As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 11, 2017

Registration No. 333-                

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

STIFEL FINANCIAL CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE	43-1273600
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

501 North Broadway

St. Louis, Missouri 63102

(Address of principal executive offices)

314-342-2000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

James M. Zemlyak

President and Chief Financial Officer

Stifel Financial Corp.

501 North Broadway

St. Louis, Missouri 63102

314-342-2000

(Name and address of agent for service)

Copies to:

Mark P. Fisher, Esq. Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary Stifel Financial Corp. One Montgomery Street, Suite 3700 San Francisco, California 94104 415-364-2500 James L. Nouss, Jr., Esq. Robert J. Endicott, Esq. Todd M. Kaye, Esq. Bryan Cave LLP 211 North Broadway, Suite 3600 St. Louis, Missouri 63102 314-259-2000

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box:  ☐

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box:  ☒

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, please check the following box.   ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer	☒	Accelerated filer	☐
Non-accelerated filer	☐  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	Smaller reporting company	☐
		Emerging growth company	☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act.  ☐

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered (1)	Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price (2)	Amount of Registration Fee (2)
Common Stock, par value $0.15 per share Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share Debt Securities Warrants Depositary Shares Subscription Rights Purchase Contracts Purchase Units	$500,000,000	$57,950

(1) Also includes such indeterminate number of shares of common stock and preferred stock or amount of debt securities as may be issued upon conversion or exercise of, or exchange for, any debt securities, preferred stock, or warrants that provide for conversion, exercise or exchange for other securities. No separate consideration will be received for the preferred stock or common stock or debt securities issuable upon conversion of or in exchange for debt securities or preferred stock. Also includes such indeterminate number of shares of common stock and preferred stock or amount of debt securities as may be required for delivery upon exercise of warrants, or conversion or exchange of any debt securities or preferred stock.

(2) An indeterminate number or amount of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be offered at an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $500,000,000 and as may be issuable upon conversion, redemption, repurchase, exchange or exercise of any securities registered hereunder, including under any applicable anti-dilution provisions. Securities registered hereunder may be sold separately, together or as units with other securities registered hereunder. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable upon conversion of, or in exchange for, or upon exercise of, convertible or exchangeable securities. In addition, pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act, the securities being registered hereunder include such indeterminate number of shares of common stock and preferred stock as may be issuable with respect to the shares being registered hereunder as a result of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities, and it is not an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer of sale is not permitted.

PROSPECTUS

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED AUGUST 11, 2017

$500,000,000

STIFEL FINANCIAL CORP.

Common Stock • Preferred Stock • Debt Securities • Warrants

Depositary Shares • Subscription Rights

Purchase Contracts • Purchase Units

We may offer from time to time shares of our common stock, shares of our preferred stock, senior debt securities, subordinated debt securities, warrants, depositary shares, subscription rights, purchase contracts or purchase units covered by this prospectus separately or together in any combination that may include other securities set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement, for sale directly to purchasers or through underwriters, dealers or agents to be designated at a future time, in one or more transactions, with a maximum aggregate offering price of $500,000,000.

We will provide specific terms of any offering of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. The securities may be offered separately or together in any combination and as separate series. You should read this prospectus and any supplement carefully before you invest in any of our securities.

Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange, or the NYSE, and the Chicago Stock Exchange, or the CSX, under the symbol “SF.” Unless we state otherwise in a prospectus supplement, we will not list any of the preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, depositary shares, subscription rights, purchase contracts or purchase units on any securities exchange.

Our principal executive offices are located at 501 North Broadway, St. Louis, Missouri, 63102 and our telephone number is (314) 342-2000.

Investing in these securities involves certain risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 6 of this prospectus and in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference, as well as in any of our subsequently filed quarterly or current reports that are incorporated herein by reference and in any accompanying prospectus supplement.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities, or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

We may offer and sell these securities on a continuous or delayed basis directly, through agents, dealers or underwriters as designated from time to time, or through a combination of these methods. We reserve the sole right to accept, and together with any agents, dealers and underwriters, reserve the right to reject, in whole or in part, any proposed purchase of securities. If any agents, dealers or underwriters are involved in the sale of any securities, the applicable prospectus supplement will set forth any applicable commissions or discounts. Our net proceeds from the sale of securities also will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The date of this prospectus is                 , 2017.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

About this Prospectus	1
Where You Can Find Additional Information	1
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements	3
The Company	4
Risk Factors	6
Use of Proceeds	7
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Dividends	8
Description of Capital Stock	9
Description of Debt Securities	12
Description of Warrants	14
Description of Depositary Shares	15
Description of Subscription Rights	17
Description of Purchase Contracts and Purchase Units	18
Plan of Distribution	19
Legal Matters	21
Experts	21

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front cover of such documents.

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf process, we may sell up to a total of $500,000,000 of any combination of the securities described in this prospectus and applicable prospectus supplements in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. Each prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus.

Before purchasing any securities, you should carefully read both this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us, together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”

Unless the context indicates otherwise, all references in this prospectus to “the Company,” “our company,” “us,” “we” and “our” refer to Stifel Financial Corp. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including Stifel Bank & Trust, or Stifel Bank.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains an internet site at http://www.sec.gov, from which interested persons can electronically access our SEC filings, including the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto.

