10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015

OR

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from          to         .

Commission File Number: 000-15637

SVB FINANCIAL GROUP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	91-1962278
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

3003 Tasman Drive, Santa Clara, California	95054-1191
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

(408) 654-7400

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer  x    Accelerated filer  ¨    Non-accelerated filer  ¨    Smaller reporting company  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

At October 31, 2015, 51,493,211 shares of the registrant’s common stock ($0.001 par value) were outstanding.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION		4
Item 1.	Interim Consolidated Financial Statements	4
	Interim Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2015 (unaudited) and December 31, 2014	4
	Interim Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014	5
	Interim Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014	6
	Interim Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (unaudited) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014	7
	Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014	8
	Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements	9
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	56
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	94
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	95
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION		95
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	96
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	96
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	96
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	96
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	96
Item 5.	Other Information	96
Item 6.	Exhibits	96
SIGNATURES		97
INDEX TO EXHIBITS		98

2

Glossary of Acronyms that may be used in this Report

ASC — Accounting Standards Codification

ASU – Accounting Standards Update

EHOP – Employee Home Ownership Program of the Company

EPS – Earnings Per Share

ESOP – Employee Stock Ownership Plan of the Company

ESPP – 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan of the Company

FASB – Financial Accounting Standards Board

FDIC – Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

FHLB – Federal Home Loan Bank

FRB - Federal Reserve Bank

FTE - Full-Time Employee

FTP – Funds Transfer Pricing

GAAP - Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America

IASB – International Accounting Standards Board

IPO – Initial Public Offering

IRS – Internal Revenue Service

IT – Information Technology

LIBOR – London Interbank Offered Rate

M&A – Merger and Acquisition

OTTI – Other Than Temporary Impairment

SEC – Securities and Exchange Commission

TDR – Troubled Debt Restructuring

UK – United Kingdom

VIE – Variable Interest Entity

3

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SVB FINANCIAL GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands, except par value and share data)	September 30, 2015			December 31, 2014
	(Unaudited)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,674,145		$	1,796,062
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value (cost of $15,167,233 and $13,497,945, respectively)	15,307,661			13,540,655
Held-to-maturity securities, at cost (fair value of $8,367,003 and $7,415,656, respectively)	8,306,526			7,421,042
Non-marketable and other securities (1)	650,555			1,728,140
Total investment securities	24,264,742			22,689,837
Loans, net of unearned income	15,314,580			14,384,276
Allowance for loan losses	(197,507		)	(165,359		)
Net loans	15,117,073			14,218,917
Premises and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization	94,652			79,845
Accrued interest receivable and other assets (1)	580,370			553,208
Total assets	$	41,730,982		$	39,337,869
Liabilities and total equity
Liabilities:
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits	$	28,658,963		$	24,583,682
Interest-bearing deposits	8,390,454			9,759,817
Total deposits	37,049,417			34,343,499
Short-term borrowings	3,756			7,781
Other liabilities	566,370			483,493
Long-term debt	797,211			451,362
Total liabilities	38,416,754			35,286,135
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13 and Note 16)
SVBFG stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding	—			—
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 150,000,000 shares authorized; 51,488,985 shares and 50,924,925 shares outstanding, respectively	51			51
Additional paid-in capital	1,171,649			1,120,350
Retained earnings (1)	1,906,135			1,649,967
Accumulated other comprehensive income	97,064			42,704
Total SVBFG stockholders’ equity	3,174,899			2,813,072
Noncontrolling interests	139,329			1,238,662
Total equity	3,314,228			4,051,734
Total liabilities and total equity	$	41,730,982		$	39,337,869

(1) Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

See accompanying notes to interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

4

SVB FINANCIAL GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)	2015			2014			2015 (2)			2014
Interest income:
Loans	$	174,993		$	153,292		$	507,746		$	449,144
Investment securities:
Taxable	87,609			73,540			253,496			191,384
Non-taxable	707			772			2,220			2,362
Federal funds sold, securities purchased under agreements to resell and other short-term investment securities	1,482			1,722			4,071			5,301
Total interest income	264,791			229,326			767,533			648,191
Interest expense:
Deposits	1,158			2,961			4,283			8,933
Borrowings	8,973			5,800			25,894			17,400
Total interest expense	10,131			8,761			30,177			26,333
Net interest income	254,660			220,565			737,356			621,858
Provision for loan losses	33,403			16,610			66,368			19,051
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	221,257			203,955			670,988			602,807
Noninterest income:
Gains on investment securities, net	18,768			5,644			77,006			172,236
Gains on derivative instruments, net	10,244			26,538			66,290			63,480
Foreign exchange fees	22,995			17,911			63,037			53,035
Credit card fees	14,536			10,909			40,841			31,440
Deposit service charges	12,272			10,126			34,309			29,344
Lending related fees	7,561			6,029			23,746			18,208
Client investment fees	5,683			3,814			15,429			10,751
Letters of credit and standby letters of credit fees	5,341			4,557			15,315			11,507
Other	11,077			(5,361		)	22,315			14,601
Total noninterest income	108,477			80,167			358,288			404,602
Noninterest expense:
Compensation and benefits	109,345			99,932			350,030			302,259
Professional services	21,137			26,081			58,834			68,383
Premises and equipment	12,356			12,631			36,800			36,267
Business development and travel	8,028			10,022			28,904			29,465
Net occupancy	8,548			7,437			24,010			22,436
FDIC and state assessments	6,954			4,587			18,705			13,660
Correspondent bank fees	3,070			3,278			9,775			9,755
Provision for unfunded credit commitments	1,047			2,225			249			5,533
Other (1)	14,270			13,568			42,101			33,355
Total noninterest expense (1)	184,755			179,761			569,408			521,113
Income before income tax expense (1)	144,979			104,361			459,868			486,296
Income tax expense (1)	57,017			40,207			175,057			137,431
Net income before noncontrolling interests (1)	87,962			64,154			284,811			348,865
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(6,229		)	(177		)	(28,419		)	(142,985		)
Net income available to common stockholders (1)	$	81,733		$	63,977		$	256,392		$	205,880
Earnings per common share—basic (1)	$	1.59		$	1.26		$	5.00		$	4.26
Earnings per common share—diluted	1.57			1.24			4.94			4.18

(1) Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

(2) Amounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the second quarter of 2015 related to our consolidated variable interest entities (ASU 2015-02). Amounts prior to January 1, 2015 have not been revised for the adoption of this guidance. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

See accompanying notes to interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

5

SVB FINANCIAL GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)

	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015			2014			2015			2014
Net income before noncontrolling interests (1) (2)	$	87,962		$	64,154		$	284,811		$	348,865
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Change in cumulative translation gains:
Foreign currency translation gains (losses)	(102		)	(2,259		)	2,588			(638		)
Related tax benefit (expense)	87			935			(1,054		)	281
Change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized holding gains (losses)	58,902			(48,724		)	100,468			62,669
Related tax (expense) benefit	(24,200		)	19,716			(41,224		)	(25,292		)
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income	(13		)	990			(2,750		)	17,411
Related tax expense (benefit)	6			(400		)	1,111			(7,030		)
Cumulative-effect adjustment for unrealized gains on securities transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity	—			—			—			37,700
Related tax expense	—			—			—			(15,178		)
Amortization of unrealized losses on securities transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity	(2,565		)	(2,996		)	(7,997		)	(4,043		)
Related tax benefit	1,032			1,206			3,218			1,628
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	33,147			(31,532		)	54,360			67,508
Comprehensive income	121,109			32,622			339,171			416,373
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests (2)	(6,229		)	(177		)	(28,419		)	(142,985		)
Comprehensive income attributable to SVBFG	$	114,880		$	32,445		$	310,752		$	273,388

(1) Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

(2) Amounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the second quarter of 2015 related to our consolidated variable interest entities (ASU 2015-02). Amounts prior to January 1, 2015 have not been revised for the adoption of this guidance. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

See accompanying notes to interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

6

SVB FINANCIAL GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

	Common Stock			Additional Paid-in Capital		Retained Earnings			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)			Total SVBFG Stockholders’ Equity			Noncontrolling Interests			Total Equity
(Dollars in thousands)	Shares	Amount
Balance at December 31, 2013 (As Reported)	45,800,418	$	46	$	624,256	$	1,390,732		$	(48,764	)	$	1,966,270		$	1,113,058		$	3,079,328
Cumulative effective of adopting ASU 2014-01 (1)	—	—		—		(4,635		)	—			(4,635		)	—			(4,635		)
Balance at December 31, 2013 (As Revised)	45,800,418	$	46	$	624,256	$	1,386,097		$	(48,764	)	$	1,961,635		$	1,113,058		$	3,074,693
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans, net of restricted stock cancellations	504,766	—		13,878		—			—			13,878			—			13,878
Common stock issued under ESOP	30,762	—		3,890		—			—			3,890			—			3,890
Income tax benefit from stock options exercised, vesting of restricted stock and other	—	—		7,973		—			—			7,973			—			7,973
Net income (1)	—	—		—		205,880			—			205,880			142,985			348,865
Capital calls and distributions, net	—	—		—		—			—			—			(37,984		)	(37,984		)
Net change in unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	—	—		—		—			47,758			47,758			—			47,758
Cumulative-effect for unrealized gains on securities transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity, net of tax	—	—		—		—			22,522			22,522			—			22,522
Amortization of unrealized gains on securities transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity, net of tax	—	—		—		—			(2,415		)	(2,415		)	—			(2,415		)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	—	—		—		—			(357		)	(357		)	—			(357		)
Common stock issued in public offering	4,485,000	5		434,861		—			—			434,866			—			434,866
Share-based compensation expense	—	—		22,479		—			—			22,479			$	—		22,479
Balance at September 30, 2014 (1)	50,820,946	$	51	$	1,107,337	$	1,591,977		$	18,744		$	2,718,109		$	1,218,059		$	3,936,168
Balance at December 31, 2014 (1)	50,924,925	$	51	$	1,120,350	$	1,649,967		$	42,704		$	2,813,072		$	1,238,662		$	4,051,734
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans, net of restricted stock cancellations	536,635	—		14,712		—			—			14,712			—			14,712
Common stock issued under ESOP	27,425	—		3,512		—			—			3,512			—			3,512
Income tax benefit from stock options exercised, vesting of restricted stock and other	—	—		10,813		—			—			10,813			—			10,813
Deconsolidation of noncontrolling interest	—	—		—		—			—			—			(1,069,437		)	(1,069,437		)
Net income	—	—		—		256,392			—			256,392			28,419			284,811
Capital calls and distributions, net	—	—		—		—			—			—			(58,315		)	(58,315		)
Net change in unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	—	—		—		—			57,605			57,605			—			57,605
Amortization of unrealized gains on securities transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity, net of tax	—	—		—		—			(4,779		)	(4,779		)	—			(4,779		)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	—	—		—		—			1,534			1,534			—			1,534
Share-based compensation expense	—	—		22,262		—			—			22,262			—			22,262
Other, net	—	—		—		(224		)	—			(224		)	—			(224		)
Balance at September 30, 2015	51,488,985	$	51	$	1,171,649	$	1,906,135		$	97,064		$	3,174,899		$	139,329		$	3,314,228

(1) Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

  See accompanying notes to interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

7

SVB FINANCIAL GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

	Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015			2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income before noncontrolling interests (1)	$	284,811		$	348,865
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provision for loan losses	66,368			19,051
Provision for unfunded credit commitments	249			5,533
Changes in fair values of derivatives, net	(42,295		)	2,028
Gains on investment securities, net	(77,006		)	(172,236		)
Depreciation and amortization (1)	28,504			29,273
Amortization of premiums and discounts on investment securities, net	14,659			18,700
Amortization of share-based compensation	24,174			22,285
Amortization of deferred loan fees	(64,275		)	(59,550		)
Pre-tax net gain on SVBIF sale transaction	(1,287		)	—
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	3,131			(18,916		)
Changes in other assets and liabilities:
Accrued interest receivable and payable, net	(6,312		)	(17,488		)
Accounts receivable and payable, net	(13,159		)	(12,890		)
Income tax payable and receivable, net (1)	(29,398		)	(14,234		)
Accrued compensation	(7,702		)	(24,241		)
Foreign exchange spot contracts, net	7,522			97,357
Other, net	57,445			12,837
Net cash provided by operating activities	245,429			236,374
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(2,911,486		)	(8,060,750		)
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities	7,762			26,926
Proceeds from maturities and pay downs of available-for-sale securities	1,238,950			1,352,369
Purchases of held-to-maturity securities	(2,057,030		)	(1,577,634		)
Proceeds from maturities and pay downs of held-to-maturity securities	1,153,363			327,913
Purchases of non-marketable and other securities (cost and equity method accounting)	(15,856		)	(47,923		)
Proceeds from sales and distributions of non-marketable and other securities (cost and equity method accounting)	79,575			47,478
Purchases of non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting)	(5,611		)	(182,247		)
Proceeds from sales and distributions of non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting)	77,289			264,389
Net increase in loans	(911,694		)	(1,103,447		)
Proceeds from recoveries of charged-off loans	5,119			5,313
Effect of deconsolidation of noncontrolling interest	15,995			—
Purchases of premises and equipment	(37,465		)	(29,332		)
Net proceeds from SVBIF sale transaction (2)	39,284			—
Net cash used for investing activities	(3,321,805		)	(8,976,945		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net increase in deposits	2,626,379			8,650,156
Net (decrease) increase in short-term borrowings	(4,025		)	1,550
Net distributions to noncontrolling interests	(58,315		)	(37,984		)
Tax benefit from stock exercises	10,813			7,973
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, ESPP, and ESOP	18,224			17,768
Net proceeds from public equity offering	—			434,866
Proceeds from issuance of 3.50% Senior Notes	346,431			—
Net cash provided by financing activities	2,939,507			9,074,329
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(136,869		)	333,758
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period (1) (2)	1,811,014			1,538,779
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period (1)	$	1,674,145		$	1,872,537
Supplemental disclosures:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	$	62,129		$	30,259
Income taxes	182,479			154,746
Noncash items during the period:
Changes in unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	$	57,605		$	47,758
Distributions of stock from investments	24,778			21,385
Transfers from available-for-sale securities to held-to-maturity	—			5,418,572

(1) Cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 were revised to reflect the adoption of ASU 2015-02 as of January 1, 2015 and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were revised to reflect the retrospective application of our adoption of ASU 2014-01.

(2) Cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2014 included $15.0 million recognized in assets held-for-sale in conjunction with the SVBIF Sale Transaction. On April 13, 2015 we received net proceeds of $39.3 million consisting of the sales price of $48.6 million less $9.3 million of cash and cash equivalents held by SVBIF that were sold.

See accompanying notes to interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

8

SVB FINANCIAL GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Basis of Presentation

SVB Financial Group is a diversified financial services company, as well as a bank holding company and financial holding company. SVB Financial was incorporated in the state of Delaware in March 1999. Through our various subsidiaries and divisions, we offer a variety of banking and financial products and services to support our clients of all sizes and stages throughout their life cycles. In these notes to our consolidated financial statements, when we refer to “SVB Financial Group,” “SVBFG”, the “Company,” “we,” “our,” “us” or use similar words, we mean SVB Financial Group and all of its subsidiaries collectively, including Silicon Valley Bank (the “Bank”), unless the context requires otherwise. When we refer to “SVB Financial” or the “Parent” we are referring only to the parent company, SVB Financial Group, unless the context requires otherwise.

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments of a normal and recurring nature that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to fairly present our financial position, results of operations and cash flows in accordance with GAAP. Such unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The results of operations for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for any future periods. These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 (“2014 Form 10-K”).

The preparation of unaudited interim consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates may change as new information is obtained. Significant items that are subject to such estimates include measurements of fair value, the valuation of non-marketable securities, the valuation of equity warrant assets, the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses and reserve for unfunded credit commitments, and the recognition and measurement of income tax assets and liabilities.

Principles of Consolidation and Presentation

Prior to April 1, 2015, the Company’s consolidated financial statements included the accounts of SVB Financial Group and entities in which we had a controlling interest.  The determination of whether we had controlling interest was based on consolidation principles prescribed by ASC Topic 810 and whether the controlling interest in an entity was a voting interest entity or a variable interest entity (“VIE”). However, during the three months ended June 30, 2015, we early adopted the provisions of ASU 2015-02, Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis (ASU 2015-02)(see "Adoption of New Accounting Standards" below), which simplifies consolidation accounting by reducing the number of consolidation models and changing various aspects of current GAAP, including certain consolidation criteria for variable interest entities. The new guidance eliminates the presumption that a general partner of a limited partnership arrangement should consolidate a limited partnership. The amendments to ASC Topic 810 in ASU 2015-02 modify the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar entities are VIEs or voting entities. With these changes, we determined that the majority of our investments in limited partnership arrangements are VIEs under the new guidance while these entities were typically voting interest entities under the prior guidance.

ASU 2015-02 provided a single model for evaluating VIE entities for consolidation. VIEs are entities where investors lack sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support or equity investors, as a group, lack one of the following characteristics: (a) the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, (b) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity, or (c) the right to receive the expected returns of the entity. We assess VIEs to determine if we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE.  A primary beneficiary is defined as a variable interest holder that has a controlling financial interest. A controlling financial interest requires both: (a) power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, and (b) obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits of a VIE that could potentially be significant to a VIE. Under this analysis, we evaluate kick-out rights and other participating rights which could provide us a controlling financial interest. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is required to consolidate the VIE.

ASU 2015-02 also changed how we evaluate fees paid to managers of our limited partnership investments. Under the new guidance, we exclude those fee arrangements that are not deemed to be variable interests from the analysis of our interests in our investments in VIEs and the determination of a primary beneficiary, if any.

Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of SVB Financial Group and consolidated entities. We consolidate voting entities in which we have control through voting interests. We determine whether we have a controlling financial interest in a VIE by determining if we have the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and whether we have significant variable interests. Generally, we have significant variable

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interests if our commitments to a limited partnership investment represent a significant amount of the total commitments to the entity. We also evaluate the impact of related parties on our determination of variable interests in our consolidation conclusions. We consolidate VIEs in which we are the primary beneficiary based on a controlling financial interest. If we are not the primary beneficiary of a VIE, we record our pro-rata interests or our cost basis in the VIE, as appropriate, based on other accounting guidance within GAAP.

All significant intercompany accounts and transactions with consolidated entities have been eliminated. We have not provided financial or other support during the periods presented to any VIE that we were not previously contractually required to provide.

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

In May 2015, the FASB issued a new accounting standard (ASU 2015-07, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820)), which removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient. The standard is required to be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. We early adopted this guidance in the second quarter of 2015. The adoption of this guidance impacts our fair value disclosures and has no impact on our financial position, results of operations or stockholders' equity.

In April 2015, the FASB issued a new accounting standard (ASU 2015-03, Interest- Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30), which simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs. The guidance will be effective for annual and quarterly periods beginning on January 1, 2016, with early adoption permitted. We early adopted this guidance in the third quarter of 2015 using the retrospective method, which required the restatement of prior period results. The adoption of this guidance impacted our statement of financial position, but had no impact on our results of operations or retained earnings. We reclassified $5.1 million and $2.1 million of debt issuance costs from other assets to a direct deduction from the carrying amounts of long-term debt for the periods ended September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively.

In February 2015, the FASB issued a new accounting standard, ASU 2015-02, which amends the consolidation requirement for certain legal entities. As outlined above in "Principles of Consolidation and Presentation", we early adopted this guidance in the second quarter of 2015 using the modified retrospective method, which results in an effective date of adoption of January 1, 2015 and will not require the restatement of prior period results. The adoption of this guidance impacted our statement of financial position and results of operations, but had no impact on retained earnings, SVBFG stockholders' equity or net income as investments that were consolidated in previous reporting periods are now deconsolidated and no new investments were consolidated. Refer to Note 4—”Variable Interest Entities” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details regarding our assessment of the adoption of this guidance.

In January 2014, the FASB issued a new accounting standard (ASU 2014-01, Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects), which is effective for us for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014. The standard is required to be applied retrospectively, with an adjustment to retained earnings in the earliest period presented. The ASU is applicable to our portfolio of low income housing tax credit ("LIHTC") partnership interests. We adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2015.

For prior periods, pursuant to ASU 2014-01, (i) amortization expense related to our low income housing tax credits was reclassified from Other noninterest expense to Income tax expense, (ii) additional amortization, net of the associated tax benefits, was recognized in Income tax expense as a result of our adoption of the proportional amortization method and (iii) net deferred tax assets, related to our low income housing tax investments, were written-off. The cumulative effect to retained earnings as of January 1, 2015 of adopting this guidance was a reduction of $4.7 million, inclusive of a $4.6 million reduction to retained earnings as of January 1, 2014. Our previously reported net income and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 were not materially impacted by the adoption of ASU 2014-01.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued a new accounting standard (ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)), which provides revenue recognition guidance that is intended to create greater consistency with respect to how and when revenue from contracts with customers is shown in the income statement. This guidance will be effective on a retrospective basis beginning on January 1, 2018. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or stockholders' equity.

In August 2014, the FASB issued a new accounting standard (ASU 2014-15, Going Concern (Topic 205-40)), which requires management to evaluate for each annual and interim reporting period whether there is substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern. The guidance will be effective for annual and quarterly periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. We are currently developing processes and controls to adopt this guidance by the

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adoption deadline and do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or stockholders' equity.

Reclassifications

Certain prior period amounts, including amounts related to the adoption of ASU 2014-01, ASU 2015-02 and ASU 2015-03, have been reclassified to conform to current period presentations.

2. Stockholders’ Equity and EPS

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The following table summarizes the items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income into the Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014:

		Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	Income Statement Location	2015			2014			2015			2014
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income	Gains (losses) on investment securities, net	$	(13	)	$	990		$	(2,750	)	$	17,411
Related tax expense (benefit)	Income tax expense	6			(400		)	1,111			(7,030		)
Total reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income, net of tax		$	(7	)	$	590		$	(1,639	)	$	10,381

EPS

Basic EPS is the amount of earnings available to each share of common stock outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted EPS is the amount of earnings available to each share of common stock outstanding during the reporting period adjusted to include the effect of potentially dilutive common shares. Potentially dilutive common shares include incremental shares issued for stock options and restricted stock units outstanding under our equity incentive plans and our ESPP. Potentially dilutive common shares are excluded from the computation of dilutive EPS in periods in which the effect would be antidilutive. The following is a reconciliation of basic EPS to diluted EPS for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014:

	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)	2015		2014		2015		2014
Numerator:
Net income available to common stockholders (1)	$	81,733	$	63,977	$	256,392	$	205,880
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic	51,479		50,752		51,254		48,281
Weighted average effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options and ESPP	382		534		411		580
Restricted stock units	187		285		213		339
Denominator for diluted calculation	52,048		51,571		51,878		49,200
Earnings per common share:
Basic (1)	$	1.59	$	1.26	$	5.00	$	4.26
Diluted	$	1.57	$	1.24	$	4.94	$	4.18

(1) Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

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The following table summarizes the weighted-average common shares excluded from the diluted EPS calculation as they were deemed to be antidilutive for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014:

	Three months ended September 30,		Nine months ended September 30,
(Shares in thousands)	2015	2014	2015	2014
Stock options	142	241	169	140
Restricted stock units	1	1	—	2
Total	143	242	169	142

3. Share-Based Compensation

For the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014, we recorded share-based compensation and related tax benefits as follows:

	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015			2014			2015			2014
Share-based compensation expense	$	8,188		$	7,520		$	24,174		$	22,285
Income tax benefit related to share-based compensation expense	(3,051		)	(2,676		)	(8,381		)	(7,351		)

Unrecognized Compensation Expense

As of September 30, 2015, unrecognized share-based compensation expense was as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)	Unrecognized   Expense		Average Expected Recognition   Period - in Years
Stock options	$	12,756	2.45
Restricted stock units	41,726		2.64
Total unrecognized share-based compensation expense	$	54,482

Share-Based Payment Award Activity

The table below provides stock option information related to the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan for the nine months ended September 30, 2015:

	Options		Weighted Average  Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life in Years	Aggregate   Intrinsic Value   of In-The- Money Options
Outstanding at December 31, 2014	1,394,888		$	66.03
Granted	122,120		129.30
Exercised	(311,575	)	51.34
Forfeited	(22,008	)	84.40
Expired	(1,520	)	48.76
Outstanding at September 30, 2015	1,181,905		76.12		4.00	$	48,295,069
Vested and expected to vest at September 30, 2015	1,145,732		75.24		3.95	47,717,566
Exercisable at September 30, 2015	656,191		60.34		3.01	36,230,256

The aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding options shown in the table above represents the pretax intrinsic value based on our closing stock price of $115.54 as of September 30, 2015. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 was $2.2 million and $24.0 million, respectively, compared to $7.7 million and $18.4 million for the comparable 2014 periods.

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The table below provides information for restricted stock units under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan for the nine months ended September 30, 2015:

	Shares		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested at December 31, 2014	614,666		$	79.92
Granted	231,205		129.22
Vested	(211,652	)	74.02
Forfeited	(19,292	)	88.51
Nonvested at September 30, 2015	614,927		101.01

4. Variable Interest Entities

Our involvement with VIEs includes our investments in venture capital and private equity funds, debt funds, private and public portfolio companies and our investments in qualified affordable housing projects.

The following table presents the carrying amounts and classification of significant variable interests in consolidated and unconsolidated VIEs as of September 30, 2015:

(Dollars in thousands)	Consolidated VIEs		Unconsolidated VIEs (1)		Maximum Exposure to Loss in Unconsolidated VIEs
September 30, 2015:
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	18,769	$	—	$	—
Non-marketable and other securities (2)	204,555		341,065		341,065
Accrued interest receivable and other assets	375		—		—
Total assets	$	223,699	$	341,065	$	341,065
Liabilities:
Other liabilities	421		—		—
Accrued expenses and other liabilities (2)	—		65,305		—
Total liabilities	$	421	$	65,305	$	—

(1) During the second quarter of 2015 we adopted ASU 2015-02 and certain previously consolidated VIEs are no longer included in our Consolidated Balance Sheet. We applied the accounting guidance as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption, January 1, 2015. Upon adoption, we deconsolidated 16 entities, which reduced our total assets and total equity (which includes total SVBFG stockholders' equity plus noncontrolling interests) by $1.1 billion and $1.2 billion, respectively, primarily as a result of the reduction of our non-marketable and other securities and noncontrolling interests, respectively. SVB Financial continues to consolidate its interest in five SVB Capital funds that meet the new consolidated criteria.

(2) Included in our non-marketable and other securities portfolio are investments in qualified affordable housing projects of $125.5 million and related unfunded commitments of $65.3 million.

Non-marketable and other securities

Our non-marketable and other securities portfolio primarily represents investments in venture capital and private equity funds, debt funds, private and public portfolio companies and investments in qualified affordable housing projects. A majority of these investments are through third party funds held by SVB Financial in which we do not have controlling or significant variable interests. These investments represent our unconsolidated VIEs in the table above. Our non-marketable and other securities portfolio also includes investments from SVB Capital. SVB Capital is the venture capital investment arm of SVB Financial, which focuses primarily on funds management. The SVB Capital family of funds is comprised of direct venture funds that invest in companies and funds of funds that invest in other venture capital funds. We have a controlling and significant variable interest in five of these SVB Capital funds and consolidate these funds for financial reporting purposes.

All investments are generally nonredeemable and distributions are expected to be received through the liquidation of the underlying investments throughout the life of the investment fund. Investments may be sold or transferred subject to the notice and approval provisions of the underlying investment agreement. Subject to applicable regulatory requirements, including the

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Volcker Rule, we also make commitments to invest in venture capital and private equity funds, but are not obligated to fund commitments beyond our initial investment. For additional details, see Note 13—"Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Guarantees, and Other Commitments" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)" under Part I, Item 1 of this report.

The Bank also has variable interests in low income housing tax credit funds that are designed to generate a return primarily through the realization of federal tax credits. These investments are typically limited partnerships in which the general partner, other than the Bank, holds the power over significant activities of the VIE. We have not consolidated these investments in accordance with the new guidelines in ASU 2015-02. For additional information on our investments in qualified affordable housing projects see Note 6—“Investment Securities" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 of this report.

As of September 30, 2015, our exposure to loss with respect to the consolidated VIEs is limited to our net assets of $223.3 million and our exposure to loss for our unconsolidated VIEs is equal to our investment in these assets of $341.1 million.

5. Cash and Cash Equivalents

The following table details our cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

(Dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Cash and due from banks (1)	$	1,454,538	$	1,694,329
Securities purchased under agreements to resell (2)	214,484		95,611
Other short-term investment securities	5,123		6,122
Total cash and cash equivalents	$	1,674,145	$	1,796,062

(1) At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, $639 million and $861 million, respectively, of our cash and due from banks was deposited at the Federal Reserve Bank and was earning interest at the Federal Funds target rate, and interest-earning deposits in other financial institutions were $429 million and $440 million, respectively.

(2) At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, securities purchased under agreements to resell were collateralized by U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. agency securities with aggregate fair values of $219 million and $98 million, respectively. None of these securities received as collateral were sold or pledged as of September 30, 2015 or December 31, 2014.

6. Investment Securities

Our investment securities portfolio consists of i) an available-for-sale securities portfolio and a held-to-maturity securities portfolio, both of which represent interest-earning investment securities, and ii) a non-marketable and other securities portfolio, which primarily represents investments managed as part of our funds management business.

Available-for-Sale Securities

The components of our available-for-sale investment securities portfolio at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are as follows:

	September 30, 2015
(Dollars in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Carrying Value
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value:
U.S. treasury securities	$	10,103,580	$	93,458	$	(13	)	$	10,197,025
U.S. agency debentures	2,902,479		40,502		(13		)	2,942,968
Residential mortgage-backed securities:
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations—fixed rate	1,513,691		10,652		(6,641		)	1,517,702
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations—variable rate	641,057		4,231		—			645,288
Equity securities	6,426		216		(1,964		)	4,678
Total available-for-sale securities	$	15,167,233	$	149,059	$	(8,631	)	$	15,307,661

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	December 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Carrying Value
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value:
U.S. treasury securities	$	7,289,135	$	17,524	$	(4,386	)	$	7,302,273
U.S. agency debentures	3,540,055		30,478		(8,977		)	$	3,561,556
Residential mortgage-backed securities:
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations—fixed rate	1,884,450		14,851		(14,458		)	1,884,843
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations—variable rate	779,103		5,372		—			784,475
Equity securities	5,202		2,628		(322		)	7,508
Total available-for-sale securities	$	13,497,945	$	70,853	$	(28,143	)	$	13,540,655

The following table summarizes our unrealized losses on our available-for-sale securities portfolio into categories of less than 12 months and 12 months or longer as of September 30, 2015:

	September 30, 2015
	Less than 12 months					12 months or longer					Total
(Dollars in thousands)	Fair Value of Investments		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value of Investments		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value of Investments		Unrealized Losses
Available-for-sale securities:
U.S. treasury securities	$	51,576	$	(13	)	$	—	$	—		$	51,576	$	(13	)
U.S. agency debentures	17,424		(13		)	—		—			17,424		(13		)
Residential mortgage-backed securities:
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations—fixed rate	230,141		(465		)	396,781		(6,176		)	626,922		(6,641		)
Equity securities	3,222		(1,964		)						3,222		(1,964		)
Total temporarily impaired securities: (1)	$	302,363	$	(2,455	)	$	396,781	$	(6,176	)	$	699,144	$	(8,631	)

(1) As of September 30, 2015, we identified a total of 43 investments that were in unrealized loss positions, of which 18 investments totaling $396.8 million with unrealized losses of $6.2 million have been in an impaired position for a period of time greater than 12 months. As of September 30, 2015, we do not intend to sell any impaired fixed income investment securities prior to recovery of our adjusted cost basis, and it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell any of our securities prior to recovery of our adjusted cost basis. Based on our analysis as of September 30, 2015, we deem all impairments to be temporary, and therefore changes in value for our temporarily impaired securities as of the same date are included in other comprehensive income. Market valuations and impairment analyses on assets in the available-for-sale securities portfolio are reviewed and monitored on a quarterly basis.

The following table summarizes our unrealized losses on our available-for-sale securities portfolio into categories of less than 12 months and 12 months or longer as of December 31, 2014:

	December 31, 2014
	Less than 12 months					12 months or longer					Total
(Dollars in thousands)	Fair Value of Investments		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value of Investments		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value of Investments		Unrealized Losses
Available-for-sale securities:
U.S. treasury securities	$	2,297,895	$	(4,386	)	$	—	$	—		$	2,297,895	$	(4,386	)
U.S. agency debentures	249,266		(489		)	507,385		(8,488		)	756,651		(8,977		)
Residential mortgage-backed securities:
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations—fixed rate	662,092		(3,104		)	453,801		(11,354		)	1,115,893		(14,458		)
Equity securities	568		(322		)	—		—			568		(322		)
Total temporarily impaired securities (1):	$	3,209,821	$	(8,301	)	$	961,186	$	(19,842	)	$	4,171,007	$	(28,143	)

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(1) As of December 31, 2014, we identified a total of 115 investments that were in unrealized loss positions, of which 33 investments totaling $961.2 million with unrealized losses of $19.8 million have been in an impaired position for a period of time greater than 12 months.

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The following table summarizes the remaining contractual principal maturities and fully taxable equivalent yields on fixed income investment securities classified as available-for-sale as of September 30, 2015. The weighted average yield is computed using the amortized cost of fixed income investment securities, which are reported at fair value. For U.S. treasury securities and U.S. Agency debentures, the expected maturity is the actual contractual maturity of the notes. Expected maturities for mortgage-backed securities may differ significantly from their contractual maturities because mortgage borrowers have the right to prepay outstanding loan obligations with or without penalties. Mortgage-backed securities classified as available-for-sale typically have original contractual maturities from 10 to 30 years whereas expected average lives of these securities tend to be significantly shorter and vary based upon structure and prepayments in lower rate environments.

	September 30, 2015
	Total				One Year or Less				After One Year to Five Years				After Five Years to Ten Years				After Ten Years
(Dollars in thousands)	Carrying Value		Weighted- Average Yield		Carrying Value		Weighted- Average Yield		Carrying Value		Weighted- Average Yield		Carrying Value		Weighted- Average Yield		Carrying Value		Weighted- Average Yield
U.S. treasury securities	$	10,197,025	1.16	%	$	953,659	0.45	%	$	8,806,490	1.20	%	$	436,876	1.75	%	$	—	—	%
U.S. agency debentures	2,942,968		1.63		821,073		1.73		1,971,243		1.53		150,652		2.49		—		—
Residential mortgage-backed securities:
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations - fixed rate	1,517,702		1.96		—		—		—		—		570,403		2.50		947,299		1.65
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations - variable rate	645,288		0.71		—		—		—		—		—		—		645,288		0.71
Total	$	15,302,983	1.31		$	1,774,732	1.04		$	10,777,733	1.26		$	1,157,931	2.21		$	1,592,587	1.27

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Held-to-Maturity Securities

The components of our held-to-maturity investment securities portfolio at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are as follows:

	September 30, 2015
(Dollars in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
Held-to-maturity securities, at cost:
U.S. agency debentures (1)	$	545,753	$	11,923	$	—		$	557,676
Residential mortgage-backed securities:
Agency-issued mortgage-backed securities	2,457,328		18,925		(1,005		)	2,475,248
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations—fixed rate	4,045,172		24,146		(5,372		)	4,063,946
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations—variable rate	109,478		577		—			110,055
Agency-issued commercial mortgage-backed securities	1,073,160		12,449		(309		)	1,085,300
Municipal bonds and notes	75,635		36		(893		)	74,778
Total held-to-maturity securities	$	8,306,526	$	68,056	$	(7,579	)	$	8,367,003

(1) Consists of pools of Small Business Investment Company debentures issued and guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration, an independent agency of the United States.

	December 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
Held-to-maturity securities, at cost:
U.S. agency debentures (1)	$	405,899	$	4,589	$	(38	)	$	410,450
Residential mortgage-backed securities:
Agency-issued mortgage-backed securities	2,799,923		5,789		(2,320		)	2,803,392
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations—fixed rate	3,185,109		4,521		(14,885		)	3,174,745
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations—variable rate	131,580		371		—			131,951
Agency-issued commercial mortgage-backed securities	814,589		1,026		(3,800		)	811,815
Municipal bonds and notes	83,942		18		(657		)	83,303
Total held-to-maturity securities	$	7,421,042	$	16,314	$	(21,700	)	$	7,415,656

(1) Consists of pools of Small Business Investment Company debentures issued and guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration, an independent agency of the United States.

The following table summarizes our unrealized losses on our held-to-maturity securities portfolio into categories of less than 12 months and 12 months or longer as of September 30, 2015:

	September 30, 2015
	Less than 12 months					12 months or longer					Total
(Dollars in thousands)	Fair Value of Investments		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value of Investments		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value of Investments		Unrealized Losses
Held-to-maturity securities:
Residential mortgage-backed securities:
Agency-issued mortgage-backed securities	$	308,687	$	(438	)	$	23,732	$	(567	)	$	332,419	$	(1,005	)
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations—fixed rate	705,362		(5,264		)	8,945		(108		)	714,307		(5,372		)
Agency-issued commercial mortgage-backed securities	—		—			42,179		(309		)	42,179		(309		)
Municipal bonds and notes	29,712		(235		)	32,706		(658		)	62,418		(893		)
Total temporarily impaired securities (1):	$	1,043,761	$	(5,937	)	$	107,562	$	(1,642	)	$	1,151,323	$	(7,579	)

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(1) As of September 30, 2015, we identified a total of 157 investments that were in unrealized loss positions, 63 of which have been in an impaired position for a period of time greater than 12 months. As of September 30, 2015, we do not intend to sell any impaired fixed income investment securities prior to recovery of our adjusted cost basis, and it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell any of our securities prior to recovery of our adjusted cost basis, which is consistent with our classification of these securities. Based on our analysis as of September 30, 2015, we deem all impairments to be temporary. Market valuations and impairment analyses on assets in the held-to-maturity securities portfolio are reviewed and monitored on a quarterly basis.

The following table summarizes our unrealized losses on our held-to-maturity securities portfolio into categories of less than 12 months and 12 months or longer as of December 31, 2014:

	December 31, 2014
	Less than 12 months					12 months or longer (1)					Total
(Dollars in thousands)	Fair Value of Investments		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value of Investments		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value of Investments		Unrealized Losses
Held-to-maturity securities:
U.S. agency debentures	$	48,335	$	(38	)	$	—	$	—		$	48,335	$	(38	)
Residential mortgage-backed securities:
Agency-issued mortgage-backed securities	999,230		(2,320		)	—		—			999,230		(2,320		)
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations—fixed rate	1,682,348		(9,705		)	783,558		(5,180		)	2,465,906		(14,885		)
Agency-issued commercial mortgage-backed securities	629,840		(3,800		)	—		—			629,840		(3,800		)
Municipal bonds and notes	79,141		(657		)	—		—			79,141		(657		)
Total temporarily impaired securities (2):	$	3,438,894	$	(16,520	)	$	783,558	$	(5,180	)	$	4,222,452	$	(21,700	)

(1) Represents securities in an unrealized loss position for twelve months or longer in which the amortized cost basis was re-set for those securities re-designated from AFS to HTM effective June 1, 2014.

(2) As of December 31, 2014, we identified a total of 292 investments that were in unrealized loss positions, of which 26 investments totaling $783.6 million with unrealized losses of $5.2 million have been in an impaired position for a period of time greater than 12 months.

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The following table summarizes the remaining contractual principal maturities and fully taxable equivalent yields on fixed income investment securities classified as held-to-maturity as of September 30, 2015. Interest income on certain municipal bonds and notes (non-taxable investments) are presented on a fully taxable equivalent basis using the federal statutory tax rate of 35%. The weighted average yield is computed using the amortized cost of fixed income investment securities. For U.S. Agency debentures, the expected maturity is the actual contractual maturity of the notes. Expected maturities for mortgage-backed securities may differ significantly from their contractual maturities because mortgage borrowers have the right to prepay outstanding loan obligations with or without penalties. Mortgage-backed securities classified as held-to-maturity typically have original contractual maturities from 10 to 30 years whereas expected average lives of these securities tend to be significantly shorter and vary based upon structure and prepayments in lower rate environments.

	September 30, 2015
	Total				One Year or Less				After One Year to Five Years				After Five Years to Ten Years				After Ten Years
(Dollars in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Weighted- Average Yield		Amortized Cost		Weighted- Average Yield		Amortized Cost		Weighted- Average Yield		Amortized Cost		Weighted- Average Yield		Amortized Cost		Weighted- Average Yield
U.S. agency debentures	$	545,753	2.69	%			—	%	$	—	—	%	$	545,753	2.69	%	$	—	—	%
Residential mortgage-backed securities:
Agency-issued mortgage-backed securities	2,457,328		2.43		—		—		39,527		2.38		674,584		2.20		1,743,217		2.52
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations - fixed rate	4,045,172		1.70		—		—		—		—		—		—		4,045,172		1.70
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations - variable rate	109,478		0.65		—		—		—		—		—		—		109,478		0.65
Agency-issued commercial mortgage-backed securities	1,073,160		2.12		—		—		—		—		—		—		1,073,160		2.12
Municipal bonds and notes	75,635		6.05		4,711		5.58		29,083		5.95		35,698		6.14		6,143		6.35
Total	$	8,306,526	2.06		$	4,711	5.58		$	68,610	3.89		$	1,256,035	2.53		$	6,977,170	1.95

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Non-marketable and Other Securities

The components of our non-marketable and other investment securities portfolio at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Non-marketable and other securities (1):
Non-marketable securities (fair value accounting):
Venture capital and private equity fund investments (2)	$	154,660	$	1,130,882
Other venture capital investments (3)	3,390		71,204
Other securities (fair value accounting) (4)	779		108,251
Non-marketable securities (equity method accounting) (5):
Venture capital and private equity fund investments	84,197		—
Debt funds	21,217		26,672
Other investments	119,731		116,002
Non-marketable securities (cost method accounting):
Venture capital and private equity fund investments (6)	123,550		140,551
Other investments (7)	17,499		13,423
Investments in qualified affordable housing projects, net (7)	125,532		121,155
Total non-marketable and other securities	$	650,555	$	1,728,140

(1) During the second quarter of 2015 we adopted new accounting guidance related to our consolidated variable interest entities (ASU 2015-02) under a modified retrospective approach. Periods prior to January 1, 2015 have not been revised. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” and Note 4— "Variable Interest Entities" of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details regarding our non-marketable and other securities.

(2) The following table shows the amounts of venture capital and private equity fund investments held by the following funds and our ownership percentage of each fund at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (fair value accounting):

	September 30, 2015				December 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)	Amount		Ownership %		Amount		Ownership %
SVB Strategic Investors Fund, LP	$	23,229	12.6	%	$	24,645	12.6	%
SVB Strategic Investors Fund II, LP (i)	—		—		97,250		8.6
SVB Strategic Investors Fund III, LP (i)	—		—		269,821		5.9
SVB Strategic Investors Fund IV, LP (i)	—		—		291,291		5.0
Strategic Investors Fund V Funds (i)	—		—		226,111		Various
Strategic Investors Fund VI Funds (i)	—		—		89,605		—
SVB Capital Preferred Return Fund, LP	61,869		20.0		62,110		20.0
SVB Capital—NT Growth Partners, LP	62,818		33.0		61,973		33.0
SVB Capital Partners II, LP (i)	—		—		302		5.1
Other private equity fund (ii)	6,744		58.2		7,774		58.2
Total venture capital and private equity fund investments	$	154,660			$	1,130,882

(i) Funds were deconsolidated during the second quarter of 2015 upon adoption of ASU 2015-02 and are now reported under equity method accounting. Periods prior to January 1, 2015 have not been revised. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

(ii) At September 30, 2015, we had a direct ownership interest of 41.5 percent in other private equity funds and an indirect ownership interest of 12.6 percent through our ownership interest of SVB Capital—NT Growth Partners, LP and an indirect ownership interest of 4.1 percent through our ownership interest of SVB Capital Preferred Return Fund, LP.

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(3) The following table shows the amounts of other venture capital investments held by the following funds and our ownership percentage of each fund at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (fair value accounting):

	September 30, 2015				December 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)	Amount		Ownership %		Amount		Ownership %
Silicon Valley BancVentures, LP	$	3,390	10.7	%	$	3,291	10.7	%
SVB Capital Partners II, LP (i)	—		—		20,481		5.1
Capital Partners III, LP (i)	—		—		41,055		—
SVB Capital Shanghai Yangpu Venture Capital Fund (i)	—		—		6,377		6.8
Total other venture capital investments	$	3,390			$	71,204

(i) Funds were deconsolidated during the second quarter of 2015 upon adoption of ASU 2015-02 and are now reported under equity method accounting, within "Other venture capital and private equity fund investments". Periods prior to January 1, 2015 have not been revised. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

(4) Investments classified as other securities (fair value accounting) represent direct equity investments in public companies held by our consolidated funds. At December 31, 2014, the amount primarily included total unrealized gains in one public company, FireEye, Inc. ("FireEye") that were realized during the first quarter of 2015. Funds were deconsolidated during the second quarter of 2015 upon adoption of ASU 2015-02. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

(5) The following table shows the carrying value and our ownership percentage of each investment at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (equity method accounting):

	September 30, 2015				December 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)	Amount		Ownership %		Amount		Ownership %
Venture capital and private equity fund investments:
SVB Strategic Investors Fund II, LP (i)	$	11,204	8.6	%	$	—	—	%
SVB Strategic Investors Fund III, LP (i)	24,781		5.9		—		—
SVB Strategic Investors Fund IV, LP (i)	25,542		5.0		—		—
Other venture capital and private equity fund investments (i)	22,670		Various		—		—
Total venture capital and private equity fund investments	84,197				—
Debt funds:
Gold Hill Capital 2008, LP (ii)	$	17,662	15.5		$	21,294	15.5
Other debt funds	3,555		Various		5,378		Various
Total debt funds	21,217				26,672
Other investments:
China Joint Venture investment	79,299		50.0		79,569		50.0
Other investments	40,432		Various		36,433		Various
Total other investments	$	119,731			$	116,002

(i) Represents funds previously consolidated and reported under fair value accounting in (2) above prior to adoption of ASU 2015-02 during the second quarter of 2015. Periods prior to January 1, 2015 have not been revised. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

(ii) At September 30, 2015, we had a direct ownership interest of 11.5 percent in the fund and an indirect interest in the fund through our investment in Gold Hill Capital 2008, LLC of 4.0 percent.

(6) Represents investments in 270 and 281 funds (primarily venture capital funds) at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, where our ownership interest is typically less than 5% of the voting interests of each such fund and in which we do not have the ability to exercise significant influence over the partnerships operating activities and financial policies. The carrying value, and estimated fair value, of these venture capital and private equity fund investments (cost method accounting) was $124 million and $244 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2015. The carrying value, and

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estimated fair value, of these venture capital and private equity fund investments (cost method accounting) was $141 million and $234 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2014.

(7) Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

The following table presents the balances of our investments in qualified affordable housing projects and related unfunded commitments at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

(Dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Investments in qualified affordable housing projects, net	$	125,532	$	121,155
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	65,305		65,921

The following table presents other information relating to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014:

	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015		2014		2015		2014
Tax credits and other tax benefits recognized	$	4,780	$	3,087	$	11,207	$	9,312
Amortization expense included in provision for income taxes (i)	2,011		1,246		7,549		5,971

(i) All investments are amortized using the proportional amortization method and are included in provision for income taxes.

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The following table presents the components of gains and losses (realized and unrealized) on investment securities for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014:

	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015			2014			2015			2014
Gross gains on investment securities:
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value (1)	$	46		$	45		$	2,971		$	642
Non-marketable securities (fair value accounting):
Venture capital and private equity fund investments	6,746			69,044			24,767			268,483
Other venture capital investments	15			6,779			198			11,334
Other securities (fair value accounting)	40			5,444			9,108			136,010
Non-marketable securities (equity method accounting):
Venture capital and private equity fund investments	7,655			275			22,111			1,284
Debt funds	379			1,037			2,067			4,076
Other investments	1,282			927			2,147			3,635
Non-marketable securities (cost method accounting):
Venture capital and private equity fund investments	5,624			2,641			21,101			7,706
Other investments	—			19			576			5,174
Total gross gains on investment securities	21,787			86,211			85,046			438,344
Gross losses on investment securities:
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value (1)	(33		)	(1,035		)	(221		)	(18,052		)
Non-marketable securities (fair value accounting):
Venture capital and private equity fund investments	(1,148		)	(25,584		)	(2,695		)	(76,243		)
Other venture capital investments	—			(1,233		)	(52		)	(3,274		)
Other securities (fair value accounting)	(325		)	(52,264		)	(1,117		)	(166,051		)
Non-marketable securities (equity method accounting):
Venture capital and private equity fund investments	(914		)	(115		)	(1,351		)	(231		)
Debt funds	(1		)	(64		)	(589		)	(457		)
Other investments	(460		)	—			(1,470		)	(759		)
Non-marketable securities (cost method accounting):
Venture capital and private equity fund investments (2)	(132		)	(272		)	(530		)	(781		)
Other investments	(6		)	—			(15		)	(260		)
Total gross losses on investment securities	(3,019		)	(80,567		)	(8,040		)	(266,108		)
Gains on investment securities, net	$	18,768		$	5,644		$	77,006		$	172,236

(1) Includes realized gains (losses) on sales of available-for-sale equity securities that are recognized in the income statement. Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale fixed income and equity securities are recognized in other comprehensive income. The cost basis of available-for-sale securities sold is determined on a specific identification basis.

(2) For the three months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014, includes OTTI losses of $0.1 million from the declines in value for 4 of the 270 investments and $0.3 million from the declines in value for 5 of the 281 investments, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, includes OTTI losses of $0.4 million from the declines in value for 19 of the 270 investments and $0.7 million from the declines in value for 22 of the 281 investments, respectively. We concluded that any declines in value for the remaining investments were temporary, and as such, no OTTI was required to be recognized.

7. Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses

We serve a variety of clients in the technology and life science & healthcare industries. Our technology clients tend to be in the industries of: hardware (such as semiconductors, communications, data storage, and electronics); software and internet (such as infrastructure software, applications, software services, digital content and advertising technology), and energy and resource innovation ("ERI"). Because of the diverse nature of ERI products and services, for our loan-related reporting purposes, ERI-related loans are reported under hardware and software, as applicable. Our life science & healthcare clients primarily tend to be in the industries of biotechnology, medical devices, healthcare information technology and healthcare services. Loans made to private equity/venture capital firm clients typically enable them to fund investments prior to their receipt of funds from capital calls. Loans to the premium wine industry focus on vineyards and wineries that produce grapes and wines of high quality.

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In addition to commercial loans, we make consumer loans through SVB Private Bank and provide real estate secured loans to eligible employees through our EHOP. Our private banking clients are primarily private equity/venture capital professionals and executive leaders in the innovation companies they support. These products and services include real estate secured home equity lines of credit, which may be used to finance real estate investments and loans used to purchase, renovate or refinance personal residences. These products and services also include restricted stock purchase loans and capital call lines of credit.

We also provide community development loans made as part of our responsibilities under the Community Reinvestment Act. These loans are included within “Construction loans” below and are primarily secured by real estate.

The composition of loans, net of unearned income of $115 million and $104 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, is presented in the following table:

(Dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	5,272,825	$	4,954,676
Hardware	962,295		1,131,006
Private equity/venture capital	4,571,102		4,582,906
Life science & healthcare	1,598,362		1,289,904
Premium wine	193,712		187,568
Other	295,550		234,551
Total commercial loans	12,893,846		12,380,611
Real estate secured loans:
Premium wine (1)	633,248		606,753
Consumer loans (2)	1,444,067		1,118,115
Other	38,043		39,651
Total real estate secured loans	2,115,358		1,764,519
Construction loans	92,551		78,626
Consumer loans	212,825		160,520
Total loans, net of unearned income (3)	$	15,314,580	$	14,384,276

(1) Included in our premium wine portfolio are gross construction loans of $119 million and $112 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

(2) Consumer loans secured by real estate at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were comprised of the following:

(Dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Loans for personal residence	$	1,225,794	$	918,629
Loans to eligible employees	149,612		133,568
Home equity lines of credit	68,661		65,918
Consumer loans secured by real estate	$	1,444,067	$	1,118,115

(3) Included within our total loan portfolio are credit card loans of $186 million and $131 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

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Credit Quality

The composition of loans, net of unearned income of $115 million and $104 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, broken out by portfolio segment and class of financing receivable, is as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	5,272,825	$	4,954,676
Hardware	962,295		1,131,006
Private equity/venture capital	4,571,102		4,582,906
Life science & healthcare	1,598,362		1,289,904
Premium wine	826,960		794,321
Other	426,144		352,828
Total commercial loans	13,657,688		13,105,641
Consumer loans:
Real estate secured loans	1,444,067		1,118,115
Other consumer loans	212,825		160,520
Total consumer loans	1,656,892		1,278,635
Total loans, net of unearned income	$	15,314,580	$	14,384,276

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The following table summarizes the aging of our gross loans, broken out by portfolio segment and class of financing receivable as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

(Dollars in thousands)	30 - 59   Days Past   Due		60 - 89   Days Past   Due		Greater Than 90   Days Past   Due		Total Past   Due		Current		Loans Past Due   90 Days or More Still Accruing Interest
September 30, 2015:
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	9,729	$	1,168	$	169	$	11,066	$	5,244,198	$	169
Hardware	620		1,021		—		1,641		965,511		—
Private equity/venture capital	410		—		—		410		4,611,543		—
Life science & healthcare	377		729		—		1,106		1,566,185		—
Premium wine	295		—		—		295		827,709		—
Other	—		8		—		8		429,145		—
Total commercial loans	11,431		2,926		169		14,526		13,644,291		169
Consumer loans:
Real estate secured loans	—		—		—		—		1,443,011		—
Other consumer loans	1,313		—		—		1,313		211,339		—
Total consumer loans	1,313		—		—		1,313		1,654,350		—
Total gross loans excluding impaired loans	12,744		2,926		169		15,839		15,298,641		169
Impaired loans	—		1,798		8,295		10,093		105,368		—
Total gross loans	$	12,744	$	4,724	$	8,464	$	25,932	$	15,404,009	$	169
December 31, 2014:
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	10,989	$	1,627	$	52	$	12,668	$	4,950,291	$	52
Hardware	13,424		126		—		13,550		1,124,423		—
Private equity/venture capital	40,773		—		—		40,773		4,580,526		—
Life science & healthcare	738		786		—		1,524		1,298,728		—
Premium wine	—		—		—		—		795,345		—
Other	178		3		—		181		354,939		—
Total commercial loans	66,102		2,542		52		68,696		13,104,252		52
Consumer loans:
Real estate secured loans	1,592		341		1,250		3,183		1,114,286		1,250
Other consumer loans	—		—		—		—		160,212		—
Total consumer loans	1,592		341		1,250		3,183		1,274,498		1,250
Total gross loans excluding impaired loans	67,694		2,883		1,302		71,879		14,378,750		1,302
Impaired loans	598		1,293		22,320		24,211		13,926		—
Total gross loans	$	68,292	$	4,176	$	23,622	$	96,090	$	14,392,676	$	1,302

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The following table summarizes our impaired loans as they relate to our allowance for loan losses, broken out by portfolio segment and class of financing receivable as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

(Dollars in thousands)	Impaired loans for   which there is a related allowance for loan losses		Impaired loans for   which there is no related allowance for loan losses		Total carrying value of impaired loans		Total unpaid principal of impaired loans
September 30, 2015:
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	64,792	$	—	$	64,792	$	89,471
Hardware	3,586		177		3,763		3,802
Private equity/venture capital	—		—		—		—
Life science & healthcare	45,389		—		45,389		45,904
Premium wine	—		1,201		1,201		1,716
Other	157		—		157		157
Total commercial loans	113,924		1,378		115,302		141,050
Consumer loans:
Real estate secured loans	—		159		159		1,399
Other consumer loans	—		—		—		—
Total consumer loans	—		159		159		1,399
Total	$	113,924	$	1,537	$	115,461	$	142,449
December 31, 2014:
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	33,287	$	—	$	33,287	$	34,218
Hardware	1,403		1,118		2,521		2,535
Private equity/venture capital	—		—		—		—
Life science & healthcare	475		—		475		2,453
Premium wine	—		1,304		1,304		1,743
Other	233		—		233		233
Total commercial loans	35,398		2,422		37,820		41,182
Consumer loans:
Real estate secured loans	—		192		192		1,412
Other consumer loans	125		—		125		305
Total consumer loans	125		192		317		1,717
Total	$	35,523	$	2,614	$	38,137	$	42,899

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The following table summarizes our average impaired loans, broken out by portfolio segment and class of financing receivable for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014:

	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015		2014		2015		2014
Average impaired loans:
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	77,156	$	10,651	$	54,543	$	13,690
Hardware	2,796		1,540		1,944		8,140
Life science & healthcare	17,184		333		6,526		636
Premium wine	1,213		1,364		1,245		1,398
Other	3,132		674		3,498		1,383
Total commercial loans	101,481		14,562		67,756		25,247
Consumer loans:
Real estate secured loans	162		212		180		224
Other consumer loans	—		261		55		375
Total consumer loans	162		473		235		599
Total average impaired loans	$	101,643	$	15,035	$	67,991	$	25,846

The following tables summarize the activity relating to our allowance for loan losses for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014, broken out by portfolio segment:

Three months ended September 30, 2015 (dollars in thousands)	Beginning Balance June 30, 2015		Charge-offs			Recoveries		Provision for (Reduction of) Loan Losses			Ending Balance September 30, 2015
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	106,728	$	(24,815	)	$	195	$	5,958		$	88,066
Hardware	20,472		—			240		(70		)	20,642
Private equity/venture capital	29,276		—			—		3,166			32,442
Life science & healthcare	17,233		(117		)	50		19,793			36,959
Premium wine	4,409		—			—		253			4,662
Other	5,894		(4,186		)	89		2,976			4,773
Total commercial loans	184,012		(29,118		)	574		32,076			187,544
Consumer loans	8,632		—			4		1,327			9,963
Total allowance for loan losses	$	192,644	$	(29,118	)	$	578	$	33,403		$	197,507

Three months ended September 30, 2014 (dollars in thousands)	Beginning Balance June 30, 2014		Charge-offs			Recoveries		Provision for (Reduction of) Loan Losses			Ending Balance September 30, 2014
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	53,239	$	(6,907	)	$	790	$	11,078		$	58,200
Hardware	24,780		(2,643		)	113		2,491			24,741
Private equity/venture capital	19,004		—			—		845			19,849
Life science & healthcare	10,597		—			53		1,591			12,241
Premium wine	3,546		(35		)	—		710			4,221
Other	3,218		(1,072		)	1,306		(530		)	2,922
Total commercial loans	114,384		(10,657		)	2,262		16,185			122,174
Consumer loans	6,344		—			118		425			6,887
Total allowance for loan losses	$	120,728	$	(10,657	)	$	2,380	$	16,610		$	129,061

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Nine months ended September 30, 2015 (dollars in thousands)	Beginning Balance December 31, 2014		Charge-offs			Recoveries		Provision for (Reduction of) Loan Losses			Ending Balance September 30, 2015
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	80,981	$	(26,980	)	$	1,239	$	32,826		$	88,066
Hardware	25,860		(4,049		)	3,049		(4,218		)	20,642
Private equity/venture capital	27,997		—			—		4,445			32,442
Life science & healthcare	15,208		(3,336		)	129		24,958			36,959
Premium wine	4,473		—			7		182			4,662
Other	3,253		(4,974		)	559		5,935			4,773
Total commercial loans	157,772		(39,339		)	4,983		64,128			187,544
Consumer loans	7,587		—			136		2,240			9,963
Total allowance for loan losses	$	165,359	$	(39,339	)	$	5,119	$	66,368		$	197,507

Nine months ended September 30, 2014 (dollars in thousands)	Beginning Balance December 31, 2013		Charge-offs			Recoveries		Provision for (Reduction of) Loan Losses		Ending Balance September 30, 2014
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	64,084	$	(18,932	)	$	1,023	$	12,025	$	58,200
Hardware	36,553		(15,230		)	2,070		1,348		24,741
Private equity/venture capital	16,385		—			—		3,464		19,849
Life science & healthcare	11,926		(930		)	341		904		12,241
Premium wine	3,914		(35		)	238		104		4,221
Other	3,680		(3,062		)	1,316		988		2,922
Total commercial loans	136,542		(38,189		)	4,988		18,833		122,174
Consumer loans	6,344		—			325		218		6,887
Total allowance for loan losses	$	142,886	$	(38,189	)	$	5,313	$	19,051	$	129,061

The following table summarizes the allowance for loan losses individually and collectively evaluated for impairment as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, broken out by portfolio segment:

	September 30, 2015								December 31, 2014
	Individually Evaluated for   Impairment				Collectively Evaluated for   Impairment				Individually Evaluated for   Impairment				Collectively Evaluated for   Impairment
(Dollars in thousands)	Allowance for loan losses		Recorded investment in loans		Allowance for loan losses		Recorded investment in loans		Allowance for loan losses		Recorded investment in loans		Allowance for loan losses		Recorded investment in loans
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	25,260	$	64,792	$	62,806	$	5,208,033	$	13,695	$	33,287	$	67,286	$	4,921,389
Hardware	1,100		3,763		19,542		958,532		1,133		2,521		24,727		1,128,485
Private equity/venture capital	—		—		32,442		4,571,102		—		—		27,997		4,582,906
Life science & healthcare	19,739		45,389		17,220		1,552,973		121		475		15,087		1,289,429
Premium wine	—		1,201		4,662		825,759		—		1,304		4,473		793,017
Other	157		157		4,616		425,987		71		233		3,182		352,595
Total commercial loans	46,256		115,302		141,288		13,542,386		15,020		37,820		142,752		13,067,821
Consumer loans	—		159		9,963		1,656,733		31		317		7,556		1,278,318
Total	$	46,256	$	115,461	$	151,251	$	15,199,119	$	15,051	$	38,137	$	150,308	$	14,346,139

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Credit Quality Indicators

For each individual client, we establish an internal credit risk rating for that loan, which is used for assessing and monitoring credit risk as well as performance of the loan and the overall portfolio. Our internal credit risk ratings are also used to summarize the risk of loss due to failure by an individual borrower to repay the loan. For our internal credit risk ratings, each individual loan is given a risk rating of 1 through 10. Loans risk-rated 1 through 4 are performing loans and translate to an internal rating of “Pass”, with loans risk-rated 1 being cash secured. Loans risk-rated 5 through 7 are performing loans, however, we consider them as demonstrating higher risk, which requires more frequent review of the individual exposures; these translate to an internal rating of “Performing (Criticized)”. Loans risk-rated 8 and 9 are loans that are considered to be impaired and are on nonaccrual status. (For further description of nonaccrual loans, refer to Note 2—“Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” under Part II, Item 8 of our 2014 Form 10-K). Loans rated 10 are charged-off and are not included as part of our loan portfolio balance. We review our credit quality indicators for performance and appropriateness of risk ratings as part of our evaluation process for our allowance for loan losses.

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The following table summarizes the credit quality indicators, broken out by portfolio segment and class of financing receivables as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

(Dollars in thousands)	Pass		Performing     (Criticized)		Impaired		Total
September 30, 2015:
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	4,802,522	$	452,742	$	64,792	$	5,320,056
Hardware	834,067		133,085		3,763		970,915
Private equity/venture capital	4,611,953		—		—		4,611,953
Life science & healthcare	1,446,972		120,319		45,389		1,612,680
Premium wine	804,411		23,593		1,201		829,205
Other	417,459		11,694		157		429,310
Total commercial loans	12,917,384		741,433		115,302		13,774,119
Consumer loans:
Real estate secured loans	1,433,926		9,085		159		1,443,170
Other consumer loans	211,366		1,286		—		212,652
Total consumer loans	1,645,292		10,371		159		1,655,822
Total gross loans	$	14,562,676	$	751,804	$	115,461	$	15,429,941
December 31, 2014:
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	4,611,253	$	351,706	$	33,287	$	4,996,246
Hardware	945,998		191,975		2,521		1,140,494
Private equity/venture capital	4,615,231		6,068		—		4,621,299
Life science & healthcare	1,165,266		134,986		475		1,300,727
Premium wine	774,962		20,383		1,304		796,649
Other	346,153		8,967		233		355,353
Total commercial loans	12,458,863		714,085		37,820		13,210,768
Consumer loans:
Real estate secured loans	1,112,396		5,073		192		1,117,661
Other consumer loans	158,162		2,050		125		160,337
Total consumer loans	1,270,558		7,123		317		1,277,998
Total gross loans	$	13,729,421	$	721,208	$	38,137	$	14,488,766

TDRs

As of September 30, 2015 we had thirteen TDRs with a total carrying value of $91.3 million where concessions have been granted to borrowers experiencing financial difficulties, in an attempt to maximize collection. There were less than $0.5 million of unfunded commitments available for funding to the clients associated with these TDRs as of September 30, 2015. The following table summarizes our loans modified in TDRs, broken out by portfolio segment and class of financing receivables at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

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(Dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Loans modified in TDRs:
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	57,766	$	3,784
Hardware	2,301		1,118
Life science & healthcare	29,529		—
Premium wine	1,202		1,891
Other	518		233
Total commercial loans	91,316		7,026
Consumer loans:
Other consumer loans	—		125
Total consumer loans	—		125
Total	$	91,316	$	7,151

The following table summarizes the recorded investment in loans modified in TDRs, broken out by portfolio segment and class of financing receivable, for modifications made during the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014:

	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015		2014		2015		2014
Loans modified in TDRs during the period:
Commercial loans:
Software and internet (1)	$	51,749	$	496	$	57,766	$	7,848
Hardware	—		—		2,031		—
Life science & healthcare	29,530		—		29,530		—
Premium wine	—		—		—		614
Other	518		—		518		—
Total loans modified in TDRs during the period (1)	$	81,797	$	496	$	89,845	$	8,462

(1) There were partial charge-offs of two loans classified as TDRs in our software and internet loan portfolio for $22.4 million during the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and no partial charge-offs during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, new TDRs of $81.8 million and $89.8 million were modified through payment deferrals granted to our clients.

During the three months ended September 30, 2014, new TDRs of $0.5 million were modified through payment deferrals granted to our clients. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, new TDRs of $7.1 million were modified through payment deferrals granted to our clients and $1.3 million were modified through partial forgiveness of principal.

The related allowance for loan losses for the majority of our TDRs is determined on an individual basis by comparing the carrying value of the loan to the present value of the estimated future cash flows, discounted at the pre-modification contractual interest rate. For certain TDRs, the related allowance for loan losses is determined based on the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.

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The following table summarizes the recorded investment in loans modified in TDRs within the previous 12 months that subsequently defaulted during the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015. There were no loans modified in TDRs within the previous 12 months that subsequently defaulted during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014.

	Three months ended September 30,		Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015		2015
TDRs modified within the previous 12 months that defaulted during the period:
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	11,107	$	17,124
Hardware	2,031		2,031
Life science & healthcare	958		958
Total TDRs modified within the previous 12 months that defaulted in the period	$	14,096	$	20,113

Charge-offs and defaults on previously restructured loans are evaluated to determine the impact to the allowance for loan losses, if any. The evaluation of these defaults may impact the assumptions used in calculating the reserve on other TDRs and impaired loans as well as management’s overall outlook of macroeconomic factors that affect the reserve on the loan portfolio as a whole. After evaluating the charge-offs and defaults experienced on our TDRs we determined that no change to our reserving methodology was necessary to determine the allowance for loan losses as of September 30, 2015.

8. Disposal - Assets Held-for-Sale

At December 31, 2014, we had assets held-for-sale of $44.3 million related to our agreement to sell all of the outstanding capital stock of the Bank’s subsidiary, SVB India Finance Private Limited, a non-banking financial company in India (“SVBIF”) to Temasek, a Singapore investment company. The sale was completed on April 13, 2015 and no held-for-sale operations remain at September 30, 2015.

9. Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt

The following table represents outstanding short-term borrowings and long-term debt at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

				Carrying Value
(Dollars in thousands)	Maturity	Principal value at September 30, 2015		September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Short-term borrowings:
Other short-term borrowings	(1)			$	3,756	$	7,781
Total short-term borrowings				$	3,756	$	7,781
Long-term debt:
3.50% Senior Notes	January 29, 2025	$	350,000	$	346,591	$	—
5.375% Senior Notes	September 15, 2020	350,000		346,878		346,477
6.05% Subordinated Notes (2)	June 1, 2017	45,964		49,028		50,040
7.0% Junior Subordinated Debentures	October 15, 2033	50,000		54,714		54,845
Total long-term debt				$	797,211	$	451,362

(1) Represents cash collateral received from certain counterparties in relation to market value exposures of derivative contracts in our favor.

(2) At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, included in the carrying value of our 6.05% Subordinated Notes was an interest rate swap valued at $3.5 million and $4.6 million, respectively, related to hedge accounting associated with the notes.

Interest expense related to long-term debt was $9.0 million and $25.9 million for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015, and $5.8 million and $17.4 million for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2014. Interest expense is net of the hedge accounting impact from our interest rate swap agreement related to our 6.05% Subordinated Notes. The weighted average interest rate associated with our short-term borrowings as of September 30, 2015 was 0.11 percent.

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3.50% Senior Notes

On January 29, 2015, the Company issued $350 million of 3.50% Senior Notes due in January 2025 (“3.50% Senior Notes”). We received net proceeds from this offering of approximately $346.4 million after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and issuance costs. The balance of our 3.50% Senior Notes at September 30, 2015 was $346.6 million, which is reflective of $3.0 million of debt issuance costs and a $0.3 million discount.

Available Lines of Credit

We have certain facilities in place to enable us to access short-term borrowings on a secured (using high-quality fixed income securities as collateral) and an unsecured basis. These include repurchase agreements and uncommitted federal funds lines with various financial institutions. As of September 30, 2015, we did not borrow against our uncommitted federal funds lines. We also pledge securities to the FHLB of San Francisco and the discount window at the Federal Reserve Bank. The market value of collateral pledged to the FHLB of San Francisco (comprised primarily of U.S. Treasury securities) at September 30, 2015 totaled $1.3 billion, all of which was unused and available to support additional borrowings. The market value of collateral pledged at the discount window of the Federal Reserve Bank at September 30, 2015 totaled $920 million, all of which was unused and available to support additional borrowings.

10. Derivative Financial Instruments

We primarily use derivative financial instruments to manage interest rate risk, currency exchange rate risk, and to assist customers with their risk management objectives. Also, in connection with negotiating credit facilities and certain other services, we often obtain equity warrant assets giving us the right to acquire stock in private, venture-backed companies in the technology and life science & healthcare industries.

Interest Rate Risk

Interest rate risk is our primary market risk and can result from timing and volume differences in the repricing of our interest rate-sensitive assets and liabilities and changes in market interest rates. To manage interest rate risk for our 6.05% Subordinated Notes, we entered into a fixed-for-floating interest rate swap agreement at the time of debt issuance based upon LIBOR with matched-terms. Net cash benefits associated with our interest rate swap is recorded as a reduction in “Interest expense—Borrowings,” a component of net interest income. The fair value of our interest rate swaps is calculated using a discounted cash flow method and adjusted for credit valuation associated with counterparty risk. Changes in fair value of the interest rate swaps are reflected in either other assets (for swaps in an asset position) or other liabilities (for swaps in a liability position).

We assess hedge effectiveness under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, using the long-haul method. Any differences associated with our interest rate swap that arise as a result of hedge ineffectiveness is recorded through net gains on derivative instruments, in noninterest income, a component of consolidated net income.

Currency Exchange Risk

We enter into foreign exchange forward contracts to economically reduce our foreign exchange exposure risk associated with the net difference between foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities. We do not designate any foreign exchange forward contracts as derivative instruments that qualify for hedge accounting. Gains or losses from changes in currency rates on foreign currency denominated instruments are included in other noninterest income, a component of noninterest income. We may experience ineffectiveness in the economic hedging relationship, because the instruments are revalued based upon changes in the currency’s spot rate on the principal value, while the forwards are revalued on a discounted cash flow basis. We record forward agreements in gain positions in other assets and loss positions in other liabilities, while net changes in fair value are recorded through net gains on derivative instruments, in noninterest income, a component of consolidated net income. Additionally, through our global banking operations we maintain customer deposits denominated in a variety of global currencies, which are used to fund certain loans in these currencies to limit our exposure to currency fluctuations.

Other Derivative Instruments

Also included in our derivative instruments are equity warrant assets and client forward and option contracts, and client interest rate contracts. For further description of these other derivative instruments, refer to Note 2-“Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" under Part II, Item 8 of our 2014 Form 10-K.

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Counterparty Credit Risk

We are exposed to credit risk if counterparties to our derivative contracts do not perform as expected. We mitigate counterparty credit risk through credit approvals, limits, monitoring procedures and obtaining collateral, as appropriate. With respect to measuring counterparty credit risk for derivative instruments, we measure the fair value of a group of financial assets and financial liabilities on a net risk basis by counterparty portfolio.

The total notional or contractual amounts, fair value, collateral and net exposure of our derivative financial instruments at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows:

		September 30, 2015										December 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)	Balance Sheet Location	Notional or Contractual Amount		Fair Value			Collateral (1)		Net Exposure (2)			Notional or Contractual Amount		Fair Value			Collateral (1)		Net Exposure (2)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Interest rate risks:
Interest rate swaps	Other assets	$	45,964	$	3,485		$	—	$	3,485		$	45,964	$	4,609		$	2,970	$	1,639
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Currency exchange risks:
Foreign exchange forwards	Other assets	17,038		594			—		594			200,957		5,050			2,441		2,609
Foreign exchange forwards	Other liabilities	37,609		(1,075		)	—		(1,075		)	6,226		(489		)	—		(489		)
Net exposure				(481		)	—		(481		)			4,561			2,441		2,120
Other derivative instruments:
Equity warrant assets	Other assets	208,270		130,091			—		130,091			197,878		116,604			—		116,604
Other derivatives:
Client foreign exchange forwards	Other assets	733,204		32,431			3,756		28,675			801,487		28,954			2,370		26,584
Client foreign exchange forwards	Other liabilities	695,403		(27,618		)	—		(27,618		)	774,355		(27,647		)	—		(27,647		)
Client foreign currency options	Other assets	28,390		246			—		246			34,926		227			—		227
Client foreign currency options	Other liabilities	28,390		(246		)	—		(246		)	34,926		(227		)	—		(227		)
Client interest rate derivatives	Other assets	459,614		5,164			—		5,164			387,410		2,546			—		2,546
Client interest rate derivatives	Other liabilities	459,614		(5,719		)	—		(5,719		)	387,410		(2,748		)	—		(2,748		)
Net exposure				4,258			3,756		502					1,105			2,370		(1,265		)
Net				$	137,353		$	3,756	$	133,597				$	126,879		$	7,781	$	119,098

(1) Cash collateral received from our counterparties in relation to market value exposures of derivative contracts in our favor is recorded as a component of “short-term borrowings” on our consolidated balance sheets.

