Bank Loans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Nonaccrual loans more than 90 days past due	$ 1,900,000		$ 1,900,000		$ 2,500,000
Specific allowance	500,000		500,000		600,000
Troubled debt restructurings	1,500,000		1,500,000		300,000
Collateralized loan portfolio	95.00%		95.00%		95.00%
Mortgage loans held for sale	117,166,000		117,166,000		131,754,000
Gains recognized from sale of loans	3,200,000	1,400,000	6,000,000	3,400,000
Stifel Financial Corp. [Member]
Loans outstanding amount	4,300,000		4,300,000		4,300,000
Stifel Bank [Member]
Loans outstanding amount	$ 600,000		$ 600,000		$ 800,000