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and all documents subsequently filed with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act (other than the portions provided pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K or other information “furnished” to the SEC), after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering under this prospectus:

• our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, filed with the SEC on February 23, 2017;

• our Definitive Proxy Statement for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, filed with the SEC on April 26, 2017;

• our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2017, filed with the SEC on May 5, 2017, and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2017, filed with the SEC on August 8, 2017; and

• our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 17, 2017, February 13, 2017, April 21, 2017, June 7, 2017, and August 11, 2017 (except, in any such case, the portions furnished and not filed pursuant to Item 2.02, Item 7.01 or otherwise).

We maintain a website at www.stifel.com where general information about us is available. We are not incorporating the contents of the website into this prospectus.

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Upon written or oral request, we will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered a copy of any and all of the documents that have been or may be incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You should direct requests for documents by telephone to (314) 342-2000 or by mail to Stifel Financial Corp., 501 North Broadway, St. Louis, Missouri 63102, attention: Corporate Secretary.

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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus and the information incorporated by reference in it contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act that are based upon our current expectations and projections about future events. We intend for these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and we are including this statement for purposes of these safe harbor provisions. You can identify these statements from our use of the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “plan,” “potential,” “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “expect” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements cover, among other things, statements made about general economic, political, regulatory, and market conditions, the investment banking and brokerage industries, our objectives and results, and also may include our belief regarding the effect of various legal proceedings, management expectations, our liquidity and funding sources, counterparty credit risk, or other similar matters. All statements in this prospectus and the information incorporated by reference in it not dealing with historical results are forward-looking and are based on various assumptions. The forward-looking statements in this prospectus and the information incorporated by reference in it are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the statements. In addition, our past results of operations do not necessarily indicate our future results. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements include:

• the ability to successfully integrate acquired companies or branch offices and financial advisors;

• a material adverse change in our 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 our operations, pricing and services; and

• the risks and other factors set forth in “Risk Factors” beginning on page 6 of this prospectus.

Forward-looking statements speak only as to the date they are made. We do not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made. We disclaim any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements except as required by law. You should also carefully review the risk factors and cautionary statements described in the other documents we file from time to time with the SEC, specifically our Annual Report on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our Current Reports on Form 8-K.

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THE COMPANY

We are a Delaware corporation and a financial holding company headquartered in St. Louis. We were organized in 1983. Our principal subsidiary is Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, or Stifel, a full-service retail and institutional wealth management and investment banking firm. Stifel is the successor to a partnership founded in 1890. Our other subsidiaries include Century Securities Associates, Inc., an independent contractor broker-dealer firm; Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. (KBW), Miller Buckfire & Co. LLC, and Eaton Partners, LLC, broker-dealer firms; Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited, our European subsidiary; Stifel Bank, a retail and commercial bank; Stifel Trust Company, N.A. and Stifel Trust Company Delaware, N.A., our trust companies; and 1919 Investment Counsel, LLC and Ziegler Capital Management, LLC, asset management firms.

With a 126-year operating history, we have built a diversified business serving private clients, institutional investors, and investment banking clients located across the country. Our principal activities are:

• Private client services, including securities transaction and financial planning services;

• Institutional equity and fixed income sales, trading and research, and municipal finance;

• Investment banking services, including mergers and acquisitions, public offerings, and private placements; and

• Retail and commercial banking, including personal and commercial lending programs.

Our core philosophy is based upon a tradition of trust, understanding, and studied advice. We attract and retain experienced professionals by fostering a culture of entrepreneurial, long-term thinking. We provide our private, institutional, and corporate clients quality, personalized service, with the theory that if we place clients’ needs first, both our clients and our company will prosper. Our unwavering client and employee focus have earned us a reputation as one of the nation’s leading wealth management and investment banking firms.

We have grown our business both organically and through opportunistic acquisitions, including our acquisition of the capital markets business of Legg Mason from Citigroup in 2005; our acquisitions of Ryan Beck & Co., Inc. in February 2007 and FirstService Bank in April 2007; our acquisition of ButlerWick & Co., Inc. in 2008; our acquisition of 56 branches from the UBS Wealth Management Americas branch network in 2009; our acquisition of Thomas Weisel Partners Group, Inc. in July 2010; our acquisition of Stone & Youngberg in October 2011; our merger with KBW in February 2013; our acquisition of the U.S. institutional fixed income sales and trading business and the hiring of the European institutional fixed income sales and trading team from Knight Capital Group in July 2013; our acquisition of Acacia Federal Savings Bank in October 2013; our acquisition of Ziegler Lotsoff Capital Management, LLC in November 2013; our acquisition of De La Rosa & Co. in April 2014; our acquisition of Oriel Securities in July 2014; our acquisition of Legg Mason Investment Counsel & Trust Co., N.A. in November 2014; our acquisition of Merchant Capital, LLC in December 2014; our acquisition of Sterne Agee Group, Inc. in June 2015; our acquisition of Barclays Wealth and Investment Management in December 2015; our acquisition of Eaton Partners, LLC in January 2016; our acquisition of ISM Capital LLP in May 2016; and our acquisition of City Financial Corporation in January 2017. Throughout the course of these integrations, our highly variable cost structure has enabled us to achieve consistent core earnings profitability while growing net revenue for 21 consecutive years.

We primarily operate our business through three segments, Global Wealth Management, Institutional Group and Other. Our Global Wealth Management segment consists of two businesses, the Private Client Group and Stifel Bank. The Private Client Group includes branch offices and independent contractor offices of our broker-dealer subsidiaries located throughout the United States. These branches provide securities brokerage services, including the sale of equities, mutual funds, fixed income products, and insurance, as well as offering banking products to their private clients through Stifel Bank, which provides residential, consumer, and commercial lending, as well as FDIC-insured deposit accounts to customers of our broker-dealer subsidiaries and to the general public.

