Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Revenues:
Commissions and fees	$ 445,801	$ 469,005	$ 531,998
Recurring	110,919	93,186	87,483
Other	15,317	8,563	13,588
Total revenues	572,037	570,754	633,069
Expenses:
Compensation and employee benefits	219,307	215,886	235,518
Transaction processing	91,602	85,387	95,618
Occupancy and equipment	60,191	59,905	59,950
Telecommunications and data processing services	58,460	53,473	54,549
Other general and administrative	90,808	94,253	83,028
Goodwill and other asset impairment	229,317	5,375
Restructuring charges	24,432	4,062	25,444
Acquisition related costs	2,523	2,409
Interest expense	2,025	671	2,511
Total expenses	778,665	521,421	556,618
(Loss) income before income tax expense	(206,628)	49,333	76,451
Income tax (benefit) expense	(26,839)	25,353	33,617
Net (loss) income	$ (179,789)	$ 23,980	$ 42,834
(Loss) earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (4.42)	$ 0.56	$ 0.98
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (4.42)	$ 0.55	$ 0.97
Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in shares)	40,691	42,767	43,538
Diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in shares)	40,691	43,496	44,018