10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

x Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2014

OR

 

¨ Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission File Number: 001-09305

 

 

STIFEL FINANCIAL CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   43-1273600

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

501 N. Broadway, St. Louis, Missouri 63102-2188

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

(314) 342-2000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“the Exchange Act”) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

Large accelerated filer   x    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock, $0.15 par value per share, as of the close of business on May 9, 2014, was 65,476,685.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

STIFEL FINANCIAL CORP.

Form 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Item 1. Financial Statements

     3   

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of March 31, 2014 (unaudited) and December 31, 2013

     3-4   

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and March  31, 2013 (unaudited)

     5   

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and March  31, 2013 (unaudited)

     6   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and March  31, 2013 (unaudited)

     7-8   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

     9   

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     47   

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     76   

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

     79   

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

  

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

     80   

Item 1A. Risk Factors

     82   

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

     82   

Item 6. Exhibits

     83   

Signatures

     84   

 

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Table of Contents

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

STIFEL FINANCIAL CORP.

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

 

(in thousands)    March 31,
2014
     December 31,
2013
 
     (Unaudited)         

Assets

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 525,409       $ 716,560   

Restricted cash

     —           4,268   

Cash segregated for regulatory purposes

     37         35   

Receivables:

     

Brokerage clients, net

     582,724         530,402   

Brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations

     535,248         381,122   

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

     294,263         225,075   

Financial instruments owned, at fair value (includes securities pledged of $806,676 and $686,997, respectively)

     991,710         801,494   

Available-for-sale securities, at fair value

     1,795,516         1,756,253   

Held-to-maturity securities, at amortized cost

     1,294,853         1,312,115   

Loans held for sale

     102,367         109,110   

Bank loans, net of allowance

     1,497,640         1,404,353   

Investments, at fair value

     244,858         217,228   

Fixed assets, net

     120,973         106,446   

Goodwill

     730,392         727,336   

Intangible assets, net

     45,078         49,889   

Loans and advances to financial advisors and other employees, net

     181,182         184,458   

Deferred tax assets, net

     200,142         243,554   

Other assets

     245,422         239,172   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 9,387,814       $ 9,008,870   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Table of Contents

STIFEL FINANCIAL CORP.

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (continued)

 

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)    March 31,
2014
    December 31,
2013
 
     (Unaudited)        

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

    

Short-term borrowings from banks

   $ 414,900      $ 55,700   

Payables:

    

Brokerage clients

     327,270        318,942   

Brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations

     105,404        58,135   

Drafts

     70,024        74,710   

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

     246,159        263,809   

Bank deposits

     4,605,260        4,663,323   

Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value

     715,116        481,214   

Accrued compensation

     175,084        337,589   

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     220,957        285,968   

Senior notes

     325,000        325,000   

Debentures to Stifel Financial Capital Trusts

     82,500        82,500   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     7,287,674        6,946,890   

Liabilities subordinated to claims of general creditors

     —          3,131   

Shareholders’ Equity:

    

Preferred stock - $1 par value; authorized 3,000,000 shares; none issued

     —          —     

Common stock - $0.15 par value; authorized 97,000,000 shares; issued 65,460,203 and 63,744,074 shares, respectively

     9,819        9,562   

Additional paid-in-capital

     1,533,968        1,544,143   

Retained earnings

     587,622        540,238   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     (31,205     (35,030
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2,100,204        2,058,913   

Treasury stock, at cost, 1,336 and 1,330 shares, respectively

     (64     (64
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2,100,140        2,058,849   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

   $ 9,387,814      $ 9,008,870   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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STIFEL FINANCIAL CORP.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
(in thousands, except per share amounts)    2014     2013  

Revenues:

    

Commissions

   $ 159,416      $ 145,867   

Principal transactions

     126,461        107,264   

Investment banking

     132,304        76,905   

Asset management and service fees

     89,170        68,912   

Interest

     42,826        29,806   

Other income

     5,200        20,419   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     555,377        449,173   

Interest expense

     8,631        10,569   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net revenues

     546,746        438,604   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-interest expenses:

    

Compensation and benefits

     346,771        314,912   

Occupancy and equipment rental

     40,532        33,519   

Communications and office supplies

     24,818        22,457   

Commissions and floor brokerage

     9,028        8,837   

Other operating expenses

     47,469        35,221   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-interest expenses

     468,618        414,946   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income tax expense

     78,128        23,658   

Provision for income taxes

     30,155        8,722   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

     47,973        14,936   

Discontinued operations:

    

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

     (591     (317
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 47,382      $ 14,619   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per basic common share:

    

Income from continuing operations

   $ 0.73      $ 0.25   

Loss from discontinued operations

     (0.01     (0.01
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per basic common share

   $ 0.72      $ 0.24   

Earnings per diluted common share:

    

Income from continuing operations

   $ 0.63      $ 0.22   

Loss from discontinued operations

     —          (0.01 )
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per diluted common share

   $ 0.63      $ 0.21   

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

    

Basic

     66,037        60,054   

Diluted

     75,691        69,189   

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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STIFEL FINANCIAL CORP.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
(in thousands)    2014      2013  

Net income

   $ 47,382       $ 14,619   

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax :

     

Changes in unrealized gains/(losses) on available-for-sale securities

     2,862         (4,586

Changes in unrealized gains on cash flow hedging instruments (1)

     626         1,519   

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     337         (1,069
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     3,825         (4,136
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

   $ 51,207       $ 10,483   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)  Amounts are net of reclassifications to earnings of losses of $1.7 million and $2.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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STIFEL FINANCIAL CORP.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
(in thousands)    2014     2013  

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

    

Net income

   $ 47,382      $ 14,619   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     7,113        7,876   

Amortization of loans and advances to financial advisors and other employees

     16,294        15,553   

Amortization of premium/(accretion of discount) on investment portfolio

     960        (2,989

Provision for loan losses and allowance for loans and advances to financial advisors and other employees

     1,887        1,294   

Amortization of intangible assets

     6,481        1,138   

Deferred income taxes

     43,917        14,846   

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

     (16,932     (8,237

Stock-based compensation

     (26,932     70,184   

(Gains)/losses on investments

     (1,783     3,530   

Other, net

     979        403   

Decrease/(increase) in operating assets, net of assets acquired:

    

Cash segregated for regulatory purposes and restricted cash

     4,266        127,998   

Receivables:

    

Brokerage clients

     (52,322     (55,519

Brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations

     (154,126     (177,699

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

     (69,188     2,354   

Loans originated as held for sale

     (200,713     (437,539

Proceeds from mortgages held for sale

     205,494        476,999   

Trading securities owned, including those pledged

     (190,216     (39,304

Loans and advances to financial advisors and other employees

     (12,995     (12,049

Other assets

     11,515        (66,088

Increase/(decrease) in operating liabilities, net of liabilities assumed:

    

Payables:

    

Brokerage clients

     8,328        30,182   

Brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations

     51,551        30,056   

Drafts

     (4,686     (32,118

Trading securities sold, but not yet purchased

     233,902        217,385   

Other liabilities and accrued expenses

     (248,454     (126,444
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities

   $ (338,278   $ 56,431   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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STIFEL FINANCIAL CORP.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (continued)

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
(in thousands)    2014     2013  

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

    

Proceeds from:

    

Maturities, calls, sales, and principal paydowns on available-for-sale securities

   $ 80,110      $ 68,678   

Calls and principal paydowns of held-to-maturity securities

     25,696        16,289   

Sale or maturity of investments

     9,522        22,380   

Sale of other real estate owned

     131        —     

Increase in bank loans, net

     (95,197     (67,585

Payments for:

    

Purchase of available-for-sale securities

     (116,802     (185,892

Purchase of held-to-maturity securities

     (7,959     (16,438

Purchase of investments

     (35,369     (57,558

Purchase of fixed assets

     (6,431     (4,931

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

     —          (154,283
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (146,299     (379,340
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

    

(Repayments of)/proceeds from short-term borrowings from banks

     359,200        265,100   

Increase/(decrease) in securities sold under agreements to repurchase

     (17,650     (31,817

Increase in bank deposits, net

     (58,063     210,435   

Increase in securities loaned

     (4,282     46,680   

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

     16,932        8,237   

Issuance of common stock

     83        15   

Reissuance of treasury stock

     —          297   

Repayment of non-recourse debt

     —          (3,058

Extinguishment of subordinated debt

     (3,131     (2,187
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

     293,089        493,702   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     337        (1,070

Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (191,151     169,723   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     716,560        403,941   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 525,409      $ 573,664   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

    

Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds/(refunds, net of taxes paid)

   $ 30,269      $ 15,264   

Cash paid for interest

     8,356        10,407   

Noncash investing and financing activities:

    

Stock units granted, net of forfeitures

     86,347        137,694   

Issuance of common stock for acquisitions

     —          265,918   

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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STIFEL FINANCIAL CORP.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

NOTE 1 – Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation

Nature of Operations

Stifel Financial Corp. (the “Parent”), through its wholly owned subsidiaries, principally Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated (“Stifel Nicolaus”), Stifel Bank & Trust (“Stifel Bank”), Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited (“SNEL”), Century Securities Associates, Inc. (“CSA”), Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. (“KBW”), Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Limited (“KBW Limited”), and Miller Buckfire & Co. LLC (“Miller Buckfire”), is principally engaged in retail brokerage; securities trading; investment banking; investment advisory; retail, consumer, and commercial banking; and related financial services. We have offices throughout the United States and three European cities. Our major geographic area of concentration is the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, with a growing presence in the Northeast, Southeast and Western United States. Our company’s principal customers are individual investors, corporations, municipalities, and institutions.

Our Canadian subsidiary, Stifel Nicolaus Canada, Inc. (“SN Canada”) ceased business operations as of September 30, 2013. The results of SN Canada, previously reported in the Institutional Group segment, are classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented. See Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements for further discussion of our discontinued operations.

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include Stifel Financial Corp. and its wholly owned subsidiaries, principally Stifel Nicolaus and Stifel Bank. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” or “our company” in this report refer to Stifel Financial Corp. and its wholly owned subsidiaries.

We have prepared the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Pursuant to these rules and regulations, we have omitted certain information and footnote disclosures we normally include in our annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. In management’s opinion, we have made all adjustments (consisting only of normal, recurring adjustments, except as otherwise noted) necessary to fairly present our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Our interim period operating results do not necessarily indicate the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the full fiscal year. These financial statements and accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 on file with the SEC.

Certain amounts from prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation. The effect of these reclassifications on our company’s previously reported consolidated financial statements was not material.

There have been no material changes in our significant accounting policies, as compared to the significant accounting policies described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Consolidation Policies

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Stifel Financial Corp. and its subsidiaries. We also have investments or interests in other entities for which we must evaluate whether to consolidate by determining whether we have a controlling financial interest or are considered to be the primary beneficiary. In determining whether to consolidate these entities, we evaluate whether the entity is a voting interest entity or a variable interest entity (“VIE”).

Voting Interest Entity. Voting interest entities are entities that have (i) total equity investment at risk sufficient to fund expected future operations independently, and (ii) equity holders who have the obligation to absorb losses or receive residual returns and the right to make decisions about the entity’s activities. We consolidate voting interest entities when we determine that there is a controlling financial interest, usually ownership of all, or a majority of, the voting interest.

 

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Variable Interest Entity. VIEs are entities that lack one or more of the characteristics of a voting interest entity. We are required to consolidate certain VIEs in which we have the power to direct the activities of the entity and the obligation to absorb significant losses or receive significant benefits. In other cases, we consolidate VIEs when we are deemed to be the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is defined as the entity that has a variable interest, or a combination of variable interests, that maintains control and receives benefits or will absorb losses that are not pro rata with its ownership interests. See Note 26 for additional information on VIEs.

NOTE 2 – Recently Issued Accounting Guidance

Discontinued Operations

In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASC”) No. 2014-08, “Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity,” (“ASU 2014-08”) amending FASB ASC Topic 205-20, “Discontinued Operations,” (“ASC 205-20”). The amended guidance changes the criteria for reporting discontinued operations and requires new disclosures. ASU 2014-08 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and will be applied prospectively. We are currently evaluating the impact the new guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 3 – Discontinued Operations

The components of discontinued operations are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three months ended March 31,  
     2014     2013  

Net revenues

   $ 10      $ 3,176   

Restructuring expense

     217        —     

Operating expenses

     492        3,488   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-interest expenses

     709        3,488   

Loss from discontinued operations before income tax expense

     (699     (312

Income tax (benefit)/expense

     (108     5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

   $ (591   $ (317
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NOTE 4 – Receivables From and Payables to Brokers, Dealers and Clearing Organizations

Amounts receivable from brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, included (in thousands):

 

     March 31,
2014
     December 31,
2013
 

Deposits paid for securities borrowed

   $ 320,673       $ 227,640   

Receivable from clearing organizations

     189,022         125,538   

Securities failed to deliver

     25,553         27,944   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 535,248       $ 381,122   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Amounts payable to brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, included (in thousands):

 

     March 31,
2014
     December 31,
2013
 

Securities failed to receive

   $ 56,285       $ 7,411   

Deposits received from securities loaned

     35,760         40,101   

Payable to clearing organizations

     13,359         10,623   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 105,404       $ 58,135   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Deposits paid for securities borrowed approximate the market value of the securities. Securities failed to deliver and receive represent the contract value of securities that have not been delivered or received on settlement date.

NOTE 5 – Fair Value Measurements

We measure certain assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis, including cash equivalents, financial instruments owned, available-for-sale securities, investments, financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, and derivatives.

The degree of judgment used in measuring the fair value of financial instruments generally correlates to the level of pricing observability. Pricing observability is impacted by a number of factors, including the type of financial instrument, whether the financial instrument is new to the market and not yet established, and the characteristics specific to the transaction. Financial instruments with readily available active quoted prices for which fair value can be measured from actively quoted prices generally will have a higher degree of pricing observability and a lesser degree of judgment used in measuring fair value. Conversely, financial instruments rarely traded or not quoted will generally have less, or no, pricing observability and a higher degree of judgment used in measuring fair value.

We generally utilize third-party pricing services to value Level 1 and Level 2 available-for-sale investment securities, as well as certain derivatives designated as cash flow hedges. We review the methodologies and assumptions used by the third-party pricing services and evaluate the values provided, principally by comparison with other available market quotes for similar instruments and/or analysis based on internal models using available third-party market data. We may occasionally adjust certain values provided by the third-party pricing service when we believe, as the result of our review, that the adjusted price most appropriately reflects the fair value of the particular security.

Following are descriptions of the valuation methodologies and key inputs used to measure financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value. The descriptions include an indication of the level of the fair value hierarchy in which the assets or liabilities are classified.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents include highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. Due to their short-term nature, the carrying amount of these instruments approximates the estimated fair value. Actively traded money market funds are measured at their reported net asset value, which approximates fair value. As such, we classify the estimated fair value of these instruments as Level 1.

Financial Instruments (Trading securities and available-for-sale securities)

When available, the fair value of financial instruments are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments and reported in Level 1. Level 1 financial instruments include highly liquid instruments with quoted prices, such as equity securities listed in active markets, certain fixed income securities, and U.S. government securities.

If quoted prices are not available for identical instruments, fair values are obtained from pricing services, broker quotes, or other model-based valuation techniques with observable inputs, such as the present value of estimated cash flows and reported as Level 2. The nature of these financial instruments include instruments for which quoted prices are available but traded less frequently, instruments whose fair value have been derived using a model where inputs to the model are directly observable in the market, or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data, and instruments that are fair valued using other financial instruments, the parameters of which can be directly observed. Level 2 financial instruments generally include U.S. government agency securities, mortgage-backed securities, corporate fixed income securities infrequently traded, certain state and municipal obligations, asset-backed securities, and certain equity securities not actively traded.

Securities classified as Level 3, of which the substantial majority is auction rate securities (“ARS”), represent securities in less liquid markets requiring significant management assumptions when determining fair value. Due to the lack of a robust secondary auction-rate securities market with active fair value indicators, fair value for all periods presented was determined using an income approach based on an internally developed discounted cash flow model. In addition to ARS, we have classified certain fixed income securities and state and municipal securities with unobservable pricing inputs as Level 3. The methods used to value these securities are the same as the methods used to value ARS, discussed above.

 

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Investments

Investments carried at fair value primarily include corporate equity securities, ARS, investments in mutual funds, U.S. government securities, and investments in public companies, private equity securities, and partnerships, which are classified as other in the following tables.

Corporate equity securities, mutual funds and U.S. government securities are valued based on quoted prices in active markets and reported in Level 1.

