PARENT COMPANY INFORMATION (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Revenues
Interest income	$ 1,964	$ 2,300	$ 671
Expenses
Interest expense	26,885	25,759	11,063
Other expenses	34,777	35,803	24,041
Total other expenses	788,302	880,689	763,241
Benefit from income taxes	(8,387)	(2,647)	(5,884)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax	8,569	10,466	3,974
GFI's net (loss) income	(9,953)	(3,181)	25,615
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(3,201)	2,123
GFI's comprehensive (loss) income	(456)	(7,717)	27,851
Parent Company
Revenues
Interest income	39	110	4
Expenses
Interest expense	24,968	22,618	9,210
Other expenses	1,284	996	1,028
Total other expenses	26,252	23,614	10,238
Loss before benefit from income taxes and equity in earnings of subsidiaries	(26,213)	(23,504)	(10,234)
Benefit from income taxes	6,097	8,226	1,892
Loss before equity in earnings of subsidiaries	(20,116)	(15,278)	(8,342)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax	10,163	12,097	33,957
GFI's net (loss) income	(9,953)	(3,181)	25,615
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	9,244	(3,050)	2,054
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	253	(1,486)	182
GFI's comprehensive (loss) income	$ (456)	$ (7,717)	$ 27,851