Regulatory Capital Requirements (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items]
Net capital under the alternative method	$ 1.0
Aggregate debit balances	2.00%sf_PercentageOfAggregateDebitBalances
Maximum ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital of subsidiaries under regulatory capital requirements	15
Stifel Nicolaus [Member]
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items]
Aggregate debit balances	63.30%
Net capital	369.6
Excess of minimum required net capital	$ 357.9

Maximum ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital of subsidiaries under regulatory capital requirements.

No definition available.

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- Definition

Percentage of aggregate debit balances

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The amount of net capital in excess of the alternative minimum required net capital.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Rule 15c3

-Number 240

-Section 1

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph ii

-Article 15c3

-Subsection a

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount of net capital requirement computed under the alternative method allowed under regulatory reporting requirements.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Rule 15c3

-Number 240

-Section 1

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph ii

-Article 15c3

-Subsection a

+ Details

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- Definition

Net capital is equal to the net worth of the broker dealer, less certain items such as exchange memberships, carrying value of securities not readily marketable, haircuts on marketable securities in proprietary accounts, furniture and equipment and other illiquid assets as defined.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Rule 15c3

-Number 240

-Section 1

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph ii

-Article 15c3

-Subsection a

+ Details

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