Interim Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	Total SVBFG Stockholders’ Equity	Noncontrolling Interests
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
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans, net of restricted stock cancellations (in shares)		821,462
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans, net of restricted stock cancellations	24,303	0	24,303			24,303
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	5,323		5,323			5,323
Net income	97,011			82,393		82,393	14,618
Capital calls and distributions, net	33,350						33,350
Net change in unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	19,987				19,987	19,987
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	(1,309)				(1,309)	(1,309)
Share-based compensation expense	10,926		10,926			10,926
Balance at Jun. 30, 2012	2,444,325	44	529,113	1,082,126	104,077	1,715,360	728,965
Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2012		44,402,954
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
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans, net of restricted stock cancellations (in shares)		758,415
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans, net of restricted stock cancellations	27,120	0	27,120			27,120
Common stock issued under ESOP (in shares)		74,946
Common stock issued under ESOP	5,166	0	5,166			5,166
Income tax benefit from stock options exercised, vesting of restricted stock and other	1,515		1,515			1,515
Net income	137,033			89,475		89,475	47,558
Capital calls and distributions, net	1,903						1,903
Net change in unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(115,431)				(115,431)	(115,431)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	(2,893)				(2,893)	(2,893)
Share-based compensation expense	12,445		12,445			12,445
Other, net	4		3	1		4
Balance at Jun. 30, 2013	$ 2,672,095	$ 45	$ 593,328	$ 1,264,354	$ (9,771)	$ 1,847,956	$ 824,139
Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2013		45,460,543