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<link:linkbase xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd">
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedPeriodStartLabel" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/lrr/role/negated-2009-12-16.xsd#negatedPeriodStartLabel"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/netLabel" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/lrr/role/net-2009-12-16.xsd#netLabel"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedNetLabel" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/lrr/role/negated-2009-12-16.xsd#negatedNetLabel"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedTerseLabel" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/lrr/role/negated-2009-12-16.xsd#negatedTerseLabel"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedPeriodEndLabel" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/lrr/role/negated-2009-12-16.xsd#negatedPeriodEndLabel"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/lrr/role/negated-2009-12-16.xsd#negatedLabel"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedTotalLabel" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/lrr/role/negated-2009-12-16.xsd#negatedTotalLabel"/>
  <link:labelLink xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/link" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:label id="lab_dei_SolicitingMaterial_019f24bf-112b-7134-9792-31e4eafa880d_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_SolicitingMaterial" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Soliciting Material</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_SolicitingMaterial_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_SolicitingMaterial" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Soliciting Material</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_SolicitingMaterial" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd#dei_SolicitingMaterial"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_dei_SolicitingMaterial" xlink:to="lab_dei_SolicitingMaterial" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_WrittenCommunications_019f24bf-112b-74b0-8a8d-b39e51a62366_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_WrittenCommunications" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Written Communications</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_WrittenCommunications_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_WrittenCommunications" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Written Communications</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_WrittenCommunications" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd#dei_WrittenCommunications"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_dei_WrittenCommunications" xlink:to="lab_dei_WrittenCommunications" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_LocalPhoneNumber_019f24bf-112b-7426-ad18-766a665ce008_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_LocalPhoneNumber" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Local Phone Number</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_LocalPhoneNumber_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_LocalPhoneNumber" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Local Phone Number</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LocalPhoneNumber" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd#dei_LocalPhoneNumber"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_dei_LocalPhoneNumber" xlink:to="lab_dei_LocalPhoneNumber" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019f24bf-112b-7308-8852-80c5d52c43fe_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Class of Stock [Domain]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Class of Stock [Domain]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019f24be-fef3-7177-97b5-627c73cda2cc_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Document Information [Line Items]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Document Information [Line Items]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd#dei_DocumentInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems" xlink:to="lab_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_AddressTypeDomain_019f24c3-76df-7521-bd64-04a51c0de833_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_AddressTypeDomain" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Address Type [Domain]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_AddressTypeDomain_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_AddressTypeDomain" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Address Type [Domain]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_AddressTypeDomain" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd#dei_AddressTypeDomain"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_dei_AddressTypeDomain" xlink:to="lab_dei_AddressTypeDomain" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_AmendmentFlag_019f24bf-112b-7627-8980-9cb407a3798c_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_AmendmentFlag" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Amendment Flag</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_AmendmentFlag_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_AmendmentFlag" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Amendment Flag</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_AmendmentFlag" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd#dei_AmendmentFlag"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_dei_AmendmentFlag" xlink:to="lab_dei_AmendmentFlag" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_mfa_SeriesCFixedToFloatingRateCumulativeRedeemablePreferredStockMember_019f24c9-6b24-76c7-87bb-50452cfbbdd8_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_mfa_SeriesCFixedToFloatingRateCumulativeRedeemablePreferredStockMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">6.50% Series C Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_mfa_SeriesCFixedToFloatingRateCumulativeRedeemablePreferredStockMember_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_mfa_SeriesCFixedToFloatingRateCumulativeRedeemablePreferredStockMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Series C Fixed-To-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_mfa_SeriesCFixedToFloatingRateCumulativeRedeemablePreferredStockMember_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_mfa_SeriesCFixedToFloatingRateCumulativeRedeemablePreferredStockMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Series C Fixed-To-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mfa_SeriesCFixedToFloatingRateCumulativeRedeemablePreferredStockMember" xlink:href="mfa-20260805.xsd#mfa_SeriesCFixedToFloatingRateCumulativeRedeemablePreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_mfa_SeriesCFixedToFloatingRateCumulativeRedeemablePreferredStockMember" xlink:to="lab_mfa_SeriesCFixedToFloatingRateCumulativeRedeemablePreferredStockMember" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany_019f24bf-112b-7715-a182-35ecb6ce9fd9_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Entity Emerging Growth Company</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Entity Emerging Growth Company</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd#dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany" xlink:to="lab_dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_EntityFileNumber_019f24bf-112b-784c-8c3f-4a6df36718b5_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_EntityFileNumber" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Entity File Number</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_EntityFileNumber_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_EntityFileNumber" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Entity File