Condensed Balance Sheet (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,008,983		$ 1,114,948		$ 3,076,432	$ 3,512,853
Investment securities	12,527,442		11,540,486
Net loans	8,836,282		6,880,135
Other assets	326,871		376,854
Total assets	22,766,123		19,968,894
Liabilities and total equity
Other long-term debt	0	[1]	1,439	[1]
Other liabilities	360,566		405,321
Total liabilities	20,160,890		17,718,505
SVBFG stockholders' equity	1,830,555		1,569,392
Total liabilities and total equity	22,766,123		19,968,894
Parent Company
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	169,067		137,185		433,661	168,084
Investment securities	252,858		235,822
Net loans	8,869		10,903
Other assets	116,596		108,712
Total assets	2,255,804		1,996,053
Liabilities and total equity
Other long-term debt	0		1,439
Other liabilities	22,058		22,057
Total liabilities	425,249		426,661
SVBFG stockholders' equity	1,830,555		1,569,392
Total liabilities and total equity	2,255,804		1,996,053
Parent Company | 5.375% Senior Notes
Liabilities and total equity
Notes payable	347,995		347,793
Parent Company | 7.0% Junior Subordinated Debentures
Liabilities and total equity
Notes payable	55,196		55,372
Parent Company | Bank Subsidiaries
Assets:
Investment in subsidiaries	1,592,987		1,392,033
Parent Company | Nonbank Subsidiaries
Assets:
Investment in subsidiaries	$ 115,427		$ 111,398

[1] Represents long-term notes payable related to one of our debt fund investments. The last payment related to the notes was made in April 2012.