Legal Proceedings	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2016
Loss Contingency Information About Litigation Matters [Abstract]
Legal Proceedings	NOTE 15 – Legal Proceedings Our company and its subsidiaries are named in and subject to various proceedings and claims arising primarily from our securities business activities, including lawsuits, arbitration claims, class actions, and regulatory matters. Some of these claims seek substantial compensatory, punitive, or indeterminate damages. Our company and its subsidiaries are also involved in other reviews, investigations, and proceedings by governmental and self-regulatory organizations regarding our business, which may result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, penalties, injunctions, and other relief. We are contesting the allegations in these claims, and we believe that there are meritorious defenses in each of these lawsuits, arbitrations, and regulatory investigations. In view of the number and diversity of claims against our company, the number of jurisdictions in which litigation is pending, and the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of litigation and other claims, we cannot state with certainty what the eventual outcome of pending litigation or other claims will be. We have established reserves for potential losses that are probable and reasonably estimable that may result from pending and potential legal actions, investigations, and regulatory proceedings. In many cases, however, it is inherently difficult to determine whether any loss is probable or even possible or to estimate the amount or range of any potential loss, particularly where proceedings may be in relatively early stages or where plaintiffs are seeking substantial or indeterminate damages. Matters frequently need to be more developed before a loss or range of loss can reasonably be estimated. In our opinion, based on currently available information, review with outside legal counsel, and consideration of amounts provided for in our consolidated financial statements with respect to these matters, including the matters described below, the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse impact on our financial position and results of operations. However, resolution of one or more of these matters may have a material effect on the results of operations in any future period, depending upon the ultimate resolution of those matters and depending upon the level of income for such period. For matters where a reserve has not been established and for which we believe a loss is reasonably possible, as well as for matters where a reserve has been recorded but for which an exposure to loss in excess of the amount accrued is reasonably possible, based on currently available information, we believe that such losses will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. SEC/Wisconsin Lawsuit A civil lawsuit was filed against our company by the SEC in connection with our role in the sale of collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”) investments to five Southeastern Wisconsin school districts (the “school districts”) in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin on August 10, 2011. The SEC has asserted claims under Section 15c(1) (A), Section 10b and Rule 10b-5 of the Exchange Act and Sections 17a(1), 17a(2), and 17a(3) of the Securities Act. The claims are based upon both alleged misrepresentations and omissions in connection with the sale of the CDOs to the school districts, as well as the allegedly unsuitable nature of the CDOs. We answered, denied the substantive allegations of the amended complaint, and asserted various affirmative defenses. In January 2016, the parties filed motions for summary judgment and are awaiting the court’s rulings on those motions. The trial is currently scheduled to commence on September 12, 2016. While there can be no assurance that we will be successful, we intend to vigorously defend the claims. EDC Bond Issuance Matter We have been named, along with other parties, in a lawsuit filed in Wisconsin state court asserting various claims by LDF Acquisition LLC (“LDF”), a special purpose vehicle created by Saybrook Tax Exempt Investors LLC (collectively “Saybrook”) and by the Lac Du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians and its Lake of the Torches Economic Development Corporation (the “Tribe”) in which, among other things, Saybrook seeks repayment from the Tribe for the proceeds from a $50 million 2008 bond offering (“the bonds’) and in which the Tribe seeks to avoid repayment, as well as other claims against us and others. We were the initial purchaser of the bonds, which were immediately sold to LDF. The claims asserted against Stifel are for breaches of implied warranties of validity and title, securities fraud and statutory misrepresentation under Wisconsin state law, intentional and negligent misrepresentations relating to those matters. Saybrook seeks rescissionary relief as well as restitutionary damages, including the amounts paid for the bonds, plus costs. The claims have been bifurcated by the Court, with the first phase of the trial currently scheduled to commence on October 17, 2016, and a second phase to commence on January 30, 2017. While there can be no assurance that we will be successful, we intend to vigorously defend the claims. Broyles, et al. v. Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. et al. Matter Our company, Stifel, and Stone & Youngberg, LLC (“Stone & Youngberg”) are named in an Amended Complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana alleging fraud on the part of Stone & Youngberg in the formation of the Collybus CDO manufactured by Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. (“Cantor”) and purchased by Commonwealth Advisors (“CWA”) on behalf of several CA funds, as well as in connection with other transactions in the CA funds with CWA, and asserting claims against our company and Stifel for successor and alter ego liability. The original Complaint named Cantor, CA, and CA’s CEO, Walter Morales. The CA funds filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition which stayed the original lawsuit until the reorganization plan was entered by the court in the fall of 2013. Shortly thereafter, the CA funds filed their first Amended Complaint, which has been amended several times since then. The claims are set for trial commencing on November 28, 2016. While there can be no assurance that we will be successful, we intend to vigorously defend the claims. We have established reserves supported by purchase price consideration the Company has withheld pursuant to the terms of the acquisition of Stone & Youngberg in 2011, which at this time, we believe are adequate.

