Bank Loans (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans held for sale, at lower of cost or market	$ 189,921	$ 121,939
Gains (losses) recognized from sale of loans	12,700	7,400	$ 11,300
Nonaccrual loans more than 90 days past due	900	4,900
Troubled debt restructurings	200	1,000
Specific allowance	$ 188	$ 272
Collateralized loan portfolio	97.20%	95.80%
Residential Mortgages [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Gains (losses) recognized from sale of loans	$ 14,700
Reclassification of loans held for sale	227,600
Principal balance of loans sold	184,400
Remaining portion of loans held for sale	26,900
Stifel Bank [Member] | Executive Officers Directors and Their Affiliates [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans outstanding amount	2,000	$ 600
Stifel Financial Corp. [Member] | Executive Officers Directors and Their Affiliates [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans outstanding amount	$ 7,200	$ 5,300