Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Revenues
Commissions	$ 20,484,000	$ 24,058,000	$ 33,687,000	$ 47,216,000
Net dealer inventory gains	3,686,000	3,972,000	6,762,000	7,592,000
Investment banking	4,232,000	495,000	8,987,000	3,271,000
Total commission and fee revenues	28,402,000	28,525,000	49,436,000	58,079,000
Interest and dividends	663,000	939,000	1,366,000	1,848,000
Transfer fees and clearing services	2,141,000	2,252,000	3,971,000	4,988,000
Other	2,003,000	1,937,000	3,835,000	3,712,000
Total Revenues	33,209,000	33,653,000	58,608,000	68,627,000
Operating Expenses
Commissions, compensation and fees	29,682,000	30,018,000	52,412,000	61,182,000
Clearing fees	374,000	489,000	834,000	1,158,000
Communications	1,162,000	1,132,000	2,362,000	2,268,000
Occupancy, equipment and other administrative costs	1,345,000	1,314,000	2,206,000	2,096,000
Professional fees	643,000	680,000	1,174,000	989,000
Interest	276,000	289,000	552,000	585,000
Taxes, licenses, registration	440,000	467,000	803,000	804,000
Total Operating Expenses	33,922,000	34,389,000	60,343,000	69,082,000
Net Loss from Operations	(713,000)	(736,000)	(1,735,000)	(455,000)
Other Expense
Loss on disposition of unconsolidated joint venture	(1,051,000)		(1,051,000)
Increase in fair value of derivative liabilities		(2,221,000)		(1,603,000)
Total Other Expense	(1,051,000)	(2,221,000)	(1,051,000)	(1,603,000)
Net loss before non-controlling interest	(1,764,000)	(2,957,000)	(2,786,000)	(2,058,000)
Non-controlling interest	(4,000)	(15,000)	(17,000)	(4,000)
Net loss	(1,760,000)	(2,942,000)	(2,769,000)	(2,054,000)
Preferred stock dividends		(103,000)	(93,000)	(207,000)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders	$ (1,760,000)	$ (3,045,000)	$ (2,862,000)	$ (2,261,000)
LOSS PER COMMON SHARE
Net loss attributable to common stockholders: Basic (in Dollars per share)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.12)	$ (0.03)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders: Diluted (in Dollars per share)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.12)	$ (0.03)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding: Basic (in Shares)	26,088,530	20,232,815	23,855,581	18,943,242
Weighted average number of shares outstanding: Diluted (in Shares)	26,088,530	20,232,815	23,855,581	18,943,242