Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

REAL ESTATE RELATED LOANS, RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOANS AND SUBPRIME MORTGAGE LOANS - Schedule of Loans (Details)

v2.4.1.9
REAL ESTATE RELATED LOANS, RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOANS AND SUBPRIME MORTGAGE LOANS - Schedule of Loans (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Loans
Dec. 31, 2013
Outstanding face amount $ 328,101us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateFaceAmountOfMortgages  
Carrying value 230,200us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount  
Loan Count 14nct_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNumberOfLoans1  
Weighted Average Yield 14.82%nct_YieldWeightedAverage [1],[2]  
Weighted Average Coupon 10.39%us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateInterestRate [1],[2]  
Weighted Average Life (Years) 1 year 7 months 6 days  
Mezzanine Loans [Member]    
Outstanding face amount 131,551us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateFaceAmountOfMortgages
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_MezzanineLoansMember 		 
Carrying value 103,582us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_MezzanineLoansMember 		[3] 139,720us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_MezzanineLoansMember
Loan Count 7nct_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNumberOfLoans1
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_MezzanineLoansMember 		 
Weighted Average Yield 7.79%nct_YieldWeightedAverage
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_MezzanineLoansMember 		6.63%nct_YieldWeightedAverage
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_MezzanineLoansMember
Weighted Average Coupon 7.20%us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateInterestRate
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_MezzanineLoansMember 		 
Weighted Average Life (Years) 1 year 2 months 12 days [4]  
Floating Rate Loans as a % of Face Amount 71.90%nct_RELoansFloatingRateLoansPercentageFace
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_MezzanineLoansMember 		 
Delinquent face amount 12,000us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstatePrincipalAmountOfDelinquentLoans
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_MezzanineLoansMember 		[5]  
Corporate Bank Loans [Member]    
Outstanding face amount 174,530us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateFaceAmountOfMortgages
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_BankLoanObligationsMember 		 
Carrying value 107,715us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_BankLoanObligationsMember 		[3] 166,710us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_BankLoanObligationsMember
Loan Count 5nct_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNumberOfLoans1
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_BankLoanObligationsMember 		 
Weighted Average Yield 22.08%nct_YieldWeightedAverage
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_BankLoanObligationsMember 		24.18%nct_YieldWeightedAverage
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_BankLoanObligationsMember
Weighted Average Coupon 13.19%us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateInterestRate
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_BankLoanObligationsMember 		 
Weighted Average Life (Years) 1 year 8 months 12 days [4]  
Floating Rate Loans as a % of Face Amount 0.60%nct_RELoansFloatingRateLoansPercentageFace
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_BankLoanObligationsMember 		 
B-Notes [Member]    
Outstanding face amount 21,865us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateFaceAmountOfMortgages
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_NotesReceivableMember 		 
Carrying value 18,748us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_NotesReceivableMember 		[3] 101,385us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_NotesReceivableMember
Loan Count 1nct_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNumberOfLoans1
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_NotesReceivableMember 		 
Weighted Average Yield 12.00%nct_YieldWeightedAverage
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_NotesReceivableMember 		10.12%nct_YieldWeightedAverage
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_NotesReceivableMember
Weighted Average Coupon 7.32%us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateInterestRate
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_NotesReceivableMember 		 
Weighted Average Life (Years) 4 years [4]  
Floating Rate Loans as a % of Face Amount 0.00%nct_RELoansFloatingRateLoansPercentageFace
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_NotesReceivableMember 		 
Whole Loans [Member]    
Outstanding face amount 155us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateFaceAmountOfMortgages
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_WholeLoansMember 		 
Carrying value 155us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_WholeLoansMember 		[3] 29,715us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_WholeLoansMember
Loan Count 1nct_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNumberOfLoans1
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_WholeLoansMember 		 
Weighted Average Yield 4.00%nct_YieldWeightedAverage
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_WholeLoansMember 		3.65%nct_YieldWeightedAverage
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_WholeLoansMember
Weighted Average Coupon 7.48%us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateInterestRate
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_WholeLoansMember 		 
Weighted Average Life (Years) 2 months 12 days [4]  
Floating Rate Loans as a % of Face Amount 0.00%nct_RELoansFloatingRateLoansPercentageFace
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_WholeLoansMember 		 
Total Real Estate Related and Other Loans Held-for-Sale, Net [Member]    
Outstanding face amount 328,101us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateFaceAmountOfMortgages
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_RealEstateRelatedAndOtherLoansHeldForSaleMember 		 
Carrying value 230,200us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_RealEstateRelatedAndOtherLoansHeldForSaleMember 		[3] 437,530us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_RealEstateRelatedAndOtherLoansHeldForSaleMember 		[6]
Loan Count 14nct_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNumberOfLoans1
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_RealEstateRelatedAndOtherLoansHeldForSaleMember 		 
Weighted Average Yield 14.82%nct_YieldWeightedAverage
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_RealEstateRelatedAndOtherLoansHeldForSaleMember 		13.92%nct_YieldWeightedAverage
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_RealEstateRelatedAndOtherLoansHeldForSaleMember
Weighted Average Coupon 10.39%us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateInterestRate
