Parent Company Only Condensed Financial Information Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used for operating activities:
(Gains) losses on derivative instruments, net	$ (42,184)	$ (18,679)	$ (36,798)
Gains on investment securities, net	(419,408)	(122,114)	(195,034)
Amortization of share-based compensation	25,413	21,861	18,221
Other, net	(22,684)	15,143	31,223
Net cash used for operating activities	173,086	202,080	166,392
Cash flows from investing activities:
Net increase in loans	(1,943,650)	(1,964,250)	(1,429,702)
Net cash used for investing activities	(2,840,296)	(2,892,340)	(4,038,956)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal payments of other long term debt	0	(1,222)	(4,179)
Payments for settlement of 3.875% Convertible Notes	0	0	(250,000)
Tax benefit from stock exercises	6,826	5,581	6,342
Net cash provided by financing activities	3,197,006	2,584,295	1,911,080
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	529,796	(105,965)	(1,961,484)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,008,983	1,114,948	3,076,432
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	1,538,779	1,008,983	1,114,948
Parent Company
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income attributable to SVBFG	215,853	175,103	171,902
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used for operating activities:
(Gains) losses on derivative instruments, net	(47,421)	(17,289)	(34,654)
Gains on investment securities, net	(15,238)	(15,329)	(16,432)
Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments	(18,417)	(41,749)	(37,234)
Cash Dividends Paid to Parent Company by Consolidated Subsidiaries	10,000	0	0
Amortization of share-based compensation	25,413	21,861	18,221
Decrease (increase) in other assets	(11,901)	5,463	21,926
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities	1,506	3,952	2,936
Other, net	(1,269)	2,273	2,510
Net cash used for operating activities	(67,327)	(40,818)	(42,727)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Net increase in investment securities from purchases, sales and maturities	70,479	11,833	(22,821)
Net increase in loans	4,078	2,034	(4,211)
Net cash used for investing activities	63,013	39,059	(42,785)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal payments of other long term debt	0	(1,222)	(4,179)
Payments for settlement of 3.875% Convertible Notes	0	0	(250,000)
Tax benefit from stock exercises	6,826	5,581	6,342
Proceeds from issuance of common stock and ESPP	46,569	29,282	36,873
Net cash provided by financing activities	53,395	33,641	(210,964)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	49,081	31,882	(296,476)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	169,067	137,185	433,661
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	218,148	169,067	137,185
Parent Company | Bank Subsidiaries
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used for operating activities:
Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments	186,195	195,395	189,123
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investment in subsidiaries	(21,469)	12,180	(12,592)
Parent Company | Nonbank Subsidiaries
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used for operating activities:
Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments	58,075	21,457	20,013
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investment in subsidiaries	$ 9,925	$ 13,012	$ (3,161)