Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income before noncontrolling interests	$ 546,119	$ 249,813	$ 282,793
Change in cumulative translation losses:
Foreign currency translation losses	(5,483)	(766)	(7,500)
Related tax benefit	2,179	308	3,067
Change in unrealized (losses) gains on available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized holding (losses) gains	(259,193)	44,113	148,257
Related tax benefit (expense)	105,500	(17,921)	(60,630)
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income	(538)	(4,241)	(37,127)
Related tax expense	218	1,661	15,189
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(157,317)	23,154	61,256
Comprehensive income	388,802	272,967	344,049
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(330,266)	(74,710)	(110,891)
Comprehensive income attributable to SVBFG	$ 58,536	$ 198,257	$ 233,158