Stifel Financial (NYSE:SF) Corp is a diversified financial services holding company that operates primarily through its broker-dealer subsidiary, Stifel, Nicolaus & Company. The firm provides a broad range of wealth management, institutional brokerage, trading, investment banking, and research services to individual and corporate clients. Its retail channel offers personalized financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement solutions, while its institutional segment delivers fixed‐income sales and trading, equity research, and capital markets execution to institutions worldwide.
The company’s investment banking arm specializes in underwriting equity and debt securities, mergers and acquisitions advisory, and public finance services for municipal and corporate issuers. Stifel’s public finance team assists state and local governments in structuring debt and managing credit ratings, while its corporate finance group advises middle-market companies on strategic transactions, capital structure optimization, and initial public offerings. The research division covers a wide spectrum of industries, providing market insights, fundamental analysis, and sector forecasts to support informed investment decisions.
Founded in 1890 as Stifel, Nicolaus & Company in St. Louis, Missouri, the firm has grown through a combination of organic expansion and strategic acquisitions, extending its footprint across the United States and into key European markets. Today, Stifel maintains offices in major financial centers, including New York, London, and Frankfurt, serving clients with both on-the-ground advisors and digital platforms. Under the leadership of Chairman, President and CEO Ronald J. Kruszewski, Stifel has focused on integrating complementary businesses and strengthening its capital markets capabilities while maintaining a client-centric approach to service delivery.
