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, 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
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
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
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
Common stock issued upon settlement of 3.875% Convertible Notes, net of shares received from associated convertible note hedge (in shares)		73,560
Common stock issued upon settlement of 3.875% Convertible Notes, net of shares received from associated convertible note hedge	4,344		4,344			4,344
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
Deconsolidation of noncontrolling interests	(40,086)						(40,086)
Other, net	42			42		42
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
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans, net of restricted stock cancellations (in shares)		1,098,290
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans, net of restricted stock cancellations	41,404	1	41,403			41,404
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	5,658		5,658			5,658
Net income	546,119			215,853		215,853	330,266
Capital calls and distributions, net	8,114						8,114
Net change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(154,013)				(154,013)	(154,013)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	(3,304)				(3,304)	(3,304)
Share-based compensation expense	24,947		24,947			24,947
Other, net	4		3	1		4
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 3,079,328	$ 46	$ 624,256	$ 1,390,732	$ (48,764)	$ 1,966,270	$ 1,113,058
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013		45,800,418