Bank Loans (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans held for sale, at lower of cost or market	$ 206,724		$ 228,588
Gains (losses) recognized from sale of loans	2,900	$ 2,700
Impaired loans more than 90 days past due	28,000		26,900
Troubled debt restructurings	9,700		9,700
Specific allowance	$ 3,602		$ 3,375
Collateralized loan portfolio	98.40%		97.90%
Stifel Bank [Member] | Executive Officers Directors and Their Affiliates [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans outstanding amount	$ 3,800		$ 3,700
Stifel Financial Corp. [Member] | Executive Officers Directors and Their Affiliates [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans outstanding amount	$ 5,600		$ 5,600