Consolidated Statements Of Financial Condition (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 193,333		$ 167,671
Restricted cash	6,589		6,883
Cash segregated for regulatory purposes	28		26
Receivables:
Brokerage clients, net	519,008		560,018
Brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations	212,747		252,636
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	141,964		75,455
Trading securities owned, at fair value	746,213		474,951
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value	1,476,681		1,214,141
Held-to-maturity securities, at amortized cost	657,933	[1]	190,484	[1]
Loans held for sale	209,358		131,754
Bank loans, net of allowance	746,567		632,140
Other real estate owned	449		708
Investments	242,674		239,208
Fixed assets, net	96,388		104,740
Goodwill	361,735		358,988
Intangible assets, net	30,150		33,863
Loans and advances to financial advisors and other employees, net	183,141		172,717
Deferred tax assets, net	115,375		177,803
Other assets	199,197		157,714
Total Assets	6,139,530		4,951,900
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Short-term borrowings from banks	97,900		199,400
Payables:
Brokerage clients	329,926		245,886
Brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations	124,081		139,911
Drafts	63,397		75,901
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	78,437		80,176
Bank deposits	2,923,671		2,071,738
Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value	369,886		266,833
Securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value	22,194		19,223
Accrued compensation	198,026		204,076
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	242,070		257,194
Senior notes	175,000
Total Liabilities	4,707,088		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			26
Common stock - $0.15 par value	8,058		8,032
Additional paid-in-capital	1,067,196		1,078,743
Retained earnings	345,866		277,195
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	7,707		(7,938)
Total Stockholders' Equity	1,428,827		1,356,058
Treasury stock, at cost	(1,547)		(53,640)
Unearned employee stock ownership plan shares, at cost	(156)		(313)
Total Equity	1,427,124		1,302,105
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	6,139,530		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.