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 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)		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 losses 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
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)		906,242
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans, net of restricted stock cancellations	33,242	1	33,241			33,242
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	3,148		3,148			3,148
Net income	353,213			157,096		157,096	196,117
Capital calls and distributions, net	7,922						7,922
Net change in unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(99,308)				(99,308)	(99,308)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	(3,802)				(3,802)	(3,802)
Share-based compensation expense	18,826		18,826			18,826
Other, net	4		3	1		4
Balance at Sep. 30, 2013	$ 2,923,644	$ 46	$ 607,463	$ 1,331,975	$ 5,443	$ 1,944,927	$ 978,717
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2013		45,608,370