Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Revenues:
Commissions and fees	$ 89,795	$ 117,648	$ 289,942	$ 348,174
Recurring	26,707	28,548	82,173	82,283
Other	3,115	3,223	10,787	11,657
Total revenues	119,617	149,419	382,902	442,114
Expenses:
Compensation and employee benefits	47,135	54,109	149,262	167,266
Transaction processing	19,336	24,840	61,208	70,970
Occupancy and equipment	16,033	14,904	45,745	44,909
Telecommunications and data processing services	15,034	14,559	44,813	44,500
Other general and administrative	21,220	23,181	67,494	68,103
Goodwill impairment			274,285	225,035
Restructuring charges				17,678
Acquisition related costs				2,523
Interest expense	678	636	1,980	1,400
Total expenses	119,436	132,229	644,787	642,384
Income (loss) before income tax (benefit) expense	181	17,190	(261,885)	(200,270)
Income tax (benefit) expense	(51)	6,713	(20,479)	(24,153)
Net income (loss)	$ 232	$ 10,477	$ (241,406)	$ (176,117)
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.26	$ (6.24)	$ (4.29)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.25	$ (6.24)	$ (4.29)
Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in shares)	38,301	40,615	38,672	41,051
Diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in shares)	39,252	41,271	38,672	41,051