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Our Institutional Group segment includes institutional sales and trading. It provides securities brokerage, trading, and research services to institutions, with an emphasis on the sale of equity and fixed income products. This segment also includes the management of and participation in underwritings for both corporate and public finance (exclusive of sales credits generated through the private client group, which are included in the Global Wealth Management segment), merger and acquisition, and financial advisory services.

The Other segment includes interest income from stock borrow activities, unallocated interest expense, interest income and gains and losses from investments held, compensation expense associated with the expensing of restricted stock awards with no continuing service requirements as a result of acquisitions completed during 2016, amortization of stock-based awards for certain administrative employees, and all unallocated overhead cost associated with the execution of orders; processing of securities transactions; custody of client securities; receipt, identification, and delivery of funds and securities; compliance with regulatory and legal requirements; internal financial accounting and controls; and general administration and acquisition charges.

For the year ended December 31, 2016, Global Wealth Management net revenues increased 13.5% to a record $1.6 billion from $1.4 billion in 2015. For the six months ended June 30, 2017, Global Wealth Management net revenues increased 16.8% to a record $894.7 million from $765.8 million for the comparable period in 2016. For the year ended December 31, 2016, Institutional Group net revenues increased 4.0% to a record $1.0 billion from $975.6 million in 2015. For the six months ended June 30, 2017, Institutional Group net revenues increased 2.3% to $513.6 million from $502.2 million for the comparable period in 2016. For the year ended December 31, 2016, Other net revenues increased 90.3% to $(2.1) million from $(21.3) million in 2015. For the six months ended June 30, 2017, Other net revenues decreased 275.6% to $(7.2) million from $4.1 million for the comparable period in 2016.

Through our broker-dealer subsidiaries, we provide securities-related financial services to customers from the United States and Europe. Our customers include individuals, corporations, municipalities, and institutions. We have customers throughout the United States, with a growing presence in the United Kingdom and Europe. No single client accounts for a material percentage of any segment of our business. Our inventory, which we believe is of modest size and intended to turn over quickly, exists to facilitate order flow and support the investment strategies of our clients. The inventory of securities held to facilitate customer trades and our market-making activities is sensitive to market movements. Furthermore, our balance sheet is highly liquid, without material holdings of securities that are difficult to value or remarket. We believe that our broad platform, fee-based revenues, and strong distribution network position us well to take advantage of current trends within the financial services sector.

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RISK FACTORS

An investment in our securities involves risks. We urge you to consider carefully the risks described in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and, if applicable, in any prospectus supplement used in connection with an offering of our securities, before making an investment decision, including those risks identified under “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part I in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus and which may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports that we subsequently file with the SEC. Additional risks, including those that relate to any particular securities we offer, may be included in a prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus that we authorize from time to time, or that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus or a prospectus supplement.

Our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks. The market or trading price of our securities could decline due to any of these risks. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial also may impair our business and operations or cause the price of our securities to decline.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds of any offering of securities sold by us for general corporate purposes.

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

AND TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS

The following table sets forth our consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges and our consolidated ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends for the each of the five prior fiscal years and for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2017. The ratios presented below should be read together with the consolidated financial statements and the notes accompanying them and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2017 and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, incorporated by reference into this prospectus. For purposes of the computation of the ratio of earnings to fixed charges and the ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred dividends, earnings consist of earnings from continuing operations before income taxes plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest expense plus the interest component of lease rental expense. Preferred stock dividends are the amount of pre-tax earnings that are required to pay the dividends on outstanding preferred securities.

Year Ended December 31,

Six Months Ended June 30,

2012

2013

2014(1)

2015(2)

2016(3)

2016(4)

2017(5)

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

5.44x

3.59x

5.29x

2.84x

2.38x

2.23x

4.23x

Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends(6)

5.44x

3.59x

5.29x

2.84x

2.29x

2.23x

3.87x

⁽¹⁾ For the year ended December 31, 2014, we recorded certain merger-related after-tax expenses of $26.4 million.

⁽²⁾ For the year ended December 31, 2015, we recorded certain merger-related after-tax expenses of $56.9 million.

⁽³⁾ For the year ended December 31, 2016, we recorded certain merger- and litigation-related after-tax expenses of $108.1 million.

⁽⁴⁾ For the six months ended June 30, 2016, we recorded certain merger-related after-tax expenses of $41.5 million.

⁽⁵⁾ For the six months ended June 30, 2017, we recorded certain merger- and litigation-related after-tax expenses of $17.5 million.

⁽⁶⁾ On July 11, 2016, we completed an underwritten registered public offering of $150 million of 6.25% Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock. Accordingly, for all periods other than the year ended December 31, 2016 and the six months ended June 30, 2017, the ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preference dividends for the periods presented is the same as the ratio of earnings to fixed charges since we had no outstanding preferred stock and, therefore, no dividend requirements in those periods.

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

General

Our authorized capital stock consists of 3,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, and 97,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.15 per share.

