Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 118,323	$ 36,826
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	16,649	21,604
Amortization of loans and advances to financial advisors and other employees	46,358	33,079
Amortization of premium on investment portfolio	5,964	4,655
Provision for loan losses and allowance for loans and advances to financial advisors and other employees	10,795	6,579
Amortization of intangible assets	6,246	8,008
Deferred income taxes	87,873	54,651
Tax deficit from stock-based compensation		5,197
Stock-based compensation	55,266	94,349
(Gains)/losses on sale of investments	(1,855)	3,911
Gain on extinguishment of Stifel Financial Capital Trust		(5,607)
Other, net	2,111	864
Decrease/(increase) in operating assets, net of assets acquired:
Cash segregated for regulatory purposes and restricted cash	73,085	167,593
Receivables:
Brokerage clients	51,312	133,799
Brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations	666,801	12,396
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	(229,503)	(133,343)
Financial instruments owned, including those pledged	(137,353)	(337,032)
Loans originated as held for sale	(749,265)	(1,093,740)
Proceeds from mortgages held for sale	821,115	1,041,457
Loans and advances to financial advisors and other employees	(33,105)	(47,760)
Other assets	(118,209)	(149,190)
Increase/(decrease) in operating liabilities, net of liabilities assumed:
Brokerage clients	(20,657)	(36,181)
Brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations	34,572	4,439
Drafts	(34,513)	(115,039)
Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased	6,545	93,941
Other liabilities and accrued expenses	(67,666)	(237,486)
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities	610,889	(432,030)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Maturities and principal paydowns of available-for-sale securities	720,828	104,660
Calls and principal paydowns of held-to-maturity securities	132,018	93,686
Sale or maturity of investments	8,642	26,150
Increase in bank loans, net	(571,149)	(1,032,497)
Payments for:
Purchase of available-for-sale securities	(986,027)	(927,687)
Purchase of held-to-maturity securities	(403,250)	(359,337)
Purchase of investments	(1,556)	(5,242)
Purchase of fixed assets	(16,770)	(14,159)
Acquisitions, net of cash received	(9,070)	(71,924)
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,126,334)	(2,186,350)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Proceeds from/(repayments of) borrowings, net	(272,000)	246,073
Proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank advances, net	290,000	717,000
Payment of contingent consideration	(11,707)
(Decrease)/increase in securities sold under agreements to repurchase	(24,547)	38,328
Increase in bank deposits, net	522,991	1,242,863
Increase/(decrease) in securities loaned	(124,336)	44,008
Tax deficit from stock-based compensation		(5,197)
Restricted stock conversions	(86,682)	(38,081)
Proceeds from stock option exercises		175
Repurchase of common stock	(12,998)	(95,116)
Cash dividends on preferred stock	(4,688)
Extinguishment of Stifel Financial Capital Trust		(9,393)
Net cash provided by financing activities	276,033	2,140,660
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	4,534	(7,279)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(234,878)	(484,999)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	912,932	811,019
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	678,054	326,020
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds	17,811	21,211
Cash paid for interest	32,287	30,256
Noncash financing activities:
Unit grants, net of forfeitures	48,630	131,736
Issuance of common stock for acquisitions	$ 9,352	$ 11,427