Stifel Financial (SF) 10-Q 12 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Entity Registrant Name	'STIFEL FINANCIAL CORP	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000720672	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	63,573,335

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Fin

Consolidated Statements Of Financial Condition (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$649,244	$403,941
Restricted cash	4,419	4,414
Cash segregated for regulatory purposes	33	128,031
Receivables:	'	'
Brokerage clients, net	523,516	487,761
Brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations	547,636	276,224
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	168,182	158,695
Trading securities owned, at fair value	847,652	763,608
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value	1,231,571	1,625,168
Held-to-maturity securities, at amortized cost	1,723,482	708,008	[1]
Loans held for sale	75,440	214,531
Bank loans, net of allowance	1,061,150	815,937
Investments	233,778	236,434
Fixed assets, net	124,765	141,403
Goodwill	742,654	419,393
Intangible assets, net	28,078	28,967
Loans and advances to financial advisors and other employees, net	189,769	179,284
Deferred tax assets, net	291,566	124,576
Other assets	266,524	249,765
Total Assets	8,709,459	6,966,140
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	'	'
Short-term borrowings from banks	133,100	304,700
Payables:	'	'
Brokerage clients	333,872	295,509
Brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations	205,758	33,211
Drafts	55,151	90,433
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	255,451	140,346
Bank deposits	4,228,405	3,346,133
Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value	495,658	319,742
Securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value	28,598	22,966
Accrued compensation	247,168	187,466
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	289,067	259,163
Senior notes	357,111	383,992
Debenture to Stifel Financial Capital Trust	82,500	82,500
Total Liabilities	6,711,839	5,466,161
Liabilities subordinated to claims of general creditors	3,131	5,318
Shareholders' Equity:	'	'
Preferred stock - $1 par value	'	'
Common stock - $0.15 par value	9,536	8,245
Additional paid-in-capital	1,533,849	1,100,137
Retained earnings	493,029	383,970
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-36,427	4,918
Total Stockholders' Equity	1,999,987	1,497,270
Treasury stock, at cost	-5,498	-2,505
Unearned employee stock ownership plan shares, at cost	'	-104
Total Equity	1,994,489	1,494,661
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	8,709,459	6,966,140
Debenture to Stifel Financial Capital Trust II [Member]	'	'
Payables:	'	'
Debenture to Stifel Financial Capital Trust	$82,500	$82,500
[1]	Held-to-maturity securities are carried at historical cost or at fair value at the time of transfer from the available-for-sale to held-to-maturity category, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts and credit-related other-than-temporary impairment.

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Fin1

Consolidated Statements Of Financial Condition (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Consolidated Statements Of Financial Condition [Abstract]	'	'
Trading securities pledged	$648,111	$607,586
Preferred stock, par value	$1	$1
Preferred stock, shares authorized	3,000,000	3,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Common stock, par value	$0.15	$0.15
Common stock, shares authorized	97,000,000	97,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	63,573,335	54,967,858
Treasury stock, shares	167,748	77,577
Unearned employee stock ownership plan, shares	0	24,405

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Ope

Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues:	'		'		'		'
Commissions	$145,837		$125,509		$446,498		$370,107
Principal transactions	122,583		102,474		341,153		311,420
Investment banking	92,851		71,743		289,199		208,342
Asset management and service fees	76,710		62,881		221,711		189,010
Interest	39,130		26,360		101,829		78,728
Other income	13,063		31,094		45,269		49,991
Total revenues	490,174		420,061		1,445,659		1,207,598
Interest expense	11,535		5,904		34,738		24,768
Net revenues	478,639	[1]	414,157	[1]	1,410,921	[1]	1,182,830	[1]
Non-interest expenses:	'		'		'		'
Compensation and benefits	326,020		264,458		958,179		751,992
Occupancy and equipment rental	41,288		32,596		116,090		94,776
Communications and office supplies	26,122		19,561		74,034		60,115
Commissions and floor brokerage	10,150		7,842		28,777		22,339
Other operating expenses	44,051		28,526		126,600		84,212
Total non-interest expenses	447,631		352,983		1,303,680		1,013,434
Income before income tax expense	31,008		61,174		107,241		169,396
Provision for income taxes	-43,921		23,740		-13,541		67,384
Income from continuing operations	74,929		37,434		120,782		102,012
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	-5,239		276		-7,037		-3,393
Net income	$69,690		$37,710		$113,745		$98,619
Earnings per basic common share	'		'		'		'
Income from continuing operations	$1.16		$0.70		$1.91		$1.91
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations	($0.08)		'		($0.11)		($0.07)
Earnings per basic common share	$1.08		$0.70		$1.80		$1.84
Earnings per diluted common share	'		'		'		'
Income from continuing operations	$1		$0.60		$1.66		$1.62
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations	($0.07)		'		($0.10)		($0.05)
Earnings per diluted common share	$0.93		$0.60		$1.56		$1.57
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:	'		'		'		'
Basic	64,706		53,601		63,133		53,471
Diluted	75,191		63,054		72,851		62,817
[1]	No individual client accounted for more than 10 percent of total net revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 or 2012.

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Com

Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Net income	$69,690,000		$37,710,000		$113,745,000		$98,619,000
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	-8,160,000	[1]	8,356,000	[1]	-48,158,000	[1]	12,714,000	[1]
Unrealized gains on cash flow hedging instruments, net of tax	473,000	[2]	463,000	[2]	5,420,000	[2]	1,492,000	[2]
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax	2,669,000		1,049,000		1,393,000		1,439,000
Total other comprehensive income	-5,018,000		9,868,000		-41,345,000		15,645,000
Comprehensive income	64,672,000		47,578,000		72,400,000		114,264,000
Reclassifications to earnings of realized gains on available-for-sale securities	200,000		400,000		1,100,000		1,600,000
Reclassifications to earnings of losses on cash flow hedging instruments	$2,100,000		$2,800,000		$6,700,000		$9,000,000
[1]	Net of taxes of $5.4 million and $5.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $29.6 million and $7.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.Amounts are net of reclassifications to earnings of realized gains of $0.2 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Amounts are net of reclassifications to earnings of realized gains of $1.1 million and $1.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
[2]	Amounts are net of reclassifications to earnings of losses of $2.1 million and $2.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Amounts are net of reclassifications to earnings of losses of $6.7 million and $9.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Cas

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:	'	'
Net income	$113,745	$98,619
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	25,162	21,958
Amortization of loans and advances to financial advisors and other employees	48,368	42,687
Amortization of premium on available-for-sale securities	5,568	11,215
Provision for loan losses and allowance for loans and advances to financial advisors and other employees	6,395	1,685
Amortization of intangible assets	4,145	3,713
Deferred income taxes	-70,687	53,872
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	-10,446	-14,510
Stock-based compensation	124,835	29,213
Gains on investments	11,636	-29,272
Other net	23,792	143
Decrease/(increase) in operating assets:	'	'
Cash segregated for regulatory purposes and restricted cash	127,993	292
Receivables:	'	'
Brokerage clients	-35,741	41,000
Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations	-197,148	39,889
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	-9,487	-66,509
Loans originated as held for sale	-1,069,168	-1,156,692
Proceeds from mortgages held for sale	1,197,539	1,075,487
Trading securities owned, including those pledged	23,895	-271,262
Loans and advances to financial advisors and other employees	-59,751	-53,351
Other assets	37,855	-21,360
Increase/(decrease) in operating liabilities	'	'
Brokerage clients	38,363	84,040
Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations	23,379	19,272
Drafts	-35,282	-12,504
Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased	128,169	106,024
Other liabilities and accrued expenses	-20,012	-54,341
Net cash used in operating activities	433,117	-50,692
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:	'	'
Maturities, calls, sales, and principal paydowns on available-for-sale securities	376,104	353,324
Calls on held-to-maturity securities	60,385	10,500
Sale or maturity of investments	74,271	84,718
Sale of other real estate owned	373	137
Increase in bank loans, net	-244,838	-112,687
Payments for:	'	'
Purchase of available-for-sale securities	-1,125,644	-607,579
Purchase of held-to-maturity securities	-16,438	-477,117
Purchase of investments	-70,650	-58,912
Purchase of fixed assets	-21,077	-13,823
Acquisitions	-165,300	'
Net cash used in investing activities	-1,132,814	-821,439
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:	'	'
(Repayments of)/ proceeds from short-term borrowings from banks	-171,600	-101,500
Proceeds from Senior Note offering	'	170,291
Increase/(decrease) in securities sold under agreements to repurchase	115,105	-1,739
Increase in bank deposits, net	882,272	851,933
Increase in securities loaned	149,168	-35,102
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	10,446	14,510
Issuance of common stock	15	'
Repurchase of common stock	-13,670	-9,163
Reissuance of treasury stock	951	8,829
Repayment of non-recourse debt	-26,881	'
Extinguishment of subordinated debt	-2,187	-1,639
Net cash provided by financing activities	943,619	896,420
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	1,381	1,373
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	245,303	25,662
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	403,941	167,671
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	649,244	193,333
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:	'	'
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds	8,594	2,940
Cash paid for interest	34,196	22,567
Noncash investing and financing activities:	'	'
Units, net of forfeitures	205,520	106,404
Issuance of common stock for acquisitions	$265,918	'

Nature_Of_Operations_And_Basis

Nature Of Operations And Basis Of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Nature Of Operations And Basis Of Presentation [Abstract]	'
Nature Of Operations And Basis Of Presentation	'
	NOTE 1 – Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation
	Nature of Operations
	Stifel Financial Corp.  (the “Parent”), through its wholly owned subsidiaries, principally Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated (“Stifel Nicolaus”), Stifel Bank & Trust (“Stifel Bank”), Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited (“SNEL”), Century Securities Associates, Inc. (“CSA”), Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. (“KBW”), Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Limited (“KBW Limited”), and Miller Buckfire & Co. LLC (“Miller Buckfire”), is principally engaged in retail brokerage; securities trading; investment banking; investment advisory; retail, consumer, and commercial banking; and related financial services. We have offices throughout the United States and three European cities. Our major geographic area of concentration is the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, with a growing presence in the Northeast, Southeast and Western United States. Our company’s principal customers are individual investors, corporations, municipalities, and institutions.
	Our Canadian subsidiary, Stifel Nicolaus Canada, Inc. (“SN Canada”) has ceased business operations as of September 30, 2013. The results of SN Canada, previously reported in the Institutional Group segment, are classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented. See Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements for further discussion of our discontinued operations.
	Basis of Presentation
	The consolidated financial statements include Stifel Financial Corp. and its wholly owned subsidiaries, principally Stifel Nicolaus and Stifel Bank. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” or “our company” in this report refer to Stifel Financial Corp. and its wholly owned subsidiaries.
	We have prepared the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Pursuant to these rules and regulations, we have omitted certain information and footnote disclosures we normally include in our annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. In management’s opinion, we have made all adjustments (consisting only of normal, recurring adjustments, except as otherwise noted) necessary to fairly present our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Our interim period operating results do not necessarily indicate the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the full fiscal year. These financial statements and accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 on file with the SEC.
	Certain amounts from prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation. The effect of these reclassifications on our company’s previously reported consolidated financial statements was not material.
	There have been no material changes in our significant accounting policies, as compared to the significant accounting policies described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.
	Consolidation Policies
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Stifel Financial Corp. and its subsidiaries. We also have investments or interests in other entities for which we must evaluate whether to consolidate by determining whether we have a controlling financial interest or are considered to be the primary beneficiary. In determining whether to consolidate these entities, we evaluate whether the entity is a voting interest entity or a variable interest entity (“VIE”).
	Voting Interest Entity. Voting interest entities are entities that have (i) total equity investment at risk sufficient to fund expected future operations independently, and (ii) equity holders who have the obligation to absorb losses or receive residual returns and the right to make decisions about the entity’s activities. We consolidate voting interest entities when we determine that there is a controlling financial interest, usually ownership of all, or a majority of, the voting interest.
	Variable Interest Entity. VIEs are entities that lack one or more of the characteristics of a voting interest entity. We are required to consolidate certain VIEs in which we have the power to direct the activities of the entity and the obligation to absorb significant losses or receive significant benefits. In other cases, we consolidate VIEs when we are deemed to be the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is defined as the entity that has a variable interest, or a combination of variable interests, that maintains control and receives benefits or will absorb losses that are not pro rata with its ownership interests. See Note 28 for additional information on VIEs.

Recently_Adopted_Accounting_Gu

Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance [Abstract]	'
Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance	'
	NOTE 2 – Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance
	Indefinite-Lived Assets Impairment Testing
	In July 2012, the FASB issued Update No. 2012-02, “Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment,” which permits entities to make a qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived asset is impaired. If an entity concludes that it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount, it would not be required to perform a quantitative assessment. The update also allows an entity the option to bypass the qualitative assessment for any indefinite-lived intangible asset in any period and proceed directly to performing the quantitative impairment test. This guidance is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012 (January 1, 2013 for our company) with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this new guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
	Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities
	In December 2011, the FASB issued Update No. 2011-11, “Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities” (“Update No. 2011-11”), which enhance disclosures by requiring improved information about financial and derivative instruments that are either 1) offset (netting assets and liabilities) in accordance with Topic 210 “Balance Sheet,” and Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging or 2) subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and requires retrospective disclosures for comparative periods presented.
	In January 2013, the FASB issued Update No. 2013-01, “Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities,” which clarifies the scope of Update No. 2011-11 to include derivatives accounted for in accordance with Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging”, including bifurcated embedded derivatives, repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements, and securities borrowing and securities lending transactions that are either offset or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and requires retrospective disclosures for comparative periods presented. Other than requiring additional disclosures regarding offsetting assets and liabilities, the adoption of this new guidance did not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements. See Note 17 – Disclosures About Offsetting Assets and Liabilities.
	Comprehensive Income
	In February 2013, the FASB issued Update No. 2013-02, “Reporting of Amounts Reclassified out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income,” which requires an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, an entity is required to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income but only if the amount reclassified is required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. For other amounts that are not required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety to net income, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures required under U.S. GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012 (January 1, 2013 for our company). Other than requiring additional disclosures regarding other comprehensive income, the adoption of this new guidance did not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Acquisition_of_KBW_Inc

Acquisition of KBW, Inc.	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Acquisition of KBW, Inc.	'
Acquisitions	'
	NOTE 3 Acquisition of KBW, Inc.
	On February 15, 2013, we completed the purchase of all of the outstanding shares of common stock of KBW, Inc. ("KBW, Inc."), a full-service investment bank specializing in the financial services industry based in New York, New York. The purchase was completed pursuant to the merger agreement dated November 5, 2012. Under the terms of the merger agreement, each share of common stock, including certain restricted stock, of KBW, Inc. issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger was cancelled and converted into the right to receive a combination of (i) cash consideration of $8.00 ($10.00 less the extraordinary dividend amount of $2.00) and (ii) stock consideration of 0.2143 a share of our common stock.
	In conjunction with the close of the merger, we issued 6.7 million shares of common stock to holders of KBW, Inc. common stock, issued 2.2 million restricted stock awards to KBW, Inc. employees, and paid $253.0 million in cash.
	The following summarizes the aggregate merger consideration payable for all outstanding shares and restricted stock awards of KBW, Inc. (in thousands):
	Cash paid to KBW, Inc. shareholders	$	253,039
	Common stock issued to KBW, Inc. shareholders		262,653
	Fair value of outstanding KBW, Inc. restricted stock awards exchanged for Stifel restricted stock awards		86,221
	Purchase price to be allocated	$	601,913
	The acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805 ("Topic 805"), "Business Combinations." Accordingly, goodwill was measured as the excess of the acquisition-date fair value of the consideration transferred over the amount of acquisition-date identifiable assets acquired net of assumed liabilities. We recorded $309.7 million of goodwill as an asset in the consolidated statement of financial condition, which has been allocated to our company's Institutional Group segment. The allocation of the purchase price is preliminary and will be finalized upon completion of the analysis of the fair values of the net assets of KBW, Inc. on February 15, 2013 and the identified intangible assets. The final goodwill and intangible assets recorded on the consolidated statement of financial condition may differ from that reflected herein as a result of future measurement period adjustments. In management's opinion, the goodwill represents the value expected from the synergies created through the operational enhancement benefits that will result from the integration of KBW, Inc.'s business and the reputation and expertise of KBW, Inc. in the financial services sector.
	Under Topic 805, merger-related transaction costs (such as advisory, legal, valuation and other professional fees) are not included as components of consideration transferred but are accounted for as expenses in the periods in which the costs are incurred. Transaction costs of $9.8 million were incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and are included in other operating expenses in the consolidated statement of operations.
	In addition, on February 15, 2013, certain employees were granted restricted stock or restricted stock units of our company as retention. The fair value of the awards issued as retention was $30.6 million. There are no continuing service requirements associated with these restricted stock units, and accordingly were expensed at date of grant. This charge is included in compensation and benefits in the consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	The following table summarizes the preliminary fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisition (in thousands):
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	98,756
	Receivables from clearing organizations		74,264
	Financial instruments owned, at fair value		120,540
	Fixed assets, net		10,629
	Deferred tax assets, net		76,763
	Other assets		34,987
	Total assets acquired	$	415,939
	Liabilities:
	Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value	$	53,379
	Accrued compensation		18,468
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses		50,104
	Total liabilities assumed		121,951
	Net assets acquired	$	293,988
	The following unaudited pro forma financial information presents the combined results of operations as if the merger had occurred on January 1, 2012. The pro forma financial information does not reflect the costs of any integration activities. The pro forma results include estimates and assumptions, which management believes are reasonable. The unaudited pro forma financial information below is not necessarily indicative of either future results of operations or results that might have been achieved had KBW, Inc. been combined with us as of the beginning of 2012.
		Three Months Ended September 30,		Nine Months Ended September 30,
	(000s, except per share amounts, unaudited)	2012		2013		2012
	Total net revenues	$	470,536	$	1,436,354	$	1,369,556
	Net income/(loss)		33,296		-16,464		89,502
	Earnings/(loss) per share:
	Basic	$	0.55	$	-0.26	$	1.47
	Diluted	$	0.46	$	-0.26	$	1.23

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Discontinued Operations [Abstract]	'
Discontinued Operations	'
	NOTE 4 – Discontinued Operations
	Our Canadian subsidiary, SN Canada has ceased business operations as of September 30, 2013. The results of SN Canada, previously reported in the Institutional Group segment, are classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented. In accordance with the provisions of FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 205-20, “Discontinued Operations,” the results from this business, previously reported in the Institutional Group segment, have been classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
	The components of discontinued operations are as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Net revenues	$	4,696	$	5,923	$	12,930	$	11,990
	Restructuring expense		5,516		-		5,516		-
	Operating expenses		4,418		5,420		14,341		16,581
	Total non-interest expenses		9,934		5,420		19,857		16,581
	Income/(loss) from discontinued operations before income tax expense/(benefit)		-5,238		503		-6,927		-4,591
	Income tax expense/(benefit)		1		227		110		-1,198
	Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	-5,239	$	276	$	-7,037	$	-3,393

