 1.6 % 1.6 % Washington 1.3 % 1.4 % New Jersey 1.2 % 1.4 % Georgia 1.2 % 1.3 % North Carolina 1.2 % 1.1 % Connecticut 1.1 % 0.9 % Maryland 0.9 % 1.0 % Other 7.7 % 7.9 % 100.0 % 100.0 % The table below summarizes the geographic distribution of the real estate collateral underlying the Company's commercial mortgage loans as a percentage of total outstanding unpaid principal balance as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: Property Location by U.S. State March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Florida 27.6 % 23.8 % New York 16.6 % 15.2 % Connecticut 10.9 % 11.2 % Ohio 8.8 % 7.3 % Missouri 7.6 % 7.9 % Massachusetts 5.9 % 6.1 % California 5.7 % 5.9 % Arizona 4.2 % 4.3 % Virginia 4.1 % 4.2 % Indiana 2.7 % 2.8 % North Carolina 2.1 % 2.2 % Nevada 1.8 % 1.9 % Illinois 1.3 % 1.4 % New Jersey 0.7 % 5.8 % 100.0 % 100.0 % March 31, 2021: Amount of Exposure Number of Counterparties with Exposure Maximum Percentage of Exposure to a Single Counterparty (1) (In thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $ 149,350 7 26.1 % Collateral on repurchase agreements held by dealers (2) 2,226,054 24 16.6 % Due from brokers 91,814 23 25.4 % Receivable for securities sold (3) 5,147 3 95.8 % (1) Each counterparty is a large creditworthy financial institution. (2) Includes securities, loans, and REO as well as cash posted as collateral for repurchase agreements. (3) Included in Investment related receivables on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. December 31, 2020: Amount of Exposure Number of Counterparties with Exposure Maximum Percentage of Exposure to a Single Counterparty (1) (In thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $ 111,647 8 40.1 % Collateral on repurchase agreements held by dealers (2) 1,860,059 24 15.3 % Due from brokers 63,147 22 28.9 % Receivable for securities sold (3) 1,416 2 94.5 % (1) Each counterparty is a large creditworthy financial institution. (2) Includes securities, loans, and REO as well as cash posted as collateral for repurchase agreements. (3) Included in Investment related receivables on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Financing Receivables, Unpaid Principal Balance [Member] | Residential mortgage loans | Geographic Concentration Risk [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	100.00%	100.00%
Financing Receivables, Unpaid Principal Balance [Member] | Residential mortgage loans | Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] | CALIFORNIA
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	42.80%	43.10%
Financing Receivables, Unpaid Principal Balance [Member] | Residential mortgage loans | Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] | Florida [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	15.50%	14.80%
Financing Receivables, Unpaid Principal Balance [Member] | Residential mortgage loans | Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] | Texas [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	9.90%	10.20%
Financing Receivables, Unpaid Principal Balance [Member] | Residential mortgage loans | Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] | Colorado [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	2.80%	3.10%
Financing Receivables, Unpaid Principal Balance [Member] | Residential mortgage loans | Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] | MASSACHUSETTS
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	2.80%	2.60%
Financing Receivables, Unpaid Principal Balance [Member] | Residential mortgage loans | Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] | WASHINGTON
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	1.30%	1.40%
Financing Receivables, Unpaid Principal Balance [Member] | Residential mortgage loans | Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] | NEVADA
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	2.10%	1.90%
Financing Receivables, Unpaid Principal Balance [Member] | Residential mortgage loans | Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] | OREGON
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	2.20%	2.20%
Financing Receivables, Unpaid Principal Balance [Member] | Residential mortgage loans | Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] | ARIZONA
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	2.20%	2.00%
Financing Receivables, Unpaid Principal Balance [Member] | Residential mortgage loans | Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] | UTAH
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	1.60%	1.70%
Financing Receivables, Unpaid Principal Balance [Member] | Residential mortgage loans | Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] | NEW YORK
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	1.60%	1.60%
Financing Receivables, Unpaid Principal Balance [Member] | Residential mortgage loans | Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] | CONNECTICUT
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	1.10%	0.90%
Financing Receivables, Unpaid Principal Balance [Member] | Residential mortgage loans | Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] | MARYLAND
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	0.90%	1.00%
Financing Receivables, Unpaid Principal Balance [Member] | Residential mortgage loans | Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] | NORTH CAROLINA
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	1.20%	1.10%
Financing Receivables, Unpaid Principal Balance [Member] | Residential mortgage loans | Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] | NEW JERSEY
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	1.20%	1.40%
Financing Receivables, Unpaid Principal Balance [Member] | Residential mortgage loans | Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] | ILLINOIS
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	1.90%	1.80%
Financing Receivables, Unpaid Principal Balance [Member] | Residential mortgage loans | Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] | Other [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	7.70%	7.90%
Financing Receivables, Unpaid Principal Balance [Member] | Residential mortgage loans | Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] | GEORGIA
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	1.20%	1.30%

Investment in Loans Investment

Investment in Loans Investment in Loans (Schedule of Residential Mortgage Loans: Performance) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		$ 1,536,714	$ 1,417,054
Loans, at fair value	[1],[2]	1,582,516	1,453,480
Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		1,236,923	1,150,303
Loans, at fair value		1,280,637	1,187,069
Residential mortgage loans | Performing Financial Instruments [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		17,185	18,120
Loans, at fair value		15,821	16,741
Residential mortgage loans | Non-performing
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		53,289	62,009
Loans, at fair value		$ 49,586	$ 58,169
[1]	Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.
[2]	Includes assets pledged as collateral to counterparties. See Note 11 for additional details on the Company's borrowings and related collateral.

Investment in Loans (Narrative)

Investment in Loans (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2021USD ($)loan	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)loan
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value	[1],[2]	$ 1,582,516		$ 1,453,480
Unpaid Principal Balance		1,536,714		1,417,054
Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		1,280,637		1,187,069
Mortgage Loans in Process of Foreclosure, Amount		16,400		14,900
Unpaid Principal Balance		1,236,923		1,150,303
Commercial mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		235,948		213,031
Losses		(455)		(454)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss		400		400
Mortgage Loans in Process of Foreclosure, Amount				10,500
Unpaid Principal Balance		235,077		$ 212,716
Number of mortgage loans in process of foreclosure				1
Consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		52,705		$ 47,525
Losses		(1,389)		(1,887)
Unpaid Principal Balance		51,488		48,180
Delinquent loans, charged off		3,600	$ 4,900
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss		1,300		2,900
Fair value of charged-off loans		500		600
Non-performing | Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		49,586		58,169
Unpaid Principal Balance		53,289		62,009
Non-performing | Commercial mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		$ 34,300		$ 31,500
Number of loans | loan		4		3
Unpaid Principal Balance		$ 34,400		$ 31,800
Loans held-for-investment [Member] | Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		1,280,637		1,187,069
Losses		(4,887)		(5,389)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss		1,600		2,200
Financing Receivable, Purchased with Credit Deterioration, Allowance for Credit Loss at Acquisition Date		200		200
Unpaid Principal Balance		1,236,923		$ 1,150,303
Realized Losses, Write offs on loans		(33)
Loans held-for-investment [Member] | Consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Realized Losses, Write offs on loans		$ (1,300)
[1]	Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.
[2]	Includes assets pledged as collateral to counterparties. See Note 11 for additional details on the Company's borrowings and related collateral.

Investment in Loans (Schedule_5

Investment in Loans (Schedule of Commercial Mortgage Loans) (Details) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		$ 1,536,714	$ 1,417,054
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		(156,693)	(196,118)
Loans, at fair value	[1],[2]	$ 1,582,516	$ 1,453,480
Weighted Average
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.68%	3.92%
Weighted Average Yield		3.62%	4.77%
Weighted average life		5 years 4 months 17 days	4 years 5 months 26 days
Commercial mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		$ 235,077	$ 212,716
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		1,110	290
Investments, at fair value, Cost		236,187	213,006
Gains		216	479
Losses		(455)	(454)
Loans, at fair value		235,948	$ 213,031
Number of mortgage loans in process of foreclosure			1
Mortgage Loans in Process of Foreclosure, Amount			$ 10,500
Commercial mortgage loans | Non-performing
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		34,400	31,800
Loans, at fair value		$ 34,300	$ 31,500
Commercial mortgage loans | Weighted Average
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		8.19%	8.38%
Weighted Average Yield		8.19%	8.28%
Weighted average life		9 months 29 days	7 months 13 days
Non-accrual status [Member] | Commercial mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value			$ 31,500
Non-accrual status [Member] | Commercial mortgage loans | Non-performing
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		$ 34,300
[1]	Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.
[2]	Includes assets pledged as collateral to counterparties. See Note 11 for additional details on the Company's borrowings and related collateral.

