INVESTMENT SECURITIES AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE (Schedule of Available-for-Sale Securities, Fair Value) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Amortized Cost $ 205,156 $ 256,515
Unrealized Gains 5,971 22,761
Unrealized Losses (3,039) (3,556)
Fair Value (1) 208,088 275,720
Investment securities available-for-sale, pledged as collateral, at fair value [1] 162,306 197,800
CMBS [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Amortized Cost 158,584 168,669
Unrealized Gains 2,631 4,938
Unrealized Losses (1,791) (3,202)
Fair Value (1) 159,424 170,405
RMBS [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Amortized Cost 2,156 29,814
Unrealized Gains 122 937
Unrealized Losses (88) 0
Fair Value (1) 2,190 30,751
ABS [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Amortized Cost 41,994 55,617
Unrealized Gains 3,218 16,876
Unrealized Losses (998) (336)
Fair Value (1) 44,214 72,157
Corporate bonds [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Amortized Cost 2,422 2,415
Unrealized Gains 0 10
Unrealized Losses (162) (18)
Fair Value (1) $ 2,260 $ 2,407
[1] December 31, 2015December 31, 2014Assets of consolidated Variable Interest Entities ("VIEs") included in the total assets above: Cash and cash equivalents $95 $25 Restricted cash$39,061 $121,247 Investments securities available-for-sale, pledged as collateral, at fair value66,137 119,203 Loans held for sale1,475 282Loans, pledged as collateral and net of allowances of $3.3 million and $8.8 million1,416,441 1,261,137 Interest receivable6,592 8,941 Prepaid expenses238 221 Principal paydown receivable17,800 25,767 Other assets833 (12) Total assets of consolidated VIEs$1,548,672 $1,536,811