Fair Value Of Financial Instruments (Schedule Of Fair Value Of Financial Instruments) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 35,609	$ 78,163
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	294,263
Trading securities owned, at fair value	991,710	801,494
Available-for-sale Securities	1,795,516	1,756,253
Held-to-maturity securities, Estimated fair value	1,303,443	1,305,959
Investments	244,858	217,228
Securities purchased under agreements to repurchase	246,159	263,809
Bank deposits	4,605,260	4,663,323
Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value	715,116	481,214
Derivative contracts	8,246	9,349
Carrying Value [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	525,409	716,560
Restricted cash		4,268
Cash segregated for regulatory purposes	37	35
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	294,263	225,075
Trading securities owned, at fair value	991,710	801,494
Available-for-sale Securities	1,795,516	1,756,253
Held-to-maturity securities, Estimated fair value	1,294,853	1,312,115
Loans held for sale	102,367	109,110
Bank loans	1,497,640	1,404,353
Investments	244,858	217,228
Securities purchased under agreements to repurchase	246,159	263,809
Bank deposits	4,605,260	4,663,323
Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value	715,116	481,214
Derivative contracts	8,246	9,349
Senior notes	325,000	325,000
Debentures to Stifel Financial Capital Trusts	82,500	82,500
Liabilities subordinated to the claims of general creditors		3,131
Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	525,409	716,560
Restricted cash		4,268
Cash segregated for regulatory purposes	37	35
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	294,263	225,075
Trading securities owned, at fair value	991,710	801,494
Available-for-sale Securities	1,795,516	1,756,253
Held-to-maturity securities, Estimated fair value	1,303,443	1,305,959
Loans held for sale	102,367	109,110
Bank loans	1,535,878	1,420,068
Investments	244,858	217,228
Securities purchased under agreements to repurchase	246,159	263,809
Bank deposits	4,101,954	4,072,038
Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value	715,116	481,214
Derivative contracts	8,246	9,349
Senior notes	335,087	328,635
Debentures to Stifel Financial Capital Trusts	72,118	72,201
Liabilities subordinated to the claims of general creditors		$ 3,122