8. Investment In and Advances to Affiliates (Details Narrative) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Net (loss) income	$ (1,369,000)	$ 625,000
Distribution from equity investees	73,000	2,000
Undistributed earnings	7,800,000
SiebertBrandfordShankAndCoLlcMember
General and administrative services	25,000	19,000
Net (loss) income	(602,000)	(146,000)
SbsFinancialProductsCompanyLlcMember
Net (loss) income	(92,000)	(8,000)
Acumulated distributions in excess of cumulative earnings	409,000
Companys share in accumulated distributions	$ 136,000