Federal Agricultural Mortgage (AGM) 10-Q 10 May 16 2016 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION

DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	May. 02, 2016
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORP
Entity Central Index Key	845,877
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Trading Symbol	AGM
Common Class A, Voting [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1,030,780
Common Class B, Voting [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		500,301
Common Class C, Non-Voting [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		8,919,817

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,729,563	$ 1,210,084
Loans:
Loans held for investment, at amortized cost	3,204,452	3,258,413
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost	816,267	708,111
Allowance for loan losses	(4,529)	(4,480)
Total loans, net of allowance	4,016,190	3,962,044
Real estate owned, at lower of cost or fair value	1,330	1,369
Financial derivatives, at fair value	7,034	3,816
Interest receivable (includes $5,270 and $7,938, respectively, related to consolidated trusts)	75,067	112,700
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable	39,389	40,189
Deferred tax asset, net	47,236	42,916
Prepaid expenses and other assets	79,518	47,780
Total Assets	16,156,028	15,540,354
Notes payable:
Due within one year	9,322,682	9,111,461
Due after one year	5,264,695	4,967,036
Total notes payable	14,587,377	14,078,497
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	816,435	713,536
Financial derivatives, at fair value	117,956	77,199
Accrued interest payable (includes $4,244 and $6,705, respectively, related to consolidated trusts)	38,152	47,621
Guarantee and commitment obligation	37,540	38,609
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	12,455	29,089
Reserve for losses	2,097	2,083
Total Liabilities	$ 15,612,012	$ 14,986,634
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6)
Common stock:
Additional paid-in capital	$ 117,434	$ 117,862
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(18,917)	(11,019)
Retained earnings	230,062	231,228
Total Stockholders' Equity	543,789	553,517
Non-controlling interest	227	203
Total Equity	544,016	553,720
Total Liabilities and Equity	16,156,028	15,540,354
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock:
Preferred stock	58,333	58,333
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock:
Preferred stock	73,044	73,044
Series C Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock:
Preferred stock	73,382	73,382
Common Class A, Voting [Member]
Common stock:
Common Stock	1,031	1,031
Common Class B, Voting [Member]
Common stock:
Common Stock	500	500
Common Class C, Non-Voting [Member]
Common stock:
Common Stock	8,920	9,156
Investment Securities [Member]
Assets:
Available-for-sale, at fair value	2,452,582	2,775,025
Trading, at fair value	383	491
Marketable Securities	2,452,965	2,775,516
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
Assets:
Available-for-sale, at fair value	4,565,504	4,152,605
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost	1,207,349	1,274,016
Marketable Securities	5,772,853	5,426,621
USDA Securities [Member]
Assets:
Available-for-sale, at fair value	1,908,014	1,888,344
Trading, at fair value	26,869	28,975
Marketable Securities	$ 1,934,883	$ 1,917,319

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Interest receivable - Consolidated Trusts amount	$ 75,067	$ 112,700
Accrued interest payable - Consolidated Trusts amount	$ 38,152	$ 47,621
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock, par value	$ 25	$ 25
Preferred stock, shares authorized	2,400,000	2,400,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	2,400,000	2,400,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	2,400,000	2,400,000
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock, par value	$ 25	$ 25
Preferred stock, shares authorized	3,000,000	3,000,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	3,000,000	3,000,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	3,000,000	3,000,000
Series C Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock, par value	$ 25	$ 25
Preferred stock, shares authorized	3,000,000	3,000,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	3,000,000	3,000,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	3,000,000	3,000,000
Common Class A, Voting [Member]
Common stock, par value	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, shares outstanding	1,030,780	1,030,780
Common Class B, Voting [Member]
Common stock, par value	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, shares outstanding	500,301	500,301
Common Class C, Non-Voting [Member]
Common stock, par value	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, shares outstanding	8,919,730	9,155,661
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Interest receivable - Consolidated Trusts amount	$ 5,270	$ 7,938
Accrued interest payable - Consolidated Trusts amount	$ 4,244	$ 6,705

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPER

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016		Mar. 31, 2015
Interest income:
Investments and cash equivalents	$ 6,681		$ 2,865
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities	35,510		33,122
Loans	31,700		27,964
Total interest income	73,891	[1]	63,951	[2]
Total interest expense	40,251	[3]	33,162	[4]
Net interest income	33,640		30,789
Provision for loan losses	(49)		(76)
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	33,591		30,713
Non-interest (loss)/income:
Guarantee and commitment fees	3,626		3,377
Losses on financial derivatives and hedging activities	(6,782)		(3,882)
Gains on trading securities	358		362
(Losses)/gains on sale of available-for-sale investment securities	(9)		6
Losses on sale of real estate owned	0		(1)
Other income	101		613
Non-interest (loss)/income	(2,706)		475
Non-interest expense:
Compensation and employee benefits	5,774		5,693
General and administrative	3,526		2,823
Regulatory fees	613		600
Real estate owned operating costs, net	39		(1)
Provision for/(release of) reserve for losses	14		(772)
Non-interest expense	9,966	[5]	8,343	[6]
Income before income taxes	20,919		22,845
Income tax expense	7,335		4,231
Net income	13,584		18,614
Less: Net loss/(income) attributable to non-controlling interest	28		(5,354)
Net income attributable to Farmer Mac	13,612		13,260
Preferred stock dividends	(3,295)		(3,295)
Loss on retirement of preferred stock	0		(8,147)
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 10,317		$ 1,818
Earnings per common share and dividends:
Basic earnings per common share	$ 0.99		$ 0.17
Diluted earnings per common share	0.94000		0.16000
Common stock dividends per common share	$ 0.26		$ 0.16
[1]	Includes reconciling adjustments for the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value to reflect core earnings amounts.
[2]	Includes reconciling adjustments for the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value to reflect core earnings amounts.
[3]	Based on effective funding cost determined for each operating segment, including expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in "Losses on financial derivatives and hedging activities" on the consolidated financial statements.
[4]	Based on effective funding cost determined for each operating segment, including expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in "Losses on financial derivatives and hedging activities" on the consolidated financial statements.
[5]	Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on headcount
[6]	Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on headcount.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 13,584	$ 18,614
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before taxes:
Net unrealized (losses)/gains on available-for sale securities	(6,377)	58,437
Net changes in held-to-maturity securities	(1,011)	(3,343)
Net unrealized losses on cash flow hedges	(4,763)	(247)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before tax	(12,151)	54,847
Income tax benefit/(expense) related to other comprehensive income	4,253	(19,196)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income, net of tax	(7,898)	35,651
Comprehensive income	5,686	54,265
Less: comprehensive loss/(income) attributable to non-controlling interest	(28)	5,354
Comprehensive income attributable to Farmer Mac	$ 5,714	$ 48,911

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUI

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY Statement - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Class C, Non-Voting [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member]Common Class C, Non-Voting [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]Common Class C, Non-Voting [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]Common Class C, Non-Voting [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]Common Class C, Non-Voting [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]Common Class C, Non-Voting [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]Common Class C, Non-Voting [Member]
Beginning Balance (Shares Outstanding) at Dec. 31, 2014			8,400,000		10,937,000
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 781,829		$ 204,759		$ 10,937		$ 113,559		$ 15,533		$ 201,013		$ 236,028
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Attributable to Farmer Mac	13,260		0		0		0		0		13,260		0
Less: Net loss/(income) attributable to non-controlling interest	(5,354)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	35,651		0		0		0		35,651		0		0
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(3,295)		0		0		0		0		(3,295)		0
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	(1,750)		0		0		0		0		(1,750)		0
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues				0		0
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues		$ 4		$ 0		$ 0		$ 4		$ 0		$ 0		$ 0
Stock-based compensation cost	839		0		0		839		0		0		0
Other stock-based award activity	(38)		0		0		(38)		0		0		0
Redemption of Farmer Mac II LLC preferred stock	(244,000)		$ 0		$ 0		0		0		(8,147)		(235,853)
Ending Balance (Shares Outstanding) at Mar. 31, 2015			8,400,000		10,937,000
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2015	582,500		$ 204,759		$ 10,937		114,364		51,184		201,081		175
Beginning Balance (Shares Outstanding) at Dec. 31, 2015			8,400,000		10,687,000
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	553,720		$ 204,759		$ 10,687		117,862		(11,019)		231,228		203
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Attributable to Farmer Mac	13,612		0		0		0		0		13,612		0
Less: Net loss/(income) attributable to non-controlling interest	28		0		0		0		0		0		28
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(7,898)		0		0		0		(7,898)		0		0
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(3,295)		0		0		0		0		(3,295)		0
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	(2,702)		0		0		0		0		(2,702)		0
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues				0		71,000
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues		$ 74		$ 0		$ 71		3		0		0		0
Repurchase of Class C Common Stock		(668,000)		0		(307,000)
Repurchase of Class C Common Stock		$ (9,088)		$ 0		$ (307)		$ 0		$ 0		$ (8,781)		$ 0
Stock-based compensation cost	1,027		0		0		1,027		0		0		0
Other stock-based award activity	(1,458)		0		0		(1,458)		0		0		0
Investment in subsidiary - non-controlling interest	52		$ 0		$ 0		0		0		0		52
Ending Balance (Shares Outstanding) at Mar. 31, 2016			8,400,000		10,451,000
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2016	$ 544,016		$ 204,759		$ 10,451		$ 117,434		$ (18,917)		$ 230,062		$ 227

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 13,584	$ 18,614
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net amortization of deferred gains, premiums, and discounts on loans, investments, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and USDA Securities	501	1,024
Amortization of debt premiums, discounts and issuance costs	7,643	2,832
Net change in fair value of trading securities, hedged assets, and financial derivatives	2,631	532
Losses/(gains) on sale of available-for-sale investment securities	9	(6)
Loss on sale of real estate owned	0	1
Total (release of)/provision for losses	63	(696)
Deferred income taxes	(1,483)	(1,061)
Stock-based compensation expense	1,027	839
Proceeds from repayment of trading investment securities	205	247
Proceeds from repayment of loans purchased as held for sale	28,794	32,140
Net change in:
Interest receivable	37,633	40,562
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable	800	1,120
Other assets	(31,021)	2,066
Accrued interest payable	(9,469)	(11,972)
Other liabilities	996	2,793
Net cash provided by operating activities	51,913	89,035
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of loans held for investment	(208,215)	(138,929)
Purchases of defaulted loans	(1,415)	(657)
Proceeds from repayment of loans purchased as held for investment	132,652	95,570
Proceeds from sale of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	139,561	49,487
Payments from sale of real estate owned	0	(1)
Net cash provided/(used) in investing activities	14,239	(403,922)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Excess tax benefits related to stock-based awards	234	26
Payments to third parties on debt securities of consolidated trusts	(33,010)	(15,793)
Proceeds from common stock issuance	101	4
Investment in Contour	52	0
Redemption of Farmer Mac II LLC Preferred Stock	0	(244,000)
Dividends paid - Non-controlling interest - preferred stock	0	(5,415)
Dividends paid on common and preferred stock	(5,997)	(5,045)
Net cash provided by financing activities	453,327	507,746
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	519,479	192,859
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,210,084	1,363,387
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	1,729,563	1,556,246
Medium-term Notes [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of discount notes and medium-term notes	1,207,092	1,344,848
Payments to redeem discount notes and medium-term notes	(921,000)	(912,000)
Discount Notes [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of discount notes and medium-term notes	23,089,113	14,784,601
Payments to redeem discount notes and medium-term notes	(22,873,972)	(14,439,480)
Investment Securities [Member]
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of available-for-sale investment securities and Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities	(341,099)	(715,628)
Proceeds from repayment of available-for-sale investment securities, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities	455,315	427,507
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale investment securities	186,769	74,998
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities [Member]
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of available-for-sale investment securities and Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities	(1,026,187)	(349,364)
Proceeds from repayment of available-for-sale investment securities, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities	676,858	153,095
Common Class C, Non-Voting [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Common stock repurchased	$ (9,286)	$ 0

Accounting Policies

Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Accounting Policies Disclosure	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES The interim unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation ("Farmer Mac") and subsidiaries have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). These interim unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all normal and recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to present a fair statement of the financial position and the results of operations and cash flows of Farmer Mac and subsidiaries for the interim periods presented. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the annual consolidated financial statements have been omitted as permitted by SEC rules and regulations. The December 31, 2015 consolidated balance sheet presented in this report has been derived from Farmer Mac's audited 2015 consolidated financial statements. Management believes that the disclosures are adequate to present fairly the consolidated financial statements as of the dates and for the periods presented. These interim unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the 2015 consolidated financial statements of Farmer Mac and subsidiaries included in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 filed with the SEC on March 10, 2016. That Form 10-K describes Farmer Mac's significant accounting policies, which include its policies on Principles of Consolidation; Cash and Cash Equivalents and Statements of Cash Flows; Transfers of Financial Assets and Liabilities; Investment Securities, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and USDA Securities; Loans; Securitization of Loans; Real Estate Owned; Financial Derivatives; Notes Payable; Allowance for Loan Losses and Reserve for Losses; Earnings Per Common Share; Income Taxes; Stock-Based Compensation; Comprehensive Income; Long-Term Standby Purchase Commitments; Fair Value Measurement; and Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities ("VIEs"). Results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of those that may be expected for the fiscal year. Presented below are Farmer Mac's significant accounting policies that contain updated information for the three months ended March 31, 2016 . Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Farmer Mac and its three subsidiaries: (1) Farmer Mac Mortgage Securities Corporation ("FMMSC"), whose principal activities are to facilitate the purchase and issuance of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities; (2) Farmer Mac II LLC, whose principal activity is the operation of substantially all of the business related to the USDA Guarantees line of business – primarily the acquisition of USDA Securities; and (3) Contour Valuation Services, LLC, whose principal activity is to appraise agricultural real estate. The consolidated financial statements also include the accounts of VIEs in which Farmer Mac determined itself to be the primary beneficiary. The following tables present, by line of business, details about the consolidation of VIEs: Table 1.1 Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities As of March 31, 2016 Farm & Ranch USDA Guarantees Rural Utilities Institutional Credit Corporate Total (in thousands) On-Balance Sheet: Consolidated VIEs: Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost $ 816,267 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 816,267 Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties (1) 816,435 — — — — 816,435 Unconsolidated VIEs: Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Carrying value (2) — 30,694 — 31,222 — 61,916 Maximum exposure to loss (3) — 31,038 — 30,000 — 61,038 Investment securities: Carrying value (4) — — — — 862,781 862,781 Maximum exposure to loss (3) (4) — — — — 865,022 865,022 Off-Balance Sheet: Unconsolidated VIEs: Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Maximum exposure to loss (3) (5) 485,302 13,268 — 970,000 — 1,468,570 (1) Includes borrower remittances of $0.2 million . The borrower remittances have not been passed through to third party investors as of March 31, 2016 . (2) Includes $0.3 million of unamortized premiums and discounts and fair value adjustments related to the USDA Guarantees line of business. Includes fair value adjustments related to the Institutional Credit line of business of $1.2 million . (3) Farmer Mac uses unpaid principal balance and outstanding face amount of investment securities to represent maximum exposure to loss. (4) Includes auction-rate certificates, asset-backed securities, and government-sponsored enterprise ("GSE")-guaranteed mortgage-backed securities. (5) The amount under the Farm & Ranch line of business relates to unconsolidated trusts where Farmer Mac determined it was not the primary beneficiary due to shared power with an unrelated party . Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities As of December 31, 2015 Farm & Ranch USDA Guarantees Rural Utilities Institutional Credit Corporate Total (in thousands) On-Balance Sheet: Consolidated VIEs: Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost $ 708,111 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 708,111 Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties (1) 713,536 — — — — 713,536 Unconsolidated VIEs: Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Carrying value (2) — 31,360 — 31,400 — 62,760 Maximum exposure to loss (3) — 31,553 — 30,000 — 61,553 Investment securities: Carrying value (4) — — — — 917,292 917,292 Maximum exposure to loss (3) (4) — — — — 918,121 918,121 Off-Balance Sheet: Unconsolidated VIEs: Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Maximum exposure to loss (3) (5) 514,051 10,272 — 970,000 — 1,494,323 (1) Includes borrower remittances of $5.4 million , which have not been passed through to third party investors as of December 31, 2015. (2) Includes $0.2 million of unamortized premiums and discounts and fair value adjustments related to the USDA Guarantees line of business. Includes fair value adjustments related to the Institutional Credit line of business of $1.4 million . (3) Farmer Mac uses unpaid principal balance and the outstanding face amount of investment securities to represent maximum exposure to loss. (4) Includes auction-rate certificates, asset-backed securities, and GSE-guaranteed mortgage-backed securities. (5) The amount under the Farm & Ranch line of business relates to unconsolidated trusts where Farmer Mac determined it was not the primary beneficiary due to shared power with an unrelated party. Statements of Cash Flows The following table sets forth information regarding certain non-cash transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 : Table 1.2 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 March 31, 2015 (in thousands) Non-cash activity: Loans acquired and securitized as Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities $ 139,561 $ 49,487 Consolidation of Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities from off-balance sheet to loans held for investment in consolidated trusts and to debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties 135,913 49,487 Purchases of securities - traded, not yet settled — 14,915 Issuance costs on the retirement of Farmer Mac II LLC Preferred Stock — 8,147 Earnings Per Common Share Basic earnings per common share ("EPS") is based on the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted earnings per common share is based on the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding adjusted to include all potentially dilutive common stock options, stock appreciation rights ("SARs"), and non-vested restricted stock awards. The following schedule reconciles basic and diluted EPS for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 : Table 1.3 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 March 31, 2015 Net Weighted-Average Shares $ per Net Weighted-Average Shares $ per (in thousands, except per share amounts) Basic EPS Net income attributable to common stockholders $ 10,317 10,465 $ 0.99 $ 1,818 10,938 $ 0.17 Effect of dilutive securities (1) Stock options, SARs and restricted stock — 538 (0.05 ) — 393 (0.01 ) Diluted EPS $ 10,317 11,003 $ 0.94 $ 1,818 11,331 $ 0.16 (1) For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, stock options and SARs of 210,865 and 201,401 , respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because they were anti-dilutive. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, contingent shares of non-vested restricted stock of 37,284 and 30,514 , respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because performance conditions had not yet been met. Comprehensive Income Comprehensive income represents all changes in stockholders' equity except those resulting from investments by or distributions to stockholders, and is comprised of net income and unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, certain held-to-maturity securities transferred from the available-for-sale classification, and cash flow hedges, net of related taxes. The following table presents the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI"), net of tax, by component for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015: Table 1.4 As of March 31, 2016 As of March 31, 2015 Available-for-Sale Securities Held-to-Maturity Securities Cash Flow Hedges Total Available-for-Sale Securities Held-to-Maturity Securities Cash Flow Hedges Total (in thousands) For the Three Months Ended: Beginning Balance $ (10,035 ) $ (476 ) $ (508 ) $ (11,019 ) $ 9,716 $ 5,973 $ (156 ) $ 15,533 Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications (1,769 ) — (3,395 ) (5,164 ) 41,343 — (237 ) 41,106 Amounts reclassified from AOCI (2,376 ) (657 ) 299 (2,734 ) (3,359 ) (2,173 ) 77 (5,455 ) Net other comprehensive (loss)/income (4,145 ) (657 ) (3,096 ) (7,898 ) 37,984 (2,173 ) (160 ) 35,651 Ending Balance $ (14,180 ) $ (1,133 ) $ (3,604 ) $ (18,917 ) $ 47,700 $ 3,800 $ (316 ) $ 51,184 The following table presents other comprehensive income activity, the impact on net income of amounts reclassified from each component of AOCI, and the related tax impact for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015: Table 1.5 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 March 31, 2015 Before Tax Provision (Benefit) After Tax Before Tax Provision (Benefit) After Tax (in thousands) Other comprehensive income/(loss): Available-for-sale-securities: Unrealized holding (losses)/gains on available-for-sale-securities $ (2,722 ) $ (953 ) $ (1,769 ) $ 63,604 $ 22,261 $ 41,343 Less reclassification adjustments included in: Losses on financial derivatives and hedging activities (1) (3,923 ) (1,373 ) (2,550 ) (4,861 ) (1,701 ) (3,160 ) (Losses)/gains on sale of available-for-sale investment securities (2) 9 3 6 (6 ) (2 ) (4 ) Other income (3) 259 91 168 (300 ) (105 ) (195 ) Total $ (6,377 ) $ (2,232 ) $ (4,145 ) $ 58,437 $ 20,453 $ 37,984 Held-to-maturity securities: Change in fair value $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — Less reclassification adjustments included in: Net interest income (4) (1,011 ) (354 ) (657 ) (3,343 ) (1,170 ) (2,173 ) Total $ (1,011 ) $ (354 ) $ (657 ) $ (3,343 ) $ (1,170 ) $ (2,173 ) Cash flow hedges Unrealized losses on cash flow hedges $ (5,222 ) $ (1,827 ) $ (3,395 ) $ (366 ) $ (129 ) $ (237 ) Less reclassification adjustments included in: Net interest income (5) 459 160 299 119 42 77 Total $ (4,763 ) $ (1,667 ) $ (3,096 ) $ (247 ) $ (87 ) $ (160 ) Other comprehensive (loss)/income $ (12,151 ) $ (4,253 ) $ (7,898 ) $ 54,847 $ 19,196 $ 35,651 (1) Relates to the amortization of unrealized gains on hedged items prior to the application of fair value hedge accounting. (2) Represents unrealized gains and losses on sales of available-for-sale investment securities. (3) Represents amortization of deferred gains related to certain available-for-sale USDA Securities and Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities. (4) Relates to the amortization of unrealized gains or losses prior to the reclassification of these securities from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity. The amortization of unrealized gains or losses reported in AOCI for held-to-maturity securities will be offset by the amortization of the premium or discount created from the transfer into held-to-maturity securities, which occurred at fair value. These unrealized gains or losses will be recorded over the remaining life of the security with no impact on future net income. (5) Relates to the recognition of unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedges recorded in AOCI. New Accounting Standards In January 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-01, "Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities," which amends the guidance in GAAP on the classification and measurement of financial instruments. The ASU significantly revises an entity's accounting related to (1) the classification and measurement of investments in equity securities and (2) the presentation of certain fair value changes for financial liabilities measured at fair value. The ASU also amends certain disclosure requirements associated with the fair value of financial instruments. The new standard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Farmer Mac does not expect that adoption of the new guidance will have a material effect on Farmer Mac’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases," which provides new guidance intended to improve financial reporting about leasing transactions. The ASU will require organizations that lease assets to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases. The ASU also will require disclosures to help investors and other financial statement users better understand the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The new standard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. Farmer Mac does not expect that adoption of the new guidance will have a material effect on Farmer Mac’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “ Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting,” which provides new guidance intended to simplify several aspects of accounting for employee share-based payment transactions including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. The new standard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. Farmer Mac does not expect that adoption of the new guidance will have a material effect on Farmer Mac’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. Reclassifications Certain reclassifications of prior period information were made to conform to the current period presentation.

Investment Securities

Investment Securities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Investment Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale and Trading Securities [Line Items]
Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block]	INVESTMENT SECURITIES The following tables set forth information about Farmer Mac's investment securities as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015: Table 2.1 As of March 31, 2016 Amount Outstanding Unamortized Premium/(Discount) Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair Value (in thousands) Available-for-sale: Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ 19,700 $ — $ 19,700 $ — $ (1,970 ) $ 17,730 Floating rate asset-backed securities 69,715 (249 ) 69,466 5 (957 ) 68,514 Floating rate corporate debt securities 10,000 — 10,000 2 — 10,002 Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities 1,317,245 3,322 1,320,567 2,692 (5,820 ) 1,317,439 Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities (1) 656 2,923 3,579 4,260 — 7,839 Floating rate GSE subordinated debt 70,000 — 70,000 — (4,535 ) 65,465 Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 965,180 (618 ) 964,562 1,033 (2 ) 965,593 Total available-for-sale 2,452,496 5,378 2,457,874 7,992 (13,284 ) 2,452,582 Trading: Floating rate asset-backed securities 2,006 — 2,006 — (1,623 ) 383 Total investment securities $ 2,454,502 $ 5,378 $ 2,459,880 $ 7,992 $ (14,907 ) $ 2,452,965 (1) Fair value includes $7.1 million of an interest-only security with a notional amount of $147.9 million . As of December 31, 2015 Amount Outstanding Unamortized Premium/(Discount) Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair Value (in thousands) Available-for-sale: Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ 46,500 $ — $ 46,500 $ — $ (1,576 ) $ 44,924 Floating rate asset-backed securities 74,744 (253 ) 74,491 14 (776 ) 73,729 Floating rate corporate debt securities 10,000 — 10,000 — (9 ) 9,991 Fixed rate corporate debt securities 10,000 (1 ) 9,999 — (5 ) 9,994 Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities 1,353,495 3,515 1,357,010 2,768 (4,319 ) 1,355,459 Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities (1) 692 3,117 3,809 4,095 — 7,904 Floating rate GSE subordinated debt 70,000 — 70,000 — (3,751 ) 66,249 Fixed rate senior agency debt 214,000 (25 ) 213,975 12 — 213,987 Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 993,680 (417 ) 993,263 2 (477 ) 992,788 Total available-for-sale 2,773,111 5,936 2,779,047 6,891 (10,913 ) 2,775,025 Trading: Floating rate asset-backed securities 2,211 — 2,211 — (1,720 ) 491 Total investment securities $ 2,775,322 $ 5,936 $ 2,781,258 $ 6,891 $ (12,633 ) $ 2,775,516 (1) Fair value includes $7.2 million of an interest-only security with a notional amount of $148.5 million . During the three months ended March 31, 2016, Farmer Mac received proceeds of $186.8 million from the sale of securities from its available-for-sale investment portfolio, resulting in gross realized gains of $0.2 million and gross realized losses of $0.2 million , compared to proceeds of $75.0 million for the same period in 2015, resulting in gross realized gains of $6,000 . As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, unrealized losses on available-for-sale investment securities were as follows: Table 2.2 As of March 31, 2016 Available-for-Sale Securities Unrealized loss position for Unrealized loss position for Fair Value Unrealized Fair Value Unrealized (in thousands) Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ — $ — $ 17,730 $ (1,970 ) Floating rate asset-backed securities 47,887 (526 ) 9,432 (431 ) Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities 699,078 (4,083 ) 136,650 (1,737 ) Floating rate GSE subordinated debt — — 65,465 (4,535 ) Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 15,002 (2 ) — — Total $ 761,967 $ (4,611 ) $ 229,277 $ (8,673 ) As of December 31, 2015 Available-for-Sale Securities Unrealized loss position for Unrealized loss position for Fair Value Unrealized Fair Value Unrealized (in thousands) Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ — $ — $ 18,124 $ (1,576 ) Floating rate asset-backed securities 44,552 (464 ) 9,975 (312 ) Floating rate corporate debt securities 4,991 (9 ) — — Fixed rate corporate debt securities 9,994 (5 ) — — Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities 794,959 (3,408 ) 100,192 (911 ) Floating rate GSE subordinated debt — — 66,249 (3,751 ) Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 944,842 (477 ) — — Total $ 1,799,338 $ (4,363 ) $ 194,540 $ (6,550 ) The unrealized losses presented above are principally due to a general widening of credit spreads from the dates of acquisition to March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, as applicable. The resulting decrease in fair values reflects an increase in the perceived risk by the financial markets related to those securities. As of March 31, 2016 , all of the investment securities in an unrealized loss position either were backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government or had credit ratings of at least "AA+," except one that was rated "A-." As of December 31, 2015 , all of the investment securities in an unrealized loss position either were backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government or had credit ratings of at least " AA+ ," except three that were rated " A- ." The unrealized losses were on 61 and 69 individual investment securities as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. As of March 31, 2016 , 17 of the securities in loss positions had been in loss positions for more than 12 months and had a total unrealized loss of $8.7 million . As of December 31, 2015 , 17 of the securities in loss positions had been in loss positions for more than 12 months and had a total unrealized loss of $6.6 million . Securities in unrealized loss positions for 12 months or longer have a fair value as of March 31, 2016 that is, on average, approximately 96 percent of their amortized cost basis. Farmer Mac believes that all of these unrealized losses are recoverable within a reasonable period of time by way of maturity or changes in credit spreads. Accordingly, Farmer Mac has concluded that none of the unrealized losses on these available-for-sale investment securities represents other-than-temporary impairment as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. Farmer Mac did not own any held-to-maturity investment securities as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. As of March 31, 2016 , Farmer Mac owned trading investment securities with an amortized cost of $2.0 million , a fair value of $0.4 million , and a weighted average yield of 4.52 percent . As of December 31, 2015 , Farmer Mac owned trading investment securities with an amortized cost of $2.2 million , a fair value of $0.5 million , and a weighted average yield of 4.41 percent . The amortized cost, fair value, and weighted average yield of available-for-sale investment securities by remaining contractual maturity as of March 31, 2016 are set forth below. Asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities are included based on their final maturities, although the actual maturities may differ due to prepayments of the underlying assets. Table 2.3 As of March 31, 2016 Available-for-Sale Securities Amortized Fair Value Weighted- (dollars in thousands) Due within one year $ 940,691 $ 941,643 0.55% Due after one year through five years 188,476 188,801 1.11% Due after five years through ten years 545,148 542,273 1.01% Due after ten years 783,559 779,865 1.12% Total $ 2,457,874 $ 2,452,582 0.88%

