Bank Loans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Nonaccrual loans more than 90 days past due	$ 14,800,000		$ 14,800,000		$ 1,800,000
Specific allowance	2,300,000		2,300,000		600,000
Troubled debt restructurings	400,000		400,000		1,600,000
Collateralized loan portfolio	96.50%		96.50%		96.10%
Mortgage loans held for sale	75,440,000		75,440,000		214,531,000
Gains recognized from sale of loans	2,200,000	3,600,000	10,100,000	9,600,000
Stifel Financial Corp. [Member]
Loans outstanding amount	5,800,000		5,800,000		7,200,000
Stifel Bank [Member]
Loans outstanding amount	$ 600,000		$ 600,000		$ 600,000