Receivables_From_And_Payables_

Receivables From And Payables To Brokers, Dealers And Clearing Organizations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Receivables From And Payables To Brokers, Dealers And Clearing Organizations [Abstract]	'
Receivables From And Payables To Brokers, Dealers And Clearing Organizations	'
	NOTE 5 – Receivables From and Payables to Brokers, Dealers and Clearing Organizations
	Amounts receivable from brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, included (in thousands):
		30-Sep-13		31-Dec-12
	Deposits paid for securities borrowed	$	331,784	$	153,819
	Receivable from clearing organizations		206,321		115,996
	Securities failed to deliver		9,531		6,409
		$	547,636	$	276,224
	Amounts payable to brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, included (in thousands):
		30-Sep-13		31-Dec-12
	Deposits received from securities loaned	$	169,283	$	19,218
	Securities failed to receive		13,363		4,747
	Payable to clearing organizations		23,112		9,246
		$	205,758	$	33,211
	Deposits paid for securities borrowed approximate the market value of the securities. Securities failed to deliver and receive represent the contract value of securities that have not been delivered or received on settlement date.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	NOTE 6 – Fair Value Measurements
	We measure certain assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis, including cash equivalents, trading securities owned, available-for-sale securities, investments, trading securities sold, but not yet purchased, securities sold, but not yet purchased, and derivatives.
	The degree of judgment used in measuring the fair value of financial instruments generally correlates to the level of pricing observability. Pricing observability is impacted by a number of factors, including the type of financial instrument, whether the financial instrument is new to the market and not yet established, and the characteristics specific to the transaction. Financial instruments with readily available active quoted prices for which fair value can be measured from actively quoted prices generally will have a higher degree of pricing observability and a lesser degree of judgment used in measuring fair value. Conversely, financial instruments rarely traded or not quoted will generally have less, or no, pricing observability and a higher degree of judgment used in measuring fair value.
	We generally utilize third-party pricing services to value Level 1 and Level 2 available-for-sale investment securities, as well as certain derivatives designated as cash flow hedges. We review the methodologies and assumptions used by the third-party pricing services and evaluate the values provided, principally by comparison with other available market quotes for similar instruments and/or analysis based on internal models using available third-party market data. We may occasionally adjust certain values provided by the third-party pricing service when we believe, as the result of our review, that the adjusted price most appropriately reflects the fair value of the particular security.
	Following are descriptions of the valuation methodologies and key inputs used to measure financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value. The descriptions include an indication of the level of the fair value hierarchy in which the assets or liabilities are classified.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash equivalents include highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. Due to their short-term nature, the carrying amount of these instruments approximates the estimated fair value. Actively traded money market funds are measured at their reported net asset value, which approximates fair value. As such, we classify the estimated fair value of these instruments as Level 1.
	Financial Instruments (Trading securities and available-for-sale securities)
	When available, the fair value of financial instruments are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments and reported in Level 1. Level 1 financial instruments include highly liquid instruments with quoted prices, such as equity securities listed in active markets, certain fixed income securities, and U.S. government securities.
	If quoted prices are not available for identical instruments, fair values are obtained from pricing services, broker quotes, or other model-based valuation techniques with observable inputs, such as the present value of estimated cash flows and reported as Level 2. The nature of these financial instruments include instruments for which quoted prices are available but traded less frequently, instruments whose fair value have been derived using a model where inputs to the model are directly observable in the market, or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data, and instruments that are fair valued using other financial instruments, the parameters of which can be directly observed. Level 2 financial instruments generally include U.S. government agency securities, mortgage-backed securities, corporate fixed income securities infrequently traded, certain state and municipal obligations, asset-backed securities, and certain equity securities not actively traded.
	Securities classified as Level 3, of which the substantial majority is auction rate securities (“ARS”), represent securities in less liquid markets requiring significant management assumptions when determining fair value. Due to the lack of a robust secondary auction-rate securities market with active fair value indicators, fair value for all periods presented was determined using an income approach based on an internally developed discounted cash flow model. In addition to ARS, we have classified certain fixed income securities and state and municipal securities with unobservable pricing inputs as Level 3. The methods used to value these securities are the same as the methods used to value ARS, discussed above.
	Investments
	Investments carried at fair value primarily include corporate equity securities, ARS, investments in mutual funds, U.S. government securities, and investments in public companies, private equity securities, and partnerships, which are classified as other in the following tables.
	Corporate equity securities, mutual funds and U.S. government securities are valued based on quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments and reported in Level 1.
	ARS for which the market has been dislocated and largely ceased to function are reported as Level 3 assets. The methods used to value ARS are discussed above.
	Private equity securities and partnership interests with unobservable inputs are reported as Level 3 assets. Investments in partnerships and other investments include our general and limited partnership interests in investment partnerships and direct investments in non-public companies. The net assets of investment partnerships consist primarily of investments in non-marketable securities. The value of these investments is at risk to changes in equity markets, general economic conditions and a variety of other factors. We estimate fair value for private equity investments based on our percentage ownership in the net asset value of the entire fund, as reported by the fund or on behalf of the fund, after indication that the fund adheres to applicable fair value measurement guidance. For those funds where the net asset value is not reported by the fund, we derive the fair value of the fund by estimating the fair value of each underlying investment in the fund. In addition to using qualitative information about each underlying investment, as provided by the fund, we give consideration to information pertinent to the specific nature of the debt or equity investment, such as relevant market conditions, offering prices, operating results, financial conditions, exit strategy and other qualitative information, as available. The lack of an independent source to validate fair value estimates, including the impact of future capital calls and transfer restrictions, is an inherent limitation in the valuation process. Commitments to fund additional investments in nonmarketable equity securities recorded at fair value were $12.6 million and $3.0 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
	Securities Sold, But Not Yet Purchased
	Equity securities that are valued based on quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments and reported in Level 1.
	Derivatives
	Derivatives are valued using quoted market prices for identical instruments when available or pricing models based on the net present value of estimated future cash flows. The valuation models used require market observable inputs, including contractual terms, market prices, yield curves, credit curves, and measures of volatility. We manage credit risk for our derivative positions on a counterparty-by-counterparty basis and calculate credit valuation adjustments, included in the fair value of these instruments, on the basis of our relationships at the counterparty portfolio/master netting agreement level. These credit valuation adjustments are determined by applying a credit spread for the counterparty to the total expected exposure of the derivative after considering collateral and other master netting arrangements. We have classified our interest rate swaps as Level 2.
	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are presented below:
		30-Sep-13
		Total		Level 1			Level 2		Level 3
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents	$	138,833	$	138,833		$	-	$	-
	Trading securities owned:
	U.S. government agency securities		121,136		-			121,136		-
	U.S. government securities		13,627		13,627			-		-
	Corporate securities:
	Fixed income securities		519,180		46,644			471,739		797
	Equity securities		85,183		84,138			1,045		-
	State and municipal securities		108,526		-			108,526		-
	Total trading securities owned		847,652		144,409			702,446		797
	Available-for-sale securities:
	U.S. government agency securities		1,226		-			1,226		-
	State and municipal securities (1)		163,414		-			84,979		78,435
	Mortgage-backed securities:
	Agency		176,933		-			176,933		-
	Commercial		231,709		-			231,709		-
	Non-agency		4,838		-			4,838		-
	Corporate fixed income securities		499,966		62,743			437,223		-
	Asset-backed securities		153,485		-			153,485		-
	Total available-for-sale securities		1,231,571		62,743			1,090,393		78,435
	Investments:
	Corporate equity securities		39,212		39,212			-		-
	Corporate preferred securities		-		-			-		-
	Mutual funds		15,805		15,805			-		-
	U.S. government securities		-		-			-		-
	Auction rate securities:
	Equity securities		59,728		-			-		59,728
	Municipal securities		12,409		-			-		12,409
	Other		106,624		881			4,837		100,906
	Total investments		233,778		55,898			4,837		173,043
		$	2,451,834	$	401,883		$	1,797,676	$	252,275
	Liabilities:
	Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased
	U.S. government securities	$	174,688	$	174,688		$	-	$	-
	U.S. government agency securities		23,248		-			23,248		-
	Corporate securities:
	Fixed income securities		213,757		6,150			207,607		-
	Equity securities		83,881		83,424			457		-
	State and municipal securities		84		-			84		-
	Total trading securities sold, but not yet purchased		495,658		264,262			231,396		-
Securities sold, but not yet purchased		28,598		28,598			-		-
Derivative contracts (2)		11,101		-			11,101		-
	$	535,357	$	292,860		$	242,497	$	-
(1) Includes $72.3 million of municipal ARS at September 30, 2013.
(2) Included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the consolidated statements of financial condition.
	31-Dec-12
	Total		Level 1			Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
Cash equivalents	$	72,596	$	72,596		$	-	$	-
Trading securities owned:
U.S. government agency securities		123,758		-			123,758		-
U.S. government securities		3,573		3,573			-		-
Corporate securities:
Fixed income securities		396,878		66,795			329,500		583
Equity securities		35,472		33,650			1,822		-
State and municipal securities		203,927		-			203,927		-
Total trading securities owned		763,608		104,018			659,007		583
Available-for-sale securities:
U.S. government agency securities		1,113		-			1,113		-
State and municipal securities (1)		157,420		-			66,933		90,487
Mortgage-backed securities:
Agency		684,848		-			684,848		-
Commercial		260,974		-			260,974		-
Non-agency		13,878		-			13,878		-
Corporate fixed income securities		480,182		263,017			217,165		-
Asset-backed securities		26,753		-			26,753		-
Total available-for-sale securities		1,625,168		263,017			1,271,664		90,487
Investments:
Corporate equity securities		32,162		32,162			-		-
Corporate preferred securities		56,970		-			56,970
Mutual funds		18,021		18,021			-		-
U.S. government securities		7,069		7,069			-		-
Auction rate securities:
Equity securities		64,397		-			-		64,397
Municipal securities		14,067		-			-		14,067
Other		43,748		1,620			4,831		37,297
Total investments		236,434		58,872			61,801		115,761
	$	2,697,806	$	498,503		$	1,992,472	$	206,831
Liabilities:
Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased
U.S. government securities	$	162,661	$	162,661		$	-	$	-
U.S. government agency securities		15		-			15		-
Corporate securities:
Fixed income securities		150,698		46,274			104,424		-
Equity securities		6,281		5,936			345		-
State and municipal securities		87		-			87		-
Total trading securities sold, but not yet purchased		319,742		214,871			104,871		-
Securities sold, but not yet purchased		22,966		22,966			-		-
Derivative contracts (2)		19,934		-			19,934		-
	$	362,642	$	237,837		$	124,805	$	-
(1) Includes $84.6 million of municipal ARS at December 31, 2012.
(2) Included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the consolidated statements of financial condition.
The following table summarizes the changes in fair value carrying values associated with Level 3 financial instruments during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Trading Securities Owned							Investments
	Corporate Fixed Income Securities		Equity Securities			State & Municipal Securities (1)		Auction Rate Securities - Equity		Auction Rate Securities - Municipal		Other
Balance at June 30, 2013	$	5,057	$	12,601		$	81,930	$	62,109	$	13,330	$	86,994
Unrealized gains/(losses):
Included in changes in net assets (2)		-29		-			-		519		31		3,514
Included in OCI (3)		-		-			329		-		-		-
Realized gains/(losses) (2)		101		-			383		-		-		-632
Purchases		398		-			-		-		-		2,127
Sales		-2,707		-			-		-		-		-2,602
Redemptions		-259		-			-5,000		-2,900		-952		-1,096
Transfers:
Into Level 3		2		-			6,201		-		-		12,601
Out of Level 3		-1,766		-12,601			-5,408		-		-		-
Net change		-4,260		-12,601			-3,495		-2,381		-921		13,912
Balance at September 30, 2013	$	797	$	-		$	78,435	$	59,728	$	12,409	$	100,906
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Trading Securities Owned							Investments
	Corporate Fixed Income Securities		Equity Securities			State & Municipal Securities (1)		Auction Rate Securities - Equity		Auction Rate Securities - Municipal		Other
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	583	$	-		$	90,487	$	64,397	$	14,067	$	37,297
Unrealized gains/(losses):
Included in changes in net assets (2)		434		1,333			-		206		-6		9,245
Included in OCI (3)		-		-			-1,840		-		-		-
Realized gains/(losses) (2)		281		-			895		-		-		-129
Purchases		9,362		11,476			5,000		75		-		50,804
Sales		-6,888		-208			-		-		-		-6,801
Redemptions		-1,347		-			-16,900		-4,950		-1,652		-2,111
Transfers:
Into Level 3		139		-			6,201		-		-		12,601
Out of Level 3		-1,767		-12,601			-5,408		-		-		-
Net change		214		-			-12,052		-4,669		-1,658		63,609
Balance at September 30, 2013	$	797	$	-		$	78,435	$	59,728	$	12,409	$	100,906
(1) Included in available-for-sale securities owned in the consolidated statements of financial condition.
(2) Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) related to trading securities and investments are reported in other income in the consolidated statements of operations.
(3) Unrealized gains/(losses) related to available-for-sale securities are reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the consolidated statements of financial condition.
The results included in the table above are only a component of the overall investment strategies of our company. The table above does not present Level 1 or Level 2 valued assets or liabilities. The changes to our company’s Level 3 classified instruments were principally a result of: our acquisition of KBW, Inc, unrealized gains and losses, and redemptions of ARS at par during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, trading securities owned and investments purchased as part of the KBW, Inc. acquisition that are classified as Level 3 totaled $54.1 million, of which $6.3 million were sold during the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The changes in unrealized gains/(losses) recorded in earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 relating to Level 3 assets still held at September 30, 2013 were immaterial.
The following table summarizes quantitative information related to the significant unobservable inputs utilized in our company’s Level 3 recurring fair value measurements as of September 30, 2013.
		Valuation technique	Unobservable input		Range		Weighted average
Available-for-sale securities:
State and municipal securities		Discounted cash flow	Discount rate		5.6% - 11.0%		7.5%
			Workout period		1 - 4 years		3.4 years
Investments:
Auction rate securities
Equity securities		Discounted cash flow	Discount rate		2.3%  - 12.7%		7.4%
			Workout period		1 - 3 years		2.6 years
Municipal securities		Discounted cash flow	Discount rate		0.1% - 11.0%		6.5%
			Workout period		1 -4  years		2.6 years
Other
Investments in partnerships		Market approach	Revenue multiple		1.7-4.0		2.6
			EBITDA multiple		4.5-9.9		7.7
Private equity investments		Market approach	Revenue multiple		0.5-3.0		1.8
			EBITDA multiple		4.3-11.3		7.8
The fair value of certain Level 3 assets was determined using various methodologies as appropriate, including net asset values (“NAVs”) of underlying investments, third-party pricing vendors, broker quotes and market and income approaches. These inputs are evaluated for reasonableness through various procedures, including due diligence reviews of third-party pricing vendors, variance analyses, consideration of current market environment and other analytical procedures.
The fair value for our auction-rate securities was determined using an income approach based on an internally developed discounted cash flow model. The discounted cash flow model utilizes two significant unobservable inputs: discount rate and workout period. The discount rate was calculated using credit spreads of the underlying collateral or similar securities. The workout period was based on an assessment of publicly available information on efforts to re-establish functioning markets for these securities and our company’s own redemption experience. Significant increases in any of these inputs in isolation would result in a significantly lower fair value. On an on-going basis, management verifies the fair value by reviewing the appropriateness of the discounted cash flow model and its significant inputs with other available market data for similar instruments.
General and limited partnership interests in investment partnerships totaled $56.2 million and $21.5 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. The general and limited partnership interests in investment partnerships were primarily valued based upon NAVs received from third-party fund managers. The various partnerships are investment companies, which record their underlying investments at fair value based on fair value policies established by management of the underlying fund. Fair value policies at the underlying fund generally require the funds to utilize pricing/valuation information, including independent appraisals, from third-party sources. However, in some instances, current valuation information for illiquid securities or securities in markets that are not active may not be available from any third-party source or fund management may conclude that the valuations that are available from third-party sources are not reliable. In these instances, fund management may perform model-based analytical valuations that may be used as an input to value these investments.
Direct investments in private equity companies totaled $10.8 million and $13.5 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. Direct investments in private equity companies may be valued using the market approach or the income approach, or a combination thereof, and were valued based on an assessment of each underlying investment, incorporating evaluation of additional significant third-party financing, changes in valuations of comparable peer companies, the business environment of the companies, market indices, assumptions relating to appropriate risk adjustments for nonperformance and legal restrictions on disposition, among other factors. The fair value derived from the methods used are evaluated and weighted, as appropriate, considering the reasonableness of the range of values indicated. Under the market approach, fair value may be determined by reference to multiples of market-comparable companies or transactions, including earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) multiples. Under the income approach, fair value may be determined by discounting the cash flows to a single present amount using current market expectations about those future amounts. Unobservable inputs used in a discounted cash flow model may include projections of operating performance generally covering a five-year period and a terminal value of the private equity direct investment. For securities utilizing the discounted cash flow valuation technique, a significant increase (decrease) in the discount rate, risk premium or discount for lack of marketability in isolation could result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement. For securities utilizing the market comparable companies valuation technique, a significant increase (decrease) in the EBITDA multiple in isolation could result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement.
Transfers Within the Fair Value Hierarchy
We assess our financial instruments on a quarterly basis to determine the appropriate classification within the fair value hierarchy. Transfers between fair value classifications occur when there are changes in pricing observability levels. Transfers of financial instruments among the levels are deemed to occur at the beginning of the reporting period. There were $10.6 million and $72.0 million of transfers of financial assets from Level 2 to Level 1 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, primarily related to corporate preferred securities that were converted to common stock, which is actively traded and fixed income and equity securities for which market trades were observed that provided transparency into the valuation of these assets. There were $27.2 million and $32.6 million of transfers of financial assets from Level 1 to Level 2 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, primarily related to corporate fixed income securities for which there were low volumes of recent trade activity observed. There were an immaterial amount of transfers into Level 3 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The following reflects the fair value of financial instruments, as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, whether or not recognized in the consolidated statements of financial condition at fair value (in thousands).
	30-Sep-13					31-Dec-12
	Carrying value		Estimated fair value			Carrying value		Estimated fair value
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	649,244	$	649,244		$	403,941		403,941
Restricted cash		4,419		4,419			4,414		4,414
Cash segregated for regulatory purposes		33		33			128,031		128,031
Securities purchased under agreements to resell		168,182		168,182			158,695		158,695
Trading securities owned		847,652		847,652			763,608		763,608
Available-for-sale securities		1,231,571		1,231,571			1,625,168		1,625,168
Held-to-maturity securities		1,723,482		1,732,534			708,008		715,274
Loans held for sale		75,440		75,440			214,531		214,531
Bank loans		1,061,150		1,076,079			815,937		834,188
Investments		233,778		233,778			236,434		236,434
Financial liabilities:
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	$	255,451	$	255,451		$	140,346	$	140,346
Bank deposits		4,228,405		3,659,589			3,346,133		3,368,643
Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased		495,658		495,658			319,742		319,742
Securities sold, but not yet purchased		28,598		28,598			22,966		22,966
Derivative contracts (1)		11,101		11,101			19,934		19,934
Senior notes (2)		325,000		335,986			325,000		338,475
Non-recourse debt (2)		32,111		32,541			58,992		58,992
Debentures to Stifel Financial Capital Trusts		82,500		74,313			82,500		66,545
Liabilities subordinated to claims of general creditors		3,131		3,097			5,318		5,204
(1) Included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the consolidated statements of financial condition.
(2) Included in corporate debt in the consolidated statements of financial condition.
The following table presents the estimated fair values of financial instruments not measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
	30-Sep-13
	Total		Level 1			Level 2		Level 3
Financial assets:
Cash	$	510,411	$	510,411		$	-	$	-
Restricted cash		4,419		4,419			-		-
Cash segregated for regulatory purposes		33		33			-		-
Securities purchased under agreements to resell		168,182		144,171			24,011		-
Held-to-maturity securities		1,732,534		-			1,500,738		231,796
Loans held for sale		75,440		-			75,440		-
Bank loans		1,076,079		-			1,076,079		-
Financial liabilities:
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	$	255,451	$	4,131		$	251,320	$	-
Bank deposits		3,659,589		-			3,659,589		-
Senior notes		335,986		335,986			-		-
Non-recourse debt		32,541		-			32,541		-
Debentures to Stifel Financial Capital Trusts		74,313		-			-		74,313
Liabilities subordinated to claims of general creditors		3,097		-			-		3,097
	31-Dec-12
	Total		Level 1			Level 2		Level 3
Financial assets:
Cash	$	331,345	$	331,345		$	-	$	-
Restricted cash		4,414		4,414			-		-
Cash segregated for regulatory purposes		128,031		128,031			-		-
Securities purchased under agreements to resell		158,695		154,688			4,007		-
Held-to-maturity securities		715,274		-			487,775		227,499
Loans held for sale		214,531		-			214,531		-
Bank loans		834,188		-			834,188		-
Financial liabilities:
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	$	140,346	$	140,346		$	-	$	-
Bank deposits		3,368,643		-			3,368,643		-
Senior notes		338,475		338,475			-		-
Non-recourse debt		58,992		-			58,992		-
Debentures to Stifel Financial Capital Trusts		66,545		-			-		66,545
Liabilities subordinated to claims of general creditors		5,204		-			-		5,204
The following, as supplemented by the discussion above, describes the valuation techniques used in estimating the fair value of our financial instruments as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
Financial Assets
Securities Purchased Under Agreements to Resell
Securities purchased under agreements to resell are collateralized financing transactions that are recorded at their contractual amounts plus accrued interest. The carrying values at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 approximate fair value due to the short-term nature.
Held-to-Maturity Securities
Securities held to maturity are recorded at amortized cost based on our company’s positive intent and ability to hold these securities to maturity. Securities held to maturity include asset-backed securities, consisting of corporate obligations, collateralized debt obligation securities and ARS. The estimated fair value, included in the above table, is determined using several factors; however, primary weight is given to discounted cash flow modeling techniques that incorporated an estimated discount rate based upon recent observable debt security issuances with similar characteristics.
Loans Held for Sale
Loans held for sale consist of fixed-rate and adjustable-rate residential real estate mortgage loans intended for sale. Loans held for sale are stated at lower of cost or fair value. Fair value is determined based on prevailing market prices for loans with similar characteristics or on sale contract prices.
Bank Loans
The fair values of mortgage loans and commercial loans were estimated using a discounted cash flow method, a form of the income approach. Discount rates were determined considering rates at which similar portfolios of loans would be made under current conditions and considering liquidity spreads applicable to each loan portfolio based on the secondary market.
Financial Liabilities
Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase are collateralized financing transactions that are recorded at their contractual amounts plus accrued interest. The carrying values at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 approximate fair value due to the short-term nature.
Bank Deposits
The fair value for demand deposits is equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (that is, their carrying amounts). The carrying amounts of variable-rate money-market and savings accounts approximate their fair values at the reporting date as these are short-term in nature. The fair value of other interest-bearing deposits, including certificates of deposit, was calculated by discounting the future cash flows using discount rates based on the expected current market rates for similar products with similar remaining terms.
Senior Notes
The fair value of our  senior notes is estimated based upon quoted market prices.
Non-recourse debt
The fair value of our non-recourse debt is based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows. We have assumed a discount rate based on the coupon achieved in our 6.7% senior notes due 2022.
Debentures to Stifel Financial Capital Trusts
The fair value of our trust preferred securities is based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows. We have assumed a discount rate based on the coupon achieved in our 6.7% senior notes due 2022.
Liabilities Subordinated to Claims of General Creditors
The fair value of subordinated debt was measured using the interest rates commensurate with borrowings of similar terms.
These fair value disclosures represent our best estimates based on relevant market information and information about the financial instruments. Fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected losses, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of the various instruments, and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision. Changes in the above methodologies and assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

Trading_Securities_Owned_And_T

Trading Securities Owned And Trading Securities Sold, But Not Yet Purchased	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Trading Securities Owned And Trading Securities Sold, But Not Yet Purchased [Abstract]	'
Trading Securities Owned And Trading Securities Sold, But Not Yet Purchased	'
	NOTE 7 –  Trading Securities Owned and Trading Securities Sold, But Not Yet Purchased
	The components of trading securities owned and trading securities sold, but not yet purchased, at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, are as follows (in thousands):
		30-Sep-13		31-Dec-12
	Trading securities owned:
	U.S. government agency securities	$	121,136	$	123,758
	U.S. government securities		13,627		3,573
	Corporate securities:
	Fixed income securities		519,180		396,878
	Equity securities		85,183		35,472
	State and municipal securities		108,526		203,927
		$	847,652	$	763,608
	Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased
	U.S. government securities	$	174,688	$	162,661
	U.S. government agency securities		23,248		15
	Corporate securities:
	Fixed income securities		213,757		150,698
	Equity securities		83,881		6,281
	State and municipal securities		84		87
		$	495,658	$	319,742
	At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, trading securities owned in the amount of $648.1 million and $607.6 million, respectively, were pledged as collateral for our repurchase agreements and short-term borrowings.
	Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased, represent obligations of our company to deliver the specified security at the contracted price, thereby creating a liability to purchase the security in the market at prevailing prices in future periods. We are obligated to acquire the securities sold short at prevailing market prices in future periods, which may exceed the amount reflected in the consolidated statements of financial condition.

AvailableForSale_And_HeldToMat

Available-For-Sale And Held-To-Maturity Securities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Available-For-Sale And Held-To-Maturity Securities [Abstract]	'
Available-For-Sale And Held-To-Maturity Securities	'
	NOTE 8 – Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity Securities
	The following tables provide a summary of the amortized cost and fair values of the available-for-sale securities and held-to-maturity securities at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
		30-Sep-13
		Amortized cost		Gross unrealized gains (1)		Gross unrealized losses (1)		Estimated fair value
	Available-for-sale securities:
	U.S. government agency securities	$	1,229	$	-	$	-3	$	1,226
	State and municipal securities		169,799		1,939		-8,324		163,414
	Mortgage-backed securities:
	Agency		176,024		2,976		-2,067		176,933
	Commercial		229,962		3,273		-1,526		231,709
	Non-agency		4,746		92		-		4,838
	Corporate fixed income securities		498,966		5,088		-4,088		499,966
	Asset-backed securities		155,384		240		-2,139		153,485
		$	1,236,110	$	13,608	$	-18,147	$	1,231,571
	Held-to-maturity securities (2)
	Mortgage-backed securities:
	Agency	$	977,514	$	8,006	$	-420	$	985,100
	Commercial		59,390		87		-		59,477
	Asset-backed securities		609,978		6,704		-3,646		613,036
	Corporate fixed income securities		55,352		-		-2,702		52,650
	Municipal auction rate securities		21,248		1,023		-		22,271
		$	1,723,482	$	15,820	$	-6,768	$	1,732,534
		31-Dec-12
		Amortized cost		Gross unrealized gains (1)		Gross unrealized losses (1)		Estimated fair value
	Available-for-sale securities:
	U.S. government agency securities	$	1,114	$	1	$	-2	$	1,113
	State and municipal securities		153,885		4,648		-1,113		157,420
	Mortgage-backed securities:								-
	Agency		676,861		8,140		-153		684,848
	Commercial		255,255		5,902		-183		260,974
	Non-agency		13,077		801		-		13,878
	Corporate fixed income securities		474,338		7,590		-1,746		480,182
	Asset-backed securities		26,572		378		-197		26,753
		$	1,601,102	$	27,460	$	-3,394	$	1,625,168
	Held-to-maturity securities (2)
	Asset-backed securities	$	630,279	$	9,364	$	-2,971	$	636,672
	Corporate fixed income securities		55,420		36		-519		54,937
	Municipal auction rate securities		22,309		1,376		-20		23,665
		$	708,008	$	10,776	$	-3,510	$	715,274
	-1	Unrealized gains/(losses) related to available-for-sale securities are reported in accumulated other comprehensive income.
	-2	Held-to-maturity securities are carried at historical cost or at fair value at the time of transfer from the available-for-sale to held-to-maturity category, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts and credit-related other-than-temporary impairment.
	During the third quarter of 2013, we transferred $1.1 billion of mortgage-backed securities from our available-for-sale portfolio to the held-to-maturity category reflecting our company’s intent to hold those securities to maturity.
	For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, we received proceeds of $4.5 million and $194.1 million, respectively, from the sale of available-for-sale securities, which resulted in realized gains of $0.2 million and $1.7 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, we received proceeds of $92.4 million and $186.5 million, respectively, from the sale of available-for-sale securities, which resulted in realized gains of $1.0 million and $3.1 million, respectively.
	During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, unrealized losses, net of deferred tax benefits, of $8.6 million and $48.6 million, respectively, were recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income in the consolidated statements of financial condition. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, unrealized gains, net of deferred taxes, of $8.4 million and $12.8 million, respectively, were recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income in the consolidated statements of financial condition.
	The table below summarizes the amortized cost and fair values of debt securities, by contractual maturity (in thousands). Expected maturities may differ significantly from contractual maturities, as issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
		30-Sep-13
		Available-for-sale securities				Held-to-maturity securities
		Amortized cost		Estimated fair value		Amortized cost		Estimated fair value
	Debt securities
	Within one year	$	156,780	$	158,397	$	-	$	-
	After one year through three years		190,728		193,606		15,057		14,669
	After three years through five years		123,055		121,942		41,609		39,306
	After five years through ten years		40,262		37,896		384,547		385,347
	After ten years		314,553		306,250		1,282,269		1,293,212
	Mortgage-backed securities
	After one year through three years		9,154		9,355
	After three years through five years		967		991		-		-
	After five years through ten years		66,438		66,131		-		-
	After ten years		334,173		337,003		-		-
		$	1,236,110	$	1,231,571	$	1,723,482	$	1,732,534
	At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, securities of $539.9 million and $613.8 million, respectively, were pledged at the Federal Home Loan Bank as collateral for borrowings and letters of credit obtained to secure public deposits.
	The following table is a summary of the amount of gross unrealized losses and the estimated fair value by length of time that the available-for-sale securities have been in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
		Less than 12 months				12 months or more				Total
	Gross unrealized losses		Estimated fair value		Gross unrealized losses		Estimated fair value		Gross unrealized losses		Estimated fair value
Available-for-sale securities
U.S. government securities	$	-3	$	734	$	-	$	-	$	-3	$	734
State and municipal securities		-7,170		87,428		-1,154		32,096		-8,324		119,524
Mortgage-backed securities:
Agency		-2,067		83,099		-		-		-2,067		83,099
Commercial		-1,526		40,136		-		-		-1,526		40,136
Corporate fixed income securities		-3,258		134,888		-830		44,455		-4,088		179,343
Asset-backed securities		-2,139		133,915		-		-		-2,139		133,915
	$	-16,163	$	480,200	$	-1,984	$	76,551	$	-18,147	$	556,751
The gross unrealized losses on our available-for-sale securities of $18.1 million as of September 30, 2013 relate to 79 individual securities.
Certain investments in the available-for-sale portfolio at September 30, 2013, are reported in the consolidated statements of financial condition at an amount less than their amortized cost. The total fair value of these investments at September 30, 2013, was $556.8 million, which was 45.2% of our available-for-sale investment portfolio. The amortized cost basis of these investments was $574.9 million at September 30, 2013. As discussed in more detail below, we conduct periodic reviews of all securities with unrealized losses to assess whether the impairment is other-than-temporary.
Other-Than-Temporary Impairment
We evaluate all securities in an unrealized loss position quarterly to assess whether the impairment is other-than-temporary. Our other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) assessment is a subjective process requiring the use of judgments and assumptions. Accordingly, we consider a number of qualitative and quantitative criteria in our assessment, including the extent and duration of the impairment; recent events specific to the issuer and/or industry to which the issuer belongs; the payment structure of the security; external credit ratings and the failure of the issuer to make scheduled interest or principal payments; the value of underlying collateral; and current market conditions.
If we determine that impairment on our debt securities is other-than-temporary and we have made the decision to sell the security or it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security prior to recovery of its amortized cost basis, we recognize the entire portion of the impairment in earnings. If we have not made a decision to sell the security and we do not expect that we will be required to sell the security prior to recovery of the amortized cost basis, we recognize only the credit component of OTTI in earnings. The remaining unrealized loss due to factors other than credit, or the non-credit component, is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss. We determine the credit component based on the difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and the present value of its expected future cash flows, discounted based on the purchase yield. The non-credit component represents the difference between the security’s fair value and the present value of expected future cash flows. There were no credit-related OTTI charges during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.
We estimate the portion of loss attributable to credit using a discounted cash flow model. Key assumptions used in estimating the expected cash flows include default rates, loss severity and prepayment rates. Assumptions used can vary widely based on the collateral underlying the securities and are influenced by factors such as collateral type, loan interest rate, geographical location of the borrower, and borrower characteristics.
We believe the gross unrealized losses related to all other securities of $18.1 million as of September 30, 2013 are attributable to issuer specific credit spreads and changes in market interest rates and asset spreads. We therefore do not expect to incur any credit losses related to these securities. In addition, we have no intent to sell these securities with unrealized losses and it is not more likely than not that we will be required to sell these securities prior to recovery of the amortized cost. Accordingly, we have concluded that the impairment on these securities is not other-than-temporary.

