Bank Loans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Nonaccrual loans more than 90 days past due	$ 900,000		$ 900,000		$ 1,100,000
Specific allowance	200,000		200,000		200,000
Troubled debt restructurings	400,000		400,000		400,000
Collateralized loan portfolio	98.70%		98.70%		98.00%
Loans outstanding amount					900,000
Mortgage loans held for sale	114,452,000		114,452,000		86,344,000
Gains recognized from sale of loans	2,000,000	1,400,000	5,400,000	4,600,000	1,400,000
Stifel Financial Corp. [Member]
Loans outstanding amount	2,900,000		2,900,000		3,500,000
Stifel Bank [Member]
Loans outstanding amount	$ 800,000		$ 800,000		$ 900,000