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Stifel Reports First Quarter 2015 Financial Results

May 11, 2015 4:04 PM

ST. LOUIS, MO -- (Marketwired) -- 05/11/15 --

Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF)

Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF) today reported net income of $43.1 million, or $0.56 per diluted common share on net revenues of $561.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared with net income of $47.4 million, or $0.63 per diluted common share, on net revenues of $546.8 million for the first quarter of 2014.

For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company reported non-GAAP net income of $49.9 million, or $0.65 per diluted common share, compared with non-GAAP net income of $51.4 million, or $0.68 per diluted common share for the first quarter of 2014. These non-GAAP results exclude merger-related expenses associated with the Company's acquisitions.

Chairman's Comments
“We are pleased with our first quarter results, which represent our third best revenue quarter. That said, while investment banking was a good quarter, results can and will be lumpy. Furthermore, we have incurred additional operating expenses relating to the build-out of our infrastructure. Looking forward, we are optimistic about the continued growth in our business. In today’s environment, we see ample opportunities to continue to build the premier investment banking and wealth management firm,” stated Ronald J. Kruszewski, Chairman and CEO of Stifel.

                                                                            
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                 Summary Results of Operations (Unaudited)                  
                                       Three Months Ended                   
                     ------------------------------------------------------ 
(in 000s)              3/31/15    3/31/14   % Change   12/31/14   % Change  
                     ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 
  Net revenues        $ 560,982  $ 546,756        2.6  $ 578,030       (2.9)
  Net income             43,097     47,382       (9.0)    45,182       (4.6)
  Non-GAAP net income                                                       
   (1)                   49,940     51,437       (2.9)    58,134      (14.1)
                                                                            
Earnings per common                                                         
 share:                                                                     
  Basic               $    0.63  $    0.72      (12.5) $    0.67       (6.0)
  Diluted                  0.56       0.63      (11.1)      0.58       (3.4)
  Non-GAAP net income                                                       
   (1)                     0.65       0.68       (4.4)      0.75      (13.3)
                                                                            
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:                       
  Basic                  68,006     66,037        3.0     66,851        1.7 
  Diluted                77,359     75,691        2.2     77,540       (0.2)
                                                                            
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Brokerage Revenues
Brokerage revenues, defined as commissions plus principal transactions, were $280.5 million, a 1% decrease compared with the first quarter of 2014 and a 4% increase compared with the fourth quarter of 2014.

Investment Banking Revenues
Investment banking revenues were $125.1 million, an 8% decrease compared with the first quarter of 2014 and a 28% decrease compared with record revenues in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Asset Management and Service Fee Revenues
Asset management and service fee revenues were a record $113.9 million, a 28% increase compared with the first quarter of 2014 and an 8% increase compared with the fourth quarter of 2014. The increase is due to the higher value of fee-based accounts as a result of market appreciation and new client assets.

Compensation and Benefits Expenses
For the quarter ended March 31, 2015, compensation and benefits expenses were $355.7 million, which included $3.4 million of merger-related expenses. This compares with $347.0 million in the first quarter of 2014 and $370.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Excluding merger-related expenses, compensation and benefits as a percentage of net revenues was 62.5% in the first quarter of 2015, compared with 62.9% in the first quarter of 2014 and 61.5% in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Transition pay, which primarily consists of amortization of retention awards, signing bonuses, and upfront notes, was 4.1% of net revenues in the first quarter of 2015, compared with 4.3% in the first quarter of 2014 and 4.0% in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Non-Compensation Operating Expenses
For the quarter ended March 31, 2015, non-compensation operating expenses were $135.2 million, which included merger-related expenses of $4.6 million. This compares with $122.3 million in the first quarter of 2014 and $138.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Excluding merger-related expenses, non-compensation operating expenses as a percentage of net revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 was 23.2%, compared with 21.9% in the first quarter of 2014 and 23.0% in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Provision for Income Taxes
The effective income tax rate for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 was 38.5% compared with 38.6% in the first quarter of 2014 and 34.4% in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Assets and Capital

Assets

Capital

Conference Call Information
Stifel Financial Corp. will host its first quarter 2015 financial results conference call on Monday, May 11, 2015, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. The conference call may include forward-looking statements.

