Schedule I Condensed Financial Information of Registrant Institutional Financial Markets, Inc. (Parent Company) Statement of Operations (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Revenues
Total revenues	$ 95,240	$ 100,331	$ 125,552
Operating income / (loss)	295	(18,165)	8,742
Non operating expense
Interest expense	(3,732)	(5,976)	(7,686)
Income / (loss) before income tax expense / (benefit)	(2,656)	(17,876)	10,466
Income tax (benefit) / expense	(615)	(1,149)	(749)
Net income / (loss)	(968)	(9,388)	7,595
Parent [Member]
Revenues
Equity in undistributed earnings / (loss) from IFMI, LLC	2,666	(5,480)	12,417
Total revenues	2,666	(5,480)	12,417
Operating income / (loss)	2,666	(5,480)	12,417
Non operating expense
Interest expense	(4,397)	(5,617)	(5,330)
Income / (loss) before income tax expense / (benefit)	(1,731)	(11,097)	7,087
Income tax (benefit) / expense	(763)	(1,709)	(508)
Net income / (loss)	$ (968)	$ (9,388)	$ 7,595