Bank Loans (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans held for sale, at lower of cost or market	$ 132,900		$ 189,921
Gains (losses) recognized from sale of loans	2,700	$ 2,600
Impaired loans more than 90 days past due	23,000		1,100
Troubled debt restructurings	300		300
Specific allowance	$ 2,383		$ 188
Collateralized loan portfolio	97.10%		97.20%
Stifel Bank [Member] | Executive Officers Directors and Their Affiliates [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans outstanding amount	$ 1,200		$ 2,000
Stifel Financial Corp. [Member] | Executive Officers Directors and Their Affiliates [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans outstanding amount	$ 8,200		$ 7,200