Segment Reporting - Segment Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net interest income	$ 196,328		$ 163,169
(Provision for) reduction of loan losses	(494)		(5,813)
Noninterest income	310,225		78,604
Noninterest expense	(172,436)	[1]	(149,014)	[1]
Income before income tax expense	333,623	[2]	86,946	[2]
Total average loans, net of unearned income	10,767,684		8,680,917
Total average assets	27,767,633	[3]	22,314,559	[3]
Total average deposits	23,676,448		18,785,513
Global Commercial Bank
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net interest income	175,703	[4]	148,936	[4]
(Provision for) reduction of loan losses	(807)	[4]	(6,207)	[4]
Noninterest income	58,637	[4]	46,541	[4]
Noninterest expense	(121,925)	[1],[4]	(104,339)	[1],[4]
Income before income tax expense	111,608	[2],[4]	84,931	[2],[4]
Total average loans, net of unearned income	9,762,802	[4]	7,868,587	[4]
Total average assets	25,571,787	[3],[4]	20,540,835	[3],[4]
Total average deposits	22,878,150	[4]	18,302,877	[4]
SVB Private Bank
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net interest income	6,892		6,104
(Provision for) reduction of loan losses	313		394
Noninterest income	274		234
Noninterest expense	(2,495)	[1]	(1,931)	[1]
Income before income tax expense	4,984	[2]	4,801	[2]
Total average loans, net of unearned income	1,049,901		844,807
Total average assets	967,873	[3]	850,084	[3]
Total average deposits	745,083		470,673
SVB Capital
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net interest income	14	[4]	1	[4]
(Provision for) reduction of loan losses	0	[4]	0	[4]
Noninterest income	37,672	[4]	5,441	[4]
Noninterest expense	(2,635)	[1],[4]	(2,386)	[1],[4]
Income before income tax expense	35,051	[2],[4]	3,056	[2],[4]
Total average loans, net of unearned income	0	[4]	0	[4]
Total average assets	340,990	[3],[4]	238,743	[3],[4]
Total average deposits	0	[4]	0	[4]
Other Items (2)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net interest income	13,719	[5]	8,128	[5]
(Provision for) reduction of loan losses	0	[5]	0	[5]
Noninterest income	213,642	[5]	26,388	[5]
Noninterest expense	(45,381)	[1],[5]	(40,358)	[1],[5]
Income before income tax expense	181,980	[2],[5]	(5,842)	[2],[5]
Total average loans, net of unearned income	(45,019)	[5]	(32,477)	[5]
Total average assets	886,983	[3],[5]	684,897	[3],[5]
Total average deposits	$ 53,215	[5]	$ 11,963	[5]

[1] The Global Commercial Bank segment includes direct depreciation and amortization of $4.9 million and $4.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively

[2] The internal reporting model used by management to assess segment performance does not calculate income tax expense by segment. Our effective tax rate is a reasonable approximation of the segment rates.

[3] Total average assets equals the greater of total average assets or the sum of total liabilities and total stockholders’ equity for each segment.

[4] Global Commercial Bank’s and SVB Capital’s components of net interest income, noninterest income, noninterest expense and total average assets are shown net of noncontrolling interests for all periods presented.

[5] The "Other Items" column reflects the adjustments necessary to reconcile the results of the operating segments to the consolidated financial statements prepared in conformity with GAAP. Noninterest income is primarily attributable to noncontrolling interests and gains on equity warrant assets. Noninterest expense primarily consists of expenses associated with corporate support functions such as finance, human resources, marketing, legal and other expenses. Additionally, average assets primarily consists of cash and cash equivalents.