Stifel Reports February 2026 Operating Data
MWN-AI** Summary
Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF) released its selected operating results for February 2026, highlighting significant growth across various key metrics, despite the backdrop of market volatility. The company reported total client assets of $557.7 billion as of February 28, 2026, reflecting a 10% year-over-year increase. Excluding assets linked to the recently sold Stifel Independent Advisors, LLC, fee-based client assets surged by 19%, reaching $228.0 billion. This robust performance is attributed to favorable equity market conditions and strong advisor recruitment efforts.
Ronald J. Kruszewski, Chairman and CEO, emphasized that the venture banking division notably saw an increase in treasury deposits, exceeding $400 million, contributing to the overall positive momentum. Client money market and insured products experienced a slight rise of 1% from January, although they were down 6% year-over-year.
The investment banking sector also showed resilience, with first-quarter activity expected to surge by 30% to 40% compared to the first quarter of 2025, reinforcing the firm’s optimistic revenue outlook. Key operating figures as of February 28, 2026, include net bank loans of $22.3 billion, marking a 5% increase year-over-year.
Overall, Stifel's solid operating data underscores a strong financial position and strategic growth initiatives, positioning the company favorably in a competitive landscape. Founded in 1890 and headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, Stifel provides a range of financial services to clients, maintaining a commitment to transforming opportunities into achievements. For additional information, investors can visit Stifel’s official website or access investor relations resources.
MWN-AI** Analysis
As an investor analyzing Stifel Financial Corp.'s (NYSE: SF) February 2026 operating data, there are several key takeaways that warrant attention.
Firstly, the firm reported a significant year-over-year growth in total client assets and fee-based client assets, up 10% and 16%, respectively. This growth can be attributed to equity market appreciation and effective advisor recruitment strategies. The increase in total client assets to $557.7 billion signals robust client confidence and engagement, critical indicators of Stifel's market position.
The sale of Stifel Independent Advisors on February 2, 2026, resulted in a slight dip in total assets compared to the previous month. However, when excluding impacts from this divestiture, the overall growth trajectory appears strong, particularly with both total and fee-based client assets trending upwards. Investors should view this as a strategic move by management to streamline operations and focus on core competencies.
Furthermore, the venture banking segment demonstrated remarkable growth, with treasury deposits increasing by over 73% year-over-year. This signifies a potentially lucrative avenue for Stifel to capitalize on, particularly in a rising interest rate environment where treasury management is becoming increasingly pivotal for clients.
Despite some volatility in market conditions, the continued uptick in investment banking activity suggests strong performance ahead, with projected revenue increases of 30% to 40% compared to the first quarter of 2025. This optimistic forecast is reassuring for investors looking for resilience in Stifel's business model.
In light of these factors, investors might consider Stifel's shares as an attractive option, given their potential for growth supported by a solid operational framework and a clear strategic vision. Maintaining a close watch on upcoming quarterly results and macroeconomic factors will be essential for ongoing assessment.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
ST. LOUIS, March 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF) today reported selected operating results for February 28, 2026, to provide timely information to investors on certain key performance metrics. Due to the limited nature of this data, a consistent correlation to earnings should not be assumed.
Ronald J. Kruszewski, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, “On February 2, 2026, we completed the sale of Stifel Independent Advisors, LLC. Excluding assets related to this transaction, total client assets and fee-based client assets increased 12% and 19% year-over-year, driven by equity market appreciation and strong advisor recruiting. Client money market and insured products rose 1% from January, while venture banking growth increased treasury deposits by more than $400 million. Despite recent market volatility, first-quarter 2026 investment banking activity remains well above prior-year levels, and we expect revenue to increase 30%–40% versus the first quarter of 2025.”
| Selected Operating Data (Unaudited) | |||||||
| As of | % Change | ||||||
| (millions) | 2/28/2026 | 2/28/2025(1) | 1/31/2026(2) | 2/28/2025 | 1/31/2026 | ||
| Total client assets | $557,714 | $506,475 | $561,061 | 10 | % | (1) | % |
| Fee-based client assets | $228,012 | $196,380 | $229,423 | 16 | % | (1) | % |
| Private Client Group fee-based client assets | $199,191 | $171,760 | $201,396 | 16 | % | (1) | % |
| Bank loans, net (includes loans held for sale) | $22,348 | $21,201 | $22,311 | 5 | % | 0 | % |
| Client money market and insured product(3) | $26,030 | $27,737 | $25,911 | (6) | % | 1 | % |
| Treasury deposits(4) | $9,584 | $5,557 | $9,139 | 73 | % | 5 | % |
| (1) | Total client assets and Private Client Group fee-based client assets as of February 28, 2025, include $9.3 billion and $4.3 billion, respectively, of client assets from the Stifel Independent Advisors business that was sold on February 2, 2026. |
| (2) | Total client assets and Private Client Group fee-based client assets as of January 31, 2026, include $10.0 billion and $4.9 billion, respectively, of client assets from the Stifel Independent Advisors business that was sold on February 2, 2026. |
| (3) | Includes Smart Rate deposits, Sweep deposits, Third-party Bank Sweep Program, and Other Sweep cash. |
| (4) | Includes Other Bank deposits and Third-party Commercial Treasury deposits, which represent Venture, Fund, and Commercial deposits at Stifel Bancorp and third-party banks. |
Company Information
Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF) is a diversified financial services firm providing wealth management, commercial and investment banking, trading, and research services to individuals, institutions, and municipalities. Founded in 1890 and headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, the firm operates more than 400 offices across the United States and in major global financial centers. As a firm where success meets success, Stifel works closely with retail and institutional clients aiming to transform opportunities into achievement. To learn more about Stifel, please visit the Company’s website at www.stifel.com. For global disclosures, please visit www.stifel.com/investor-relations/press-releases.
Media Contact:
Neil Shapiro
(212) 271-3447
Investor Contact:
Joel Jeffrey
(212) 271- 3610
FAQ**
How does Stifel Financial Corporation SF plan to sustain the recent growth in fee-based client assets and total client assets, especially after the sale of Stifel Independent Advisors, LLC?
With a projected revenue increase of 30%–40% for Q1 20compared to Q1 2025, what strategies is Stifel Financial Corporation SF employing to enhance its investment banking activity amid market volatility?
Given the rise in treasury deposits by more than $400 million, how is Stifel Financial Corporation SF leveraging its venture banking growth to attract more institutional clients?
What measures is Stifel Financial Corporation SF taking to address the decline in client money market and insured product assets, which fell by 6% year-over-year?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Stifel Financial Corporation (NYSE: SF).
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