(2) Net exposure for contracts in a gain position reflects the replacement cost in the event of nonperformance by all such counterparties. The credit ratings of our institutional counterparties as of September 30, 2015 remain at investment grade or higher and there were no material changes in their credit ratings during the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015.

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A summary of our derivative activity and the related impact on our consolidated statements of income for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:

		Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	Statement of income location	2015			2014			2015			2014
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Interest rate risks:
Net cash benefit associated with interest rate swaps	Interest expense—borrowings	$	631		$	638		$	1,903		$	1,915
Changes in fair value of interest rate swaps	Net gains on derivative instruments	(8		)	(12		)	(22		)	(37		)
Net gains associated with interest rate risk derivatives		$	623		$	626		$	1,881		$	1,878
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Currency exchange risks:
Gains (losses) on revaluations of foreign currency instruments	Other noninterest income	$	186		$	(12,640	)	$	(11,667	)	$	(12,347	)
(Losses) gains on internal foreign exchange forward contracts, net	Net gains on derivative instruments	(218		)	12,529			11,626			12,038
Net losses associated with currency risk		$	(32	)	$	(111	)	$	(41	)	$	(309	)
Other derivative instruments:
Net gains on equity warrant assets	Net gains on derivative instruments	$	10,685		$	13,157		$	54,579		$	50,859
Gains on client foreign exchange forward contracts, net	Net gains on derivative instruments	$	179		$	886		$	459		$	1,358
Net losses on other derivatives (1)	Net gains on derivative instruments	$	(394	)	$	(22	)	$	(352	)	$	(738	)

(1) Primarily represents the change in fair value of loan conversion options.

Balance Sheet Offsetting

Certain of our derivative and other financial instruments are subject to enforceable master netting arrangements with our counterparties. These agreements provide for the net settlement of multiple contracts with a single counterparty through a single payment, in a single currency, in the event of default on or termination of any one contract.

The following table summarizes our assets subject to enforceable master netting arrangements as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

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								Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Financial Position But Subject to Master Netting Arrangements
(Dollars in thousands)	Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets		Gross Amounts offset in the Statement of Financial Position			Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statement of Financial Position		Financial Instruments			Cash Collateral Received			Net Amount
September 30, 2015
Derivative Assets:
Interest rate swaps	$	3,485	$	—		$	3,485	$	(3,485	)	$	—		$	—
Foreign exchange forwards	33,025		—			33,025		(19,373		)	(3,756		)	9,896
Foreign currency options	322		(76		)	246		(152		)	—			94
Client interest rate derivatives	5,164		—			5,164		(5,164		)	—			—
Total derivative assets:	41,996		(76		)	41,920		(28,174		)	(3,756		)	9,990
Reverse repurchase, securities borrowing, and similar arrangements	214,484		—			214,484		(214,484		)	—			—
Total	$	256,480	$	(76	)	$	256,404	$	(242,658	)	$	(3,756	)	$	9,990
December 31, 2014
Derivative Assets:
Interest rate swaps	$	4,609	$	—		$	4,609	$	(1,639	)	$	(2,970	)	$	—
Foreign exchange forwards	34,004		—			34,004		(17,843		)	(4,811		)	11,350
Foreign currency options	501		(274		)	227		(144		)	—			83
Client interest rate derivatives	2,546		—			2,546		(2,546		)	—			—
Total derivative assets:	41,660		(274		)	41,386		(22,172		)	(7,781		)	11,433
Reverse repurchase, securities borrowing, and similar arrangements	95,611		—			95,611		(95,611		)	—			—
Total	$	137,271	$	(274	)	$	136,997	$	(117,783	)	$	(7,781	)	$	11,433

The following table summarizes our liabilities subject to enforceable master netting arrangements as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

								Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Financial Position But Subject to Master Netting Arrangements
(Dollars in thousands)	Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities		Gross Amounts offset in the Statement of Financial Position			Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statement of Financial Position		Financial Instruments			Cash Collateral Pledged		Net Amount
September 30, 2015
Derivative Liabilities:
Foreign exchange forwards	$	28,693	$	—		$	28,693	$	(10,329	)	$	—	$	18,364
Foreign currency options	322		(76		)	246		(94		)	—		152
Client interest rate derivatives	5,719		—			5,719		(5,719		)	—		—
Total derivative liabilities:	34,734		(76		)	34,658		(16,142		)	—		18,516
Repurchase, securities lending, and similar arrangements	—		—			—		—			—		—
Total	$	34,734	$	(76	)	$	34,658	$	(16,142	)	$	—	$	18,516
December 31, 2014
Derivative Liabilities:
Foreign exchange forwards	$	28,136	$	—		$	28,136	$	(16,808	)	$	—	$	11,328
Foreign currency options	501		(274		)	227		(83		)	—		144
Client interest rate derivatives	2,748		—			2,748		(2,748		)	—		—
Total derivative liabilities:	31,385		(274		)	31,111		(19,639		)	—		11,472
Repurchase, securities lending, and similar arrangements	—		—			—		—			—		—
Total	$	31,385	$	(274	)	$	31,111	$	(19,639	)	$	—	$	11,472

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11. Other Noninterest Income and Other Noninterest Expense

A summary of other noninterest income for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:

	Three months ended September 30,					Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015		2014			2015			2014
Fund management fees	$	4,074	$	3,574		$	11,657		$	9,888
Service-based fee income	1,931		2,180			6,450			6,459
Gains (losses) on revaluation of foreign currency instruments (1)	186		(12,640		)	(11,667		)	(12,347		)
Other (2) (3)	4,886		1,525			15,875			10,601
Total other noninterest income	$	11,077	$	(5,361	)	$	22,315		$	14,601

(1) Represents the revaluation of foreign currency denominated financial instruments issued and held by us, primarily loans, deposits and cash.

(2) Includes dividends on FHLB/FRB stock, correspondent bank rebate income and other fee income.

(3) Amount for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 has been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the second quarter of 2015 related to our consolidated variable interest entities (ASU 2015-02). Amount prior to January 1, 2015 has not been revised for the adoption of this guidance. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

A summary of other noninterest expense for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:

	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015		2014		2015		2014
Lending and other client related processing costs	$	3,608	$	3,215	$	10,861	$	8,160
Telephone	2,224		1,931		6,727		5,217
Data processing services	2,083		2,229		5,274		6,497
Postage and supplies	728		763		2,220		2,248
Dues and publications	521		719		1,803		1,852
Other (1)	5,106		4,711		15,216		9,381
Total other noninterest expense (2)	$	14,270	$	13,568	$	42,101	$	33,355

(1) Amount for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 has been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the second quarter of 2015 related to our consolidated variable interest entities (ASU 2015-02). Amount prior to January 1, 2015 has not been revised for the adoption of this guidance. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

(2) Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

12. Segment Reporting

We have three reportable segments for management reporting purposes: Global Commercial Bank, SVB Private Bank and SVB Capital. The results of our operating segments are based on our internal management reporting process.

Our operating segments’ primary source of revenue is from net interest income, which is primarily the difference between interest earned on loans, net of funds transfer pricing (“FTP”), and interest paid on deposits, net of FTP. Accordingly, our segments are reported using net interest income, net of FTP. FTP is an internal measurement framework designed to assess the financial impact of a financial institution’s sources and uses of funds. It is the mechanism by which an earnings credit is given for deposits raised, and an earnings charge is made for funded loans. FTP is calculated at an instrument level based on account characteristics.

We also evaluate performance based on provision for loan losses, noninterest income and noninterest expense, which are presented as components of segment operating profit or loss. In calculating each operating segment’s noninterest expense, we

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consider the direct costs incurred by the operating segment as well as certain allocated direct costs. As part of this review, we allocate certain corporate overhead costs to a corporate account. We do not allocate income taxes to our segments. Additionally, our management reporting model is predicated on average asset balances; therefore, period-end asset balances are not presented for segment reporting purposes. Changes in an individual client’s primary relationship designation have resulted, and in the future may result, in the inclusion of certain clients in different segments in different periods.

Unlike financial reporting, which benefits from the comprehensive structure provided by GAAP, our internal management reporting process is highly subjective, as there is no comprehensive, authoritative guidance for management reporting. Our management reporting process measures the performance of our operating segments based on our internal operating structure, which is subject to change from time to time, and is not necessarily comparable with similar information for other financial services companies.

For reporting purposes, SVB Financial Group has three operating segments for which we report our financial information:

• Global Commercial Bank is comprised of results from the following:

◦ Our Commercial Bank products and services are provided by the Bank and its subsidiaries to commercial clients in the technology, life science & healthcare and private equity/venture capital industries. The Bank provides solutions to the financial needs of commercial clients, through credit, global treasury management, foreign exchange, global trade finance, and other services. It serves clients within the United States, as well as non-U.S. clients in key international innovation markets. In addition, the Bank and its subsidiaries offer a variety of investment services and solutions to its clients that enable them to effectively manage their assets. 

◦ Our Private Equity Division provides banking products and services primarily to our private equity and venture capital clients.

◦ Our Wine practice provides banking products and services to our premium wine industry clients, including vineyard development loans. 

◦ SVB Analytics provides equity valuation services to companies and private equity/venture capital firms.

◦ Debt Fund Investments is comprised of our investments in certain debt funds in which we are a strategic investor.

• SVB Private Bank is the private banking division of the Bank, which provides a range of personal financial solutions for consumers. Our clients are primarily private equity/venture capital professionals and executive leaders of the innovation companies they support. We offer a customized suite of private banking services, including mortgages, home equity lines of credit, restricted stock purchase loans, capital call lines of credit and other secured and unsecured lending, as well as cash and wealth management services. 

• SVB Capital is the venture capital investment arm of SVBFG, which focuses primarily on funds management. SVB Capital manages funds (primarily venture capital funds) on behalf of third party limited partners and, on a more limited basis, SVB Financial Group. The SVB Capital family of funds is comprised of direct venture funds that invest in companies and funds of funds that invest in other venture capital funds. SVB Capital generates income for the Company primarily from investment returns (including carried interest) and management fees.

The summary financial results of our operating segments are presented along with a reconciliation to our consolidated interim results.

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Our segment information for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)	Global Commercial Bank (1)			SVB Private   Bank			SVB Capital (1)			Other Items (2)			Total
Three months ended September 30, 2015
Net interest income	$	217,929		$	11,667		$	1		$	25,063		$	254,660
Provision for loan losses	(32,076		)	(1,327		)	—			—			(33,403		)
Noninterest income	68,517			506			17,332			22,122			108,477
Noninterest expense (3)	(135,504		)	(2,703		)	(3,745		)	(42,803		)	(184,755		)
Income before income tax expense (4)	$	118,866		$	8,143		$	13,588		$	4,382		$	144,979
Total average loans, net of unearned income	$	13,031,928		$	1,669,858		$	—		214,866			$	14,916,652
Total average assets (5)	40,211,915			1,273,823			334,045			199,441			42,019,224
Total average deposits	36,149,772			1,041,773			—			191,522			37,383,067
Three months ended September 30, 2014
Net interest income	$	187,184		$	7,344		$	12		$	26,025		$	220,565
Provision for loan losses	(16,185		)	(425		)	—			—			(16,610		)
Noninterest income	57,714			491			1,064			20,898			80,167
Noninterest expense (3)	(127,050		)	(2,574		)	(3,036		)	(47,101		)	(179,761		)
Income before income tax expense (4)	$	101,663		$	4,836		$	(1,960	)	$	(178	)	$	104,361
Total average loans, net of unearned income	$	10,022,333		$	1,189,976		$	—		227,212			$	11,439,521
Total average assets (5)	31,916,581			1,128,938			302,949			1,247,597			34,596,065
Total average deposits	28,795,499			877,701			—			53,084			29,726,284
Nine months ended September 30, 2015
Net interest income	$	625,618		$	32,499		$	3		$	79,236		$	737,356
Provision for loan losses	(64,128		)	(2,240		)	—			—			(66,368		)
Noninterest income	197,740			1,498			57,919			101,131			358,288
Noninterest expense (3)	(415,245		)	(8,589		)	(10,935		)	(134,639		)	(569,408		)
Income before income tax expense (4)	$	343,985		$	23,168		$	46,987		$	45,728		$	459,868
Total average loans, net of unearned income	$	12,721,208		$	1,529,095		$	—		181,482			$	14,431,785
Total average assets (5)	37,954,846			1,659,981			335,136			(38,438		)	39,911,525
Total average deposits	34,125,675			1,125,345			—			162,333			35,413,353
Nine months ended September 30, 2014
Net interest income	$	540,533		$	23,529		$	55		$	57,741		$	621,858
(Provision for) reduction of loan losses	(18,833		)	(218		)	—			—			(19,051		)
Noninterest income	169,376			1,121			35,617			198,488			404,602
Noninterest expense (3)	(369,587		)	(7,709		)	(8,815		)	(135,002		)	(521,113		)
Income before income tax expense (4)	$	321,489		$	16,723		$	26,857		$	121,227		$	486,296
Total average loans, net of unearned income	$	9,766,870		$	1,119,618		$	—		211,909			$	11,098,397
Total average assets (5)	28,924,331			1,026,678			328,048			1,123,895			31,402,952
Total average deposits	26,020,715			805,167			—			56,231			26,882,113

(1) Global Commercial Bank’s and SVB Capital’s components of net interest income, noninterest income, noninterest expense and total average assets are shown net of noncontrolling interests for all periods presented. Noncontrolling interest is included within "Other Items".

(2) The "Other Items" column reflects the adjustments necessary to reconcile the results of the operating segments to the consolidated financial statements prepared in conformity with GAAP. Noninterest income is primarily attributable to noncontrolling interests and gains on equity warrant assets. Noninterest expense primarily consists of expenses associated with corporate support functions such as finance, human resources, marketing, legal and other expenses.

(3) The Global Commercial Bank segment includes direct depreciation and amortization of $4.7 million and $5.4 million for the three months September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $14.4 million and $15.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

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(4) The internal reporting model used by management to assess segment performance does not calculate income tax expense by segment. Our effective tax rate is a reasonable approximation of the segment rates.

(5) Total average assets equal the greater of total average assets or the sum of total average liabilities and total average stockholders’ equity for each segment which contributes to the negative balances reported in "Other Items" to reconcile the results to the consolidated financial statements prepared in conformity with GAAP.

13. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Guarantees and Other Commitments

In the normal course of business we use financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk to meet the financing needs of our customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, commercial and standby letters of credit and commitments to invest in venture capital and private equity fund investments. These instruments involve credit risk to varying degrees. Credit risk is defined as the possibility of sustaining a loss because other parties to the financial instrument fail to perform in accordance with the terms of the contract.

Commitments to Extend Credit

The following table summarizes information related to our commitments to extend credit at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

(Dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Loan commitments available for funding: (1)
Fixed interest rate commitments	$	1,393,396	$	1,591,408
Variable interest rate commitments	13,302,099		11,860,039
Total loan commitments available for funding	14,695,495		13,451,447
Commercial and standby letters of credit (2)	1,391,812		1,254,338
Total unfunded credit commitments	$	16,087,307	$	14,705,785
Commitments unavailable for funding (3)	$	2,141,183	$	1,868,489
Maximum lending limits for accounts receivable factoring arrangements (4)	1,084,623		1,044,548
Reserve for unfunded credit commitments (5)	36,631		36,419

(1) Represents commitments which are available for funding, due to clients meeting all collateral, compliance and financial covenants required under loan commitment agreements.

(2) See below for additional information on our commercial and standby letters of credit.

(3) Represents commitments which are currently unavailable for funding, due to clients failing to meet all collateral, compliance and financial covenants under loan commitment agreements.

(4) We extend credit under accounts receivable factoring arrangements when our clients’ sales invoices are deemed creditworthy under existing underwriting practices.

(5) Our reserve for unfunded credit commitments includes an allowance for both our unfunded loan commitments and our letters of credit.

Commercial and Standby Letters of Credit

The table below summarizes our commercial and standby letters of credit at September 30, 2015. The maximum potential amount of future payments represents the amount that could be remitted under letters of credit if there were a total default by the guaranteed parties, without consideration of possible recoveries under recourse provisions or from the collateral held or pledged.

(Dollars in thousands)	Expires In One Year or Less		Expires After One Year		Total Amount Outstanding		Maximum Amount of Future Payments
Financial standby letters of credit	$	1,251,147	$	68,343	$	1,319,490	$	1,319,490
Performance standby letters of credit	50,220		10,209		60,429		60,429
Commercial letters of credit	11,893		—		11,893		11,893
Total	$	1,313,260	$	78,552	$	1,391,812	$	1,391,812

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Deferred fees related to financial and performance standby letters of credit were $8.9 million at September 30, 2015 and $8.4 million at December 31, 2014. At September 30, 2015, collateral in the form of cash of $587.5 million and available-for-sale securities of $0.6 million were available to us to reimburse losses, if any, under financial and performance standby letters of credit.

Commitments to Invest in Venture Capital and Private Equity Funds

Subject to applicable regulatory requirements, including the Volcker Rule, we make commitments to invest in venture capital and private equity funds, which in turn make investments generally in, or in some cases make loans to, privately-held companies. Commitments to invest in these funds are generally made for a 10-year period from the inception of the fund. Although the limited partnership agreements governing these investments typically do not restrict the general partners from calling 100% of committed capital in one year, it is customary for these funds to generally call most of the capital commitments over 5 to 7 years; however in certain cases, the funds may not call 100% of committed capital over the life of the fund. The actual timing of future cash requirements to fund these commitments is generally dependent upon the investment cycle, overall market conditions, and the nature and type of industry in which the privately held companies operate. The following table details our total capital commitments, unfunded capital commitments, and our ownership percentage in each fund at September 30, 2015:

Our Ownership in Venture Capital and Private Equity Funds  (Dollars in thousands)	SVBFG Capital Commitments		SVBFG Unfunded     Commitments		SVBFG Ownership   of each Fund (4)
Silicon Valley BancVentures, LP	$	6,000	$	270	10.7	%
SVB Capital Partners II, LP (1)	1,200		162		5.1
SVB Capital Shanghai Yangpu Venture Capital Fund	935		—		6.8
SVB Strategic Investors Fund, LP	15,300		688		12.6
SVB Strategic Investors Fund II, LP	15,000		1,050		8.6
SVB Strategic Investors Fund III, LP	15,000		1,275		5.9
SVB Strategic Investors Fund IV, LP	12,239		2,325		5.0
Strategic Investors Fund V Funds	515		177		Various
SVB Capital Preferred Return Fund, LP	12,688		—		20.0
SVB Capital—NT Growth Partners, LP	24,670		1,340		33.0
Other private equity fund (2)	9,338		—		58.2
Debt funds	73,830		—		Various
Other fund investments (3)	299,977		12,064		Various
Total	$	486,692	$	19,351

(1) Our ownership includes direct ownership of 1.3 percent and indirect ownership interest of 3.8 percent through our investment in SVB Strategic Investors Fund II, LP.

(2) Our ownership includes direct ownership of 41.5 percent and indirect ownership interests of 12.6 percent and 4.1 percent in the fund through our ownership interest of SVB Capital - NT Growth Partners, LP and SVB Capital Preferred Return Fund, LP, respectively.

(3) Represents commitments to 276 funds (primarily venture capital funds) where our ownership interest is generally less than 5 percent of the voting interests of each such fund.

(4) We are subject to the Volcker Rule, which restricts or limits us from sponsoring or having ownership interests in “covered” funds including venture capital and private equity funds. See “Business - Supervision and Regulation” under Item 1 of Part I of our 2014 Form 10-K.

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The following table details the amounts of remaining unfunded commitments to venture capital and private equity funds by our consolidated managed funds of funds (including our interest and the noncontrolling interests) at September 30, 2015:

Limited Partnership  (Dollars in thousands)	Unfunded Commitments
SVB Strategic Investors Fund, LP	$	2,250
SVB Capital Preferred Return Fund, LP	4,673
SVB Capital—NT Growth Partners, LP	3,878
Other private equity fund	77
Total	$	10,878

14. Income Taxes

We are subject to income tax in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions and have identified our federal tax return and tax returns in California and Massachusetts as major tax filings. Our U.S. federal tax returns for 2012 and subsequent years remain open to full examination. Our California tax returns for 2010 and subsequent tax years remain open to full examination. Massachusetts tax returns for 2011 and subsequent years remain open to full examination.

At September 30, 2015, our unrecognized tax benefit was $3.5 million, the recognition of which would reduce our income tax expense by $2.3 million. We do not expect that our unrecognized tax benefit will materially change in the next 12 months.

We recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters as part of income before income taxes. Interest and penalties were not material for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015.

15. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value Measurements

Our available-for-sale securities, derivative instruments and certain non-marketable and other securities are financial instruments recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. We make estimates regarding valuation of assets and liabilities measured at fair value in preparing our interim consolidated financial statements.

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (the “exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. There is a three-level hierarchy for disclosure of assets and liabilities recorded at fair value. The classification of assets and liabilities within the hierarchy is based on whether the inputs to the valuation methodology used for measurement are observable or unobservable and the significance of those inputs in the fair value measurement. Observable inputs reflect market-derived or market-based information obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our estimates about market data and views of market participants. The three levels for measuring fair value are based on the reliability of inputs and are as follows:

Level 1

Fair value measurements based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access. Since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, valuation of these instruments does not entail a significant degree of judgment. Assets utilizing Level 1 inputs include U.S. Treasury securities, exchange-traded equity securities and certain marketable securities accounted for under fair value accounting.

Level 2

Fair value measurements based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, directly or indirectly. Valuations for the available-for-sale securities are provided by third party external pricing service providers. We review the methodologies used to determine the fair value, including understanding the nature and observability of the inputs used to determine the price. Additional corroboration, such as obtaining a non-binding price from a broker, may be obtained depending on the frequency of trades of the security and the level of liquidity or depth of the market. The valuation methodology that is generally used for the Level 2 assets is the income approach. Below is a summary of the significant inputs used for each class of Level 2 assets and liabilities:

U.S. agency debentures: Fair value measurements of U.S. agency debentures are based on the characteristics specific to bonds held, such as issuer name, coupon rate, maturity date and any applicable issuer call option features. Valuations are based on market spreads relative to similar term benchmark market interest rates, generally U.S. Treasury securities.

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Agency-issued mortgage-backed securities: Agency-issued mortgage-backed securities are pools of individual conventional mortgage loans underwritten to U.S. agency standards with similar coupon rates, tenor, and other attributes such as geographic location, loan size and origination vintage. Fair value measurements of these securities are based on observable price adjustments relative to benchmark market interest rates taking into consideration estimated loan prepayment speeds.

Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations: Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations are structured into classes or tranches with defined cash flow characteristics and are collateralized by U.S. agency-issued mortgage pass-through securities. Fair value measurements of these securities incorporate similar characteristics of mortgage pass-through securities such as coupon rate, tenor, geographic location, loan size and origination vintage, in addition to incorporating the effect of estimated prepayment speeds on the cash flow structure of the class or tranche. These measurements incorporate observable market spreads over an estimated average life after considering the inputs listed above.

Agency-issued commercial mortgage-backed securities: Fair value measurements of these securities are based on spreads to benchmark market interest rates (usually U.S. Treasury rates or rates observable in the swaps market), prepayment speeds, loan default rate assumptions and loan loss severity assumptions on underlying loans.

Municipal bonds and notes: Bonds issued by municipal governments generally have stated coupon rates, final maturity dates and are subject to being called ahead of the final maturity date at the option of the issuer. Fair value measurements of these securities are priced based on spreads to other municipal benchmark bonds with similar characteristics; or, relative to market rates on U.S. Treasury bonds of similar maturity.

Interest rate derivative assets and liabilities: Fair value measurements of interest rate derivatives are priced considering the coupon rate of the fixed leg of the contract and the variable coupon on the floating leg of the contract. Valuation is based on both spot and forward rates on the swap yield curve and the credit worthiness of the contract counterparty.

Foreign exchange forward and option contract assets and liabilities: Fair value measurements of these assets and liabilities are priced based on spot and forward foreign currency rates and option volatility assumptions.

Equity warrant assets (public portfolio): Fair value measurements of equity warrant assets of publicly-traded portfolio companies are valued based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The model uses the price of publicly-traded companies (underlying stock price), stated strike prices, warrant expiration dates, the risk-free interest rate and market-observable option volatility assumptions.

Level 3

The fair value measurement is derived from valuation techniques that use significant assumptions not observable in the market. These unobservable assumptions reflect our own estimates of assumptions we believe market participants would use in pricing the asset. Below is a summary of the valuation techniques used for each class of Level 3 assets:

Other venture capital investments: Fair value measurements are based on consideration of a range of factors including, but not limited to, the price at which the investment was acquired, the term and nature of the investment, local market conditions, values for comparable securities, and as it relates to the private company, the current and projected operating performance, exit strategies and financing transactions subsequent to the acquisition of the investment. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement include the information about each portfolio company, including actual and forecasted results, cash position, recent or planned transactions and market comparable companies. Significant changes to any one of these inputs in isolation could result in a significant change in the fair value measurement, however, we generally consider all factors available through ongoing communication with the portfolio companies and venture capital fund managers to determine whether there are changes to the portfolio company or the environment that indicate a change in the fair value measurement.

Other securities: Fair value measurements of equity securities of public companies are priced based on quoted market prices less a discount if the securities are subject to certain sales restrictions. Marketability discounts generally range from 10% to 20% depending on the duration of the sale restrictions which typically range from 3 to 6 months.

Equity warrant assets (public portfolio): Fair value measurements of equity warrant assets of publicly-traded portfolio companies are valued based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The model uses the price of publicly-traded companies (underlying stock price), stated strike prices, warrant expiration dates, the risk-free interest rate and market-observable option volatility assumptions. Modeled asset values are further adjusted by applying a discount of up to 20% for certain warrants that have lock-up restrictions or other features that indicate a discount to fair value is warranted. As a lock-up term nears, and other sale restrictions are lifted, discounts are adjusted downward to 0 percent once all restrictions expire or are removed.

Equity warrant assets (private portfolio): Fair value measurements of equity warrant assets of private portfolio companies are priced based on a modified Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the asset value by using stated strike prices,

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option expiration dates, risk-free interest rates and option volatility assumptions. Option volatility assumptions used in the modified Black-Scholes model are based on public market indices whose members operate in similar industries as companies in our private company portfolio. Option expiration dates are modified to account for estimates to actual life relative to stated expiration. Overall model asset values are further adjusted for a general lack of liquidity due to the private nature of the associated underlying company. There is a direct correlation between changes in the volatility and remaining life assumptions in isolation and the fair value measurement while there is an inverse correlation between changes in the liquidity discount assumption and the fair value measurement.

It is our policy to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when developing fair value measurements. When available, we use quoted market prices to measure fair value. If market prices are not available, fair value measurement is based upon valuation techniques that use primarily market-based or independently-sourced market parameters, including interest rate yield curves, prepayment speeds, option volatilities and currency rates. Substantially all of our financial instruments use the foregoing methodologies, and are categorized as a Level 1 or Level 2 measurement in the fair value hierarchy. However, in certain cases, when market observable inputs for our valuation techniques may not be readily available, we are required to make judgments about assumptions we believe market participants would use in estimating the fair value of the financial instrument, and based on the significance of those judgments, the measurement may be determined to be a Level 3 fair value measurement.

The degree of management judgment involved in determining the fair value of a financial instrument is dependent upon the availability of quoted market prices or observable market parameters. For financial instruments that trade actively and have quoted market prices or observable market parameters, there is minimal subjectivity involved in measuring fair value. When observable market prices and parameters are not fully available, management judgment is necessary to estimate fair value. For inactive markets, there is little information, if any, to evaluate if individual transactions are orderly. Accordingly, we are required to estimate, based upon all available facts and circumstances, the degree to which orderly transactions are occurring and provide more weighting to price quotes that are based upon orderly transactions. In addition, changes in the market conditions may reduce the availability of quoted prices or observable data. For example, reduced liquidity in the capital markets or changes in secondary market activities could result in observable market inputs becoming unavailable. Therefore, when market data is not available, we use valuation techniques requiring more management judgment to estimate the appropriate fair value measurement. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by management in determining fair value is greater for financial assets and liabilities categorized as Level 3.

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The following fair value hierarchy table presents information about our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2015:

(Dollars in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Balance at September 30, 2015
Assets
Available-for-sale securities:
U.S. treasury securities	$	10,197,025	$	—	$	—	$	10,197,025
U.S. agency debentures	—		2,942,968		—		2,942,968
Residential mortgage-backed securities:
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations - fixed rate	—		1,517,702		—		1,517,702
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations - variable rate	—		645,288		—		645,288
Equity securities	691		3,987		—		4,678
Total available-for-sale securities	10,197,716		5,109,945		—		15,307,661
Non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting):
Non-marketable securities:
Venture capital and private equity fund investments measured at net asset value (1)	—		—		—		154,660
Other venture capital investments	—		—		3,390		3,390
Other securities	779		—		—		779
Total non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting)	779		—		3,390		158,829
Other assets:
Interest rate swaps	—		3,485		—		3,485
Foreign exchange forward and option contracts	—		33,271		—		33,271
Equity warrant assets	—		1,648		128,443		130,091
Client interest rate derivatives	—		5,164		—		5,164
Total assets (2)	$	10,198,495	$	5,153,513	$	131,833	$	15,638,501
Liabilities
Foreign exchange forward and option contracts	$	—	$	28,939	$	—	$	28,939
Client interest rate derivatives	—		5,719		—		5,719
Total liabilities	$	—	$	34,658	$	—	$	34,658

(1) In accordance with the accounting standard (ASU 2015-07, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820)), certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the statement of financial position. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

(2) Included in Level 1 and Level 3 assets are $0.6 million and $3 million, respectively, attributable to noncontrolling interests calculated based on the ownership percentages of the noncontrolling interests.

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The following fair value hierarchy table presents information about our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014:

(Dollars in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Balance at December 31, 2014
Assets
Available-for-sale securities:
U.S. treasury securities	$	7,302,273	$	—	$	—	$	7,302,273
U.S. agency debentures	—		3,561,556		—		3,561,556
Residential mortgage-backed securities:
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations - fixed rate	—		1,884,843		—		1,884,843
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations - variable rate	—		784,475		—		784,475
Equity securities	4,290		3,218		—		7,508
Total available-for-sale securities	7,306,563		6,234,092		—		13,540,655
Non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting):
Non-marketable securities:
Venture capital and private equity fund investments measured at net asset value (1)	—		—		—		1,130,882
Other venture capital investments	—		—		71,204		71,204
Other securities	108,251		—		—		108,251
Total non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting)	108,251		—		71,204		1,310,337
Other assets:
Interest rate swaps	—		4,609		—		4,609
Foreign exchange forward and option contracts	—		34,231		—		34,231
Equity warrant assets	—		1,906		114,698		116,604
Client interest rate derivatives	—		2,546		—		2,546
Total assets (2)	$	7,414,814	$	6,277,384	$	185,902	$	15,008,982
Liabilities
Foreign exchange forward and option contracts	$	—	$	28,363	$	—	$	28,363
Client interest rate derivatives	—		2,748		—		2,748
Total liabilities	$	—	$	31,111	$	—	$	31,111

(1) In accordance with the accounting standard (ASU 2015-07, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820)), certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

(2) Included in Level 1 and Level 3 assets are $100 million and $69 million, respectively, attributable to noncontrolling interests calculated based on the ownership percentages of the noncontrolling interests.

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The following table presents additional information about Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively:

(Dollars in thousands)	Beginning Balance		Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Income		Purchases		Sales			Issuances		Distributions and Other Settlements			Transfers Out of Level 3			Ending Balance
Three months ended September 30, 2015
Non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting):
Other venture capital investments	$	3,390	$	15	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	(15	)	$	—		$	3,390
Total non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting) (1)	3,390		15		—		—			—		(15		)	—			3,390
Other assets:
Equity warrant assets (2)	120,037		11,551		—		(6,215		)	3,057		499			(486		)	128,443
Total assets	$	123,427	$	11,566	$	—	$	(6,215	)	$	3,057	$	484		$	(486	)	$	131,833
Three months ended September 30, 2014
Non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting):
Other venture capital investments	$	43,747	$	5,546	$	6,304	$	(11,122	)	$	—	$	(612	)	$	—		$	43,863
Other securities (fair value accounting)	5,808		—		—		—			—		—			(5,808		)	—
Total non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting) (1)	49,555		5,546		6,304		(11,122		)	—		(612		)	(5,808		)	43,863
Other assets:
Equity warrant assets (2)	87,151		13,805		—		(10,564		)	2,932		510			(437		)	93,397
Total assets	$	136,706	$	19,351	$	6,304	$	(21,686	)	$	2,932	$	(102	)	$	(6,245	)	$	137,260
Nine months ended September 30, 2015
Non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting):
Other venture capital investments (3)	$	3,291	$	146	$	—	$	(32	)	$	—	$	(15	)	$	—		$	3,390
Total non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting) (1)	3,291		146		—		(32		)	—		(15		)	—			3,390
Other assets:
Equity warrant assets (2)	114,698		54,884		—		(48,374		)	7,607		1,249			(1,621		)	128,443
Total assets	$	117,989	$	55,030	$	—	$	(48,406	)	$	7,607	$	1,234		$	(1,621	)	$	131,833
Nine months ended September 30, 2014
Non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting):
Other venture capital investments	$	32,839	$	8,060	$	22,800	$	(15,561	)	$	—	$	(4,149	)	$	(126	)	$	43,863
Other securities (fair value accounting)	319,249		104,310		—		(46,840		)	—		3,417			(380,136		)	—
Total non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting) (1)	352,088		112,370		22,800		(62,401		)	—		(732		)	(380,262		)	43,863
Other assets:
Equity warrant assets (2)	99,891		51,325		—		(67,201		)	9,098		1,718			(1,434		)	93,397
Total assets	$	451,979	$	163,695	$	22,800	$	(129,602	)	$	9,098	$	986		$	(381,696	)	$	137,260

(1) Realized and unrealized gains (losses) are recorded in the line items “gains on investment securities, net” a component of noninterest income.

(2) Realized and unrealized gains (losses) are recorded in the line item “gains on derivative instruments, net”, a component of noninterest income.

(3) Beginning balance was adjusted to conform with our adoption of the new accounting standard (ASU 2015-02), Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis (Topic 820).

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The following table presents the amount of net unrealized gains and losses included in earnings (which is inclusive of noncontrolling interest) attributable to Level 3 assets still held at September 30, 2015 and 2014:

	Three months ended September 30,					Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015		2014			2015		2014
Non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting):
Other venture capital investments	—		(1,231		)	158		78
Other securities	—		—			—		78,967
Total non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting) (1)	—		(1,231		)	158		79,045
Other assets:
Equity warrant assets (2)	9,115		6,911			21,597		17,777
Total unrealized gains, net	$	9,115	$	5,680		$	21,755	$	96,822
Unrealized gains (losses) attributable to noncontrolling interests	$	—	$	(1,137	)	$	141	$	72,574

(1) Unrealized gains (losses) are recorded in the line items “gains on investment securities, net”, a component of noninterest income.

(2) Unrealized gains (losses) are recorded in the line item “gains on derivative instruments, net”, a component of noninterest income.

The following table presents quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used for certain of our Level 3 fair value measurements at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. We have not included in this table our venture capital and private equity fund investments (fair value accounting) as we use net asset value per share (as obtained from the general partners of the investments) as a practical expedient to determine fair value.

(Dollars in thousands)		Fair value		Valuation Technique	Significant Unobservable Inputs	Weighted  Average
September 30, 2015:
Other venture capital investments (fair value accounting)		$	3,390	Private company equity pricing	(1)	(1	)
Equity warrant assets (public portfolio)	—	4,795		Modified Black-Scholes option pricing model	Volatility	39.4	%
	—				Risk-Free interest rate	1.5	%
					Sales restrictions discount (2)	14.2	%
Equity warrant assets (private portfolio)		123,648		Modified Black-Scholes option pricing model	Volatility	37.1	%
					Risk-Free interest rate	0.7	%
					Marketability discount (3)	17.3	%
					Remaining life assumption (4)	45.0	%
December 31, 2014:
Other venture capital investments (fair value accounting)		$	71,204	Private company equity pricing	(1)	(1	)
Equity warrant assets (public portfolio)		1,681		Modified Black-Scholes option pricing model	Volatility	42.6	%
					Risk-Free interest rate	1.7	%
					Sales restrictions discount (2)	17.8	%
Equity warrant assets (private portfolio)		113,017		Modified Black-Scholes option pricing model	Volatility	38.3	%
					Risk-Free interest rate	0.9	%
					Marketability discount (3)	20.0	%
					Remaining life assumption (4)	45.0	%

(1) In determining the fair value of our other venture capital investment portfolio, we evaluate a variety of factors related to each underlying private portfolio company including, but not limited to, actual and forecasted results, cash position, recent or planned transactions and market comparable companies. Additionally, we have ongoing communication with the portfolio companies and venture capital fund managers, to determine whether there is a material change in fair value. These factors are specific to each portfolio company and a weighted average or range of values of the unobservable inputs is not meaningful.

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(2) We adjust quoted market prices of public companies, which are subject to certain sales restrictions. Sales restriction discounts generally range from 10% to 20% depending on the duration of the sales restrictions, which typically range from 3 to 6 months.

(3) Our marketability discount is applied to all private company warrants to account for a general lack of liquidity due to the private nature of the associated underlying company. The quantitative measure used is based upon various option-pricing models. On a quarterly basis, a sensitivity analysis is performed on our marketability discount.

(4) We adjust the contractual remaining term of private company warrants based on our estimate of the actual remaining life, which we determine by utilizing historical data on cancellations and exercises. At September 30, 2015, the weighted average contractual remaining term was 5.67 years, compared to our estimated remaining life of 2.55 years. On a quarterly basis, a sensitivity analysis is performed on our remaining life assumption.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, we did not have any material transfers between Level 2 and Level 1. We did not have any transfers from Level 3 to Level 1 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Transfers from Level 3 to Level 1 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 included $380.3 million as a result of the expiration of lock-up and other restrictions on certain of our other securities.

All other transfers from Level 3 to Level 2 for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014 were due to the transfer of equity warrant assets from our private portfolio to our public portfolio (see our Level 3 reconciliation above). All amounts reported as transfers represent the fair value as of the date of the change in circumstances that caused the transfer.

Financial Instruments not Carried at Fair Value

FASB guidance over financial instruments requires that we disclose estimated fair values for our financial instruments not carried at fair value. Fair value estimates, methods and assumptions, set forth below for our financial instruments, are made solely to comply with these requirements.

Fair values are based on estimates or calculations at the transaction level using present value techniques in instances where quoted market prices are not available. Because broadly traded markets do not exist for many of our financial instruments, the fair value calculations attempt to incorporate the effect of current market conditions at a specific time. The aggregation of the fair value calculations presented herein does not represent, and should not be construed to represent, the underlying value of the Company.

The following describes the methods and assumptions used in estimating the fair values of financial instruments for which carrying value approximates fair value and estimated fair values of financial instruments not recorded at fair value on a recurring basis and excludes financial instruments and assets and liabilities already recorded at fair value as described above.

Financial Instruments for which Carrying Value Approximates Fair Value

Certain financial instruments that are not carried at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets are carried at amounts that approximate fair value, due to their short-term nature and generally negligible credit risk. These instruments include cash and cash equivalents; FHLB and FRB stock; accrued interest receivable; short-term borrowings; short-term time deposits; and accrued interest payable. In addition, U.S. GAAP requires that the fair value of deposit liabilities with no stated maturity (i.e., demand, savings and certain money market deposits) be equal to their carrying value; recognition of the inherent funding value of these instruments is not permitted.

Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments Not Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

Held-to-Maturity Securities

Held-to-maturity securities include similar investments held in our available-for-sale securities portfolio and are valued using the same methodologies. All securities included in our held-to-maturity securities portfolio are valued using Level 2 inputs. Refer to Level 2 fair value measurements above for significant inputs used in the valuation of our held-to-maturity investment securities.

Non-Marketable Securities (Cost and Equity Method Accounting)

Non-marketable securities includes other investments (equity method accounting), venture capital and private equity fund investments (cost method accounting), and other venture capital investments (cost method accounting). Other investments (equity method accounting) includes our investment in our joint venture bank in China. At this time, the carrying value of our investment in our joint venture bank in China is a reasonable estimate of fair value. The fair value of the remaining other investments (equity method accounting) and the fair value of venture capital and private equity fund investments (cost method accounting) and other venture capital investments (cost method accounting) is based on financial information obtained from the investee or obtained from the fund investments’ or debt fund investments’ respective general partners. For private company

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investments, estimated fair value is based on consideration of a range of factors including, but not limited to, the price at which the investment was acquired, the term and nature of the investment, local market conditions, values for comparable securities, current and projected operating performance, exit strategies, and financing transactions subsequent to the acquisition of the investment. For our fund investments, we utilize the net asset value per share as obtained from the general partners of the investments. We adjust the net asset value per share for differences between our measurement date and the date of the fund investment’s net asset value by using the most recently available financial information from the investee general partner, for example June 30^th, for our September 30^th consolidated financial statements, adjusted for any contributions paid, distributions received from the investment, and significant fund transactions or market events during the reporting period.

Loans

The fair value of fixed and variable rate loans is estimated by discounting contractual cash flows using rates that reflect current pricing for similar loans and the projected forward yield curve. This method is not based on the exit price concept of fair value required under ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.

Long-Term Deposits

The fair value of long-term time deposits is estimated by discounting the cash flows using our cost of borrowings and the projected forward yield curve over their remaining contractual term.

Long-Term Debt

The fair value of long-term debt is generally based on quoted market prices, when available, or is estimated based on calculations utilizing third-party pricing services and current market spread, price indications from reputable dealers or observable market prices of the underlying instrument(s), whichever is deemed more reliable. Also included in the estimated fair value of our 6.05% Subordinated Notes are amounts related to hedge accounting associated with the notes.

Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments

The fair value of net available commitments to extend credit is estimated based on the average amount we would receive or pay to execute a new agreement with identical terms and pricing, while taking into account the counterparties’ credit standing.

Letters of credit are carried at their fair value, which was equivalent to the residual premium or fee at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Commitments to extend credit and letters of credit typically result in loans with a market interest rate if funded.

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The following fair value hierarchy table presents the estimated fair values of our financial instruments that are not carried at fair value at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

			Estimated Fair Value
(Dollars in thousands)	Carrying Amount		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
September 30, 2015:
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,674,145	$	1,674,145	$	1,674,145	$	—	$	—
Held-to-maturity securities	8,306,526		8,367,003		—		8,367,003		—
Non-marketable securities (cost and equity method accounting) not measured at net asset value	112,984		115,359		—		—		115,359
Non-marketable securities (cost and equity method) accounting measured at net asset value (1)	253,210		374,353		—		—		—
Net commercial loans	13,470,144		13,547,022		—		—		13,547,022
Net consumer loans	1,646,929		1,618,492		—		—		1,618,492
FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank stock	46,116		46,116		—		—		46,116
Accrued interest receivable	98,453		98,453		—		98,453		—
Financial liabilities:
Other short-term borrowings	3,756		3,756		3,756		—		—
Non-maturity deposits (2)	36,977,199		36,977,199		36,977,199		—		—
Time deposits	72,218		72,218		—		72,218		—
3.50% Senior Notes	346,591		342,125		—		342,125		—
5.375% Senior Notes	346,878		391,286		—		391,286		—
6.05% Subordinated Notes (3)	49,028		51,000		—		51,000		—
7.0% Junior Subordinated Debentures	54,714		52,557		—		52,557		—
Accrued interest payable	4,992		4,992		—		4,992		—
Off-balance sheet financial assets:
Commitments to extend credit	—		28,805		—		—		28,805
December 31, 2014:
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,796,062	$	1,796,062	$	1,796,062	$	—	$	—
Held-to-maturity securities	7,421,042		7,415,656		—		7,415,656		—
Non-marketable securities (cost and equity method accounting) not measured at net asset value	108,221		107,451		—		—		107,451
Non-marketable securities (cost and equity method) accounting measured at net asset value (1)	188,427		283,119		—		—		—
Net commercial loans	12,947,869		13,082,487		—		—		13,082,487
Net consumer loans	1,271,048		1,247,336		—		—		1,247,336
FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank stock	53,496		53,496		—		—		53,496
Accrued interest receivable	94,180		94,180		—		94,180		—
Financial liabilities:
Other short-term borrowings	7,781		7,781		7,781		—		—
Non-maturity deposits (2)	34,215,372		34,215,372		34,215,372		—		—
Time deposits	128,127		128,107		—		128,107		—
5.375% Senior Notes	346,477		392,616		—		392,616		—
6.05% Subordinated Notes (3)	50,040		53,537		—		53,537		—
7.0% Junior Subordinated Debentures	54,845		52,990		—		52,990		—
Accrued interest payable	6,998		6,998		—		6,998		—
Off-balance sheet financial assets:
Commitments to extend credit	—		29,097		—		—		29,097

(1) In accordance with the accounting standard (ASU 2015-07, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820)), certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

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(2) Includes noninterest-bearing demand deposits, interest-bearing checking accounts, money market accounts and interest-bearing sweep deposits.

(3) At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, included in the carrying value and estimated fair value of our 6.05% Subordinated Notes was an interest rate swap valued at $3.5 million and $4.6 million, respectively, related to hedge accounting associated with the notes.

Investments in Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share

FASB guidance over certain fund investments requires that we disclose the fair value of funds, significant investment strategies of the investees, redemption features of the investees, restrictions on the ability to sell investments, estimate of the period of time over which the underlying assets are expected to be liquidated by the investee, and unfunded commitments related to the investments.

Our investments in debt funds and venture capital and private equity fund investments generally cannot be redeemed. Alternatively, we expect distributions, if any, to be received primarily through IPOs and M&A activity of the underlying assets of the fund. Subject to applicable requirements under the Volcker Rule, we do not have any plans to sell any of these fund investments. If we decide to sell these investments in the future, the investee fund’s management must approve of the buyer before the sale of the investments can be completed. The fair values of the fund investments have been estimated using the net asset value per share of the investments, adjusted for any differences between our measurement date and the date of the fund investment’s net asset value by using the most recently available financial information from the investee general partner, for example June 30^th, for our September 30^th consolidated financial statements, adjusted for any contributions paid, distributions received from the investment, and significant fund transactions or market events during the reporting period.

The following table is a summary of the estimated fair values of these investments and remaining unfunded commitments for each major category of these investments as of September 30, 2015:

(Dollars in thousands)	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Unfunded Commitments
Non-marketable securities (fair value accounting):
Venture capital and private equity fund investments (1)	$	154,660	$	154,660	$	10,878
Non-marketable securities (equity method accounting):
Venture capital and private equity fund investments (2)	84,197		84,197		4,989
Debt funds (2)	21,217		22,326		—
Other investments (2)	24,246		24,246		886
Non-marketable securities (cost method accounting):
Venture capital and private equity fund investments (2)	123,550		243,584		9,381
Total	$	407,870	$	529,013	$	26,134

(1) Venture capital and private equity fund investments within non-marketable securities (fair value accounting) include investments made by our managed funds of funds and one of our direct venture funds. These investments represent investments in venture capital and private equity funds that invest primarily in U.S. and global technology and life science & healthcare companies. Included in the fair value and unfunded commitments of fund investments under fair value accounting are $111 million and $8 million, respectively, attributable to noncontrolling interests. It is estimated that we will receive distributions from the fund investments over the next 10 to 13 years, depending on the age of the funds and any potential extensions of terms of the funds.

(2) Venture capital and private equity fund investments, debt funds, and other fund investments within non-marketable securities (equity and cost method accounting) include funds that invest in or lend money to primarily U.S. and global technology and life science & healthcare companies. It is estimated that we will receive distributions from the funds over the next 10 to 13 years, depending on the age of the funds and any potential extensions of the terms of the funds.

16. Legal Matters

Certain lawsuits and claims arising in the ordinary course of business have been filed or are pending against us or our affiliates. In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, we establish accruals for all lawsuits, claims and expected settlements when we believe it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss is reasonably estimable. When a loss contingency is not both probable and estimable, we do not establish an accrual. Any such loss estimates are inherently uncertain, based on currently available information and are subject to management’s judgment and various assumptions. Due to the inherent subjectivity of these estimates and unpredictability of outcomes of legal proceedings, any amounts accrued may not represent the ultimate resolution of such matters.

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To the extent we believe any potential loss relating to such lawsuits and claims may have a material impact on our liquidity, consolidated financial position, results of operations, and/or our business as a whole and is reasonably possible but not probable, we disclose information relating to any such potential loss, whether in excess of any established accruals or where there is no established accrual. We also disclose information relating to any material potential loss that is probable but not reasonably estimable. Where reasonably practicable, we will provide an estimate of loss or range of potential loss. No disclosures are generally made for any loss contingencies that are deemed to be remote.

Based upon information available to us, our review of lawsuits and claims filed or pending against us to date and consultation with our outside legal counsel, we have not recognized a material accrual liability for these matters, nor do we currently expect it is reasonably possible that these matters will result in a material liability to the Company. However, the outcome of litigation and other legal and regulatory matters is inherently uncertain, and it is possible that one or more of such matters currently pending or threatened could have an unanticipated material adverse effect on our liquidity, consolidated financial position, results of operations, and/or our business as a whole, in the future.

17. Related Parties

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Bank made loans to related parties, including certain companies in which certain of our directors or their affiliated venture funds are beneficial owners of ten percent or more of the equity securities of such companies. Such loans: (a) were made in the ordinary course of business; (b) were made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other non-related persons; and (c) did not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features. Additionally, we also provide real estate secured loans to eligible employees through our EHOP.

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ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including in particular “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” under Part I, Item 2 of this report, contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In addition, management has in the past and might in the future make forward-looking statements orally to analysts, investors, the media and others. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. Broadly speaking, forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following:

▪ Projections of our net interest income, noninterest income, earnings per share, noninterest expenses (including professional services, compliance, compensation and other costs), cash flows, balance sheet positions, capital expenditures, liquidity and capitalization or other financial items

▪ Descriptions of our strategic initiatives, plans or objectives for future operations, including pending sales or acquisitions

▪ Forecasts of private equity/venture capital funding and investment levels

▪ Forecasts of future interest rates, economic performance, and income from investments

▪ Forecasts of expected levels of provisions for loan losses, nonperforming loans, loan growth and client funds

▪ Descriptions of assumptions underlying or relating to any of the foregoing

You can identify these and other forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “becoming,” “may,” “will,” “should,” "could,""would," “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “seek,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” the negative of such words, or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we have based these expectations on our current beliefs as well as our assumptions, and such expectations may prove to be incorrect. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results of operations and financial performance could differ significantly from those expressed in or implied by our management’s forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ from the expectations stated in the forward-looking statements include, among others:

• Market and economic conditions, including the interest rate environment, and the associated impact on us

• The credit profile and credit quality of our loan portfolio and volatility of our levels of nonperforming assets and charge-offs

• The adequacy of our allowance for loan losses and the need to make provisions for loan losses for any period

• The borrowing needs of our clients

• The sufficiency of our capital and liquidity positions

• The levels of loans, deposits and client investment fund balances

• The performance of our portfolio investments; the general condition of the public and private equity and mergers and acquisitions markets and their impact on our investments, including equity warrant assets, venture capital and private equity funds and direct equity investments

• Our overall investment plans and strategies; the realization, timing, valuation and performance of our equity or other investments

• The levels of public offerings, mergers and acquisitions and venture capital investment activity of our clients that may impact the borrowing needs of our clients

• The occurrence of fraudulent activity, including breaches of our information security or cyber security-related incidents

• Business disruptions and interruptions due to natural disasters and other external events

• The impact on our reputation and business from our interactions with business partners, counterparties, service providers and other third parties

• Expansion of our business internationally

• The impact of legal requirements and regulations limiting or restricting our activities or resulting in higher costs or increased compliance responsibilities, including the Volcker rule

• The impact of lawsuits and claims

• Changes in accounting standards

• The levels of equity capital available to our client or portfolio companies

• Our ability to maintain or increase our market share, including through successfully implementing our business strategy and undertaking new business initiatives

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• Other factors as discussed in “Risk Factors” under Part I, Item 1A in our 2014 Form 10-K

We urge investors to consider all of these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements included in this filing are made only as of the date of this filing. We assume no obligation and do not intend to revise or update any forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, except as required by law.

The following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our interim unaudited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes as presented in Part I, Item 1 of this report and in conjunction with our 2014 Form 10-K.

Reclassifications

Certain prior period amounts, including amounts related to the adoption of ASU 2014-01, ASU 2015-02 and ASU 2015-03, have been reclassified to conform to current period presentations.

Management’s Overview of Third Quarter 2015 Performance

Overall, we had a solid third quarter in 2015, which was reflective of continued growth in total client funds, healthy average loan growth, higher core fee income, solid venture capital investment and warrant gains, and stable credit quality of our overall loan portfolio despite an increase in our loan loss provision, and a higher level of gross charge-offs. We continued to perform well as a result of our focus on innovation companies and their investors, continued positive business conditions for our clients, and our efforts to secure client relationships. We had net income available to common stockholders of $81.7 million and diluted EPS of $1.57 for the third quarter of 2015. This compares to net income of $64.0 million and diluted EPS of $1.24 in the third quarter of 2014. In the third quarter of 2015, we experienced solid growth in net interest income as a result of the increase in interest earned from our loan and fixed income investment portfolios. These increases are reflective of an increase in average loans of $3.5 billion and average investments of $4.7 billion, driven by our significant deposit growth. Our total client funds, which consist of on-balance sheet deposits and off-balance sheet client investment funds, also significantly increased, reflecting growth from our existing and new clients. Noninterest expense increased $5.0 million primarily from increases in compensation and benefits and FDIC and state assessments of $9.4 million and $2.4 million, respectively, offset by decreases in professional services and business development and travel expenses of $4.9 million and $2.0 million, respectively.

Third quarter 2015 results (compared to the third quarter 2014, where applicable) included:

▪ Continued strong growth in our lending business with average loan balances of $14.9 billion, an increase of $3.5 billion, or 30.4 percent. Period-end loan balances were $15.3 billion, an increase of $3.3 billion, or 27.4 percent.

▪ Average investment securities, excluding non-marketable and other securities, of $22.9 billion, an increase of $4.7 billion, or 25.7 percent. Period-end investment securities, excluding non-marketable and other securities, of $23.6 billion, an increase of $3.6 billion, or 18.1 percent.

▪ Average deposit balances of $37.4 billion, an increase of $7.7 billion, or 25.8 percent. Period-end deposit balances of $37.0 billion, an increase of $5.9 billion, or 19.0 percent.

▪ Average total client funds (comprised of on-balance sheet deposits and off-balance sheet client investment funds) were $79.4 billion, an increase of $18.6 billion, or 30.7 percent. Period-end total client funds were $80.6 billion, an increase of $18.3 billion, or 29.5 percent.

▪ Net interest income (fully taxable equivalent basis) of $255.0 million, an increase of $34.1 million, or 15.4 percent, primarily due to an increase in interest income from fixed income investment securities and loans, attributable to growth in average investment and loan balances of $4.7 billion and $3.5 billion, respectively, driven by the average deposit growth mentioned above.

▪ Net interest margin of 2.50 percent, compared to 2.73 percent, primarily due to a 67 basis point decrease in the overall yield of our loan portfolio and a 9 basis point decrease in our fixed income investment portfolio yield. These decreases were primarily a result of the shift in the mix of our overall loan portfolio into higher credit quality, lower yielding loans, the overall low rate market environment and increased competition in the marketplace.

▪ Provision for loan losses of $33.4 million, compared to $16.6 million. The provision of $33.4 million was primarily driven by an increase of $17.8 million of additional specific reserves on two newly impaired loans, $10.4 million from the increase in period-end loan balances and an additional $3.8 million for the unreserved portion of a large charge-off during the quarter.

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▪ Non-GAAP core fee income (deposit service charges, letters of credit fees, credit card fees, lending related fees, client investment fees, and foreign exchange fees) of $68.4 million, an increase of $15.0 million, or 28.2 percent, primarily reflective of increased client utilization of our foreign exchange services and credit card and payment products. (See non-GAAP reconciliation under the section "Results of Operations—Noninterest Income").

▪ Net gains on investment securities of $18.8 million, compared to net gains of $5.6 million. [Non-GAAP net gains on investment securities, net of noncontrolling interests were $12.7 million, compared to net losses of $1.1 million (See non-GAAP reconciliation under the section "Results of Operations—Noninterest Income—Gains on Investment Securities, Net"). Net gains, net of noncontrolling interests, were primarily driven by $6.8 million gains from our strategic and other investments, reflective of strong distributions from our strategic venture capital fund investments and gains of $6.0 million from our managed fund of funds, primarily related to unrealized valuation increases.

▪ Net gains on equity warrant assets of $10.7 million, a decrease of $2.5 million, or 18.8 percent, compared to $13.2 million. The gains of $10.7 million primarily included $8.9 million from changes in warrant valuations and net gains of $2.2 million from the exercise of equity warrant assets.

▪ Noninterest expense of $184.8 million, an increase of $5.0 million, or 2.8 percent. This increase was primarily driven by a $9.4 million increase in compensation and benefits. The increase in compensation and benefits was primarily due to increased salaries and wages as a result of an increase in average FTEs. Average FTEs increased by 9.7 percent to 2,030 for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to 1,850 FTEs for the comparable 2014 period.

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A summary of our performance for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:

	Three months ended September 30,									Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data, employees and ratios)	2015			2014			% Change			2015			2014			% Change
Diluted earnings per common share (1)	$	1.57		$	1.24		26.6		%	$	4.94		$	4.18		18.2		%
Net income available to common stockholders (1)	81,733			63,977			27.8			256,392			205,880			24.5
Net interest income	254,660			220,565			15.5			737,356			621,858			18.6
Net interest margin	2.50		%	2.73		%	(23	)	bps	2.57		%	2.87		%	(30	)	bps
Provision for loan losses	$	33,403		$	16,610		101.1			$	66,368		$	19,051		NM
Noninterest income (2)	108,477			80,167			35.3			358,288			404,602			(11.4	)	%
Noninterest expense (1) (2)	184,755			179,761			2.8		%	569,408			521,113			9.3
Non-GAAP core fee income (3)	68,388			53,346			28.2			192,677			154,285			24.9
Non-GAAP noninterest income, net of noncontrolling interests (1) (2) (3)	102,134			75,256			35.7			329,225			248,298			32.6
Non-GAAP noninterest expense, net of noncontrolling interests (1) (2) (4)	184,639			175,018			5.5			568,758			507,782			12.0
Balance Sheet:
Average available-for-sale securities	$	15,035,114		$	12,446,821		20.8		%	$	14,140,044		$	12,698,395		11.4		%
Average held-to-maturity securities	7,878,963			5,775,602			36.4			7,697,302			2,544,256			NM
Average loans, net of unearned income (2)	14,916,652			11,439,521			30.4			14,431,785			11,098,397			30.0
Average noninterest-bearing demand deposits (2)	28,791,728			21,502,469			33.9			26,909,422			19,302,107			39.4
Average interest-bearing deposits	8,591,339			8,223,815			4.5			8,503,931			7,580,006			12.2
Average total deposits	37,383,067			29,726,284			25.8			35,413,353			26,882,113			31.7
Earnings Ratios:
Return on average assets (annualized) (1) (2) (6)	0.77		%	0.73		%	5.5		%	0.86		%	0.88		%	(2.3	)	%
Return on average SVBFG stockholders’ equity (annualized) (1) (7)	10.35			9.30			11.3			11.34			11.37			(0.3	)
Asset Quality Ratios:
Allowance for loan losses as a % of total period-end gross loans	1.28		%	1.07		%	21		bps	1.28		%	1.07		%	21		bps
Allowance for loan losses for performing loans as a % of total gross performing loans	0.99			1.05			(6	)		0.99			1.05			(6	)
Gross loan charge-offs as a % of average total gross loans (annualized)	0.77			0.37			40			0.36			0.46			(10	)
Net loan charge-offs as a % of average total gross loans (annualized)	0.75			0.28			47			0.31			0.39			(8	)
Capital Ratios:
CET 1 risk-based capital ratio (8)	12.48		%	—		%	—		bps	12.48		%	—		%	—		bps
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio (8)	13.07			14.03			(96	)		13.07			14.03			(96	)
Total risk-based capital ratio (8)	14.05			14.97			(92	)		14.05			14.97			(92	)
Tier 1 leverage ratio (8)	7.67			8.22			(55	)		7.67			8.22			(55	)
Tangible common equity to tangible assets (1) (9)	7.61			7.54			7			7.61			7.54			7
Tangible common equity to risk-weighted assets (1) (8) (9)	12.87			13.95			(108	)		12.87			13.95			(108	)
Bank CET 1 risk-based capital ratio (8)	12.79			—			—			12.79			—			—
Bank tier 1 risk-based capital ratio (8)	12.79			12.11			68			12.79			12.11			68
Bank total risk-based capital ratio (8)	13.85			13.06			79			13.85			13.06			79
Bank tier 1 leverage ratio (8)	7.13			7.05			8			7.13			7.05			8
Bank tangible common equity to tangible assets (1) (9)	7.42			6.75			67			7.42			6.75			67
Bank tangible common equity to risk-weighted assets (1) (8) (9)	13.21			12.12			109			13.21			12.12			109
Other Ratios:
GAAP operating efficiency ratio (1) (10)	50.88		%	59.77		%	(14.9	)	%	51.97		%	50.77		%	2.4		%
Non-GAAP operating efficiency ratio (1) (3)	51.69			59.08			(12.5	)		53.27			58.27			(8.6	)
Book value per common share (1) (11)	$	61.66		$	53.48		15.3			$	61.66		$	53.48		15.3
Other Statistics:
Average full-time equivalent employees	2,030			1,850			9.7		%	1,981			1,784			11.0		%
Period-end full-time equivalent employees	2,054			1,881			9.2			2,054			1,881			9.2

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NM - Not meaningful

(1) Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

(2) Effective January 1, 2015, we adopted new accounting guidance related to our consolidated variable interest entities (ASU 2015-02); amounts prior to the adoption have not been revised. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

(3) See “Results of Operations–Noninterest Income” for a description and reconciliation of non-GAAP core fee income and noninterest income.

(4) See “Results of Operations–Noninterest Expense” for a description and reconciliation of non-GAAP noninterest expense and non-GAAP operating efficiency ratio.

(5) Ratio represents annualized consolidated net income available to common stockholders divided by quarterly average assets.

(6) Ratio represents annualized consolidated net income available to common stockholders divided by quarterly average SVBFG stockholders’ equity.

(7) Ratios as of September 30, 2015 reflect the adoption of the rules implementing the "Basel III" regulatory capital reforms and changes required by the Dodd-Frank Act ("Basel III Capital Rules") in effect beginning January 1, 2015. Ratios for prior periods represent the previous capital rules under Basel I.

(8) See “Capital Resources–Capital Ratios” for a reconciliation of non-GAAP tangible common equity to tangible assets and tangible common equity to risk-weighted assets.

(9) The operating efficiency ratio is calculated by dividing total noninterest expense by total taxable-equivalent net interest income plus noninterest income.

(10) Book value per common share is calculated by dividing total SVBFG stockholders’ equity by total outstanding common shares at period-end.

For more information with respect to our capital ratios, please refer to “Capital Ratios” under “Consolidated Financial Condition-Capital Ratios” below.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The accompanying management’s discussion and analysis of results of operations and financial condition is based upon our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Management evaluates estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis. Management bases its estimates on historical experiences and various other factors and assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Our accounting policy relating to income taxes was impacted by the adoption of ASU-2014-01 (Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects). Upon the adoption of ASU 2014-01, we elected to use the proportional amortization method to account for our investments in affordable housing projects and have applied this election retrospectively. As a result, all prior period deferred tax assets related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects were written off as the tax credit fund amortization expense for those investments is no longer classified as a temporary difference and is included in the estimate for the provision for income taxes. The impact of this change resulted in a higher effective tax rate.

There have been no other significant changes during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 to the items that we disclosed as our critical accounting policies and estimates in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” under Part II, Item 7 of our 2014 Form 10-K.

Results of Operations

Net Interest Income and Margin (Fully Taxable Equivalent Basis)

Net interest income is defined as the difference between interest earned on loans, fixed income investment portfolio (available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities), short-term investment securities and interest paid on funding sources. Net interest income is our principal source of revenue. Net interest margin is defined as the amount of annualized net interest income, on a fully taxable equivalent basis, expressed as a percentage of average interest-earning assets. Net interest income and net interest margin are presented on a fully taxable equivalent basis to consistently reflect income from taxable loans and securities and tax-exempt securities based on the federal statutory tax rate of 35 percent.

Analysis of Net Interest Income Changes Due to Volume and Rate (Fully Taxable Equivalent Basis)

Net interest income is affected by changes in the amount and composition of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, referred to as “volume change.” Net interest income is also affected by changes in yields earned on interest-earning assets and rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities, referred to as “rate change.” The following table sets forth changes in interest income for each major category of interest-earning assets and interest expense for each major category of interest-bearing liabilities. The table also reflects the amount of simultaneous changes attributable to both volume and rate changes for the periods indicated. For this table, changes that are not solely due to either volume or rate are allocated in proportion to the percentage changes in average volume and average rate.

	2015 Compared to 2014									2015 Compared to 2014
	Three months ended September 30, increase (decrease) due to change in									Nine months ended September 30, increase (decrease) due to change in
(Dollars in thousands)	Volume			Rate			Total			Volume			Rate			Total
Interest income:
Federal Reserve deposits, federal funds sold, securities purchased under agreements to resell, trade receivables purchased and other short-term investment securities	$	83		$	(323	)	$	(240	)	$	(1,239	)	$	9		$	(1,230	)
Fixed income investment portfolio (taxable)	15,366			(1,297		)	14,069			63,772			(1,660		)	62,112
Fixed income investment portfolio (non-taxable)	(122		)	21			(101		)	(126		)	(92		)	(218		)
Loans, net of unearned income	40,792			(19,091		)	21,701			117,277			(58,675		)	58,602
Increase (decrease) in interest income, net	56,119			(20,690		)	35,429			179,684			(60,418		)	119,266
Interest expense:
NOW deposits	20			(245		)	(225		)	77			(421		)	(344		)
Money market deposits	65			(1,530		)	(1,465		)	460			(4,457		)	(3,997		)
Money market deposits in foreign offices	(4		)	(2		)	(6		)	1			(53		)	(52		)
Time deposits	(38		)	(30		)	(68		)	(96		)	(66		)	(162		)
Sweep deposits in foreign offices	(5		)	(34		)	(39		)	24			(119		)	(95		)
Total increase (decrease) in deposits expense	38			(1,841		)	(1,803		)	466			(5,116		)	(4,650		)
Short-term borrowings	—			3			3			—			28			28
3.50% Senior Notes	3,138			—			3,138			8,401			—			8,401
5.375% Senior Notes	3			4			7			9			12			21
Junior Subordinated Debentures	(2		)	(1		)	(3		)	(8		)	(17		)	(25		)
6.05% Subordinated Notes	(5		)	33			28			(15		)	84			69
Total increase in borrowings expense	3,134			39			3,173			8,387			107			8,494
Increase (decrease) in interest expense, net	3,172			(1,802		)	1,370			8,853			(5,009		)	3,844
Increase (decrease) in net interest income	$	52,947		$	(18,888	)	$	34,059		$	170,831		$	(55,409	)	$	115,422

Net Interest Income (Fully Taxable Equivalent Basis)

Three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

Net interest income increased by $34.1 million to $255.0 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2015, compared to $221.0 million for the comparable 2014 period. Overall, we saw an increase in our net interest income primarily from increased interest earned on our loan and fixed income investments portfolios, reflective of higher average loan and fixed income investment balances, as a result of our strong deposit growth. These increases were partially offset by an increase in interest expense due to the issuance of our 3.50% Senior Notes on January 29, 2015. Our loan and investment yields were also impacted by the overall low market rate environment and continued competition in the marketplace.

The main factors affecting interest income and interest expense for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2015, compared to the comparable 2014 period are discussed below:

• Interest income for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2015 increased by $35.4 million primarily due to:

◦ A $21.7 million increase in interest income on loans to $175.0 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2015, compared to $153.3 million for the comparable 2014 period. This increase was reflective of an increase in average loan balances of $3.5 billion, partially offset by a decrease in both gross loan and loan fee yields. Gross loan yields, excluding loan interest recoveries and loan fees, decreased to 3.99 percent from 4.39 percent, reflective of a shift in the mix of our overall loan portfolio from the third quarter of 2014. This shift primarily includes increased growth in private equity/venture capital and SVB Private Bank loans, which tend to be higher credit quality, lower yielding loans. Loan fee yields decreased 24 basis points to 66 basis points, from 90 basis points in the comparable 2014 period. This decrease was a result of lower fee income from early repayments as a percentage of our overall loan portfolio, primarily reflective of the overall low market rate environment and continued competition in the marketplace.

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◦ A $14.0 million increase in interest income on investment securities to $88.7 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2015, compared to $74.7 million for the comparable 2014 period. The increase was reflective of an increase in average investment securities balances of $4.7 billion primarily as a result of our strong deposit growth.

• Interest expense for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2015 increased to $10.1 million, compared to $8.8 million for the comparable 2014 period. The increase in interest expense was primarily attributable to the increase in long-term debt interest expense of $3.2 million reflective of the $350.0 million issuance of our 3.50% Senior Notes on January 29, 2015, partially offset by a decrease of $1.8 million in interest paid on our interest-bearing deposits as a result of market rate adjustments.

Nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014

Net interest income increased by $115.5 million to $738.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $623.1 million for the comparable 2014 period. Overall, we saw an increase in our net interest income primarily due to higher average loan balances and growth in our available-for-sale securities portfolio, which has increased as a result of our continued growth in deposits. These increases were partially offset by lower yields earned on our loans and fixed income investment portfolio.

The main factors affecting interest income and interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to the comparable 2014 period are discussed below:

• Interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 increased by $119.3 million primarily due to:

◦ A $61.9 million increase in interest income on investment securities with the majority of the increase due to a $6.6 billion increase in average balances due to strong deposit growth. Interest income was offset by a decrease in the overall yield of our fixed income investment portfolio, which decreased 14 basis points to 1.57 percent. The decrease in the fixed income investment portfolio yield was offset by a 7 basis point benefit from lower premium amortization expense, driven by a slowdown in prepayments as a result of increases in market rates.

◦ A $58.6 million increase in interest income on loans, primarily due to an increase in average loan balances of $3.3 billion. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in both gross loan and loan fee yields. Gross loan yields, excluding loan interest recoveries and loan fees, decreased to 4.03 percent from 4.48 percent, reflective of a shift in the mix of our overall loan portfolio for the first three quarters of 2015. This shift primarily includes increased growth in private equity/venture capital and SVB Private Bank loans, which tend to be higher credit quality, lower yielding loans. Loan fee yields decreased 20 basis points to 66 basis points, from 86 basis points in the comparable 2014 period. This decrease was a result of lower fee income from early repayments as a percentage of our overall loan portfolio, primarily reflective of the overall low market rate environment and increased competition.

• Interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 increased by $3.8 million primarily due to:

◦ An increase in interest expense of $8.5 million related to our long-term debt, reflective of the $350.0 million issuance of our 3.50% Senior Notes on January 29, 2015.

◦ A decrease in interest expense from interest-bearing deposits of $4.7 million, primarily due to decreases in rates paid on interest-bearing money market deposits as a result of market rate adjustments.

Net Interest Margin (Fully Taxable Equivalent Basis)

Our net interest margin decreased by 23 basis points to 2.50 percent for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2015, compared to 2.73 percent for the comparable 2014 period.

Our net interest margin decreased to 2.57 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to 2.87 percent for the comparable 2014 period.

The decrease in our net interest margin for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015,was primarily reflective of the decrease in gross loan yields as outlined above.

