Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Discontinued Operations
Total net revenue		$ 31,251,000
Total expenses (excluding restructuring expense)	469,000	40,479,000
Subtotal	(469,000)	(9,228,000)
Restructuring expense		(2,459,000)
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes	(469,000)	(11,687,000)
Income tax expense	48,000	46,000
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	(517,000)	(11,733,000)
Other items reclassified from continuing operations
Discontinued Operations
Total net revenue		632,000
Total expenses (excluding restructuring expense)		2,821,000
Expenses, net of revenues		(2,189,000)
Investment Banking
Discontinued Operations
Total net revenue		15,033,000
Total expenses (excluding restructuring expense)	147,000	11,688,000
Expenses, net of revenues	(147,000)	3,345,000
MBS & Rates
Discontinued Operations
Total net revenue		(723,000)
Total expenses (excluding restructuring expense)	118,000	7,533,000
Expenses, net of revenues	(118,000)	(8,256,000)
Credit Products
Discontinued Operations
Total net revenue		11,825,000
Total expenses (excluding restructuring expense)	142,000	12,242,000
Expenses, net of revenues	(142,000)	(417,000)
ClearPoint
Discontinued Operations
Loss recognized from discontinued operations		1,100,000
Total net revenue		4,408,000
Total expenses (excluding restructuring expense)	56,000	6,153,000
Expenses, net of revenues	(56,000)	(1,745,000)
Restructuring expense	0	(2,459,000)
Equities division
Discontinued Operations
Total net revenue		76,000
Total expenses (excluding restructuring expense)	6,000	42,000
Expenses, net of revenues	$ (6,000)	$ 34,000