Bank_Loans

Bank Loans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Bank Loans [Abstract]	'
Bank Loans	'
	NOTE 9 – Bank Loans
	The following table presents the balance and associated percentage of each major loan category in our loan portfolio at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands, except percentages):
		30-Sep-13						31-Dec-12
		Balance		Percent				Balance			Percent
	Consumer (1)	$	489,867		45.5	%		$	425,382			51.6	%
	Commercial and industrial		481,336		44.7				300,034			36.4
	Residential real estate		75,233		7.0				65,657			8.0
	Home equity lines of credit		16,856		1.6				19,531			2.4
	Commercial real estate		12,516		1.2				12,805			1.5
	Construction and land		490		0.0				510			0.1
			1,076,298		100.0	%			823,919			100.0	%
	Unamortized loan fees, net of origination costs		-1,752						-1,207
	Loans in process		-163						1,370
	Allowance for loan losses		-13,233						-8,145
		$	1,061,150					$	815,937
	-1	Includes securities-based loans of $489.8 million and $425.3 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
	Changes in the allowance for loan losses for the periods presented were as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013		2012			2013			2012
	Allowance for loan losses, beginning of period	$	10,919	$	6,292		$	8,145		$	5,300
	Provision for loan losses		2,297		161			5,537			1,300
	Charge-offs:
	Residential real estate		-		-59			-501			-254
	Recoveries		17		-			52			48
	Allowance for loan losses, end of period	$	13,233	$	6,394		$	13,233		$	6,394
	A loan is determined to be impaired, when principal or interest becomes 90 days past due or when collection becomes uncertain. At the time a loan is determined to be impaired, the accrual of interest and amortization of deferred loan origination fees is discontinued (“non-accrual status”), and any accrued and unpaid interest income is reversed. At September 30, 2013, we had $14.8 million of non-accrual loans, which included $0.4 million in troubled debt restructurings, for which there was a specific allowance of $2.3 million. At December 31, 2012, we had $1.8 million of non-accrual loans, which included $1.6 million in troubled debt restructurings, for which there was a specific allowance of $0.6 million. The gross interest income related to impaired loans, which would have been recorded had these loans been current in accordance with their original terms, and the interest income recognized on these loans during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were insignificant to the consolidated financial statements.
	Credit Quality
	We closely monitor economic conditions and loan performance trends to manage and evaluate our exposure to credit risk. Trends in delinquency ratios are an indicator, among other considerations, of credit risk within our loan portfolios. The level of nonperforming assets represents another indicator of the potential for future credit losses. Accordingly, key metrics we track and use in evaluating the credit quality of our loan portfolio include delinquency and nonperforming asset rates, as well as charge-off rates and our internal risk ratings of the loan portfolio. In general, we are a secured lender. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, 96.5% and 96.1% of our loan portfolio was collateralized, respectively. Collateral is required in accordance with the normal credit evaluation process based upon the creditworthiness of the customer and the credit risk associated with the particular transaction.
	The following is a breakdown of the allowance for loan losses by type for as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands, except rates):
		30-Sep-13						31-Dec-12
		Balance		Percent (1)				Balance			Percent (1)
	Commercial and industrial	$	10,344		44.7	%		$	5,450			36.4	%
	Consumer		735		45.5				647			51.6
	Residential real estate		578		7.0				408			8.0
	Commercial real estate		202		1.2				691			1.5
	Home equity lines of credit		159		1.6				195			2.4
	Construction and land		12		0.0				13			0.1
	Qualitative		1,203		-				741			-
		$	13,233		100.0	%		$	8,145			100.0	%
	(1) Loan category as a percentage of total loan portfolio.
	At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, Stifel Bank had loans outstanding to its executive officers, directors, and their affiliates in the amount of $0.6 million and $0.6 million, respectively, and loans outstanding to other Stifel Financial Corp. executive officers, directors, and their affiliates in the amount of $5.8 million and $7.2 million, respectively. Such loans and other extensions of credit were made in the ordinary course of business and were made on substantially the same terms (including interest rates and collateral requirements) as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons.
	At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we had mortgage loans held for sale of $75.4 million and $214.5 million, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we recognized gains of $2.2 million and $3.6 million, respectively, from the sale of originated loans, net of fees and costs. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we recognized gains of $10.1 million and $9.6 million, respectively, from the sale of originated loans, net of fees and costs.

Fixed_Assets

Fixed Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fixed Assets [Abstract]	'
Fixed Assets	'
	NOTE 10 – Fixed Assets
	The following is a summary of fixed assets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
		30-Sep-13		31-Dec-12
	Furniture and equipment	$	169,363	$	157,974
	Building and leasehold improvements		95,623		82,234
	Property on operating leases		21,049		46,500
	Total		286,035		286,708
	Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		-161,270		-145,305
		$	124,765	$	141,403
	For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, depreciation and amortization of furniture and equipment, and leasehold improvements totaled $8.6 million and $7.4 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, depreciation and amortization of furniture and equipment, and leasehold improvements totaled $25.2 million and $22.0 million, respectively.

Goodwill_And_Intangible_Assets

Goodwill And Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Abstract]	'
Goodwill And Intangible Assets	'
	NOTE 11 – Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	We test goodwill for impairment on an annual basis and on an interim basis when certain events or circumstances exist. We test for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is generally at the level of or one level below our company’s business segments. For both the annual and interim tests, we have the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, we determine it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step impairment test is not required. However, if we conclude otherwise, we are then required to perform the first step of the two-step impairment test. Goodwill impairment is determined by comparing the estimated fair value of a reporting unit with its respective carrying value. If the estimated fair value exceeds the carrying value, goodwill at the reporting unit level is not deemed to be impaired. If the estimated fair value is below carrying value, however, further analysis is required to determine the amount of the impairment. Additionally, if the carrying value of a reporting unit is zero or a negative value and it is determined that it is more likely than not the goodwill is impaired, further analysis is required. The estimated fair values of the reporting units are derived based on valuation techniques we believe market participants would use for each of the reporting units. Our annual goodwill impairment testing was completed as of July 31, 2013, with no impairment identified.
	The carrying amount of goodwill and intangible assets attributable to each of our reporting segments is presented in the following table (in thousands):
		31-Dec-12		Net additions		Impairment losses		30-Sep-13
	Goodwill
	Global Wealth Management	$	144,377	$	10,868	$	-	$	155,245
	Institutional Group		275,016		312,393		-		587,409
		$	419,393	$	323,261	$	-	$	742,654
		31-Dec-12		Net additions		Amortization		30-Sep-13
	Intangible assets
	Global Wealth Management	$	16,377	$	-	$	-1,697	$	14,680
	Institutional Group		12,590		3,256		-2,448		13,398
		$	28,967	$	3,256	$	-4,145	$	28,078
	The adjustments to goodwill and intangible assets during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 are primarily attributable to our acquisitions of KBW, Inc and Miller Buckfire. The allocation of the purchase price of KBW, Inc. is preliminary and will be finalized upon completion of the analysis of the fair values of the net assets of KBW, Inc. as of the acquisition date and the identified intangible assets. The final goodwill recorded on the consolidated statement of financial condition may differ from that reflected herein as a result of future measurement period adjustments and the recording of identified intangible assets. See Note 3 in the notes to our consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding the acquisition of KBW, Inc.
	Amortizable intangible assets consist of acquired customer relationships, trade name, and investment banking backlog that are amortized over their contractual or determined useful lives. Intangible assets subject to amortization as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were as follows (in thousands):
		30-Sep-13				31-Dec-12
		Gross carrying value		Accumulated amortization		Gross carrying value		Accumulated amortization
	Customer relationships	$	40,166	$	21,138	$	40,166	$	18,648
	Trade name		11,560		2,782		9,442		2,023
	Investment banking backlog		3,388		3,116		2,250		2,220
		$	55,114	$	27,036	$	51,858	$	22,891
	Amortization expense related to intangible assets was $1.3 million and $1.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Amortization expense related to intangible assets was $4.1 million and $3.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	The weighted-average remaining lives of the following intangible assets at September 30, 2013 are: customer relationships, 5.4 years; and trade name, 6.6 years. The investment banking backlog will be amortized over its estimated life, which we expect to be within the next 12 months. As of September 30, 2013, we expect amortization expense in future periods to be as follows (in thousands):
	Fiscal year
	Remainder of 2013	$	2,038
	2014		4,562
	2015		3,835
	2016		2,829
	2017		2,447
	Thereafter		12,367
		$	28,078

ShortTerm_Borrowings

Short-Term Borrowings	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Short-Term Borrowings [Abstracts]	'
Short-Term Borrowings	'
	NOTE 12 –  Short-Term Borrowings
	Our short-term financing is generally obtained through short-term bank line financing on an uncommitted, secured basis, committed short-term bank line financing on an unsecured basis and securities lending arrangements. We borrow from various banks on a demand basis with company-owned and customer securities pledged as collateral. The value of customer-owned securities used as collateral is not reflected in the consolidated statements of financial condition. Our uncommitted secured lines of credit at September 30, 2013 totaled $680.0 million with four banks and are dependent on having appropriate collateral, as determined by the bank agreements, to secure an advance under the line. The availability of our uncommitted lines are subject to approval by the individual banks each time an advance is requested and may be denied. Our peak daily borrowing was $561.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013. There are no compensating balance requirements under these arrangements.
	Our committed short-term bank line financing at September 30, 2013 consisted of a $100.0 million revolving credit facility. The credit facility expires in December 2013. The applicable interest rate under the revolving credit facility is calculated as a per annum rate equal to the one-month Eurocurrency rate plus 1.00%, as defined in the revolving credit facility. At September 30, 2013, we had no advances on our revolving credit facility and were in compliance with all covenants.
	At September 30, 2013, short-term borrowings from banks were $133.1 million at an average rate of 1.11%, which were collateralized by company-owned securities valued at $411.8 million. At December 31, 2012, short-term borrowings from banks were $304.7 million at an average rate of 1.14%, which were collateralized by company-owned securities valued at $530.7 million. The average bank borrowing was $246.8 million and $151.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, at average daily effective interest rates of 1.33% and 1.15%, respectively. The average bank borrowing was $290.4 million and $201.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, at average daily effective interest rates of 1.28% and 1.15%, respectively.
	At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, Stifel Nicolaus had a stock loan balance of $169.3 million and $19.2 million, respectively, at average daily interest rates of 0.33% and 0.24%, respectively. The average outstanding securities lending arrangements utilized in financing activities were $120.7 million and $150.6 million during the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, at average daily effective interest rates of 0.23% and 0.14%, respectively. The average outstanding securities lending arrangements utilized in financing activities were $89.0 million and $150.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, at average daily effective interest rates of 0.16% and 0.13%, respectively. Customer-owned securities were utilized in these arrangements.

Corporate_Debt

Corporate Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Corporate Debt [Abstract]	'
Corporate Debt	'
	NOTE 13 – Corporate Debt
	The following table summarizes our corporate debt as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
		30-Sep-13		31-Dec-12
	6.70% senior notes, due 2022 (1)	$	175,000	$	175,000
	5.375% senior notes, due 2022 (2)		150,000		150,000
	Non-recourse debt, 6.75%, due 2016 (3)		32,111		58,992
		$	357,111	$	383,992
	(1) In January 2012, we sold in a registered underwritten public offering, $175.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.70% senior notes due January 2022. Interest on these senior notes is payable quarterly in arrears. On or after January 15, 2015, we may redeem some or all of the senior notes at any time at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes being redeemed plus accrued interest thereon to the redemption date.
	(2)In December 2012, we sold in a registered underwritten public offering, $150.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.375% senior notes due December 2022. Interest on these senior notes is payable quarterly in arrears. On or after December 31, 2015, we may redeem some or all of the senior notes at any time at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes being redeemed plus accrued interest thereon to the redemption date.
	(3)On December 17, 2012, we issued $60.0 million principal in non-recourse debt for the purpose of acquiring East Shore Aircraft LLC. Interest on the non-recourse debt is payable monthly. We are required to redeem some of the non-recourse debt as each aircraft is sold at the various lease expiration dates. We will collect 100% of the monthly lease payments with approximately 65% allocated to pay interest first then principal on non-recourse debt. In addition, as each aircraft is sold at the various lease expiration dates a portion of the proceeds will be applied to the principal balance of the non-recourse debt.
	Our corporate debt matures as follows, based upon its contractual terms:
		Non-recourse debt		Senior notes
	2013	$	2,038	$	-
	2014		8,506		-
	2015		20,588		-
	2016		979		-
	2017		-		-
	Thereafter		-		325,000
		$	32,111	$	325,000

Bank_Deposits

Bank Deposits	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Bank Deposits [Abstract]	'
Bank Deposits	'
	NOTE 14 – Bank Deposits
	Deposits consist of money market and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, and demand deposits. Deposits at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were as follows (in thousands):
		30-Sep-13		31-Dec-12
	Money market and savings accounts	$	4,151,990	$	3,271,929
	Demand deposits (interest-bearing)		69,956		64,926
	Demand deposits (non-interest-bearing)		5,819		8,648
	Certificates of deposit		640		630
		$	4,228,405	$	3,346,133
	The weighted average interest rate on deposits was 0.06% and 0.13% at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
	Scheduled maturities of certificates of deposit at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were as follows (in thousands):
		30-Sep-13		31-Dec-12
	Certificates of deposit, less than $100:
	Within one year	$	111	$	182
	One to three years		192		203
	Over three years		88		-
		$	391	$	385
	Certificates of deposit, $100 and greater:
	Within one year	$	249	$	245
	One to three years		-		-
	Over three years		-		-
		$	249	$	245
		$	640	$	630
	At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the amount of deposits includes related party deposits, primarily brokerage customers’ deposits from Stifel Nicolaus of $4.2 billion and $3.3 billion, respectively, and interest-bearing and time deposits of executive officers, directors, and their affiliates of $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively. Such deposits were made in the ordinary course of business and were made on substantially the same terms (including interest rates) as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons.

Derivative_Instruments_And_Hed

Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities [Abstract]	'
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities	'
	NOTE 15 –  Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
	We use interest rate swaps as part of our interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate swaps generally involve the exchange of fixed and variable rate interest payments between two parties, based on a common notional principal amount and maturity date with no exchange of underlying principal amounts. Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable amounts from a counterparty in exchange for our company making fixed payments. Our policy is not to offset fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments and fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral or the obligation to return cash collateral arising from derivative instruments recognized at fair value executed with the same counterparty under master netting arrangements.
	The following table provides the notional values and fair values of our derivative instruments as of September 30, 2013 and December  31, 2012 (in thousands):
		30-Sep-13
				Asset derivatives				Liability derivatives
		Notional value		Balance sheet location		Positive fair value		Balance sheet location		Negative fair value
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments under Topic 815:
	Cash flow interest rate contracts	$	431,385		Other assets	$	-		Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	-11,101
		31-Dec-12
				Asset derivatives				Liability derivatives
		Notional value		Balance sheet location		Positive fair value		Balance sheet location		Negative fair value
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments under Topic 815:
	Cash flow interest rate contracts	$	550,127		Other assets	$	-		Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	-19,934
	Cash Flow Hedges
	We have entered into interest rate swap agreements that effectively modify our exposure to interest rate risk by converting floating rate debt to a fixed rate debt over the next ten years.
	Any unrealized gains or losses related to cash flow hedging instruments are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings in the same period the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings and are recorded in interest expense on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. The ineffective portion of the cash flow hedging instruments is recorded in other income or other operating expense. The losses recognized during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 related to ineffectiveness were insignificant.
	Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on our variable rate deposits. During the next twelve months, we estimate that $6.4 million will be reclassified as an increase to interest expense.
	The following table shows the effect of our company’s derivative instruments in the consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Gain/(Loss) recognized in OCI (effectiveness)		Location of loss reclassified from OCI into income		Loss reclassified from OCI into income		Location of loss recognized in OCI (ineffectiveness)		Loss recognized due to ineffectiveness
	Cash flow interest rate contracts	$	-1,320		Interest expense	$	2,092		None	$	-
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
		Gain/(Loss) recognized in OCI (effectiveness)		Location of loss reclassified from OCI into income		Loss reclassified from OCI into income		Location of loss recognized in OCI (ineffectiveness)		Loss recognized due to ineffectiveness
	Cash flow interest rate contracts	$	-2,032		Interest expense	$	2,784		None	$	-
		Nine months ended September 30, 2013
		Gain/(Loss) recognized in OCI (effectiveness)		Location of loss reclassified from OCI into income		Loss reclassified from OCI into income		Location of loss recognized in OCI (ineffectiveness)		Loss recognized due to ineffectiveness
	Cash flow interest rate contracts	$	2,087		Interest expense	$	6,716		None	$	-
		Nine months ended September 30, 2012
		Gain/(Loss) recognized in OCI (effectiveness)		Location of loss reclassified from OCI into income		Loss reclassified from OCI into income		Location of loss recognized in OCI (ineffectiveness)		Loss recognized due to ineffectiveness
	Cash flow interest rate contracts	$	-6,537		Interest expense	$	8,958		None	$	-
	We maintain a risk management strategy that incorporates the use of derivative instruments to minimize significant unplanned fluctuations in earnings caused by interest rate volatility. Our goal is to manage sensitivity to changes in rates by hedging the maturity characteristics of variable rate affiliated deposits, thereby limiting the impact on earnings. By using derivative instruments, we are exposed to credit and market risk on those derivative positions. We manage the market risk associated with interest rate contracts by establishing and monitoring limits as to the types and degree of risk that may be undertaken. Credit risk is equal to the extent of the fair value gain in a derivative if the counterparty fails to perform. When the fair value of a derivative contract is positive, this generally indicates that the counterparty owes our company and, therefore, creates a repayment risk for our company. When the fair value of a derivative contract is negative, we owe the counterparty and, therefore, have no repayment risk. See Note 6 in the notes to our consolidated financial statements for further discussion on how we determine the fair value of our financial instruments. We minimize the credit (or repayment) risk in derivative instruments by entering into transactions with high-quality counterparties that are reviewed periodically by senior management.
	Credit Risk-Related Contingency Features
	We have agreements with our derivative counterparties containing provisions where if we default on any of our indebtedness, including default where repayment of the indebtedness has not been accelerated by the lender, then we could also be declared in default on our derivative obligations.
	We have agreements with certain of our derivative counterparties that contain provisions where if our shareholders’ equity declines below a specified threshold or if we fail to maintain a specified minimum shareholders’ equity, then we could be declared in default on our derivative obligations.
	Certain of our agreements with our derivative counterparties contain provisions where if a specified event or condition occurs that materially changes our creditworthiness in an adverse manner, we may be required to fully collateralize our obligations under the derivative instrument.
	Regulatory Capital-Related Contingency Features
	Certain of our derivative instruments contain provisions that require us to maintain our capital adequacy requirements. If we were to lose our status as “adequately capitalized,” we would be in violation of those provisions, and the counterparties of the derivative instruments could request immediate payment or demand immediate and ongoing full overnight collateralization on derivative instruments in net liability positions.
	As of September 30, 2013, the fair value of derivatives in a net liability position, which includes accrued interest but excludes any adjustment for nonperformance risk, related to these agreements was $11.8 million (termination value). We have minimum collateral posting thresholds with certain of our derivative counterparties and have posted cash collateral of $24.0 million against our obligations under these agreements. If we had breached any of these provisions at September 30, 2013, we would have been required to settle our obligations under the agreements at the termination value.
	Counterparty Risk
	In the event of counterparty default, our economic loss may be higher than the uncollateralized exposure of our derivatives if we were not able to replace the defaulted derivatives in a timely fashion. We monitor the risk that our uncollateralized exposure to each of our counterparties for interest rate swaps will increase under certain adverse market conditions by performing periodic market stress tests. These tests evaluate the potential additional uncollateralized exposure we would have to each of these derivative counterparties assuming changes in the level of market rates over a brief time period.

Debentures_To_Stifel_Financial

Debentures To Stifel Financial Capital Trusts	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debentures To Stifel Financial Capital Trusts [Abstract]	'
Debentures To Stifel Financial Capital Trusts	'
	NOTE 16 – Debentures to Stifel Financial Capital Trusts
	The following table summarizes our debentures to Stifel Financial Capital Trusts as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
		30-Sep-13		31-Dec-12
	Debenture to Stifel Financial Capital Trust II (1)	$	35,000	$	35,000
	Debenture to Stifel Financial Capital Trust III (2)		35,000		35,000
	Debenture to Stifel Financial Capital Trust IV (3)		12,500		12,500
		$	82,500	$	82,500
	(1) On August 12, 2005, we completed a private placement of $35.0 million of 6.38% Cumulative Trust Preferred Securities. The trust preferred securities were offered by Stifel Financial Capital Trust II (the “Trust II”), a non-consolidated wholly owned subsidiary of our company. The trust preferred securities mature on September 30, 2035, but may be redeemed by our company, and in turn, the Trust II would call the debenture beginning September 30, 2010. The Trust II requires quarterly distributions of interest to the holders of the trust preferred securities. Distributions will be payable at a floating interest rate equal to three-month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 1.70% per annum.
	(2)On March 30, 2007, we completed a private placement of $35.0 million of 6.79% Cumulative Trust Preferred Securities. The trust preferred securities were offered by Stifel Financial Capital Trust III (the "Trust III"), a non-consolidated wholly owned subsidiary of our company. The trust preferred securities mature on June 6, 2037, but may be redeemed by our company, and in turn, Trust III would call the debenture beginning June 6, 2012. Trust III requires quarterly distributions of interest to the holders of the trust preferred securities. Distributions will be payable at a floating interest rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus 1.85% per annum.
	(3)On June 28, 2007, we completed a private placement of $35.0 million of 6.78% Cumulative Trust Preferred Securities. The trust preferred securities were offered by Stifel Financial Capital Trust IV (the “Trust IV”), a non-consolidated wholly owned subsidiary of our company. The trust preferred securities mature on September 6, 2037, but may be redeemed by our company, and in turn, Trust IV would call the debenture beginning September 6, 2012. Trust IV requires quarterly distributions of interest to the holders of the trust preferred securities. Distributions will be payable at a floating interest rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus 1.85% per annum.

Disclosures_About_Offsetting_A

Disclosures About Offsetting Assets And Liabilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosures About Offsetting Assets And Liabilities [Abstract]	'
Disclosures About Offsetting Assets And Liabilities	'
	NOTE 17 – Disclosures About Offsetting Assets and Liabilities
	The following table provides information about financial assets and derivative assets that are subject to offset as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
								Gross amounts not offset in the Statement of Financial Condition
		Gross amounts of recognized assets		Gross amounts offset in the Statement of Financial Condition		Net amounts presented in the Statement of Financial Condition		Financial instruments		Collateral received		Net amount
	As of September 30, 2013:
	Securities borrowing (1)	$	331,784	$	-	$	331,784	$	-	$	-331,784	$	-
	Reverse repurchase agreements (2)		168,182		-		168,182		-		-168,182		-
	Cash flow interest rate contracts		-		-		-		-		-		-
		$	499,966	$	-	$	499,966	$	-	$	-499,966	$	-
	As of December 31, 2012:
	Securities borrowing (1)	$	153,819	$	-	$	153,819	$	-	$	-153,819	$	-
	Reverse repurchase agreements (2)		158,695		-		158,695		-		-158,695		-
	Cash flow interest rate contracts		-		-		-		-		-		-
		$	312,514	$	-	$	312,514	$	-	$	-312,514	$	-
	(1) Securities borrowing transactions are included in receivables from brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations on the consolidated statements of financial condition. See Note 5 in the notes to our consolidated financial statements for additional information on receivables from brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations.
	(2) Collateral received includes securities received by our company from the counterparty. These securities are not included on the consolidated statements of financial condition unless there is an event of default.
	The following table provides information about financial liabilities and derivative liabilities that are subject to offset as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
								Gross amounts not offset in the Statement of Financial Condition
		Gross amounts of recognized liabilities		Gross amounts offset in the Statement of Financial Condition		Net amounts presented in the Statement of Financial Condition		Financial instruments		Collateral pledged		Net amount
	As of September 30, 2013:
	Securities lending (3)	$	169,283	$	-	$	169,283	$	-	$	-169,283	$	-
	Repurchase agreements (4)		255,451		-		255,451		-		-255,451		-
	Cash flow interest rate contracts		11,101		-		11,101		-		-11,101		-
		$	435,835	$	-	$	435,835	$	-	$	-435,835	$	-
	As of December 31, 2012:
	Securities lending (3)	$	19,218	$	-	$	19,218	$	-	$	-19,218	$	-
	Repurchase agreements (4)		140,346		-		140,346		-		-140,346		-
	Cash flow interest rate contracts		19,934		-		19,934		-		-19,934		-
		$	179,498	$	-	$	179,498	$	-	$	-179,498	$	-
	(3) Securities lending transactions are included in payables to from brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations on the consolidated statements of financial condition. See Note 5 in the notes to our consolidated financial statements for additional information on payables to brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations.
	(4) Collateral pledged includes the fair value of securities pledged by our company to the counter party. These securities are included on the consolidated statements of financial condition unless we default.

Commitments_Guarantees_And_Con

Commitments, Guarantees, And Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments, Guarantees, And Contingencies [Abstract]	'
Commitments, Guarantees, And Contingencies	'
	NOTE 18 –  Commitments, Guarantees, and Contingencies
	Broker-Dealer Commitments and Guarantees
	In the normal course of business, we enter into underwriting commitments. Settlement of transactions relating to such underwriting commitments, which were open at September 30, 2013, had no material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
	In connection with margin deposit requirements of The Options Clearing Corporation, we pledged customer-owned securities valued at $103.7 million to satisfy the minimum margin deposit requirement of $34.4 million at September 30, 2013.
	In connection with margin deposit requirements of the National Securities Clearing Corporation, we deposited $27.4 million in cash at September 30, 2013, which satisfied the minimum margin deposit requirements of $20.9 million.
	We also provide guarantees to securities clearinghouses and exchanges under their standard membership agreement, which requires members to guarantee the performance of other members. Under the agreement, if another member becomes unable to satisfy its obligations to the clearinghouse, other members would be required to meet shortfalls. Our liability under these agreements is not quantifiable and may exceed the cash and securities we have posted as collateral. However, the potential requirement for us to make payments under these arrangements is considered remote. Accordingly, no liability has been recognized for these arrangements.
	Thomas Weisel Partners LLC (“TWP”) has entered into settlement and release agreements (“Settlement Agreements”) with certain customers, whereby it will purchase their ARS, at par, in exchange for a release from any future claims. At September 30, 2013, we estimate that TWP customers held $18.3 million par value of ARS, which may be repurchased over the next 3 years. The amount estimated for repurchase assumes no issuer redemptions.
	Other Commitments
	In the ordinary course of business, Stifel Bank has commitments to extend credit in the form of commitments to originate loans, standby letters of credit, and lines of credit. See Note 23 in the notes to our consolidated financial statements for further details.
	We have committed capital to certain entities and these commitments generally have no specified call dates. We had $76.0 million of commitments outstanding at September 30, 2013, of which $63.3 million relate to commitments to certain strategic relationships with Business Development Corporations.
	Concentration of Credit Risk
	We provide investment, capital-raising, and related services to a diverse group of domestic customers, including governments, corporations, and institutional and individual investors. Our exposure to credit risk associated with the non-performance of customers in fulfilling their contractual obligations pursuant to securities transactions can be directly impacted by volatile securities markets, credit markets, and regulatory changes. This exposure is measured on an individual customer basis and on a group basis for customers that share similar attributes. To reduce the potential for risk concentrations, counterparty credit limits have been implemented for certain products and are continually monitored in light of changing customer and market conditions. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we did not have significant concentrations of credit risk with any one customer or counterparty, or any group of customers or counterparties.

