CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Total	Preferred stock	Common stock	Additional paid-in capital	Retained earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	Total SVBFG stockholders' equity	Noncontrolling interests
Balance at Dec. 31, 2008	$ 1,311,712	$ 221,185	$ 33	$ 66,201	$ 709,726	$ (5,789)	$ 991,356	$ 320,356
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2008		235,000	32,917,007
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans, net of restricted stock cancellations (in shares)			455,814
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans, net of restricted stock cancellations	5,873			5,873			5,873
Redemption of preferred stock issued under the Treasury's CPP (in shares)		(235,000)
Redemption of preferred stock issued under the Treasury's CPP	(235,000)	(235,000)					(235,000)
Income tax benefit (expense) from stock options exercised, vesting of restricted stock and other	(1,309)			(1,309)			(1,309)
Net income (loss)	10,640				48,010		48,010	(37,370)
Capital calls and distributions, net	62,781							62,781
Net change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	10,814					10,814	10,814
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	880					880	880
Common stock issued in public offering (in shares)			7,965,568
Common stock issued in public offering	292,107		8	292,099			292,107
Stock-based compensation expense	14,670			14,670			14,670
Income tax benefit from original issue discount related to 3.875% convertible notes	10,745			10,745			10,745
Preferred stock dividend and discount accretion	(11,521)	13,815			(25,336)		(11,521)
Other, net	1,718			1,211	507		1,718
Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	1,474,110		41	389,490	732,907	5,905	1,128,343	345,767
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2009			41,338,389
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans, net of restricted stock cancellations (in shares)			929,812
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans, net of restricted stock cancellations	24,019		1	24,018			24,019
Income tax benefit (expense) from stock options exercised, vesting of restricted stock and other	3,962			3,962			3,962
Net income (loss)	136,817				94,951		94,951	41,866
Capital calls and distributions, net	85,699							85,699
Net change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	17,168					17,168	17,168
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	1,070					1,070	1,070
Stock-based compensation expense	13,558			13,558			13,558
Repurchase of warrant under Capital Purchase Program	(6,820)			(6,820)			(6,820)
Purchase of remaining interest in eProsper	(1,300)			(1,896)			(1,896)	596
Other, net	(5)			22	(27)		(5)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	1,748,278		42	422,334	827,831	24,143	1,274,350	473,928
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010			42,268,201
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans, net of restricted stock cancellations (in shares)			1,238,707
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans, net of restricted stock cancellations	36,873		2	36,871			36,873
Common stock issued upon settlement of 3.875% Convertible Notes, net of shares received from associated convertible note hedge			1,024
Income tax benefit (expense) from stock options exercised, vesting of restricted stock and other	7,140			7,140			7,140
Net income (loss)	282,793				171,902		171,902	110,891
Capital calls and distributions, net	96,178							96,178
Net change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	65,689					65,689	65,689
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	(4,433)					(4,433)	(4,433)
Stock-based compensation expense	17,871			17,871			17,871
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 2,250,389		$ 44	$ 484,216	$ 999,733	$ 85,399	$ 1,569,392	$ 680,997
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011			43,507,932