ARS for which the market has been dislocated and largely ceased to function are reported as Level 3 assets. The methods used to value ARS are discussed above.

Investments in partnerships and other investments include our general and limited partnership interests in investment partnerships and direct investments in non-public companies. The net assets of investment partnerships consist primarily of investments in non-marketable securities. The value of these investments is at risk to changes in equity markets, general economic conditions and a variety of other factors. We estimate fair value for private equity investments based on our percentage ownership in the net asset value of the entire fund, as reported by the fund or on behalf of the fund, after indication that the fund adheres to applicable fair value measurement guidance. For those funds where the net asset value is not reported by the fund, we derive the fair value of the fund by estimating the fair value of each underlying investment in the fund. In addition to using qualitative information about each underlying investment, as provided by the fund, we give consideration to information pertinent to the specific nature of the debt or equity investment, such as relevant market conditions, offering prices, operating results, financial conditions, exit strategy and other qualitative information, as available. The lack of an independent source to validate fair value estimates, including the impact of future capital calls and transfer restrictions, is an inherent limitation in the valuation process. Commitments to fund additional investments in nonmarketable equity securities recorded at fair value were $11.8 million and $12.4 million at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

Derivatives

Derivatives are valued using quoted market prices for identical instruments when available or pricing models based on the net present value of estimated future cash flows. The valuation models used require market observable inputs, including contractual terms, market prices, yield curves, credit curves, and measures of volatility. We manage credit risk for our derivative positions on a counterparty-by-counterparty basis and calculate credit valuation adjustments, included in the fair value of these instruments, on the basis of our relationships at the counterparty portfolio/master netting agreement level. These credit valuation adjustments are determined by applying a credit spread for the counterparty to the total expected exposure of the derivative after considering collateral and other master netting arrangements. We have classified our interest rate swaps as Level 2.

 

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Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are presented below:

 

     March 31, 2014  
     Total      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  

Assets:

           

Cash equivalents

   $ 35,609         35,609         —           —     

Financial instruments owned:

           

U.S. government agency securities

     151,177         —           151,177         —     

U.S. government securities

     23,435         23,435         —           —     

Corporate securities:

           

Fixed income securities

     576,497         20,583         554,574         1,340   

Equity securities

     77,181         76,936         4         241   

State and municipal securities

     163,420         —           163,420         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total financial instruments owned

     991,710         120,954         869,175         1,581   

Available-for-sale securities:

           

U.S. government agency securities

     1,720         —           1,720         —     

State and municipal securities

     92,616         —           86,354         6,262   

Mortgage-backed securities:

           

Agency

     221,792         —           221,792         —     

Commercial

     194,788         —           194,788         —     

Non-agency

     30,233         —           30,233         —     

Corporate fixed income securities

     492,483         77,015         415,468         —     

Asset-backed securities

     761,884         —           703,533         58,351   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total available-for-sale securities

     1,795,516         77,015         1,653,888         64,613   

Investments:

           

Corporate equity securities

     66,854         32,839         34,015         —     

Mutual funds

     17,288         17,288         —           —     

Auction rate securities:

           

Equity securities

     53,702         —           —           53,702   

Municipal securities

     11,634         —           —           11,634   

Other (1)

     95,380         5         2,416         92,959   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments

     244,858         50,132         36,431         158,295   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 3,067,693       $ 283,710       $ 2,559,494       $ 224,489   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

           

Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased:

           

U.S. government securities

   $ 373,375       $ 373,375       $ —         $ —     

U.S. government agency securities

     1,500         —           1,500         —     

Corporate securities:

           

Fixed income securities

     224,567         12,182         212,385         —     

Equity securities

     115,556         115,450         106         —     

State and municipal securities

     118         —           118         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased

     715,116         501,007         214,109         —     

Derivative contracts (2)

     8,246         —           8,246         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 723,362       $ 501,007       $ 222,355       $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)  Includes $55.3 million of partnership interests, $21.2 million of private company investments, and $18.9 million of private equity and other investments.
(2)  Included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the consolidated statements of financial condition.

 

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Table of Contents
     December 31, 2013  
     Total      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  

Assets:

           

Cash equivalents

   $ 78,163       $ 78,163       $ —         $ —     

Financial instruments owned:

           

U.S. government agency securities

     88,930         —           88,930         —     

U.S. government securities

     10,594         10,594         —           —     

Corporate securities:

           

Fixed income securities

     483,987         23,413         458,535         2,039   

Equity securities

     76,709         76,462         6         241   

State and municipal securities

     141,274         —           141,274         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total financial instruments owned

     801,494         110,469         688,745         2,280   

Available-for-sale securities:

           

U.S. government agency securities

     1,072         —           1,072         —     

State and municipal securities

     90,677         —           84,477         6,200   

Mortgage-backed securities:

           

Agency

     183,987         —           183,987         —     

Commercial

     211,246         —           211,246         —     

Non-agency

     4,619         —           4,619         —     

Corporate fixed income securities

     498,316         83,655         414,661         —     

Asset-backed securities

     766,336         —           708,258         58,078   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total available-for-sale securities

     1,756,253         83,655         1,608,320         64,278   

Investments:

           

Corporate equity securities

     32,402         32,402         —           —     

Mutual funds

     16,994         16,994         —           —     

Auction rate securities:

           

Equity securities

     56,693         —           —           56,693   

Municipal securities

     10,939         —           —           10,939   

Other (1)

     100,200         10         2,422         97,768   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments

     217,228         49,406         2,422         165,400   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 2,853,138       $ 321,693       $ 2,299,487       $ 231,958   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

           

Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased:

           

U.S. government securities

   $ 253,221       $ 253,221       $ —         $ —     

U.S. government agency securities

     2,068         —           2,068         —     

Corporate securities:

           

Fixed income securities

     135,878         17,857         118,021         —     

Equity securities

     90,015         86,933         3,082         —     

State and municipal securities

     32         —           32         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased

     481.214         358,011         123,203         —     

Derivative contracts (2)

     9,349         —           9,349         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 490,563       $ 358,011       $ 132,552       $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

1  Includes $56.0 million of partnership interests, $22.5 million of private company investments, and $21.7 million of private equity and other investments.
2  Included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the consolidated statements of financial condition.

 

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The following table summarizes the changes in fair value carrying values associated with Level 3 financial instruments during the three months ended March 31, 2014 (in thousands):

 

     March 31, 2014  
     Financial instruments owned      Available-for-sale securities  
     Corporate
Fixed Income
Securities (1)
    Equity
Securities
     State &
Municipal
Securities
     Asset-
Backed
Securities
 

Balance at December 31, 2013

   $ 2,039      $ 241       $ 6,200       $ 58,078   

Unrealized gains/(losses):

          

Included in changes in net assets (1)

     (438     —           —           —     

Included in OCI (2)

     —          —           62         273   

Realized gains (1)

     —          —           —           —     

Purchases

     —          —           —           —     

Sales

     (259     —           —           —     

Redemptions

     (2     —           —           —     

Transfers:

          

Into Level 3

     —          —           —           —     

Out of Level 3

     —          —           —           —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change

     (699     —           62         273   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2014

   $ 1,340      $ 241       $ 6,262       $ 58,351   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     March 31, 2014  
     Investments  
     Auction Rate
Securities –
Equity
    Auction Rate
Securities –
Municipal
    Other (1)  

Balance at December 31, 2013

   $  56,693      $ 10,939      $ 97,768   

Unrealized gains/(losses):

      

Included in changes in net assets (2)

     309        (153     (692

Included in OCI (3)

     —          —          —     

Realized gains (2)

     —          —          311   

Purchases

     —          1,650        992   

Sales

     —          —          (4,709

Redemptions

     (3,300     (802     (711

Transfers:

      

Into Level 3

     —          —          —     

Out of Level 3

     —          —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change

     (2,991     695        (4,809
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2014

   $ 53,702      $ 11,634      $ 92,959   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The results included in the table above are only a component of the overall investment strategies of our company. The table above does not present Level 1 or Level 2 valued assets or liabilities. The changes to our company’s Level 3 classified instruments were principally a result of: sales of certain investments, redemptions of ARS at par, and unrealized gains and losses during the three months ended March 31, 2014. The changes in unrealized gains/(losses) recorded in earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2014 relating to Level 3 assets still held at March 31, 2014 were immaterial.

 

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The following table summarizes quantitative information related to the significant unobservable inputs utilized in our company’s Level 3 recurring fair value measurements as of March 31, 2014.

 

     Valuation technique    Unobservable input    Range    Weighted
average

Available-for-sale securities:

           

Asset-backed securities

   Discounted cash flow    Discount rate    5.7% – 11.1%    7.7%

Workout period

         1 – 4 years    3.4
years

Investments:

           

Auction rate securities:

           

Equity securities

   Discounted cash flow    Discount rate    2.9% – 12.7%    7.2%

Workout period

         1 – 3 years    2.4
years

Municipal securities

   Discounted cash flow    Discount rate    0.1% – 10.8%    6.5%

Workout period

         1 – 4 years    2.6
years

Other

           

Investments in partnerships

   Market approach    Revenue multiple    1.7 – 4.0    2.6

EBITDA multiple

         4.5 – 9.9    7.7

Private equity investments

   Market approach    Revenue multiple    0.5 – 3.0    1.8

EBITDA multiple

         4.3 – 11.3    7.8

The fair value of certain Level 3 assets was determined using various methodologies as appropriate, including net asset values (“NAVs”) of underlying investments, third-party pricing vendors, broker quotes and market and income approaches. These inputs are evaluated for reasonableness through various procedures, including due diligence reviews of third-party pricing vendors, variance analyses, consideration of current market environment and other analytical procedures.

The fair value for our auction-rate securities was determined using an income approach based on an internally developed discounted cash flow model. The discounted cash flow model utilizes two significant unobservable inputs: discount rate and workout period. The discount rate was calculated using credit spreads of the underlying collateral or similar securities. The workout period was based on an assessment of publicly available information on efforts to re-establish functioning markets for these securities and our company’s own redemption experience. Significant increases in any of these inputs in isolation would result in a significantly lower fair value. On an on-going basis, management verifies the fair value by reviewing the appropriateness of the discounted cash flow model and its significant inputs with other available market data for similar instruments.

General and limited partnership interests in investment partnerships totaled $55.3 million and $56.0 million at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The general and limited partnership interests in investment partnerships were primarily valued based upon NAVs received from third-party fund managers. The various partnerships are investment companies, which record their underlying investments at fair value based on fair value policies established by management of the underlying fund. Fair value policies at the underlying fund generally require the funds to utilize pricing/valuation information, including independent appraisals, from third-party sources. However, in some instances, current valuation information for illiquid securities or securities in markets that are not active may not be available from any third-party source or fund management may conclude that the valuations that are available from third-party sources are not reliable. In these instances, fund management may perform model-based analytical valuations that may be used as an input to value these investments.

Direct investments in private equity companies totaled $5.4 million and $8.2 million at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Direct investments in private equity companies may be valued using the market approach or the income approach, or a combination thereof, and were valued based on an assessment of each

 

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underlying investment, incorporating evaluation of additional significant third-party financing, changes in valuations of comparable peer companies, the business environment of the companies, market indices, assumptions relating to appropriate risk adjustments for nonperformance and legal restrictions on disposition, among other factors. The fair value derived from the methods used are evaluated and weighted, as appropriate, considering the reasonableness of the range of values indicated. Under the market approach, fair value may be determined by reference to multiples of market-comparable companies or transactions, including earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) multiples. Under the income approach, fair value may be determined by discounting the cash flows to a single present amount using current market expectations about those future amounts. Unobservable inputs used in a discounted cash flow model may include projections of operating performance generally covering a five-year period and a terminal value of the private equity direct investment. For securities utilizing the discounted cash flow valuation technique, a significant increase (decrease) in the discount rate, risk premium or discount for lack of marketability in isolation could result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement. For securities utilizing the market comparable companies valuation technique, a significant increase (decrease) in the EBITDA multiple in isolation could result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement.

Transfers Within the Fair Value Hierarchy

We assess our financial instruments on a quarterly basis to determine the appropriate classification within the fair value hierarchy. Transfers between fair value classifications occur when there are changes in pricing observability levels. Transfers of financial instruments among the levels are deemed to occur at the beginning of the reporting period. There were $2.6 million of transfers of financial assets from Level 2 to Level 1 during the three months ended March 31, 2014 primarily related to corporate fixed income securities for which market trades were observed that provided transparency into the valuation of these assets. There were $0.2 million of transfers of financial assets from Level 1 to Level 2 during the three months ended March 31, 2014 primarily related to corporate fixed income securities for which there were low volumes of recent trade activity observed.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The following reflects the fair value of financial instruments, as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, whether or not recognized in the consolidated statements of financial condition at fair value (in thousands).

 

     March 31, 2014      December 31, 2013  
     Carrying
value
     Estimated
fair value
     Carrying
value
     Estimated
fair value
 

Financial assets:

           

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 525,409       $ 525,409       $ 716,560       $ 716,560   

Restricted cash

     —           —           4,268         4,268   

Cash segregated for regulatory purposes

     37         37         35         35   

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

     294,263         294,263         225,075         225,075   

Financial instruments owned

     991,710         991,710         801,494         801,494   

Available-for-sale securities

     1,795,516         1,795,516         1,756,253         1,756,253   

Held-to-maturity securities

     1,294,853         1,303,443         1,312,115         1,305,959   

Loans held for sale

     102,367         102,367         109,110         109,110   

Bank loans

     1,497,640         1,535,878         1,404,353         1,420,068   

Investments

     244,858         244,858         217,228         217,228   

Financial liabilities:

           

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

   $ 246,159       $ 246,159       $ 263,809       $ 263,809   

Bank deposits

     4,605,260         4,101,954         4,663,323         4,072,038   

Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased

     715,116         715,116         481,214         481,214   

Derivative contracts (1)

     8,246         8,246         9,349         9,349   

Senior notes

     325,000         335,087         325,000         328,635   

Debentures to Stifel Financial Capital Trusts

     82,500         72,118         82,500         72,201   

Liabilities subordinated to claims of general creditors

     —           —           3,131         3,122   

 

(1)  Included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the consolidated statements of financial condition.

 

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The following table presents the estimated fair values of financial instruments not measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):

 

     March 31, 2014  
     Total      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  

Financial assets:

           

Cash

   $ 489,800       $ 489,800       $ —         $ —     

Cash segregated for regulatory purposes

     37         37         —           —     

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

     294,263         294,263         —           —     

Held-to-maturity securities

     1,303,443         —           1,071,884         231,559   

Loans held for sale

     102,367         —           102,367         —     

Bank loans

     1,535,878         —           1,535,878         —     

Financial liabilities:

           

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

   $ 246,159       $ 487       $ 245,672       $ —     

Bank deposits

     4,101,954         —           4,101,954         —     

Senior notes

     335,087         335,087         —           —     

Debentures to Stifel Financial Capital Trusts

     72,118         —           —           72,118   

 

     December 31, 2013  
     Total      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  

Financial assets:

           

Cash

   $ 638,397       $ 638,397       $ —         $ —     

Restricted cash

     4,268         4,268         —           —     

Cash segregated for regulatory purposes

     35         35         —           —     

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

     225,075         225,075         —           —     

Held-to-maturity securities

     1,305,959         —           1,073,953         232,006   

Loans held for sale

     109,110         —           109,110         —     

Bank loans

     1,420,068         —           1,420,068         —     

Financial liabilities:

           

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

   $ 263,809       $ 747       $ 263,062       $ —     

Bank deposits

     4,072,038         —           4,072,038         —     

Senior notes

     328,635         328,635         —           —     

Debentures to Stifel Financial Capital Trusts

     72,201         —           —           72,201   

Liabilities subordinated to claims of general creditors

     3,122         —           —           3,122   

The following, as supplemented by the discussion above, describes the valuation techniques used in estimating the fair value of our financial instruments as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

Financial Assets

Securities Purchased Under Agreements to Resell

Securities purchased under agreements to resell are collateralized financing transactions that are recorded at their contractual amounts plus accrued interest. The carrying values at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 approximate fair value due to the short-term nature.

Held-to-Maturity Securities

Securities held to maturity are recorded at amortized cost based on our company’s positive intent and ability to hold these securities to maturity. Securities held to maturity include asset-backed securities, consisting of corporate obligations, collateralized debt obligation securities and ARS. The estimated fair value, included in the above table, is determined using several factors; however, primary weight is given to discounted cash flow modeling techniques that incorporated an estimated discount rate based upon recent observable debt security issuances with similar characteristics.