Legal_Proceedings

Legal Proceedings	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Legal Proceedings [Abstract]	'
Legal Proceedings	'
	NOTE 19 – Legal Proceedings
	Our company and its subsidiaries are named in and subject to various proceedings and claims arising primarily from our securities business activities, including lawsuits, arbitration claims, class actions, and regulatory matters. Some of these claims seek substantial compensatory, punitive, or indeterminate damages. Our company and its subsidiaries are also involved in other reviews, investigations, and proceedings by governmental and self-regulatory organizations regarding our business, which may result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, penalties, injunctions, and other relief. We are contesting the allegations in these claims, and we believe that there are meritorious defenses in each of these lawsuits, arbitrations, and regulatory investigations. In view of the number and diversity of claims against the company, the number of jurisdictions in which litigation is pending, and the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of litigation and other claims, we cannot state with certainty what the eventual outcome of pending litigation or other claims will be.
	We have established reserves for potential losses that are probable and reasonably estimable that may result from pending and potential legal actions, investigations and regulatory proceedings. In many cases, however, it is inherently difficult to determine whether any loss is probable or even possible or to estimate the amount or range of any potential loss, particularly where proceedings may be in relatively early stages or where plaintiffs are seeking substantial or indeterminate damages. Matters frequently need to be more developed before a loss or range of loss can reasonably be estimated.
	In our opinion, based on currently available information, review with outside legal counsel, and consideration of amounts provided for in our consolidated financial statements with respect to these matters, including the matters described below, the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse impact on our financial position and results of operations. However, resolution of one or more of these matters may have a material effect on the results of operations in any future period, depending upon the ultimate resolution of those matters and depending upon the level of income for such period. For matters where a reserve has not been established and for which we believe a loss is reasonably possible, as well as for matters where a reserve has been recorded but for which an exposure to loss in excess of the amount accrued is reasonably possible, based on currently available information, we believe that such losses will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
	SEC/Wisconsin Lawsuit
	The SEC filed a civil lawsuit against our company in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin on August 10, 2011. The action arises out of our role in investments made by five Southeastern Wisconsin school districts (the “school districts”) in transactions involving collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”). These transactions are described in more detail below in connection with the civil lawsuit filed by the school districts. The SEC has asserted claims under Section 15c(1)(A), Section 10b and Rule 10b-5 of the Exchange Act and Sections  17a(1), 17a(2) and 17a(3) of the Securities Act. The claims are based upon both alleged misrepresentations and omissions in connection with the sale of the CDOs to the school districts, as well as the allegedly unsuitable nature of the CDOs. On October 31, 2011, we filed a motion to dismiss the action for failure to state a claim. The District Court granted in part and denied in part our motion to dismiss, and as a result the SEC has amended its complaint. We answered, denied the substantive allegations of the amended complaint and asserted various affirmative defenses.  We believe, based upon currently available information and review with outside counsel, that we have meritorious defenses to the SEC’s lawsuit and intend to vigorously defend the SEC’s claims.
	We were named in a civil lawsuit filed in the Circuit Court of Milwaukee, Wisconsin (the “Wisconsin State Court”) on September 29, 2008. The lawsuit was filed against our company, Stifel Nicolaus, as well as Royal Bank of Canada Europe Ltd. (“RBC”), and certain other RBC entities (collectively the “RBC entities”) by the school districts and the individual trustees for other post-employment benefit (“OPEB”) trusts established by those school districts (collectively the “Plaintiffs”). This lawsuit relates to the same transactions that are the subject of the SEC action noted above.  As we previously disclosed, we entered into a settlement of the Plaintiffs’ lawsuit against our company and Stifel Nicolaus in March, 2012. The settlement provides the potential for the Plaintiffs to obtain significant additional damages from the RBC entities. The school districts are continuing their lawsuit against RBC, and we are pursuing claims against the RBC entities to recover payments we have made to the school districts and for amounts owed to the OPEB trusts. Subsequent to the settlement, RBC asserted claims against the school districts, and our company and Stifel Nicolaus for fraud, negligent misrepresentation, strict liability misrepresentation and information negligently provided for the guidance of others based upon our role in connection with the school districts’ purchase of the CDOs.  RBC has also asserted claims against our company and Stifel Nicolaus for civil conspiracy and conspiracy to injure its business based upon the settlement by our company and Stifel Nicolaus with the school districts and pursuit of claims against the RBC entities.  We moved to dismiss RBC’s claims against us that are based on the settlement agreement with the school districts.  The Motion to Dismiss was denied by the court, and we have filed our Answer to RBC’s claims and discovery continues in the case.  We believe we have meritorious legal and factual defenses to the claims asserted by RBC and we intend to vigorously defend those claims.
	EDC Bond Issuance Matter
	In January 2008, our company was the initial purchaser of a $50.0 million bond offering under Rule 144A. The bonds were issued by the Lake of the Torches Economic Development Corporation (“EDC”) in connection with certain new financing for the construction of a proposed new casino, as well as refinancing of indebtedness involving Lac Du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians (the “Tribe”). In 2009, Saybrook Tax Exempt Investors LLC, a qualified institutional buyer and the sole bondholder through its special purpose vehicle LDF Acquisition LLC (collectively, “Saybrook”), and Wells Fargo Bank, NA (“Wells Fargo”), indenture trustee for the bonds, brought an action in a Wisconsin federal court against EDC and the Tribe to enforce the bonds after a default by EDC. Our company was not named as a party in that action. In the 2009 action, EDC was successful in its assertion that the bond indenture was void as an unapproved “management contract” under National Indian Gaming Commission regulations, and that accordingly the Tribe’s waiver of sovereign immunity contained in the indenture was void. Although the Wisconsin federal court dismissed the entire 2009 action, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals modified the judgment and remanded the case for further proceedings as to enforceability of the bond documents other than the bond indenture against EDC.
	On January 16, 2012, after the remand from the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, Saybrook filed a new action in Wisconsin state court naming our company and Stifel Nicolaus as defendants with respect to Stifel Nicolaus’ role as initial purchaser. Saybrook also named as defendants: the Tribe, EDC, and the law firm of Godfrey & Kahn, S.C. (“G&K”) which served as both issuer’s counsel and bond counsel in the transaction. The Wisconsin state-court action seeks to enforce the bonds against EDC and the Tribe and also asserts claims against the defendants based on alleged misrepresentations about the enforceability of the indenture and the bonds and the waiver of sovereign immunity by EDC and the Tribe. In April 2012 Saybrook dismissed the 2009 federal action and filed a new action in Wisconsin federal court alleging nearly identical claims against the same defendants named in the Wisconsin state court action.  The parties agreed to stay the state court action until the federal court ruled on whether it had jurisdiction over the 2012 federal action, and in April 2013 the federal court determined it did not have jurisdiction over the action. That decision by the federal court reactivated the Wisconsin state court action filed in 2012.
	As plaintiff in the state court action, Saybrook alleges that G&K represented in various legal opinions issued in the transaction, as well as in other documents associated with the transaction, that (i) the bonds and indenture were legally enforceable obligations of EDC and (ii) EDC’s waivers of sovereign immunity were valid. The claims asserted against us are for breaches of implied warranties of validity and title, securities fraud and statutory misrepresentation under Wisconsin state law, and intentional and negligent misrepresentations relating to the validity of the bond documents and the Tribe’s waiver of its sovereign immunity. To the extent EDC does not fully perform its obligations to Saybrook pursuant to the bonds, Saybrook seeks a judgment for rescission, restitutionary damages, including the amounts paid by Saybrook for the bonds, and costs; alternatively, Saybrook seeks to recover damages, costs and attorneys’ fees from us.
	After the federal court declined to exercise jurisdiction over the 2012 federal court action and with the state court action reactivated, on April 25, 2013 the Tribe and EDC filed a new lawsuit against Saybrook, our company, Stifel Nicolaus, G&K, and Wells Fargo in the Lac du Flambeau Tribal Court. The Tribal Court action seeks a declaratory judgment that all of the bond documents are void.  This new lawsuit created a jurisdictional conflict between the Tribal Court and the Wisconsin state court that may be resolved by those courts or by the Federal Court in the Federal Action described below.  We filed a Motion to Dismiss the Tribal Court action, which was denied on August 27, 2013, and we have filed our Answer to the lawsuit in the Tribal Court.  On April 29, 2013, we filed a motion to dismiss all of the claims alleged against our company and Stifel Nicolaus brought by Saybrook in the state court action.  That Motion was denied by the State Court on October 15, 2013, and we will file our Answer to the state court Complaint in early November.  On May 24, 2013 we, together with Saybrook, Wells Fargo and G&K, filed an action in a Wisconsin federal court (the “Federal Action” seeking to enjoin the Tribal Court action.  The Tribe and EDC (the “Tribal Parties”) have filed a motion to dismiss or stay the Federal Action. The Tribal Parties’ motion to dismiss or stay was denied on October 29, 2013.  The court in the Federal Action has scheduled a hearing on our motion for preliminary injunction for November 26, 2013.  While there can be no assurance that we will be successful, based upon currently available information and review with outside counsel, we believe that we have meritorious legal and factual defenses to the matter, and we intend to vigorously defend the substantive claims and the procedural attempt to move the litigation to the Lac du Flambeau Tribal Court.
	Lac Courte Orielles Tribal Lawsuit
	On December 13, 2012, the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin (the “Tribe”) filed a civil lawsuit against Stifel Nicolaus in the Tribe’s Tribal Court (the “Tribal Lawsuit”). In December 2006, the Tribe issued two series of taxable municipal bonds as a means of raising revenue to fund various projects (the “2006 Bond Transaction”), including the refinancing of two series of bonds the Tribe issued in 2003. The Complaint alleges that we undertook to advise the Tribe regarding its financing options in 2006 but failed to disclose certain information before the 2006 Bond Transaction. On February 19, 2013 we filed a declaratory judgment action in a Wisconsin federal court seeking to establish that the Tribal Court lacks jurisdiction over the Tribal Lawsuit (the “Federal Action”). On February 20, 2013, we filed a motion to dismiss the Tribal Lawsuit, challenging the jurisdiction of the Tribal Court, which motion was denied by the Tribal Court. The Tribe filed a motion to dismiss the Federal Action. Shortly thereafter, the Tribe agreed to withdraw its motion to dismiss the Federal Action and agreed to stay the Tribal Lawsuit pending a determination by the Wisconsin federal court as to whether the Tribal Court has jurisdiction over the claims. Discovery is now beginning in the Federal Action, and a court trial is scheduled for June 23, 2014 to determine whether the Tribal Court has jurisdiction over the claims brought by the Tribe.  While there can be no assurance that we will be successful, based upon currently available information and review with outside counsel, we believe that we have meritorious defenses to the Tribe’s claims and we intend to vigorously defend the allegations.
	Stetson Oil & Gas Ltd. Matter
	In October 2008, Stetson Oil & Gas Ltd. named Thomas Weisel Partners Canada, Inc. (n/k/a Stifel Nicolaus Canada, Inc.) as a defendant in a statement of claim filed in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.  On March 1, 2013, Stifel Nicolaus Canada received an adverse decision from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice that it had breached an engagement letter with Stetson, dated July 13, 2008.  The decision awarded Stetson approximately $16.0 million plus interest and costs incurred by Stetson in connection with the litigation.  Stifel Nicolaus Canada disagrees with the Court’s decision and is appealing that decision.  Stifel Nicolaus Canada believes it has adequate reserves for what it believes will be the ultimate resolution of this matter.

Regulatory_Capital_Requirement

Regulatory Capital Requirements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Regulatory Capital Requirements [Abstract]	'
Regulatory Capital Requirements	'
	NOTE 20 – Regulatory Capital Requirements
	We operate in a highly regulated environment and are subject to capital requirements, which may limit distributions to our company from its subsidiaries. Distributions from our broker-dealer subsidiaries are subject to net capital rules. A broker-dealer that fails to comply with the SEC’s Uniform Net Capital Rule (Rule 15c3-1) may be subject to disciplinary actions by the SEC and self-regulatory organizations, such as FINRA, including censures, fines, suspension, or expulsion. Stifel Nicolaus has chosen to calculate its net capital under the alternative method, which prescribes that their net capital shall not be less than the greater of $1.0 million or two percent of aggregate debit balances (primarily receivables from customers) computed in accordance with the SEC’s Customer Protection Rule (Rule 15c3-3). KBW, CSA, and Miller Buckfire calculate their net capital under the aggregate indebtedness method, whereby their aggregate indebtedness may not be greater than fifteen times their net capital (as defined).
	At September 30, 2013, Stifel Nicolaus had net capital of $396.3 million, which was 63.2% of aggregate debit items and $383.8 million in excess of its minimum required net capital. At September 30, 2013, KBW’s, CSA’s, and Miller Buckfire’s net capital exceeded the minimum net capital required under the SEC rule.
	Our international subsidiaries, SNEL and KBW Limited, are subject to the regulatory supervision and requirements of the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) in the United Kingdom. At September 30, 2013, SNEL’s and KBW Limited’s capital and reserves were in excess of the financial resources requirement under the rules of the FCA.
	Our company, as a bank holding company, and Stifel Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the Federal and state banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on our company’s and Stifel Bank’s financial results. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, our company and Stifel Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of our assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Our company’s and Stifel Bank’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.
	Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require our company, as a bank holding company, and Stifel Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of total and Tier 1 capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined), and Tier 1 capital to average assets (as defined). To be categorized as “well capitalized,” our company and Stifel Bank must maintain total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based, and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the tables below (in thousands, except ratios).
		Stifel Financial Corp. - Federal Reserve Capital Amounts
		30-Sep-13
		Actual				For Capital Adequacy Purposes				To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions
		Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio
	Total capital to risk-weighted assets	$	1,173,218	24.0	%	$	391,432	8.0	%	$	489,291	10.0	%
	Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets		1,159,823	23.7			195,716	4.0			293,574	6.0
	Tier 1 capital to adjusted average total assets		1,159,823	14.8			314,160	4.0			392,700	5.0
		Stifel Bank - Federal Reserve Capital Amounts
		30-Sep-13
		Actual				For Capital Adequacy Purposes				To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions
		Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio
	Total capital to risk-weighted assets	$	329,763	13.4	%	$	197,462	8.0	%	$	246,828	10.0	%
	Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets		316,530	12.8			98,731	4.0			148,097	6.0
	Tier 1 capital to adjusted average total assets		316,530	7.2			176,992	4.0			221,240	5.0

Interest_Income_And_Interest_E

Interest Income And Interest Expense	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Interest Income And Interest Expense [Abstract]	'
Interest Income And Interest Expense	'
	NOTE 21 - Interest Income and Interest Expense
	The components of interest income and interest expense are as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Interest income:
	Investment securities	$	17,514	$	11,718	$	44,046	$	33,657
	Bank loans, net of unearned income		8,819		7,329		26,489		20,755
	Margin balances		4,722		4,781		13,521		14,587
	Other		8,075		2,532		17,773		9,729
		$	39,130	$	26,360	$	101,829	$	78,728
	Interest expense:
	Senior notes		5,164		3,048		15,484		8,388
	Bank deposits		2,636		3,606		8,365		11,951
	Other		3,735		-750		10,889		4,429
		$	11,535	$	5,904	$	34,738	$	24,768

Employee_Incentive_Deferred_Co

Employee Incentive, Deferred Compensation, And Retirement Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Employee Incentive, Deferred Compensation, And Retirement Plans [Abstract]	'
Employee Incentive, Deferred Compensation, And Retirement Plans	'
	NOTE 22 – Employee Incentive, Deferred Compensation, and Retirement Plans
	We maintain several incentive stock award plans that provide for the granting of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, performance awards, and stock units to our employees. We are permitted to issue new shares under all stock award plans approved by shareholders or to reissue our treasury shares. Awards under our company’s incentive stock award plans are granted at market value at the date of grant. The awards generally vest ratably over a three- to eight-year vesting period. Options expire ten years from the date of grant.
	All stock-based compensation plans are administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (“Compensation Committee”), which has the authority to interpret the plans, determine to whom awards may be granted under the plans, and determine the terms of each award. According to these plans, we are authorized to grant an additional 5.2 million shares at September 30, 2013.
	Stock-based compensation expense included in compensation and benefits expense in the consolidated statements of operations for our company’s incentive stock award plans was $39.2 million and $11.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The tax benefit related to stock-based compensation recognized in shareholders’ equity was $0.8 million and $1.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Stock-based compensation expense included in compensation and benefits expense in the consolidated statements of operations for our company’s incentive stock award plans was $109.5 million and $37.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The tax benefit related to stock-based compensation recognized in shareholders’ equity was $10.4 million and $14.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	On closing date of our acquisition of KBW, Inc., certain employees of KBW, Inc. and our company were granted restricted stock or restricted stock units of Stifel as retention. The fair value of the awards issued as retention was $30.6 million. There are no continuing service requirements associated with these restricted stock units, and accordingly were expensed at date of grant. This charge is included in compensation and benefits in the consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	On the closing date of the acquisition of the Knight Capital Fixed Income business, we granted restricted stock units to certain employees as retention. The fair value of the awards issued as retention was $18.7 million. There are no continuing service requirements associated with these restricted stock units, and accordingly were expensed at date of grant. This charge is included in compensation and benefits in the consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	Stock Options
	We have substantially eliminated the use of stock options as a form of compensation. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, no options were granted. At September 30, 2013, all outstanding options were exercisable. Cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, were insignificant.
	Stock Units
	A stock unit represents the right to receive a share of common stock from our company at a designated time in the future without cash payment by the employee and is issued in lieu of cash incentive, principally for deferred compensation and employee retention plans. The restricted stock units vest on an annual basis over the next three to eight years and are distributable, if vested, at future specified dates. At September 30, 2013, the total number of stock units outstanding was 17.9 million, of which 9.2 million were unvested.
	At September 30, 2013, there was unrecognized compensation cost for stock units of $253.3 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.9 years.
	Deferred Compensation Plans
	The Stifel Nicolaus Wealth Accumulation Plan (the “SWAP Plan”) is provided to certain revenue producers, officers, and key administrative employees, whereby a certain percentage of their incentive compensation is deferred as defined by the Plan into company stock units with a 25% matching contribution by our company. Participants may elect to defer up to an additional 15% of their incentive compensation with a 25% matching contribution. Units generally vest over a three- to seven-year period and are distributable upon vesting or at future specified dates. Deferred compensation costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. Elective deferrals are 100% vested. As of September 30, 2013, there were 16.9 million units outstanding under the SWAP Plan.
	Additionally, the SWAP Plan allows Stifel Nicolaus’ financial advisors who achieve certain levels of production, the option to defer a certain percentage of their gross commissions. As stipulated by the SWAP Plan, the financial advisors have the option to: 1) defer 4% of their gross commissions into company stock units with a 25% matching contribution and may elect to defer an additional 1% of gross commissions into company stock units with a 25% matching contribution, or 2) defer up to 2% in mutual funds, which earn a return based on the performance of index mutual funds as designated by our company or a fixed income option. The mutual fund deferral option does not include a company match. Financial advisors have no ownership in the mutual funds. Included in the investments in the consolidated statements of financial condition are investments in mutual funds of $15.8 million and $18.0 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, that were purchased by our company to economically hedge, on an after-tax basis, its liability to the financial advisors who choose to base the performance of their return on the index mutual fund option. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the deferred compensation liability related to the mutual fund option of $13.0 million and $16.6 million, respectively, is included in accrued compensation in the consolidated statements of financial condition.
	In addition, certain financial advisors, upon joining our company, may receive company stock units in lieu of transition cash payments. Deferred compensation related to these awards generally vests over a five- to eight-year period. Deferred compensation costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the deferral period.

OffBalance_Sheet_Credit_Risk

Off-Balance Sheet Credit Risk	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Off-Balance Sheet Credit Risk [Abstract]	'
Off-Balance Sheet Credit Risk	'
	NOTE 23 – Off-Balance Sheet Credit Risk
	In the normal course of business, we execute, settle, and finance customer and proprietary securities transactions. These activities expose our company to off-balance sheet risk in the event that customers or other parties fail to satisfy their obligations.
	In accordance with industry practice, securities transactions generally settle within three business days after trade date. Should a customer or broker fail to deliver cash or securities as agreed, we may be required to purchase or sell securities at unfavorable market prices.
	We borrow and lend securities to facilitate the settlement process and finance transactions, utilizing customer margin securities held as collateral. We monitor the adequacy of collateral levels on a daily basis. We periodically borrow from banks on a collateralized basis, utilizing firm and customer margin securities in compliance with SEC rules. Should the counterparty fail to return customer securities pledged, we are subject to the risk of acquiring the securities at prevailing market prices in order to satisfy our customer obligations. We control our exposure to credit risk by continually monitoring our counterparties’ positions, and where deemed necessary, we may require a deposit of additional collateral and/or a reduction or diversification of positions. Our company sells securities it does not currently own (short sales) and is obligated to subsequently purchase such securities at prevailing market prices. We are exposed to risk of loss if securities prices increase prior to closing the transactions. We control our exposure to price risk from short sales through daily review and setting position and trading limits.
	We manage our risks associated with the aforementioned transactions through position and credit limits and the continuous monitoring of collateral. Additional collateral is required from customers and other counterparties when appropriate.
	We have accepted collateral in connection with resale agreements, securities borrowed transactions, and customer margin loans. Under many agreements, we are permitted to sell or repledge these securities held as collateral and use these securities to enter into securities lending arrangements or to deliver to counterparties to cover short positions. At September 30, 2013, the fair value of securities accepted as collateral where we are permitted to sell or repledge the securities was $1.1 billion and the fair value of the collateral that had been sold or repledged was $255.5 million. At December 31, 2012, the fair value of securities accepted as collateral where we are permitted to sell or repledge the securities was $965.8 million and the fair value of the collateral that had been sold or repledged was $140.3 million.
	We enter into interest rate derivative contracts to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the receipt or payment of future known and uncertain cash amounts, the value of which are determined by interest rates. Our derivative financial instruments are principally used to manage differences in the amount, timing, and duration of our known or expected cash payments related to certain variable-rate affiliated deposits.  Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for us making fixed-rate payments. Our interest rate hedging strategies may not work in all market environments and, as a result, may not be effective in mitigating interest rate risk.
	Derivatives’ notional contract amounts are not reflected as assets or liabilities in the consolidated statements of financial condition. Rather, the market, or fair value, of the derivative transactions are reported in the consolidated statements of financial condition as other assets or accounts payable and accrued expenses, as applicable.
	For a complete discussion of our activities related to derivative instruments, see Note 15 in the notes to our consolidated financial statements.
	In the ordinary course of business, Stifel Bank has commitments to originate loans, standby letters of credit, and lines of credit. Commitments to originate loans are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established by the contract. These commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since a portion of the commitments may expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash commitments. Each customer’s creditworthiness is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if necessary, is based on the credit evaluation of the counterparty. Collateral held varies, but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, commercial real estate, and residential real estate.
	At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, Stifel Bank had outstanding commitments to originate loans aggregating $67.9 million and $241.5 million, respectively. The commitments extended over varying periods of time, with all commitments at September 30, 2013 scheduled to be disbursed in the following three months.
	Through Stifel Bank, in the normal course of business, we originate residential mortgage loans and sell them to investors. We may be required to repurchase mortgage loans that have been sold to investors in the event there are breaches of certain representations and warranties contained within the sales agreements. We may be required to repurchase mortgage loans that were sold to investors in the event that there was inadequate underwriting or fraud, or in the event that the loans become delinquent shortly after they are originated. We also may be required to indemnify certain purchasers and others against losses they incur in the event of breaches of representations and warranties and in various other circumstances, and the amount of such losses could exceed the repurchase amount of the related loans. Consequently, we may be exposed to credit risk associated with sold loans.
	Standby letters of credit are irrevocable conditional commitments issued by Stifel Bank to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Financial standby letters of credit are primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements, including commercial paper, bond financing, and similar transactions. Performance standby letters of credit are issued to guarantee performance of certain customers under non-financial contractual obligations. The credit risk involved in issuing standby letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to customers. Should Stifel Bank be obligated to perform under the standby letters of credit, it may seek recourse from the customer for reimbursement of amounts paid. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, Stifel Bank had outstanding letters of credit totaling $5.3 million and $10.5 million, respectively. All of the standby letters of credit commitments at September 30, 2013 have expiration terms that are less than one year.
	Lines of credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Lines of credit generally have fixed expiration dates. Stifel Bank uses the same credit policies in granting lines of credit as it does for on-balance sheet instruments. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, Stifel Bank had granted unused lines of credit to commercial and consumer borrowers aggregating $306.0 million and $220.1 million, respectively.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	NOTE 24 – Income Taxes
	In connection with discontinuing the business operations of SN Canada during the current quarter, we realized a $58.2 million U.S. tax benefit due to a realized loss on our investment in SN Canada. The reduction in the financial statement carrying amount, which was recorded in 2008, became realizable for U.S. tax purposes in the foreseeable future as a result of our decision to exit the Canadian market. The tax benefit was the excess of the tax basis of our investment in the subsidiary over the financial statement carrying amount (the deductible outside basis difference).
	Excluding the tax benefit, the effective tax rate was 52.3% and 43.5% % for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, compared to 38.8% and 39.8% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively. The effective rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was impacted by losses incurred in foreign jurisdictions at a lower tax rate.

Segment_Reporting

Segment Reporting	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Reporting	'
	NOTE 25 – Segment Reporting
	We currently operate through the following three business segments: Global Wealth Management, Institutional Group, and various corporate activities combined in the Other segment.
	Our Global Wealth Management segment consists of two businesses, the Private Client Group and Stifel Bank.  The Private Client Group includes branch offices and independent contractor offices of our broker-dealer subsidiaries located throughout the United States, primarily in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions with a growing presence in the Northeast, Southeast, and Western United States. These branches provide securities brokerage services, including the sale of equities, mutual funds, fixed income products, and insurance, as well as offering banking products to their clients through Stifel Bank. Stifel Bank segment provides residential, consumer, and commercial lending, as well as FDIC-insured deposit accounts to customers of our broker-dealer subsidiaries and to the general public.
	The Institutional Group segment includes institutional sales and trading. It provides securities brokerage, trading, and research services to institutions, with an emphasis on the sale of equity and fixed income products. This segment also includes the management of and participation in underwritings for both corporate and public finance (exclusive of sales credits generated through the private client group, which are included in the Global Wealth Management segment), merger and acquisition, and financial advisory services.
	The Other segment includes certain corporate activities of our company.
	Information concerning operations in these segments of business for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 is as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Net revenues: (1)
	Global Wealth Management	$	274,669	$	250,914	$	824,344	$	737,822
	Institutional Group		205,132		164,611		593,875		443,961
	Other		-1,162		-1,368		-7,298		1,047
		$	478,639	$	414,157	$	1,410,921	$	1,182,830
	Income/(loss) before income taxes:
	Global Wealth Management	$	72,128	$	68,020	$	220,551	$	197,933
	Institutional Group		34,986		33,201		94,298		79,809
	Other		-76,106		-40,047		-207,608		-108,346
		$	31,008	$	61,174	$	107,241	$	169,396
	-1	No individual client accounted for more than 10 percent of total net revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 or 2012.
	The following table presents our company’s total assets on a segment basis at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
		30-Sep-13		31-Dec-12
	Global Wealth Management	$	6,091,937	$	5,116,487
	Institutional Group		2,138,678		1,447,484
	Other		478,844		402,169
		$	8,709,459	$	6,966,140
	We have operations in the United States, United Kingdom, and Europe. Our company’s foreign operations are conducted through its wholly owned subsidiaries, SNEL and KBW Limited. Substantially all long-lived assets are located in the United States.
	Revenues, classified by the major geographic areas in which they are earned for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and  2012, were as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	United States	$	472,268	$	408,120	$	1,382,377	$	1,165,223
	United Kingdom		3,496		3,892		20,681		10,723
	Other European		2,875		2,145		7,863		6,884
		$	478,639	$	414,157	$	1,410,921	$	1,182,830

Earnings_Per_Share_EPS

Earnings Per Share ("EPS")	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	NOTE 26 –  Earnings Per Share (“EPS”)
	Basic EPS is computed by dividing earnings available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the entity. Diluted earnings per share include dilutive stock options and stock units under the treasury stock method.
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands, except per share data):
		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Net income from continuing operations		74,929		37,434		120,782		102,012
	Net income/(loss) from discontinued operations		-5,239		276		-7,037		-3,393
	Net income	$	69,690	$	37,710	$	113,745	$	98,619
	Shares for basic and diluted calculations:
	Average shares used in basic computation		64,706		53,601		63,133		53,471
	Dilutive effect of stock options and units		10,485		9,453		9,718		9,346
	Average shares used in diluted computation:		75,191		63,054		72,851		62,817
	Earnings per basic common share
	Income from continuing operations	$	1.16	$	0.70	$	1.91	$	1.91
	Income/(loss) from discontinued operations		-0.08		-		-0.11		-0.07
	Earnings per basic common share	$	1.08	$	0.70	$	1.80	$	1.84
	Earnings per diluted common share
	Income from continuing operations	$	1.00	$	0.60	$	1.66	$	1.62
	Income/(loss) from discontinued operations		-0.07		-		-0.1		-0.05
	Earnings per diluted common share	$	0.93	$	0.60	$	1.56	$	1.57
	(1)Diluted earnings per share is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of shares of common stock plus the effect of dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. Diluted earnings per share include stock options and units.
	For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the anti-dilutive effect from restricted stock units was immaterial.

