Fair Value Of Financial Instruments (Estimated Fair Values Of Financial Instruments Not Measured At Fair Value On A Recurring Basis) (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
Held-to-maturity securities, Estimated fair value	1,305,959	715,274
Investments	217,228	236,434
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	263,809	140,346
Bank deposits	4,663,323	3,346,133
Senior notes	325,000	383,992
Level 1 [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	78,163	72,596
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	638,397	331,345
Restricted cash	4,268	4,414
Cash segregated for regulatory purposes	35	128,031
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	225,075	158,695
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
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	263,809	140,346
Bank deposits	4,072,038	3,368,643
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
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	638,397	331,345
Restricted cash	4,268	4,414
Cash segregated for regulatory purposes	35	128,031
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	225,075	154,688
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	747	140,346
Senior notes	328,635	338,475
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Securities purchased under agreements to resell		4,007
Held-to-maturity securities, Estimated fair value	1,073,953	487,775
Loans held for sale	109,110	214,531
Bank loans	1,420,068	834,188
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	263,062
Bank deposits	4,072,038	3,368,643
Non-Recourse Debt		58,992
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Held-to-maturity securities, Estimated fair value	232,006	227,499
Debentures to Stifel Financial Capital Trusts	72,201	66,545
Liabilities subordinated to the claims of general creditors	$ 3,122	$ 5,204