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securitie

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities [Member]
Schedule of Held-to-Maturity, Available-for-sale, and Trading Securities [Line Items]
Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block]	FARMER MAC GUARANTEED SECURITIES AND USDA SECURITIES The following tables set forth information about on-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015: Table 3.1 As of March 31, 2016 Unpaid Principal Balance Unamortized Premium/(Discount) Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair Value (in thousands) Held-to-maturity: AgVantage $ 1,208,802 $ (1,453 ) $ 1,207,349 $ 13,164 $ (3 ) $ 1,220,510 Available-for-sale: AgVantage $ 4,567,953 $ — $ 4,567,953 $ 43,444 $ (76,587 ) $ 4,534,810 Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 31,038 (315 ) 30,723 33 (62 ) 30,694 Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 4,598,991 (315 ) 4,598,676 43,477 (76,649 ) 4,565,504 USDA Securities 1,860,348 1,996 1,862,344 45,745 (75 ) 1,908,014 Total available-for-sale $ 6,459,339 $ 1,681 $ 6,461,020 $ 89,222 $ (76,724 ) $ 6,473,518 Trading: USDA Securities $ 24,928 $ 1,769 $ 26,697 $ 302 $ (130 ) $ 26,869 As of December 31, 2015 Unpaid Principal Balance Unamortized Premium/(Discount) Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair Value (in thousands) Held-to-maturity: AgVantage $ 1,274,431 $ (415 ) $ 1,274,016 $ 7,801 $ — $ 1,281,817 Available-for-sale: AgVantage $ 4,164,952 $ — $ 4,164,952 $ 26,831 $ (70,539 ) $ 4,121,244 Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 31,554 (333 ) 31,221 140 — 31,361 Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 4,196,506 (333 ) 4,196,173 26,971 (70,539 ) 4,152,605 USDA Securities 1,849,322 1,890 1,851,212 37,160 (28 ) 1,888,344 Total available-for-sale $ 6,045,828 $ 1,557 $ 6,047,385 $ 64,131 $ (70,567 ) $ 6,040,949 Trading: USDA Securities $ 27,129 $ 1,934 $ 29,063 $ 125 $ (213 ) $ 28,975 As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, unrealized losses on held-to-maturity and available-for-sale on-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities were as follows: Table 3.2 As of March 31, 2016 Held-to-Maturity and Available-for-Sale Securities Unrealized loss position for Unrealized loss position for Fair Value Unrealized Fair Value Unrealized (in thousands) Held-to-maturity: AgVantage $ 1,996 $ (3 ) $ — $ — Available-for-sale: AgVantage $ 1,706,226 $ (33,774 ) $ 1,277,127 $ (42,813 ) Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 29,172 (62 ) — — USDA Securities 103,609 (75 ) Total available-for-sale $ 1,735,398 $ (33,836 ) $ 1,380,736 $ (42,888 ) As of December 31, 2015 Available-for-Sale Securities Unrealized loss position for Unrealized loss position for Fair Value Unrealized Fair Value Unrealized (in thousands) Available-for-sale: AgVantage $ 1,193,866 $ (41,835 ) $ 1,104,981 $ (28,704 ) USDA Securities — — 103,010 (28 ) Total available-for-sale $ 1,193,866 $ (41,835 ) $ 1,207,991 $ (28,732 ) The unrealized losses presented above are principally due to higher interest rates from the date of acquisition to March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, as applicable. The credit exposure related to Farmer Mac's USDA Guarantees line of business is covered by the full faith and credit guarantee of the United States. The unrealized losses from AgVantage securities were on 27 available-for-sale securities as of March 31, 2016 . There was one held-to-maturity AgVantage security with an unrealized loss as of March 31, 2016 . The unrealized losses from AgVantage securities were on 22 available-for-sale securities as of December 31, 2015. There were no unrealized losses from held-to-maturity securities as of December 31, 2015 . As of March 31, 2016 , 9 available-for-sale AgVantage securities had been in a loss position for more than 12 months with a total unrealized loss of $42.8 million . As of December 31, 2015 , 8 available-for-sale AgVantage securities had been in a loss position for more than 12 months with a total unrealized loss of $28.7 million . Farmer Mac has concluded that none of the unrealized losses on its held-to-maturity Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and available-for-sale Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities are other-than-temporary impairment as of either March 31, 2016 or December 31, 2015. Farmer Mac does not intend to sell these securities, and it is not more likely than not that Farmer Mac will be required to sell the securities before recovery of the amortized cost basis. During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, Farmer Mac realized no gains or losses from the sale of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities. The amortized cost, fair value, and weighted average yield of available-for-sale and held-to-maturity Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities by remaining contractual maturity as of March 31, 2016 are set forth below. The balances presented are based on their final maturities, although the actual maturities may differ due to prepayments of the underlying assets. Table 3.3 As of March 31, 2016 Available-for-Sale Securities Amortized Fair Value Weighted- (dollars in thousands) Due within one year $ 216,251 $ 216,688 1.33 % Due after one year through five years 2,168,433 2,176,746 1.56 % Due after five years through ten years 1,584,652 1,606,289 2.04 % Due after ten years 2,491,684 2,473,795 2.57 % Total $ 6,461,020 $ 6,473,518 2.06 % As of March 31, 2016 Held-to-Maturity Securities Amortized Fair Value Weighted- (dollars in thousands) Due within one year $ 703,005 $ 704,257 2.32 % Due after one year through five years 494,656 505,844 2.35 % Due after five years through ten years 9,688 10,409 3.43 % Total $ 1,207,349 $ 1,220,510 2.34 % As of March 31, 2016 , Farmer Mac owned trading USDA Securities with an amortized cost of $26.7 million , a fair value of $26.9 million , and a weighted average yield of 5.47 percent . As of December 31, 2015 , Farmer Mac owned trading USDA Securities with an amortized cost of $29.1 million , a fair value of $29.0 million , and a weighted average yield of 5.53 percent .

Financial Derivatives

Financial Derivatives	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure	FINANCIAL DERIVATIVES Farmer Mac enters into financial derivative transactions principally to protect against risk from the effects of market price or interest rate movements on the value of certain assets, future cash flows, or debt issuance, and not for trading or speculative purposes. Certain financial derivatives are designated as fair value hedges of fixed rate assets, primarily classified as available-for-sale, to protect against fair value changes in the assets related to a benchmark interest rate (i.e., LIBOR). Other financial derivatives are designated as cash flow hedges to mitigate the volatility of future interest rate payments on floating rate debt. All financial derivatives are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value as a freestanding asset or liability. Changes in the fair values of financial derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges are reported in " Losses on financial derivatives and hedging activities " in the consolidated statements of operations . For financial derivatives designated in fair value hedging relationships, changes in the fair values of the hedged items, which are primarily fixed rate AgVantage securities, related to the risk being hedged are also reported in " Losses on financial derivatives and hedging activities " in the consolidated statements of operations . Interest accruals on derivatives designated in fair value hedging relationships are recorded in " Total interest income " in the consolidated statements of operations. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 , the amount of interest expense recognized on those derivatives was $4.5 million and $5.5 million , respectively. For financial derivatives designated in cash flow hedging relationships, the effective portion of the derivative gain/loss is recorded in other comprehensive income and any ineffective portion is recognized immediately in" Losses on financial derivatives and hedging activities " in the consolidated statements of operations . Because the hedging instrument is an interest rate swap and the hedged forecasted transactions are future interest payments on variable-rate debt, amounts recorded in other comprehensive income are reclassified to " Total interest expense " in conjunction with the recognition of interest expense on the debt. During the three months ended March 31, 2016 , $0.5 million was reclassified out of other comprehensive income into interest expense. The amount for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was immaterial. As of March 31, 2016 , Farmer Mac expects to reclassify $1.8 million pretax, or $1.1 million after-tax, from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, to earnings over the next twelve months. This amount could differ from amounts actually recognized due to changes in interest rates, hedge de-designations, and the addition of other hedges subsequent to March 31, 2016 . The maximum term over which Farmer Mac is hedging exposure to the variability of future cash flows for all forecasted transactions is 10 years. During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 , there were no gains or losses from interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges reclassified to earnings because it became probable the original forecasted transaction would not occur. The following tables summarize information related to Farmer Mac's financial derivatives on a gross basis without giving consideration to master netting arrangements as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 and the effects of financial derivatives on the consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 : Table 4.1 As of March 31, 2016 Fair Value Weighted- Weighted- Weighted- Weighted- Notional Amount Asset (Liability) (dollars in thousands) Fair value hedges: Interest rate swaps: Pay fixed non-callable $ 1,391,816 $ 207 $ (52,859 ) 1.83% 0.62% 5.49 Cash flow hedges: Interest rate swaps: Pay fixed non-callable 144,000 — (6,282 ) 2.25% 0.81% 7.05 No hedge designation: Interest rate swaps: Pay fixed non-callable 445,041 — (57,430 ) 4.10% 0.62% 6.53 Receive fixed non-callable 6,156,403 6,629 (1,332 ) 0.50% 0.56% 0.61 Receive fixed callable 115,000 135 (47 ) 0.56% 1.30% 3.00 Basis swaps 675,000 63 (130 ) 0.48% 0.57% 1.93 Agency forwards 16,603 — (134 ) 102.22 Treasury futures 5,800 — (45 ) 129.62 Credit valuation adjustment — 303 Total financial derivatives $ 8,949,663 $ 7,034 $ (117,956 ) Collateral pledged — 73,659 Net amount $ 7,034 $ (44,297 ) As of December 31, 2015 Fair Value Weighted- Weighted- Weighted- Weighted- Notional Amount Asset (Liability) (dollars in thousands) Fair value hedges: Interest rate swaps: Pay fixed non-callable $ 1,276,285 $ 949 $ (26,703 ) 2.35% 0.37% 4.16 Cash flow hedges: Interest rate swaps: Pay fixed non-callable 119,000 8 (1,381 ) 2.25% 0.64% 7.03 No hedge designation: Interest rate swaps: Pay fixed non-callable 454,041 229 (44,528 ) 3.73% 0.33% 6.02 Receive fixed non-callable 5,590,638 2,384 (4,205 ) 0.31% 0.47% 0.57 Receive fixed callable 230,000 — (421 ) 0.41% 0.91% 2.26 Basis swaps 725,000 232 (131 ) 0.22% 0.38% 2.33 Treasury futures 35,000 19 — 125.96 Credit valuation adjustment (5 ) 170 Total financial derivatives $ 8,429,964 $ 3,816 $ (77,199 ) Collateral pledged — 37,986 Net amount $ 3,816 $ (39,213 ) Table 4.2 Losses on financial derivatives and hedging activities For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 March 31, 2015 (in thousands) Fair value hedges: Interest rate swaps (1) $ (26,898 ) $ (5,760 ) Hedged items 29,787 8,876 Gains on fair value hedges 2,889 3,116 Cash flow hedges: Loss recognized (ineffective portion) (149 ) (216 ) Losses on cash flow hedges (149 ) (216 ) No hedge designation: Interest rate swaps (8,142 ) (5,740 ) Agency forwards (877 ) (786 ) Treasury futures (503 ) (256 ) (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives not designated in hedging relationships (9,522 ) (6,782 ) Losses on financial derivatives and hedging activities $ (6,782 ) $ (3,882 ) (1) Included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness as of March 31, 2016 , but excluded from the amounts in the table, were losses of $1.5 million , for the year ended March 31, 2016 , attributable to the fair value of the swaps at the inception of the hedging relationship. Accordingly, the amounts recognized as hedge ineffectiveness for the year ended March 31, 2016 were gains of $1.4 million . The comparable amounts as of March 31, 2015 were losses of $ 2.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, attributable to the fair value of the swaps at the inception of the hedging relationship and, accordingly, gains of $ 0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, attributable to hedge ineffectiveness. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, Farmer Mac's credit exposure to interest rate swap counterparties, excluding netting arrangements and any adjustment for nonperformance risk, but including accrued interest, was $12.6 million and $6.4 million , respectively; however, including netting arrangements and accrued interest, Farmer Mac's credit exposure was $0.2 million and $47,000 as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, Farmer Mac held no cash as collateral for its derivatives in net asset positions, resulting in uncollateralized net asset positions of $0.2 million and $47,000 , respectively. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the fair value of Farmer Mac's derivatives in a net liability position including accrued interest but excluding netting arrangements and any adjustment for nonperformance risk, was $126.7 million and $90.1 million , respectively; however, including netting arrangements and accrued interest, the fair value of Farmer Mac's derivatives in a net liability position at the counterparty level, was $113.2 million and $83.2 million as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. Farmer Mac posted cash of $73.7 million and no investment securities as of March 31, 2016 and posted cash of $38.0 million and no investment securities as of December 31, 2015. Farmer Mac records posted cash as a reduction in the outstanding balance of cash and cash equivalents and an increase in the balance of prepaid expenses and other assets. Any investment securities posted as collateral are included in the investment securities balances on the consolidated balance sheets. If Farmer Mac had breached certain provisions of the derivative contracts as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, it could have been required to settle its obligations under the agreements or post additional collateral of $39.5 million and $45.2 million , respectively. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, there were no financial derivatives in a net payable position where Farmer Mac was required to pledge collateral which the counterparty had the right to sell or repledge. For certain derivatives, Farmer Mac clears interest rate swaps through a clearinghouse. Farmer Mac posts initial and variation margin to the clearinghouses through which centrally-cleared derivatives and futures contracts are traded. These collateral postings expose Farmer Mac to institutional credit risk in the event that either the clearinghouse or the futures commission merchant that Farmer Mac uses to post collateral to the clearinghouse fails to meet its obligations. Conversely, the use of centrally-cleared derivatives mitigates Farmer Mac's credit risk to individual counterparties because clearinghouses assume the credit risk among counterparties in centrally-cleared derivatives transactions. Of Farmer Mac's $8.9 billion notional amount of interest rate swaps outstanding as of March 31, 2016 , $7.4 billion were cleared through swap clearinghouses. Of Farmer Mac's $8.4 billion notional amount of interest rate swaps outstanding as of December 31, 2015, $6.2 billion were cleared through swap clearinghouses.

Loans and Allowance for Losses

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Receivables [Abstract]
Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses and Concentration Risk Disclosure	LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOSSES Loans Farmer Mac classifies loans as either held for investment or held for sale. Loans held for investment are recorded at the unpaid principal balance, net of unamortized premium or discount and other cost adjustments. Loans held for sale are reported at the lower of cost or fair value determined on a pooled basis. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , Farmer Mac had no loans held for sale. The following table displays the composition of the loan balances as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 : Table 5.1 As of March 31, 2016 As of December 31, 2015 Unsecuritized In Consolidated Trusts Total Unsecuritized In Consolidated Trusts Total (in thousands) Farm & Ranch $ 2,206,191 $ 816,267 $ 3,022,458 $ 2,249,864 $ 708,111 $ 2,957,975 Rural Utilities 991,851 — 991,851 1,008,126 — 1,008,126 Total unpaid principal balance (1) 3,198,042 816,267 4,014,309 3,257,990 708,111 3,966,101 Unamortized premiums, discounts and other cost basis adjustments 6,410 — 6,410 423 — 423 Total loans 3,204,452 816,267 4,020,719 3,258,413 708,111 3,966,524 Allowance for loan losses (3,779 ) (750 ) (4,529 ) (3,736 ) (744 ) (4,480 ) Total loans, net of allowance $ 3,200,673 $ 815,517 $ 4,016,190 $ 3,254,677 $ 707,367 $ 3,962,044 (1) Unpaid principal balance is the basis of presentation in disclosures of outstanding balances for Farmer Mac's lines of business. Allowance for Losses Farmer Mac maintains an allowance for losses presented in two components on its consolidated balance sheets: (1) an allowance for loan losses to account for estimated probable losses on loans held, and (2) a reserve for losses to account for estimated probable losses on loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities. As of both March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , Farmer Mac's total allowances for losses were $6.6 million . See Note 6 for more information about off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs. The following is a summary of the changes in the total allowance for losses for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015: Table 5.2 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 March 31, 2015 Allowance Reserve Total Allowance Reserve Total (in thousands) Beginning Balance $ 4,480 $ 2,083 $ 6,563 $ 5,864 $ 4,263 $ 10,127 Provision for/(release of) losses 49 14 63 76 (772 ) (696 ) Ending Balance $ 4,529 $ 2,097 $ 6,626 $ 5,940 $ 3,491 $ 9,431 During first quarter 2016 , Farmer Mac recorded provisions to its allowance for loan losses of $49,000 and provisions to its reserve for losses of $14,000 . The provisions to the allowance for loan losses recorded during first quarter 2016 were attributable to to an increase in the specific allowance for on-balance sheet impaired loans due to a modest increase in the balance of such loans. The provisions were partially offset by releases from the general allowance due to repayments of on-balance sheet Agricultural Storage and Processing loans. Farmer Mac recorded no charge-offs to its allowance for loan losses during first quarter 2016. During first quarter 2015, Farmer Mac recorded provisions for its allowance for loan losses of $0.1 million and releases from its reserve for losses of $0.8 million , primarily related to repayments of Agricultural Storage and Processing loans underlying LTSPCS. Farmer Mac recorded no charge-offs to its allowance for loan losses during first quarter 2015. The following tables present the changes in the total allowance for losses for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 by commodity type: Table 5.3 March 31, 2016 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) For the Three Months Ended: Beginning Balance $ 2,791 $ 931 $ 1,781 $ 408 $ 649 $ 3 $ 6,563 Provision for/(release of) losses 101 6 (18 ) 36 (62 ) — 63 Ending Balance $ 2,892 $ 937 $ 1,763 $ 444 $ 587 $ 3 $ 6,626 March 31, 2015 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) For the Three Months Ended: Beginning Balance $ 2,519 $ 2,159 $ 1,423 $ 467 $ 3,552 $ 7 $ 10,127 Provision for/(release of) losses 121 125 (80 ) (8 ) (854 ) — (696 ) Ending Balance $ 2,640 $ 2,284 $ 1,343 $ 459 $ 2,698 $ 7 $ 9,431 The following tables present the unpaid principal balances of loans held and loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and the related total allowance for losses by impairment method and commodity type as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 : Table 5.4 As of March 31, 2016 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Ending Balance: Collectively evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 1,938,160 $ 441,233 $ 450,524 $ 116,093 $ 15,501 $ 3,661 $ 2,965,172 Off-balance sheet 1,291,650 472,190 745,414 113,624 44,369 5,178 2,672,425 Total $ 3,229,810 $ 913,423 $ 1,195,938 $ 229,717 $ 59,870 $ 8,839 $ 5,637,597 Individually evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 21,078 $ 19,896 $ 8,700 $ 7,612 $ — $ — $ 57,286 Off-balance sheet 6,249 2,971 8,543 1,143 — — 18,906 Total $ 27,327 $ 22,867 $ 17,243 $ 8,755 $ — $ — $ 76,192 Total Farm & Ranch loans: On-balance sheet $ 1,959,238 $ 461,129 $ 459,224 $ 123,705 $ 15,501 $ 3,661 $ 3,022,458 Off-balance sheet 1,297,899 475,161 753,957 114,767 44,369 5,178 2,691,331 Total $ 3,257,137 $ 936,290 $ 1,213,181 $ 238,472 $ 59,870 $ 8,839 $ 5,713,789 Allowance for Losses: Collectively evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 1,930 $ 450 $ 654 $ 144 $ 61 $ — $ 3,239 Off-balance sheet 318 176 269 60 526 3 1,352 Total $ 2,248 $ 626 $ 923 $ 204 $ 587 $ 3 $ 4,591 Individually evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 449 $ 216 $ 421 $ 204 $ — $ — $ 1,290 Off-balance sheet 195 95 419 36 — — 745 Total $ 644 $ 311 $ 840 $ 240 $ — $ — $ 2,035 Total Farm & Ranch loans: On-balance sheet $ 2,379 $ 666 $ 1,075 $ 348 $ 61 $ — $ 4,529 Off-balance sheet 513 271 688 96 526 3 2,097 Total $ 2,892 $ 937 $ 1,763 $ 444 $ 587 $ 3 $ 6,626 As of December 31, 2015 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Ending Balance: Collectively evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 1,911,039 $ 433,654 $ 444,320 $ 92,712 $ 15,944 $ 3,199 $ 2,900,868 Off-balance sheet 1,313,872 483,473 777,663 110,378 56,208 7,142 2,748,736 Total $ 3,224,911 $ 917,127 $ 1,221,983 $ 203,090 $ 72,152 $ 10,341 $ 5,649,604 Individually evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 12,803 $ 21,247 $ 5,958 $ 7,261 $ 9,838 $ — $ 57,107 Off-balance sheet 5,937 3,037 8,840 774 — — 18,588 Total $ 18,740 $ 24,284 $ 14,798 $ 8,035 $ 9,838 $ — $ 75,695 Total Farm & Ranch loans: On-balance sheet $ 1,923,842 $ 454,901 $ 450,278 $ 99,973 $ 25,782 $ 3,199 $ 2,957,975 Off-balance sheet 1,319,809 486,510 786,503 111,152 56,208 7,142 2,767,324 Total $ 3,243,651 $ 941,411 $ 1,236,781 $ 211,125 $ 81,990 $ 10,341 $ 5,725,299 Allowance for Losses: Collectively evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 1,968 $ 434 $ 702 $ 116 $ 167 $ — $ 3,387 Off-balance sheet 347 137 292 65 482 3 1,326 Total $ 2,315 $ 571 $ 994 $ 181 $ 649 $ 3 $ 4,713 Individually evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 290 $ 218 $ 384 $ 201 $ — $ — $ 1,093 Off-balance sheet 186 142 403 26 — — 757 Total $ 476 $ 360 $ 787 $ 227 $ — $ — $ 1,850 Total Farm & Ranch loans: On-balance sheet $ 2,258 $ 652 $ 1,086 $ 317 $ 167 $ — $ 4,480 Off-balance sheet 533 279 695 91 482 3 2,083 Total $ 2,791 $ 931 $ 1,781 $ 408 $ 649 $ 3 $ 6,563 The following tables present by commodity type the unpaid principal balances, recorded investment, and specific allowance for losses related to impaired loans and the recorded investment in loans on nonaccrual status as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 : Table 5.5 As of March 31, 2016 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Impaired Loans: With no specific allowance: Recorded investment $ 3,982 $ 12,556 $ 5,042 $ 2,126 $ — $ — $ 23,706 Unpaid principal balance 3,540 12,463 4,327 1,832 — — 22,162 With a specific allowance: Recorded investment (1) 24,255 10,460 12,900 6,971 — — 54,586 Unpaid principal balance 23,787 10,404 12,916 6,923 — — 54,030 Associated allowance 644 311 840 240 — — 2,035 Total: Recorded investment 28,237 23,016 17,942 9,097 — — 78,292 Unpaid principal balance 27,327 22,867 17,243 8,755 — — 76,192 Associated allowance 644 311 840 240 — — 2,035 Recorded investment of loans on nonaccrual status (2) $ 5,514 $ 15,331 $ 4,510 $ 5,985 $ — $ — $ 31,340 (1) Impairment analysis was performed in the aggregate in consideration of similar risk characteristics of the assets and historical statistics on $48.8 million ( 62 percent ) of impaired loans as of March 31, 2016 , which resulted in a specific reserve of $1.1 million . (2) Includes $2.2 million of loans that are less than 90 days delinquent but which have not met Farmer Mac's performance criteria for returning to accrual status. As of December 31, 2015 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Impaired Loans: With no specific allowance: Recorded investment $ 3,772 $ 12,340 $ 5,644 $ 1,851 $ — $ — $ 23,607 Unpaid principal balance 3,720 12,346 5,645 1,851 — — 23,562 With a specific allowance: Recorded investment (1) 15,103 11,939 9,050 6,185 9,838 — 52,115 Unpaid principal balance 15,020 11,938 9,153 6,184 9,838 — 52,133 Associated allowance 476 360 787 227 — — 1,850 Total: Recorded investment 18,875 24,279 14,694 8,036 9,838 — 75,722 Unpaid principal balance 18,740 24,284 14,798 8,035 9,838 — 75,695 Associated allowance 476 360 787 227 — — 1,850 Recorded investment of loans on nonaccrual status (2) $ 5,105 $ 16,546 $ 4,313 $ 5,870 $ 9,838 $ — $ 41,672 (1) Impairment analysis was performed in the aggregate in consideration of similar risk characteristics of the assets and historical statistics on $46.4 million ( 61 percent ) of impaired loans as of December 31, 2015 , which resulted in a specific reserve of $1.0 million . (2) Includes $14.7 million of loans that are less than 90 days delinquent but which have not met Farmer Mac's performance criteria for returning to accrual status. The following table presents by commodity type the average recorded investment and interest income recognized on impaired loans for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 : Table 5.6 March 31, 2016 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) For the Three Months Ended: Average recorded investment in impaired loans $ 23,555 $ 23,648 $ 16,318 $ 8,567 $ 4,919 $ — $ 77,007 Income recognized on impaired loans 2 44 15 72 — — 133 March 31, 2015 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) For the Three Months Ended: Average recorded investment in impaired loans $ 19,218 $ 40,764 $ 15,311 $ 12,507 $ — $ — $ 87,800 Income recognized on impaired loans 282 83 148 58 — — 571 For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, there were no troubled debt restructurings ("TDRs"). As of March 31, 2016 and 2015, there were no TDRs identified during the previous 12 months that were in default under the modified terms. The impact of TDRs on Farmer Mac's allowance for loan losses was immaterial for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. When particular criteria are met, such as the default of the borrower, Farmer Mac becomes entitled to purchase the defaulted loans underlying Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities (commonly referred to as "removal-of-account" provisions). Farmer Mac records all such defaulted loans at their unpaid principal balance during the period in which Farmer Mac becomes entitled to purchase the loans and therefore regains effective control over the transferred loans. In accordance with the terms of all LTSPCs, Farmer Mac acquires loans that are either 90 days or 120 days delinquent (depending on the provisions of the applicable agreement) upon the request of the counterparty. Subsequent to the purchase, these defaulted loans are treated as nonaccrual loans and, therefore, interest is accounted for on the cash basis. Any decreases in expected cash flows are recognized as impairment. During first quarter 2016, Farmer Mac purchased five defaulted loans having an unpaid principal balance of $1.4 million from pools underlying Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs. During first quarter 2015, Farmer Mac purchased one defaulted loan having an unpaid principal balance of $0.7 million from a pool underlying a Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Security. The following tables present information related to Farmer Mac's acquisition of defaulted loans for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 and the outstanding balances and carrying amounts of all such loans as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015: Table 5.7 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 March 31, 2015 (in thousands) Unpaid principal balance at acquisition date: Loans underlying LTSPCs $ 1,267 $ — Loans underlying off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 148 657 Total unpaid principal balance at acquisition date 1,415 657 Contractually required payments receivable 1,435 — Impairment recognized subsequent to acquisition — 52 Recovery/release of allowance for defaulted loans 4 121 As of March 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 (in thousands) Outstanding balance $ 25,893 $ 36,195 Carrying amount 23,766 34,015 Net credit losses and 90 -day delinquencies as of and for the periods indicated for loans held and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs are presented in the table below. As of March 31, 2016 , there were no delinquencies and no probable losses inherent in Farmer Mac's Rural Utilities loan portfolio and Farmer Mac had not experienced credit losses on any Rural Utilities loans. Table 5.8 90-Day Delinquencies (1) Net Credit Losses As of For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 March 31, 2016 March 31, 2015 (in thousands) On-balance sheet assets: Farm & Ranch: Loans $ 29,184 $ 26,935 $ 39 $ — Total on-balance sheet $ 29,184 $ 26,935 $ 39 $ — Off-balance sheet assets: Farm & Ranch: LTSPCs $ 5,496 $ 5,201 $ — $ — Total off-balance sheet $ 5,496 $ 5,201 $ — $ — Total $ 34,680 $ 32,136 $ 39 $ — (1) Includes loans and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs that are 90 days or more past due, in foreclosure, or in bankruptcy, excluding loans performing under either their original loan terms or a court-approved bankruptcy plan. Of the $29.2 million and $26.9 million of on-balance sheet loans reported as 90 -day delinquencies as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , respectively, none were loans subject to "removal-of-account" provisions. Credit Quality Indicators The following tables present credit quality indicators related to Farm & Ranch loans held and loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 : Table 5.9 As of March 31, 2016 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Credit risk profile by internally assigned grade (1) On-balance sheet: Acceptable $ 1,928,285 $ 440,033 $ 425,346 $ 113,197 $ 15,501 $ 3,661 $ 2,926,023 Special mention (2) 9,875 1,200 25,178 2,896 — — 39,149 Substandard (3) 21,078 19,896 8,700 7,612 — — 57,286 Total on-balance sheet $ 1,959,238 $ 461,129 $ 459,224 $ 123,705 $ 15,501 $ 3,661 $ 3,022,458 Off-Balance Sheet: Acceptable $ 1,248,018 $ 439,781 $ 712,410 $ 107,708 $ 42,169 $ 4,525 $ 2,554,611 Special mention (2) 34,114 28,933 21,202 1,268 2,200 552 88,269 Substandard (3) 15,767 6,447 20,345 5,791 — 101 48,451 Total off-balance sheet $ 1,297,899 $ 475,161 $ 753,957 $ 114,767 $ 44,369 $ 5,178 $ 2,691,331 Total Ending Balance: Acceptable $ 3,176,303 $ 879,814 $ 1,137,756 $ 220,905 $ 57,670 $ 8,186 $ 5,480,634 Special mention (2) 43,989 30,133 46,380 4,164 2,200 552 127,418 Substandard (3) 36,845 26,343 29,045 13,403 — 101 105,737 Total $ 3,257,137 $ 936,290 $ 1,213,181 $ 238,472 $ 59,870 $ 8,839 $ 5,713,789 Commodity analysis of past due loans (1) On-balance sheet $ 11,785 $ 10,867 $ 3,873 $ 2,659 $ — $ — $ 29,184 Off-balance sheet 692 — 4,322 482 — — 5,496 90 days or more past due $ 12,477 $ 10,867 $ 8,195 $ 3,141 $ — $ — $ 34,680 (1) Amounts represent unpaid principal balance of risk-rated loans, which is the basis Farmer Mac uses to analyze its portfolio, and recorded investment of past due loans. (2) Assets in the "Special mention" category generally have potential weaknesses due to performance issues but are currently considered to be adequately secured. (3) Substandard assets have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses and there is a distinct possibility that some loss will be sustained if deficiencies are not corrected. As of December 31, 2015 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Credit risk profile by internally assigned grade (1) On-balance sheet: Acceptable $ 1,888,762 $ 431,038 $ 409,003 $ 89,541 $ 15,944 $ 3,199 $ 2,837,487 Special mention (2) 22,255 2,616 35,317 2,918 — — 63,106 Substandard (3) 12,825 21,247 5,958 7,514 9,838 — 57,382 Total on-balance sheet $ 1,923,842 $ 454,901 $ 450,278 $ 99,973 $ 25,782 $ 3,199 $ 2,957,975 Off-Balance Sheet Acceptable $ 1,279,454 $ 473,335 $ 753,472 $ 102,990 $ 56,208 $ 6,517 $ 2,671,976 Special mention (2) 24,422 7,226 13,121 2,938 — 523 48,230 Substandard (3) 15,933 5,949 19,910 5,224 — 102 47,118 Total off-balance sheet $ 1,319,809 $ 486,510 $ 786,503 $ 111,152 $ 56,208 $ 7,142 $ 2,767,324 Total Ending Balance: Acceptable $ 3,168,216 $ 904,373 $ 1,162,475 $ 192,531 $ 72,152 $ 9,716 $ 5,509,463 Special mention (2) 46,677 9,842 48,438 5,856 — 523 111,336 Substandard (3) 28,758 27,196 25,868 12,738 9,838 102 104,500 Total $ 3,243,651 $ 941,411 $ 1,236,781 $ 211,125 $ 81,990 $ 10,341 $ 5,725,299 Commodity analysis of past due loans (1) On-balance sheet $ 4,656 $ 7,405 $ 2,517 $ 2,519 $ 9,838 $ — $ 26,935 Off-balance sheet 511 — 4,542 148 — — 5,201 90 days or more past due $ 5,167 $ 7,405 $ 7,059 $ 2,667 $ 9,838 $ — $ 32,136 (1) Amounts represent unpaid principal balance of risk-rated loans, which is the basis Farmer Mac uses to analyze its portfolio, and recorded investment of past due loans. (2) Assets in the "Special mention" category generally have potential weaknesses due to performance issues but are currently considered to be adequately secured. (3) Substandard assets have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses and there is a distinct possibility that some loss will be sustained if deficiencies are not corrected. Concentrations of Credit Risk The following table sets forth the geographic and commodity/collateral diversification, as well as the range of original loan-to-value ratios, for all Farm & Ranch loans held and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 : Table 5.10 As of March 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 (in thousands) By commodity/collateral type: Crops $ 3,257,137 $ 3,243,651 Permanent plantings 936,290 941,411 Livestock 1,213,181 1,236,781 Part-time farm 238,472 211,125 Ag. Storage and Processing 59,870 81,990 Other 8,839 10,341 Total $ 5,713,789 $ 5,725,299 By geographic region (1) : Northwest $ 589,786 $ 582,127 Southwest 1,692,783 1,726,927 Mid-North 2,013,333 2,009,654 Mid-South 764,476 769,831 Northeast 213,848 215,883 Southeast 439,563 420,877 Total $ 5,713,789 $ 5,725,299 By original loan-to-value ratio: 0.00% to 40.00% $ 1,567,093 $ 1,594,818 40.01% to 50.00% 1,313,479 1,279,321 50.01% to 60.00% 1,582,340 1,593,025 60.01% to 70.00% 1,087,370 1,107,710 70.01% to 80.00% 141,288 126,860 80.01% to 90.00% 22,219 23,565 Total $ 5,713,789 $ 5,725,299 (1) Geographic regions: Northwest (AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY); Southwest (AZ, CA, CO, HI, NM, NV, UT); Mid-North (IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, NE, ND, SD, WI); Mid-South (AR, KS, LA, MO, OK, TX); Northeast (CT, DE, KY, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV); Southeast (AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN). The original loan-to-value ratio is calculated by dividing the loan principal balance at the time of guarantee, purchase, or commitment by the appraised value at the date of loan origination or, when available, the updated appraised value at the time of guarantee, purchase, or commitment. Current loan-to-value ratios may be higher or lower than the original loan-to-value ratios.