Investment in Loans (Schedule_6

Investment in Loans (Schedule of Commercial Loans: Geographic Distribution) (Details) - Financing Receivables, Unpaid Principal Balance [Member] - Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] - Commercial mortgage loans	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	100.00%	100.00%
Florida [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	27.60%	23.80%
NEW YORK
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	16.60%	15.20%
Virginia [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	4.10%	4.20%
CONNECTICUT
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	10.90%	11.20%
MASSACHUSETTS
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	0.70%	5.80%
NORTH CAROLINA
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	7.60%	7.90%
CALIFORNIA
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	5.70%	5.90%
MASSACHUSETTS
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	5.90%	6.10%
ARIZONA
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	4.20%	4.30%
Indiana [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	2.70%	2.80%
PENNSYLVANIA
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	2.10%	2.20%
NEVADA
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	1.80%	1.90%
ILLINOIS
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	1.30%	1.40%
OHIO
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	8.80%	7.30%

Investment in Loans (Schedule_7

Investment in Loans (Schedule of Consumer Loans) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		$ 1,536,714	$ 1,417,054
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		(156,693)	(196,118)
Loans, at fair value	[1],[2]	$ 1,582,516	$ 1,453,480
Weighted Average
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Weighted average life		5 years 4 months 17 days	4 years 5 months 26 days
Consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Fair value of charged-off loans		$ 500	$ 600
Unpaid Principal Balance		51,488	48,180
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		1,616	72
Investments, at fair value, Cost		53,104	48,252
Gains		990	1,160
Losses		(1,389)	(1,887)
Loans, at fair value		$ 52,705	$ 47,525
Consumer loans | Weighted Average
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Weighted average life		1 year 14 days	1 year 14 days
Delinquency (Days)		4 days	7 days
[1]	Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.
[2]	Includes assets pledged as collateral to counterparties. See Note 11 for additional details on the Company's borrowings and related collateral.

Investment in Loans (Schedule_8

Investment in Loans (Schedule of Consumer Loans: Delinquency Status) (Details) - Consumer loans	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Financing Receivable, Past Due [Line Items]
Percent past due	100.00%	100.00%
Financial Asset, 1 to 29 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Past Due [Line Items]
Percent past due	95.20%	90.40%
30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Past Due [Line Items]
Percent past due	2.00%	3.40%
60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Past Due [Line Items]
Percent past due	1.40%	3.30%
90-119 Days or More Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Past Due [Line Items]
Percent past due	1.30%	2.80%
Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 120 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Past Due [Line Items]
Percent past due	0.10%	0.10%

Investment in Loans Investmen_2

Investment in Loans Investment in Loans (Schedule of Corporate Loans) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		$ 1,536,714	$ 1,417,054
Loans, at fair value	[1],[2]	1,582,516	1,453,480
Corporate loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		13,226	5,855
Loans, at fair value		$ 13,226	$ 5,855
Weighted Average
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		3.68%	3.92%
Weighted average life		5 years 4 months 17 days	4 years 5 months 26 days
Weighted Average | Corporate loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		21.02%	20.00%
Weighted average life		3 years 1 month 17 days	1 year 9 months
[1]	Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.
[2]	Includes assets pledged as collateral to counterparties. See Note 11 for additional details on the Company's borrowings and related collateral.

Investments in Unconsolidated_3

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	[1]	$ 147,684		$ 141,620
Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities		6,635	$ (6,497)
Investment in Loan Originator
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		82,500		79,500
Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		$ 14,000		$ 13,600
[1]	Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.

Investments in Unconsolidated_4

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities Schedule of Ownership of Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Details)	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Longbridge Financial LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	49.70%	49.70%
LendSure Mortgage Corp [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	49.90%	49.90%
LendSure Mortgage Corp [Member] | Nonvoting Common Stock [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	15.00%
Jepson Holdings Limited
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	30.10%	30.10%
Elizon TCG SBC 2017-1
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	36.00%	36.00%
Elizon DB 2015-1 LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	5.70%	8.90%
Effective Ownership Percentage	50.10%	58.20%
Elizon NM CRE 2020-1 LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	26.20%	0.00%
Effective Ownership Percentage	42.50%
Minimum | Other Equity Method Investments [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	8.00%	7.40%
Maximum | Other Equity Method Investments [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	56.30%	56.30%

Real Estate Owned (Details)

Real Estate Owned (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021USD ($)property	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)property	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)
Real Estate Owned, Disclosure of Detailed Components [Abstract]
Real Estate Acquired Through Foreclosure, Disposals, Number Of Properties | property	1	3
Realized Gain (Loss) on Sale of Properties	$ 61	$ 400
REO, fair value	$ 23,000		$ 22,400

Real Estate Owned Schedule of R

Real Estate Owned Schedule of Real Estate Owned Activity (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021USD ($)property	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)property
Number of Properties
Beginning Balance | property	13	15
Transfers from mortgage loans | property	3	4
Disposals | property	(1)	(3)
Ending Balance | property	15	16
Carrying Value
Beginning Balance	$ 23,598	$ 30,584
Transfers from mortgage loans	12,554	1,422
Capital expenditures and other adjustments to cost	473	114
Adjustments to record at the lower of cost or fair value	(790)	(683)
Disposals	(278)	(6,383)
Ending Balance	$ 35,557	$ 25,054

Financial Derivatives (Schedule

Financial Derivatives (Schedule of Financial Derivatives) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	$ 23,082	$ 15,479
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-	(19,438)	(24,553)
Total	3,644	(9,074)
TBA Securities, Purchase Contracts [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	1	961
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-	(3,915)	0
TBA Securities, Sale Contracts [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	3,408	1
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-	(161)	(925)
Interest rate swaps | Short
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	5,331	125
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-	(7,856)	(15,109)
Interest rate swaps | Long
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	5,372	8,394
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-	(1,028)	(65)
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	320	347
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	2,087	2,184
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-	(127)	(130)
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-	(682)	(747)
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	3,427	3,420
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-	(5,128)	(6,438)
Total return swaps
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	2	9
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-	(338)	(484)
Futures
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	2,704	2
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-	(163)	(376)
Futures | Short
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Total	2,541	(374)
Forwards
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	388	0
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-	(40)	(279)
Warrants
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	$ 42	$ 36

