Published on February 11, 2010
Exhibit
23.1
Consent
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We
consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form
S-3 Nos. 333-146819 and 333-155730 of MFA Financial, Inc. and in the related
Prospectuses, and in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 Nos. 333-39772,
333-67758 and 333-121365 pertaining to the Amended and Restated 2004 Equity
Compensation Plan of MFA Financial, Inc., of our reports dated
February 11, 2010, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of MFA
Financial, Inc. and the effectiveness of internal control over financial
reporting of MFA Financial, Inc. both included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K)
for the year ended December 31, 2009.
/s/ ERNST
& YOUNG LLP
New York,
New York
February
11, 2010