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Average Balances, Yields and Rates Paid (Fully Taxable Equivalent Basis)

The average yield earned on interest-earning assets is the amount of annualized fully taxable equivalent interest income expressed as a percentage of average interest-earning assets. The average rate paid on funding sources is the amount of annualized interest expense expressed as a percentage of average funding sources. The following tables set forth average assets, liabilities, noncontrolling interests and SVBFG stockholders’ equity, interest income, interest expense, annualized yields and rates, and the composition of our annualized net interest margin for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014:

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Average Balances, Rates and Yields for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

	Three months ended September 30,
	2015								2014
(Dollars in thousands)	Average Balance			Interest Income/ Expense			Yield/ Rate		Average Balance			Interest Income/ Expense			Yield/ Rate
Interest-earning assets:
Federal Reserve deposits, federal funds sold, securities purchased under agreements to resell and other short-term investment securities (1)	$	2,618,582		$	1,482		0.22	%	$	2,472,205		$	1,722		0.28	%
Investment securities:
Available-for-sale securities: (2)
Taxable	15,035,114			49,027			1.29		12,446,821			43,519			1.39
Held-to-maturity securities:
Taxable	7,803,045			38,582			1.96		5,691,201			30,021			2.09
Non-taxable (3)	75,918			1,087			5.68		84,401			1,188			5.58
Total loans, net of unearned income (4) (5)	14,916,652			174,993			4.65		11,439,521			153,292			5.32
Total interest-earning assets	40,449,311			265,171			2.60		32,134,149			229,742			2.84
Cash and due from banks	349,072								299,964
Allowance for loan losses	(200,683		)						(128,598		)
Other assets (6)	1,421,524								2,290,550
Total assets	$	42,019,224							$	34,596,065
Funding sources:
Interest-bearing liabilities:
NOW deposits	$	258,127		$	54		0.08	%	$	161,793		$	279		0.68	%
Money market deposits	6,109,030			867			0.06		5,649,971			2,332			0.16
Money market deposits in foreign offices	192,859			20			0.04		228,142			26			0.05
Time deposits	68,875			28			0.16		162,182			96			0.23
Sweep deposits in foreign offices	1,962,448			189			0.04		2,021,727			228			0.04
Total interest-bearing deposits	8,591,339			1,158			0.05		8,223,815			2,961			0.14
Short-term borrowings	6,956			3			0.17		5,538			—			—
3.50% Senior Notes	349,684			3,138			3.56		—			—			—
5.375% Senior Notes	348,556			4,839			5.51		346,262			4,832			5.54
Junior Subordinated Debentures	54,743			831			6.02		54,918			834			6.02
6.05% Subordinated Notes	49,298			162			1.30		50,796			134			1.05
Total interest-bearing liabilities	9,400,576			10,131			0.43		8,681,329			8,761			0.40
Portion of noninterest-bearing funding sources	31,048,735								23,452,820
Total funding sources	40,449,311			10,131			0.10		32,134,149			8,761			0.11
Noninterest-bearing funding sources:
Demand deposits	28,791,728								21,502,469
Other liabilities	556,935								402,231
SVBFG stockholders’ equity	3,131,687								2,729,862
Noncontrolling interests	138,298								1,280,174
Portion used to fund interest-earning assets	(31,048,735		)						(23,452,820		)
Total liabilities, noncontrolling interest, and SVBFG stockholders’ equity	$	42,019,224							$	34,596,065
Net interest income and margin				$	255,040		2.50	%				$	220,981		2.73	%
Total deposits	$	37,383,067							$	29,726,284
Reconciliation to reported net interest income:
Adjustments for taxable equivalent basis				(380		)						(416		)
Net interest income, as reported				$	254,660							$	220,565

(1) Includes average interest-earning deposits in other financial institutions of $446 million and $408 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. For the three months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014, balances also include $2.1 billion and $2.0 billion, respectively, deposited at the Federal Reserve Bank, earning interest at the Federal Funds target rate.

(2) Yields on available-for-sale securities are based on amortized cost, and therefore do not give effect to unrealized changes in fair value that are reflected in other comprehensive income.

(3) Interest income on non-taxable investment securities are presented on a fully taxable-equivalent basis using the federal statutory income tax rate of 35.0 percent for all periods presented.

(4) Nonaccrual loans are reflected in the average balances of loans.

(5) Interest income includes loan fees of $24.7 million and $26.0 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

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(6) Average investment securities of $0.7 billion and $1.8 billion for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, were classified as other assets as they were noninterest-earning assets. These investments primarily consisted of non-marketable and other securities. During the second quarter of 2015 we adopted new accounting guidance related to our consolidated variable interest entities (ASU 2015-02) under a modified retrospective approach. Periods prior to January 1, 2015 have not been revised. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

Average Balances, Rates and Yields for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

	Nine months ended September 30,
	2015								2014
(Dollars in thousands)	Average Balance			Interest Income/ Expense			Yield/ Rate		Average Balance			Interest Income/ Expense			Yield/ Rate
Interest-earning assets:
Federal Reserve deposits, federal funds sold, securities purchased under agreements to resell and other short-term investment securities (1)	$	2,086,409		$	4,071		0.26	%	$	2,721,501		$	5,301		0.26	%
Available-for-sale securities: (2)
Taxable	14,140,044			139,734			1.32		12,653,194			151,854			1.60
Non-taxable (3)	—			—			—		45,201			2,040			6.03
Held-to-maturity securities:
Taxable	7,617,112			113,762			2.00		2,506,315			39,530			2.11
Non-taxable (3)	80,190			3,416			5.70		37,941			1,594			5.62
Total loans, net of unearned income (4) (5)	14,431,785			507,746			4.70		11,098,397			449,144			5.41
Total interest-earning assets	38,355,540			768,729			2.68		29,062,549			649,463			2.99
Cash and due from banks	302,251								208,502
Allowance for loan losses	(184,119		)						(132,667		)
Other assets (5)	1,437,853								2,264,568
Total assets	$	39,911,525							$	31,402,952
Funding sources:
Interest-bearing liabilities:
NOW deposits	$	239,292		$	226		0.13	%	$	157,322		$	570		0.48	%
Money market deposits	6,033,935			3,308			0.07		5,194,449			7,305			0.19
Money market deposits in foreign offices	196,200			58			0.04		207,359			110			0.07
Time deposits	90,939			126			0.19		160,300			288			0.24
Sweep deposits in foreign offices	1,943,565			565			0.04		1,860,576			660			0.05
Total interest-bearing deposits	8,503,931			4,283			0.07		7,580,006			8,933			0.16
Short-term borrowings	25,505			28			0.15		5,027			—			—
3.5% Senior Notes	313,834			8,401			3.58		—			—			—
5.375% Senior Notes	348,509			14,511			5.57		346,136			14,490			5.60
Junior Subordinated Debentures	54,786			2,496			6.09		54,962			2,521			6.13
6.05% Subordinated Notes	49,726			458			1.23		51,302			389			1.01
Total interest-bearing liabilities	9,296,291			30,177			0.43		8,037,433			26,333			0.44
Portion of noninterest-bearing funding sources	29,059,249								21,025,116
Total funding sources	38,355,540			30,177			0.11		29,062,549			26,333			0.12
Noninterest-bearing funding sources:
Demand deposits	26,909,422								19,302,107
Other liabilities	539,787								399,349
SVBFG stockholders’ equity	3,022,086								2,420,695
Noncontrolling interests	143,939								1,243,368
Portion used to fund interest-earning assets	(29,059,249		)						(21,025,116		)
Total liabilities, noncontrolling interest, and SVBFG stockholders’ equity	$	39,911,525							$	31,402,952
Net interest income and margin				$	738,552		2.57	%				$	623,130		2.87	%
Total deposits	$	35,413,353							$	26,882,113
Reconciliation to reported net interest income:
Adjustments for taxable equivalent basis				(1,196		)						(1,272		)
Net interest income, as reported				$	737,356							$	621,858

(1) Includes average interest-earning deposits in other financial institutions of $467 million and $356 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, balances also include $1.5 billion and $2.2 billion, respectively, deposited at the FRB, earning interest at the Federal Funds target rate.

(2) Yields on available-for-sale securities are based on amortized cost, and therefore do not give effect to unrealized changes in fair value that are reflected in other comprehensive income.

(3) Interest income on non-taxable available-for-sale securities is presented on a fully taxable-equivalent basis using the federal statutory income tax rate of 35.0 percent for all periods presented.

(4) Nonaccrual loans are reflected in the average balances of loans.

(5) Interest income includes loan fees of $71.4 million and $71.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

(6) Average investment securities of $0.8 billion and $1.8 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, were classified as other assets as they were noninterest-earning assets. These investments primarily consisted of non-marketable securities. During the second quarter of 2015 we adopted new accounting guidance related to our consolidated variable interest entities (ASU 2015-02) under a modified retrospective approach. Periods prior to January 1, 2015 have not been revised. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

Provision for Loan Losses

Our provision for loan losses is based on our evaluation of the existing allowance for loan losses in relation to total gross loans using historical and other objective information, and on our qualitative assessment of the inherent and identified credit risks of the loan portfolio. The following table summarizes our allowance for loan losses for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014:

	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015			2014			2015			2014
Allowance for loan losses, beginning balance	$	192,644		$	120,728		$	165,359		$	142,886
Provision for loan losses	33,403			16,610			66,368			19,051
Gross loan charge-offs	(29,118		)	(10,657		)	(39,339		)	(38,189		)
Loan recoveries	578			2,380			5,119			5,313
Allowance for loan losses, ending balance	$	197,507		$	129,061		$	197,507		$	129,061
Provision for loan losses as a percentage of period-end total gross loans (annualized)	0.86		%	0.54		%	0.58		%	0.21		%
Gross loan charge-offs as a percentage of average total gross loans (annualized)	0.77			0.37			0.36			0.46
Net loan charge-offs as a percentage of average total gross loans (annualized)	0.75			0.28			0.31			0.39
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of period-end total gross loans	1.28			1.07			1.28			1.07
Period-end total gross loans	$	15,429,941		$	12,112,474		$	15,429,941		$	12,112,474
Average total gross loans	15,026,206			11,528,172			14,537,874			11,184,840

Three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

Our provision for loan losses was $33.4 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2015, compared to a provision of $16.6 million for the comparable 2014 period. The provision of $33.4 million primarily consisted of $17.8 million of additional specific reserves on two newly impaired loans, $10.4 million from the increase in period-end loan balances and an additional $3.8 million for the unreserved portion of a software and internet loan charge-off during the quarter.

The provision of $16.6 million for the third quarter of 2014 was primarily driven by $8.3 million in net charge-offs, $7.0 million from period-end loan growth and $3.7 million due to a change in the composition of our performing loan portfolio, offset by a $2.4 million decrease in the reserve for impaired loans resulting in lower impaired loan balances.

Gross loan charge-offs of $29.1 million for the third quarter of 2015 included $21.7 million from one growth stage client in our software and internet loan portfolio, of which a total of $17.9 million was previously reserved for in prior quarters.

Net loan charge-offs of $28.5 million represented 0.75 percent of average total gross loans, compared to net charge-offs of $8.3 million, or 0.28 percent of average total gross loans for the comparable 2014 period. The increase in net loan charge-offs as a percentage of average total gross loans was primarily reflective of the increase in gross loan charge-offs as discussed above.

Nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

Our provision for loan losses was $66.4 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015, compared to a provision of $19.1 million for the comparable 2014 period.The provision of $66.4 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 was primarily driven by $34.2 million for net charge-offs, an increase of $31.2 million in the reserve for impaired loans and $8.5 million from period-end loan growth. These increases were offset by a decrease of $7.6 million in the reserve for our performing

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loans due to improved credit quality. The provision of $19.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was primarily due to $32.9 million of net charge-offs and $12.2 million from period-end loan growth, offset by a $19.0 million decrease in the reserve for impaired loans resulting from a decrease in impaired loan balances and a decrease of $7.1 million in the reserve of our performing loans due to improved credit quality.

Gross loan charge-offs of $39.3 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 primarily came from our software and internet loan portfolio. Net loan charge-offs of $34.2 million represented 0.31 percent of average total gross loans, compared to net charge offs of $32.9 million, or 0.39 percent of average total gross loans for the comparable 2014 period.

See “Consolidated Financial Condition—Credit Quality and Allowance for Loan Losses” below and Note 7—“Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for further details on our allowance for loan losses.

Noninterest Income

A summary of noninterest income for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:

	Three months ended September 30,							Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015		2014			% Change		2015		2014		% Change
Non-GAAP core fee income (1):
Foreign exchange fees	$	22,995	$	17,911		28.4	%	$	63,037	$	53,035	18.9	%
Credit card fees	14,536		10,909			33.2		40,841		31,440		29.9
Deposit service charges	12,272		10,126			21.2		34,309		29,344		16.9
Lending related fees	7,561		6,029			25.4		23,746		18,208		30.4
Client investment fees	5,683		3,814			49.0		15,429		10,751		43.5
Letters of credit and standby letters of credit fees	5,341		4,557			17.2		15,315		11,507		33.1
Total non-GAAP core fee income	68,388		53,346			28.2		192,677		154,285		24.9
Gains on investment securities, net (2)	18,768		5,644			NM		77,006		172,236		(55.3	)
Gains on derivative instruments, net	10,244		26,538			(61.4	)	66,290		63,480		4.4
Other	11,077		(5,361		)	NM		22,315		14,601		52.8
GAAP noninterest income	$	108,477	$	80,167		35.3		$	358,288	$	404,602	(11.4	)

NM—Not meaningful

(1) This non-GAAP measure represents noninterest income, but excludes certain line items where performance is typically subject to market or other conditions beyond our control.

(2) Amount for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, has been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the second quarter of 2015 related to our consolidated variable interest entities (ASU 2015-02). Amount prior to January 1, 2015 has not been revised for the adoption of this guidance. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

Included in net income is income and expense attributable to noncontrolling interests. We recognize, as part of our investment funds management business through SVB Capital, the entire income or loss from funds consolidated in accordance with ASC Topic 810 as discussed in Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report. We are required under GAAP to consolidate 100% of the results of these entities, even though we may own less than 100% of such entities. The relevant amounts attributable to investors other than us are reflected under “Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests” on our statements of income. Where applicable, the non-GAAP tables presented below for noninterest income and net gains on investment securities exclude noncontrolling interests. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures, when taken together with the corresponding GAAP financial measures, provide meaningful supplemental information regarding our performance by excluding certain items that represent income attributable to investors other than us and our subsidiaries. Our management uses, and believes that investors benefit from referring to, these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing our operating results and when planning, forecasting and analyzing future periods. However, these non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for or preferable to, financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.

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The following table provides a summary of non-GAAP noninterest income, net of noncontrolling interests for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014:

	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
Non-GAAP noninterest income, net of  noncontrolling interests (Dollars in thousands)	2015		2014		% Change		2015 (1)		2014		% Change
GAAP noninterest income (as reported)	$	108,477	$	80,167	35.3	%	$	358,288	$	404,602	(11.4	)%
Less: income attributable to noncontrolling interests, including carried interest	6,343		4,911		29.2		29,063		156,304		(81.4	)
Non-GAAP noninterest income, net of noncontrolling interests	$	102,134	$	75,256	35.7		$	329,225	$	248,298	32.6

(1) Amounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the second quarter of 2015 related to our consolidated variable interest entities (ASU 2015-02). Amounts prior to January 1, 2015 have not been revised for the adoption of this guidance. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

Gains on Investment Securities, Net

Net gains on investment securities include both gains and losses from our non-marketable and other securities, as well as gains and losses from sales of our available-for-sale securities portfolio, when applicable.

Our available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities portfolios are primarily fixed income investment portfolios that are managed with the objective of earning an appropriate portfolio yield over the long-term while maintaining sufficient liquidity and credit diversification as well as addressing our asset/liability management objectives. Sales of equity securities held as a result of our exercised warrants, result in net gains or losses on investment securities. These sales are conducted pursuant to the guidelines of our investment policy related to the management of our liquidity position and interest rate risk. Though infrequent, sales of investment securities in our fixed income portfolio may result in net gains or losses and are also conducted pursuant to the guidelines of our investment policy.

Our non-marketable and other securities portfolio primarily represents investments in venture capital and private equity funds, venture debt funds and private and public portfolio companies. We experience variability in the performance of our non-marketable and other securities from quarter to quarter, which results in net gains or losses on investment securities (both realized and unrealized). This variability is due to a number of factors, including unrealized changes in the values of our investments, changes in the amount of realized gains from distributions, changes in liquidity events and general economic and market conditions. Unrealized gains from non-marketable and other securities for any single period are typically driven by valuation changes, and are therefore subject to potential increases or decreases in future periods. Such variability may lead to volatility in the gains from investment securities and as such our results for a particular period are not necessarily indicative of our expected performance in a future period.

The extent to which any unrealized gains will become realized is subject to a variety of factors, including, among other things, the expiration of certain sales restrictions to which these equity securities may be subject to (i.e. lock-up agreements), changes in prevailing market prices, market conditions, the actual sales or distributions of securities, the timing of such actual sales or distributions, which, to the extent such securities are managed by our managed funds, are subject to our funds' separate discretionary sales/distributions and governance processes.

For the three months endedSeptember 30, 2015, we had net gains on investment securities of $18.8 million, compared to net gains of $5.6 millionfor the comparable 2014 period. Net gains on investment securities, net of noncontrolling interests, were $12.7 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2015, compared to net losses of $1.1 million. The net losses for the comparable 2014 period were primarily reflective of the decrease in the public company stock price of FireEye, Inc. ("FireEye") .

Net gains on investment securities, net of noncontrolling interests, of $12.7 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2015 were primarily driven by the following:

• Gains of $6.8 million from our strategic and other investments, primarily driven by distribution gains from our strategic venture capital fund investments due to mergers and acquisition activity and unrealized valuation increases from certain investments.

• Gains of $6.0 million from our managed funds of funds, primarily related to unrealized valuation increases.

66

For the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015, we had net gains on investment securities of $77.0 million, compared to $172.2 million for the comparable 2014 period. Net gains on investment securities, net of noncontrolling interests, were $47.7 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015, compared to net gains of $14.2 million for the comparable 2014 period.

The gains, net of noncontrolling interests, of $47.7 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 were primarily driven by the following:

• Gains of $23.7 million from strategic and other investments, primarily driven by distribution gains from our strategic venture capital fund investments due primarily to IPO and acquisition activity as well as unrealized valuation increases from certain investments;

• Gains of $14.9 million from our managed funds of funds, primarily related to unrealized valuation increases; and

• Gains of $4.9 million from our managed direct venture funds, primarily related to realized gains from distributions of investments, including the gains from remaining shares held in FireEye.

The following tables provide a summary of non-GAAP net gains (losses) on investment securities, net of noncontrolling interests, for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014:

(Dollars in thousands)	Managed Funds of Funds		Managed Direct Venture Funds			Debt Funds			Available- For-Sale Securities			Strategic and Other Investments		Total
Three months ended September 30, 2015
Total gains (losses) on investment securities, net	$	11,786	$	(186	)	$	378		$	14		$	6,776	$	18,768
Less: income attributable to noncontrolling interests, including carried interest	5,816		286			—			—			—		6,102
Non-GAAP net gains (losses) on investment securities, net of noncontrolling interests	$	5,970	$	(472	)	$	378		$	14		$	6,776	$	12,666
Three months ended September 30, 2014
Total gains (losses) on investment securities, net	$	42,159	$	(39,973	)	$	973		$	(990	)	$	3,475	$	5,644
Less: income (losses) attributable to noncontrolling interests, including carried interest	38,187		(31,429		)	(1		)	—			—		6,757
Non-GAAP net gains (losses) on investment securities, net of noncontrolling interests	$	3,972	$	(8,544	)	$	974		$	(990	)	$	3,475	$	(1,113	)
Nine months ended September 30, 2015 (1)
Total gains on investment securities, net	$	36,726	$	12,352		$	1,477		$	2,751		$	23,700	$	77,006
Less: income attributable to noncontrolling interests, including carried interest	21,868		7,441			—			—			—		29,309
Non-GAAP net gains on investment securities, net of noncontrolling interests	$	14,858	$	4,911		$	1,477		$	2,751		$	23,700	$	47,697
Nine months ended September 30, 2014
Total gains (losses) on investment securities, net	$	192,085	$	(21,819	)	$	3,618		$	(17,410	)	$	15,762	$	172,236
Less: income (losses) attributable to noncontrolling interests, including carried interest	175,145		(17,061		)	(15		)	—			—		158,069
Non-GAAP net gains (losses) on investment securities, net of noncontrolling interests	$	16,940	$	(4,758	)	$	3,633		$	(17,410	)	$	15,762	$	14,167

(1) Amounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the second quarter of 2015 related to our consolidated variable interest entities (ASU 2015-02). Amounts prior to January 1, 2015 have not been revised for the adoption of this guidance. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

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Gains on Derivative Instruments, Net

A summary of gains on derivative instruments, net, for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:

	Three months ended September 30,								Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015			2014			% Change		2015			2014			% Change
Equity warrant assets (1)
Gains on exercises, net	$	2,173		$	6,788		(68.0	)%	$	26,363		$	28,743		(8.3	)%
Cancellations and expirations	(412		)	(61		)	NM		(818		)	(577		)	41.8
Changes in fair value	8,924			6,430			38.8		29,034			22,693			27.9
Net gains on equity warrant assets	10,685			13,157			(18.8	)	54,579			50,859			7.3
(Losses) gains on foreign exchange forward contracts, net:
Gains on client foreign exchange forward contracts, net (2)	179			886			(79.8	)	459			1,358			(66.2	)
(Losses) gains on internal foreign exchange forward contracts, net (3)	(218		)	12,529			(101.7	)	11,626			12,038			(3.4	)
Total (losses) gains on foreign exchange forward contracts, net	(39		)	13,415			(100.3	)	12,085			13,396			(9.8	)
Changes in fair value of interest rate swaps	(8		)	(12		)	(33.3	)	(22		)	(37		)	(40.5	)
Net losses on other derivatives (4)	(394		)	(22		)	NM		(352		)	(738		)	(52.3	)
Gains on derivative instruments, net	$	10,244		$	26,538		(61.4	)	$	66,290		$	63,480		4.4

NM—Not meaningful

(1) At September 30, 2015, we held warrants in 1,625 companies, compared to 1,415 companies at September 30, 2014. The total value of our warrant portfolio was $130.0 million at September 30, 2015 and $95.0 million at September 30, 2014. Of the 1,625 companies, 21 companies had values greater than $1.0 million and represented 33 percent of the fair value of the portfolio at September 30, 2015.

(2) Represents the net gains for foreign exchange forward contracts executed on behalf of clients, excluding any spread or fees earned in connection with these trades.

(3) Represents the change in the fair value of foreign exchange forward contracts used to economically reduce our foreign exchange exposure related to certain foreign currency denominated instruments. Refer to revaluation of foreign currency instruments included in the line item "other" within noninterest income for the amount we were able to partially offset.

(4) Primarily represents the change in fair value of loan conversion options.

Net gains on derivative instruments were $10.2 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2015, compared to net gains of $26.5 million for the comparable 2014 period. Net gains on derivative instruments were primarily attributable to the following:

• Net gains on equity warrant assets of $10.7 million, which consisted of:

• Net gains of $8.9 million from changes in warrant valuations for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2015, compared to $6.4 million for the comparable 2014 period. The warrant valuation gains for the third quarter of 2015 consisted primarily of valuation increases in software and internet companies from our private company warrant portfolio reflective of continued funding activity during the quarter.

• Net gains of $2.2 million from the exercise of equity warrant assets for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $6.8 million for the comparable 2014 period.

• Net losses of $0.2 million on internal foreign exchange forward contracts used to economically reduce our foreign exchange exposure to foreign currency denominated instruments for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to net gains of $12.5 million for the comparable 2014 period. The net losses recognized for the three months ended September 30, 2015 were primarily attributable to the strengthening of the Euro and Pound Sterling against the U.S. Dollar. The net losses of $0.2 million and $12.5 million were offset by net gains of $0.2 million and $12.6 million, respectively, from the revaluation of foreign currency denominated instruments that are included in the line item "other" within noninterest income as noted below.

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Net gains on derivative instruments were $66.3 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015, compared to net gains of $63.5 million for the comparable 2014 period. The net gains on derivative instruments was primarily attributable to the following:

• Net gains on equity warrant assets of $54.6 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015, compared to $50.9 million for the comparable 2014 period, which consisted of the following:

• Net gains of $29.0 million from changes in warrant valuations for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $22.7 million for the comparable 2014 period. The $6.3 million increase is mainly attributable to the increase in the number of warrants held in our portfolio at September 30, 2015 and valuation increases from software and internet companies in our private company warrant portfolio.

• Net gains of $26.4 million from the exercise of equity warrant assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $28.7 million for the comparable 2014 period. The decrease in net gains from the exercise of equity warrant assets was reflective of the slowdown of IPO activity in 2015 compared to 2014.

• Net gains of $11.6 million on foreign exchange forward contracts hedging certain of our foreign currency denominated instruments for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015, compared to gains of $12.0 million for the comparable 2014 period. The gains recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 were primarily attributable to the strengthening of the U.S. Dollar against the Euro and Pound Sterling. The gains of $11.6 million and $12.0 million are offset by losses of $11.7 million and $12.3 million, respectively, from the revaluation of foreign currency denominated instruments that are included in the line item "other" within noninterest income as noted below.

Foreign Exchange Fees

Foreign exchange fees were $23.0 million and $63.0 million for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015, compared to $17.9 million and $53.0 million for the comparable 2014 periods. The increases were primarily due to increased transaction volumes of 46 percent and 27 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively. The increase in foreign exchange revenue from the increased transaction volumes was partially offset by lower spreads from larger transactions.

Credit Card Fees

Credit card fees were $14.5 million and $40.8 million for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015, compared to $10.9 million and $31.4 million for the comparable 2014 periods. The increases reflected increased client utilization of our credit card products and custom payment solutions provided to new and existing clients. These increases were partially offset by higher rebate/rewards expense.

Deposit Service Charges

Deposit service charges were $12.3 million and $34.3 million for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015, compared to $10.1 million and $29.3 million for the comparable 2014 periods. The increases were reflective of the increase in the number of deposit clients, as well as increases in transaction volumes and size, during the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015.

Lending Related Fees

Lending related fees were $7.6 million and $23.7 million for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015, compared to $6.0 million and $18.2 million for the comparable 2014 periods. The increases were primarily driven by an increase in unused commitment fees of $1.7 million and $2.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015. Unused commitment fees were $6.3 million and $17.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $4.6 million and $14.4 million for the comparable 2014 periods. The increase was driven by growth in our loan commitments available for funding balance by $1.2 billion to $14.7 billion at September 30, 2015 compared to $13.5 billion at September 30, 2014.

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Client Investment Fees

Client investment fees were $5.7 million and $15.4 million for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015, compared to $3.8 million and $10.8 million for the comparable 2014 periods. The increases were reflective of an increase in average client investment funds, partially offset by lower margins earned on certain products due to low rates in the short-term fixed income markets. The increase in average client investment funds was driven by our clients’ increased utilization of our off-balance sheet products managed by SVB Asset Management, as well as, third-party sweep money market funds, reflective of the capital raising activity of our early-stage and mid-to-late stage clients. The following table summarizes average client investment funds for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014:

	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in millions)	2015		2014		% Change		2015		2014		% Change
Client directed investment assets (1)	$	8,392	$	7,168	17.1	%	$	7,752	$	7,288	6.4	%
Client investment assets under management (2)	20,943		17,050		22.8		19,305		15,574		24.0
Sweep money market funds	12,638		6,770		86.7		10,765		6,564		64.0
Total average client investment funds (3)	$	41,973	$	30,988	35.4		$	37,822	$	29,426	28.5

(1) Comprised of mutual funds and Repurchase Agreement Program assets.

(2) These funds represent investments in third party money market mutual funds and fixed-income securities managed by SVB Asset Management.

(3) Client investment funds are maintained at third party financial institutions and are not recorded on our balance sheet.

The following table summarizes period-end client investment funds at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

(Dollars in millions)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014		% Change
Client directed investment assets	$	8,487	$	6,158	37.8	%
Client investment assets under management	21,823		18,253		19.6
Sweep money market funds	13,257		7,957		66.6
Total period-end client investment funds	$	43,567	$	32,368	34.6

Letters of Credit and Standby letters of Credit Fees

Letters of credit and standby letters of credit fees were $5.3 million and $15.3 million for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015, compared to $4.6 million and $11.5 million for the comparable 2014 periods. The increases were primarily driven by increases in deferred fee income reflective of an increase in larger letter of credit issuances during the fourth quarter of 2014 and throughout 2015.

Other Noninterest Income

A summary of other noninterest income for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:

	Three months ended September 30,							Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015		2014			% Change		2015			2014			% Change
Fund management fees	$	4,074	$	3,574		14.0	%	$	11,657		$	9,888		17.9	%
Service-based fee income	1,931		2,180			(11.4	)	6,450			6,459			(0.1	)
Gains (losses) on revaluation of foreign currency instruments (1)	186		(12,640		)	(101.5	)	(11,667		)	(12,347		)	(5.5	)
Other (2) (3)	4,886		1,525			NM		15,875			10,601			49.8
Total other noninterest income	$	11,077	$	(5,361	)	NM		$	22,315		$	14,601		52.8

NM—Not meaningful

(1) Represents the revaluation of foreign currency denominated financial instruments issued and held by us, primarily loans, deposits and cash. These instruments partially offset the impact of changes in internal foreign exchange forward contracts. Refer to internal foreign exchange forward contracts, net included within gains on derivative instruments as noted above.

(2) Includes dividends on FHLB/FRB stock, correspondent bank rebate income and other fee income.

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(3) Amount for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, has been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the second quarter of 2015 related to our consolidated variable interest entities (ASU 2015-02). Amount prior to January 1, 2015 has not been revised for the adoption of this guidance. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

Total other noninterest income was $11.1 million and $22.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to a loss of $5.4 million and income of $14.6 millionfor the comparable2014periods. The increase of $16.4 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2015was primarily due to a $12.6 million loss for the three months ended September 30, 2014 from the revaluation of foreign currency instruments. The $12.6 million loss from the revaluation of foreign currency instruments was offset by net gains of $12.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014, on internal foreign exchange forward contracts economically hedging certain of these instruments, which are included within noninterest income in the line item "gains on derivative instruments" as noted above.

Noninterest Expense

A summary of noninterest expense for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:

	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015		2014		% Change		2015		2014		% Change
Compensation and benefits	$	109,345	$	99,932	9.4	%	$	350,030	$	302,259	15.8	%
Professional services	21,137		26,081		(19.0	)	58,834		68,383		(14.0	)
Premises and equipment	12,356		12,631		(2.2	)	36,800		36,267		1.5
Business development and travel	8,028		10,022		(19.9	)	28,904		29,465		(1.9	)
Net occupancy	8,548		7,437		14.9		24,010		22,436		7.0
FDIC and state assessments	6,954		4,587		51.6		18,705		13,660		36.9
Correspondent bank fees	3,070		3,278		(6.3	)	9,775		9,755		0.2
Provision for unfunded credit commitments	1,047		2,225		(52.9	)	249		5,533		(95.5	)
Other (1)	14,270		13,568		5.2		42,101		33,355		26.2
Total noninterest expense (1)	$	184,755	$	179,761	2.8		$	569,408	$	521,113	9.3

(1) Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

Included in noninterest expense is expense attributable to noncontrolling interests. See below for a summary of non-GAAP noninterest expense and non-GAAP operating efficiency ratio, both of which exclude noncontrolling interests.

Non-GAAP Noninterest Expense

We use and report non-GAAP noninterest expense, non-GAAP taxable equivalent revenue and non-GAAP operating efficiency ratio, which excludes noncontrolling interests. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures, when taken together with the corresponding GAAP financial measures, provide meaningful supplemental information regarding our performance by: (i) excluding certain items that represent expenses attributable to investors other than us and our subsidiaries, or certain items that do not occur every reporting period; or (ii) providing additional information used by management that is not otherwise required by GAAP or other applicable requirements. Our management uses, and believes that investors benefit from referring to, these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing our operating results and when planning, forecasting and analyzing future periods. However, these non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for or preferable to, financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. The table below provides a summary of non-GAAP noninterest expense and non-GAAP operating efficiency ratio, both net of noncontrolling interests for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014:

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	Three months ended September 30,								Nine months ended September 30,
Non-GAAP operating efficiency ratio, net of noncontrolling interests (Dollars in thousands, except ratios)	2015			2014			% Change		2015			2014			% Change
GAAP noninterest expense (1)	$	184,755		$	179,761		2.8	%	$	569,408		$	521,113		9.3	%
Less: amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests	116			4,743			(97.6	)	650			13,331			(95.1	)
Non-GAAP noninterest expense, net of noncontrolling interests	$	184,639		$	175,018		5.5		$	568,758		$	507,782		12.0
GAAP net interest income	$	254,660		$	220,565		15.5		$	737,356		$	621,858		18.6
Adjustments for taxable equivalent basis	380			416			(8.7	)	1,196			1,272			(6.0	)
Non-GAAP taxable equivalent net interest income	$	255,040		$	220,981		15.4		$	738,552		$	623,130		18.5
Less: income attributable to noncontrolling interests	2			9			(77.8	)	6			12			(50.0	)
Non-GAAP taxable equivalent net interest income, net of noncontrolling interests	$	255,038		$	220,972		15.4		$	738,546		$	623,118		18.5
GAAP noninterest income (2)	$	108,477		$	80,167		35.3		$	358,288		$	404,602		(11.4	)
Non-GAAP noninterest income, net of noncontrolling interests (2)	102,134			75,256			35.7		329,225			248,298			32.6
GAAP total revenue	$	363,137		$	300,732		20.8		$	1,095,644		$	1,026,460		6.7
Non-GAAP taxable equivalent revenue, net of noncontrolling interests	$	357,172		$	296,228		20.6		$	1,067,771		$	871,416		22.5
GAAP operating efficiency ratio	50.88		%	59.77		%	(14.9	)	51.97		%	50.77		%	2.4
Non-GAAP operating efficiency ratio (3)	51.69			59.08			(12.5	)	53.27		%	58.27		%	(8.6	)

(1) Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1.

(2) Amounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the second quarter of 2015 related to our consolidated variable interest entities (ASU 2015-02). Amounts prior to January 1, 2015 have not been revised for the adoption of this guidance. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

(3) The non-GAAP operating efficiency ratio is calculated by dividing non-GAAP noninterest expense, net of noncontrolling interests, by non-GAAP taxable-equivalent revenue, net of noncontrolling interests.

Compensation and Benefits Expense

The following table provides a summary of our compensation and benefits expense for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014:

	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands, except employees)	2015		2014		% Change		2015		2014		% Change
Compensation and benefits
Salaries and wages	$	55,383	$	47,106	17.6	%	$	158,456	$	136,616	16.0	%
Incentive compensation & ESOP	25,449		26,161		(2.7	)	93,861		80,355		16.8
Other employee incentives and benefits (1)	28,513		26,665		6.9		97,713		85,288		14.6
Total compensation and benefits	$	109,345	$	99,932	9.4		$	350,030	$	302,259	15.8
Period-end full-time equivalent employees	2,054		1,881		9.2		2,054		1,881		9.2
Average full-time equivalent employees	2,030		1,850		9.7		1,981		1,784		11.0

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(1) Other employee benefits includes employer payroll taxes, group health and life insurance, share-based compensation, 401(k), warrant and retention program plans, agency fees and other employee related expenses.

Compensation and benefits expense was $109.3 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2015, compared to $99.9 million for the comparable 2014 period. The key changes in factors affecting compensation and benefits expense were as follows:

• An increase of $8.3 million in salaries and wages, primarily due to an increase in the number of average full-time employees ("FTE"). Average FTEs increased by 180 to 2,030 FTEs for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2015, compared to 1,850 FTEs for the comparable 2014 period. The increase in headcount was primarily to support our product development, operations, sales and advisory functions, as well as to support our commercial banking initiatives.

• An increase of $1.8 million in other employee benefits, primarily due to larger expenses within our group health and life insurance plans.

Compensation and benefits expense was $350.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $302.3 million for the comparable 2014 period. The key changes in factors affecting compensation and benefits expense were as follows:

• An increase of $21.8 million in salaries and wages expense, primarily due to an increase in the number of average FTEs, which increased by 197 to 1,981 average FTEs in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to 1,784 average FTEs for the comparable 2014 period. The increase in headcount was primarily to support our product development, operations, sales and advisory functions, as well as to support our commercial banking initiatives.

• An increase of $13.5 million in incentive compensation and ESOP expense primarily reflective of the increase in average FTEs eligible for our incentive compensation plan and ESOP as well as current year performance expectations compared to prior year performance.

• An increase of $12.4 million in other employee incentives and benefits, primarily due to an increase of $5.0 million in the warrant incentive program plan expense resulting from gains recorded on our equity warrant assets during the first nine months of 2015. The remaining increases related to various other employee benefits, particularly employer payroll taxes, 401(k) expenses, and share-based plan expenses, which in total, contributed to a $7.0 million increase compared to the comparable 2014 period.

Our variable compensation plans primarily consist of our Incentive Compensation Plan, Direct Drive Incentive Compensation Plan, 401(k) and ESOP Plan, Retention Program and Warrant Incentive Plan (see descriptions in our 2014 Form 10-K). Total costs incurred under these plans were $29.1 million and $114.7 million for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015, compared to $29.6 million and $94.6 million for the comparable 2014 periods. These amounts are included in total compensation and benefits expense discussed above.

Professional Services

Professional services expense was $21.1 million and $58.8 million for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015, respectively, compared to $26.1 million and $68.4 million for the comparable 2014 periods, respectively. Included in professional services expense, in 2014, were management fee expenses of $12.8 million relating to our SVB Capital business, which decreased $4.0 million and $12.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, due to the deconsolidated interests of our unconsolidated VIEs upon adoption of ASU 2015-02. Expenses primarily associated with increased activities supporting our expansion of product offerings, as well as our continued investment into ongoing business and IT infrastructure initiatives increased $2.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

Business Development and Travel

Business development and travel was $8.0 million and $28.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $10.0 million and $29.5 million for the comparable 2014 periods. The decrease was primarily due to travel expense decreases related to internal meetings.

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FDIC and State Assessments

FDIC and state assessments expense was $7.0 million and $18.7 million for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015, compared to $4.6 million and $13.7 million for the comparable 2014 periods. The increase was primarily due to the increase of $7.4 billion and $8.5 billion in quarterly and year-to-date average assets, respectively, in 2015.

Provision for Unfunded Credit Commitments

We recorded a provision for unfunded credit commitments of $1.0 million and $0.2 million for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015, compared to a provision of $2.2 million and $5.5 million for the comparable 2014 periods. The provision for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 is reflective of growth in unfunded credit commitments partially offset by a change in the composition of our unfunded credit commitment portfolio, which resulted in a decrease in the reserve rate. The provision of $2.2 million and $5.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, were primarily reflective of increases in total unfunded credit commitments.

Other Noninterest Expense

A summary of other noninterest expense for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:

	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015		2014		% Change		2015		2014		% Change
Lending and other client related processing costs	$	3,608	$	3,215	12.2	%	$	10,861	$	8,160	33.1	%
Telephone	2,224		1,931		15.2		6,727		5,217		28.9
Data processing services	2,083		2,229		(6.6	)	5,274		6,497		(18.8	)
Postage and supplies	728		763		(4.6	)	2,220		2,248		(1.2	)
Dues and publications	521		719		(27.5	)	1,803		1,852		(2.6	)
Other (1)	5,106		4,711		8.4		15,216		9,381		62.2
Total other noninterest expense (2)	$	14,270	$	13,568	5.2		$	42,101	$	33,355	26.2

(1) Amount for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, has been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the second quarter of 2015 related to our consolidated variable interest entities (ASU 2015-02). Amount prior to January 1, 2015 has not been revised for the adoption of this guidance. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

(2) Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

Other noninterest expense was $14.3 million and $42.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $13.6 million and $33.4 million for the comparable 2014 period. The increase of $0.7 million and $8.7 million for the three and nine month periods were primarily due to increased lending and other client related processing costs and increased marketing expense for advertising/promotion in new and existing markets, included in other noninterest expense.

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests

Included in net income is income and expense attributable to noncontrolling interests. The relevant amounts allocated to investors in our consolidated subsidiaries, other than us, are reflected under “Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests” on our statements of income.

In the table below, noninterest income consists primarily of investment gains and losses from our consolidated funds. Noninterest expense is primarily related to management fees paid by our managed funds to SVB Financial’s subsidiaries as the funds’ general partners. A summary of net income attributable to noncontrolling interests for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:

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	Three months ended September 30,								Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015			2014			% Change		2015 (3)			2014			% Change
Net interest income (1)	$	(2	)	$	(9	)	(77.8	)%	$	(6	)	$	(12	)	(50.0	)%
Noninterest income (1)	(4,608		)	(1,185		)	NM		(26,043		)	(159,362		)	(83.7	)
Noninterest expense (1)	116			4,743			(97.6	)	650			13,331			(95.1	)
Carried interest (loss) income (2)	(1,735		)	(3,726		)	(53.4	)	(3,020		)	3,058			(198.8	)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	$	(6,229	)	$	(177	)	NM		$	(28,419	)	$	(142,985	)	(80.1	)

NM—Not meaningful

(1) Represents noncontrolling interests’ share in net interest income, noninterest income and noninterest expense.

(2) Represents the preferred allocation of income (or change in income) earned by us as the general partner of certain consolidated funds.

(3) Amounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the second quarter of 2015 related to our consolidated variable interest entities (ASU 2015-02). Amounts prior to January 1, 2015 have not been revised for the adoption of this guidance. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

Three months endedSeptember 30, 2015 compared to the three months endedSeptember 30, 2014

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests was $6.2 million for the third quarter of 2015, compared to $0.2 million for the comparable 2014 period. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests of $6.2 million for the third quarter of 2015 was primarily a result of the following:

• Net gains on investment securities (including carried interest) attributable to noncontrolling interests of $6.1 million primarily from gains of $5.8 million from our managed funds of funds mainly due to unrealized gains from valuation increases. See "Results of Operations—Noninterest Income—Gains on Investment Securities, Net".

Nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 compared to the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2014

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests was $28.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $143.0 million for the comparable 2014 period. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests of $28.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was primarily a result of the following:

• Net gains on investment securities (including carried interest) attributable to noncontrolling interests of $29.3 million primarily from gains of $21.9 million from our managed funds of funds and gains of $7.4 million from our managed direct venture funds primarily related to valuation increases. See "Results of Operations—Noninterest Income—Gains on Investment Securities, Net".

• Noninterest expense of $0.7 million, primarily related to management fees paid by the noncontrolling interests to our subsidiaries that serve as the general partner.

The overall decrease in net income attributable to noncontrolling interests for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was primarily reflective of the adoption of ASU 2015-02 on January 1, 2015 as discussed in Note 1 - "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 of this report in which we deconsolidated 16 entities. Amounts prior to January 1, 2015 have not been revised for the adoption of this guidance.

Income Taxes

Our effective income tax expense rate was 41.1 percent and 40.6 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to 38.6 percent and 40.0 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014.Results, and the related tax effect, for prior periods were revised to reflect the retrospective application of adopting new accounting guidance in 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01).

The components of our tax rate were consistent for both the 2015 and 2014 periods. The increase in our effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the comparable 2014 period, was primarily attributable to: (i) a reduction in tax benefits from our investments in the qualified affordable housing projects due to the adoption, and retrospective application, of ASU 2014-01, (ii) lower tax benefits from tax exempt interest income, (iii) an increase in the state

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tax rate and (iv) a one-time additional tax provision for changes in estimates in connection with the filing of our 2014 U.S. federal corporate tax return.  These tax benefit reductions and provision increases were partially offset by the recognition of tax benefits from net operating loss carryforwards related to a previously disposed business line.

For prior periods, pursuant to ASU 2014-01, (i) amortization expense related to our low income housing tax credits was reclassified from other noninterest expense to income tax expense, (ii) additional amortization, net of the associated tax benefits, was recognized in Income tax expense as a result of our adoption of the proportional amortization method and (iii) net deferred tax assets, related to our low income housing tax investments, were written-off. The cumulative effect to retained earnings as of January 1, 2015 of adopting this guidance was a reduction of $4.7 million, inclusive of a $4.6 million reduction to retained earnings as of January 1, 2014. Our previously reported net income and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 were not materially impacted by the adoption of ASU 2014-01.

Our effective tax rate is calculated by dividing income tax expense by the sum of income before income tax expense and the net income attributable to noncontrolling interests.

Operating Segment Results

We have three segments for which we report our financial information: Global Commercial Bank, SVB Private Bank and SVB Capital.

We report segment information based on the “management” approach, which designates the internal reporting used by management for making decisions and assessing performance as the source of our reporting segments. Please refer to Note 12—”Segment Reporting” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

The following is our reportable segment information for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014:

Global Commercial Bank

	Three months ended September 30,								Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015			2014			% Change		2015			2014			% Change
Net interest income	$	217,929		$	187,184		16.4	%	$	625,618		$	540,533		15.7	%
Provision for loan losses	(32,076		)	(16,185		)	98.2		(64,128		)	(18,833		)	NM
Noninterest income	68,517			57,714			18.7		197,740			169,376			16.7
Noninterest expense	(135,504		)	(127,050		)	6.7		(415,245		)	(369,587		)	12.4
Income before income tax expense	$	118,866		$	101,663		16.9		$	343,985		$	321,489		7.0
Total average loans, net of unearned income	$	13,031,928		$	10,022,333		30.0		$	12,721,208		$	9,766,870		30.2
Total average assets	40,211,915			31,916,581			26.0		37,954,846			28,924,331			31.2
Total average deposits	36,149,772			28,795,499			25.5		34,125,675			26,020,715			31.1

NM—Not meaningful

Three months endedSeptember 30, 2015 compared to the three months endedSeptember 30, 2014

Income before income tax expense from our Global Commercial Bank (“GCB”) increased to $118.9 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2015, compared to $101.7 million for the comparable 2014 period. Income before income tax expense was primarily driven by higher net interest income due to average loan growth and an increase in noninterest income due to higher non-GAAP core fee income, offset by a higher provision for loan losses and an increase in noninterest expense. The key components of GCB's performance for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2015 compared to the comparable 2014 period are discussed below.

Net interest income from GCBincreased by $30.7 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2015, primarily due to a $19.5 million increase in loan interest income resulting mainly from an increase in average loan balances, partially offset by lower loan yields. Additionally, GCB had a $13.7 million increase in the FTP earned for deposits due to strong average deposit

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growth. These increases were partially offset by a $2.1 million decrease in the FTP earned for deposits from decreases in market interest rates.

GCB had a provision for loan losses of $32.1 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2015, compared to $16.2 million for the comparable 2014 period. The provision of $32.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 primarily consisted of $17.9 million of additional specific reserves on two newly impaired loans, $9.1 million from the increase in period-end loan balances and an additional $3.8 million for the unreserved portion of a large charge-off during the quarter.

The provision of $16.2 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2014 was primarily driven by net charge-offs, period-end loan growth, and the change in composition of our performing loan portfolio, offset by a decrease in the reserve for impaired loans resulting from a decrease in impaired loan balances.

Noninterest income increased by $10.8 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2015,primarily related to higher foreign exchange fees, credit card fees, and deposit service charges. The increase in foreign exchange fees was a result of continued strong growth in transaction volumes, partially offset by lower spreads from larger transactions. The increase in credit card fees was primarily reflective of an increase in credit card interchange income as a result of increased client utilization of our credit card products and custom payment solutions provided to new and existing clients, partially offset by higher rebate/rewards expense. The increase in deposit service charges was reflective of the increase in the number of deposit clients, as well as increases in transaction volumes and size.

Noninterest expense increased by $8.5 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2015, primarily due to increases in compensation and benefits expenses related to our salaries and wages expenses. The increase in our salaries and wages expenses was primarily due to an increase in the average number of FTEs at GCB, which increased by 125 to 1,541 FTEs for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to 1,416 FTEs for the comparable 2014 period. The increase in average FTEs was attributable to increases in positions for product development, operational and sales and advisory, as well as to support our commercial banking operations and initiatives.

Nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 compared to the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2014

Net interest income from our Global Commercial Bank (“GCB”) increased by $85.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to an increase in loan interest income resulting mainly from an increase in average loan balances and an increase in the FTP earned for deposits due to deposit growth. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in the FTP earned for deposits from decreases in market interest rates.

We had a provision for loan losses for GCB of $64.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to a provision of $18.8 million for the comparable 2014 period. The provision of $64.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was primarily driven by an increase for net charge-offs, an increase in the reserve for impaired loans and period-end loan growth. These increases were offset by a decrease in the reserve due to the improvement in the credit quality of our performing loans. The provision for the comparable 2014 period was primarily attributable to net charge-offs and period-end loan growth, offset by a decrease in our reserve for impaired loans from a decrease in impaired loan balances and a decrease in reserves for our performing loans reflective of overall improved credit quality.

Noninterest income increased by $28.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to an increase in foreign exchange fees, credit card fees, deposit service charges and lending related fees. The increase in foreign exchange fees was a result of continued strong growth in transaction volumes, partially offset by lower spreads from larger transactions. The increase in credit card fees was primarily reflective of increased client utilization of our credit card products and custom payment solutions provided to new and existing clients, partially offset by higher rebate/rewards expense. The increase in deposit service charges was reflective of the increase in the number of deposit clients, as well as increases in transaction volumes and size. The increase in lending related fees was primarily due to an increase in unused commitment fees associated with an increase in unfunded credit commitments.

Noninterest expense increased by $45.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to an increase in compensation and benefits expenses related to our salaries and wages expenses and incentive compensation plan expenses. The increase in our salaries and wages expenses was primarily due to an increase in the average number of FTEs at GCB, which increased by 140 to 1,509 FTEs for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to 1,369 FTEs for the comparable 2014 period. The increase in average FTEs was attributable to increases in positions for product development, operational and sales and advisory, as well as to support our commercial banking operations and initiatives. The increase in our incentive compensation plan expenses was reflective of current year performance expectations compared to prior year performance as well as the increase in average FTEs eligible for our incentive compensation plan and ESOP.

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SVB Private Bank

	Three months ended September 30,								Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015			2014			% Change		2015			2014			% Change
Net interest income	$	11,667		$	7,344		58.9	%	$	32,499		$	23,529		38.1	%
Provision for loan losses	(1,327		)	(425		)	NM		(2,240		)	(218		)	NM
Noninterest income	506			491			3.1		1,498			1,121			33.6
Noninterest expense	(2,703		)	(2,574		)	5.0		(8,589		)	(7,709		)	11.4
Income before income tax expense	$	8,143		$	4,836		68.4		$	23,168		$	16,723		38.5
Total average loans, net of unearned income	$	1,669,858		$	1,189,976		40.3		$	1,529,095		$	1,119,618		36.6
Total average assets	1,273,823			1,128,938			12.8		1,659,981			1,026,678			61.7
Total average deposits	1,041,773			877,701			18.7		1,125,345			805,167			39.8

NM—Not meaningful

Three months endedSeptember 30, 2015 compared to the three months endedSeptember 30, 2014

Net interest income from SVB Private Bank increased by $4.3 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2015, primarily due to an increase in loan interest income resulting from an increase in average loan balances, as well as an increase in the FTP earned for deposits due to strong average deposit growth.

Private Bank had a provision of $1.3 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2015, compared to $0.4 million for the comparable 2014 period. The provision of $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 was primarily driven by period-end loan growth.

Nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 compared to the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2014

Net interest income from SVB Private Bank increased by $9.0 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015, primarily due to an increase in loan interest income resulting from an increase in average loan balances, as well as an increase in the FTP earned for deposits due to strong average deposit growth.

Private Bank had a provision for loan losses of $2.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $0.2 million for the comparable 2014 period. The provision of $2.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was primarily driven by period-end loan growth.

Noninterest expense for Private Bank increased by $0.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to increases in compensation and benefits expenses related to our incentive compensation plan expenses, reflective of our current expectations that we will meet our internal performance targets for 2015.

SVB Capital

	Three months ended September 30,								Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015			2014			% Change		2015			2014			% Change
Net interest income	$	1		$	12		(91.7	)%	$	3		$	55		(94.5	)%
Noninterest income	17,332			1,064			NM		57,919			35,617			62.6
Noninterest expense	(3,745		)	(3,036		)	23.4		(10,935		)	(8,815		)	24.0
Income (loss) before income tax expense	$	13,588		$	(1,960	)	NM		$	46,987		$	26,857		75.0
Total average assets	$	334,045		$	302,949		10.3		$	335,136		$	328,048		2.2

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NM - Not meaningful

SVB Capital’s components of noninterest income primarily include net gains and losses on non-marketable and other securities, carried interest and fund management fees. All components of income before income tax expense discussed below are net of noncontrolling interests.

We experience variability in the performance of SVB Capital from quarter to quarter due to a number of factors, including changes in the values of our funds’ underlying investments, changes in the amount of distributions and general economic and market conditions. Such variability may lead to volatility in the gains and losses from investment securities and cause our results to differ from period to period.

Three months endedSeptember 30, 2015 compared to the three months endedSeptember 30, 2014

SVB Capital had noninterest income of $17.3 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2015, compared to $1.1 million for the comparable 2014 period. The increase in noninterest income was primarily due to gains on investment securities compared to lower gains in the third quarter of 2014, which was mainly due to unrealized valuation losses and reductions in carried interest allocations in two of our managed direct venture funds, related to FireEye.SVB Capital’s components of noninterest income primarily include the following:

• Net gains on investment securities of $12.2 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2015, compared to net losses of $2.1 million for the comparable 2014 period. The net gains on investment securities of $12.2 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2015 were primarily driven by distribution gains from our strategic venture capital fund investments due to merger and acquisition activity and unrealized valuation increases from certain investments, as well as unrealized valuation increases from our managed funds of funds.

• Fund management fees of $4.1 million compared to $3.6 million for the comparable 2014 period. The increase was primarily due to the addition of new managed funds at SVB Capital in 2015.

Nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 compared to the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2014

SVB Capital had noninterest income of $57.9 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015, compared to $35.6 million for the comparable 2014 period. The increase in noninterest income was primarily due to an increase in gains on investment securities compared to the comparable 2014 period.SVB Capital’s components of noninterest income primarily include the following:

• Net gains on investment securities of $42.8 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015, compared to net gains of $25.4 million for the comparable 2014 period. The net gains on investment securities of $42.8 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 were primarily driven by gains from distributions of investments, including the remaining shares of FireEye common stock in the first quarter of 2015, as well as unrealized valuation increases.

• Fund management fees of $11.7 million compared to $9.9 million for the comparable 2014 period. The increase is primarily due to the addition of new managed funds at SVB Capital during 2014 and 2015.

Consolidated Financial Condition

Our total assets, total liabilities and stockholders' equity were $41.7 billion at September 30, 2015 compared to $39.3 billion at December 31, 2014, an increase of $2.4 billion, or 6.1 percent. Below is a summary of the individual components driving the changes in total assets, total liabilities and stockholders' equity.

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Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents totaled $1.7 billion at September 30, 2015, a decrease of $0.1 billion, or 6.8 percent, compared to $1.8 billion at December 31, 2014. The decrease in cash was primarily reflective of the increase in new fixed income investment purchases.

As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, $639 million and $861 million, respectively, of our cash and due from banks was deposited at the Federal Reserve Bank and was earning interest at the Federal Funds target rate, and interest-earning deposits in other financial institutions were $429 million and $440 million, respectively.

Investment Securities

Investment securities totaled $24.3 billion at September 30, 2015, an increase of $1.6 billion, or 6.9 percent, compared to $22.7 billion at December 31, 2014. Our investment securities portfolio consists of i) an available-for-sale securities portfolio and a held-to-maturity securities portfolio, both of which represent interest-earning investment securities, and ii) a non-marketable and other securities portfolio, which primarily represents investments managed as part of our funds management business. The increase of $1.6 billion was due to a $2.7 billion increase in our fixed income securities portfolio, partially offset by a $1.1 billion decrease in our non-marketable and other securities portfolio related to the deconsolidated interests of our unconsolidated VIEs upon adoption of ASU 2015-02. The major components of the change are explained below.

Available-for-Sale Securities

Our available-for-sale securities portfolio is a fixed income investment portfolio that is managed to earn an appropriate portfolio yield over the long-term while maintaining sufficient liquidity and credit diversification as well as addressing our asset/liability management objectives. Period-end available-for-sale securities were $15.3 billion at September 30, 2015 compared to $13.5 billion at December 31, 2014, an increase of $1.8 billion, or 13.0 percent. The increase was due to purchases of new available-for-sale securities of $2.9 billion, which were comprised entirely of fixed-rate U.S. Treasury securities and an increase in the fair value of our AFS securities portfolio of $100.5 million as a result of a decrease in market interest rates at period-end, partially offset by $1.2 billion in scheduled maturities. The $100.5 million increase in fair value was reflected as a $59.2 million (net of tax) increase in accumulated other comprehensive income.

Securities classified as available-for-sale are carried at fair market value with changes in fair market value recorded as unrealized gains or losses in a separate component of shareholders equity.

Held-to-Maturity Securities

Period-end held-to-maturity securities were $8.3 billion at September 30, 2015 compared to $7.4 billion at December 31, 2014, an increase of $0.9 billion, or 11.9 percent. The increase was due to purchases of $2.1 billion, which were primarily comprised of Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA") backed securities, partially offset by paydowns and scheduled maturities of $1.2 billion.

Securities classified as held-to-maturity are accounted for at cost with no adjustments for changes in fair value. For securities re-designated as held-to-maturity from available-for-sale, the unrealized gains at the date of transfer will continue to be reported as a separate component of shareholders' equity and amortized as mentioned above.

Portfolio duration is a standard measure used to approximate changes in the market value of fixed income instruments due to a change in market interest rates. The measure is an estimate based on the level of current market interest rates, expectations for changes in the path of forward rates and the effect of forward rates on mortgage prepayment speed assumptions. As such, portfolio duration will fluctuate with changes in market interest rates. Changes in portfolio duration are also impacted by changes in the mix of longer versus shorter term-to-maturity securities. Our estimated fixed income securities portfolio duration was 2.7 years and 2.8 years at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

Non-Marketable and Other Securities

Our non-marketable and other securities portfolio primarily represents investments in venture capital and private equity funds, debt funds, private and public portfolio companies and investments in qualified affordable housing projects. Included in our non-marketable and other securities carried under fair value accounting are amounts that are attributable to noncontrolling interests. We are required under GAAP to consolidate 100% of these investments that we are deemed to control, even though we may own less than 100% of such entities. See below for a summary of the carrying value (as reported) of non-marketable and other securities compared to the amounts attributable to SVBFG.

Non-marketable and other securities were $0.7 billion at September 30, 2015 compared to $1.7 billion at December 31, 2014, a decrease of $1.0 billion, or 62.4 percent. The decrease was due to the deconsolidation of 16 limited partnership entities as part of our adoption of ASU 2015-02. Non-marketable and other securities, net of noncontrolling interests were $521 million

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at September 30, 2015 compared to $512 million at December 31, 2014. The following table summarizes the carrying value (as reported) of non-marketable and other securities compared to the amounts attributable to SVBFG (which generally represents the carrying value times our ownership percentage) at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

	September 30, 2015				December 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)	Carrying value   (as reported)		Amount attributable      to SVBFG		Carrying value   (as reported)		Amount attributable   to SVBFG
Non-marketable securities (fair value accounting) (1):
Venture capital and private equity fund investments (2)	$	154,660	$	44,021	$	1,130,882	$	84,368
Other venture capital investments (3)	3,390		363		71,204		1,823
Other securities (fair value accounting) (4)	779		227		108,251		7,802
Non-marketable securities (equity method accounting):
Venture capital and private equity fund investments	84,197		68,998		—		—
Debt funds	21,217		21,217		26,672		26,672
Other investments	119,731		119,731		116,002		116,002
Non-marketable securities (cost method accounting):
Venture capital and private equity fund investments	123,550		123,550		140,551		140,551
Other investments (5)	17,499		17,499		13,423		13,423
Investments in qualified affordable housing projects (5)	125,532		125,532		121,155		121,155
Total non-marketable and other securities	$	650,555	$	521,138	$	1,728,140	$	511,796

(1) During the second quarter of 2015 we adopted new accounting guidance related to our consolidated variable interest entities (ASU 2015-02) under a modified retrospective approach. Periods prior to January 1, 2015 have not been revised. See Note 1—”Basis of Presentation” and Note 4— "Variable Interest Entities"of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details regarding our non-marketable and other securities.

(2) The following table shows the amounts of venture capital and private equity fund investments held by the following funds and amounts attributable to SVBFG for each fund at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

	September 30, 2015				December 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)	Carrying value   (as reported)		Amount attributable      to SVBFG		Carrying value   (as reported)		Amount attributable   to SVBFG
SVB Strategic Investors Fund, LP	$	23,229	$	2,918	$	24,645	$	3,096
SVB Strategic Investors Fund II, LP (i)	—		—		97,250		8,336
SVB Strategic Investors Fund III, LP (i)	—		—		269,821		15,841
SVB Strategic Investors Fund IV, LP (i)	—		—		291,291		14,564
Strategic Investors Fund V Funds (i)	—		—		226,111		350
Strategic Investors Fund VI Funds (i)	—		—		89,605		—
SVB Capital Preferred Return Fund, LP	61,869		13,334		62,110		13,386
SVB Capital—NT Growth Partners, LP	62,818		21,025		61,973		21,006
SVB Capital Partners II, LP (i)	—		—		302		15
Other private equity fund	6,744		6,744		7,774		7,774
Total venture capital and private equity fund investments	$	154,660	$	44,021	$	1,130,882	$	84,368

(i) Funds were deconsolidated during the second quarter of 2015 upon adoption of ASU 2015-02 and are now reported under equity method accounting. Periods prior to January 1, 2015 have not been revised. See Note 1—”Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

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(3) The following table shows the amounts of other venture capital investments held by the following funds and amounts attributable to SVBFG for each fund at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

	September 30, 2015				December 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)	Carrying value   (as reported)		Amount attributable      to SVBFG		Carrying value   (as reported)		Amount attributable   to SVBFG
Silicon Valley BancVentures, LP	$	3,390	$	363	$	3,291	$	352
SVB Capital Partners II, LP (i)	—		—		20,481		1,040
Capital Partners III, LP (i)	—		—		41,055		—
SVB Capital Shanghai Yangpu Venture Capital Fund (i)	—		—		6,377		431
Total other venture capital investments	$	3,390	$	363	$	71,204	$	1,823

(i) Funds were deconsolidated during the second quarter of 2015 upon adoption of ASU 2015-02 and are now reported under equity method accounting. Periods prior to January 1, 2015 have not been revised. See Note 1—”Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

(4) Investments classified as other securities (fair value accounting) represent direct equity investments in public companies held by our consolidated funds. At December 31, 2014, the amount primarily included total unrealized gains in one public company, FireEye, Inc. that were realized during the first quarter of 2015. Funds were deconsolidated during the second quarter of 2015 upon adoption of ASU 2015-02. See Note 1—”Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

(5) Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1 - "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

Volcker Rule

As discussed in "Business - Supervision and Regulation" under Item 1 of Part I of our 2014 Form 10-K, the “Volcker Rule” under the Dodd-Frank Act restricts, among other things, a bank's proprietary trading activities and a bank's ability to sponsor or invest in certain privately offered funds, including certain venture capital, hedge and private equity funds. On December 10, 2013, the federal bank regulatory agencies, the SEC and the CFTC adopted final regulations implementing the Volcker Rule. The final regulations became effective on April 1, 2014, subject to a conformance time-line pursuant to which affected entities (referred to as "banking entities") are required to bring their activities and investments into conformance with the prohibitions and restrictions of the Volcker Rule and the final regulations thereunder.

Subject to certain exceptions, the Volcker Rule prohibits a banking entity from engaging in “proprietary trading,” which is     defined as engaging as principal for the “trading account” of the banking entity in securities or certain other financial instruments. Certain forms of proprietary trading may qualify as “permitted activities,” and thus not be subject to the ban on proprietary trading, such as market-making related activities, risk-mitigating hedging activities, trading in U.S. government or agency obligations, or certain other U.S. state or municipal obligations, and the obligations of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae. Based on this definition and the exceptions provided under the recently-issued regulations, we do not believe that we engage in any proprietary trading that is prohibited under the Volcker Rule.

Additionally, subject to certain exceptions, the rule prohibits a banking entity from sponsoring or investing in “covered funds,” which includes many venture capital, private equity and hedge funds. One such exception permits a banking entity to sponsor and invest in a covered fund that it organizes and offers to customers, provided that additional requirements are met. These permitted investments generally are limited to three percent of the total ownership interests in each covered fund. In addition, the aggregate investments a banking entity makes in all covered funds generally are limited to three percent of the institution’s Tier 1 capital.

Under the final regulations, the Volcker Rule’s prohibitions and restrictions apply to SVB Financial, the Bank and any affiliate of SVB Financial or the Bank. SVB Financial currently maintains investments in certain venture capital and private equity funds that it did not sponsor; maintains investments in sponsored funds that exceed three percent of each such fund’s total ownership interests; and maintains aggregate investments in all covered funds that may exceed three percent of its Tier 1 capital. SVB Financial (including its affiliates) expects, therefore, that it will be required to reduce the level of its investments in covered funds over time and to forego investment opportunities in certain funds in the future. SVB Financial is generally required by the final rules to come into conformance with the Volcker Rule’s requirements regarding covered funds by July 21, 2016 with respect to

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covered funds in which SVB Financial invested or sponsored as of December 31, 2013. The Federal Reserve Board has indicated that it intends to extend this conformance deadline to July 21, 2017. In addition, the Federal Reserve Board may extend the conformance deadline for up to an additional five years (until July 21, 2022) for investments that are considered illiquid. We intend to seek the maximum extensions (up to July 21, 2022) available to us. However, there is no guarantee that the Federal Reserve Board will grant any of these extensions.

We estimate that our total venture capital and private equity fund investments deemed to be prohibited covered fund interests and therefore subject to the Volcker Rule’s restrictions, had, as of September 30, 2015, an aggregate carrying value of approximately $217 million (and an aggregate fair value of $335 million). These covered fund interests are comprised of interests attributable, solely, to the Company in our consolidated managed funds and certain of our non-marketable securities.

We continue to assess the financial impact of these rules on our fund investments, as well as the impact of other Volcker Rule restrictions on other areas of our business. (See “Risk Factors” under Item 1A of Part I of our 2014 Form 10-K.)

Loans

Loans, net of unearned income increased by $0.9 million to $15.3 billion at September 30, 2015, compared to $14.4 billion at December 31, 2014. Unearned income was $115.4 million at September 30, 2015 and $104.5 million at December 31, 2014. Total gross loans were $15.4 billion at September 30, 2015, an increase of $941 million, compared to $14.5 billion at December 31, 2014. Period-end loans increased compared to December 31, 2014, primarily driven by the increases from our software and internet, consumer and life science & healthcare loan portfolios. The breakdown of total gross loans and total loans as a percentage of total gross loans by category is as follows:

	September 30, 2015				December 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)	Amount		Percentage		Amount		Percentage
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	5,320,056	34.5	%	$	4,996,246	34.5	%
Hardware	970,915		6.3		1,140,494		7.9
Private equity/venture capital	4,611,953		29.9		4,621,299		31.9
Life science & healthcare	1,612,680		10.4		1,300,727		9.0
Premium wine	195,448		1.3		189,142		1.3
Other	298,198		1.9		236,519		1.6
Total commercial loans	13,009,250		84.3		12,484,427		86.2
Real estate secured loans:
Premium wine	633,757		4.1		607,507		4.2
Consumer	1,443,170		9.4		1,117,661		7.7
Other	38,383		0.2		39,983		0.3
Total real estate secured loans	2,115,310		13.7		1,765,151		12.2
Construction loans	92,729		0.6		78,851		0.5
Consumer loans	212,652		1.4		160,337		1.1
Total gross loans	$	15,429,941	100.0		$	14,488,766	100.0

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Loan Concentration

The following table provides a summary of loans by size and category. The breakout of the categories is based on total client balances (individually or in the aggregate) as of September 30, 2015:

	September 30, 2015
(Dollars in thousands)	Less than Five Million		Five to Ten Million		Ten to Twenty Million		Twenty to Thirty Million		Thirty Million or More		Total
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	1,352,846	$	837,996	$	1,233,609	$	780,650	$	1,114,955	$	5,320,056
Hardware	214,714		172,227		245,254		202,923		135,797		970,915
Private equity/venture capital	514,549		500,870		699,419		574,372		2,322,743		4,611,953
Life science & healthcare	328,143		389,909		367,369		345,005		182,254		1,612,680
Premium wine	70,807		41,542		66,398		16,701		—		195,448
Other	137,117		39,300		21,956		27,908		71,917		298,198
Commercial loans	2,618,176		1,981,844		2,634,005		1,947,559		3,827,666		13,009,250
Real estate secured loans:
Premium wine	149,884		176,544		242,228		65,101		—		633,757
Consumer	1,245,434		170,815		26,921		—		—		1,443,170
Other	—		5,000		11,250		22,133		—		38,383
Real estate secured loans	1,395,318		352,359		280,399		87,234		—		2,115,310
Construction loans	19,587		30,092		43,050		—		—		92,729
Consumer loans	87,963		27,182		6		26,001		71,500		212,652
Total gross loans	$	4,121,044	$	2,391,477	$	2,957,460	$	2,060,794	$	3,899,166	$	15,429,941

At September 30, 2015, gross loans equal to or greater than $20 million to any single client (individually or in the aggregate) totaled $6.0 billion, or 38.6 percent of our portfolio. These loans represented 165 clients, and of these loans, $84.6 million were on nonaccrual status as of September 30, 2015 compared to $27.5 million as of December 31, 2014. The $57.1 million increase in nonaccrual loans greater than $20 million to any single client was attributable to the impairment of two sponsored buyout clients in our life science & healthcare loan portfolio during the third quarter of 2015.

The following table provides a summary of loans by size and category. The breakout of the categories is based on total client balances (individually or in the aggregate) as of December 31, 2014:

	December 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)	Less than Five Million		Five to Ten Million		Ten to Twenty Million		Twenty to Thirty Million		Thirty Million or More		Total
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	1,214,082	$	670,212	$	1,174,410	$	917,546	$	1,019,996	$	4,996,246
Hardware	204,513		226,135		240,039		146,826		322,981		1,140,494
Private equity/venture capital	426,985		445,677		677,568		568,743		2,502,326		4,621,299
Life science & healthcare	340,214		238,585		284,618		216,805		220,505		1,300,727
Premium wine (1)	77,409		38,413		45,222		28,098		—		189,142
Other	101,779		42,906		36,904		23,235		31,695		236,519
Commercial loans	2,364,982		1,661,928		2,458,761		1,901,253		4,097,503		12,484,427
Real estate secured loans:
Premium wine (1)	151,314		169,719		205,692		80,782		—		607,507
Consumer loans (2)	977,747		139,914		—		—		—		1,117,661
Other	—		6,000		11,250		22,733		—		39,983
Real estate secured loans	1,129,061		315,633		216,942		103,515		—		1,765,151
Construction loans	14,069		24,194		40,588		—		—		78,851
Consumer loans (2)	65,326		22,593		16,418		20,000		36,000		160,337
Total gross loans	$	3,573,438	$	2,024,348	$	2,732,709	$	2,024,768	$	4,133,503	$	14,488,766

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At December 31, 2014, gross loans equal to or greater than $20 million to any single client (individually or in the aggregate) totaled $6.2 billion, or 42.5 percent of our portfolio. These loans represented 170 clients, and of these loans, $27.5 million were on nonaccrual status as of December 31, 2014.

The credit profile of our clients varies across our loan portfolio, based on the nature of the lending we do for different market segments. Our technology and life science & healthcare loan portfolios includes loans to clients at all stages of their life cycles, beginning with our SVB Accelerator practice, which serves our emerging or early-stage clients. Loans provided to early-stage clients represent a relatively small percentage of our overall portfolio at 5.8 percent of total gross loans at September 30, 2015, compared to 7.9 percent at December 31, 2014. Typically these loans are made to companies with modest or negative cash flows and no established record of profitable operations. Repayment of these loans may be dependent upon receipt by borrowers of additional equity financing from venture capitalist firms or others, or in some cases, a successful sale to a third party or an IPO. Venture capital firms may provide financing at lower levels, more selectively or on less favorable terms, which may have an adverse effect on our borrowers that are otherwise dependent on such financing to repay their loans to us. When repayment is dependent upon the next round of venture investment and there is an indication that further investment is unlikely or will not occur, it is often likely the company would need to be sold to repay debt in full. If reasonable efforts have not yielded a likely buyer willing to repay all debt at the close of the sale or on commercially viable terms, the account will most likely be deemed to be impaired.

At September 30, 2015, our lending to private equity/venture capital firms represented 29.9 percent of total gross loans, compared to 31.9 percent of total gross loans at December 31, 2014. Many of these clients have capital call lines of credit, the repayment of which is dependent on the payment of capital calls by the underlying limited partner investors in the funds managed by these firms.

At September 30, 2015, sponsor-led buyout loans represented 14.3 percent of total gross loans, compared to 13.2 percent of total gross loans at December 31, 2014. These loans are typically larger in nature and repayment is generally dependent upon the cash flows of the acquired company. The acquired companies are typically established, later-stage businesses of scale, backed by a select group of experienced private equity sponsors' and characterized by reasonable levels of leverage and loan structures that include meaningful financial covenants.

At September 30, 2015, our asset-based lending, which consists primarily of working capital lines and accounts receivable factoring represented 6.8 percent and 2.7 percent, respectively, of total gross loans, compared to 7.1 percent and 3.8 percent, respectively, at December 31, 2014. The repayment of these arrangements is dependent on the financial condition, and payment ability, of third parties with whom our clients do business.

Approximately 35.1 percent and 11.7 percent of our outstanding total gross loan balances as of September 30, 2015 were to borrowers based in California and New York, respectively, compared to 34.5 percent and 9.6 percent as of December 31, 2014. Other than California and New York, there are no states with gross loan balances greater than 10 percent.

See generally “Risk Factors–Credit Risks” set forth under Item 1A, Part I in our 2014 Form 10-K.

Credit Quality Indicators

As of September 30, 2015, our criticized and impaired loans represented 5.6 percent of our total gross loans compared to 5.2 percent at December 31, 2014. Our SVB Accelerator practice serves our emerging or early-stage clients. Loans to early stage clients represent a relatively small percentage of our overall portfolio at 5.8 percent of total gross loans. It is common for an emerging or early stage client’s remaining liquidity to fall temporarily below the threshold for a pass-rated credit during its capital-raising period for a new round of funding. Based on our experience, for most early stage clients, this situation typically lasts a limited number of weeks and generally resolves itself with a subsequent round of venture funding, though there are exceptions, from time to time. As a result, we expect that each of our early-stage clients will be managed through our criticized portfolio during a portion of their life cycle. Criticized loan levels will continue to vary but are expected to remain within the current range.