All interested parties are invited to listen to Stifel's Chairman and CEO, Ronald J. Kruszewski, by dialing (877) 876-9938 and referencing conference ID #43107466. A live audio webcast of the call, as well as a presentation highlighting the Company's results, will be available through the Company's web site, www.stifel.com. For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, a replay of the broadcast will be available through the above-referenced web site beginning approximately one hour following the completion of the call.

Company Information
Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF) is a financial services holding company headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, that conducts its banking, securities, and financial services business through several wholly owned subsidiaries. Stifel's broker-dealer clients are served in the United States through Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated; Keefe Bruyette & Woods, Inc.; Miller Buckfire & Co., LLC; and Century Securities Associates, Inc., and in the United Kingdom and Europe through Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited; Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Limited; and Oriel Securities Limited. The Company's broker-dealer affiliates provide securities brokerage, investment banking, trading, investment advisory, and related financial services to individual investors, professional money managers, businesses, and municipalities. Stifel Bank & Trust offers a full range of consumer and commercial lending solutions. Stifel Trust Company, N.A. and 1919 Investment Counsel & Trust Company offer trust and related services. To learn more about Stifel, please visit the Company's web site at www.stifel.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This earnings release contains certain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements in this earnings release not dealing with historical results are forward-looking and are based on various assumptions. The forward-looking statements in this earnings release are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements include, among other things, the following possibilities: the ability to successfully integrate acquired companies or the branch offices and financial advisors; a material adverse change in financial condition; the risk of borrower, depositor, and other customer attrition; a change in general business and economic conditions; changes in the interest rate environment, deposit flows, loan demand, real estate values, and competition; changes in accounting principles, policies, or guidelines; changes in legislation and regulation; other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory, geopolitical, and technological factors affecting the companies' operations, pricing, and services; and other risk factors referred to from time to time in filings made by Stifel Financial Corp. with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as to the date they are made. Stifel Financial Corp. disclaims any intent or obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made.

                                                                            
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                 Summary Results of Operations (Unaudited)                  
                                       Three Months Ended                   
                     ------------------------------------------------------ 
(in thousands, except                                                       
 per share amounts)    3/31/15    3/31/14   % Change   12/31/14   % Change  
                     ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 
Revenues:                                                                   
  Commissions         $ 180,302  $ 172,243        4.7  $ 174,990        3.0 
  Principal                                                                 
   transactions         100,205    110,360       (9.2)    94,109        6.5 
                     ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 
    Brokerage                                                               
     revenues           280,507    282,603       (0.7)   269,099        4.2 
                                                                            
  Investment banking    125,089    135,584       (7.7)   174,598      (28.4)
  Asset management                                                          
   and service fees     113,869     89,170       27.7    105,962        7.5 
  Other income           11,800      5,238      125.3     (3,961)     398.0 
                     ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 
    Operating                                                               
     revenues           531,265    512,595        3.6    545,698       (2.6)
  Interest revenue       42,736     42,836       (0.2)    44,936       (4.9)
                     ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 
    Total revenues      574,001    555,431        3.3    590,634       (2.8)
  Interest expense       13,019      8,675       50.1     12,604        3.3 
                     ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 
    Net revenues        560,982    546,756        2.6    578,030       (2.9)
                     ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 
                                                                            
Non-interest                                                                
 expenses:                                                                  
  Compensation and                                                          
   benefits             355,693    346,989        2.5    370,455       (4.0)
  Occupancy and                                                             
   equipment rental      44,170     40,782        8.3     44,178          * 
  Communications and                                                        
   office supplies       29,234     24,838       17.7     28,776        1.6 
  Commission and                                                            
   floor brokerage       10,069      9,029       11.5      8,308       21.2 
  Other operating                                                           
   expenses              51,750     47,689        8.5     57,241       (9.6)
                     ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 
    Total non-                                                              
     interest                                                               
     expenses           490,916    469,327        4.6    508,958       (3.5)
                                                                            
Income before income                                                        
 taxes                   70,066     77,429       (9.5)    69,072        1.4 
  Provision for                                                             
   income taxes          26,969     30,047      (10.2)    23,890       12.9 
                     ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 
Net income            $  43,097  $  47,382       (9.0) $  45,182       (4.6)
                     ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 
                                                                            
Earnings per common                                                         
 share:                                                                     
  Basic               $    0.63  $    0.72      (12.5) $    0.67       (6.0)
  Diluted             $    0.56  $    0.63      (11.1) $    0.58       (3.4)
                                                                            
