Debentures to Stifel Financial Capital Trusts (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified				9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013 Stifel Financial Capital Trust Two [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Stifel Financial Capital Trust Two [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Stifel Financial Capital Trust Three [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Stifel Financial Capital Trust Three [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Stifel Financial Capital Trust Four [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Stifel Financial Capital Trust Four [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debenture to Stifel Financial Capital Trust	$ 82,500		$ 82,500	$ 35,000	$ 35,000	$ 35,000	$ 35,000	$ 12,500	$ 12,500
Stated interest rate		6.70%		6.38%		6.79%		6.78%
Maturity date				Sep. 30, 2035		Jun. 06, 2037		Sep. 06, 2037
Earliest call date				Sep. 30, 2010		Jun. 06, 2012		Sep. 06, 2012
Interest rate terms, spread over reference rate				1.70%		1.85%		1.85%
Reference rate					LIBOR		LIBOR		LIBOR