 

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Table of Contents

Loans Held for Sale

Loans held for sale consist of fixed-rate and adjustable-rate residential real estate mortgage loans intended for sale. Loans held for sale are stated at lower of cost or fair value. Fair value is determined based on prevailing market prices for loans with similar characteristics or on sale contract prices.

Bank Loans

The fair values of mortgage loans and commercial loans were estimated using a discounted cash flow method, a form of the income approach. Discount rates were determined considering rates at which similar portfolios of loans would be made under current conditions and considering liquidity spreads applicable to each loan portfolio based on the secondary market.

Financial Liabilities

Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase are collateralized financing transactions that are recorded at their contractual amounts plus accrued interest. The carrying values at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 approximate fair value due to the short-term nature.

Bank Deposits

The fair value for demand deposits is equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (that is, their carrying amounts). The carrying amounts of variable-rate money-market and savings accounts approximate their fair values at the reporting date as these are short-term in nature. The fair value of other interest-bearing deposits, including certificates of deposit, was calculated by discounting the future cash flows using discount rates based on the expected current market rates for similar products with similar remaining terms.

Senior Notes

The fair value of our senior notes is estimated based upon quoted market prices.

Debentures to Stifel Financial Capital Trusts

The fair value of our trust preferred securities is based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows. We have assumed a discount rate based on the coupon achieved in our 6.7% senior notes due 2022.

Liabilities Subordinated to Claims of General Creditors

The fair value of subordinated debt was measured using the interest rates commensurate with borrowings of similar terms.

These fair value disclosures represent our best estimates based on relevant market information and information about the financial instruments. Fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected losses, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of the various instruments, and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision. Changes in the above methodologies and assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

 

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Table of Contents

NOTE 6 – Financial Instruments Owned and Financial Instruments Sold, But Not Yet Purchased

The components of financial instruments owned and financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, are as follows (in thousands):

 

     March 31,
2014
     December 31,
2013
 

Financial instruments owned:

     

U.S. government agency securities

   $ 151,177       $ 88,930   

U.S. government securities

     23,435         10,594   

Corporate securities:

     

Fixed income securities

     576,497         483,987   

Equity securities

     77,181         76,709   

State and municipal securities

     163,420         141,274   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 991,710       $ 801,494   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased:

     

U.S. government securities

   $ 373,375       $ 253,221   

U.S. government agency securities

     1,500         2,068   

Corporate securities:

     

Fixed income securities

     224,567         135,878   

Equity securities

     115,556         90,015   

State and municipal securities

     118         32   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 715,116       $ 481.214   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, financial instruments owned in the amount of $806.7 million and $687.0 million, respectively, were pledged as collateral for our repurchase agreements and short-term borrowings.

Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, represent obligations of our company to deliver the specified security at the contracted price, thereby creating a liability to purchase the security in the market at prevailing prices in future periods. We are obligated to acquire the securities sold short at prevailing market prices in future periods, which may exceed the amount reflected in the consolidated statements of financial condition.

 

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NOTE 7 – Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity Securities

The following tables provide a summary of the amortized cost and fair values of the available-for-sale securities and held-to-maturity securities at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):

 

     March 31, 2014  
     Amortized
cost
     Gross
unrealized
gains (1)
     Gross
unrealized
losses (1)
    Estimated
fair value
 

Available-for-sale securities

          

U.S. government agency securities

   $ 1,724       $ 1       $ (5   $ 1,720   

State and municipal securities

     97,315         950         (5,649     92,616   

Mortgage-backed securities:

          

Agency

     221,540         2,675         (2,423     221,792   

Commercial

     192,822         3,168         (1,202     194,788   

Non-agency

     30,182         110         (59     30,233   

Corporate fixed income securities

     490,061         4,198         (1,776     492,483   

Asset-backed securities

     764,129         2,597         (4,842     761,884   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 1,797,773       $ 13,699       $ (15,956   $ 1,795,516   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Held-to-maturity securities (2)

          

Mortgage-backed securities:

          

Agency

   $ 950,012       $ 6,570       $ (331   $ 956,251   

Commercial

     59,418         768         —          60,186   

Non-agency

     1,327         9         —          1,336   

Asset-backed securities

     228,790         6,275         (2,718     232,347   

Corporate fixed income securities

     55,306         7         (1,990     53,323   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 1,294,853       $ 13,629       $ (5,039   $ 1,303,443   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     December 31, 2013  
     Amortized
cost
     Gross
unrealized
gains (1)
     Gross
unrealized
losses (1)
    Estimated
fair value
 

Available-for-sale securities

          

U.S. government agency securities

   $ 1,074       $ —         $ (2   $ 1,072   

State and municipal securities

     96,475         739         (6,537     90,677   

Mortgage-backed securities:

          

Agency

     184,533         2,859         (3,405     183,987   

Commercial

     209,949         3,084         (1,787     211,246   

Non-agency

     4,547         72         —          4,619   

Corporate fixed income securities

     496,385         4,769         (2,838     498,316   

Asset-backed securities

     769,553         2,499         (5,716     766,336   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 1,762,516       $ 14,022       $ (20,285   $ 1,756,253   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Held-to-maturity securities (2)

          

Mortgage-backed securities:

          

Agency

   $ 968,759       $ 1,156       $ (7,915   $ 962,000   

Commercial

     59,404         —           (186     59,218   

Asset-backed securities

     228,623         6,157         (2,774     232,006   

Corporate fixed income securities

     55,329         11         (2,605     52,735   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 1,312,115       $ 7,324       $ (13,480   $ 1,305,959   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)  Unrealized gains/(losses) related to available-for-sale securities are reported in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss).
(2)  Held-to-maturity securities are carried in the consolidated statements of financial condition at amortized cost, and the changes in the value of these securities, other than impairment charges, are not reported on the consolidated financial statements.

 

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There were no material sales of available-for-sale securities during the three months ended March 31, 2014. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, we received proceeds of $18.2 million from the sale of available-for-sale securities, which resulted in realized gains of $0.7 million.

During the three months ended March 31, 2014, unrealized gains, net of deferred taxes, of $2.9 million were recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) in the consolidated statements of financial condition. During the three months ended March 31, 2013, unrealized losses, net of deferred tax benefits, of $4.6 million were recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) in the consolidated statements of financial condition.

The table below summarizes the amortized cost and fair values of debt securities, by contractual maturity (in thousands). Expected maturities may differ significantly from contractual maturities, as issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

 

     March 31, 2014  
     Available-for-sale securities      Held-to-maturity securities  
     Amortized
cost
     Estimated
fair value
     Amortized
cost
     Estimated
fair value
 

Debt securities

           

Within one year

   $ 168,341       $ 169,658       $ —         $ —     

After one year through three years

     144,368         146,360         15,044         15,004   

After three years through five years

     137,705         137,934         40,262         38,319   

After five years through ten years

     384,238         383,988         —           —     

After ten years

     518,577         510,763         228,790         232,347   

Mortgage-backed securities

           

Within one year

     9,026         9,153         3         3   

After three years through five years

     752         769         —           —     

After five years through ten years

     69,295         69,630         59,418         60,186   

After ten years

     365,471         367,261         951,336         957,584   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,797,773       $ 1,795,516       $ 1,294,853       $ 1,303,443   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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The maturities of our available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities at March 31, 2014, are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Within 1
Year
     1-5 Years      5-10 Years      After 10
Years
     Total  

Available-for-sale:1

              

U.S. government agency securities

   $ 429       $ 1,291       $ —         $ —         $ 1,720   

State and municipal securities

     2,021         —           484         90,111         92,616   

Mortgage-backed securities:

              

Agency

     —           —           29,285         192,507         221,792   

Commercial

     9,154         —           40,345         145,289         194,788   

Non-agency

     —           769         —           29,464         30,233   

Corporate fixed income securities

     167,207         278,009         47,267         —           492,483   

Asset-backed securities

     —           4,994         336,237         420,653         761,884   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 178,811       $ 285,063       $ 453,618       $ 878,024       $ 1,795,516   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Held-to-maturity:

              

Mortgage-backed securities:

              

Agency

   $ 3       $ —         $ —         $ 950,009       $ 950,012   

Commercial

     —           —           59,418         —           59,418   

Non-agency

     —           —           —           1,327         1,327   

Asset-backed securities

     —           —           —           228,790         228,790   

Corporate fixed income securities

     —           55,306         —           —           55,306   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 3       $ 55,306       $ 59,418       $ 1,180,126       $ 1,294,853   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

1  Due to the immaterial amount of income recognized on tax-exempt securities, yields were not calculated on a tax equivalent basis.

At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, securities of $601.4 million and $505.5 million, respectively, were pledged at the Federal Home Loan Bank as collateral for borrowings and letters of credit obtained to secure public deposits.

 

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The following table is a summary of the amount of gross unrealized losses and the estimated fair value by length of time that the available-for-sale securities have been in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):

 

     March 31, 2014  
     Less than 12 months      12 months or more      Total  
     Gross
unrealized
losses
    Estimated
fair value
     Gross
unrealized
losses
    Estimated
fair value
     Gross
unrealized
losses
    Estimated
fair value
 

Available-for-sale securities

              

U.S. government securities

   $ (5   $ 977       $ —        $ —         $ (5   $ 977   

State and municipal securities

     (1,364     20,368         (4,285     54,814         (5,649     75,182   

Mortgage-backed securities:

              

Agency

     (2,304     99,170         (119     1,350         (2,423     100,520   

Commercial

     (1,202     63,257         —          —           (1,202     63,257   

Non-agency

     (59     11,504         —          —           (59     11,504   

Corporate fixed income securities

     (1,271     91,944         (505     39,664         (1,776     131,608   

Asset-backed securities

     (3,536     351,482         (1,306     46,885         (4,842     398,367   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ (9,741   $ 638,702       $ (6,215   $ 142,713       $ (15,956   $ 781,415   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Held-to-maturity securities

              

Mortgage-backed securities

   $ (331   $ 26,268       $ —        $ —         $ (331   $ 26,268   

Asset-backed securities

     —          —           (2,718     92,879         (2,718     92,879   

Corporate fixed income securities

     —          —           (1,990     48,319         (1,990     48,319   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ (331   $ 26,268       $ (4,708   $ 141,198       $ (5,039   $ 167,466   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
     December 31, 2013  
     Less than 12 months      12 months or more      Total  
     Gross
unrealized
losses
    Estimated
fair value
     Gross
unrealized
losses
    Estimated
fair value
     Gross
unrealized
losses
    Estimated
fair value
 

Available-for-sale securities

              

U.S. government securities

   $ (2   $ 721       $ —        $ —         $ (2   $ 721   

State and municipal securities

     (2,966     32,272         (3,571     41,182         (6,537     73,454   

Mortgage-backed securities:

              

Agency

     (3,260     89,395         (145     1,335         (3,405     90,730   

Commercial

     (1,787     46,970         —          —           (1,787     46,970   

Corporate fixed income securities

     (2,062     80,700         (776     39,421         (2,838     120,121   

Asset-backed securities

     (4,516     436,770         (1,200     31,938         (5,716     468,708   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ (14,593   $ 686,828       $ (5,692   $ 113,876       $ (20,285   $ 800,704   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Held-to-maturity securities

              

Mortgage-backed securities:

              

Agency

   $ (91   $ 8,127       $ (7,824   $ 838,295       $ (7,915   $ 846,422   

Commercial

     —          —           (186     59,219         (186     59,219   

Asset-backed securities

     —          —           (2,774     92,806         (2,774     92,806   

Corporate fixed income securities

     —          —           (2,605     47,727         (2,605     47,727   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ (91   $ 8,127       $ (13,389   $ 1,038,047       $ (13,480   $ 1,046,174   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

At March 31, 2014, the amortized cost of 99 securities available for sale exceeded their fair value by $16.0 million, of which $6.2 million related to investment securities that had been in a loss position for 12 months or longer. As of March 31, 2014, the carrying value of 22 securities held to maturity exceeded their fair value by $5.0 million, of which $4.7 million related to securities held to maturity that have been in a loss position for 12 months or longer. As discussed in more detail below, we conduct periodic reviews of all securities with unrealized losses to assess whether the impairment is other-than-temporary.

Other-Than-Temporary Impairment

We evaluate all securities in an unrealized loss position quarterly to assess whether the impairment is other-than-temporary. Our other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) assessment is a subjective process requiring the use of judgments and assumptions. There was no credit-related OTTI recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2014.

We believe the gross unrealized losses of $16.0 million related to our available-for-sale portfolio as of March 31, 2014, are attributable to issuer-specific credit spreads and changes in market interest rates and asset spreads. We, therefore, do not expect to incur any credit losses related to these securities. In addition, we have no intent to sell these securities with unrealized losses, and it is not more likely than not that we will be required to sell these securities prior to recovery of the amortized cost. Accordingly, we have concluded that the impairment on these securities is not other-than-temporary.

NOTE 8Bank Loans

The following table presents the balance and associated percentage of each major loan category in our loan portfolio at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands, except percentages):

 

     March 31, 2014     December 31, 2013  
     Balance     Percent     Balance     Percent  

Commercial and industrial

   $ 623,669        40.1   $ 552,333        37.7

Consumer (1)

     533,451        34.3        509,484        34.8   

Residential real estate

     369,262        23.8        372,789        25.5   

Home equity lines of credit

     15,498        1.0        16,327        1.1   

Commercial real estate

     12,176        0.8        12,284        0.8   

Construction and land

     —          —          490        0.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     1,554,056        100.0     1,463,707        100.0

Unamortized loan discount

     (43,689       (45,100  

Unamortized loan fees, net of origination costs

     (1,575       (1,920  

Loans in process

     2,979          334     

Allowance for loan losses

     (14,131       (12,668  
  

 

 

     

 

 

   
   $ 1,497,640        $ 1,404,353     
  

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

(1)  Includes securities-based loans of $533.4 million and $508.9 million at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

Changes in the allowance for loan losses for the periods presented were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2014     2013  

Allowance for loan losses, beginning of period

   $ 12,668      $ 8,145   

Provision for loan losses

     1,910        1,720   

Charge-offs:

    

Commercial and industrial

     (468     —     

Residential real estate

     —          (484

Other

     (4     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total charge-offs

     (472     (484

Recoveries

     25        25   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Allowance for loan losses, end of period

   $ 14,131      $ 9,406   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

A loan is determined to be impaired, when principal or interest becomes 90 days past due or when collection becomes uncertain. At the time a loan is determined to be impaired, the accrual of interest and amortization of deferred loan origination fees is discontinued (“non-accrual status”), and any accrued and unpaid interest income is reversed. At March 31, 2014, we had $1.3 million of non-accrual loans, which included $0.4 million in troubled debt restructurings, for which there was a specific allowance of $0.3 million. At December 31, 2013, we had $1.5 million of non-accrual loans, which included $0.4 million in troubled debt restructurings, for which there was a specific allowance of $0.2 million. The gross interest income related to impaired loans, which would have been recorded had these loans been current in accordance with their original terms, and the interest income recognized on these loans during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were insignificant to the consolidated financial statements.

Credit Quality

We closely monitor economic conditions and loan performance trends to manage and evaluate our exposure to credit risk. Trends in delinquency ratios are an indicator, among other considerations, of credit risk within our loan portfolios. The level of nonperforming assets represents another indicator of the potential for future credit losses. Accordingly, key metrics we track and use in evaluating the credit quality of our loan portfolio include delinquency and nonperforming asset rates, as well as charge-off rates and our internal risk ratings of the loan portfolio. In general, we are a secured lender. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, 96.9% and 96.8% of our loan portfolio was collateralized, respectively. Collateral is required in accordance with the normal credit evaluation process based upon the creditworthiness of the customer and the credit risk associated with the particular transaction.

The following is a breakdown of the allowance for loan losses by type for as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands, except rates):

 

     March 31, 2014     December 31, 2013  
     Balance      Percent(1)     Balance      Percent(1)  

Commercial and industrial

   $ 11,089         40.1   $ 9,832         37.7

Consumer

     800         34.3        892         34.8   

Residential real estate

     473         23.8        408         25.5   

Commercial real estate

     194         0.8        198         0.8   

Home equity lines of credit

     290         1.0        174         1.1   

Construction and land

     —           —          12         0.1   

Qualitative

     1,285         —          1,152         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 14,131         100.0   $ 12,668         100.0
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

(1)  Loan category as a percentage of total loan portfolio.

At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, Stifel Bank had loans outstanding to its executive officers, directors, and their affiliates in the amount of $0.6 million and $0.6 million, respectively, and loans outstanding to other Stifel Financial Corp. executive officers, directors, and their affiliates in the amount of $5.0 million and $5.9 million, respectively.

