Net Capital Requirements - Additional Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Net Capital Requirements [Line Items]
Stockholder's equity	$ 210,006	$ 193,413
Securities America
Net Capital Requirements [Line Items]
Regulatory net capital	8,177
Alternative excess amount over net capital requirement	7,927
Alternative minimum net capital requirement	250
Triad
Net Capital Requirements [Line Items]
Regulatory net capital	4,395
Alternative excess amount over net capital requirement	4,145
Alternative minimum net capital requirement	250
Investacorp Inc
Net Capital Requirements [Line Items]
Regulatory net capital	4,319
Alternative excess amount over net capital requirement	4,069
Alternative minimum net capital requirement	250
Ladenburg
Net Capital Requirements [Line Items]
Regulatory net capital	14,540
Alternative excess amount over net capital requirement	14,290
Alternative minimum net capital requirement	250
Premier \| Regulatory requirements
Net Capital Requirements [Line Items]
Stockholder's equity	1,258
Premier \| Minimum \| Cash
Net Capital Requirements [Line Items]
Stockholder's equity	250
Premier \| Minimum \| Regulatory requirements
Net Capital Requirements [Line Items]
Stockholder's equity	1,000
Premier \| Minimum \| Regulatory requirements \| Cash
Net Capital Requirements [Line Items]
Stockholder's equity	$ 250