Credit Quality and Allowance for Loan Losses

Nonperforming assets consist of loans on nonaccrual status, loans past due 90 days or more still accruing interest, and Other Real Estate Owned ("OREO") and other foreclosed assets. We measure all loans placed on nonaccrual status for impairment based on the fair value of the underlying collateral or the net present value of the expected cash flows. The table below sets forth certain data and ratios between nonperforming loans, nonperforming assets and the allowance for loan losses:

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(Dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015			December 31, 2014
Gross impaired, past due, and restructured loans:
Impaired loans	$	115,461		$	38,137
Loans past due 90 days or more still accruing interest	169			1,302
Total nonperforming loans	115,630			39,439
OREO and other foreclosed assets	—			561
Total nonperforming assets	$	115,630		$	40,000
Performing TDRs	$	554		$	587
Nonperforming loans as a percentage of total gross loans	0.75		%	0.27		%
Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets	0.28			0.10
Allowance for loan losses	$	197,507		$	165,359
As a percentage of total gross loans	1.28		%	1.14		%
As a percentage of total gross nonperforming loans	170.81			419.28
Allowance for loan losses for impaired loans	$	46,256		$	15,051
As a percentage of total gross loans	0.30		%	0.10		%
As a percentage of total gross nonperforming loans	40.00			38.16
Allowance for loan losses for total gross performing loans	$	151,251		$	150,308
As a percentage of total gross loans	0.98		%	1.04		%
As a percentage of total gross performing loans	0.99			1.04
Total gross loans	$	15,429,941		$	14,488,766
Total gross performing loans	15,314,311			14,449,327
Reserve for unfunded credit commitments (1)	36,631			36,419
As a percentage of total unfunded credit commitments	0.23		%	0.25		%
Total unfunded credit commitments (2)	$	16,087,307		$	14,705,785

(1) The “Reserve for unfunded credit commitments” is included as a component of other liabilities. See “Provision for Unfunded Credit Commitments” above for a discussion of the changes to the reserve.

(2) Includes unfunded loan commitments and letters of credit.

Our allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total gross loans increased to 1.28 percent at September 30, 2015, compared to 1.14 percent at December 31, 2014. This increase was primarily driven by an increase in reserves for loans that were impaired during the third quarter of 2015. Our reserve percentage for performing loans was 0.99 percent at September 30, 2015, compared to 1.04 percent at December 31, 2014, reflective of the change in the mix of our loan portfolio to lower risk private equity/venture capital loans.

Our nonperforming loans were $115.6 million at September 30, 2015, compared to $39.4 million at December 31, 2014, consisting of impaired loan balances of $115.5 million and $38.1 million, respectively. Our impaired loan balance increased $77.3 million as a result of $125.3 million in newly impaired loans, partially offset by $29.9 million in charge-offs and $18.1 million in repayments. The newly impaired loans of $125.3 million included $47.2 million from two software and internet clients, of which one was an asset based loan and the other was a sponsored buyout loan, and $41.3 million from two sponsored buyout clients in our life science & healthcare loan portfolio. The allowance for loan losses for impaired loans was $46.3 million at September 30, 2015, compared to $15.1 million at December 31, 2014.

Impaired loans at September 30, 2015, included $110.2 million in impairments in our software and internet and life science & healthcare loan portfolios, of which $88.5 million was attributable to four clients. Impaired loans at December 31, 2014, included $33.3 million in impairments in our software and internet loan portfolio, of which $27.5 million was attributable to one client.

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Average impaired loans for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 were $101.6 million and $68.0 million, respectively, compared to $15.0 million and $25.8 million for the comparable 2014 periods. The increase in average impaired loans was primarily reflective of an increase in average impaired loans from our software and internet loan portfolio of $66.5 million and $40.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to September 30, 2014, respectively. If the impaired loans had not been impaired, $1.1 million and $2.5 million in interest income would have been recorded for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015, respectively, compared to $0.2 million and $1.0 million for the comparable 2014 periods.

Accrued Interest Receivable and Other Assets

A summary of accrued interest receivable and other assets at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 is as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014		% Change
Derivative assets, gross (1)	$	172,011	$	157,990	8.9	%
Foreign exchange spot contract assets, gross	99,678		51,972		91.8
Accrued interest receivable	98,453		94,180		4.5
FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank stock	46,116		53,496		(13.8	)
Accounts receivable	45,392		20,092		125.9
Deferred tax assets (2)	5,513		45,979		(88.0	)
Other assets	113,207		129,499		(12.6	)
Total accrued interest receivable and other assets	$	580,370	$	553,208	4.9

(1) See “Derivatives” section below.

(2) Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted during the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

Foreign Exchange Spot Contract Assets

Foreign exchange spot contract assets represent unsettled client trades at the end of the period. The increase of $47.7 million was primarily due to an overall increase in activity at period-end.

FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank stock

The decrease of $7.4 million in FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank stock is a result of a decrease in the amount of stock required to be held by SVB under the FHLB's membership guidelines.

Net Deferred Tax Assets

The decrease of $40.4 million in net deferred tax assets primarily relates to the increase in the fair value of our available-for-sale securities portfolio.

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Derivatives

Derivative instruments are recorded as a component of other assets and other liabilities on the balance sheet. The following table provides a summary of derivative assets and liabilities, net at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

(Dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015			December 31, 2014			% Change
Assets:
Equity warrant assets	$	130,091		$	116,604		11.6	%
Foreign exchange forward and option contracts	33,271			34,231			(2.8	)
Interest rate swaps	3,485			4,609			(24.4	)
Client interest rate derivatives	5,164			2,546			102.8
Total derivative assets	$	172,011		$	157,990		8.9
Liabilities:
Foreign exchange forward and option contracts	$	(28,939	)	$	(28,363	)	2.0
Client interest rate derivatives	(5,719		)	(2,748		)	108.1
Total derivative liabilities	$	(34,658	)	$	(31,111	)	11.4

Equity Warrant Assets

In connection with negotiating credit facilities and certain other services, we often obtain rights to acquire stock in the form of equity warrant assets in primarily private, venture-backed companies in the technology and life science & healthcare industries. At September 30, 2015, we held warrants in 1,625 companies, compared to 1,478 companies at December 31, 2014. Of the 1,625 companies, 21 companies had values greater than $1.0 million and represented 33 percent of the fair value of the portfolio at September 30, 2015. The change in fair value of equity warrant assets is recorded in gains on derivatives instruments, net, in noninterest income, a component of consolidated net income. The following table provides a summary of transactions and valuation changes for equity warrant assets for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014: 

	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015			2014			2015			2014
Balance, beginning of period	$	122,504		$	88,905		$	116,604		$	103,513
New equity warrant assets	3,544			3,488			8,877			10,919
Non-cash increases in fair value	8,924			6,430			29,034			23,262
Exercised equity warrant assets (1)	(4,469		)	(3,802		)	(23,606		)	(42,157		)
Terminated equity warrant assets	(412		)	(61		)	(818		)	(577		)
Balance, end of period	$	130,091		$	94,960		$	130,091		$	94,960

(1) Includes the exercise of several of public equity warrants, including, FireEye and Twitter, during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

Foreign Exchange Forward and Foreign Currency Option Contracts

We enter into foreign exchange forward contracts and foreign currency option contracts with clients involved in foreign activities, either as the purchaser or seller, depending upon the clients’ need. For each forward or option contract entered into with our clients, we enter into an opposite way forward or option contract with a correspondent bank, which mitigates the risk of fluctuations in currency rates. We also enter into forward contracts with correspondent banks to economically reduce our foreign exchange exposure related to certain foreign currency denominated instruments. Revaluations of foreign currency denominated instruments are recorded on the line item “Other” as part of noninterest income, a component of consolidated net income. We have not experienced nonperformance by any of our counterparties and therefore have not incurred any related losses. Further, we anticipate performance by all counterparties. Our net exposure for foreign exchange forward and foreign currency option contracts at September 30, 2015 was $0.6 million and our net exposure at December 31, 2014 was $1.1 million. For additional information on our foreign exchange forward contracts and foreign currency option contracts, see Note 10- “Derivative Financial Instruments” of the “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” under Part I, Item I in this report.

Interest Rate Swaps

For information on our interest rate swaps, see Note 10–“Derivative Financial Instruments” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements” under Part I, Item 1 of this report.

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Deposits

Deposits were $37.0 billion at September 30, 2015, an increase of $2.7 billion, or 7.9 percent, compared to $34.3 billion at December 31, 2014. The overall increase in deposits was primarily reflective of the increase in non-interest bearing deposits. At September 30, 2015, 22.6 percent of our total deposits were interest-bearing deposits, compared to 28.4 percent at December 31, 2014.

At September 30, 2015, the aggregate balance of time deposit accounts individually equal to or greater than $250,000 totaled $54.9 million, compared to $105.9 million at December 31, 2014. At September 30, 2015, $54.9 million of the time deposit accounts individually equal to or greater than $250,000 were scheduled to mature within one year. No material portion of our deposits has been obtained from a single depositor and the loss of any one depositor would not materially affect our business.

Short-Term Borrowings

Short-term borrowings were $3.8 million at September 30, 2015, compared to $7.8 million at December 31, 2014. The decrease was due to a reduction in the amount of collateral held from our counterparties in relation to exposures in our favor on outstanding derivative contracts, primarily our interest rate swap agreement related to our 6.05% Subordinated Notes.

Long-Term Debt

Our long-term debt was $797.2 million at September 30, 2015 and $451.4 million at December 31, 2014. The increase in our long-term debt was due to the issuance of 3.50% Senior Notes on January 29, 2015.

As of September 30, 2015, long-term debt included our 3.50% Senior Notes, 5.375% Senior Notes, 6.05% Subordinated Notes and 7.0% Junior Subordinated Debentures. For more information on our long-term debt, see Note 9–“Short-term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt” of the “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” under Part I, Item I in this report.

Other Liabilities

A summary of other liabilities at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 is as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014		% Change
Foreign exchange spot contract liabilities, gross	$	150,226	$	94,999	58.1	%
Accrued compensation	113,139		120,841		(6.4	)
Reserve for unfunded credit commitments	36,631		36,419		0.6
Derivative liabilities, gross (1)	34,658		31,111		11.4
Other	231,716		200,123		15.8
Total other liabilities	$	566,370	$	483,493	17.1

(1) See “Derivatives” section above.

Foreign Exchange Spot Contract Liabilities

Foreign exchange spot contract liabilities represent unsettled client trades at the end of the period. The increase of $55.2 million was primarily due to increased client trade activity at period-end.

Accrued Compensation

Accrued compensation includes amounts for our Incentive Compensation Plan, Direct Drive Incentive Compensation Plan, Retention Program, Warrant Incentive Plan, ESOP/profit sharing and other compensation arrangements. The decrease of $7.7 million was primarily the result of 2014 incentive compensation payouts during the first quarter of 2015, partially offset by lower accruals for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 based on current expectations to meet our internal performance targets for fiscal 2015.

Reserve for Unfunded Credit Commitments

Our reserve for unfunded credit commitments increased to $36.6 million at September 30, 2015, compared to $36.4 million at December 31, 2014. An increase of $1.4 billion in our total unfunded credit commitments contributed to the increase in the reserve, which was partially offset by a change in the composition of our unfunded credit commitment portfolio, which resulted in a decrease in the reserve rate.

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Noncontrolling Interests

Noncontrolling interests totaled $139.3 million and $1.2 billion at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.The large decrease was due to the deconsolidation of 16 limited partnership entities as part of our adoption of ASU 2015-02 which accounted for $1.1 billion of the decrease. This decrease was slightly offset by net income attributable to noncontrolling interests of $28.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

Fair Value Measurements

The following table summarizes our financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

	September 30, 2015						December 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)	Total Balance			Level 3			Total Balance			Level 3
Assets carried at fair value	$	15,638,501		$	131,833		$	15,008,982		$	185,902
As a percentage of total assets	37.5		%	0.3		%	38.2		%	0.5		%
Liabilities carried at fair value	$	34,658		$	—		$	31,111		$	—
As a percentage of total liabilities	0.1		%	—		%	0.1		%	—		%
	Level 1 and 2			Level 3			Level 1 and 2			Level 3
Percentage of assets measured at fair value	98.2		%	0.8		%	91.2		%	1.2		%

Financial assets valued using Level 3 measurements consist of our non-marketable securities (investments in venture capital and other investment securities in shares of public company stock subject to certain sales restrictions for which the sales restriction has not been lifted) and equity warrant assets (shares of private and public company capital stock). The valuation methodologies of our non-marketable securities carried under fair value accounting and equity warrant assets involve a significant degree of management judgment. Refer to Note 15—“Fair Value of Financial Instruments” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for a summary of the valuation techniques and significant inputs used for each class of Level 3 assets.

The inherent uncertainty in the process of valuing securities for which a ready market does not exist may cause our estimated values of these securities to differ significantly from the values that would have been derived had a ready market for the securities existed, and those differences could be material. The timing and amount of changes in fair value, if any, of these financial instruments depend upon factors beyond our control, including the performance of the underlying companies, fluctuations in the market prices of the preferred or common stock of the underlying companies, general volatility and interest rate market factors, and legal and contractual restrictions. The timing and amount of actual net proceeds, if any, from the disposition of these financial instruments depend upon factors beyond our control, including investor demand for IPOs, levels of M&A activity, legal and contractual restrictions on our ability to sell, and the perceived and actual performance of portfolio companies. All of these factors are difficult to predict and there can be no assurances that we will realize the full value of these securities, which could result in significant losses (See “Risk Factors” set forth in our 2014 Form 10-K).

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Level 3 assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis experienced net realized and unrealized gains of $11.6 million and $55.0 million, primarily due to valuation increases in our equity warrant assets. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Level 3 assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis experienced net realized and unrealized gains of $19.4 million and $163.7 million (which is inclusive of noncontrolling interest).

Capital Resources

We maintain an adequate capital base to support anticipated asset growth, operating needs and credit and other business risks, and to ensure that SVB Financial and the Bank are in compliance with all regulatory capital guidelines. Our primary sources of new capital include retained earnings and proceeds from the sale and issuance of our capital stock or other securities. In consultation with the Finance Committee of our Board of Directors, management engages in regular capital planning processes in an effort to optimize the use of the capital available to us and to appropriately plan for our future capital needs. The capital plan considers capital needs for the foreseeable future and allocates capital to both existing and future business activities. Expected future use or activities for which capital may be set aside include balance sheet growth and associated relative increases in market or credit exposure, investment activity, potential product and business expansions, acquisitions and strategic or infrastructure investments. In addition, we conduct capital stress tests as part of our annual capital planning process. The stress tests allow us to assess the impact of adverse changes in the economy and interest rates on our capital adequacy position.

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SVBFG Stockholders’ Equity

SVBFG stockholders’ equity totaled $3.2 billion at September 30, 2015, an increase of $0.4 billion, or 12.9 percent, compared to $2.8 billion at December 31, 2014. This increase was primarily due to net income of $256.4 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015. Additionally, the increase in the net balance of our accumulated other comprehensive income to $97.1 million from $42.7 million at December 31, 2014, was primarily driven by a $100.5 million increase in the fair value of our fixed income security portfolios ($59.2 million net of tax), which resulted from a decrease in the period-end market interest rates for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

Funds generated through retained earnings are a significant source of capital and liquidity and are expected to continue to be so in the future.

Capital Ratios

Both SVB Financial and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by state and federal banking agencies. Effective January 1, 2015, SVB Financial and the Bank became subject to a new regulatory capital measure called "Common Equity Tier 1" ("CET 1") and a related regulatory capital ratio of CET 1 to risk-weighted assets implemented under "Basel III" regulatory capital reforms and changes required by the Dodd-Frank Act.

Regulatory capital ratios for SVB Financial and the Bank exceeded minimum federal regulatory guidelines for a well-capitalized depository institution as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Capital ratios for SVB Financial and the Bank, compared to the minimum regulatory ratios applicable to bank holding companies and banks to be considered “well capitalized” and “adequately capitalized”, are set forth below:

					Minimum Ratios under Applicable Regulatory Capital Adequacy Requirements
	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014		“Well Capitalized”		“Adequately Capitalized”
SVB Financial: (1)
CET 1 risk-based capital ratio (2)	12.48	%	—	%	6.5	%	4.5	%
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio (3)	13.07		12.91		8.0		6.0
Total risk-based capital ratio (3)	14.05		13.92		10.0		8.0
Tier 1 leverage ratio (3)	7.67		7.74		N/A		4.0
Tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio (4)(5)(6)	7.61		7.15		N/A		N/A
Tangible common equity to risk-weighted assets ratio (4)(5)(6)	12.87		12.93		N/A		N/A
Bank:
CET 1 risk-based capital ratio (2)	12.79	%	—	%	6.5	%	4.5	%
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio (3)	12.79		11.09		8.0		6.0
Total risk-based capital ratio (3)	13.85		12.12		10.0		8.0
Tier 1 leverage ratio (3)	7.13		6.64		5.0		4.0
Tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio (4)(5)(6)	7.42		6.38		N/A		N/A
Tangible common equity to risk-weighted assets ratio (3)(4)(5)(6)	13.21		11.19		N/A		N/A

(1) There were no material changes to any of SVB Financial’s previously-reported capital ratios (common equity tier 1 risk-based capital, tier 1 risk-based capital, total risk-based capital and tier 1 leverage ratios) as of March 31, 2015, after retrospective application of ASU 2015-02 and management's assessment of these ratios under the Basel III Capital Rules. These capital ratios for SVB Financial as of September 30, 2015 continued to exceed minimum regulatory requirements for a “well capitalized” institution.

(2) Effective January 1, 2015, CET 1 is a new ratio requirement under the Basel III Capital Rules and represents, common stock, plus related surplus and retained earnings, plus limited amounts of minority interest in the form of common stock, less certain regulatory deductions, divided by total risk-weighted assets.

(3) Ratios as of September 30, 2015 reflect the adoption of the Basel III Capital Rules in effect beginning January 1, 2015. Ratios for prior periods represent the previous capital rules under Basel I.

(4) See below for a reconciliation of non-GAAP tangible common equity to tangible assets and tangible common equity to risk-weighted assets.

(5) Prior period ratios have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1 - "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

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The total risk-based capital and tier 1 capital ratios for SVB Financial increased compared to December 31, 2014. Beneficial changes in SVB Financial's risk-based capital were due primarily to earnings and to a lesser extent, Basel III capital standards on the treatment of certain equity related to our noncontrolling interests. These beneficial changes were offset somewhat by the impact of Basel III risk-weighting standards on unused loan commitments with original maturities less than one year and certain equity investments. SVB Financial's tier 1 leverage ratio decreased compared to December 31, 2014 primarily due to the increase in average assets, driven by the growth in deposits. For the Bank, the total risk-based capital, tier 1 capital, and tier 1 leverage ratios as of September 30, 2015 increased compared to the same ratios as of December 31, 2014.This increase was a result of SVB Financial's contribution of capital to the Bank totaling $350 million, which was funded primarily by the net proceeds from the issuance of our 3.50% Senior Notes. The capital contribution from SVB Financial to the Bank provides continued support of our clients' growth. The increases in the Bank's ratios, resulting from the contribution, were partially offset by the impact of the new regulatory requirements related to unused commitments as discussed above. All of our capital ratios are above the levels to be considered “well capitalized" under banking regulations.    

The tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio and the tangible common equity to risk-weighted assets ratios are not required by GAAP or applicable bank regulatory requirements. However, we believe these ratios provide meaningful supplemental information regarding our capital levels. Our management uses, and believes that investors benefit from referring to, these ratios in evaluating the adequacy of the Company’s capital levels; however, these financial measures should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for or preferable to, comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. These ratios are calculated by dividing total SVBFG stockholder’s equity, by total period-end assets and risk-weighted assets, after reducing both amounts by acquired intangibles, if any. The manner in which this ratio is calculated varies among companies. Accordingly, our ratio is not necessarily comparable to similar measures of other companies. The following table provides a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures with financial measures defined by GAAP for SVB Financial and the Bank for the periods ended September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

	SVB Financial						Bank
Non-GAAP tangible common equity and tangible assets (dollars in thousands, except ratios)	September 30, 2015			December 31, 2014			September 30, 2015			December 31, 2014
GAAP SVBFG stockholders’ equity (1)	$	3,174,899		$	2,813,072		$	3,048,933		$	2,399,411
Tangible common equity (1)	$	3,174,899		$	2,813,072		$	3,048,933		$	2,399,411
GAAP Total assets (1)	$	41,730,982		$	39,337,869		$	41,073,120		$	37,607,973
Tangible assets (1)	$	41,730,982		$	39,337,869		$	41,073,120		$	37,607,973
Risk-weighted assets (2)	$	24,666,658		$	21,755,091		$	23,072,656		$	21,450,480
Tangible common equity to tangible assets (1)	7.61		%	7.15		%	7.42		%	6.38		%
Tangible common equity to risk-weighted assets (1) (2)	12.87			12.93			13.21			11.19

(1) Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1 - "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

(2) Amounts and ratios as of September 30, 2015 reflect the adoption of the Basel III Capital Rules in effect beginning January 1, 2015. Amounts and ratios for prior periods represent the previous capital rules under Basel I.

The tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio increased for SVB Financial and the Bank due to increases in total equity. See "SVBFG Stockholders’ Equity" above for further details on changes to the individual components of our equity balance.

For SVB Financial, the tangible common equity to risk-weighted assets ratio decreased due to increases in risk-weighted assets, as a result of the new regulations discussed above, partially offset by increases in common equity. For the Bank, the tangible common equity to risk-weighted assets ratio increased due to increases in tangible common equity, partially offset by increases in risk-weighted assets. These increases were a result of SVB Financial's contribution of capital to the Bank, partially offset by the impact on risk-weighted assets from the new regulatory requirements discussed above.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

In the normal course of business, we use financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk to meet the financing needs of our customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, commercial and standby letters of credit and commitments to invest in venture capital and private equity fund investments. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk. Credit risk is defined as the possibility of sustaining a loss because other parties to the financial instrument fail to perform in accordance with the terms of the contract. For details of our commitments to extend credit, and commercial

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and standby letters of credit, please refer to Note 13—“Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Guarantees, and Other Commitments” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements” under Part I, Item 1 of this report.

Commitments to Invest in Venture Capital/Private Equity Funds

Subject to applicable regulatory requirements, including the Volcker Rule, we make investments. We make commitments to invest in venture capital and private equity funds, which in turn make investments generally in, or in some cases make loans to, privately-held companies. Commitments to invest in these funds are generally made for a 10-year period from the inception of the fund. Although the limited partnership agreements governing these investments typically do not restrict the general partners from calling 100% of committed capital in one year, it is customary for these funds to generally call most of the capital commitments over 5 to 7 years; however in certain cases, the funds may not call 100% of committed capital over the life of the fund. The actual timing of future cash requirements to fund these commitments is generally dependent upon the investment cycle, overall market conditions, and the nature and type of industry in which the privately held companies operate.

For further details on our commitments to invest in venture capital and private equity funds, refer to Note 13—“Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Guarantees, and Other Commitments” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements” under Part I, Item 1 of this report.

Liquidity

The objective of liquidity management is to ensure that funds are available in a timely manner to meet our financial obligations, including, as necessary, paying creditors, meeting depositors’ needs, accommodating loan demand and growth, funding investments, repurchasing securities and other operating or capital needs, without incurring undue cost or risk, or causing a disruption to normal operating conditions.

We regularly assess the amount and likelihood of projected funding requirements through a review of factors such as historical deposit volatility and funding patterns, present and forecasted market and economic conditions, individual client funding needs, and existing and planned business activities. Our Asset/Liability Committee (“ALCO”), which is a management committee, provides oversight to the liquidity management process and recommends policy guidelines for the approval of the Finance Committee of our Board of Directors, and courses of action to address our actual and projected liquidity needs.

Our deposit base is, and historically has been, our primary source of liquidity. Our deposit levels and cost of deposits may fluctuate from time to time due to a variety of factors, including market conditions, prevailing interest rates, changes in client deposit behaviors, availability of insurance protection, and our offering of deposit products. We may also offer more investment alternatives off the balance sheet which may impact deposit levels. At September 30, 2015, our period-end total deposit balances increased by $2.7 billion to $37.0 billion, compared to $34.3 billion at December 31, 2014. The overall increase in deposit balances came primarily from our Accelerator/Early-stage and private equity/venture capital clients resulting from continued venture capital funding activity in 2015.

Our liquidity requirements can also be met through the use of our portfolio of liquid assets. Our definition of liquid assets includes cash and cash equivalents in excess of the minimum levels necessary to carry out normal business operations, short-term investment securities maturing within one year, available-for-sale securities eligible and available for financing or pledging purposes with a maturity in excess of one year and anticipated near-term cash flows from investments.

On a stand-alone basis, SVB Financial’s primary liquidity channels include dividends from the Bank, its portfolio of liquid assets, cash proceeds from the sale of equity warrants and fund investments and its ability to raise debt and capital. The ability of the Bank to pay dividends is subject to certain regulations described in “Business—Supervision and Regulation—Restriction on Dividends” under Part I, Item 1 of our 2014 Form 10-K.

Consolidated Summary of Cash Flows

Below is a summary of our average cash position and statement of cash flows for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014. For further details, see our "Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)" under Part I, Item 1 of this report.

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	Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015			2014
Average cash and cash equivalents	$	2,388,660		$	2,930,003
Percentage of total average assets	6.0		%	9.3		%
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	245,429		$	236,374
Net cash used for investing activities	(3,321,805		)	(8,976,945		)
Net cash provided by financing activities	2,939,507			9,074,329
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	$	(136,869	)	$	333,758

Average cash and cash equivalents decreased by $0.5 billion, or 18.5 percent, to $2.4 billion for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015, compared to $2.9 billion for the comparable 2014 period. The decrease was primarily due to the deployment of cash into our fixed income investment portfolio and to fund our solid loan growth. Average investments increased by $6.6 billion to $21.8 billion for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015, compared to $15.2 billion for the comparable 2014 period. Average loans increased $3.3 billion to $14.4 billion for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015, compared to $11.1 billion for the comparable 2014 period.

Cash provided by operating activities was $245.4 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015, primarily reflective of net income before noncontrolling interests of $284.8 million.

Cash used for investing activities of $3.3 billion for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 included $5.0 billion for purchases of fixed income securities, partially offset by $2.4 billion from maturities and paydowns from our fixed income securities investments.

Cash provided by financing activities was $2.9 billion for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015, primarily reflective of a net increase of $2.6 billion in deposits and $346.4 million in proceeds from the issuance of our 3.50% Senior Notes.

Cash and cash equivalents were $1.7 billion and $1.9 billion, respectively, at September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Interest Rate Risk Management

    Market risk is defined as the risk of adverse fluctuations in the market value of financial instruments due to changes in market interest rates. Interest rate risk is our primary market risk and can result from timing and volume differences in the repricing of our rate-sensitive assets and liabilities, widening or tightening of credit spreads, changes in the general level of market interest rates and changes in the shape and level of the benchmark LIBOR/SWAP yield curve. Additionally, changes in interest rates can influence the rate of principal prepayments on mortgage securities which affects the rate of amortization of purchase premiums and discounts. Other market risks include foreign currency exchange risk and equity price risk. These risks are not considered significant compared to interest rate sensitivity risks and no separate quantitative information concerning them is presented herein.

Interest rate risk is managed by our ALCO. ALCO reviews the market valuation and 12-month forward looking earnings sensitivity of assets and liabilities to changes in interest rates, structural changes in investment and funding portfolios, loan and deposit activity and current market conditions. Adherence to relevant policies is monitored on an ongoing basis.

Management of interest rate risk is carried out primarily through strategies involving our fixed income securities portfolio, available funding channels and capital market activities. In addition, our policies permit the use of off-balance sheet derivative instruments to assist in managing interest rate risk.

We utilize a simulation model to perform sensitivity analysis on the economic value of equity and net interest income under a variety of interest rate scenarios, balance sheet forecasts and proposed strategies. The simulation model provides a dynamic assessment of interest rate sensitivity embedded in our balance sheet which measures the potential variability in forecasted results relating to changes in market interest rates over time. We review our interest rate risk position on a quarterly basis at a minimum.

Model Simulation and Sensitivity Analysis

One application of the aforementioned simulation model involves measurement of the impact of changes in market interest rates on our economic value of equity (EVE). EVE is defined as the market value of assets, less the market value of liabilities, adjusted for any off-balance sheet items. A second application of the simulation model measures the impact of changes in market interest rates on our net interest income (NII) assuming a static balance sheet as of the period-end reporting date. Changes in market interest rates that affect us are principally short-term interest rates and include the following: (i) National Prime and SVB Prime rates; (ii) 1-month and 3-month LIBOR; and (iii) Fed Funds target rate. Changes in these short-term rates impact interest earned on our variable rate loans, variable rate investment securities and balances held as cash and cash equivalents. Additionally, deposit pricing generally follows overall changes in short-term interest rates.

The following table presents our EVE and NII sensitivity exposure at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 related to an instantaneous and sustained parallel shift in market interest rates of 100 and 200 basis points.

	Estimated		Estimated Increase/(Decrease) In EVE					Estimated		Estimated Increase/ (Decrease) In NII
Change in interest rates (basis points)	EVE		Amount			Percent		NII		Amount			Percent
	(Dollars in thousands)
September 30, 2015:
+200	$	5,414,816	$	1,519,835		39.0	%	$	1,325,251	$	242,646		22.4	%
+100	4,640,142		745,161			19.1		1,198,996		116,391			10.8
—	3,894,981		—			—		1,082,605		—			—
-100	4,296,793		401,812			10.3		1,040,953		(41,652		)	(3.8	)
-200	4,277,324		382,343			9.8		1,013,893		(68,712		)	(6.3	)
December 31, 2014:
+200	$	6,201,773	$	1,237,900		24.9	%	$	1,242,321	$	223,059		21.9	%
+100	5,598,887		635,014			12.8		1,124,643		105,381			10.3
—	4,963,873		—			—		1,019,262		—			—
-100	4,927,749		(36,124		)	(0.7	)	979,982		(39,280		)	(3.9	)
-200	5,119,636		155,763			3.1		953,556		(65,706		)	(6.4	)

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Economic Value of Equity

The estimated EVE in the preceding table is based on a combination of valuation methodologies including a discounted cash flow analysis and a multi-path lattice based valuation. Both methodologies use publicly available market interest rates. The model simulations and calculations are highly assumption-dependent and will change regularly as our asset/liability structure changes, as interest rate environments evolve, and as we change our assumptions in response to relevant market or business circumstances. These calculations do not reflect the changes that we anticipate or may make to reduce our EVE exposure in response to a change in market interest rates as a part of our overall interest rate risk management strategy.

As with any method of measuring interest rate risk, certain limitations are inherent in the method of analysis presented in the preceding table. We are exposed to yield curve risk, prepayment risk and basis risk, which cannot be fully modeled and expressed using the above methodology. Accordingly, the results in the preceding table should not be relied upon as a precise indicator of actual results in the event of changing market interest rates. Additionally, the resulting EVE and NII estimates are not intended to represent, and should not be construed to represent the underlying value. In addition, we assume different deposit balance decay rates for each interest rate scenario based on a historical deposit study of our clients.

Our base case EVE as of September 30, 2015 decreased relative to December 31, 2014 by $1.1 billion. Lower rates at the long end of the yield curve caused the value of non-interest bearing non-maturity deposits to increase. This was partially offset by increases in the value of total assets, resulting in a net contribution of $240 million to the decrease in base EVE. The remaining portion of the decrease in EVE--approximately $831 million, is due to changes in balance sheet composition, resulting in the market value of liabilities increasing more than the market value of assets. The increase in the market value of liabilities is primarily due to $4.1 billion of balance growth in NIB (non-interest bearing) non-maturity DDA deposits that has taken place since December 2014. This was tempered by a $1.4 billion decrease in interest-bearing MMA/Sweep deposit balances. Meanwhile, the market value of assets increased due to a $1.6 billion balance increase in investments, and a $930 million increase in total loans. EVE sensitivity increased in the simulated upward rate shock scenarios due primarily to balance growth in NIB non-maturity deposits as previously noted. In the simulated downward interest rate shock scenarios, EVE sensitivity increased due to lower rates at the long-end of the yield curve, resulting in discount rates for NIB non-maturity deposits hitting floors in the model scenarios.

12-Month Net Interest Income Simulation

Our estimated 12-month NII at September 30, 2015 increased from December 31, 2014 by $63.3 million primarily due to the change in balance sheet mix. This was tempered somewhat by a lower starting point for the forward rates used in the simulation compared to December 2014. The forecast NII was positively impacted by the $4.1 billion of growth in non-interest bearing deposit balances accompanied by a balance decrease of $1.4 billion in interest-bearing deposits, which contributed to an overall lower forecast cost of funds. Balance increases noted previously for loans and investments contributed to an increase in forecast interest income. NII sensitivity increased slightly in the upward interest rate scenario and remained flat in the downward interest rate scenario. In the simulated upward rate shock scenarios, NII sensitivity increased slightly due to a higher proportion of floating and variable rate assets relative to fixed at September 30, 2015 as compared to December 31, 2014. In the simulated downward rate shock scenarios, sensitivity remained relatively flat for the loan and investment securities due to rates being at or near their floors in the current rate environment.

The simulation model used in the above analysis embeds floors in our interest rate scenarios, which prevent model benchmark rates from moving below 0.0%. In addition, we assume different deposit balance decay rates for each interest rate scenario based on a historical deposit study of our clients. These assumptions may change in future periods based on management discretion. Actual changes in our deposit pricing strategies may differ from our current model assumptions and may have an impact on our overall sensitivity.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Disclosure controls and procedures are the controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, among other things, processes, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of our most recently completed fiscal quarter, pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(b). Based upon this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Changes in Internal Control

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in management’s evaluation pursuant to Rules 13a-15(d) or 15d-15(d) of the Exchange Act during the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II–OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Please refer to Note 16–“Legal Matters” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements” under Part I, Item 1 of this report.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There are no material changes from the risk factors set forth in our 2014 Form 10-K.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

None.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

None.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

See Index to Exhibits at end of report.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	SVB Financial Group
Date: November 6, 2015	/s/ MICHAEL DESCHENEAUX
	Michael Descheneaux
	Chief Financial Officer
	(Principal Financial Officer)
	SVB Financial Group
Date: November 6, 2015	/s/ KAMRAN HUSAIN
	Kamran Husain
	Chief Accounting Officer
	(Principal Accounting Officer)

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit Number	Exhibit Description	Incorporated by Reference				Filed  Herewith
		Form	File No.	Exhibit	Filing Date
*10.1	Deferred Compensation Plan as amended and restated					X
31.1	Rule 13a-14(a) / 15(d)-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer					X
31.2	Rule 13a-14(a) / 15(d)-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer					X
32.1	Section 1350 Certifications					X
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document					X
101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document					X
101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document					X
101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document					X
101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document					X
101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document					X

* Denotes management contract or any compensatory plan, contract or arrangement

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EX-10.1

Exhibit 10.1

SVB Financial Group

Deferred Compensation Plan

Amended and Restated Effective July 22, 2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PURPOSES    1

ARTICLE 1 – DEFINITIONS    2

ARTICLE 2 – PARTICIPATION    5

ARTICLE 3 – DEFERRAL ELECTIONS    6

ARTICLE 4 – PARTICIPANT ACCOUNT    8

ARTICLE 5 – INVESTMENT OF CONTRIBUTIONS    9

ARTICLE 6 – RIGHT TO BENEFITS    10

ARTICLE 7 – DISTRIBUTION OF BENEFITS    12

ARTICLE 8 – AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION    13

ARTICLE 9 – THE TRUST    14

ARTICLE 10 – MISCELLANEOUS    15

ARTICLE 11 – PLAN ADMINISTRATION    18

i

PURPOSES

The purposes of the SVB Financial Group Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) are (a) to permit eligible employees to elect to defer receipt of compensation which would otherwise be payable to them currently as annual base pay or bonuses and (b) to provide investment alternatives for voluntary and mandatory deferred compensation. The Plan is intended to be a “plan which is unfunded and is maintained by an employer primarily for the purpose of providing deferred compensation for a select group of management or highly compensated employees” within the meaning of Sections 201(2), 301(a)(3) and 401(a)(1) of ERISA and shall be implemented and administered in a manner consistent therewith. The Plan also is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.

1

ARTICLE 1 – DEFINITIONS

Wherever used herein, the following terms have the meanings set forth below, unless context clearly requires a different meaning:

1.1“Account” means an account established for the purpose of recording amounts credited on behalf of a Participant and any income, expenses, gains, losses or distributions included thereon. The Account shall be a bookkeeping entry only and shall be utilized solely as a device for the measurement and determination of the amounts to be paid to a Participant pursuant to the Plan.

1.2“Administrator” means the Employer, or such other person or persons designated by the Employer to be responsible for the administration of the Plan.

1.3“Base Pay” means the basic or regular rate of per payroll period remuneration paid to the Participant by the Employer.

1.4“Beneficiary” means the persons, trusts, estates or other entities entitled under Section 6.2 to receive benefits under the Plan upon the death of a Participant.

1.5“Board” means the Compensation Committee of Board of Directors of the Plan Sponsor.

1.6“Bonus” means a bonus payment that is earned by an Eligible Employee during the Plan Year for services rendered to Employer and that the Administrator has designated as deferrable under the Plan prior to the commencement of any applicable Plan Year.

1.7“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

1.8“Compensation” means Base Pay and Bonus earned by an Eligible Employee during the Plan Year for services rendered to Employer as determined by the Administrator.

1.9“Deferral Election” means an election an Eligible Employee makes as provided by Section 3.1.

1.10“Eligible Employee” means an employee that Employer (a) determines to be a member of a select group of management or highly compensated employees within the meaning of Sections 201(2), 301(a)(3) and 401(a)(1) of ERISA and (b) designates as an Eligible Employee for purposes of this Plan.

1.11“Employer” means SVB Financial Group and all other members of SVB Controlled Group that it designates to participate in this Plan.

1.12“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.

2

1.13 “Participant” means any Eligible Employee who participates in the Plan in accordance with Article 2.

1.14 “Plan” means this SVB Financial Group Deferred Compensation Plan as set forth herein and as it may be amended from time to time.

1.15 “Plan Sponsor” means SVB Financial Group.

1.16 “Plan Year” means the calendar year; provided, however, that solely for purposes of Sections 3.1, 3.2 and 3.5, prior to the commencement of an applicable calendar year the Plan Administrator may determine that the Plan Year shall be a different period of roughly-equivalent time with respect to Base Pay deferral elections, which alternative period of time shall commence no sooner than the first day of the applicable calendar year, and the Plan Administrator shall timely communicate to Participants such alternative Plan Year for purposes of Participants’ Base Pay deferral elections for the alternative Plan Year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an alternative Plan Year shall not overlap with another Plan Year.

1.17 “Separation from Service” means a Participant’s death, retirement, or other termination of employment with the SVB Controlled Group. The determination of whether a Participant has terminated employment shall be determined based on the facts and circumstances in accordance with the rules set forth in Code Section 409A and the regulations thereunder. Whether a Separation from Service has occurred is based on whether the facts and circumstances indicate that the Participant and the Employer reasonably anticipated that no further services would be performed for the Employer after a certain date or that the level of bona fide services the Participant would perform after such date (whether as an employee or as an independent contractor) would permanently decrease to less than twenty percent (20%) of the average level of bona fide services performed (whether as an employee or an independent contractor) over the immediately preceding 36-month period (or if employed by an Employer less than 36 months, such lesser period). A Participant will be deemed to have had a Separation from Service if the Participant’s level of bona fide services performed decreases to a level that is twenty percent (20%) or less of the average level of services performed by the Participant during the immediately preceding 36-month period (or if the Participant has not been employed for 36 months, such less period of employment). A Participant shall not be deemed to have Separated from Service if the Participant continues to provide services to an Employer (whether as an employee or an independent contractor) at an annual rate that is fifty percent (50%) or more of the services rendered, on average, during the immediately preceding 36 months of employment with an Employer (or if employed by an Employer less than 36 months, such lesser period). In addition to the foregoing, a Separation from Service will not be deemed to have occurred while a Participant is on military leave, sick leave, or other bona fide leave of absence if the period of such leave does not exceed six months, or if longer, so long as the Participant’s right to reemployment with the Employer is provided either

3

by statute or contract. If the period of leave exceeds six months and the Participant’s right to reemployment is not provided either by statute or contract, then the Participant is deemed to have Separated from Service on the first day immediately following such six-month period.

1.18 “Special Retention Incentives” means retention incentives offered to selected key Participants as provided in Section 3.4.

1.19 “Specified Employee” means a Participant who is identified as a “specified employee” as of the date of his or her Separation from Service in accordance with the requirements of Treasury Regulation section 1.409A-1(i).

1.20 “SVB Controlled Group” means the Employers and any corporation which is a member of a controlled group of corporations (as defined in Code Section 414(b)) which includes an Employer and any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which is under common control (as defined in Code Section 414(c) with an Employer.

1.21 “Total Disability” means total disability as determined by the Social Security Administration or other disability that complies with the requirements of Treasury Regulations section 1.409A-3(i)(4).

1.22 “Valuation Date” means each business day of the Plan Year and such other date(s) as Employer designates.

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ARTICLE 2 – PARTICIPATION

2.1 Participation. Each Eligible Employee shall become a Participant in the Plan by executing a Deferral Election in accordance with the provisions of Article 3 or by being designated as a Participant in a Special Retention Incentive.

2.2 Termination of Participation. A Participant’s participation in the Plan shall cease upon his or her termination of service with the Employer for any reason or his or her ceasing to qualify as an Eligible Employee. Upon any termination of participation, a Participant’s deferrals shall cease but the provisions of Section 7.2 shall continue to apply.

2.3 Other Termination of Employment. If the Participant’s employment is terminated prior to the end of a Special Retention Incentive Vesting Period for any reason other than death or Total Disability, the Participant will forfeit all rights to payment of the Special Retention Incentive under this Plan.

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ARTICLE 3 – DEFERRAL ELECTIONS

3.1 Deferral Election. Each Eligible Employee may elect to defer Compensation earned by him or her during a Plan Year by executing a Deferral Election in accordance with rules and procedures established by the Administrator and the provisions of this Article 3. The Deferral Election must separately specify for each type of Compensation (i.e., Base Pay and Bonus) the whole number percentage multiple that the Participant elects to defer and the timing and form of payment of the deferred amount.

A new Deferral Election must be timely executed for each Plan Year during which the Eligible Employee elects to defer compensation. An Eligible Employee who does not timely execute a Deferral Election shall be deemed to have elected zero deferrals for such Plan Year.

The Administrator shall specify a period, ending no later than December 31^st of the calendar year immediately preceding the Plan Year during which Deferral Elections may be made as to Compensation earned during a Plan Year. Each Deferral Election becomes irrevocable at the close of the specified period.

3.2 Election to Defer Base Pay. An Eligible Employee may elect to defer Base Pay for a Plan Year in any amount (in 1% increments) from 5% to 50% of Base Pay.

3.3 Election to Defer Bonus. An Eligible Employee may elect to defer (in 1% increments) from 5% to 100% of his or her Bonus for a Plan Year.

3.4 Special Retention Incentives. From time to time during the Plan Year, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall designate Special Retention Incentives to key employees as eligible for investment in this plan during the retention qualifying period.

3.5 Timing of Election to Defer. Each Eligible Employee who desires to defer Base Pay earned during a Plan Year must execute a Deferral Election within the period preceding the Plan Year specified by the Administrator. Each Eligible Employee who desires to defer a Bonus must execute a Deferral Election within the period preceding the Plan Year during which the Bonus is earned that is specified by the Administrator, except that if the Bonus can be treated as “performance-based compensation” as described in Section 409A(a)(4)(B)(iii) and Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, such Deferral Election must be executed no later than the date which is six months before the end of the performance period in which the Bonus is earned, provided that the Participant performs services continuously from the later of the beginning of the performance period or the date the performance criteria are established through the date the election is made and the election may not be made after the date the amount of such performance-based compensation has become reasonably ascertainable. Performance-based compensation means compensation the amount of which, or entitlement to, is contingent on satisfying

6

pre-established organizational or individual performance criteria relating to a performance period of at least 12 consecutive months. Performance criteria are pre-established if established in writing by not later than 90 days after the beginning of the performance period; provided the outcome of the criteria are substantially uncertain at the time the criteria are established.

In the case of the first Plan Year in which an Employee first becomes classified or designated as an Eligible Employee, if and to the extent permitted by the Administrator, the individual may make an election no later than thirty (30) days after the date he or she becomes an Eligible Employee to defer Base Pay and/or Bonus (as applicable) for services to be performed after the election. An election will be deemed to apply to Bonus for services performed after the election if the election applies to no more than an amount equal to the total Bonus for the performance period multiplied by the ratio of the number of days remaining in the performance period after the election over the total number of days in the performance period. This paragraph will not apply to an Employee who is a participant in any other account balance deferred compensation plans maintained by any member of the SVB Controlled Group which is required to be aggregated with this Plan under Code Section 409A.

3.6 Election of Payment Schedule and Form of Payment. At the time an Eligible Employee completes a Deferral Election, the Eligible Employee must separately elect the time and form of payment for each type of Compensation being deferred (i.e., for Base Pay and Bonus).

A Participant may designate on the Deferral Election a specific Plan Year to commence distribution of all or a portion of the applicable deferrals from the Participant’s Account. The Plan Year must be at least three Plan Years after the first day of the Plan Year during which the Deferral Election is effective. A Participant may also elect on the Deferral Election to receive a distribution of all or a portion of the applicable deferrals from the Participant’s Account upon the Participant’s Separation from Service. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that a Participant’s Separation from Service occurs prior to a Plan Year that a Participant has selected to commence distribution of all or a portion of his or her Account, such portion of the Participant’s Account shall commence distribution upon the Participant’s Separation from Service. In the event that a Participant fails to make a valid election with respect to the time of payment for deferrals of any type of Compensation for a Plan Year, then such deferrals shall be paid upon the Participant’s Separation from Service.

A Participant must elect to receive distribution of the Participant’s Deferral Accounts in either a single lump sum in cash or in annual cash installments over a period of up to ten years. In the event that a Participant fails to make a valid election with respect to the form of payment for deferrals of any type of Compensation for a Plan Year, then such deferrals shall be paid in a single lump sum.

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ARTICLE 4 – PARTICIPANT ACCOUNT

4.1 Individual Accounts. The Administrator will establish and maintain a bookkeeping Account for each Participant which will reflect deferrals made pursuant to Article 3 along with earnings, expenses, gains and losses credited thereto, attributable to the hypothetical investments made with the amounts in the Participant’s Account as provided in Article 5. The amount a Participant elects to defer in accordance with Article 3 shall be credited to the Participant’s Account at the time the amount subject to the deferral election would otherwise have been payable to the Participant but for his or her election to defer. The Administrator will establish and maintain such other accounts and records as it decides in its discretion to be reasonably required or appropriate to discharge its duties under the Plan.

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ARTICLE 5 – INVESTMENT OF CONTRIBUTIONS

5.1 Investment Options. The amount in a Participant’s Account shall be treated as invested in the investment options designated for this purpose by the Administrator.

5.2 Adjustment of Accounts. The amount in a Participant’s Account shall be adjusted for hypothetical investment earnings or losses in an amount equivalent to the gains or losses reported by the investment options selected by the Participant or Beneficiary from among the investment options provided in Section 5.1. A Participant may, in accordance with rules and procedures established by the Administrator, change the investments to be used for the purpose of calculating future hypothetical investment adjustments to the Participant’s Account or to future Participant deferrals effective as of the Valuation Date coincident with or next following notice to the Administrator. The Account of each Participant shall be adjusted as of each Valuation Date to reflect: (a) the hypothetical investment earnings and/or losses described above; (b) Participant deferrals; and (c) distributions or withdrawals from the Account.

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ARTICLE 6 – RIGHT TO BENEFITS

6.1 Vesting.

6.1.1 Vesting for Voluntary Elected Deferral Amounts. Except as provided in Section 6.1.2, Participant, at all times, has a 100% nonforfeitable interest in voluntary elected deferral amounts credited to his or her Account.

6.1.2 Vesting for Special Retention Incentives. These awards are subject to time-based vesting requirements (and other vesting requirements as the Administrator may determine from time to time) based on the following schedule:

Vesting Period	Retention Incentive to Salary Multiple
3 years	Less than or equal to one times annual salary
4 years	Greater than one times annual salary and less than or equal to two times annual salary
5 years	Greater than two times annual salary

6.2 Death. The balance or remaining balance credited to a Participant’s Account shall be paid to his or her Beneficiary in a single lump sum payment as soon as practicable following the date of death, but in no event later than the end of the year in which the death occurred or, if later, the 15^th day of the third month immediately following the date of death. If multiple Beneficiaries have been designated, each Beneficiary shall receive a single lump sum payment of his or her specified portion of the Account as soon as practicable following the date of death, but in no event later than the end of the year in which the death occurred or, if later, the 15^th day of the third month immediately following the date of death.

A Participant may designate a Beneficiary or Beneficiaries, or change any prior designation of Beneficiary or Beneficiaries in accordance with rules and procedures established by the Administrator.

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A copy of the death notice or other sufficient documentation must be filed with and approved by the Administrator. If upon the death of the Participant there is, in the opinion of the Administrator, no designated Beneficiary for part or all of the Participant’s Account, such amount will be paid to his or her estate (such estate shall be deemed to be the Beneficiary for purposes of the Plan) in a single lump sum payment.

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ARTICLE 7 – DISTRIBUTION OF BENEFITS

7.1 Amount of Benefits. The amount credited to a Participant’s Account as determined under Articles 4 and 6 shall determine and constitute the basis for the value of benefits payable to the Participant under the Plan.

7.2 Method and Timing of Distributions for Voluntary Deferrals.

7.2.1 Method and Timing of Distributions for a Specified Plan Year. In the event a Participant has selected a specific Plan Year to begin distribution of all or a portion of the voluntary deferrals credited to his or her Account, such distribution shall commence in January of the Plan Year that the Participant had elected for beginning such distribution from his or her Account, and shall be made in the form specified by the Participant in accordance with the provisions of Article 3.

7.2.2 Method and Timing of Distributions for Separation from Service. Subject to Section 7.4, in the event that all or any portion of a Participant’s Account is distributable upon the Participant’s Separation from Service, such distribution shall commence in January of the first Plan Year that commences six months after the Participant’s date of Separation from Service, and shall be made in the form specified by the Participant in accordance with the provisions of Article 3.

7.3 Method and Timing of Distributions for Special Retention Incentives. Distributions for Special Retention Incentive will occur as soon as administratively feasible following the vesting date specified by the Administrator, but in no event more than 60 days.

7.4 Cashouts of Amounts Not Exceeding $10,000. If the amount credited to the Participant’s Account does not exceed $10,000 at the time of the Participant’s Separation from Service, the Employer may pay such amount to the Participant in a single lump sum payment as soon as practicable following such termination or cessation of service regardless of whether the Participant had made different elections of time or form of payment as to the amount credited to his or her Account or whether the Participant was receiving installments at the time of such termination. A distribution made to a Specified Employee shall not be made before the date that is six months after the date of his or her Separation from Service.

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ARTICLE 8 – AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

8.1 Amendment by Employer. The Plan Sponsor reserves the right to amend the Plan (for itself and each Employer) through action of the Board. An amendment must be in writing and executed by an officer authorized to take such action. Each amendment shall be effective when approved by the Board. No amendment can directly or indirectly deprive any current or former Participant or Beneficiary of all or any portion of his or her Account, which had accrued prior to the amendment.

8.2 Retroactive Amendments. An amendment made by the Plan Sponsor in accordance with Section 8.1 may be made effective on a date prior to the first day of the Plan Year in which it is adopted if such amendment is necessary or appropriate to enable the Plan to satisfy the applicable requirements of the Code or ERISA or to conform the Plan to any change in federal law or to any regulations or ruling thereunder. Any retroactive amendment by the Plan Sponsor shall be subject to the provisions of Section 8.1.

8.3 Plan Termination. The Plan has been adopted with the intention and expectation that it will be continued indefinitely. Each Employer, however, reserves the right to terminate the Plan with respect to its participating employees. Each Employer has no obligation or liability whatsoever to maintain the Plan for any length of time and may discontinue contributions under the Plan or terminate the Plan at any time without any liability hereunder for any such discontinuance or termination.

8.4 Distribution Upon Termination of the Plan. Upon termination of the Plan, no further Contributions shall be made under the Plan and if such termination meets the distribution acceleration requirements of Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-3(j)(4)(ix), all amounts credited to each Participant’s Account shall be paid out as soon as administratively feasible in accordance with such regulations in a single lump sum payment regardless of the elections the Participant had made concerning the time and form of payment of the amounts credited to his or her Account and regardless of whether the Participant was receiving installments at the time of such Plan termination.

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ARTICLE 9 – THE TRUST

9.1 Establishment of Trust. The Plan Sponsor may but is not required to establish a trust to hold amounts, which the Plan Sponsor may contribute from time to time to correspond to some or all amounts credited to Participants under Section 4.1. If the Plan Sponsor elects to establish a trust, the provisions of Sections 9.2 and 9.3 shall become operative.

9.2 Grantor Trust. Any trust established by the Plan Sponsor shall be between the Plan Sponsor and a trustee pursuant to a separate written agreement under which assets are held, administered and managed, subject to the claims of the Plan Sponsor’s creditors in the event of the Plan Sponsor’s insolvency, until paid to the Participant and/or his or her Beneficiaries specified in the Plan. The trust is intended to be treated as a grantor trust under the Code, and the establishment of the trust shall not cause the Participant to realize current income on amounts contributed thereto.

9.3 Investment of Trust Funds. Any amounts contributed to the trust by the Plan Sponsor shall be invested by the trustee in accordance with the provisions of the trust and the instructions of the Administrator. Trust investments need not reflect the hypothetical investments selected by Participants under Section 5.1 for the purpose of adjusting Accounts and the earnings or investment results of the trust shall not affect the hypothetical investment adjustments to Participant Accounts under the Plan.

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ARTICLE 10 – MISCELLANEOUS

10.1 Acceleration of Payments Permitted Under Code Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, the Administrator may provide that a Participant will receive all or a portion of his or her Account prior to the time specified in this Plan to the extent such acceleration is permitted under Code Section 409A.

10.2 Unsecured General Creditor of the Employer. Participants and their Beneficiaries, heirs, successors and assigns shall have no legal or equitable rights, interests or claims in any property or assets of the Employer. For purposes of the payment of benefits under the Plan, any and all of the Employer’s assets shall be, and shall remain, the general, unpledged, unrestricted assets of the Employer. Each Employer's obligation under the Plan shall be merely that of an unfunded and unsecured promise to pay money in the future.

10.3 Employer’s Liability. Each Employer’s liability for the payment of benefits under the Plan shall be defined only by the Plan and by the Deferral Elections entered into between a Participant and the Employer. An Employer shall have no obligation or liability to a Participant under the Plan except as provided by the Plan and a Deferral Election or agreements. An Employer shall have no liability to Participants employed by other Employers.

10.4 Limitation of Rights. Neither the establishment of the Plan, nor any amendment thereof, nor the creation of any fund or account, nor the payment of any benefits, will be construed as giving to the Participant or any other person any legal or equitable right against the Employer or Administrator, except as provided herein; and in no event will the terms of employment or service of the Participant be modified or in any way affected hereby.

10.5 Assignment of Benefits. Except as hereinafter provided with respect to marital disputes, none of the benefits or rights of a Participant or any Beneficiary of a Participant shall be subject to the claim of any creditor. In particular, to the fullest extent permitted by law, all such benefits and rights shall be free from attachment, garnishment, or any other legal or equitable process available to any creditor of the Participant and his or her Beneficiary. Neither the Participant nor his or her Beneficiary shall have the right to alienate, anticipate, commute, pledge, encumber, or assign any of the payments which he or she may expect to receive, contingently or otherwise, under this Plan, except the right to designate a Beneficiary to receive death benefits provided hereunder. In cases of marital dispute, the Employer shall observe the terms of the Plan unless and until ordered to do otherwise by a state or Federal court. As a condition of participation, a Participant agrees to hold the Employer harmless from any harm that arises out of the Employer’s obeying the final order of any state or Federal court, whether such order effects a judgment of such court or is issued to enforce a judgment or order of another court. A distribution

15

made to comply with a court-approved settlement incident to divorce or to comply with Federal conflict of interest requirements shall be permitted, notwithstanding the provisions of Article 3 or any elections made by the Participant to the contrary.

10.6 Facility of Payment. If the Administrator determines, on the basis of medical reports or other evidence satisfactory to the Administrator, that the recipient of any benefit payments under the Plan is incapable of handling his or her affairs by reason of minority, illness, infirmity or other incapacity, the Administrator may direct the Employer to disburse such payments to a person or institution designated by a court which has jurisdiction over such recipient or a person or institution otherwise having the legal authority under State law for the care and control of such recipient. The receipt by such person or institution of any such payments therefore, and any such payment to the extent thereof, shall discharge the liability of the Employer for the payment of benefits hereunder to such recipient.

10.7 Notices. Any notice or other communication in connection with the Plan shall be deemed delivered in writing if addressed as provided below and if either actually delivered at said address or, in the case of a letter, 5 business days shall have elapsed after the same shall have been deposited in the United States mails, first-class postage prepaid and registered or certified:

(a) If it is sent to the Employer or Administrator, it will be at the address specified by the Employer; or

(b) In each case at such address as the addressee shall have specified by written notice delivered in accordance with the foregoing to the addressor’s then effective notice address.

10.8 Tax Withholding. The Employer shall have the right to deduct from all payments or deferrals made under the Plan any tax required by law to be withheld. If the Employer concludes that tax is owed with respect to any deferral or payment hereunder, the Employer shall withhold such amounts from any payments due the Participant, as permitted by law, or otherwise make appropriate arrangements with the Participant or his or her Beneficiary for satisfaction of such obligation. Tax, for purposes of this Section 10.8 means any federal, state, local or any other governmental income tax, employment or payroll tax, excise tax, or any other tax or assessment owing with respect to amounts deferred, any earnings thereon, and any payments made to Participants under the Plan.

10.9 Indemnification. Each Employer shall indemnify and hold harmless each employee, officer, or director of an Employer to whom is delegated duties, responsibilities, and authority with respect to the Plan against all claims, liabilities, fines and penalties, and all expenses reasonably incurred by or imposed upon him or her (including but not limited to reasonable attorney fees) which arise as a result of his or her actions or failure to act in connection with the operation and administration of the Plan to the extent lawfully allowable and to the extent that such

16

claim, liability, fine, penalty, or expense is not paid for by liability insurance purchased or paid for by an Employer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Employer shall not indemnify any person for any such amount incurred through any settlement or compromise of any action unless the Employer consents in writing to such settlement or compromise.

10.10 Governing Law. The Plan will be construed, administered and enforced according to ERISA, and to the extent not preempted thereby, the laws of the State of California.

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ARTICLE 11 – PLAN ADMINISTRATION

11.1 Powers and Responsibilities of the Administrator. The Administrator has the full power and the full responsibility to administer the Plan in all of its details, subject, however, to the applicable requirements of ERISA. The Administrator’s powers and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

(a) To make and enforce such rules and regulations as it deems necessary or proper for the efficient administration of the Plan;

(b) To interpret the Plan, its interpretation thereof in good faith to be final and conclusive on all persons claiming benefits under the Plan;

(c) To decide all questions concerning the Plan and the eligibility of any person to participate in the Plan;

(d) To administer the claims and review procedures specified in Section 11.2;

(e) To compute the amount of benefits which will be payable to any Participant, former Participant or Beneficiary in accordance with the provisions of the Plan;

(f) To determine the person or persons to whom such benefits will be paid;

(g) To authorize the payment of benefits;

(h) To comply with the reporting and disclosure requirements of Part 1 of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA;

(i) To appoint such agents, counsel, accountants, and consultants as may be required to assist in administering the Plan;

(j) By written instrument, to allocate and delegate its responsibilities, including the formation of an Administrative Committee to administer the Plan.

11.2 Claims and Review Procedures.

(a) Claims Procedure. If any person believes he or she is being denied any rights or benefits under the Plan, such person may file a claim in writing with the Administrator within one year of the date of the event giving rise to the claim for benefits under the Plan. If any such claim is wholly or partially denied, the Administrator will notify such person of its decision in writing. Such notification will contain (i) specific reasons for the denial, (ii) specific reference to pertinent Plan provisions, (iii) a description of any additional material or information necessary for such person to perfect such claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary, and (iv) information as to the steps to be taken if the person wishes to submit a request

18

for review. Such notification will be given within 90 days after the claim is received by the Administrator (or within 180 days, if special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the claim, and if written notice of such extension and circumstances is given to such person within the initial 90-day period).

(b) Review Procedure. Within 60 days after the date on which a person receives a written notification of denial of claim, such person (or his or her duly authorized representative) may (i) file a written request with the Administrator for a review of his or her denied claim and of pertinent documents and (ii) submit written issues and comments to the Administrator. The Administrator will notify such person of its decision in writing. Such notification will be written in a manner calculated to be understood by such person and will contain specific reasons for the decision as well as specific references to pertinent Plan provisions. The decision on review will be made within 60 days after the request for review is received by the Administrator (or within 120 days, if special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the request, such as an election by the Administrator to hold a hearing, and if written notice of such extension and circumstances is given to such person within the initial 60-day period).

(c) No action at law or equity shall be brought to recover benefits under the Plan unless the action is commenced within two (2) years after the occurrence of the loss for which a claim is made. Except as required by applicable law, no action at law or equity shall be brought to recover a benefit under the Plan unless and until the claimant has:

(i) submitted a claim for benefits;

(ii) been notified by the Board that the benefits (or a portion thereof) are denied;

(iii) filed a written request for a review of denial with the Board; and

(iv) been notified in writing that the denial has been affirmed.

11.3Plan Administrative Costs. All reasonable costs and expenses (including legal, accounting, and employee communication fees) incurred by the Administrator in administering the Plan shall be paid by the Employer.

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11.4 Code Section 409A. The Plan shall be interpreted and construed as necessary to comply with Code Section 409A and any regulations or other guidance promulgated thereunder. Any provision that is noncompliant with Section 409A of the Code is deemed amended to comply with Section 409A of the Code or if it cannot be so amended is void. The Bank does not guarantee the tax treatment of any payment or benefit under the Plan and the Participant shall at all times be responsible for any and all tax liabilities and payments related to the benefits provided hereunder.

Approved by the Compensation Committee on July 22, 2015. Refer to official Compensation Committee Minutes for approval record.

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EX-31.1

EXHIBIT 31.1

RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) CERTIFICATION

I, Greg Becker, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of SVB Financial Group;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s Board of Directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: November 6, 2015	/s/ GREG BECKER
	Greg Becker
	President and Chief Executive Officer
	(Principal Executive Officer)

EX-31.2

EXHIBIT 31.2

RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) CERTIFICATION

I, Michael Descheneaux, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of SVB Financial Group;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s Board of Directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: November 6, 2015	/s/ MICHAEL DESCHENEAUX
	Michael Descheneaux
	Chief Financial Officer
	(Principal Financial Officer)

EX-32.1

EXHIBIT 32.1

SECTION 1350 CERTIFICATIONS

I, Greg Becker, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that, to my knowledge, the quarterly report of SVB Financial Group on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015, (i) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and (ii) that the information contained in such Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of SVB Financial Group.

Date: November 6, 2015	/s/ GREG BECKER
	Greg Becker
	President and Chief Executive Officer
	(Principal Executive Officer)

I, Michael Descheneaux, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that, to my knowledge, the quarterly report of SVB Financial Group on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015, (i) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and (ii) that the information contained in such Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of SVB Financial Group.

Date: November 6, 2015	/s/ MICHAEL DESCHENEAUX
	Michael Descheneaux
	Chief Financial Officer
	(Principal Financial Officer)

XML

Basis of Presentation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Standards Update 2014-01
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Cumulative effect on retained earnings upon adoption of new guidance	$ 4.7	$ 4.6

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Investment Securities - Summary of Unrealized Losses on Available for Sale Securities (Detail) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) Investment	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) Investment
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Less than 12 months - Fair Value of Investments	$ 302,363	$ 3,209,821
Less than 12 months - Unrealized Losses	(2,455)	(8,301)
12 months or longer - Unrealized Losses	396,781	961,186
12 months or longer - Unrealized Losses	(6,176)	(19,842)
Fair Value of Investments	699,144	4,171,007
Unrealized Losses	$ (8,631)	$ (28,143)
Number of investments in unrealized loss position | Investment	43	115
Number of investments with unrealized losses greater than 12 months | Investment	18	33
U.S. treasury securities
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Less than 12 months - Fair Value of Investments	$ 51,576	$ 2,297,895
Less than 12 months - Unrealized Losses	(13)	(4,386)
12 months or longer - Unrealized Losses	0	0
12 months or longer - Unrealized Losses	0	0
Fair Value of Investments	51,576	2,297,895
Unrealized Losses	(13)	(4,386)
U.S. agency debentures
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Less than 12 months - Fair Value of Investments	17,424	249,266
Less than 12 months - Unrealized Losses	(13)	(489)
12 months or longer - Unrealized Losses	0	507,385
12 months or longer - Unrealized Losses	0	(8,488)
Fair Value of Investments	17,424	756,651
Unrealized Losses	(13)	(8,977)
Residential mortgage-backed securities | Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations | Fixed rate
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Less than 12 months - Fair Value of Investments	230,141	662,092
Less than 12 months - Unrealized Losses	(465)	(3,104)
12 months or longer - Unrealized Losses	396,781	453,801
12 months or longer - Unrealized Losses	(6,176)	(11,354)
Fair Value of Investments	626,922	1,115,893
Unrealized Losses	(6,641)	(14,458)
Equity securities
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]
Less than 12 months - Fair Value of Investments	3,222	568
Less than 12 months - Unrealized Losses	$ (1,964)	(322)
12 months or longer - Unrealized Losses		0
12 months or longer - Unrealized Losses		0
Fair Value of Investments	$ 3,222	568
Unrealized Losses	$ (1,964)	$ (322)

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Share-Based Compensation - Information for Restricted Stock Units under Equity Incentive Plan (Detail) - Restricted stock units	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 $ / shares shares
Shares
Nonvested, beginning of period | shares	614,666
Granted | shares	231,205
Vested | shares	(211,652)
Forfeited | shares	(19,292)
Nonvested, end of period | shares	614,927
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested, beginning of period	$ 79.92
Granted	129.22
Vested	74.02
Forfeited	88.51
Nonvested, end of period	$ 101.01

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Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses - Recorded Investment in Loans Modified in TDRs (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Loans modified in TDRs during the period	$ 81,800,000		$ 89,800,000
Loans classified as TDRs, charge-offs	22,400,000	$ 0	21,500,000	$ 0
Life science & healthcare
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Loans modified in TDRs during the period	29,530,000	0
Other
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Loans modified in TDRs during the period	518,000	0	518,000	0
Payment deferral
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Loans modified in TDRs during the period				7,100,000
Partial principal forgiveness
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Loans modified in TDRs during the period				1,300,000
Court Order [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Loans modified in TDRs during the period			1,500,000
Commercial Portfolio Segment
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Loans modified in TDRs during the period	81,797,000	496,000	89,845,000	8,462,000
TDRs modified within the previous 12 months that defaulted during the period	14,096,000		20,113,000
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Software and internet
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Loans modified in TDRs during the period	51,749,000	496,000	57,766,000	7,848,000
TDRs modified within the previous 12 months that defaulted during the period	11,107,000		17,124,000
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Hardware
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Loans modified in TDRs during the period	0	0	2,031,000	0
TDRs modified within the previous 12 months that defaulted during the period	2,031,000		2,031,000
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Life science & healthcare
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Loans modified in TDRs during the period			29,530,000	0
TDRs modified within the previous 12 months that defaulted during the period	958,000		958,000
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Premium wine
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Loans modified in TDRs during the period	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 614,000

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Investment Securities - Summary of Remaining Contractual Principal Maturities and Fully Taxable Equivalent Yields on Debt Securities Classified as Available for Sale (Detail) - Available-for-sale Securities $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	$ 15,302,983
Weighted- Average Yield	1.31%
One Year or Less - Carrying Value	$ 1,774,732
One Year or Less - Weighted- Average Yield	1.04%
After One Year to Five Years - Carrying Value	$ 10,777,733
After One Year to Five Years - Weighted- Average Yield	1.26%
After Five Years to Ten Years - Carrying Value	$ 1,157,931
After Five Years to Ten Years - Weighted- Average Yield	2.21%
After Ten Years - Carrying Value	$ 1,592,587
After Ten Years - Weighted- Average Yield	1.27%
U.S. treasury securities
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	$ 10,197,025
Weighted- Average Yield	1.16%
One Year or Less - Carrying Value	$ 953,659
One Year or Less - Weighted- Average Yield	0.45%
After One Year to Five Years - Carrying Value	$ 8,806,490
After One Year to Five Years - Weighted- Average Yield	1.20%
After Five Years to Ten Years - Carrying Value	$ 436,876
After Five Years to Ten Years - Weighted- Average Yield	1.75%
After Ten Years - Carrying Value	$ 0
After Ten Years - Weighted- Average Yield	0.00%
U.S. agency debentures
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	$ 2,942,968
Weighted- Average Yield	1.63%
One Year or Less - Carrying Value	$ 821,073
One Year or Less - Weighted- Average Yield	1.73%
After One Year to Five Years - Carrying Value	$ 1,971,243
After One Year to Five Years - Weighted- Average Yield	1.53%
After Five Years to Ten Years - Carrying Value	$ 150,652
After Five Years to Ten Years - Weighted- Average Yield	2.49%
After Ten Years - Carrying Value	$ 0
After Ten Years - Weighted- Average Yield	0.00%
Residential mortgage-backed securities | Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations | Fixed rate
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	$ 1,517,702
Weighted- Average Yield	1.96%
One Year or Less - Carrying Value	$ 0
One Year or Less - Weighted- Average Yield	0.00%
After One Year to Five Years - Carrying Value	$ 0
After One Year to Five Years - Weighted- Average Yield	0.00%
After Five Years to Ten Years - Carrying Value	$ 570,403
After Five Years to Ten Years - Weighted- Average Yield	2.50%
After Ten Years - Carrying Value	$ 947,299
After Ten Years - Weighted- Average Yield	1.65%
Residential mortgage-backed securities | Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations | Variable rate
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	$ 645,288
Weighted- Average Yield	0.71%
One Year or Less - Carrying Value	$ 0
One Year or Less - Weighted- Average Yield	0.00%
After One Year to Five Years - Carrying Value	$ 0
After One Year to Five Years - Weighted- Average Yield	0.00%
After Five Years to Ten Years - Carrying Value	$ 0
After Five Years to Ten Years - Weighted- Average Yield	0.00%
After Ten Years - Carrying Value	$ 645,288
After Ten Years - Weighted- Average Yield	0.71%
Lower Limit
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Line Items]
Mortgage-backed securities contractual maturities (in years)	10 years
Upper Limit
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Line Items]
Mortgage-backed securities contractual maturities (in years)	30 years

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Other Noninterest Income and Other Noninterest Expense - Summary of Other Noninterest Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Fund management fees	$ 4,074	$ 3,574	$ 11,657		$ 9,888
Service-based fee income	1,931	2,180	6,450		6,459
Gains (losses) on revaluation of foreign currency instruments	186	(12,640)	(11,667)		(12,347)
Other	4,886	1,525	15,875		10,601
Total other noninterest income	$ 11,077	$ (5,361)	$ 22,315	[1]	$ 14,601

[1] Amounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the second quarter of 2015 related to our consolidated variable interest entities (ASU 2015-02). Amounts prior to January 1, 2015 have not been revised for the adoption of this guidance. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

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Share-Based Compensation - Share-Based Payment Award Activity (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) $ / shares shares
Options
Outstanding, beginning of period | shares	1,394,888
Granted | shares	122,120
Exercised | shares	(311,575)
Forfeited | shares	(22,008)
Expired | shares	(1,520)
Outstanding, end of period | shares	1,181,905
Vested and expected to vest, end of period | shares	1,145,732
Exercisable, end of period | shares	656,191
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding, beginning of period	$ 66.03
Granted	129.30
Exercised	51.34
Forfeited	84.40
Expired	48.76
Outstanding, end of period	76.12
Vested and expected to vest, end of period	75.24
Exercisable, end of period	$ 60.34
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life in Years
Outstanding, end of period	4 years
Vested and expected to vest, end of period	3 years 11 months 12 days
Exercisable, end of period	3 years 4 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value of In-The- Money Options
Outstanding, end of period | $	$ 48,295,069
Vested and expected to vest, end of period | $	47,717,566
Exercisable, end of period | $	$ 36,230,256

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Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Outstanding Short Term Borrowings and Long Term Debt

The following table represents outstanding short-term borrowings and long-term debt at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

				Carrying Value
(Dollars in thousands)	Maturity	Principal value at September 30, 2015		September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Short-term borrowings:
Other short-term borrowings	(1)			$	3,756	$	7,781
Total short-term borrowings				$	3,756	$	7,781
Long-term debt:
3.50% Senior Notes	January 29, 2025	$	350,000	$	346,591	$	—
5.375% Senior Notes	September 15, 2020	350,000		346,878		346,477
6.05% Subordinated Notes (2)	June 1, 2017	45,964		49,028		50,040
7.0% Junior Subordinated Debentures	October 15, 2033	50,000		54,714		54,845
Total long-term debt				$	797,211	$	451,362

(1) Represents cash collateral received from certain counterparties in relation to market value exposures of derivative contracts in our favor.

