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, 2009	$ 1,474,110	$ 41	$ 389,490	$ 732,907	$ 5,905	$ 1,128,343	$ 345,767
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2009		41,338,389
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans, net of restricted stock cancellations (in shares)		929,812
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans, net of restricted stock cancellations	24,019	1	24,018			24,019
Income tax benefit from stock options exercised, vesting of restricted stock and other	3,962		3,962			3,962
Net income	136,817			94,951		94,951	41,866
Capital calls and distributions, net	85,699						85,699
Net change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	17,168				17,168	17,168
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	1,070				1,070	1,070
Share-based compensation expense	13,558		13,558			13,558
Repurchase of warrant under Capital Purchase Program	(6,820)		(6,820)			(6,820)
Purchase of remaining interest in eProsper	(1,300)		(1,896)			(1,896)	596
Other, net	(5)		22	(27)		(5)
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)		1,238,707
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans, net of restricted stock cancellations	36,873	2	36,871			36,873
Income tax benefit from stock options exercised, vesting of restricted stock and other	7,140		7,140			7,140
Net income	282,793			171,902		171,902	110,891
Capital calls and distributions, net	96,178						96,178
Net change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	65,689				65,689	65,689
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	(4,433)				(4,433)	(4,433)
Share-based compensation expense	17,871		17,871			17,871
Common stock issued upon settlement of 3.875% Convertible Notes, net of shares received from associated convertible note hedge (in shares)		1,024
Common stock issued upon settlement of 3.875% Convertible Notes, net of shares received from associated convertible note hedge	0	0				0
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)		1,045,690
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans, net of restricted stock cancellations	29,282	1	29,281			29,282
Income tax benefit from stock options exercised, vesting of restricted stock and other	7,770		7,770			7,770
Net income	249,813			175,103		175,103	74,710
Capital calls and distributions, net	59,057						59,057
Net change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	23,612				23,612	23,612
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	(458)				(458)	(458)
Share-based compensation expense	21,468		21,468			21,468
Other, net	42			42		42
Common stock issued under ESOP (in shares)		73,560
Common stock issued under ESOP	4,344	0	4,344			4,344
Deconsolidation of noncontrolling interests	(40,086)						(40,086)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 2,605,233	$ 45	$ 547,079	$ 1,174,878	$ 108,553	$ 1,830,555	$ 774,678
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012		44,627,182