Fair Value Of Financial Instruments (Schedule Of Fair Value Of Financial Instruments) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 78,163	$ 72,596
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	225,075	158,695
Trading securities owned, at fair value	801,494	763,608
Available-for-sale Securities	1,756,253	1,625,168
Held-to-maturity securities, Estimated fair value	1,305,959	715,274
Investments	217,228	236,434
Securities purchased under agreements to repurchase	263,809	140,346
Bank deposits	4,663,323	3,346,133
Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value	481,214	342,708
Derivative contracts	9,349	19,934
Carrying Value [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	716,560	403,941
Restricted cash	4,268	4,414
Cash segregated for regulatory purposes	35	128,031
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	225,075	158,695
Trading securities owned, at fair value	801,494	763,608
Available-for-sale Securities	1,756,253	1,625,168
Held-to-maturity securities, Estimated fair value	1,312,115	708,008
Loans held for sale	109,110	214,531
Bank loans	1,404,353	815,937
Investments	217,228	236,434
Securities purchased under agreements to repurchase	263,809	140,346
Bank deposits	4,663,323	3,346,133
Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value	481,214	342,708
Derivative contracts	9,349	19,934
Senior notes	325,000	325,000
Non-Recourse Debt		58,992
Debentures to Stifel Financial Capital Trusts	82,500	82,500
Liabilities subordinated to the claims of general creditors	3,131	5,318
Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	716,560	403,941
Restricted cash	4,268	4,414
Cash segregated for regulatory purposes	35	128,031
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	225,075	158,695
Trading securities owned, at fair value	801,494	763,608
Available-for-sale Securities	1,756,253	1,625,168
Held-to-maturity securities, Estimated fair value	1,305,959	715,274
Loans held for sale	109,110	214,531
Bank loans	1,420,068	834,188
Investments	217,228	236,434
Securities purchased under agreements to repurchase	263,809	140,346
Bank deposits	4,072,038	3,368,643
Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value	481,214	342,708
Derivative contracts	9,349	19,934
Senior notes	328,635	338,475
Non-Recourse Debt		58,992
Debentures to Stifel Financial Capital Trusts	72,201	66,545
Liabilities subordinated to the claims of general creditors	$ 3,122	$ 5,204