Financial Derivatives (Interest

Financial Derivatives (Interest Rate Swaps) (Details) - Interest rate swaps - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Long
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 237,472	$ 253,423
Fair Value	4,344	8,329
Long | 2021 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	12,950	12,950
Fair Value	103	205
Long | 2022 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	53,974	103,974
Fair Value	887	1,413
Long | 2023 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	41,407	48,657
Fair Value	1,423	2,209
Long | 2024 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	76,342	86,342
Fair Value	2,959	4,567
Long | 2026 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	47,799
Fair Value	(725)
Long | 2031
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	3,500
Fair Value	(38)
Long | 2035
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	500	500
Fair Value	(66)	(14)
Long | 2040
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	500	500
Fair Value	(85)	(20)
Long | 2050
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	500	500
Fair Value	$ (114)	$ (31)
Long | Weighted Average
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	1.54%	1.48%
Receive Rate	0.20%	0.22%
Remaining Years to Maturity	2 years 11 months 26 days	2 years 5 months 23 days
Long | Weighted Average | 2021 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	1.75%	1.75%
Receive Rate	0.19%	0.24%
Remaining Years to Maturity	5 months 15 days	8 months 15 days
Long | Weighted Average | 2022 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	1.85%	1.07%
Receive Rate	0.19%	0.22%
Remaining Years to Maturity	11 months 1 day	1 year 5 months 23 days
Long | Weighted Average | 2023 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	2.00%	2.00%
Receive Rate	0.19%	0.24%
Remaining Years to Maturity	1 year 11 months 19 days	2 years 3 months 3 days
Long | Weighted Average | 2024 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	1.57%	1.65%
Receive Rate	0.22%	0.22%
Remaining Years to Maturity	3 years 6 months 18 days	3 years 8 months 23 days
Long | Weighted Average | 2026 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	0.69%
Receive Rate	0.18%
Remaining Years to Maturity	4 years 10 months 24 days
Long | Weighted Average | 2031
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	1.63%
Receive Rate	0.19%
Remaining Years to Maturity	9 years 11 months 12 days
Long | Weighted Average | 2035
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	0.74%	0.74%
Receive Rate	0.09%	0.09%
Remaining Years to Maturity	14 years 6 months 21 days	14 years 9 months 21 days
Long | Weighted Average | 2040
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	0.84%	0.84%
Receive Rate	0.09%	0.09%
Remaining Years to Maturity	19 years 6 months 25 days	19 years 9 months 25 days
Long | Weighted Average | 2050
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	0.90%	0.90%
Receive Rate	0.09%	0.09%
Remaining Years to Maturity	29 years 6 months 29 days	29 years 9 months 25 days
Short
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 879,596	$ 408,295
Fair Value	(2,525)	(14,984)
Short | 2021 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount		17,500
Fair Value		(231)
Short | 2022 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	64,100	96,533
Fair Value	(503)	(1,535)
Short | 2023 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	361,650	146,012
Fair Value	(3,788)	(4,770)
Short | 2024 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	251,700
Fair Value	669
Short | 2025 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	38,192	66,503
Fair Value	(123)	(1,034)
Short | 2026 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	10,000	11,216
Fair Value	49	(458)
Short | 2027 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	9,732	9,732
Fair Value	464	60
Short | 2028 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	51,644	16,644
Fair Value	(52)	(2,169)
Short | 2029 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	19,152	22,744
Fair Value	(643)	(2,289)
Short | 2030 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	11,085	13,015
Fair Value	572	(369)
Short | 2031
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	53,945
Fair Value	1,412
Short | 2035
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	500	500
Fair Value	67	15
Short | 2036 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	1,100	1,100
Fair Value	84	(47)
Short | 2040
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	500	500
Fair Value	85	20
Short | 2049 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	5,796	5,796
Fair Value	(932)	(2,208)
Short | 2050
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	500	500
Fair Value	$ 114	$ 31
Short | Weighted Average
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	0.79%	1.39%
Receive Rate	0.18%	0.23%
Remaining Years to Maturity	3 years 7 months 2 days	3 years 9 months 25 days
Short | Weighted Average | 2021 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate		2.75%
Receive Rate		0.24%
Remaining Years to Maturity		2 months 19 days
Short | Weighted Average | 2022 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	0.99%	1.19%
Receive Rate	0.18%	0.22%
Remaining Years to Maturity	11 months 4 days	1 year 1 month 20 days
Short | Weighted Average | 2023 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	0.74%	1.50%
Receive Rate	0.19%	0.23%
Remaining Years to Maturity	2 years	2 years 5 months 1 day
Short | Weighted Average | 2024 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	0.38%
Receive Rate	0.16%
Remaining Years to Maturity	2 years 11 months 8 days
Short | Weighted Average | 2025 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	0.92%	0.73%
Receive Rate	0.18%	0.21%
Remaining Years to Maturity	4 years 2 months 15 days	4 years 9 months
Short | Weighted Average | 2026 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	0.90%	1.23%
Receive Rate	0.19%	0.25%
Remaining Years to Maturity	4 years 11 months 1 day	5 years 6 months
Short | Weighted Average | 2027 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	0.49%	0.49%
Receive Rate	0.19%	0.24%
Remaining Years to Maturity	6 years 2 months 26 days	6 years 5 months 23 days
Short | Weighted Average | 2028 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	1.40%	2.39%
Receive Rate	0.19%	0.24%
Remaining Years to Maturity	6 years 11 months 12 days	7 years 3 months 25 days
Short | Weighted Average | 2029 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	1.98%	1.94%
Receive Rate	0.20%	0.23%
Remaining Years to Maturity	8 years 3 months 18 days	8 years 7 months 9 days
Short | Weighted Average | 2030 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	1.06%	1.13%
Receive Rate	0.19%	0.22%
Remaining Years to Maturity	9 years 29 days	9 years 3 months 14 days
Short | Weighted Average | 2031
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	1.46%
Receive Rate	0.15%
Remaining Years to Maturity	9 years 11 months 1 day
Short | Weighted Average | 2035
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	0.78%	0.78%
Receive Rate	0.09%	0.09%
Remaining Years to Maturity	14 years 6 months 21 days	14 years 9 months 21 days
Short | Weighted Average | 2036 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	1.45%	1.45%
Receive Rate	0.19%	0.25%
Remaining Years to Maturity	14 years 10 months 20 days	15 years 1 month 17 days
Short | Weighted Average | 2040
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	0.90%	0.90%
Receive Rate	0.09%	0.09%
Remaining Years to Maturity	19 years 6 months 25 days	19 years 9 months 25 days
Short | Weighted Average | 2049 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	2.89%	2.89%
Receive Rate	0.24%	0.23%
Remaining Years to Maturity	27 years 9 months 10 days	28 years 7 days
Short | Weighted Average | 2050
Derivative [Line Items]
Pay Rate	0.98%	0.98%
Receive Rate	0.09%	0.09%
Remaining Years to Maturity	29 years 6 months 29 days	29 years 9 months 25 days

Financial Derivatives (Credit D

Financial Derivatives (Credit Default Swaps) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Derivative [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	$ 23,082	$ 15,479
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-	(19,438)	(24,553)
Fair Value	(3,644)	9,074
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices
Derivative [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	2,087	2,184
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-	(127)	(130)
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Short
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	(1)	(1)
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-	0	0
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities
Derivative [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	320	347
Credit default swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	(50,134)	(66,390)
Fair Value	103	1,364
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices
Derivative [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	3,427	3,420
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-	(5,128)	(6,438)
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Short
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	(93,661)	(110,624)
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-	$ (5,128)	$ (6,438)

Financial Derivatives (Futures)

Financial Derivatives (Futures) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair Value	$ 3,644	$ (9,074)
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	23,082	15,479
Derivative Liability	19,438	24,553
Futures
Derivative [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	2,704	2
Derivative Liability	163	376
Short | Futures
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	176,600	176,600
Fair Value	$ 2,541	$ (374)
Remaining Years to Maturity	3 months	2 months 26 days
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Short | U.S. Treasury futures
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 0	$ 178,200
Remaining Years to Maturity	0 years	2 months 26 days
Derivative Liability	$ 0	$ (367)
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Long | U.S. Treasury futures
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 1,900	$ (1,900)
Remaining Years to Maturity	2 months 23 days	2 months 19 days
Derivative Liability	$ (163)	$ (9)
Financial Derivatives - Assets | Short | U.S. Treasury futures
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 178,500	$ 300
Remaining Years to Maturity	3 months	2 months 19 days
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	$ 2,704	$ 2

