Bank Loans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Nonaccrual loans more than 90 days past due	$ 1,700,000		$ 1,700,000		$ 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	94.00%		94.00%		95.00%
Mortgage loans held for sale	209,358,000		209,358,000		131,754,000
Gains recognized from sale of loans	3,600,000	2,000,000	9,600,000	5,400,000
Stifel Financial Corp. [Member]
Loans outstanding amount	4,400,000		4,400,000		4,300,000
Stifel Bank [Member]
Loans outstanding amount	$ 600,000		$ 600,000		$ 800,000