(2) At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, included in the carrying value of our 6.05% Subordinated Notes was an interest rate swap valued at $3.5 million and $4.6 million, respectively, related to hedge accounting associated with the notes

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Other Noninterest Income and Other Noninterest Expense - Summary of Other Noninterest Expense (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Lending and other client related processing costs		$ 3,608	$ 3,215	$ 10,861		$ 8,160
Telephone		2,224	1,931	6,727		5,217
Data processing services		2,083	2,229	5,274		6,497
Postage and supplies		728	763	2,220		2,248
Dues and publications		521	719	1,803		1,852
Other		5,106	4,711	15,216		9,381
Total other noninterest expense	[1]	$ 14,270	$ 13,568	$ 42,101	[2]	$ 33,355

[1] Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

[2] Amounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the second quarter of 2015 related to our consolidated variable interest entities (ASU 2015-02). Amounts prior to January 1, 2015 have not been revised for the adoption of this guidance. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

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Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt - Outstanding Short Term Borrowings and Long Term Debt (Additional Information) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
3.50% Senior Notes
Debt Outstanding [Line Items]
Interest rate on debt	3.50%
5.375% Senior Notes
Debt Outstanding [Line Items]
Interest rate on debt	5.375%	5.375%
6.05% Subordinated Notes
Debt Outstanding [Line Items]
Interest rate on debt	6.05%	6.05%
Fair value of the interest rate swap associated with the notes	$ 3.5	$ 4.6
7.0% Junior Subordinated Debentures
Debt Outstanding [Line Items]
Interest rate on debt	7.00%	7.00%

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Income Taxes (Detail) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Unrecognized tax benefit	$ 3.5
Income tax reduction from recognized tax benefit	$ 2.3

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Investment Securities - Summary of Remaining Contractual Principal Maturities and Fully Taxable Equivalent Yields on Debt Securities Classified as Held to Maturity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Federal statutory tax rate	35.00%
Amortized Cost	$ 8,306,526	$ 7,421,042
Held-to-maturity securities
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$ 8,306,526
Weighted- Average Yield	2.06%
One Year or Less - Amortized Cost	$ 4,711
One Year or Less - Weighted- Average Yield	5.58%
One Year to Five Years - Amortized Cost	$ 68,610
After One Year to Five Years - Weighted- Average Yield	3.89%
After Five Years to Ten Years - Amortized Cost	$ 1,256,035
After Five Years to Ten Years - Weighted- Average Yield	2.53%
After Ten Years - Amortized Cost	$ 6,977,170
After Ten Years - Weighted- Average Yield	1.95%
Held-to-maturity securities | U.S. agency debentures
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$ 545,753
Weighted- Average Yield	2.69%
One Year or Less - Amortized Cost
One Year or Less - Weighted- Average Yield	0.00%
One Year to Five Years - Amortized Cost	$ 0
After One Year to Five Years - Weighted- Average Yield	0.00%
After Five Years to Ten Years - Amortized Cost	$ 545,753
After Five Years to Ten Years - Weighted- Average Yield	2.69%
After Ten Years - Amortized Cost	$ 0
After Ten Years - Weighted- Average Yield	0.00%
Held-to-maturity securities | Agency-issued mortgage-backed securities
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$ 2,457,328
Weighted- Average Yield	2.43%
One Year or Less - Amortized Cost	$ 0
One Year or Less - Weighted- Average Yield	0.00%
One Year to Five Years - Amortized Cost	$ 39,527
After One Year to Five Years - Weighted- Average Yield	2.38%
After Five Years to Ten Years - Amortized Cost	$ 674,584
After Five Years to Ten Years - Weighted- Average Yield	2.20%
After Ten Years - Amortized Cost	$ 1,743,217
After Ten Years - Weighted- Average Yield	2.52%
Held-to-maturity securities | Residential mortgage-backed securities | Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations | Fixed rate
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$ 4,045,172
Weighted- Average Yield	1.70%
One Year or Less - Amortized Cost	$ 0
One Year or Less - Weighted- Average Yield	0.00%
One Year to Five Years - Amortized Cost	$ 0
After One Year to Five Years - Weighted- Average Yield	0.00%
After Five Years to Ten Years - Amortized Cost	$ 0
After Five Years to Ten Years - Weighted- Average Yield	0.00%
After Ten Years - Amortized Cost	$ 4,045,172
After Ten Years - Weighted- Average Yield	1.70%
Held-to-maturity securities | Residential mortgage-backed securities | Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations | Variable rate
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$ 109,478
Weighted- Average Yield	0.65%
One Year or Less - Amortized Cost	$ 0
One Year or Less - Weighted- Average Yield	0.00%
One Year to Five Years - Amortized Cost	$ 0
After One Year to Five Years - Weighted- Average Yield	0.00%
After Five Years to Ten Years - Amortized Cost	$ 0
After Five Years to Ten Years - Weighted- Average Yield	0.00%
After Ten Years - Amortized Cost	$ 109,478
After Ten Years - Weighted- Average Yield	0.65%
Held-to-maturity securities | Agency-issued commercial mortgage-backed securities
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$ 1,073,160
Weighted- Average Yield	2.12%
One Year or Less - Amortized Cost	$ 0
One Year or Less - Weighted- Average Yield	0.00%
One Year to Five Years - Amortized Cost	$ 0
After One Year to Five Years - Weighted- Average Yield	0.00%
After Five Years to Ten Years - Amortized Cost	$ 0
After Five Years to Ten Years - Weighted- Average Yield	0.00%
After Ten Years - Amortized Cost	$ 1,073,160
After Ten Years - Weighted- Average Yield	2.12%
Held-to-maturity securities | Municipal bonds and notes
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$ 75,635
Weighted- Average Yield	6.05%
One Year or Less - Amortized Cost	$ 4,711
One Year or Less - Weighted- Average Yield	5.58%
One Year to Five Years - Amortized Cost	$ 29,083
After One Year to Five Years - Weighted- Average Yield	5.95%
After Five Years to Ten Years - Amortized Cost	$ 35,698
After Five Years to Ten Years - Weighted- Average Yield	6.14%
After Ten Years - Amortized Cost	$ 6,143
After Ten Years - Weighted- Average Yield	6.35%
Lower Limit | Held-to-maturity securities
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Mortgage-backed securities contractual maturities (in years)	10 years
Upper Limit | Held-to-maturity securities
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Mortgage-backed securities contractual maturities (in years)	30 years

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Derivative Financial Instruments - Summary of Derivative Activity and Related Impact on Consolidated Statements of Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives			$ 42,295	$ (2,028)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Interest rate risks | Interest rate swaps | Interest expense—borrowings
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	$ 631	$ 638	1,903	1,915
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Interest rate risks | Interest rate swaps | Net gains on derivative instruments
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	(8)	(12)	(22)	(37)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Interest rate risks | Interest Rate Risk
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	623	626	1,881	1,878
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Currency exchange risks
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	(32)	(111)	(41)	(309)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Currency exchange risks | Loans | Other noninterest income
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	186	(12,640)	(11,667)	(12,347)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Currency exchange risks | Foreign exchange forwards | Net gains on derivative instruments
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	(218)	12,529	11,626	12,038
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Other derivative instruments | Other derivatives | Net gains on derivative instruments
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	(394)	(22)	(352)	(738)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Other derivative instruments | Foreign exchange forwards | Net gains on derivative instruments
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	179	886	459	1,358
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Other derivative instruments | Equity warrant assets | Net gains on derivative instruments
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	$ 10,685	$ 13,157	$ 54,579	$ 50,859

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Guarantees and Other Commitments - Total Capital Commitments, Unfunded Capital Commitments, and Our Ownership in Each Fund (Detail) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Venture Capital and Private Equity Fund Investments [Line Items]
SVBFG Unfunded Commitments	$ 10,878
SVB Strategic Investors Fund, LP
Venture Capital and Private Equity Fund Investments [Line Items]
SVBFG Unfunded Commitments	2,250
SVB Capital Preferred Return Fund, LP
Venture Capital and Private Equity Fund Investments [Line Items]
SVBFG Unfunded Commitments	4,673
SVB Capital—NT Growth Partners, LP
Venture Capital and Private Equity Fund Investments [Line Items]
SVBFG Unfunded Commitments	3,878
Other private equity fund
Venture Capital and Private Equity Fund Investments [Line Items]
SVBFG Unfunded Commitments	77
Parent Company
Venture Capital and Private Equity Fund Investments [Line Items]
SVBFG Capital Commitments	486,692
SVBFG Unfunded Commitments	19,351
Parent Company | Silicon Valley BancVentures, LP
Venture Capital and Private Equity Fund Investments [Line Items]
SVBFG Capital Commitments	6,000
SVBFG Unfunded Commitments	$ 270
SVBFG Ownership of each Fund	10.70%
Parent Company | SVB Capital Partners II, LP
Venture Capital and Private Equity Fund Investments [Line Items]
SVBFG Capital Commitments	$ 1,200
SVBFG Unfunded Commitments	$ 162
SVBFG Ownership of each Fund	5.10%
Parent Company | SVB Capital Shanghai Yangpu Venture Capital Fund
Venture Capital and Private Equity Fund Investments [Line Items]
SVBFG Capital Commitments	$ 935
SVBFG Unfunded Commitments	$ 0
SVBFG Ownership of each Fund	6.80%
Parent Company | SVB Strategic Investors Fund, LP
Venture Capital and Private Equity Fund Investments [Line Items]
SVBFG Capital Commitments	$ 15,300
SVBFG Unfunded Commitments	$ 688
SVBFG Ownership of each Fund	12.60%
Parent Company | SVB Strategic Investors Fund II, LP
Venture Capital and Private Equity Fund Investments [Line Items]
SVBFG Capital Commitments	$ 15,000
SVBFG Unfunded Commitments	$ 1,050
SVBFG Ownership of each Fund	8.60%
Parent Company | SVB Strategic Investors Fund III, LP
Venture Capital and Private Equity Fund Investments [Line Items]
SVBFG Capital Commitments	$ 15,000
SVBFG Unfunded Commitments	$ 1,275
SVBFG Ownership of each Fund	5.90%
Parent Company | SVB Strategic Investors Fund IV, LP
Venture Capital and Private Equity Fund Investments [Line Items]
SVBFG Capital Commitments	$ 12,239
SVBFG Unfunded Commitments	$ 2,325
SVBFG Ownership of each Fund	5.00%
Parent Company | Strategic Investors Fund V Funds
Venture Capital and Private Equity Fund Investments [Line Items]
SVBFG Capital Commitments	$ 515
SVBFG Unfunded Commitments	177
Parent Company | SVB Capital Preferred Return Fund, LP
Venture Capital and Private Equity Fund Investments [Line Items]
SVBFG Capital Commitments	12,688
SVBFG Unfunded Commitments	$ 0
SVBFG Ownership of each Fund	20.00%
Parent Company | SVB Capital—NT Growth Partners, LP
Venture Capital and Private Equity Fund Investments [Line Items]
SVBFG Capital Commitments	$ 24,670
SVBFG Unfunded Commitments	$ 1,340
SVBFG Ownership of each Fund	33.00%
Parent Company | Other private equity fund
Venture Capital and Private Equity Fund Investments [Line Items]
SVBFG Capital Commitments	$ 9,338
SVBFG Unfunded Commitments	$ 0
SVBFG Ownership of each Fund	58.20%
Parent Company | Debt funds
Venture Capital and Private Equity Fund Investments [Line Items]
SVBFG Capital Commitments	$ 73,830
SVBFG Unfunded Commitments	0
Parent Company | Other fund investments
Venture Capital and Private Equity Fund Investments [Line Items]
SVBFG Capital Commitments	299,977
SVBFG Unfunded Commitments	$ 12,064

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Segment Reporting - Segment Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net interest income		$ 254,660	$ 220,565	$ 737,356	[1]	$ 621,858
Provision for loan losses		(33,403)	(16,610)	(66,368)	[1]	(19,051)
Noninterest income		108,477	80,167	358,288	[1]	404,602
Noninterest expense	[2]	(184,755)	(179,761)	(569,408)	[1]	(521,113)
Income before income tax expense	[2]	144,979	104,361	459,868	[1]	486,296
Total average loans, net of unearned income		14,916,652	11,439,521	14,431,785		11,098,397
Total average assets		42,019,224	34,596,065	39,911,525		31,402,952
Total average deposits		37,383,067	29,726,284	35,413,353		26,882,113
Global Commercial Bank
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net interest income		217,929	187,184	625,618		540,533
Provision for loan losses		(32,076)	(16,185)	(64,128)		(18,833)
Noninterest income		68,517	57,714	197,740		169,376
Noninterest expense		(135,504)	(127,050)	(415,245)		(369,587)
Income before income tax expense		118,866	101,663	343,985		321,489
Total average loans, net of unearned income		13,031,928	10,022,333	12,721,208		9,766,870
Total average assets		40,211,915	31,916,581	37,954,846		28,924,331
Total average deposits		36,149,772	28,795,499	34,125,675		26,020,715
SVB Private Bank
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net interest income		11,667	7,344	32,499		23,529
Provision for loan losses		(1,327)	(425)	(2,240)		(218)
Noninterest income		506	491	1,498		1,121
Noninterest expense		(2,703)	(2,574)	(8,589)		(7,709)
Income before income tax expense		8,143	4,836	23,168		16,723
Total average loans, net of unearned income		1,669,858	1,189,976	1,529,095		1,119,618
Total average assets		1,273,823	1,128,938	1,659,981		1,026,678
Total average deposits		1,041,773	877,701	1,125,345		805,167
SVB Capital
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net interest income		1	12	3		55
Provision for loan losses		0	0	0		0
Noninterest income		17,332	1,064	57,919		35,617
Noninterest expense		(3,745)	(3,036)	(10,935)		(8,815)
Income before income tax expense		13,588	(1,960)	46,987		26,857
Total average loans, net of unearned income		0	0	0		0
Total average assets		334,045	302,949	335,136		328,048
Total average deposits		0	0	0		0
Other Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net interest income		25,063	26,025	79,236		57,741
Provision for loan losses		0	0	0		0
Noninterest income		22,122	20,898	101,131		198,488
Noninterest expense		(42,803)	(47,101)	(134,639)		(135,002)
Income before income tax expense		4,382	(178)	45,728		121,227
Total average loans, net of unearned income		214,866	227,212	181,482		211,909
Total average assets		199,441	1,247,597	(38,438)		1,123,895
Total average deposits		$ 191,522	$ 53,084	$ 162,333		$ 56,231

[1] Amounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the second quarter of 2015 related to our consolidated variable interest entities (ASU 2015-02). Amounts prior to January 1, 2015 have not been revised for the adoption of this guidance. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

[2] Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Guarantees and Other Commitments - Total Capital Commitments, Unfunded Capital Commitments, and Our Ownership in Each Fund (Additional Information) (Detail) - Venture capital and private equity fund investments - Investment	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Other fund investments
Venture Capital and Private Equity Fund Investments [Line Items]
Number of other funds with investment commitments	276
Other fund investments | Upper Limit
Venture Capital and Private Equity Fund Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership	5.00%
Fair value accounting | SVB Capital Partners II, LP
Venture Capital and Private Equity Fund Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership		5.10%
Fair value accounting | Other private equity fund
Venture Capital and Private Equity Fund Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership	58.20%	58.20%
Fair value accounting | Direct ownership interest | SVB Capital Partners II, LP
Venture Capital and Private Equity Fund Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership	1.30%
Fair value accounting | Direct ownership interest | Other private equity fund
Venture Capital and Private Equity Fund Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership	41.50%
Fair value accounting | Indirect ownership interest | SVB Capital Partners II, LP
Venture Capital and Private Equity Fund Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership	3.80%
Fair value accounting | Indirect ownership interest | Other private equity fund | SVB Capital Preferred Return Fund, LP
Venture Capital and Private Equity Fund Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership	4.10%
Fair value accounting | Indirect ownership interest | Other private equity fund | SVB Capital—NT Growth Partners, LP
Venture Capital and Private Equity Fund Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership	12.60%

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Derivative Financial Instruments - Master Netting Arrangements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Assets and Liabilities Subject to Master Netting Arrangements [Line Items]
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets	$ 256,480	$ 137,271
Gross Amounts offset in the Statement of Financial Position	(76)	(274)
Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statement of Financial Position	256,404	136,997
Gross Assets Subject To Master Netting Arrangement Not Offset	(242,658)	(117,783)
Cash Collateral Received Subject to Master Netting Arrangements	(3,756)	(7,781)
Net Assets After Deducting Amounts Subject to Master Netting Arrangements	9,990	11,433
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities	34,734	31,385
Gross Amounts offset in the Statement of Financial Position	(76)	(274)
Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statement of Financial Position	34,658	31,111
Gross Liabilities Subject To Master Netting Arrangement Not Offset	(16,142)	(19,639)
Cash Collateral Pledged Subject to Master Netting Arrangements	0	0
Net Liabilities After Deducting Amounts Subject to Master Netting Arrangements	18,516	11,472
Derivative
Assets and Liabilities Subject to Master Netting Arrangements [Line Items]
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets	41,996	41,660
Gross Amounts offset in the Statement of Financial Position	(76)	(274)
Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statement of Financial Position	41,920	41,386
Gross Assets Subject To Master Netting Arrangement Not Offset	(28,174)	(22,172)
Cash Collateral Received Subject to Master Netting Arrangements	(3,756)	(7,781)
Net Assets After Deducting Amounts Subject to Master Netting Arrangements	9,990	11,433
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities	34,734	31,385
Gross Amounts offset in the Statement of Financial Position	(76)	(274)
Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statement of Financial Position	34,658	31,111
Gross Liabilities Subject To Master Netting Arrangement Not Offset	(16,142)	(19,639)
Cash Collateral Pledged Subject to Master Netting Arrangements	0	0
Net Liabilities After Deducting Amounts Subject to Master Netting Arrangements	18,516	11,472
Derivative | Interest rate swaps
Assets and Liabilities Subject to Master Netting Arrangements [Line Items]
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets	3,485	4,609
Gross Amounts offset in the Statement of Financial Position	0	0
Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statement of Financial Position	3,485	4,609
Gross Assets Subject To Master Netting Arrangement Not Offset	(3,485)	(1,639)
Cash Collateral Received Subject to Master Netting Arrangements	0	(2,970)
Net Assets After Deducting Amounts Subject to Master Netting Arrangements	0	0
Derivative | Foreign exchange forwards
Assets and Liabilities Subject to Master Netting Arrangements [Line Items]
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets	33,025	34,004
Gross Amounts offset in the Statement of Financial Position	0	0
Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statement of Financial Position	33,025	34,004
Gross Assets Subject To Master Netting Arrangement Not Offset	(19,373)	(17,843)
Cash Collateral Received Subject to Master Netting Arrangements	(3,756)	(4,811)
Net Assets After Deducting Amounts Subject to Master Netting Arrangements	9,896	11,350
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities	28,693	28,136
Gross Amounts offset in the Statement of Financial Position	0	0
Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statement of Financial Position	28,693	28,136
Gross Liabilities Subject To Master Netting Arrangement Not Offset	(10,329)	(16,808)
Cash Collateral Pledged Subject to Master Netting Arrangements	0	0
Net Liabilities After Deducting Amounts Subject to Master Netting Arrangements	18,364	11,328
Derivative | Client foreign currency options
Assets and Liabilities Subject to Master Netting Arrangements [Line Items]
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets	322	501
Gross Amounts offset in the Statement of Financial Position	(76)	(274)
Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statement of Financial Position	246	227
Gross Assets Subject To Master Netting Arrangement Not Offset	(152)	(144)
Cash Collateral Received Subject to Master Netting Arrangements	0	0
Net Assets After Deducting Amounts Subject to Master Netting Arrangements	94	83
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities	322	501
Gross Amounts offset in the Statement of Financial Position	(76)	(274)
Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statement of Financial Position	246	227
Gross Liabilities Subject To Master Netting Arrangement Not Offset	(94)	(83)
Cash Collateral Pledged Subject to Master Netting Arrangements	0	0
Net Liabilities After Deducting Amounts Subject to Master Netting Arrangements	152	144
Derivative | Client interest rate derivatives
Assets and Liabilities Subject to Master Netting Arrangements [Line Items]
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets	5,164	2,546
Gross Amounts offset in the Statement of Financial Position	0	0
Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statement of Financial Position	5,164	2,546
Gross Assets Subject To Master Netting Arrangement Not Offset	(5,164)	(2,546)
Cash Collateral Received Subject to Master Netting Arrangements	0	0
Net Assets After Deducting Amounts Subject to Master Netting Arrangements	0	0
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities	5,719	2,748
Gross Amounts offset in the Statement of Financial Position	0	0
Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statement of Financial Position	5,719	2,748
Gross Liabilities Subject To Master Netting Arrangement Not Offset	(5,719)	(2,748)
Cash Collateral Pledged Subject to Master Netting Arrangements	0	0
Net Liabilities After Deducting Amounts Subject to Master Netting Arrangements	0	0
Reverse Repurchase Securities Borrowing And Similar Arrangements
Assets and Liabilities Subject to Master Netting Arrangements [Line Items]
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets	214,484	95,611
Gross Amounts offset in the Statement of Financial Position	0	0
Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statement of Financial Position	214,484	95,611
Gross Assets Subject To Master Netting Arrangement Not Offset	(214,484)	(95,611)
Cash Collateral Received Subject to Master Netting Arrangements	0	0
Net Assets After Deducting Amounts Subject to Master Netting Arrangements	0	0
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities	0	0
Gross Amounts offset in the Statement of Financial Position	0	0
Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statement of Financial Position	0	0
Gross Liabilities Subject To Master Netting Arrangement Not Offset	0	0
Cash Collateral Pledged Subject to Master Netting Arrangements	0	0
Net Liabilities After Deducting Amounts Subject to Master Netting Arrangements	$ 0	$ 0

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Disposal - Assets Held-for-Sale (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Disposal Group, Held-for-sale, Not Discontinued Operations | SVB India Finance Private Limited, (SVBIF)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Total assets of SVBIF held-for-sale	$ 44.3

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Related Parties

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Related Party Transactions [Abstract]

Related Parties

Related Parties

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Bank made loans to related parties, including certain companies in which certain of our directors or their affiliated venture funds are beneficial owners of ten percent or more of the equity securities of such companies. Such loans: (a) were made in the ordinary course of business; (b) were made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other non-related persons; and (c) did not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features. Additionally, we also provide real estate secured loans to eligible employees through our EHOP.

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Variable Interest Entities - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) entity	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)		Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	[1]	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Number of deconsolidated entities | entity		16
Assets		$ (41,730,982)	$ (39,337,869)
Total equity		$ (3,314,228)	(4,051,734)	[1]	$ (3,936,168)		$ (3,074,693)
Number of consolidated entities | entity		5
Non-marketable and other securities	[2]	$ 650,555	$ 1,728,140
Consolidated
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Assets		(223,699)
Non-marketable and other securities		204,555
Cumulative-Effect Adjustment, Deconsolidation of Variable Interest Entity
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Assets		1,100,000
Total equity		1,200,000
Low Income Housing Tax Credit Funds | Consolidated
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Non-marketable and other securities		125,500
Unfunded commitments | Consolidated
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Non-marketable and other securities		$ 65,300

[1] Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

[2] Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

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Stockholders' Equity and EPS - Reconciliation of Basic EPS to Diluted EPS (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014
Numerator:
Net income available to common stockholders	[1]	$ 81,733	$ 63,977	$ 256,392	[2]	$ 205,880
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic (in shares)		51,479	50,752	51,254		48,281
Denominator for diluted calculation (in shares)		52,048	51,571	51,878		49,200
Earnings per common share:
Basic (dollars per share)	[1]	$ 1.59	$ 1.26	$ 5.00	[2]	$ 4.26
Diluted (dollars per share)		$ 1.57	$ 1.24	$ 4.94	[2]	$ 4.18
Stock options and ESPP
Denominator:
Weighted average effect of dilutive securities (in shares)		382	534	411		580
Restricted stock units
Denominator:
Weighted average effect of dilutive securities (in shares)		187	285	213		339

[1] Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

[2] Amounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the second quarter of 2015 related to our consolidated variable interest entities (ASU 2015-02). Amounts prior to January 1, 2015 have not been revised for the adoption of this guidance. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

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Derivative Financial Instruments - Total Notional or Contractual Amounts, Fair Value, Collateral and Net Exposure of Derivative Financial Instruments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair Value, Net Total	$ 137,353	$ 126,879
Net Exposure, Net	133,597	119,098
Collateral	3,756	7,781
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Interest rate risks | Other assets | Interest rate swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional or Contractual Amount	45,964	45,964
Fair Value, Assets	3,485	4,609
Net Exposure, Assets	3,485	1,639
Collateral	0	2,970
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Currency exchange risks
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair Value, Net exposure	(481)	4,561
Net Exposure, Net	(481)	2,120
Collateral	0	2,441
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Currency exchange risks | Other assets | Foreign exchange forwards
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional or Contractual Amount	17,038	200,957
Fair Value, Assets	594	5,050
Net Exposure, Assets	594	2,609
Collateral	0	2,441
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Currency exchange risks | Other liability | Foreign exchange forwards
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional or Contractual Amount	37,609	6,226
Fair value, Liabilities	(1,075)	(489)
Net Exposure, Liabilities	(1,075)	(489)
Collateral	0	0
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Other derivative instruments | Other derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair Value, Net exposure	4,258	1,105
Net Exposure, Net	502	(1,265)
Collateral	3,756	2,370
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Other derivative instruments | Other assets | Equity warrant assets
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional or Contractual Amount	208,270	197,878
Fair Value, Assets	130,091	116,604
Net Exposure, Assets	130,091	116,604
Collateral	0	0
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Other derivative instruments | Other assets | Other derivatives | Foreign exchange forwards
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional or Contractual Amount	733,204	801,487
Fair Value, Assets	32,431	28,954
Net Exposure, Assets	28,675	26,584
Collateral	3,756	2,370
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Other derivative instruments | Other assets | Other derivatives | Client foreign currency options
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional or Contractual Amount	28,390	34,926
Fair Value, Assets	246	227
Net Exposure, Assets	246	227
Collateral	0	0
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Other derivative instruments | Other assets | Other derivatives | Client interest rate derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional or Contractual Amount	459,614	387,410
Fair Value, Assets	5,164	2,546
Net Exposure, Assets	5,164	2,546
Collateral	0	0
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Other derivative instruments | Other liability | Other derivatives | Foreign exchange forwards
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional or Contractual Amount	695,403	774,355
Fair value, Liabilities	(27,618)	(27,647)
Net Exposure, Liabilities	(27,618)	(27,647)
Collateral	0	0
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Other derivative instruments | Other liability | Other derivatives | Client foreign currency options
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional or Contractual Amount	28,390	34,926
Fair value, Liabilities	(246)	(227)
Net Exposure, Liabilities	(246)	(227)
Collateral	0	0
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Other derivative instruments | Other liability | Other derivatives | Client interest rate derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional or Contractual Amount	459,614	387,410
Fair value, Liabilities	(5,719)	(2,748)
Net Exposure, Liabilities	(5,719)	(2,748)
Collateral	$ 0	$ 0

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Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Summary of Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments not Carried at Fair Value (Additional Information) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
3.50% Senior Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate on debt	3.50%
5.375% Senior Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate on debt	5.375%	5.375%
6.05% Subordinated Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate on debt	6.05%	6.05%
Fair value of the interest rate swap associated with the notes	$ 3.5	$ 4.6
7.0% Junior Subordinated Debentures
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate on debt	7.00%	7.00%

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Guarantees and Other Commitments (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Disclosure Off Balance Sheet Arrangements Guarantees And Other Commitments Additional Information [Abstract]

Summary Information Related to Commitments to Extend Credit (Excluding Letters of Credit)

The following table summarizes information related to our commitments to extend credit at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

(Dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Loan commitments available for funding: (1)
Fixed interest rate commitments	$	1,393,396	$	1,591,408
Variable interest rate commitments	13,302,099		11,860,039
Total loan commitments available for funding	14,695,495		13,451,447
Commercial and standby letters of credit (2)	1,391,812		1,254,338
Total unfunded credit commitments	$	16,087,307	$	14,705,785
Commitments unavailable for funding (3)	$	2,141,183	$	1,868,489
Maximum lending limits for accounts receivable factoring arrangements (4)	1,084,623		1,044,548
Reserve for unfunded credit commitments (5)	36,631		36,419

(1) Represents commitments which are available for funding, due to clients meeting all collateral, compliance and financial covenants required under loan commitment agreements.

(2) See below for additional information on our commercial and standby letters of credit.

(3) Represents commitments which are currently unavailable for funding, due to clients failing to meet all collateral, compliance and financial covenants under loan commitment agreements.

(4) We extend credit under accounts receivable factoring arrangements when our clients’ sales invoices are deemed creditworthy under existing underwriting practices.

(5) Our reserve for unfunded credit commitments includes an allowance for both our unfunded loan commitments and our letters of credit.

Summary of Commercial and Standby Letters of Credit

The table below summarizes our commercial and standby letters of credit at September 30, 2015. The maximum potential amount of future payments represents the amount that could be remitted under letters of credit if there were a total default by the guaranteed parties, without consideration of possible recoveries under recourse provisions or from the collateral held or pledged.

(Dollars in thousands)	Expires In One Year or Less		Expires After One Year		Total Amount Outstanding		Maximum Amount of Future Payments
Financial standby letters of credit	$	1,251,147	$	68,343	$	1,319,490	$	1,319,490
Performance standby letters of credit	50,220		10,209		60,429		60,429
Commercial letters of credit	11,893		—		11,893		11,893
Total	$	1,313,260	$	78,552	$	1,391,812	$	1,391,812

Total Capital Commitments, Unfunded Capital Commitments, and Ownership in Each Fund

The following table details our total capital commitments, unfunded capital commitments, and our ownership percentage in each fund at September 30, 2015:

Our Ownership in Venture Capital and Private Equity Funds  (Dollars in thousands)	SVBFG Capital Commitments		SVBFG Unfunded     Commitments		SVBFG Ownership   of each Fund (4)
Silicon Valley BancVentures, LP	$	6,000	$	270	10.7	%
SVB Capital Partners II, LP (1)	1,200		162		5.1
SVB Capital Shanghai Yangpu Venture Capital Fund	935		—		6.8
SVB Strategic Investors Fund, LP	15,300		688		12.6
SVB Strategic Investors Fund II, LP	15,000		1,050		8.6
SVB Strategic Investors Fund III, LP	15,000		1,275		5.9
SVB Strategic Investors Fund IV, LP	12,239		2,325		5.0
Strategic Investors Fund V Funds	515		177		Various
SVB Capital Preferred Return Fund, LP	12,688		—		20.0
SVB Capital—NT Growth Partners, LP	24,670		1,340		33.0
Other private equity fund (2)	9,338		—		58.2
Debt funds	73,830		—		Various
Other fund investments (3)	299,977		12,064		Various
Total	$	486,692	$	19,351

(1) Our ownership includes direct ownership of 1.3 percent and indirect ownership interest of 3.8 percent through our investment in SVB Strategic Investors Fund II, LP.

(2) Our ownership includes direct ownership of 41.5 percent and indirect ownership interests of 12.6 percent and 4.1 percent in the fund through our ownership interest of SVB Capital - NT Growth Partners, LP and SVB Capital Preferred Return Fund, LP, respectively.

(3) Represents commitments to 276 funds (primarily venture capital funds) where our ownership interest is generally less than 5 percent of the voting interests of each such fund.

(4) We are subject to the Volcker Rule, which restricts or limits us from sponsoring or having ownership interests in “covered” funds including venture capital and private equity funds. See “Business - Supervision and Regulation” under Item 1 of Part I of our 2014 Form 10-K.

Remaining Unfunded Commitments to Venture Capital or Private Equity Funds by Consolidated Managed Funds

The following table details the amounts of remaining unfunded commitments to venture capital and private equity funds by our consolidated managed funds of funds (including our interest and the noncontrolling interests) at September 30, 2015:

Limited Partnership  (Dollars in thousands)	Unfunded Commitments
SVB Strategic Investors Fund, LP	$	2,250
SVB Capital Preferred Return Fund, LP	4,673
SVB Capital—NT Growth Partners, LP	3,878
Other private equity fund	77
Total	$	10,878

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Cash and Cash Equivalents (Additional Information) (Detail) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Deposits at the Federal Reserve Bank earning interest at the Federal Funds target rate	$ 639,000,000	$ 861,000,000
Interest-earning deposits in other financial institutions	429,000,000	440,000,000
Fair value of securities purchased under agreements to resell	219,000,000	98,000,000
Fair value of securities received as collateral that have been resold or repledged	$ 0	$ 0

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Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses - Allowance for Loan Losses Individually and Collectively Evaluated for Impairment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Individually Evaluated for Impairment, Allowance for loan losses	$ 46,256	$ 15,051
Individually Evaluated for Impairment, Recorded investment in loans	115,461	38,137
Collectively Evaluated for Impairment, Allowance for loan losses	151,251	150,308
Collectively Evaluated for Impairment, Allowance for loan losses	15,199,119	14,346,139
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Software and internet
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Individually Evaluated for Impairment, Allowance for loan losses	25,260	13,695
Individually Evaluated for Impairment, Recorded investment in loans	64,792	33,287
Collectively Evaluated for Impairment, Allowance for loan losses	62,806	67,286
Collectively Evaluated for Impairment, Allowance for loan losses	5,208,033	4,921,389
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Hardware
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Individually Evaluated for Impairment, Allowance for loan losses	1,100	1,133
Individually Evaluated for Impairment, Recorded investment in loans	3,763	2,521
Collectively Evaluated for Impairment, Allowance for loan losses	19,542	24,727
Collectively Evaluated for Impairment, Allowance for loan losses	958,532	1,128,485
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Private equity/venture capital
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Individually Evaluated for Impairment, Allowance for loan losses	0	0
Individually Evaluated for Impairment, Recorded investment in loans	0	0
Collectively Evaluated for Impairment, Allowance for loan losses	32,442	27,997
Collectively Evaluated for Impairment, Allowance for loan losses	4,571,102	4,582,906
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Life science & healthcare
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Individually Evaluated for Impairment, Allowance for loan losses	19,739	121
Individually Evaluated for Impairment, Recorded investment in loans	45,389	475
Collectively Evaluated for Impairment, Allowance for loan losses	17,220	15,087
Collectively Evaluated for Impairment, Allowance for loan losses	1,552,973	1,289,429
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Premium wine
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Individually Evaluated for Impairment, Allowance for loan losses	0	0
Individually Evaluated for Impairment, Recorded investment in loans	1,201	1,304
Collectively Evaluated for Impairment, Allowance for loan losses	4,662	4,473
Collectively Evaluated for Impairment, Allowance for loan losses	825,759	793,017
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Other
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Individually Evaluated for Impairment, Allowance for loan losses	157	71
Individually Evaluated for Impairment, Recorded investment in loans	157	233
Collectively Evaluated for Impairment, Allowance for loan losses	4,616	3,182
Collectively Evaluated for Impairment, Allowance for loan losses	425,987	352,595
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Commercial loans
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Individually Evaluated for Impairment, Allowance for loan losses	46,256	15,020
Individually Evaluated for Impairment, Recorded investment in loans	115,302	37,820
Collectively Evaluated for Impairment, Allowance for loan losses	141,288	142,752
Collectively Evaluated for Impairment, Allowance for loan losses	13,542,386	13,067,821
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Consumer loans
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Individually Evaluated for Impairment, Allowance for loan losses	0	31
Individually Evaluated for Impairment, Recorded investment in loans	159	317
Collectively Evaluated for Impairment, Allowance for loan losses	9,963	7,556
Collectively Evaluated for Impairment, Allowance for loan losses	$ 1,656,733	$ 1,278,318

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Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses - Composition of Loans, Net of Unearned income (Additional Information) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, net of unearned income	$ 15,314,580	$ 14,384,276
Credit card loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total loan portfolio	186,000	131,000
Premium wine
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Gross construction loans	119,000	112,000
Consumer Portfolio Segment
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, net of unearned income	1,656,892	1,278,635
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Real estate secured loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, net of unearned income	1,444,067	1,118,115
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Real estate secured loans | Loans for personal residence
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, net of unearned income	1,225,794	918,629
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Real estate secured loans | Loans to eligible employees
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, net of unearned income	149,612	133,568
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Real estate secured loans | Home equity lines of credit
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, net of unearned income	$ 68,661	$ 65,918

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Share-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Closing stock price	$ 115.54		$ 115.54
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	$ 2.2	$ 7.7	$ 24.0	$ 18.4

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Basis of Presentation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

SVB Financial Group is a diversified financial services company, as well as a bank holding company and financial holding company. SVB Financial was incorporated in the state of Delaware in March 1999. Through our various subsidiaries and divisions, we offer a variety of banking and financial products and services to support our clients of all sizes and stages throughout their life cycles. In these notes to our consolidated financial statements, when we refer to “SVB Financial Group,” “SVBFG”, the “Company,” “we,” “our,” “us” or use similar words, we mean SVB Financial Group and all of its subsidiaries collectively, including Silicon Valley Bank (the “Bank”), unless the context requires otherwise. When we refer to “SVB Financial” or the “Parent” we are referring only to the parent company, SVB Financial Group, unless the context requires otherwise.

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments of a normal and recurring nature that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to fairly present our financial position, results of operations and cash flows in accordance with GAAP. Such unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The results of operations for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for any future periods. These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 (“2014 Form 10-K”).

The preparation of unaudited interim consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates may change as new information is obtained. Significant items that are subject to such estimates include measurements of fair value, the valuation of non-marketable securities, the valuation of equity warrant assets, the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses and reserve for unfunded credit commitments, and the recognition and measurement of income tax assets and liabilities.

Principles of Consolidation and Presentation

Prior to April 1, 2015, the Company’s consolidated financial statements included the accounts of SVB Financial Group and entities in which we had a controlling interest.  The determination of whether we had controlling interest was based on consolidation principles prescribed by ASC Topic 810 and whether the controlling interest in an entity was a voting interest entity or a variable interest entity (“VIE”). However, during the three months ended June 30, 2015, we early adopted the provisions of ASU 2015-02, Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis (ASU 2015-02)(see "Adoption of New Accounting Standards" below), which simplifies consolidation accounting by reducing the number of consolidation models and changing various aspects of current GAAP, including certain consolidation criteria for variable interest entities. The new guidance eliminates the presumption that a general partner of a limited partnership arrangement should consolidate a limited partnership. The amendments to ASC Topic 810 in ASU 2015-02 modify the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar entities are VIEs or voting entities. With these changes, we determined that the majority of our investments in limited partnership arrangements are VIEs under the new guidance while these entities were typically voting interest entities under the prior guidance.

ASU 2015-02 provided a single model for evaluating VIE entities for consolidation. VIEs are entities where investors lack sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support or equity investors, as a group, lack one of the following characteristics: (a) the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, (b) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity, or (c) the right to receive the expected returns of the entity. We assess VIEs to determine if we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE.  A primary beneficiary is defined as a variable interest holder that has a controlling financial interest. A controlling financial interest requires both: (a) power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, and (b) obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits of a VIE that could potentially be significant to a VIE. Under this analysis, we evaluate kick-out rights and other participating rights which could provide us a controlling financial interest. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is required to consolidate the VIE.

ASU 2015-02 also changed how we evaluate fees paid to managers of our limited partnership investments. Under the new guidance, we exclude those fee arrangements that are not deemed to be variable interests from the analysis of our interests in our investments in VIEs and the determination of a primary beneficiary, if any.

Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of SVB Financial Group and consolidated entities. We consolidate voting entities in which we have control through voting interests. We determine whether we have a controlling financial interest in a VIE by determining if we have the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and whether we have significant variable interests. Generally, we have significant variable interests if our commitments to a limited partnership investment represent a significant amount of the total commitments to the entity. We also evaluate the impact of related parties on our determination of variable interests in our consolidation conclusions. We consolidate VIEs in which we are the primary beneficiary based on a controlling financial interest. If we are not the primary beneficiary of a VIE, we record our pro-rata interests or our cost basis in the VIE, as appropriate, based on other accounting guidance within GAAP.

All significant intercompany accounts and transactions with consolidated entities have been eliminated. We have not provided financial or other support during the periods presented to any VIE that we were not previously contractually required to provide.

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

In May 2015, the FASB issued a new accounting standard (ASU 2015-07, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820)), which removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient. The standard is required to be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. We early adopted this guidance in the second quarter of 2015. The adoption of this guidance impacts our fair value disclosures and has no impact on our financial position, results of operations or stockholders' equity.

In April 2015, the FASB issued a new accounting standard (ASU 2015-03, Interest- Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30), which simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs. The guidance will be effective for annual and quarterly periods beginning on January 1, 2016, with early adoption permitted. We early adopted this guidance in the third quarter of 2015 using the retrospective method, which required the restatement of prior period results. The adoption of this guidance impacted our statement of financial position, but had no impact on our results of operations or retained earnings. We reclassified $5.1 million and $2.1 million of debt issuance costs from other assets to a direct deduction from the carrying amounts of long-term debt for the periods ended September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively.

In February 2015, the FASB issued a new accounting standard, ASU 2015-02, which amends the consolidation requirement for certain legal entities. As outlined above in "Principles of Consolidation and Presentation", we early adopted this guidance in the second quarter of 2015 using the modified retrospective method, which results in an effective date of adoption of January 1, 2015 and will not require the restatement of prior period results. The adoption of this guidance impacted our statement of financial position and results of operations, but had no impact on retained earnings, SVBFG stockholders' equity or net income as investments that were consolidated in previous reporting periods are now deconsolidated and no new investments were consolidated. Refer to Note 4—”Variable Interest Entities” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details regarding our assessment of the adoption of this guidance.

In January 2014, the FASB issued a new accounting standard (ASU 2014-01, Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects), which is effective for us for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014. The standard is required to be applied retrospectively, with an adjustment to retained earnings in the earliest period presented. The ASU is applicable to our portfolio of low income housing tax credit ("LIHTC") partnership interests. We adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2015.

For prior periods, pursuant to ASU 2014-01, (i) amortization expense related to our low income housing tax credits was reclassified from Other noninterest expense to Income tax expense, (ii) additional amortization, net of the associated tax benefits, was recognized in Income tax expense as a result of our adoption of the proportional amortization method and (iii) net deferred tax assets, related to our low income housing tax investments, were written-off. The cumulative effect to retained earnings as of January 1, 2015 of adopting this guidance was a reduction of $4.7 million, inclusive of a $4.6 million reduction to retained earnings as of January 1, 2014. Our previously reported net income and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 were not materially impacted by the adoption of ASU 2014-01.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued a new accounting standard (ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)), which provides revenue recognition guidance that is intended to create greater consistency with respect to how and when revenue from contracts with customers is shown in the income statement. This guidance will be effective on a retrospective basis beginning on January 1, 2018. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or stockholders' equity.

In August 2014, the FASB issued a new accounting standard (ASU 2014-15, Going Concern (Topic 205-40)), which requires management to evaluate for each annual and interim reporting period whether there is substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern. The guidance will be effective for annual and quarterly periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. We are currently developing processes and controls to adopt this guidance by the adoption deadline and do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or stockholders' equity.

Reclassifications

Certain prior period amounts, including amounts related to the adoption of ASU 2014-01, ASU 2015-02 and ASU 2015-03, have been reclassified to conform to current period presentations.

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Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses - Composition of Loans, Net of Unearned Income, Broken Out by Portfolio Segment and Class of Financing Receivable (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans, net of unearned income	$ 15,314,580	$ 14,384,276
Commercial and Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans, net of unearned income	13,657,688	13,105,641
Commercial and Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment | Software and internet
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans, net of unearned income	5,272,825	4,954,676
Commercial and Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment | Hardware
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans, net of unearned income	962,295	1,131,006
Commercial and Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment | Private equity/venture capital
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans, net of unearned income	4,571,102	4,582,906
Commercial and Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment | Life science & healthcare
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans, net of unearned income	1,598,362	1,289,904
Commercial and Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment | Premium wine
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans, net of unearned income	826,960	794,321
Commercial and Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment | Other
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans, net of unearned income	426,144	352,828
Consumer Portfolio Segment
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans, net of unearned income	1,656,892	1,278,635
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Other
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans, net of unearned income	212,825	160,520
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Real estate secured loans
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans, net of unearned income	$ 1,444,067	$ 1,118,115

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Stockholders' Equity and EPS - Common Shares Excluded from Diluted EPS Calculation as They Were Deemed to be Anti-Dilutive (Detail) - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Shares excluded from diluted earnings per share calculation	143	242	169	142
Stock options
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Shares excluded from diluted earnings per share calculation	142	241	169	140
Restricted stock units
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Shares excluded from diluted earnings per share calculation	1	1	0	2

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Variable Interest Entities (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Investments In Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]

Schedule of Variable Interest Entities

The following table presents the carrying amounts and classification of significant variable interests in consolidated and unconsolidated VIEs as of September 30, 2015:

(Dollars in thousands)	Consolidated VIEs		Unconsolidated VIEs (1)		Maximum Exposure to Loss in Unconsolidated VIEs
September 30, 2015:
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	18,769	$	—	$	—
Non-marketable and other securities (2)	204,555		341,065		341,065
Accrued interest receivable and other assets	375		—		—
Total assets	$	223,699	$	341,065	$	341,065
Liabilities:
Other liabilities	421		—		—
Accrued expenses and other liabilities (2)	—		65,305		—
Total liabilities	$	421	$	65,305	$	—

(1) During the second quarter of 2015 we adopted ASU 2015-02 and certain previously consolidated VIEs are no longer included in our Consolidated Balance Sheet. We applied the accounting guidance as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption, January 1, 2015. Upon adoption, we deconsolidated 16 entities, which reduced our total assets and total equity (which includes total SVBFG stockholders' equity plus noncontrolling interests) by $1.1 billion and $1.2 billion, respectively, primarily as a result of the reduction of our non-marketable and other securities and noncontrolling interests, respectively. SVB Financial continues to consolidate its interest in five SVB Capital funds that meet the new consolidated criteria.

(2) Included in our non-marketable and other securities portfolio are investments in qualified affordable housing projects of $125.5 million and related unfunded commitments of $65.3 million.

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Share-Based Compensation (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Share Based Compensation and Related Benefits

For the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014, we recorded share-based compensation and related tax benefits as follows:

	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015			2014			2015			2014
Share-based compensation expense	$	8,188		$	7,520		$	24,174		$	22,285
Income tax benefit related to share-based compensation expense	(3,051		)	(2,676		)	(8,381		)	(7,351		)

Unrecognized Share Based Compensation Expense

As of September 30, 2015, unrecognized share-based compensation expense was as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)	Unrecognized   Expense		Average Expected Recognition   Period - in Years
Stock options	$	12,756	2.45
Restricted stock units	41,726		2.64
Total unrecognized share-based compensation expense	$	54,482

Stock Option Information Related to Equity Incentive Plan

The table below provides stock option information related to the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan for the nine months ended September 30, 2015:

	Options		Weighted Average  Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life in Years	Aggregate   Intrinsic Value   of In-The- Money Options
Outstanding at December 31, 2014	1,394,888		$	66.03
Granted	122,120		129.30
Exercised	(311,575	)	51.34
Forfeited	(22,008	)	84.40
Expired	(1,520	)	48.76
Outstanding at September 30, 2015	1,181,905		76.12		4.00	$	48,295,069
Vested and expected to vest at September 30, 2015	1,145,732		75.24		3.95	47,717,566
Exercisable at September 30, 2015	656,191		60.34		3.01	36,230,256

Information for Restricted Stock Units under Equity Incentive Plan

The table below provides information for restricted stock units under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan for the nine months ended September 30, 2015:

	Shares		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested at December 31, 2014	614,666		$	79.92
Granted	231,205		129.22
Vested	(211,652	)	74.02
Forfeited	(19,292	)	88.51
Nonvested at September 30, 2015	614,927		101.01

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Investment Securities - Summary of Unrealized Losses on Held to Maturity Securities (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) Investment	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) Investment
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$ 8,306,526	$ 7,421,042
Unrealized Gains	68,056	16,314
Unrealized Losses	(7,579)	(21,700)
Fair Value	8,367,003	7,415,656
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss [Abstract]
Fair Value of Investments, Less than 12 months	1,043,761	3,438,894
Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 months	(5,937)	(16,520)
Fair Value of Investments, 12 months or longer	107,562	783,558
Unrealized Losses, 12 months or longer	(1,642)	(5,180)
Fair Value of Investments	1,151,323	4,222,452
Unrealized Losses	$ (7,579)	$ (21,700)
Number of held-to-maturity investments with unrealized loss | Investment	157	292.000
Number of held-to-maturity investments in continuous loss more than 12 months | Investment	63	26.000
U.S. agency debentures
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$ 545,753	$ 405,899
Unrealized Gains	11,923	4,589
Unrealized Losses	0	(38)
Fair Value	557,676	410,450
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss [Abstract]
Fair Value of Investments, Less than 12 months		48,335
Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 months		(38)
Fair Value of Investments, 12 months or longer		0
Unrealized Losses, 12 months or longer		0
Fair Value of Investments		48,335
Unrealized Losses		(38)
Agency-issued mortgage-backed securities
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	2,457,328	2,799,923
Unrealized Gains	18,925	5,789
Unrealized Losses	(1,005)	(2,320)
Fair Value	2,475,248	2,803,392
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss [Abstract]
Fair Value of Investments, Less than 12 months	308,687	999,230
Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 months	(438)	(2,320)
Fair Value of Investments, 12 months or longer	23,732	0
Unrealized Losses, 12 months or longer	(567)	0
Fair Value of Investments	332,419	999,230
Unrealized Losses	(1,005)	(2,320)
Residential mortgage-backed securities | Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations | Fixed rate
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	4,045,172	3,185,109
Unrealized Gains	24,146	4,521
Unrealized Losses	(5,372)	(14,885)
Fair Value	4,063,946	3,174,745
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss [Abstract]
Fair Value of Investments, Less than 12 months	705,362	1,682,348
Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 months	(5,264)	(9,705)
Fair Value of Investments, 12 months or longer	8,945	783,558
Unrealized Losses, 12 months or longer	(108)	(5,180)
Fair Value of Investments	714,307	2,465,906
Unrealized Losses	(5,372)	(14,885)
Residential mortgage-backed securities | Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations | Variable rate
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	109,478	131,580
Unrealized Gains	577	371
Unrealized Losses	0	0
Fair Value	110,055	131,951
Agency-issued commercial mortgage-backed securities
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	1,073,160	814,589
Unrealized Gains	12,449	1,026
Unrealized Losses	(309)	(3,800)
Fair Value	1,085,300	811,815
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss [Abstract]
Fair Value of Investments, Less than 12 months	0	629,840
Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 months	0	(3,800)
Fair Value of Investments, 12 months or longer	42,179	0
Unrealized Losses, 12 months or longer	(309)	0
Fair Value of Investments	42,179	629,840
Unrealized Losses	(309)	(3,800)
Municipal bonds and notes
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	75,635	83,942
Unrealized Gains	36	18
Unrealized Losses	(893)	(657)
Fair Value	74,778	83,303
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss [Abstract]
Fair Value of Investments, Less than 12 months	29,712	79,141
Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 months	(235)	(657)
Fair Value of Investments, 12 months or longer	32,706	0
Unrealized Losses, 12 months or longer	(658)	0
Fair Value of Investments	62,418	79,141
Unrealized Losses	$ (893)	$ (657)

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Share-Based Compensation - Share Based Compensation and Related Tax Benefits (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Share-based compensation expense	$ 8,188	$ 7,520	$ 24,174	$ 22,285
Income tax benefit related to share-based compensation expense	$ (3,051)	$ (2,676)	$ (8,381)	$ (7,351)

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Cash and Cash Equivalents (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The following table details our cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

(Dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Cash and due from banks (1)	$	1,454,538	$	1,694,329
Securities purchased under agreements to resell (2)	214,484		95,611
Other short-term investment securities	5,123		6,122
Total cash and cash equivalents	$	1,674,145	$	1,796,062

(1) At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, $639 million and $861 million, respectively, of our cash and due from banks was deposited at the Federal Reserve Bank and was earning interest at the Federal Funds target rate, and interest-earning deposits in other financial institutions were $429 million and $440 million, respectively.

(2) At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, securities purchased under agreements to resell were collateralized by U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. agency securities with aggregate fair values of $219 million and $98 million, respectively. None of these securities received as collateral were sold or pledged as of September 30, 2015 or December 31, 2014.

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Investment Securities (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Major Components of Investment Securities Portfolio

The components of our available-for-sale investment securities portfolio at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are as follows:

	September 30, 2015
(Dollars in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Carrying Value
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value:
U.S. treasury securities	$	10,103,580	$	93,458	$	(13	)	$	10,197,025
U.S. agency debentures	2,902,479		40,502		(13		)	2,942,968
Residential mortgage-backed securities:
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations—fixed rate	1,513,691		10,652		(6,641		)	1,517,702
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations—variable rate	641,057		4,231		—			645,288
Equity securities	6,426		216		(1,964		)	4,678
Total available-for-sale securities	$	15,167,233	$	149,059	$	(8,631	)	$	15,307,661

	December 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Carrying Value
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value:
U.S. treasury securities	$	7,289,135	$	17,524	$	(4,386	)	$	7,302,273
U.S. agency debentures	3,540,055		30,478		(8,977		)	$	3,561,556
Residential mortgage-backed securities:
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations—fixed rate	1,884,450		14,851		(14,458		)	1,884,843
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations—variable rate	779,103		5,372		—			784,475
Equity securities	5,202		2,628		(322		)	7,508
Total available-for-sale securities	$	13,497,945	$	70,853	$	(28,143	)	$	13,540,655

Summary of Unrealized Losses on Available for Sale Securities

The following table summarizes our unrealized losses on our available-for-sale securities portfolio into categories of less than 12 months and 12 months or longer as of September 30, 2015:

	September 30, 2015
	Less than 12 months					12 months or longer					Total
(Dollars in thousands)	Fair Value of Investments		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value of Investments		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value of Investments		Unrealized Losses
Available-for-sale securities:
U.S. treasury securities	$	51,576	$	(13	)	$	—	$	—		$	51,576	$	(13	)
U.S. agency debentures	17,424		(13		)	—		—			17,424		(13		)
Residential mortgage-backed securities:
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations—fixed rate	230,141		(465		)	396,781		(6,176		)	626,922		(6,641		)
Equity securities	3,222		(1,964		)						3,222		(1,964		)
Total temporarily impaired securities: (1)	$	302,363	$	(2,455	)	$	396,781	$	(6,176	)	$	699,144	$	(8,631	)

(1) As of September 30, 2015, we identified a total of 43 investments that were in unrealized loss positions, of which 18 investments totaling $396.8 million with unrealized losses of $6.2 million have been in an impaired position for a period of time greater than 12 months. As of September 30, 2015, we do not intend to sell any impaired fixed income investment securities prior to recovery of our adjusted cost basis, and it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell any of our securities prior to recovery of our adjusted cost basis. Based on our analysis as of September 30, 2015, we deem all impairments to be temporary, and therefore changes in value for our temporarily impaired securities as of the same date are included in other comprehensive income. Market valuations and impairment analyses on assets in the available-for-sale securities portfolio are reviewed and monitored on a quarterly basis.

The following table summarizes our unrealized losses on our available-for-sale securities portfolio into categories of less than 12 months and 12 months or longer as of December 31, 2014:

	December 31, 2014
	Less than 12 months					12 months or longer					Total
(Dollars in thousands)	Fair Value of Investments		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value of Investments		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value of Investments		Unrealized Losses
Available-for-sale securities:
U.S. treasury securities	$	2,297,895	$	(4,386	)	$	—	$	—		$	2,297,895	$	(4,386	)
U.S. agency debentures	249,266		(489		)	507,385		(8,488		)	756,651		(8,977		)
Residential mortgage-backed securities:
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations—fixed rate	662,092		(3,104		)	453,801		(11,354		)	1,115,893		(14,458		)
Equity securities	568		(322		)	—		—			568		(322		)
Total temporarily impaired securities (1):	$	3,209,821	$	(8,301	)	$	961,186	$	(19,842	)	$	4,171,007	$	(28,143	)

(1) As of December 31, 2014, we identified a total of 115 investments that were in unrealized loss positions, of which 33 investments totaling $961.2 million with unrealized losses of $19.8 million have been in an impaired position for a period of time greater than 12 months.

Summary of Remaining Contractual Principal Maturities and Fully Taxable Equivalent Yields on Securities

The following table summarizes the remaining contractual principal maturities and fully taxable equivalent yields on fixed income investment securities classified as available-for-sale as of September 30, 2015. The weighted average yield is computed using the amortized cost of fixed income investment securities, which are reported at fair value. For U.S. treasury securities and U.S. Agency debentures, the expected maturity is the actual contractual maturity of the notes. Expected maturities for mortgage-backed securities may differ significantly from their contractual maturities because mortgage borrowers have the right to prepay outstanding loan obligations with or without penalties. Mortgage-backed securities classified as available-for-sale typically have original contractual maturities from 10 to 30 years whereas expected average lives of these securities tend to be significantly shorter and vary based upon structure and prepayments in lower rate environments.

	September 30, 2015
	Total				One Year or Less				After One Year to Five Years				After Five Years to Ten Years				After Ten Years
(Dollars in thousands)	Carrying Value		Weighted- Average Yield		Carrying Value		Weighted- Average Yield		Carrying Value		Weighted- Average Yield		Carrying Value		Weighted- Average Yield		Carrying Value		Weighted- Average Yield
U.S. treasury securities	$	10,197,025	1.16	%	$	953,659	0.45	%	$	8,806,490	1.20	%	$	436,876	1.75	%	$	—	—	%
U.S. agency debentures	2,942,968		1.63		821,073		1.73		1,971,243		1.53		150,652		2.49		—		—
Residential mortgage-backed securities:
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations - fixed rate	1,517,702		1.96		—		—		—		—		570,403		2.50		947,299		1.65
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations - variable rate	645,288		0.71		—		—		—		—		—		—		645,288		0.71
Total	$	15,302,983	1.31		$	1,774,732	1.04		$	10,777,733	1.26		$	1,157,931	2.21		$	1,592,587	1.27

The following table summarizes the remaining contractual principal maturities and fully taxable equivalent yields on fixed income investment securities classified as held-to-maturity as of September 30, 2015. Interest income on certain municipal bonds and notes (non-taxable investments) are presented on a fully taxable equivalent basis using the federal statutory tax rate of 35%. The weighted average yield is computed using the amortized cost of fixed income investment securities. For U.S. Agency debentures, the expected maturity is the actual contractual maturity of the notes. Expected maturities for mortgage-backed securities may differ significantly from their contractual maturities because mortgage borrowers have the right to prepay outstanding loan obligations with or without penalties. Mortgage-backed securities classified as held-to-maturity typically have original contractual maturities from 10 to 30 years whereas expected average lives of these securities tend to be significantly shorter and vary based upon structure and prepayments in lower rate environments.

	September 30, 2015
	Total				One Year or Less				After One Year to Five Years				After Five Years to Ten Years				After Ten Years
(Dollars in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Weighted- Average Yield		Amortized Cost		Weighted- Average Yield		Amortized Cost		Weighted- Average Yield		Amortized Cost		Weighted- Average Yield		Amortized Cost		Weighted- Average Yield
U.S. agency debentures	$	545,753	2.69	%			—	%	$	—	—	%	$	545,753	2.69	%	$	—	—	%
Residential mortgage-backed securities:
Agency-issued mortgage-backed securities	2,457,328		2.43		—		—		39,527		2.38		674,584		2.20		1,743,217		2.52
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations - fixed rate	4,045,172		1.70		—		—		—		—		—		—		4,045,172		1.70
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations - variable rate	109,478		0.65		—		—		—		—		—		—		109,478		0.65
Agency-issued commercial mortgage-backed securities	1,073,160		2.12		—		—		—		—		—		—		1,073,160		2.12
Municipal bonds and notes	75,635		6.05		4,711		5.58		29,083		5.95		35,698		6.14		6,143		6.35
Total	$	8,306,526	2.06		$	4,711	5.58		$	68,610	3.89		$	1,256,035	2.53		$	6,977,170	1.95

Held-to-maturity Securities

The components of our held-to-maturity investment securities portfolio at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are as follows:

	September 30, 2015
(Dollars in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
Held-to-maturity securities, at cost:
U.S. agency debentures (1)	$	545,753	$	11,923	$	—		$	557,676
Residential mortgage-backed securities:
Agency-issued mortgage-backed securities	2,457,328		18,925		(1,005		)	2,475,248
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations—fixed rate	4,045,172		24,146		(5,372		)	4,063,946
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations—variable rate	109,478		577		—			110,055
Agency-issued commercial mortgage-backed securities	1,073,160		12,449		(309		)	1,085,300
Municipal bonds and notes	75,635		36		(893		)	74,778
Total held-to-maturity securities	$	8,306,526	$	68,056	$	(7,579	)	$	8,367,003

(1) Consists of pools of Small Business Investment Company debentures issued and guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration, an independent agency of the United States.

	December 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
Held-to-maturity securities, at cost:
U.S. agency debentures (1)	$	405,899	$	4,589	$	(38	)	$	410,450
Residential mortgage-backed securities:
Agency-issued mortgage-backed securities	2,799,923		5,789		(2,320		)	2,803,392
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations—fixed rate	3,185,109		4,521		(14,885		)	3,174,745
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations—variable rate	131,580		371		—			131,951
Agency-issued commercial mortgage-backed securities	814,589		1,026		(3,800		)	811,815
Municipal bonds and notes	83,942		18		(657		)	83,303
Total held-to-maturity securities	$	7,421,042	$	16,314	$	(21,700	)	$	7,415,656

(1) Consists of pools of Small Business Investment Company debentures issued and guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration, an independent agency of the United States.

The following table summarizes our unrealized losses on our held-to-maturity securities portfolio into categories of less than 12 months and 12 months or longer as of September 30, 2015:

	September 30, 2015
	Less than 12 months					12 months or longer					Total
(Dollars in thousands)	Fair Value of Investments		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value of Investments		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value of Investments		Unrealized Losses
Held-to-maturity securities:
Residential mortgage-backed securities:
Agency-issued mortgage-backed securities	$	308,687	$	(438	)	$	23,732	$	(567	)	$	332,419	$	(1,005	)
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations—fixed rate	705,362		(5,264		)	8,945		(108		)	714,307		(5,372		)
Agency-issued commercial mortgage-backed securities	—		—			42,179		(309		)	42,179		(309		)
Municipal bonds and notes	29,712		(235		)	32,706		(658		)	62,418		(893		)
Total temporarily impaired securities (1):	$	1,043,761	$	(5,937	)	$	107,562	$	(1,642	)	$	1,151,323	$	(7,579	)

(1) As of September 30, 2015, we identified a total of 157 investments that were in unrealized loss positions, 63 of which have been in an impaired position for a period of time greater than 12 months. As of September 30, 2015, we do not intend to sell any impaired fixed income investment securities prior to recovery of our adjusted cost basis, and it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell any of our securities prior to recovery of our adjusted cost basis, which is consistent with our classification of these securities. Based on our analysis as of September 30, 2015, we deem all impairments to be temporary. Market valuations and impairment analyses on assets in the held-to-maturity securities portfolio are reviewed and monitored on a quarterly basis.

The following table summarizes our unrealized losses on our held-to-maturity securities portfolio into categories of less than 12 months and 12 months or longer as of December 31, 2014:

	December 31, 2014
	Less than 12 months					12 months or longer (1)					Total
(Dollars in thousands)	Fair Value of Investments		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value of Investments		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value of Investments		Unrealized Losses
Held-to-maturity securities:
U.S. agency debentures	$	48,335	$	(38	)	$	—	$	—		$	48,335	$	(38	)
Residential mortgage-backed securities:
Agency-issued mortgage-backed securities	999,230		(2,320		)	—		—			999,230		(2,320		)
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations—fixed rate	1,682,348		(9,705		)	783,558		(5,180		)	2,465,906		(14,885		)
Agency-issued commercial mortgage-backed securities	629,840		(3,800		)	—		—			629,840		(3,800		)
Municipal bonds and notes	79,141		(657		)	—		—			79,141		(657		)
Total temporarily impaired securities (2):	$	3,438,894	$	(16,520	)	$	783,558	$	(5,180	)	$	4,222,452	$	(21,700	)

(1) Represents securities in an unrealized loss position for twelve months or longer in which the amortized cost basis was re-set for those securities re-designated from AFS to HTM effective June 1, 2014.

(2) As of December 31, 2014, we identified a total of 292 investments that were in unrealized loss positions, of which 26 investments totaling $783.6 million with unrealized losses of $5.2 million have been in an impaired position for a period of time greater than 12 months.

Schedule of Nonmarketable and Other Securities

The components of our non-marketable and other investment securities portfolio at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Non-marketable and other securities (1):
Non-marketable securities (fair value accounting):
Venture capital and private equity fund investments (2)	$	154,660	$	1,130,882
Other venture capital investments (3)	3,390		71,204
Other securities (fair value accounting) (4)	779		108,251
Non-marketable securities (equity method accounting) (5):
Venture capital and private equity fund investments	84,197		—
Debt funds	21,217		26,672
Other investments	119,731		116,002
Non-marketable securities (cost method accounting):
Venture capital and private equity fund investments (6)	123,550		140,551
Other investments (7)	17,499		13,423
Investments in qualified affordable housing projects, net (7)	125,532		121,155
Total non-marketable and other securities	$	650,555	$	1,728,140

(1) During the second quarter of 2015 we adopted new accounting guidance related to our consolidated variable interest entities (ASU 2015-02) under a modified retrospective approach. Periods prior to January 1, 2015 have not been revised. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” and Note 4— "Variable Interest Entities" of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details regarding our non-marketable and other securities.

(2) The following table shows the amounts of venture capital and private equity fund investments held by the following funds and our ownership percentage of each fund at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (fair value accounting):

	September 30, 2015				December 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)	Amount		Ownership %		Amount		Ownership %
SVB Strategic Investors Fund, LP	$	23,229	12.6	%	$	24,645	12.6	%
SVB Strategic Investors Fund II, LP (i)	—		—		97,250		8.6
SVB Strategic Investors Fund III, LP (i)	—		—		269,821		5.9
SVB Strategic Investors Fund IV, LP (i)	—		—		291,291		5.0
Strategic Investors Fund V Funds (i)	—		—		226,111		Various
Strategic Investors Fund VI Funds (i)	—		—		89,605		—
SVB Capital Preferred Return Fund, LP	61,869		20.0		62,110		20.0
SVB Capital—NT Growth Partners, LP	62,818		33.0		61,973		33.0
SVB Capital Partners II, LP (i)	—		—		302		5.1
Other private equity fund (ii)	6,744		58.2		7,774		58.2
Total venture capital and private equity fund investments	$	154,660			$	1,130,882

(i) Funds were deconsolidated during the second quarter of 2015 upon adoption of ASU 2015-02 and are now reported under equity method accounting. Periods prior to January 1, 2015 have not been revised. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

(ii) At September 30, 2015, we had a direct ownership interest of 41.5 percent in other private equity funds and an indirect ownership interest of 12.6 percent through our ownership interest of SVB Capital—NT Growth Partners, LP and an indirect ownership interest of 4.1 percent through our ownership interest of SVB Capital Preferred Return Fund, LP.

(3) The following table shows the amounts of other venture capital investments held by the following funds and our ownership percentage of each fund at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (fair value accounting):

	September 30, 2015				December 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)	Amount		Ownership %		Amount		Ownership %
Silicon Valley BancVentures, LP	$	3,390	10.7	%	$	3,291	10.7	%
SVB Capital Partners II, LP (i)	—		—		20,481		5.1
Capital Partners III, LP (i)	—		—		41,055		—
SVB Capital Shanghai Yangpu Venture Capital Fund (i)	—		—		6,377		6.8
Total other venture capital investments	$	3,390			$	71,204

(i) Funds were deconsolidated during the second quarter of 2015 upon adoption of ASU 2015-02 and are now reported under equity method accounting, within "Other venture capital and private equity fund investments". Periods prior to January 1, 2015 have not been revised. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

(4) Investments classified as other securities (fair value accounting) represent direct equity investments in public companies held by our consolidated funds. At December 31, 2014, the amount primarily included total unrealized gains in one public company, FireEye, Inc. ("FireEye") that were realized during the first quarter of 2015. Funds were deconsolidated during the second quarter of 2015 upon adoption of ASU 2015-02. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

(5) The following table shows the carrying value and our ownership percentage of each investment at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (equity method accounting):

	September 30, 2015				December 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)	Amount		Ownership %		Amount		Ownership %
Venture capital and private equity fund investments:
SVB Strategic Investors Fund II, LP (i)	$	11,204	8.6	%	$	—	—	%
SVB Strategic Investors Fund III, LP (i)	24,781		5.9		—		—
SVB Strategic Investors Fund IV, LP (i)	25,542		5.0		—		—
Other venture capital and private equity fund investments (i)	22,670		Various		—		—
Total venture capital and private equity fund investments	84,197				—
Debt funds:
Gold Hill Capital 2008, LP (ii)	$	17,662	15.5		$	21,294	15.5
Other debt funds	3,555		Various		5,378		Various
Total debt funds	21,217				26,672
Other investments:
China Joint Venture investment	79,299		50.0		79,569		50.0
Other investments	40,432		Various		36,433		Various
Total other investments	$	119,731			$	116,002

(i) Represents funds previously consolidated and reported under fair value accounting in (2) above prior to adoption of ASU 2015-02 during the second quarter of 2015. Periods prior to January 1, 2015 have not been revised. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

(ii) At September 30, 2015, we had a direct ownership interest of 11.5 percent in the fund and an indirect interest in the fund through our investment in Gold Hill Capital 2008, LLC of 4.0 percent.

(6) Represents investments in 270 and 281 funds (primarily venture capital funds) at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, where our ownership interest is typically less than 5% of the voting interests of each such fund and in which we do not have the ability to exercise significant influence over the partnerships operating activities and financial policies. The carrying value, and estimated fair value, of these venture capital and private equity fund investments (cost method accounting) was $124 million and $244 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2015. The carrying value, and estimated fair value, of these venture capital and private equity fund investments (cost method accounting) was $141 million and $234 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2014.

(7) Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

Schedule Of Investments In Qualified Affordable Housing Projects And Related Unfunded Commitments

The following table presents the balances of our investments in qualified affordable housing projects and related unfunded commitments at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

(Dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Investments in qualified affordable housing projects, net	$	125,532	$	121,155
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	65,305		65,921

The following table presents other information relating to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014:

	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015		2014		2015		2014
Tax credits and other tax benefits recognized	$	4,780	$	3,087	$	11,207	$	9,312
Amortization expense included in provision for income taxes (i)	2,011		1,246		7,549		5,971

(i) All investments are amortized using the proportional amortization method and are included in provision for income taxes.

Components of Gains and Losses (Realized and Unrealized) on Investment Securities

The following table presents the components of gains and losses (realized and unrealized) on investment securities for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014:

	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015			2014			2015			2014
Gross gains on investment securities:
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value (1)	$	46		$	45		$	2,971		$	642
Non-marketable securities (fair value accounting):
Venture capital and private equity fund investments	6,746			69,044			24,767			268,483
Other venture capital investments	15			6,779			198			11,334
Other securities (fair value accounting)	40			5,444			9,108			136,010
Non-marketable securities (equity method accounting):
Venture capital and private equity fund investments	7,655			275			22,111			1,284
Debt funds	379			1,037			2,067			4,076
Other investments	1,282			927			2,147			3,635
Non-marketable securities (cost method accounting):
Venture capital and private equity fund investments	5,624			2,641			21,101			7,706
Other investments	—			19			576			5,174
Total gross gains on investment securities	21,787			86,211			85,046			438,344
Gross losses on investment securities:
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value (1)	(33		)	(1,035		)	(221		)	(18,052		)
Non-marketable securities (fair value accounting):
Venture capital and private equity fund investments	(1,148		)	(25,584		)	(2,695		)	(76,243		)
Other venture capital investments	—			(1,233		)	(52		)	(3,274		)
Other securities (fair value accounting)	(325		)	(52,264		)	(1,117		)	(166,051		)
Non-marketable securities (equity method accounting):
Venture capital and private equity fund investments	(914		)	(115		)	(1,351		)	(231		)
Debt funds	(1		)	(64		)	(589		)	(457		)
Other investments	(460		)	—			(1,470		)	(759		)
Non-marketable securities (cost method accounting):
Venture capital and private equity fund investments (2)	(132		)	(272		)	(530		)	(781		)
Other investments	(6		)	—			(15		)	(260		)
Total gross losses on investment securities	(3,019		)	(80,567		)	(8,040		)	(266,108		)
Gains on investment securities, net	$	18,768		$	5,644		$	77,006		$	172,236

(1) Includes realized gains (losses) on sales of available-for-sale equity securities that are recognized in the income statement. Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale fixed income and equity securities are recognized in other comprehensive income. The cost basis of available-for-sale securities sold is determined on a specific identification basis.

(2) For the three months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014, includes OTTI losses of $0.1 million from the declines in value for 4 of the 270 investments and $0.3 million from the declines in value for 5 of the 281 investments, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, includes OTTI losses of $0.4 million from the declines in value for 19 of the 270 investments and $0.7 million from the declines in value for 22 of the 281 investments, respectively. We concluded that any declines in value for the remaining investments were temporary, and as such, no OTTI was required to be recognized.

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Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash and cash equivalents, including discontinued operations	[1]	$ 1,674,145	$ 1,811,014
Net proceeds from SVBIF sale transaction (2)	[2]	39,284
Assets held-for-sale, sales price		48,600
Assets held-for-sale, cash and cash equivalents included in sale		$ 9,300
Other assets
Cash and cash equivalents, including discontinued operations			$ 15,000

[1] Cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 were revised to reflect the adoption of ASU 2015-02 as of January 1, 2015 and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were revised to reflect the retrospective application of our adoption of ASU 2014-01.

[2] Cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2014 included $15.0 million recognized in assets held-for-sale in conjunction with the SVBIF Sale Transaction. On April 13, 2015 we received net proceeds of $39.3 million consisting of the sales price of $48.6 million less $9.3 million of cash and cash equivalents held by SVBIF that were sold.