Shareholders_Equity

Shareholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]	'
Shareholders' Equity	'
	NOTE 27 –  Shareholders’ Equity
	Share Repurchase Program
	We have an ongoing authorization from the Board of Directors to repurchase our common stock in the open market or in negotiated transactions. At September 30, 2013, the maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under this plan was 3.5 million. The repurchase program has no expiration date.  These purchases may be made on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, depending upon market conditions and other factors. Repurchased shares may be used to meet obligations under our employee benefit plans and for general corporate purposes. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we repurchased $13.7 million, or 0.4 million shares, using existing Board authorizations at an average price of $31.75 per share to meet obligations under our company’s employee benefit plans and for general corporate purposes.
	Issuance of Shares
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we issued 6.7 million shares related to the purchase of KBW, Inc. See Note 3 in the notes to our consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding the acquisition of KBW, Inc.

Variable_Interest_Entities

Variable Interest Entities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]	'
Variable Interest Entities	'
	NOTE 28 – Variable Interest Entities
	The determination as to whether an entity is a VIE is based on the structure and nature of the entity. We also consider other characteristics, such as the ability to influence the decision-making relative to the entity’s activities and how the entity is financed. The determination as to whether we must consolidate a VIE is based on whether we are the primary beneficiary for certain entities. The primary beneficiary determination is based on a qualitative analysis of the VIE’s expected losses and expected residual returns. This analysis includes a review of, among other factors, the VIE’s capital structure, contractual terms, which interests create or absorb variability, related party relationships, and the design of the VIE. For other entities, the determination as to whether we must consolidate the VIE is based on an analysis of the power to direct the activities of the VIE as well as the obligation to absorb losses or benefits that could potentially be significant to the entity. Where qualitative analyses are not conclusive, we perform a quantitative analysis. Our company’s involvement with VIEs is limited to entities used as investment vehicles and private equity funds, the establishment of Stifel Financial Capital Trusts, and our issuance of a convertible promissory note.
	We have formed several non-consolidated investment funds with third-party investors that are typically organized as limited liability companies (“LLCs”) or limited partnerships. These partnerships and LLCs have net assets of $246.7 million at September 30, 2013. For those funds where we act as the general partner, our company’s economic interest is generally limited to management fee arrangements as stipulated by the fund operating agreements. We have generally provided the third-party investors with rights to terminate the funds or to remove us as the general partner. Management fee revenue earned by our company was insignificant during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. In addition, our direct investment interest in these entities is insignificant at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
	Thomas Weisel Capital Management LLC, a subsidiary of our company, acts as the general partner of a series of investment funds in venture capital and fund of funds and manages investment funds that are active buyers of secondary interests in private equity funds, as well as portfolios of direct interests in venture-backed companies. These partnerships have combined net assets of $245.5 million at September 30, 2013. We hold variable interests in these funds as a result of our company’s rights to receive management fees. Our company’s investment in and additional capital commitments to the private equity funds are also considered variable interests. The additional capital commitments are subject to call at a later date and are limited in amount. Our exposure to loss is limited to our investments in, advances and commitments to, and receivables due from these funds, and that exposure is $2.0 million at September 30, 2013. Management fee revenue earned by our company was insignificant during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.
	For the entities noted above that were determined to be VIEs, we have concluded that we are not the primary beneficiary and therefore we are not required to consolidate these entities. Additionally, for certain other entities we reviewed other relevant accounting guidance, which states the general partner in a limited partnership is presumed to control that limited partnership. The presumption may be overcome if the limited partners have either: (1) the substantive ability to dissolve the limited partnership or otherwise remove the general partner without cause, or (2) substantive participating rights, which provide the limited partners with the ability to effectively participate in significant decisions that would be expected to be made in the ordinary course of the limited partnership’s business and thereby preclude the general partner from exercising unilateral control over the partnership. If the criteria are not met, the consolidation of the partnership or limited liability company is required. Based on our evaluation of these entities, we determined that these entities do not require consolidation.
	Debenture to Stifel Financial Capital Trusts
	We have completed private placements of cumulative trust preferred securities through Stifel Financial Capital Trust II, Stifel Financial Capital Trust III, and Stifel Financial Capital Trust IV (collectively, the “Trusts”). The Trusts are non-consolidated wholly owned business trust subsidiaries of our company and were established for the limited purpose of issuing trust securities to third parties and lending the proceeds to our company.
	The trust preferred securities represent an indirect interest in junior subordinated debentures purchased from our company by the Trusts, and we effectively provide for the full and unconditional guarantee of the securities issued by the Trusts. We make timely payments of interest to the Trusts as required by contractual obligations, which are sufficient to cover payments due on the securities issued by the Trusts, and believe that it is unlikely that any circumstances would occur that would make it necessary for our company to make payments related to these Trusts other than those required under the terms of the debenture agreements and the trust preferred securities agreements. The Trusts were determined to be VIEs because the holders of the equity investment at risk do not have adequate decision-making ability over the Trust’s activities. Our investment in the Trusts is not a variable interest, because equity interests are variable interests only to the extent that the investment is considered to be at risk. Because our investment was funded by the Trusts, it is not considered to be at risk.
	Interest in FSI Group, LLC (“FSI”)
	We have provided financing of $18.0 million in the form of a convertible promissory note to FSI, a limited liability company specializing in investing in banks, thrifts, insurance companies, and other financial services firms. In February 2013, the convertible promissory note was amended and restated. The convertible promissory note matures in April 2018; however, FSI has three 5 year extension options. The note is convertible at our election into a 49.9% interest in FSI only after the last extension option. The convertible promissory note has a minimum coupon rate equal to 8% per annum plus additional interest related to certain defined cash flows of the business, not to exceed 18% per annum. As we do not hold the power to direct the activities of FSI nor to absorb a majority of the expected losses, or receive a majority of the expected benefits, it was determined that we are not required to consolidate this entity.
	Our company’s exposure to loss is limited to the carrying value of the note with FSI at September 30, 2013, of $18.0 million, which is included in other assets in the consolidated statements of financial condition. Our company had no liabilities related to this entity at September 30, 2013. We have the discretion to make additional capital contributions. We have not provided financial or other support to FSI that we were not previously contractually required to provide as of September 30, 2013. Our company’s involvement with FSI has not had a material effect on our consolidated financial position, operations, or cash flows.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events	'
	NOTE 29 – Subsequent Events
	We evaluate subsequent events that have occurred after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued. There are two types of subsequent events: (1) recognized, or those that provide additional evidence about conditions that existed at the date of the balance sheet, including the estimates inherent in the process of preparing financial statements, and (2) non-recognized, or those that provide evidence about conditions that did not exist at the date of the balance sheet but arose after that date. Based on the evaluation, we identified the following as a non-recognized subsequent event:
	Acquisition of Acacia Federal Savings Bank (“Acacia Federal”)
	On October 31, 2013, Stifel Bank completed its acquisition of Acacia Federal, a one-branch community bank with approximately $585.0 million in total assets. Established in 1985, Acacia Federal is a federally chartered savings institution with one retail branch located in Falls Church, Virginia. Over 80% of Acacia Federal’s loan portfolio is originated single-family residential mortgages.

Recovered_Sheet1

Nature of Operations and Basis Of Presentation (Policy)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Nature Of Operations And Basis Of Presentation [Abstract]	'
Nature Of Operations	'
	Nature of Operations
	Stifel Financial Corp.  (the “Parent”), through its wholly owned subsidiaries, principally Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated (“Stifel Nicolaus”), Stifel Bank & Trust (“Stifel Bank”), Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited (“SNEL”), Century Securities Associates, Inc. (“CSA”), Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. (“KBW”), Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Limited (“KBW Limited”), and Miller Buckfire & Co. LLC (“Miller Buckfire”), is principally engaged in retail brokerage; securities trading; investment banking; investment advisory; retail, consumer, and commercial banking; and related financial services. We have offices throughout the United States and three European cities. Our major geographic area of concentration is the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, with a growing presence in the Northeast, Southeast and Western United States. Our company’s principal customers are individual investors, corporations, municipalities, and institutions.
Basis Of Presentation	'
	Our Canadian subsidiary, Stifel Nicolaus Canada, Inc. (“SN Canada”) has ceased business operations as of September 30, 2013. The results of SN Canada, previously reported in the Institutional Group segment, are classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented. See Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements for further discussion of our discontinued operations.
	Basis of Presentation
	The consolidated financial statements include Stifel Financial Corp. and its wholly owned subsidiaries, principally Stifel Nicolaus and Stifel Bank. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” or “our company” in this report refer to Stifel Financial Corp. and its wholly owned subsidiaries.
	We have prepared the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Pursuant to these rules and regulations, we have omitted certain information and footnote disclosures we normally include in our annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. In management’s opinion, we have made all adjustments (consisting only of normal, recurring adjustments, except as otherwise noted) necessary to fairly present our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Our interim period operating results do not necessarily indicate the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the full fiscal year. These financial statements and accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 on file with the SEC.
	Certain amounts from prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation. The effect of these reclassifications on our company’s previously reported consolidated financial statements was not material.
	There have been no material changes in our significant accounting policies, as compared to the significant accounting policies described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.
Consolidation Policies	'
	Consolidation Policies
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Stifel Financial Corp. and its subsidiaries. We also have investments or interests in other entities for which we must evaluate whether to consolidate by determining whether we have a controlling financial interest or are considered to be the primary beneficiary. In determining whether to consolidate these entities, we evaluate whether the entity is a voting interest entity or a variable interest entity (“VIE”).
Voting Interest Entity	'
	Voting Interest Entity. Voting interest entities are entities that have (i) total equity investment at risk sufficient to fund expected future operations independently, and (ii) equity holders who have the obligation to absorb losses or receive residual returns and the right to make decisions about the entity’s activities. We consolidate voting interest entities when we determine that there is a controlling financial interest, usually ownership of all, or a majority of, the voting interest.
Variable Interest Entity	'
	Variable Interest Entity. VIEs are entities that lack one or more of the characteristics of a voting interest entity. We are required to consolidate certain VIEs in which we have the power to direct the activities of the entity and the obligation to absorb significant losses or receive significant benefits. In other cases, we consolidate VIEs when we are deemed to be the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is defined as the entity that has a variable interest, or a combination of variable interests, that maintains control and receives benefits or will absorb losses that are not pro rata with its ownership interests. See Note 28 for additional information on VIEs.

Acquisition_of_KBW_Inc_Tables

Acquisition of KBW, Inc. (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Acquisition of KBW, Inc.	'
Aggregate Merger Consideration Payable	'
	Cash paid to KBW, Inc. shareholders	$	253,039
	Common stock issued to KBW, Inc. shareholders		262,653
	Fair value of outstanding KBW, Inc. restricted stock awards exchanged for Stifel restricted stock awards		86,221
	Purchase price to be allocated	$	601,913
Fair Value Of Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed	'
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	98,756
	Receivables from clearing organizations		74,264
	Financial instruments owned, at fair value		120,540
	Fixed assets, net		10,629
	Deferred tax assets, net		76,763
	Other assets		34,987
	Total assets acquired	$	415,939
	Liabilities:
	Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value	$	53,379
	Accrued compensation		18,468
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses		50,104
	Total liabilities assumed		121,951
	Net assets acquired	$	293,988
Results of Operations on Acquisition Included Consolidated Financial Statements	'
		Three Months Ended September 30,		Nine Months Ended September 30,
	(000s, except per share amounts, unaudited)	2012		2013		2012
	Total net revenues	$	470,536	$	1,436,354	$	1,369,556
	Net income/(loss)		33,296		-16,464		89,502
	Earnings/(loss) per share:
	Basic	$	0.55	$	-0.26	$	1.47
	Diluted	$	0.46	$	-0.26	$	1.23

Discontinued_Operations_Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Discontinued Operations [Abstract]	'
Components Of Discontinued Operations	'
		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Net revenues	$	4,696	$	5,923	$	12,930	$	11,990
	Restructuring expense		5,516		-		5,516		-
	Operating expenses		4,418		5,420		14,341		16,581
	Total non-interest expenses		9,934		5,420		19,857		16,581
	Income/(loss) from discontinued operations before income tax expense/(benefit)		-5,238		503		-6,927		-4,591
	Income tax expense/(benefit)		1		227		110		-1,198
	Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	-5,239	$	276	$	-7,037	$	-3,393

Receivables_From_And_Payables_1

Receivables From And Payables To Brokers, Dealers And Clearing Organizations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Receivables From And Payables To Brokers, Dealers And Clearing Organizations [Abstract]	'
Amounts Receivable From Brokers, Dealers, And Clearing Organizations	'
		30-Sep-13		31-Dec-12
	Deposits paid for securities borrowed	$	331,784	$	153,819
	Receivable from clearing organizations		206,321		115,996
	Securities failed to deliver		9,531		6,409
		$	547,636	$	276,224
Amounts Payable To Brokers, Dealers, And Clearing Organizations	'
		30-Sep-13		31-Dec-12
	Deposits received from securities loaned	$	169,283	$	19,218
	Securities failed to receive		13,363		4,747
	Payable to clearing organizations		23,112		9,246
		$	205,758	$	33,211

Fair_Value_Of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments (Tables)	6 Months Ended													9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013													Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]	'													'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis	'													'
		30-Sep-13
		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents	$	138,833	$	138,833	$	-	$	-
	Trading securities owned:
	U.S. government agency securities		121,136		-		121,136		-
	U.S. government securities		13,627		13,627		-		-
	Corporate securities:
	Fixed income securities		519,180		46,644		471,739		797
	Equity securities		85,183		84,138		1,045		-
	State and municipal securities		108,526		-		108,526		-
	Total trading securities owned		847,652		144,409		702,446		797
	Available-for-sale securities:
	U.S. government agency securities		1,226		-		1,226		-
	State and municipal securities (1)		163,414		-		84,979		78,435
	Mortgage-backed securities:
	Agency		176,933		-		176,933		-
	Commercial		231,709		-		231,709		-
	Non-agency		4,838		-		4,838		-
	Corporate fixed income securities		499,966		62,743		437,223		-
	Asset-backed securities		153,485		-		153,485		-
	Total available-for-sale securities		1,231,571		62,743		1,090,393		78,435
	Investments:
	Corporate equity securities		39,212		39,212		-		-
	Corporate preferred securities		-		-		-		-
	Mutual funds		15,805		15,805		-		-
	U.S. government securities		-		-		-		-
	Auction rate securities:
	Equity securities		59,728		-		-		59,728
	Municipal securities		12,409		-		-		12,409
	Other		106,624		881		4,837		100,906
	Total investments		233,778		55,898		4,837		173,043
		$	2,451,834	$	401,883	$	1,797,676	$	252,275
	Liabilities:
	Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased
	U.S. government securities	$	174,688	$	174,688	$	-	$	-
	U.S. government agency securities		23,248		-		23,248		-
	Corporate securities:
	Fixed income securities		213,757		6,150		207,607		-
	Equity securities		83,881		83,424		457		-
	State and municipal securities		84		-		84		-
	Total trading securities sold, but not yet purchased		495,658		264,262		231,396		-
	Securities sold, but not yet purchased		28,598		28,598		-		-
	Derivative contracts (2)		11,101		-		11,101		-
		$	535,357	$	292,860	$	242,497	$	-
	(1) Includes $72.3 million of municipal ARS at September 30, 2013.
	(2) Included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the consolidated statements of financial condition.
		31-Dec-12
		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents	$	72,596	$	72,596	$	-	$	-
	Trading securities owned:
	U.S. government agency securities		123,758		-		123,758		-
	U.S. government securities		3,573		3,573		-		-
	Corporate securities:
	Fixed income securities		396,878		66,795		329,500		583
	Equity securities		35,472		33,650		1,822		-
	State and municipal securities		203,927		-		203,927		-
	Total trading securities owned		763,608		104,018		659,007		583
	Available-for-sale securities:
	U.S. government agency securities		1,113		-		1,113		-
	State and municipal securities (1)		157,420		-		66,933		90,487
	Mortgage-backed securities:
Agency		684,848		-		684,848		-
Commercial		260,974		-		260,974		-
Non-agency		13,878		-		13,878		-
Corporate fixed income securities		480,182		263,017		217,165		-
Asset-backed securities		26,753		-		26,753		-
Total available-for-sale securities		1,625,168		263,017		1,271,664		90,487
Investments:
Corporate equity securities		32,162		32,162		-		-
Corporate preferred securities		56,970		-		56,970
Mutual funds		18,021		18,021		-		-
U.S. government securities		7,069		7,069		-		-
Auction rate securities:
Equity securities		64,397		-		-		64,397
Municipal securities		14,067		-		-		14,067
Other		43,748		1,620		4,831		37,297
Total investments		236,434		58,872		61,801		115,761
	$	2,697,806	$	498,503	$	1,992,472	$	206,831
Liabilities:
Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased
U.S. government securities	$	162,661	$	162,661	$	-	$	-
U.S. government agency securities		15		-		15		-
Corporate securities:
Fixed income securities		150,698		46,274		104,424		-
Equity securities		6,281		5,936		345		-
State and municipal securities		87		-		87		-
Total trading securities sold, but not yet purchased		319,742		214,871		104,871		-
Securities sold, but not yet purchased		22,966		22,966		-		-
Derivative contracts (2)		19,934		-		19,934		-
	$	362,642	$	237,837	$	124,805	$	-
(1) Includes $84.6 million of municipal ARS at December 31, 2012.
(2) Included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the consolidated statements of financial condition.
Schedule Of Changes In Fair Value Carrying Values Associated With Level 3 Financial Instruments	'													'
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Trading Securities Owned						Investments
		Corporate Fixed Income Securities		Equity Securities		State & Municipal Securities (1)		Auction Rate Securities - Equity		Auction Rate Securities - Municipal		Other
	Balance at June 30, 2013	$	5,057	$	12,601	$	81,930	$	62,109	$	13,330	$	86,994
	Unrealized gains/(losses):
	Included in changes in net assets (2)		-29		-		-		519		31		3,514
	Included in OCI (3)		-		-		329		-		-		-
	Realized gains/(losses) (2)		101		-		383		-		-		-632
	Purchases		398		-		-		-		-		2,127
	Sales		-2,707		-		-		-		-		-2,602
	Redemptions		-259		-		-5,000		-2,900		-952		-1,096
	Transfers:
	Into Level 3		2		-		6,201		-		-		12,601
	Out of Level 3		-1,766		-12,601		-5,408		-		-		-
	Net change		-4,260		-12,601		-3,495		-2,381		-921		13,912
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	797	$	-	$	78,435	$	59,728	$	12,409	$	100,906
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Trading Securities Owned						Investments
		Corporate Fixed Income Securities		Equity Securities		State & Municipal Securities (1)		Auction Rate Securities - Equity		Auction Rate Securities - Municipal		Other
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	583	$	-	$	90,487	$	64,397	$	14,067	$	37,297
	Unrealized gains/(losses):
	Included in changes in net assets (2)		434		1,333		-		206		-6		9,245
	Included in OCI (3)		-		-		-1,840		-		-		-
	Realized gains/(losses) (2)		281		-		895		-		-		-129
	Purchases		9,362		11,476		5,000		75		-		50,804
	Sales		-6,888		-208		-		-		-		-6,801
	Redemptions		-1,347		-		-16,900		-4,950		-1,652		-2,111
	Transfers:
	Into Level 3		139		-		6,201		-		-		12,601
	Out of Level 3		-1,767		-12,601		-5,408		-		-		-
	Net change		214		-		-12,052		-4,669		-1,658		63,609
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	797	$	-	$	78,435	$	59,728	$	12,409	$	100,906
Quantitative Information Related To The Significant Unobservable Inputs Utilized In Level 3 Recurring Fair Value Measurements	'													'
																Valuation technique	Unobservable input		Range		Weighted average
														Available-for-sale securities:
														State and municipal securities		Discounted cash flow	Discount rate		5.6% - 11.0%		7.5%
																	Workout period		1 - 4 years		3.4 years
														Investments:
														Auction rate securities
														Equity securities		Discounted cash flow	Discount rate		2.3%  - 12.7%		7.4%
																	Workout period		1 - 3 years		2.6 years
														Municipal securities		Discounted cash flow	Discount rate		0.1% - 11.0%		6.5%
																	Workout period		1 -4  years		2.6 years
														Other
														Investments in partnerships		Market approach	Revenue multiple		1.7-4.0		2.6
																	EBITDA multiple		4.5-9.9		7.7
														Private equity investments		Market approach	Revenue multiple		0.5-3.0		1.8
																	EBITDA multiple		4.3-11.3		7.8
Schedule Of Fair Value Of Financial Instruments	'													'
															30-Sep-13					31-Dec-12
															Carrying value		Estimated fair value			Carrying value		Estimated fair value
														Financial assets:
														Cash and cash equivalents	$	649,244	$	649,244		$	403,941		403,941
														Restricted cash		4,419		4,419			4,414		4,414
														Cash segregated for regulatory purposes		33		33			128,031		128,031
														Securities purchased under agreements to resell		168,182		168,182			158,695		158,695
														Trading securities owned		847,652		847,652			763,608		763,608
														Available-for-sale securities		1,231,571		1,231,571			1,625,168		1,625,168
														Held-to-maturity securities		1,723,482		1,732,534			708,008		715,274
														Loans held for sale		75,440		75,440			214,531		214,531
														Bank loans		1,061,150		1,076,079			815,937		834,188
														Investments		233,778		233,778			236,434		236,434
														Financial liabilities:
														Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	$	255,451	$	255,451		$	140,346	$	140,346
														Bank deposits		4,228,405		3,659,589			3,346,133		3,368,643
														Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased		495,658		495,658			319,742		319,742
														Securities sold, but not yet purchased		28,598		28,598			22,966		22,966
														Derivative contracts (1)		11,101		11,101			19,934		19,934
														Senior notes (2)		325,000		335,986			325,000		338,475
														Non-recourse debt (2)		32,111		32,541			58,992		58,992
														Debentures to Stifel Financial Capital Trusts		82,500		74,313			82,500		66,545
														Liabilities subordinated to claims of general creditors		3,131		3,097			5,318		5,204
														(1) Included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the consolidated statements of financial condition.
														(2) Included in corporate debt in the consolidated statements of financial condition.
Estimated Fair Values Of Financial Instruments Not Measured At Fair Value	'													'
		30-Sep-13
		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Financial assets:
	Cash	$	510,411	$	510,411	$	-	$	-
	Restricted cash		4,419		4,419		-		-
	Cash segregated for regulatory purposes		33		33		-		-
	Securities purchased under agreements to resell		168,182		144,171		24,011		-
	Held-to-maturity securities		1,732,534		-		1,500,738		231,796
	Loans held for sale		75,440		-		75,440		-
	Bank loans		1,076,079		-		1,076,079		-
	Financial liabilities:
	Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	$	255,451	$	4,131	$	251,320	$	-
	Bank deposits		3,659,589		-		3,659,589		-
	Senior notes		335,986		335,986		-		-
	Non-recourse debt		32,541		-		32,541		-
	Debentures to Stifel Financial Capital Trusts		74,313		-		-		74,313
	Liabilities subordinated to claims of general creditors		3,097		-		-		3,097
		31-Dec-12
		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Financial assets:
	Cash	$	331,345	$	331,345	$	-	$	-
	Restricted cash		4,414		4,414		-		-
	Cash segregated for regulatory purposes		128,031		128,031		-		-
	Securities purchased under agreements to resell		158,695		154,688		4,007		-
	Held-to-maturity securities		715,274		-		487,775		227,499
	Loans held for sale		214,531		-		214,531		-
	Bank loans		834,188		-		834,188		-
	Financial liabilities:
	Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	$	140,346	$	140,346	$	-	$	-
	Bank deposits		3,368,643		-		3,368,643		-
	Senior notes		338,475		338,475		-		-
	Non-recourse debt		58,992		-		58,992		-
	Debentures to Stifel Financial Capital Trusts		66,545		-		-		66,545
	Liabilities subordinated to claims of general creditors		5,204		-		-		5,204

Trading_Securities_Owned_And_T1

Trading Securities Owned And Trading Securities Sold, But Not Yet Purchased (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Trading Securities Owned And Trading Securities Sold, But Not Yet Purchased [Abstract]	'
Components Of Trading Securities Owned And Trading Securities Sold, But Not Yet Purchased	'
		30-Sep-13		31-Dec-12
	Trading securities owned:
	U.S. government agency securities	$	121,136	$	123,758
	U.S. government securities		13,627		3,573
	Corporate securities:
	Fixed income securities		519,180		396,878
	Equity securities		85,183		35,472
	State and municipal securities		108,526		203,927
		$	847,652	$	763,608
	Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased
	U.S. government securities	$	174,688	$	162,661
	U.S. government agency securities		23,248		15
	Corporate securities:
	Fixed income securities		213,757		150,698
	Equity securities		83,881		6,281
	State and municipal securities		84		87
		$	495,658	$	319,742