Off-Balance Sheet Guarantees an

Off-Balance Sheet Guarantees and Long Term Standby Purchase Commitments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Off-Balance Sheet Guarantees and Long Term Standby Purchase Commitments Disclosure	OFF-BALANCE SHEET GUARANTEES AND LONG-TERM STANDBY PURCHASE COMMITMENTS Farmer Mac offers two credit enhancement alternatives to direct loan purchases that allow approved lenders the ability to retain the cash flow benefits of their loans and increase their liquidity and lending capacity: (1) Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, which are available through the Farm & Ranch, USDA Guarantees, or Rural Utilities lines of business, and (2) LTSPCs, which are available through the Farm & Ranch or Rural Utilities lines of business. The following table presents the maximum principal amount of potential undiscounted future payments that Farmer Mac could be required to make under all off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , not including offsets provided by any recourse provisions, recoveries from third parties, or collateral for the underlying loans: Table 6.1 Outstanding Balance of Off-Balance Sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities As of March 31, 2016 As of December 31, 2015 (in thousands) Farm & Ranch: Guaranteed Securities $ 485,302 $ 514,051 USDA Guarantees: Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 13,268 10,272 Institutional Credit: AgVantage Securities 984,871 984,871 Revolving floating rate AgVantage facility (1) 300,000 300,000 Total off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities $ 1,783,441 $ 1,809,194 (1) Relates to a revolving floating rate AgVantage facility subject to specified contractual terms. Farmer Mac receives a fixed fee based on the full dollar amount of the facility. Eligible loans and other eligible assets may be placed into trusts that are used as vehicles for the securitization of the transferred assets and the Farmer Mac-guaranteed beneficial interests in the trusts are sold to investors. The following table summarizes the significant cash flows received from and paid to trusts used for Farmer Mac securitizations: Table 6.2 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 March 31, 2015 (in thousands) Proceeds from new securitizations $ 139,561 $ 49,487 Guarantee fees received 561 692 Purchases of assets from the trusts (1,267 ) (657 ) Farmer Mac has recorded a liability for its obligation to stand ready under the guarantee in the guarantee and commitment obligation on the consolidated balance sheets. This liability approximated $7.6 million as of March 31, 2016 and $8.3 million as of December 31, 2015 . As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , the weighted-average remaining maturity of all loans underlying off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, excluding AgVantage securities, was 11.2 years and 11.3 years , respectively. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , the weighted-average remaining maturity of the off-balance sheet AgVantage securities was 1.4 years and 1.7 years , respectively. Long-Term Standby Purchase Commitments An LTSPC is a commitment by Farmer Mac to purchase eligible loans from an identified pool of loans under specified circumstances set forth in the applicable agreement, either for cash or in exchange for Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, on one or more undetermined future dates. As consideration for its assumption of the credit risk on loans underlying an LTSPC, Farmer Mac receives a commitment fee payable monthly in arrears in an amount approximating what would have been the guarantee fee if the transaction were structured as a swap for Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities. The maximum principal amount of potential undiscounted future payments that Farmer Mac could be requested to make under all LTSPCs, not including offsets provided by any recourse provisions, recoveries from third parties, or collateral for the underlying loans, was $2.7 billion as of March 31, 2016 and $2.8 billion as of December 31, 2015 . As of both March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the weighted-average remaining maturity of all loans underlying LTSPCs was 14.6 years . For those LTSPCs issued or modified on or after January 1, 2003, Farmer Mac has recorded a liability for its obligation to stand ready under the commitment in the guarantee and commitment obligation on the consolidated balance sheets. This liability approximated $29.9 million as of March 31, 2016 and $30.3 million as of December 31, 2015 .

Equity

Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
Equity Disclosure	EQUITY Non-Controlling Interest in Farmer Mac II LLC On January 25, 2010 , Farmer Mac completed a private offering of $250.0 million of securities issued by a newly formed Delaware statutory trust. The trust securities, called Farm Asset-Linked Capital Securities or "FALConS," represented undivided beneficial ownership interests in 250,000 shares of non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock (the "Farmer Mac II LLC Preferred Stock") of Farmer Mac's subsidiary, Farmer Mac II LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. The Farmer Mac II LLC Preferred Stock had a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share. On May 14, 2014, Farmer Mac purchased $6.0 million of FALConS from certain holders. On March 30, 2015, Farmer Mac II LLC redeemed all of the outstanding shares of Farmer Mac II LLC Preferred Stock which, in turn, triggered the redemption of all of the outstanding FALConS on that same day. Farmer Mac recognized an expense of $8.1 million in deferred issuance costs upon the retirement of the Farmer Mac II LLC Preferred Stock. Common Stock On September 8, 2015, Farmer Mac's board of directors approved a share repurchase program authorizing Farmer Mac to repurchase up to $25 million of its outstanding Class C non-voting common stock over the next two years. As of March 31, 2016 , Farmer Mac had repurchased approximately 668,000 shares of Class C non-voting common stock at a cost of approximately $19.6 million pursuant to the share repurchase program. Capital Requirements Farmer Mac is subject to the following capital requirements: • Statutory minimum capital requirement – Farmer Mac's statutory minimum capital level is an amount of core capital (stockholders' equity less accumulated other comprehensive income) equal to the sum of 2.75 percent of Farmer Mac's aggregate on-balance sheet assets, as calculated for regulatory purposes, plus 0.75 percent of the aggregate off-balance sheet obligations of Farmer Mac, specifically including: ◦ the unpaid principal balance of outstanding Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities; ◦ instruments issued or guaranteed by Farmer Mac that are substantially equivalent to Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, including LTSPCs; and ◦ other off-balance sheet obligations of Farmer Mac. • Statutory critical capital requirement – Farmer Mac's critical capital level is an amount of core capital equal to 50 percent of the total minimum capital requirement at that time. • Risk-based capital requirement – Farmer Mac's charter directs FCA to establish a risk-based capital stress test for Farmer Mac, using specified stress-test parameters. Farmer Mac is required to comply with the higher of the minimum capital requirement and the risk-based capital requirement. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the minimum capital requirement was greater than the risk-based capital requirement. Farmer Mac's ability to declare and pay dividends could be restricted if it fails to comply with applicable capital requirements. As of March 31, 2016 , Farmer Mac's minimum capital requirement was $477.8 million and its core capital level was $562.7 million , which was $84.9 million above the minimum capital requirement as of that date. As of December 31, 2015, Farmer Mac's minimum capital requirement was $462.1 million and its core capital level was $564.5 million , which was $102.4 million above the minimum capital requirement as of that date. In accordance with FCA's rule on Farmer Mac's capital planning, and as part of Farmer Mac's capital plan, Farmer Mac has adopted a policy for maintaining a sufficient level of Tier 1 capital (consisting of retained earnings, paid-in-capital, common stock, qualifying preferred stock, and accumulated other comprehensive income allocable to investments not included in one of the four operating lines of business) and imposing restrictions on Tier 1-eligible dividends and any discretionary bonus payments in the event that this capital falls below specified thresholds.

Fair Value Disclosures

Fair Value Disclosures	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Disclosure	FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES As of March 31, 2016 , Farmer Mac's assets and liabilities recorded at fair value included financial instruments valued at $6.5 billion whose fair values were estimated by management in the absence of readily determinable fair values (i.e., level 3). These financial instruments measured as level 3 represented 40 percent of total assets and 72 percent of financial instruments measured at fair value as of March 31, 2016 . As of December 31, 2015 , Farmer Mac's assets and liabilities recorded at fair value included financial instruments valued at $6.1 billion whose fair values were estimated by management in the absence of readily determinable fair values. These financial instruments measured as level 3 represented 39 percent of total assets and 69 percent of financial instruments measured at fair value as of December 31, 2015 . Net transfers in and/or out of the different levels within the fair value hierarchy are based on the fair values of the assets and liabilities as of the beginning of the reporting period. There were no transfers within the fair value hierarchy for fair value measurements of Farmer Mac's investment securities, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, USDA Securities, and financial derivatives during the first three months of 2016 and 2015. The following tables present information about Farmer Mac's assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , respectively, and indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques used by Farmer Mac to determine such fair value: Table 8.1 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value as of March 31, 2016 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total (in thousands) Recurring: Assets: Investment Securities: Available-for-sale: Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ — $ — $ 17,730 $ 17,730 Floating rate asset-backed securities — 68,514 — 68,514 Floating rate corporate debt securities — 10,002 — 10,002 Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities — 1,317,439 — 1,317,439 Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities — 7,839 — 7,839 Floating rate GSE subordinated debt — 65,465 — 65,465 Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 965,593 — — 965,593 Total available-for-sale 965,593 1,469,259 17,730 2,452,582 Trading: Floating rate asset-backed securities — — 383 383 Total trading — — 383 383 Total Investment Securities 965,593 1,469,259 18,113 2,452,965 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Available-for-sale: AgVantage — — 4,534,810 4,534,810 Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities — — 30,694 30,694 Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities — — 4,565,504 4,565,504 USDA Securities: Available-for-sale — — 1,908,014 1,908,014 Trading — — 26,869 26,869 Total USDA Securities — — 1,934,883 1,934,883 Financial derivatives — 7,034 — 7,034 Total Assets at fair value $ 965,593 $ 1,476,293 $ 6,518,500 $ 8,960,386 Liabilities: Financial derivatives $ 45 $ 117,911 $ — $ 117,956 Total Liabilities at fair value $ 45 $ 117,911 $ — $ 117,956 Nonrecurring: Assets: Loans held for investment $ — $ — $ 1,853 $ 1,853 REO — — 663 663 Total Nonrecurring Assets at fair value $ — $ — $ 2,516 $ 2,516 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value as of December 31, 2015 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total (in thousands) Recurring: Assets: Investment Securities: Available-for-sale: Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ — $ — $ 44,924 $ 44,924 Floating rate asset-backed securities — 73,729 — 73,729 Floating rate corporate debt securities — 9,991 — 9,991 Fixed rate corporate debt — 9,994 — 9,994 Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities — 1,355,459 — 1,355,459 Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities — 7,904 — 7,904 Floating rate GSE subordinated debt — 66,249 — 66,249 Fixed rate senior agency debt — 213,987 — 213,987 Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 992,788 — — 992,788 Total available-for-sale 992,788 1,737,313 44,924 2,775,025 Trading: Floating rate asset-backed securities — — 491 491 Total trading — — 491 491 Total Investment Securities 992,788 1,737,313 45,415 2,775,516 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Available-for-sale: AgVantage — — 4,121,244 4,121,244 Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities — — 31,361 31,361 Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities — — 4,152,605 4,152,605 USDA Securities: Available-for-sale — — 1,888,344 1,888,344 Trading — — 28,975 28,975 Total USDA Guaranteed Securities — — 1,917,319 1,917,319 Financial derivatives 19 3,797 — 3,816 Total Assets at fair value $ 992,807 $ 1,741,110 $ 6,115,339 $ 8,849,256 Liabilities: Financial derivatives $ — $ 77,199 $ — $ 77,199 Total Liabilities at fair value $ — $ 77,199 $ — $ 77,199 Nonrecurring: Assets: Loans held for investment $ — $ — $ 11,443 $ 11,443 REO $ — $ — $ 388 $ 388 Total Nonrecurring Assets at fair value $ — $ — $ 11,831 $ 11,831 The following tables present additional information about assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for which Farmer Mac has used significant unobservable inputs to determine fair value. Net transfers in and/or out of level 3 are based on the fair values of the assets and liabilities as of the beginning of the reporting period. There were no liabilities measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. Table 8.2 Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 Beginning Purchases Sales Settlements Realized and Unrealized Ending (in thousands) Recurring: Assets: Investment Securities: Available-for-sale: Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ 44,924 $ — $ (26,806 ) $ — $ 6 $ (394 ) $ 17,730 Total available-for-sale 44,924 — (26,806 ) — 6 (394 ) 17,730 Trading: Floating rate asset-backed securities (1) 491 — — (206 ) 98 — 383 Total trading 491 — — (206 ) 98 — 383 Total Investment Securities 45,415 — (26,806 ) (206 ) 104 (394 ) 18,113 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Available-for-sale: AgVantage 4,121,244 915,531 — (512,530 ) 24,298 (13,733 ) 4,534,810 Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 31,361 — — (498 ) — (169 ) 30,694 Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 4,152,605 915,531 — (513,028 ) 24,298 (13,902 ) 4,565,504 USDA Securities: Available-for-sale 1,888,344 98,974 (3,648 ) (84,193 ) — 8,537 1,908,014 Trading (2) 28,975 — — (2,365 ) 259 — 26,869 Total USDA Securities 1,917,319 98,974 (3,648 ) (86,558 ) 259 8,537 1,934,883 Total Assets at fair value $ 6,115,339 $ 1,014,505 $ (30,454 ) $ (599,792 ) $ 24,661 $ (5,759 ) $ 6,518,500 (1) Unrealized gains are attributable to assets still held as of March 31, 2016 and are recorded in " Gains on trading securities ." (2) Includes unrealized gains of $0.2 million attributable to assets still held as of March 31, 2016 that are recorded in " Gains on trading securities ." Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 Beginning Purchases Sales Settlements Realized and Unrealized Ending (in thousands) Recurring: Assets: Investment Securities: Available-for-sale: Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ 40,576 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ (197 ) $ 40,379 Total available-for-sale 40,576 — — — — (197 ) 40,379 Trading: Floating rate asset-backed securities (1) 689 — — (247 ) 196 — 638 Total trading 689 — — (247 ) 196 — 638 Total Investment Securities 41,265 — — (247 ) 196 (197 ) 41,017 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Available-for-sale: AgVantage 3,631,662 214,915 — (57,753 ) 8,877 21,003 3,818,704 Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 27,619 — — (4,652 ) — 538 23,505 Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 3,659,281 214,915 — (62,405 ) 8,877 21,541 3,842,209 USDA Securities: Available-for-sale 1,731,222 89,186 — (64,191 ) — 38,627 1,794,844 Trading (2) 40,310 — — (2,883 ) 166 — 37,593 Total USDA Securities 1,771,532 89,186 — (67,074 ) 166 38,627 1,832,437 Total Assets at fair value $ 5,472,078 $ 304,101 $ — $ (129,726 ) $ 9,239 $ 59,971 $ 5,715,663 (1) Unrealized gains are attributable to assets still held as of March 31, 2015 and are recorded in " Gains on trading securities ." (2) Includes unrealized gains of $0.2 million attributable to assets still held as of March 31, 2015 that are recorded in " Gains on trading securities ." The following tables present additional information about the significant unobservable inputs, such as discount rates and constant prepayment rates ("CPR"), used in the fair value measurements categorized in level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 . Table 8.3 As of March 31, 2016 Financial Instruments Fair Value Valuation Technique Unobservable Input Range (Weighted-Average) (in thousands) Assets: Investment securities: Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ 17,730 Indicative bids Range of broker quotes 90.0% - 90.0% (90.0%) Floating rate asset-backed securities $ 383 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 22.5% - 26.5% (24.9%) CPR 10.0% Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: AgVantage $ 4,534,810 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 1.3% - 2.8% (1.7%) Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities $ 30,694 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 1.3% - 4.2% (2.0%) CPR 9% - 22% (11%) USDA Securities $ 1,934,883 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 1.6% - 5.1% (3.1%) CPR 0% - 21% (9%) As of December 31, 2015 Financial Instruments Fair Value Valuation Technique Unobservable Input Range (Weighted-Average) (in thousands) Assets: Investment securities: Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ 44,924 Indicative bids Range of broker quotes 92.0% - 99.6% (96.6%) Floating rate asset-backed securities $ 491 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 18.3% - 23.9% (21.5%) CPR 10.0% Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: AgVantage $ 4,121,244 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 1.1% - 3.3% (1.8%) Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities $ 31,361 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 1.0% - 3.9% (1.8%) CPR 9% - 20% (10.0%) USDA Securities $ 1,917,319 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 1.3% - 5.1% (3.1%) CPR 0% - 19% (7.0%) The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities are prepayment rates and discount rates commensurate with the risks involved. Typically, significant increases (decreases) in any of these inputs in isolation may result in materially lower (higher) fair value measurements. Generally, in a rising interest rate environment, Farmer Mac would expect average discount rates to increase and would likely expect a corresponding decrease in forecasted prepayment rates. Conversely, in a declining interest rate environment, Farmer Mac would expect average discount rates to decrease and would likely expect a corresponding increase in forecasted prepayment rates. Prepayment rates are not presented in the table above for AgVantage securities because they generally do not pay down principal based on amortization schedules but instead typically have fixed maturity dates when the secured general obligations are due. Disclosures on Fair Value of Financial Instruments The following table sets forth the estimated fair values and carrying values for financial assets, liabilities, and guarantees and commitments as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 : Table 8.4 As of March 31, 2016 As of December 31, 2015 Fair Value Carrying Fair Value Carrying (in thousands) Financial assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,729,563 $ 1,729,563 $ 1,210,084 $ 1,210,084 Investment securities 2,452,965 2,452,965 2,775,516 2,775,516 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 5,786,014 5,772,853 5,434,422 5,426,621 USDA Securities 1,934,883 1,934,883 1,917,319 1,917,319 Loans 4,076,366 4,016,190 4,027,660 3,962,044 Financial derivatives 7,034 7,034 3,816 3,816 Guarantee and commitment fees receivable: LTSPCs 29,450 30,790 31,953 31,240 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 8,259 8,599 8,872 8,949 Financial liabilities: Notes payable: Due within one year 9,326,082 9,322,682 9,108,468 9,111,461 Due after one year 5,385,606 5,264,695 5,009,310 4,967,036 Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties 823,798 816,435 713,316 713,536 Financial derivatives 117,956 117,956 77,199 77,199 Guarantee and commitment obligations: LTSPCs 28,593 29,932 31,015 30,301 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 7,268 7,608 8,230 8,308 The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents is a reasonable estimate of their approximate fair value and is classified as level 1 within the fair value hierarchy. Investment securities primarily are valued based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets and are classified as level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. Farmer Mac internally models the fair value of its loan portfolio, including loans held for sale, loans held for investment and loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and USDA Securities by discounting the projected cash flows of these instruments at projected interest rates. The fair values are based on the present value of expected cash flows using management's best estimate of certain key assumptions, which include prepayment speeds, forward yield curves and discount rates commensurate with the risks involved. These fair value measurements do not take into consideration the fair value of the underlying property and are classified as level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. Financial derivatives primarily are valued using unadjusted counterparty valuations and are classified as level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the guarantee fees receivable/obligation and debt securities of consolidated trusts are estimated based on the present value of expected future cash flows of the underlying mortgage assets using management's best estimate of certain key assumptions, which include prepayments speeds, forward yield curves, and discount rates commensurate with the risks involved and are classified as level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. Notes payable are valued by discounting the expected cash flows of these instruments using a yield curve derived from market prices observed for similar agency securities and are also classified as level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. Because the cash flows of Farmer Mac's financial instruments may be interest rate path dependent, estimated fair values and projected discount rates for level 3 financial instruments are derived using a Monte Carlo simulation model. Different market assumptions and estimation methodologies could significantly affect estimated fair value amounts.

