Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

REAL ESTATE SECURITIES - Real Estate Securities Holdings (Details)

v2.4.1.9
REAL ESTATE SECURITIES - Real Estate Securities Holdings (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Securities
Dec. 31, 2014
Carrying Value $ 231,727us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities $ 231,754us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
Total Securities Pledged as Collateral [Member]    
Outstanding Face Amount 389,056us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalancePrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_SecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralMember 		 
Before Impairment - Amortized Cost Basis 407,494nct_RESecuritiesBeforeImpairmentAmortCost
/ us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_SecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralMember 		 
Amortized Cost Basis After Impairment 407,494us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis
/ us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_SecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralMember 		 
Gains - gross unrealized 1,543us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGains
/ us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_SecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralMember 		 
Carrying Value 409,037us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_SecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralMember 		 
Number of securities 4us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalanceContracts
/ us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_SecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralMember 		 
Real Estate Securities Available For Sale [Member]    
Before Impairment - Amortized Cost Basis 295,829nct_RESecuritiesBeforeImpairmentAmortCost
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= nct_RealEstateSecuritiesAFSMember 		 
Other Than Temporary Impairment - Amortized Cost Basis (128,097)us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsCreditLossesOnDebtSecuritiesHeld
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= nct_RealEstateSecuritiesAFSMember 		 
Amortized Cost Basis After Impairment 167,732us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= nct_RealEstateSecuritiesAFSMember 		 
Gains - gross unrealized 64,288us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGains
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= nct_RealEstateSecuritiesAFSMember 		 
Losses - gross unrealized (293)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLoss
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= nct_RealEstateSecuritiesAFSMember 		 
Carrying Value 231,737us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= nct_RealEstateSecuritiesAFSMember 		 
Number of securities 62us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalanceContracts
/ us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis
= nct_RealEstateSecuritiesAFSMember 		 
CMBS [Member]    
Outstanding Face Amount 209,371us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalancePrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= nct_CMBSConduitMember 		 
Before Impairment - Amortized Cost Basis 207,761nct_RESecuritiesBeforeImpairmentAmortCost
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= nct_CMBSConduitMember 		 
Other Than Temporary Impairment - Amortized Cost Basis (65,861)us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsCreditLossesOnDebtSecuritiesHeld
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= nct_CMBSConduitMember 		 
Amortized Cost Basis After Impairment 141,900us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= nct_CMBSConduitMember 		 
Gains - gross unrealized 37,122us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGains
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= nct_CMBSConduitMember 		 
Losses - gross unrealized (293)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLoss
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= nct_CMBSConduitMember 		 
Carrying Value 178,729us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= nct_CMBSConduitMember 		[1]  
Number of securities 30us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalanceContracts
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= nct_CMBSConduitMember 		 
Weighted Average Rating B [2]  
Weighted Average Coupon 5.88%nct_CouponWeightedAverage
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= nct_CMBSConduitMember 		 
Weighted Average Yield 11.01%nct_YieldWeightedAverage
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= nct_CMBSConduitMember 		 
Weighted Average Life (Years) 2 years 4 months 24 days [3]  
Weighted Average Principal Subordination 11.90%nct_RESecuritiesPrincipalSubordinationWeightedAverage
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= nct_CMBSConduitMember 		[4]  
Non-Agency RMBS [Member]    
Outstanding Face Amount 64,720us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalancePrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember 		 
Before Impairment - Amortized Cost Basis 80,421nct_RESecuritiesBeforeImpairmentAmortCost
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember 		 
Other Than Temporary Impairment - Amortized Cost Basis (54,589)us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsCreditLossesOnDebtSecuritiesHeld
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember 		 
Amortized Cost Basis After Impairment 25,832us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember 		 
Gains - gross unrealized 18,628us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGains
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember 		 
Carrying Value 44,460us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember 		[1]  
Number of securities 28us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalanceContracts
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember 		 
Weighted Average Rating CCC [2]  
Weighted Average Coupon 1.24%nct_CouponWeightedAverage
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember 		 
Weighted Average Yield 10.08%nct_YieldWeightedAverage
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember 		 
Weighted Average Life (Years) 7 years 8 months 12 days [3]  