At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had mortgage loans held for sale of $102.4 million and $109.1 million, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, we recognized gains of $1.2 million and $4.6 million, respectively, from the sale of originated loans, net of fees and costs.

 

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Table of Contents

NOTE 9Fixed Assets

The following is a summary of fixed assets as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):

 

     March 31,
2014
    December 31,
2013
 

Furniture and equipment

   $ 179,484      $ 174,976   

Building and leasehold improvements

     117,944        101,840   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     297,428        276,816   

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (176,455     (170,370
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 120,973      $ 106,446   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, depreciation and amortization of furniture and equipment, and leasehold improvements totaled $7.1 million and $7.9 million, respectively.

NOTE 10Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The carrying amount of goodwill and intangible assets attributable to each of our reporting segments is presented in the following table (in thousands):

 

     December 31,
2013
     Net additions      Impairment
losses
    March 31,
2014
 

Goodwill

          

Global Wealth Management

   $ 161,358       $ 2,293       $ —        $ 163,651   

Institutional Group

     565,978         763         —          566,741   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 727,336       $ 3,056       $ —        $ 730,392   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
     December 31,
2013
     Net additions      Amortization     March 31,
2014
 

Intangible assets

          

Global Wealth Management

   $ 19,394       $ 1,670       $ (5,043   $ 16,021   

Institutional Group

     30,495         —           (1,438     29,057   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 49,889       $ 1,670       $ (6,481   $ 45,078   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amortizable intangible assets consist of acquired customer relationships, trade name, investment banking backlog, core deposits and non-compete that are amortized over their contractual or determined useful lives. Intangible assets subject to amortization as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     March 31, 2014      December 31, 2013  
     Gross carrying
value
     Accumulated
amortization
     Gross carrying
value
     Accumulated
amortization
 

Customer relationships

   $ 51,866       $ 25,324       $ 51,166       $ 24,034   

Trade name

     19,342         4,079         18,442         3,585   

Investment banking backlog

     7,388         7,265         7,388         6,871   

Core deposits

     5,447         4,450         5,447         182   

Non-compete agreements

     2,511         2,476         —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 86,554       $ 43,594       $ 82,443       $ 34,672   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Amortization expense related to intangible assets was $6.5 million and $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

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Table of Contents

The weighted-average remaining lives of the following intangible assets at March 31, 2014 are: customer relationships, 5.6 years; trade name, 9.0 years; core deposits, 0.8 years; and non-compete agreements, 1.0 year. The investment banking backlog will be amortized over its estimated life, which we expect to be within the next 12 months. As of March 31, 2014, we expect amortization expense in future periods to be as follows (in thousands):

 

Fiscal year

      

Remainder of 2014

   $ 5,835   

2015

     5,248   

2016

     4,701   

2017

     4,129   

2018

     3,642   

Thereafter

     19,405   
  

 

 

 
   $ 42,960   
  

 

 

 

NOTE 11 – Short-Term Borrowings

Our short-term financing is generally obtained through short-term bank line financing on an uncommitted, secured basis, committed short-term bank line financing on an unsecured basis and securities lending arrangements. We borrow from various banks on a demand basis with company-owned and customer securities pledged as collateral. The value of customer-owned securities used as collateral is not reflected in the consolidated statements of financial condition. Our uncommitted secured lines of credit at March 31, 2014 totaled $680.0 million with four banks and are dependent on having appropriate collateral, as determined by the bank agreements, to secure an advance under the line. The availability of our uncommitted lines are subject to approval by the individual banks each time an advance is requested and may be denied. Our peak daily borrowing was $414.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2014. There are no compensating balance requirements under these arrangements.

Our committed short-term bank line financing at March 31, 2014 consisted of a $100.0 million revolving credit facility. The credit facility expires in December 2014. The applicable interest rate under the revolving credit facility is calculated as a per annum rate equal to the one-month Eurocurrency rate plus 1.00%, as defined in the revolving credit facility. At March 31, 2014, we had no advances on our revolving credit facility and were in compliance with all covenants.

At March 31, 2014, short-term borrowings from banks were $414.9 million at an average rate of 1.10%, which were collateralized by company-owned securities valued at $592.7 million. At December 31, 2013, short-term borrowings from banks were $55.7 million at an average rate of 1.22%, which were collateralized by company-owned securities valued at $440.8 million. The average bank borrowing was $97.7 million and $209.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, at average daily effective interest rates of 1.13% and 1.17%, respectively.

At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, Stifel had a stock loan balance of $35.8 million and $40.1 million, respectively, at average daily interest rates of 0.17% and 0.16%, respectively. The average outstanding securities lending arrangements utilized in financing activities were $72.5 million and $64.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, at average daily effective interest rates of 0.17% and 0.10%, respectively. Customer-owned securities were utilized in these arrangements.

 

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NOTE 12 – Senior Notes

The following table summarizes our senior notes as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):

 

     March 31,
2014
     December 31,
2013
 

6.70% senior notes, due 2022 (1)

   $ 175,000       $ 175,000   

5.375% senior notes, due 2022 (2)

     150,000         150,000   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 325,000       $ 325,000   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) In January 2012, we sold in a registered underwritten public offering, $175.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.70% senior notes due January 2022. Interest on these senior notes is payable quarterly in arrears. On or after January 15, 2015, we may redeem some or all of the senior notes at any time at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes being redeemed plus accrued interest thereon to the redemption date.
(2) In December 2012, we sold in a registered underwritten public offering, $150.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.375% senior notes due December 2022. Interest on these senior notes is payable quarterly in arrears. On or after December 31, 2015, we may redeem some or all of the senior notes at any time at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes being redeemed plus accrued interest thereon to the redemption date.

Our senior notes mature as follows, based upon its contractual terms:

 

2014

     —     

2015

     —     

2016

     —     

2017

     —     

2018

     —     

Thereafter

     325,000   
  

 

 

 
     325,000   
  

 

 

 

NOTE 13Bank Deposits

Deposits consist of money market and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, and demand deposits. Deposits at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     March 31,
2014
     December 31,
2013
 

Money market and savings accounts

   $ 4,344,684       $ 4,310,223   

Certificates of deposit

     184,280         241,481   

Demand deposits (interest-bearing)

     52,195         93,684   

Demand deposits (non-interest-bearing)

     24,101         17,935   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 4,605,260       $ 4,663,323   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The weighted average interest rate on deposits was 0.18% and 0.07% at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

 

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Scheduled maturities of certificates of deposit at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     March 31,
2014
     December 31,
2013
 

Certificates of deposit, less than $100:

     

Within one year

   $ 62,370       $ 82,115   

One to three years

     25,141         34,694   

Three to five years

     3,032         3,701   

Over five years

     —           66   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 90,543       $ 120,576   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Certificates of deposit, $100 and greater:

     

Within one year

   $ 61,999       $ 75,577   

One to three years

     29,256         41,756   

Three to five years

     2,237         3,336   

Over five years

     245         236   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     93,737         120,905   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 184,280       $ 241,481   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the amount of deposits includes related party deposits, primarily brokerage customers’ deposits from Stifel Nicolaus of $4.4 billion and $4.3 billion, respectively, and interest-bearing and time deposits of executive officers, directors, and their affiliates of $0.4 million and $0.4 million, respectively.

NOTE 14 – Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

We use interest rate swaps as part of our interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate swaps generally involve the exchange of fixed and variable rate interest payments between two parties, based on a common notional principal amount and maturity date with no exchange of underlying principal amounts. Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable amounts from a counterparty in exchange for our company making fixed payments. Our policy is not to offset fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments and fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral or the obligation to return cash collateral arising from derivative instruments recognized at fair value executed with the same counterparty under master netting arrangements.

 

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The following table provides the notional values and fair values of our derivative instruments as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):

 

     March 31, 2014  
            Asset derivatives      Liability derivatives  
     Notional value      Balance sheet
location
   Positive
fair value
     Balance sheet
location
   Negative
fair value
 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments under Topic 815:

              

Cash flow interest rate contracts

   $ 341,991       Other assets    $ —         Accounts
payable and
accrued expenses
   $ (8,246

 

     December 31, 2013  
            Asset derivatives      Liability derivatives  
     Notional value      Balance sheet
location
   Positive
fair value
     Balance sheet
location
   Negative
fair value
 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments under Topic 815:

              

Cash flow interest rate contracts

   $ 386,212       Other assets    $ —         Accounts
payable and
accrued expenses
   $ (9,349

Cash Flow Hedges

We have entered into interest rate swap agreements that effectively modify our exposure to interest rate risk by converting floating rate debt to a fixed rate debt over the next ten years.

Any unrealized gains or losses related to cash flow hedging instruments are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings in the same period the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings and are recorded in interest expense on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. The ineffective portion of the cash flow hedging instruments is recorded in other income or other operating expense. The losses recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2014 related to ineffectiveness were immaterial.

Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on our variable rate deposits. During the next twelve months, we estimate that $5.5 million will be reclassified as an increase to interest expense.

 

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The following table shows the effect of our company’s derivative instruments in the consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended March 31, 2014  
     Gain/(Loss)
recognized in
OCI
(effectiveness)
    Location of
loss
reclassified
from OCI
into income
   Loss
reclassified
from OCI into
income
     Location of loss
recognized in
OCI
(ineffectiveness)
     Loss
recognized due
to
ineffectiveness
 

Cash flow interest rate contracts

   $ (678   Interest
expense
   $ 1,698         None       $ —     

 

     Three Months Ended March 31, 2013  
     Gain/(Loss)
recognized in
OCI
(effectiveness)
     Location of
loss
reclassified
from OCI
into income
   Loss
reclassified
from OCI into
income
     Location of loss
recognized in
OCI
(ineffectiveness)
     Loss
recognized due
to
ineffectiveness
 

Cash flow interest rate contracts

   $ 133       Interest
expense
   $ 2,335         None       $ —     

We maintain a risk management strategy that incorporates the use of derivative instruments to minimize significant unplanned fluctuations in earnings caused by interest rate volatility. Our goal is to manage sensitivity to changes in rates by hedging the maturity characteristics of variable rate affiliated deposits, thereby limiting the impact on earnings. By using derivative instruments, we are exposed to credit and market risk on those derivative positions. We manage the market risk associated with interest rate contracts by establishing and monitoring limits as to the types and degree of risk that may be undertaken. Credit risk is equal to the extent of the fair value gain in a derivative if the counterparty fails to perform. When the fair value of a derivative contract is positive, this generally indicates that the counterparty owes our company and, therefore, creates a repayment risk for our company. When the fair value of a derivative contract is negative, we owe the counterparty and, therefore, have no repayment risk. See Note 5 in the notes to our consolidated financial statements for further discussion on how we determine the fair value of our financial instruments. We minimize the credit (or repayment) risk in derivative instruments by entering into transactions with high-quality counterparties that are reviewed periodically by senior management.

Credit Risk-Related Contingency Features

We have agreements with our derivative counterparties containing provisions where if we default on any of our indebtedness, including default where repayment of the indebtedness has not been accelerated by the lender, then we could also be declared in default on our derivative obligations.

We have agreements with certain of our derivative counterparties that contain provisions where if our shareholders’ equity declines below a specified threshold or if we fail to maintain a specified minimum shareholders’ equity, then we could be declared in default on our derivative obligations.

Certain of our agreements with our derivative counterparties contain provisions where if a specified event or condition occurs that materially changes our creditworthiness in an adverse manner, we may be required to fully collateralize our obligations under the derivative instrument.

Regulatory Capital-Related Contingency Features

Certain of our derivative instruments contain provisions that require us to maintain our capital adequacy requirements. If we were to lose our status as “adequately capitalized,” we would be in violation of those provisions, and the counterparties of the derivative instruments could request immediate payment or demand immediate and ongoing full overnight collateralization on derivative instruments in net liability positions.

As of March 31, 2014, the fair value of derivatives in a net liability position, which includes accrued interest but excludes any adjustment for nonperformance risk, related to these agreements was $8.3 million (termination value). We have minimum collateral posting thresholds with certain of our derivative counterparties and have posted cash collateral of $24.0 million against our obligations under these agreements. If we had breached any of these provisions at March 31, 2014, we would have been required to settle our obligations under the agreements at the termination value.

 

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Counterparty Risk

In the event of counterparty default, our economic loss may be higher than the uncollateralized exposure of our derivatives if we were not able to replace the defaulted derivatives in a timely fashion. We monitor the risk that our uncollateralized exposure to each of our counterparties for interest rate swaps will increase under certain adverse market conditions by performing periodic market stress tests. These tests evaluate the potential additional uncollateralized exposure we would have to each of these derivative counterparties assuming changes in the level of market rates over a brief time period.

NOTE 15Debentures to Stifel Financial Capital Trusts

The following table summarizes our debentures to Stifel Financial Capital Trusts as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):

 

     March 31,
2014
     December 31,
2013
 

Debenture to Stifel Financial Capital Trust II (1)

   $ 35,000       $ 35,000   

Debenture to Stifel Financial Capital Trust III (2)

     35,000         35,000   

Debenture to Stifel Financial Capital Trust IV (3)

     12,500         12,500   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 82,500       $ 82,500   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) On August 12, 2005, we completed a private placement of $35.0 million of 6.38% Cumulative Trust Preferred Securities. The trust preferred securities were offered by Stifel Financial Capital Trust II (the “Trust II”), a non-consolidated wholly owned subsidiary of our company. The trust preferred securities mature on September 30, 2035, but may be redeemed by our company, and in turn, the Trust II would call the debenture beginning September 30, 2010. The Trust II requires quarterly distributions of interest to the holders of the trust preferred securities. Distributions will be payable at a floating interest rate equal to three-month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 1.70% per annum.
(2) On March 30, 2007, we completed a private placement of $35.0 million of 6.79% Cumulative Trust Preferred Securities. The trust preferred securities were offered by Stifel Financial Capital Trust III (the “Trust III”), a non-consolidated wholly owned subsidiary of our company. The trust preferred securities mature on June 6, 2037, but may be redeemed by our company, and in turn, Trust III would call the debenture beginning June 6, 2012. Trust III requires quarterly distributions of interest to the holders of the trust preferred securities. Distributions will be payable at a floating interest rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus 1.85% per annum.
(3) On June 28, 2007, we completed a private placement of $35.0 million of 6.78% Cumulative Trust Preferred Securities. The trust preferred securities were offered by Stifel Financial Capital Trust IV (the “Trust IV”), a non-consolidated wholly owned subsidiary of our company. The trust preferred securities mature on September 6, 2037, but may be redeemed by our company, and in turn, Trust IV would call the debenture beginning September 6, 2012. Trust IV requires quarterly distributions of interest to the holders of the trust preferred securities. Distributions will be payable at a floating interest rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus 1.85% per annum.

 

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NOTE 16 – Disclosures About Offsetting Assets and Liabilities

The following table provides information about financial assets and derivative assets that are subject to offset as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):

 

                          Gross amounts not offset in the
Statement of Financial Condition
       
     Gross amounts
of recognized
assets
     Gross
amounts
offset in the
Statement of
Financial
Condition
     Net amounts
presented in
the Statement
of Financial
Condition
     Financial
instruments
     Collateral
received
    Net
amount
 

As of March 31, 2014:

                

Securities borrowing (1)

   $ 320,673       $ —         $ 320,673       $ —         $ (320,673   $ —     

Reverse repurchase agreements (2)

     294,263       $ —           294,263         —           (294,263     —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 614,936       $ —         $ 614,936       $ —         $ (614,936   $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2013:

                

Securities borrowing (1)

   $ 227,640       $ —         $ 227,640       $ —         $ (227,640   $ —     

Reverse repurchase agreements (2)

     225,075         —           225,075         —           (225,075     —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 452,715       $ —         $ 452,715       $ —         $ (452,715   $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Securities borrowing transactions are included in receivables from brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations on the consolidated statements of financial condition. See Note 4 in the notes to our consolidated financial statements for additional information on receivables from brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations.
(2) Collateral received includes securities received by our company from the counterparty. These securities are not included on the consolidated statements of financial condition unless there is an event of default.