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Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Receivables [Abstract]

Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses

The composition of loans, net of unearned income of $115 million and $104 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, is presented in the following table:

(Dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	5,272,825	$	4,954,676
Hardware	962,295		1,131,006
Private equity/venture capital	4,571,102		4,582,906
Life science & healthcare	1,598,362		1,289,904
Premium wine	193,712		187,568
Other	295,550		234,551
Total commercial loans	12,893,846		12,380,611
Real estate secured loans:
Premium wine (1)	633,248		606,753
Consumer loans (2)	1,444,067		1,118,115
Other	38,043		39,651
Total real estate secured loans	2,115,358		1,764,519
Construction loans	92,551		78,626
Consumer loans	212,825		160,520
Total loans, net of unearned income (3)	$	15,314,580	$	14,384,276

(1) Included in our premium wine portfolio are gross construction loans of $119 million and $112 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

(2) Consumer loans secured by real estate at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were comprised of the following:

(Dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Loans for personal residence	$	1,225,794	$	918,629
Loans to eligible employees	149,612		133,568
Home equity lines of credit	68,661		65,918
Consumer loans secured by real estate	$	1,444,067	$	1,118,115

(3) Included within our total loan portfolio are credit card loans of $186 million and $131 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

Composition of Loans, Net of Unearned Income, Broken Out by Portfolio Segment and Class of Financing Receivable

The composition of loans, net of unearned income of $115 million and $104 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, broken out by portfolio segment and class of financing receivable, is as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	5,272,825	$	4,954,676
Hardware	962,295		1,131,006
Private equity/venture capital	4,571,102		4,582,906
Life science & healthcare	1,598,362		1,289,904
Premium wine	826,960		794,321
Other	426,144		352,828
Total commercial loans	13,657,688		13,105,641
Consumer loans:
Real estate secured loans	1,444,067		1,118,115
Other consumer loans	212,825		160,520
Total consumer loans	1,656,892		1,278,635
Total loans, net of unearned income	$	15,314,580	$	14,384,276

Aging of Gross Loans, Broken out by Portfolio Segment and Class of Financing Receivable

The following table summarizes the aging of our gross loans, broken out by portfolio segment and class of financing receivable as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

(Dollars in thousands)	30 - 59   Days Past   Due		60 - 89   Days Past   Due		Greater Than 90   Days Past   Due		Total Past   Due		Current		Loans Past Due   90 Days or More Still Accruing Interest
September 30, 2015:
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	9,729	$	1,168	$	169	$	11,066	$	5,244,198	$	169
Hardware	620		1,021		—		1,641		965,511		—
Private equity/venture capital	410		—		—		410		4,611,543		—
Life science & healthcare	377		729		—		1,106		1,566,185		—
Premium wine	295		—		—		295		827,709		—
Other	—		8		—		8		429,145		—
Total commercial loans	11,431		2,926		169		14,526		13,644,291		169
Consumer loans:
Real estate secured loans	—		—		—		—		1,443,011		—
Other consumer loans	1,313		—		—		1,313		211,339		—
Total consumer loans	1,313		—		—		1,313		1,654,350		—
Total gross loans excluding impaired loans	12,744		2,926		169		15,839		15,298,641		169
Impaired loans	—		1,798		8,295		10,093		105,368		—
Total gross loans	$	12,744	$	4,724	$	8,464	$	25,932	$	15,404,009	$	169
December 31, 2014:
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	10,989	$	1,627	$	52	$	12,668	$	4,950,291	$	52
Hardware	13,424		126		—		13,550		1,124,423		—
Private equity/venture capital	40,773		—		—		40,773		4,580,526		—
Life science & healthcare	738		786		—		1,524		1,298,728		—
Premium wine	—		—		—		—		795,345		—
Other	178		3		—		181		354,939		—
Total commercial loans	66,102		2,542		52		68,696		13,104,252		52
Consumer loans:
Real estate secured loans	1,592		341		1,250		3,183		1,114,286		1,250
Other consumer loans	—		—		—		—		160,212		—
Total consumer loans	1,592		341		1,250		3,183		1,274,498		1,250
Total gross loans excluding impaired loans	67,694		2,883		1,302		71,879		14,378,750		1,302
Impaired loans	598		1,293		22,320		24,211		13,926		—
Total gross loans	$	68,292	$	4,176	$	23,622	$	96,090	$	14,392,676	$	1,302

Impaired Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses, Broken out by Portfolio Segment and Class of Financing Receivable

The following table summarizes our impaired loans as they relate to our allowance for loan losses, broken out by portfolio segment and class of financing receivable as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

(Dollars in thousands)	Impaired loans for   which there is a related allowance for loan losses		Impaired loans for   which there is no related allowance for loan losses		Total carrying value of impaired loans		Total unpaid principal of impaired loans
September 30, 2015:
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	64,792	$	—	$	64,792	$	89,471
Hardware	3,586		177		3,763		3,802
Private equity/venture capital	—		—		—		—
Life science & healthcare	45,389		—		45,389		45,904
Premium wine	—		1,201		1,201		1,716
Other	157		—		157		157
Total commercial loans	113,924		1,378		115,302		141,050
Consumer loans:
Real estate secured loans	—		159		159		1,399
Other consumer loans	—		—		—		—
Total consumer loans	—		159		159		1,399
Total	$	113,924	$	1,537	$	115,461	$	142,449
December 31, 2014:
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	33,287	$	—	$	33,287	$	34,218
Hardware	1,403		1,118		2,521		2,535
Private equity/venture capital	—		—		—		—
Life science & healthcare	475		—		475		2,453
Premium wine	—		1,304		1,304		1,743
Other	233		—		233		233
Total commercial loans	35,398		2,422		37,820		41,182
Consumer loans:
Real estate secured loans	—		192		192		1,412
Other consumer loans	125		—		125		305
Total consumer loans	125		192		317		1,717
Total	$	35,523	$	2,614	$	38,137	$	42,899

Average Impaired Loans, Broken out by Portfolio Segment and Class of Financing Receivable

The following table summarizes our average impaired loans, broken out by portfolio segment and class of financing receivable for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014:

	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015		2014		2015		2014
Average impaired loans:
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	77,156	$	10,651	$	54,543	$	13,690
Hardware	2,796		1,540		1,944		8,140
Life science & healthcare	17,184		333		6,526		636
Premium wine	1,213		1,364		1,245		1,398
Other	3,132		674		3,498		1,383
Total commercial loans	101,481		14,562		67,756		25,247
Consumer loans:
Real estate secured loans	162		212		180		224
Other consumer loans	—		261		55		375
Total consumer loans	162		473		235		599
Total average impaired loans	$	101,643	$	15,035	$	67,991	$	25,846

Activity in Allowance for Loan Losses Broken out by Portfolio Segment

The following tables summarize the activity relating to our allowance for loan losses for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014, broken out by portfolio segment:

Three months ended September 30, 2015 (dollars in thousands)	Beginning Balance June 30, 2015		Charge-offs			Recoveries		Provision for (Reduction of) Loan Losses			Ending Balance September 30, 2015
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	106,728	$	(24,815	)	$	195	$	5,958		$	88,066
Hardware	20,472		—			240		(70		)	20,642
Private equity/venture capital	29,276		—			—		3,166			32,442
Life science & healthcare	17,233		(117		)	50		19,793			36,959
Premium wine	4,409		—			—		253			4,662
Other	5,894		(4,186		)	89		2,976			4,773
Total commercial loans	184,012		(29,118		)	574		32,076			187,544
Consumer loans	8,632		—			4		1,327			9,963
Total allowance for loan losses	$	192,644	$	(29,118	)	$	578	$	33,403		$	197,507

Three months ended September 30, 2014 (dollars in thousands)	Beginning Balance June 30, 2014		Charge-offs			Recoveries		Provision for (Reduction of) Loan Losses			Ending Balance September 30, 2014
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	53,239	$	(6,907	)	$	790	$	11,078		$	58,200
Hardware	24,780		(2,643		)	113		2,491			24,741
Private equity/venture capital	19,004		—			—		845			19,849
Life science & healthcare	10,597		—			53		1,591			12,241
Premium wine	3,546		(35		)	—		710			4,221
Other	3,218		(1,072		)	1,306		(530		)	2,922
Total commercial loans	114,384		(10,657		)	2,262		16,185			122,174
Consumer loans	6,344		—			118		425			6,887
Total allowance for loan losses	$	120,728	$	(10,657	)	$	2,380	$	16,610		$	129,061

Nine months ended September 30, 2015 (dollars in thousands)	Beginning Balance December 31, 2014		Charge-offs			Recoveries		Provision for (Reduction of) Loan Losses			Ending Balance September 30, 2015
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	80,981	$	(26,980	)	$	1,239	$	32,826		$	88,066
Hardware	25,860		(4,049		)	3,049		(4,218		)	20,642
Private equity/venture capital	27,997		—			—		4,445			32,442
Life science & healthcare	15,208		(3,336		)	129		24,958			36,959
Premium wine	4,473		—			7		182			4,662
Other	3,253		(4,974		)	559		5,935			4,773
Total commercial loans	157,772		(39,339		)	4,983		64,128			187,544
Consumer loans	7,587		—			136		2,240			9,963
Total allowance for loan losses	$	165,359	$	(39,339	)	$	5,119	$	66,368		$	197,507

Nine months ended September 30, 2014 (dollars in thousands)	Beginning Balance December 31, 2013		Charge-offs			Recoveries		Provision for (Reduction of) Loan Losses		Ending Balance September 30, 2014
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	64,084	$	(18,932	)	$	1,023	$	12,025	$	58,200
Hardware	36,553		(15,230		)	2,070		1,348		24,741
Private equity/venture capital	16,385		—			—		3,464		19,849
Life science & healthcare	11,926		(930		)	341		904		12,241
Premium wine	3,914		(35		)	238		104		4,221
Other	3,680		(3,062		)	1,316		988		2,922
Total commercial loans	136,542		(38,189		)	4,988		18,833		122,174
Consumer loans	6,344		—			325		218		6,887
Total allowance for loan losses	$	142,886	$	(38,189	)	$	5,313	$	19,051	$	129,061

Allowance for Loan Losses Individually and Collectively Evaluated for Impairment

The following table summarizes the allowance for loan losses individually and collectively evaluated for impairment as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, broken out by portfolio segment:

	September 30, 2015								December 31, 2014
	Individually Evaluated for   Impairment				Collectively Evaluated for   Impairment				Individually Evaluated for   Impairment				Collectively Evaluated for   Impairment
(Dollars in thousands)	Allowance for loan losses		Recorded investment in loans		Allowance for loan losses		Recorded investment in loans		Allowance for loan losses		Recorded investment in loans		Allowance for loan losses		Recorded investment in loans
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	25,260	$	64,792	$	62,806	$	5,208,033	$	13,695	$	33,287	$	67,286	$	4,921,389
Hardware	1,100		3,763		19,542		958,532		1,133		2,521		24,727		1,128,485
Private equity/venture capital	—		—		32,442		4,571,102		—		—		27,997		4,582,906
Life science & healthcare	19,739		45,389		17,220		1,552,973		121		475		15,087		1,289,429
Premium wine	—		1,201		4,662		825,759		—		1,304		4,473		793,017
Other	157		157		4,616		425,987		71		233		3,182		352,595
Total commercial loans	46,256		115,302		141,288		13,542,386		15,020		37,820		142,752		13,067,821
Consumer loans	—		159		9,963		1,656,733		31		317		7,556		1,278,318
Total	$	46,256	$	115,461	$	151,251	$	15,199,119	$	15,051	$	38,137	$	150,308	$	14,346,139

Credit Quality Indicators, Broken out by Portfolio Segment and Class of Financing Receivables

The following table summarizes the credit quality indicators, broken out by portfolio segment and class of financing receivables as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

(Dollars in thousands)	Pass		Performing     (Criticized)		Impaired		Total
September 30, 2015:
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	4,802,522	$	452,742	$	64,792	$	5,320,056
Hardware	834,067		133,085		3,763		970,915
Private equity/venture capital	4,611,953		—		—		4,611,953
Life science & healthcare	1,446,972		120,319		45,389		1,612,680
Premium wine	804,411		23,593		1,201		829,205
Other	417,459		11,694		157		429,310
Total commercial loans	12,917,384		741,433		115,302		13,774,119
Consumer loans:
Real estate secured loans	1,433,926		9,085		159		1,443,170
Other consumer loans	211,366		1,286		—		212,652
Total consumer loans	1,645,292		10,371		159		1,655,822
Total gross loans	$	14,562,676	$	751,804	$	115,461	$	15,429,941
December 31, 2014:
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	4,611,253	$	351,706	$	33,287	$	4,996,246
Hardware	945,998		191,975		2,521		1,140,494
Private equity/venture capital	4,615,231		6,068		—		4,621,299
Life science & healthcare	1,165,266		134,986		475		1,300,727
Premium wine	774,962		20,383		1,304		796,649
Other	346,153		8,967		233		355,353
Total commercial loans	12,458,863		714,085		37,820		13,210,768
Consumer loans:
Real estate secured loans	1,112,396		5,073		192		1,117,661
Other consumer loans	158,162		2,050		125		160,337
Total consumer loans	1,270,558		7,123		317		1,277,998
Total gross loans	$	13,729,421	$	721,208	$	38,137	$	14,488,766

Summary of Loans Modified in Troubled Debt Restructurings ("TDRs") by Portfolio Segment and Class of Financing Receivables

The following table summarizes our loans modified in TDRs, broken out by portfolio segment and class of financing receivables at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

(Dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Loans modified in TDRs:
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	57,766	$	3,784
Hardware	2,301		1,118
Life science & healthcare	29,529		—
Premium wine	1,202		1,891
Other	518		233
Total commercial loans	91,316		7,026
Consumer loans:
Other consumer loans	—		125
Total consumer loans	—		125
Total	$	91,316	$	7,151

Recorded Investment in Loans Modified in TDRs

The following table summarizes the recorded investment in loans modified in TDRs, broken out by portfolio segment and class of financing receivable, for modifications made during the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014:

	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015		2014		2015		2014
Loans modified in TDRs during the period:
Commercial loans:
Software and internet (1)	$	51,749	$	496	$	57,766	$	7,848
Hardware	—		—		2,031		—
Life science & healthcare	29,530		—		29,530		—
Premium wine	—		—		—		614
Other	518		—		518		—
Total loans modified in TDRs during the period (1)	$	81,797	$	496	$	89,845	$	8,462

(1) There were partial charge-offs of two loans classified as TDRs in our software and internet loan portfolio for $22.4 million during the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and no partial charge-offs during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014.

Recorded Investment in Loans Modified in TDRs within Previous 12 months Subsequently Defaulted

The following table summarizes the recorded investment in loans modified in TDRs within the previous 12 months that subsequently defaulted during the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015. There were no loans modified in TDRs within the previous 12 months that subsequently defaulted during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014.

	Three months ended September 30,		Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015		2015
TDRs modified within the previous 12 months that defaulted during the period:
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	11,107	$	17,124
Hardware	2,031		2,031
Life science & healthcare	958		958
Total TDRs modified within the previous 12 months that defaulted in the period	$	14,096	$	20,113

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Guarantees and Other Commitments - Summary Information Related to Commitments to Extend Credit (Excluding Letters of Credit) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Off Balance Sheet Arrangements Guarantees And Other Commitments Additional Information [Abstract]
Fixed interest rate commitments	$ 1,393,396	$ 1,591,408
Variable interest rate commitments	13,302,099	11,860,039
Total loan commitments available for funding	14,695,495	13,451,447
Commercial and standby letters of credit	1,391,812	1,254,338
Total unfunded credit commitments	16,087,307	14,705,785
Commitments unavailable for funding	2,141,183	1,868,489
Maximum lending limits for accounts receivable factoring arrangements	1,084,623	1,044,548
Reserve for unfunded credit commitments	$ 36,631	$ 36,419

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Basis of Presentation Reclassifications for the Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Standards Update 2015-03
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt issuance costs	$ 5.1	$ 2.1

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Investment Securities - Major Components of Investment Securities Portfolio (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$ 15,167,233	$ 13,497,945
Unrealized Gains	149,059	70,853
Unrealized Losses	(8,631)	(28,143)
Carrying Value	15,307,661	13,540,655
U.S. treasury securities
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	10,103,580	7,289,135
Unrealized Gains	93,458	17,524
Unrealized Losses	(13)	(4,386)
Carrying Value	10,197,025	7,302,273
U.S. agency debentures
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	2,902,479	3,540,055
Unrealized Gains	40,502	30,478
Unrealized Losses	(13)	(8,977)
Carrying Value	2,942,968	3,561,556
Residential mortgage-backed securities | Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations | Fixed rate
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	1,513,691	1,884,450
Unrealized Gains	10,652	14,851
Unrealized Losses	(6,641)	(14,458)
Carrying Value	1,517,702	1,884,843
Residential mortgage-backed securities | Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations | Variable rate
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	641,057	779,103
Unrealized Gains	4,231	5,372
Unrealized Losses	0	0
Carrying Value	645,288	784,475
Equity securities
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	6,426	5,202
Unrealized Gains	216	2,628
Unrealized Losses	(1,964)	(322)
Carrying Value	$ 4,678	$ 7,508

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Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt - Outstanding Short Term Borrowings and Long Term Debt (Detail) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Jan. 29, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Outstanding [Line Items]
Short-term borrowings	$ 3,756,000		$ 7,781,000
Total long-term debt	$ 797,211,000		451,362,000
Other short-term borrowings
Debt Outstanding [Line Items]
Principal value at period end
Short-term borrowings	$ 3,756,000		7,781,000
3.50% Senior Notes
Debt Outstanding [Line Items]
Maturity	Jan. 29, 2025
Principal value at period end	$ 350,000,000	$ 350,000,000
Senior Notes	$ 346,591,000		0
5.375% Senior Notes
Debt Outstanding [Line Items]
Maturity	Sep. 15, 2020
Principal value at period end	$ 350,000,000
Senior Notes	$ 346,878,000		346,477,000
6.05% Subordinated Notes
Debt Outstanding [Line Items]
Maturity	Jun. 01, 2017
Principal value at period end	$ 45,964,000
Subordinated Notes	$ 49,028,000		50,040,000
7.0% Junior Subordinated Debentures
Debt Outstanding [Line Items]
Maturity	Oct. 15, 2033
Principal value at period end	$ 50,000,000
Junior Subordinated Debentures	$ 54,714,000		$ 54,845,000

XML

Interim Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 1,674,145	$ 1,796,062
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value (cost of $15,167,233 and $13,497,945, respectively)		15,307,661	13,540,655
Held-to-maturity securities, at cost (fair value of $8,367,003 and $7,415,656, respectively)		8,306,526	7,421,042
Non-marketable and other securities	[1]	650,555	1,728,140
Total investment securities		24,264,742	22,689,837
Loans, net of unearned income		15,314,580	14,384,276
Allowance for loan losses		(197,507)	(165,359)
Net loans		15,117,073	14,218,917
Premises and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization		94,652	79,845
Accrued interest receivable and other assets	[1]	580,370	553,208
Total assets		41,730,982	39,337,869
Liabilities:
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits		28,658,963	24,583,682
Interest-bearing deposits		8,390,454	9,759,817
Total deposits		37,049,417	34,343,499
Short-term borrowings		3,756	7,781
Other liabilities		566,370	483,493
Long-term debt		797,211	451,362
Total liabilities		$ 38,416,754	$ 35,286,135
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13 and Note 16)
SVBFG stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding		$ 0	$ 0
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 150,000,000 shares authorized; 51,488,985 shares and 50,924,925 shares outstanding, respectively		51	51
Additional paid-in capital		1,171,649	1,120,350
Retained earnings	[1]	1,906,135	1,649,967
Accumulated other comprehensive income		97,064	42,704
Total SVBFG stockholders’ equity		3,174,899	2,813,072
Noncontrolling interests		139,329	1,238,662
Total equity		3,314,228	4,051,734	[2]
Total liabilities and total equity		$ 41,730,982	$ 39,337,869

[1] Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

[2] Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

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Share-Based Compensation - Unrecognized Compensation Expense (Detail) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Unrecognized Share Based Compensation Expense [Line Items]
Unrecognized Expense	$ 54,482
Stock options
Unrecognized Share Based Compensation Expense [Line Items]
Unrecognized Expense	$ 12,756
Average Expected Recognition Period - in Years	2 years 5 months 12 days
Restricted stock units
Unrecognized Share Based Compensation Expense [Line Items]
Unrecognized Expense	$ 41,726
Average Expected Recognition Period - in Years	2 years 7 months 21 days

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Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Summary of Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments not Carried at Fair Value (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Held-to-maturity securities	$ 8,367,003	$ 7,415,656
Short-term borrowings	3,756	7,781
Other short-term borrowings
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term borrowings	3,756	7,781
3.50% Senior Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Senior Notes	346,591	0
5.375% Senior Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Senior Notes	346,878	346,477
6.05% Subordinated Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Subordinated Notes	49,028	50,040
7.0% Junior Subordinated Debentures
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Junior Subordinated Debentures	54,714	54,845
Carrying Amount
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	1,674,145	1,796,062
Held-to-maturity securities	8,306,526	7,421,042
Non-marketable securities (cost and equity method accounting) not measured at net asset value	112,984	108,221
Non-marketable securities (cost and equity method) accounting measured at net asset value (1)	253,210	188,427
Net commercial loans	13,470,144	12,947,869
Net consumer loans	1,646,929	1,271,048
FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank stock	46,116	53,496
Accrued interest receivable	98,453	94,180
Non-maturity deposits	36,977,199	34,215,372
Time deposits	72,218	128,127
Accrued interest payable	4,992	6,998
Commitments to extend credit	0	0
Carrying Amount | Other short-term borrowings
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term borrowings	3,756	7,781
Carrying Amount | 3.50% Senior Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Senior Notes	346,591
Carrying Amount | 5.375% Senior Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Senior Notes	346,878	346,477
Carrying Amount | 6.05% Subordinated Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Subordinated Notes	49,028	50,040
Carrying Amount | 7.0% Junior Subordinated Debentures
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Junior Subordinated Debentures	54,714	54,845
Estimated Fair Value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	1,674,145	1,796,062
Held-to-maturity securities	8,367,003	7,415,656
Non-marketable securities (cost and equity method accounting) not measured at net asset value	115,359	107,451
Non-marketable securities (cost and equity method) accounting measured at net asset value (1)	374,353	283,119
Net commercial loans	13,547,022	13,082,487
Net consumer loans	1,618,492	1,247,336
FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank stock	46,116	53,496
Accrued interest receivable	98,453	94,180
Non-maturity deposits	36,977,199	34,215,372
Time deposits	72,218	128,107
Accrued interest payable	4,992	6,998
Commitments to extend credit	28,805	29,097
Estimated Fair Value | Other short-term borrowings
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term borrowings	3,756	7,781
Estimated Fair Value | 3.50% Senior Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Senior Notes	342,125
Estimated Fair Value | 5.375% Senior Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Senior Notes	391,286	392,616
Estimated Fair Value | 6.05% Subordinated Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Subordinated Notes	51,000	53,537
Estimated Fair Value | 7.0% Junior Subordinated Debentures
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Junior Subordinated Debentures	52,557	52,990
Estimated Fair Value | Level 1
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	1,674,145	1,796,062
Held-to-maturity securities	0	0
Non-marketable securities (cost and equity method accounting) not measured at net asset value	0	0
Net commercial loans	0	0
Net consumer loans	0	0
FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank stock	0	0
Accrued interest receivable	0	0
Non-maturity deposits	36,977,199	34,215,372
Time deposits	0	0
Accrued interest payable	0	0
Commitments to extend credit	0	0
Estimated Fair Value | Level 1 | Other short-term borrowings
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term borrowings	3,756	7,781
Estimated Fair Value | Level 1 | 3.50% Senior Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Senior Notes	0
Estimated Fair Value | Level 1 | 5.375% Senior Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Senior Notes	0	0
Estimated Fair Value | Level 1 | 6.05% Subordinated Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Subordinated Notes	0	0
Estimated Fair Value | Level 1 | 7.0% Junior Subordinated Debentures
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Junior Subordinated Debentures	0	0
Estimated Fair Value | Level 2
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Held-to-maturity securities	8,367,003	7,415,656
Non-marketable securities (cost and equity method accounting) not measured at net asset value	0	0
Net commercial loans	0	0
Net consumer loans	0	0
FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank stock	0	0
Accrued interest receivable	98,453	94,180
Non-maturity deposits	0	0
Time deposits	72,218	128,107
Accrued interest payable	4,992	6,998
Commitments to extend credit	0	0
Estimated Fair Value | Level 2 | Other short-term borrowings
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term borrowings	0	0
Estimated Fair Value | Level 2 | 3.50% Senior Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Senior Notes	342,125
Estimated Fair Value | Level 2 | 5.375% Senior Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Senior Notes	391,286	392,616
Estimated Fair Value | Level 2 | 6.05% Subordinated Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Subordinated Notes	51,000	53,537
Estimated Fair Value | Level 2 | 7.0% Junior Subordinated Debentures
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Junior Subordinated Debentures	52,557	52,990
Estimated Fair Value | Level 3
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Held-to-maturity securities	0	0
Non-marketable securities (cost and equity method accounting) not measured at net asset value	115,359	107,451
Net commercial loans	13,547,022	13,082,487
Net consumer loans	1,618,492	1,247,336
FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank stock	46,116	53,496
Accrued interest receivable	0	0
Non-maturity deposits	0	0
Time deposits	0	0
Accrued interest payable	0	0
Commitments to extend credit	28,805	29,097
Estimated Fair Value | Level 3 | Other short-term borrowings
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term borrowings	0	0
Estimated Fair Value | Level 3 | 3.50% Senior Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Senior Notes	0
Estimated Fair Value | Level 3 | 5.375% Senior Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Senior Notes	0	0
Estimated Fair Value | Level 3 | 6.05% Subordinated Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Subordinated Notes	0	0
Estimated Fair Value | Level 3 | 7.0% Junior Subordinated Debentures
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Junior Subordinated Debentures	$ 0	$ 0

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Interim Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Total		Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Total SVBFG Stockholders’ Equity	Noncontrolling Interests
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Cumulative effective of adopting ASU 2014-01 | Accounting Standards Update 2014-01	[1]	$ (4,635)				$ (4,635)		$ (4,635)
Balance (in shares) (Previously Reported) at Dec. 31, 2013				45,800,418
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013				45,800,418
Balance (Previously Reported) at Dec. 31, 2013		3,079,328		$ 46	$ 624,256	1,390,732	$ (48,764)	1,966,270	$ 1,113,058
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013		3,074,693		$ 46	624,256	1,386,097	(48,764)	1,961,635	1,113,058
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans, net of restricted stock cancellations (in shares)				504,766
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans, net of restricted stock cancellations		13,878		$ 0	13,878			13,878
Common stock issued under ESOP (in shares)				30,762
Common stock issued under ESOP		3,890			3,890			3,890
Income tax benefit from stock options exercised, vesting of restricted stock and other		7,973			7,973			7,973
Net income	[1]	348,865	[2],[3],[4],[5]			205,880		205,880	142,985
Capital calls and distributions, net		(37,984)							(37,984)
Net change in unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, net of tax		47,758					47,758	47,758
Held-to-maturity securities, transferred securities, unrealized gains, net of tax		22,522					22,522	22,522
Amortization of unrealized gains on securities transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity, net of tax		(2,415)					(2,415)	(2,415)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax		(357)					(357)	(357)
Common stock issued in public offering (in shares)				4,485,000
Common stock issued in public offering		434,866		$ 5	434,861	0		434,866
Share-based compensation expense		22,479			22,479			22,479
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2014	[1]			50,820,946
Balance at Sep. 30, 2014	[1]	3,936,168		$ 51	1,107,337	1,591,977	18,744	2,718,109	1,218,059
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014	[1]			50,924,925
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	[1]	4,051,734		$ 51	1,120,350	1,649,967	42,704	2,813,072	1,238,662
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans, net of restricted stock cancellations (in shares)				536,635
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans, net of restricted stock cancellations		14,712			14,712			14,712
Common stock issued under ESOP (in shares)				27,425
Common stock issued under ESOP		3,512			3,512			3,512
Income tax benefit from stock options exercised, vesting of restricted stock and other		10,813			10,813			10,813
Deconsolidation of noncontrolling interest		(1,069,437)							(1,069,437)
Net income		284,811	[2],[3],[4],[5],[6]			256,392		256,392	28,419
Capital calls and distributions, net		(58,315)							(58,315)
Net change in unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, net of tax		57,605					57,605	57,605
Amortization of unrealized gains on securities transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity, net of tax		(4,779)					(4,779)	(4,779)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax		1,534					1,534	1,534
Share-based compensation expense		22,262			22,262			22,262
Other, net		(224)			0	(224)		(224)
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2015				51,488,985
Balance at Sep. 30, 2015		$ 3,314,228		$ 51	$ 1,171,649	$ 1,906,135	$ 97,064	$ 3,174,899	$ 139,329

[1] Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

[2] Amounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the second quarter of 2015 related to our consolidated variable interest entities (ASU 2015-02). Amounts prior to January 1, 2015 have not been revised for the adoption of this guidance. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

[3] Cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 were revised to reflect the adoption of ASU 2015-02 as of January 1, 2015 and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were revised to reflect the retrospective application of our adoption of ASU 2014-01.

[4] Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

[5] Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

[6] Amounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the second quarter of 2015 related to our consolidated variable interest entities (ASU 2015-02). Amounts prior to January 1, 2015 have not been revised for the adoption of this guidance. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

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Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Quantitative Information About Significant Unobservable Inputs (Additional Information) (Detail) - Equity warrant assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Other assets
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Weighted average contractual remaining term	5 years 8 months 1 day
Estimated remaining life	2 years 6 months 18 days
Level 3 | Other assets
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Sales restrictions discount	14.20%	17.80%
Lower Limit | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Sales restrictions discount	10.00%
Upper Limit | Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Sales restrictions discount	20.00%

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Investment Securities - Components of Gains and Losses (Realized and Unrealized) on Investment Securities (Detail) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) Investment	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($) Investment	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) Investment		Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($) Investment	Dec. 31, 2014 Investment	Sep. 30, 2014 Investment
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Gross gains on investment securities	$ 21,787	$ 86,211	$ 85,046		$ 438,344
Gross losses on investment securities	(3,019)	(80,567)	(8,040)		(266,108)
(Losses) gains on investment securities, net	18,768	5,644	77,006	[1]	172,236
Cost method accounting | Venture capital and private equity fund investments
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Recognized other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) losses	$ 100	$ 300	$ 400		$ 700
Number of other-than-temporary impaired investments | Investment	4	5	19		22
Number of investments	270	281	270		281	281	281
Available-for-sale Securities
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Gross gains on investment securities	$ 46	$ 45	$ 2,971		$ 642
Gross losses on investment securities	(33)	(1,035)	(221)		(18,052)
Non-marketable securities | Fair value accounting | Venture capital and private equity fund investments
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Gross gains on investment securities	6,746	69,044	24,767		268,483
Gross losses on investment securities	(1,148)	(25,584)	(2,695)		(76,243)
Non-marketable securities | Fair value accounting | Other venture capital investments
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Gross gains on investment securities	15	6,779	198		11,334
Gross losses on investment securities	0	(1,233)	(52)		(3,274)
Non-marketable securities | Fair value accounting | Other securities
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Gross gains on investment securities	40	5,444	9,108		136,010
Gross losses on investment securities	(325)	(52,264)	(1,117)		(166,051)
Non-marketable securities | Equity method accounting | Venture capital and private equity fund investments
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Gross gains on investment securities	7,655	275	22,111		1,284
Gross losses on investment securities	(914)	(115)	(1,351)		(231)
Non-marketable securities | Equity method accounting | Debt funds
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Gross gains on investment securities	379	1,037	2,067		4,076
Gross losses on investment securities	(1)	(64)	(589)		(457)
Non-marketable securities | Equity method accounting | Other investments
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Gross gains on investment securities	1,282	927	2,147		3,635
Gross losses on investment securities	(460)	0	(1,470)		(759)
Non-marketable securities | Cost method accounting | Venture capital and private equity fund investments
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Gross gains on investment securities	5,624	2,641	21,101		7,706
Gross losses on investment securities	(132)	(272)	(530)		(781)
Non-marketable securities | Cost method accounting | Other investments
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Gross gains on investment securities	0	19	576		5,174
Gross losses on investment securities	$ (6)	$ 0	$ (15)		$ (260)

[1] Amounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the second quarter of 2015 related to our consolidated variable interest entities (ASU 2015-02). Amounts prior to January 1, 2015 have not been revised for the adoption of this guidance. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

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Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Summary of Estimated Fair Values of Investments and Remaining Unfunded Commitments for Each Major Category of Investments (Textual) (Detail) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Fair Value	$ 529,013
Unfunded Commitments	26,134
Non-marketable securities | Fair value accounting | Venture capital and private equity fund investments
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Fair Value	154,660
Unfunded Commitments	$ 10,878
Non-marketable securities | Fair value accounting | Venture capital and private equity fund investments | Lower Limit
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Period distributions from fund investments to be received	10 years
Non-marketable securities | Fair value accounting | Venture capital and private equity fund investments | Upper Limit
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Period distributions from fund investments to be received	13 years
Non-marketable securities | Fair value accounting | Venture capital and private equity fund investments | Noncontrolling Interests
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Fair Value	$ 111,000
Unfunded Commitments	8,000
Non-marketable securities | Equity method accounting | Venture capital and private equity fund investments
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Fair Value	84,197
Unfunded Commitments	$ 4,989
Non-marketable securities | Equity method accounting | Venture capital and private equity fund investments | Lower Limit
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Period distributions from fund investments to be received	10 years
Non-marketable securities | Equity method accounting | Venture capital and private equity fund investments | Upper Limit
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Period distributions from fund investments to be received	13 years
Non-marketable securities | Equity method accounting | Other investments
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Fair Value	$ 24,246
Unfunded Commitments	886
Non-marketable securities | Cost method accounting | Venture capital and private equity fund investments
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Fair Value	243,584
Unfunded Commitments	$ 9,381

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Other Noninterest Income and Other Noninterest Expense (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]

Summary of Other Noninterest Income

A summary of other noninterest income for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:

	Three months ended September 30,					Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015		2014			2015			2014
Fund management fees	$	4,074	$	3,574		$	11,657		$	9,888
Service-based fee income	1,931		2,180			6,450			6,459
Gains (losses) on revaluation of foreign currency instruments (1)	186		(12,640		)	(11,667		)	(12,347		)
Other (2) (3)	4,886		1,525			15,875			10,601
Total other noninterest income	$	11,077	$	(5,361	)	$	22,315		$	14,601

(1) Represents the revaluation of foreign currency denominated financial instruments issued and held by us, primarily loans, deposits and cash.

(2) Includes dividends on FHLB/FRB stock, correspondent bank rebate income and other fee income.

(3) Amount for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 has been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the second quarter of 2015 related to our consolidated variable interest entities (ASU 2015-02). Amount prior to January 1, 2015 has not been revised for the adoption of this guidance. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

Summary of Other Noninterest Expense

A summary of other noninterest expense for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:

	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015		2014		2015		2014
Lending and other client related processing costs	$	3,608	$	3,215	$	10,861	$	8,160
Telephone	2,224		1,931		6,727		5,217
Data processing services	2,083		2,229		5,274		6,497
Postage and supplies	728		763		2,220		2,248
Dues and publications	521		719		1,803		1,852
Other (1)	5,106		4,711		15,216		9,381
Total other noninterest expense (2)	$	14,270	$	13,568	$	42,101	$	33,355

(1) Amount for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 has been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the second quarter of 2015 related to our consolidated variable interest entities (ASU 2015-02). Amount prior to January 1, 2015 has not been revised for the adoption of this guidance. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

(2) Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

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Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses - Average Impaired Loans, Broken out by Portfolio Segment and Class of Financing Receivable (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Average impaired loans	$ 101,643	$ 15,035	$ 67,991	$ 25,846
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Software and internet
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Average impaired loans	77,156	10,651	54,543	13,690
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Hardware
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Average impaired loans	2,796	1,540	1,944	8,140
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Life science & healthcare
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Average impaired loans	17,184	333	6,526	636
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Premium wine
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Average impaired loans	1,213	1,364	1,245	1,398
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Other
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Average impaired loans	3,132	674	3,498	1,383
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Commercial loans
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Average impaired loans	101,481	14,562	67,756	25,247
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Real estate secured loans
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Average impaired loans	162	212	180	224
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Other consumer loans
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Average impaired loans	0	261	55	375
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Consumer loans
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Average impaired loans	$ 162	$ 473	$ 235	$ 599

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Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

We are subject to income tax in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions and have identified our federal tax return and tax returns in California and Massachusetts as major tax filings. Our U.S. federal tax returns for 2012 and subsequent years remain open to full examination. Our California tax returns for 2010 and subsequent tax years remain open to full examination. Massachusetts tax returns for 2011 and subsequent years remain open to full examination.

At September 30, 2015, our unrecognized tax benefit was $3.5 million, the recognition of which would reduce our income tax expense by $2.3 million. We do not expect that our unrecognized tax benefit will materially change in the next 12 months.

We recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters as part of income before income taxes. Interest and penalties were not material for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015.

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Segment Reporting (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Reporting

Our segment information for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)	Global Commercial Bank (1)			SVB Private   Bank			SVB Capital (1)			Other Items (2)			Total
Three months ended September 30, 2015
Net interest income	$	217,929		$	11,667		$	1		$	25,063		$	254,660
Provision for loan losses	(32,076		)	(1,327		)	—			—			(33,403		)
Noninterest income	68,517			506			17,332			22,122			108,477
Noninterest expense (3)	(135,504		)	(2,703		)	(3,745		)	(42,803		)	(184,755		)
Income before income tax expense (4)	$	118,866		$	8,143		$	13,588		$	4,382		$	144,979
Total average loans, net of unearned income	$	13,031,928		$	1,669,858		$	—		214,866			$	14,916,652
Total average assets (5)	40,211,915			1,273,823			334,045			199,441			42,019,224
Total average deposits	36,149,772			1,041,773			—			191,522			37,383,067
Three months ended September 30, 2014
Net interest income	$	187,184		$	7,344		$	12		$	26,025		$	220,565
Provision for loan losses	(16,185		)	(425		)	—			—			(16,610		)
Noninterest income	57,714			491			1,064			20,898			80,167
Noninterest expense (3)	(127,050		)	(2,574		)	(3,036		)	(47,101		)	(179,761		)
Income before income tax expense (4)	$	101,663		$	4,836		$	(1,960	)	$	(178	)	$	104,361
Total average loans, net of unearned income	$	10,022,333		$	1,189,976		$	—		227,212			$	11,439,521
Total average assets (5)	31,916,581			1,128,938			302,949			1,247,597			34,596,065
Total average deposits	28,795,499			877,701			—			53,084			29,726,284
Nine months ended September 30, 2015
Net interest income	$	625,618		$	32,499		$	3		$	79,236		$	737,356
Provision for loan losses	(64,128		)	(2,240		)	—			—			(66,368		)
Noninterest income	197,740			1,498			57,919			101,131			358,288
Noninterest expense (3)	(415,245		)	(8,589		)	(10,935		)	(134,639		)	(569,408		)
Income before income tax expense (4)	$	343,985		$	23,168		$	46,987		$	45,728		$	459,868
Total average loans, net of unearned income	$	12,721,208		$	1,529,095		$	—		181,482			$	14,431,785
Total average assets (5)	37,954,846			1,659,981			335,136			(38,438		)	39,911,525
Total average deposits	34,125,675			1,125,345			—			162,333			35,413,353
Nine months ended September 30, 2014
Net interest income	$	540,533		$	23,529		$	55		$	57,741		$	621,858
(Provision for) reduction of loan losses	(18,833		)	(218		)	—			—			(19,051		)
Noninterest income	169,376			1,121			35,617			198,488			404,602
Noninterest expense (3)	(369,587		)	(7,709		)	(8,815		)	(135,002		)	(521,113		)
Income before income tax expense (4)	$	321,489		$	16,723		$	26,857		$	121,227		$	486,296
Total average loans, net of unearned income	$	9,766,870		$	1,119,618		$	—		211,909			$	11,098,397
Total average assets (5)	28,924,331			1,026,678			328,048			1,123,895			31,402,952
Total average deposits	26,020,715			805,167			—			56,231			26,882,113

(1) Global Commercial Bank’s and SVB Capital’s components of net interest income, noninterest income, noninterest expense and total average assets are shown net of noncontrolling interests for all periods presented. Noncontrolling interest is included within "Other Items".

(2) The "Other Items" column reflects the adjustments necessary to reconcile the results of the operating segments to the consolidated financial statements prepared in conformity with GAAP. Noninterest income is primarily attributable to noncontrolling interests and gains on equity warrant assets. Noninterest expense primarily consists of expenses associated with corporate support functions such as finance, human resources, marketing, legal and other expenses.

(3) The Global Commercial Bank segment includes direct depreciation and amortization of $4.7 million and $5.4 million for the three months September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $14.4 million and $15.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

(4) The internal reporting model used by management to assess segment performance does not calculate income tax expense by segment. Our effective tax rate is a reasonable approximation of the segment rates.

(5) Total average assets equal the greater of total average assets or the sum of total average liabilities and total average stockholders’ equity for each segment which contributes to the negative balances reported in "Other Items" to reconcile the results to the consolidated financial statements prepared in conformity with GAAP.

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Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Summary of Estimated Fair Values of Investments and Remaining Unfunded Commitments for Each Major Category of Investments (Detail) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	$ 407,870
Fair Value	529,013
Unfunded Commitments	26,134
Non-marketable securities | Fair value accounting | Venture capital and private equity fund investments
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	154,660
Fair Value	154,660
Unfunded Commitments	10,878
Non-marketable securities | Equity method accounting | Venture capital and private equity fund investments
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	84,197
Fair Value	84,197
Unfunded Commitments	4,989
Non-marketable securities | Equity method accounting | Debt funds
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	21,217
Fair Value	22,326
Unfunded Commitments	0
Non-marketable securities | Equity method accounting | Other investments
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	24,246
Fair Value	24,246
Unfunded Commitments	886
Non-marketable securities | Cost method accounting | Venture capital and private equity fund investments
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Carrying Amount	123,550
Fair Value	243,584
Unfunded Commitments	$ 9,381

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Legal Matters

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Legal Matters

Legal Matters

Certain lawsuits and claims arising in the ordinary course of business have been filed or are pending against us or our affiliates. In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, we establish accruals for all lawsuits, claims and expected settlements when we believe it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss is reasonably estimable. When a loss contingency is not both probable and estimable, we do not establish an accrual. Any such loss estimates are inherently uncertain, based on currently available information and are subject to management’s judgment and various assumptions. Due to the inherent subjectivity of these estimates and unpredictability of outcomes of legal proceedings, any amounts accrued may not represent the ultimate resolution of such matters.

To the extent we believe any potential loss relating to such lawsuits and claims may have a material impact on our liquidity, consolidated financial position, results of operations, and/or our business as a whole and is reasonably possible but not probable, we disclose information relating to any such potential loss, whether in excess of any established accruals or where there is no established accrual. We also disclose information relating to any material potential loss that is probable but not reasonably estimable. Where reasonably practicable, we will provide an estimate of loss or range of potential loss. No disclosures are generally made for any loss contingencies that are deemed to be remote.

Based upon information available to us, our review of lawsuits and claims filed or pending against us to date and consultation with our outside legal counsel, we have not recognized a material accrual liability for these matters, nor do we currently expect it is reasonably possible that these matters will result in a material liability to the Company. However, the outcome of litigation and other legal and regulatory matters is inherently uncertain, and it is possible that one or more of such matters currently pending or threatened could have an unanticipated material adverse effect on our liquidity, consolidated financial position, results of operations, and/or our business as a whole, in the future.

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Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses - Credit Quality Indicators, Broken out by Portfolio Segment and Class of Financing Receivables (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	$ 15,429,941	$ 14,488,766
Pass
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	14,562,676	13,729,421
Performing (Criticized)
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	751,804	721,208
Impaired
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	115,461	38,137
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Software and internet
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	5,320,056	4,996,246
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Hardware
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	970,915	1,140,494
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Private equity/venture capital
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	4,611,953	4,621,299
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Life science & healthcare
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	1,612,680	1,300,727
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Premium wine
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	829,205	796,649
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Other
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	429,310	355,353
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Commercial loans
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	13,774,119	13,210,768
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Pass | Software and internet
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	4,802,522	4,611,253
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Pass | Hardware
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	834,067	945,998
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Pass | Private equity/venture capital
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	4,611,953	4,615,231
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Pass | Life science & healthcare
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	1,446,972	1,165,266
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Pass | Premium wine
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	804,411	774,962
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Pass | Other
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	417,459	346,153
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Pass | Commercial loans
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	12,917,384	12,458,863
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Performing (Criticized) | Software and internet
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	452,742	351,706
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Performing (Criticized) | Hardware
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	133,085	191,975
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Performing (Criticized) | Private equity/venture capital
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	0	6,068
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Performing (Criticized) | Life science & healthcare
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	120,319	134,986
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Performing (Criticized) | Premium wine
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	23,593	20,383
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Performing (Criticized) | Other
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	11,694	8,967
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Performing (Criticized) | Commercial loans
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	741,433	714,085
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Impaired | Software and internet
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	64,792	33,287
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Impaired | Hardware
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	3,763	2,521
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Impaired | Private equity/venture capital
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	0	0
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Impaired | Life science & healthcare
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	45,389	475
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Impaired | Premium wine
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	1,201	1,304
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Impaired | Other
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	157	233
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Impaired | Commercial loans
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	115,302	37,820
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Real estate secured loans
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	1,443,170	1,117,661
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Other consumer loans
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	212,652	160,337
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Consumer loans
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	1,655,822	1,277,998
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Pass | Real estate secured loans
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	1,433,926	1,112,396
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Pass | Other consumer loans
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	211,366	158,162
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Pass | Consumer loans
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	1,645,292	1,270,558
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Performing (Criticized) | Real estate secured loans
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	9,085	5,073
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Performing (Criticized) | Other consumer loans
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	1,286	2,050
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Performing (Criticized) | Consumer loans
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	10,371	7,123
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Impaired | Real estate secured loans
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	159	192
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Impaired | Other consumer loans
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	0	125
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Impaired | Consumer loans
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	$ 159	$ 317

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Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income before noncontrolling interests	[2],[3],[4],[5]	$ 284,811	[1]	$ 348,865	[6]
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provision for loan losses		66,368	[1]	19,051
Provision for unfunded credit commitments		249	[1]	5,533
Changes in fair values of derivatives, net		(42,295)		2,028
Gains on investment securities, net		(77,006)	[1]	(172,236)
Depreciation and amortization	[3]	28,504		29,273
Amortization of premiums and discounts on investment securities, net		14,659		18,700
Amortization of share-based compensation		24,174		22,285
Amortization of deferred loan fees		(64,275)		(59,550)
Pre-tax net gain on SVBIF sale transaction		(1,287)		0
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)		3,131		(18,916)
Changes in other assets and liabilities:
Accrued interest receivable and payable, net		(6,312)		(17,488)
Accounts receivable and payable, net		(13,159)		(12,890)
Income tax payable and receivable, net	[3]	(29,398)		(14,234)
Accrued compensation		(7,702)		(24,241)
Foreign exchange spot contracts, net		7,522		97,357
Other, net		57,445		12,837
Net cash provided by operating activities		245,429		236,374
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of available-for-sale securities		(2,911,486)		(8,060,750)
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities		7,762		26,926
Proceeds from maturities and pay downs of available-for-sale securities		1,238,950		1,352,369
Purchases of held-to-maturity securities		(2,057,030)		(1,577,634)
Proceeds from maturities and pay downs of held-to-maturity securities		1,153,363		327,913
Purchases of non-marketable and other securities (cost and equity method accounting)		(15,856)		(47,923)
Proceeds from sales and distributions of non-marketable and other securities (cost and equity method accounting)		79,575		47,478
Purchases of non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting)		(5,611)		(182,247)
Proceeds from sales and distributions of non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting)		77,289		264,389
Net increase in loans		(911,694)		(1,103,447)
Proceeds from recoveries of charged-off loans		5,119		5,313
Effect of deconsolidation of noncontrolling interest		15,995		0
Purchases of premises and equipment		(37,465)		(29,332)
Net proceeds from SVBIF sale transaction (2)	[7]	39,284		0
Net cash used for investing activities		(3,321,805)		(8,976,945)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net increase in deposits		2,626,379		8,650,156
Net (decrease) increase in short-term borrowings		(4,025)		1,550
Net distributions to noncontrolling interests		(58,315)		(37,984)
Tax benefit from stock exercises		10,813		7,973
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, ESPP, and ESOP		18,224		17,768
Net proceeds from public equity offering		0		434,866
Proceeds from issuance of 3.50% Senior Notes		346,431		0
Net cash provided by financing activities		2,939,507		9,074,329
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(136,869)		333,758
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		1,796,062		1,538,779	[3],[7]
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		1,674,145		1,872,537	[3]
Cash and cash equivalents, including discontinued operations, at beginning of period	[3]	1,811,014
Cash and cash equivalents, including discontinued operations, at end of period	[3]	1,674,145
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest		62,129		30,259
Income taxes		182,479		154,746
Noncash items during the period:
Changes in unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, net of tax		57,605		47,758
Distributions of stock from investments		24,778		21,385
Transfers from available-for-sale securities to held-to-maturity		$ 0		$ 5,418,572

[1] Amounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the second quarter of 2015 related to our consolidated variable interest entities (ASU 2015-02). Amounts prior to January 1, 2015 have not been revised for the adoption of this guidance. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

[2] Amounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the second quarter of 2015 related to our consolidated variable interest entities (ASU 2015-02). Amounts prior to January 1, 2015 have not been revised for the adoption of this guidance. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

[3] Cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 were revised to reflect the adoption of ASU 2015-02 as of January 1, 2015 and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were revised to reflect the retrospective application of our adoption of ASU 2014-01.

[4] Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

[5] Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

[6] Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

[7] Cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2014 included $15.0 million recognized in assets held-for-sale in conjunction with the SVBIF Sale Transaction. On April 13, 2015 we received net proceeds of $39.3 million consisting of the sales price of $48.6 million less $9.3 million of cash and cash equivalents held by SVBIF that were sold.

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Interim Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities, cost	$ 15,167,233	$ 13,497,945
Held-to-maturity securities	$ 8,367,003	$ 7,415,656
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred stock, shares authorized	20,000,000	20,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized	150,000,000	150,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	51,488,985	50,924,925

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Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt

Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt

The following table represents outstanding short-term borrowings and long-term debt at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

				Carrying Value
(Dollars in thousands)	Maturity	Principal value at September 30, 2015		September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Short-term borrowings:
Other short-term borrowings	(1)			$	3,756	$	7,781
Total short-term borrowings				$	3,756	$	7,781
Long-term debt:
3.50% Senior Notes	January 29, 2025	$	350,000	$	346,591	$	—
5.375% Senior Notes	September 15, 2020	350,000		346,878		346,477
6.05% Subordinated Notes (2)	June 1, 2017	45,964		49,028		50,040
7.0% Junior Subordinated Debentures	October 15, 2033	50,000		54,714		54,845
Total long-term debt				$	797,211	$	451,362

(1) Represents cash collateral received from certain counterparties in relation to market value exposures of derivative contracts in our favor.

(2) At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, included in the carrying value of our 6.05% Subordinated Notes was an interest rate swap valued at $3.5 million and $4.6 million, respectively, related to hedge accounting associated with the notes.

Interest expense related to long-term debt was $9.0 million and $25.9 million for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015, and $5.8 million and $17.4 million for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2014. Interest expense is net of the hedge accounting impact from our interest rate swap agreement related to our 6.05% Subordinated Notes. The weighted average interest rate associated with our short-term borrowings as of September 30, 2015 was 0.11 percent.

3.50% Senior Notes

On January 29, 2015, the Company issued $350 million of 3.50% Senior Notes due in January 2025 (“3.50% Senior Notes”). We received net proceeds from this offering of approximately $346.4 million after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and issuance costs. The balance of our 3.50% Senior Notes at September 30, 2015 was $346.6 million, which is reflective of $3.0 million of debt issuance costs and a $0.3 million discount.

Available Lines of Credit

We have certain facilities in place to enable us to access short-term borrowings on a secured (using high-quality fixed income securities as collateral) and an unsecured basis. These include repurchase agreements and uncommitted federal funds lines with various financial institutions. As of September 30, 2015, we did not borrow against our uncommitted federal funds lines. We also pledge securities to the FHLB of San Francisco and the discount window at the Federal Reserve Bank. The market value of collateral pledged to the FHLB of San Francisco (comprised primarily of U.S. Treasury securities) at September 30, 2015 totaled $1.3 billion, all of which was unused and available to support additional borrowings. The market value of collateral pledged at the discount window of the Federal Reserve Bank at September 30, 2015 totaled $920 million, all of which was unused and available to support additional borrowings.

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Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Quantitative Information About Significant Unobservable Inputs (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair value	$ 131,833	$ 137,260	$ 123,427	$ 117,989	$ 136,706	$ 451,979
Equity warrant assets | Other assets
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair value	128,443	$ 93,397	$ 120,037		$ 87,151
Level 3 | Other venture capital investments | Fair value accounting
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair value	3,390			71,204
Valuation Technique		Private company equity pricing
Level 3 | Equity warrant assets | Investments
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair value	$ 4,795			1,681
Level 3 | Equity warrant assets | Other assets
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Valuation Technique		Modified Black-Scholes option pricing model
Volatility	39.40%	42.60%
Risk-Free interest rate	1.50%	1.70%
Sales restrictions discount	14.20%	17.80%
Level 3 | Equity Warrant Asset, Private Portfolio | Investments
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair value	$ 123,648			$ 113,017
Level 3 | Equity Warrant Asset, Private Portfolio | Other assets
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Valuation Technique		Modified Black-Scholes option pricing model
Volatility	37.10%	38.30%
Risk-Free interest rate	0.70%	0.90%
Marketability discount	17.30%	20.00%
Remaining life assumption	45.00%	45.00%

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Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Additional Information about Level 3 Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$ 123,427	$ 136,706	$ 117,989	$ 451,979
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Income	11,566	19,351	55,030	163,695
Purchases	0	6,304	0	22,800
Sales	(6,215)	(21,686)	(48,406)	(129,602)
Issuances	3,057	2,932	7,607	9,098
Distributions and Other Settlements	484	(102)	1,234	986
Transfers Out of Level 3	(486)	(6,245)	(1,621)	(381,696)
Ending Balance	131,833	137,260	131,833	137,260
Equity warrant assets | Other assets
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	120,037	87,151
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Income	11,551	13,805
Purchases	0	0
Sales	(6,215)	(10,564)
Issuances	3,057	2,932
Distributions and Other Settlements	499	510
Transfers Out of Level 3	(486)	(437)
Ending Balance	128,443	93,397	128,443	93,397
Non-marketable securities | Fair value accounting
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	3,390	49,555	3,291	352,088
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Income	15	5,546	146	112,370
Purchases	0	6,304	0	22,800
Sales	0	(11,122)	(32)	(62,401)
Issuances	0	0	0	0
Distributions and Other Settlements	(15)	(612)	(15)	(732)
Transfers Out of Level 3	0	(5,808)	0
Ending Balance	3,390	43,863	3,390	43,863
Non-marketable securities | Fair value accounting | Other venture capital investments
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	3,390	43,747
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Income	15	5,546
Purchases	0	6,304
Sales	0	(11,122)
Issuances	0	0
Distributions and Other Settlements	(15)	(612)
Transfers Out of Level 3	0	0		(380,262)
Ending Balance	$ 3,390	43,863	3,390	43,863
Non-marketable securities | Fair value accounting | Other investments
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Beginning Balance		5,808
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Income		0
Purchases		0
Sales		0
Issuances		0
Distributions and Other Settlements		0
Transfers Out of Level 3		(5,808)
Ending Balance		$ 0		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Equity warrant assets | Other assets
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Beginning Balance			114,698	99,891
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Income			54,884	51,325
Purchases			0	0
Sales			(48,374)	(67,201)
Issuances			7,607	9,098
Distributions and Other Settlements			1,249	1,718
Transfers Out of Level 3			(1,621)	(1,434)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Non-marketable securities | Fair value accounting | Other venture capital investments
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Beginning Balance			3,291	32,839
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Income			146	8,060
Purchases			0	22,800
Sales			(32)	(15,561)
Issuances			0	0
Distributions and Other Settlements			(15)	(4,149)
Transfers Out of Level 3			$ 0	(126)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Non-marketable securities | Fair value accounting | Other investments
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Beginning Balance				319,249
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Income				104,310
Purchases				0
Sales				(46,840)
Issuances				0
Distributions and Other Settlements				3,417
Transfers Out of Level 3				$ (380,136)

XML

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Oct. 31, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	SIVB
Entity Registrant Name	SVB FINANCIAL GROUP
Entity Central Index Key	0000719739
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		51,493,211

XML

Derivative Financial Instruments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative Financial Instruments

We primarily use derivative financial instruments to manage interest rate risk, currency exchange rate risk, and to assist customers with their risk management objectives. Also, in connection with negotiating credit facilities and certain other services, we often obtain equity warrant assets giving us the right to acquire stock in private, venture-backed companies in the technology and life science & healthcare industries.

Interest Rate Risk

Interest rate risk is our primary market risk and can result from timing and volume differences in the repricing of our interest rate-sensitive assets and liabilities and changes in market interest rates. To manage interest rate risk for our 6.05% Subordinated Notes, we entered into a fixed-for-floating interest rate swap agreement at the time of debt issuance based upon LIBOR with matched-terms. Net cash benefits associated with our interest rate swap is recorded as a reduction in “Interest expense—Borrowings,” a component of net interest income. The fair value of our interest rate swaps is calculated using a discounted cash flow method and adjusted for credit valuation associated with counterparty risk. Changes in fair value of the interest rate swaps are reflected in either other assets (for swaps in an asset position) or other liabilities (for swaps in a liability position).

We assess hedge effectiveness under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, using the long-haul method. Any differences associated with our interest rate swap that arise as a result of hedge ineffectiveness is recorded through net gains on derivative instruments, in noninterest income, a component of consolidated net income.

Currency Exchange Risk

We enter into foreign exchange forward contracts to economically reduce our foreign exchange exposure risk associated with the net difference between foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities. We do not designate any foreign exchange forward contracts as derivative instruments that qualify for hedge accounting. Gains or losses from changes in currency rates on foreign currency denominated instruments are included in other noninterest income, a component of noninterest income. We may experience ineffectiveness in the economic hedging relationship, because the instruments are revalued based upon changes in the currency’s spot rate on the principal value, while the forwards are revalued on a discounted cash flow basis. We record forward agreements in gain positions in other assets and loss positions in other liabilities, while net changes in fair value are recorded through net gains on derivative instruments, in noninterest income, a component of consolidated net income. Additionally, through our global banking operations we maintain customer deposits denominated in a variety of global currencies, which are used to fund certain loans in these currencies to limit our exposure to currency fluctuations.

Other Derivative Instruments

Also included in our derivative instruments are equity warrant assets and client forward and option contracts, and client interest rate contracts. For further description of these other derivative instruments, refer to Note 2-“Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" under Part II, Item 8 of our 2014 Form 10-K.

Counterparty Credit Risk

We are exposed to credit risk if counterparties to our derivative contracts do not perform as expected. We mitigate counterparty credit risk through credit approvals, limits, monitoring procedures and obtaining collateral, as appropriate. With respect to measuring counterparty credit risk for derivative instruments, we measure the fair value of a group of financial assets and financial liabilities on a net risk basis by counterparty portfolio.

The total notional or contractual amounts, fair value, collateral and net exposure of our derivative financial instruments at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows:

		September 30, 2015										December 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)	Balance Sheet Location	Notional or Contractual Amount		Fair Value			Collateral (1)		Net Exposure (2)			Notional or Contractual Amount		Fair Value			Collateral (1)		Net Exposure (2)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Interest rate risks:
Interest rate swaps	Other assets	$	45,964	$	3,485		$	—	$	3,485		$	45,964	$	4,609		$	2,970	$	1,639
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Currency exchange risks:
Foreign exchange forwards	Other assets	17,038		594			—		594			200,957		5,050			2,441		2,609
Foreign exchange forwards	Other liabilities	37,609		(1,075		)	—		(1,075		)	6,226		(489		)	—		(489		)
Net exposure				(481		)	—		(481		)			4,561			2,441		2,120
Other derivative instruments:
Equity warrant assets	Other assets	208,270		130,091			—		130,091			197,878		116,604			—		116,604
Other derivatives:
Client foreign exchange forwards	Other assets	733,204		32,431			3,756		28,675			801,487		28,954			2,370		26,584
Client foreign exchange forwards	Other liabilities	695,403		(27,618		)	—		(27,618		)	774,355		(27,647		)	—		(27,647		)
Client foreign currency options	Other assets	28,390		246			—		246			34,926		227			—		227
Client foreign currency options	Other liabilities	28,390		(246		)	—		(246		)	34,926		(227		)	—		(227		)
Client interest rate derivatives	Other assets	459,614		5,164			—		5,164			387,410		2,546			—		2,546
Client interest rate derivatives	Other liabilities	459,614		(5,719		)	—		(5,719		)	387,410		(2,748		)	—		(2,748		)
Net exposure				4,258			3,756		502					1,105			2,370		(1,265		)
Net				$	137,353		$	3,756	$	133,597				$	126,879		$	7,781	$	119,098

(1) Cash collateral received from our counterparties in relation to market value exposures of derivative contracts in our favor is recorded as a component of “short-term borrowings” on our consolidated balance sheets.

(2) Net exposure for contracts in a gain position reflects the replacement cost in the event of nonperformance by all such counterparties. The credit ratings of our institutional counterparties as of September 30, 2015 remain at investment grade or higher and there were no material changes in their credit ratings during the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015.

A summary of our derivative activity and the related impact on our consolidated statements of income for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:

		Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	Statement of income location	2015			2014			2015			2014
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Interest rate risks:
Net cash benefit associated with interest rate swaps	Interest expense—borrowings	$	631		$	638		$	1,903		$	1,915
Changes in fair value of interest rate swaps	Net gains on derivative instruments	(8		)	(12		)	(22		)	(37		)
Net gains associated with interest rate risk derivatives		$	623		$	626		$	1,881		$	1,878
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Currency exchange risks:
Gains (losses) on revaluations of foreign currency instruments	Other noninterest income	$	186		$	(12,640	)	$	(11,667	)	$	(12,347	)
(Losses) gains on internal foreign exchange forward contracts, net	Net gains on derivative instruments	(218		)	12,529			11,626			12,038
Net losses associated with currency risk		$	(32	)	$	(111	)	$	(41	)	$	(309	)
Other derivative instruments:
Net gains on equity warrant assets	Net gains on derivative instruments	$	10,685		$	13,157		$	54,579		$	50,859
Gains on client foreign exchange forward contracts, net	Net gains on derivative instruments	$	179		$	886		$	459		$	1,358
Net losses on other derivatives (1)	Net gains on derivative instruments	$	(394	)	$	(22	)	$	(352	)	$	(738	)

(1) Primarily represents the change in fair value of loan conversion options.

Balance Sheet Offsetting

Certain of our derivative and other financial instruments are subject to enforceable master netting arrangements with our counterparties. These agreements provide for the net settlement of multiple contracts with a single counterparty through a single payment, in a single currency, in the event of default on or termination of any one contract.

The following table summarizes our assets subject to enforceable master netting arrangements as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

								Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Financial Position But Subject to Master Netting Arrangements
(Dollars in thousands)	Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets		Gross Amounts offset in the Statement of Financial Position			Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statement of Financial Position		Financial Instruments			Cash Collateral Received			Net Amount
September 30, 2015
Derivative Assets:
Interest rate swaps	$	3,485	$	—		$	3,485	$	(3,485	)	$	—		$	—
Foreign exchange forwards	33,025		—			33,025		(19,373		)	(3,756		)	9,896
Foreign currency options	322		(76		)	246		(152		)	—			94
Client interest rate derivatives	5,164		—			5,164		(5,164		)	—			—
Total derivative assets:	41,996		(76		)	41,920		(28,174		)	(3,756		)	9,990
Reverse repurchase, securities borrowing, and similar arrangements	214,484		—			214,484		(214,484		)	—			—
Total	$	256,480	$	(76	)	$	256,404	$	(242,658	)	$	(3,756	)	$	9,990
December 31, 2014
Derivative Assets:
Interest rate swaps	$	4,609	$	—		$	4,609	$	(1,639	)	$	(2,970	)	$	—
Foreign exchange forwards	34,004		—			34,004		(17,843		)	(4,811		)	11,350
Foreign currency options	501		(274		)	227		(144		)	—			83
Client interest rate derivatives	2,546		—			2,546		(2,546		)	—			—
Total derivative assets:	41,660		(274		)	41,386		(22,172		)	(7,781		)	11,433
Reverse repurchase, securities borrowing, and similar arrangements	95,611		—			95,611		(95,611		)	—			—
Total	$	137,271	$	(274	)	$	136,997	$	(117,783	)	$	(7,781	)	$	11,433

The following table summarizes our liabilities subject to enforceable master netting arrangements as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

								Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Financial Position But Subject to Master Netting Arrangements
(Dollars in thousands)	Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities		Gross Amounts offset in the Statement of Financial Position			Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statement of Financial Position		Financial Instruments			Cash Collateral Pledged		Net Amount
September 30, 2015
Derivative Liabilities:
Foreign exchange forwards	$	28,693	$	—		$	28,693	$	(10,329	)	$	—	$	18,364
Foreign currency options	322		(76		)	246		(94		)	—		152
Client interest rate derivatives	5,719		—			5,719		(5,719		)	—		—
Total derivative liabilities:	34,734		(76		)	34,658		(16,142		)	—		18,516
Repurchase, securities lending, and similar arrangements	—		—			—		—			—		—
Total	$	34,734	$	(76	)	$	34,658	$	(16,142	)	$	—	$	18,516
December 31, 2014
Derivative Liabilities:
Foreign exchange forwards	$	28,136	$	—		$	28,136	$	(16,808	)	$	—	$	11,328
Foreign currency options	501		(274		)	227		(83		)	—		144
Client interest rate derivatives	2,748		—			2,748		(2,748		)	—		—
Total derivative liabilities:	31,385		(274		)	31,111		(19,639		)	—		11,472
Repurchase, securities lending, and similar arrangements	—		—			—		—			—		—
Total	$	31,385	$	(274	)	$	31,111	$	(19,639	)	$	—	$	11,472

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Segment Reporting - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	3

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Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying Value	$ 15,307,661	$ 13,540,655
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Interest rate risks | Interest rate swaps | Other assets
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Assets	3,485	4,609
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Other derivative instruments | Equity warrant asset | Other assets
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Assets	130,091	116,604
Fair value accounting
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities	779	108,251
Fair value accounting | Venture capital and private equity fund investments
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities	154,660	1,130,882
Fair value accounting | Other venture capital investments
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities	3,390	71,204
U.S. treasury securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying Value	10,197,025	7,302,273
U.S. agency debentures
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying Value	2,942,968	3,561,556
Residential mortgage-backed securities | Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations | Fixed rate
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying Value	1,517,702	1,884,843
Residential mortgage-backed securities | Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations | Variable rate
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying Value	645,288	784,475
Equity securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying Value	4,678	7,508
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying Value	15,307,661	13,540,655
Total assets	15,638,501	15,008,982
Total liabilities	34,658	31,111
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Interest rate risks | Interest rate swaps | Other assets
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Assets	3,485	4,609
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Currency exchange risks | Other assets
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Assets	33,271	34,231
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Currency exchange risks | Other liability
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value, Liabilities	28,939	28,363
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Other derivative instruments | Equity warrant asset | Other assets
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Assets	130,091	116,604
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Other derivative instruments | Client interest rate derivatives | Other assets
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Assets	5,164	2,546
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Other derivative instruments | Client interest rate derivatives | Other liability
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value, Liabilities	5,719	2,748
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Fair value accounting
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities	158,829	1,310,337
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Fair value accounting | Venture capital and private equity fund investments
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities		1,130,882
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Fair value accounting | Other venture capital investments
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities	3,390	71,204
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Fair value accounting | Other securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities	779	108,251
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | U.S. treasury securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying Value	10,197,025	7,302,273
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | U.S. agency debentures
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying Value	2,942,968	3,561,556
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Residential mortgage-backed securities | Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations | Fixed rate
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying Value	1,517,702	1,884,843
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Residential mortgage-backed securities | Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations | Variable rate
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying Value	645,288	784,475
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Equity securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying Value	4,678	7,508
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying Value	10,197,716	7,306,563
Total assets	10,198,495	7,414,814
Total liabilities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Noncontrolling Interests
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	600	100,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Interest rate risks | Interest rate swaps | Other assets
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Assets	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Currency exchange risks | Other assets
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Assets	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Currency exchange risks | Other liability
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value, Liabilities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Other derivative instruments | Equity warrant asset | Other assets
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Assets	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Other derivative instruments | Client interest rate derivatives | Other assets
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Assets	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Other derivative instruments | Client interest rate derivatives | Other liability
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value, Liabilities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Fair value accounting
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities	779	108,251
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Fair value accounting | Other venture capital investments
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Fair value accounting | Other securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities	779	108,251
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | U.S. treasury securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying Value	10,197,025	7,302,273
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | U.S. agency debentures
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying Value	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Residential mortgage-backed securities | Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations | Fixed rate
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying Value	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Residential mortgage-backed securities | Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations | Variable rate
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying Value	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Equity securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying Value	691	4,290
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying Value	5,109,945	6,234,092
Total assets	5,153,513	6,277,384
Total liabilities	34,658	31,111
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Interest rate risks | Interest rate swaps | Other assets
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Assets	3,485	4,609
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Currency exchange risks | Other assets
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Assets	33,271	34,231
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Currency exchange risks | Other liability
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value, Liabilities	28,939	28,363
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Other derivative instruments | Equity warrant asset | Other assets
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Assets	1,648	1,906
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Other derivative instruments | Client interest rate derivatives | Other assets
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Assets	5,164	2,546
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Other derivative instruments | Client interest rate derivatives | Other liability
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value, Liabilities	5,719	2,748
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Fair value accounting
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Fair value accounting | Other venture capital investments
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Fair value accounting | Other securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | U.S. treasury securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying Value	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | U.S. agency debentures
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying Value	2,942,968	3,561,556
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Residential mortgage-backed securities | Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations | Fixed rate
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying Value	1,517,702	1,884,843
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Residential mortgage-backed securities | Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations | Variable rate
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying Value	645,288	784,475
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Equity securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying Value	3,987	3,218
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying Value	0	0
Total assets	131,833	185,902
Total liabilities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Noncontrolling Interests
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	3,000	69,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Interest rate risks | Interest rate swaps | Other assets
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Assets	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Currency exchange risks | Other assets
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Assets	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Currency exchange risks | Other liability
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value, Liabilities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Other derivative instruments | Equity warrant asset | Other assets
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Assets	128,443	114,698
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Other derivative instruments | Client interest rate derivatives | Other assets
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Assets	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Other derivative instruments | Client interest rate derivatives | Other liability
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value, Liabilities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Fair value accounting
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities	3,390	71,204
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Fair value accounting | Other venture capital investments
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities	3,390	71,204
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Fair value accounting | Other securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | U.S. treasury securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying Value	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | U.S. agency debentures
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying Value	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Residential mortgage-backed securities | Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations | Fixed rate
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying Value	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Residential mortgage-backed securities | Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations | Variable rate
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying Value	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Equity securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying Value	$ 0	$ 0

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Interim Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	[1]	Sep. 30, 2014
Interest income:
Loans		$ 174,993	$ 153,292	$ 507,746		$ 449,144
Investment securities:
Taxable		87,609	73,540	253,496		191,384
Non-taxable		707	772	2,220		2,362
Federal funds sold, securities purchased under agreements to resell and other short-term investment securities		1,482	1,722	4,071		5,301
Total interest income		264,791	229,326	767,533		648,191
Interest expense:
Deposits		1,158	2,961	4,283		8,933
Borrowings		8,973	5,800	25,894		17,400
Total interest expense		10,131	8,761	30,177		26,333
Net interest income		254,660	220,565	737,356		621,858
Provision for loan losses		33,403	16,610	66,368		19,051
Net interest income after provision for loan losses		221,257	203,955	670,988		602,807
Noninterest income:
Gains on investment securities, net		18,768	5,644	77,006		172,236
Gains on derivative instruments, net		10,244	26,538	66,290		63,480
Foreign exchange fees		22,995	17,911	63,037		53,035
Credit card fees		14,536	10,909	40,841		31,440
Deposit service charges		12,272	10,126	34,309		29,344
Lending related fees		7,561	6,029	23,746		18,208
Client investment fees		5,683	3,814	15,429		10,751
Letters of credit and standby letters of credit fees		5,341	4,557	15,315		11,507
Other		11,077	(5,361)	22,315		14,601
Total noninterest income		108,477	80,167	358,288		404,602
Noninterest expense:
Compensation and benefits		109,345	99,932	350,030		302,259
Professional services		21,137	26,081	58,834		68,383
Premises and equipment		12,356	12,631	36,800		36,267
Business development and travel		8,028	10,022	28,904		29,465
Net occupancy		8,548	7,437	24,010		22,436
FDIC and state assessments		6,954	4,587	18,705		13,660
Correspondent bank fees		3,070	3,278	9,775		9,755
Provision for unfunded credit commitments		1,047	2,225	249		5,533
Other	[2]	14,270	13,568	42,101		33,355
Total noninterest expense	[2]	184,755	179,761	569,408		521,113
Income before income tax expense	[2]	144,979	104,361	459,868		486,296
Income tax expense	[2]	57,017	40,207	175,057		137,431
Net income before noncontrolling interests	[2],[3],[4]	87,962	64,154	284,811	[5]	348,865	[5],[6]
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	[3]	(6,229)	(177)	(28,419)		(142,985)
Net income available to common stockholders	[2]	$ 81,733	$ 63,977	$ 256,392		$ 205,880
Earnings per common share—basic (dollars per share)	[2]	$ 1.59	$ 1.26	$ 5.00		$ 4.26
Earnings per common share—diluted (dollars per share)		$ 1.57	$ 1.24	$ 4.94		$ 4.18

[1] Amounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the second quarter of 2015 related to our consolidated variable interest entities (ASU 2015-02). Amounts prior to January 1, 2015 have not been revised for the adoption of this guidance. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

[2] Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

[3] Amounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the second quarter of 2015 related to our consolidated variable interest entities (ASU 2015-02). Amounts prior to January 1, 2015 have not been revised for the adoption of this guidance. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

[4] Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

[5] Cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 were revised to reflect the adoption of ASU 2015-02 as of January 1, 2015 and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were revised to reflect the retrospective application of our adoption of ASU 2014-01.

[6] Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

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Variable Interest Entities

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Investments In Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]

Variable Interest Entities

Variable Interest Entities

Our involvement with VIEs includes our investments in venture capital and private equity funds, debt funds, private and public portfolio companies and our investments in qualified affordable housing projects.

