Segment Reporting - Net Revenues, Expenses and Total Assets by Segment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016	Nov. 30, 2016
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net revenues	$ 800,692	$ 654,450	$ 2,375,499	$ 1,672,845
Non-interest expenses	678,428	573,728	2,012,855	1,739,402
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	122,264	80,722	362,644	(66,557)
Segment assets	39,358,421		39,358,421		$ 36,941,276
Capital Markets
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net revenues	788,400	641,900	2,349,600	1,601,600
Non-interest expenses	663,400	558,200	1,971,900	1,693,600
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	125,000	83,700	377,700	(92,000)
Segment assets	38,353,100		38,353,100		35,931,800
Asset Management
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net revenues	12,300	12,600	25,900	71,200
Non-interest expenses	15,000	15,500	41,000	45,800
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	(2,700)	$ (2,900)	(15,100)	$ 25,400
Segment assets	$ 1,005,300		$ 1,005,300		$ 1,009,500