Financial Derivatives (TBAs) (D

Financial Derivatives (TBAs) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Derivative [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	$ 23,082	$ 15,479
Derivative Liability	19,438	24,553
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	3,644	(9,074)
TBA securities
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	(733,730)	(354,077)
Derivative, Cost Basis	(777,970)	(380,791)
Market Value Underlying	(778,637)	(380,754)
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	(667)	37
TBA securities | Long
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	(184,890)	(149,990)
Derivative, Cost Basis	188,513	155,008
Market Value Underlying	184,599	155,969
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	(3,914)	961
TBA securities | Short
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	(918,620)	(504,067)
Derivative, Cost Basis	(966,483)	(535,799)
Market Value Underlying	(963,236)	(536,723)
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	3,247	(924)
Financial Derivatives - Assets | TBA securities | Long
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	(10,000)	(149,990)
Derivative, Cost Basis	10,039	155,008
Market Value Underlying	10,040	155,969
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	1	961
Financial Derivatives - Assets | TBA securities | Short
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	(810,574)	(4,400)
Derivative, Cost Basis	(850,708)	(4,765)
Market Value Underlying	(847,300)	(4,764)
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	3,408	1
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | TBA securities | Long
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	174,890	0
Derivative, Cost Basis	178,474	0
Market Value Underlying	174,559	0
Derivative Liability	(3,915)	0
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | TBA securities | Short
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	(108,046)	(499,667)
Derivative, Cost Basis	(115,775)	(531,034)
Market Value Underlying	(115,936)	(531,959)
Derivative Liability	$ (161)	$ (925)

Financial Derivatives (Schedu_2

Financial Derivatives (Schedule of Gains and Losses on Derivative Contracts) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Derivative [Line Items]
Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	$ (816)	$ 143
Net Realized Gains (Losses) Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	6,629	(12,535)
Realized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	5,813	(12,392)
Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	410	(111)
Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	10,267	(9,856)
Unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	10,677	(9,967)
Derivative [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Foreign currency transactions	18	14
Foreign currency translation	(34)	17
Interest rate swaps | Interest Rate Risk [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	(816)	143
Net Realized Gains (Losses) Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	447	(6,384)
Realized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	(369)	(6,241)
Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	410	(111)
Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	7,675	(20,020)
Unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	8,085	(20,131)
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities | Credit Risk [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Net Realized Gains (Losses) Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	26	(994)
Realized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	26	(994)
Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	(27)	917
Unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	(27)	917
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices | Credit Risk [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Net Realized Gains (Losses) Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	1,069	(556)
Realized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	1,069	(556)
Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	(958)	12,524
Unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	(958)	12,524
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices | Credit Risk [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Net Realized Gains (Losses) Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	(924)	579
Realized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	(924)	579
Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	528	4,116
Unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	528	4,116
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds | Credit Risk [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Net Realized Gains (Losses) Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	(72)	94
Realized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	(72)	94
Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	66	1,527
Unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	66	1,527
Total return swaps | Credit Risk [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Net Realized Gains (Losses) Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	(341)	(1,571)
Realized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	(341)	(1,571)
Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	139	(213)
Unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	139	(213)
TBA securities | Interest Rate Risk [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Net Realized Gains (Losses) Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	5,319	(3,173)
Realized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	5,319	(3,173)
Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	(703)	(5,423)
Unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	(703)	(5,423)
Futures | Interest Rate Risk [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Net Realized Gains (Losses) Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	1,017	(1,122)
Realized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	1,017	(1,122)
Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	2,915	(6,115)
Unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	2,915	(6,115)
Forwards | Currency risk [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Net Realized Gains (Losses) Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	88	592
Realized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	88	592
Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	627	253
Unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	627	253
Warrants | Equity Market/Credit Risk [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Net Realized Gains (Losses) Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	0	0
Realized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	0	0
Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps	5	20
Unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net	$ 5	20
Options | Interest Rate Risk [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Net Realized Gains (Losses) Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps		0
Realized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net		0
Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps		2,558
Unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net		$ 2,558

Financial Derivatives (Schedu_3

Financial Derivatives (Schedule of Derivative Activity) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Interest rate swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Average Monthly Notional	$ 795,247	$ 1,009,110
TBA securities
Derivative [Line Items]
Average Monthly Notional	1,017,245	713,634
Credit default swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Average Monthly Notional	190,584	277,990
Total return swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Average Monthly Notional	4,181	6,975
Futures
Derivative [Line Items]
Average Monthly Notional	180,400	149,538
Options
Derivative [Line Items]
Average Monthly Notional	0	1,500
Forwards
Derivative [Line Items]
Average Monthly Notional	24,177	26,413
Warrants
Derivative [Line Items]
Average Monthly Notional	$ 1,897	$ 1,570

Financial Derivatives (Schedu_4

Financial Derivatives (Schedule of Credit Derivatives) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Credit Derivatives [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	$ 23,082	$ 15,479
Derivative Liability	(19,438)	(24,553)
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	3,644	(9,074)
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices
Credit Derivatives [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	2,087	2,184
Derivative Liability	(127)	(130)
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Long
Credit Derivatives [Line Items]
Notional value	555	395
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	$ 6	$ 5
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Long | Weighted Average
Credit Derivatives [Line Items]
Remaining Years to Maturity	24 years 3 days	16 years 11 months 26 days
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Short
Credit Derivatives [Line Items]
Notional value	$ 13,705	$ 12,888
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	$ 2,081	$ 2,179
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Short | Weighted Average
Credit Derivatives [Line Items]
Remaining Years to Maturity	43 years 11 months 19 days	39 years 7 months 9 days
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Long
Credit Derivatives [Line Items]
Notional value	$ 293	$ 479
Derivative Liability	$ (127)	$ (130)
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Long | Weighted Average
Credit Derivatives [Line Items]
Remaining Years to Maturity	28 years 10 days	32 years 4 months 9 days
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Short
Credit Derivatives [Line Items]
Notional value	$ 1	$ 1
Derivative Liability	$ 0	$ 0
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Short | Weighted Average
Credit Derivatives [Line Items]
Remaining Years to Maturity	28 years 9 months 3 days	29 years
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices
Credit Derivatives [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	$ 3,427	$ 3,420
Derivative Liability	(5,128)	(6,438)
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Long
Credit Derivatives [Line Items]
Notional value	67,354	67,779
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	$ 3,422	$ 3,296
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Long | Weighted Average
Credit Derivatives [Line Items]
Remaining Years to Maturity	2 years 3 months 7 days	2 years 6 months 7 days
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Short
Credit Derivatives [Line Items]
Notional value	$ 1,642	$ 2,173
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	$ 5	$ 124
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Short | Weighted Average
Credit Derivatives [Line Items]
Remaining Years to Maturity	2 years 8 months 19 days	2 years 11 months 19 days
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Short
Credit Derivatives [Line Items]
Notional value	$ 93,661	$ 110,624
Derivative Liability	$ (5,128)	$ (6,438)
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Short | Weighted Average
Credit Derivatives [Line Items]
Remaining Years to Maturity	2 years 3 months 29 days	2 years 9 months 10 days
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities
Credit Derivatives [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	$ 320	$ 347
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Short
Credit Derivatives [Line Items]
Notional value	927	957
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	$ 320	$ 347
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Short | Weighted Average
Credit Derivatives [Line Items]
Remaining Years to Maturity	14 years 5 months 15 days	14 years 8 months 12 days
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds
Credit Derivatives [Line Items]
Derivative Liability	$ (682)	$ (747)
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Short
Credit Derivatives [Line Items]
Notional value	8,400	8,400
Derivative Liability	$ (682)	$ (747)
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Short | Weighted Average
Credit Derivatives [Line Items]
Remaining Years to Maturity	3 years 11 months 4 days	4 years 2 months 1 day
Credit default swaps
Credit Derivatives [Line Items]
Notional value	$ 50,134	$ 66,390
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	$ (103)	$ (1,364)
Credit default swaps | Weighted Average
Credit Derivatives [Line Items]
Remaining Years to Maturity	13 years 10 months 24 days	10 years 3 months
Credit Default Swap, Selling Protection [Member]
Credit Derivatives [Line Items]
Fair Value	$ 3,301	$ 3,171
Notional value	$ 68,202	$ 68,653

Financial Derivatives (Narrativ

Financial Derivatives (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Derivative [Line Items]
Written credit derivative spread threshold	20.00%	20.00%
Credit Default Swap, Selling Protection [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Credit risk derivative in excess of threshold, at fair value, net	$ (0.1)	$ (0.1)
Total net up-front payments received	$ (2)	$ (2)
Minimum
Derivative [Line Items]
Spread on written credit derivatives	2.81%	4.00%
Upfront points on written credit derivative in excess of threshold	56.2	56.2
Maximum
Derivative [Line Items]
Spread on written credit derivatives	26.44%	27.48%
Upfront points on written credit derivative in excess of threshold	85.2	85.2

