Variable Interest Entities (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Assets in partnership	$ 265.3
Loss exposure	1.5
Convertible promissory note to FSI	18.0
Potential ownership interest upon conversion of notes issued to FSI	49.90%
Convertible promissory note minimum coupon rate	10.00%
Maximum rate of interest related to certain defined cash flows	18.00%
Stifel Financial Corp. [Member]
Loss exposure	18.0
Weisel Capital Management LLC [Member]
Assets in partnership	$ 247.3

Convertible Promissory Note Minimum Coupon Rate Maximum

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- Definition

Convertible Promissory Note Minimum Coupon Rate Minimum

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Potential Ownership Interest Upon Conversion Of Notes Issued

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

The principal amount of the receivable or note before consideration of the discount or premium.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

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-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 21

-Paragraph 16

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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- Definition

The reporting entity's maximum amount of exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with the Variable Interest Entity (VIE).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph b

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-Topic 810

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-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FAS140-4/FIN46(R)

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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- Definition

Carrying amount of the assets in the reporting entity's statement of financial position that relate to the reporting entity's variable interest in the Variable Interest Entity (VIE), where the reporting entity is not the VIE's primary beneficiary.

+ References

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