Weighted average number of common shares                                    
 outstanding:                                                               
  Basic                  68,006     66,037        3.0     66,851        1.7 
  Diluted                77,359     75,691        2.2     77,540       (0.2)
                                                                            
---------------------                                                       
* Percentage not                                                            
 meaningful.                                                                
                                                                            
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Statistical Information

                                                                            
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
       (in thousands, except per share, employee and location amounts)      
                                                  %                     %   
                      3/31/15       3/31/14     Change    12/31/14    Change
                   ------------- ------------- ------- ------------- -------
Statistical                                                                 
 Information:                                                               
  Book value per                                                            
   share            $      34.83  $      32.09    8.5   $      35.00   (0.5)
  Financial                                                                 
   advisors (2)            2,097         2,081    0.8          2,103   (0.3)
  Full-time                                                                 
   associates              6,274         5,831    7.6          6,223    0.8 
  Locations                  368           359    2.5            367    0.3 
  Total client                                                              
   assets           $188,616,000  $168,899,000   11.7   $186,558,000    1.1 
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Business Segment Results

                                                                            
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                    Summary Segment Results (Unaudited)                     
                                       Three Months Ended                   
                     ------------------------------------------------------ 
(in 000s)              3/31/15    3/31/14   % Change   12/31/14   % Change  
                     ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 
Net revenues:                                                               
  Global Wealth                                                             
   Management         $ 329,410  $ 297,183       10.8  $ 310,980        5.9 
  Institutional Group   238,607    249,987       (4.6)   272,686      (12.5)
  Other                  (7,035)      (414)         *     (5,636)      24.8 
                     ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 
                      $ 560,982  $ 546,756        2.6  $ 578,030       (2.9)
                     ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 
Operating                                                                   
 contribution: (3)                                                          
  Global Wealth                                                             
   Management         $  98,847  $  79,676       24.1  $  84,178       17.4 
  Institutional Group    32,331     44,923      (28.0)    34,787       (7.1)
  Other                 (50,369)   (40,726)      23.7    (29,532)      70.6 
                     ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 
                      $  80,809  $  83,873       (3.7) $  89,433       (9.6)
                     ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 
As a percentage of net                                                      
 revenues:                                                                  
  Compensation and                                                          
   benefits                                                                 
    Global Wealth                                                           
     Management            55.6       58.6                  58.0            
    Institutional                                                           
     Group                 62.6       61.7                  64.9            
  Non-comp. operating                                                       
   expenses                                                                 
    Global Wealth                                                           
     Management            14.4       14.6                  14.9            
    Institutional                                                           
     Group                 23.8       20.3                  22.3            
  Income before                                                             
   income taxes(3)                                                          
    Global Wealth                                                           
     Management            30.0       26.8                  27.1            
    Institutional                                                           
     Group                 13.6       18.0                  12.8            
                     ---------- ----------            ----------            
                           14.3       15.2                  15.5            
                                                                            
-----------------------                                                     
* Percentage not                                                            
 meaningful.                                                                
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     Global Wealth Management Summary Results of Operations (Unaudited)     
                                       Three Months Ended                   
                     ------------------------------------------------------ 
(in 000s)              3/31/15    3/31/14   % Change   12/31/14   % Change  
                     ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 
Revenues:                                                                   
  Commissions         $ 116,214  $ 112,997        2.8  $ 115,351        0.7 
  Principal                                                                 
   transactions          41,781     47,154      (11.4)    44,671       (6.5)
                     ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 
    Brokerage                                                               
     revenues           157,995    160,151       (1.3)   160,022       (1.3)
                                                                            
  Asset management                                                          
   and service fees     113,666     89,130       27.5    105,511        7.7 
  Net interest           37,924     35,262        7.5     40,236       (5.7)
  Investment banking     10,326     11,280       (8.5)     9,811        5.2 
  Other income            9,499      1,360      598.3     (4,600)         * 
                     ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 
    Net revenues        329,410    297,183       10.8    310,980        5.9 
                     ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 
Non-interest                                                                
 expenses:                                                                  
  Compensation and                                                          
   benefits             183,243    174,168        5.2    180,491        1.5 
  Non-compensation                                                          
   operating expenses    47,320     43,339        9.2     46,311        2.2 
                     ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 
    Total non-                                                              
     interest                                                               
     expenses           230,563    217,507        6.0    226,802        1.7 
                     ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 
Income before income                                                        
 taxes                $  98,847  $  79,676       24.1  $  84,178       17.4 
                     ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 
                                                                            