Business Segment Reporting

Business Segment Reporting	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Business Segment Reporting Disclosure	The following tables present core earnings for Farmer Mac's reportable operating segments and a reconciliation to consolidated net income for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 : Table 9.1 Core Earnings by Business Segment For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 Farm & Ranch USDA Guarantees Rural Utilities Institutional Credit Corporate Reconciling Consolidated Net Income (in thousands) Interest income (1) $ 24,852 $ 15,282 $ 6,829 $ 20,268 $ 6,681 $ (21 ) $ 73,891 Interest income related to consolidated trusts owned by third parties reclassified to guarantee fee income (1,043 ) — — — — 1,043 — Interest expense (2) (14,348 ) (10,974 ) (4,291 ) (9,178 ) (4,129 ) 2,669 (40,251 ) Net effective spread 9,461 4,308 2,538 11,090 2,552 3,691 33,640 Guarantee and commitment fees 3,909 7 295 458 — (1,043 ) 3,626 Other income/(expense) (3) 97 58 — — (672 ) (5,815 ) (6,332 ) Non-interest income/(loss) 4,006 65 295 458 (672 ) (6,858 ) (2,706 ) Provision for loan losses (49 ) — — — — — (49 ) Provision for losses (14 ) — — — — — (14 ) Other non-interest expense (4,161 ) (1,093 ) (831 ) (539 ) (3,328 ) — (9,952 ) Non-interest expense (4) (4,175 ) (1,093 ) (831 ) (539 ) (3,328 ) — (9,966 ) Core earnings before income taxes 9,243 3,280 2,002 11,009 (1,448 ) (3,167 ) (5) 20,919 Income tax (expense)/benefit (3,236 ) (1,148 ) (701 ) (3,852 ) 493 1,109 (7,335 ) Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest 6,007 2,132 1,301 7,157 (955 ) (2,058 ) (5) 13,584 Preferred stock dividends — — — — (3,295 ) — (3,295 ) Non-controlling interest — — — — 28 — 28 Segment core earnings/(losses) $ 6,007 $ 2,132 $ 1,301 $ 7,157 $ (4,222 ) $ (2,058 ) (5) $ 10,317 Total assets at carrying value $ 3,115,749 $ 1,987,855 $ 1,002,691 $ 5,731,346 $ 4,318,387 $ — $ 16,156,028 Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance 5,713,789 1,929,582 1,510,575 7,061,626 — 16,215,572 (1) Includes reconciling adjustments for the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value to reflect core earnings amounts. (2) Based on effective funding cost determined for each operating segment, including expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in " Losses on financial derivatives and hedging activities " on the consolidated financial statements. (3) Includes reconciling adjustments for the reclassification of expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges and fair value adjustments on financial derivatives and trading assets. Also includes a reconciling adjustment related to the recognition of deferred gains over the estimated lives of certain Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities. (4) Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on headcount. (5) Net adjustments to reconcile core earnings before income taxes; core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest; and segment core earnings to corresponding income measures: income before income taxes, net income, and net income attributable to common stockholders, respectively. Core Earnings by Business Segment For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 Farm & Ranch USDA Guarantees Rural Institutional Credit Corporate Reconciling Adjustments Consolidated Net Income (in thousands) Interest income (1) $ 21,968 $ 14,348 $ 6,585 $ 19,299 $ 2,865 $ (1,114 ) $ 63,951 Interest income related to consolidated trusts owned by third parties reclassified to guarantee fee income (635 ) — — — — 635 — Interest expense (2) (11,219 ) (10,123 ) (3,781 ) (8,874 ) (1,176 ) 2,011 (33,162 ) Net effective spread 10,114 4,225 2,804 10,425 1,689 1,532 30,789 Guarantee and commitment fees 3,633 (6 ) — 385 — (635 ) 3,377 Other income/(expense) (3) 87 59 — — (552 ) (2,496 ) (2,902 ) Non-interest income/(loss) 3,720 53 — 385 (552 ) (3,131 ) 475 Provision for loan losses (76 ) — — — — — (76 ) Release of reserve for losses 772 — — — — — 772 Other non-interest expense (4,326 ) (385 ) (866 ) (535 ) (3,003 ) — (9,115 ) Non-interest expense (4) (3,554 ) (385 ) (866 ) (535 ) (3,003 ) — (8,343 ) Core earnings before income taxes 10,204 3,893 1,938 10,275 (1,866 ) (1,599 ) (5) 22,845 Income tax (expense)/benefit (3,571 ) (1,363 ) (678 ) (3,596 ) 2,516 2,461 (4,231 ) Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends 6,633 2,530 1,260 6,679 650 862 (5) 18,614 Preferred stock dividends — — — — (3,295 ) — (3,295 ) Non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends — — — — (5,354 ) — (5,354 ) Loss on retirement of preferred stock — — — — — (8,147 ) (8,147 ) Segment core earnings/(losses) $ 6,633 $ 2,530 $ 1,260 $ 6,679 $ (7,999 ) $ (7,285 ) (5) $ 1,818 Total assets at carrying value $ 2,637,743 $ 1,876,337 $ 970,020 $ 5,594,736 $ 3,770,849 $ — $ 14,849,685 Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance 5,347,248 1,814,918 968,117 6,529,934 — 14,660,217 (1) Includes reconciling adjustments for the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value to reflect core earnings amounts. (2) Based on effective funding cost determined for each operating segment, including expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in " Losses on financial derivatives and hedging activities " on the consolidated financial statements. (3) Includes reconciling adjustments for the reclassification of expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges and fair value adjustments on financial derivatives and trading assets. Also includes a reconciling adjustment related to the recognition of deferred gains over the estimated lives of certain Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities. (4) Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on headcount. (5) Net adjustments to reconcile core earnings before income taxes; core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest; and segment core earnings to corresponding income measures: income before income taxes, net income, and net income attributable to common stockholders, respectively.

Accounting Policies - Accounti

Accounting Policies - Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Consolidation, Variable Interest Entity, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Farmer Mac and its three subsidiaries: (1) Farmer Mac Mortgage Securities Corporation ("FMMSC"), whose principal activities are to facilitate the purchase and issuance of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities; (2) Farmer Mac II LLC, whose principal activity is the operation of substantially all of the business related to the USDA Guarantees line of business – primarily the acquisition of USDA Securities; and (3) Contour Valuation Services, LLC, whose principal activity is to appraise agricultural real estate. The consolidated financial statements also include the accounts of VIEs in which Farmer Mac determined itself to be the primary beneficiary.
Summary of Significant Account Policies	The interim unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation ("Farmer Mac") and subsidiaries have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). These interim unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all normal and recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to present a fair statement of the financial position and the results of operations and cash flows of Farmer Mac and subsidiaries for the interim periods presented. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the annual consolidated financial statements have been omitted as permitted by SEC rules and regulations. The December 31, 2015 consolidated balance sheet presented in this report has been derived from Farmer Mac's audited 2015 consolidated financial statements. Management believes that the disclosures are adequate to present fairly the consolidated financial statements as of the dates and for the periods presented. These interim unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the 2015 consolidated financial statements of Farmer Mac and subsidiaries included in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 filed with the SEC on March 10, 2016. That Form 10-K describes Farmer Mac's significant accounting policies, which include its policies on Principles of Consolidation; Cash and Cash Equivalents and Statements of Cash Flows; Transfers of Financial Assets and Liabilities; Investment Securities, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and USDA Securities; Loans; Securitization of Loans; Real Estate Owned; Financial Derivatives; Notes Payable; Allowance for Loan Losses and Reserve for Losses; Earnings Per Common Share; Income Taxes; Stock-Based Compensation; Comprehensive Income; Long-Term Standby Purchase Commitments; Fair Value Measurement; and Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities ("VIEs"). Results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of those that may be expected for the fiscal year. Presented below are Farmer Mac's significant accounting policies that contain updated information for the three months ended March 31, 2016 .
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Statements of Cash Flows	Statements of Cash Flows
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Common Share Basic earnings per common share ("EPS") is based on the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted earnings per common share is based on the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding adjusted to include all potentially dilutive common stock options, stock appreciation rights ("SARs"), and non-vested restricted stock awards.
Comprehensive Income	Comprehensive Income Comprehensive income represents all changes in stockholders' equity except those resulting from investments by or distributions to stockholders, and is comprised of net income and unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, certain held-to-maturity securities transferred from the available-for-sale classification, and cash flow hedges, net of related taxes.
New Accounting Standards	New Accounting Standards In January 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-01, "Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities," which amends the guidance in GAAP on the classification and measurement of financial instruments. The ASU significantly revises an entity's accounting related to (1) the classification and measurement of investments in equity securities and (2) the presentation of certain fair value changes for financial liabilities measured at fair value. The ASU also amends certain disclosure requirements associated with the fair value of financial instruments. The new standard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Farmer Mac does not expect that adoption of the new guidance will have a material effect on Farmer Mac’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases," which provides new guidance intended to improve financial reporting about leasing transactions. The ASU will require organizations that lease assets to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases. The ASU also will require disclosures to help investors and other financial statement users better understand the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The new standard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. Farmer Mac does not expect that adoption of the new guidance will have a material effect on Farmer Mac’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “ Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting,” which provides new guidance intended to simplify several aspects of accounting for employee share-based payment transactions including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. The new standard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. Farmer Mac does not expect that adoption of the new guidance will have a material effect on Farmer Mac’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications Certain reclassifications of prior period information were made to conform to the current period presentation.

Accounting Policies - Accoun18

Accounting Policies - Accounting Policies (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Table Text Block]	The following tables present, by line of business, details about the consolidation of VIEs: Table 1.1 Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities As of March 31, 2016 Farm & Ranch USDA Guarantees Rural Utilities Institutional Credit Corporate Total (in thousands) On-Balance Sheet: Consolidated VIEs: Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost $ 816,267 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 816,267 Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties (1) 816,435 — — — — 816,435 Unconsolidated VIEs: Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Carrying value (2) — 30,694 — 31,222 — 61,916 Maximum exposure to loss (3) — 31,038 — 30,000 — 61,038 Investment securities: Carrying value (4) — — — — 862,781 862,781 Maximum exposure to loss (3) (4) — — — — 865,022 865,022 Off-Balance Sheet: Unconsolidated VIEs: Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Maximum exposure to loss (3) (5) 485,302 13,268 — 970,000 — 1,468,570 (1) Includes borrower remittances of $0.2 million . The borrower remittances have not been passed through to third party investors as of March 31, 2016 . (2) Includes $0.3 million of unamortized premiums and discounts and fair value adjustments related to the USDA Guarantees line of business. Includes fair value adjustments related to the Institutional Credit line of business of $1.2 million . (3) Farmer Mac uses unpaid principal balance and outstanding face amount of investment securities to represent maximum exposure to loss. (4) Includes auction-rate certificates, asset-backed securities, and government-sponsored enterprise ("GSE")-guaranteed mortgage-backed securities. (5) The amount under the Farm & Ranch line of business relates to unconsolidated trusts where Farmer Mac determined it was not the primary beneficiary due to shared power with an unrelated party . Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities As of December 31, 2015 Farm & Ranch USDA Guarantees Rural Utilities Institutional Credit Corporate Total (in thousands) On-Balance Sheet: Consolidated VIEs: Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost $ 708,111 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 708,111 Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties (1) 713,536 — — — — 713,536 Unconsolidated VIEs: Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Carrying value (2) — 31,360 — 31,400 — 62,760 Maximum exposure to loss (3) — 31,553 — 30,000 — 61,553 Investment securities: Carrying value (4) — — — — 917,292 917,292 Maximum exposure to loss (3) (4) — — — — 918,121 918,121 Off-Balance Sheet: Unconsolidated VIEs: Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Maximum exposure to loss (3) (5) 514,051 10,272 — 970,000 — 1,494,323 (1) Includes borrower remittances of $5.4 million , which have not been passed through to third party investors as of December 31, 2015. (2) Includes $0.2 million of unamortized premiums and discounts and fair value adjustments related to the USDA Guarantees line of business. Includes fair value adjustments related to the Institutional Credit line of business of $1.4 million . (3) Farmer Mac uses unpaid principal balance and the outstanding face amount of investment securities to represent maximum exposure to loss. (4) Includes auction-rate certificates, asset-backed securities, and GSE-guaranteed mortgage-backed securities. (5) The amount under the Farm & Ranch line of business relates to unconsolidated trusts where Farmer Mac determined it was not the primary beneficiary due to shared power with an unrelated party.
Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures	The following table sets forth information regarding certain non-cash transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 : Table 1.2 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 March 31, 2015 (in thousands) Non-cash activity: Loans acquired and securitized as Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities $ 139,561 $ 49,487 Consolidation of Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities from off-balance sheet to loans held for investment in consolidated trusts and to debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties 135,913 49,487 Purchases of securities - traded, not yet settled — 14,915 Issuance costs on the retirement of Farmer Mac II LLC Preferred Stock — 8,147
Earnings Per Common Share	The following schedule reconciles basic and diluted EPS for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 : Table 1.3 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 March 31, 2015 Net Weighted-Average Shares $ per Net Weighted-Average Shares $ per (in thousands, except per share amounts) Basic EPS Net income attributable to common stockholders $ 10,317 10,465 $ 0.99 $ 1,818 10,938 $ 0.17 Effect of dilutive securities (1) Stock options, SARs and restricted stock — 538 (0.05 ) — 393 (0.01 ) Diluted EPS $ 10,317 11,003 $ 0.94 $ 1,818 11,331 $ 0.16 (1) For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, stock options and SARs of 210,865 and 201,401 , respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because they were anti-dilutive. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, contingent shares of non-vested restricted stock of 37,284 and 30,514 , respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because performance conditions had not yet been met.
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	The following table presents the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI"), net of tax, by component for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015: Table 1.4 As of March 31, 2016 As of March 31, 2015 Available-for-Sale Securities Held-to-Maturity Securities Cash Flow Hedges Total Available-for-Sale Securities Held-to-Maturity Securities Cash Flow Hedges Total (in thousands) For the Three Months Ended: Beginning Balance $ (10,035 ) $ (476 ) $ (508 ) $ (11,019 ) $ 9,716 $ 5,973 $ (156 ) $ 15,533 Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications (1,769 ) — (3,395 ) (5,164 ) 41,343 — (237 ) 41,106 Amounts reclassified from AOCI (2,376 ) (657 ) 299 (2,734 ) (3,359 ) (2,173 ) 77 (5,455 ) Net other comprehensive (loss)/income (4,145 ) (657 ) (3,096 ) (7,898 ) 37,984 (2,173 ) (160 ) 35,651 Ending Balance $ (14,180 ) $ (1,133 ) $ (3,604 ) $ (18,917 ) $ 47,700 $ 3,800 $ (316 ) $ 51,184
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]	The following table presents other comprehensive income activity, the impact on net income of amounts reclassified from each component of AOCI, and the related tax impact for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015: Table 1.5 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 March 31, 2015 Before Tax Provision (Benefit) After Tax Before Tax Provision (Benefit) After Tax (in thousands) Other comprehensive income/(loss): Available-for-sale-securities: Unrealized holding (losses)/gains on available-for-sale-securities $ (2,722 ) $ (953 ) $ (1,769 ) $ 63,604 $ 22,261 $ 41,343 Less reclassification adjustments included in: Losses on financial derivatives and hedging activities (1) (3,923 ) (1,373 ) (2,550 ) (4,861 ) (1,701 ) (3,160 ) (Losses)/gains on sale of available-for-sale investment securities (2) 9 3 6 (6 ) (2 ) (4 ) Other income (3) 259 91 168 (300 ) (105 ) (195 ) Total $ (6,377 ) $ (2,232 ) $ (4,145 ) $ 58,437 $ 20,453 $ 37,984 Held-to-maturity securities: Change in fair value $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — Less reclassification adjustments included in: Net interest income (4) (1,011 ) (354 ) (657 ) (3,343 ) (1,170 ) (2,173 ) Total $ (1,011 ) $ (354 ) $ (657 ) $ (3,343 ) $ (1,170 ) $ (2,173 ) Cash flow hedges Unrealized losses on cash flow hedges $ (5,222 ) $ (1,827 ) $ (3,395 ) $ (366 ) $ (129 ) $ (237 ) Less reclassification adjustments included in: Net interest income (5) 459 160 299 119 42 77 Total $ (4,763 ) $ (1,667 ) $ (3,096 ) $ (247 ) $ (87 ) $ (160 ) Other comprehensive (loss)/income $ (12,151 ) $ (4,253 ) $ (7,898 ) $ 54,847 $ 19,196 $ 35,651 (1) Relates to the amortization of unrealized gains on hedged items prior to the application of fair value hedge accounting. (2) Represents unrealized gains and losses on sales of available-for-sale investment securities. (3) Represents amortization of deferred gains related to certain available-for-sale USDA Securities and Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities. (4) Relates to the amortization of unrealized gains or losses prior to the reclassification of these securities from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity. The amortization of unrealized gains or losses reported in AOCI for held-to-maturity securities will be offset by the amortization of the premium or discount created from the transfer into held-to-maturity securities, which occurred at fair value. These unrealized gains or losses will be recorded over the remaining life of the security with no impact on future net income. (5) Relates to the recognition of unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedges recorded in AOCI.

Investment Securities - Invest

Investment Securities - Investment Securities (Tables) - Investment Securities [Member]	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Schedule of Available-for-sale and Trading Securities [Line Items]
Marketable Securities [Table Text Block]	The following tables set forth information about Farmer Mac's investment securities as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015: Table 2.1 As of March 31, 2016 Amount Outstanding Unamortized Premium/(Discount) Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair Value (in thousands) Available-for-sale: Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ 19,700 $ — $ 19,700 $ — $ (1,970 ) $ 17,730 Floating rate asset-backed securities 69,715 (249 ) 69,466 5 (957 ) 68,514 Floating rate corporate debt securities 10,000 — 10,000 2 — 10,002 Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities 1,317,245 3,322 1,320,567 2,692 (5,820 ) 1,317,439 Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities (1) 656 2,923 3,579 4,260 — 7,839 Floating rate GSE subordinated debt 70,000 — 70,000 — (4,535 ) 65,465 Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 965,180 (618 ) 964,562 1,033 (2 ) 965,593 Total available-for-sale 2,452,496 5,378 2,457,874 7,992 (13,284 ) 2,452,582 Trading: Floating rate asset-backed securities 2,006 — 2,006 — (1,623 ) 383 Total investment securities $ 2,454,502 $ 5,378 $ 2,459,880 $ 7,992 $ (14,907 ) $ 2,452,965 (1) Fair value includes $7.1 million of an interest-only security with a notional amount of $147.9 million . As of December 31, 2015 Amount Outstanding Unamortized Premium/(Discount) Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair Value (in thousands) Available-for-sale: Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ 46,500 $ — $ 46,500 $ — $ (1,576 ) $ 44,924 Floating rate asset-backed securities 74,744 (253 ) 74,491 14 (776 ) 73,729 Floating rate corporate debt securities 10,000 — 10,000 — (9 ) 9,991 Fixed rate corporate debt securities 10,000 (1 ) 9,999 — (5 ) 9,994 Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities 1,353,495 3,515 1,357,010 2,768 (4,319 ) 1,355,459 Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities (1) 692 3,117 3,809 4,095 — 7,904 Floating rate GSE subordinated debt 70,000 — 70,000 — (3,751 ) 66,249 Fixed rate senior agency debt 214,000 (25 ) 213,975 12 — 213,987 Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 993,680 (417 ) 993,263 2 (477 ) 992,788 Total available-for-sale 2,773,111 5,936 2,779,047 6,891 (10,913 ) 2,775,025 Trading: Floating rate asset-backed securities 2,211 — 2,211 — (1,720 ) 491 Total investment securities $ 2,775,322 $ 5,936 $ 2,781,258 $ 6,891 $ (12,633 ) $ 2,775,516 (1) Fair value includes $7.2 million of an interest-only security with a notional amount of $148.5 million .
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Table Text Block]	As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, unrealized losses on available-for-sale investment securities were as follows: Table 2.2 As of March 31, 2016 Available-for-Sale Securities Unrealized loss position for Unrealized loss position for Fair Value Unrealized Fair Value Unrealized (in thousands) Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ — $ — $ 17,730 $ (1,970 ) Floating rate asset-backed securities 47,887 (526 ) 9,432 (431 ) Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities 699,078 (4,083 ) 136,650 (1,737 ) Floating rate GSE subordinated debt — — 65,465 (4,535 ) Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 15,002 (2 ) — — Total $ 761,967 $ (4,611 ) $ 229,277 $ (8,673 ) As of December 31, 2015 Available-for-Sale Securities Unrealized loss position for Unrealized loss position for Fair Value Unrealized Fair Value Unrealized (in thousands) Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ — $ — $ 18,124 $ (1,576 ) Floating rate asset-backed securities 44,552 (464 ) 9,975 (312 ) Floating rate corporate debt securities 4,991 (9 ) — — Fixed rate corporate debt securities 9,994 (5 ) — — Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities 794,959 (3,408 ) 100,192 (911 ) Floating rate GSE subordinated debt — — 66,249 (3,751 ) Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 944,842 (477 ) — — Total $ 1,799,338 $ (4,363 ) $ 194,540 $ (6,550 ) The unrealized losses presented above are principally due to a general widening of credit spreads from the dates of acquisition to March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, as applicable. The resulting decrease in fair values reflects an increase in the perceived risk by the financial markets related to those securities. As of March 31, 2016 , all of the investment securities in an unrealized loss position either were backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government or had credit ratings of at least "AA+," except one that was rated "A-." As of December 31, 2015 , all of the investment securities in an unrealized loss position either were backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government or had credit ratings of at least " AA+ ," except three that were rated " A- ." The unrealized losses were on 61 and 69 individual investment securities as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. As of March 31, 2016 , 17 of the securities in loss positions had been in loss positions for more than 12 months and had a total unrealized loss of $8.7 million . As of December 31, 2015 , 17 of the securities in loss positions had been in loss positions for more than 12 months and had a total unrealized loss of $6.6 million . Securities in unrealized loss positions for 12 months or longer have a fair value as of March 31, 2016 that is, on average, approximately 96 percent of their amortized cost basis. Farmer Mac believes that all of these unrealized losses are recoverable within a reasonable period of time by way of maturity or changes in credit spreads. Accordingly, Farmer Mac has concluded that none of the unrealized losses on these available-for-sale investment securities represents other-than-temporary impairment as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block]	The amortized cost, fair value, and weighted average yield of available-for-sale investment securities by remaining contractual maturity as of March 31, 2016 are set forth below. Asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities are included based on their final maturities, although the actual maturities may differ due to prepayments of the underlying assets. Table 2.3 As of March 31, 2016 Available-for-Sale Securities Amortized Fair Value Weighted- (dollars in thousands) Due within one year $ 940,691 $ 941,643 0.55% Due after one year through five years 188,476 188,801 1.11% Due after five years through ten years 545,148 542,273 1.01% Due after ten years 783,559 779,865 1.12% Total $ 2,457,874 $ 2,452,582 0.88%

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securit20

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities - Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities (Tables) - Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities [Member]	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Schedule of Held-to-Maturity, Available-for-sale, and Trading Securities [Line Items]
Marketable Securities [Table Text Block]	The following tables set forth information about on-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015: Table 3.1 As of March 31, 2016 Unpaid Principal Balance Unamortized Premium/(Discount) Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair Value (in thousands) Held-to-maturity: AgVantage $ 1,208,802 $ (1,453 ) $ 1,207,349 $ 13,164 $ (3 ) $ 1,220,510 Available-for-sale: AgVantage $ 4,567,953 $ — $ 4,567,953 $ 43,444 $ (76,587 ) $ 4,534,810 Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 31,038 (315 ) 30,723 33 (62 ) 30,694 Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 4,598,991 (315 ) 4,598,676 43,477 (76,649 ) 4,565,504 USDA Securities 1,860,348 1,996 1,862,344 45,745 (75 ) 1,908,014 Total available-for-sale $ 6,459,339 $ 1,681 $ 6,461,020 $ 89,222 $ (76,724 ) $ 6,473,518 Trading: USDA Securities $ 24,928 $ 1,769 $ 26,697 $ 302 $ (130 ) $ 26,869 As of December 31, 2015 Unpaid Principal Balance Unamortized Premium/(Discount) Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair Value (in thousands) Held-to-maturity: AgVantage $ 1,274,431 $ (415 ) $ 1,274,016 $ 7,801 $ — $ 1,281,817 Available-for-sale: AgVantage $ 4,164,952 $ — $ 4,164,952 $ 26,831 $ (70,539 ) $ 4,121,244 Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 31,554 (333 ) 31,221 140 — 31,361 Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 4,196,506 (333 ) 4,196,173 26,971 (70,539 ) 4,152,605 USDA Securities 1,849,322 1,890 1,851,212 37,160 (28 ) 1,888,344 Total available-for-sale $ 6,045,828 $ 1,557 $ 6,047,385 $ 64,131 $ (70,567 ) $ 6,040,949 Trading: USDA Securities $ 27,129 $ 1,934 $ 29,063 $ 125 $ (213 ) $ 28,975
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Table Text Block]	As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, unrealized losses on held-to-maturity and available-for-sale on-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities were as follows: Table 3.2 As of March 31, 2016 Held-to-Maturity and Available-for-Sale Securities Unrealized loss position for Unrealized loss position for Fair Value Unrealized Fair Value Unrealized (in thousands) Held-to-maturity: AgVantage $ 1,996 $ (3 ) $ — $ — Available-for-sale: AgVantage $ 1,706,226 $ (33,774 ) $ 1,277,127 $ (42,813 ) Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 29,172 (62 ) — — USDA Securities 103,609 (75 ) Total available-for-sale $ 1,735,398 $ (33,836 ) $ 1,380,736 $ (42,888 ) As of December 31, 2015 Available-for-Sale Securities Unrealized loss position for Unrealized loss position for Fair Value Unrealized Fair Value Unrealized (in thousands) Available-for-sale: AgVantage $ 1,193,866 $ (41,835 ) $ 1,104,981 $ (28,704 ) USDA Securities — — 103,010 (28 ) Total available-for-sale $ 1,193,866 $ (41,835 ) $ 1,207,991 $ (28,732 ) The unrealized losses presented above are principally due to higher interest rates from the date of acquisition to March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, as applicable. The credit exposure related to Farmer Mac's USDA Guarantees line of business is covered by the full faith and credit guarantee of the United States. The unrealized losses from AgVantage securities were on 27 available-for-sale securities as of March 31, 2016 . There was one held-to-maturity AgVantage security with an unrealized loss as of March 31, 2016 . The unrealized losses from AgVantage securities were on 22 available-for-sale securities as of December 31, 2015. There were no unrealized losses from held-to-maturity securities as of December 31, 2015 . As of March 31, 2016 , 9 available-for-sale AgVantage securities had been in a loss position for more than 12 months with a total unrealized loss of $42.8 million . As of December 31, 2015 , 8 available-for-sale AgVantage securities had been in a loss position for more than 12 months with a total unrealized loss of $28.7 million . Farmer Mac has concluded that none of the unrealized losses on its held-to-maturity Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and available-for-sale Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities are other-than-temporary impairment as of either March 31, 2016 or December 31, 2015. Farmer Mac does not intend to sell these securities, and it is not more likely than not that Farmer Mac will be required to sell the securities before recovery of the amortized cost basis.
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block]	The amortized cost, fair value, and weighted average yield of available-for-sale and held-to-maturity Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities by remaining contractual maturity as of March 31, 2016 are set forth below. The balances presented are based on their final maturities, although the actual maturities may differ due to prepayments of the underlying assets. Table 3.3 As of March 31, 2016 Available-for-Sale Securities Amortized Fair Value Weighted- (dollars in thousands) Due within one year $ 216,251 $ 216,688 1.33 % Due after one year through five years 2,168,433 2,176,746 1.56 % Due after five years through ten years 1,584,652 1,606,289 2.04 % Due after ten years 2,491,684 2,473,795 2.57 % Total $ 6,461,020 $ 6,473,518 2.06 % As of March 31, 2016 Held-to-Maturity Securities Amortized Fair Value Weighted- (dollars in thousands) Due within one year $ 703,005 $ 704,257 2.32 % Due after one year through five years 494,656 505,844 2.35 % Due after five years through ten years 9,688 10,409 3.43 % Total $ 1,207,349 $ 1,220,510 2.34 %

Financial Derivatives - Financ

Financial Derivatives - Financial Derivatives (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Derivative Instruments [Table Text Block]	The following tables summarize information related to Farmer Mac's financial derivatives on a gross basis without giving consideration to master netting arrangements as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 and the effects of financial derivatives on the consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 : Table 4.1 As of March 31, 2016 Fair Value Weighted- Weighted- Weighted- Weighted- Notional Amount Asset (Liability) (dollars in thousands) Fair value hedges: Interest rate swaps: Pay fixed non-callable $ 1,391,816 $ 207 $ (52,859 ) 1.83% 0.62% 5.49 Cash flow hedges: Interest rate swaps: Pay fixed non-callable 144,000 — (6,282 ) 2.25% 0.81% 7.05 No hedge designation: Interest rate swaps: Pay fixed non-callable 445,041 — (57,430 ) 4.10% 0.62% 6.53 Receive fixed non-callable 6,156,403 6,629 (1,332 ) 0.50% 0.56% 0.61 Receive fixed callable 115,000 135 (47 ) 0.56% 1.30% 3.00 Basis swaps 675,000 63 (130 ) 0.48% 0.57% 1.93 Agency forwards 16,603 — (134 ) 102.22 Treasury futures 5,800 — (45 ) 129.62 Credit valuation adjustment — 303 Total financial derivatives $ 8,949,663 $ 7,034 $ (117,956 ) Collateral pledged — 73,659 Net amount $ 7,034 $ (44,297 ) As of December 31, 2015 Fair Value Weighted- Weighted- Weighted- Weighted- Notional Amount Asset (Liability) (dollars in thousands) Fair value hedges: Interest rate swaps: Pay fixed non-callable $ 1,276,285 $ 949 $ (26,703 ) 2.35% 0.37% 4.16 Cash flow hedges: Interest rate swaps: Pay fixed non-callable 119,000 8 (1,381 ) 2.25% 0.64% 7.03 No hedge designation: Interest rate swaps: Pay fixed non-callable 454,041 229 (44,528 ) 3.73% 0.33% 6.02 Receive fixed non-callable 5,590,638 2,384 (4,205 ) 0.31% 0.47% 0.57 Receive fixed callable 230,000 — (421 ) 0.41% 0.91% 2.26 Basis swaps 725,000 232 (131 ) 0.22% 0.38% 2.33 Treasury futures 35,000 19 — 125.96 Credit valuation adjustment (5 ) 170 Total financial derivatives $ 8,429,964 $ 3,816 $ (77,199 ) Collateral pledged — 37,986 Net amount $ 3,816 $ (39,213 )
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Table Text Block]	Table 4.2 Losses on financial derivatives and hedging activities For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 March 31, 2015 (in thousands) Fair value hedges: Interest rate swaps (1) $ (26,898 ) $ (5,760 ) Hedged items 29,787 8,876 Gains on fair value hedges 2,889 3,116 Cash flow hedges: Loss recognized (ineffective portion) (149 ) (216 ) Losses on cash flow hedges (149 ) (216 ) No hedge designation: Interest rate swaps (8,142 ) (5,740 ) Agency forwards (877 ) (786 ) Treasury futures (503 ) (256 ) (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives not designated in hedging relationships (9,522 ) (6,782 ) Losses on financial derivatives and hedging activities $ (6,782 ) $ (3,882 ) (1) Included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness as of March 31, 2016 , but excluded from the amounts in the table, were losses of $1.5 million , for the year ended March 31, 2016 , attributable to the fair value of the swaps at the inception of the hedging relationship. Accordingly, the amounts recognized as hedge ineffectiveness for the year ended March 31, 2016 were gains of $1.4 million . The comparable amounts as of March 31, 2015 were losses of $ 2.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, attributable to the fair value of the swaps at the inception of the hedging relationship and, accordingly, gains of $ 0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, attributable to hedge ineffectiveness.