The following table presents the carrying amounts and classification of significant variable interests in consolidated and unconsolidated VIEs as of September 30, 2015:

(Dollars in thousands)	Consolidated VIEs		Unconsolidated VIEs (1)		Maximum Exposure to Loss in Unconsolidated VIEs
September 30, 2015:
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	18,769	$	—	$	—
Non-marketable and other securities (2)	204,555		341,065		341,065
Accrued interest receivable and other assets	375		—		—
Total assets	$	223,699	$	341,065	$	341,065
Liabilities:
Other liabilities	421		—		—
Accrued expenses and other liabilities (2)	—		65,305		—
Total liabilities	$	421	$	65,305	$	—

(1) During the second quarter of 2015 we adopted ASU 2015-02 and certain previously consolidated VIEs are no longer included in our Consolidated Balance Sheet. We applied the accounting guidance as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption, January 1, 2015. Upon adoption, we deconsolidated 16 entities, which reduced our total assets and total equity (which includes total SVBFG stockholders' equity plus noncontrolling interests) by $1.1 billion and $1.2 billion, respectively, primarily as a result of the reduction of our non-marketable and other securities and noncontrolling interests, respectively. SVB Financial continues to consolidate its interest in five SVB Capital funds that meet the new consolidated criteria.

(2) Included in our non-marketable and other securities portfolio are investments in qualified affordable housing projects of $125.5 million and related unfunded commitments of $65.3 million.

Non-marketable and other securities

Our non-marketable and other securities portfolio primarily represents investments in venture capital and private equity funds, debt funds, private and public portfolio companies and investments in qualified affordable housing projects. A majority of these investments are through third party funds held by SVB Financial in which we do not have controlling or significant variable interests. These investments represent our unconsolidated VIEs in the table above. Our non-marketable and other securities portfolio also includes investments from SVB Capital. SVB Capital is the venture capital investment arm of SVB Financial, which focuses primarily on funds management. The SVB Capital family of funds is comprised of direct venture funds that invest in companies and funds of funds that invest in other venture capital funds. We have a controlling and significant variable interest in five of these SVB Capital funds and consolidate these funds for financial reporting purposes.

All investments are generally nonredeemable and distributions are expected to be received through the liquidation of the underlying investments throughout the life of the investment fund. Investments may be sold or transferred subject to the notice and approval provisions of the underlying investment agreement. Subject to applicable regulatory requirements, including the Volcker Rule, we also make commitments to invest in venture capital and private equity funds, but are not obligated to fund commitments beyond our initial investment. For additional details, see Note 13—"Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Guarantees, and Other Commitments" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)" under Part I, Item 1 of this report.

The Bank also has variable interests in low income housing tax credit funds that are designed to generate a return primarily through the realization of federal tax credits. These investments are typically limited partnerships in which the general partner, other than the Bank, holds the power over significant activities of the VIE. We have not consolidated these investments in accordance with the new guidelines in ASU 2015-02. For additional information on our investments in qualified affordable housing projects see Note 6—“Investment Securities" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 of this report.

As of September 30, 2015, our exposure to loss with respect to the consolidated VIEs is limited to our net assets of $223.3 million and our exposure to loss for our unconsolidated VIEs is equal to our investment in these assets of $341.1 million.

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Share-Based Compensation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Share-Based Compensation

Share-Based Compensation

For the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014, we recorded share-based compensation and related tax benefits as follows:

	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015			2014			2015			2014
Share-based compensation expense	$	8,188		$	7,520		$	24,174		$	22,285
Income tax benefit related to share-based compensation expense	(3,051		)	(2,676		)	(8,381		)	(7,351		)

Unrecognized Compensation Expense

As of September 30, 2015, unrecognized share-based compensation expense was as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)	Unrecognized   Expense		Average Expected Recognition   Period - in Years
Stock options	$	12,756	2.45
Restricted stock units	41,726		2.64
Total unrecognized share-based compensation expense	$	54,482

Share-Based Payment Award Activity

The table below provides stock option information related to the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan for the nine months ended September 30, 2015:

	Options		Weighted Average  Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life in Years	Aggregate   Intrinsic Value   of In-The- Money Options
Outstanding at December 31, 2014	1,394,888		$	66.03
Granted	122,120		129.30
Exercised	(311,575	)	51.34
Forfeited	(22,008	)	84.40
Expired	(1,520	)	48.76
Outstanding at September 30, 2015	1,181,905		76.12		4.00	$	48,295,069
Vested and expected to vest at September 30, 2015	1,145,732		75.24		3.95	47,717,566
Exercisable at September 30, 2015	656,191		60.34		3.01	36,230,256

The aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding options shown in the table above represents the pretax intrinsic value based on our closing stock price of $115.54 as of September 30, 2015. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 was $2.2 million and $24.0 million, respectively, compared to $7.7 million and $18.4 million for the comparable 2014 periods.

The table below provides information for restricted stock units under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan for the nine months ended September 30, 2015:

	Shares		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested at December 31, 2014	614,666		$	79.92
Granted	231,205		129.22
Vested	(211,652	)	74.02
Forfeited	(19,292	)	88.51
Nonvested at September 30, 2015	614,927		101.01

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Fair Value of Financial Instruments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value Measurements

Our available-for-sale securities, derivative instruments and certain non-marketable and other securities are financial instruments recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. We make estimates regarding valuation of assets and liabilities measured at fair value in preparing our interim consolidated financial statements.

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (the “exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. There is a three-level hierarchy for disclosure of assets and liabilities recorded at fair value. The classification of assets and liabilities within the hierarchy is based on whether the inputs to the valuation methodology used for measurement are observable or unobservable and the significance of those inputs in the fair value measurement. Observable inputs reflect market-derived or market-based information obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our estimates about market data and views of market participants. The three levels for measuring fair value are based on the reliability of inputs and are as follows:

Level 1

Fair value measurements based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access. Since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, valuation of these instruments does not entail a significant degree of judgment. Assets utilizing Level 1 inputs include U.S. Treasury securities, exchange-traded equity securities and certain marketable securities accounted for under fair value accounting.

Level 2

Fair value measurements based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, directly or indirectly. Valuations for the available-for-sale securities are provided by third party external pricing service providers. We review the methodologies used to determine the fair value, including understanding the nature and observability of the inputs used to determine the price. Additional corroboration, such as obtaining a non-binding price from a broker, may be obtained depending on the frequency of trades of the security and the level of liquidity or depth of the market. The valuation methodology that is generally used for the Level 2 assets is the income approach. Below is a summary of the significant inputs used for each class of Level 2 assets and liabilities:

U.S. agency debentures: Fair value measurements of U.S. agency debentures are based on the characteristics specific to bonds held, such as issuer name, coupon rate, maturity date and any applicable issuer call option features. Valuations are based on market spreads relative to similar term benchmark market interest rates, generally U.S. Treasury securities.

Agency-issued mortgage-backed securities: Agency-issued mortgage-backed securities are pools of individual conventional mortgage loans underwritten to U.S. agency standards with similar coupon rates, tenor, and other attributes such as geographic location, loan size and origination vintage. Fair value measurements of these securities are based on observable price adjustments relative to benchmark market interest rates taking into consideration estimated loan prepayment speeds.

Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations: Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations are structured into classes or tranches with defined cash flow characteristics and are collateralized by U.S. agency-issued mortgage pass-through securities. Fair value measurements of these securities incorporate similar characteristics of mortgage pass-through securities such as coupon rate, tenor, geographic location, loan size and origination vintage, in addition to incorporating the effect of estimated prepayment speeds on the cash flow structure of the class or tranche. These measurements incorporate observable market spreads over an estimated average life after considering the inputs listed above.

Agency-issued commercial mortgage-backed securities: Fair value measurements of these securities are based on spreads to benchmark market interest rates (usually U.S. Treasury rates or rates observable in the swaps market), prepayment speeds, loan default rate assumptions and loan loss severity assumptions on underlying loans.

Municipal bonds and notes: Bonds issued by municipal governments generally have stated coupon rates, final maturity dates and are subject to being called ahead of the final maturity date at the option of the issuer. Fair value measurements of these securities are priced based on spreads to other municipal benchmark bonds with similar characteristics; or, relative to market rates on U.S. Treasury bonds of similar maturity.

Interest rate derivative assets and liabilities: Fair value measurements of interest rate derivatives are priced considering the coupon rate of the fixed leg of the contract and the variable coupon on the floating leg of the contract. Valuation is based on both spot and forward rates on the swap yield curve and the credit worthiness of the contract counterparty.

Foreign exchange forward and option contract assets and liabilities: Fair value measurements of these assets and liabilities are priced based on spot and forward foreign currency rates and option volatility assumptions.

Equity warrant assets (public portfolio): Fair value measurements of equity warrant assets of publicly-traded portfolio companies are valued based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The model uses the price of publicly-traded companies (underlying stock price), stated strike prices, warrant expiration dates, the risk-free interest rate and market-observable option volatility assumptions.

Level 3

The fair value measurement is derived from valuation techniques that use significant assumptions not observable in the market. These unobservable assumptions reflect our own estimates of assumptions we believe market participants would use in pricing the asset. Below is a summary of the valuation techniques used for each class of Level 3 assets:

Other venture capital investments: Fair value measurements are based on consideration of a range of factors including, but not limited to, the price at which the investment was acquired, the term and nature of the investment, local market conditions, values for comparable securities, and as it relates to the private company, the current and projected operating performance, exit strategies and financing transactions subsequent to the acquisition of the investment. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement include the information about each portfolio company, including actual and forecasted results, cash position, recent or planned transactions and market comparable companies. Significant changes to any one of these inputs in isolation could result in a significant change in the fair value measurement, however, we generally consider all factors available through ongoing communication with the portfolio companies and venture capital fund managers to determine whether there are changes to the portfolio company or the environment that indicate a change in the fair value measurement.

Other securities: Fair value measurements of equity securities of public companies are priced based on quoted market prices less a discount if the securities are subject to certain sales restrictions. Marketability discounts generally range from 10% to 20% depending on the duration of the sale restrictions which typically range from 3 to 6 months.

Equity warrant assets (public portfolio): Fair value measurements of equity warrant assets of publicly-traded portfolio companies are valued based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The model uses the price of publicly-traded companies (underlying stock price), stated strike prices, warrant expiration dates, the risk-free interest rate and market-observable option volatility assumptions. Modeled asset values are further adjusted by applying a discount of up to 20% for certain warrants that have lock-up restrictions or other features that indicate a discount to fair value is warranted. As a lock-up term nears, and other sale restrictions are lifted, discounts are adjusted downward to 0 percent once all restrictions expire or are removed.

Equity warrant assets (private portfolio): Fair value measurements of equity warrant assets of private portfolio companies are priced based on a modified Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the asset value by using stated strike prices, option expiration dates, risk-free interest rates and option volatility assumptions. Option volatility assumptions used in the modified Black-Scholes model are based on public market indices whose members operate in similar industries as companies in our private company portfolio. Option expiration dates are modified to account for estimates to actual life relative to stated expiration. Overall model asset values are further adjusted for a general lack of liquidity due to the private nature of the associated underlying company. There is a direct correlation between changes in the volatility and remaining life assumptions in isolation and the fair value measurement while there is an inverse correlation between changes in the liquidity discount assumption and the fair value measurement.

It is our policy to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when developing fair value measurements. When available, we use quoted market prices to measure fair value. If market prices are not available, fair value measurement is based upon valuation techniques that use primarily market-based or independently-sourced market parameters, including interest rate yield curves, prepayment speeds, option volatilities and currency rates. Substantially all of our financial instruments use the foregoing methodologies, and are categorized as a Level 1 or Level 2 measurement in the fair value hierarchy. However, in certain cases, when market observable inputs for our valuation techniques may not be readily available, we are required to make judgments about assumptions we believe market participants would use in estimating the fair value of the financial instrument, and based on the significance of those judgments, the measurement may be determined to be a Level 3 fair value measurement.

The degree of management judgment involved in determining the fair value of a financial instrument is dependent upon the availability of quoted market prices or observable market parameters. For financial instruments that trade actively and have quoted market prices or observable market parameters, there is minimal subjectivity involved in measuring fair value. When observable market prices and parameters are not fully available, management judgment is necessary to estimate fair value. For inactive markets, there is little information, if any, to evaluate if individual transactions are orderly. Accordingly, we are required to estimate, based upon all available facts and circumstances, the degree to which orderly transactions are occurring and provide more weighting to price quotes that are based upon orderly transactions. In addition, changes in the market conditions may reduce the availability of quoted prices or observable data. For example, reduced liquidity in the capital markets or changes in secondary market activities could result in observable market inputs becoming unavailable. Therefore, when market data is not available, we use valuation techniques requiring more management judgment to estimate the appropriate fair value measurement. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by management in determining fair value is greater for financial assets and liabilities categorized as Level 3.

The following fair value hierarchy table presents information about our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2015:

(Dollars in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Balance at September 30, 2015
Assets
Available-for-sale securities:
U.S. treasury securities	$	10,197,025	$	—	$	—	$	10,197,025
U.S. agency debentures	—		2,942,968		—		2,942,968
Residential mortgage-backed securities:
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations - fixed rate	—		1,517,702		—		1,517,702
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations - variable rate	—		645,288		—		645,288
Equity securities	691		3,987		—		4,678
Total available-for-sale securities	10,197,716		5,109,945		—		15,307,661
Non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting):
Non-marketable securities:
Venture capital and private equity fund investments measured at net asset value (1)	—		—		—		154,660
Other venture capital investments	—		—		3,390		3,390
Other securities	779		—		—		779
Total non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting)	779		—		3,390		158,829
Other assets:
Interest rate swaps	—		3,485		—		3,485
Foreign exchange forward and option contracts	—		33,271		—		33,271
Equity warrant assets	—		1,648		128,443		130,091
Client interest rate derivatives	—		5,164		—		5,164
Total assets (2)	$	10,198,495	$	5,153,513	$	131,833	$	15,638,501
Liabilities
Foreign exchange forward and option contracts	$	—	$	28,939	$	—	$	28,939
Client interest rate derivatives	—		5,719		—		5,719
Total liabilities	$	—	$	34,658	$	—	$	34,658

(1) In accordance with the accounting standard (ASU 2015-07, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820)), certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the statement of financial position. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

(2) Included in Level 1 and Level 3 assets are $0.6 million and $3 million, respectively, attributable to noncontrolling interests calculated based on the ownership percentages of the noncontrolling interests.

The following fair value hierarchy table presents information about our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014:

(Dollars in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Balance at December 31, 2014
Assets
Available-for-sale securities:
U.S. treasury securities	$	7,302,273	$	—	$	—	$	7,302,273
U.S. agency debentures	—		3,561,556		—		3,561,556
Residential mortgage-backed securities:
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations - fixed rate	—		1,884,843		—		1,884,843
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations - variable rate	—		784,475		—		784,475
Equity securities	4,290		3,218		—		7,508
Total available-for-sale securities	7,306,563		6,234,092		—		13,540,655
Non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting):
Non-marketable securities:
Venture capital and private equity fund investments measured at net asset value (1)	—		—		—		1,130,882
Other venture capital investments	—		—		71,204		71,204
Other securities	108,251		—		—		108,251
Total non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting)	108,251		—		71,204		1,310,337
Other assets:
Interest rate swaps	—		4,609		—		4,609
Foreign exchange forward and option contracts	—		34,231		—		34,231
Equity warrant assets	—		1,906		114,698		116,604
Client interest rate derivatives	—		2,546		—		2,546
Total assets (2)	$	7,414,814	$	6,277,384	$	185,902	$	15,008,982
Liabilities
Foreign exchange forward and option contracts	$	—	$	28,363	$	—	$	28,363
Client interest rate derivatives	—		2,748		—		2,748
Total liabilities	$	—	$	31,111	$	—	$	31,111

(1) In accordance with the accounting standard (ASU 2015-07, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820)), certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

(2) Included in Level 1 and Level 3 assets are $100 million and $69 million, respectively, attributable to noncontrolling interests calculated based on the ownership percentages of the noncontrolling interests.

The following table presents additional information about Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively:

(Dollars in thousands)	Beginning Balance		Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Income		Purchases		Sales			Issuances		Distributions and Other Settlements			Transfers Out of Level 3			Ending Balance
Three months ended September 30, 2015
Non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting):
Other venture capital investments	$	3,390	$	15	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	(15	)	$	—		$	3,390
Total non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting) (1)	3,390		15		—		—			—		(15		)	—			3,390
Other assets:
Equity warrant assets (2)	120,037		11,551		—		(6,215		)	3,057		499			(486		)	128,443
Total assets	$	123,427	$	11,566	$	—	$	(6,215	)	$	3,057	$	484		$	(486	)	$	131,833
Three months ended September 30, 2014
Non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting):
Other venture capital investments	$	43,747	$	5,546	$	6,304	$	(11,122	)	$	—	$	(612	)	$	—		$	43,863
Other securities (fair value accounting)	5,808		—		—		—			—		—			(5,808		)	—
Total non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting) (1)	49,555		5,546		6,304		(11,122		)	—		(612		)	(5,808		)	43,863
Other assets:
Equity warrant assets (2)	87,151		13,805		—		(10,564		)	2,932		510			(437		)	93,397
Total assets	$	136,706	$	19,351	$	6,304	$	(21,686	)	$	2,932	$	(102	)	$	(6,245	)	$	137,260
Nine months ended September 30, 2015
Non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting):
Other venture capital investments (3)	$	3,291	$	146	$	—	$	(32	)	$	—	$	(15	)	$	—		$	3,390
Total non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting) (1)	3,291		146		—		(32		)	—		(15		)	—			3,390
Other assets:
Equity warrant assets (2)	114,698		54,884		—		(48,374		)	7,607		1,249			(1,621		)	128,443
Total assets	$	117,989	$	55,030	$	—	$	(48,406	)	$	7,607	$	1,234		$	(1,621	)	$	131,833
Nine months ended September 30, 2014
Non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting):
Other venture capital investments	$	32,839	$	8,060	$	22,800	$	(15,561	)	$	—	$	(4,149	)	$	(126	)	$	43,863
Other securities (fair value accounting)	319,249		104,310		—		(46,840		)	—		3,417			(380,136		)	—
Total non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting) (1)	352,088		112,370		22,800		(62,401		)	—		(732		)	(380,262		)	43,863
Other assets:
Equity warrant assets (2)	99,891		51,325		—		(67,201		)	9,098		1,718			(1,434		)	93,397
Total assets	$	451,979	$	163,695	$	22,800	$	(129,602	)	$	9,098	$	986		$	(381,696	)	$	137,260

(1) Realized and unrealized gains (losses) are recorded in the line items “gains on investment securities, net” a component of noninterest income.

(2) Realized and unrealized gains (losses) are recorded in the line item “gains on derivative instruments, net”, a component of noninterest income.

(3) Beginning balance was adjusted to conform with our adoption of the new accounting standard (ASU 2015-02), Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis (Topic 820).

The following table presents the amount of net unrealized gains and losses included in earnings (which is inclusive of noncontrolling interest) attributable to Level 3 assets still held at September 30, 2015 and 2014:

	Three months ended September 30,					Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015		2014			2015		2014
Non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting):
Other venture capital investments	—		(1,231		)	158		78
Other securities	—		—			—		78,967
Total non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting) (1)	—		(1,231		)	158		79,045
Other assets:
Equity warrant assets (2)	9,115		6,911			21,597		17,777
Total unrealized gains, net	$	9,115	$	5,680		$	21,755	$	96,822
Unrealized gains (losses) attributable to noncontrolling interests	$	—	$	(1,137	)	$	141	$	72,574

(1) Unrealized gains (losses) are recorded in the line items “gains on investment securities, net”, a component of noninterest income.

(2) Unrealized gains (losses) are recorded in the line item “gains on derivative instruments, net”, a component of noninterest income.

The following table presents quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used for certain of our Level 3 fair value measurements at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. We have not included in this table our venture capital and private equity fund investments (fair value accounting) as we use net asset value per share (as obtained from the general partners of the investments) as a practical expedient to determine fair value.

(Dollars in thousands)		Fair value		Valuation Technique	Significant Unobservable Inputs	Weighted  Average
September 30, 2015:
Other venture capital investments (fair value accounting)		$	3,390	Private company equity pricing	(1)	(1	)
Equity warrant assets (public portfolio)	—	4,795		Modified Black-Scholes option pricing model	Volatility	39.4	%
	—				Risk-Free interest rate	1.5	%
					Sales restrictions discount (2)	14.2	%
Equity warrant assets (private portfolio)		123,648		Modified Black-Scholes option pricing model	Volatility	37.1	%
					Risk-Free interest rate	0.7	%
					Marketability discount (3)	17.3	%
					Remaining life assumption (4)	45.0	%
December 31, 2014:
Other venture capital investments (fair value accounting)		$	71,204	Private company equity pricing	(1)	(1	)
Equity warrant assets (public portfolio)		1,681		Modified Black-Scholes option pricing model	Volatility	42.6	%
					Risk-Free interest rate	1.7	%
					Sales restrictions discount (2)	17.8	%
Equity warrant assets (private portfolio)		113,017		Modified Black-Scholes option pricing model	Volatility	38.3	%
					Risk-Free interest rate	0.9	%
					Marketability discount (3)	20.0	%
					Remaining life assumption (4)	45.0	%

(1) In determining the fair value of our other venture capital investment portfolio, we evaluate a variety of factors related to each underlying private portfolio company including, but not limited to, actual and forecasted results, cash position, recent or planned transactions and market comparable companies. Additionally, we have ongoing communication with the portfolio companies and venture capital fund managers, to determine whether there is a material change in fair value. These factors are specific to each portfolio company and a weighted average or range of values of the unobservable inputs is not meaningful.

(2) We adjust quoted market prices of public companies, which are subject to certain sales restrictions. Sales restriction discounts generally range from 10% to 20% depending on the duration of the sales restrictions, which typically range from 3 to 6 months.

(3) Our marketability discount is applied to all private company warrants to account for a general lack of liquidity due to the private nature of the associated underlying company. The quantitative measure used is based upon various option-pricing models. On a quarterly basis, a sensitivity analysis is performed on our marketability discount.

(4) We adjust the contractual remaining term of private company warrants based on our estimate of the actual remaining life, which we determine by utilizing historical data on cancellations and exercises. At September 30, 2015, the weighted average contractual remaining term was 5.67 years, compared to our estimated remaining life of 2.55 years. On a quarterly basis, a sensitivity analysis is performed on our remaining life assumption.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, we did not have any material transfers between Level 2 and Level 1. We did not have any transfers from Level 3 to Level 1 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Transfers from Level 3 to Level 1 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 included $380.3 million as a result of the expiration of lock-up and other restrictions on certain of our other securities.

All other transfers from Level 3 to Level 2 for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014 were due to the transfer of equity warrant assets from our private portfolio to our public portfolio (see our Level 3 reconciliation above). All amounts reported as transfers represent the fair value as of the date of the change in circumstances that caused the transfer.

Financial Instruments not Carried at Fair Value

FASB guidance over financial instruments requires that we disclose estimated fair values for our financial instruments not carried at fair value. Fair value estimates, methods and assumptions, set forth below for our financial instruments, are made solely to comply with these requirements.

Fair values are based on estimates or calculations at the transaction level using present value techniques in instances where quoted market prices are not available. Because broadly traded markets do not exist for many of our financial instruments, the fair value calculations attempt to incorporate the effect of current market conditions at a specific time. The aggregation of the fair value calculations presented herein does not represent, and should not be construed to represent, the underlying value of the Company.

The following describes the methods and assumptions used in estimating the fair values of financial instruments for which carrying value approximates fair value and estimated fair values of financial instruments not recorded at fair value on a recurring basis and excludes financial instruments and assets and liabilities already recorded at fair value as described above.

Financial Instruments for which Carrying Value Approximates Fair Value

Certain financial instruments that are not carried at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets are carried at amounts that approximate fair value, due to their short-term nature and generally negligible credit risk. These instruments include cash and cash equivalents; FHLB and FRB stock; accrued interest receivable; short-term borrowings; short-term time deposits; and accrued interest payable. In addition, U.S. GAAP requires that the fair value of deposit liabilities with no stated maturity (i.e., demand, savings and certain money market deposits) be equal to their carrying value; recognition of the inherent funding value of these instruments is not permitted.

Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments Not Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

Held-to-Maturity Securities

Held-to-maturity securities include similar investments held in our available-for-sale securities portfolio and are valued using the same methodologies. All securities included in our held-to-maturity securities portfolio are valued using Level 2 inputs. Refer to Level 2 fair value measurements above for significant inputs used in the valuation of our held-to-maturity investment securities.

Non-Marketable Securities (Cost and Equity Method Accounting)

Non-marketable securities includes other investments (equity method accounting), venture capital and private equity fund investments (cost method accounting), and other venture capital investments (cost method accounting). Other investments (equity method accounting) includes our investment in our joint venture bank in China. At this time, the carrying value of our investment in our joint venture bank in China is a reasonable estimate of fair value. The fair value of the remaining other investments (equity method accounting) and the fair value of venture capital and private equity fund investments (cost method accounting) and other venture capital investments (cost method accounting) is based on financial information obtained from the investee or obtained from the fund investments’ or debt fund investments’ respective general partners. For private company investments, estimated fair value is based on consideration of a range of factors including, but not limited to, the price at which the investment was acquired, the term and nature of the investment, local market conditions, values for comparable securities, current and projected operating performance, exit strategies, and financing transactions subsequent to the acquisition of the investment. For our fund investments, we utilize the net asset value per share as obtained from the general partners of the investments. We adjust the net asset value per share for differences between our measurement date and the date of the fund investment’s net asset value by using the most recently available financial information from the investee general partner, for example June 30^th, for our September 30^th consolidated financial statements, adjusted for any contributions paid, distributions received from the investment, and significant fund transactions or market events during the reporting period.

Loans

The fair value of fixed and variable rate loans is estimated by discounting contractual cash flows using rates that reflect current pricing for similar loans and the projected forward yield curve. This method is not based on the exit price concept of fair value required under ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.

Long-Term Deposits

The fair value of long-term time deposits is estimated by discounting the cash flows using our cost of borrowings and the projected forward yield curve over their remaining contractual term.

Long-Term Debt

The fair value of long-term debt is generally based on quoted market prices, when available, or is estimated based on calculations utilizing third-party pricing services and current market spread, price indications from reputable dealers or observable market prices of the underlying instrument(s), whichever is deemed more reliable. Also included in the estimated fair value of our 6.05% Subordinated Notes are amounts related to hedge accounting associated with the notes.

Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments

The fair value of net available commitments to extend credit is estimated based on the average amount we would receive or pay to execute a new agreement with identical terms and pricing, while taking into account the counterparties’ credit standing.

Letters of credit are carried at their fair value, which was equivalent to the residual premium or fee at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Commitments to extend credit and letters of credit typically result in loans with a market interest rate if funded.

The following fair value hierarchy table presents the estimated fair values of our financial instruments that are not carried at fair value at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

			Estimated Fair Value
(Dollars in thousands)	Carrying Amount		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
September 30, 2015:
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,674,145	$	1,674,145	$	1,674,145	$	—	$	—
Held-to-maturity securities	8,306,526		8,367,003		—		8,367,003		—
Non-marketable securities (cost and equity method accounting) not measured at net asset value	112,984		115,359		—		—		115,359
Non-marketable securities (cost and equity method) accounting measured at net asset value (1)	253,210		374,353		—		—		—
Net commercial loans	13,470,144		13,547,022		—		—		13,547,022
Net consumer loans	1,646,929		1,618,492		—		—		1,618,492
FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank stock	46,116		46,116		—		—		46,116
Accrued interest receivable	98,453		98,453		—		98,453		—
Financial liabilities:
Other short-term borrowings	3,756		3,756		3,756		—		—
Non-maturity deposits (2)	36,977,199		36,977,199		36,977,199		—		—
Time deposits	72,218		72,218		—		72,218		—
3.50% Senior Notes	346,591		342,125		—		342,125		—
5.375% Senior Notes	346,878		391,286		—		391,286		—
6.05% Subordinated Notes (3)	49,028		51,000		—		51,000		—
7.0% Junior Subordinated Debentures	54,714		52,557		—		52,557		—
Accrued interest payable	4,992		4,992		—		4,992		—
Off-balance sheet financial assets:
Commitments to extend credit	—		28,805		—		—		28,805
December 31, 2014:
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,796,062	$	1,796,062	$	1,796,062	$	—	$	—
Held-to-maturity securities	7,421,042		7,415,656		—		7,415,656		—
Non-marketable securities (cost and equity method accounting) not measured at net asset value	108,221		107,451		—		—		107,451
Non-marketable securities (cost and equity method) accounting measured at net asset value (1)	188,427		283,119		—		—		—
Net commercial loans	12,947,869		13,082,487		—		—		13,082,487
Net consumer loans	1,271,048		1,247,336		—		—		1,247,336
FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank stock	53,496		53,496		—		—		53,496
Accrued interest receivable	94,180		94,180		—		94,180		—
Financial liabilities:
Other short-term borrowings	7,781		7,781		7,781		—		—
Non-maturity deposits (2)	34,215,372		34,215,372		34,215,372		—		—
Time deposits	128,127		128,107		—		128,107		—
5.375% Senior Notes	346,477		392,616		—		392,616		—
6.05% Subordinated Notes (3)	50,040		53,537		—		53,537		—
7.0% Junior Subordinated Debentures	54,845		52,990		—		52,990		—
Accrued interest payable	6,998		6,998		—		6,998		—
Off-balance sheet financial assets:
Commitments to extend credit	—		29,097		—		—		29,097

(1) In accordance with the accounting standard (ASU 2015-07, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820)), certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

(2) Includes noninterest-bearing demand deposits, interest-bearing checking accounts, money market accounts and interest-bearing sweep deposits.

(3) At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, included in the carrying value and estimated fair value of our 6.05% Subordinated Notes was an interest rate swap valued at $3.5 million and $4.6 million, respectively, related to hedge accounting associated with the notes.

Investments in Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share

FASB guidance over certain fund investments requires that we disclose the fair value of funds, significant investment strategies of the investees, redemption features of the investees, restrictions on the ability to sell investments, estimate of the period of time over which the underlying assets are expected to be liquidated by the investee, and unfunded commitments related to the investments.

Our investments in debt funds and venture capital and private equity fund investments generally cannot be redeemed. Alternatively, we expect distributions, if any, to be received primarily through IPOs and M&A activity of the underlying assets of the fund. Subject to applicable requirements under the Volcker Rule, we do not have any plans to sell any of these fund investments. If we decide to sell these investments in the future, the investee fund’s management must approve of the buyer before the sale of the investments can be completed. The fair values of the fund investments have been estimated using the net asset value per share of the investments, adjusted for any differences between our measurement date and the date of the fund investment’s net asset value by using the most recently available financial information from the investee general partner, for example June 30^th, for our September 30^th consolidated financial statements, adjusted for any contributions paid, distributions received from the investment, and significant fund transactions or market events during the reporting period.

The following table is a summary of the estimated fair values of these investments and remaining unfunded commitments for each major category of these investments as of September 30, 2015:

(Dollars in thousands)	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Unfunded Commitments
Non-marketable securities (fair value accounting):
Venture capital and private equity fund investments (1)	$	154,660	$	154,660	$	10,878
Non-marketable securities (equity method accounting):
Venture capital and private equity fund investments (2)	84,197		84,197		4,989
Debt funds (2)	21,217		22,326		—
Other investments (2)	24,246		24,246		886
Non-marketable securities (cost method accounting):
Venture capital and private equity fund investments (2)	123,550		243,584		9,381
Total	$	407,870	$	529,013	$	26,134

(1) Venture capital and private equity fund investments within non-marketable securities (fair value accounting) include investments made by our managed funds of funds and one of our direct venture funds. These investments represent investments in venture capital and private equity funds that invest primarily in U.S. and global technology and life science & healthcare companies. Included in the fair value and unfunded commitments of fund investments under fair value accounting are $111 million and $8 million, respectively, attributable to noncontrolling interests. It is estimated that we will receive distributions from the fund investments over the next 10 to 13 years, depending on the age of the funds and any potential extensions of terms of the funds.

(2) Venture capital and private equity fund investments, debt funds, and other fund investments within non-marketable securities (equity and cost method accounting) include funds that invest in or lend money to primarily U.S. and global technology and life science & healthcare companies. It is estimated that we will receive distributions from the funds over the next 10 to 13 years, depending on the age of the funds and any potential extensions of the terms of the funds.

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Other Noninterest Income and Other Noninterest Expense

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]

Other Noninterest Income and Other Noninterest Expense

Other Noninterest Income and Other Noninterest Expense

A summary of other noninterest income for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:

	Three months ended September 30,					Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015		2014			2015			2014
Fund management fees	$	4,074	$	3,574		$	11,657		$	9,888
Service-based fee income	1,931		2,180			6,450			6,459
Gains (losses) on revaluation of foreign currency instruments (1)	186		(12,640		)	(11,667		)	(12,347		)
Other (2) (3)	4,886		1,525			15,875			10,601
Total other noninterest income	$	11,077	$	(5,361	)	$	22,315		$	14,601

(1) Represents the revaluation of foreign currency denominated financial instruments issued and held by us, primarily loans, deposits and cash.

(2) Includes dividends on FHLB/FRB stock, correspondent bank rebate income and other fee income.

(3) Amount for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 has been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the second quarter of 2015 related to our consolidated variable interest entities (ASU 2015-02). Amount prior to January 1, 2015 has not been revised for the adoption of this guidance. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

A summary of other noninterest expense for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:

	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015		2014		2015		2014
Lending and other client related processing costs	$	3,608	$	3,215	$	10,861	$	8,160
Telephone	2,224		1,931		6,727		5,217
Data processing services	2,083		2,229		5,274		6,497
Postage and supplies	728		763		2,220		2,248
Dues and publications	521		719		1,803		1,852
Other (1)	5,106		4,711		15,216		9,381
Total other noninterest expense (2)	$	14,270	$	13,568	$	42,101	$	33,355

(1) Amount for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 has been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the second quarter of 2015 related to our consolidated variable interest entities (ASU 2015-02). Amount prior to January 1, 2015 has not been revised for the adoption of this guidance. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

(2) Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Guarantees and Other Commitments - Summary of Commercial and Standby Letters of Credit (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Expires In One Year or Less	$ 1,313,260
Expires After One Year	78,552
Total Amount Outstanding	1,391,812	$ 1,254,338
Maximum Amount of Future Payments	1,391,812
Financial standby letters of credit
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Expires In One Year or Less	1,251,147
Expires After One Year	68,343
Total Amount Outstanding	1,319,490
Maximum Amount of Future Payments	1,319,490
Performance standby letters of credit
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Expires In One Year or Less	50,220
Expires After One Year	10,209
Total Amount Outstanding	60,429
Maximum Amount of Future Payments	60,429
Commercial letters of credit
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Expires In One Year or Less	11,893
Expires After One Year	0
Total Amount Outstanding	11,893
Maximum Amount of Future Payments	$ 11,893

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Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Receivables [Abstract]

Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses

Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses

We serve a variety of clients in the technology and life science & healthcare industries. Our technology clients tend to be in the industries of: hardware (such as semiconductors, communications, data storage, and electronics); software and internet (such as infrastructure software, applications, software services, digital content and advertising technology), and energy and resource innovation ("ERI"). Because of the diverse nature of ERI products and services, for our loan-related reporting purposes, ERI-related loans are reported under hardware and software, as applicable. Our life science & healthcare clients primarily tend to be in the industries of biotechnology, medical devices, healthcare information technology and healthcare services. Loans made to private equity/venture capital firm clients typically enable them to fund investments prior to their receipt of funds from capital calls. Loans to the premium wine industry focus on vineyards and wineries that produce grapes and wines of high quality.

In addition to commercial loans, we make consumer loans through SVB Private Bank and provide real estate secured loans to eligible employees through our EHOP. Our private banking clients are primarily private equity/venture capital professionals and executive leaders in the innovation companies they support. These products and services include real estate secured home equity lines of credit, which may be used to finance real estate investments and loans used to purchase, renovate or refinance personal residences. These products and services also include restricted stock purchase loans and capital call lines of credit.

We also provide community development loans made as part of our responsibilities under the Community Reinvestment Act. These loans are included within “Construction loans” below and are primarily secured by real estate.

The composition of loans, net of unearned income of $115 million and $104 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, is presented in the following table:

(Dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	5,272,825	$	4,954,676
Hardware	962,295		1,131,006
Private equity/venture capital	4,571,102		4,582,906
Life science & healthcare	1,598,362		1,289,904
Premium wine	193,712		187,568
Other	295,550		234,551
Total commercial loans	12,893,846		12,380,611
Real estate secured loans:
Premium wine (1)	633,248		606,753
Consumer loans (2)	1,444,067		1,118,115
Other	38,043		39,651
Total real estate secured loans	2,115,358		1,764,519
Construction loans	92,551		78,626
Consumer loans	212,825		160,520
Total loans, net of unearned income (3)	$	15,314,580	$	14,384,276

(1) Included in our premium wine portfolio are gross construction loans of $119 million and $112 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

(2) Consumer loans secured by real estate at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were comprised of the following:

(Dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Loans for personal residence	$	1,225,794	$	918,629
Loans to eligible employees	149,612		133,568
Home equity lines of credit	68,661		65,918
Consumer loans secured by real estate	$	1,444,067	$	1,118,115

(3) Included within our total loan portfolio are credit card loans of $186 million and $131 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

Credit Quality

The composition of loans, net of unearned income of $115 million and $104 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, broken out by portfolio segment and class of financing receivable, is as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	5,272,825	$	4,954,676
Hardware	962,295		1,131,006
Private equity/venture capital	4,571,102		4,582,906
Life science & healthcare	1,598,362		1,289,904
Premium wine	826,960		794,321
Other	426,144		352,828
Total commercial loans	13,657,688		13,105,641
Consumer loans:
Real estate secured loans	1,444,067		1,118,115
Other consumer loans	212,825		160,520
Total consumer loans	1,656,892		1,278,635
Total loans, net of unearned income	$	15,314,580	$	14,384,276

The following table summarizes the aging of our gross loans, broken out by portfolio segment and class of financing receivable as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

(Dollars in thousands)	30 - 59   Days Past   Due		60 - 89   Days Past   Due		Greater Than 90   Days Past   Due		Total Past   Due		Current		Loans Past Due   90 Days or More Still Accruing Interest
September 30, 2015:
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	9,729	$	1,168	$	169	$	11,066	$	5,244,198	$	169
Hardware	620		1,021		—		1,641		965,511		—
Private equity/venture capital	410		—		—		410		4,611,543		—
Life science & healthcare	377		729		—		1,106		1,566,185		—
Premium wine	295		—		—		295		827,709		—
Other	—		8		—		8		429,145		—
Total commercial loans	11,431		2,926		169		14,526		13,644,291		169
Consumer loans:
Real estate secured loans	—		—		—		—		1,443,011		—
Other consumer loans	1,313		—		—		1,313		211,339		—
Total consumer loans	1,313		—		—		1,313		1,654,350		—
Total gross loans excluding impaired loans	12,744		2,926		169		15,839		15,298,641		169
Impaired loans	—		1,798		8,295		10,093		105,368		—
Total gross loans	$	12,744	$	4,724	$	8,464	$	25,932	$	15,404,009	$	169
December 31, 2014:
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	10,989	$	1,627	$	52	$	12,668	$	4,950,291	$	52
Hardware	13,424		126		—		13,550		1,124,423		—
Private equity/venture capital	40,773		—		—		40,773		4,580,526		—
Life science & healthcare	738		786		—		1,524		1,298,728		—
Premium wine	—		—		—		—		795,345		—
Other	178		3		—		181		354,939		—
Total commercial loans	66,102		2,542		52		68,696		13,104,252		52
Consumer loans:
Real estate secured loans	1,592		341		1,250		3,183		1,114,286		1,250
Other consumer loans	—		—		—		—		160,212		—
Total consumer loans	1,592		341		1,250		3,183		1,274,498		1,250
Total gross loans excluding impaired loans	67,694		2,883		1,302		71,879		14,378,750		1,302
Impaired loans	598		1,293		22,320		24,211		13,926		—
Total gross loans	$	68,292	$	4,176	$	23,622	$	96,090	$	14,392,676	$	1,302

The following table summarizes our impaired loans as they relate to our allowance for loan losses, broken out by portfolio segment and class of financing receivable as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

(Dollars in thousands)	Impaired loans for   which there is a related allowance for loan losses		Impaired loans for   which there is no related allowance for loan losses		Total carrying value of impaired loans		Total unpaid principal of impaired loans
September 30, 2015:
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	64,792	$	—	$	64,792	$	89,471
Hardware	3,586		177		3,763		3,802
Private equity/venture capital	—		—		—		—
Life science & healthcare	45,389		—		45,389		45,904
Premium wine	—		1,201		1,201		1,716
Other	157		—		157		157
Total commercial loans	113,924		1,378		115,302		141,050
Consumer loans:
Real estate secured loans	—		159		159		1,399
Other consumer loans	—		—		—		—
Total consumer loans	—		159		159		1,399
Total	$	113,924	$	1,537	$	115,461	$	142,449
December 31, 2014:
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	33,287	$	—	$	33,287	$	34,218
Hardware	1,403		1,118		2,521		2,535
Private equity/venture capital	—		—		—		—
Life science & healthcare	475		—		475		2,453
Premium wine	—		1,304		1,304		1,743
Other	233		—		233		233
Total commercial loans	35,398		2,422		37,820		41,182
Consumer loans:
Real estate secured loans	—		192		192		1,412
Other consumer loans	125		—		125		305
Total consumer loans	125		192		317		1,717
Total	$	35,523	$	2,614	$	38,137	$	42,899

The following table summarizes our average impaired loans, broken out by portfolio segment and class of financing receivable for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014:

	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015		2014		2015		2014
Average impaired loans:
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	77,156	$	10,651	$	54,543	$	13,690
Hardware	2,796		1,540		1,944		8,140
Life science & healthcare	17,184		333		6,526		636
Premium wine	1,213		1,364		1,245		1,398
Other	3,132		674		3,498		1,383
Total commercial loans	101,481		14,562		67,756		25,247
Consumer loans:
Real estate secured loans	162		212		180		224
Other consumer loans	—		261		55		375
Total consumer loans	162		473		235		599
Total average impaired loans	$	101,643	$	15,035	$	67,991	$	25,846

The following tables summarize the activity relating to our allowance for loan losses for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014, broken out by portfolio segment:

Three months ended September 30, 2015 (dollars in thousands)	Beginning Balance June 30, 2015		Charge-offs			Recoveries		Provision for (Reduction of) Loan Losses			Ending Balance September 30, 2015
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	106,728	$	(24,815	)	$	195	$	5,958		$	88,066
Hardware	20,472		—			240		(70		)	20,642
Private equity/venture capital	29,276		—			—		3,166			32,442
Life science & healthcare	17,233		(117		)	50		19,793			36,959
Premium wine	4,409		—			—		253			4,662
Other	5,894		(4,186		)	89		2,976			4,773
Total commercial loans	184,012		(29,118		)	574		32,076			187,544
Consumer loans	8,632		—			4		1,327			9,963
Total allowance for loan losses	$	192,644	$	(29,118	)	$	578	$	33,403		$	197,507

Three months ended September 30, 2014 (dollars in thousands)	Beginning Balance June 30, 2014		Charge-offs			Recoveries		Provision for (Reduction of) Loan Losses			Ending Balance September 30, 2014
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	53,239	$	(6,907	)	$	790	$	11,078		$	58,200
Hardware	24,780		(2,643		)	113		2,491			24,741
Private equity/venture capital	19,004		—			—		845			19,849
Life science & healthcare	10,597		—			53		1,591			12,241
Premium wine	3,546		(35		)	—		710			4,221
Other	3,218		(1,072		)	1,306		(530		)	2,922
Total commercial loans	114,384		(10,657		)	2,262		16,185			122,174
Consumer loans	6,344		—			118		425			6,887
Total allowance for loan losses	$	120,728	$	(10,657	)	$	2,380	$	16,610		$	129,061

Nine months ended September 30, 2015 (dollars in thousands)	Beginning Balance December 31, 2014		Charge-offs			Recoveries		Provision for (Reduction of) Loan Losses			Ending Balance September 30, 2015
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	80,981	$	(26,980	)	$	1,239	$	32,826		$	88,066
Hardware	25,860		(4,049		)	3,049		(4,218		)	20,642
Private equity/venture capital	27,997		—			—		4,445			32,442
Life science & healthcare	15,208		(3,336		)	129		24,958			36,959
Premium wine	4,473		—			7		182			4,662
Other	3,253		(4,974		)	559		5,935			4,773
Total commercial loans	157,772		(39,339		)	4,983		64,128			187,544
Consumer loans	7,587		—			136		2,240			9,963
Total allowance for loan losses	$	165,359	$	(39,339	)	$	5,119	$	66,368		$	197,507

Nine months ended September 30, 2014 (dollars in thousands)	Beginning Balance December 31, 2013		Charge-offs			Recoveries		Provision for (Reduction of) Loan Losses		Ending Balance September 30, 2014
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	64,084	$	(18,932	)	$	1,023	$	12,025	$	58,200
Hardware	36,553		(15,230		)	2,070		1,348		24,741
Private equity/venture capital	16,385		—			—		3,464		19,849
Life science & healthcare	11,926		(930		)	341		904		12,241
Premium wine	3,914		(35		)	238		104		4,221
Other	3,680		(3,062		)	1,316		988		2,922
Total commercial loans	136,542		(38,189		)	4,988		18,833		122,174
Consumer loans	6,344		—			325		218		6,887
Total allowance for loan losses	$	142,886	$	(38,189	)	$	5,313	$	19,051	$	129,061

The following table summarizes the allowance for loan losses individually and collectively evaluated for impairment as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, broken out by portfolio segment:

	September 30, 2015								December 31, 2014
	Individually Evaluated for   Impairment				Collectively Evaluated for   Impairment				Individually Evaluated for   Impairment				Collectively Evaluated for   Impairment
(Dollars in thousands)	Allowance for loan losses		Recorded investment in loans		Allowance for loan losses		Recorded investment in loans		Allowance for loan losses		Recorded investment in loans		Allowance for loan losses		Recorded investment in loans
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	25,260	$	64,792	$	62,806	$	5,208,033	$	13,695	$	33,287	$	67,286	$	4,921,389
Hardware	1,100		3,763		19,542		958,532		1,133		2,521		24,727		1,128,485
Private equity/venture capital	—		—		32,442		4,571,102		—		—		27,997		4,582,906
Life science & healthcare	19,739		45,389		17,220		1,552,973		121		475		15,087		1,289,429
Premium wine	—		1,201		4,662		825,759		—		1,304		4,473		793,017
Other	157		157		4,616		425,987		71		233		3,182		352,595
Total commercial loans	46,256		115,302		141,288		13,542,386		15,020		37,820		142,752		13,067,821
Consumer loans	—		159		9,963		1,656,733		31		317		7,556		1,278,318
Total	$	46,256	$	115,461	$	151,251	$	15,199,119	$	15,051	$	38,137	$	150,308	$	14,346,139

Credit Quality Indicators

For each individual client, we establish an internal credit risk rating for that loan, which is used for assessing and monitoring credit risk as well as performance of the loan and the overall portfolio. Our internal credit risk ratings are also used to summarize the risk of loss due to failure by an individual borrower to repay the loan. For our internal credit risk ratings, each individual loan is given a risk rating of 1 through 10. Loans risk-rated 1 through 4 are performing loans and translate to an internal rating of “Pass”, with loans risk-rated 1 being cash secured. Loans risk-rated 5 through 7 are performing loans, however, we consider them as demonstrating higher risk, which requires more frequent review of the individual exposures; these translate to an internal rating of “Performing (Criticized)”. Loans risk-rated 8 and 9 are loans that are considered to be impaired and are on nonaccrual status. (For further description of nonaccrual loans, refer to Note 2—“Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” under Part II, Item 8 of our 2014 Form 10-K). Loans rated 10 are charged-off and are not included as part of our loan portfolio balance. We review our credit quality indicators for performance and appropriateness of risk ratings as part of our evaluation process for our allowance for loan losses.

The following table summarizes the credit quality indicators, broken out by portfolio segment and class of financing receivables as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

(Dollars in thousands)	Pass		Performing     (Criticized)		Impaired		Total
September 30, 2015:
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	4,802,522	$	452,742	$	64,792	$	5,320,056
Hardware	834,067		133,085		3,763		970,915
Private equity/venture capital	4,611,953		—		—		4,611,953
Life science & healthcare	1,446,972		120,319		45,389		1,612,680
Premium wine	804,411		23,593		1,201		829,205
Other	417,459		11,694		157		429,310
Total commercial loans	12,917,384		741,433		115,302		13,774,119
Consumer loans:
Real estate secured loans	1,433,926		9,085		159		1,443,170
Other consumer loans	211,366		1,286		—		212,652
Total consumer loans	1,645,292		10,371		159		1,655,822
Total gross loans	$	14,562,676	$	751,804	$	115,461	$	15,429,941
December 31, 2014:
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	4,611,253	$	351,706	$	33,287	$	4,996,246
Hardware	945,998		191,975		2,521		1,140,494
Private equity/venture capital	4,615,231		6,068		—		4,621,299
Life science & healthcare	1,165,266		134,986		475		1,300,727
Premium wine	774,962		20,383		1,304		796,649
Other	346,153		8,967		233		355,353
Total commercial loans	12,458,863		714,085		37,820		13,210,768
Consumer loans:
Real estate secured loans	1,112,396		5,073		192		1,117,661
Other consumer loans	158,162		2,050		125		160,337
Total consumer loans	1,270,558		7,123		317		1,277,998
Total gross loans	$	13,729,421	$	721,208	$	38,137	$	14,488,766

TDRs

As of September 30, 2015 we had thirteen TDRs with a total carrying value of $91.3 million where concessions have been granted to borrowers experiencing financial difficulties, in an attempt to maximize collection. There were less than $0.5 million of unfunded commitments available for funding to the clients associated with these TDRs as of September 30, 2015. The following table summarizes our loans modified in TDRs, broken out by portfolio segment and class of financing receivables at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

(Dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Loans modified in TDRs:
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	57,766	$	3,784
Hardware	2,301		1,118
Life science & healthcare	29,529		—
Premium wine	1,202		1,891
Other	518		233
Total commercial loans	91,316		7,026
Consumer loans:
Other consumer loans	—		125
Total consumer loans	—		125
Total	$	91,316	$	7,151

The following table summarizes the recorded investment in loans modified in TDRs, broken out by portfolio segment and class of financing receivable, for modifications made during the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014:

	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015		2014		2015		2014
Loans modified in TDRs during the period:
Commercial loans:
Software and internet (1)	$	51,749	$	496	$	57,766	$	7,848
Hardware	—		—		2,031		—
Life science & healthcare	29,530		—		29,530		—
Premium wine	—		—		—		614
Other	518		—		518		—
Total loans modified in TDRs during the period (1)	$	81,797	$	496	$	89,845	$	8,462

(1) There were partial charge-offs of two loans classified as TDRs in our software and internet loan portfolio for $22.4 million during the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and no partial charge-offs during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, new TDRs of $81.8 million and $89.8 million were modified through payment deferrals granted to our clients.

During the three months ended September 30, 2014, new TDRs of $0.5 million were modified through payment deferrals granted to our clients. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, new TDRs of $7.1 million were modified through payment deferrals granted to our clients and $1.3 million were modified through partial forgiveness of principal.

The related allowance for loan losses for the majority of our TDRs is determined on an individual basis by comparing the carrying value of the loan to the present value of the estimated future cash flows, discounted at the pre-modification contractual interest rate. For certain TDRs, the related allowance for loan losses is determined based on the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.

The following table summarizes the recorded investment in loans modified in TDRs within the previous 12 months that subsequently defaulted during the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015. There were no loans modified in TDRs within the previous 12 months that subsequently defaulted during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014.

	Three months ended September 30,		Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015		2015
TDRs modified within the previous 12 months that defaulted during the period:
Commercial loans:
Software and internet	$	11,107	$	17,124
Hardware	2,031		2,031
Life science & healthcare	958		958
Total TDRs modified within the previous 12 months that defaulted in the period	$	14,096	$	20,113

Charge-offs and defaults on previously restructured loans are evaluated to determine the impact to the allowance for loan losses, if any. The evaluation of these defaults may impact the assumptions used in calculating the reserve on other TDRs and impaired loans as well as management’s overall outlook of macroeconomic factors that affect the reserve on the loan portfolio as a whole. After evaluating the charge-offs and defaults experienced on our TDRs we determined that no change to our reserving methodology was necessary to determine the allowance for loan losses as of September 30, 2015.

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Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses - Composition of Loans, Net of Unearned Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unearned income on loans	$ 115,000	$ 104,000
Loans, net of unearned income	15,314,580	14,384,276
Commercial Portfolio Segment
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, net of unearned income	12,893,846	12,380,611
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Software and internet
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, net of unearned income	5,272,825	4,954,676
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Hardware
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, net of unearned income	962,295	1,131,006
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Private equity/venture capital
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, net of unearned income	4,571,102	4,582,906
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Life science & healthcare
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, net of unearned income	1,598,362	1,289,904
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Premium wine
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, net of unearned income	193,712	187,568
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Other consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, net of unearned income	295,550	234,551
Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, net of unearned income	2,115,358	1,764,519
Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment | Premium wine
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, net of unearned income	633,248	606,753
Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment | Real estate secured loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, net of unearned income	1,444,067	1,118,115
Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment | Other real estate loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, net of unearned income	38,043	39,651
Construction Portfolio Segment
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, net of unearned income	92,551	78,626
Consumer Portfolio Segment
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, net of unearned income	1,656,892	1,278,635
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Real estate secured loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, net of unearned income	1,444,067	1,118,115
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Other consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, net of unearned income	$ 212,825	$ 160,520

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Cash and Cash Equivalents

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The following table details our cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

(Dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Cash and due from banks (1)	$	1,454,538	$	1,694,329
Securities purchased under agreements to resell (2)	214,484		95,611
Other short-term investment securities	5,123		6,122
Total cash and cash equivalents	$	1,674,145	$	1,796,062

(1) At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, $639 million and $861 million, respectively, of our cash and due from banks was deposited at the Federal Reserve Bank and was earning interest at the Federal Funds target rate, and interest-earning deposits in other financial institutions were $429 million and $440 million, respectively.

(2) At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, securities purchased under agreements to resell were collateralized by U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. agency securities with aggregate fair values of $219 million and $98 million, respectively. None of these securities received as collateral were sold or pledged as of September 30, 2015 or December 31, 2014.

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Investment Securities

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Investment Securities

Investment Securities

Our investment securities portfolio consists of i) an available-for-sale securities portfolio and a held-to-maturity securities portfolio, both of which represent interest-earning investment securities, and ii) a non-marketable and other securities portfolio, which primarily represents investments managed as part of our funds management business.

Available-for-Sale Securities

The components of our available-for-sale investment securities portfolio at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are as follows:

	September 30, 2015
(Dollars in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Carrying Value
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value:
U.S. treasury securities	$	10,103,580	$	93,458	$	(13	)	$	10,197,025
U.S. agency debentures	2,902,479		40,502		(13		)	2,942,968
Residential mortgage-backed securities:
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations—fixed rate	1,513,691		10,652		(6,641		)	1,517,702
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations—variable rate	641,057		4,231		—			645,288
Equity securities	6,426		216		(1,964		)	4,678
Total available-for-sale securities	$	15,167,233	$	149,059	$	(8,631	)	$	15,307,661

	December 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Carrying Value
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value:
U.S. treasury securities	$	7,289,135	$	17,524	$	(4,386	)	$	7,302,273
U.S. agency debentures	3,540,055		30,478		(8,977		)	$	3,561,556
Residential mortgage-backed securities:
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations—fixed rate	1,884,450		14,851		(14,458		)	1,884,843
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations—variable rate	779,103		5,372		—			784,475
Equity securities	5,202		2,628		(322		)	7,508
Total available-for-sale securities	$	13,497,945	$	70,853	$	(28,143	)	$	13,540,655

The following table summarizes our unrealized losses on our available-for-sale securities portfolio into categories of less than 12 months and 12 months or longer as of September 30, 2015:

	September 30, 2015
	Less than 12 months					12 months or longer					Total
(Dollars in thousands)	Fair Value of Investments		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value of Investments		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value of Investments		Unrealized Losses
Available-for-sale securities:
U.S. treasury securities	$	51,576	$	(13	)	$	—	$	—		$	51,576	$	(13	)
U.S. agency debentures	17,424		(13		)	—		—			17,424		(13		)
Residential mortgage-backed securities:
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations—fixed rate	230,141		(465		)	396,781		(6,176		)	626,922		(6,641		)
Equity securities	3,222		(1,964		)						3,222		(1,964		)
Total temporarily impaired securities: (1)	$	302,363	$	(2,455	)	$	396,781	$	(6,176	)	$	699,144	$	(8,631	)

(1) As of September 30, 2015, we identified a total of 43 investments that were in unrealized loss positions, of which 18 investments totaling $396.8 million with unrealized losses of $6.2 million have been in an impaired position for a period of time greater than 12 months. As of September 30, 2015, we do not intend to sell any impaired fixed income investment securities prior to recovery of our adjusted cost basis, and it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell any of our securities prior to recovery of our adjusted cost basis. Based on our analysis as of September 30, 2015, we deem all impairments to be temporary, and therefore changes in value for our temporarily impaired securities as of the same date are included in other comprehensive income. Market valuations and impairment analyses on assets in the available-for-sale securities portfolio are reviewed and monitored on a quarterly basis.

The following table summarizes our unrealized losses on our available-for-sale securities portfolio into categories of less than 12 months and 12 months or longer as of December 31, 2014:

	December 31, 2014
	Less than 12 months					12 months or longer					Total
(Dollars in thousands)	Fair Value of Investments		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value of Investments		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value of Investments		Unrealized Losses
Available-for-sale securities:
U.S. treasury securities	$	2,297,895	$	(4,386	)	$	—	$	—		$	2,297,895	$	(4,386	)
U.S. agency debentures	249,266		(489		)	507,385		(8,488		)	756,651		(8,977		)
Residential mortgage-backed securities:
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations—fixed rate	662,092		(3,104		)	453,801		(11,354		)	1,115,893		(14,458		)
Equity securities	568		(322		)	—		—			568		(322		)
Total temporarily impaired securities (1):	$	3,209,821	$	(8,301	)	$	961,186	$	(19,842	)	$	4,171,007	$	(28,143	)

(1) As of December 31, 2014, we identified a total of 115 investments that were in unrealized loss positions, of which 33 investments totaling $961.2 million with unrealized losses of $19.8 million have been in an impaired position for a period of time greater than 12 months.

The following table summarizes the remaining contractual principal maturities and fully taxable equivalent yields on fixed income investment securities classified as available-for-sale as of September 30, 2015. The weighted average yield is computed using the amortized cost of fixed income investment securities, which are reported at fair value. For U.S. treasury securities and U.S. Agency debentures, the expected maturity is the actual contractual maturity of the notes. Expected maturities for mortgage-backed securities may differ significantly from their contractual maturities because mortgage borrowers have the right to prepay outstanding loan obligations with or without penalties. Mortgage-backed securities classified as available-for-sale typically have original contractual maturities from 10 to 30 years whereas expected average lives of these securities tend to be significantly shorter and vary based upon structure and prepayments in lower rate environments.

	September 30, 2015
	Total				One Year or Less				After One Year to Five Years				After Five Years to Ten Years				After Ten Years
(Dollars in thousands)	Carrying Value		Weighted- Average Yield		Carrying Value		Weighted- Average Yield		Carrying Value		Weighted- Average Yield		Carrying Value		Weighted- Average Yield		Carrying Value		Weighted- Average Yield
U.S. treasury securities	$	10,197,025	1.16	%	$	953,659	0.45	%	$	8,806,490	1.20	%	$	436,876	1.75	%	$	—	—	%
U.S. agency debentures	2,942,968		1.63		821,073		1.73		1,971,243		1.53		150,652		2.49		—		—
Residential mortgage-backed securities:
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations - fixed rate	1,517,702		1.96		—		—		—		—		570,403		2.50		947,299		1.65
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations - variable rate	645,288		0.71		—		—		—		—		—		—		645,288		0.71
Total	$	15,302,983	1.31		$	1,774,732	1.04		$	10,777,733	1.26		$	1,157,931	2.21		$	1,592,587	1.27

Held-to-Maturity Securities

The components of our held-to-maturity investment securities portfolio at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are as follows:

	September 30, 2015
(Dollars in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
Held-to-maturity securities, at cost:
U.S. agency debentures (1)	$	545,753	$	11,923	$	—		$	557,676
Residential mortgage-backed securities:
Agency-issued mortgage-backed securities	2,457,328		18,925		(1,005		)	2,475,248
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations—fixed rate	4,045,172		24,146		(5,372		)	4,063,946
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations—variable rate	109,478		577		—			110,055
Agency-issued commercial mortgage-backed securities	1,073,160		12,449		(309		)	1,085,300
Municipal bonds and notes	75,635		36		(893		)	74,778
Total held-to-maturity securities	$	8,306,526	$	68,056	$	(7,579	)	$	8,367,003

(1) Consists of pools of Small Business Investment Company debentures issued and guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration, an independent agency of the United States.

	December 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
Held-to-maturity securities, at cost:
U.S. agency debentures (1)	$	405,899	$	4,589	$	(38	)	$	410,450
Residential mortgage-backed securities:
Agency-issued mortgage-backed securities	2,799,923		5,789		(2,320		)	2,803,392
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations—fixed rate	3,185,109		4,521		(14,885		)	3,174,745
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations—variable rate	131,580		371		—			131,951
Agency-issued commercial mortgage-backed securities	814,589		1,026		(3,800		)	811,815
Municipal bonds and notes	83,942		18		(657		)	83,303
Total held-to-maturity securities	$	7,421,042	$	16,314	$	(21,700	)	$	7,415,656

(1) Consists of pools of Small Business Investment Company debentures issued and guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration, an independent agency of the United States.

The following table summarizes our unrealized losses on our held-to-maturity securities portfolio into categories of less than 12 months and 12 months or longer as of September 30, 2015:

	September 30, 2015
	Less than 12 months					12 months or longer					Total
(Dollars in thousands)	Fair Value of Investments		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value of Investments		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value of Investments		Unrealized Losses
Held-to-maturity securities:
Residential mortgage-backed securities:
Agency-issued mortgage-backed securities	$	308,687	$	(438	)	$	23,732	$	(567	)	$	332,419	$	(1,005	)
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations—fixed rate	705,362		(5,264		)	8,945		(108		)	714,307		(5,372		)
Agency-issued commercial mortgage-backed securities	—		—			42,179		(309		)	42,179		(309		)
Municipal bonds and notes	29,712		(235		)	32,706		(658		)	62,418		(893		)
Total temporarily impaired securities (1):	$	1,043,761	$	(5,937	)	$	107,562	$	(1,642	)	$	1,151,323	$	(7,579	)

(1) As of September 30, 2015, we identified a total of 157 investments that were in unrealized loss positions, 63 of which have been in an impaired position for a period of time greater than 12 months. As of September 30, 2015, we do not intend to sell any impaired fixed income investment securities prior to recovery of our adjusted cost basis, and it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell any of our securities prior to recovery of our adjusted cost basis, which is consistent with our classification of these securities. Based on our analysis as of September 30, 2015, we deem all impairments to be temporary. Market valuations and impairment analyses on assets in the held-to-maturity securities portfolio are reviewed and monitored on a quarterly basis.

The following table summarizes our unrealized losses on our held-to-maturity securities portfolio into categories of less than 12 months and 12 months or longer as of December 31, 2014:

	December 31, 2014
	Less than 12 months					12 months or longer (1)					Total
(Dollars in thousands)	Fair Value of Investments		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value of Investments		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value of Investments		Unrealized Losses
Held-to-maturity securities:
U.S. agency debentures	$	48,335	$	(38	)	$	—	$	—		$	48,335	$	(38	)
Residential mortgage-backed securities:
Agency-issued mortgage-backed securities	999,230		(2,320		)	—		—			999,230		(2,320		)
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations—fixed rate	1,682,348		(9,705		)	783,558		(5,180		)	2,465,906		(14,885		)
Agency-issued commercial mortgage-backed securities	629,840		(3,800		)	—		—			629,840		(3,800		)
Municipal bonds and notes	79,141		(657		)	—		—			79,141		(657		)
Total temporarily impaired securities (2):	$	3,438,894	$	(16,520	)	$	783,558	$	(5,180	)	$	4,222,452	$	(21,700	)

(1) Represents securities in an unrealized loss position for twelve months or longer in which the amortized cost basis was re-set for those securities re-designated from AFS to HTM effective June 1, 2014.

(2) As of December 31, 2014, we identified a total of 292 investments that were in unrealized loss positions, of which 26 investments totaling $783.6 million with unrealized losses of $5.2 million have been in an impaired position for a period of time greater than 12 months.

The following table summarizes the remaining contractual principal maturities and fully taxable equivalent yields on fixed income investment securities classified as held-to-maturity as of September 30, 2015. Interest income on certain municipal bonds and notes (non-taxable investments) are presented on a fully taxable equivalent basis using the federal statutory tax rate of 35%. The weighted average yield is computed using the amortized cost of fixed income investment securities. For U.S. Agency debentures, the expected maturity is the actual contractual maturity of the notes. Expected maturities for mortgage-backed securities may differ significantly from their contractual maturities because mortgage borrowers have the right to prepay outstanding loan obligations with or without penalties. Mortgage-backed securities classified as held-to-maturity typically have original contractual maturities from 10 to 30 years whereas expected average lives of these securities tend to be significantly shorter and vary based upon structure and prepayments in lower rate environments.

	September 30, 2015
	Total				One Year or Less				After One Year to Five Years				After Five Years to Ten Years				After Ten Years
(Dollars in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Weighted- Average Yield		Amortized Cost		Weighted- Average Yield		Amortized Cost		Weighted- Average Yield		Amortized Cost		Weighted- Average Yield		Amortized Cost		Weighted- Average Yield
U.S. agency debentures	$	545,753	2.69	%			—	%	$	—	—	%	$	545,753	2.69	%	$	—	—	%
Residential mortgage-backed securities:
Agency-issued mortgage-backed securities	2,457,328		2.43		—		—		39,527		2.38		674,584		2.20		1,743,217		2.52
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations - fixed rate	4,045,172		1.70		—		—		—		—		—		—		4,045,172		1.70
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations - variable rate	109,478		0.65		—		—		—		—		—		—		109,478		0.65
Agency-issued commercial mortgage-backed securities	1,073,160		2.12		—		—		—		—		—		—		1,073,160		2.12
Municipal bonds and notes	75,635		6.05		4,711		5.58		29,083		5.95		35,698		6.14		6,143		6.35
Total	$	8,306,526	2.06		$	4,711	5.58		$	68,610	3.89		$	1,256,035	2.53		$	6,977,170	1.95

Non-marketable and Other Securities

The components of our non-marketable and other investment securities portfolio at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Non-marketable and other securities (1):
Non-marketable securities (fair value accounting):
Venture capital and private equity fund investments (2)	$	154,660	$	1,130,882
Other venture capital investments (3)	3,390		71,204
Other securities (fair value accounting) (4)	779		108,251
Non-marketable securities (equity method accounting) (5):
Venture capital and private equity fund investments	84,197		—
Debt funds	21,217		26,672
Other investments	119,731		116,002
Non-marketable securities (cost method accounting):
Venture capital and private equity fund investments (6)	123,550		140,551
Other investments (7)	17,499		13,423
Investments in qualified affordable housing projects, net (7)	125,532		121,155
Total non-marketable and other securities	$	650,555	$	1,728,140

(1) During the second quarter of 2015 we adopted new accounting guidance related to our consolidated variable interest entities (ASU 2015-02) under a modified retrospective approach. Periods prior to January 1, 2015 have not been revised. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” and Note 4— "Variable Interest Entities" of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details regarding our non-marketable and other securities.

(2) The following table shows the amounts of venture capital and private equity fund investments held by the following funds and our ownership percentage of each fund at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (fair value accounting):

	September 30, 2015				December 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)	Amount		Ownership %		Amount		Ownership %
SVB Strategic Investors Fund, LP	$	23,229	12.6	%	$	24,645	12.6	%
SVB Strategic Investors Fund II, LP (i)	—		—		97,250		8.6
SVB Strategic Investors Fund III, LP (i)	—		—		269,821		5.9
SVB Strategic Investors Fund IV, LP (i)	—		—		291,291		5.0
Strategic Investors Fund V Funds (i)	—		—		226,111		Various
Strategic Investors Fund VI Funds (i)	—		—		89,605		—
SVB Capital Preferred Return Fund, LP	61,869		20.0		62,110		20.0
SVB Capital—NT Growth Partners, LP	62,818		33.0		61,973		33.0
SVB Capital Partners II, LP (i)	—		—		302		5.1
Other private equity fund (ii)	6,744		58.2		7,774		58.2
Total venture capital and private equity fund investments	$	154,660			$	1,130,882

(i) Funds were deconsolidated during the second quarter of 2015 upon adoption of ASU 2015-02 and are now reported under equity method accounting. Periods prior to January 1, 2015 have not been revised. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

(ii) At September 30, 2015, we had a direct ownership interest of 41.5 percent in other private equity funds and an indirect ownership interest of 12.6 percent through our ownership interest of SVB Capital—NT Growth Partners, LP and an indirect ownership interest of 4.1 percent through our ownership interest of SVB Capital Preferred Return Fund, LP.

(3) The following table shows the amounts of other venture capital investments held by the following funds and our ownership percentage of each fund at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (fair value accounting):

	September 30, 2015				December 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)	Amount		Ownership %		Amount		Ownership %
Silicon Valley BancVentures, LP	$	3,390	10.7	%	$	3,291	10.7	%
SVB Capital Partners II, LP (i)	—		—		20,481		5.1
Capital Partners III, LP (i)	—		—		41,055		—
SVB Capital Shanghai Yangpu Venture Capital Fund (i)	—		—		6,377		6.8
Total other venture capital investments	$	3,390			$	71,204

(i) Funds were deconsolidated during the second quarter of 2015 upon adoption of ASU 2015-02 and are now reported under equity method accounting, within "Other venture capital and private equity fund investments". Periods prior to January 1, 2015 have not been revised. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

(4) Investments classified as other securities (fair value accounting) represent direct equity investments in public companies held by our consolidated funds. At December 31, 2014, the amount primarily included total unrealized gains in one public company, FireEye, Inc. ("FireEye") that were realized during the first quarter of 2015. Funds were deconsolidated during the second quarter of 2015 upon adoption of ASU 2015-02. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

(5) The following table shows the carrying value and our ownership percentage of each investment at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (equity method accounting):

	September 30, 2015				December 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)	Amount		Ownership %		Amount		Ownership %
Venture capital and private equity fund investments:
SVB Strategic Investors Fund II, LP (i)	$	11,204	8.6	%	$	—	—	%
SVB Strategic Investors Fund III, LP (i)	24,781		5.9		—		—
SVB Strategic Investors Fund IV, LP (i)	25,542		5.0		—		—
Other venture capital and private equity fund investments (i)	22,670		Various		—		—
Total venture capital and private equity fund investments	84,197				—
Debt funds:
Gold Hill Capital 2008, LP (ii)	$	17,662	15.5		$	21,294	15.5
Other debt funds	3,555		Various		5,378		Various
Total debt funds	21,217				26,672
Other investments:
China Joint Venture investment	79,299		50.0		79,569		50.0
Other investments	40,432		Various		36,433		Various
Total other investments	$	119,731			$	116,002

(i) Represents funds previously consolidated and reported under fair value accounting in (2) above prior to adoption of ASU 2015-02 during the second quarter of 2015. Periods prior to January 1, 2015 have not been revised. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

(ii) At September 30, 2015, we had a direct ownership interest of 11.5 percent in the fund and an indirect interest in the fund through our investment in Gold Hill Capital 2008, LLC of 4.0 percent.

(6) Represents investments in 270 and 281 funds (primarily venture capital funds) at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, where our ownership interest is typically less than 5% of the voting interests of each such fund and in which we do not have the ability to exercise significant influence over the partnerships operating activities and financial policies. The carrying value, and estimated fair value, of these venture capital and private equity fund investments (cost method accounting) was $124 million and $244 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2015. The carrying value, and estimated fair value, of these venture capital and private equity fund investments (cost method accounting) was $141 million and $234 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2014.

(7) Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

The following table presents the balances of our investments in qualified affordable housing projects and related unfunded commitments at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

(Dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Investments in qualified affordable housing projects, net	$	125,532	$	121,155
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	65,305		65,921

The following table presents other information relating to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014:

	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015		2014		2015		2014
Tax credits and other tax benefits recognized	$	4,780	$	3,087	$	11,207	$	9,312
Amortization expense included in provision for income taxes (i)	2,011		1,246		7,549		5,971

(i) All investments are amortized using the proportional amortization method and are included in provision for income taxes.

The following table presents the components of gains and losses (realized and unrealized) on investment securities for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014:

	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015			2014			2015			2014
Gross gains on investment securities:
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value (1)	$	46		$	45		$	2,971		$	642
Non-marketable securities (fair value accounting):
Venture capital and private equity fund investments	6,746			69,044			24,767			268,483
Other venture capital investments	15			6,779			198			11,334
Other securities (fair value accounting)	40			5,444			9,108			136,010
Non-marketable securities (equity method accounting):
Venture capital and private equity fund investments	7,655			275			22,111			1,284
Debt funds	379			1,037			2,067			4,076
Other investments	1,282			927			2,147			3,635
Non-marketable securities (cost method accounting):
Venture capital and private equity fund investments	5,624			2,641			21,101			7,706
Other investments	—			19			576			5,174
Total gross gains on investment securities	21,787			86,211			85,046			438,344
Gross losses on investment securities:
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value (1)	(33		)	(1,035		)	(221		)	(18,052		)
Non-marketable securities (fair value accounting):
Venture capital and private equity fund investments	(1,148		)	(25,584		)	(2,695		)	(76,243		)
Other venture capital investments	—			(1,233		)	(52		)	(3,274		)
Other securities (fair value accounting)	(325		)	(52,264		)	(1,117		)	(166,051		)
Non-marketable securities (equity method accounting):
Venture capital and private equity fund investments	(914		)	(115		)	(1,351		)	(231		)
Debt funds	(1		)	(64		)	(589		)	(457		)
Other investments	(460		)	—			(1,470		)	(759		)
Non-marketable securities (cost method accounting):
Venture capital and private equity fund investments (2)	(132		)	(272		)	(530		)	(781		)
Other investments	(6		)	—			(15		)	(260		)
Total gross losses on investment securities	(3,019		)	(80,567		)	(8,040		)	(266,108		)
Gains on investment securities, net	$	18,768		$	5,644		$	77,006		$	172,236

(1) Includes realized gains (losses) on sales of available-for-sale equity securities that are recognized in the income statement. Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale fixed income and equity securities are recognized in other comprehensive income. The cost basis of available-for-sale securities sold is determined on a specific identification basis.

