EX-23.3: CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Published on October 22, 2010
Exhibit
23.3
Consent
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We
consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in this
Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of MFA Financial, Inc.
for the registration of common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares and
warrants and to the incorporation by reference therein 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., included in its Annual
Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2009, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
New York,
New York
October
22, 2010