Interim Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Total SVBFG Stockholders' Equity	Noncontrolling Interests
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)		866,984
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans, net of restricted stock cancellations	26,130	1	26,129			26,130
Common stock issued upon settlement of 3.875% Convertible Notes, net of shares received from associated convertible note hedge		1,024
Income tax benefit from stock options exercised, vesting of restricted stock and other	5,563		5,563			5,563
Net income	162,827			98,757		98,757	64,070
Capital calls and distributions, net	41,160						41,160
Net change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	22,117				22,117	22,117
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	1,117				1,117	1,117
Share-based compensation expense	8,859		8,859			8,859
Balance at Jun. 30, 2011	2,016,051	43	462,885	926,588	47,377	1,436,893	579,158
Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2011		43,136,209
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
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans, net of restricted stock cancellations (in shares)		821,462
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans, net of restricted stock cancellations	24,303		24,303			24,303
Common stock issued under ESOP (in shares)		73,560
Common stock issued under ESOP	4,345		4,345			4,345
Income tax benefit from stock options exercised, vesting of restricted stock and other	5,323		5,323			5,323
Net income	97,011			82,393		82,393	14,618
Capital calls and distributions, net	33,350						33,350
Net change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	19,987				19,987	19,987
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	(1,309)				(1,309)	(1,309)
Share-based compensation expense	10,926		10,926			10,926
Balance at Jun. 30, 2012	$ 2,444,325	$ 44	$ 529,113	$ 1,082,126	$ 104,077	$ 1,715,360	$ 728,965
Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2012		44,402,954