AvailableForSale_And_HeldToMat1

Available-For-Sale And Held-To-Maturity Securities (Tables)	3 Months Ended									9 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013									Sep. 30, 2013
Available-For-Sale And Held-To-Maturity Securities [Abstract]	'									'
Schedule Of Amortized Cost And Fair Values Of The Available For Sale Securities And Held To Maturity Securities	'									'
		30-Sep-13
		Amortized cost		Gross unrealized gains (1)		Gross unrealized losses (1)		Estimated fair value
	Available-for-sale securities:
	U.S. government agency securities	$	1,229	$	-	$	-3	$	1,226
	State and municipal securities		169,799		1,939		-8,324		163,414
	Mortgage-backed securities:
	Agency		176,024		2,976		-2,067		176,933
	Commercial		229,962		3,273		-1,526		231,709
	Non-agency		4,746		92		-		4,838
	Corporate fixed income securities		498,966		5,088		-4,088		499,966
	Asset-backed securities		155,384		240		-2,139		153,485
		$	1,236,110	$	13,608	$	-18,147	$	1,231,571
	Held-to-maturity securities (2)
	Mortgage-backed securities:
	Agency	$	977,514	$	8,006	$	-420	$	985,100
	Commercial		59,390		87		-		59,477
	Asset-backed securities		609,978		6,704		-3,646		613,036
	Corporate fixed income securities		55,352		-		-2,702		52,650
	Municipal auction rate securities		21,248		1,023		-		22,271
		$	1,723,482	$	15,820	$	-6,768	$	1,732,534
		31-Dec-12
		Amortized cost		Gross unrealized gains (1)		Gross unrealized losses (1)		Estimated fair value
	Available-for-sale securities:
	U.S. government agency securities	$	1,114	$	1	$	-2	$	1,113
	State and municipal securities		153,885		4,648		-1,113		157,420
	Mortgage-backed securities:								-
	Agency		676,861		8,140		-153		684,848
	Commercial		255,255		5,902		-183		260,974
	Non-agency		13,077		801		-		13,878
	Corporate fixed income securities		474,338		7,590		-1,746		480,182
	Asset-backed securities		26,572		378		-197		26,753
		$	1,601,102	$	27,460	$	-3,394	$	1,625,168
	Held-to-maturity securities (2)
	Asset-backed securities	$	630,279	$	9,364	$	-2,971	$	636,672
	Corporate fixed income securities		55,420		36		-519		54,937
	Municipal auction rate securities		22,309		1,376		-20		23,665
		$	708,008	$	10,776	$	-3,510	$	715,274
	-1	Unrealized gains/(losses) related to available-for-sale securities are reported in accumulated other comprehensive income.
	-2	Held-to-maturity securities are carried at historical cost or at fair value at the time of transfer from the available-for-sale to held-to-maturity category, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts and credit-related other-than-temporary impairment.
Schedule Of Amortized Cost And Fair Values Of Debt Securities By Contractual Maturity	'									'
											30-Sep-13
											Available-for-sale securities				Held-to-maturity securities
											Amortized cost		Estimated fair value		Amortized cost		Estimated fair value
										Debt securities
										Within one year	$	156,780	$	158,397	$	-	$	-
										After one year through three years		190,728		193,606		15,057		14,669
										After three years through five years		123,055		121,942		41,609		39,306
										After five years through ten years		40,262		37,896		384,547		385,347
										After ten years		314,553		306,250		1,282,269		1,293,212
										Mortgage-backed securities
										After one year through three years		9,154		9,355
										After three years through five years		967		991		-		-
										After five years through ten years		66,438		66,131		-		-
										After ten years		334,173		337,003		-		-
											$	1,236,110	$	1,231,571	$	1,723,482	$	1,732,534
Schedule Of Gross Unrealized Losses And The Estimated Fair Value By Length Of Time	'									'
											Less than 12 months				12 months or more				Total
											Gross unrealized losses		Estimated fair value		Gross unrealized losses		Estimated fair value		Gross unrealized losses		Estimated fair value
										Available-for-sale securities
										U.S. government securities	$	-3	$	734	$	-	$	-	$	-3	$	734
										State and municipal securities		-7,170		87,428		-1,154		32,096		-8,324		119,524
										Mortgage-backed securities:
										Agency		-2,067		83,099		-		-		-2,067		83,099
										Commercial		-1,526		40,136		-		-		-1,526		40,136
										Corporate fixed income securities		-3,258		134,888		-830		44,455		-4,088		179,343
										Asset-backed securities		-2,139		133,915		-		-		-2,139		133,915
											$	-16,163	$	480,200	$	-1,984	$	76,551	$	-18,147	$	556,751

Bank_Loans_Tables

Bank Loans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Bank Loans [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Balance And Associated Percentage Of Each Major Loan Category In Loan Portfolio	'
		30-Sep-13						31-Dec-12
		Balance		Percent				Balance			Percent
	Consumer (1)	$	489,867		45.5	%		$	425,382			51.6	%
	Commercial and industrial		481,336		44.7				300,034			36.4
	Residential real estate		75,233		7.0				65,657			8.0
	Home equity lines of credit		16,856		1.6				19,531			2.4
	Commercial real estate		12,516		1.2				12,805			1.5
	Construction and land		490		0.0				510			0.1
			1,076,298		100.0	%			823,919			100.0	%
	Unamortized loan fees, net of origination costs		-1,752						-1,207
	Loans in process		-163						1,370
	Allowance for loan losses		-13,233						-8,145
		$	1,061,150					$	815,937
	-1	Includes securities-based loans of $489.8 million and $425.3 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
Changes In The Allowance For Loan Losses For The Periods Presented	'
		Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013		2012			2013			2012
	Allowance for loan losses, beginning of period	$	10,919	$	6,292		$	8,145		$	5,300
	Provision for loan losses		2,297		161			5,537			1,300
	Charge-offs:
	Residential real estate		-		-59			-501			-254
	Recoveries		17		-			52			48
	Allowance for loan losses, end of period	$	13,233	$	6,394		$	13,233		$	6,394
Schedule Of The Allowances For Loan Losses By Type	'
		30-Sep-13						31-Dec-12
		Balance		Percent (1)				Balance			Percent (1)
	Commercial and industrial	$	10,344		44.7	%		$	5,450			36.4	%
	Consumer		735		45.5				647			51.6
	Residential real estate		578		7.0				408			8.0
	Commercial real estate		202		1.2				691			1.5
	Home equity lines of credit		159		1.6				195			2.4
	Construction and land		12		0.0				13			0.1
	Qualitative		1,203		-				741			-
		$	13,233		100.0	%		$	8,145			100.0	%
	(1) Loan category as a percentage of total loan portfolio.

Fixed_Assets_Tables

Fixed Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fixed Assets [Abstract]	'
Summary Of Fixed Assets	'
		30-Sep-13		31-Dec-12
	Furniture and equipment	$	169,363	$	157,974
	Building and leasehold improvements		95,623		82,234
	Property on operating leases		21,049		46,500
	Total		286,035		286,708
	Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		-161,270		-145,305
		$	124,765	$	141,403

Goodwill_And_Intangible_Assets1

Goodwill And Intangible Assets (Tables)	6 Months Ended									9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013									Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Abstract]	'									'
Carrying Amount Of Goodwill And Intangible Assets	'									'
		31-Dec-12		Net additions		Impairment losses		30-Sep-13
	Goodwill
	Global Wealth Management	$	144,377	$	10,868	$	-	$	155,245
	Institutional Group		275,016		312,393		-		587,409
		$	419,393	$	323,261	$	-	$	742,654
		31-Dec-12		Net additions		Amortization		30-Sep-13
	Intangible assets
	Global Wealth Management	$	16,377	$	-	$	-1,697	$	14,680
	Institutional Group		12,590		3,256		-2,448		13,398
		$	28,967	$	3,256	$	-4,145	$	28,078
Intangible Assets Subject To Amortization	'									'
											30-Sep-13				31-Dec-12
											Gross carrying value		Accumulated amortization		Gross carrying value		Accumulated amortization
										Customer relationships	$	40,166	$	21,138	$	40,166	$	18,648
										Trade name		11,560		2,782		9,442		2,023
										Investment banking backlog		3,388		3,116		2,250		2,220
											$	55,114	$	27,036	$	51,858	$	22,891
Amortization Expense In Future Periods	'									'
										Fiscal year
										Remainder of 2013	$	2,038
										2014		4,562
										2015		3,835
										2016		2,829
										2017		2,447
										Thereafter		12,367
											$	28,078

Corporate_Debt_Tables

Corporate Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Corporate Debt [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Corporate Debt	'
		30-Sep-13		31-Dec-12
	6.70% senior notes, due 2022 (1)	$	175,000	$	175,000
	5.375% senior notes, due 2022 (2)		150,000		150,000
	Non-recourse debt, 6.75%, due 2016 (3)		32,111		58,992
		$	357,111	$	383,992
	(1) In January 2012, we sold in a registered underwritten public offering, $175.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.70% senior notes due January 2022. Interest on these senior notes is payable quarterly in arrears. On or after January 15, 2015, we may redeem some or all of the senior notes at any time at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes being redeemed plus accrued interest thereon to the redemption date.
	(2)In December 2012, we sold in a registered underwritten public offering, $150.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.375% senior notes due December 2022. Interest on these senior notes is payable quarterly in arrears. On or after December 31, 2015, we may redeem some or all of the senior notes at any time at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes being redeemed plus accrued interest thereon to the redemption date.
	(3)On December 17, 2012, we issued $60.0 million principal in non-recourse debt for the purpose of acquiring East Shore Aircraft LLC. Interest on the non-recourse debt is payable monthly. We are required to redeem some of the non-recourse debt as each aircraft is sold at the various lease expiration dates. We will collect 100% of the monthly lease payments with approximately 65% allocated to pay interest first then principal on non-recourse debt. In addition, as each aircraft is sold at the various lease expiration dates a portion of the proceeds will be applied to the principal balance of the non-recourse debt.
Schedule Of Corporate Debt Maturity	'
		Non-recourse debt		Senior notes
	2013	$	2,038	$	-
	2014		8,506		-
	2015		20,588		-
	2016		979		-
	2017		-		-
	Thereafter		-		325,000
		$	32,111	$	325,000

Bank_Deposits_Tables

Bank Deposits (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Bank Deposits [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Deposits	'
		30-Sep-13		31-Dec-12
	Money market and savings accounts	$	4,151,990	$	3,271,929
	Demand deposits (interest-bearing)		69,956		64,926
	Demand deposits (non-interest-bearing)		5,819		8,648
	Certificates of deposit		640		630
		$	4,228,405	$	3,346,133
Schedule Of Maturities Of Certificates Of Deposit	'
		30-Sep-13		31-Dec-12
	Certificates of deposit, less than $100:
	Within one year	$	111	$	182
	One to three years		192		203
	Over three years		88		-
		$	391	$	385
	Certificates of deposit, $100 and greater:
	Within one year	$	249	$	245
	One to three years		-		-
	Over three years		-		-
		$	249	$	245
		$	640	$	630

Derivative_Instruments_And_Hed1

Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Notional Values And Fair Values Of Derivative Instruments	'
		30-Sep-13
				Asset derivatives				Liability derivatives
		Notional value		Balance sheet location		Positive fair value		Balance sheet location		Negative fair value
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments under Topic 815:
	Cash flow interest rate contracts	$	431,385		Other assets	$	-		Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	-11,101
		31-Dec-12
				Asset derivatives				Liability derivatives
		Notional value		Balance sheet location		Positive fair value		Balance sheet location		Negative fair value
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments under Topic 815:
	Cash flow interest rate contracts	$	550,127		Other assets	$	-		Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	-19,934
Schedule Of Derivative Instruments In Consolidated Statements Of Operations	'
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Gain/(Loss) recognized in OCI (effectiveness)		Location of loss reclassified from OCI into income		Loss reclassified from OCI into income		Location of loss recognized in OCI (ineffectiveness)		Loss recognized due to ineffectiveness
	Cash flow interest rate contracts	$	-1,320		Interest expense	$	2,092		None	$	-
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
		Gain/(Loss) recognized in OCI (effectiveness)		Location of loss reclassified from OCI into income		Loss reclassified from OCI into income		Location of loss recognized in OCI (ineffectiveness)		Loss recognized due to ineffectiveness
	Cash flow interest rate contracts	$	-2,032		Interest expense	$	2,784		None	$	-
		Nine months ended September 30, 2013
		Gain/(Loss) recognized in OCI (effectiveness)		Location of loss reclassified from OCI into income		Loss reclassified from OCI into income		Location of loss recognized in OCI (ineffectiveness)		Loss recognized due to ineffectiveness
	Cash flow interest rate contracts	$	2,087		Interest expense	$	6,716		None	$	-
		Nine months ended September 30, 2012
		Gain/(Loss) recognized in OCI (effectiveness)		Location of loss reclassified from OCI into income		Loss reclassified from OCI into income		Location of loss recognized in OCI (ineffectiveness)		Loss recognized due to ineffectiveness
	Cash flow interest rate contracts	$	-6,537		Interest expense	$	8,958		None	$	-

Recovered_Sheet2

Debentures to Stifel Financial Capital Trusts (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013
Debentures To Stifel Financial Capital Trusts [Abstract]	'
Debentures To Stifel Financial Capital Trusts	'
		30-Sep-13		31-Dec-12
	Debenture to Stifel Financial Capital Trust II (1)	$	35,000	$	35,000
	Debenture to Stifel Financial Capital Trust III (2)		35,000		35,000
	Debenture to Stifel Financial Capital Trust IV (3)		12,500		12,500
		$	82,500	$	82,500
	(1) On August 12, 2005, we completed a private placement of $35.0 million of 6.38% Cumulative Trust Preferred Securities. The trust preferred securities were offered by Stifel Financial Capital Trust II (the “Trust II”), a non-consolidated wholly owned subsidiary of our company. The trust preferred securities mature on September 30, 2035, but may be redeemed by our company, and in turn, the Trust II would call the debenture beginning September 30, 2010. The Trust II requires quarterly distributions of interest to the holders of the trust preferred securities. Distributions will be payable at a floating interest rate equal to three-month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 1.70% per annum.
	(2)On March 30, 2007, we completed a private placement of $35.0 million of 6.79% Cumulative Trust Preferred Securities. The trust preferred securities were offered by Stifel Financial Capital Trust III (the "Trust III"), a non-consolidated wholly owned subsidiary of our company. The trust preferred securities mature on June 6, 2037, but may be redeemed by our company, and in turn, Trust III would call the debenture beginning June 6, 2012. Trust III requires quarterly distributions of interest to the holders of the trust preferred securities. Distributions will be payable at a floating interest rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus 1.85% per annum.
	(3)On June 28, 2007, we completed a private placement of $35.0 million of 6.78% Cumulative Trust Preferred Securities. The trust preferred securities were offered by Stifel Financial Capital Trust IV (the “Trust IV”), a non-consolidated wholly owned subsidiary of our company. The trust preferred securities mature on September 6, 2037, but may be redeemed by our company, and in turn, Trust IV would call the debenture beginning September 6, 2012. Trust IV requires quarterly distributions of interest to the holders of the trust preferred securities. Distributions will be payable at a floating interest rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus 1.85% per annum.

Disclosures_About_Offsetting_A1

Disclosures About Offsetting Assets And Liabilities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosures About Offsetting Assets And Liabilities [Abstract]	'
Financial Assets And Derivative Assets That Are Subject to Offset	'
								Gross amounts not offset in the Statement of Financial Condition
		Gross amounts of recognized assets		Gross amounts offset in the Statement of Financial Condition		Net amounts presented in the Statement of Financial Condition		Financial instruments		Collateral received		Net amount
	As of September 30, 2013:
	Securities borrowing (1)	$	331,784	$	-	$	331,784	$	-	$	-331,784	$	-
	Reverse repurchase agreements (2)		168,182		-		168,182		-		-168,182		-
	Cash flow interest rate contracts		-		-		-		-		-		-
		$	499,966	$	-	$	499,966	$	-	$	-499,966	$	-
	As of December 31, 2012:
	Securities borrowing (1)	$	153,819	$	-	$	153,819	$	-	$	-153,819	$	-
	Reverse repurchase agreements (2)		158,695		-		158,695		-		-158,695		-
	Cash flow interest rate contracts		-		-		-		-		-		-
		$	312,514	$	-	$	312,514	$	-	$	-312,514	$	-
Financial Liabilities And Derivative Liabilities That Are Subject To Offset	'
								Gross amounts not offset in the Statement of Financial Condition
		Gross amounts of recognized liabilities		Gross amounts offset in the Statement of Financial Condition		Net amounts presented in the Statement of Financial Condition		Financial instruments		Collateral pledged		Net amount
	As of September 30, 2013:
	Securities lending (3)	$	169,283	$	-	$	169,283	$	-	$	-169,283	$	-
	Repurchase agreements (4)		255,451		-		255,451		-		-255,451		-
	Cash flow interest rate contracts		11,101		-		11,101		-		-11,101		-
		$	435,835	$	-	$	435,835	$	-	$	-435,835	$	-
	As of December 31, 2012:
	Securities lending (3)	$	19,218	$	-	$	19,218	$	-	$	-19,218	$	-
	Repurchase agreements (4)		140,346		-		140,346		-		-140,346		-
	Cash flow interest rate contracts		19,934		-		19,934		-		-19,934		-
		$	179,498	$	-	$	179,498	$	-	$	-179,498	$	-

Regulatory_Capital_Requirement1

Regulatory Capital Requirements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Regulatory Capital Requirements [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Total Risk-Based, Tier 1 Risk-Based, And Tier 1 Leverage Ratios	'
		Stifel Financial Corp. - Federal Reserve Capital Amounts
		30-Sep-13
		Actual				For Capital Adequacy Purposes				To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions
		Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio
	Total capital to risk-weighted assets	$	1,173,218	24.0	%	$	391,432	8.0	%	$	489,291	10.0	%
	Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets		1,159,823	23.7			195,716	4.0			293,574	6.0
	Tier 1 capital to adjusted average total assets		1,159,823	14.8			314,160	4.0			392,700	5.0
		Stifel Bank - Federal Reserve Capital Amounts
		30-Sep-13
		Actual				For Capital Adequacy Purposes				To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions
		Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio
	Total capital to risk-weighted assets	$	329,763	13.4	%	$	197,462	8.0	%	$	246,828	10.0	%
	Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets		316,530	12.8			98,731	4.0			148,097	6.0
	Tier 1 capital to adjusted average total assets		316,530	7.2			176,992	4.0			221,240	5.0

Interest_Income_And_Interest_E1

Interest Income And Interest Expense (Components Of Interest Income And Interest Expense) (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Interest Income And Interest Expense [Abstract]	'
Components Of Interest Income And Interest Expense	'
		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Interest income:
	Investment securities	$	17,514	$	11,718	$	44,046	$	33,657
	Bank loans, net of unearned income		8,819		7,329		26,489		20,755
	Margin balances		4,722		4,781		13,521		14,587
	Other		8,075		2,532		17,773		9,729
		$	39,130	$	26,360	$	101,829	$	78,728
	Interest expense:
	Senior notes		5,164		3,048		15,484		8,388
	Bank deposits		2,636		3,606		8,365		11,951
	Other		3,735		-750		10,889		4,429
		$	11,535	$	5,904	$	34,738	$	24,768

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Computation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share	'
		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Net income from continuing operations		74,929		37,434		120,782		102,012
	Net income/(loss) from discontinued operations		-5,239		276		-7,037		-3,393
	Net income	$	69,690	$	37,710	$	113,745	$	98,619
	Shares for basic and diluted calculations:
	Average shares used in basic computation		64,706		53,601		63,133		53,471
	Dilutive effect of stock options and units		10,485		9,453		9,718		9,346
	Average shares used in diluted computation:		75,191		63,054		72,851		62,817
	Earnings per basic common share
	Income from continuing operations	$	1.16	$	0.70	$	1.91	$	1.91
	Income/(loss) from discontinued operations		-0.08		-		-0.11		-0.07
	Earnings per basic common share	$	1.08	$	0.70	$	1.80	$	1.84
	Earnings per diluted common share
	Income from continuing operations	$	1.00	$	0.60	$	1.66	$	1.62
	Income/(loss) from discontinued operations		-0.07		-		-0.1		-0.05
	Earnings per diluted common share	$	0.93	$	0.60	$	1.56	$	1.57
	(1)Diluted earnings per share is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of shares of common stock plus the effect of dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. Diluted earnings per share include stock options and units.

Segment_Reporting_Tables

Segment Reporting (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Operating Information, Segment	'
		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Net revenues: (1)
	Global Wealth Management	$	274,669	$	250,914	$	824,344	$	737,822
	Institutional Group		205,132		164,611		593,875		443,961
	Other		-1,162		-1,368		-7,298		1,047
		$	478,639	$	414,157	$	1,410,921	$	1,182,830
	Income/(loss) before income taxes:
	Global Wealth Management	$	72,128	$	68,020	$	220,551	$	197,933
	Institutional Group		34,986		33,201		94,298		79,809
	Other		-76,106		-40,047		-207,608		-108,346
		$	31,008	$	61,174	$	107,241	$	169,396
	-1	No individual client accounted for more than 10 percent of total net revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 or 2012.
Schedule Of Information Of Total Assets On Segment Basis	'
		30-Sep-13		31-Dec-12
	Global Wealth Management	$	6,091,937	$	5,116,487
	Institutional Group		2,138,678		1,447,484
	Other		478,844		402,169
		$	8,709,459	$	6,966,140
Schedule Of Net Revenues Earned On Major Geographical Areas	'
		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	United States	$	472,268	$	408,120	$	1,382,377	$	1,165,223
	United Kingdom		3,496		3,892		20,681		10,723
	Other European		2,875		2,145		7,863		6,884
		$	478,639	$	414,157	$	1,410,921	$	1,182,830

Acquisition_of_KBW_Inc_Narrati

Acquisition of KBW, Inc. (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Share data in Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 15, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill recorded in business combination	'	$323,261,000
Fair value of awards issued as retention	'	30,600,000
KBW [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Cash consideration per share	$8	'
Cash consideration per share before extraordinary dividend amount	$10	'
Extraordinary dividend	$2	'
Stock consideration, common stock	0.21%	'
Goodwill recorded in business combination	309,700,000	'
Transaction costs	'	$9,800,000
KBW [Member] | Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Shares issued	6.7	'
KBW [Member] | Restricted Awards [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Shares issued	2.2	'

Acquisition_of_KBW_Inc_Aggrega

Acquisition of KBW, Inc. (Aggregate Merger Consideration Payable) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 15, 2013
Acquisition of KBW, Inc.	'
Cash paid to KBW, Inc. shareholders	$253,039
Common stock issued to KBW, Inc. shareholders	262,653
Fair value of outstanding KBW restricted awards exchanged for Stifel restricted awards	86,221
Purchase price to be allocated	$601,913

Acquisition_of_KBW_Inc_Fair_Va

Acquisition of KBW, Inc. (Fair Value Of Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed) (Details) (USD $)	Feb. 15, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Acquisition of KBW, Inc.	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$98,756
Receivables from clearing organizations	74,264
Financial instruments owned, at fair value	120,540
Fixed assets, net	10,629
Deferred tax assets, net	76,763
Other assets	34,987
Total assets acquired	415,939
Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value	53,379
Accrued compensation	18,468
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	50,104
Total liabilities assumed	121,951
Net assets acquired	$293,988

Acquisition_of_KBW_Inc_Results

Acquisition of KBW, Inc. (Results of Operations on Acquisition Included Consolidated Financial Statements) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Acquisition of KBW, Inc.	'	'	'
Total net revenues	$470,536	$1,436,354	$1,369,556
Net income	$33,296	($16,464)	$89,502
Basic	$0.55	($0.26)	$1.47
Diluted	$0.46	($0.26)	$1.23

Discontinued_Operations_Detail

Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Discontinued Operations [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net revenues	$4,696	$5,923	$12,930	$11,990
Restructuring expense	5,516	'	5,516	'
Operating expenses	4,418	5,420	14,341	16,581
Total non-interest expenses	9,934	5,420	19,857	16,581
Income/(loss) for discontinued operations before income tax expense/(benefit)	-5,238	503	-6,927	-4,591
Income Tax Expense Benefit From Discontinued Operations	1	227	110	-1,198
Income/(loss) for discontinued operations, net of tax	($5,239)	$276	($7,037)	($3,393)

Receivables_From_And_Payables_2

Receivables From And Payables To Brokers, Dealers And Clearing Organizations (Amounts Receivable From Brokers, Dealers, And Clearing Organizations) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Receivables From And Payables To Brokers, Dealers And Clearing Organizations [Abstract]	'	'
Deposits paid for securities borrowed	$331,784	$153,819
Receivable from clearing organizations	206,321	115,996
Securities failed to deliver	9,531	6,409
Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations, Total	$547,636	$276,224

Receivables_From_And_Payables_3

Receivables From And Payables To Brokers, Dealers And Clearing Organizations (Amounts Payable To Brokers, Dealers, And Clearing Organizations) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Receivables From And Payables To Brokers, Dealers And Clearing Organizations [Abstract]	'	'
Deposits received for securities loaned	$169,283	$19,218
Payable to clearing organizations	23,112	9,246
Securities failed to receive	13,363	4,747
Payables to broker, dealers and clearing organizations, Total	$205,758	$33,211

Fair_Value_Of_Financial_Instru1

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Transfers of financial assets from level 2 to level 1	$10.60	$72	'	'
Fair Value Level One To Level Two Transfers Amount	27.2	32.6	'	'
General and limited partnership interests in investment partnerships	56.2	56.2	'	21.5
Direct investments in private equity companies held by private equity funds	10.8	10.8	'	13.5
Commitments Investments In Affiliated And Unaffiliated Partnerships	12.6	12.6	'	3
Stated interest rate	'	'	6.70%	'
KBW [Member]	'	'	'	'
Trading securities owned and investments purchased as part of KBW, Inc. acquisition	'	54.1	'	'
Amount sold during period	'	$6.30	'	'

Fair_Value_Of_Financial_Instru2

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments (Schedule Of Valuation Of Financial Instruments By Pricing Observability Levels) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Cash and cash equivalents	$138,833	$72,596
Trading securities owned, at fair value	847,652	763,608
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated fair value	1,231,571	1,625,168
Investments	233,778	236,434
Total Assets	2,451,834	2,697,806
Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value	495,658	319,742
Derivative contracts, Liabilities	11,101	19,934
Total Liabilities	535,357	362,642
Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	138,833	72,596
Trading securities owned, at fair value	144,409	104,018
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated fair value	62,743	263,017
Investments	55,898	58,872
Total Assets	401,883	498,503
Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value	264,262	214,871
Total Liabilities	292,860	237,837
Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Trading securities owned, at fair value	702,446	659,007
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated fair value	1,090,393	1,271,664
Investments	4,837	61,801
Total Assets	1,797,676	1,992,472
Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value	231,396	104,871
Derivative contracts, Liabilities	11,101	19,934
Total Liabilities	242,497	124,805
Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Trading securities owned, at fair value	797	583
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated fair value	78,435	90,487
Investments	173,043	115,761
Total Assets	252,275	206,831
U.S. Government Agency Securities [Member]	'	'
Trading securities owned, at fair value	121,136	123,758
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated fair value	1,226	1,113
Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value	23,248	15
U.S. Government Agency Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Trading securities owned, at fair value	121,136	123,758
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated fair value	1,226	1,113
Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value	23,248	15
U.S. Government Securities [Member]	'	'
Trading securities owned, at fair value	13,627	3,573
Investments	'	7,069
Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value	174,688	162,661
U.S. Government Securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Trading securities owned, at fair value	13,627	3,573
Investments	'	7,069
Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value	174,688	162,661
Corporate Fixed Income Securities [Member]	'	'
Trading securities owned, at fair value	519,180	396,878
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated fair value	499,966	480,182
Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value	213,757	150,698
Corporate Fixed Income Securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Trading securities owned, at fair value	46,644	66,795
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated fair value	62,743	263,017
Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value	6,150	46,274
Corporate Fixed Income Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Trading securities owned, at fair value	471,739	329,500
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated fair value	437,223	217,165
Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value	207,607	104,424
Corporate Fixed Income Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Trading securities owned, at fair value	797	583
Corporate Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Trading securities owned, at fair value	85,183	35,472
Investments	39,212	32,162
Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value	83,881	6,281
Corporate Equity Securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Trading securities owned, at fair value	84,138	33,650
Investments	39,212	32,162
Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value	83,424	5,936
Corporate Equity Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Trading securities owned, at fair value	1,045	1,822
Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value	457	345
Corporate Preferred Securities [Member]	'	'
Investments	'	56,970
Corporate Preferred Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Investments	'	56,970
State And Municipal Securities [Member]	'	'
Trading securities owned, at fair value	108,526	203,927
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated fair value	163,414	157,420
Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value	84	87
State And Municipal Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Trading securities owned, at fair value	108,526	203,927
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated fair value	84,979	66,933
Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value	84	87
State And Municipal Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated fair value	78,435	90,487
Agency [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated fair value	176,933	684,848
Agency [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated fair value	176,933	684,848
Commercial [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated fair value	231,709	260,974
Commercial [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated fair value	231,709	260,974
Non-Agency [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated fair value	4,838	13,878
Non-Agency [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated fair value	4,838	13,878
Asset-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated fair value	153,485	26,753
Asset-Backed Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated fair value	153,485	26,753
Mutual Funds [Member]	'	'
Investments	15,805	18,021
Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Investments	15,805	18,021
Securities Sold, But Not yet Purchased [Member]	'	'
Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value	28,598	22,966
Securities Sold, But Not yet Purchased [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value	28,598	22,966
Auction Rate Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Investments	59,728	64,397
Auction Rate Equity Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Investments	59,728	64,397
Auction Rate Municipal Securities [Member]	'	'
Investments	12,409	14,067
Auction Rate Municipal Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Investments	12,409	14,067
Other Investment [Member]	'	'
Investments	106,624	43,748
Other Investment [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Investments	881	1,620
Other Investment [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Investments	4,837	4,831
Other Investment [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Investments	$100,906	$37,297