The following table provides information about financial liabilities and derivative liabilities that are subject to offset as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

 

                          Gross amounts not offset in the
Statement of Financial Condition
       
     Gross amounts
of recognized
liabilities
     Gross
amounts
offset in the
Statement of
Financial
Condition
     Net amounts
presented in
the Statement
of Financial
Condition
     Financial
instruments
     Collateral
pledged
    Net
amount
 

As of March 31, 2014:

                

Securities lending (3)

   $ 35,760       $ —         $ 35,760       $ —         $ (35,760   $ —     

Repurchase agreements (4)

     246,159         —           246,159         —           (246,159     —     

Cash flow interest rate contracts

     8,246         —           8,246         —           (8,246     —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 290,165       $ —         $ 290,165       $ —         $ (290,165   $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2013:

                

Securities lending (3)

   $ 40,101       $ —         $ 40,101       $ —         $ (40,101   $ —     

Repurchase agreements (4)

     263,809       $ —           263,809         —           (263,809     —     

Cash flow interest rate contracts

     9,349         —           9,349         —           (9,349     —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 313,259       $ —         $ 313,259       $ —         $ (313,259   $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(3) Securities lending transactions are included in payables to from brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations on the consolidated statements of financial condition. See Note 4 in the notes to our consolidated financial statements for additional information on payables to brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations.
(4) Collateral pledged includes the fair value of securities pledged by our company to the counter party. These securities are included on the consolidated statements of financial condition unless we default.

 

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NOTE 17 – Commitments, Guarantees, and Contingencies

Broker-Dealer Commitments and Guarantees

In the normal course of business, we enter into underwriting commitments. Settlement of transactions relating to such underwriting commitments, which were open at March 31, 2014, had no material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

In connection with margin deposit requirements of The Options Clearing Corporation, we pledged customer-owned securities valued at $52.2 million to satisfy the minimum margin deposit requirement of $39.5 million at March 31, 2014.

In connection with margin deposit requirements of the National Securities Clearing Corporation, we deposited $28.7 million in cash at March 31, 2014, which satisfied the minimum margin deposit requirements of $26.7 million.

We also provide guarantees to securities clearinghouses and exchanges under their standard membership agreement, which requires members to guarantee the performance of other members. Under the agreement, if another member becomes unable to satisfy its obligations to the clearinghouse, other members would be required to meet shortfalls. Our liability under these agreements is not quantifiable and may exceed the cash and securities we have posted as collateral. However, the potential requirement for us to make payments under these arrangements is considered remote. Accordingly, no liability has been recognized for these arrangements.

Thomas Weisel Partners LLC (“TWP”) entered into settlement and release agreements (“Settlement Agreements”) with certain customers, whereby it will purchase their ARS, at par, in exchange for a release from any future claims. At March 31, 2014, we estimate that TWP customers held $18.3 million par value of ARS, which may be repurchased over the next 2 years. The amount estimated for repurchase assumes no issuer redemptions.

Other Commitments

In the ordinary course of business, Stifel Bank has commitments to extend credit in the form of commitments to originate loans, standby letters of credit, and lines of credit. See Note 22 in the notes to our consolidated financial statements for further details.

We have committed capital to certain entities and these commitments generally have no specified call dates. We had $33.1 million of commitments outstanding at March 31, 2014, of which $21.3 million relate to commitments to certain strategic relationships with Business Development Corporations.

Concentration of Credit Risk

We provide investment, capital-raising, and related services to a diverse group of domestic customers, including governments, corporations, and institutional and individual investors. Our exposure to credit risk associated with the non-performance of customers in fulfilling their contractual obligations pursuant to securities transactions can be directly impacted by volatile securities markets, credit markets, and regulatory changes. This exposure is measured on an individual customer basis and on a group basis for customers that share similar attributes. To reduce the potential for risk concentrations, counterparty credit limits have been implemented for certain products and are continually monitored in light of changing customer and market conditions. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we did not have significant concentrations of credit risk with any one customer or counterparty, or any group of customers or counterparties.

NOTE 18 – Legal Proceedings

Our company and its subsidiaries are named in and subject to various proceedings and claims arising primarily from our securities business activities, including lawsuits, arbitration claims, class actions, and regulatory matters. Some of these claims seek substantial compensatory, punitive, or indeterminate damages. Our company and its subsidiaries are also involved in other reviews, investigations, and proceedings by governmental and self-regulatory organizations regarding our business, which may result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, penalties, injunctions, and other relief. We are contesting the allegations in these claims, and we believe that there are meritorious defenses in each of these lawsuits, arbitrations, and regulatory investigations. In view of the number and diversity of claims against the company, the number of jurisdictions in which litigation is pending, and the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of litigation and other claims, we cannot state with certainty what the eventual outcome of pending litigation or other claims will be.

We have established reserves for potential losses that are probable and reasonably estimable that may result from pending and potential legal actions, investigations and regulatory proceedings. In many cases, however, it is inherently difficult to determine whether any loss is probable or even possible or to estimate the amount or range of any potential loss, particularly where proceedings may be in relatively early stages or where plaintiffs are seeking substantial or indeterminate damages. Matters frequently need to be more developed before a loss or range of loss can reasonably be estimated.

 

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In our opinion, based on currently available information, review with outside legal counsel, and consideration of amounts provided for in our consolidated financial statements with respect to these matters, including the matters described below, the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse impact on our financial position and results of operations. However, resolution of one or more of these matters may have a material effect on the results of operations in any future period, depending upon the ultimate resolution of those matters and depending upon the level of income for such period. For matters where a reserve has not been established and for which we believe a loss is reasonably possible, as well as for matters where a reserve has been recorded but for which an exposure to loss in excess of the amount accrued is reasonably possible, based on currently available information, we believe that such losses will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

SEC/Wisconsin Lawsuit

The SEC filed a civil lawsuit against our company in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin on August 10, 2011. The action arises out of our role in investments made by five Southeastern Wisconsin school districts (the “school districts”) in transactions involving collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”). These transactions are described in more detail below in connection with the civil lawsuit filed by the school districts. The SEC has asserted claims under Section 15c(1)(A), Section 10b and Rule 10b-5 of the Exchange Act and Sections 17a(1), 17a(2) and 17a(3) of the Securities Act. The claims are based upon both alleged misrepresentations and omissions in connection with the sale of the CDOs to the school districts, as well as the allegedly unsuitable nature of the CDOs. On October 31, 2011, we filed a motion to dismiss the action for failure to state a claim. The District Court granted in part and denied in part our motion to dismiss, and as a result the SEC has amended its complaint. We answered, denied the substantive allegations of the amended complaint and asserted various affirmative defenses. The parties are currently taking written discovery and depositions, with discovery scheduled to close in January 2015. After close of discovery, we anticipate the District Court will set the case for trial. We believe, based upon currently available information and review with outside counsel, that we have meritorious defenses to the SEC’s lawsuit and intend to vigorously defend the SEC’s claims.

Wisconsin School Districts/RBC OPEB lawsuit

We were named in a civil lawsuit filed in the Circuit Court of Milwaukee, Wisconsin (the “Wisconsin State Court”) on September 29, 2008. The lawsuit was filed against our company, Stifel, as well as Royal Bank of Canada Europe Ltd. (“RBC”), and certain other RBC entities (collectively the “RBC entities”) by the school districts and the individual trustees for other post-employment benefit (“OPEB”) trusts established by those school districts (collectively the “Plaintiffs”). This lawsuit relates to the same transactions that are the subject of the SEC action noted above. As we previously disclosed, we entered into a settlement of the Plaintiffs’ lawsuit against our company and Stifel in March, 2012. The settlement provides the potential for the Plaintiffs to obtain significant additional damages from the RBC entities. The school districts are continuing their lawsuit against RBC, and we are pursuing claims against the RBC entities to recover payments we have made to the school districts and for amounts owed to the OPEB trusts. Subsequent to the settlement, RBC asserted claims against the school districts, our company and Stifel for fraud, negligent misrepresentation, strict liability misrepresentation and information negligently provided for the guidance of others based upon our role in connection with the school districts’ purchase of the CDOs. RBC has also asserted claims against our company and Stifel for civil conspiracy and conspiracy to injure its business based upon the settlement by our company and Stifel with the school districts and pursuit of claims against the RBC entities. We moved to dismiss RBC’s claims against us that are based on the settlement agreement with the school districts. The Motion to Dismiss was denied by the court, and we have filed our Answer to RBC’s claims and discovery continues in the case. We believe we have meritorious legal and factual defenses to the claims asserted by RBC and we intend to vigorously defend those claims.

EDC Bond Issuance Matter

In January 2008, our company was the initial purchaser of a $50.0 million bond offering under Rule 144A. The bonds were issued by the Lake of the Torches Economic Development Corporation (“EDC”) in connection with certain new financing for the construction of a proposed new casino, as well as refinancing of indebtedness involving Lac Du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians (the “Tribe”). In 2009, Saybrook Tax Exempt Investors LLC, a qualified institutional buyer and the sole bondholder through its special purpose vehicle LDF Acquisition LLC (collectively, “Saybrook”), and Wells Fargo Bank, NA (“Wells Fargo”), indenture trustee for the bonds, brought an action in a Wisconsin federal court against EDC and the Tribe to enforce the bonds after a default by EDC. Our company was not named as a party in that action. In the 2009 action, EDC was successful in its

 

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assertion that the bond indenture was void as an unapproved “management contract” under National Indian Gaming Commission regulations, and that accordingly the Tribe’s waiver of sovereign immunity contained in the indenture was void. Although the Wisconsin federal court dismissed the entire 2009 action, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals modified the judgment and remanded the case for further proceedings as to enforceability of the bond documents other than the bond indenture against EDC.

On January 16, 2012, after the remand from the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, Saybrook filed a new action in Wisconsin state court naming our company and Stifel as defendants with respect to Stifel’s role as initial purchaser. Saybrook also named as defendants: the Tribe, EDC, and the law firm of Godfrey & Kahn, S.C. (“G&K”) which served as both issuer’s counsel and bond counsel in the transaction. The Wisconsin State-Court action seeks to enforce the bonds against EDC and the Tribe and also asserts claims against the defendants based on alleged misrepresentations about the enforceability of the indenture and the bonds and the waiver of sovereign immunity by EDC and the Tribe. In April 2012 Saybrook dismissed the 2009 federal action and filed a new action in Wisconsin federal court alleging nearly identical claims against the same defendants named in the Wisconsin State-Court action. The parties agreed to stay the State-Court action until the federal court ruled on whether it had jurisdiction over the 2012 federal action, and in April 2013 the federal court determined it did not have jurisdiction over the action. That decision by the federal court reactivated the Wisconsin State-Court action filed in 2012.

As plaintiff in the State-Court action, Saybrook alleges that G&K represented in various legal opinions issued in the transaction, as well as in other documents associated with the transaction, that (i) the bonds and indenture were legally enforceable obligations of EDC and (ii) EDC’s waivers of sovereign immunity were valid. The claims asserted against Stifel are for breaches of implied warranties of validity and title, securities fraud and statutory misrepresentation under Wisconsin state law, and intentional and negligent misrepresentations relating to the validity of the bond documents and the Tribe’s waiver of its sovereign immunity. Plaintiffs also assert claims against Stifel for rescission based on alleged misrepresentation or mutual mistake. Plaintiffs assert a claim against our company for fraud under the Wisconsin Uniform Securities Law. Finally, Plaintiffs assert similar claims against G&K and also include a claim for legal malpractice. To the extent EDC does not fully perform its obligations to Saybrook pursuant to the bonds, Saybrook seeks a judgment for rescission, restitutionary damages, including the amounts paid by Saybrook for the bonds, and costs; alternatively, Saybrook seeks to recover damages, costs and attorneys’ fees from Stifel, us and/or G&K.

After the federal court declined to exercise jurisdiction over the 2012 federal court action and with the State-Court action reactivated, on April 25, 2013 the Tribe and EDC filed a new lawsuit against Saybrook, our company, Stifel, G&K, and Wells Fargo in the Lac du Flambeau Tribal Court. The Tribal-Court action seeks a declaratory judgment that all of the bond documents are void. This new lawsuit created a jurisdictional conflict between the Tribal Court and the Wisconsin state court that may be resolved by those courts or by the Federal Court in the Federal Action described below. We filed a Motion to Dismiss the Tribal Court action, which was denied on August 27, 2013, and we have filed our Answer to the lawsuit in the Tribal Court. On April 29, 2013, we filed a motion to dismiss all of the claims alleged against our company and Stifel brought by Saybrook in the State-Court action. That Motion was denied by the State Court, and we have answered the Complaint and filed cross claims against the Tribe and G&K in the State Court.

On May 24, 2013 we, together with Saybrook, Wells Fargo and G&K, filed an action in a Wisconsin federal court (the “Federal Action” seeking to enjoin the Tribal Court action. The Tribe and EDC (the “Tribal Parties”) filed a motion to dismiss or stay the Federal Action, but that motion was denied on October 29, 2013. The Tribe appealed the U.S. District Court’s denial of the Motion to Dismiss to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, but the Seventh Circuit dismissed the appeal for lack of appellate jurisdiction on January 13, 2014. On March 14, 2014, the District Court in the Federal Action conducted a hearing on our motion for preliminary injunction to enjoin the Tribal-Court action and the Court has not yet rendered a decision. Meanwhile, the Tribal-Court action and the State-Court action were stayed during the pendency of the Tribe’s appeal to the Seventh Circuit, but the stays of those actions expired on February 12, 2014, and discovery has commenced in the Tribal Court and State-Court actions. While there can be no assurance that we will be successful, based upon currently available information and review with outside counsel, we believe that we have meritorious legal and factual defenses to the matter, and we intend to vigorously defend the substantive claims and the procedural attempt to move the litigation to the Lac du Flambeau Tribal Court.

 

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Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Lawsuit

On December 13, 2012, the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin (the “Tribe”) filed a civil lawsuit against Stifel in the Tribe’s Tribal Court (the “Tribal Lawsuit”). In December 2006, the Tribe issued two series of taxable municipal bonds as a means of raising revenue to fund various projects (the “2006 Bond Transaction”), including the refinancing of two series of bonds the Tribe issued in 2003. The Complaint alleges that we undertook to advise the Tribe regarding its financing options in 2006 but failed to disclose certain information before the 2006 Bond Transaction. On February 19, 2013 we filed a declaratory judgment action in a Wisconsin federal court seeking to establish that the Tribal Court lacks jurisdiction over the Tribal Lawsuit (the “Federal Action”). On February 20, 2013, we filed a motion to dismiss the Tribal Lawsuit, challenging the jurisdiction of the Tribal Court, which motion was denied by the Tribal Court. The Tribe filed a motion to dismiss the Federal Action. Shortly thereafter, the Tribe agreed to withdraw its motion to dismiss the Federal Action and agreed to stay the Tribal Lawsuit pending a determination by the Wisconsin federal court as to whether the Tribal Court has jurisdiction over the claims. Basic discovery was taken in the Federal Action, and we filed a summary judgment motion with the U.S. District Court, asking the court for a determination that the Tribal Court does not have jurisdiction over the claims brought by the Tribe. The summary judgment motion has been fully briefed, and we are awaiting a ruling by the U.S. District Court. In the event the court does not grant summary judgment a court trial is scheduled for June 23, 2014 to determine whether the Tribal Court has jurisdiction over the claims brought by the Tribe. While there can be no assurance that we will be successful, based upon currently available information and review with outside counsel, we believe that we have meritorious defenses to the Tribe’s claims and we intend to vigorously defend the allegations.

NOTE 19 Regulatory Capital Requirements

We operate in a highly regulated environment and are subject to capital requirements, which may limit distributions to our company from its subsidiaries. Distributions from our broker-dealer subsidiaries are subject to net capital rules. A broker-dealer that fails to comply with the SEC’s Uniform Net Capital Rule (Rule 15c3-1) may be subject to disciplinary actions by the SEC and self-regulatory organizations, such as FINRA, including censures, fines, suspension, or expulsion. Stifel Nicolaus has chosen to calculate its net capital under the alternative method, which prescribes that their net capital shall not be less than the greater of $1.0 million or two percent of aggregate debit balances (primarily receivables from customers) computed in accordance with the SEC’s Customer Protection Rule (Rule 15c3-3). KBW, CSA, and Miller Buckfire calculate their net capital under the aggregate indebtedness method, whereby their aggregate indebtedness may not be greater than fifteen times their net capital (as defined).

At March 31, 2014, Stifel Nicolaus had net capital of $345.7 million, which was 53.1% of aggregate debit items and $332.7 million in excess of its minimum required net capital. At March 31, 2014, KBW’s, CSA’s, and Miller Buckfire’s net capital exceeded the minimum net capital required under the SEC rule.

Our international subsidiaries, SNEL and KBW Limited, are subject to the regulatory supervision and requirements of the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) in the United Kingdom. At March 31, 2014, SNEL’s and KBW Limited’s capital and reserves were in excess of the financial resources requirement under the rules of the FCA.

Our company, as a bank holding company, and Stifel Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the Federal and state banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on our company’s and Stifel Bank’s financial results. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, our company and Stifel Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of our assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Our company’s and Stifel Bank’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.