Preferred Stock

As of the date of this prospectus, there were 6,000 shares of preferred stock outstanding. Any number of the remaining authorized and unissued shares of preferred stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series of preferred stock. The designations, the relative preferences and participating, optional and other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of other series, if any, may differ from those of any and all other series, and, pursuant to our certificate of incorporation, our Board of Directors is authorized to fix by resolution or resolutions prior to the issuance of any shares of any series of preferred stock, the designation, preferences, relative, participating, optional and other special rights or the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such series, including without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the following:

• the date and time at which, and the terms and conditions on which, dividends on such series of preferred stock shall be paid;

• the right, if any of the holders of shares of such series of preferred stock to vote and the manner of voting, except as may otherwise be provided by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware;

• the right, if any, of the holders of shares of such series of preferred stock to convert the same into or exchange the same for other classes of our stock and the terms and conditions for such conversion and exchange;

• the redemption price or prices and the time at which, and the terms and conditions on which, the shares of such series of preferred stock may be redeemed;

• the rights of the holders of shares of such series of preferred stock upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, distribution, or sale of assets, dissolution or winding up of our company; and

• the terms of the sinking fund or redemption or purchase account, if any, to be provided for such series of preferred stock.

Subject to the provisions of any series of preferred stock, dividends payable on our common stock in cash or otherwise may be declared and paid on the shares of our common stock from time to time out of any funds or property legally available therefor, and in the event of any such declaration or payment the holders of our common stock shall be entitled, to the exclusion of the holders of the preferred stock, to share therein.

In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company, after distribution and payment in full shall have been made to the holders of the preferred stock in accordance with the terms thereof, the remainder of our assets, if any, shall be distributed pro rata among the holders of our common stock.

Except as otherwise provided in any prospectus supplement, all shares of the same series of preferred stock will be identical with each other share of said stock. The shares of different series may differ, including as to rank, as may be provided in our certificate of incorporation, or as may be fixed by our board of directors as described above. We may from time to time amend our certificate of incorporation to increase or decrease the number of authorized shares of preferred stock. Unless otherwise provided in any prospectus supplement, all shares of preferred stock will be fully paid and non-assessable.

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The material terms of any series of preferred stock being offered by us will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to that series of preferred stock. That prospectus supplement may not restate the amendment to our certificate of incorporation or the board resolution that establishes a particular series of preferred stock in its entirety. We urge you to read that amendment or board resolution because it, and not the description in the prospectus supplement, will define your rights as a holder of preferred stock. Any certificate of amendment to our certificate of incorporation or board resolution will be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and with the SEC.

Redemption. All shares of any series of preferred stock will be redeemable to the extent set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Conversion or Exchange. Shares of any series of preferred stock will be convertible into or exchangeable for shares of common stock or preferred stock or debt securities to the extent set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Preemptive Rights. No holder of shares of any series of preferred stock will have any preemptive or preferential rights to subscribe to or purchase shares of any class or series of stock, now or hereafter authorized, or any securities convertible into, or warrants or other evidences of optional rights to purchase or subscribe to, shares of any series, now or hereafter authorized.

Voting Rights. Except as indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the holders of preferred stock will be entitled to one vote for each share of preferred stock held by them on all matters properly presented to shareholders. Except as indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the holders of common stock and the holders of all series of preferred stock will vote together as one class, except as otherwise provided by law and except as set forth below.

Common Stock

The following is a summary of the material terms and rights associated with our common stock and certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws. Since the terms of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, and Delaware corporate law, are more detailed than the general information provided below, you should only rely on the actual provisions of those documents and Delaware law for a complete statement of the terms and rights of our common stock. If you would like to read those documents, they are on file with the SEC, as described under the heading “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”

As of August 1, 2017, there were 68,309,855 shares of common stock outstanding that were held of record by approximately 24,300 stockholders. The holders of common stock, subject to the provisions of our bylaws and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware relating to the fixing of a record date, are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders. Our stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors. Accordingly, holders of a majority of the shares voting are able to elect all of the directors. Subject to the provisions of any series of preferred stock, dividends payable on our common stock in cash or otherwise may be declared and paid on the shares of our common stock from time to time out of any funds or property legally available therefor, and in the event of any such declaration or payment the holders of our common stock shall be entitled, to the exclusion of the holders of the preferred stock, to share therein. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of common stock are entitled to share ratably in all of our assets remaining after we pay our liabilities and distribute the liquidation preference of any then outstanding preferred stock. Holders of common stock have no preemptive or other subscription or conversion rights. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock.

Computershare Trust Company, N.A. is the transfer agent and registrar for our common stock. Our common stock is listed on the NYSE and the CSX under the symbol “SF.”

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Certain Effects of Authorized but Unissued Stock

We may issue additional shares of common stock or preferred stock without stockholder approval, subject to applicable rules of the NYSE and the CSX, for a variety of corporate purposes, including raising additional capital, corporate acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of unissued and unreserved common and preferred stock may enable us to issue shares to persons who are friendly to current management, which could discourage an attempt to obtain control of our company through a merger, tender offer, proxy contest, or otherwise, and protect the continuity of management and possibly deprive you of opportunities to sell your shares at prices higher than the prevailing market prices. We could also use additional shares to dilute the stock ownership of persons seeking to obtain control of our company.

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

This section describes some of the general terms of the debt securities that we may issue, either separately or upon exercise of a warrant. Each prospectus supplement will describe the particular terms of the debt securities we are offering under that supplement. Each prospectus supplement will also indicate the extent, if any, to which such general provisions may not apply to the particular debt securities we are offering under that supplement. When we refer to a prospectus supplement we are also referring to any applicable pricing supplement or any applicable free writing prospectus.

We will issue the debt securities under one or more indentures that will be entered into between us and a trustee that will be a qualified trustee under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. We will file any such indenture with the SEC and will summarize the material provisions thereof in a prospectus supplement. We urge you to read any such indenture and the debt securities because they, and not this or any subsequently-filed description, define your rights as holders of the debt securities.