(2) For the three months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014, includes OTTI losses of $0.1 million from the declines in value for 4 of the 270 investments and $0.3 million from the declines in value for 5 of the 281 investments, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, includes OTTI losses of $0.4 million from the declines in value for 19 of the 270 investments and $0.7 million from the declines in value for 22 of the 281 investments, respectively. We concluded that any declines in value for the remaining investments were temporary, and as such, no OTTI was required to be recognized.

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Disposal - Assets Held-for-Sale

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]

Disposal - Assets Held-for-Sale

Disposal - Assets Held-for-Sale

At December 31, 2014, we had assets held-for-sale of $44.3 million related to our agreement to sell all of the outstanding capital stock of the Bank’s subsidiary, SVB India Finance Private Limited, a non-banking financial company in India (“SVBIF”) to Temasek, a Singapore investment company. The sale was completed on April 13, 2015 and no held-for-sale operations remain at September 30, 2015.

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Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses - Impaired Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses, Broken out by Portfolio Segment and Class of Financing Receivable (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Carrying value of impaired loans	$ 115,461	$ 38,137
Total unpaid principal of impaired loans	142,449	42,899
Impaired loans for which there is a related allowance for loan losses
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Carrying value of impaired loans	113,924	35,523
Impaired loans for which there is no related allowance for loan losses
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Carrying value of impaired loans	1,537	2,614
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Software and internet
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Carrying value of impaired loans	64,792	33,287
Total unpaid principal of impaired loans	89,471	34,218
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Hardware
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Carrying value of impaired loans	3,763	2,521
Total unpaid principal of impaired loans	3,802	2,535
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Private equity/venture capital
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Carrying value of impaired loans	0	0
Total unpaid principal of impaired loans	0	0
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Life science & healthcare
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Carrying value of impaired loans	45,389	475
Total unpaid principal of impaired loans	45,904	2,453
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Premium wine
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Carrying value of impaired loans	1,201	1,304
Total unpaid principal of impaired loans	1,716	1,743
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Commercial loans
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Carrying value of impaired loans	115,302	37,820
Total unpaid principal of impaired loans	141,050	41,182
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Other
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Carrying value of impaired loans	157	233
Total unpaid principal of impaired loans	157	233
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Impaired loans for which there is a related allowance for loan losses | Software and internet
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Carrying value of impaired loans	64,792	33,287
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Impaired loans for which there is a related allowance for loan losses | Hardware
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Carrying value of impaired loans	3,586	1,403
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Impaired loans for which there is a related allowance for loan losses | Private equity/venture capital
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Carrying value of impaired loans	0	0
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Impaired loans for which there is a related allowance for loan losses | Life science & healthcare
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Carrying value of impaired loans	45,389	475
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Impaired loans for which there is a related allowance for loan losses | Premium wine
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Carrying value of impaired loans	0	0
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Impaired loans for which there is a related allowance for loan losses | Commercial loans
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Carrying value of impaired loans	113,924	35,398
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Impaired loans for which there is a related allowance for loan losses | Other
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Carrying value of impaired loans	157	233
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Impaired loans for which there is no related allowance for loan losses | Software and internet
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Carrying value of impaired loans	0	0
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Impaired loans for which there is no related allowance for loan losses | Hardware
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Carrying value of impaired loans	177	1,118
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Impaired loans for which there is no related allowance for loan losses | Private equity/venture capital
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Carrying value of impaired loans	0	0
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Impaired loans for which there is no related allowance for loan losses | Life science & healthcare
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Carrying value of impaired loans	0	0
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Impaired loans for which there is no related allowance for loan losses | Premium wine
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Carrying value of impaired loans	1,201	1,304
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Impaired loans for which there is no related allowance for loan losses | Commercial loans
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Carrying value of impaired loans	1,378	2,422
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Impaired loans for which there is no related allowance for loan losses | Other
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Carrying value of impaired loans	0	0
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Real estate secured loans
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Carrying value of impaired loans	159	192
Total unpaid principal of impaired loans	1,399	1,412
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Other consumer loans
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Carrying value of impaired loans	0	125
Total unpaid principal of impaired loans	0	305
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Consumer loans
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Carrying value of impaired loans	159	317
Total unpaid principal of impaired loans	1,399	1,717
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Impaired loans for which there is a related allowance for loan losses | Real estate secured loans
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Carrying value of impaired loans	0	0
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Impaired loans for which there is a related allowance for loan losses | Other consumer loans
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Carrying value of impaired loans	0	125
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Impaired loans for which there is a related allowance for loan losses | Consumer loans
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Carrying value of impaired loans	0	125
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Impaired loans for which there is no related allowance for loan losses | Real estate secured loans
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Carrying value of impaired loans	159	192
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Impaired loans for which there is no related allowance for loan losses | Other consumer loans
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Carrying value of impaired loans	0	0
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Impaired loans for which there is no related allowance for loan losses | Consumer loans
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Carrying value of impaired loans	$ 159	$ 192

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Guarantees and Other Commitments - Summary of Commercial and Standby Letters of Credit (Additional Information) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Venture capital and private equity fund investments
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Commitments to invest, period from the inception of the fund	10 years
Call unrestricted, percentage of committed capital	100.00%
Venture capital and private equity fund investments | Lower Limit
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected commitment period to invest in venture capital and private equity funds (in years)	5 years
Venture capital and private equity fund investments | Upper Limit
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected commitment period to invest in venture capital and private equity funds (in years)	7 years
Standby Letter of Credit
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Deferred fees	$ 8.9	$ 8.4
Collateral in the form of cash	587.5
Collateral in the form of investment securities	$ 0.6

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Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses - Activity in Allowance for Loan Losses Broken out by Portfolio Segment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 192,644	$ 120,728	$ 165,359		$ 142,886
Charge-offs	(29,118)	(10,657)	(39,339)		(38,189)
Recoveries	578	2,380	5,119		5,313
Provision for loan losses	33,403	16,610	66,368	[1]	19,051
Ending Balance	197,507	129,061	197,507		129,061
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Software and internet
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	106,728	53,239	80,981		64,084
Charge-offs	(24,815)	(6,907)	(26,980)		(18,932)
Recoveries	195	790	1,239		1,023
Provision for loan losses	5,958	11,078	32,826		12,025
Ending Balance	88,066	58,200	88,066		58,200
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Hardware
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	20,472	24,780	25,860		36,553
Charge-offs	0	(2,643)	(4,049)		(15,230)
Recoveries	240	113	3,049		2,070
Provision for loan losses	(70)	2,491	(4,218)		1,348
Ending Balance	20,642	24,741	20,642		24,741
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Private equity/venture capital
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	29,276	19,004	27,997		16,385
Charge-offs	0	0	0		0
Recoveries	0	0	0		0
Provision for loan losses	3,166	845	4,445		3,464
Ending Balance	32,442	19,849	32,442		19,849
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Life science & healthcare
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	17,233	10,597	15,208		11,926
Charge-offs	(117)	0	(3,336)		(930)
Recoveries	50	53	129		341
Provision for loan losses	19,793	1,591	24,958		904
Ending Balance	36,959	12,241	36,959		12,241
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Premium wine
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	4,409	3,546	4,473		3,914
Charge-offs	0	(35)	0		(35)
Recoveries	0	0	7		238
Provision for loan losses	253	710	182		104
Ending Balance	4,662	4,221	4,662		4,221
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Other
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	5,894	3,218	3,253		3,680
Charge-offs	(4,186)	(1,072)	(4,974)		(3,062)
Recoveries	89	1,306	559		1,316
Provision for loan losses	2,976	(530)	5,935		988
Ending Balance	4,773	2,922	4,773		2,922
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Commercial loans
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	184,012	114,384	157,772		136,542
Charge-offs	(29,118)	(10,657)	(39,339)		(38,189)
Recoveries	574	2,262	4,983		4,988
Provision for loan losses	32,076	16,185	64,128		18,833
Ending Balance	187,544	122,174	187,544		122,174
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Consumer loans
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	8,632	6,344	7,587		6,344
Charge-offs	0	0	0		0
Recoveries	4	118	136		325
Provision for loan losses	1,327	425	2,240		218
Ending Balance	$ 9,963	$ 6,887	$ 9,963		$ 6,887

[1] Amounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the second quarter of 2015 related to our consolidated variable interest entities (ASU 2015-02). Amounts prior to January 1, 2015 have not been revised for the adoption of this guidance. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

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Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses - Aging of Gross Loans, Broken out by Portfolio Segment and Class of Financing Receivable (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	$ 25,932	$ 96,090
Current	15,404,009	14,392,676
Loans Past Due 90 Days or More Still Accruing Interest	169	1,302
Total gross loans excluding impaired loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	15,839	71,879
Current	15,298,641	14,378,750
Loans Past Due 90 Days or More Still Accruing Interest	169	1,302
Impaired loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	10,093	24,211
Current	105,368	13,926
Loans Past Due 90 Days or More Still Accruing Interest	0	0
30 - 59 Days Past Due
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	12,744	68,292
30 - 59 Days Past Due | Total gross loans excluding impaired loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	12,744	67,694
30 - 59 Days Past Due | Impaired loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	0	598
60 - 89 Days Past Due
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	4,724	4,176
60 - 89 Days Past Due | Total gross loans excluding impaired loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	2,926	2,883
60 - 89 Days Past Due | Impaired loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	1,798	1,293
Greater Than 90 Days Past Due
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	8,464	23,622
Greater Than 90 Days Past Due | Total gross loans excluding impaired loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	169	1,302
Greater Than 90 Days Past Due | Impaired loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	8,295	22,320
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Software and internet
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	11,066	12,668
Current	5,244,198	4,950,291
Loans Past Due 90 Days or More Still Accruing Interest	169	52
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Hardware
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	1,641	13,550
Current	965,511	1,124,423
Loans Past Due 90 Days or More Still Accruing Interest	0	0
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Private equity/venture capital
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	410	40,773
Current	4,611,543	4,580,526
Loans Past Due 90 Days or More Still Accruing Interest	0	0
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Life science & healthcare
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	1,106	1,524
Current	1,566,185	1,298,728
Loans Past Due 90 Days or More Still Accruing Interest	0	0
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Premium wine
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	295	0
Current	827,709	795,345
Loans Past Due 90 Days or More Still Accruing Interest	0	0
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Other
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	8	181
Current	429,145	354,939
Loans Past Due 90 Days or More Still Accruing Interest	0	0
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Commercial loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	14,526	68,696
Current	13,644,291	13,104,252
Loans Past Due 90 Days or More Still Accruing Interest	169	52
Commercial Portfolio Segment | 30 - 59 Days Past Due | Software and internet
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	9,729	10,989
Commercial Portfolio Segment | 30 - 59 Days Past Due | Hardware
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	620	13,424
Commercial Portfolio Segment | 30 - 59 Days Past Due | Private equity/venture capital
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	410	40,773
Commercial Portfolio Segment | 30 - 59 Days Past Due | Life science & healthcare
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	377	738
Commercial Portfolio Segment | 30 - 59 Days Past Due | Premium wine
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	295	0
Commercial Portfolio Segment | 30 - 59 Days Past Due | Other
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	0	178
Commercial Portfolio Segment | 30 - 59 Days Past Due | Commercial loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	11,431	66,102
Commercial Portfolio Segment | 60 - 89 Days Past Due | Software and internet
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	1,168	1,627
Commercial Portfolio Segment | 60 - 89 Days Past Due | Hardware
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	1,021	126
Commercial Portfolio Segment | 60 - 89 Days Past Due | Private equity/venture capital
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	0	0
Commercial Portfolio Segment | 60 - 89 Days Past Due | Life science & healthcare
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	729	786
Commercial Portfolio Segment | 60 - 89 Days Past Due | Premium wine
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	0	0
Commercial Portfolio Segment | 60 - 89 Days Past Due | Other
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	8	3
Commercial Portfolio Segment | 60 - 89 Days Past Due | Commercial loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	2,926	2,542
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Greater Than 90 Days Past Due | Software and internet
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	169	52
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Greater Than 90 Days Past Due | Hardware
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	0	0
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Greater Than 90 Days Past Due | Private equity/venture capital
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	0	0
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Greater Than 90 Days Past Due | Life science & healthcare
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	0	0
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Greater Than 90 Days Past Due | Premium wine
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	0	0
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Greater Than 90 Days Past Due | Other
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	0	0
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Greater Than 90 Days Past Due | Commercial loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	169	52
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Real estate secured loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	0	3,183
Current	1,443,011	1,114,286
Loans Past Due 90 Days or More Still Accruing Interest	0	1,250
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Other consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	1,313	0
Current	211,339	160,212
Loans Past Due 90 Days or More Still Accruing Interest	0	0
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	1,313	3,183
Current	1,654,350	1,274,498
Loans Past Due 90 Days or More Still Accruing Interest	0	1,250
Consumer Portfolio Segment | 30 - 59 Days Past Due | Real estate secured loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	0	1,592
Consumer Portfolio Segment | 30 - 59 Days Past Due | Other consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	1,313	0
Consumer Portfolio Segment | 30 - 59 Days Past Due | Consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	1,313	1,592
Consumer Portfolio Segment | 60 - 89 Days Past Due | Real estate secured loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	0	341
Consumer Portfolio Segment | 60 - 89 Days Past Due | Other consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	0	0
Consumer Portfolio Segment | 60 - 89 Days Past Due | Consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	0	341
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Greater Than 90 Days Past Due | Real estate secured loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	0	1,250
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Greater Than 90 Days Past Due | Other consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	0	0
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Greater Than 90 Days Past Due | Consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total Past Due	$ 0	$ 1,250

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Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings Attributable to Level 3 Assets Held (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Unrealized Gains (Losses) [Line Items]
Unrealized gains included in earnings attributable to Level 3 assets still held	$ 9,115	$ 5,680	$ 21,755	$ 96,822
Unrealized gains (losses) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	(1,137)	141	72,574
Equity warrant assets | Other assets
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Unrealized Gains (Losses) [Line Items]
Unrealized gains included in earnings attributable to Level 3 assets still held	9,115	6,911	21,597	17,777
Non-marketable securities | Fair value accounting
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Unrealized Gains (Losses) [Line Items]
Unrealized gains included in earnings attributable to Level 3 assets still held	0	(1,231)	158	79,045
Non-marketable securities | Fair value accounting | Other venture capital investments
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Unrealized Gains (Losses) [Line Items]
Unrealized gains included in earnings attributable to Level 3 assets still held	0	(1,231)	158	78
Non-marketable securities | Fair value accounting | Other investments
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Unrealized Gains (Losses) [Line Items]
Unrealized gains included in earnings attributable to Level 3 assets still held	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 78,967

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Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Total Notional or Contractual Amounts, Fair Value, Collateral and Net Exposure of Derivative Financial Instruments

The total notional or contractual amounts, fair value, collateral and net exposure of our derivative financial instruments at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows:

		September 30, 2015										December 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)	Balance Sheet Location	Notional or Contractual Amount		Fair Value			Collateral (1)		Net Exposure (2)			Notional or Contractual Amount		Fair Value			Collateral (1)		Net Exposure (2)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Interest rate risks:
Interest rate swaps	Other assets	$	45,964	$	3,485		$	—	$	3,485		$	45,964	$	4,609		$	2,970	$	1,639
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Currency exchange risks:
Foreign exchange forwards	Other assets	17,038		594			—		594			200,957		5,050			2,441		2,609
Foreign exchange forwards	Other liabilities	37,609		(1,075		)	—		(1,075		)	6,226		(489		)	—		(489		)
Net exposure				(481		)	—		(481		)			4,561			2,441		2,120
Other derivative instruments:
Equity warrant assets	Other assets	208,270		130,091			—		130,091			197,878		116,604			—		116,604
Other derivatives:
Client foreign exchange forwards	Other assets	733,204		32,431			3,756		28,675			801,487		28,954			2,370		26,584
Client foreign exchange forwards	Other liabilities	695,403		(27,618		)	—		(27,618		)	774,355		(27,647		)	—		(27,647		)
Client foreign currency options	Other assets	28,390		246			—		246			34,926		227			—		227
Client foreign currency options	Other liabilities	28,390		(246		)	—		(246		)	34,926		(227		)	—		(227		)
Client interest rate derivatives	Other assets	459,614		5,164			—		5,164			387,410		2,546			—		2,546
Client interest rate derivatives	Other liabilities	459,614		(5,719		)	—		(5,719		)	387,410		(2,748		)	—		(2,748		)
Net exposure				4,258			3,756		502					1,105			2,370		(1,265		)
Net				$	137,353		$	3,756	$	133,597				$	126,879		$	7,781	$	119,098

(1) Cash collateral received from our counterparties in relation to market value exposures of derivative contracts in our favor is recorded as a component of “short-term borrowings” on our consolidated balance sheets.

(2) Net exposure for contracts in a gain position reflects the replacement cost in the event of nonperformance by all such counterparties. The credit ratings of our institutional counterparties as of September 30, 2015 remain at investment grade or higher and there were no material changes in their credit ratings during the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015.

Summary of Derivative Activity and Related Impact on Consolidated Statements of Income

A summary of our derivative activity and the related impact on our consolidated statements of income for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:

		Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	Statement of income location	2015			2014			2015			2014
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Interest rate risks:
Net cash benefit associated with interest rate swaps	Interest expense—borrowings	$	631		$	638		$	1,903		$	1,915
Changes in fair value of interest rate swaps	Net gains on derivative instruments	(8		)	(12		)	(22		)	(37		)
Net gains associated with interest rate risk derivatives		$	623		$	626		$	1,881		$	1,878
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Currency exchange risks:
Gains (losses) on revaluations of foreign currency instruments	Other noninterest income	$	186		$	(12,640	)	$	(11,667	)	$	(12,347	)
(Losses) gains on internal foreign exchange forward contracts, net	Net gains on derivative instruments	(218		)	12,529			11,626			12,038
Net losses associated with currency risk		$	(32	)	$	(111	)	$	(41	)	$	(309	)
Other derivative instruments:
Net gains on equity warrant assets	Net gains on derivative instruments	$	10,685		$	13,157		$	54,579		$	50,859
Gains on client foreign exchange forward contracts, net	Net gains on derivative instruments	$	179		$	886		$	459		$	1,358
Net losses on other derivatives (1)	Net gains on derivative instruments	$	(394	)	$	(22	)	$	(352	)	$	(738	)

(1) Primarily represents the change in fair value of loan conversion options.

Offsetting Assets

The following table summarizes our assets subject to enforceable master netting arrangements as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

								Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Financial Position But Subject to Master Netting Arrangements
(Dollars in thousands)	Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets		Gross Amounts offset in the Statement of Financial Position			Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statement of Financial Position		Financial Instruments			Cash Collateral Received			Net Amount
September 30, 2015
Derivative Assets:
Interest rate swaps	$	3,485	$	—		$	3,485	$	(3,485	)	$	—		$	—
Foreign exchange forwards	33,025		—			33,025		(19,373		)	(3,756		)	9,896
Foreign currency options	322		(76		)	246		(152		)	—			94
Client interest rate derivatives	5,164		—			5,164		(5,164		)	—			—
Total derivative assets:	41,996		(76		)	41,920		(28,174		)	(3,756		)	9,990
Reverse repurchase, securities borrowing, and similar arrangements	214,484		—			214,484		(214,484		)	—			—
Total	$	256,480	$	(76	)	$	256,404	$	(242,658	)	$	(3,756	)	$	9,990
December 31, 2014
Derivative Assets:
Interest rate swaps	$	4,609	$	—		$	4,609	$	(1,639	)	$	(2,970	)	$	—
Foreign exchange forwards	34,004		—			34,004		(17,843		)	(4,811		)	11,350
Foreign currency options	501		(274		)	227		(144		)	—			83
Client interest rate derivatives	2,546		—			2,546		(2,546		)	—			—
Total derivative assets:	41,660		(274		)	41,386		(22,172		)	(7,781		)	11,433
Reverse repurchase, securities borrowing, and similar arrangements	95,611		—			95,611		(95,611		)	—			—
Total	$	137,271	$	(274	)	$	136,997	$	(117,783	)	$	(7,781	)	$	11,433

Offsetting Liabilities

The following table summarizes our liabilities subject to enforceable master netting arrangements as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

								Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Financial Position But Subject to Master Netting Arrangements
(Dollars in thousands)	Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities		Gross Amounts offset in the Statement of Financial Position			Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statement of Financial Position		Financial Instruments			Cash Collateral Pledged		Net Amount
September 30, 2015
Derivative Liabilities:
Foreign exchange forwards	$	28,693	$	—		$	28,693	$	(10,329	)	$	—	$	18,364
Foreign currency options	322		(76		)	246		(94		)	—		152
Client interest rate derivatives	5,719		—			5,719		(5,719		)	—		—
Total derivative liabilities:	34,734		(76		)	34,658		(16,142		)	—		18,516
Repurchase, securities lending, and similar arrangements	—		—			—		—			—		—
Total	$	34,734	$	(76	)	$	34,658	$	(16,142	)	$	—	$	18,516
December 31, 2014
Derivative Liabilities:
Foreign exchange forwards	$	28,136	$	—		$	28,136	$	(16,808	)	$	—	$	11,328
Foreign currency options	501		(274		)	227		(83		)	—		144
Client interest rate derivatives	2,748		—			2,748		(2,748		)	—		—
Total derivative liabilities:	31,385		(274		)	31,111		(19,639		)	—		11,472
Repurchase, securities lending, and similar arrangements	—		—			—		—			—		—
Total	$	31,385	$	(274	)	$	31,111	$	(19,639	)	$	—	$	11,472

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Cash and Cash Equivalents (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	[1]	Dec. 31, 2013	[1],[2]
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash and due from banks	$ 1,454,538	$ 1,694,329
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	214,484	95,611
Other short-term investment securities	5,123	6,122
Total cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,674,145	$ 1,796,062	$ 1,872,537		$ 1,538,779

[1] Cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 were revised to reflect the adoption of ASU 2015-02 as of January 1, 2015 and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were revised to reflect the retrospective application of our adoption of ASU 2014-01.

[2] Cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2014 included $15.0 million recognized in assets held-for-sale in conjunction with the SVBIF Sale Transaction. On April 13, 2015 we received net proceeds of $39.3 million consisting of the sales price of $48.6 million less $9.3 million of cash and cash equivalents held by SVBIF that were sold.

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Guarantees and Other Commitments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Disclosure Off Balance Sheet Arrangements Guarantees And Other Commitments Additional Information [Abstract]

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Guarantees and Other Commitments

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Guarantees and Other Commitments

In the normal course of business we use financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk to meet the financing needs of our customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, commercial and standby letters of credit and commitments to invest in venture capital and private equity fund investments. These instruments involve credit risk to varying degrees. Credit risk is defined as the possibility of sustaining a loss because other parties to the financial instrument fail to perform in accordance with the terms of the contract.

Commitments to Extend Credit

The following table summarizes information related to our commitments to extend credit at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

(Dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Loan commitments available for funding: (1)
Fixed interest rate commitments	$	1,393,396	$	1,591,408
Variable interest rate commitments	13,302,099		11,860,039
Total loan commitments available for funding	14,695,495		13,451,447
Commercial and standby letters of credit (2)	1,391,812		1,254,338
Total unfunded credit commitments	$	16,087,307	$	14,705,785
Commitments unavailable for funding (3)	$	2,141,183	$	1,868,489
Maximum lending limits for accounts receivable factoring arrangements (4)	1,084,623		1,044,548
Reserve for unfunded credit commitments (5)	36,631		36,419

(1) Represents commitments which are available for funding, due to clients meeting all collateral, compliance and financial covenants required under loan commitment agreements.

(2) See below for additional information on our commercial and standby letters of credit.

(3) Represents commitments which are currently unavailable for funding, due to clients failing to meet all collateral, compliance and financial covenants under loan commitment agreements.

(4) We extend credit under accounts receivable factoring arrangements when our clients’ sales invoices are deemed creditworthy under existing underwriting practices.

(5) Our reserve for unfunded credit commitments includes an allowance for both our unfunded loan commitments and our letters of credit.

Commercial and Standby Letters of Credit

The table below summarizes our commercial and standby letters of credit at September 30, 2015. The maximum potential amount of future payments represents the amount that could be remitted under letters of credit if there were a total default by the guaranteed parties, without consideration of possible recoveries under recourse provisions or from the collateral held or pledged.

(Dollars in thousands)	Expires In One Year or Less		Expires After One Year		Total Amount Outstanding		Maximum Amount of Future Payments
Financial standby letters of credit	$	1,251,147	$	68,343	$	1,319,490	$	1,319,490
Performance standby letters of credit	50,220		10,209		60,429		60,429
Commercial letters of credit	11,893		—		11,893		11,893
Total	$	1,313,260	$	78,552	$	1,391,812	$	1,391,812

Deferred fees related to financial and performance standby letters of credit were $8.9 million at September 30, 2015 and $8.4 million at December 31, 2014. At September 30, 2015, collateral in the form of cash of $587.5 million and available-for-sale securities of $0.6 million were available to us to reimburse losses, if any, under financial and performance standby letters of credit.

Commitments to Invest in Venture Capital and Private Equity Funds

Subject to applicable regulatory requirements, including the Volcker Rule, we make commitments to invest in venture capital and private equity funds, which in turn make investments generally in, or in some cases make loans to, privately-held companies. Commitments to invest in these funds are generally made for a 10-year period from the inception of the fund. Although the limited partnership agreements governing these investments typically do not restrict the general partners from calling 100% of committed capital in one year, it is customary for these funds to generally call most of the capital commitments over 5 to 7 years; however in certain cases, the funds may not call 100% of committed capital over the life of the fund. The actual timing of future cash requirements to fund these commitments is generally dependent upon the investment cycle, overall market conditions, and the nature and type of industry in which the privately held companies operate. The following table details our total capital commitments, unfunded capital commitments, and our ownership percentage in each fund at September 30, 2015:

Our Ownership in Venture Capital and Private Equity Funds  (Dollars in thousands)	SVBFG Capital Commitments		SVBFG Unfunded     Commitments		SVBFG Ownership   of each Fund (4)
Silicon Valley BancVentures, LP	$	6,000	$	270	10.7	%
SVB Capital Partners II, LP (1)	1,200		162		5.1
SVB Capital Shanghai Yangpu Venture Capital Fund	935		—		6.8
SVB Strategic Investors Fund, LP	15,300		688		12.6
SVB Strategic Investors Fund II, LP	15,000		1,050		8.6
SVB Strategic Investors Fund III, LP	15,000		1,275		5.9
SVB Strategic Investors Fund IV, LP	12,239		2,325		5.0
Strategic Investors Fund V Funds	515		177		Various
SVB Capital Preferred Return Fund, LP	12,688		—		20.0
SVB Capital—NT Growth Partners, LP	24,670		1,340		33.0
Other private equity fund (2)	9,338		—		58.2
Debt funds	73,830		—		Various
Other fund investments (3)	299,977		12,064		Various
Total	$	486,692	$	19,351

(1) Our ownership includes direct ownership of 1.3 percent and indirect ownership interest of 3.8 percent through our investment in SVB Strategic Investors Fund II, LP.

(2) Our ownership includes direct ownership of 41.5 percent and indirect ownership interests of 12.6 percent and 4.1 percent in the fund through our ownership interest of SVB Capital - NT Growth Partners, LP and SVB Capital Preferred Return Fund, LP, respectively.

(3) Represents commitments to 276 funds (primarily venture capital funds) where our ownership interest is generally less than 5 percent of the voting interests of each such fund.

(4) We are subject to the Volcker Rule, which restricts or limits us from sponsoring or having ownership interests in “covered” funds including venture capital and private equity funds. See “Business - Supervision and Regulation” under Item 1 of Part I of our 2014 Form 10-K.

The following table details the amounts of remaining unfunded commitments to venture capital and private equity funds by our consolidated managed funds of funds (including our interest and the noncontrolling interests) at September 30, 2015:

Limited Partnership  (Dollars in thousands)	Unfunded Commitments
SVB Strategic Investors Fund, LP	$	2,250
SVB Capital Preferred Return Fund, LP	4,673
SVB Capital—NT Growth Partners, LP	3,878
Other private equity fund	77
Total	$	10,878

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Basis of Presentation (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation and Presentation

Principles of Consolidation and Presentation

Prior to April 1, 2015, the Company’s consolidated financial statements included the accounts of SVB Financial Group and entities in which we had a controlling interest.  The determination of whether we had controlling interest was based on consolidation principles prescribed by ASC Topic 810 and whether the controlling interest in an entity was a voting interest entity or a variable interest entity (“VIE”). However, during the three months ended June 30, 2015, we early adopted the provisions of ASU 2015-02, Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis (ASU 2015-02)(see "Adoption of New Accounting Standards" below), which simplifies consolidation accounting by reducing the number of consolidation models and changing various aspects of current GAAP, including certain consolidation criteria for variable interest entities. The new guidance eliminates the presumption that a general partner of a limited partnership arrangement should consolidate a limited partnership. The amendments to ASC Topic 810 in ASU 2015-02 modify the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar entities are VIEs or voting entities. With these changes, we determined that the majority of our investments in limited partnership arrangements are VIEs under the new guidance while these entities were typically voting interest entities under the prior guidance.

ASU 2015-02 provided a single model for evaluating VIE entities for consolidation. VIEs are entities where investors lack sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support or equity investors, as a group, lack one of the following characteristics: (a) the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, (b) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity, or (c) the right to receive the expected returns of the entity. We assess VIEs to determine if we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE.  A primary beneficiary is defined as a variable interest holder that has a controlling financial interest. A controlling financial interest requires both: (a) power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, and (b) obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits of a VIE that could potentially be significant to a VIE. Under this analysis, we evaluate kick-out rights and other participating rights which could provide us a controlling financial interest. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is required to consolidate the VIE.

ASU 2015-02 also changed how we evaluate fees paid to managers of our limited partnership investments. Under the new guidance, we exclude those fee arrangements that are not deemed to be variable interests from the analysis of our interests in our investments in VIEs and the determination of a primary beneficiary, if any.

Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of SVB Financial Group and consolidated entities. We consolidate voting entities in which we have control through voting interests. We determine whether we have a controlling financial interest in a VIE by determining if we have the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and whether we have significant variable interests. Generally, we have significant variable interests if our commitments to a limited partnership investment represent a significant amount of the total commitments to the entity. We also evaluate the impact of related parties on our determination of variable interests in our consolidation conclusions. We consolidate VIEs in which we are the primary beneficiary based on a controlling financial interest. If we are not the primary beneficiary of a VIE, we record our pro-rata interests or our cost basis in the VIE, as appropriate, based on other accounting guidance within GAAP.

All significant intercompany accounts and transactions with consolidated entities have been eliminated. We have not provided financial or other support during the periods presented to any VIE that we were not previously contractually required to provide.

Adoption Accounting Pronouncements

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

In May 2015, the FASB issued a new accounting standard (ASU 2015-07, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820)), which removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient. The standard is required to be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. We early adopted this guidance in the second quarter of 2015. The adoption of this guidance impacts our fair value disclosures and has no impact on our financial position, results of operations or stockholders' equity.

In April 2015, the FASB issued a new accounting standard (ASU 2015-03, Interest- Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30), which simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs. The guidance will be effective for annual and quarterly periods beginning on January 1, 2016, with early adoption permitted. We early adopted this guidance in the third quarter of 2015 using the retrospective method, which required the restatement of prior period results. The adoption of this guidance impacted our statement of financial position, but had no impact on our results of operations or retained earnings. We reclassified $5.1 million and $2.1 million of debt issuance costs from other assets to a direct deduction from the carrying amounts of long-term debt for the periods ended September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively.

In February 2015, the FASB issued a new accounting standard, ASU 2015-02, which amends the consolidation requirement for certain legal entities. As outlined above in "Principles of Consolidation and Presentation", we early adopted this guidance in the second quarter of 2015 using the modified retrospective method, which results in an effective date of adoption of January 1, 2015 and will not require the restatement of prior period results. The adoption of this guidance impacted our statement of financial position and results of operations, but had no impact on retained earnings, SVBFG stockholders' equity or net income as investments that were consolidated in previous reporting periods are now deconsolidated and no new investments were consolidated. Refer to Note 4—”Variable Interest Entities” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details regarding our assessment of the adoption of this guidance.

In January 2014, the FASB issued a new accounting standard (ASU 2014-01, Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects), which is effective for us for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014. The standard is required to be applied retrospectively, with an adjustment to retained earnings in the earliest period presented. The ASU is applicable to our portfolio of low income housing tax credit ("LIHTC") partnership interests. We adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2015.

For prior periods, pursuant to ASU 2014-01, (i) amortization expense related to our low income housing tax credits was reclassified from Other noninterest expense to Income tax expense, (ii) additional amortization, net of the associated tax benefits, was recognized in Income tax expense as a result of our adoption of the proportional amortization method and (iii) net deferred tax assets, related to our low income housing tax investments, were written-off. The cumulative effect to retained earnings as of January 1, 2015 of adopting this guidance was a reduction of $4.7 million, inclusive of a $4.6 million reduction to retained earnings as of January 1, 2014. Our previously reported net income and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 were not materially impacted by the adoption of ASU 2014-01.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued a new accounting standard (ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)), which provides revenue recognition guidance that is intended to create greater consistency with respect to how and when revenue from contracts with customers is shown in the income statement. This guidance will be effective on a retrospective basis beginning on January 1, 2018. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or stockholders' equity.

In August 2014, the FASB issued a new accounting standard (ASU 2014-15, Going Concern (Topic 205-40)), which requires management to evaluate for each annual and interim reporting period whether there is substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern. The guidance will be effective for annual and quarterly periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. We are currently developing processes and controls to adopt this guidance by the adoption deadline and do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or stockholders' equity.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications

Certain prior period amounts, including amounts related to the adoption of ASU 2014-01, ASU 2015-02 and ASU 2015-03, have been reclassified to conform to current period presentations.

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Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Investments transferred out of Level 3	$ 486	$ 6,245	$ 1,621	$ 381,696
Fair value accounting | Non-marketable securities
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Investments transferred out of Level 3	$ 0	$ 5,808	$ 0

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Variable Interest Entities - Carrying Amounts and Classification of Significant Variable Interests (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	[1]	Dec. 31, 2013	[1],[2]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 1,674,145	$ 1,796,062	$ 1,872,537		$ 1,538,779
Non-marketable and other securities	[3]	650,555	1,728,140
Accrued interest receivable and other assets	[3]	580,370	553,208
Total assets		41,730,982	39,337,869
Other liabilities		566,370	483,493
Total liabilities		38,416,754	$ 35,286,135
Maximum Exposure to Loss in Unconsolidated VIEs		341,065
Consolidated
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents		18,769
Non-marketable and other securities		204,555
Accrued interest receivable and other assets		375
Total assets		223,699
Other liabilities		421
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		0
Total liabilities		421
Maximum Exposure to Loss in Unconsolidated VIEs		223,300
Unconsolidated
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Non-marketable and other securities		341,065
Total assets		341,065
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		65,305
Total liabilities		65,305
Maximum Exposure to Loss in Unconsolidated VIEs		341,100
Low Income Housing Tax Credit Funds | Consolidated
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Non-marketable and other securities		$ 125,500

[1] Cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 were revised to reflect the adoption of ASU 2015-02 as of January 1, 2015 and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were revised to reflect the retrospective application of our adoption of ASU 2014-01.

[2] Cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2014 included $15.0 million recognized in assets held-for-sale in conjunction with the SVBIF Sale Transaction. On April 13, 2015 we received net proceeds of $39.3 million consisting of the sales price of $48.6 million less $9.3 million of cash and cash equivalents held by SVBIF that were sold.

[3] Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

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Stockholders' Equity and EPS - Reclassifications out of AOCI (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Related tax expense (benefit)	[1]	$ (57,017)	$ (40,207)	$ (175,057)	[2]	$ (137,431)
Net income available to common stockholders	[1]	81,733	63,977	256,392	[2]	205,880
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Gains on investment securities, net
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income		(13)	990	(2,750)		17,411
Related tax expense (benefit)		6	(400)	1,111		(7,030)
Net income available to common stockholders		$ (7)	$ 590	$ (1,639)		$ 10,381

[1] Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

[2] Amounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the second quarter of 2015 related to our consolidated variable interest entities (ASU 2015-02). Amounts prior to January 1, 2015 have not been revised for the adoption of this guidance. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

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Interim Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income before noncontrolling interests	[1],[2],[3]	$ 87,962	$ 64,154	$ 284,811	[4],[5]	$ 348,865	[5],[6]
Change in cumulative translation gains:
Foreign currency translation gains (losses)		(102)	(2,259)	2,588		(638)
Related tax benefit (expense)		87	935	(1,054)		281
Change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized holding gains (losses)		58,902	(48,724)	100,468		62,669
Related tax (expense) benefit		(24,200)	19,716	(41,224)		(25,292)
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income		(13)	990	(2,750)		17,411
Related tax expense (benefit)		6	(400)	1,111		(7,030)
Cumulative-effect adjustment for unrealized gains on securities transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity		0	0	0		37,700
Related tax expense		0	0	0		(15,178)
Amortization of unrealized losses on securities transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity		(2,565)	(2,996)	(7,997)		(4,043)
Related tax benefit		1,032	1,206	3,218		1,628
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax		33,147	(31,532)	54,360		67,508
Comprehensive income		121,109	32,622	339,171		416,373
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests (2)	[1]	(6,229)	(177)	(28,419)	[4]	(142,985)
Comprehensive income attributable to SVBFG		$ 114,880	$ 32,445	$ 310,752		$ 273,388

[1] Amounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the second quarter of 2015 related to our consolidated variable interest entities (ASU 2015-02). Amounts prior to January 1, 2015 have not been revised for the adoption of this guidance. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

[2] Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

[3] Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

[4] Amounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the second quarter of 2015 related to our consolidated variable interest entities (ASU 2015-02). Amounts prior to January 1, 2015 have not been revised for the adoption of this guidance. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation” of the “Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” under Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details.

[5] Cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 were revised to reflect the adoption of ASU 2015-02 as of January 1, 2015 and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were revised to reflect the retrospective application of our adoption of ASU 2014-01.

[6] Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Guarantees and Other Commitments - Remaining Unfunded Commitments to Venture Capital or Private Equity Funds by our Consolidated Managed Funds (Detail) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
SVBFG Unfunded Commitments	$ 10,878
SVB Strategic Investors Fund, LP
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
SVBFG Unfunded Commitments	2,250
SVB Capital Preferred Return Fund, LP
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
SVBFG Unfunded Commitments	4,673
SVB Capital—NT Growth Partners, LP
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
SVBFG Unfunded Commitments	3,878
Other private equity fund
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
SVBFG Unfunded Commitments	$ 77

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Stockholders' Equity and EPS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Equity and Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Stockholders' Equity and EPS

Stockholders’ Equity and EPS

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The following table summarizes the items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income into the Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014:

		Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	Income Statement Location	2015			2014			2015			2014
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income	Gains (losses) on investment securities, net	$	(13	)	$	990		$	(2,750	)	$	17,411
Related tax expense (benefit)	Income tax expense	6			(400		)	1,111			(7,030		)
Total reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income, net of tax		$	(7	)	$	590		$	(1,639	)	$	10,381

EPS

Basic EPS is the amount of earnings available to each share of common stock outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted EPS is the amount of earnings available to each share of common stock outstanding during the reporting period adjusted to include the effect of potentially dilutive common shares. Potentially dilutive common shares include incremental shares issued for stock options and restricted stock units outstanding under our equity incentive plans and our ESPP. Potentially dilutive common shares are excluded from the computation of dilutive EPS in periods in which the effect would be antidilutive. The following is a reconciliation of basic EPS to diluted EPS for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014:

	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)	2015		2014		2015		2014
Numerator:
Net income available to common stockholders (1)	$	81,733	$	63,977	$	256,392	$	205,880
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic	51,479		50,752		51,254		48,281
Weighted average effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options and ESPP	382		534		411		580
Restricted stock units	187		285		213		339
Denominator for diluted calculation	52,048		51,571		51,878		49,200
Earnings per common share:
Basic (1)	$	1.59	$	1.26	$	5.00	$	4.26
Diluted	$	1.57	$	1.24	$	4.94	$	4.18

(1) Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

The following table summarizes the weighted-average common shares excluded from the diluted EPS calculation as they were deemed to be antidilutive for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014:

	Three months ended September 30,		Nine months ended September 30,
(Shares in thousands)	2015	2014	2015	2014
Stock options	142	241	169	140
Restricted stock units	1	1	—	2
Total	143	242	169	142

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Investment Securities - Non-marketable and Other Securities (Detail) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) Investment	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) Investment	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) Investment	Sep. 30, 2014 Investment
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Total non-marketable and other securities	[1]	$ 650,555		$ 650,555		$ 1,728,140
Ownership interest percentage						5.00%
Upper Limit
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Ownership interest percentage		5.00%		5.00%
Fair value accounting
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities, fair value accounting		$ 779		$ 779		$ 108,251
Venture capital and private equity fund investments
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities, equity method accounting		84,197		84,197
Venture capital and private equity fund investments | SVB Strategic Investors Fund II, LP
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities, equity method accounting		11,204		11,204
Venture capital and private equity fund investments | SVB Strategic Investors Fund III, LP
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities, equity method accounting		24,781		24,781
Venture capital and private equity fund investments | SVB Strategic Investors Fund IV, LP
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities, equity method accounting		25,542		25,542
Venture capital and private equity fund investments | Other investments
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities, equity method accounting		22,670		22,670
Venture capital and private equity fund investments | Fair value accounting
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities, fair value accounting		154,660		154,660		1,130,882
Non-marketable securities, cost method accounting		244,000		244,000		234,000
Venture capital and private equity fund investments | Fair value accounting | SVB Strategic Investors Fund, LP
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities, fair value accounting		23,229		$ 23,229		$ 24,645
Percentage of ownership				12.60%		12.60%
Venture capital and private equity fund investments | Fair value accounting | SVB Strategic Investors Fund II, LP
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities, fair value accounting		0		$ 0		$ 97,250
Percentage of ownership				8.60%		8.60%
Venture capital and private equity fund investments | Fair value accounting | SVB Strategic Investors Fund III, LP
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities, fair value accounting		0		$ 0		$ 269,821
Percentage of ownership				5.90%		5.90%
Venture capital and private equity fund investments | Fair value accounting | SVB Strategic Investors Fund IV, LP
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities, fair value accounting		0		$ 0		$ 291,291
Percentage of ownership				5.00%		5.00%
Venture capital and private equity fund investments | Fair value accounting | Strategic Investors Fund V Funds
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities, fair value accounting		0		$ 0		$ 226,111
Venture capital and private equity fund investments | Fair value accounting | Strategic Investors Fund VI Funds
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities, fair value accounting		0		0		$ 89,605
Percentage of ownership						0.00%
Venture capital and private equity fund investments | Fair value accounting | SVB Capital Preferred Return Fund, LP
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities, fair value accounting		61,869		$ 61,869		$ 62,110
Percentage of ownership				20.00%		20.00%
Venture capital and private equity fund investments | Fair value accounting | SVB Capital—NT Growth Partners, LP
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities, fair value accounting		62,818		$ 62,818		$ 61,973
Percentage of ownership				33.00%		33.00%
Venture capital and private equity fund investments | Fair value accounting | SVB Capital Partners II, LP
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities, fair value accounting		0		$ 0		$ 302
Percentage of ownership						5.10%
Venture capital and private equity fund investments | Fair value accounting | SVB Capital Partners II, LP | Direct ownership interest
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership				1.30%
Venture capital and private equity fund investments | Fair value accounting | SVB Capital Partners II, LP | Indirect ownership interest
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership				3.80%
Venture capital and private equity fund investments | Fair value accounting | Other private equity fund
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities, fair value accounting		6,744		$ 6,744		$ 7,774
Percentage of ownership				58.20%		58.20%
Venture capital and private equity fund investments | Fair value accounting | Other private equity fund | Direct ownership interest
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership				41.50%
Venture capital and private equity fund investments | Equity method accounting
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities, equity method accounting		84,197		$ 84,197		$ 0
Venture capital and private equity fund investments | Cost method accounting
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities, cost method accounting		$ 123,550		$ 123,550		$ 140,551
Number of investments		270	281	270	281	281	281
Other venture capital investments | Fair value accounting
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities, fair value accounting		$ 3,390		$ 3,390		$ 71,204
Other venture capital investments | Fair value accounting | SVB Capital Partners II, LP
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities, fair value accounting		0		$ 0		$ 20,481
Percentage of ownership				0.00%		5.10%
Other venture capital investments | Fair value accounting | Silicon Valley BancVentures, LP
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities, fair value accounting		3,390		$ 3,390		$ 3,291
Percentage of ownership				10.70%		10.70%
Other venture capital investments | Fair value accounting | Capital Partners III, LP
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities, fair value accounting		0		$ 0		$ 41,055
Percentage of ownership				0.00%		0.00%
Other venture capital investments | Fair value accounting | SVB Capital Shanghai Yangpu Venture Capital Fund
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities, fair value accounting		0		$ 0		$ 6,377
Percentage of ownership						6.80%
Debt funds | Equity method accounting
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities, equity method accounting		21,217		21,217		$ 26,672
Debt funds | Equity method accounting | Gold Hill Capital 2008, LP
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities, equity method accounting		17,662		$ 17,662		$ 21,294
Percentage of ownership				15.50%		15.50%
Debt funds | Equity method accounting | Other investments
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities, equity method accounting		3,555		$ 3,555		$ 5,378
Other investments | Fair value accounting | SVB Capital Preferred Return Fund, LP | Indirect ownership interest
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership				4.10%
Other investments | Fair value accounting | SVB Capital—NT Growth Partners, LP | Indirect ownership interest
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership				12.60%
Other investments | Fair value accounting | Other private equity fund | Direct ownership interest
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership				41.50%
Other investments | Equity method accounting
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities, equity method accounting		119,731		$ 119,731		116,002
Other investments | Equity method accounting | Gold Hill Capital 2008, LP | Direct ownership interest
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership				11.50%
Other investments | Equity method accounting | Gold Hill Capital 2008, LP | Indirect ownership interest
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership				4.00%
Other investments | Equity method accounting | China Joint Venture investment
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities, equity method accounting		79,299		$ 79,299		$ 79,569
Percentage of ownership				50.00%		50.00%
Other investments | Equity method accounting | Other investments
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities, equity method accounting		40,432		$ 40,432		$ 36,433
Other investments | Cost method accounting
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Non-marketable securities, cost method accounting		17,499		17,499		13,423
Low Income Housing Tax Credit Funds
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Nonmarketable securities, other		125,532		125,532		121,155
Tax credits and other tax benefits recognized		4,780	$ 3,087	11,207	$ 9,312
Amortization expense included in provision for income taxes		2,011	$ 1,246	7,549	$ 5,971
Unfunded commitments
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		$ 65,305		$ 65,305		$ 65,921

[1] Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

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Segment Reporting - Segment Information (Additional Information) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Global Commercial Bank
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	$ 4.7	$ 5.4	$ 14.4	$ 15.4

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Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses - Summary of Loans Modified in Troubled Debt Restructurings ("TDRs") by Portfolio Segment and Class of Financing Receivables (Detail) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) troubled_debt_restructuring	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Number of loans with concessions granted to borrowers | troubled_debt_restructuring	13
Unfunded commitments available for funding for modifications (less than)	$ 500
Loans modified in TDRs	91,316	$ 7,151
Life science & healthcare
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Loans modified in TDRs	29,529	0
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Software and internet
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Loans modified in TDRs	57,766	3,784
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Hardware
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Loans modified in TDRs	2,301	1,118
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Premium wine
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Loans modified in TDRs	1,202	1,891
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Other
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Loans modified in TDRs	518	233
Commercial Portfolio Segment | Commercial loans
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Loans modified in TDRs	91,316	7,026
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Other consumer loans
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Loans modified in TDRs	0	125
Consumer Portfolio Segment | Consumer loans
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Loans modified in TDRs	$ 0	$ 125

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Stockholders' Equity and EPS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Equity and Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Reclassifications out of AOCI

The following table summarizes the items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income into the Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014:

		Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	Income Statement Location	2015			2014			2015			2014
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income	Gains (losses) on investment securities, net	$	(13	)	$	990		$	(2,750	)	$	17,411
Related tax expense (benefit)	Income tax expense	6			(400		)	1,111			(7,030		)
Total reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income, net of tax		$	(7	)	$	590		$	(1,639	)	$	10,381

Reconciliation of Basic EPS to Diluted EPS

The following is a reconciliation of basic EPS to diluted EPS for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014:

	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)	2015		2014		2015		2014
Numerator:
Net income available to common stockholders (1)	$	81,733	$	63,977	$	256,392	$	205,880
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic	51,479		50,752		51,254		48,281
Weighted average effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options and ESPP	382		534		411		580
Restricted stock units	187		285		213		339
Denominator for diluted calculation	52,048		51,571		51,878		49,200
Earnings per common share:
Basic (1)	$	1.59	$	1.26	$	5.00	$	4.26
Diluted	$	1.57	$	1.24	$	4.94	$	4.18

(1) Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect the retrospective application of new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of 2015 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

Common Shares Excluded from Diluted EPS Calculation as They Were Deemed to be Anti-Dilutive

The following table summarizes the weighted-average common shares excluded from the diluted EPS calculation as they were deemed to be antidilutive for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014:

	Three months ended September 30,		Nine months ended September 30,
(Shares in thousands)	2015	2014	2015	2014
Stock options	142	241	169	140
Restricted stock units	1	1	—	2
Total	143	242	169	142

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Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jan. 29, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest expense on debt		$ 9,000,000	$ 5,800,000	$ 25,900,000	$ 17,400,000
Weighted average interest rates associated with short-term borrowings		11.00%		11.00%
Proceeds from issuance of 3.50% Senior Notes				$ 346,431,000	$ 0
6.05% Subordinated Notes
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest rate on debt		6.05%		6.05%		6.05%
Fair value of the interest rate swap associated with the notes		$ 3,500,000		$ 3,500,000		$ 4,600,000
Principal value at period end		$ 45,964,000		$ 45,964,000
3.50% Senior Notes
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest rate on debt		3.50%		3.50%
Debt issuance costs		$ 3,000,000		$ 3,000,000
Unamortized discount on debt		300,000		300,000
Principal value at period end	$ 350,000,000	350,000,000		350,000,000
Federal Home Loan Bank Advances
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Market value of collateral pledged		$ 1,300,000,000		$ 1,300,000,000
5.375% Senior Notes
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest rate on debt		5.375%		5.375%		5.375%
Principal value at period end		$ 350,000,000		$ 350,000,000
Proceeds from issuance of 3.50% Senior Notes	$ 346,400,000
Federal Reserve Bank Advances
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Market value of collateral pledged		920,000,000		920,000,000
Interest rate swaps | 6.05% Subordinated Notes
Debt Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of the interest rate swap associated with the notes		$ 3,500,000		$ 3,500,000		$ 4,600,000

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Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Hierarchy Tables Present Information about Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The following fair value hierarchy table presents information about our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2015:

(Dollars in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Balance at September 30, 2015
Assets
Available-for-sale securities:
U.S. treasury securities	$	10,197,025	$	—	$	—	$	10,197,025
U.S. agency debentures	—		2,942,968		—		2,942,968
Residential mortgage-backed securities:
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations - fixed rate	—		1,517,702		—		1,517,702
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations - variable rate	—		645,288		—		645,288
Equity securities	691		3,987		—		4,678
Total available-for-sale securities	10,197,716		5,109,945		—		15,307,661
Non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting):
Non-marketable securities:
Venture capital and private equity fund investments measured at net asset value (1)	—		—		—		154,660
Other venture capital investments	—		—		3,390		3,390
Other securities	779		—		—		779
Total non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting)	779		—		3,390		158,829
Other assets:
Interest rate swaps	—		3,485		—		3,485
Foreign exchange forward and option contracts	—		33,271		—		33,271
Equity warrant assets	—		1,648		128,443		130,091
Client interest rate derivatives	—		5,164		—		5,164
Total assets (2)	$	10,198,495	$	5,153,513	$	131,833	$	15,638,501
Liabilities
Foreign exchange forward and option contracts	$	—	$	28,939	$	—	$	28,939
Client interest rate derivatives	—		5,719		—		5,719
Total liabilities	$	—	$	34,658	$	—	$	34,658

(1) In accordance with the accounting standard (ASU 2015-07, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820)), certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the statement of financial position. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

(2) Included in Level 1 and Level 3 assets are $0.6 million and $3 million, respectively, attributable to noncontrolling interests calculated based on the ownership percentages of the noncontrolling interests.

The following fair value hierarchy table presents information about our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014:

(Dollars in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Balance at December 31, 2014
Assets
Available-for-sale securities:
U.S. treasury securities	$	7,302,273	$	—	$	—	$	7,302,273
U.S. agency debentures	—		3,561,556		—		3,561,556
Residential mortgage-backed securities:
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations - fixed rate	—		1,884,843		—		1,884,843
Agency-issued collateralized mortgage obligations - variable rate	—		784,475		—		784,475
Equity securities	4,290		3,218		—		7,508
Total available-for-sale securities	7,306,563		6,234,092		—		13,540,655
Non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting):
Non-marketable securities:
Venture capital and private equity fund investments measured at net asset value (1)	—		—		—		1,130,882
Other venture capital investments	—		—		71,204		71,204
Other securities	108,251		—		—		108,251
Total non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting)	108,251		—		71,204		1,310,337
Other assets:
Interest rate swaps	—		4,609		—		4,609
Foreign exchange forward and option contracts	—		34,231		—		34,231
Equity warrant assets	—		1,906		114,698		116,604
Client interest rate derivatives	—		2,546		—		2,546
Total assets (2)	$	7,414,814	$	6,277,384	$	185,902	$	15,008,982
Liabilities
Foreign exchange forward and option contracts	$	—	$	28,363	$	—	$	28,363
Client interest rate derivatives	—		2,748		—		2,748
Total liabilities	$	—	$	31,111	$	—	$	31,111

(1) In accordance with the accounting standard (ASU 2015-07, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820)), certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

(2) Included in Level 1 and Level 3 assets are $100 million and $69 million, respectively, attributable to noncontrolling interests calculated based on the ownership percentages of the noncontrolling interests.

Additional Information about Level 3 Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The following table presents additional information about Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively:

(Dollars in thousands)	Beginning Balance		Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Income		Purchases		Sales			Issuances		Distributions and Other Settlements			Transfers Out of Level 3			Ending Balance
Three months ended September 30, 2015
Non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting):
Other venture capital investments	$	3,390	$	15	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	(15	)	$	—		$	3,390
Total non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting) (1)	3,390		15		—		—			—		(15		)	—			3,390
Other assets:
Equity warrant assets (2)	120,037		11,551		—		(6,215		)	3,057		499			(486		)	128,443
Total assets	$	123,427	$	11,566	$	—	$	(6,215	)	$	3,057	$	484		$	(486	)	$	131,833
Three months ended September 30, 2014
Non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting):
Other venture capital investments	$	43,747	$	5,546	$	6,304	$	(11,122	)	$	—	$	(612	)	$	—		$	43,863
Other securities (fair value accounting)	5,808		—		—		—			—		—			(5,808		)	—
Total non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting) (1)	49,555		5,546		6,304		(11,122		)	—		(612		)	(5,808		)	43,863
Other assets:
Equity warrant assets (2)	87,151		13,805		—		(10,564		)	2,932		510			(437		)	93,397
Total assets	$	136,706	$	19,351	$	6,304	$	(21,686	)	$	2,932	$	(102	)	$	(6,245	)	$	137,260
Nine months ended September 30, 2015
Non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting):
Other venture capital investments (3)	$	3,291	$	146	$	—	$	(32	)	$	—	$	(15	)	$	—		$	3,390
Total non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting) (1)	3,291		146		—		(32		)	—		(15		)	—			3,390
Other assets:
Equity warrant assets (2)	114,698		54,884		—		(48,374		)	7,607		1,249			(1,621		)	128,443
Total assets	$	117,989	$	55,030	$	—	$	(48,406	)	$	7,607	$	1,234		$	(1,621	)	$	131,833
Nine months ended September 30, 2014
Non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting):
Other venture capital investments	$	32,839	$	8,060	$	22,800	$	(15,561	)	$	—	$	(4,149	)	$	(126	)	$	43,863
Other securities (fair value accounting)	319,249		104,310		—		(46,840		)	—		3,417			(380,136		)	—
Total non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting) (1)	352,088		112,370		22,800		(62,401		)	—		(732		)	(380,262		)	43,863
Other assets:
Equity warrant assets (2)	99,891		51,325		—		(67,201		)	9,098		1,718			(1,434		)	93,397
Total assets	$	451,979	$	163,695	$	22,800	$	(129,602	)	$	9,098	$	986		$	(381,696	)	$	137,260

(1) Realized and unrealized gains (losses) are recorded in the line items “gains on investment securities, net” a component of noninterest income.

(2) Realized and unrealized gains (losses) are recorded in the line item “gains on derivative instruments, net”, a component of noninterest income.

(3) Beginning balance was adjusted to conform with our adoption of the new accounting standard (ASU 2015-02), Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis (Topic 820).

Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings Attributable to Level 3 Assets Held

The following table presents the amount of net unrealized gains and losses included in earnings (which is inclusive of noncontrolling interest) attributable to Level 3 assets still held at September 30, 2015 and 2014:

	Three months ended September 30,					Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015		2014			2015		2014
Non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting):
Other venture capital investments	—		(1,231		)	158		78
Other securities	—		—			—		78,967
Total non-marketable and other securities (fair value accounting) (1)	—		(1,231		)	158		79,045
Other assets:
Equity warrant assets (2)	9,115		6,911			21,597		17,777
Total unrealized gains, net	$	9,115	$	5,680		$	21,755	$	96,822
Unrealized gains (losses) attributable to noncontrolling interests	$	—	$	(1,137	)	$	141	$	72,574

(1) Unrealized gains (losses) are recorded in the line items “gains on investment securities, net”, a component of noninterest income.

(2) Unrealized gains (losses) are recorded in the line item “gains on derivative instruments, net”, a component of noninterest income.

Quantitative Information About Significant Unobservable Inputs

The following table presents quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used for certain of our Level 3 fair value measurements at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. We have not included in this table our venture capital and private equity fund investments (fair value accounting) as we use net asset value per share (as obtained from the general partners of the investments) as a practical expedient to determine fair value.

(Dollars in thousands)		Fair value		Valuation Technique	Significant Unobservable Inputs	Weighted  Average
September 30, 2015:
Other venture capital investments (fair value accounting)		$	3,390	Private company equity pricing	(1)	(1	)
Equity warrant assets (public portfolio)	—	4,795		Modified Black-Scholes option pricing model	Volatility	39.4	%
	—				Risk-Free interest rate	1.5	%
					Sales restrictions discount (2)	14.2	%
Equity warrant assets (private portfolio)		123,648		Modified Black-Scholes option pricing model	Volatility	37.1	%
					Risk-Free interest rate	0.7	%
					Marketability discount (3)	17.3	%
					Remaining life assumption (4)	45.0	%
December 31, 2014:
Other venture capital investments (fair value accounting)		$	71,204	Private company equity pricing	(1)	(1	)
Equity warrant assets (public portfolio)		1,681		Modified Black-Scholes option pricing model	Volatility	42.6	%
					Risk-Free interest rate	1.7	%
					Sales restrictions discount (2)	17.8	%
Equity warrant assets (private portfolio)		113,017		Modified Black-Scholes option pricing model	Volatility	38.3	%
					Risk-Free interest rate	0.9	%
					Marketability discount (3)	20.0	%
					Remaining life assumption (4)	45.0	%

(1) In determining the fair value of our other venture capital investment portfolio, we evaluate a variety of factors related to each underlying private portfolio company including, but not limited to, actual and forecasted results, cash position, recent or planned transactions and market comparable companies. Additionally, we have ongoing communication with the portfolio companies and venture capital fund managers, to determine whether there is a material change in fair value. These factors are specific to each portfolio company and a weighted average or range of values of the unobservable inputs is not meaningful.

(2) We adjust quoted market prices of public companies, which are subject to certain sales restrictions. Sales restriction discounts generally range from 10% to 20% depending on the duration of the sales restrictions, which typically range from 3 to 6 months.

(3) Our marketability discount is applied to all private company warrants to account for a general lack of liquidity due to the private nature of the associated underlying company. The quantitative measure used is based upon various option-pricing models. On a quarterly basis, a sensitivity analysis is performed on our marketability discount.

(4) We adjust the contractual remaining term of private company warrants based on our estimate of the actual remaining life, which we determine by utilizing historical data on cancellations and exercises. At September 30, 2015, the weighted average contractual remaining term was 5.67 years, compared to our estimated remaining life of 2.55 years. On a quarterly basis, a sensitivity analysis is performed on our remaining life assumption.

Summary of Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments Not Carried at Fair Value

Letters of credit are carried at their fair value, which was equivalent to the residual premium or fee at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Commitments to extend credit and letters of credit typically result in loans with a market interest rate if funded.

The following fair value hierarchy table presents the estimated fair values of our financial instruments that are not carried at fair value at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

			Estimated Fair Value
(Dollars in thousands)	Carrying Amount		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
September 30, 2015:
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,674,145	$	1,674,145	$	1,674,145	$	—	$	—
Held-to-maturity securities	8,306,526		8,367,003		—		8,367,003		—
Non-marketable securities (cost and equity method accounting) not measured at net asset value	112,984		115,359		—		—		115,359
Non-marketable securities (cost and equity method) accounting measured at net asset value (1)	253,210		374,353		—		—		—
Net commercial loans	13,470,144		13,547,022		—		—		13,547,022
Net consumer loans	1,646,929		1,618,492		—		—		1,618,492
FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank stock	46,116		46,116		—		—		46,116
Accrued interest receivable	98,453		98,453		—		98,453		—
Financial liabilities:
Other short-term borrowings	3,756		3,756		3,756		—		—
Non-maturity deposits (2)	36,977,199		36,977,199		36,977,199		—		—
Time deposits	72,218		72,218		—		72,218		—
3.50% Senior Notes	346,591		342,125		—		342,125		—
5.375% Senior Notes	346,878		391,286		—		391,286		—
6.05% Subordinated Notes (3)	49,028		51,000		—		51,000		—
7.0% Junior Subordinated Debentures	54,714		52,557		—		52,557		—
Accrued interest payable	4,992		4,992		—		4,992		—
Off-balance sheet financial assets:
Commitments to extend credit	—		28,805		—		—		28,805
December 31, 2014:
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,796,062	$	1,796,062	$	1,796,062	$	—	$	—
Held-to-maturity securities	7,421,042		7,415,656		—		7,415,656		—
Non-marketable securities (cost and equity method accounting) not measured at net asset value	108,221		107,451		—		—		107,451
Non-marketable securities (cost and equity method) accounting measured at net asset value (1)	188,427		283,119		—		—		—
Net commercial loans	12,947,869		13,082,487		—		—		13,082,487
Net consumer loans	1,271,048		1,247,336		—		—		1,247,336
FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank stock	53,496		53,496		—		—		53,496
Accrued interest receivable	94,180		94,180		—		94,180		—
Financial liabilities:
Other short-term borrowings	7,781		7,781		7,781		—		—
Non-maturity deposits (2)	34,215,372		34,215,372		34,215,372		—		—
Time deposits	128,127		128,107		—		128,107		—
5.375% Senior Notes	346,477		392,616		—		392,616		—
6.05% Subordinated Notes (3)	50,040		53,537		—		53,537		—
7.0% Junior Subordinated Debentures	54,845		52,990		—		52,990		—
Accrued interest payable	6,998		6,998		—		6,998		—
Off-balance sheet financial assets:
Commitments to extend credit	—		29,097		—		—		29,097

(1) In accordance with the accounting standard (ASU 2015-07, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820)), certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. See Note 1— "Basis of Presentation" of the "Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements" under Part I, Item 1 in this report.

(2) Includes noninterest-bearing demand deposits, interest-bearing checking accounts, money market accounts and interest-bearing sweep deposits.

(3) At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, included in the carrying value and estimated fair value of our 6.05% Subordinated Notes was an interest rate swap valued at $3.5 million and $4.6 million, respectively, related to hedge accounting associated with the notes.

Summary of Estimated Fair Values of Investments and Remaining Unfunded Commitments for Each Major Category of Investments

The following table is a summary of the estimated fair values of these investments and remaining unfunded commitments for each major category of these investments as of September 30, 2015:

(Dollars in thousands)	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Unfunded Commitments
Non-marketable securities (fair value accounting):
Venture capital and private equity fund investments (1)	$	154,660	$	154,660	$	10,878
Non-marketable securities (equity method accounting):
Venture capital and private equity fund investments (2)	84,197		84,197		4,989
Debt funds (2)	21,217		22,326		—
Other investments (2)	24,246		24,246		886
Non-marketable securities (cost method accounting):
Venture capital and private equity fund investments (2)	123,550		243,584		9,381
Total	$	407,870	$	529,013	$	26,134

(1) Venture capital and private equity fund investments within non-marketable securities (fair value accounting) include investments made by our managed funds of funds and one of our direct venture funds. These investments represent investments in venture capital and private equity funds that invest primarily in U.S. and global technology and life science & healthcare companies. Included in the fair value and unfunded commitments of fund investments under fair value accounting are $111 million and $8 million, respectively, attributable to noncontrolling interests. It is estimated that we will receive distributions from the fund investments over the next 10 to 13 years, depending on the age of the funds and any potential extensions of terms of the funds.

(2) Venture capital and private equity fund investments, debt funds, and other fund investments within non-marketable securities (equity and cost method accounting) include funds that invest in or lend money to primarily U.S. and global technology and life science & healthcare companies. It is estimated that we will receive distributions from the funds over the next 10 to 13 years, depending on the age of the funds and any potential extensions of the terms of the funds.

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Segment Reporting

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Reporting

Segment Reporting

We have three reportable segments for management reporting purposes: Global Commercial Bank, SVB Private Bank and SVB Capital. The results of our operating segments are based on our internal management reporting process.

Our operating segments’ primary source of revenue is from net interest income, which is primarily the difference between interest earned on loans, net of funds transfer pricing (“FTP”), and interest paid on deposits, net of FTP. Accordingly, our segments are reported using net interest income, net of FTP. FTP is an internal measurement framework designed to assess the financial impact of a financial institution’s sources and uses of funds. It is the mechanism by which an earnings credit is given for deposits raised, and an earnings charge is made for funded loans. FTP is calculated at an instrument level based on account characteristics.

We also evaluate performance based on provision for loan losses, noninterest income and noninterest expense, which are presented as components of segment operating profit or loss. In calculating each operating segment’s noninterest expense, we consider the direct costs incurred by the operating segment as well as certain allocated direct costs. As part of this review, we allocate certain corporate overhead costs to a corporate account. We do not allocate income taxes to our segments. Additionally, our management reporting model is predicated on average asset balances; therefore, period-end asset balances are not presented for segment reporting purposes. Changes in an individual client’s primary relationship designation have resulted, and in the future may result, in the inclusion of certain clients in different segments in different periods.

Unlike financial reporting, which benefits from the comprehensive structure provided by GAAP, our internal management reporting process is highly subjective, as there is no comprehensive, authoritative guidance for management reporting. Our management reporting process measures the performance of our operating segments based on our internal operating structure, which is subject to change from time to time, and is not necessarily comparable with similar information for other financial services companies.

For reporting purposes, SVB Financial Group has three operating segments for which we report our financial information:

• Global Commercial Bank is comprised of results from the following:

◦ Our Commercial Bank products and services are provided by the Bank and its subsidiaries to commercial clients in the technology, life science & healthcare and private equity/venture capital industries. The Bank provides solutions to the financial needs of commercial clients, through credit, global treasury management, foreign exchange, global trade finance, and other services. It serves clients within the United States, as well as non-U.S. clients in key international innovation markets. In addition, the Bank and its subsidiaries offer a variety of investment services and solutions to its clients that enable them to effectively manage their assets. 

◦ Our Private Equity Division provides banking products and services primarily to our private equity and venture capital clients.

◦ Our Wine practice provides banking products and services to our premium wine industry clients, including vineyard development loans. 

◦ SVB Analytics provides equity valuation services to companies and private equity/venture capital firms.

◦ Debt Fund Investments is comprised of our investments in certain debt funds in which we are a strategic investor.

• SVB Private Bank is the private banking division of the Bank, which provides a range of personal financial solutions for consumers. Our clients are primarily private equity/venture capital professionals and executive leaders of the innovation companies they support. We offer a customized suite of private banking services, including mortgages, home equity lines of credit, restricted stock purchase loans, capital call lines of credit and other secured and unsecured lending, as well as cash and wealth management services. 

• SVB Capital is the venture capital investment arm of SVBFG, which focuses primarily on funds management. SVB Capital manages funds (primarily venture capital funds) on behalf of third party limited partners and, on a more limited basis, SVB Financial Group. The SVB Capital family of funds is comprised of direct venture funds that invest in companies and funds of funds that invest in other venture capital funds. SVB Capital generates income for the Company primarily from investment returns (including carried interest) and management fees.

The summary financial results of our operating segments are presented along with a reconciliation to our consolidated interim results.

Our segment information for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)	Global Commercial Bank (1)			SVB Private   Bank			SVB Capital (1)			Other Items (2)			Total
Three months ended September 30, 2015
Net interest income	$	217,929		$	11,667		$	1		$	25,063		$	254,660
Provision for loan losses	(32,076		)	(1,327		)	—			—			(33,403		)
Noninterest income	68,517			506			17,332			22,122			108,477
Noninterest expense (3)	(135,504		)	(2,703		)	(3,745		)	(42,803		)	(184,755		)
Income before income tax expense (4)	$	118,866		$	8,143		$	13,588		$	4,382		$	144,979
Total average loans, net of unearned income	$	13,031,928		$	1,669,858		$	—		214,866			$	14,916,652
Total average assets (5)	40,211,915			1,273,823			334,045			199,441			42,019,224
Total average deposits	36,149,772			1,041,773			—			191,522			37,383,067
Three months ended September 30, 2014
Net interest income	$	187,184		$	7,344		$	12		$	26,025		$	220,565
Provision for loan losses	(16,185		)	(425		)	—			—			(16,610		)
Noninterest income	57,714			491			1,064			20,898			80,167
Noninterest expense (3)	(127,050		)	(2,574		)	(3,036		)	(47,101		)	(179,761		)
Income before income tax expense (4)	$	101,663		$	4,836		$	(1,960	)	$	(178	)	$	104,361
Total average loans, net of unearned income	$	10,022,333		$	1,189,976		$	—		227,212			$	11,439,521
Total average assets (5)	31,916,581			1,128,938			302,949			1,247,597			34,596,065
Total average deposits	28,795,499			877,701			—			53,084			29,726,284
Nine months ended September 30, 2015
Net interest income	$	625,618		$	32,499		$	3		$	79,236		$	737,356
Provision for loan losses	(64,128		)	(2,240		)	—			—			(66,368		)
Noninterest income	197,740			1,498			57,919			101,131			358,288
Noninterest expense (3)	(415,245		)	(8,589		)	(10,935		)	(134,639		)	(569,408		)
Income before income tax expense (4)	$	343,985		$	23,168		$	46,987		$	45,728		$	459,868
Total average loans, net of unearned income	$	12,721,208		$	1,529,095		$	—		181,482			$	14,431,785
Total average assets (5)	37,954,846			1,659,981			335,136			(38,438		)	39,911,525
Total average deposits	34,125,675			1,125,345			—			162,333			35,413,353
Nine months ended September 30, 2014
Net interest income	$	540,533		$	23,529		$	55		$	57,741		$	621,858
(Provision for) reduction of loan losses	(18,833		)	(218		)	—			—			(19,051		)
Noninterest income	169,376			1,121			35,617			198,488			404,602
Noninterest expense (3)	(369,587		)	(7,709		)	(8,815		)	(135,002		)	(521,113		)
Income before income tax expense (4)	$	321,489		$	16,723		$	26,857		$	121,227		$	486,296
Total average loans, net of unearned income	$	9,766,870		$	1,119,618		$	—		211,909			$	11,098,397
Total average assets (5)	28,924,331			1,026,678			328,048			1,123,895			31,402,952
Total average deposits	26,020,715			805,167			—			56,231			26,882,113

(1) Global Commercial Bank’s and SVB Capital’s components of net interest income, noninterest income, noninterest expense and total average assets are shown net of noncontrolling interests for all periods presented. Noncontrolling interest is included within "Other Items".

(2) The "Other Items" column reflects the adjustments necessary to reconcile the results of the operating segments to the consolidated financial statements prepared in conformity with GAAP. Noninterest income is primarily attributable to noncontrolling interests and gains on equity warrant assets. Noninterest expense primarily consists of expenses associated with corporate support functions such as finance, human resources, marketing, legal and other expenses.

(3) The Global Commercial Bank segment includes direct depreciation and amortization of $4.7 million and $5.4 million for the three months September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $14.4 million and $15.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

(4) The internal reporting model used by management to assess segment performance does not calculate income tax expense by segment. Our effective tax rate is a reasonable approximation of the segment rates.

(5) Total average assets equal the greater of total average assets or the sum of total average liabilities and total average stockholders’ equity for each segment which contributes to the negative balances reported in "Other Items" to reconcile the results to the consolidated financial statements prepared in conformity with GAAP.