Financial Derivatives Schedule

Financial Derivatives Schedule of Warrant Contracts (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Derivative [Line Items]
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	$ 23,082	$ 15,479
Warrants
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of Shares Underlying Warrant Contracts	1,897	1,897
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	$ 42	$ 36
Remaining Years to Maturity	2 years 1 month 24 days	2 years 4 months 24 days

Consolidated VIEs (Details)

Consolidated VIEs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	[1]	$ 149,350	$ 111,647
Restricted cash	[1]	175	175
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)	[1],[2]	1,909,127	1,514,185
Loans, at fair value	[1],[2]	1,582,516	1,453,480
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	[1]	147,684	141,620
Real estate owned	[1],[2]	35,557	23,598
Investment related receivables	[1]	67,338	49,317
Other assets	[1]	3,499	2,575
Total Assets		4,106,925	3,413,863
Liabilities
Repurchase agreements	[1]	1,909,511	1,496,931
Investment related payables	[1]	40,836	4,754
Other secured borrowings	[1]	64,506	51,062
Other secured borrowings, at fair value	[1]	911,256	754,921
Interest payable	[1]	1,915	3,233
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	[1]	19,708	18,659
Total Liabilities		3,163,549	2,492,291
Total Stockholders' Equity		909,856	885,215
Non-controlling interests	[1]	33,520	36,357
Total Equity		943,376	921,572	$ 809,481	$ 868,699
Total Liabilities and Equity		4,106,925	3,413,863
Primary Beneficiary
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		661	701
Restricted cash		175	175
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		59,162	44,523
Loans, at fair value		1,556,716	1,435,067
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		10,642	6,345
Real estate owned		35,557	23,598
Investment related receivables		40,669	24,824
Other assets		2,511	2,001
Total Assets		1,706,093	1,537,234
Liabilities
Repurchase agreements		267,429	275,019
Other secured borrowings		64,506	51,062
Other secured borrowings, at fair value		911,256	754,921
Interest payable		359	776
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		952	1,103
Total Liabilities		1,244,502	1,082,881
Total Stockholders' Equity		441,115	430,554
Non-controlling interests		20,476	23,799
Total Equity		461,591	454,353
Total Liabilities and Equity		$ 1,706,093	$ 1,537,234
[1]	Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.
[2]	Includes assets pledged as collateral to counterparties. See Note 11 for additional details on the Company's borrowings and related collateral.

Securitization Transactions Nar

Securitization Transactions Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
		Nov. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)	[1],[2]		$ 1,909,127	$ 1,514,185
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	[1]		147,684	141,620
Participation in Multi-Seller Consumer Loan Securitization [Member]
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Aggregate unpaid principal balance of loans sold		$ 205,100
Company's share of loans sold		56.30%
Co-participants share of loans sold		43.70%
Senior notes issued in securitization transaction		$ 158,400
Subordinated notes issued in securitization transaction		$ 35,200
Company's initial percentage ownership of jointly owned entity		56.30%
Affiliated co-participants initial percentage ownership of jointly owned entity		43.70%
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value			$ 21,600	$ 19,100
Company's current percentage ownership of jointly owned entity			56.30%	56.30%
Non-QM loan securitization
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Threshold for exercising Optional Redemption			30.00%
Percentage used to calculate servicing administrator fee			0.03%
[1]	Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.
[2]	Includes assets pledged as collateral to counterparties. See Note 11 for additional details on the Company's borrowings and related collateral.

Securitization Transactions (Sc

Securitization Transactions (Schedule of CLO Securitization Transactions) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)	[1],[2]	$ 1,909,127	$ 1,514,185
CLOs | Related Party CLO securitization [Member]
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 20,300	$ 17,300
[1]	Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.
[2]	Includes assets pledged as collateral to counterparties. See Note 11 for additional details on the Company's borrowings and related collateral.

Securitization Transactions (_2

Securitization Transactions (Schedule of Residential Loan Securitizations) (Details) - Non-QM loan securitization $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021USD ($)
February 2021
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Total Face Amount of Certificates Issued	$ 251,771
Purchase of certificates	1,600
June 2019 [Member]
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Total Face Amount of Certificates Issued	$ 226,913
Economic interest retained	6.10%
Purchase of certificates	$ 1,200
November 2019 [Member]
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Total Face Amount of Certificates Issued	$ 267,255
Economic interest retained	6.40%
Purchase of certificates	$ 1,700
June 2020 [Member]
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Total Face Amount of Certificates Issued	259,273
Purchase of certificates	1,900
November 2020
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Total Face Amount of Certificates Issued	219,732
Purchase of certificates	1,400
The Company [Member] | February 2021
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Principal Balance of Loans Transferred to the Depositor	251,771
The Company [Member] | June 2019 [Member]
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Principal Balance of Loans Transferred to the Depositor	226,913
The Company [Member] | November 2019 [Member]
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Principal Balance of Loans Transferred to the Depositor	267,255
The Company [Member] | June 2020 [Member]
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Principal Balance of Loans Transferred to the Depositor	259,273
The Company [Member] | November 2020
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Principal Balance of Loans Transferred to the Depositor	$ 219,732
Retained, non-risk retention [Member] | June 2020 [Member]
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Economic interest retained	3.50%
Retained, risk retention rules [Member] | February 2021
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Economic interest retained	5.80%
Retained, risk retention rules [Member] | June 2020 [Member]
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Economic interest retained	8.00%
Retained, risk retention rules [Member] | November 2020
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Economic interest retained	7.60%

Securitization Transactions (_3

Securitization Transactions (Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Attributable to Consolidated VIEs) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Other secured borrowings, at fair value	[1]	$ 911,256	$ 754,921
Loans, at fair value	[1],[2]	1,582,516	1,453,480
Real estate owned	[1],[2]	35,557	23,598
Investment related receivables	[1]	67,338	49,317
Residential mortgage loans
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		1,280,637	1,187,069
Consolidated Entities [Member] | Non-QM loan securitization
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Other secured borrowings, at fair value		911,256	754,921
Investment related receivables		23,103	15,544
Consolidated Entities [Member] | Residential mortgage loans | Securitized loans [Member] | Non-QM loan securitization
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		$ 961,332	$ 801,343
[1]	Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.
[2]	Includes assets pledged as collateral to counterparties. See Note 11 for additional details on the Company's borrowings and related collateral.