The debt securities will be our unsecured obligations. The debt securities may be referred to as debentures, notes or other unsecured evidences of indebtedness. We may issue the debt securities at various times in different series, each of which may have different terms.

The prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of debt securities we are offering will include the following information concerning those debt securities:

• the title of the debt securities;

• any limit on the amount of such debt securities that we may offer;

• the price at which we are offering the debt securities. We will usually express the price as a percentage of the principal amount;

• the amortization schedule, maturity date or retirement of the debt securities;

• the interest rate per annum on the debt securities. We may specify a fixed rate or a variable rate, or we may offer debt securities that do not bear interest but are sold at a substantial discount from the amount payable at maturity. We may also specify how the rate or rates on the debt securities will be determined and the basis upon which interest will be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;

• the date from which interest on the debt securities will accrue or how the dates will be determined;

• the dates on which we will pay interest and the regular record dates for determining which holders are entitled to receive the interest;

• the dates, if any, on which or after which, and the prices and other terms at which, we are required to redeem the debt securities or have the option to redeem the debt securities;

• the circumstances, if any, under which we may be obligated to make an offer to repurchase the debt securities upon the occurrence of a change in control;

• any provisions, if any, with respect to amortization, sinking funds or retirement;

• any limitations, if any, on our right to defease our obligations under the debt securities by depositing cash or securities;

• the amount that we would be required to pay if the maturity of the debt securities is accelerated, if that amount is other than the principal amount;

• any additional restrictive covenants or other material terms relating to the debt securities;

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• the terms, if any, upon which the debt securities may be converted into or exchanged for common stock, preferred stock or debt securities;

• any additional events of default that will apply to the debt securities;

• the currency or currencies, if other than the currency of the United States, in which principal and interest will be paid. If the currency will be determined under an index, the details concerning such index; and

• other material terms of the debt securities.

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants, stock appreciation rights or other rights (collectively, “warrants”) to purchase debt or equity securities. We may issue warrants independently or as part of a unit with other securities. Warrants sold with other securities as a unit may be attached to or separate from the other securities. We will issue warrants under warrant agreements to be entered into between us and a warrant agent that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering material.

The prospectus supplement or other offering material relating to any warrants we are offering will include specific terms relating to the offering, including a description of any other securities sold together with the warrants. These terms will include some or all of the following:

• the title of the warrants;

• the aggregate number of warrants offered;

• the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued;

• the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which the prices of the warrants may be payable;

• the designation, number and terms of the debt securities, common stock, preferred stock or other securities or rights, including rights to receive payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified commodities, currencies or indices, purchasable upon exercise of the warrants and procedures by which those numbers may be adjusted;

• the exercise price of the warrants and the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which such price is payable;

• the dates or periods during which the warrants are exercisable;

• the designation and terms of any securities with which the warrants are issued as a unit;

• if the warrants are issued as a unit with another security, the date on and after which the warrants and the other security will be separately transferable;

• any minimum or maximum amount of warrants that may be exercised at any one time;

• any terms relating to the modification of the warrants; and

• any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the transferability, exchange, exercise or redemption of the warrants.

Warrants issued for securities other than our common stock or preferred stock or debt securities will not be exercisable until at least one year from the date of sale of the warrant.

The applicable prospectus supplement or other offering material will describe the specific terms of any warrant units.

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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

General

We may offer fractional shares of preferred stock, rather than full shares of preferred stock. If we do so, we may issue receipts for depositary shares that each represent a fraction of a share of a particular series of preferred stock. The prospectus supplement will indicate that fraction. The shares of preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a depositary agreement between us and a bank depositary. The phrase “bank depositary” means a bank or trust company that meets certain requirements and is selected by us. Each owner of a depositary share will be entitled to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented by the depositary share. The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the depositary agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional shares of preferred stock in accordance with the terms of the offering.

We have summarized some common provisions of a depositary agreement and the related depositary receipts. The forms of the depositary agreement and the depositary receipts relating to any particular issue of depositary shares will be filed with the SEC each time we issue depositary shares, and you should read those documents for provisions that may be important to you.

Dividends and Other Distributions

If we pay a cash distribution or dividend on a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares, the bank depositary will distribute such dividends to the record holders of such depositary shares. If the distributions are in property other than cash, the bank depositary will distribute the property to the record holders of the depositary shares. However, if the bank depositary determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution of property, the bank depositary may, with our approval, sell such property and distribute the net proceeds from such sale to the record holders of the depositary shares.

Redemption of Depositary Shares

If we redeem a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares, the bank depositary will redeem the depositary shares from the proceeds received by the bank depositary in connection with the redemption. The redemption price per depositary share will equal the applicable fraction of the redemption price per share of the preferred stock. If fewer than all the depositary shares are redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or pro rata as the bank depositary may determine.

Voting the Preferred Stock

Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the preferred stock represented by depositary shares are entitled to vote, the bank depositary will mail the notice to the record holders of the depositary shares relating to such preferred stock. Each record holder of these depositary shares on the record date (which will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock) may instruct the bank depositary as to how to vote the preferred stock represented by such holder’s depositary shares. The bank depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote the amount of the preferred stock represented by such depositary shares in accordance with such instructions, and we will take all action which the bank depositary deems necessary in order to enable the bank depositary to do so. The bank depositary will abstain from voting shares of the preferred stock to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares representing such preferred stock.

