Bank Loans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Nonaccrual loans more than 90 days past due	$ 1,900,000	$ 2,300,000
Specific allowance	600,000	600,000
Troubled debt restructurings	300,000	300,000
Collateralized loan portfolio	95.00%	95.00%
Mortgage loans held for sale	141,136,000	131,754,000
Gains recognized from sale of loans	2,800,000	2,000,000
Stifel Financial Corp. [Member]
Loans outstanding amount	5,200,000	4,300,000
Stifel Bank [Member]
Loans outstanding amount	$ 800,000	$ 800,000