Form: S-3ASR

Automatic shelf registration statement of securities of well-known seasoned issuers

November 22, 2011

 
Exhibit 23.2
  
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” in the Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related prospectus of MFA Financial, Inc. for the registration of 10,000,000 shares of its common stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our reports dated February 14, 2011 with respect to the consolidated financial statements of MFA Financial, Inc. and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of MFA Financial, Inc., included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2010, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
 
New York, New York
November 21, 2011