Loans and Allowance for Losse22

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk - Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Receivables [Abstract]
Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table Text Block]	Loans Farmer Mac classifies loans as either held for investment or held for sale. Loans held for investment are recorded at the unpaid principal balance, net of unamortized premium or discount and other cost adjustments. Loans held for sale are reported at the lower of cost or fair value determined on a pooled basis. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , Farmer Mac had no loans held for sale. The following table displays the composition of the loan balances as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 : Table 5.1 As of March 31, 2016 As of December 31, 2015 Unsecuritized In Consolidated Trusts Total Unsecuritized In Consolidated Trusts Total (in thousands) Farm & Ranch $ 2,206,191 $ 816,267 $ 3,022,458 $ 2,249,864 $ 708,111 $ 2,957,975 Rural Utilities 991,851 — 991,851 1,008,126 — 1,008,126 Total unpaid principal balance (1) 3,198,042 816,267 4,014,309 3,257,990 708,111 3,966,101 Unamortized premiums, discounts and other cost basis adjustments 6,410 — 6,410 423 — 423 Total loans 3,204,452 816,267 4,020,719 3,258,413 708,111 3,966,524 Allowance for loan losses (3,779 ) (750 ) (4,529 ) (3,736 ) (744 ) (4,480 ) Total loans, net of allowance $ 3,200,673 $ 815,517 $ 4,016,190 $ 3,254,677 $ 707,367 $ 3,962,044 (1) Unpaid principal balance is the basis of presentation in disclosures of outstanding balances for Farmer Mac's lines of business.
Allowance for Credit Losses on Financing Receivables [Table Text Block]	Allowance for Losses Farmer Mac maintains an allowance for losses presented in two components on its consolidated balance sheets: (1) an allowance for loan losses to account for estimated probable losses on loans held, and (2) a reserve for losses to account for estimated probable losses on loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities. As of both March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , Farmer Mac's total allowances for losses were $6.6 million . See Note 6 for more information about off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs. The following is a summary of the changes in the total allowance for losses for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015: Table 5.2 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 March 31, 2015 Allowance Reserve Total Allowance Reserve Total (in thousands) Beginning Balance $ 4,480 $ 2,083 $ 6,563 $ 5,864 $ 4,263 $ 10,127 Provision for/(release of) losses 49 14 63 76 (772 ) (696 ) Ending Balance $ 4,529 $ 2,097 $ 6,626 $ 5,940 $ 3,491 $ 9,431 During first quarter 2016 , Farmer Mac recorded provisions to its allowance for loan losses of $49,000 and provisions to its reserve for losses of $14,000 . The provisions to the allowance for loan losses recorded during first quarter 2016 were attributable to to an increase in the specific allowance for on-balance sheet impaired loans due to a modest increase in the balance of such loans. The provisions were partially offset by releases from the general allowance due to repayments of on-balance sheet Agricultural Storage and Processing loans. Farmer Mac recorded no charge-offs to its allowance for loan losses during first quarter 2016. During first quarter 2015, Farmer Mac recorded provisions for its allowance for loan losses of $0.1 million and releases from its reserve for losses of $0.8 million , primarily related to repayments of Agricultural Storage and Processing loans underlying LTSPCS. Farmer Mac recorded no charge-offs to its allowance for loan losses during first quarter 2015. The following tables present the changes in the total allowance for losses for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 by commodity type: Table 5.3 March 31, 2016 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) For the Three Months Ended: Beginning Balance $ 2,791 $ 931 $ 1,781 $ 408 $ 649 $ 3 $ 6,563 Provision for/(release of) losses 101 6 (18 ) 36 (62 ) — 63 Ending Balance $ 2,892 $ 937 $ 1,763 $ 444 $ 587 $ 3 $ 6,626 March 31, 2015 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) For the Three Months Ended: Beginning Balance $ 2,519 $ 2,159 $ 1,423 $ 467 $ 3,552 $ 7 $ 10,127 Provision for/(release of) losses 121 125 (80 ) (8 ) (854 ) — (696 ) Ending Balance $ 2,640 $ 2,284 $ 1,343 $ 459 $ 2,698 $ 7 $ 9,431
Schedule of Allowance for Losses by Impairment Method and Commodity [Table Text Block]	The following tables present the unpaid principal balances of loans held and loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and the related total allowance for losses by impairment method and commodity type as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 : Table 5.4 As of March 31, 2016 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Ending Balance: Collectively evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 1,938,160 $ 441,233 $ 450,524 $ 116,093 $ 15,501 $ 3,661 $ 2,965,172 Off-balance sheet 1,291,650 472,190 745,414 113,624 44,369 5,178 2,672,425 Total $ 3,229,810 $ 913,423 $ 1,195,938 $ 229,717 $ 59,870 $ 8,839 $ 5,637,597 Individually evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 21,078 $ 19,896 $ 8,700 $ 7,612 $ — $ — $ 57,286 Off-balance sheet 6,249 2,971 8,543 1,143 — — 18,906 Total $ 27,327 $ 22,867 $ 17,243 $ 8,755 $ — $ — $ 76,192 Total Farm & Ranch loans: On-balance sheet $ 1,959,238 $ 461,129 $ 459,224 $ 123,705 $ 15,501 $ 3,661 $ 3,022,458 Off-balance sheet 1,297,899 475,161 753,957 114,767 44,369 5,178 2,691,331 Total $ 3,257,137 $ 936,290 $ 1,213,181 $ 238,472 $ 59,870 $ 8,839 $ 5,713,789 Allowance for Losses: Collectively evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 1,930 $ 450 $ 654 $ 144 $ 61 $ — $ 3,239 Off-balance sheet 318 176 269 60 526 3 1,352 Total $ 2,248 $ 626 $ 923 $ 204 $ 587 $ 3 $ 4,591 Individually evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 449 $ 216 $ 421 $ 204 $ — $ — $ 1,290 Off-balance sheet 195 95 419 36 — — 745 Total $ 644 $ 311 $ 840 $ 240 $ — $ — $ 2,035 Total Farm & Ranch loans: On-balance sheet $ 2,379 $ 666 $ 1,075 $ 348 $ 61 $ — $ 4,529 Off-balance sheet 513 271 688 96 526 3 2,097 Total $ 2,892 $ 937 $ 1,763 $ 444 $ 587 $ 3 $ 6,626 As of December 31, 2015 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Ending Balance: Collectively evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 1,911,039 $ 433,654 $ 444,320 $ 92,712 $ 15,944 $ 3,199 $ 2,900,868 Off-balance sheet 1,313,872 483,473 777,663 110,378 56,208 7,142 2,748,736 Total $ 3,224,911 $ 917,127 $ 1,221,983 $ 203,090 $ 72,152 $ 10,341 $ 5,649,604 Individually evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 12,803 $ 21,247 $ 5,958 $ 7,261 $ 9,838 $ — $ 57,107 Off-balance sheet 5,937 3,037 8,840 774 — — 18,588 Total $ 18,740 $ 24,284 $ 14,798 $ 8,035 $ 9,838 $ — $ 75,695 Total Farm & Ranch loans: On-balance sheet $ 1,923,842 $ 454,901 $ 450,278 $ 99,973 $ 25,782 $ 3,199 $ 2,957,975 Off-balance sheet 1,319,809 486,510 786,503 111,152 56,208 7,142 2,767,324 Total $ 3,243,651 $ 941,411 $ 1,236,781 $ 211,125 $ 81,990 $ 10,341 $ 5,725,299 Allowance for Losses: Collectively evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 1,968 $ 434 $ 702 $ 116 $ 167 $ — $ 3,387 Off-balance sheet 347 137 292 65 482 3 1,326 Total $ 2,315 $ 571 $ 994 $ 181 $ 649 $ 3 $ 4,713 Individually evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 290 $ 218 $ 384 $ 201 $ — $ — $ 1,093 Off-balance sheet 186 142 403 26 — — 757 Total $ 476 $ 360 $ 787 $ 227 $ — $ — $ 1,850 Total Farm & Ranch loans: On-balance sheet $ 2,258 $ 652 $ 1,086 $ 317 $ 167 $ — $ 4,480 Off-balance sheet 533 279 695 91 482 3 2,083 Total $ 2,791 $ 931 $ 1,781 $ 408 $ 649 $ 3 $ 6,563
Impaired Financing Receivables [Table Text Block]	The following tables present by commodity type the unpaid principal balances, recorded investment, and specific allowance for losses related to impaired loans and the recorded investment in loans on nonaccrual status as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 : Table 5.5 As of March 31, 2016 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Impaired Loans: With no specific allowance: Recorded investment $ 3,982 $ 12,556 $ 5,042 $ 2,126 $ — $ — $ 23,706 Unpaid principal balance 3,540 12,463 4,327 1,832 — — 22,162 With a specific allowance: Recorded investment (1) 24,255 10,460 12,900 6,971 — — 54,586 Unpaid principal balance 23,787 10,404 12,916 6,923 — — 54,030 Associated allowance 644 311 840 240 — — 2,035 Total: Recorded investment 28,237 23,016 17,942 9,097 — — 78,292 Unpaid principal balance 27,327 22,867 17,243 8,755 — — 76,192 Associated allowance 644 311 840 240 — — 2,035 Recorded investment of loans on nonaccrual status (2) $ 5,514 $ 15,331 $ 4,510 $ 5,985 $ — $ — $ 31,340 (1) Impairment analysis was performed in the aggregate in consideration of similar risk characteristics of the assets and historical statistics on $48.8 million ( 62 percent ) of impaired loans as of March 31, 2016 , which resulted in a specific reserve of $1.1 million . (2) Includes $2.2 million of loans that are less than 90 days delinquent but which have not met Farmer Mac's performance criteria for returning to accrual status. As of December 31, 2015 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Impaired Loans: With no specific allowance: Recorded investment $ 3,772 $ 12,340 $ 5,644 $ 1,851 $ — $ — $ 23,607 Unpaid principal balance 3,720 12,346 5,645 1,851 — — 23,562 With a specific allowance: Recorded investment (1) 15,103 11,939 9,050 6,185 9,838 — 52,115 Unpaid principal balance 15,020 11,938 9,153 6,184 9,838 — 52,133 Associated allowance 476 360 787 227 — — 1,850 Total: Recorded investment 18,875 24,279 14,694 8,036 9,838 — 75,722 Unpaid principal balance 18,740 24,284 14,798 8,035 9,838 — 75,695 Associated allowance 476 360 787 227 — — 1,850 Recorded investment of loans on nonaccrual status (2) $ 5,105 $ 16,546 $ 4,313 $ 5,870 $ 9,838 $ — $ 41,672 (1) Impairment analysis was performed in the aggregate in consideration of similar risk characteristics of the assets and historical statistics on $46.4 million ( 61 percent ) of impaired loans as of December 31, 2015 , which resulted in a specific reserve of $1.0 million . (2) Includes $14.7 million of loans that are less than 90 days delinquent but which have not met Farmer Mac's performance criteria for returning to accrual status. The following table presents by commodity type the average recorded investment and interest income recognized on impaired loans for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 : Table 5.6 March 31, 2016 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) For the Three Months Ended: Average recorded investment in impaired loans $ 23,555 $ 23,648 $ 16,318 $ 8,567 $ 4,919 $ — $ 77,007 Income recognized on impaired loans 2 44 15 72 — — 133 March 31, 2015 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) For the Three Months Ended: Average recorded investment in impaired loans $ 19,218 $ 40,764 $ 15,311 $ 12,507 $ — $ — $ 87,800 Income recognized on impaired loans 282 83 148 58 — — 571
Schedule of Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Acquired During Period [Table Text Block]	The following tables present information related to Farmer Mac's acquisition of defaulted loans for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 and the outstanding balances and carrying amounts of all such loans as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015: Table 5.7 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 March 31, 2015 (in thousands) Unpaid principal balance at acquisition date: Loans underlying LTSPCs $ 1,267 $ — Loans underlying off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 148 657 Total unpaid principal balance at acquisition date 1,415 657 Contractually required payments receivable 1,435 — Impairment recognized subsequent to acquisition — 52 Recovery/release of allowance for defaulted loans 4 121 As of March 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 (in thousands) Outstanding balance $ 25,893 $ 36,195 Carrying amount 23,766 34,015
Past Due Financing Receivables [Table Text Block]	Net credit losses and 90 -day delinquencies as of and for the periods indicated for loans held and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs are presented in the table below. As of March 31, 2016 , there were no delinquencies and no probable losses inherent in Farmer Mac's Rural Utilities loan portfolio and Farmer Mac had not experienced credit losses on any Rural Utilities loans. Table 5.8 90-Day Delinquencies (1) Net Credit Losses As of For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 March 31, 2016 March 31, 2015 (in thousands) On-balance sheet assets: Farm & Ranch: Loans $ 29,184 $ 26,935 $ 39 $ — Total on-balance sheet $ 29,184 $ 26,935 $ 39 $ — Off-balance sheet assets: Farm & Ranch: LTSPCs $ 5,496 $ 5,201 $ — $ — Total off-balance sheet $ 5,496 $ 5,201 $ — $ — Total $ 34,680 $ 32,136 $ 39 $ — (1) Includes loans and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs that are 90 days or more past due, in foreclosure, or in bankruptcy, excluding loans performing under either their original loan terms or a court-approved bankruptcy plan. Of the $29.2 million and $26.9 million of on-balance sheet loans reported as 90 -day delinquencies as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , respectively, none were loans subject to "removal-of-account" provisions.
Financing Receivable Credit Quality Indicators [Table Text Block]	Credit Quality Indicators The following tables present credit quality indicators related to Farm & Ranch loans held and loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 : Table 5.9 As of March 31, 2016 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Credit risk profile by internally assigned grade (1) On-balance sheet: Acceptable $ 1,928,285 $ 440,033 $ 425,346 $ 113,197 $ 15,501 $ 3,661 $ 2,926,023 Special mention (2) 9,875 1,200 25,178 2,896 — — 39,149 Substandard (3) 21,078 19,896 8,700 7,612 — — 57,286 Total on-balance sheet $ 1,959,238 $ 461,129 $ 459,224 $ 123,705 $ 15,501 $ 3,661 $ 3,022,458 Off-Balance Sheet: Acceptable $ 1,248,018 $ 439,781 $ 712,410 $ 107,708 $ 42,169 $ 4,525 $ 2,554,611 Special mention (2) 34,114 28,933 21,202 1,268 2,200 552 88,269 Substandard (3) 15,767 6,447 20,345 5,791 — 101 48,451 Total off-balance sheet $ 1,297,899 $ 475,161 $ 753,957 $ 114,767 $ 44,369 $ 5,178 $ 2,691,331 Total Ending Balance: Acceptable $ 3,176,303 $ 879,814 $ 1,137,756 $ 220,905 $ 57,670 $ 8,186 $ 5,480,634 Special mention (2) 43,989 30,133 46,380 4,164 2,200 552 127,418 Substandard (3) 36,845 26,343 29,045 13,403 — 101 105,737 Total $ 3,257,137 $ 936,290 $ 1,213,181 $ 238,472 $ 59,870 $ 8,839 $ 5,713,789 Commodity analysis of past due loans (1) On-balance sheet $ 11,785 $ 10,867 $ 3,873 $ 2,659 $ — $ — $ 29,184 Off-balance sheet 692 — 4,322 482 — — 5,496 90 days or more past due $ 12,477 $ 10,867 $ 8,195 $ 3,141 $ — $ — $ 34,680 (1) Amounts represent unpaid principal balance of risk-rated loans, which is the basis Farmer Mac uses to analyze its portfolio, and recorded investment of past due loans. (2) Assets in the "Special mention" category generally have potential weaknesses due to performance issues but are currently considered to be adequately secured. (3) Substandard assets have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses and there is a distinct possibility that some loss will be sustained if deficiencies are not corrected. As of December 31, 2015 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Credit risk profile by internally assigned grade (1) On-balance sheet: Acceptable $ 1,888,762 $ 431,038 $ 409,003 $ 89,541 $ 15,944 $ 3,199 $ 2,837,487 Special mention (2) 22,255 2,616 35,317 2,918 — — 63,106 Substandard (3) 12,825 21,247 5,958 7,514 9,838 — 57,382 Total on-balance sheet $ 1,923,842 $ 454,901 $ 450,278 $ 99,973 $ 25,782 $ 3,199 $ 2,957,975 Off-Balance Sheet Acceptable $ 1,279,454 $ 473,335 $ 753,472 $ 102,990 $ 56,208 $ 6,517 $ 2,671,976 Special mention (2) 24,422 7,226 13,121 2,938 — 523 48,230 Substandard (3) 15,933 5,949 19,910 5,224 — 102 47,118 Total off-balance sheet $ 1,319,809 $ 486,510 $ 786,503 $ 111,152 $ 56,208 $ 7,142 $ 2,767,324 Total Ending Balance: Acceptable $ 3,168,216 $ 904,373 $ 1,162,475 $ 192,531 $ 72,152 $ 9,716 $ 5,509,463 Special mention (2) 46,677 9,842 48,438 5,856 — 523 111,336 Substandard (3) 28,758 27,196 25,868 12,738 9,838 102 104,500 Total $ 3,243,651 $ 941,411 $ 1,236,781 $ 211,125 $ 81,990 $ 10,341 $ 5,725,299 Commodity analysis of past due loans (1) On-balance sheet $ 4,656 $ 7,405 $ 2,517 $ 2,519 $ 9,838 $ — $ 26,935 Off-balance sheet 511 — 4,542 148 — — 5,201 90 days or more past due $ 5,167 $ 7,405 $ 7,059 $ 2,667 $ 9,838 $ — $ 32,136 (1) Amounts represent unpaid principal balance of risk-rated loans, which is the basis Farmer Mac uses to analyze its portfolio, and recorded investment of past due loans. (2) Assets in the "Special mention" category generally have potential weaknesses due to performance issues but are currently considered to be adequately secured. (3) Substandard assets have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses and there is a distinct possibility that some loss will be sustained if deficiencies are not corrected.
Schedules of Concentration of Risk, by Risk Factor [Table Text Block]	Concentrations of Credit Risk The following table sets forth the geographic and commodity/collateral diversification, as well as the range of original loan-to-value ratios, for all Farm & Ranch loans held and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 : Table 5.10 As of March 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 (in thousands) By commodity/collateral type: Crops $ 3,257,137 $ 3,243,651 Permanent plantings 936,290 941,411 Livestock 1,213,181 1,236,781 Part-time farm 238,472 211,125 Ag. Storage and Processing 59,870 81,990 Other 8,839 10,341 Total $ 5,713,789 $ 5,725,299 By geographic region (1) : Northwest $ 589,786 $ 582,127 Southwest 1,692,783 1,726,927 Mid-North 2,013,333 2,009,654 Mid-South 764,476 769,831 Northeast 213,848 215,883 Southeast 439,563 420,877 Total $ 5,713,789 $ 5,725,299 By original loan-to-value ratio: 0.00% to 40.00% $ 1,567,093 $ 1,594,818 40.01% to 50.00% 1,313,479 1,279,321 50.01% to 60.00% 1,582,340 1,593,025 60.01% to 70.00% 1,087,370 1,107,710 70.01% to 80.00% 141,288 126,860 80.01% to 90.00% 22,219 23,565 Total $ 5,713,789 $ 5,725,299 (1) Geographic regions: Northwest (AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY); Southwest (AZ, CA, CO, HI, NM, NV, UT); Mid-North (IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, NE, ND, SD, WI); Mid-South (AR, KS, LA, MO, OK, TX); Northeast (CT, DE, KY, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV); Southeast (AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN). The original loan-to-value ratio is calculated by dividing the loan principal balance at the time of guarantee, purchase, or commitment by the appraised value at the date of loan origination or, when available, the updated appraised value at the time of guarantee, purchase, or commitment. Current loan-to-value ratios may be higher or lower than the original loan-to-value ratios.

Off-Balance Sheet Guarantees 23

Off-Balance Sheet Guarantees and Long Term Standby Purchase Commitments - Off-Balance Sheet Guarantees and Long-Term Standby Purchase Commitments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Guarantor Obligations [Table Text Block]	The following table presents the maximum principal amount of potential undiscounted future payments that Farmer Mac could be required to make under all off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , not including offsets provided by any recourse provisions, recoveries from third parties, or collateral for the underlying loans: Table 6.1 Outstanding Balance of Off-Balance Sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities As of March 31, 2016 As of December 31, 2015 (in thousands) Farm & Ranch: Guaranteed Securities $ 485,302 $ 514,051 USDA Guarantees: Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 13,268 10,272 Institutional Credit: AgVantage Securities 984,871 984,871 Revolving floating rate AgVantage facility (1) 300,000 300,000 Total off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities $ 1,783,441 $ 1,809,194
Schedule of Cash Flows Related To Transfer of Securitizations [Table Text Block]	Eligible loans and other eligible assets may be placed into trusts that are used as vehicles for the securitization of the transferred assets and the Farmer Mac-guaranteed beneficial interests in the trusts are sold to investors. The following table summarizes the significant cash flows received from and paid to trusts used for Farmer Mac securitizations: Table 6.2 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 March 31, 2015 (in thousands) Proceeds from new securitizations $ 139,561 $ 49,487 Guarantee fees received 561 692 Purchases of assets from the trusts (1,267 ) (657 ) Farmer Mac has recorded a liability for its obligation to stand ready under the guarantee in the guarantee and commitment obligation on the consolidated balance sheets. This liability approximated $7.6 million as of March 31, 2016 and $8.3 million as of December 31, 2015 . As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , the weighted-average remaining maturity of all loans underlying off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, excluding AgVantage securities, was 11.2 years and 11.3 years , respectively. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , the weighted-average remaining maturity of the off-balance sheet AgVantage securities was 1.4 years and 1.7 years , respectively.

Fair Value Disclosures - Fair

Fair Value Disclosures - Fair Value Disclosures (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table Text Block]	The following tables present information about Farmer Mac's assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , respectively, and indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques used by Farmer Mac to determine such fair value: Table 8.1 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value as of March 31, 2016 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total (in thousands) Recurring: Assets: Investment Securities: Available-for-sale: Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ — $ — $ 17,730 $ 17,730 Floating rate asset-backed securities — 68,514 — 68,514 Floating rate corporate debt securities — 10,002 — 10,002 Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities — 1,317,439 — 1,317,439 Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities — 7,839 — 7,839 Floating rate GSE subordinated debt — 65,465 — 65,465 Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 965,593 — — 965,593 Total available-for-sale 965,593 1,469,259 17,730 2,452,582 Trading: Floating rate asset-backed securities — — 383 383 Total trading — — 383 383 Total Investment Securities 965,593 1,469,259 18,113 2,452,965 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Available-for-sale: AgVantage — — 4,534,810 4,534,810 Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities — — 30,694 30,694 Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities — — 4,565,504 4,565,504 USDA Securities: Available-for-sale — — 1,908,014 1,908,014 Trading — — 26,869 26,869 Total USDA Securities — — 1,934,883 1,934,883 Financial derivatives — 7,034 — 7,034 Total Assets at fair value $ 965,593 $ 1,476,293 $ 6,518,500 $ 8,960,386 Liabilities: Financial derivatives $ 45 $ 117,911 $ — $ 117,956 Total Liabilities at fair value $ 45 $ 117,911 $ — $ 117,956 Nonrecurring: Assets: Loans held for investment $ — $ — $ 1,853 $ 1,853 REO — — 663 663 Total Nonrecurring Assets at fair value $ — $ — $ 2,516 $ 2,516 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value as of December 31, 2015 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total (in thousands) Recurring: Assets: Investment Securities: Available-for-sale: Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ — $ — $ 44,924 $ 44,924 Floating rate asset-backed securities — 73,729 — 73,729 Floating rate corporate debt securities — 9,991 — 9,991 Fixed rate corporate debt — 9,994 — 9,994 Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities — 1,355,459 — 1,355,459 Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities — 7,904 — 7,904 Floating rate GSE subordinated debt — 66,249 — 66,249 Fixed rate senior agency debt — 213,987 — 213,987 Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 992,788 — — 992,788 Total available-for-sale 992,788 1,737,313 44,924 2,775,025 Trading: Floating rate asset-backed securities — — 491 491 Total trading — — 491 491 Total Investment Securities 992,788 1,737,313 45,415 2,775,516 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Available-for-sale: AgVantage — — 4,121,244 4,121,244 Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities — — 31,361 31,361 Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities — — 4,152,605 4,152,605 USDA Securities: Available-for-sale — — 1,888,344 1,888,344 Trading — — 28,975 28,975 Total USDA Guaranteed Securities — — 1,917,319 1,917,319 Financial derivatives 19 3,797 — 3,816 Total Assets at fair value $ 992,807 $ 1,741,110 $ 6,115,339 $ 8,849,256 Liabilities: Financial derivatives $ — $ 77,199 $ — $ 77,199 Total Liabilities at fair value $ — $ 77,199 $ — $ 77,199 Nonrecurring: Assets: Loans held for investment $ — $ — $ 11,443 $ 11,443 REO $ — $ — $ 388 $ 388 Total Nonrecurring Assets at fair value $ — $ — $ 11,831 $ 11,831
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	The following tables present additional information about assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for which Farmer Mac has used significant unobservable inputs to determine fair value. Net transfers in and/or out of level 3 are based on the fair values of the assets and liabilities as of the beginning of the reporting period. There were no liabilities measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. Table 8.2 Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 Beginning Purchases Sales Settlements Realized and Unrealized Ending (in thousands) Recurring: Assets: Investment Securities: Available-for-sale: Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ 44,924 $ — $ (26,806 ) $ — $ 6 $ (394 ) $ 17,730 Total available-for-sale 44,924 — (26,806 ) — 6 (394 ) 17,730 Trading: Floating rate asset-backed securities (1) 491 — — (206 ) 98 — 383 Total trading 491 — — (206 ) 98 — 383 Total Investment Securities 45,415 — (26,806 ) (206 ) 104 (394 ) 18,113 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Available-for-sale: AgVantage 4,121,244 915,531 — (512,530 ) 24,298 (13,733 ) 4,534,810 Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 31,361 — — (498 ) — (169 ) 30,694 Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 4,152,605 915,531 — (513,028 ) 24,298 (13,902 ) 4,565,504 USDA Securities: Available-for-sale 1,888,344 98,974 (3,648 ) (84,193 ) — 8,537 1,908,014 Trading (2) 28,975 — — (2,365 ) 259 — 26,869 Total USDA Securities 1,917,319 98,974 (3,648 ) (86,558 ) 259 8,537 1,934,883 Total Assets at fair value $ 6,115,339 $ 1,014,505 $ (30,454 ) $ (599,792 ) $ 24,661 $ (5,759 ) $ 6,518,500 (1) Unrealized gains are attributable to assets still held as of March 31, 2016 and are recorded in " Gains on trading securities ." (2) Includes unrealized gains of $0.2 million attributable to assets still held as of March 31, 2016 that are recorded in " Gains on trading securities ." Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 Beginning Purchases Sales Settlements Realized and Unrealized Ending (in thousands) Recurring: Assets: Investment Securities: Available-for-sale: Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ 40,576 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ (197 ) $ 40,379 Total available-for-sale 40,576 — — — — (197 ) 40,379 Trading: Floating rate asset-backed securities (1) 689 — — (247 ) 196 — 638 Total trading 689 — — (247 ) 196 — 638 Total Investment Securities 41,265 — — (247 ) 196 (197 ) 41,017 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Available-for-sale: AgVantage 3,631,662 214,915 — (57,753 ) 8,877 21,003 3,818,704 Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 27,619 — — (4,652 ) — 538 23,505 Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 3,659,281 214,915 — (62,405 ) 8,877 21,541 3,842,209 USDA Securities: Available-for-sale 1,731,222 89,186 — (64,191 ) — 38,627 1,794,844 Trading (2) 40,310 — — (2,883 ) 166 — 37,593 Total USDA Securities 1,771,532 89,186 — (67,074 ) 166 38,627 1,832,437 Total Assets at fair value $ 5,472,078 $ 304,101 $ — $ (129,726 ) $ 9,239 $ 59,971 $ 5,715,663 (1) Unrealized gains are attributable to assets still held as of March 31, 2015 and are recorded in " Gains on trading securities ." (2) Includes unrealized gains of $0.2 million attributable to assets still held as of March 31, 2015 that are recorded in " Gains on trading securities ."
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Table Text Block]	The following tables present additional information about the significant unobservable inputs, such as discount rates and constant prepayment rates ("CPR"), used in the fair value measurements categorized in level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 . Table 8.3 As of March 31, 2016 Financial Instruments Fair Value Valuation Technique Unobservable Input Range (Weighted-Average) (in thousands) Assets: Investment securities: Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ 17,730 Indicative bids Range of broker quotes 90.0% - 90.0% (90.0%) Floating rate asset-backed securities $ 383 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 22.5% - 26.5% (24.9%) CPR 10.0% Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: AgVantage $ 4,534,810 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 1.3% - 2.8% (1.7%) Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities $ 30,694 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 1.3% - 4.2% (2.0%) CPR 9% - 22% (11%) USDA Securities $ 1,934,883 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 1.6% - 5.1% (3.1%) CPR 0% - 21% (9%) As of December 31, 2015 Financial Instruments Fair Value Valuation Technique Unobservable Input Range (Weighted-Average) (in thousands) Assets: Investment securities: Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ 44,924 Indicative bids Range of broker quotes 92.0% - 99.6% (96.6%) Floating rate asset-backed securities $ 491 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 18.3% - 23.9% (21.5%) CPR 10.0% Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: AgVantage $ 4,121,244 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 1.1% - 3.3% (1.8%) Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities $ 31,361 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 1.0% - 3.9% (1.8%) CPR 9% - 20% (10.0%) USDA Securities $ 1,917,319 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 1.3% - 5.1% (3.1%) CPR 0% - 19% (7.0%)
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table Text Block]	The following table sets forth the estimated fair values and carrying values for financial assets, liabilities, and guarantees and commitments as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 : Table 8.4 As of March 31, 2016 As of December 31, 2015 Fair Value Carrying Fair Value Carrying (in thousands) Financial assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,729,563 $ 1,729,563 $ 1,210,084 $ 1,210,084 Investment securities 2,452,965 2,452,965 2,775,516 2,775,516 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 5,786,014 5,772,853 5,434,422 5,426,621 USDA Securities 1,934,883 1,934,883 1,917,319 1,917,319 Loans 4,076,366 4,016,190 4,027,660 3,962,044 Financial derivatives 7,034 7,034 3,816 3,816 Guarantee and commitment fees receivable: LTSPCs 29,450 30,790 31,953 31,240 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 8,259 8,599 8,872 8,949 Financial liabilities: Notes payable: Due within one year 9,326,082 9,322,682 9,108,468 9,111,461 Due after one year 5,385,606 5,264,695 5,009,310 4,967,036 Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties 823,798 816,435 713,316 713,536 Financial derivatives 117,956 117,956 77,199 77,199 Guarantee and commitment obligations: LTSPCs 28,593 29,932 31,015 30,301 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 7,268 7,608 8,230 8,308 The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents is a reasonable estimate of their approximate fair value and is classified as level 1 within the fair value hierarchy. Investment securities primarily are valued based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets and are classified as level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. Farmer Mac internally models the fair value of its loan portfolio, including loans held for sale, loans held for investment and loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and USDA Securities by discounting the projected cash flows of these instruments at projected interest rates. The fair values are based on the present value of expected cash flows using management's best estimate of certain key assumptions, which include prepayment speeds, forward yield curves and discount rates commensurate with the risks involved. These fair value measurements do not take into consideration the fair value of the underlying property and are classified as level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. Financial derivatives primarily are valued using unadjusted counterparty valuations and are classified as level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the guarantee fees receivable/obligation and debt securities of consolidated trusts are estimated based on the present value of expected future cash flows of the underlying mortgage assets using management's best estimate of certain key assumptions, which include prepayments speeds, forward yield curves, and discount rates commensurate with the risks involved and are classified as level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. Notes payable are valued by discounting the expected cash flows of these instruments using a yield curve derived from market prices observed for similar agency securities and are also classified as level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. Because the cash flows of Farmer Mac's financial instruments may be interest rate path dependent, estimated fair values and projected discount rates for level 3 financial instruments are derived using a Monte Carlo simulation model. Different market assumptions and estimation methodologies could significantly affect estimated fair value amounts.

