Variable Interest Entities (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011
Assets in partnership		$ 306,600,000
Loss limited to investments advances and commitments and receivables		1,900,000
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		$ 226,100,000

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Convertible Promissory Note Minimum Coupon Rate Minimum

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- Definition

Potential Ownership Interest Upon Conversion Of Notes Issued

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

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-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

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

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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).

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