Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 98,619	$ 57,118
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	21,958	19,124
Amortization of loans and advances to financial advisors and other employees	42,687	42,262
Amortization of premium on available-for-sale securities	11,215	9,201
Provision for loan losses and allowance for loans and advances to financial advisors and other employees	1,685	986
Amortization of intangible assets	3,713	3,588
Deferred income taxes	53,872	23,777
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	(14,510)	(25,188)
Stock-based compensation	29,213	19,562
Gains on investments	(29,272)	(60)
Other net	143	931
Decrease/(increase) in operating assets:
Cash segregated for regulatory purposes and restricted cash	292	5,985
Receivables:
Brokerage clients	41,000	(49,174)
Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations	39,889	11,757
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	(66,509)	2,613
Loans originated as held for sale	(1,156,692)	(638,596)
Proceeds from mortgages held for sale	1,075,487	608,853
Trading securities owned, including those pledged	(271,262)	(82,274)
Loans and advances to financial advisors and other employees	(53,351)	(30,265)
Other assets	(21,360)	(37,058)
Increase/(decrease) in operating liabilities
Brokerage clients	84,040	29,207
Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations	19,272	(63,977)
Drafts	(12,504)	(27,871)
Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased	106,024	72,050
Other liabilities and accrued expenses	(54,341)	(82,110)
Net cash used in operating activities	(50,692)	(129,559)
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Maturities, calls, sales, and principal paydowns on available-for-sale securities	353,324	535,499
Calls on held-to-maturity securities	10,500	800
Sale or maturity of investments	84,718	74,437
Sale of other real estate owned	137	808
Increase in bank loans, net	(112,687)	(178,275)
Payments for:
Purchase of available-for-sale securities	(607,579)	(868,769)
Purchase of held-to-maturity securities	(477,117)	(80,115)
Purchase of investments	(58,912)	(71,991)
Purchase of fixed assets	(13,823)	(32,561)
Net cash used in investing activities	(821,439)	(620,167)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
(Repayments of)/ proceeds from short-term borrowings from banks	(101,500)	201,000
Proceeds from Senior Note offering	170,291
Increase/(decrease) in securities sold under agreements to repurchase	(1,739)	(56,790)
Increase in bank deposits, net	851,933	497,195
Increase in securities loaned	(35,102)	92,518
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	14,510	25,188
Repurchase of common stock	(9,163)	(48,505)
Reissuance of treasury stock	8,829	2,755
Extinguishment of subordinated debt	(1,639)	(1,284)
Net cash provided by financing activities	896,420	712,077
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	1,373	(1,261)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	25,662	(38,910)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	167,671	253,529
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	193,333	214,619
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds	2,940	5,618
Cash paid for interest	22,567	18,880
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Units, net of forfeitures	$ 106,404	$ 119,530