Long-term Borrowings (Narratives) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Debt Instrument Terms [Line Items]      
Debt Instrument, Restrictive Covenants An event of default under our facility could result in an acceleration of amounts outstanding under the facility, foreclosure on all or a portion of the leases financed by the facility and/or the removal of the Company as servicer of the leases financed by the facility.    
Long-term Borrowings [Abstract]      
Loan Facilities, Commitment Fees, Unused Borrowing Capacity, Fee $ 1.0 $ 0.6 $ 0.4
Maximum Number Of Days Without Chief Officer 120 days    
Federal Funds Purchased [Member]
     
Debt Instrument Terms [Line Items]      
Debt Instrument, Description MBB has established a federal funds line of credit with a correspondent bank. This line allows for both selling and purchasing of federal funds. The amount that can be drawn against the line is limited to $10.0 million.    
Debt Instrument, Unused Borrowing Capacity, Amount 10.0    
Federal Funds Purchased [Member] | MBB [Member]
     
Debt Instrument Terms [Line Items]      
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity 10.0    
Federal Reserve Bank Advances [Member]
     
Debt Instrument Terms [Line Items]      
Debt Instrument, Unused Borrowing Capacity, Amount 24.2    
Federal Reserve Bank Advances [Member] | MBB [Member]
     
Debt Instrument Terms [Line Items]      
Debt Instrument, Description In addition, MBB has received approval to borrow from the Federal Reserve Discount Window based on the amount of assets MBB chooses to pledge. MBB had $24.2 million in unused, secured borrowing capacity at the Federal Reserve Discount Window, based on $29.1 million of net investment in leases pledged at December 31, 2013.    
Debt Instrument, Unused Borrowing Capacity, Amount 24.2    
06-1 Term Note Securitization [Member]
     
Debt Instrument Terms [Line Items]      
Debt Instrument, Issuance Date Sep. 21, 2006    
07-1 Term Note Securitization [Member]
     
Debt Instrument Terms [Line Items]      
Debt Instrument, Description 07-1 Transaction — On October 24, 2007, the Company closed a $440.5 million term note securitization. In connection with the 2007-1 transaction, seven classes of fixed-rate notes were issued to investors. The weighted average interest coupon approximated 5.70% over the term of the financing. After the effects of hedging and other transaction costs are considered, total interest expense on the 2007-1 term transaction averaged approximately 6.32% over the term of the financing. On April 16, 2012, the Company elected to exercise its call option and paid off the remaining $16.9 million of its 2007 term note securitization.    
Debt Instrument, Issuance Date Oct. 24, 2007    
Debt Instrument, Face Amount 440.5    
Debt Instrument Number Of Note Classes 7    
Debt Instrument, Weighted Average Interest Rate 5.70%    
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage 6.32%    
Debt Instrument Prepaid Date 2012-04-16    
Debt Instrument, Decrease Due to Prepayment 16.9    
10-1 Term Note Securitization [Member]
     
Debt Instrument Terms [Line Items]      
Debt Instrument, Description 10-1 Transaction — On February 12, 2010, the Company completed an $80.7 million term asset-backed securitization, of which it elected to defer the issuance of subordinated notes totaling $12.5 million. The two senior classes of notes issued under the securitization constituted eligible collateral under the Federal Reserve Bank of New York's Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility (“TALF”) program. This financing provided the Company with fixed-cost borrowing and was recorded in long-term borrowings in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Total interest expense on the 2010-1 term transaction averaged approximately 3.13% over the term of the financing. On December 17, 2012, the Company elected to exercise its call option and paid off the remaining $3.5 million of its 2010 term note securitization.    
Debt Instrument, Issuance Date Feb. 12, 2010    
Debt Instrument, Face Amount 80.7    
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage 3.13%    
Debt Instrument, Face Amount Issuance Deferred 12.5    
Debt Instrument Prepaid Date 2012-12-17    
Debt Instrument, Decrease Due to Prepayment 3.5    
Long-term Loan Facilities, Wells Fargo Capital Finance [Member] | MRC [Member]
     
Debt Instrument Terms [Line Items]      
Debt Instrument, Description On October 9, 2009, Marlin Business Services Corp.’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Marlin Receivables Corp. (“MRC”), closed on a $75.0 million, three-year committed loan facility with the lender finance division of Wells Fargo Capital Finance. The facility is secured by a lien on MRC’s assets and is supported by guaranties from Marlin Business Services Corp. and Marlin Leasing Corporation. Advances under the facility are made pursuant to a borrowing base formula, and the proceeds are used to fund lease originations. On June 26, 2012, the facility was amended to extend the maturity date to October 9, 2015. An event of default, such as non-payment of amounts when due under the loan agreement or a breach of covenants, may accelerate the maturity date of the facility    
Debt Instrument, Issuance Date Oct. 09, 2009    
Debt Instrument, Face Amount 75.0    
Debt Instrument Extension Date 2012-06-26    
Debt Instrument, Term In Years 3 years    
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Oct. 09, 2015    
Long-term Loan Facilities, Key Equipment Finance [Member] | MLR XIII [Member]
     
Debt Instrument Terms [Line Items]      
Debt Instrument, Description On September 24, 2010, the Company’s subsidiary, Marlin Leasing Receivables XIII LLC (“MLR XIII”), closed on a $50.0 million three-year committed loan facility with Key Equipment Finance Inc. The facility is secured by a lien on MLR XIII’s assets. Advances under the facility are made pursuant to a borrowing base formula, and the proceeds are used to fund lease originations. The maturity date of the facility was September 23, 2013. On March 15, 2013, the Company elected to exercise its option to repay the remaining $1.3 million of the facility.    
Debt Instrument, Issuance Date Sep. 24, 2010    
Debt Instrument, Face Amount 50.0    
Debt Instrument, Term In Years 3 years    
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Sep. 23, 2013    
Debt Instrument, Decrease Due to Prepayment $ 1.3    
Long-term Loan Facilities, Total [Member]
     
Debt Instrument Terms [Line Items]      
Debt Instrument, Subjective Acceleration Clause The Company’s long-term loan facility contains acceleration clauses allowing the creditor to accelerate the scheduled maturities of the obligation under certain conditions that may not be objectively determinable (for example, “if a material adverse change occurs”).