(Schedule of Reverse Repurchase

(Schedule of Reverse Repurchase Agreements by Maturity) (Details) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2021USD ($)counterparty	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements	[1]	$ 1,909,511	$ 1,496,931
Number of Counterparties with Outstanding Reverse Repurchase Agreements | counterparty		24
Total secured borrowings		$ 2,900,000	2,300,000
Agency RMBS
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements		1,436,506	921,862
Agency RMBS | 30 Days or Less
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements		223,518	265,556
Agency RMBS | 31-60 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements		549,479	385,141
Agency RMBS | 61-90 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements		182,827	174,586
Agency RMBS | 91-120 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements		7,520	0
Agency RMBS | 151 to 180 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements		79,809	59,857
Agency RMBS | 121-150 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements		152,660	2,692
Agency RMBS | More Than 360 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements		240,693	34,030
Credit
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements		473,005	575,069
Credit | 30 Days or Less
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements		14,646	37,795
Credit | 31-60 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements		147,187	84,554
Credit | 61-90 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements		103,919	152,426
Credit | 91-120 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements		78,396	89,931
Credit | 151 to 180 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements		5,877	11,063
Credit | Total Credit Assets
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements		81,095	94,248
Credit | 121-150 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements		0	66,412
Credit | More Than 360 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements		$ 41,885	$ 38,640
Minimum
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate		0.15%	0.20%
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity		1 day	4 days
Maximum
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate		5.00%	5.00%
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity		672 days	516 days
Weighted Average
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate		0.80%	1.20%
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity		118 days	94 days
Weighted Average | Agency RMBS
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate		0.22%	0.27%
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity		107 days	57 days
Weighted Average | Agency RMBS | 30 Days or Less
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate		0.23%	0.28%
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity		16 days	17 days
Weighted Average | Agency RMBS | 31-60 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate		0.20%	0.25%
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity		43 days	44 days
Weighted Average | Agency RMBS | 61-90 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate		0.29%	0.28%
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity		73 days	70 days
Weighted Average | Agency RMBS | 91-120 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate		1.03%	0.00%
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity		92 days	0 days
Weighted Average | Agency RMBS | 151 to 180 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate		0.20%	0.32%
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity		168 days	162 days
Weighted Average | Agency RMBS | 121-150 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate		0.20%	0.27%
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity		135 days	126 days
Weighted Average | Agency RMBS | More Than 360 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate		0.21%	0.32%
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity		326 days	252 days
Weighted Average | Non-Agency RMBS | 121-150 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity		0 days
Weighted Average | Credit
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate		2.57%	2.69%
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity		149 days	155 days
Weighted Average | Credit | 30 Days or Less
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate		1.87%	2.11%
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity		14 days	17 days
Weighted Average | Credit | 31-60 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate		3.03%	2.23%
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity		42 days	50 days
Weighted Average | Credit | 61-90 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate		1.81%	2.11%
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity		76 days	75 days
Weighted Average | Credit | 91-120 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate		2.22%	2.47%
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity		106 days	106 days
Weighted Average | Credit | 151 to 180 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate		3.75%	2.27%
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity		168 days	165 days
Weighted Average | Credit | Total Credit Assets
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate		2.85%	2.99%
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity		446 days	447 days
Weighted Average | Credit | 121-150 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate		0.00%	4.75%
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity			125 days
Weighted Average | Credit | More Than 360 Days
Transfer of Certain Financial Assets Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate		2.98%	2.90%
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity		256 days	289 days
[1]	Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.

Borrowings (Schedule of Debt Re

Borrowings (Schedule of Debt Repayments) (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2021USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Expected principal repayments related to consolidated residential mortgage loan securitizations	$ 937,200
Repurchase Agreements
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Next Rolling Twelve Months	1,828,416
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Rolling Year Two	81,095
2020 Scheduled Repayment of Principal	0
2021 Scheduled Repayment of Principal	0
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Rolling after Year Five	0
Total Scheduled Repayment of Principal	1,909,511
Other Secured Borrowings
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Next Rolling Twelve Months	458,602
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Rolling Year Two	260,649
2020 Scheduled Repayment of Principal	282,449
2021 Scheduled Repayment of Principal	0
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Rolling after Year Five	0
Total Scheduled Repayment of Principal	1,001,700
Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Next Rolling Twelve Months	0
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Rolling Year Two	86,000
2020 Scheduled Repayment of Principal	0
2021 Scheduled Repayment of Principal	0
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Rolling after Year Five	0
Total Scheduled Repayment of Principal	86,000
Total
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Next Rolling Twelve Months	2,287,018
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Rolling Year Two	427,744
2020 Scheduled Repayment of Principal	282,449
2021 Scheduled Repayment of Principal	0
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Rolling after Year Five	0
Total Scheduled Repayment of Principal	$ 2,997,211

Borrowings (Details)

Borrowings (Details) $ in Thousands		Feb. 13, 2019	Aug. 18, 2017USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2021USD ($)counterparty	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)
Borrowings [Line Items]
Total secured borrowings				$ 2,900,000	$ 2,300,000
Number of Counterparties with Outstanding Reverse Repurchase Agreements | counterparty				24
Financial Instruments transferred as collateral for repurchase agreements				$ 2,160,000	1,831,000
Collateral on repurchase agreements, unsettled sales				$ 4,900	1,400
Repurchase Agreements amount at risk threshold				10.00%
Other secured borrowings	[1]			$ 64,506	51,062
Other secured borrowings, at fair value	[1]			$ 911,256	$ 754,921
Minimum
Borrowings [Line Items]
Reverse Repurchase Agreements Maturity				30 days
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity				1 day	4 days
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate				0.15%	0.20%
Maximum
Borrowings [Line Items]
Reverse Repurchase Agreements Maturity				180 days
Repurchase agreements, remaining days to maturity				672 days	516 days
Repurchase Agreements Interest Rate				5.00%	5.00%
Reverse repurchase agreements
Borrowings [Line Items]
Cash collateral posted for securities sold under agreements to repurchase				$ 66,100	$ 28,900
Securitized residential mortgage loans
Borrowings [Line Items]
Fair Value of Assets Transfered and Accounted for as Secured Borrowings				961,300	801,300
Secured borrowing recourse facility collateralized by unsecured loan portfolio
Borrowings [Line Items]
Other secured borrowings				$ 6,700	$ 8,700
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Rate				2.11%	2.30%
Secured borrowing recourse facility collateralized by unsecured loan portfolio | Unsecured loans
Borrowings [Line Items]
Fair Value of Assets Transfered and Accounted for as Secured Borrowings				$ 9,300	$ 11,500
Non-QM loan securitization
Borrowings [Line Items]
Other secured borrowings					$ 754,900
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Rate				2.11%	2.43%
Secured borrowing facility collateralized by unsecured loan portfolio
Borrowings [Line Items]
Other secured borrowings				$ 14,600	$ 7,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Rate				2.25%	2.25%
Secured borrowing facility collateralized by unsecured loan portfolio | Unsecured loans
Borrowings [Line Items]
Fair Value of Assets Transfered and Accounted for as Secured Borrowings				$ 41,000	$ 31,800
Secured borrowing facility collateralized by ABS backed by consumer loans [Member]
Borrowings [Line Items]
Other secured borrowings				$ 35,700	$ 28,700
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Rate				5.12%	5.22%
Fair Value of Assets Transfered and Accounted for as Secured Borrowings				$ 52,800	$ 44,500
Commercial mortgage loans
Borrowings [Line Items]
Other secured borrowings				7,500	6,700
Fair Value of Assets Transfered and Accounted for as Secured Borrowings				$ 18,000	$ 17,300
Senior Notes
Borrowings [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Rate				5.80%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount			$ 86,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		5.50%
Redemption percentage		100.00%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date			Sep. 1, 2022
[1]	Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.

Income Taxes Income Taxes (Deta

Income Taxes Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$ 2,017	$ (547)

Income Taxes Schedule of Compon

Income Taxes Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$ 2,017	$ (547)