 

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Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require our company, as a bank holding company, and Stifel Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of total and Tier 1 capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined), and Tier 1 capital to average assets (as defined). To be categorized as “well capitalized,” our company and Stifel Bank must maintain total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based, and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the tables below (in thousands, except ratios).

Stifel Financial Corp. – Federal Reserve Capital Amounts

March 31, 2014

 

     Actual     For Capital Adequacy
Purposes
    To Be Well Capitalized
Under Prompt Corrective
Action Provisions
 
     Amount      Ratio     Amount      Ratio     Amount      Ratio  

Total capital to risk-weighted assets

   $ 1,278,259         26.0 %   $ 393,702         8.0 %   $ 492,128         10.0

Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets

     1,263,966         25.7        196,851         4.0        295,277         6.0   

Tier 1 capital to adjusted average total assets

     1,263,966         15.1        334,407         4.0        418,009         5.0   

Stifel Bank – Federal Reserve Capital Amounts

March 31, 2014

 

     Actual     For Capital Adequacy
Purposes
    To Be Well Capitalized
Under Prompt Corrective
Action Provisions
 
     Amount      Ratio     Amount      Ratio     Amount      Ratio  

Total capital to risk-weighted assets

   $ 383,367         13.8 %   $ 226,087         8.0 %   $ 282,608         10.0

Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets

     369,236         13.1        113,043         4.0        169,565         6.0   

Tier 1 capital to adjusted average total assets

     369,236         7.3        201,592         4.0        251,990         5.0   

NOTE 20Interest Income and Interest Expense

The components of interest income and interest expense are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three months ended March 31,  
     2014      2013  

Interest income:

     

Investment securities

   $ 19,311       $ 12,371   

Bank loans, net of unearned income

     13,608         8,216   

Margin balances

     4,666         4,255   

Other

     5,241         4,964   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 42,826       $ 29,806   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Interest expense:

     

Senior notes

   $ 5,164       $ 5,166   

Bank deposits

     1,745         2,894   

Other

     1,722         2,509   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 8,631       $ 10,569   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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NOTE 21Employee Incentive, Deferred Compensation, and Retirement Plans

We maintain several incentive stock award plans that provide for the granting of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, performance awards, and stock units to our employees. We are permitted to issue new shares under all stock award plans approved by shareholders or to reissue our treasury shares. Awards under our company’s incentive stock award plans are granted at market value at the date of grant. The awards generally vest ratably over a three- to eight-year vesting period.

All stock-based compensation plans are administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (“Compensation Committee”), which has the authority to interpret the plans, determine to whom awards may be granted under the plans, and determine the terms of each award. According to these plans, we are authorized to grant an additional 5.2 million shares at March 31, 2014.

Stock-based compensation expense included in compensation and benefits expense in the consolidated statements of operations for our company’s incentive stock award plans was $22.5 million and $51.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The tax benefit related to stock-based compensation recognized in shareholders’ equity was $16.9 million and $8.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

On closing date of our acquisition of KBW, Inc., certain employees of KBW, Inc. and our company were granted restricted stock or restricted stock units of Stifel as retention. The fair value of the awards issued as retention was $30.6 million. There are no continuing service requirements associated with these restricted stock units, and accordingly were expensed at date of grant. This charge is included in compensation and benefits in the consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2013.

Stock Options

We have substantially eliminated the use of stock options as a form of compensation. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, no options were granted.

At March 31, 2014, all outstanding options were exercisable. Cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options were $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Tax benefits realized from the exercise of stock options for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively.

Stock Units

A stock unit represents the right to receive a share of common stock from our company at a designated time in the future without cash payment by the employee and is issued in lieu of cash incentive, principally for deferred compensation and employee retention plans. The restricted stock units vest on an annual basis over the next three to eight years and are distributable, if vested, at future specified dates. At March 31, 2014, the total number of stock units outstanding was 17.4 million, of which 10.6 million were unvested.

At March 31, 2014, there was unrecognized compensation cost for stock units of $317.3 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.8 years.

Deferred Compensation Plans

The Stifel Nicolaus Wealth Accumulation Plan (the “SWAP Plan”) is provided to certain revenue producers, officers, and key administrative employees, whereby a certain percentage of their incentive compensation is deferred as defined by the Plan into company stock units with a 25% matching contribution by our company. Participants may elect to defer up to an additional 15% of their incentive compensation with a 25% matching contribution. Units generally vest over a three- to seven-year period and are distributable upon vesting or at future specified dates. Deferred compensation costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. Elective deferrals are 100% vested. As of March 31, 2014, there were 16.4 million units outstanding under the SWAP Plan.

Additionally, the SWAP Plan allows Stifel Nicolaus’ financial advisors who achieve certain levels of production, the option to defer a certain percentage of their gross commissions. As stipulated by the SWAP Plan, the financial advisors have the option to: 1) defer 4% of their gross commissions into company stock units with a 25% matching contribution and may elect to defer an additional 1% of gross commissions into company stock units with a 25% matching contribution or 2) defer up to 2% in mutual funds, which earn a return based on the performance of index mutual funds as designated by our company or a fixed income option. The mutual fund deferral option does not include a company match. Financial advisors have no ownership in the mutual funds. Included in the investments in the consolidated statements of financial condition are investments in mutual funds of

 

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$17.3 million and $17.0 million at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, that were purchased by our company to economically hedge, on an after-tax basis, its liability to the financial advisors who choose to base the performance of their return on the index mutual fund option. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the deferred compensation liability related to the mutual fund option of $13.8 million and $14.3 million, respectively, is included in accrued compensation in the consolidated statements of financial condition.

In addition, certain financial advisors, upon joining our company, may receive company stock units in lieu of transition cash payments. Deferred compensation related to these awards generally vests over a five- to eight-year period. Deferred compensation costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the deferral period.

NOTE 22 – Off-Balance Sheet Credit Risk

In the normal course of business, we execute, settle, and finance customer and proprietary securities transactions. These activities expose our company to off-balance sheet risk in the event that customers or other parties fail to satisfy their obligations.

In accordance with industry practice, securities transactions generally settle within three business days after trade date. Should a customer or broker fail to deliver cash or securities as agreed, we may be required to purchase or sell securities at unfavorable market prices.

We borrow and lend securities to facilitate the settlement process and finance transactions, utilizing customer margin securities held as collateral. We monitor the adequacy of collateral levels on a daily basis. We periodically borrow from banks on a collateralized basis, utilizing firm and customer margin securities in compliance with SEC rules. Should the counterparty fail to return customer securities pledged, we are subject to the risk of acquiring the securities at prevailing market prices in order to satisfy our customer obligations. We control our exposure to credit risk by continually monitoring our counterparties’ positions, and where deemed necessary, we may require a deposit of additional collateral and/or a reduction or diversification of positions. Our company sells securities it does not currently own (short sales) and is obligated to subsequently purchase such securities at prevailing market prices. We are exposed to risk of loss if securities prices increase prior to closing the transactions. We control our exposure to price risk from short sales through daily review and setting position and trading limits.

We manage our risks associated with the aforementioned transactions through position and credit limits and the continuous monitoring of collateral. Additional collateral is required from customers and other counterparties when appropriate.

We have accepted collateral in connection with resale agreements, securities borrowed transactions, and customer margin loans. Under many agreements, we are permitted to sell or repledge these securities held as collateral and use these securities to enter into securities lending arrangements or to deliver to counterparties to cover short positions. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the fair value of securities accepted as collateral where we are permitted to sell or repledge the securities was $1.3 billion and $1.2 billion, respectively, and the fair value of the collateral that had been sold or repledged was $246.2 million and $263.8 million, respectively.

We enter into interest rate derivative contracts to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the receipt or payment of future known and uncertain cash amounts, the value of which are determined by interest rates. Our derivative financial instruments are principally used to manage differences in the amount, timing, and duration of our known or expected cash payments related to certain variable-rate affiliated deposits. Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for us making fixed-rate payments. Our interest rate hedging strategies may not work in all market environments and, as a result, may not be effective in mitigating interest rate risk.

Derivatives’ notional contract amounts are not reflected as assets or liabilities in the consolidated statements of financial condition. Rather, the market, or fair value, of the derivative transactions are reported in the consolidated statements of financial condition as other assets or accounts payable and accrued expenses, as applicable.

For a complete discussion of our activities related to derivative instruments, see Note 14 in the notes to our consolidated financial statements.

In the ordinary course of business, Stifel Bank has commitments to originate loans, standby letters of credit, and lines of credit. Commitments to originate loans are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established by the contract. These commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since a portion of the commitments may expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash commitments. Each customer’s creditworthiness is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if necessary, is based on the credit evaluation of the counterparty. Collateral held varies, but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, commercial real estate, and residential real estate.

 

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At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, Stifel Bank had outstanding commitments to originate loans aggregating $104.0 million and $66.8 million, respectively. The commitments extended over varying periods of time, with all commitments at March 31, 2014 scheduled to be disbursed in the following three months.

Through Stifel Bank, in the normal course of business, we originate residential mortgage loans and sell them to investors. We may be required to repurchase mortgage loans that have been sold to investors in the event there are breaches of certain representations and warranties contained within the sales agreements. We may be required to repurchase mortgage loans that were sold to investors in the event that there was inadequate underwriting or fraud, or in the event that the loans become delinquent shortly after they are originated. We also may be required to indemnify certain purchasers and others against losses they incur in the event of breaches of representations and warranties and in various other circumstances, and the amount of such losses could exceed the repurchase amount of the related loans. Consequently, we may be exposed to credit risk associated with sold loans.

Standby letters of credit are irrevocable conditional commitments issued by Stifel Bank to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Financial standby letters of credit are primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements, including commercial paper, bond financing, and similar transactions. Performance standby letters of credit are issued to guarantee performance of certain customers under non-financial contractual obligations. The credit risk involved in issuing standby letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to customers. Should Stifel Bank be obligated to perform under the standby letters of credit, it may seek recourse from the customer for reimbursement of amounts paid. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, Stifel Bank had outstanding letters of credit totaling $5.3 million and $5.1 million, respectively. All of the standby letters of credit commitments at March 31, 2014 have expiration terms that are less than one year.

Lines of credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Lines of credit generally have fixed expiration dates. Stifel Bank uses the same credit policies in granting lines of credit as it does for on-balance sheet instruments. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, Stifel Bank had granted unused lines of credit to commercial and consumer borrowers aggregating $321.5 million and $282.0 million, respectively.

NOTE 23 – Segment Reporting

We currently operate through the following three business segments: Global Wealth Management, Institutional Group, and various corporate activities combined in the Other segment.

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, primarily in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions with a growing presence in the Northeast, Southeast, and Western 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 clients through Stifel Bank. Stifel Bank segment 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.

The 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 certain corporate activities of our company.

 

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Information concerning operations in these segments of business for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 is as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2014     2013  

Net revenues: (1) 

    

Global Wealth Management

   $ 297,183      $ 266,957   

Institutional Group

     249,977        173,300   

Other

     (414     (1,653
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 546,746      $ 438,604   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income/(loss) from continuing operations before income taxes:

    

Global Wealth Management

   $ 79,676      $ 69,499   

Institutional Group

     45,622        28,230   

Other

     (47,170     (74,071
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 78,128      $ 23,658   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)  No individual client accounted for more than 10 percent of total net revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2014 or 2013.

The following table presents our company’s total assets on a segment basis at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):

 

     March 31,
2014
     December 31,
2013
 

Global Wealth Management

   $ 5,736,638       $ 5,505,076   

Institutional Group

     3,428,986         3,290,573  

Other

     222,190         213,221   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 9,387,814      $ 9,008,870   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

We have operations in the United States, United Kingdom, and Europe. Our company’s foreign operations are conducted through its wholly owned subsidiaries, SNEL and KBW Limited. Substantially all long-lived assets are located in the United States.

Revenues, classified by the major geographic areas in which they are earned for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2014      2013  

United States

   $ 525,441       $ 429,193  

United Kingdom

     17,919         6,850  

Other European

     3,386         2,561   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 546,746       $ 438,604  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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NOTE 24 – Earnings Per Share (“EPS”)

Basic EPS is computed by dividing earnings available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the entity. Diluted earnings per share include dilutive stock options and stock units under the treasury stock method.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands, except per share data):

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2014     2013  

Income from continuing operations

   $ 47,973      $ 14,936  

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

     (591     (317
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 47,382      $ 14,619   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shares for basic and diluted calculation:

    

Average shares used in basic computation

     66,037        60,054   

Dilutive effect of stock options and units (1)

     9,654        9,135   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Average shares used in diluted computation

     75,691        69,189   

Earnings per basic common share:

    

Income from continuing operations

   $ 0.73      $ 0.25   

Loss from discontinued operations

     (0.01     (0.01
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per basic common share

   $ 0.72      $ 0.24   

Earnings per diluted common share:

    

Income from continuing operations

   $ 0.63      $ 0.22  

Loss from discontinued operations

     —          (0.01 )
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per diluted common share

   $ 0.63      $ 0.21   

 

(1)  Diluted earnings per share is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of shares of common stock plus the effect of dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. Diluted earnings per share include stock options and units.

For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the anti-dilutive effect from restricted stock units was immaterial.

NOTE 25 – Shareholders’ Equity

Share Repurchase Program

We have an ongoing authorization from the Board of Directors to repurchase our common stock in the open market or in negotiated transactions. At March 31, 2014, the maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under this plan was 3.5 million. The repurchase program has no expiration date. These purchases may be made on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, depending upon market conditions and other factors. Repurchased shares may be used to meet obligations under our employee benefit plans and for general corporate purposes.

NOTE 26 – Variable Interest Entities

The determination as to whether an entity is a VIE is based on the structure and nature of the entity. We also consider other characteristics, such as the ability to influence the decision-making relative to the entity’s activities and how the entity is financed. The determination as to whether we must consolidate a VIE is based on whether we are the primary beneficiary for certain entities. The primary beneficiary determination is based on a qualitative analysis of the VIE’s expected losses and expected residual returns. This analysis includes a review of, among other factors, the VIE’s capital structure, contractual terms, which interests create or absorb variability, related party relationships, and the design of the VIE. For other entities, the determination as to whether we must consolidate the VIE is based on an analysis of the power to direct the activities of the VIE as well as the obligation to absorb losses or benefits that could potentially be significant to the entity. Where qualitative analyses are not conclusive, we perform a quantitative analysis. Our company’s involvement with VIEs is limited to entities used as investment vehicles and private equity funds, the establishment of Stifel Financial Capital Trusts, and our issuance of a convertible promissory note.

 

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We have formed several non-consolidated investment funds with third-party investors that are typically organized as limited liability companies (“LLCs”) or limited partnerships. These partnerships and LLCs have assets of $246.7 million at March 31, 2014. For those funds where we act as the general partner, our company’s economic interest is generally limited to management fee arrangements as stipulated by the fund operating agreements. We have generally provided the third-party investors with rights to terminate the funds or to remove us as the general partner. Management fee revenue earned by our company was insignificant during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013. In addition, our direct investment interest in these entities is insignificant at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

Thomas Weisel Capital Management LLC, a subsidiary of our company, acts as the general partner of a series of investment funds in venture capital and fund of funds and manages investment funds that are active buyers of secondary interests in private equity funds, as well as portfolios of direct interests in venture-backed companies. These partnerships have combined assets of $273.5 million at March 31, 2014. We hold variable interests in these funds as a result of our company’s rights to receive management fees. Our company’s investment in and additional capital commitments to the private equity funds are also considered variable interests. The additional capital commitments are subject to call at a later date and are limited in amount. Our exposure to loss is limited to our investments in, advances and commitments to, and receivables due from these funds, and that exposure is $1.6 million at March 31, 2014. Management fee revenue earned by our company was insignificant during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.

For the entities noted above that were determined to be VIEs, we have concluded that we are not the primary beneficiary and therefore we are not required to consolidate these entities. Additionally, for certain other entities we reviewed other relevant accounting guidance, which states the general partner in a limited partnership is presumed to control that limited partnership. The presumption may be overcome if the limited partners have either: (1) the substantive ability to dissolve the limited partnership or otherwise remove the general partner without cause, or (2) substantive participating rights, which provide the limited partners with the ability to effectively participate in significant decisions that would be expected to be made in the ordinary course of the limited partnership’s business and thereby preclude the general partner from exercising unilateral control over the partnership. If the criteria are not met, the consolidation of the partnership or limited liability company is required. Based on our evaluation of these entities, we determined that these entities do not require consolidation.

