Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Revenues:
Commissions and fees	$ 408,619	$ 380,976	$ 445,801
Recurring	104,172	109,767	110,919
Other	18,010	13,693	15,317
Total revenues	530,801	504,436	572,037
Expenses:
Compensation and employee benefits	201,254	196,362	219,307
Transaction processing	83,792	81,173	91,602
Occupancy and equipment	69,022	62,637	60,191
Telecommunications and data processing services	53,607	59,850	58,460
Other general and administrative	77,431	88,543	90,808
Goodwill and other asset impairment	101	274,285	229,317
Restructuring charges	(75)	9,499	24,432
Acquisition-related costs			2,523
Interest expense	2,715	2,542	2,025
Total expenses	487,746	774,891	778,665
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	43,055	(270,455)	(206,628)
Income tax expense (benefit)	11,970	(22,596)	(26,839)
Net income (loss)	$ 31,085	$ (247,859)	$ (179,789)
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.84	$ (6.45)	$ (4.42)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.82	$ (6.45)	$ (4.42)
Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in shares)	36,788	38,418	40,691
Diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in shares)	38,114	38,418	40,691