Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

FAIR VALUE - Assets and Liabilities Fair Value Recurring Basis (Details 1)

v2.4.1.9
FAIR VALUE - Assets and Liabilities Fair Value Recurring Basis (Details 1) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Assets:    
Real estate securities, available-for-sale $ 231,727us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities $ 231,754us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
Real estate securities, pledged as collateral 409,037us-gaap_PledgedAssetsSeparatelyReportedMortgageRelatedSecuritiesAvailableForSaleOrHeldForInvestment 407,689us-gaap_PledgedAssetsSeparatelyReportedMortgageRelatedSecuritiesAvailableForSaleOrHeldForInvestment
Derivative Liabilities:    
Derivative liabilities 4,639us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities 4,328us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
Carrying Value [Member]    
Assets:    
Real estate securities, available-for-sale 231,727us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
 
Real estate securities, pledged as collateral 409,037us-gaap_PledgedAssetsSeparatelyReportedMortgageRelatedSecuritiesAvailableForSaleOrHeldForInvestment
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
 
Derivative Liabilities:    
Interest rate swaps, treated as hedges 1,287us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeDerivativeInstrumentLiabilitiesAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
[1]  
Interest rate swapsand TBAs, not treated as hedges 3,352us-gaap_OtherDerivativesNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsLiabilitiesAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
[1]  
Estimated Fair Value [Member]    
Assets:    
Real estate securities, available-for-sale 231,727us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
 
Real estate securities, pledged as collateral 409,037us-gaap_PledgedAssetsSeparatelyReportedMortgageRelatedSecuritiesAvailableForSaleOrHeldForInvestment
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
 
Derivative Liabilities:    
Interest rate swaps, treated as hedges 1,287us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeDerivativeInstrumentLiabilitiesAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
[1]  
Interest rate swapsand TBAs, not treated as hedges 3,352us-gaap_OtherDerivativesNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsLiabilitiesAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
[1]  
Non-Agency RMBS [Member]    
Assets:    
Real estate securities, available-for-sale 44,460us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
[2]  
CDO Securities [Member]    
Assets:    
Real estate securities, available-for-sale 8,538us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember
[2],[3],[4]  
FNMA/FHLMC Securities [Member]    
Assets:    
Real estate securities, available-for-sale 409,037us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember
 
Measured on a Recurring Basis [Member] | Level 2 [Member]    
Assets:    
Real estate securities, pledged as collateral 409,037us-gaap_PledgedAssetsSeparatelyReportedMortgageRelatedSecuritiesAvailableForSaleOrHeldForInvestment
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
 
Derivative Liabilities:    
Interest rate swaps, treated as hedges 1,287us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeDerivativeInstrumentLiabilitiesAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
 
Interest rate swapsand TBAs, not treated as hedges 3,352us-gaap_OtherDerivativesNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsLiabilitiesAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
 
Derivative liabilities 4,639us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
 
Measured on a Recurring Basis [Member] | Level 3 Inputs [Member]    
Assets:    
Real estate securities, available-for-sale 223,189us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
 
Measured on a Recurring Basis [Member] | Level 3 Internal Pricing [Member]    
Assets:    
Real estate securities, available-for-sale 8,538us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= nct_FairValueInputsLevel3InternalPricingMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
 
Measured on a Recurring Basis [Member] | Carrying Value [Member]    
Assets:    
Real estate securities, available-for-sale 231,727us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
 
Real estate securities, pledged as collateral 409,037us-gaap_PledgedAssetsSeparatelyReportedMortgageRelatedSecuritiesAvailableForSaleOrHeldForInvestment
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
 
Derivative Liabilities:    
Interest rate swaps, treated as hedges 1,287us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeDerivativeInstrumentLiabilitiesAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
 
Interest rate swapsand TBAs, not treated as hedges 3,352us-gaap_OtherDerivativesNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsLiabilitiesAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
 
Derivative liabilities 4,639us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
 
Measured on a Recurring Basis [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]    
Assets:    
Real estate securities, available-for-sale 231,727us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
 
Real estate securities, pledged as collateral 409,037us-gaap_PledgedAssetsSeparatelyReportedMortgageRelatedSecuritiesAvailableForSaleOrHeldForInvestment
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
 
Derivative Liabilities:    
Interest rate swaps, treated as hedges 1,287us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeDerivativeInstrumentLiabilitiesAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
 
Interest rate swapsand TBAs, not treated as hedges 3,352us-gaap_OtherDerivativesNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsLiabilitiesAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
 
Derivative liabilities 4,639us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
 
Measured on a Recurring Basis [Member] | CMBS [Member] | Level 3 Inputs [Member]    
Assets:    
Real estate securities, available-for-sale 178,729us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
 
Measured on a Recurring Basis [Member] | CMBS [Member] | Carrying Value [Member]    
Assets:    
Real estate securities, available-for-sale 178,729us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
 
Measured on a Recurring Basis [Member] | CMBS [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]    
Assets:    
Real estate securities, available-for-sale 178,729us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
 
Measured on a Recurring Basis [Member] | Non-Agency RMBS [Member] | Level 3 Inputs [Member]    
Assets:    
Real estate securities, available-for-sale 44,460us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
 
Measured on a Recurring Basis [Member] | Non-Agency RMBS [Member] | Carrying Value [Member]    
Assets:    
Real estate securities, available-for-sale 44,460us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
 
Measured on a Recurring Basis [Member] | Non-Agency RMBS [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]    
Assets:    
Real estate securities, available-for-sale 44,460us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
 
Measured on a Recurring Basis [Member] | CDO Securities [Member] | Level 3 Internal Pricing [Member]    
Assets:    
Real estate securities, available-for-sale 8,538us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= nct_FairValueInputsLevel3InternalPricingMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember
[5],[6]  
Measured on a Recurring Basis [Member] | CDO Securities [Member] | Carrying Value [Member]    
Assets:    
Real estate securities, available-for-sale 8,538us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember
[5],[6]  
Measured on a Recurring Basis [Member] | CDO Securities [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]    
Assets:    
Real estate securities, available-for-sale 8,538us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember
[5],[6]  
Measured on a Recurring Basis [Member] | FNMA/FHLMC Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]    
Assets:    
Real estate securities, pledged as collateral 409,037us-gaap_PledgedAssetsSeparatelyReportedMortgageRelatedSecuritiesAvailableForSaleOrHeldForInvestment
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember
 
Measured on a Recurring Basis [Member] | FNMA/FHLMC Securities [Member] | Carrying Value [Member]    
Assets:    
Real estate securities, pledged as collateral 490,037us-gaap_PledgedAssetsSeparatelyReportedMortgageRelatedSecuritiesAvailableForSaleOrHeldForInvestment
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember
 
Measured on a Recurring Basis [Member] | FNMA/FHLMC Securities [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]    
Assets:    
Real estate securities, pledged as collateral $ 409,037us-gaap_PledgedAssetsSeparatelyReportedMortgageRelatedSecuritiesAvailableForSaleOrHeldForInvestment
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember
 
[1] Represents derivative liabilities including interest rate swaps and TBA forward contracts (Note 12).
[2] See Note 13 regarding the estimation of fair value, which is equal to carrying value for all securities.
[3] The weighted average life is based on the timing of expected principal reduction on the assets.
[4] Represents non-consolidated CDO securities, excluding eight securities with a zero value, which had an aggregate face amount of $113.8 million.
[5] None of the gains (losses) recorded in earnings during the period is attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to Level 3 assets still held at the reporting date.
[6] Represents non-consolidated CDO securities, excluding eight securities with a zero value, which had an aggregate face amount of $113.8 million as of March 31, 2015.