Related Party Transactions (Det

Related Party Transactions (Details)		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2021USD ($)numberOfWarrantsperiod	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)		Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Annual base management fee percentage		1.50%
Base management fee to affiliate	[1]	$ 3,277,000	$ 2,443,000
Base management fee, gross		3,500,000	2,900,000
Management Fee Expense, Rebates		$ 194,000	507,000	[1]
Incentive fee rate		25.00%
Incentive Fee, Loss Carryforward		$ 0			$ 0
Incentive fee hurdle rate fixed		9.00%
Incentive fee hurdle rate floating		3.00%
Minimum percentage of incentive fee to be paid in share		10.00%
Termination Fee, Number Of Periods | period		2
Termination Fee, Period		12 months
Expense Reimbursement Period		60 days
Expense Reimbursement - Manager		$ 4,100,000	2,700,000
Real estate owned	[2],[3]	35,557,000			23,598,000
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	[2]	147,684,000			141,620,000
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)	[2],[3]	1,909,127,000			1,514,185,000
Non-controlling interests	[2]	33,520,000			36,357,000
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	[2]	19,708,000			18,659,000
Reverse repurchase agreements		1,909,511,000			1,496,931,000
Other assets	[2]	3,499,000			2,575,000
Unpaid Principal Balance		1,536,714,000			1,417,054,000
Related Party Transaction, Purchases from Related Party		2,300,000	300,000
Securities Collateral relating to Reverse Repurchase Agreements		2,200,000,000			1,800,000,000
Commercial mortgage loans and REO
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Fair Value		34,400,000			34,000,000
Reverse repurchase agreements		147,800,000			116,100,000
Affiliated Entity [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	[2]	1,600,000			2,500,000
Mortgage Originator
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Warehouse facility, monetary amount		$ 5,000,000
Interest rate		15.00%
Advances made under warehouse facility		$ 0			0
Loans purchased under commitment agreement		$ 150,000,000
Number of warrants purchased under commitment agreement | numberOfWarrants		9,329,000
Mortgage Originator | Warrants
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		$ 4,200,000			3,600,000
Related Party-Consumer Loans Titled in Name of Related Party
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Fair value of loans held in related party trust		52,800,000			44,500,000
Purchasing Entity
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Fair value of loans held in related party trust		50,800,000			45,100,000
Consumer loans purchased through affiliate		11,900,000	$ 48,100,000
Estimated remaining contingent purchase obligations		66,400,000			13,000,000
Related party trust - Residential Mortgage Loans and REO
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Fair value of loans held in related party trust		321,100,000			387,400,000
Related party mortgage originator (with flow mortgage loan purchase and sale agreement) [Member] | Non-Exchange Traded Equity Investment in Mortgage Originators [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Drawn down amount being guaranteed		6,300,000			5,300,000
Non-controlling interest of joint venture partner | Unrelated third party joint venture interest | Commercial mortgage loans and REO
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Non-controlling interests		2,800,000			4,100,000
Non-controlling interest of joint venture partner | Related party joint venture interest | Commercial mortgage loans and REO
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Non-controlling interests		6,100,000			8,900,000
Mortgage-related Commercial | Corporate equity securities
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Fair Value		38,700,000			33,900,000
Jepson Holdings Limited
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		1,900,000			1,800,000
Loan receivable from affiliated entity related to warehouse facility
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Other assets		2,100,000			6,100,000
Participation in multi-borrower financing facility
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Outstanding debt of related party		296,000,000			$ 192,300,000
Maximum | Mortgage Originator
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Commitment to purchase loans		$ 150,000,000
Number of warrants available for purchase under commitment agreement | numberOfWarrants		9,329,000
[1]	See Note 13 for further details on management fee rebates.
[2]	Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.
[3]	Includes assets pledged as collateral to counterparties. See Note 11 for additional details on the Company's borrowings and related collateral.

Long-Term Incentive Plan Unit_2

Long-Term Incentive Plan Units (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 04, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based long term incentive plan unit expense		$ 0.2	$ 0.2
Capital shares reserved for future issuance (in shares)		1,743,981		1,761,212
Long-Term Incentive Plan Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period		0	0
Grants in Period (in shares)		92,781
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross		17,231	14,811
Director [Member] | Long-Term Incentive Plan Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Grants in Period (in shares)		22,840
Manager [Member] | Long-Term Incentive Plan Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period		0	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross		0	0
Non Manager [Member] | Long-Term Incentive Plan Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period		0	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross	17,231	17,231	14,811
Vest December 13, 2021 [Member] | Dedicated or partially dedicated personnel [Member] | Long-Term Incentive Plan Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Grants in Period (in shares)		10,067

Long-Term Incentive Plan Unit_3

Long-Term Incentive Plan Units Long-Term Incentive Plan Units (Unvested LTIP Units) (Details) - Long-Term Incentive Plan Units [Member]	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021shares
Schedule of Unvested LTIP Units [Line Items]
Number of OP LTIP Units (in units)	92,781
Director [Member]
Schedule of Unvested LTIP Units [Line Items]
Number of OP LTIP Units (in units)	22,840
Grant Date	Sep. 10, 2020
Vesting Date(1)	Sep. 9, 2021
Vest December 13, 2021 [Member] | Dedicated or partially dedicated personnel [Member]
Schedule of Unvested LTIP Units [Line Items]
Number of OP LTIP Units (in units)	10,067
Grant Date	Dec. 13, 2019
Vesting Date(1)	Dec. 13, 2021
Vest December 17, 2021 | Dedicated or partially dedicated personnel [Member]
Schedule of Unvested LTIP Units [Line Items]
Number of OP LTIP Units (in units)	18,211
Grant Date	Dec. 17, 2020
Vesting Date(1)	Dec. 17, 2021
Vest December 31, 2021 [Member] | Dedicated or partially dedicated personnel [Member] | Granted March 4, 2020
Schedule of Unvested LTIP Units [Line Items]
Number of OP LTIP Units (in units)	9,834
Grant Date	Mar. 4, 2020
Vesting Date(1)	Dec. 31, 2021
Vest December 31, 2021 [Member] | Dedicated or partially dedicated personnel [Member] | Grant Date March 3, 2021
Schedule of Unvested LTIP Units [Line Items]
Number of OP LTIP Units (in units)	3,697
Grant Date	Mar. 3, 2021
Vesting Date(1)	Dec. 31, 2021
Vest December 17, 2022 | Dedicated or partially dedicated personnel [Member]
Schedule of Unvested LTIP Units [Line Items]
Number of OP LTIP Units (in units)	14,598
Grant Date	Dec. 17, 2020
Vesting Date(1)	Dec. 17, 2022
Vest December 31, 2022 | Dedicated or partially dedicated personnel [Member] | Grant Date March 3, 2021
Schedule of Unvested LTIP Units [Line Items]
Number of OP LTIP Units (in units)	13,534
Grant Date	Mar. 3, 2021
Vesting Date(1)	Dec. 31, 2022

Long-Term Incentive Plan Unit_4

Long-Term Incentive Plan Units (Roll-Forward of Company's LTIP Units Outstanding) (Details) - Long-Term Incentive Plan Units [Member] - shares	Mar. 04, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
LTIP Units Outstanding, beginning of period		612,538	545,716
Granted		17,231	14,811
Exercised		0	0
LTIP Units Outstanding, end of period		629,769	560,527
OP LTIP Units Unvested and Outstanding end of period		92,781	60,939
OP LTIP Units Vested and Outstanding end of period		536,988	499,588
Manager [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
LTIP Units Outstanding, beginning of period		365,518	365,518
Granted		0	0
Exercised		0	0
LTIP Units Outstanding, end of period		365,518	365,518
OP LTIP Units Unvested and Outstanding end of period		0	0
OP LTIP Units Vested and Outstanding end of period		365,518	365,518
Non-Manager [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
LTIP Units Outstanding, beginning of period		247,020	180,198
Granted	17,231	17,231	14,811
Exercised		0	0
LTIP Units Outstanding, end of period		264,251	195,009
OP LTIP Units Unvested and Outstanding end of period		92,781	60,939
OP LTIP Units Vested and Outstanding end of period		171,470	134,070

Non-controlling Interests (Deta

Non-controlling Interests (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Mar. 02, 2020	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Non-controlling interests	[1]		$ 33,520		$ 36,357
Non-controlling interest of joint venture partner | Non-controlling Interest
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Non-controlling interests			$ 21,000		$ 24,500
Operating Partnership Units [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Operating Partnership Units, converted during period		(129,516)
Operating Partnership | Non-controlling Interest
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Operating Partnership LTIP Units (in units)			629,769	612,538
Operating Partnership Units (in units)			48,409	48,409
Ownership Percentage			1.30%		1.30%
Noncontrolling Interest in Operating Partnerships			$ 12,400		$ 11,700
[1]	Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.

