Stockholders' Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended		9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	16 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Nov. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Apr. 28, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Stock repurchase program
Dividends paid by subsidiary	$ 50,000
Repurchase common stock authorized amount						$ 30,000
Repurchase of common stock			$ 30,000	$ 30,028
Payments to repurchase and retire shares				$ 30,028
Repurchased and retired (in shares)				1,390,977
Repurchased and retired, average (per share)				$ 21.56
Preferred stock, value							$ 114,068
Bank
Stock repurchase program
Earnings available for dividend payments without regulatory approval				$ 312,400
NLC
Stock repurchase program
Maximum dividends that may be paid without regulatory approval				$ 15,200
Series B Preferred Stock
Stock repurchase program
Preferred stock, shares outstanding		114,068					114,068
Preferred stock, value							$ 114,100
Dividend rate (as a percent)					5.00%
Aggregate liquidation value					$ 114,100
Unpaid dividend					$ 400
Series B Preferred Stock | Plains Capital
Stock repurchase program
Number of shares of Hilltop Series B Preferred Stock into which each outstanding share of PlainsCapital Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series C is converted		1