Consolidated Statements Of Financial Condition (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 403,941		$ 167,671
Restricted cash	4,414		6,883
Cash segregated for regulatory purposes	128,031		26
Receivables:
Brokerage clients, net	487,761		560,018
Brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations	276,224		252,636
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	158,695		75,455
Trading securities owned, at fair value	763,608		474,951
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value	1,625,168		1,214,141
Held-to-maturity securities, at amortized cost	708,008	[1]	190,484	[1]
Loans held for sale	214,531		131,754
Bank loans, net of allowance	815,937		632,140
Other real estate owned	373		708
Investments	236,434		239,208
Fixed assets, net	141,403		104,740
Goodwill	419,393		358,988
Intangible assets, net	28,967		33,863
Loans and advances to financial advisors and other employees, net	179,284		172,717
Deferred tax assets, net	124,576		177,803
Other assets	249,392		157,714
Total Assets	6,966,140		4,951,900
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Short-term borrowings from banks	304,700		199,400
Payables:
Brokerage clients	295,509		245,886
Brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations	33,211		139,911
Drafts	90,433		75,901
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	140,346		80,176
Bank deposits	3,346,133		2,071,738
Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value	319,742		266,833
Securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value	22,966		19,223
Accrued compensation	187,466		204,076
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	259,163		257,194
Senior notes	383,992
Debenture to Stifel Financial Capital Trust	82,500		82,500
Total Liabilities	5,466,161		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	8,245		8,032
Additional paid-in-capital	1,100,137		1,078,743
Retained earnings	383,970		277,195
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	4,918		(7,938)
Total Stockholders' Equity	1,497,270		1,356,058
Treasury stock, at cost	(2,505)		(53,640)
Unearned employee stock ownership plan shares, at cost	(104)		(313)
Total Equity	1,494,661		1,302,105
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	6,966,140		4,951,900
Debenture to Stifel Financial Capital Trust II [Member]
Payables:
Debenture to Stifel Financial Capital Trust	$ 82,500		$ 82,500

[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.