NOTE 15 – Legal Proceedings

Our company and its subsidiaries are named in and subject to various proceedings and claims arising primarily from our securities business activities, including lawsuits, arbitration claims, class actions, and regulatory matters. Some of these claims seek substantial compensatory, punitive, or indeterminate damages. Our company and its subsidiaries are also involved in other reviews, investigations, and proceedings by governmental and self-regulatory organizations regarding our business, which may result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, penalties, injunctions, and other relief. We are contesting the allegations in these claims, and we believe that there are meritorious defenses in each of these lawsuits, arbitrations, and regulatory investigations. In view of the number and diversity of claims against our company, the number of jurisdictions in which litigation is pending, and the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of litigation and other claims, we cannot state with certainty what the eventual outcome of pending litigation or other claims will be.

We have established reserves for potential losses that are probable and reasonably estimable that may result from pending and potential legal actions, investigations, and regulatory proceedings. In many cases, however, it is inherently difficult to determine whether any loss is probable or even possible or to estimate the amount or range of any potential loss, particularly where proceedings may be in relatively early stages or where plaintiffs are seeking substantial or indeterminate damages. Matters frequently need to be more developed before a loss or range of loss can reasonably be estimated.

In our opinion, based on currently available information, review with outside legal counsel, and consideration of amounts provided for in our consolidated financial statements with respect to these matters, including the matters described below, the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse impact on our financial position and results of operations. However, resolution of one or more of these matters may have a material effect on the results of operations in any future period, depending upon the ultimate resolution of those matters and depending upon the level of income for such period. For matters where a reserve has not been established and for which we believe a loss is reasonably possible, as well as for matters where a reserve has been recorded but for which an exposure to loss in excess of the amount accrued is reasonably possible, based on currently available information, we believe that such losses will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

SEC/Wisconsin Lawsuit

A civil lawsuit was filed against our company by the SEC in connection with our role in the sale of collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”) investments to five Southeastern Wisconsin school districts (the “school districts”) in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin on August 10, 2011. The SEC has asserted claims under Section 15c(1) (A), Section 10b and Rule 10b-5 of the Exchange Act and Sections 17a(1), 17a(2), and 17a(3) of the Securities Act. The claims are based upon both alleged misrepresentations and omissions in connection with the sale of the CDOs to the school districts, as well as the allegedly unsuitable nature of the CDOs. We answered, denied the substantive allegations of the amended complaint, and asserted various affirmative defenses. In January 2016, the parties filed motions for summary judgment and are awaiting the court’s rulings on those motions. The trial is currently scheduled to commence on September 12, 2016. While there can be no assurance that we will be successful, we intend to vigorously defend the claims.

EDC Bond Issuance Matter

We have been named, along with other parties, in a lawsuit filed in Wisconsin state court asserting various claims by LDF Acquisition LLC (“LDF”), a special purpose vehicle created by Saybrook Tax Exempt Investors LLC (collectively “Saybrook”) and by the Lac Du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians and its Lake of the Torches Economic Development Corporation (the “Tribe”) in which, among other things, Saybrook seeks repayment from the Tribe for the proceeds from a $50 million 2008 bond offering (“the bonds’) and in which the Tribe seeks to avoid repayment, as well as other claims against us and others. We were the initial purchaser of the bonds, which were immediately sold to LDF. The claims asserted against Stifel are for breaches of implied warranties of validity and title, securities fraud and statutory misrepresentation under Wisconsin state law, intentional and negligent misrepresentations relating to those matters. Saybrook seeks rescissionary relief as well as restitutionary damages, including the amounts paid for the bonds, plus costs. The claims have been bifurcated by the Court, with the first phase of the trial currently scheduled to commence on October 17, 2016, and a second phase to commence on January 30, 2017. While there can be no assurance that we will be successful, we intend to vigorously defend the claims.

Broyles, et al. v. Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. et al. Matter

Our company, Stifel, and Stone & Youngberg, LLC (“Stone & Youngberg”) are named in an Amended Complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana alleging fraud on the part of Stone & Youngberg in the formation of the Collybus CDO manufactured by Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. (“Cantor”) and purchased by Commonwealth Advisors (“CWA”) on behalf of several CA funds, as well as in connection with other transactions in the CA funds with CWA, and asserting claims against our company and Stifel for successor and alter ego liability. The original Complaint named Cantor, CA, and CA’s CEO, Walter Morales. The CA funds filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition which stayed the original lawsuit until the reorganization plan was entered by the court in the fall of 2013. Shortly thereafter, the CA funds filed their first Amended Complaint, which has been amended several times since then. The claims are set for trial commencing on November 28, 2016. While there can be no assurance that we will be successful, we intend to vigorously defend the claims. We have established reserves supported by purchase price consideration the Company has withheld pursuant to the terms of the acquisition of Stone & Youngberg in 2011, which at this time, we believe are adequate.