Business Segment Reporting - B

Business Segment Reporting - Business Segment Reporting (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	The following tables present core earnings for Farmer Mac's reportable operating segments and a reconciliation to consolidated net income for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 : Table 9.1 Core Earnings by Business Segment For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 Farm & Ranch USDA Guarantees Rural Utilities Institutional Credit Corporate Reconciling Consolidated Net Income (in thousands) Interest income (1) $ 24,852 $ 15,282 $ 6,829 $ 20,268 $ 6,681 $ (21 ) $ 73,891 Interest income related to consolidated trusts owned by third parties reclassified to guarantee fee income (1,043 ) — — — — 1,043 — Interest expense (2) (14,348 ) (10,974 ) (4,291 ) (9,178 ) (4,129 ) 2,669 (40,251 ) Net effective spread 9,461 4,308 2,538 11,090 2,552 3,691 33,640 Guarantee and commitment fees 3,909 7 295 458 — (1,043 ) 3,626 Other income/(expense) (3) 97 58 — — (672 ) (5,815 ) (6,332 ) Non-interest income/(loss) 4,006 65 295 458 (672 ) (6,858 ) (2,706 ) Provision for loan losses (49 ) — — — — — (49 ) Provision for losses (14 ) — — — — — (14 ) Other non-interest expense (4,161 ) (1,093 ) (831 ) (539 ) (3,328 ) — (9,952 ) Non-interest expense (4) (4,175 ) (1,093 ) (831 ) (539 ) (3,328 ) — (9,966 ) Core earnings before income taxes 9,243 3,280 2,002 11,009 (1,448 ) (3,167 ) (5) 20,919 Income tax (expense)/benefit (3,236 ) (1,148 ) (701 ) (3,852 ) 493 1,109 (7,335 ) Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest 6,007 2,132 1,301 7,157 (955 ) (2,058 ) (5) 13,584 Preferred stock dividends — — — — (3,295 ) — (3,295 ) Non-controlling interest — — — — 28 — 28 Segment core earnings/(losses) $ 6,007 $ 2,132 $ 1,301 $ 7,157 $ (4,222 ) $ (2,058 ) (5) $ 10,317 Total assets at carrying value $ 3,115,749 $ 1,987,855 $ 1,002,691 $ 5,731,346 $ 4,318,387 $ — $ 16,156,028 Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance 5,713,789 1,929,582 1,510,575 7,061,626 — 16,215,572 (1) Includes reconciling adjustments for the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value to reflect core earnings amounts. (2) Based on effective funding cost determined for each operating segment, including expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in " Losses on financial derivatives and hedging activities " on the consolidated financial statements. (3) Includes reconciling adjustments for the reclassification of expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges and fair value adjustments on financial derivatives and trading assets. Also includes a reconciling adjustment related to the recognition of deferred gains over the estimated lives of certain Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities. (4) Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on headcount. (5) Net adjustments to reconcile core earnings before income taxes; core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest; and segment core earnings to corresponding income measures: income before income taxes, net income, and net income attributable to common stockholders, respectively. Core Earnings by Business Segment For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 Farm & Ranch USDA Guarantees Rural Institutional Credit Corporate Reconciling Adjustments Consolidated Net Income (in thousands) Interest income (1) $ 21,968 $ 14,348 $ 6,585 $ 19,299 $ 2,865 $ (1,114 ) $ 63,951 Interest income related to consolidated trusts owned by third parties reclassified to guarantee fee income (635 ) — — — — 635 — Interest expense (2) (11,219 ) (10,123 ) (3,781 ) (8,874 ) (1,176 ) 2,011 (33,162 ) Net effective spread 10,114 4,225 2,804 10,425 1,689 1,532 30,789 Guarantee and commitment fees 3,633 (6 ) — 385 — (635 ) 3,377 Other income/(expense) (3) 87 59 — — (552 ) (2,496 ) (2,902 ) Non-interest income/(loss) 3,720 53 — 385 (552 ) (3,131 ) 475 Provision for loan losses (76 ) — — — — — (76 ) Release of reserve for losses 772 — — — — — 772 Other non-interest expense (4,326 ) (385 ) (866 ) (535 ) (3,003 ) — (9,115 ) Non-interest expense (4) (3,554 ) (385 ) (866 ) (535 ) (3,003 ) — (8,343 ) Core earnings before income taxes 10,204 3,893 1,938 10,275 (1,866 ) (1,599 ) (5) 22,845 Income tax (expense)/benefit (3,571 ) (1,363 ) (678 ) (3,596 ) 2,516 2,461 (4,231 ) Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends 6,633 2,530 1,260 6,679 650 862 (5) 18,614 Preferred stock dividends — — — — (3,295 ) — (3,295 ) Non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends — — — — (5,354 ) — (5,354 ) Loss on retirement of preferred stock — — — — — (8,147 ) (8,147 ) Segment core earnings/(losses) $ 6,633 $ 2,530 $ 1,260 $ 6,679 $ (7,999 ) $ (7,285 ) (5) $ 1,818 Total assets at carrying value $ 2,637,743 $ 1,876,337 $ 970,020 $ 5,594,736 $ 3,770,849 $ — $ 14,849,685 Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance 5,347,248 1,814,918 968,117 6,529,934 — 14,660,217 (1) Includes reconciling adjustments for the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value to reflect core earnings amounts. (2) Based on effective funding cost determined for each operating segment, including expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in " Losses on financial derivatives and hedging activities " on the consolidated financial statements. (3) Includes reconciling adjustments for the reclassification of expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges and fair value adjustments on financial derivatives and trading assets. Also includes a reconciling adjustment related to the recognition of deferred gains over the estimated lives of certain Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities. (4) Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on headcount. (5) Net adjustments to reconcile core earnings before income taxes; core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest; and segment core earnings to corresponding income measures: income before income taxes, net income, and net income attributable to common stockholders, respectively.

Accounting Policies - Principl

Accounting Policies - Principles of Consolidation (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016subsidiary
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Number of Subsidiaries	3

Accounting Policies - Consolid

Accounting Policies - Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)subsidiary		Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Number of Subsidiaries | subsidiary	3
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost	$ 816,267		$ 708,111
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	816,435		713,536
Farm & Ranch [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Other Liabilities	200		5,400
USDA Guarantees [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	(300)		(200)
Institutional Credit [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Fair Value Adjustment	1,200		1,400
On-balance sheet [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost	816,267		708,111
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	816,435	[1]	713,536	[2]
On-balance sheet [Member] | Farm & Ranch [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost	816,267		708,111
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	816,435	[1]	713,536	[2]
On-balance sheet [Member] | USDA Guarantees [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost	0		0
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	0	[1]	0	[2]
On-balance sheet [Member] | Rural Utilities [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost	0		0
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	0	[1]	0	[2]
On-balance sheet [Member] | Institutional Credit [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost	0		0
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	0	[1]	0	[2]
On-balance sheet [Member] | Corporate Segment [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost	0		0
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	0	[1]	0	[2]
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	1,468,570	[3],[4]	1,494,323	[5],[6]
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Farm & Ranch [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	485,302	[3],[4]	514,051	[5],[6]
Off-balance sheet [Member] | USDA Guarantees [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	13,268	[3],[4]	10,272	[5],[6]
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Rural Utilities [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	0	[3],[4]	0	[5],[6]
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Institutional Credit [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	970,000	[3],[4]	970,000	[5],[6]
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Corporate Segment [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	0	[3],[4]	0	[5],[6]
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: | On-balance sheet [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net	61,916	[7]	62,760	[8]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	61,038	[3]	61,553	[5]
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: | On-balance sheet [Member] | Farm & Ranch [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net	0	[7]	0	[8]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	0	[3]	0	[5]
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: | On-balance sheet [Member] | USDA Guarantees [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net	30,694	[7]	31,360	[8]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	31,038	[3]	31,553	[5]
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: | On-balance sheet [Member] | Rural Utilities [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net	0	[7]	0	[8]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	0	[3]	0	[5]
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: | On-balance sheet [Member] | Institutional Credit [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net	31,222	[7]	31,400	[8]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	30,000	[3]	30,000	[5]
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: | On-balance sheet [Member] | Corporate Segment [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net	0	[7]	0	[8]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	0	[3]	0	[5]
Investment Securities [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	5,378		5,936
Investment Securities [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net	862,781	[9]	917,292	[10]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	865,022	[3],[9]	918,121	[5],[10]
Investment Securities [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member] | Farm & Ranch [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net	0	[9]	0	[10]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	0	[3],[9]	0	[5],[10]
Investment Securities [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member] | USDA Guarantees [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net	0	[9]	0	[10]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	0	[3],[9]	0	[5],[10]
Investment Securities [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member] | Rural Utilities [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net	0	[9]	0	[10]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	0	[3],[9]	0	[5],[10]
Investment Securities [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member] | Institutional Credit [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net	0	[9]	0	[10]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	0	[3],[9]	0	[5],[10]
Investment Securities [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member] | Corporate Segment [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net	862,781	[9]	917,292	[10]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	$ 865,022	[3],[9]	$ 918,121	[5],[10]
[1]	Includes borrower remittances of $0.2 million. The borrower remittances have not been passed through to third party investors as of March 31, 2016.
[2]	Includes borrower remittances of $5.4 million, which have not been passed through to third party investors as of December 31, 2015.
[3]	Farmer Mac uses unpaid principal balance and outstanding face amount of investment securities to represent maximum exposure to loss.
[4]	The amount under the Farm & Ranch line of business relates to unconsolidated trusts where Farmer Mac determined it was not the primary beneficiary due to shared power with an unrelated party.
[5]	Farmer Mac uses unpaid principal balance and the outstanding face amount of investment securities to represent maximum exposure to loss.
[6]	The amount under the Farm & Ranch line of business relates to unconsolidated trusts where Farmer Mac determined it was not the primary beneficiary due to shared power with an unrelated party.
[7]	Includes $0.3 million of unamortized premiums and discounts and fair value adjustments related to the USDA Guarantees line of business. Includes fair value adjustments related to the Institutional Credit line of business of $1.2 million.
[8]	Includes $0.2 million of unamortized premiums and discounts and fair value adjustments related to the USDA Guarantees line of business. Includes fair value adjustments related to the Institutional Credit line of business of $1.4 million.
[9]	Includes auction-rate certificates, asset-backed securities, and government-sponsored enterprise ("GSE")-guaranteed mortgage-backed securities.
[10]	Includes auction-rate certificates, asset-backed securities, and GSE-guaranteed mortgage-backed securities.

Accounting Policies - Cash and

Accounting Policies - Cash and Cash Equivalents and Statements of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Non-cash activity:
Proceeds from sale of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	$ 139,561	$ 49,487
Consolidation of Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities from off-balance sheet to loans held for investment in consolidated trusts and to debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	135,913	49,487
Purchases of securities - traded, not yet settled	0	14,915
Issuance Costs on the retirement of Farmer Mac II LLC Preferred Stock	$ 0	$ 8,147

Accounting Policies - Earnings

Accounting Policies - Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Net income attributable to common stockholders (Dilutive)		$ 10,317	$ 1,818
Stock options, SARs and restricted stock	[1]	538	393
Earnings Per Share, On Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Share-based Payment Arrangements	[1]	$ (0.05)	$ (0.01)
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted		11,003	11,331
Diluted earnings per common share		$ 0.94000	$ 0.16000
Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract]
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic		$ 10,317	$ 1,818
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic		10,465	10,938
Basic earnings per common share		$ 0.99	$ 0.17
[1]	For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, stock options and SARs of 210,865 and 201,401, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because they were anti-dilutive. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, contingent shares of non-vested restricted stock of 37,284 and 30,514, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because performance conditions had not yet been met.

Accounting Policies - Earnin30

Accounting Policies - Earnings Per Share Anti-Dilutive (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic		$ 10,317	$ 1,818
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Diluted		$ 10,317	$ 1,818
Stock options, SARs and restricted stock	[1]	538,000	393,000
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic		10,465,000	10,938,000
Basic earnings per common share		$ 0.99	$ 0.17
Earnings Per Share, On Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Share-based Payment Arrangements	[1]	$ (0.05)	$ (0.01)
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted		11,003,000	11,331,000
Diluted earnings per common share		$ 0.94000	$ 0.16000
Stock Options and SARs [Members]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from earnings per share (shares)		210,865	201,401
Performance Shares [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from earnings per share (shares)		37,284	30,514
[1]	For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, stock options and SARs of 210,865 and 201,401, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because they were anti-dilutive. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, contingent shares of non-vested restricted stock of 37,284 and 30,514, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because performance conditions had not yet been met.

Accounting Policies - Changes

Accounting Policies - Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
AOCI Beginning Balance	$ (11,019)	$ 15,533
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications	(5,164)	41,106
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(2,734)	(5,455)
Net other comprehensive (loss)/income	(7,898)	35,651
AOCI Ending Balance	(18,917)	51,184
Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
AOCI Beginning Balance	(10,035)	9,716
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications	(1,769)	41,343
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(2,376)	(3,359)
Net other comprehensive (loss)/income	(4,145)	37,984
AOCI Ending Balance	(14,180)	47,700
Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member] | Held-to-maturity Securities [Member]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
AOCI Beginning Balance	(476)	5,973
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications	0	0
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(657)	(2,173)
Net other comprehensive (loss)/income	(657)	(2,173)
AOCI Ending Balance	(1,133)	3,800
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
AOCI Beginning Balance	(508)	(156)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications	(3,395)	(237)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	299	77
Net other comprehensive (loss)/income	(3,096)	(160)
AOCI Ending Balance	$ (3,604)	$ (316)

Accounting Policies - Componen

Accounting Policies - Components of Other Comprehensive Income Loss and Related Tax Impact (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax		$ (5,164)	$ 41,106
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax		500	119
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax		(2,734)	(5,455)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax		(12,151)	54,847
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax		(4,253)	19,196
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax		(7,898)	35,651
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax		(5,222)	(366)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) before Reclassifications, Tax		(1,827)	(129)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax		(3,395)	(237)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax		299	77
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax		(4,763)	(247)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax		(1,667)	(87)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax		(3,096)	(160)
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax		(2,722)	63,604
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) before Reclassifications, Tax		(953)	22,261
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax		(1,769)	41,343
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax		(2,376)	(3,359)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax		(6,377)	58,437
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax		(2,232)	20,453
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax		(4,145)	37,984
Held-to-maturity Securities [Member] | Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax		0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) before Reclassifications, Tax		0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax		0	0
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax		(657)	(2,173)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax		(1,011)	(3,343)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax		(354)	(1,170)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax		(657)	(2,173)
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	[1]	(3,923)	(4,861)
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax	[1]	(1,373)	(1,701)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	[1]	(2,550)	(3,160)
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	[2]	9	(6)
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax	[2]	3	(2)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	[2]	6	(4)
Other Income [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	[3]	259	(300)
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax	[3]	91	(105)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	[3]	168	(195)
Interest Income [Member] | Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	[4]	459	119
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax	[4]	160	42
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	[4]	299	77
Interest Income [Member] | Held-to-maturity Securities [Member] | Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	[5]	(1,011)	(3,343)
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax	[5]	(354)	(1,170)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	[5]	$ (657)	$ (2,173)
[1]	(1) Relates to the amortization of unrealized gains on hedged items prior to the application of fair value hedge accounting.
[2]	(2) Represents unrealized gains and losses on sales of available-for-sale investment securities.
[3]	(3) Represents amortization of deferred gains related to certain available-for-sale USDA Securities and Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities.
[4]	(5) Relates to the recognition of unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedges recorded in AOCI.
[5]	(4) Relates to the amortization of unrealized gains or losses prior to the reclassification of these securities from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity. The amortization of unrealized gains or losses reported in AOCI for held-to-maturity securities will be offset by the amortization of the premium or discount created from the transfer into held-to-maturity securities, which occurred at fair value. These unrealized gains or losses will be recorded over the remaining life of the security with no impact on future net income.

Investment Securities - Schedu

Investment Securities - Schedule of Investment Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 8,949,663		$ 8,429,964
Investment Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	2,452,496		2,773,111
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	5,378		5,936
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	2,457,874		2,779,047
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	7,992		6,891
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses	(13,284)		(10,913)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	2,452,582		2,775,025
Trading Securities [Abstract]
Trading, at fair value	383		491
Marketable Securities [Abstract]
Marketable Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	2,454,502		2,775,322
Marketable Securities, Amortized Cost	2,459,880		2,781,258
Marketable Securities, Unrealized Gains	7,992		6,891
Marketable Securities, Unrealized Losses	(14,907)		(12,633)
Marketable Securities	2,452,965		2,775,516
Senior Agency Debt [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	1,908,014		1,888,344
Trading Securities [Abstract]
Trading, at fair value	26,869		28,975
Marketable Securities [Abstract]
Marketable Securities	1,934,883		1,917,319
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Investment Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	5,378		5,936
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	19,700		46,500
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	19,700		46,500
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses	(1,970)		(1,576)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	17,730		44,924
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	69,715		74,744
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	69,466		74,491
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	5		14
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses	(957)		(776)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	68,514		73,729
Trading Securities [Abstract]
Trading Securities - Amount Outstanding	2,006		2,211
Trading Securities, Debt, Amortized Cost	2,006		2,211
Trading Securities, Unrealized Gains	0		0
Trading Securities, Unrealized Losses	(1,623)		(1,720)
Trading, at fair value	383		491
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	10,000		10,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	10,000		10,000
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	2		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses	0		(9)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	10,002		9,991
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	1,317,245		1,353,495
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	1,320,567		1,357,010
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	2,692		2,768
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses	(5,820)		(4,319)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	1,317,439		1,355,459
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | GSE Subordinated Debt [Member}
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	70,000		70,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	70,000		70,000
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses	(4,535)		(3,751)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	65,465		66,249
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	0		0
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	(249)		(253)
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	0		0
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	3,322		3,515
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | GSE Subordinated Debt [Member}
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	0		0
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Trading Securities [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	0		0
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance			10,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis			9,999
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax			0
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses			(5)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure			9,994
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	656		692	[1]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	3,579		3,809	[1]
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	4,260		4,095	[1]
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses	0		0	[1]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	7,839	[2]	7,904	[1]
Derivative, Notional Amount	147,900		148,500
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Senior Agency Debt [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance			214,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis			213,975
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax			12
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses			0
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure			213,987
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	965,180		993,680
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	964,562		993,263
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	1,033		2
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses	(2)		(477)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	965,593		992,788
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)			(1)
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	2,923		3,117	[1]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Senior Agency Debt [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)			(25)
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	(618)		(417)
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Interest-Only-Strip [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	$ 7,100		$ 7,200
[1]	Fair value includes $7.2 million of an interest-only security with a notional amount of $148.5 million.
[2]	Fair value includes $7.1 million of an interest-only security with a notional amount of $147.9 million. As of December 31, 2015 Amount Outstanding Unamortized Premium/(Discount) AmortizedCost UnrealizedGains UnrealizedLosses Fair Value (in thousands)Available-for-sale: Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans$46,500 $— $46,500 $— $(1,576) $44,924Floating rate asset-backed securities74,744 (253) 74,491 14 (776) 73,729Floating rate corporate debt securities10,000 — 10,000 — (9) 9,991Fixed rate corporate debt securities10,000 (1) 9,999 — (5) 9,994Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities1,353,495 3,515 1,357,010 2,768 (4,319) 1,355,459Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities(1)692 3,117 3,809 4,095 — 7,904Floating rate GSE subordinated debt70,000 — 70,000 — (3,751) 66,249Fixed rate senior agency debt214,000 (25) 213,975 12 — 213,987Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries993,680 (417) 993,263 2 (477) 992,788Total available-for-sale2,773,111 5,936 2,779,047 6,891 (10,913) 2,775,025Trading: Floating rate asset-backed securities2,211 — 2,211 — (1,720) 491Total investment securities$2,775,322 $5,936 $2,781,258 $6,891 $(12,633) $2,775,516

Investment Securities - Narrat

Investment Securities - Narrative (Details) - Investment Securities [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale investment securities	$ 186,769	$ 74,998
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gains	200	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Losses	$ 200	$ 0

Investment Securities - Unreal

Investment Securities - Unrealized Loss Position (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)position	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)position
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	$ 761,967	$ 1,799,338
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	229,277	194,540
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Loss [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(4,611)	(4,363)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	$ (8,673)	$ (6,550)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Qualitative Disclosure [Abstract]
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions | position	61	69
Investment Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Qualitative Disclosure [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities in a loss position for more than 12 months, qualitative disclosure, percent of amortized cost	96.00%
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions, Greater than or Equal to One Year | position	17	17
Standard & Poor's, A- Rating [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Qualitative Disclosure [Abstract]
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions | position	1	3
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	$ 0	$ 0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	17,730	18,124
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Loss [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(1,970)	(1,576)
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	47,887	44,552
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	9,432	9,975
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Loss [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(526)	(464)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(431)	(312)
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value		4,991
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Loss [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses		(9)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses		0
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	699,078	794,959
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	136,650	100,192
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Loss [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(4,083)	(3,408)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(1,737)	(911)
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | GSE Subordinated Debt [Member}
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	65,465	66,249
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Loss [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(4,535)	(3,751)
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value		9,994
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Loss [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses		(5)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses		0
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	15,002	944,842
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Loss [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(2)	(477)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	$ 0	$ 0

Investment Securities - Tradin

Investment Securities - Trading Securities (Details) - Floating Interest Rate [Member] - Asset-backed Securities [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Trading Securities, Debt, Amortized Cost	$ 2,006	$ 2,211
Trading, at fair value	$ 383	$ 491
Trading Securities, Weighted-Average Yield	4.52%	4.41%

Investment Securities - Debt M

Investment Securities - Debt Maturities (Details) - Investment Securities [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Single Maturity Date, Amortized Cost Basis [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Due within one year, Amortized Cost	$ 940,691
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after one year through five years, Amortized Cost	188,476
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after five years through ten years, Amortized Cost	545,148
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after ten years, Amortized Cost	783,559
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Single Maturity Date [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Due within one year, Fair Value	941,643
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after one year through five years, Fair Value	188,801
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after five years through ten years, Fair Value	542,273
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after ten years, Fair Value	779,865
Available-for-sale securities	$ 2,452,582	$ 2,775,025
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Weighted Average Yield, Single Maturity Date [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Due within one year, Weighted-Average Yield	0.55%
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after one year through five years, Weighted-Average Yield	1.11%
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after five years through ten years, Weighted-Average Yield	1.01%
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after ten years, Weighted-Average Yield	1.12%
Available-for-sale Securities, Total Weighted-Average Yield	0.88%

