Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Revenues:
Commissions and fees	$ 94,883	$ 111,850	$ 200,147	$ 230,526
Recurring	28,034	26,514	55,466	53,735
Other	3,993	4,253	7,672	8,434
Total revenues	126,910	142,617	263,285	292,695
Expenses:
Compensation and employee benefits	49,540	55,679	102,127	113,157
Transaction processing	19,649	23,104	41,872	46,130
Occupancy and equipment	15,063	15,063	29,712	30,005
Telecommunications and data processing services	14,712	14,870	29,779	29,941
Other general and administrative	23,597	22,762	46,274	44,922
Goodwill impairment	274,285	225,035	274,285	225,035
Restructuring charges		17,678		17,678
Acquisition related costs		2,523		2,523
Interest expense	624	494	1,302	764
Total expenses	397,470	377,208	525,351	510,155
Loss before income tax benefit	(270,560)	(234,591)	(262,066)	(217,460)
Income tax benefit	(23,464)	(38,448)	(20,428)	(30,866)
Net loss	$ (247,096)	$ (196,143)	$ (241,638)	$ (186,594)
Loss per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (6.40)	$ (4.77)	$ (6.22)	$ (4.52)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (6.40)	$ (4.77)	$ (6.22)	$ (4.52)
Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in shares)	38,607	41,112	38,859	41,272
Diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in shares)	38,607	41,112	38,859	41,272