Fair_Value_Of_Financial_Instru3

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments (Schedule Of Changes In Fair Value Carrying Values Associated With Level 3 Financial Instruments) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013
Corporate Fixed Income Securities [Member]	'		'
Beginning Balance	$5,057		$583
Unrealized gains/(losses), Included in changes in net assets	-29	[1]	434	[1]
Realized gains/(losses), Assets	101	[1]	281	[1]
Purchases, Assets	398		9,362
Sales, Assets	-2,707		-6,888
Redemptions, Assets	-259		-1,347
Transfers, Into Level 3, Assets	2		139
Transfers, Out of Level 3, Assets	-1,766		-1,767
Net change, Assets	-4,260		214
Ending Balance, Assets	797		797
Equity Securities [Member]	'		'
Beginning Balance	12,601		'
Unrealized gains/(losses), Included in changes in net assets	'		1,333	[1]
Purchases, Assets	'		11,476
Sales, Assets	'		-208
Transfers, Out of Level 3, Assets	-12,601		-12,601
Net change, Assets	-12,601		'
State And Municipal Securities [Member]	'		'
Beginning Balance	81,930	[2]	90,487	[3]
Unrealized gains/(losses), Included in OCI, Assets	329	[2],[4]	-1,840	[3],[4]
Realized gains/(losses), Assets	383	[1],[2]	895	[1],[3]
Purchases, Assets	'		5,000	[3]
Redemptions, Assets	-5,000	[2]	-16,900	[3]
Transfers, Into Level 3, Assets	6,201	[2]	6,201	[3]
Transfers, Out of Level 3, Assets	-5,408	[2]	-5,408	[3]
Net change, Assets	-3,495	[2]	-12,052	[3]
Ending Balance, Assets	78,435	[2],[3]	78,435	[2],[3]
Equity Auction Rate Securities [Member]	'		'
Beginning Balance	62,109		64,397
Unrealized gains/(losses), Included in changes in net assets	519	[1]	206	[1]
Purchases, Assets	'		75
Redemptions, Assets	-2,900		-4,950
Net change, Assets	-2,381		-4,669
Ending Balance, Assets	59,728		59,728
Municipal Auction Rate Securities [Member]	'		'
Beginning Balance	13,330		14,067
Unrealized gains/(losses), Included in changes in net assets	31	[1]	-6	[1]
Redemptions, Assets	-952		-1,652
Net change, Assets	-921		-1,658
Ending Balance, Assets	12,409		12,409
Other Investment [Member]	'		'
Beginning Balance	86,994		37,297
Unrealized gains/(losses), Included in changes in net assets	3,514	[1]	9,245	[1]
Realized gains/(losses), Assets	-632	[1]	-129	[1]
Purchases, Assets	2,127		50,804
Sales, Assets	-2,602		-6,801
Redemptions, Assets	-1,096		-2,111
Transfers, Into Level 3, Assets	12,601		12,601
Net change, Assets	13,912		63,609
Ending Balance, Assets	$100,906		$100,906
[1]	Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) related to trading securities and investments are reported in other income in the consolidated statements of operations.
[2]	Included in available-for-sale securities owned in the consolidated statements of financial condition
[3]	Included in available-for-sale securities owned in the consolidated statements of financial condition.
[4]	Unrealized gains/(losses) related to available-for-sale securities are reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the consolidated statements of financial condition.

Fair_Value_Of_Financial_Instru4

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments (Quantitative Information related To The Significant Unobservable Inputs Utilized In Company's Level 3 Recurring Fair Value Measurements) (Details)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

State And Municipal Securities [Member]

Auction Rate Equity Securities [Member]

Auction Rate Equity Securities [Member]

Auction Rate Municipal Securities [Member]

Discounted Cash Flow [Member]

Discounted Cash Flow [Member]

Discounted Cash Flow [Member]

Discounted Cash Flow [Member]

Discounted Cash Flow [Member]

Discounted Cash Flow [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Weighted Average [Member]

Weighted Average [Member]

State And Municipal Securities [Member]

State And Municipal Securities [Member]

Auction Rate Equity Securities [Member]

Auction Rate Equity Securities [Member]

Auction Rate Municipal Securities [Member]

Auction Rate Municipal Securities [Member]

Investments In Partnerships [Member]

Private Equity Investments [Member]

Market Approach [Member]

Market Approach [Member]

Investments In Partnerships [Member]

Private Equity Investments [Member]

Discount rate range, low end

5.60%

'

2.30%

0.10%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Discount rate range, high end

11.00%

'

12.70%

11.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Discount rate, weighted average

'

'

'

'

7.50%

'

7.40%

'

6.50%

'

'

'

'

'

Workout period range, low end

'1 year

'1 year

'

'1 year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Workout period range, high end

'4 years

'3 years

'

'4 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average workout period

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years 4 months 24 days

'

'2 years 7 months 6 days

'

'2 years 7 months 6 days

'

'

'

'

Revenue multiple

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.7

0.5

2.6

1.8

EBITDA multiple

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.5

4.3

7.7

7.8

Fair_Value_Of_Financial_Instru5

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments (Schedule Of Fair Value Of Financial Instruments) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash and cash equivalents	$138,833	$72,596
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	168,182	158,695
Trading securities owned, at fair value	847,652	763,608
Available-for-sale Securities	1,231,571	1,625,168
Held-to-maturity securities, Estimated fair value	1,732,534	715,274	[1]
Investments	233,778	236,434
Securities purchased under agreements to repurchase	255,451	140,346
Bank deposits	4,228,405	3,346,133
Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value	495,658	319,742
Derivative contracts	11,101	19,934
Carrying Value [Member]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	649,244	403,941
Restricted cash	4,419	4,414
Cash segregated for regulatory purposes	33	128,031
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	168,182	158,695
Trading securities owned, at fair value	847,652	763,608
Available-for-sale Securities	1,231,571	1,625,168
Held-to-maturity securities, Estimated fair value	1,723,482	708,008
Loans held for sale	75,440	214,531
Bank loans	1,061,150	815,937
Investments	233,778	236,434
Securities purchased under agreements to repurchase	255,451	140,346
Bank deposits	4,228,405	3,346,133
Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value	495,658	319,742
Securities sold, but not yet purchased	28,598	22,966
Derivative contracts	11,101	19,934
Senior notes	325,000	325,000
Non-Recourse Debt	32,111	58,992
Debentures to Stifel Financial Capital Trusts	82,500	82,500
Liabilities subordinated to the claims of general creditors	3,131	5,318
Estimated Fair Value [Member]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	649,244	403,941
Restricted cash	4,419	4,414
Cash segregated for regulatory purposes	33	128,031
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	168,182	158,695
Trading securities owned, at fair value	847,652	763,608
Available-for-sale Securities	1,231,571	1,625,168
Held-to-maturity securities, Estimated fair value	1,732,534	715,274
Loans held for sale	75,440	214,531
Bank loans	1,076,079	834,188
Investments	233,778	236,434
Securities purchased under agreements to repurchase	255,451	140,346
Bank deposits	3,659,589	3,368,643
Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value	495,658	319,742
Securities sold, but not yet purchased	28,598	22,966
Derivative contracts	11,101	19,934
Senior notes	335,986	338,475
Non-Recourse Debt	32,541	58,992
Debentures to Stifel Financial Capital Trusts	74,313	66,545
Liabilities subordinated to the claims of general creditors	$3,097	$5,204
[1]	Held-to-maturity securities are carried at historical cost or at fair value at the time of transfer from the available-for-sale to held-to-maturity category, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts and credit-related other-than-temporary impairment.

Fair_Value_Of_Financial_Instru6

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments (Estimated Fair Values Of Financial Instruments Not Measured At Fair Value On A Recurring Basis) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Cash and cash equivalents	$138,833	$72,596
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	168,182	158,695
Held-to-maturity securities, Estimated fair value	1,732,534	715,274	[1]
Investments	233,778	236,434
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	255,451	140,346
Bank deposits	4,228,405	3,346,133
Senior notes	357,111	383,992
Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	138,833	72,596
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	510,411	331,345
Restricted cash	4,419	4,414
Cash segregated for regulatory purposes	33	128,031
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	168,182	158,695
Held-to-maturity securities, Estimated fair value	1,732,534	715,274
Loans held for sale	75,440	214,531
Bank loans	1,076,079	834,188
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	255,451	140,346
Bank deposits	3,659,589	3,368,643
Senior notes	335,986	338,475
Non-Recourse Debt	32,541	58,992
Debentures to Stifel Financial Capital Trusts	74,313	66,545
Liabilities subordinated to the claims of general creditors	3,097	5,204
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	510,411	331,345
Restricted cash	4,419	4,414
Cash segregated for regulatory purposes	33	128,031
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	144,171	154,688
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	4,131	140,346
Senior notes	335,986	338,475
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	24,011	4,007
Held-to-maturity securities, Estimated fair value	1,500,738	487,775
Loans held for sale	75,440	214,531
Bank loans	1,076,079	834,188
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	251,320	'
Bank deposits	3,659,589	3,368,643
Non-Recourse Debt	32,541	58,992
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Held-to-maturity securities, Estimated fair value	231,796	227,499
Debentures to Stifel Financial Capital Trusts	74,313	66,545
Liabilities subordinated to the claims of general creditors	$3,097	$5,204
[1]	Held-to-maturity securities are carried at historical cost or at fair value at the time of transfer from the available-for-sale to held-to-maturity category, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts and credit-related other-than-temporary impairment.

Trading_Securities_Owned_And_T2

Trading Securities Owned And Trading Securities Sold, But Not Yet Purchased (Components Of Trading Securities Owned And Trading Securities Sold, But Not Yet Purchased) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Trading securities	$847,652	$763,608
Trading securities pledged	648,111	607,586
U.S. Government Agency Securities [Member]	'	'
Trading securities	121,136	123,758
U.S. Government Securities [Member]	'	'
Trading securities	13,627	3,573
Corporate Fixed Income Securities [Member]	'	'
Trading securities	519,180	396,878
Corporate Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Trading securities	85,183	35,472
State And Municipal Securities [Member]	'	'
Trading securities	108,526	203,927
Securities Owned [Member]	'	'
Trading securities	847,652	763,608
Securities Owned [Member] | U.S. Government Agency Securities [Member]	'	'
Trading securities owned	121,136	123,758
Securities Owned [Member] | U.S. Government Securities [Member]	'	'
Trading securities owned	13,627	3,573
Securities Owned [Member] | Corporate Fixed Income Securities [Member]	'	'
Fixed income securities	519,180	396,878
Securities Owned [Member] | Corporate Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Equity securities	85,183	35,472
Securities Owned [Member] | State And Municipal Securities [Member]	'	'
State and municipal securities	108,526	203,927
Securities Sold, But Not yet Purchased [Member]	'	'
Trading securities	495,658	319,742
Securities Sold, But Not yet Purchased [Member] | U.S. Government Agency Securities [Member]	'	'
Trading securities owned	23,248	15
Securities Sold, But Not yet Purchased [Member] | U.S. Government Securities [Member]	'	'
Trading securities owned	174,688	162,661
Securities Sold, But Not yet Purchased [Member] | Corporate Fixed Income Securities [Member]	'	'
Fixed income securities	213,757	150,698
Securities Sold, But Not yet Purchased [Member] | Corporate Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Equity securities	83,881	6,281
Securities Sold, But Not yet Purchased [Member] | State And Municipal Securities [Member]	'	'
State and municipal securities	$84	$87

AvailableForSale_And_HeldToMat2

Available-For-Sale And Held-To-Maturity Securities (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Dec. 31, 2012
	security				security
AvailableForSaleMortgageBackedSecuritiesTransferredToHeldToMaturity	'		'		$1,100,000,000		'		'
Carrying value of securities pledged as collateral	539,900,000		'		539,900,000		'		613,800,000
Available-for-sale Securities	1,231,571,000		'		1,231,571,000		'		1,625,168,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized cost	1,236,110,000		'		1,236,110,000		'		1,601,102,000
Gross unrealized losses related to all other securities	18,147,000	[1]	'		18,147,000	[1]	'		3,394,000	[1]
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	-8,160,000	[2]	8,356,000	[2]	-48,158,000	[2]	12,714,000	[2]	'
Realized gains resulted from sale of available-for-sale securities	200,000		'		1,700,000		'		'
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities	4,500,000		92,400,000		194,100,000		186,500,000		'
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions	79		'		79		'		'
Available-for-sale securities related to individual securities, number of positions	79		'		79		'		'
Available-For-Sale Securities [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	556,800,000,000		'		556,800,000,000		'		'
Available-for-sale securities, percentage of investment portfolio	45.20%		'		45.20%		'		'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized cost	574,900,000,000		'		574,900,000,000		'		'
Gross unrealized losses related to all other securities	$18,100,000		'		$18,100,000		'		'
[1]	Unrealized gains/(losses) related to available-for-sale securities are reported in accumulated other comprehensive income.
[2]	Net of taxes of $5.4 million and $5.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $29.6 million and $7.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.Amounts are net of reclassifications to earnings of realized gains of $0.2 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Amounts are net of reclassifications to earnings of realized gains of $1.1 million and $1.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

AvailableForSale_And_HeldToMat3

Available-For-Sale And Held-To-Maturity Securities (Schedule Of Amortized Cost And Fair Values Of The Available For Sale Securities And Held To Maturity Securities) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized cost	$1,236,110		$1,601,102
Available for sale securities, unrealized gains	13,608	[1]	27,460	[1]
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross unrealized losses	-18,147	[1]	-3,394	[1]
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated fair value	1,231,571		1,625,168
Held-to-maturity Securities, Amortized cost	1,723,482		708,008	[2]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Gross unrealized gains	15,820	[1]	10,776	[1],[2]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Gross unrealized losses	-6,768	[1]	-3,510	[1],[2]
Held-to-maturity securities, Estimated fair value	1,732,534		715,274	[2]
U.S. Government Agency Securities [Member]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized cost	1,229		1,114
Available for sale securities, unrealized gains	'	[1]	1	[1]
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross unrealized losses	-3	[1]	-2	[1]
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated fair value	1,226		1,113
State And Municipal Securities [Member]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized cost	169,799		153,885
Available for sale securities, unrealized gains	1,939	[1]	4,648	[1]
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross unrealized losses	-8,324	[1]	-1,113	[1]
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated fair value	163,414		157,420
Agency [Member]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized cost	176,024		676,861
Available for sale securities, unrealized gains	2,976	[1]	8,140	[1]
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross unrealized losses	-2,067	[1]	-153	[1]
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated fair value	176,933		684,848
Held-to-maturity Securities, Amortized cost	977,514	[2]	'
Held-to-maturity Securities, Gross unrealized gains	8,006	[1],[2]	'
Held-to-maturity Securities, Gross unrealized losses	-420	[1],[2]	'
Held-to-maturity securities, Estimated fair value	985,100	[2]	'
Commercial [Member]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized cost	229,962		255,255
Available for sale securities, unrealized gains	3,273	[1]	5,902	[1]
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross unrealized losses	-1,526	[1]	-183	[1]
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated fair value	231,709		260,974
Held-to-maturity Securities, Amortized cost	59,390	[2]	'
Held-to-maturity Securities, Gross unrealized gains	87	[1],[2]	'
Held-to-maturity Securities, Gross unrealized losses	'	[1],[2]	'
Held-to-maturity securities, Estimated fair value	59,477	[2]	'
Non-Agency [Member]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized cost	4,746		13,077
Available for sale securities, unrealized gains	92	[1]	801	[1]
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross unrealized losses	'	[1]	'
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated fair value	4,838		13,878
Corporate Fixed Income Securities [Member]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized cost	498,966		474,338
Available for sale securities, unrealized gains	5,088	[1]	7,590	[1]
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross unrealized losses	-4,088	[1]	-1,746	[1]
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated fair value	499,966		480,182
Held-to-maturity Securities, Amortized cost	55,352		55,420	[2]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Gross unrealized gains	'	[1]	36	[1],[2]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Gross unrealized losses	-2,702	[1]	-519	[1],[2]
Held-to-maturity securities, Estimated fair value	52,650		54,937	[2]
Asset-Backed Securities [Member]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized cost	155,384		26,572
Available for sale securities, unrealized gains	240	[1]	378	[1]
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross unrealized losses	-2,139	[1]	-197	[1]
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated fair value	153,485		26,753
Held-to-maturity Securities, Amortized cost	609,978	[2]	630,279	[2]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Gross unrealized gains	6,704	[1],[2]	9,364	[1],[2]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Gross unrealized losses	-3,646	[1],[2]	-2,971	[1],[2]
Held-to-maturity securities, Estimated fair value	613,036	[2]	636,672	[2]
Municipal Auction Rate Securities [Member]	'		'
Held-to-maturity Securities, Amortized cost	21,248		22,309	[2]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Gross unrealized gains	1,023	[1]	1,376	[1],[2]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Gross unrealized losses	'	[1]	-20	[1],[2]
Held-to-maturity securities, Estimated fair value	$22,271		$23,665	[2]
[1]	Unrealized gains/(losses) related to available-for-sale securities are reported in accumulated other comprehensive income.
[2]	Held-to-maturity securities are carried at historical cost or at fair value at the time of transfer from the available-for-sale to held-to-maturity category, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts and credit-related other-than-temporary impairment.

AvailableForSale_And_HeldToMat4

Available-For-Sale And Held-To-Maturity Securities (Schedule Of Amortized Cost And Fair Values Of Debt Securities By Contractual Maturity) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized cost, Within one year	$156,780	'
Debt securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized cost, After one year through three years	190,728	'
Debt securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized cost, After three years through five years	123,055	'
Debt securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized cost, After five years through ten years	40,262	'
Debt securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized cost, After ten years	314,553	'
Debt securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized cost, Total	1,236,110	'
Debt securities, Available-for-sale, Estimated fair value, Within one year	158,397	'
Debt securities, Available-for-sale, Estimated fair value, After one year through three years	193,606	'
Debt securities, Available-for-sale, Estimated fair value, After three years through five years	121,942	'
Debt securities, Available-for-sale, Estimated fair value, After five years through ten years	37,896	'
Debt securities, Available-for-sale, Estimated fair value, After ten years	306,250	'
Debt securities, Available-for-sale, Estimated fair value, Total	1,231,571	'
Debt securities, Held-to-maturity, Amortized cost, Within one year	'	'
Debt securities, Held-to-maturity, Amortized cost, After one year through three years	15,057	'
Debt securities, Held-to-maturity, Amortized cost, After three years through five years	41,609	'
Debt securities, Held-to-maturity, Amortized cost, After five years through ten years	384,547	'
Debt securities, Held-to-maturity, Amortized cost, After ten years	1,282,269	'
Held-to-maturity Securities, Amortized cost	1,723,482	708,008	[1]
Debt securities, Held-to-maturity, Estimated fair value, Within one year	'	'
Debt securities, Held-to-maturity, Estimated fair value, After one year through three years	14,669	'
Debt securities, Held-to-maturity, Estimated fair value, After three years through five years	39,306	'
Debt securities, Held-to-maturity, Estimated fair value, After five years through ten years	385,347	'
Debt securities, Held-to-maturity, Estimated fair value, After ten years	1,293,212	'
Held-to-maturity securities, Estimated fair value	1,732,534	715,274	[1]
Mortgage-backed securities [Member]	'	'
Debt securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized cost, After one year through three years	9,154	'
Debt securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized cost, After three years through five years	967	'
Debt securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized cost, After five years through ten years	66,438	'
Debt securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized cost, After ten years	334,173	'
Debt securities, Available-for-sale, Estimated fair value, After one year through three years	9,355	'
Debt securities, Available-for-sale, Estimated fair value, After three years through five years	991	'
Debt securities, Available-for-sale, Estimated fair value, After five years through ten years	66,131	'
Debt securities, Available-for-sale, Estimated fair value, After ten years	337,003	'
Debt securities, Held-to-maturity, Amortized cost, After one year through three years	'	'
Debt securities, Held-to-maturity, Amortized cost, After three years through five years	'	'
Debt securities, Held-to-maturity, Amortized cost, After five years through ten years	'	'
Debt securities, Held-to-maturity, Amortized cost, After ten years	'	'
Debt securities, Held-to-maturity, Estimated fair value, After one year through three years	'	'
Debt securities, Held-to-maturity, Estimated fair value, After three years through five years	'	'
Debt securities, Held-to-maturity, Estimated fair value, After five years through ten years	'	'
Debt securities, Held-to-maturity, Estimated fair value, After ten years	'	'
[1]	Held-to-maturity securities are carried at historical cost or at fair value at the time of transfer from the available-for-sale to held-to-maturity category, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts and credit-related other-than-temporary impairment.

AvailableForSale_And_HeldToMat5

Available-For-Sale And Held-To-Maturity Securities (Schedule Of Gross Unrealized Losses And The Estimated Fair Value By Length Of Time) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross unrealized losses, Less than 12 months	($16,163)
Available-for-sale Securities, Estimated fair value, Less than 12 months	480,200
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross unrealized losses, 12 months or more	-1,984
Available-for-sale Securities, Estimated fair value, 12 months or more	76,551
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross unrealized losses, Total	-18,147
Available-for-sale Securities, Estimated fair value, Total	556,751
U.S. Government Agency Securities [Member]	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross unrealized losses, Less than 12 months	-3
Available-for-sale Securities, Estimated fair value, Less than 12 months	734
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross unrealized losses, Total	-3
Available-for-sale Securities, Estimated fair value, Total	734
State And Municipal Securities [Member]	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross unrealized losses, Less than 12 months	-7,170
Available-for-sale Securities, Estimated fair value, Less than 12 months	87,428
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross unrealized losses, 12 months or more	-1,154
Available-for-sale Securities, Estimated fair value, 12 months or more	32,096
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross unrealized losses, Total	-8,324
Available-for-sale Securities, Estimated fair value, Total	119,524
Agency [Member]	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross unrealized losses, Less than 12 months	-2,067
Available-for-sale Securities, Estimated fair value, Less than 12 months	83,099
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross unrealized losses, Total	-2,067
Available-for-sale Securities, Estimated fair value, Total	83,099
Commercial [Member]	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross unrealized losses, Less than 12 months	-1,526
Available-for-sale Securities, Estimated fair value, Less than 12 months	40,136
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross unrealized losses, Total	-1,526
Available-for-sale Securities, Estimated fair value, Total	40,136
Corporate Fixed Income Securities [Member]	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross unrealized losses, Less than 12 months	-3,258
Available-for-sale Securities, Estimated fair value, Less than 12 months	134,888
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross unrealized losses, 12 months or more	-830
Available-for-sale Securities, Estimated fair value, 12 months or more	44,455
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross unrealized losses, Total	-4,088
Available-for-sale Securities, Estimated fair value, Total	179,343
Asset-Backed Securities [Member]	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross unrealized losses, Less than 12 months	-2,139
Available-for-sale Securities, Estimated fair value, Less than 12 months	133,915
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross unrealized losses, Total	-2,139
Available-for-sale Securities, Estimated fair value, Total	$133,915

Bank_Loans_Narrative_Details

Bank Loans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Nonaccrual loans more than 90 days past due	$14,800,000	'	$14,800,000	'	$1,800,000
Specific allowance	2,300,000	'	2,300,000	'	600,000
Troubled debt restructurings	400,000	'	400,000	'	1,600,000
Collateralized loan portfolio	96.50%	'	96.50%	'	96.10%
Mortgage loans held for sale	75,440,000	'	75,440,000	'	214,531,000
Gains recognized from sale of loans	2,200,000	3,600,000	10,100,000	9,600,000	'
Stifel Financial Corp. [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Loans outstanding amount	5,800,000	'	5,800,000	'	7,200,000
Stifel Bank [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Loans outstanding amount	$600,000	'	$600,000	'	$600,000

Bank_Loans_Schedule_Of_Balance

Bank Loans (Schedule Of Balance And Associated Percentage Of Each Major Loan Category In Loan Portfolio) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012		Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross Carrying Amount, Total	$1,076,298,000		'	$823,919,000		'	'	'
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross Carrying Amount, Total	100.00%		'	100.00%		'	'	'
Unamortized loan fees, net of origination costs	-1,752,000		'	-1,207,000		'	'	'
Loans in process	-163,000		'	1,370,000		'	'	'
Allowance for loan losses	-13,233,000		-10,919,000	-8,145,000		-6,394,000	-6,292,000	-5,300,000
Loans and leases receivable, net reported amount	1,061,150,000		'	815,937,000		'	'	'
Securities-based loans	489,800,000		'	425,300,000		'	'	'
Consumer [Member]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross Carrying Amount, Consumer	489,867,000	[1]	'	425,382,000	[1]	'	'	'
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross Carrying Amount, Consumer, Percentage of Total	45.50%	[1]	'	51.60%	[1]	'	'	'
Commercial And Industrial [Member]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross Carrying Amount, Commercial and Industrial	481,336,000		'	300,034,000		'	'	'
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross Carrying Amount, Commercial and Industrial, Percentage of Total	44.70%		'	36.40%		'	'	'
Residential Real Estate [Member]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross Carrying Amount, Residential Real Estate	75,233,000		'	65,657,000		'	'	'
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross Carrying Amount, Residential Real Estate, Percentage of Total	7.00%		'	8.00%		'	'	'
Home Equity Lines Of Credit [Member]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross Carrying Amount, Home Equity Lines of Credit	16,856,000		'	19,531,000		'	'	'
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross Carrying Amount, Home Equity Lines of Credit, Percentage of Total	1.60%		'	2.40%		'	'	'
Commercial Real Estate [Member]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross Carrying Amount, Commercial Real Estate	12,516,000		'	12,805,000		'	'	'
Loans and Lease Receivable, Gross Carrying Amount, Commercial Real Estate Percentage Of Total	1.20%		'	1.50%		'	'	'
Construction And Land [Member]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross Carrying Amount, Construction and Land	$490,000		'	$510,000		'	'	'
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross Carrying Amount, Construction and Land, Percentage of Total	'		'	0.10%		'	'	'
[1]	September 30, 2013December 31, 2012BalancePercentBalancePercentConsumer (1)$ 489,867 45.5%$ 425,382 51.6%Commercial and industrial 481,336 44.7 300,034 36.4Residential real estate 75,233 7.0 65,657 8.0Home equity lines of credit 16,856 1.6 19,531 2.4Commercial real estate 12,516 1.2 12,805 1.5Construction and land 490 0.0 510 0.1 1,076,298100.0% 823,919100.0%Unamortized loan fees, net of origination costs (1,752) (1,207)Loans in process (163) 1,370Allowance for loan losses (13,233) (8,145)$ 1,061,150$ 815,937Includes securities-based loans of $489.8 million and $425.3 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

