CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (65,516,000)	$ (3,215,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Deferred income taxes (Refer to Note 18)	28,563,000	2,887,000
Impairment of goodwill (Refer to Note 12)	21,096,000	14,311,000
Amortization of stock-based compensation	4,495,000	9,326,000
Clawback of stock-based compensation awards subject to non-competition provisions	(1,579,000)
Gain from bargain purchase - ClearPoint Funding, Inc. acquisition		(2,330,000)
Depreciation and amortization	971,000	961,000
Amortization of intangible assets	247,000	1,528,000
Investment losses/(gains), net	7,000	318,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Cash and securities segregated for regulatory purposes	8,462,000	(3,900,000)
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	(356,513,000)	(216,516,000)
Net receivable/payable from/to related parties	(4,387,000)	971,000
Net receivable from others	376,000	394,000
Financial instruments owned, at fair value	791,110,000	86,341,000
Income taxes receivable/payable, net	6,884,000	(707,000)
Other assets	(39,000)	1,081,000
Net payable to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations	(580,588,000)	(76,601,000)
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	426,726,000	191,449,000
Securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value	(74,663,000)	41,541,000
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(3,491,000)	16,000
Accrued compensation	(10,734,000)	(41,219,000)
Drafts payable	1,065,000	(897,000)
Net cash provided by operating activities	192,492,000	5,739,000
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payment to former stockholders of Gleacher Partners, Inc. (Refer to Note 26)	(4,373,000)
Purchase of investments	(800,000)
Purchases of office equipment and leasehold improvements	(400,000)	(1,709,000)
Return of capital - investments		1,772,000
ClearPoint acquisition - net cash acquired (Refer to Note 11)		626,000
Capital contribution - investments		(103,000)
Net cash (used in)/ provided by investing activities	(5,573,000)	586,000
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from secured borrowings	859,125,000	373,039,000
Repayments of secured borrowings	(1,026,019,000)	(357,293,000)
Purchases of treasury stock	(1,151,000)	(10,333,000)
Payment for employee tax withholdings on stock-based compensation	(2,615,000)	(5,441,000)
Repayment of subordinated debt	(206,000)	(108,000)
Excess tax benefits related to stock-based compensation	8,000	238,000
Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities	(170,858,000)	102,000
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	16,061,000	6,427,000
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	36,672,000	40,009,000
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	52,733,000	46,436,000
NON CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Treasury stock, net of forfeitures, for stock-based compensation exercises and vesting (in shares)	6.9	0.6
Common stock for settlement of stock-based compensation awards (in shares)	0.1	2.3
Fair value of non-cash assets acquired in the ClearPoint Funding, Inc. acquisition (Refer to Note 11)		51,600,000
Fair value of liabilities assumed in the ClearPoint Funding, Inc. acquisition (Refer to Note 11)		$ 49,900,000