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 (Loss)	Total SVBFG Stockholders’ Equity	Noncontrolling Interests
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)		268,274
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans, net of restricted stock cancellations	12,895	0	12,895			12,895
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	(637)		(637)			(637)
Net income	60,545			40,891		40,891	19,654
Capital calls and (distributions), net	(14,493)						(14,493)
Net change in unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(12,409)				(12,409)	(12,409)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	(529)				(529)	(529)
Share-based compensation expense	6,286		6,286			6,286
Other, net	1			1		1
Balance at Mar. 31, 2013	2,662,058	45	570,789	1,215,770	95,615	1,882,219	779,839
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2013		44,970,402
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
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans, net of restricted stock cancellations (in shares)		103,341
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans, net of restricted stock cancellations	4,254	0	4,254			4,254
Common stock issued under ESOP (in shares)		30,762
Common stock issued under ESOP	3,890	0	3,890			3,890
Income tax benefit from stock options exercised, vesting of restricted stock and other	1,996		1,996			1,996
Net income	274,706			91,301		91,301	183,405
Capital calls and (distributions), net	(23,482)						(23,482)
Net change in unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	17,488				17,488	17,488
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	886				886	886
Share-based compensation expense	7,892		7,892			7,892
Other, net	23		23	0		23
Balance at Mar. 31, 2014	$ 3,366,981	$ 46	$ 642,311	$ 1,482,033	$ (30,390)	$ 2,094,000	$ 1,272,981
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2014		45,934,521