Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Revenues:
Commissions and fees	$ 380,976	$ 445,801	$ 469,005
Recurring	109,767	110,919	93,186
Other	13,693	15,317	8,563
Total revenues	504,436	572,037	570,754
Expenses:
Compensation and employee benefits	196,362	219,307	215,886
Transaction processing	81,173	91,602	85,387
Occupancy and equipment	62,637	60,191	59,905
Telecommunications and data processing services	59,850	58,460	53,473
Other general and administrative	88,543	90,808	94,253
Goodwill and other asset impairment	274,285	229,317	5,375
Restructuring charges	9,499	24,432	4,062
Acquisition-related costs		2,523	2,409
Interest expense	2,542	2,025	671
Total expenses	774,891	778,665	521,421
(Loss) income before income tax (benefit) expense	(270,455)	(206,628)	49,333
Income tax (benefit) expense	(22,596)	(26,839)	25,353
Net (loss) income	$ (247,859)	$ (179,789)	$ 23,980
(Loss) earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (6.45)	$ (4.42)	$ 0.56
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (6.45)	$ (4.42)	$ 0.55
Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in shares)	38,418	40,691	42,767
Diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in shares)	38,418	40,691	43,496