Bank Loans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Nonaccrual loans more than 90 days past due	$ 1,100,000		$ 1,800,000
Specific allowance	300,000		600,000
Troubled debt restructurings	400,000		1,600,000
Collateralized loan portfolio	90.00%		96.00%
Mortgage loans held for sale	165,698,000		214,531,000
Gains recognized from sale of loans	4,600,000	2,800,000
Stifel Financial Corp. [Member]
Loans outstanding amount	5,200,000		7,200,000
Stifel Bank [Member]
Loans outstanding amount	$ 600,000		$ 600,000

Collateralized loan portfolio

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- Definition

Aggregate amount of receivables to be collected from related parties where one party can exercise control or significant influence over another party; including affiliates, owners or officers and their immediate families, pension trusts, and so forth, at the financial statement date. which are usually due after one year (or one business cycle).

+ References

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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

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-Paragraph 2

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-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 11

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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 08

-Paragraph k

-Subparagraph 1

-Article 4

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- Definition

The amount of the outstanding recorded investment related to financing receivables that have been modified by troubled debt restructurings.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 40

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6951948&loc=d3e18845-111554

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- Definition

The gains (losses) included in earnings that represent the difference between the sale price and the carrying value of loans made to finance real estate acquisitions. This element refers to the gain (loss) and not to the cash proceeds of the sale. This element is a noncash adjustment to net income when calculating net cash generated by operating activities using the indirect method.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

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-Number 95

-Paragraph 28

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-Publisher FASB

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-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

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- Definition

Amount of allowance for credit losses related to recorded investment.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

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-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

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- Definition

Reflects the carrying amount of loans deemed to be questionable as to collection on which no interest is continuing to be recognized.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

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-Publisher AICPA

-Name Statement of Position (SOP)

-Number 01-6

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph g

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- Definition

Carrying amount of mortgage loans to individuals not classified as held for investment but are held-for-sale.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 948

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-Paragraph 1, 34

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-Section 563c.102

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-Chapter V

-Subsection I

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