Debt Outstanding [Line Items]

No definition available.

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- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930739&loc=d3e28878-108400

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+ Details

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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))
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+ Details

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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Date when the debt instrument is scheduled to be fully repaid, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(2))
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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount, after accumulated amortization, of debt discount.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, before accumulated amortization, of debt issuance costs. Includes, but is not limited to, legal, accounting, underwriting, printing, and registration costs.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value of the assets less the liabilities of a derivative or group of derivatives.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
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+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash inflow from additional borrowings, net of cash paid to third parties in connection with debt origination.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
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- Definition

Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying value as of the balance sheet date of Notes with the highest claim on the assets of the issuer in case of bankruptcy or liquidation (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer). Senior note holders are paid off in full before any payments are made to junior note holders.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
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-Topic 944
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+ Details

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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Weighted average interest rate of short-term debt outstanding.

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- Details

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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=sivb_SeniorNotesFivePointThreeSevenFivePercentDueSeptemberFifteenTwentyTwentyMember
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- Details

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Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt Outstanding Short Term Borrowings and Long Term Debt (Additional Information) (Detail) - USD ($)		1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 29, 2015	Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Outstanding [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rates associated with short-term borrowings			0.59%	0.32%
Proceeds from issuance of 3.50% Senior Notes			$ 0	$ 346,431,000	$ 0
3.50% Senior Notes
Debt Outstanding [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			3.50%	3.50%
Principal value	$ 350,000,000		$ 350,000,000
Maturity			Jan. 29, 2025
Senior Notes			$ 346,979,000	$ 346,667,000
Deferred Finance Costs, Gross			3,000,000
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount			$ 300,000
5.375% Senior Notes
Debt Outstanding [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			5.375%	5.375%
Principal value		$ 350,000,000	$ 350,000,000
Maturity			Sep. 15, 2020
Proceeds from issuance of 3.50% Senior Notes	$ 346,400,000	$ 345,000,000
Senior Notes			$ 347,586,000	$ 347,016,000
6.05% Subordinated Notes
Debt Outstanding [Line Items]
Fair value of the interest rate swap associated with the notes			$ 800,000	$ 2,800,000
Stated interest rate			6.05%	6.05%
Principal value			$ 45,964,000
Maturity			Jun. 01, 2017
6.05% Subordinated Notes \| Interest rate swaps
Debt Outstanding [Line Items]
Fair value of the interest rate swap associated with the notes			$ 800,000	$ 2,800,000
7.0% Junior Subordinated Debentures
Debt Outstanding [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			7.00%	7.00%
Principal value			$ 50,000,000
Maturity			Oct. 15, 2033