<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

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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_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_01a0639f-194f-7034-8cab-5a11eca366cf_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/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.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_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber_01a0639f-194f-7da8-aee1-014f5fb4d104_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/2026/dei-2026.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_EntityFileNumber_01a0639f-194f-7d8f-8a9d-af6751b63097_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/2026/dei-2026.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_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/2026/dei-2026.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_Security12bTitle_01a0639f-194f-77b8-8351-666353ee1fb9_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/2026/dei-2026.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_mfa_SeriesBCumulativeRedeemablePreferredStockMember_01a0639f-194f-7aeb-a4ee-ea8b1c5538bd_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-20261104.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_LocalPhoneNumber_01a0639f-194f-7391-b9ea-0049e52f7347_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/2026/dei-2026.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_01a0639f-194f-7bcf-bfcf-700002367fa5_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/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.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_SolicitingMaterial_01a0639f-194f-70bf-a3f0-7efe75f28931_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/2026/dei-2026.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_EntityAddressAddressLine1_01a0639f-194f-7c8e-a9f7-004097a7c79f_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/2026/dei-2026.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_EntityAddressPostalZipCode_01a0639f-194f-715c-8331-7f1c82bc8066_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/2026/dei-2026.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_EntityRegistrantName_01a0639f-194f-7151-a8eb-f03483438298_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/2026/dei-2026.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_mfa_A9.00SeniorNotesDue2029Member_01a0639f-194f-73bf-afcf-f4c33770fb41_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-20261104.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_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince_01a0639f-194f-783e-953c-47bf0f8028ec_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/2026/dei-2026.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_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode_01a0639f-194f-7cd2-a370-f66264d6d7fe_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/2026/dei-2026.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_WrittenCommunications_01a0639f-194f-7721-88b8-09e45a7b0a22_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/2026/dei-2026.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_TradingSymbol_01a0639f-194f-70be-8a81-fca1b1e0db5c_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/2026/dei-2026.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_dei_CityAreaCode_01a0639f-194f-7c81-8f71-7f67e5163698_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/2026/dei-2026.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_SeriesCFixedToFloatingRateCumulativeRedeemablePreferredStockMember_01a0639f-194f-7723-9ddc-83cc75e1f63b_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-20261104.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_DocumentInformationTable_01a0639f-194f-7e84-a665-2c66b3987198_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/2026/dei-2026.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_mfa_A8.875SeniorNotesDue2029Member_01a0639f-194f-7956-985a-5a2124ff4907_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-20261104.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_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate_01a0639f-194f-7ba0-907a-a3c30e9abd01_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/2026/dei-2026.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_AmendmentFlag_01a0639f-194f-7753-a91c-f6e721b606e0_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/2026/dei-2026.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_dei_PreCommencementIssuerTenderOffer_01a0639f-194f-7153-b711-6c1fee710f9f_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/2026/dei-2026.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_EntityAddressCityOrTown_01a0639f-194f-7005-a5a0-06d69fe4a1ab_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/2026/dei-2026.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_SecurityExchangeName_01a0639f-194f-7af9-97b8-6d53eb999ef9_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/2026/dei-2026.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_DocumentInformationLineItems_01a0639f-194f-7b97-9258-1903930b4a0b_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/2026/dei-2026.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_DocumentType_01a0639f-194f-789c-92ab-259b80ae3ef5_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/2026/dei-2026.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"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_01a0639f-194f-79f6-981b-9010e1a8b02a_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/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.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_PreCommencementTenderOffer_01a0639f-194f-70a1-92d8-c68b0d513ce2_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/2026/dei-2026.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_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey_01a0639f-194f-7e4b-8f3b-4e26f8684689_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/2026/dei-2026.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_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany_01a0639f-194f-7203-8e85-b32387df662b_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/2026/dei-2026.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"/>
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