Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 34,773	$ 31,398
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	7,189	5,606
Amortization of loans and advances to financial advisors and other employees	13,931	14,268
Amortization of premium on available-for-sale securities	2,886	3,602
Provision for loan losses and allowance for loans and advances to financial advisors and other employees	955	(259)
Amortization of intangible assets	1,329	1,064
Deferred income taxes	31,514	23,351
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	(12,438)	(22,463)
Stock-based compensation	6,963	6,780
Gains on investments	(7,952)	(3,317)
Other, net	(308)	633
Decrease/(increase) in operating assets:
Cash segregated for regulatory purposes and restricted cash	299	996
Receivables:
Brokerage clients	(9,270)	(6,756)
Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations	15,378	(77,388)
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	(28,503)	(90,616)
Loans originated as mortgages held for sale	(356,192)	(179,834)
Proceeds from mortgages held for sale	346,809	234,725
Trading securities owned, including those pledged	(100,773)	(117,240)
Loans and advances to financial advisors and other employees	(25,203)	(14,029)
Other assets	(35,119)	(11,265)
Increase/(decrease) in operating liabilities:
Brokerage clients	45,431	(6,636)
Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations	13,590	(42,560)
Drafts	(19,274)	(17,962)
Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased	3,574	167,269
Other liabilities and accrued expenses	(119,349)	(151,611)
Net cash used in operating activities	(189,760)	(252,244)
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Maturities, calls, sales, and principal paydowns on available-for-sale securities	63,783	71,512
Calls of held-to-maturity		500
Sale or maturity of investments	15,534	16,609
Sale of other real estate owned	75	228
Increase in bank loans, net	(25,534)	(7,604)
Payments for:
Purchase of available-for-sale securities	(192,536)	(251,409)
Purchase of held-to-maturity securities	(136,854)	(11,264)
Purchase of investments	(12,480)	(12,369)
Purchase of fixed assets	(3,902)	(18,118)
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities	(291,914)	(211,915)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
(Payments of)/proceeds from short-term borrowings from banks	(12,000)	190,100
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes, net	170,291
Increase in securities sold under agreements to repurchase	61,943	33,911
Increase in bank deposits, net	286,174	2,322
Increase in securities loaned	15,936	85,361
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	12,438	22,463
Reissuance of treasury stock	6,783	2,093
Extinguishment of subordinated debt	(1,639)	(1,284)
Net cash provided by financing activities	539,926	334,966
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	535	534
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	58,787	(128,659)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	167,671	253,529
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	226,458	124,870
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
(Refunds net of taxes paid)/Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds	(885)	4,323
Cash paid for interest	6,712	5,982
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Units, net of forfeitures	$ 68,159	$ 84,193