Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net profit for year	$ 12,617	$ 40,780	$ 20,824
Non-cash items included in net profit:
Depreciation and amortization of office facilities and leasehold improvements	11,899	12,448	12,630
Deferred income taxes	(745)	31,606	(14,316)
Amortization of notes receivable	19,699	19,657	18,462
Amortization of debt issuance costs	986	643	1,164
Amortization of intangible assets	5,390	4,324	4,814
Provision (reversal) for credit losses	(168)	338	352
Share-based compensation	1,100	4,242	17,246
Decrease (increase) in operating assets:
Cash and securities segregated for regulatory and other purposes	(165)	(1,456)	(2,804)
Deposits with clearing organizations	(12,588)	2,570	(11,443)
Receivable from brokers and clearing organizations	14,731	88,068	(112,677)
Receivable from customers	87,163	(98,497)	(179,524)
Income taxes receivable	371	(2,679)	8,099
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	(500,618)	(183,245)	(163,825)
Securities owned	(557,522)	(129,848)	(109,939)
Notes receivable	(13,957)	(18,047)	(26,412)
Other assets	(42,105)	(70,150)	(51,192)
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:
Drafts payable	(9,207)	12,958	(4,468)
Payable to brokers and clearing organizations	(35,765)	(64,168)	277,254
Payable to customers	72,980	(81,445)	80,058
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	1,118,037	234,831	155,625
Securities sold, but not yet purchased	(90,637)	28,313	104,285
Accrued compensation	(31,614)	(19,366)	10,598
Accounts payable and other liabilities	31,655	50,846	19,906
Income taxes payable	0	0	0
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	81,537	(137,277)	54,717
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of office facilities	(5,192)	(12,157)	(7,762)
Cash used in investing activities	(5,192)	(12,157)	(7,762)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Cash dividends paid on Class A non-voting and Class B voting common stock	(6,010)	(5,871)	(5,776)
Issuance of Class A non-voting common stock	337	2,312	3,043
Repurchase of Class A non-voting common stock for cancellation			(559)
Tax benefit (shortfall) from share-based awards	(1,629)	(71)	230
Debt issuance costs	(4,565)
Issuance of senior secured note	200,000
Buy back of senior secured note	(5,000)
Repayment of subordinated note	(100,000)
Repayments of senior secured credit note	(22,503)	(10,000)	(15,160)
Increase (decrease) in bank call loans, net	(119,500)	147,000	(6,500)
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(58,870)	133,370	(24,722)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	17,475	(16,064)	22,233
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	52,854	68,918	46,685
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	70,329	52,854	68,918
Schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Employee share plan issuance	10,488	1,765	1,687
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the year for interest	30,697	15,938	16,248
Cash paid (refunded) during the year for income taxes	$ 7,993	$ (3,350)	$ 23,719