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