Interim Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Total SVBFG Stockholders’ Equity	Noncontrolling Interests
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 2,250,389	$ 44	$ 484,216	$ 999,733	$ 85,399	$ 1,569,392	$ 680,997
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011		43,507,932
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans, net of restricted stock cancellations (in shares)		505,618
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans, net of restricted stock cancellations	17,900	0	17,900			17,900
Common stock issued under ESOP (in shares)		73,560
Common stock issued under ESOP	4,345	0	4,345			4,345
Income tax expense from stock options exercised, vesting of restricted stock and other	3,819		3,819			3,819
Net income	39,933			34,790		34,790	5,143
Capital calls and (distributions), net	17,073						17,073
Net change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	2,451				2,451	2,451
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	1,459				1,459	1,459
Share-based compensation expense	5,334		5,334			5,334
Balance at Mar. 31, 2012	2,342,703	44	515,614	1,034,523	89,309	1,639,490	703,213
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2012		44,087,110
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	2,605,233	45	547,079	1,174,878	108,553	1,830,555	774,678
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012		44,627,182
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans, net of restricted stock cancellations (in shares)		268,274
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans, net of restricted stock cancellations	12,895	0	12,895			12,895
Common stock issued under ESOP (in shares)		74,946
Common stock issued under ESOP	5,166	0	5,166			5,166
Income tax expense from stock options exercised, vesting of restricted stock and other	(637)		(637)			(637)
Net income	60,545			40,891		40,891	19,654
Capital calls and (distributions), net	(14,493)						(14,493)
Net change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(12,409)				(12,409)	(12,409)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	(529)				(529)	(529)
Share-based compensation expense	6,286		6,286			6,286
Other, net	1			1		1
Balance at Mar. 31, 2013	$ 2,662,058	$ 45	$ 570,789	$ 1,215,770	$ 95,615	$ 1,882,219	$ 779,839
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2013		44,970,402