Debenture to Stifel Financial Capital Trusts

We have completed private placements of cumulative trust preferred securities through Stifel Financial Capital Trust II, Stifel Financial Capital Trust III, and Stifel Financial Capital Trust IV (collectively, the “Trusts”). The Trusts are non-consolidated wholly owned business trust subsidiaries of our company and were established for the limited purpose of issuing trust securities to third parties and lending the proceeds to our company.

The trust preferred securities represent an indirect interest in junior subordinated debentures purchased from our company by the Trusts, and we effectively provide for the full and unconditional guarantee of the securities issued by the Trusts. We make timely payments of interest to the Trusts as required by contractual obligations, which are sufficient to cover payments due on the securities issued by the Trusts, and believe that it is unlikely that any circumstances would occur that would make it necessary for our company to make payments related to these Trusts other than those required under the terms of the debenture agreements and the trust preferred securities agreements. The Trusts were determined to be VIEs because the holders of the equity investment at risk do not have adequate decision-making ability over the Trust’s activities. Our investment in the Trusts is not a variable interest, because equity interests are variable interests only to the extent that the investment is considered to be at risk. Because our investment was funded by the Trusts, it is not considered to be at risk.

Interest in FSI Group, LLC (“FSI”)

We have provided financing of $18.0 million in the form of a convertible promissory note to FSI, a limited liability company specializing in investing in banks, thrifts, insurance companies, and other financial services firms. In February 2013, the convertible promissory note was amended and restated. The convertible promissory note matures in April 2018, however, FSI has three 5 year extension options. The note is convertible at our election into a 49.9% interest in FSI only after the last extension option. The convertible promissory note has a minimum coupon rate equal to 8% per annum plus additional interest related to certain defined cash flows of the business, not to exceed 18% per annum. As we do not hold the power to direct the activities of FSI nor to absorb a majority of the expected losses, or receive a majority of the expected benefits, it was determined that we are not required to consolidate this entity.

 

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Our company’s exposure to loss is limited to the carrying value of the note with FSI at March 31, 2014, of $18.0 million, which is included in other assets in the consolidated statements of financial condition. Our company had no liabilities related to this entity at March 31, 2014. We have the discretion to make additional capital contributions. We have not provided financial or other support to FSI that we were not previously contractually required to provide as of March 31, 2014. Our company’s involvement with FSI has not had a material effect on our consolidated financial position, operations, or cash flows.

NOTE 27 – Subsequent Events

We evaluate subsequent events that have occurred after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued. There are two types of subsequent events: (1) recognized, or those that provide additional evidence about conditions that existed at the date of the balance sheet, including the estimates inherent in the process of preparing financial statements, and (2) non-recognized, or those that provide evidence about conditions that did not exist at the date of the balance sheet but arose after that date. Based on the evaluation, we did not identify any recognized subsequent events that would have required adjustment to the consolidated financial statements.

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion of the financial condition and results of operations of our company should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, and the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Certain statements in this report may be considered forward-looking. Statements that are not historical or current facts, including statements about beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements cover, among other things, statements made about general economic and market conditions, the investment banking industry, 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. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, including those factors discussed below under “External Factors Impacting Our Business” as well as the factors identified under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, as updated in our subsequent reports filed with the SEC. These reports are available at our web site at www.stifel.com and at the SEC web site at www.sec.gov.

Because of these and other uncertainties, our actual future results may be materially different from the results indicated by these forward-looking statements. In addition, our past results of operations do not necessarily indicate our future results. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update them in light of new information or future events, unless we are obligated to do so under federal securities laws.

Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “we,” “us,” “our” or “our company” in this report refer to Stifel Financial Corp. and its wholly owned subsidiaries.

Executive Summary

We operate as a financial services and bank holding company. We have built a diversified business serving private clients, institutional investors, and investment banking clients located across the country. Our principal activities are: (i) private client services, including securities transaction and financial planning services; (ii) institutional equity and fixed income sales, trading and research, and municipal finance; (iii) investment banking services, including mergers and acquisitions, public offerings, and private placements; and (iv) 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 leading brokerage and investment banking firms off Wall Street. We have grown our business both organically and through opportunistic acquisitions. These acquisitions have positively impacted our results.

We plan to maintain our focus on revenue growth with a continued appreciation for the development of quality client relationships. Within our private client business, our efforts will be focused on recruiting experienced financial advisors with established client relationships. Within our capital markets business, our focus continues to be on providing quality client management and product diversification. In executing our growth strategy, we will continue to seek out opportunities that allow us to take advantage of the consolidation among middle-market firms, whereby allowing us to increase market share in our Global Wealth Management and Institutional Group businesses.

Stifel Financial Corp. (the “Parent”), through its wholly owned subsidiaries, principally Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated (“Stifel Nicolaus”), Stifel Bank & Trust (“Stifel Bank”), Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited (“SNEL”), Century Securities Associates, Inc. (“CSA”), Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. (“KBW”), Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Limited (“KBW Limited”), and Miller Buckfire & Co. LLC (“Miller Buckfire”), is principally engaged in retail brokerage; securities trading; investment banking; investment advisory; retail, consumer, and commercial banking; and related financial services. We have offices throughout the United States, and three European cities. Our major geographic area of concentration is the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, with a growing presence in the Northeast, Southeast and Western United States. Our company’s principal customers are individual investors, corporations, municipalities, and institutions.

 

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Our ability to attract and retain highly skilled and productive employees is critical to the success of our business. Accordingly, compensation and benefits comprise the largest component of our expenses, and our performance is dependent upon our ability to attract, develop and retain highly skilled employees who are motivated and committed to providing the highest quality of service and guidance to our clients.

On April 3, 2014, we completed the acquisition of De La Rosa & Co. (“De La Rosa”), a California-based public finance investment banking boutique. The addition of the De La Rosa team is expected to further strengthen our company’s position in a number of key underwriting markets in California.

On May 8, 2014 we entered into an agreement to acquire Oriel Securities (“Oriel”), a London-based stockbroking and investment banking firm, to build out our company’s international platform across all of its institutional businesses. The combination of our company and Oriel will bring together more than 250 professionals to create a significant middle-market investment banking group in London, with broad research coverage across most sectors of the economy, equity and debt sales and trading, and investment banking services.

Results for the three months ended March 31, 2014

For the three months ended March 31, 2014, net revenues from continuing operations increased 24.7% to $546.7 million compared to $438.6 million during the comparable period in 2013. Net income, including continuing and discontinued operations, increased 224.1% to $47.4 million, or $0.63 per diluted common share for the three months ended March 31, 2014, compared to $14.6 million, or $0.21 per diluted common share during the comparable period in 2013. Net income from continuing operations increased 221.2% to $48.0 million, or $0.63 per diluted common share for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to $14.9 million, or $0.22 per diluted common share during the comparable period in 2013.

Our revenue growth was primarily attributable to higher investment banking revenues as a result of improved M&A activity and capital raising revenues; growth in asset management and service fees as a result of increased assets under management; an increase in principal transactions; increased net interest revenues as a result of the growth of net interest-earning assets at Stifel Bank; and an increase in commission revenue. The increase in revenue growth was offset by a decline in other revenues.

The results for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were impacted by certain non-recurring and merger-related expenses. The aggregate impact of these items was a reduction to net income from continuing operations of $4.1 million (after-tax) or $0.06 per diluted common share.

External Factors Impacting our Business

Performance in the financial services industry in which we operate is highly correlated to the overall strength of economic conditions and financial market activity. Overall market conditions are a product of many factors, which are beyond our control and mostly unpredictable. These factors may affect the financial decisions made by investors, including their level of participation in the financial markets. In turn, these decisions may affect our business results. With respect to financial market activity, our profitability is sensitive to a variety of factors, including the demand for investment banking services as reflected by the number and size of equity and debt financings and merger and acquisition transactions, the volatility of the equity and fixed income markets, the level and shape of various yield curves, the volume and value of trading in securities, and the value of our customers’ assets under management. The municipal underwriting market is challenging as state and local governments reduce their debt levels. Investors are showing a lack of demand for longer-dated municipals and are reluctant to take on credit or liquidity risks. Investor confidence has been dampened by continued uncertainty surrounding the U.S. fiscal and debt ceiling, the debt concerns in Europe, and sluggish employment growth.

Our overall financial results continue to be highly and directly correlated to the direction and activity levels of the United States equity and fixed income markets. At March 31, 2014, the key indicators of the markets’ performance, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and the NASDAQ closed 12.9%, 19.3%, and 28.5% higher than their March 31, 2013 closing prices, respectively. Equity markets finished the quarter slightly ahead of their record levels at the end of 2013, and attracted both issuers and investors into the market. As a result, equity capital raising remained strong and trading volumes increased from 2013 levels.

As a participant in the financial services industry, we are subject to complicated and extensive regulation of our business. The recent economic and political environment has led to legislative and regulatory initiatives, both enacted and proposed, that could substantially intensify the regulation of the financial services industry and may significantly impact us. On July 21, 2010, the Dodd-Frank Act was signed into law. The Dodd-Frank Act will have a broad impact on the financial services industry and will impose significant new regulatory and compliance

 

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requirements, including the designation of certain financial companies as systemically significant, the imposition of increased capital, leverage, and liquidity requirements, and numerous other provisions designed to improve supervision and oversight of, and strengthen safety and soundness within, the financial services sector. The expectation is that this new legislation will significantly restructure and increase regulation in the financial services industry, which could increase our cost of doing business, change certain business practices, and alter the competitive landscape.

 

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 Compared with Three Months Ended March 31, 2013

The following table presents consolidated financial information for the periods indicated (in thousands, except percentages):

 

     For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
    As a Percentage
of Net Revenues
For the Three
Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2014     2013     %
Change
    2014     2013  

Revenues:

          

Commissions

   $ 159,416      $ 145,867        9.3       29.2     33.3

Principal transactions

     126,461        107,264        17.9        23.1        24.5   

Investment banking

     132,304        76,905        72.0       24.2       17.5   

Asset management and service fees

     89,170        68,912        29.4       16.3       15.7  

Interest

     42,826        29,806        43.7       7.8       6.8  

Other income

     5,200        20,419        (74.5 )     1.0        4.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     555,377        449,173        23.6       101.6       102.4  

Interest expense

     8,631        10,569        (18.3 )     1.6       2.4  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net revenues

     546,746        438,604        24.7       100.0       100.0  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-interest expenses:

          

Compensation and benefits

     346,771        314,912        10.1       63.4       71.8  

Occupancy and equipment rental

     40,532        33,519        20.9       7.4       7.6  

Communication and office supplies

     24,818        22,457        10.5       4.5       5.1  

Commissions and floor brokerage

     9,028        8,837        2.2       1.7       2.0  

Other operating expenses

     47,469        35,221        34.8       8.7       8.1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-interest expenses

     468,618        414,946        12.9       85.7       94.6  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before from continuing operations income taxes

     78,128        23,658        230.2       14.3        5.4  

Provision for income taxes

     30,155        8,722        245.8       5.5        2.0  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income from continuing operations

     47,973        14,936        221.2       8.8        3.4   

Discontinued operations:

          

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

     (591     (317     86.4        (0.1     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 47,382      $ 14,619        224.1       8.7     3.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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NET REVENUES

The following table presents consolidated net revenues for the periods indicated (in thousands, except percentages):

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2014      2013      %
Change
 

Net revenues:

        

Commissions

   $ 159,416       $ 145,867         9.3   

Principal transactions

     126,461         107,264         17.9   

Investment banking:

        

Capital raising

     73,804         49,849         48.1   

Strategic advisory fees

     58,500         27,056         116.2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     132,304         76,905         72.0   

Asset management and service fees

     89,170         68,912         29.4   

Net interest

     34,195         19,237         77.8   

Other income

     5,200         20,419         (74.5
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total net revenues

   $ 546,746       $ 438,604         24.7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Except as noted in the following discussion of variances, the underlying reasons for the increase in revenue can be attributed principally to the increased number of private client group offices and financial advisors in our Global Wealth Management segment and the increased number of revenue producers in our Institutional Group segment.

Commissions – Commission revenues are primarily generated from agency transactions in OTC and listed equity securities, insurance products and options. In addition, commission revenues also include distribution fees for promoting and distributing mutual funds.

For the three months ended March 31, 2014, commission revenues increased 9.3% to $159.4 million from $145.9 million in the comparable period in 2013. The increase is primarily attributable to an increase in OTC transactions from the comparable period in 2013.

Principal transactions – For the three months ended March 31, 2014, principal transactions revenues increased 17.9% to $126.5 million from $107.3 million in the comparable period in 2013. The increase is primarily attributable to an increase in fixed income institutional brokerage revenues as a result of higher trading volumes.

Investment banking – Investment banking revenues include: (i) capital raising revenues representing fees earned from the underwriting of debt and equity securities, and (ii) strategic advisory fees related to corporate debt and equity offerings, municipal debt offerings, merger and acquisitions, private placements and other investment banking advisory fees.

For the three months ended March 31, 2014, investment banking revenues increased 72.0%, to $132.3 million from $76.9 million in the comparable period in 2013. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in advisory fees and capital raising revenues.

Capital raising revenues increased 48.1% to $73.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 from $49.9 million in the comparable period in 2013. During the first quarter of 2014, equity capital raising revenues increased 80.6% to $56.5 million from $31.3 million in the comparable period in 2013. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, fixed income capital raising revenues decreased 37.6% to $9.1 million from $14.6 million in the comparable period in 2013.

Strategic advisory fees increased 116.2% to $58.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 from $27.1 million in the comparable period in 2013. The increase is primarily attributable to an increase in the number of completed equity transactions over the comparable period in 2013.

Asset management and service fees – Asset management and service fees include fees for asset-based financial services provided to individuals and institutional clients. Investment advisory fees are charged based on the value of assets in fee-based accounts. Asset management and service fees are affected by changes in the balances of client assets due to market fluctuations and levels of net new client assets.

 

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For the three months ended March 31, 2014, asset management and service fee revenues increased 29.4% to $89.2 million from $68.9 million in the comparable period in 2013. The increase is primarily a result of an increase in the number and value of fee-based accounts. See “Asset management and service fees” in the Global Wealth Management segment discussion for information on the changes in asset management and service fees revenues.

Other income – For the three months ended March 31, 2014, other income decreased 74.5% to $5.2 million from $20.4 million during the comparable period in 2013. Other income primarily includes investment gains, including gains on our private equity investments, and loan originations fees from Stifel Bank.

NET INTEREST INCOME

The following tables present average balance data and operating interest revenue and expense data, as well as related interest yields for the periods indicated (in thousands, except rates):

 

     Three Months Ended  
     March 31, 2014     March 31, 2013  
     Average
Balance
     Interest
Income/
Expense
     Average
Interest
Rate
    Average
Balance
     Interest
Income/
Expense
    Average
Interest
Rate
 

Interest-earning assets:

               

Margin balances (Stifel Nicolaus)

   $ 482,058       $ 4,666         3.87 %   $ 442,504       $ 4,255        3.85

Interest-earning assets (Stifel Bank)

     4,957,732         33,095         2.67       3,752,030         20,825        2.22   

Other (Stifel Nicolaus)

        5,065              4,726     
     

 

 

         

 

 

   

Total interest revenue

      $ 42,826            $ 29,806     
     

 

 

         

 

 

   

Interest-bearing liabilities:

               

Short-term borrowings (Stifel Nicolaus)

   $ 97,707       $ 1,104         1.13 %   $ 209,392       $ 984        1.17

Interest-bearing liabilities (Stifel Bank)

     4,679,794         1,745         0.15       3,502,898         2,894        0.33   

Stock loan (Stifel Nicolaus)

     72,541         123         0.17       64,646         65        0.10   

Senior notes (Stifel Financial)

     325,000         5,205         6.41        325,000         6,211        7.64   

Interest-bearing liabilities (Capital Trusts)

     82,500         419         2.10       82,500         433        2.10   

Other (Stifel Nicolaus)

        35              (18  
     

 

 

         

 

 

   

Total interest expense

        8,631              10,569     
     

 

 

         

 

 

   

Net interest income

      $ 34,195            $ 19,237     
     

 

 

         

 

 

   

Net interest income – Net interest income is the difference between interest earned on interest-earning assets and interest paid on funding sources. Net interest income is affected by changes in the volume and mix of these assets and liabilities, as well as by fluctuations in interest rates and portfolio management strategies. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, net interest income increased to $34.2 million from $19.2 million during the comparable period in 2013.