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securit38

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities - Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	$ 6,459,339	$ 6,045,828
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	6,461,020	6,047,385
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	89,222	64,131
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	76,724	70,567
Available-for-sale, at fair value	6,473,518	6,040,949
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Held-to-Maturity Securities [Abstract]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Amortized Cost before Other than Temporary Impairment	1,207,349
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	1,220,510
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	4,598,991	4,196,506
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	4,598,676	4,196,173
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	43,477	26,971
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	76,649	70,539
Available-for-sale, at fair value	4,565,504	4,152,605
USDA Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-sale, at fair value	1,908,014	1,888,344
Trading Securities [Abstract]
Trading, at fair value	26,869	28,975
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities [Member]
Schedule of Held-to-Maturity, Available-for-sale, and Trading Securities [Line Items]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	1,681	1,557
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Held-to-Maturity, Available-for-sale, and Trading Securities [Line Items]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	(315)	(333)
Institutional Credit [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Held-to-Maturity Securities [Abstract]
Held-to-Maturity Unpaid Principal Balance	1,208,802	1,274,431
Held-to-maturity Securities, Amortized Cost before Other than Temporary Impairment	1,207,349	1,274,016
Held to Maturity; Unrealized Holding Gains	13,164	7,801
Held to Maturity - Unrealized Holding Loss	(3)	0
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	1,220,510	1,281,817
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	4,567,953	4,164,952
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	4,567,953	4,164,952
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	43,444	26,831
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	76,587	70,539
Available-for-sale, at fair value	4,534,810	4,121,244
Institutional Credit [Member] | Held-to-maturity Securities [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Held-to-Maturity, Available-for-sale, and Trading Securities [Line Items]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	(1,453)	(415)
Institutional Credit [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Held-to-Maturity, Available-for-sale, and Trading Securities [Line Items]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	0	0
USDA Guarantees [Member]
Schedule of Held-to-Maturity, Available-for-sale, and Trading Securities [Line Items]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	(300)	(200)
USDA Guarantees [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	31,038	31,554
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	30,723	31,221
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	33	140
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	62	0
Available-for-sale, at fair value	30,694	31,361
USDA Guarantees [Member] | USDA Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	1,860,348	1,849,322
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	1,862,344	1,851,212
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	45,745	37,160
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	75	28
Available-for-sale, at fair value	1,908,014	1,888,344
Trading Securities [Abstract]
Trading Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	24,928	27,129
Trading Securities, Debt, Amortized Cost	26,697	29,063
Trading Securities, Unrealized Gains	302	125
Trading Securities, Unrealized Holding Loss	130	213
Trading, at fair value	26,869	28,975
USDA Guarantees [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Held-to-Maturity, Available-for-sale, and Trading Securities [Line Items]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	(315)	(333)
USDA Guarantees [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | USDA Securities [Member]
Schedule of Held-to-Maturity, Available-for-sale, and Trading Securities [Line Items]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	1,996	1,890
USDA Guarantees [Member] | Trading Securities [Member] | USDA Securities [Member]
Schedule of Held-to-Maturity, Available-for-sale, and Trading Securities [Line Items]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	$ 1,769	$ 1,934

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securit39

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities - Unrealized Loss Position (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)position	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)position
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	$ 761,967	$ 1,799,338
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	229,277	194,540
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	4,611	4,363
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	$ 8,673	$ 6,550
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions [Abstract]
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions | position	61	69
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	$ 1,735,398	$ 1,193,866
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	1,380,736	1,207,991
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	33,836	41,835
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	42,888	28,732
Institutional Credit [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	1,996
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss [Abstract]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(3)
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	1,706,226	1,193,866
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	1,277,127	1,104,981
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	33,774	41,835
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	$ 42,813	$ 28,704
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions [Abstract]
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions | position	27	22
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions, Greater than or Equal to One Year | position	9	8
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Qualitative Disclosure [Abstract]
Held-to-maturity, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions | position	1	0
USDA Guarantees [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	$ 29,172
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	62
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	$ 0
USDA Guarantees [Member] | USDA Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value		$ 0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	$ 103,609	103,010
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	$ 75	$ 28

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securit40

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities - Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities (Details) - Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Single Maturity Date, Amortized Cost Basis [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Due within one year, Amortized Cost	$ 216,251
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after one year through five years, Amortized Cost	2,168,433
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after five years through ten years, Amortized Cost	1,584,652
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after ten years, Amortized Cost	2,491,684
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	6,461,020	$ 6,047,385
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Single Maturity Date [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Due within one year, Fair Value	216,688
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after one year through five years, Fair Value	2,176,746
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after five years through ten years, Fair Value	1,606,289
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after ten years, Fair Value	2,473,795
Available-for-sale, at fair value	$ 6,473,518	$ 6,040,949
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Weighted Average Yield, Single Maturity Date [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Due within one year, Weighted-Average Yield	1.33%
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after one year through five years, Weighted-Average Yield	1.56%
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after five years through ten years, Weighted-Average Yield	2.04%
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after ten years, Weighted-Average Yield	2.57%
Available-for-sale Securities, Total Weighted-Average Yield	2.06%

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securit41

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities - Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities [Member]
Held-to-Maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Weighted Average Yield, Single Maturity Date [Abstract]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, after Five Through Ten Years, Weighted Average Yield	3.43%
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Single Maturity Date, Amortized Cost Basis [Abstract]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, within One Year, Net Carrying Amount	$ 703,005
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, after One Through Five Years, Net Carrying Amount	494,656
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, after Five Through Ten Years, Net Carrying Amount	9,688
Held-to-maturity Securities, Amortized Cost before Other than Temporary Impairment	1,207,349
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Single Maturity Date, Fair Value [Abstract]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Next Twelve Months, Fair Value	704,257
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Two Through Five, Fair Value	505,844
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Six Through Ten, Fair Value	10,409
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	$ 1,220,510
Held-to-Maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Weighted Average Yield, Single Maturity Date [Abstract]
Held-to-Maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Next Twelve Months, Weighted-Average Yield	2.32%
Held-to-Maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Two Through Five, Weighted-Average Yield	2.35%
Held-to-Maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Weighted-Average Yield	2.34%

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securit42

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities - Trading Securities (Details) - USDA Securities [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Trading, at fair value	$ 26,869	$ 28,975
USDA Guarantees [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Trading Securities, Debt, Amortized Cost	26,697	29,063
Trading, at fair value	$ 26,869	$ 28,975
Trading Securities, Weighted-Average Yield	5.47%	5.53%

Financial Derivatives - Hedgin

Financial Derivatives - Hedging Description (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedges Recognized in Earnings	$ (4,500)	$ (5,500)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	500	119
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified During Next 12 Months, Net	1,800
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified During Next 12 Months, Net of Tax	$ 1,100
Maximum Length of Time Hedged in Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge	10 years
Gain (Loss) on Discontinuation of Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Due to Forecasted Transaction Probable of Not Occurring, Net	$ 0	$ 0

Financial Derivatives - Schedu

Financial Derivatives - Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 8,949,663	$ 8,429,964
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Financial derivatives, at fair value	7,034	3,816
Financial derivatives, at fair value	117,956	77,199
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Collateral Pledged	73,659	37,986
Derivative Asset	7,034	3,816
Derivative Liability	44,297	39,213
Cash [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Obligation to Return Securities Received as Collateral	0	0
Collateral Pledged	73,700	38,000
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Swap, Pay Fixed Non-Callable [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	1,391,816	1,276,285
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Financial derivatives, at fair value	207	949
Financial derivatives, at fair value	$ 52,859	$ 26,703
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	1.83%	2.35%
Derivative, Average Variable Interest Rate	0.62%	0.37%
Derivative, Average Remaining Maturity	5 years 5 months 26 days	4 years 1 month 28 days
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Swap, Pay Fixed Non-Callable [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 144,000	$ 119,000
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Financial derivatives, at fair value	0	8
Financial derivatives, at fair value	$ 6,282	$ 1,381
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	2.25%	2.25%
Derivative, Average Variable Interest Rate	0.81%	0.64%
Derivative, Average Remaining Maturity	7 years 18 days	7 years 11 days
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Derivative Credit Risk Valuation Adjustment, Derivative Assets	$ 0	$ 5
Derivative Credit Risk Valuation Adjustment, Derivative Liabilities	303	170
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Swap, Pay Fixed Non-Callable [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	445,041	454,041
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Financial derivatives, at fair value	0	229
Financial derivatives, at fair value	$ 57,430	$ 44,528
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	4.10%	3.73%
Derivative, Average Variable Interest Rate	0.62%	0.33%
Derivative, Average Remaining Maturity	6 years 6 months 11 days	6 years 7 days
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Swap, Receive Fixed Non-Callable [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 6,156,403	$ 5,590,638
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Financial derivatives, at fair value	6,629	2,384
Financial derivatives, at fair value	$ 1,332	$ 4,205
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	0.56%	0.47%
Derivative, Average Variable Interest Rate	0.50%	0.31%
Derivative, Average Remaining Maturity	7 months 10 days	6 months 25 days
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Swap, Receive Fixed Callable [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 115,000	$ 230,000
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Financial derivatives, at fair value	135	0
Financial derivatives, at fair value	$ 47	$ 421
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	1.30%	0.91%
Derivative, Average Variable Interest Rate	0.56%	0.41%
Derivative, Average Remaining Maturity	3 years	2 years 3 months 4 days
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Basis Swap [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 675,000	$ 725,000
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Financial derivatives, at fair value	63	232
Financial derivatives, at fair value	$ 130	$ 131
Derivative, Average Variable Interest Rate	0.48%	0.22%
Derivative, Variable Interest Rate	0.57%	0.38%
Derivative, Average Remaining Maturity	1 year 11 months 5 days	2 years 3 months 29 days
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 16,603
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Financial derivatives, at fair value	0
Financial derivatives, at fair value	$ 134
Derivative, Weighted-Average Forward Price	$ 102.22
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Future [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 5,800	$ 35,000
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Financial derivatives, at fair value	0	19
Financial derivatives, at fair value	$ 45	$ 0
Derivative, Weighted-Average Forward Price	$ 129.62	$ 125.96

Financial Derivatives - Sche45

Financial Derivatives - Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Impact on Results of Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedges Recognized in Earnings		$ (4,500)	$ (5,500)
Losses on financial derivatives and hedging activities		(6,782)	(3,882)
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Hedged Item in Fair Value Hedge		29,787	8,876
Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedges Recognized in Earnings		2,889	3,116
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Losses on financial derivatives and hedging activities		(9,522)	(6,782)
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on Components Included from Assessment of Interest Rate Fair Value Hedge Effectiveness		1,500	2,900
Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedge Ineffectiveness, Net		(1,400)	(200)
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedging Instruments	[1]	(26,898)	(5,760)
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Ineffectiveness		(149)	(216)
Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedge Ineffectiveness, Net		(149)	(216)
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Losses on financial derivatives and hedging activities		(8,142)	(5,740)
Forward Contracts [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Losses on financial derivatives and hedging activities		(877)	(786)
Future [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Losses on financial derivatives and hedging activities		$ (503)	$ (256)
[1]	Included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness as of March 31, 2016, but excluded from the amounts in the table, were losses of $1.5 million, for the year ended March 31, 2016, attributable to the fair value of the swaps at the inception of the hedging relationship. Accordingly, the amounts recognized as hedge ineffectiveness for the year ended March 31, 2016 were gains of $1.4 million. The comparable amounts as of March 31, 2015 were losses of $2.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, attributable to the fair value of the swaps at the inception of the hedging relationship and, accordingly, gains of $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, attributable to hedge ineffectiveness.

Financial Derivatives - Narrat

Financial Derivatives - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Derivative [Line Items]
Securities Purchased under Agreements to Resell	$ 0	$ 0
Financial derivatives, at fair value	117,956	77,199
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Collateral Pledged	73,659	37,986
Additional Collateral, Aggregate Fair Value	39,500	45,200
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	8,949,663	8,429,964
Excluding netting [Member] | Including accrued interest [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Credit exposure to interest rate swap counterparties	12,600	6,400
Financial derivatives, at fair value	126,700	90,100
Netting [Member] | Including accrued interest [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Credit exposure to interest rate swap counterparties	200	0
Financial derivatives, at fair value	113,200	83,200
Uncollateralized [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Credit exposure to interest rate swap counterparties	200	0
Cash [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Collateral Received	0	0
Collateral Pledged	73,700	38,000
Securities Pledged as Collateral [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Collateral Pledged	0	0
Exchange Cleared [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	7,400,000	6,200,000
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 8,900,000	$ 8,400,000

Loans and Allowance for Losse47

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk - Loan (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans held for investment, at amortized cost		$ 3,204,452	$ 3,258,413
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Real Estate		4,529	4,480
Total loans, net of allowance		4,016,190	3,962,044
Unsecuritized [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Lease Receivable Unpaid Principal Balance	[1]	3,198,042	3,257,990
Unamortized premiums, discounts and other cost basis adjustments		6,410	423
Loans held for investment, at amortized cost		3,204,452	3,258,413
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Real Estate		3,779	3,736
Total loans, net of allowance		3,200,673	3,254,677
Unsecuritized [Member] | Farm & Ranch [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Lease Receivable Unpaid Principal Balance		2,206,191	2,249,864
Unsecuritized [Member] | Rural Utilities [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Lease Receivable Unpaid Principal Balance		991,851	1,008,126
In Consolidated Trusts
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Lease Receivable Unpaid Principal Balance	[1]	816,267	708,111
Unamortized premiums, discounts and other cost basis adjustments		0	0
Loans held for investment, at amortized cost		816,267	708,111
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Real Estate		750	744
Total loans, net of allowance		815,517	707,367
In Consolidated Trusts | Farm & Ranch [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Lease Receivable Unpaid Principal Balance		816,267	708,111
In Consolidated Trusts | Rural Utilities [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Lease Receivable Unpaid Principal Balance		0	0
Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Lease Receivable Unpaid Principal Balance	[1]	4,014,309	3,966,101
Unamortized premiums, discounts and other cost basis adjustments		6,410	423
Loans held for investment, at amortized cost		4,020,719	3,966,524
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Real Estate		4,529	4,480
Total loans, net of allowance		4,016,190	3,962,044
Loans [Member] | Farm & Ranch [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Lease Receivable Unpaid Principal Balance		3,022,458	2,957,975
Loans [Member] | Rural Utilities [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Lease Receivable Unpaid Principal Balance		$ 991,851	$ 1,008,126
[1]	Unpaid principal balance is the basis of presentation in disclosures of outstanding balances for Farmer Mac's lines of business.

Loans and Allowance for Losse48

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk - Allowance for Credit Losses Roll Forward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance - Allowance for Loan Losses	$ 4,480
Beginning Balance - Reserve for Losses	2,083
Beginning Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	6,563	$ 10,127
Provision for loan losses	(49)	(76)
Provision for/(release of) reserve for losses	14	(772)
Total (release of)/provision for losses	63	(696)
Ending Balance - Allowance for Loan Losses	4,529
Ending Balance - Reserve for Losses	2,097
Ending Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	6,626	9,431
Crops [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	2,791	2,519
Total (release of)/provision for losses	101	121
Ending Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	2,892	2,640
Permanent Plantings [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	931	2,159
Total (release of)/provision for losses	6	125
Ending Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	937	2,284
Livestock [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	1,781	1,423
Total (release of)/provision for losses	(18)	(80)
Ending Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	1,763	1,343
Part-Time Farm [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	408	467
Total (release of)/provision for losses	36	(8)
Ending Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	444	459
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	649	3,552
Total (release of)/provision for losses	(62)	(854)
Ending Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	587	2,698
Other Commodity [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	3	7
Total (release of)/provision for losses	0	0
Ending Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	3	7
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance - Allowance for Loan Losses	4,480	5,864
Provision for loan losses	(49)	(76)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs	0	0
Ending Balance - Allowance for Loan Losses	4,529	5,940
Reserve for Off-balance Sheet Activities [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance - Reserve for Losses	2,083	4,263
Provision for/(release of) reserve for losses	14	(772)
Ending Balance - Reserve for Losses	$ 2,097	$ 3,491

Loans and Allowance for Losse49

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk - Allowance for Losses by Impairment Method and Commodity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		$ 5,637,597	$ 5,649,604
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		76,192	75,695
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[2]	5,713,789	5,725,299
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		4,591	4,713
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		2,035	1,850
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		6,626	6,563	$ 9,431	$ 10,127
Crops [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		3,229,810	3,224,911
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		27,327	18,740
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	3,257,137	3,243,651
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		2,248	2,315
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		644	476
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		2,892	2,791	2,640	2,519
Permanent Plantings [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		913,423	917,127
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		22,867	24,284
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	936,290	941,411
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		626	571
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		311	360
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		937	931	2,284	2,159
Livestock [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		1,195,938	1,221,983
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		17,243	14,798
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	1,213,181	1,236,781
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		923	994
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		840	787
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		1,763	1,781	1,343	1,423
Part-Time Farm [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		229,717	203,090
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		8,755	8,035
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	238,472	211,125
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		204	181
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		240	227
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		444	408	459	467
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		59,870	72,152
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		0	9,838
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	59,870	81,990
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		587	649
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		0	0
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		587	649	2,698	3,552
Other Commodity [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		8,839	10,341
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		0	0
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	8,839	10,341
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		3	3
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		0	0
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		3	3	$ 7	$ 7
On-balance sheet [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		2,965,172	2,900,868
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		57,286	57,107
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	3,022,458	2,957,975
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		3,239	3,387
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		1,290	1,093
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		4,529	4,480
On-balance sheet [Member] | Crops [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		1,938,160	1,911,039
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		21,078	12,803
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	1,959,238	1,923,842
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		1,930	1,968
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		449	290
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		2,379	2,258
On-balance sheet [Member] | Permanent Plantings [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		441,233	433,654
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		19,896	21,247
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	461,129	454,901
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		450	434
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		216	218
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		666	652
On-balance sheet [Member] | Livestock [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		450,524	444,320
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		8,700	5,958
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	459,224	450,278
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		654	702
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		421	384
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		1,075	1,086
On-balance sheet [Member] | Part-Time Farm [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		116,093	92,712
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		7,612	7,261
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	123,705	99,973
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		144	116
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		204	201
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		348	317
On-balance sheet [Member] | Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		15,501	15,944
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		0	9,838
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	15,501	25,782
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		61	167
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		0	0
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		61	167
On-balance sheet [Member] | Other Commodity [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		3,661	3,199
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		0	0
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	3,661	3,199
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		0	0
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		0	0
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		0	0
Off-balance sheet [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		2,672,425	2,748,736
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		18,906	18,588
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	2,691,331	2,767,324
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		1,352	1,326
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		745	757
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		2,097	2,083
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Crops [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		1,291,650	1,313,872
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		6,249	5,937
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	1,297,899	1,319,809
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		318	347
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		195	186
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		513	533
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Permanent Plantings [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		472,190	483,473
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		2,971	3,037
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	475,161	486,510
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		176	137
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		95	142
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		271	279
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Livestock [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		745,414	777,663
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		8,543	8,840
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	753,957	786,503
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		269	292
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		419	403
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		688	695
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Part-Time Farm [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		113,624	110,378
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		1,143	774
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	114,767	111,152
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		60	65
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		36	26
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		96	91
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		44,369	56,208
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		0	0
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	44,369	56,208
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		526	482
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		0	0
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		526	482
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Other Commodity [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		5,178	7,142
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		0	0
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	5,178	7,142
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		3	3
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		0	0
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		$ 3	$ 3
[1]	Amounts represent unpaid principal balance of risk-rated loans, which is the basis Farmer Mac uses to analyze its portfolio, and recorded investment of past due loans.
[2]	Geographic regions: Northwest (AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY); Southwest (AZ, CA, CO, HI, NM, NV, UT); Mid-North (IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, NE, ND, SD, WI); Mid-South (AR, KS, LA, MO, OK, TX); Northeast (CT, DE, KY, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV); Southeast (AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN).

Loans and Allowance for Losse50

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk - Impaired Financing Receivables (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016		Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	$ 23,706			$ 23,607
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	22,162			23,562
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	54,586	[1]		52,115	[2]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	54,030			52,133
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	78,292			75,722
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance	76,192			75,695
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	2,035			1,850
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	31,340	[3]		41,672	[4]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Average Recorded Investment	77,007		$ 87,800
Impaired Financing Receivable, Interest Income, Cash Basis Method	133		571
Crops [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	3,982			3,772
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	3,540			3,720
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	24,255	[1]		15,103	[2]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	23,787			15,020
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	28,237			18,875
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance	27,327			18,740
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	644			476
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	5,514	[3]		5,105	[4]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Average Recorded Investment	23,555		19,218
Impaired Financing Receivable, Interest Income, Cash Basis Method	2		282
Permanent Plantings [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	12,556			12,340
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	12,463			12,346
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	10,460	[1]		11,939	[2]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	10,404			11,938
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	23,016			24,279
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance	22,867			24,284
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	311			360
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	15,331	[3]		16,546	[4]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Average Recorded Investment	23,648		40,764
Impaired Financing Receivable, Interest Income, Cash Basis Method	44		83
Livestock [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	5,042			5,644
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	4,327			5,645
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	12,900	[1]		9,050	[2]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	12,916			9,153
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	17,942			14,694
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance	17,243			14,798
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	840			787
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	4,510	[3]		4,313	[4]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Average Recorded Investment	16,318		15,311
Impaired Financing Receivable, Interest Income, Cash Basis Method	15		148
Part-Time Farm [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	2,126			1,851
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	1,832			1,851
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	6,971	[1]		6,185	[2]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	6,923			6,184
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	9,097			8,036
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance	8,755			8,035
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	240			227
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	5,985	[3]		5,870	[4]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Average Recorded Investment	8,567		12,507
Impaired Financing Receivable, Interest Income, Cash Basis Method	72		58
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	0			0
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	0			0
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	0	[1]		9,838	[2]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	0			9,838
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	0			9,838
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance	0			9,838
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	0			0
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	0	[3]		9,838	[4]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Average Recorded Investment	4,919		0
Impaired Financing Receivable, Interest Income, Cash Basis Method	0		0
Other Commodity [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	0			0
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	0			0
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	0	[1]		0	[2]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	0			0
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	0			0
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance	0			0
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	0			0
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	0	[3]		0	[4]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Average Recorded Investment	0		0
Impaired Financing Receivable, Interest Income, Cash Basis Method	0		$ 0
Collateral Dependent Not Individually Analyzed [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	48,800			46,400
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	$ 1,100			$ 1,000
Impaired Financing Receivable, Impairment analysis performed percent	62.00%			61.00%
Less than 90 days past due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	$ 2,200	[3]		$ 14,700	[4]
[1]	Impairment analysis was performed in the aggregate in consideration of similar risk characteristics of the assets and historical statistics on $48.8 million (62 percent) of impaired loans as of March 31, 2016, which resulted in a specific reserve of $1.1 million.
[2]	Impairment analysis was performed in the aggregate in consideration of similar risk characteristics of the assets and historical statistics on $46.4 million (61 percent) of impaired loans as of December 31, 2015, which resulted in a specific reserve of $1.0 million.
[3]	Includes $2.2 million of loans that are less than 90 days delinquent but which have not met Farmer Mac's performance criteria for returning to accrual status.
[4]	Includes $14.7 million of loans that are less than 90 days delinquent but which have not met Farmer Mac's performance criteria for returning to accrual status.

Loans and Allowance for Losse51

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk - Troubled Debt Restructurings (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015USD ($)
Receivables [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Modifications, Pre-Modification Recorded Investment	$ 0	$ 0
Financing Receivable, Modifications, Post-Modification Recorded Investment	$ 0	$ 0
Financing Receivable, Modifications, Subsequent Default, Number of Contracts	0	0
Financing Receivable, Modifications, Subsequent Default, Recorded Investment	$ 0	$ 0
Financing Receivable, Modifications, Subsequent Default, Determination of Allowance for Credit Losses	0	0

Loans and Allowance for Losse52

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk - Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)defaulted_loan	Mar. 31, 2015USD ($)defaulted_loan	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities Acquired During Period [Line Items]
Certain Loans Acquired In Transfer Not Accounted For As Debt Securities, Number Defaulted | defaulted_loan	5	1
Payments to Acquire Other Loans and Leases Held-for-investment	$ 1,415	$ 657
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, Acquired During Period, Contractually Required Payments Receivable at Acquisition, During the Period	1,435	0
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, Provision for Loan Losses	0	52
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, Allowance for Loan Losses, Decreases	4	121
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, Outstanding Balance	25,893		$ 36,195
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, Carrying Amount, Net	23,766		$ 34,015
Long-Term Standby Purchase Commitments [Member]
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities Acquired During Period [Line Items]
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, UPB at acquisition	1,267	0
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities Acquired During Period [Line Items]
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, UPB at acquisition	$ 148	$ 657

Loans and Allowance for Losse53

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk - Certain Loans Acquired Delinquencies and Net Credit Losses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2016		Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	[2]	$ 34,680	[1]		$ 32,136	[3]
Net credit losses (recoveries)		39		$ 0
Certain Loans Acquired In Transfer Not Accounted For As Debt Securities, Subject To Be Purchased	[2]	0			0
On-balance sheet [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	[2]	29,184	[1]		26,935	[3]
Net credit losses (recoveries)		39		0
Off-balance sheet [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	[2]	5,496	[1]		$ 5,201	[3]
Net credit losses (recoveries)		$ 0		$ 0
[1]	Amounts represent unpaid principal balance of risk-rated loans, which is the basis Farmer Mac uses to analyze its portfolio, and recorded investment of past due loans.
[2]	Includes loans and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs that are 90 days or more past due, in foreclosure, or in bankruptcy, excluding loans performing under either their original loan terms or a court-approved bankruptcy plan.
[3]	Amounts represent unpaid principal balance of risk-rated loans, which is the basis Farmer Mac uses to analyze its portfolio, and recorded investment of past due loans.

