Bank Loans (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans held for sale, at lower of cost or market	$ 139,676		$ 139,676		$ 228,588
Gains (losses) recognized from sale of loans	3,400	$ 4,100	6,200	$ 6,900
Impaired loans more than 90 days past due	14,400		14,400		26,900
Troubled debt restructurings	9,200		9,200		9,700
Specific allowance	$ 2,332		$ 2,332		$ 3,375
Collateralized loan portfolio	98.20%		98.20%		97.90%
Stifel Financial Corp. [Member] | Executive Officers Directors and Their Affiliates [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans outstanding amount	$ 7,000		$ 7,000		$ 5,600
Stifel Bank [Member] | Executive Officers Directors and Their Affiliates [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans outstanding amount	$ 3,900		$ 3,900		$ 3,700