Amendment and Termination of the Depositary Agreement

The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the depositary agreement may be amended by agreement between the bank depositary and us. However, any amendment that

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materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary shares will not be effective unless such amendment has been approved by the holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding. The depositary agreement may be terminated by the bank depositary or us only if (1) all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed or (2) there has been a final distribution in respect of the preferred stock in connection with any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of us and such distribution has been distributed to the holders of depositary shares.

Charges of Bank Depositary

We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will pay charges of the bank depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred stock and any redemption of the preferred stock. Holders of depositary shares will pay other transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and any other charges, including a fee for the withdrawal of shares of preferred stock upon surrender of depositary receipts, as are expressly provided in the depositary agreement to be payable by such holders.

Withdrawal of Preferred Stock

Except as may be provided otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, upon surrender of depositary receipts at the principal office of the bank depositary, subject to the terms of the depositary agreement, the owner of the depositary shares may demand delivery of the number of whole shares of preferred stock and all money and other property, if any, represented by those depositary shares. Partial shares of preferred stock will not be issued. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares representing the number of whole shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the bank depositary will deliver to such holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares. Holders of preferred stock thus withdrawn may not thereafter deposit those shares under the depositary agreement or receive depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares therefor.

Miscellaneous

The bank depositary will forward to holders of depositary shares all reports and communications from us that are delivered to the bank depositary and that we are required to furnish to the holders of the preferred stock.

Neither the bank depositary nor we will be liable if we are prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond its control in performing its obligations under the depositary agreement. The obligations of the bank depositary and us under the depositary agreement will be limited to performance in good faith of their respective duties under the depositary agreement, and we will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares or preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, or upon information provided by persons presenting preferred stock for deposit, holders of depositary shares or other persons believed to be competent and on documents believed to be genuine.

Resignation and Removal of Bank Depositary

The bank depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its election to do so, and we may at any time remove the bank depositary. Any such resignation or removal will take effect upon the appointment of a successor bank depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. The successor bank depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company meeting the requirements of the depositary agreement.

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DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS

We may issue subscription rights to purchase our debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, warrants, depositary shares or other securities. These subscription rights may be issued independently or together with any other security offered hereby and may or may not be transferable by the stockholder receiving the subscription rights in such offering. In connection with any offering of subscription rights, we may enter into a standby arrangement with one or more underwriters or other purchasers pursuant to which the underwriters or other purchasers may be required to purchase any securities remaining unsubscribed for after such offering.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of any offering of subscription rights for which this prospectus is being delivered, including the following:

• the price, if any, for the subscription rights;

• the exercise price payable for each share of our common stock or preferred stock or for warrants, depositary shares debt securities or other securities upon the exercise of the subscription rights;

• the number of subscription rights issued to each stockholder;

• the number and terms of each share of our common stock or preferred stock or for warrants, depositary shares debt securities or other securities which may be purchased per each subscription right;

• the extent to which the subscription rights are transferable;

• any provisions for adjustment of the number or amount of securities receivable upon exercise of the subscription rights or the exercise price of the subscription rights;

• any other terms of the subscription rights, including the terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the subscription rights;

• the date on which the right to exercise the subscription rights shall commence, and the date on which the subscription rights shall expire;

• the extent to which the subscription rights may include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities; and

• if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or purchase arrangement entered into by us in connection with the offering of subscription rights.

The description in the applicable prospectus supplement of any subscription rights we offer will not necessarily be complete and is subject to, and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to, the applicable subscription rights agreement and subscription rights certificate, which will be filed with the SEC in connection with any offering of subscription rights.

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DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND PURCHASE UNITS

We may issue purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and obligating us to sell to the holders, a specified number or amount of shares of common stock or preferred stock or debt securities, warrants, depositary shares or other securities at a future date or dates, which we refer to in this prospectus as “purchase contracts.” The price per share of the securities and the number of shares or other amount of the securities may be fixed at the time the purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the purchase contracts. The purchase contracts may be issued separately or as part of units consisting of a purchase contract, common stock, preferred stock, warrants, debt securities or depositary shares, which we refer to in this prospectus as “purchase units.” The purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations under the purchase contracts in a specified manner. The purchase contracts also may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the purchase units or vice versa, and those payments may be unsecured or refunded on some basis.

The purchase contracts, and, if applicable, collateral or depositary arrangements, relating to the purchase contracts or purchase units, will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of purchase contracts or purchase units. The prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of purchase contracts or purchase units will describe the terms of those purchase contracts or purchase units, including the following:

• if applicable, a discussion of material United States federal income tax considerations; and

• any other information we think is important about the purchase contracts or the purchase units.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

General

We may sell the securities covered by this prospectus in one or more of the following ways from time to time, including without limitation:

• to or through underwriters for resale to the purchasers, which underwriters may act directly or through a syndicate represented by one or more managing underwriters;

• directly to one or more purchasers, through a specific bidding, auction or other process;

• through agents or dealers;

• through a block trade in which the broker or dealer engaged to handle the block trade will attempt to sell the securities as agent, but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;

• in exchange for outstanding indebtedness; or

• through a combination of any of these methods of sale.

A prospectus supplement with respect to each series of securities will state the terms of the offering of the securities, including:

• the terms of the offering;

• the name or names of any underwriters or agents and the amounts of securities underwritten or purchased by each of them, if any;

• the public offering price or purchase price of the securities and the net proceeds to be received by us from the sale;

• any underwriting discounts or agency fees and other items constituting underwriters’ or agents’ compensation;

• any delayed delivery arrangements;

• any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

• any securities exchange on which the securities may be listed.

