Variable Interest Entities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012
Assets in partnership	$ 278,800,000
Loss limited to investments advances and commitments and receivables	1,300,000
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	$ 235,700,000