Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Oct. 31, 2020
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	000-15637
Entity Registrant Name	SVB FINANCIAL GROUP
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	91-1962278
Entity Address, Address Line One	3003 Tasman Drive
Entity Address, City or Town	Santa Clara
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	95054-1191
City Area Code	408
Local Phone Number	654-7400
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		51,796,902
Entity Central Index Key	0000719739
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Common Stock
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share
Trading Symbol	SIVB
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Preferred Stock, Series A
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Depositary shares, each representing a 1/40th ownership interest in a share of 5.250% Fixed-Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A
Trading Symbol	SIVBP
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