If we use underwriters or dealers in the sale, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters or dealers for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including:

• privately negotiated transactions;

• at a fixed public offering price or prices, which may be changed;

• in “at the market offerings” within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act;

• at prices related to prevailing market prices; or

• at negotiated prices.

We may directly solicit offers to purchase securities, or agents may be designated to solicit such offers. We will, in the prospectus supplement relating to such offering, name any agent that could be viewed as an underwriter under the Securities Act and describe any commissions that we must pay. Any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment or, if indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, on a firm commitment basis. Agents, dealers and underwriters may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

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If any underwriters or agents are utilized in the sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered, we will enter into an underwriting agreement or other agreement with them at the time of sale to them, and we will set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to such offering the names of the underwriters or agents and the terms of the related agreement with them.

If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the securities in respect of which the prospectus is delivered, we will sell such securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell such securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealer at the time of resale.

Remarketing firms, agents, underwriters and dealers may be entitled under agreements which they may enter into with us to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

Market-Making, Stabilization and Other Transactions

In order to facilitate the offering of the securities, any underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities or any other securities the prices of which may be used to determine payments on such securities. Specifically, any underwriters may overallot in connection with the offering, creating a short position for their own accounts. In addition, to cover overallotments or to stabilize the price of the securities or of any such other securities, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, the securities or any such other securities in the open market. Finally, in any offering of the securities through a syndicate of underwriters, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing the securities in the offering if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed securities in transactions to cover syndicate short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities above independent market levels. Any such underwriters are not required to engage in these activities and may end any of these activities at any time.

There is currently no market for any of the offered securities, other than the common stock which is listed on the NYSE and the CSX. If the offered securities are traded after their initial issuance, they may trade at a discount from their initial offering price, depending upon prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities and other factors. While it is possible that an underwriter could inform us that it intends to make a market in the offered securities, such underwriter would not be obligated to do so, and any such market-making could be discontinued at any time without notice. Therefore, no assurance can be given as to whether an active trading market will develop for the offered securities. We have no current plans for listing of any of the preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, depositary shares, subscription rights, purchase contracts or purchase units on any securities exchange; any such listing with respect to any particular security will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as the case may be.

Conflicts of Interest

KBW, our broker-dealer subsidiary, and Stifel, our investment banking subsidiary, are members of FINRA and may participate in distributions of the offered securities. Since we own more than 10% of the common equity of KBW and Stifel, a “conflict of interest” will exist for KBW and/or Stifel within the meaning of FINRA Rule 5121(f)(5)(B) if they participate in any offering of the offered securities. Additionally, KBW and/or Stifel and one or more of their respective affiliates, as defined in FINRA Rule 5121, will have a conflict of interest as defined in Rule 5121(f)(5)(C)(ii) to the extent they receive more than 5% of the net proceeds of any offering of the offered securities. Accordingly, offerings of the offered securities in which KBW or Stifel participates will be conducted pursuant to Rule 5121. To comply with Rule 5121, KBW or Stifel, as applicable, will not confirm sales of the offered securities to any account over which KBW or Stifel, as applicable, exercises discretionary authority without the prior written approval of the customer. In addition, pursuant to Rule 5121, a “qualified independent underwriter” (as defined in Rule 5121) must participate in the preparation of the prospectus supplement with respect to the offering and must exercise the usual standards of due diligence with respect thereto.

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LEGAL MATTERS

In connection with particular offerings of our securities in the future, and unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of such securities will be passed upon for Stifel Financial Corp. by Bryan Cave LLP, St. Louis, Missouri.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Stifel Financial Corp. appearing in Stifel Financial Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 11, 2017 for the year ended December 31, 2016 and the effectiveness of Stifel Financial Corp.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following table sets forth the estimated expenses (all of which will be borne by the registrant unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement) incurred in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered, other than underwriting discounts and commissions (if applicable). All of the amounts shown are estimates, except the SEC registration fee.

SEC registration fee	$	57,950
Rating agency fees		*
Trustee fees and expenses		*
Printing and distribution		*
Legal fees and expenses		*
Accounting fees and expenses		*
Transfer agent fees and expenses		*
Miscellaneous		*
Total	$	*

* An estimate of the aggregate amount of these expenses will be reflected in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

The Registrant is incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. The following is a summary of Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (“Delaware Law”).

Subject to restrictions contained in Delaware Law, a corporation may indemnify any person, who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorney’s fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection therewith if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, in connection with any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that such person’s conduct was unlawful. A present or former director or officer who is successful on the merits or otherwise in any suit or matter covered by the indemnification statute shall be indemnified and indemnification is otherwise authorized upon a determination that the person to be indemnified has met the applicable standard of conduct required. Such determination shall be made by a majority vote of the board of directors who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by special independent counsel in a written opinion, or by the stockholders. Expenses incurred in defense may be paid in advance upon receipt by the corporation of a written undertaking by or on behalf of the recipient to repay such amount if it is ultimately determined that the recipient is not entitled to indemnification under the statute. The

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indemnification provided by statute is not exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under any by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such person. Insurance may be purchased on behalf of any person entitled to indemnification by the corporation against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred in an official capacity regardless of whether the person could be indemnified under the statute. References to the corporation include all constituent corporations absorbed in a consolidation or merger as well as the resulting corporation, and anyone seeking indemnification by virtue of acting in some capacity with a constituent corporation would stand in the same position as if such person had served the resulting or surviving corporation in the same capacity.

