Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

SEGMENT REPORTING AND VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES - Other Debt Segment Investments and Debt (Details 1)

v2.4.1.9
SEGMENT REPORTING AND VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES - Other Debt Segment Investments and Debt (Details 1) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Investments Carrying Value $ 1,630,471us-gaap_Investments [1] $ 2,456,869us-gaap_Investments  
Debt Face Amount 1,318,167us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount 1,953,327us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount [2] 2,786,059us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Non-recourse [Member]      
Investments Face Amount 406,217us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalancePrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_NonrecourseOtherSegmentMember 		694,339us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalancePrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_NonrecourseOtherSegmentMember 		 
Investments Carrying Value 406,217us-gaap_Investments
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_NonrecourseOtherSegmentMember 		677,219us-gaap_Investments
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_NonrecourseOtherSegmentMember 		 
Debt Face Amount 406,217us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_NonrecourseOtherSegmentMember 		553,833us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_NonrecourseOtherSegmentMember 		 
Debt Carrying Value 406,217nct_DebtGrossSegmentDisclosure
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_NonrecourseOtherSegmentMember 		550,177nct_DebtGrossSegmentDisclosure
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_NonrecourseOtherSegmentMember 		 
Non-recourse [Member] | Subprime Mortgage Loans subject to Call Options [Member]      
Investments Face Amount 406,217us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalancePrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= nct_SubprimeMortgageLoansSubjectCallOptionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_NonrecourseOtherSegmentMember 		406,217us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalancePrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= nct_SubprimeMortgageLoansSubjectCallOptionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_NonrecourseOtherSegmentMember 		 
Investments Carrying Value 406,217us-gaap_Investments
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= nct_SubprimeMortgageLoansSubjectCallOptionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_NonrecourseOtherSegmentMember 		406,217us-gaap_Investments
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= nct_SubprimeMortgageLoansSubjectCallOptionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_NonrecourseOtherSegmentMember 		 
Debt Face Amount 406,217us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= nct_SubprimeMortgageLoansSubjectCallOptionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_NonrecourseOtherSegmentMember 		406,217us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= nct_SubprimeMortgageLoansSubjectCallOptionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_NonrecourseOtherSegmentMember 		 
Debt Carrying Value 406,217nct_DebtGrossSegmentDisclosure
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= nct_SubprimeMortgageLoansSubjectCallOptionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_NonrecourseOtherSegmentMember 		406,217nct_DebtGrossSegmentDisclosure
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= nct_SubprimeMortgageLoansSubjectCallOptionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_NonrecourseOtherSegmentMember 		 
Non-recourse [Member] | Manufactured Housing Loan Portfolio I [Member]      
Investments Face Amount   102,681us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalancePrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= nct_ManufacturedHousingLoanPortfolioIMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_NonrecourseOtherSegmentMember 		 
Investments Carrying Value   91,924us-gaap_Investments
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= nct_ManufacturedHousingLoanPortfolioIMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_NonrecourseOtherSegmentMember 		 
Debt Face Amount   53,753us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= nct_ManufacturedHousingLoanPortfolioIMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_NonrecourseOtherSegmentMember 		 
Debt Carrying Value   50,424nct_DebtGrossSegmentDisclosure
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= nct_ManufacturedHousingLoanPortfolioIMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_NonrecourseOtherSegmentMember 		 
Non-recourse [Member] | Manufactured Housing Loan Portfolio II [Member]      
Investments Face Amount   128,975us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalancePrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= nct_ManufacturedHousingLoanPortfolioIIMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_NonrecourseOtherSegmentMember 		 
Investments Carrying Value   128,117us-gaap_Investments
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= nct_ManufacturedHousingLoanPortfolioIIMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_NonrecourseOtherSegmentMember 		 
Debt Face Amount   93,863us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= nct_ManufacturedHousingLoanPortfolioIIMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_NonrecourseOtherSegmentMember 		 
Debt Carrying Value   93,536nct_DebtGrossSegmentDisclosure
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= nct_ManufacturedHousingLoanPortfolioIIMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_NonrecourseOtherSegmentMember 		 
Non-recourse [Member] | Real Estate Securities [Member]      
Investments Face Amount   56,466us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalancePrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= nct_RealEstateSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_NonrecourseOtherSegmentMember 		 
Investments Carrying Value   50,961us-gaap_Investments
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= nct_RealEstateSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_NonrecourseOtherSegmentMember 		 
Other [Member] | Unlevered Real Estate Securities [Member]      
