Consolidated Statements Of Financial Condition (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 441,699		$ 167,671
Restricted cash	6,587		6,883
Cash segregated for regulatory purposes	27		26
Receivables:
Brokerage clients, net	567,704		560,018
Brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations	311,561		252,636
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	156,748		75,455
Trading securities owned, at fair value	750,947		474,951
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value	1,329,359		1,214,141
Held-to-maturity securities, at amortized cost	521,378	[1]	190,484	[1]
Loans held for sale	117,166		131,754
Bank loans, net of allowance	708,879		632,140
Other real estate owned	634		708
Investments	208,080		239,208
Fixed assets, net	98,349		104,740
Goodwill	361,735		358,988
Intangible assets, net	31,342		33,863
Loans and advances to financial advisors and other employees, net	186,263		172,717
Deferred tax assets, net	120,156		177,803
Other assets	219,921		157,714
Total Assets	6,138,535		4,951,900
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Short-term borrowings from banks	282,000		199,400
Payables:
Brokerage clients	249,623		245,886
Brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations	169,088		139,911
Drafts	59,487		75,901
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	153,284		80,176
Bank deposits	2,776,684		2,071,738
Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value	411,680		266,833
Securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value	20,857		19,223
Accrued compensation	143,180		204,076
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	237,989		257,194
Senior notes	175,000
Total Liabilities	4,761,372		3,642,838
Liabilities subordinated to claims of general creditors	5,318		6,957
Shareholders' Equity:
Preferred stock - $1 par value
Exchangeable common stock - $0.15 par value	3		26
Common stock - $0.15 par value	8,055		8,032
Additional paid-in-capital	1,060,310		1,078,743
Retained earnings	310,753		277,195
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(2,161)		(7,938)
Total Stockholders' Equity	1,376,960		1,356,058
Treasury stock, at cost	(4,907)		(53,640)
Unearned employee stock ownership plan shares, at cost	(208)		(313)
Total Equity	1,371,845		1,302,105
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	6,138,535		4,951,900
Debenture to Stifel Financial Capital Trust II [Member]
Payables:
Debenture to Stifel Financial Capital Trust	35,000		35,000
Debenture to Stifel Financial Capital Trust III [Member]
Payables:
Debenture to Stifel Financial Capital Trust	35,000		35,000
Debenture to Stifel Financial Capital Trust IV [Member]
Payables:
Debenture to Stifel Financial Capital Trust	$ 12,500		$ 12,500

[1] Held-to-maturity securities are carried in the consolidated statements of financial condition at amortized cost, and the changes in the value of these securities, other than impairment charges, are not reported on the consolidated financial statements.