Weighted Average Principal Subordination 22.40%nct_RESecuritiesPrincipalSubordinationWeightedAverage
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember 		[4]  
ABS-Franchise [Member]    
Outstanding Face Amount 8,464us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalancePrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= nct_ABSFranchiseMember 		 
Before Impairment - Amortized Cost Basis 7,647nct_RESecuritiesBeforeImpairmentAmortCost
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= nct_ABSFranchiseMember 		 
Other Than Temporary Impairment - Amortized Cost Basis (7,647)us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsCreditLossesOnDebtSecuritiesHeld
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= nct_ABSFranchiseMember 		 
Number of securities 1us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalanceContracts
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= nct_ABSFranchiseMember 		 
Weighted Average Rating C [2]  
Weighted Average Coupon 6.69%nct_CouponWeightedAverage
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= nct_ABSFranchiseMember 		 
Weighted Average Yield 0.00%nct_YieldWeightedAverage
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= nct_ABSFranchiseMember 		 
CDO Securities [Member]    
Outstanding Face Amount 14,466us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalancePrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember 		[3],[5]  
Gains - gross unrealized 8,538us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGains
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember 		[3],[5]  
Carrying Value 8,538us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember 		[1],[3],[5]  
Number of securities 2us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalanceContracts
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember 		[3],[5]  
Weighted Average Rating CCC- [2],[3],[5]  
Weighted Average Coupon 1.47%nct_CouponWeightedAverage
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember 		[3],[5]  
Weighted Average Yield 0.00%nct_YieldWeightedAverage
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember 		 
Weighted Average Life (Years) 11 years 1 month 6 days [3],[5]  
Weighted Average Principal Subordination 15.10%nct_RESecuritiesPrincipalSubordinationWeightedAverage
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember 		[3],[5]  
Debt Securities [Member]    
Outstanding Face Amount 297,021us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalancePrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember 		[6]  
Before Impairment - Amortized Cost Basis 295,829nct_RESecuritiesBeforeImpairmentAmortCost
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember 		[6]  
Other Than Temporary Impairment - Amortized Cost Basis (128,097)us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsCreditLossesOnDebtSecuritiesHeld
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember 		[6]  
Amortized Cost Basis After Impairment 167,732us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember 		[6]  
Gains - gross unrealized 64,288us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGains
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember 		[6]  
Losses - gross unrealized (293)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLoss
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember 		[6]  
Carrying Value 231,727us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember 		[1],[6]  
Number of securities 61us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalanceContracts
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember 		[6]  
Weighted Average Rating B- [2],[6]  
Weighted Average Coupon 4.68%nct_CouponWeightedAverage
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember 		[6]  
Weighted Average Yield 10.87%nct_YieldWeightedAverage
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember 		 
Weighted Average Life (Years) 3 years 10 months 25 days [3],[6]  
Equity Securities [Member]    
Number of securities 1us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalanceContracts
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember 		 
FNMA/FHLMC Securities [Member]    
Outstanding Face Amount 389,056us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalancePrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember 		 
Before Impairment - Amortized Cost Basis 407,494nct_RESecuritiesBeforeImpairmentAmortCost
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember 		 
Amortized Cost Basis After Impairment 407,494us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember 		 
Gains - gross unrealized 1,543us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGains
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember 		 
Carrying Value $ 409,037us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember 		 
Number of securities 4us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalanceContracts
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember 		 
Weighted Average Rating AAA [2]  
Weighted Average Coupon 3.50%nct_CouponWeightedAverage
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember 		 
Weighted Average Yield 2.72%nct_YieldWeightedAverage
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember 		 
Weighted Average Life (Years) 7 years 1 month 6 days [3]  
[1] See Note 13 regarding the estimation of fair value, which is equal to carrying value for all securities.
[2] Represents the weighted average of the ratings of all securities in each asset type, expressed as an S&P equivalent rating. For each security rated by multiple rating agencies, the lowest rating is used. Newcastle uses an implied AAA rating for the FNMA/FHLMC securities. Ratings provided were determined by third party rating agencies, represent the most recent credit ratings available as of the reporting date and may not be current.
[3] The weighted average life is based on the timing of expected principal reduction on the assets.
[4] Percentage of the outstanding face amount of securities and interests that is subordinate to Newcastle's investments.
[5] Represents non-consolidated CDO securities, excluding eight securities with a zero value, which had an aggregate face amount of $113.8 million.
[6] The total outstanding face amount was $0.6 billion for fixed rate securities and $0.1 billion for floating rate securities.