Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 60,909	$ 34,814
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	14,565	12,070
Amortization of loans and advances to financial advisors and other employees	28,190	28,544
Amortization of premium on available-for-sale securities	6,665	6,039
Amortization of intangible assets	2,521	2,377
Deferred income taxes	54,294	12,598
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	(13,357)	(23,574)
Stock-based compensation	18,231	14,368
(Gains)/losses on investments	(6,630)	(4,670)
Other net	(47)	841
Decrease/(increase) in operating assets:
Cash segregated for regulatory purposes and restricted cash	295	5,990
Receivables:
Brokerage clients	(7,726)	(13,981)
Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations	(58,925)	(63,093)
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	(81,293)	25,932
Loans originated as held for sale	(670,178)	(349,421)
Proceeds from mortgages held for sale	684,617	378,466
Trading securities owned, including those pledged	(275,996)	(159,794)
Loans and advances to financial advisors and other employees	(42,106)	(21,951)
Other assets	(44,201)	(20,748)
Increase/(decrease) in operating liabilities, net:
Brokerage clients	3,737	56,107
Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations	2,388	19,419
Drafts	(16,414)	(25,401)
Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased	146,481	91,325
Other liabilities and accrued expenses	(110,467)	(84,150)
Net cash used in operating activities	(302,830)	(77,307)
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Maturities, calls, sales, and principal paydowns on available-for-sale securities	188,748	277,866
Maturities, calls and principal paydowns on held-to-maturity securities		600
Sale or maturity of investments	59,233	50,234
Sale of other real estate owned	84	560
Increase in bank loans, net	(77,715)	(87,409)
Payments for:
Purchase of available-for-sale securities	(295,953)	(362,847)
Purchase of held-to-maturity securities	(338,816)	(25,334)
Purchase of investments	(21,475)	(33,883)
Purchase of fixed assets	(8,380)	(26,181)
Net cash used in investing activities	(494,274)	(206,394)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Net proceeds from short-term borrowings from banks	82,600	120,800
Proceeds from Senior Note offering	170,291
Increase/(decrease) in securities sold under agreements to repurchase	73,108	(67,131)
Increase in bank deposits, net	704,946	17,511
Increase in securities loaned	26,789	87,965
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	13,357	23,574
Repurchase of common stock	(6,350)	(3,555)
Reissuance of treasury stock	7,639	2,234
Extinguishment of subordinated debt	(1,639)	(1,284)
Net cash provided by financing activities	1,070,741	180,114
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	391	1,022
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	274,028	(102,565)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	167,671	253,529
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	441,699	150,964
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds	1,315	12,520
Cash paid for interest	13,527	6,036
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Units, net of forfeitures	$ 82,206	$ 101,220