Bank Loans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Nonaccrual loans more than 90 days past due	$ 1,800,000	$ 2,500,000
Specific allowance	600,000	600,000
Troubled debt restructurings	1,600,000	300,000
Collateralized loan portfolio	96.00%	95.00%
Mortgage loans held for sale	214,531,000	131,754,000
Gains recognized from sale of loans	13,800,000	9,700,000	8,300,000
Stifel Financial Corp. [Member]
Loans outstanding amount	7,200,000	4,300,000
Stifel Bank [Member]
Loans outstanding amount	$ 600,000	$ 800,000