Number</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityFileNumber" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd#dei_EntityFileNumber"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityFileNumber" xlink:to="lab_dei_EntityFileNumber" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_SecurityExchangeName_019f24bf-112b-7763-b9de-a8958d0d843e_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_SecurityExchangeName" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Security Exchange Name</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_SecurityExchangeName_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_SecurityExchangeName" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Security Exchange Name</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_SecurityExchangeName" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd#dei_SecurityExchangeName"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_dei_SecurityExchangeName" xlink:to="lab_dei_SecurityExchangeName" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince_019f24bf-112b-7b1a-89d3-aac51c69563d_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Entity Address, State or Province</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Entity Address, State or Province</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd#dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince" xlink:to="lab_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1_019f24bf-112b-78ab-ba0d-32b8a7e6df22_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Entity Address, Address Line One</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Entity Address, Address Line One</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd#dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1" xlink:to="lab_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_FormerAddressMember_019f24c3-92a8-7ed6-a2d6-e8f47fdef392_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_FormerAddressMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Former Address</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_FormerAddressMember_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_FormerAddressMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Former Address [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_FormerAddressMember" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd#dei_FormerAddressMember"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_dei_FormerAddressMember" xlink:to="lab_dei_FormerAddressMember" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_CityAreaCode_019f24bf-112b-7ab7-ab0b-60cb93e82183_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_CityAreaCode" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">City Area Code</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_CityAreaCode_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_CityAreaCode" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">City Area Code</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_CityAreaCode" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd#dei_CityAreaCode"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_dei_CityAreaCode" xlink:to="lab_dei_CityAreaCode" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_mfa_A8.875SeniorNotesDue2029Member_019f24c5-04ad-7bcf-a62a-088ef408f6c8_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_mfa_A8.875SeniorNotesDue2029Member" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">8.875% Senior Notes due 2029</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_mfa_A8.875SeniorNotesDue2029Member_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_mfa_A8.875SeniorNotesDue2029Member" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">8.875% Senior Notes Due 2029 [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_mfa_A8.875SeniorNotesDue2029Member_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_mfa_A8.875SeniorNotesDue2029Member" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">8.875% Senior Notes Due 2029</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mfa_A8.875SeniorNotesDue2029Member" xlink:href="mfa-20260805.xsd#mfa_A8.875SeniorNotesDue2029Member"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_mfa_A8.875SeniorNotesDue2029Member" xlink:to="lab_mfa_A8.875SeniorNotesDue2029Member" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_mfa_SeriesBCumulativeRedeemablePreferredStockMember_019f24c9-085b-7c5e-a2d9-2f858ccc180d_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_mfa_SeriesBCumulativeRedeemablePreferredStockMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">7.50% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_mfa_SeriesBCumulativeRedeemablePreferredStockMember_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_mfa_SeriesBCumulativeRedeemablePreferredStockMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_mfa_SeriesBCumulativeRedeemablePreferredStockMember_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_mfa_SeriesBCumulativeRedeemablePreferredStockMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mfa_SeriesBCumulativeRedeemablePreferredStockMember" xlink:href="mfa-20260805.xsd#mfa_SeriesBCumulativeRedeemablePreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_mfa_SeriesBCumulativeRedeemablePreferredStockMember" xlink:to="lab_mfa_SeriesBCumulativeRedeemablePreferredStockMember" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_CoverAbstract_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_CoverAbstract" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Cover [Abstract]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_CoverAbstract" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd#dei_CoverAbstract"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_dei_CoverAbstract" xlink:to="lab_dei_CoverAbstract" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate_019f24bf-112b-739d-8d4a-e5dba1fd3980_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Document Period End Date</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Document Period End Date</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd#dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate" xlink:to="lab_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_DocumentInformationTable_019f24be-fef3-79da-9ab1-f0ad05dc88ce_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_DocumentInformationTable" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Document Information [Table]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_DocumentInformationTable_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_DocumentInformationTable" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Document Information [Table]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentInformationTable" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd#dei_DocumentInformationTable"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationTable" xlink:to="lab_dei_DocumentInformationTable" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_PreCommencementTenderOffer_019f24bf-112b-7016-983e-ec82c4079e37_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_PreCommencementTenderOffer" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Pre-commencement Tender Offer</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_PreCommencementTenderOffer_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_PreCommencementTenderOffer" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Pre-commencement Tender Offer</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_PreCommencementTenderOffer" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd#dei_PreCommencementTenderOffer"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_dei_PreCommencementTenderOffer" xlink:to="lab_dei_PreCommencementTenderOffer" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019f24bf-112b-74fd-b25c-5498ef0408a0_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Class