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_RealEstateRelatedAndOtherLoansHeldForSaleMember 		 
Weighted Average Life (Years) 1 year 7 months 6 days [4]  
Floating Rate Loans as a % of Face Amount 29.10%nct_RELoansFloatingRateLoansPercentageFace
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_RealEstateRelatedAndOtherLoansHeldForSaleMember 		 
Delinquent face amount 12,000us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstatePrincipalAmountOfDelinquentLoans
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_RealEstateRelatedAndOtherLoansHeldForSaleMember 		[5],[7]  
Residential Loans [Member]    
Outstanding face amount 4,309us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateFaceAmountOfMortgages
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialLoansMember 		 
Carrying value 3,854us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialLoansMember 		[3],[8] 35,409us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialLoansMember
Loan Count 6nct_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNumberOfLoans1
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialLoansMember 		 
Weighted Average Yield 23.48%nct_YieldWeightedAverage
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialLoansMember 		7.49%nct_YieldWeightedAverage
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialLoansMember
Weighted Average Coupon 1.84%us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateInterestRate
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialLoansMember 		 
Weighted Average Life (Years) 1 year 2 months 12 days [4]  
Floating Rate Loans as a % of Face Amount 100.00%nct_RELoansFloatingRateLoansPercentageFace
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialLoansMember 		 
Delinquent face amount 766us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstatePrincipalAmountOfDelinquentLoans
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialLoansMember 		[5]  
Total Residential Mortgage Loans Held-For-Sale [Member]    
Outstanding face amount 4,309us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateFaceAmountOfMortgages
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHeldForSaleMember 		 
Carrying value 3,854us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHeldForSaleMember 		2,185us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHeldForSaleMember 		[9]
Loan Count 6nct_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNumberOfLoans1
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHeldForSaleMember 		 
Weighted Average Yield 23.48%nct_YieldWeightedAverage
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHeldForSaleMember 		19.34%nct_YieldWeightedAverage
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHeldForSaleMember
Weighted Average Coupon 1.84%us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateInterestRate
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHeldForSaleMember 		 
Weighted Average Life (Years) 1 year 2 months 12 days [4]  
Floating Rate Loans as a % of Face Amount 100.00%nct_RELoansFloatingRateLoansPercentageFace
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHeldForSaleMember 		 
Delinquent face amount 766us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstatePrincipalAmountOfDelinquentLoans
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHeldForSaleMember 		[5]  
Subprime Mortgage Loans Subject to Call [Member]    
Outstanding face amount 406,217us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateFaceAmountOfMortgages
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_SubprimeMortgageLoansSubjectToCallMember 		 
Carrying value 406,217us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_SubprimeMortgageLoansSubjectToCallMember 		406,217us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_SubprimeMortgageLoansSubjectToCallMember
Non-Securitized Manufacturing Housing Loan Portfolio I [Member]    
Carrying value   130us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_NonSecuritizedManufacturingHousingLoanPortfolioIMember
Weighted Average Yield   81.79%nct_YieldWeightedAverage
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_NonSecuritizedManufacturingHousingLoanPortfolioIMember
Non-Securitized Manufacturing Housing Loan Portfolio II [Member]    
Carrying value   2,055us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_NonSecuritizedManufacturingHousingLoanPortfolioIIMember
Weighted Average Yield   15.39%nct_YieldWeightedAverage
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_NonSecuritizedManufacturingHousingLoanPortfolioIIMember
Securitized Manufacturing Housing Loan Portfolio I [Member]    
Carrying value   91,924us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_SecuritizedManufacturingHousingLoanPortfolioIMember
Weighted Average Yield   9.44%nct_YieldWeightedAverage
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_SecuritizedManufacturingHousingLoanPortfolioIMember
Securitized Manufacturing Housing Loan Portfolio II [Member]    
Carrying value   128,117us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_SecuritizedManufacturingHousingLoanPortfolioIIMember
Weighted Average Yield   8.11%nct_YieldWeightedAverage
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_SecuritizedManufacturingHousingLoanPortfolioIIMember
Total Residential Mortgage Loans Held For Investment [Member]    
Carrying value   $ 255,450us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHeldForInvestmentMember 		[10],[9]
Weighted Average Yield   8.50%nct_YieldWeightedAverage
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= nct_ResidentialMortgageLoansHeldForInvestmentMember
[1] For others, represents weighted average yield and weighted average coupon.
[2] Interest only payments over life to maturity and balloon principal payment upon maturity.
[3] The aggregate United States federal income tax basis for such assets at December 31, 2014 was approximately $253.5 million (unaudited), excluding the securitized subprime mortgage loans, which are fully consolidated for tax purposes. Carrying value includes negligible interest receivable for the residential housing loans.
[4] The weighted average life is based on the timing of expected principal reduction on the assets.
[5] Includes loans that are 60 days or more past due (including loans that are in foreclosure and borrowers in bankruptcy) or considered real estate owned ("REO"). As of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, $76.5 million and $76.5 million face amount of real estate related and other loans, respectively, was on non-accrual status.
[6] Loans which are more than 3% of the total current carrying value (or $13.1 million) at December 31, 2013 are as follows: (See Schedule of large loans)
[7] Includes loans that are non-performing, in foreclosure, or under bankruptcy.
[8] Carrying value includes negligible interest receivable for the residential housing loans.
[9] Loans acquired at a discount for credit quality.
[10] The following is an aging analysis of past due residential loans held-for-investment as of December 31, 2013: (See Schedule of aging of past due residential loans held for investment).