Schedule I Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Statement of Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Operating activities
Net income / (loss)	$ (3,672)us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ (19,919)us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ (2,041)us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Adjustments to reconcile net income / (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Other (income) / expense		15	(86)
Amortization of discount on debt	1,386	906	189
(Increase) decrease in other assets	(155)	(596)	1,583
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and other liabilities	(2,804)	(4,860)	(1,544)
Increase (decrease) in deferred income taxes	(642)	(2,073)	(897)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	4,114	(8,231)	14,748
Financing activities
Repurchase of debt	(3,121)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt	(6,072)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt	(16,270)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
Payments for deferred financing costs		(670)us-gaap_PaymentsOfFinancingCosts
Cash used to settle equity awards	(87)	(153)	(199)
Repurchase of stock	(384)
Dividends paid to stockholders	(1,278)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock	(1,066)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock	(953)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(5,289)	4,032	(27,717)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(908)	(1,339)	(3,721)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	13,161	14,500	18,221
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	12,253	13,161	14,500
Institutional Financial Markets, Inc. [Member]
Operating activities
Net income / (loss)	(2,585)	(13,318)	(968)
Adjustments to reconcile net income / (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Equity in undistributed earnings / (loss) from IFMI, LLC	(1,174)	11,502	(2,666)
Distributions from / (Contributions to) IFMI, LLC	7,810	(3,653)	15,943
Other (income) / expense		15	(3)
Amortization of discount on debt	1,380	906	189
(Increase) decrease in other assets	111	32	246
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and other liabilities	(58)	74	(330)
Increase (decrease) in deferred income taxes	(642)	(2,144)	(826)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	4,842	(6,586)	11,585
Financing activities
Repurchase of debt	(3,115)	(5,000)	(10,357)
Issuance of debt		8,248
Payments for deferred financing costs		(670)
Cash used to settle equity awards	(64)	(110)	(135)
Proceeds from issuance of stock, net		5,051
Repurchase of stock	(384)
Dividends paid to stockholders	(1,278)	(1,066)	(953)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(4,841)	6,453	(11,445)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	1	(133)	140
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	7	140
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 8	$ 7	$ 140

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