As a percentage of                                                          
 net revenues:                                                              
  Compensation and                                                          
   benefits                55.6       58.6                  58.0            
  Non-compensation                                                          
   operating expenses      14.4       14.6                  14.9            
  Income before                                                             
   income taxes            30.0       26.8                  27.1            
                                                                            
-----------------------                                                     
* Percentage not                                                            
 meaningful.                                                                
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                       Stifel Bank & Trust (Unaudited)                      
                         Key Statistical Information                        
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in 000s, except                                 %                     %    
 percentages)         3/31/15      3/31/14     Change   12/31/14     Change 
                   ------------ ------------  ------- ------------  ------- 
Other information:                                                          
  Assets            $ 5,289,349  $ 5,010,987      5.6  $ 5,237,970      1.0 
  Investment                                                                
   securities         2,599,854    3,084,007    (15.7)   2,684,947     (3.2)
  Bank loans, net     2,505,007    1,616,832     54.9    2,298,929      9.0 
  Loans held for                                                            
   sale                 188,783      102,367     84.4      121,939     54.8 
  Deposits            4,834,042    4,607,819      4.9    4,790,084      0.9 
                                                                            
  Allowance as a                                                            
   percentage of                                                            
   loans                  0.96%        0.94%                 0.94%          
  Non-performing                                                            
   assets as a                                                              
   percentage of                                                            
   total assets           0.13%        0.03%                 0.11%          
                                                                            
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       Institutional Group Summary Results of Operations (Unaudited)        
                                       Three Months Ended                   
                     ------------------------------------------------------ 
(in 000s)              3/31/15    3/31/14   % Change   12/31/14   % Change  
                     ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 
Revenues:                                                                   
  Commissions         $  64,088  $  59,246        8.2  $  59,640        7.5 
  Principal                                                                 
   transactions          58,423     63,205       (7.6)    49,437       18.2 
                     ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 
    Brokerage                                                               
     revenues           122,511    122,451          *    109,077       12.3 
  Capital raising        65,321     65,526       (0.3)    61,521        6.2 
  Advisory fees          49,443     58,773      (15.9)   103,266      (52.1)
                     ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 
  Investment banking    114,764    124,299       (7.7)   164,787      (30.4)
  Other (4)               1,332      3,237      (58.7)    (1,179)         * 
                     ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 
    Net revenues        238,607    249,987       (4.6)   272,686      (12.5)
                     ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 
Non-interest                                                                
 expenses:                                                                  
  Compensation and                                                          
   benefits             149,411    154,234       (3.1)   176,897      (15.5)
  Non-compensation                                                          
   operating expenses    56,865     50,830       11.9     61,002       (6.8)
                     ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 
    Total non-                                                              
     interest                                                               
     expenses           206,276    205,064        0.6    237,899      (13.3)
                     ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 
Income before income                                                        
 taxes                $  32,331  $  44,923      (28.0) $  34,787       (7.1)
                     ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 
                                                                            
As a percentage of                                                          
 net revenues:                                                              
  Compensation and                                                          
   benefits                62.6       61.7                  64.9            
  Non-compensation                                                          
   operating expenses      23.8       20.3                  22.3            
  Income before                                                             
   income taxes            13.6       18.0                  12.8            
                                                                            
-----------------------                                                     
* Percentage not                                                            
 meaningful.                                                                
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  Institutional Group Brokerage & Investment Banking Revenues (Unaudited)   
                                       Three Months Ended                   
                     ------------------------------------------------------ 
(in 000s)              3/31/15    3/31/14   % Change   12/31/14   % Change  
                     ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 
Institutional                                                               
 brokerage:                                                                 
  Equity              $  61,803  $  64,456       (4.1) $  67,273       (8.1)
  Fixed income           60,708     57,995        4.7     41,804       45.2 
                     ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 
Institutional                                                               
 brokerage              122,511    122,451          *    109,077       12.3 
                                                                            
