Consolidated Statements Of Financial Condition (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 573,664		$ 403,941
Restricted cash	4,415		4,414
Cash segregated for regulatory purposes	32		128,031
Receivables:
Brokerage clients, net	543,316		487,761
Brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations	528,187		276,224
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	156,341		158,695
Trading securities owned, at fair value	923,452		763,608
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value	1,729,837		1,625,168
Held-to-maturity securities, at amortized cost	716,273	[1]	708,008	[1]
Loans held for sale	165,698		214,531
Bank loans, net of allowance	886,647		815,937
Other real estate owned	373		373
Investments	268,082		236,434
Fixed assets, net	148,886		141,403
Goodwill	730,006		419,393
Intangible assets, net	31,085		28,967
Loans and advances to financial advisors and other employees, net	175,711		179,284
Deferred tax assets, net	181,885		124,576
Other assets	369,865		249,392
Total Assets	8,133,755		6,966,140
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Short-term borrowings from banks	569,800		304,700
Payables:
Brokerage clients	325,691		295,509
Brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations	109,947		33,211
Drafts	58,315		90,433
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	108,529		140,346
Bank deposits	3,556,568		3,346,133
Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value	588,922		319,742
Securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value	24,550		22,966
Accrued compensation	154,882		187,466
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	266,320		259,163
Senior notes	380,934		383,992
Debenture to Stifel Financial Capital Trust	82,500		82,500
Total Liabilities	6,226,958		5,466,161
Liabilities subordinated to claims of general creditors	3,131		5,318
Shareholders' Equity:
Preferred stock - $1 par value
Common stock - $0.15 par value	9,487		8,245
Additional paid-in-capital	1,496,909		1,100,137
Retained earnings	397,932		383,970
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	782		4,918
Total Stockholders' Equity	1,905,110		1,497,270
Treasury stock, at cost	(1,392)		(2,505)
Unearned employee stock ownership plan shares, at cost	(52)		(104)
Total Equity	1,903,666		1,494,661
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	8,133,755		6,966,140
Debenture to Stifel Financial Capital Trust II [Member]
Payables:
Debenture to Stifel Financial Capital Trust	$ 82,500		$ 82,500

[1] Held-to-maturity securities are carried in the consolidated statements of financial condition at amortized cost, and the changes in the value of these securities, other than impairment charges, are not reported on the consolidated financial statements.