Investments Face Amount 167,457us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalancePrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= nct_RealEstateSecurities1Member
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_OtherOtherSegmentMember 		129,563us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalancePrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= nct_RealEstateSecurities1Member
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_OtherOtherSegmentMember 		 
Investments Carrying Value 12,265us-gaap_Investments
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= nct_RealEstateSecurities1Member
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_OtherOtherSegmentMember 		4,296us-gaap_Investments
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= nct_RealEstateSecurities1Member
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_OtherOtherSegmentMember 		 
Other [Member] | Levered Real Estate Securities [Member]      
Investments Face Amount 390,771us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalancePrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= nct_RealEstateSecurities2Member
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_OtherOtherSegmentMember 		514,994us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalancePrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= nct_RealEstateSecurities2Member
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_OtherOtherSegmentMember 		 
Investments Carrying Value 407,689us-gaap_Investments
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= nct_RealEstateSecurities2Member
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_OtherOtherSegmentMember 		551,270us-gaap_Investments
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= nct_RealEstateSecurities2Member
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_OtherOtherSegmentMember 		 
Debt Face Amount 385,282us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= nct_RealEstateSecurities2Member
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_OtherOtherSegmentMember 		516,134us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= nct_RealEstateSecurities2Member
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_OtherOtherSegmentMember 		 
Debt Carrying Value 385,282nct_DebtGrossSegmentDisclosure
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= nct_RealEstateSecurities2Member
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_OtherOtherSegmentMember 		516,134nct_DebtGrossSegmentDisclosure
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= nct_RealEstateSecurities2Member
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_OtherOtherSegmentMember 		 
Other [Member] | Other Investments [Member]      
Investments Carrying Value 6,479us-gaap_Investments
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_OtherOtherSegmentMember 		6,160us-gaap_Investments
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_OtherOtherSegmentMember 		 
Other [Member] | Residential Mortgage Loans [Member]      
Investments Face Amount 934us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalancePrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_OtherOtherSegmentMember 		45,323us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalancePrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_OtherOtherSegmentMember 		 
Investments Carrying Value 643us-gaap_Investments
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_OtherOtherSegmentMember 		34,007us-gaap_Investments
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_OtherOtherSegmentMember 		 
Debt Face Amount   25,119us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_OtherOtherSegmentMember 		 
Debt Carrying Value   25,119nct_DebtGrossSegmentDisclosure
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_OtherOtherSegmentMember 		 
Other Debt [Member]      
Investments Face Amount 965,379us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalancePrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_OtherDebtSegmentMember 		1,384,219us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalancePrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_OtherDebtSegmentMember 		 
Investments Carrying Value 833,293us-gaap_Investments
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_OtherDebtSegmentMember 		[3],[4] 1,272,952us-gaap_Investments
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_OtherDebtSegmentMember 		[3],[4]  
Debt Face Amount 791,499us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_OtherDebtSegmentMember 		1,095,086us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_OtherDebtSegmentMember 		 
Debt Carrying Value $ 791,499nct_DebtGrossSegmentDisclosure
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_OtherDebtSegmentMember 		$ 1,091,430nct_DebtGrossSegmentDisclosure
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= nct_OtherDebtSegmentMember 		 
[1] Net of $35.1 million and $87.7 million of inter-segment eliminations as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
[2] This CDO was not in compliance with its applicable over collateralization tests as of December 31, 2014. Newcastle is not receiving cash flows from this CDO (other than senior management fees and cash flows on senior classes of bonds that were repurchased), since net interest is being used to repay debt, and expects this CDO to remain out of compliance for the forseeable future.
[3] Assets held within non-recourse structures, including all of the assets in the senior housing and CDO segments, are not available to satisfy obligations outside of such financings, except to the extent net cash flow distributions are received from such structures. Furthermore, creditors or beneficial interest holders of these structures generally have no recourse to the general credit of Newcastle. Therefore, the exposure to the economic losses from such structures generally is limited to invested equity in them and economically their book value cannot be less than zero. Therefore, impairment recorded in excess of Newcastle?s investment, which results in negative GAAP book value for a given non-recourse financing structure, cannot economically be incurred and will eventually be reversed through amortization, sales at gains, or as gains at the deconsolidation or termination of such non-recourse financing structure.
[4] The following table summarizes the investments and debt in the other debt segment (See Schedule of other debt segment investments and debt).