Variable Interest Entities (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011
Assets in partnership	$ 307,900,000
Loss limited to investments advances and commitments and receivables	2,200,000
Potential ownership interest upon conversion of notes issued to FSI	49.9
Convertible promissory note minimum coupon rate	10.00%
Maximum rate interest related to certain defined cash flows	18.00%
Financing form of convertible promissory note to FSI	18,000,000
Stifel Financial Corp. [Member]
Loss limited to investments advances and commitments and receivables	18,000,000
Weisel Capital Management LLC [Member]
Assets in partnership	$ 194,200,000

Convertible Promissory Note Minimum Coupon Rate Maximum

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- Definition

Convertible Promissory Note Minimum Coupon Rate Minimum

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- Definition

Potential Ownership Interest Upon Conversion Of Notes Issued

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- Definition

The principal amount of the receivable or note before consideration of the discount or premium.

+ References

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-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
-Number 21
-Paragraph 16
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- Definition

The reporting entity's maximum amount of exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with the Variable Interest Entity (VIE).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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- Definition

The carrying amount of the assets in the reporting entity's statement of financial position that relate to the reporting entity's variable interest in the Variable Interest Entity (VIE).

+ References

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