Equity (Narrative) (Details)

Equity (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Jan. 25, 2020	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2021	Jan. 24, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Jun. 13, 2018
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued		4,600,000		4,600,000	4,600,000
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage		6.75%		6.75%
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding		4,600,000		4,600,000	4,600,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized		100,000,000		100,000,000	100,000,000
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share		$ 0.001		$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share		$ 25			$ 25
Preferred Stock, Amount of Preferred Dividends in Arrears		$ 1,300		$ 1,300
Preferred Stock Dividend Rate Variable Rate Spread		5.196%
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)		100,000,000		100,000,000	100,000,000
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share		$ 0.001		$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares outstanding		43,781,684	43,779,924	43,781,684	43,781,684			38,647,943
Dividends declared (in usd per share)		$ 0.30	$ 0.45
Dividends paid		$ (15,273)	$ (21,024)
Common shares issued and outstanding upon conversion of all convertible securities (in shares)		44,459,862			44,459,862	44,442,631
Number of shares authorized to be repurchased (in shares)									1,550,000
Shares repurchased (in shares)		0	288,172		701,965
Average price per share (USD per share)			$ 10.53		$ 13.36
Total cost			$ (3,035)		$ (9,400)
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	5,290,000	0	5,290,000
Proceeds from issuance of shares, net							$ 95,300
Over-Allotment Option [Member]
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	690,000
Operating Partnership Units [Member]
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Stock issued during period, shares, conversion of units		0	129,516

Equity (Summary of Common Stock

Equity (Summary of Common Stock Outstanding) (Details) - shares	Jan. 25, 2020	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2021
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Common stock, shares outstanding		43,781,684	43,779,924	43,781,684
Shares repurchased (in shares)		0	288,172	701,965
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (in shares)		43,781,684	38,647,943
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	5,290,000	0	5,290,000
Shares Issued As Payment of Incentive Fee, Shares		0	637
Shares repurchased		0	(288,172)	(701,965)
Ending balance (in shares)		43,781,684	43,779,924	43,781,684
Operating Partnership Units [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Stock issued during period, shares, conversion of units		0	129,516
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock issued during period, shares, conversion of units		0	129,516

Earnings Per Share (Details)

Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Net increase (decrease) in shareholders' equity resulting from operations
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$ 37,856	$ (129,398)
Add: Net income (loss) attributable to Convertible Non-controlling Interests	577	(2,055)
Net income (loss) related to common stockholders and Convertible Non-controlling Interests	38,433	(131,453)
Dividends Paid:
Dividends	(13,334)	(20,057)
Undistributed (Distributed in excess of) earnings:
Total undistributed (distributed in excess of) earnings	$ 25,099	$ (151,510)
Weighted average shares outstanding (basic and diluted):
Weighted average shares outstanding (basic and diluted) (in shares)	44,448,183	43,283,638
Basic earnings per share of common stock:
Distributed (in usd per share)	$ 0.30	$ 0.45
Undistributed (Distributed in excess of) (in usd per share)	0.56	(3.49)
Basic earnings per common share (in usd per share)	0.86	(3.04)
Diluted earnings per share of common stock:
Distributed (in usd per share)	0.30	0.45
Undistributed (Distributed in excess of) (usd per share)	0.56	(3.49)
Diluted earnings per common share (in usd per share)	$ 0.86	$ (3.04)
Net increase (decrease) in equity resulting from operations	$ 900	$ 1,200
Net increase (decrease) in equity resulting from operations	900	1,200
Common Stock
Dividends Paid:
Dividends	(13,134)	(19,748)
Undistributed (Distributed in excess of) earnings:
Total undistributed (distributed in excess of) earnings	$ 24,722	$ (149,146)
Weighted average shares outstanding (basic and diluted):
Weighted average shares outstanding (basic and diluted) (in shares)	43,781,684	42,598,138
Non-controlling Interest
Dividends Paid:
Dividends	$ (200)	$ (309)
Undistributed (Distributed in excess of) earnings:
Total undistributed (distributed in excess of) earnings	$ 377	$ (2,364)
Weighted average shares outstanding (basic and diluted):
Weighted average shares outstanding (basic and diluted) (in shares)	666,499	685,500

(Schedule of Restricted Cash) (

(Schedule of Restricted Cash) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Flow consumer loan purchase and sale agreement
Restricted Cash [Line Items]
Restricted cash	$ 0.2	$ 0.2

Offsetting of Assets and Liab_3

Offsetting of Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Financial derivatives–assets
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-	$ 23,082	$ 15,479
Financial Instruments Available for Offset	(14,703)	(12,579)
Cash Collateral (Received) Pledged	(2,919)	(1,404)
Net Amount	5,460	1,496
Reverse repurchase agreements
Reverse repurchase agreements	96,783	38,640
Financial Instruments Available for Offset	(96,783)	(38,640)
Cash Collateral (Received) Pledged	0	0
Net Amount	0	0
Repurchase agreements
Reverse repurchase agreements	(1,909,511)	(1,496,931)
Financial Instruments Available for Offset	1,909,511	1,496,931
Cash Collateral (Received) Pledged	28,884	28,884
Net Amount	0	0
Financial derivatives–liabilities
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-	(19,438)	(24,553)
Financial Instruments Available for Offset	14,703	12,579
Cash Collateral (Received) Pledged	969	10,694
Net Amount	(3,766)	(1,280)
Securities Collateral relating to Reverse Repurchase Agreements	2,200,000	1,800,000
Financial Derivatives - Assets
Financial derivatives–assets
Financial Instruments Transferred or Pledged as Collateral	0	0
Financial derivatives–liabilities
Excess cash collateral	17,700	4,500
Securities Purchased under Agreements to Resell [Member]
Financial derivatives–assets
Financial Instruments Transferred or Pledged as Collateral	0	0
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities
Financial derivatives–assets
Financial Instruments Transferred or Pledged as Collateral	0	0
Financial derivatives–liabilities
Excess cash collateral	1,800	10,300
Reverse repurchase agreements
Financial derivatives–assets
Financial Instruments Transferred or Pledged as Collateral	$ (28,884)	$ 28,884

Counterparty Risk (Exposure to

Counterparty Risk (Exposure to Counterparty Risk) (Details) - Counterparty Risk [Member] $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021USD ($)counterparty	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)counterparty
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Amount of Exposure | $	$ 149,350	$ 111,647
Number of Counterparties with Exposure | counterparty	7	8
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	26.10%	40.10%
Collateral On Repurchase Agreements Held By Dealers [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Amount of Exposure | $	$ 2,226,054	$ 1,860,059
Number of Counterparties with Exposure | counterparty	24	24
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	16.60%	15.30%
Due From Broker [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Amount of Exposure | $	$ 91,814	$ 63,147
Number of Counterparties with Exposure | counterparty	23	22
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	25.40%	28.90%
Receivable For Securities Sold [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Amount of Exposure | $	$ 5,147	$ 1,416
Number of Counterparties with Exposure | counterparty	3	2
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Balance	95.80%	94.50%

Counterparty Risk (Narrative) (

Counterparty Risk (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Financial Instruments transferred as collateral for repurchase agreements		$ 2,160,000	$ 1,831,000
Cash and cash equivalents	[1]	$ 149,350	$ 111,647
[1]	Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.

Counterparty Risk (Cash and Cas

Counterparty Risk (Cash and Cash Equivalents) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	[1]	$ 149,350	$ 111,647
[1]	Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Related party mortgage originator (with flow mortgage loan purchase and sale agreement) [Member] | Non-Exchange Traded Equity Investment in Mortgage Originators [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Maximum guarantees	$ 25
Drawn down amount being guaranteed	6.3	$ 5.3
Residential mortgage loans
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Unfunded commitment	8.4	4.7
Corporate loan [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Unfunded commitment	4.3	$ 0.1
Corporate loan [Member] | Line of Credit
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Unfunded commitment	$ 0.9
Line of Credit Facility, Affiliated Borrower	1.0 million

Subsequent Events (Details)

Subsequent Events (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	May 06, 2021	Apr. 05, 2021	Apr. 03, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Feb. 13, 2019	Aug. 18, 2017
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share				$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Senior Notes
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage						5.50%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount							$ 86
Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividend Per Share (USD per share)	$ 0.15
Declared date	May 6, 2021	Apr. 4, 2021
Payment Date	Jun. 25, 2021
Record Date	May 28, 2021
Subsequent Event [Member] | Common Stock
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividend Per Share (USD per share)			$ 0.14
Payment Date		May 25, 2021
Record Date		Apr. 30, 2021
Subsequent Event [Member] | Preferred Stock [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividend Per Share (USD per share)			$ 0.421875
Payment Date		Apr. 30, 2021
Record Date		Apr. 19, 2021