Investment banking:                                                         
  Capital raising:                                                          
    Equity               44,591     55,011      (18.9)    42,187        5.7 
    Fixed income         20,730     10,515       97.1     19,334        7.2 
                     ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 
      Capital raising    65,321     65,526       (0.3)    61,521        6.2 
  Advisory fees          49,443     58,773      (15.9)   103,266      (52.1)
                     ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 
Investment banking    $ 114,764  $ 124,299       (7.7) $ 164,787      (30.4)
                     ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 
                                                                            
---------------------                                                       
* Percentage not                                                            
 meaningful.                                                                
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Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The Company utilized non-GAAP calculations of presented net revenues, compensation and benefits, non-compensation operating expenses, income before income taxes, provision for income taxes, net income, compensation and non-compensation operating expense ratios, pre-tax margin, and basic and diluted earnings per share as additional measures to aid in understanding and analyzing the Company's financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2015. Specifically, the Company believes that the non-GAAP measures provide useful information by excluding certain items that may not be indicative of the Company's core operating results and business outlook. The Company believes that these non-GAAP measures will allow for a better evaluation of the operating performance of the business and facilitate a meaningful comparison of the Company's results in the current period to those in prior and future periods. Reference to these non-GAAP measures should not be considered as a substitute for results that are presented in a manner consistent with GAAP. These non-GAAP measures are provided to enhance investors' overall understanding of the Company's current financial performance. These non-GAAP amounts exclude certain compensation and non-compensation operating expenses associated with the Company's acquisitions and the write-off of debt issuance costs as a result of the redemption of our 6.70% senior notes in January 2015.

A limitation of utilizing these non-GAAP measures of net revenues, compensation and benefits, non-compensation operating expenses, income before income taxes, provision for income taxes, net income, compensation and non-compensation operating expenses ratios, pre-tax margin, and basic and diluted earnings per share is that the GAAP accounting effects of these merger-related charges do in fact reflect the underlying financial results of the Company's business and these effects should not be ignored in evaluating and analyzing its financial results. Therefore, the Company believes that GAAP measures of net revenues, compensation and benefits, non-compensation operating expenses, income before income taxes, provision for income taxes, net income, compensation and non-compensation operating expense ratios, pre-tax margin, and basic and diluted earnings per share and the same respective non-GAAP measures of the Company's financial performance should be considered together.

The following table provides details with respect to reconciling net revenues, compensation and benefits, non-compensation operating expenses, income before income taxes, provision for income taxes, net income, compensation and non-compensation operating expense ratios, pre-tax margin, and basic and diluted earnings per share on a GAAP basis for the three months ended March 31, 2015 to the aforementioned expenses on a non-GAAP basis for the same period.

                                                                            
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                                      Three Months Ended March 31, 2015     
                                  ----------------------------------------- 
(in 000s, except per share                                                  
 amounts)                            Non-GAAP      Non-Core        GAAP     
                                  ------------- ------------- ------------- 
Net revenues                        $   563,694   $    (2,712)  $   560,982 
                                                                            
Non-interest expenses:                                                      
  Compensation and benefits             352,283         3,410       355,693 
  Non-compensation operating                                                
   expenses                             130,602         4,621       135,223 
                                  ------------- ------------- ------------- 
    Total non-interest expenses         482,885         8,031       490,916 
Income before income taxes               80,809       (10,743)       70,066 
  Provision for income taxes             30,869        (3,900)       26,969 
                                  ------------- ------------- ------------- 
Net income                          $    49,940   $    (6,843)  $    43,097 
                                  ------------- ------------- ------------- 
                                                                            
Earnings per common share:                                                  
  Basic                             $      0.73   $     (0.10)  $      0.63 
  Diluted                           $      0.65   $     (0.09)  $      0.56 
                                                                            
As a percentage of net revenues:                                            
  Compensation and benefits                62.5                        63.4 
  Non-compensation operating                                                
   expenses                                23.2                        24.1 
  Income before income taxes               14.3                        12.5 
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(1) A reconciliation of the Company's GAAP results to these non-GAAP measures is discussed under "Non-GAAP Financial Measures."
(2) Includes 134, 141, and 138 independent contractors at March 31, 2015, March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2014, respectively.
(3) A reconciliation of the Company's GAAP results to these non-GAAP measures is discussed under "Non-GAAP Financial Measures."
(4) Includes net interest, asset management and service fees, and other income.

   Investor RelationsSarah Anderson (415) [email protected]

Source: Stifel Financial Corp.

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