Interim Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Total SVBFG Stockholders' Equity	Noncontrolling Interests
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 1,748,278	$ 42	$ 422,334	$ 827,831	$ 24,143	$ 1,274,350	$ 473,928
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010		42,268,201
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans, net of restricted stock cancellations (in shares)		999,655
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans, net of restricted stock cancellations	30,272	1	30,271			30,272
Common stock issued upon settlement of 3.875% Convertible Notes, net of shares received from associated convertible note hedge		1,024
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Conversion of Convertible Securities	0	0				0
Income tax benefit from stock options exercised, vesting of restricted stock and other	6,548		6,548			6,548
Net income	238,903			136,328		136,328	102,575
Capital calls and distributions, net	79,727						79,727
Net change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	77,486				77,486	77,486
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	(2,176)				(2,176)	(2,176)
Share-based compensation expense	13,290		13,290			13,290
Balance at Sep. 30, 2011	2,192,328	43	472,443	964,159	99,453	1,536,098	656,230
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2011		43,268,880
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	2,250,389	44	484,216	999,733	85,399	1,569,392	680,997
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011		43,507,932
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans, net of restricted stock cancellations (in shares)		929,032
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans, net of restricted stock cancellations	27,351	1	27,350			27,351
Common stock issued under ESOP (in shares)		73,560
Common stock issued under ESOP	4,345	0	4,345			4,345
Income tax benefit from stock options exercised, vesting of restricted stock and other	6,312		6,312			6,312
Net income	150,151			124,682		124,682	25,469
Capital calls and distributions, net	63,956						63,956
Net change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	36,170				36,170	36,170
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	441				441	441
Share-based compensation expense	16,231		16,231			16,231
Balance at Sep. 30, 2012	$ 2,555,346	$ 45	$ 538,454	$ 1,124,415	$ 122,010	$ 1,784,924	$ 770,422
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2012		44,510,524