of Stock [Axis]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Class of Stock [Axis]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey_019f24bf-112b-7daf-b367-f17e9e4698b5_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Entity Central Index Key</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Entity Central Index Key</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd#dei_EntityCentralIndexKey"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey" xlink:to="lab_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_PreCommencementIssuerTenderOffer_019f24bf-112b-7c16-80a1-90e6103da09f_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_PreCommencementIssuerTenderOffer" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_PreCommencementIssuerTenderOffer_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_PreCommencementIssuerTenderOffer" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_PreCommencementIssuerTenderOffer" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd#dei_PreCommencementIssuerTenderOffer"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_dei_PreCommencementIssuerTenderOffer" xlink:to="lab_dei_PreCommencementIssuerTenderOffer" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber_019f24bf-112b-7317-b640-698da1255912_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Entity Tax Identification Number</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Entity Tax Identification Number</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd#dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber" xlink:to="lab_dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_EntityAddressesAddressTypeAxis_019f24c3-76df-7161-abe5-c3e451f11794_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_EntityAddressesAddressTypeAxis" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Entity Addresses, Address Type [Axis]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_EntityAddressesAddressTypeAxis_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_EntityAddressesAddressTypeAxis" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Entity Addresses, Address Type [Axis]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressesAddressTypeAxis" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd#dei_EntityAddressesAddressTypeAxis"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityAddressesAddressTypeAxis" xlink:to="lab_dei_EntityAddressesAddressTypeAxis" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_EntityRegistrantName_019f24be-fef3-7290-ae67-9bcf2bc2e5ab_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_EntityRegistrantName" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Entity Registrant Name</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_EntityRegistrantName_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_EntityRegistrantName" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Entity Registrant Name</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityRegistrantName" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd#dei_EntityRegistrantName"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityRegistrantName" xlink:to="lab_dei_EntityRegistrantName" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_TradingSymbol_019f24bf-112b-76fa-a5d0-4e07f9d9e29f_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_TradingSymbol" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Trading Symbol</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_TradingSymbol_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_TradingSymbol" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Trading Symbol</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_TradingSymbol" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd#dei_TradingSymbol"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_dei_TradingSymbol" xlink:to="lab_dei_TradingSymbol" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_mfa_A9.00SeniorNotesDue2029Member_019f24c5-c9af-7339-9ed0-d0e0017b1739_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_mfa_A9.00SeniorNotesDue2029Member" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">9.00% Senior Notes due 2029</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_mfa_A9.00SeniorNotesDue2029Member_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_mfa_A9.00SeniorNotesDue2029Member" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">9.00% Senior Notes Due 2029 [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_mfa_A9.00SeniorNotesDue2029Member_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_mfa_A9.00SeniorNotesDue2029Member" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">9.00% Senior Notes Due 2029</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mfa_A9.00SeniorNotesDue2029Member" xlink:href="mfa-20260805.xsd#mfa_A9.00SeniorNotesDue2029Member"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_mfa_A9.00SeniorNotesDue2029Member" xlink:to="lab_mfa_A9.00SeniorNotesDue2029Member" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019f24bf-112b-72d7-a8e0-382805600398_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_CommonStockMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_CommonStockMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Common Stock [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_CommonStockMember" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode_019f24bf-112b-74cf-a26b-f337db9198ed_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd#dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode" xlink:to="lab_dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_Security12bTitle_019f24bf-112b-7b0b-b42f-4eec3954baba_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_Security12bTitle" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Title of 12(b) Security</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_Security12bTitle_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_Security12bTitle" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Title of 12(b) Security</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_Security12bTitle" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd#dei_Security12bTitle"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_dei_Security12bTitle" xlink:to="lab_dei_Security12bTitle" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode_019f24bf-112b-772e-83f4-001e57f3c089_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Entity Address, Postal Zip Code</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Entity Address, Postal Zip Code</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd#dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode" xlink:to="lab_dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown_019f24bf-112b-7926-bd09-d935d7708482_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Entity Address, City or Town</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Entity Address, City or Town</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd#dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown" xlink:to="lab_dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_DocumentType_019f24bf-112b-74cd-8d07-8599be844e0a_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_DocumentType" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Document Type</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_DocumentType_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_DocumentType" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Document Type</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentType" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd#dei_DocumentType"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentType" xlink:to="lab_dei_DocumentType" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
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