The Registrant’s certificate of incorporation provides generally that a director shall not be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of Delaware Law, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

Section 6.4 of the Registrant’s Amended and Restated By-Laws provides for indemnification by the Registrant of each person who is or was a director, officer or employee of the Registrant (or is or was serving as a director, officer or employee of any other enterprise at the request of the Registrant) to the full extent authorized by law. Certain of the directors also have indemnification agreements with the Registrant which provide for indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware Law or by any amendment thereof or any other statutory provisions authorizing or permitting indemnification.

In addition, Delaware Law and the Registrant’s by-laws authorize the Registrant to purchase insurance for its directors and officers insuring them against certain risks as to which the Registrant may be unable lawfully to indemnify them. The Registrant has purchased insurance coverage for its directors and officers as well as insurance coverage to reimburse the Registrant for potential costs of corporate indemnification of its directors and officers.

Item 16. Exhibits.

The exhibits to this registration statement are listed in the exhibit index, which appears elsewhere herein and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 17. Undertakings.

(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made of the securities registered hereby, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;

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(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of this registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

(5) If the warrants to be issued are to be offered to existing security holders of the registrant pursuant to warrants or rights and any securities not taken by security holders of the registrant are to be reoffered to the public, then the undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supplement the prospectus, after the expiration of the subscription period, to set forth the results of the subscription offer, the transactions by the underwriters during the subscription period, the amount of unsubscribed securities to be purchased by the underwriters, and the terms of any subsequent reoffering thereof. If any public offering by the underwriters is to be made on terms differing from those set forth on the cover page of the prospectus, a post-effective amendment will be filed to set forth the terms of such offering

(6) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

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(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

(7) To file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act (the “Act”) in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission under section 305(b)(2) of the Act.

(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Stifel Financial Corp. certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of St. Louis, and the State of Missouri, on this 11^th day of August, 2017.

STIFEL FINANCIAL CORP.

/s/ Ronald J. Kruszewski

Ronald J. Kruszewski

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Ronald J. Kruszewski and James M. Zemlyak, and each of them (with full power of each to act alone), severally, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her to execute in his or her name, place and stead (individually and in any capacity stated below) any and all amendments to this registration statement (including post-effective amendments), and any additional registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for the offerings contemplated by this registration statement, and all documents and instruments necessary or advisable in connection therewith, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission (or any other governmental regulatory authority), each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents to have power to act with or without the others and to have full power and authority to do and to perform in the name and on behalf of each of the undersigned every act whatsoever necessary or advisable to be done in the premises as fully and to all intents and purposes as any of the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents and/or any of them, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on August 11, 2017.

Signature	Title
/s/ Ronald J. Kruszewski	Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Director (Principal Executive Officer)
Ronald J. Kruszewski
/s/ James M. Zemlyak	President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
James M. Zemlyak
/s/ Kathleen Brown	Director
Kathleen Brown

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Signature	Title
/s/ Michael W. Brown	Director
Michael W. Brown
/s/ John P. Dubinsky	Director
John P. Dubinsky
/s/ Robert E. Grady	Director
Robert E. Grady
/s/ Frederick O. Hanser	Director
Frederick O. Hanser
/s/ Maura A. Markus	Director
Maura A. Markus
/s/ James M. Oates	Director
James M. Oates
/s/ David A. Peacock	Director
David A. Peacock
/s/ Thomas W. Weisel	Co-Chairman and Director
Thomas W. Weisel
/s/ Kelvin R. Westbrook	Director
Kelvin R. Westbrook
/s/ Michael J. Zimmerman	Director
Michael J. Zimmerman

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit Number	Description of Exhibit
1.1	Form of Underwriting Agreement relating to common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities, subscription rights, warrants, purchase contracts and purchase units.*
4.1	Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on June 3, 2009, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Stifel Financial Corp.‘s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration File No. 333-160523) filed on July 10, 2009.
4.2	Amended and Restated By-Laws of Stifel Financial Corp., incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Stifel Financial Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 7, 2012.
4.3	Certificate of Designations, Preferences, and Rights of the Special Voting Preferred Stock, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Stifel Financial Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 1, 2010.
4.4	Certificate of Designations of 6.25% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 15, 2016.
4.5	Form of Indenture, by and between Stifel Financial Corp., as issuer, and U.S. Bank, National Association, as trustee, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Stifel Financial Corp.’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on January 8, 2015.
4.6	Specimen Stock Certificate, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 7 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on April 29, 1987.
4.7	Form of Preferred Stock (any amendment to Stifel Financial Corp.’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation authorizing the creation of any series of Preferred Stock setting forth the rights, preferences and designations thereof will be filed as an exhibit subsequently included or incorporated by reference herein).*
4.8	Form of Debt Security.*
4.9	Form of Warrant Agreement (including form of Warrant).*
4.10	Form of Deposit Agreement (including form of Depositary Receipt).*
4.11	Form of Subscription Rights Agreement (including form of Subscription Rights Certificate).*
4.12	Form of Purchase Contract Agreement (including form of Purchase Contract).*
4.13	Form of Unit Agreement (including form of Unit).*
5.1	Opinion of Bryan Cave LLP.
12.1	Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
23.1	Consent of Bryan Cave LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
23.2	Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
24.1	Power of Attorney (included in the signature page hereto).
25.1	Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of the Trustee under the Indenture.

* To be filed either by a post-effective amendment to the registration statement or as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K or Form 10-Q pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K and incorporated by reference herein.

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