Bank_Loans_Changes_In_The_Allo

Bank Loans (Changes In The Allowance For Loan Losses) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Allowance for loan losses, beginning of period	$10,919	$6,292	$8,145	$5,300
Provision for loan losses	2,297	161	5,537	1,300
Recoveries	17	'	52	48
Allowance for loan losses, end of period	13,233	6,394	13,233	6,394
Residential Real Estate [Member]	'	'	'	'
Charge-offs	'	($59)	($501)	($254)

Bank_Loans_Schedule_Of_The_All

Bank Loans (Schedule Of The Allowances For Loan Losses By Type) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Allowance for loan losses	$13,233	$8,145
Percentage of loan allowance losses	100.00%	100.00%
Commercial And Industrial [Member]	'	'
Allowance for loan losses	10,344	5,450
Percentage of loan allowance losses	44.70%	36.40%
Residential Real Estate [Member]	'	'
Allowance for loan losses	735	647
Percentage of loan allowance losses	45.50%	51.60%
Commercial Real Estate [Member]	'	'
Allowance for loan losses	578	408
Percentage of loan allowance losses	7.00%	8.00%
Consumer [Member]	'	'
Allowance for loan losses	202	691
Percentage of loan allowance losses	1.20%	1.50%
Home Equity Lines Of Credit [Member]	'	'
Allowance for loan losses	159	195
Percentage of loan allowance losses	1.60%	2.40%
Construction And Land [Member]	'	'
Allowance for loan losses	12	13
Percentage of loan allowance losses	0.00%	0.10%
Unallocated [Member]	'	'
Allowance for loan losses	$1,203	$741

Fixed_Assets_Summary_Of_Fixed_

Fixed Assets (Summary Of Fixed Assets) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Fixed Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Furniture and equipment	$169,363	'	$157,974
Building and leasehold improvements	95,623	'	82,234
Property on operating lease	21,049	'	46,500
Total	286,035	'	286,708
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	-161,270	'	-145,305
Fixed assets, net	124,765	'	141,403
Depreciation and amortization of furniture and equipment, and leasehold improvements	$25,162	$21,958	'

Goodwill_And_Intangible_Assets2

Goodwill And Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Indicators of impairment	'	'
Amortization expense of intangible assets	$4,145	$3,713
Customer Relationships [Member]	'	'
Weighted-average remaining lives of intangible assets	'5 years 4 months 24 days	'
Trade Name [Member]	'	'
Weighted-average remaining lives of intangible assets	'6 years 7 months 6 days	'

Goodwill_And_Intangible_Assets3

Goodwill And Intangible Assets (Carrying Amount Of Goodwill And Intangible Assets) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Goodwill, Beginning balance	$419,393	'
Goodwill, Net additions	323,261	'
Goodwill, Impairment losses	'	'
Goodwill, Ending balance	742,654	'
Intangible assets, Beginning balance	28,967	'
Intangible assets, Net additions	3,256	'
Intangible assets, Amortization	-4,145	-3,713
Intangible assets, Ending balance	28,078	'
Global Wealth Management [Member]	'	'
Goodwill, Beginning balance	144,377	'
Goodwill, Net additions	10,868	'
Goodwill, Impairment losses	'	'
Goodwill, Ending balance	155,245	'
Intangible assets, Beginning balance	16,377	'
Intangible assets, Net additions	'	'
Intangible assets, Amortization	-1,697	'
Intangible assets, Ending balance	14,680	'
Institutional Group [Member]	'	'
Goodwill, Beginning balance	275,016	'
Goodwill, Net additions	312,393	'
Goodwill, Impairment losses	'	'
Goodwill, Ending balance	587,409	'
Intangible assets, Beginning balance	12,590	'
Intangible assets, Net additions	3,256	'
Intangible assets, Amortization	-2,448	'
Intangible assets, Ending balance	$13,398	'

Goodwill_And_Intangible_Assets4

Goodwill And Intangible Assets (Intangible Assets Subject To Amortization) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Gross carrying value	$55,114	$51,858
Accumulated Amortization	27,036	22,891
Customer Relationships [Member]	'	'
Gross carrying value	40,166	40,166
Accumulated Amortization	21,138	18,648
Trade Name [Member]	'	'
Gross carrying value	11,560	9,442
Accumulated Amortization	2,782	2,023
Investment Banking Backlog [Member]	'	'
Gross carrying value	3,388	2,250
Accumulated Amortization	$3,116	$2,220

Goodwill_And_Intangible_Assets5

Goodwill And Intangible Assets (Amortization Expense In Future Periods) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Abstract]	'
Remainder of 2012	$2,038
2013	4,562
2014	3,835
2015	2,829
2016	2,447
Thereafter	12,367
Future amortization expense total	$28,078

ShortTerm_Borrowings_Details

Short-Term Borrowings (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Daily borrowings under credit arrangements	$561,200,000	'	$561,200,000	'	'
Uncommitted secured lines of credit	'	'	680,000,000	'	'
Committed revolving credit facility	100,000,000	'	100,000,000	'	'
Interest rate percentage over one-month Eurocurrency rate	'	'	1.00%	'	'
Short-term borrowings from banks	133,100,000	'	133,100,000	'	304,700,000
Company-owned securities collateralized value	648,111,000	'	648,111,000	'	607,586,000
Weighted average daily interest rates	1.11%	'	1.11%	'	1.14%
Debt instrument interest rate during period	1.33%	1.15%	1.28%	1.15%	'
Average outstanding securities	246,800,000	151,300,000	290,400,000	201,000,000	'
Stock loan balance	169,283,000	'	169,283,000	'	19,218,000
Stifel Nicolaus [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Short-term borrowings from banks	133,100,000	'	133,100,000	'	'
Debt instrument interest rate during period	0.23%	0.14%	0.16%	0.13%	'
Average outstanding securities	120,700,000	150,600,000	89,000,000	150,000,000	'
Company Owned Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Company-owned securities collateralized value	411,800,000	'	411,800,000	'	530,700,000
Stock Loan Balance [Member] | Stifel Nicolaus [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Weighted average daily interest rates	0.33%	'	0.33%	'	0.24%
Stock loan balance	$169,300,000	'	$169,300,000	'	$19,200,000

Corporate_Debt_Schedule_Of_Cor

Corporate Debt (Schedule Of Corporate Debt) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
				Senior notes 6.70%, due 2022 [Member]	Senior notes 6.70%, due 2022 [Member]	Senior notes 5.375%, due 2022 [Member]	Senior notes 5.375%, due 2022 [Member]	Non-recourse debt, 6.75%, due 2016 [Member]	Non-recourse debt, 6.75%, due 2016 [Member]	Non Recourse Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Long-term Debt, Total	$357,111,000	'	$383,992,000	$175,000,000	$175,000,000	$150,000,000	$150,000,000	$32,111,000	$58,992,000	$32,111,000
Due date	'	'	'	'	'	'December 2022	'	'	'	'
Stated interest rate	'	6.70%	'	6.70%	6.70%	5.38%	5.38%	'	'	'
Debt instrument, maturity date	'	'	'	1-Jan-22	'	'	'	'	'	'
Redemption price, percentage of principal amount	'	'	'	100.00%	'	100.00%	'	'	'	'
Principal	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	60,000,000	'	'
Non recourse debt, percentage of montly lease payments required to be collected	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	100.00%	'	'
Non recourse debt, percentage of montly lease payments required to be allocated to interest	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	65.00%	'	'
Long-term Debt	$357,111,000	'	$383,992,000	$175,000,000	$175,000,000	$150,000,000	$150,000,000	$32,111,000	$58,992,000	$32,111,000

Corporate_Debt_Schedule_Of_Cor1

Corporate Debt (Schedule Of Corporate Debt Principal Maturities) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term Debt, Total	$357,111	$383,992
Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Thereafter	325,000	'
Long-term Debt, Total	325,000	'
Non Recourse Debt [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
2013	2,038	'
2014	8,506	'
2015	20,588	'
2016	979	'
Long-term Debt, Total	$32,111	'

Bank_Deposits_Schedule_Of_Depo

Bank Deposits (Schedule Of Deposits) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Bank Deposits [Abstract]	'	'
Money market and savings accounts	$4,151,990	$3,271,929
Demand deposits (interest-bearing)	69,956	64,926
Demand deposits (non-interest-bearing)	5,819	8,648
Certificates of deposit	640	630
Bank deposits	$4,228,405	$3,346,133
Weighted average interest rate on deposits	0.06%	0.13%

Bank_Deposits_Scheduled_Maturi

Bank Deposits - (Scheduled Maturities Of Certificates Of Deposit) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Within one year	$111,000	$182,000
One to three years	192,000	203,000
Over three years	88,000	'
Certificates of deposit, less than $100	391,000	385,000
Within one year	249,000	245,000
Certificates of deposit, $100 and greater	249,000	245,000
Total certificates of deposit	640,000	630,000
Deposits of related parties	4,200,000,000	3,300,000,000
Stifel Nicolaus [Member]	'	'
Interest bearing and time deposits of executive officers, directors, and affiliates	$200,000	$200,000

Derivative_Instruments_And_Hed2

Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities [Abstract]	'
Derivatives reclassified as increase to interest expense	$6.40
Fair value of derivative net liability position	11.8
Derivative counterparty posted collateral against obligation	$24

Derivative_Instruments_And_Hed3

Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities (Schedule Of Notional Values And Fair Values Of Derivative Instruments) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities [Abstract]	'	'
Notional Value	$431,385	$550,127
Liability derivatives, Negative fair value	($11,101)	($19,934)

Derivative_Instruments_And_Hed4

Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities (Schedule Of Derivative Instruments In Consolidated Statements Of Operations) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
(Gain)/loss recognized in OCI (effectiveness)	($1,320)	($2,032)	$2,087	($6,537)
Loss reclassified from OCI into income	$2,092	$2,784	$6,716	$8,958

Debentures_to_Stifel_Financial1

Debentures to Stifel Financial Capital Trusts (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified				Stifel Financial Capital Trust Two [Member]	Stifel Financial Capital Trust Two [Member]	Stifel Financial Capital Trust Three [Member]	Stifel Financial Capital Trust Three [Member]	Stifel Financial Capital Trust Four [Member]	Stifel Financial Capital Trust Four [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debenture to Stifel Financial Capital Trust	$82,500	'	$82,500	$35,000	$35,000	$35,000	$35,000	$12,500	$12,500
Stated interest rate	'	6.70%	'	6.38%	'	6.79%	'	6.78%	'
Maturity date	'	'	'	30-Sep-35	'	6-Jun-37	'	6-Sep-37	'
Earliest call date	'	'	'	30-Sep-10	'	6-Jun-12	'	6-Sep-12	'
Interest rate terms, spread over reference rate	'	'	'	1.70%	'	1.85%	'	1.85%	'
Reference rate	'	'	'	'	'LIBOR	'	'LIBOR	'	'LIBOR

Disclosures_About_Offsetting_A2

Disclosures About Offsetting Assets And Liabilities (Financial Assets And Derivative Assets That Are Subject To Offset) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Disclosures About Offsetting Assets And Liabilities [Abstract]	'		'
Gross amounts of recognized assets, Securities borrowing	$331,784	[1]	$153,819	[1]
Gross amounts offset in the Statement of Financial Condition, Securities borrowing	'	[1]	'	[1]
Net amounts presented in the Statement of Financial Condition	331,784	[1]	153,819	[1]
Gross amounts not offset in the Statement of Financial Position, Financial instruments, Securities borrowing	'	[1]	'	[1]
Gross amounts not offset in the Statement of Financial Position, Collateral received, Securities borrowing	-331,784	[1]	-153,819	[1]
Gross amounts of recognized assets, Securities purchased under agreements to resell	168,182		158,695
Gross amounts offset in the statement of Financial Condition, Securities purchased under agreements to resell	'		'
Net amounts presented in the Statement of Financial Condition, Securities purchased under agreements to resell	168,182		158,695
Gross amounts not offset in the Statement of Financial Position, Financial instruments, Securities purchased under agreements to resell	'		'
Gross amounts not offset in the Statement of Financial Position, Collateral received, Securities purchased under agreements to resell	-168,182		-158,695
Gross amounts of recognized assets, Cash flow interest rate contracts	'		'
Gross amounts offset in the Statement of Financial Condition, Cash flow interest rate contracts	'		'
Net amounts presented in the Statement of Financial Condition	'		'
Gross amounts not offset in the Statement of Financial Position, Financial instruments, Cash flow interest rate contracts	'		'
Gross amounts not offset in the Statement of Financial Position, Financial instruments, Cash flow interest rate contracts	'		'
Cash flow interest rate contracts, Net amount	'		'
Gross amounts of recognized assets	499,966		312,514
Gross amounts offset in the Statement of Financial Condition	'		'
Net amounts presented in the Statements of Financial Condition	499,966		312,514
Gross amounts not offset in the Statement of Financial Position	'		'
Gross amounts not offset in the Statement of Financial Position, Collateral received	($499,966)		($312,514)
[1]	Securities borrowing transactions are included in receivables from brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations on the consolidated statements of financial condition. See Note 5 in the notes to our consolidated financial statements for additional information on receivables from brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations.(2)

Disclosures_About_Offsetting_A3

Disclosures About Offsetting Assets And Liabilities (Financial Liabilities And Derivative Liabilities That Are Subject To Offset) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Disclosures About Offsetting Assets And Liabilities [Abstract]	'		'
Gross amounts of recognized liabilities, Securities lending	$169,283	[1]	$19,218	[1]
Gross amounts offset in the Statement of Financial Condition, Securities lending	'	[1]	'	[1]
Net amounts presented in the Statement of Financial Condition, Securities lending	169,283	[1]	19,218	[1]
Gross amounts not offset in the Statement of Financial Position, Financial instruments, Securities loaned	'	[1]	'	[1]
Gross amounts not offset in the Statement of Financial Position, Collateral pledged, Securities lending	-169,283	[1]	-19,218	[1]
Securities lending, Net amount	'	[1]	'	[1]
Gross amounts of recognized liabilities, Securities purchased under agreements to resell	255,451		140,346
Gross amounts offset in the Statement of Financial Condition, Securities purchased under agreements to resell	'		'
Net amounts presented in the Statement of Financial Condition, Securities purchased under agreeemnts to resell	255,451		140,346
Gross amounts not offset in the Statement of Financial Position, Financial instruments, Securities purchased under agreements to resell	'		'
Gross amounts not offset in the Statement of Financial Position, Collateral pledged, Securities purchased under agreements to resell	-255,451		-140,346
Securities purchased under agreements to repurchase, Net amount	'		'
Gross amount of recognized liabilities, Cash flow interest rate contracts	11,101		19,934
Gross amounts offset in the Statement of Financial Condition, Cash flow interest rate contracts	'		'
Net amounts presented in the Statement of Financial Condition, Cash flow interest rate contracts	11,101		19,934
Gross amounts not offset in the Statement of Financial Position, Financial instruments, Cash flow interest rate contracts	'		'
Gross amounts not offset in the Statement of Financial Position, Collateral pledged, Cash flow interest rate contracts	-11,101		-19,934
Cash flow interest rate contracts, Net amount	'		'
Gross amounts of recognized liabilities	435,835		179,498
Gross amounts offset in the Statement of Financial Condition	'		'
Net amounts presented in the Statement of Financial Condition	435,835		179,498
Gross amounts not offset in the Statement of Financial Position, Financial instruments	'		'
Gross amounts not offset in the Statement of Financial position, Collateral pledged	-435,835		-179,498
Net amount	'		'
[1]	Securities lending transactions are included in payables to from brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations on the consolidated statements of financial condition. See Note 5 in the notes to our consolidated financial statements for additional information on payables to brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations.(4)

Commitments_Guarantees_And_Con1

Commitments, Guarantees, And Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
CommitmentsOutstandingtoBusinessDevelopmentCorporations	$63.30	'
CommitmentsOutstanding	76	'
Customer-owned securities pledged	255.5	140.3
Minimum margin deposit requirements	27.4	'
Auction rate securities, at par, held by retail clients after issuer redemptions and Stifel repurchases	18.3	'
Auction rate securities, repurchase period	'3 years	'
Options Clearing Corporation [Member]	'	'
Customer-owned securities pledged	103.7	'
National Securities Clearing Corporation [Member]	'	'
Minimum margin deposit requirements	20.9	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'
Minimum margin deposit requirements	$34.40	'

Legal_Proceedings_Details

Legal Proceedings (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2008
Legal Proceedings [Abstract]	'	'
Bond offering	'	$50
Amount awarded to Stetson	$16	'

Regulatory_Capital_Requirement2

Regulatory Capital Requirements (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified		Stifel Nicolaus [Member]
Net capital under the alternative method	$1	'
Aggregate debit balances	2.00%	63.20%
Net capital	'	396.3
Excess of minimum required net capital	'	$383.80

Regulatory_Capital_Requirement3

Regulatory Capital Requirements (Schedule Of Total Risk-Based, Tier 1 Risk-Based, And Tier 1 Leverage Ratios) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Stifel Financial Corp. [Member]	'
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items]	'
Total capital to risk-weighted assets, Actual Amount	$1,173,218
Total capital to risk-weighted assets, For Capital Adequacy Purposes Amount	391,432
Total capital to risk-weighted assets, To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions Amount	489,291
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets, Actual Amount	1,159,823
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets, For Capital Adequacy Purposes Amount	195,716
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets, To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions Amount	293,574
Tier 1 capital to adjusted average total assets, Actual Amount	1,159,823
Tier 1 capital to adjusted average total assets, For Capital Adequacy Purposes Amount	314,160
Tier 1 capital to adjusted average total assets, To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions Amount	392,700
Total capital to risk-weighted assets, Actual Ratio	24.00%
Total capital to risk-weighted assets, For Capital Adequacy Purposes Ratio	8.00%
Total capital to risk-weighted assets, To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions Ratio	10.00%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets, Actual Ratio	23.70%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets, For Capital Adequacy Purposes Ratio	4.00%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets, To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions Ratio	6.00%
Tier 1 capital to adjusted average total assets, Actual Ratio	14.80%
Tier 1 capital to adjusted average total assets, For Capital Adequacy Purposes Ratio	4.00%
Tier 1 capital to adjusted average total assets, To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions Ratio	5.00%
Stifel Bank [Member]	'
Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items]	'
Total capital to risk-weighted assets, Actual Amount	329,763
Total capital to risk-weighted assets, For Capital Adequacy Purposes Amount	197,462
Total capital to risk-weighted assets, To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions Amount	246,828
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets, Actual Amount	316,530
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets, For Capital Adequacy Purposes Amount	98,731
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets, To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions Amount	148,097
Tier 1 capital to adjusted average total assets, Actual Amount	316,530
Tier 1 capital to adjusted average total assets, For Capital Adequacy Purposes Amount	176,992
Tier 1 capital to adjusted average total assets, To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions Amount	$221,240
Total capital to risk-weighted assets, Actual Ratio	13.40%
Total capital to risk-weighted assets, For Capital Adequacy Purposes Ratio	8.00%
Total capital to risk-weighted assets, To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions Ratio	10.00%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets, Actual Ratio	12.80%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets, For Capital Adequacy Purposes Ratio	4.00%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets, To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions Ratio	6.00%
Tier 1 capital to adjusted average total assets, Actual Ratio	7.20%
Tier 1 capital to adjusted average total assets, For Capital Adequacy Purposes Ratio	4.00%
Tier 1 capital to adjusted average total assets, To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions Ratio	5.00%

Interest_Income_And_Interest_E2

Interest Income And Interest Expense (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Interest Income And Interest Expense [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Investment securities	$17,514	$11,718	$44,046	$33,657
Bank loans, net of unearned income	8,819	7,329	26,489	20,755
Margin balances	4,722	4,781	13,521	14,587
Other	8,075	2,532	17,773	9,729
Total interest income	39,130	26,360	101,829	78,728
Senior notes	5,164	3,048	15,484	8,388
Bank deposits	2,636	3,606	8,365	11,951
Other	3,735	-750	10,889	4,429
Total interest expense	$11,535	$5,904	$34,738	$24,768

Employee_Incentive_Deferred_Co1

Employee Incentive, Deferred Compensation, And Retirement Plans (Details) (USD $)

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Incentive Stock Award Plans [Member]

Incentive Stock Award Plans [Member]

Incentive Stock Award Plans [Member]

Incentive Stock Award Plans [Member]

Incentive Stock Award Plans [Member]

Stock Units [Member]

SWAP Plan [Member]

Mutual Funds [Member]

Mutual Funds [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Incentive Stock Award Plans [Member]

Stock Units [Member]

Deferred Compensation Plans [Member]

SWAP Plan [Member]

Incentive Stock Award Plans [Member]

Stock Units [Member]

Deferred Compensation Plans [Member]

SWAP Plan [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Options expiration period

'

'

'

'

'

'10 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Awards vesting period in years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'8 years

'8 years

'8 years

'7 years

'3 years

'3 years

'5 years

'3 years

Shares authorized to grant

5.2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock-based compensation

$124,835,000

$29,213,000

'

($39,200,000)

$11,600,000

'

$109,500,000

$37,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Tax benefit related to stock-based compensation recognized in shareholders' equity

'

'

'

800,000

1,100,000

'

10,400,000

14,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value of awards issued as retention

30,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested options

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

253,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted-average period, compensation cost expected to recognized, in years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2 years 10 months 24 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total number of stock units outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

17.9

16.9

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unvested stock units outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9.2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of incentive compensation deferred into company stock units

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of earnings deferred into company stock units

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of earnings deferred into company stock units, Company match

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

25.00%

25.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of earnings deferred into mutual funds

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Elective deferrals vested percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of deferred earnings

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Investments

233,778,000

'

236,434,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15,800,000

18,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred compensation liability

$13,000,000

'

$16,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

OffBalance_Sheet_Credit_Risk_D

Off-Balance Sheet Credit Risk (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair value of securities accepted as collateral permitted to sell or repledge	$1,100,000,000	$965,800,000
Fair value of collateral securities sold or repledged	255,500,000	140,300,000
Outstanding commitments to originate loans	67,900,000	241,500,000
Letters of credit outstanding	5,300,000	10,500,000
Unused lines of Credit [Member]	'	'
Unused lines of credit to commercial and consumer borrowers	$306,000,000	$220,100,000

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'	'
EffectiveTaxRateExcludingUSTaxBenefit	$52.30	$43.50
USTaxBenefitfromLossonCanadianSub	'	$58,200,000

Segment_Reporting_Schedule_Of_

Segment Reporting (Schedule Of Operating Information, Segment) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
					item
Number of business segments	'		'		3	'		'
Number of businesses within reportable segment	'		'		2	'		'
Net revenues	$478,639	[1]	$414,157	[1]	'	$1,410,921	[1]	$1,182,830	[1]
Income before income tax expense	31,008		61,174		'	107,241		169,396
Net revenues accounted for by individual client, maximum percentage	'		'		'	10.00%		'
Global Wealth Management [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Net revenues	274,669	[1]	250,914	[1]	'	824,344	[1]	737,822	[1]
Income before income tax expense	72,128		68,020		'	220,551		197,933
Institutional Group [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Net revenues	205,132	[1]	164,611	[1]	'	593,875	[1]	443,961	[1]
Income before income tax expense	34,986		33,201		'	94,298		79,809
Other [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Net revenues	-1,162	[1]	-1,368	[1]	'	-7,298	[1]	1,047	[1]
Income before income tax expense	($76,106)		($40,047)		'	($207,608)		($108,346)
[1]	No individual client accounted for more than 10 percent of total net revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 or 2012.

Segment_Reporting_Schedule_Of_1

Segment Reporting (Schedule Of Information Of Total Assets On Segment Basis) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Total assets	$8,709,459	$6,966,140
Global Wealth Management [Member]	'	'
Total assets	6,091,937	5,116,487
Institutional Group [Member]	'	'
Total assets	2,138,678	1,447,484
Other [Member]	'	'
Total assets	$478,844	$402,169

Segment_Reporting_Schedule_Of_2

Segment Reporting (Schedule Of Net Revenues Earned On Major Geographical Areas) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Total net revenues	$478,639	[1]	$414,157	[1]	$1,410,921	[1]	$1,182,830	[1]
United States [Member]	'		'		'		'
Total net revenues	472,268		408,120		1,382,377		1,165,223
United Kingdom [Member]	'		'		'		'
Total net revenues	3,496		3,892		20,681		10,723
Other European [Member]	'		'		'		'
Total net revenues	$2,875		$2,145		$7,863		$6,884
[1]	No individual client accounted for more than 10 percent of total net revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 or 2012.

Earnings_Per_Share_Computation

Earnings Per Share (Computation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share ) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income from continuing operations	$74,929	$37,434	$120,782	$102,012
Net income/(loss) from discontinued operations	-5,239	276	-7,037	-3,393
Net income	$69,690	$37,710	$113,745	$98,619
Average shares used in basic computation	64,706	53,601	63,133	53,471
Dilutive effect of stock options and units	10,485	9,453	9,718	9,346
Average shares used in diluted computation	75,191	63,054	72,851	62,817
Income from continuing operations	$1.16	$0.70	$1.91	$1.91
Income from discontinued operations	($0.08)	'	($0.11)	($0.07)
Earnings per basic common share	$1.08	$0.70	$1.80	$1.84
Income from continuing operations	$1	$0.60	$1.66	$1.62
Income from discontinued operations	($0.07)	'	($0.10)	($0.05)
Earnings per diluted common share	$0.93	$0.60	$1.56	$1.57

Shareholders_Equity_Details

Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]	'
Number of shares authorized to be repurchased	3.5
Shares issued during the period	6.7
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share	$31.75
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	0.4
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method	$13.70

Variable_Interest_Entities_Det

Variable Interest Entities (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Assets in partnership	$246.70
Loss exposure	2
Convertible promissory note to FSI	18
Potential ownership interest upon conversion of notes issued to FSI	49.90%
Convertible promissory note minimum coupon rate	8.00%
Maximum rate of interest related to certain defined cash flows	18.00%
Stifel Financial Corp. [Member]	'
Loss exposure	18
Weisel Capital Management LLC [Member]	'
Assets in partnership	$245.50