Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Statement of Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income before noncontrolling interests	$ 249,813	$ 282,793	$ 136,817
Change in cumulative translation (losses) gains:
Foreign currency translation (losses) gains	(766)	(7,500)	1,809
Related tax benefit (expense)	308	3,067	(739)
Change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized holding gains	44,113	148,257	53,776
Related tax expense	(17,921)	(60,630)	(21,913)
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income	(4,241)	(37,127)	(24,823)
Related tax benefit	1,661	15,189	10,128
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	23,154	61,256	18,238
Comprehensive income	272,967	344,049	155,055
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(74,710)	(110,891)	(41,866)
Comprehensive income attributable to SVBFG	$ 198,257	$ 233,158	$ 113,189