Loans and Allowance for Losse54

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk - Financing Receivables Credit Quality Indicators (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Mar. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[2]	$ 5,713,789		$ 5,725,299
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	[3]	34,680	[1]	32,136	[4]
Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	5,480,634		5,509,463
Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	127,418		111,336
Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	105,737		104,500
Crops [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	3,257,137		3,243,651
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		12,477	[1]	5,167	[4]
Crops [Member] | Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	3,176,303		3,168,216
Crops [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	43,989		46,677
Crops [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	36,845		28,758
Permanent Plantings [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	936,290		941,411
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		10,867	[1]	7,405	[4]
Permanent Plantings [Member] | Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	879,814		904,373
Permanent Plantings [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	30,133		9,842
Permanent Plantings [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	26,343		27,196
Livestock [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	1,213,181		1,236,781
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		8,195	[1]	7,059	[4]
Livestock [Member] | Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	1,137,756		1,162,475
Livestock [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	46,380		48,438
Livestock [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	29,045		25,868
Part-Time Farm [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	238,472		211,125
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		3,141	[1]	2,667	[4]
Part-Time Farm [Member] | Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	220,905		192,531
Part-Time Farm [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	4,164		5,856
Part-Time Farm [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	13,403		12,738
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	59,870		81,990
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		0	[1]	9,838	[4]
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] | Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	57,670		72,152
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	2,200		0
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	0		9,838
Other Commodity [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	8,839		10,341
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		0	[1]	0	[4]
Other Commodity [Member] | Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	8,186		9,716
Other Commodity [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	552		523
Other Commodity [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	101		102
On-balance sheet [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	3,022,458		2,957,975
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	[3]	29,184	[1]	26,935	[4]
On-balance sheet [Member] | Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	2,926,023		2,837,487
On-balance sheet [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	39,149		63,106
On-balance sheet [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	57,286		57,382
On-balance sheet [Member] | Crops [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	1,959,238		1,923,842
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		11,785	[1]	4,656	[4]
On-balance sheet [Member] | Crops [Member] | Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	1,928,285		1,888,762
On-balance sheet [Member] | Crops [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	9,875		22,255
On-balance sheet [Member] | Crops [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	21,078		12,825
On-balance sheet [Member] | Permanent Plantings [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	461,129		454,901
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		10,867	[1]	7,405	[4]
On-balance sheet [Member] | Permanent Plantings [Member] | Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	440,033		431,038
On-balance sheet [Member] | Permanent Plantings [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	1,200		2,616
On-balance sheet [Member] | Permanent Plantings [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	19,896		21,247
On-balance sheet [Member] | Livestock [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	459,224		450,278
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		3,873	[1]	2,517	[4]
On-balance sheet [Member] | Livestock [Member] | Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	425,346		409,003
On-balance sheet [Member] | Livestock [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	25,178		35,317
On-balance sheet [Member] | Livestock [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	8,700		5,958
On-balance sheet [Member] | Part-Time Farm [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	123,705		99,973
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		2,659	[1]	2,519	[4]
On-balance sheet [Member] | Part-Time Farm [Member] | Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	113,197		89,541
On-balance sheet [Member] | Part-Time Farm [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	2,896		2,918
On-balance sheet [Member] | Part-Time Farm [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	7,612		7,514
On-balance sheet [Member] | Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	15,501		25,782
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		0	[1]	9,838	[4]
On-balance sheet [Member] | Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] | Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	15,501		15,944
On-balance sheet [Member] | Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	0		0
On-balance sheet [Member] | Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	0		9,838
On-balance sheet [Member] | Other Commodity [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	3,661		3,199
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		0	[1]	0	[4]
On-balance sheet [Member] | Other Commodity [Member] | Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	3,661		3,199
On-balance sheet [Member] | Other Commodity [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	0		0
On-balance sheet [Member] | Other Commodity [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	0		0
Off-balance sheet [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	2,691,331		2,767,324
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	[3]	5,496	[1]	5,201	[4]
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	2,554,611		2,671,976
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	88,269		48,230
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	48,451		47,118
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Crops [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	1,297,899		1,319,809
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		692	[1]	511	[4]
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Crops [Member] | Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	1,248,018		1,279,454
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Crops [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	34,114		24,422
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Crops [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	15,767		15,933
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Permanent Plantings [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	475,161		486,510
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		0	[1]	0	[4]
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Permanent Plantings [Member] | Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	439,781		473,335
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Permanent Plantings [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	28,933		7,226
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Permanent Plantings [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	6,447		5,949
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Livestock [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	753,957		786,503
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		4,322	[1]	4,542	[4]
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Livestock [Member] | Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	712,410		753,472
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Livestock [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	21,202		13,121
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Livestock [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	20,345		19,910
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Part-Time Farm [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	114,767		111,152
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		482	[1]	148	[4]
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Part-Time Farm [Member] | Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	107,708		102,990
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Part-Time Farm [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	1,268		2,938
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Part-Time Farm [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	5,791		5,224
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	44,369		56,208
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		0	[1]	0	[4]
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] | Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	42,169		56,208
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	2,200		0
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	0		0
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Other Commodity [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	5,178		7,142
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		0	[1]	0	[4]
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Other Commodity [Member] | Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	4,525		6,517
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Other Commodity [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	552		523
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Other Commodity [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	$ 101		$ 102
[1]	Amounts represent unpaid principal balance of risk-rated loans, which is the basis Farmer Mac uses to analyze its portfolio, and recorded investment of past due loans.
[2]	Geographic regions: Northwest (AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY); Southwest (AZ, CA, CO, HI, NM, NV, UT); Mid-North (IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, NE, ND, SD, WI); Mid-South (AR, KS, LA, MO, OK, TX); Northeast (CT, DE, KY, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV); Southeast (AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN).
[3]	Includes loans and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs that are 90 days or more past due, in foreclosure, or in bankruptcy, excluding loans performing under either their original loan terms or a court-approved bankruptcy plan.
[4]	Amounts represent unpaid principal balance of risk-rated loans, which is the basis Farmer Mac uses to analyze its portfolio, and recorded investment of past due loans.
[5]	Assets in the "Special mention" category generally have potential weaknesses due to performance issues but are currently considered to be adequately secured.
[6]	Substandard assets have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses and there is a distinct possibility that some loss will be sustained if deficiencies are not corrected.

Loans and Allowance for Losse55

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk - Concentrations of Credit Risk (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[2]	$ 5,713,789	$ 5,725,299
Financing Receivables, Original Loan-To-Value Ratio, Range One [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross		$ 1,567,093	1,594,818
Financing Receivables, Loan-To-Value Ratio Range, Lower Range Limit		0.00%
Financing Receivables, Loan-To-Value Ratio Range, Upper Range Limit		40.00%
Financing Receivables, Original Loan-To-Value Ratio, Range Two [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross		$ 1,313,479	1,279,321
Financing Receivables, Loan-To-Value Ratio Range, Lower Range Limit		40.01%
Financing Receivables, Loan-To-Value Ratio Range, Upper Range Limit		50.00%
Financing Receivables, Original Loan-To-Value Ratio, Range Three [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross		$ 1,582,340	1,593,025
Financing Receivables, Loan-To-Value Ratio Range, Lower Range Limit		50.01%
Financing Receivables, Loan-To-Value Ratio Range, Upper Range Limit		60.00%
Financing Receivables, Original Loan-To-Value Ratio, Range Four [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross		$ 1,087,370	1,107,710
Financing Receivables, Loan-To-Value Ratio Range, Lower Range Limit		60.01%
Financing Receivables, Loan-To-Value Ratio Range, Upper Range Limit		70.00%
Financing Receivables, Original Loan-To-Value Ratio, Range Five [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross		$ 141,288	126,860
Financing Receivables, Loan-To-Value Ratio Range, Lower Range Limit		70.01%
Financing Receivables, Loan-To-Value Ratio Range, Upper Range Limit		80.00%
Financing Receivables, Original Loan-To-Value Ratio, Range Six [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross		$ 22,219	23,565
Financing Receivables, Loan-To-Value Ratio Range, Lower Range Limit		80.01%
Financing Receivables, Loan-To-Value Ratio Range, Upper Range Limit		90.00%
Northwest [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[2]	$ 589,786	582,127
Southwest [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[2]	1,692,783	1,726,927
Mid-North [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[2]	2,013,333	2,009,654
Mid-South [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[2]	764,476	769,831
Northeast [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[2]	213,848	215,883
Southeast [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[2]	439,563	420,877
Crops [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	3,257,137	3,243,651
Permanent Plantings [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	936,290	941,411
Livestock [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	1,213,181	1,236,781
Part-Time Farm [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	238,472	211,125
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	59,870	81,990
Other Commodity [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	$ 8,839	$ 10,341
[1]	Amounts represent unpaid principal balance of risk-rated loans, which is the basis Farmer Mac uses to analyze its portfolio, and recorded investment of past due loans.
[2]	Geographic regions: Northwest (AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY); Southwest (AZ, CA, CO, HI, NM, NV, UT); Mid-North (IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, NE, ND, SD, WI); Mid-South (AR, KS, LA, MO, OK, TX); Northeast (CT, DE, KY, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV); Southeast (AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN).

Off-Balance Sheet Guarantees 56

Off-Balance Sheet Guarantees and Long Term Standby Purchase Commitments - Off-Balance Sheet Guaranteed Securities (Details) - Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	[1]	$ 1,783,441	$ 1,809,194
Farm & Ranch [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted		485,302	514,051
USDA Guarantees [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted		13,268	10,272
Institutional Credit [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted		984,871	984,871
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Institutional Credit [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	[1]	$ 300,000	$ 300,000
[1]	(1) Relates to a revolving floating rate AgVantage facility subject to specified contractual terms. Farmer Mac receives a fixed fee based on the full dollar amount of the facility.

Off-Balance Sheet Guarantees 57

Off-Balance Sheet Guarantees and Long Term Standby Purchase Commitments - Cash Flows from Off-balance sheet Guaranteed Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	$ 139,561	$ 49,487
Proceeds from Fees Received	561	692
Payments to Acquire Loans and Leases Held-for-investment	$ (1,267)	$ (657)
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Weighted average remaining maturity, Loans underlying guarantees not held by transferor	11 years 2 months 18 days		11 years 3 months 18 days
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Current Carrying Value	$ 7,600		$ 8,300
Institutional Credit [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Weighted average remaining maturity, Loans underlying guarantees not held by transferor	1 year 4 months 8 days		1 year 8 months 8 days

Off-Balance Sheet Guarantees 58

Off-Balance Sheet Guarantees and Long Term Standby Purchase Commitments - Long Term Standby Purchase Commitments (Details) - Long-Term Standby Purchase Commitments [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	$ 2,700	$ 2,800
Weighted average remaining maturity, Loans underlying guarantees not held by transferor	14 years 7 months 10 days	14 years 7 months 10 days
Guarantee obligations issued after January 1, 2003 [Member]
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Current Carrying Value	$ 29.9	$ 30.3

Equity - Non-Controlling Inter

Equity - Non-Controlling Interest (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Jan. 25, 2010	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Redemption of Farmer Mac II LLC preferred stock			$ (244,000)	$ (6,000)
Issuance Costs on the retirement of Farmer Mac II LLC Preferred Stock		$ 0	$ 8,147
Farmer Mac II LLC [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Sale of Stock, Consideration Received on Transaction	$ 250,000
Farmer Mac II LLC [Member] | Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share		$ 1,000
Private Placement [Member] | Farmer Mac II LLC [Member] | Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Sale of Stock, Number of Shares Issued in Transaction	250,000

Equity - Common Stock Narrativ

Equity - Common Stock Narrative (Details) - Common Class C, Non-Voting [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Sep. 08, 2015
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount		$ 25
Repurchase of Class C Common Stock	668,000
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value	$ 19.6

Equity - Capital Requirements (

Equity - Capital Requirements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Capital Requirements, Minimum Capital, Percentage of Aggregate On-Balance Sheet Assets Included In Core Capital	2.75%
Capital Requirements, Minimum Capital, Percentage of Aggregate Off-Balance Sheet Assets Included In Core Capital	0.75%
Capital Requirements, Critical Capital, Percentage of Core Capital of Total Minimum Capital	50.00%
Capital Required for Capital Adequacy	$ 477.8	$ 462.1
Capital	562.7	564.5
Excess Capital	$ 84.9	$ 102.4

Fair Value Disclosures - Narra

Fair Value Disclosures - Narrative (Details) - Level 3 [Member] - USD ($) $ in Billions	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets and Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 6.5	$ 6.1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Fair Value as Percent of Total Assets	40.00%	39.00%
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities, Fair Value as Percent of Total Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value	72.00%	69.00%

Fair Value Disclosures - Fai63

Fair Value Disclosures - Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	$ 7,034	$ 3,816
Derivative Liability	44,297	39,213
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	4,016,190	3,962,044
Real estate owned, at lower of cost or fair value	1,330	1,369
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	7,034	3,816
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	8,960,386	8,849,256
Derivative Liability	117,956	77,199
Financial and Nonfinancial Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	117,956	77,199
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	0	19
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	965,593	992,807
Derivative Liability	45	0
Financial and Nonfinancial Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	45	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	7,034	3,797
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	1,476,293	1,741,110
Derivative Liability	117,911	77,199
Financial and Nonfinancial Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	117,911	77,199
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	0	0
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	6,518,500	6,115,339
Derivative Liability	0	0
Financial and Nonfinancial Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	2,516	11,831
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	1,853	11,443
Real estate owned, at lower of cost or fair value	663	388
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	0	0
Real estate owned, at lower of cost or fair value	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	0	0
Real estate owned, at lower of cost or fair value	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	2,516	11,831
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	1,853	11,443
Real estate owned, at lower of cost or fair value	663	388
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Institutional Credit [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	4,534,810	4,121,244
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Institutional Credit [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Institutional Credit [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Institutional Credit [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	4,534,810	4,121,244
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | USDA Guarantees [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	30,694	31,361
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | USDA Guarantees [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | USDA Guarantees [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | USDA Guarantees [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	30,694	31,361
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	4,565,504	4,152,605
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	4,565,504	4,152,605
Investment Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	2,452,965	2,775,516
Investment Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	965,593	992,788
Investment Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	1,469,259	1,737,313
Investment Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	18,113	45,415
Investment Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	2,452,582	2,775,025
Investment Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	965,593	992,788
Investment Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	1,469,259	1,737,313
Investment Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	17,730	44,924
Investment Securities [Member] | Trading Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	383	491
Investment Securities [Member] | Trading Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Investment Securities [Member] | Trading Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Investment Securities [Member] | Trading Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	383	491
USDA Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	1,934,883	1,917,319
USDA Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
USDA Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
USDA Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	1,934,883	1,917,319
USDA Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	1,908,014	1,888,344
USDA Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
USDA Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
USDA Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	1,908,014	1,888,344
USDA Securities [Member] | Trading Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	26,869	28,975
USDA Securities [Member] | Trading Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
USDA Securities [Member] | Trading Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
USDA Securities [Member] | Trading Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	26,869	28,975
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	17,730	44,924
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	17,730	44,924
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	68,514	73,729
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	68,514	73,729
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Trading Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	383	491
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Trading Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Trading Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Trading Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	383	491
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	10,002	9,991
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	10,002	9,991
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	1,317,439	1,355,459
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	1,317,439	1,355,459
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | GSE Subordinated Debt [Member} | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	65,465	66,249
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | GSE Subordinated Debt [Member} | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | GSE Subordinated Debt [Member} | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	65,465	66,249
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | GSE Subordinated Debt [Member} | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Senior Agency Debt [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		213,987
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Senior Agency Debt [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		0
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Senior Agency Debt [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		213,987
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Senior Agency Debt [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		0
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		9,994
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		0
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		9,994
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		0
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	7,839	7,904
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	7,839	7,904
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	965,593	992,788
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	965,593	992,788
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 0	$ 0

Fair Value Disclosures - Unobs

Fair Value Disclosures - Unobservable Input Reconciliation (Details) - Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2016		Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		$ 6,115,339		$ 5,472,078
Purchases		1,014,505		304,101
Sales		(30,454)		0
Settlements		(599,792)		(129,726)
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income		24,661		9,239
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income		(5,759)		59,971
Ending Balance		6,518,500		5,715,663
Investment Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		45,415		41,265
Purchases		0		0
Sales		(26,806)		0
Settlements		(206)		(247)
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income		104		196
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income		(394)		(197)
Ending Balance		18,113		41,017
USDA Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Trading Securities, Unrealized Gains		200		200
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		1,917,319		1,771,532
Purchases		98,974		89,186
Sales		(3,648)		0
Settlements		(86,558)		(67,074)
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income		259		166
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income		8,537		38,627
Ending Balance		1,934,883		1,832,437
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Investment Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		44,924		40,576
Purchases		0		0
Sales		(26,806)		0
Settlements		0		0
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income		6		0
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income		(394)		(197)
Ending Balance		17,730		40,379
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		4,152,605		3,659,281
Purchases		915,531		214,915
Sales		0		0
Settlements		(513,028)		(62,405)
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income		24,298		8,877
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income		(13,902)		21,541
Ending Balance		4,565,504		3,842,209
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | USDA Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		1,888,344		1,731,222
Purchases		98,974		89,186
Sales		(3,648)		0
Settlements		(84,193)		(64,191)
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income		0		0
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income		8,537		38,627
Ending Balance		1,908,014		1,794,844
Trading Securities [Member] | Investment Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		491		689
Purchases		0		0
Sales		0		0
Settlements		(206)		(247)
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income		98		196
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income		0		0
Ending Balance		383		638
Trading Securities [Member] | USDA Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		28,975		40,310
Purchases		0		0
Sales		0		0
Settlements		(2,365)		(2,883)
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income		259		166
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income		0		0
Ending Balance		26,869	[1]	37,593	[2]
Institutional Credit [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		4,121,244		3,631,662
Purchases		915,531		214,915
Sales		0		0
Settlements		(512,530)		(57,753)
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income		24,298		8,877
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income		(13,733)		21,003
Ending Balance		4,534,810	[1]	3,818,704
USDA Guarantees [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		31,361		27,619
Purchases		0		0
Sales		0		0
Settlements		(498)		(4,652)
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income		0		0
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income		(169)		538
Ending Balance		30,694		23,505
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		44,924		40,576
Purchases		0		0
Sales		(26,806)		0
Settlements		0		0
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income		6		0
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income		(394)		(197)
Ending Balance		17,730		40,379
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Trading Securities [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		491		689	[3]
Purchases		0		0	[3]
Sales		0		0	[3]
Settlements		(206)		(247)	[3]
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income		98		196	[3]
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income		0		0	[3]
Ending Balance	[3]	$ 383		$ 638
[1]	Includes unrealized gains of $0.2 million attributable to assets still held as of March 31, 2016 that are recorded in "Gains on trading securities."
[2]	Includes unrealized gains of $0.2 million attributable to assets still held as of March 31, 2015 that are recorded in "Gains on trading securities."
[3]	Unrealized gains are attributable to assets still held as of March 31, 2016 and are recorded in "Gains on trading securities."

Fair Value Disclosures - Quant

Fair Value Disclosures - Quantitative Information (Details) - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Institutional Credit [Member] | Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Available-for-sale, at fair value	$ 4,534,810	$ 4,121,244
USDA Guarantees [Member] | Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Available-for-sale, at fair value	30,694	31,361
USDA Guarantees [Member] | Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | USDA Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Marketable Securities	1,934,883	1,917,319
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Available-for-sale, at fair value	17,730	44,924
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Trading, at fair value	$ 383	$ 491
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate	10.00%	10.00%
Minimum [Member] | Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Range of Offered Quotes	90.00%	92.00%
Minimum [Member] | Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	22.50%	18.30%
Minimum [Member] | Institutional Credit [Member] | Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	1.30%	1.10%
Minimum [Member] | Institutional Credit [Member] | Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | USDA Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	1.30%	1.00%
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate	9.00%	9.00%
Minimum [Member] | USDA Guarantees [Member] | Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | USDA Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	1.60%	1.30%
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate	0.00%	0.00%
Maximum [Member] | Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Range of Offered Quotes	90.00%	99.60%
Maximum [Member] | Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	26.50%	23.90%
Maximum [Member] | Institutional Credit [Member] | Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	2.80%	3.30%
Maximum [Member] | Institutional Credit [Member] | Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | USDA Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	4.20%	3.90%
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate	22.00%	20.00%
Maximum [Member] | USDA Guarantees [Member] | Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | USDA Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	5.10%	5.10%
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate	21.00%	19.00%
Weighted Average [Member] | Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Range of Offered Quotes	90.00%	96.60%
Weighted Average [Member] | Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	24.90%	21.50%
Weighted Average [Member] | Institutional Credit [Member] | Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	1.70%	1.80%
Weighted Average [Member] | Institutional Credit [Member] | Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | USDA Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	2.00%	1.80%
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate	11.00%	10.00%
Weighted Average [Member] | USDA Guarantees [Member] | Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | USDA Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	3.10%	3.10%
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate	9.00%	7.00%

Fair Value Disclosures - Summa

Fair Value Disclosures - Summary of Carrying Value and Fair Value (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial derivatives	$ 7,034	$ 3,816
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable:	39,389	40,189
Derivative Liability	44,297	39,213
Guarantee and commitment obligation	37,540	38,609
Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	1,729,563	1,210,084
Loans	4,016,190	3,962,044
Financial derivatives	7,034	3,816
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	816,435	713,536
Derivative Liability	117,956	77,199
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Investment Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Marketable Securities	2,452,965	2,775,516
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Marketable Securities	5,772,853	5,426,621
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | USDA Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Marketable Securities	1,934,883	1,917,319
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Long-Term Standby Purchase Commitments [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable:	30,790	31,240
Guarantee and commitment obligation	29,932	30,301
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable:	8,599	8,949
Guarantee and commitment obligation	7,608	8,308
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Due within one year [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Notes payable:	9,322,682	9,111,461
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Notes payable:	5,264,695	4,967,036
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	1,729,563	1,210,084
Loans	4,076,366	4,027,660
Financial derivatives	7,034	3,816
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	823,798	713,316
Derivative Liability	117,956	77,199
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Investment Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Marketable Securities	2,452,965	2,775,516
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Marketable Securities	5,786,014	5,434,422
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | USDA Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Marketable Securities	1,934,883	1,917,319
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Long-Term Standby Purchase Commitments [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable:	29,450	31,953
Guarantee and commitment obligation	28,593	31,015
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable:	8,259	8,872
Guarantee and commitment obligation	7,268	8,230
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Due within one year [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Notes payable:	9,326,082	9,108,468
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Notes payable:	$ 5,385,606	$ 5,009,310

Business Segment Reporting - C

Business Segment Reporting - Core Earnings - Business Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016		Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
Interest Income	$ 73,891	[1]	$ 63,951	[2]
Interest Income Reclassification	0		0
Total interest expense	(40,251)	[3]	(33,162)	[4]
Net effective spread	33,640		30,789
Guarantee and commitment fees	3,626		3,377
Other Non-Interest Income (Expense), Excluding Guarantee and Commitment Fees	(6,332)	[5]	(2,902)	[6]
Non-interest (loss)/income	(2,706)		475
Provision for loan losses	(49)		(76)
(Release of)/provision for reserve for losses	(14)		772
Noninterest Expense, Excluding Loan, Lease and Other Losses	(9,952)		(9,115)
Non-interest expense	(9,966)	[7]	(8,343)	[8]
Income before income taxes	20,919		22,845
Income tax expense	(7,335)		(4,231)
Net income	13,584		18,614
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	(3,295)		(3,295)
Less: Net loss/(income) attributable to non-controlling interest	28		(5,354)
Loss on retirement of preferred stock	0		(8,147)
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic	10,317		1,818
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract]
Assets	16,156,028		14,849,685		$ 15,540,354
On and Off Balance Sheet Program Assets, At Principal Balance	16,215,572		14,660,217
Farm & Ranch [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
Interest Income	24,852	[1]	21,968	[2]
Interest Income Reclassification	(1,043)		(635)
Total interest expense	(14,348)	[3]	(11,219)	[4]
Net effective spread	9,461		10,114
Guarantee and commitment fees	3,909		3,633
Other Non-Interest Income (Expense), Excluding Guarantee and Commitment Fees	97	[5]	87	[6]
Non-interest (loss)/income	4,006		3,720
Provision for loan losses	(49)		(76)
(Release of)/provision for reserve for losses	(14)		772
Noninterest Expense, Excluding Loan, Lease and Other Losses	(4,161)		(4,326)
Non-interest expense	(4,175)	[7]	(3,554)	[8]
Segment core earnings before income taxes	9,243		10,204
Income tax expense	(3,236)		(3,571)
Segment core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attibution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends	6,007		6,633
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	0		0
Less: Net loss/(income) attributable to non-controlling interest	0		0
Loss on retirement of preferred stock			0
Segment core earnings	6,007		6,633
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract]
Assets	3,115,749		2,637,743
On and Off Balance Sheet Program Assets, At Principal Balance	5,713,789		5,347,248
USDA Guarantees [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
Interest Income	15,282	[1]	14,348	[2]
Interest Income Reclassification	0		0
Total interest expense	(10,974)	[3]	(10,123)	[4]
Net effective spread	4,308		4,225
Guarantee and commitment fees	7		(6)
Other Non-Interest Income (Expense), Excluding Guarantee and Commitment Fees	58	[5]	59	[6]
Non-interest (loss)/income	65		53
Provision for loan losses	0		0
(Release of)/provision for reserve for losses	0		0
Noninterest Expense, Excluding Loan, Lease and Other Losses	(1,093)		(385)
Non-interest expense	(1,093)	[7]	(385)	[8]
Segment core earnings before income taxes	3,280		3,893
Income tax expense	(1,148)		(1,363)
Segment core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attibution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends	2,132		2,530
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	0		0
Less: Net loss/(income) attributable to non-controlling interest	0		0
Loss on retirement of preferred stock			0
Segment core earnings	2,132		2,530
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract]
Assets	1,987,855		1,876,337
On and Off Balance Sheet Program Assets, At Principal Balance	1,929,582		1,814,918
Rural Utilities [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
Interest Income	6,829	[1]	6,585	[2]
Interest Income Reclassification	0		0
Total interest expense	(4,291)	[3]	(3,781)	[4]
Net effective spread	2,538		2,804
Guarantee and commitment fees	295		0
Other Non-Interest Income (Expense), Excluding Guarantee and Commitment Fees	0	[5]	0	[6]
Non-interest (loss)/income	295		0
Provision for loan losses	0		0
(Release of)/provision for reserve for losses	0		0
Noninterest Expense, Excluding Loan, Lease and Other Losses	(831)		(866)
Non-interest expense	(831)	[7]	(866)	[8]
Segment core earnings before income taxes	2,002		1,938
Income tax expense	(701)		(678)
Segment core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attibution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends	1,301		1,260
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	0		0
Less: Net loss/(income) attributable to non-controlling interest	0		0
Loss on retirement of preferred stock			0
Segment core earnings	1,301		1,260
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract]
Assets	1,002,691		970,020
On and Off Balance Sheet Program Assets, At Principal Balance	1,510,575		968,117
Institutional Credit [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
Interest Income	20,268	[1]	19,299	[2]
Interest Income Reclassification	0		0
Total interest expense	(9,178)	[3]	(8,874)	[4]
Net effective spread	11,090		10,425
Guarantee and commitment fees	458		385
Other Non-Interest Income (Expense), Excluding Guarantee and Commitment Fees	0	[5]	0	[6]
Non-interest (loss)/income	458		385
Provision for loan losses	0		0
(Release of)/provision for reserve for losses	0		0
Noninterest Expense, Excluding Loan, Lease and Other Losses	(539)		(535)
Non-interest expense	(539)	[7]	(535)	[8]
Segment core earnings before income taxes	11,009		10,275
Income tax expense	(3,852)		(3,596)
Segment core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attibution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends	7,157		6,679
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	0		0
Less: Net loss/(income) attributable to non-controlling interest	0		0
Loss on retirement of preferred stock			0
Segment core earnings	7,157		6,679
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract]
Assets	5,731,346		5,594,736
On and Off Balance Sheet Program Assets, At Principal Balance	7,061,626		6,529,934
Corporate Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
Interest Income	6,681	[1]	2,865	[2]
Interest Income Reclassification	0		0
Total interest expense	(4,129)	[3]	(1,176)	[4]
Net effective spread	2,552		1,689
Guarantee and commitment fees	0		0
Other Non-Interest Income (Expense), Excluding Guarantee and Commitment Fees	(672)	[5]	(552)	[6]
Non-interest (loss)/income	(672)		(552)
Provision for loan losses	0		0
(Release of)/provision for reserve for losses	0		0
Noninterest Expense, Excluding Loan, Lease and Other Losses	(3,328)		(3,003)
Non-interest expense	(3,328)	[7]	(3,003)	[8]
Segment core earnings before income taxes	(1,448)		(1,866)
Income tax expense	493		2,516
Segment core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attibution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends	(955)		650
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	(3,295)		(3,295)
Less: Net loss/(income) attributable to non-controlling interest	28		(5,354)
Loss on retirement of preferred stock			0
Segment core earnings	(4,222)		(7,999)
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract]
Assets	4,318,387		3,770,849
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
Interest Income	(21)	[1]	(1,114)	[2]
Interest Income Reclassification	1,043		635
Total interest expense	2,669	[3]	2,011	[4]
Net effective spread	3,691		1,532
Guarantee and commitment fees	(1,043)		(635)
Other Non-Interest Income (Expense), Excluding Guarantee and Commitment Fees	(5,815)	[5]	(2,496)	[6]
Non-interest (loss)/income	(6,858)		(3,131)
Provision for loan losses	0		0
(Release of)/provision for reserve for losses	0		0
Noninterest Expense, Excluding Loan, Lease and Other Losses	0		0
Non-interest expense	0	[7]	0	[8]
Segment core earnings before income taxes	(3,167)	[9]	(1,599)	[10]
Income tax expense	1,109		2,461
Segment core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attibution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends	(2,058)	[9]	862	[10]
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	0		0
Less: Net loss/(income) attributable to non-controlling interest	0		0
Loss on retirement of preferred stock			(8,147)
Segment core earnings	(2,058)	[9]	(7,285)
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract]
Assets	0		0
On and Off Balance Sheet Program Assets, At Principal Balance	$ 0		$ 0
[1]	Includes reconciling adjustments for the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value to reflect core earnings amounts.
[2]	Includes reconciling adjustments for the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value to reflect core earnings amounts.
[3]	Based on effective funding cost determined for each operating segment, including expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in "Losses on financial derivatives and hedging activities" on the consolidated financial statements.
[4]	Based on effective funding cost determined for each operating segment, including expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in "Losses on financial derivatives and hedging activities" on the consolidated financial statements.
[5]	Includes reconciling adjustments for the reclassification of expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges and fair value adjustments on financial derivatives and trading assets. Also includes a reconciling adjustment related to the recognition of deferred gains over the estimated lives of certain Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities.
[6]	Includes reconciling adjustments for the reclassification of expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges and fair value adjustments on financial derivatives and trading assets. Also includes a reconciling adjustment related to the recognition of deferred gains over the estimated lives of certain Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities.
[7]	Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on headcount
[8]	Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on headcount.
[9]	Net adjustments to reconcile core earnings before income taxes; core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest; and segment core earnings to corresponding income measures: income before income taxes, net income, and net income attributable to common stockholders, respectively
[10]	Net adjustments to reconcile core earnings before income taxes; core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest; and segment core earnings to corresponding income measures: income before income taxes, net income, and net income attributable to common stockholders, respectively.