Remaining Unfunded Commitments to Venture Capital or Private Equity Funds by our Consolidated Managed Funds (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands	Jun. 30, 2011
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
Unfunded Commitments	$ 344,559
SVB Strategic Investors Fund, LP
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
Unfunded Commitments	2,538
SVB Strategic Investors Fund II, LP
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
Unfunded Commitments	15,810
SVB Strategic Investors Fund III, LP
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
Unfunded Commitments	75,495
SVB Strategic Investors Fund IV, LP
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
Unfunded Commitments	166,159
SVB Strategic Investors Fund V, LP
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
Unfunded Commitments	9,920
SVB Capital Preferred Return Fund, LP
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
Unfunded Commitments	31,902
SVB Capital-NT Growth Partners, LP
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
Unfunded Commitments	36,938
Other private equity fund
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
Unfunded Commitments	$ 5,797