For the three months ended March 31, 2014, interest revenue increased 43.7% to $42.8 million from $29.8 million in the comparable period in 2013, principally as a result of a $12.3 million increase in interest revenue generated from the interest-earning assets of Stifel Bank. The average interest-earning assets of Stifel Bank increased to $5.0 billion during the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to $3.8 billion during the comparable period in 2013 at average interest rates of 2.67% and 2.22%, respectively.

For the three months ended March 31, 2014, interest expense decreased 18.3% to $8.6 million from $10.6 million during the comparable period in 2013. The decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease in interest expense on the interest-bearing liabilities of Stifel Bank and the payoff of our non-recourse debt during the fourth quarter of 2013.

 

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NON-INTEREST EXPENSES

The following table presents consolidated non-interest expenses for the periods indicated (in thousands, except percentages):

 

     For the Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2014      2013      %
Change
 

Non-interest expenses:

        

Compensation and benefits

   $ 346,771       $ 314,912         10.1   

Occupancy and equipment rental

     40,532         33,519         20.9   

Communications and office supplies

     24,818         22,457         10.5   

Commissions and floor brokerage

     9,028         8,837         2.2   

Other operating expenses

     47,469         35,221         34.8   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total non-interest expenses

   $ 468,618       $ 414,946         12.9   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Except as noted in the following discussion of variances, the underlying reasons for the increase in non-interest expenses can be attributed principally to our continued expansion, both organically and through our acquisition of KBW, Inc. on February 15, 2013, and increased administrative overhead to support the growth in our segments.

Compensation and benefits – Compensation and benefits expenses, which are the largest component of our expenses, include salaries, bonuses, transition pay, benefits, amortization of stock-based compensation, employment taxes and other employee-related costs. A significant portion of compensation expense is comprised of production-based variable compensation, including discretionary bonuses, which fluctuates in proportion to the level of business activity, increasing with higher revenues and operating profits. Other compensation costs, including base salaries, stock-based compensation amortization, and benefits, are more fixed in nature.

For the three months ended March 31, 2014, compensation and benefits expense increased 10.1% to $346.8 million from $314.9 million during the comparable period in 2013. The increase is principally due to the following: 1) increased variable compensation as a result of increased revenue production and profitability; and 2) an increase in fixed compensation for the additional administrative support staff.

Compensation and benefits expense for the three months ended March 31, 2013 includes a non-cash charge of $30.6 million (pre-tax) related to the expensing of restricted stock awards granted to certain employees of KBW, Inc and our company as retention related to the acquisition of KBW, Inc. There were no continuing service requirements associated with these restricted stock awards, and accordingly were expensed on the date of grant.

Compensation and benefits expense as a percentage of net revenues was 63.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2014, compared to 71.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2013. Excluding the expensing of the awards and merger-related expenses, compensation and benefits expense as a percentage of net revenues was 63.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2013.

A portion of compensation and benefits expenses includes transition pay, principally in the form of upfront notes, signing bonuses and retention awards in connection with our continuing expansion efforts, of $24.9 million (4.6% of net revenues) for the three months ended March 31, 2014, compared to $21.5 million (4.9% of net revenues) for the comparable period in 2013. The upfront notes are amortized over a five to ten year period.

Occupancy and equipment rental – For the three months ended March 31, 2014, occupancy and equipment rental expense increased 20.9% to $40.5 million from $33.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2013. The increase is primarily due to the increase in rent and depreciation expense due primarily to an increase in office locations. As of March 31, 2014, we have 359 locations compared to 357 at March 31, 2013.

Communications and office supplies – Communications expense includes costs for telecommunication and data communication, primarily for obtaining third-party market data information. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, communications and office supplies expense increased 10.5% to $24.8 million from $22.5 million during the first quarter of 2013. The increase is primarily attributable to our continued expansion through our acquisitions and the addition of revenue producers and support staff.

Commissions and floor brokerage – For the three months ended March 31, 2014, commissions and floor brokerage expense increased 2.2% to $9.0 million from $8.8 million during the comparable period in 2013. The increase is primarily attributable to 1) an increase in clearing fees as a result of an increase in commission revenues; and 2) an increase in trade execution costs from our flow business.

 

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Other operating expenses – Other operating expenses primarily include license and registration fees, litigation-related expenses, which consist of amounts we reserve and/or pay out related to legal and regulatory matters, travel and entertainment, promotional expenses and expenses for professional services.

For the three months ended March 31, 2014, other operating expenses increased 34.8% to $47.5 million from $35.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2013. The increase is primarily attributable to an increase in legal expenses, travel and promotion, professional service fees in connection with our acquisitions and subscriptions expenses.

Provision for income taxes – For the three months ended March 31, 2014, our provision for income taxes was $30.2 million, representing an effective tax rate of 38.6%, compared to expense of $8.7 million for the comparable period in 2013, representing an effective tax rate of 36.9%.

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

Stifel Nicolaus Canada, Inc. (“SN Canada”) ceased business operations as of September 30, 2013. The results of SN Canada, previously reported in the Institutional Group segment, are classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented.

 

     Three months ended
March 31,
 
     2014     2013  

Net revenues

   $ 10      $ 3,176   

Restructuring expense

     217        —     

Operating expenses

     492        3,488   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-interest expenses

     709        3,488   

Loss from discontinued operations before income tax expense

     (699     (312

Income tax expense

     (108     5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

   $ (591   $ (317
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements for further discussion of our discontinued operations.

 

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SEGMENT ANALYSIS

Our reportable segments include 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, primarily in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions with a growing presence in the Northeast, Southeast and Western 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 Federal Depository Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”)-insured deposit accounts to customers of our broker-dealer subsidiaries and to the general public.

The 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, 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.

We evaluate the performance of our segments and allocate resources to them based on various factors, including prospects for growth, return on investment, and return on revenues.

 

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Results of Operations – Global Wealth Management

Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 Compared with Three Months Ended March 31, 2013

The following table presents consolidated financial information for the Global Wealth Management segment for the periods indicated (in thousands, except percentages):

 

     For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
    As a Percentage of Net
Revenues

For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2014      2013      %
Change
    2014     2013  

Revenues:

            

Commissions

   $ 107,739       $ 102,086         5.5        36.3     38.3

Principal transactions

     53,766         56,307         (4.5     18.0        21.1   

Asset management and service fees

     89,130         68,934         29.3        30.0       25.8  

Investment banking

     9,926         11,103         (10.6     3.3       4.2  

Interest

     38,379         25,755         49.0        12.9       9.6  

Other income

     1,360         7,041         (80.7     0.5        2.6   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     300,300         271,226         10.7        101.0       101.6  

Interest expense

     3,117         4,269         (27.0     1.0       1.6  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net revenues

     297,183         266,957         11.3       100.0       100.0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-interest expenses:

            

Compensation and benefits

     174,168         157,596         10.5        58.6        59.0  

Occupancy and equipment rental

     17,601         16,006         10.0        5.9        6.0  

Communication and office supplies

     8,932         9,028         (1.1     3.0        3.4  

Commissions and floor brokerage

     3,470         3,827         (9.4     1.2        1.4  

Other operating expenses

     13,336         11,001         21.1        4.5        4.2  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-interest expenses

     217,507         197,458         10.2        73.2        74.0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

   $ 79,676       $ 69,499         14.6        26.8     26.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     March 31,
2014
     March 31,
2013
 

Branch offices (actual)

     320         312   

Financial advisors (actual)

     1,940         1,915   

Independent contractors (actual)

     141         148   

 

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NET REVENUES

For the three months ended March 31, 2014, Global Wealth Management net revenues increased 11.3% to $297.2 million from $267.0 million for the comparable period in 2013. The increase in net revenues from the three months ended March 31, 2014 over the comparable period in 2013 is primarily attributable to growth in asset management and service fees; increased net interest revenues; and an increase in commission revenues. The increase in net revenues was offset by a decrease in investment gains (included in other revenues); and a decline in principal transaction revenues.

Commissions – For the three months ended March 31, 2014, commission revenues increased 5.5% to $107.7 million from $102.1 million in the comparable period in 2013. The increase is primarily attributable to an increase in agency transactions in mutual funds, equities and insurance products.

Principal transactions – For the three months ended March 31, 2014, principal transactions revenues decreased 4.5% to $53.8 million from $56.3 million in the comparable period in 2013. The decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease in fixed income products from the first quarter of 2013.

Asset management and service fees – For the three months ended March 31, 2014, asset management and service fees increased 29.3% to $89.1 million from $68.9 million in the comparable period in 2013. The increase is primarily a result of an increase in assets under management in our fee-based accounts. The value of assets in fee-based accounts increased 34.7% from March 31, 2013, of which 33.8% is attributable to net inflows and 66.2% is attributable to market appreciation. The number of fee-based accounts at March 31, 2014 increased 14.5% from March 31, 2013. The following table summarizes the changes in our assets in fee-based accounts for the three months ended March 31, 2014 (in thousands):

 

Assets in fee-based accounts:

  

Balance at December 31, 2013

   $ 26,157,792   

Inflows

     218,724   

Market appreciation

     2,056,616   
  

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2014

   $ 28,433,132   
  

 

 

 

Investment banking – Investment banking, which represents sales credits for investment banking underwritings, decreased 10.6% to $9.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 from $11.1 million during the comparable period in 2013. See “Investment banking” in the Institutional Group segment discussion for information on the changes in net revenues.

Interest revenue – For the three months ended March 31, 2014, interest revenue increased 49.0% to $38.4 million from $25.8 million in the comparable period in 2013. The increase is primarily due to the growth of the interest-earning assets of Stifel Bank and increased interest rates on our investment portfolio. See “Net Interest Income – Stifel Bank” below for a further discussion of the changes in net revenues.

Other income – For the three months ended March 31, 2014, other income decreased 80.7% to $1.4 million from $7.0 million during the comparable period in 2013. The decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease in investment gains on our private equity investments and a decrease in mortgage fees from loan originations at Stifel Bank.

Interest expense – For the three months ended March 31, 2014, interest expense decreased 27.0% to $3.1 million from $4.3 million during the comparable period in 2013.

 

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NET INTEREST INCOME – STIFEL BANK

The following tables present average balance data and operating interest revenue and expense data for Stifel Bank, as well as related interest yields for the periods indicated (in thousands, except rates):

 

     Three Months Ended     Three Months Ended  
     March 31, 2014     March 31, 2013  
     Average
Balance
     Interest
Income/
Expense
    Average
Interest
Rate
    Average
Balance
     Interest
Income/
Expense
     Average
Interest
Rate
 

Assets:

               

Federal funds sold

   $ 355,547       $ 164        0.55 %   $ 367,720       $ 232         0.25

State and political subdivisions:

               

Taxable

     18,383         265        5.76        127,414         1,383         4.34   

Non-taxable (1)

     77,975         1,672        8.57       62,809         352         2.24   

Mortgage-backed securities

     1,410,046         9,548        2.71        934,772         4,229         1.81   

Corporate bonds

     534,980         2,978        2.23       543,106         2,996         2.21   

Asset-backed securities

     995,672         4,848        1.95       658,007         3,411         2.07   

Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) and other capital stock

     4,478         12        1.03       2,870         6         0.84  

Loans (2)

     1,467,370         13,011        3.55       920,883         7,195         3.13  

Loans held for sale

     93,281         597        2.56       134,449         1,021         3.04   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total interest-earning assets (3)

   $ 4,957,732       $ 33,095        2.67 %   $ 3,752,030       $ 20,825         2.22

Cash and due from banks

     1,868             8,143         

Other non interest-earning assets

     79,741             71,808         
  

 

 

        

 

 

       

Total assets

   $ 5,039,341           $ 3,831,981         
  

 

 

        

 

 

       

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity:

               

Deposits:

               

Money market

   $ 4,437,143       $ 2,214        0.20   $ 3,443,363       $ 2,881         0.33

Demand deposits

     26,433         13        0.20        58,859         9         0.06   

Time deposits

     213,432         (482     (0.90     632         4         2.26   

Savings

     2,786         —          —          44         —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total interest-bearing liabilities (3)

   $ 4,679,794       $ 1,745        0.15   $ 3,502,898       $ 2,894         0.33

Non interest-bearing deposits

     9,129             16,978         

Other non interest-bearing liabilities

     31,895             39,998         
  

 

 

        

 

 

       

Total liabilities

     4,720,818             3,559,874         

Stockholders’ equity

     318,523             272,107         
  

 

 

        

 

 

       

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 5,039,341           $ 3,831,981         
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net interest margin

      $ 31,350        2.53      $ 17,931         1.91
     

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)  Due to immaterial amount of income recognized on tax-exempt securities, yields were not calculated on a tax equivalent basis.
(2)  Loans on non-accrual status are included in average balances.
(3)  See Net Interest Income table included in “Results of Operations” for additional information on our company’s average balances and operating interest and expenses.

 

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The following table sets forth an analysis of the effect on net interest income of volume and rate changes for the three month period ended March 31, 2014 compared to the three month period ended March 31, 2013 (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
Compared to Three Months Ended
March 31, 2013
 
     Increase (decrease) due to:  
     Volume     Rate     Total  

Interest income:

      

Federal funds sold

   $ 2      $ (70   $ (68

State and political subdivisions:

      

Taxable

     (1,812     694        (1,118

Non-taxable

     104        1,216        1,320   

Mortgage-backed securities

     3,772        1,547        5,319   

Corporate bonds

     (36     18        (18

Asset-backed securities

     1,624        (187     1,437   

FHLB and other capital stock

     (9     15        6   

Loans

     (2,400     8,216        5,816   

Loans held for sale

     1,755        (2,179     (424
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 3,000      $ 9,270      $ 12,270   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Increase (decrease) due to:  
     Volume     Rate     Total  

Interest expense:

      

Deposits:

      

Money market

   $ 3,203      $ (3,870   $ (667

Demand deposits

     (20     24        4   

Time deposits

     1,385        (1,871     (486

Savings

     —          —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 4,568      $ (5,717   $ (1,149
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increases and decreases in interest revenue and interest expense result from changes in average balances (volume) of interest-earning bank assets and liabilities, as well as changes in average interest rates. The effect of changes in volume is determined by multiplying the change in volume by the previous year’s average yield/cost. Similarly, the effect of rate changes is calculated by multiplying the change in average yield/cost by the previous year’s volume. Changes applicable to both volume and rate have been allocated proportionately.

Net interest income – Net interest income is the difference between interest earned on interest-earning assets and interest paid on funding sources. Net interest income is affected by changes in the volume and mix of these assets and liabilities, as well as by fluctuations in interest rates and portfolio management strategies.

For the three months ended March 31, 2014, interest revenue of $33.0 million was generated from average interest-earning assets of $5.0 billion at an average interest rate of 2.66%. Interest revenue of $20.8 million for the comparable period in 2013 was generated from average interest-earning assets of $3.8 billion at an average interest rate of 2.22%. Interest-earning assets principally consist of residential, consumer, and commercial loans, securities, and federal funds sold.

Interest expense represents interest on customer money market accounts, interest on time deposits and other interest expense. The average balance of interest-bearing liabilities during the three months ended March 31, 2014 was $4.7 billion at an average interest rate of 0.15%. The average balance of interest-bearing liabilities for the comparable period in 2013 was $3.5 billion at an average interest rate of 0.33%.

 

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The growth in Stifel Bank has been primarily driven by the growth in deposits associated with brokerage customers of Stifel Nicolaus. At March 31, 2014, the balance of Stifel Nicolaus brokerage customer deposits at Stifel Bank was $4.4 billion compared to $3.5 billion at March 31, 2013.

See “Net Interest Income – Stifel Bank” above for more information regarding average balances, interest income and expense, and average interest rate yields.

NON-INTEREST EXPENSES

For the three months ended March 31, 2014, Global Wealth Management non-interest expenses increased 10.2% to $217.5 million from $197.5 million for the comparable period in 2013. The fluctuations in non-interest expenses, discussed below, were primarily attributable to the continued growth of our Private Client Group. As of March 31, 2014, we have 320 branch offices compared to 312 at March 31, 2013. In addition, since March 31, 2013, we have added 132 financial advisors and 243 support staff.

Compensation and benefits – For the three months ended March 31, 2014, compensation and benefits expense increased 10.5% to $174.2 million from $157.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2013. The increase is principally due to increased variable compensation as a result of increased production due to the growth in financial advisors and fixed compensation for the additional administrative support staff. Compensation and benefits expense as a percentage of net revenues decreased to 58.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2014, compared to 59.0% for the comparable period in 2013.

A portion of compensation and benefits expenses includes transition pay, principally in the form of upfront notes, signing bonuses and retention awards in connection with our continuing expansion efforts, of $17.2 million (5.8% of net revenues) for the three months ended March 31, 2014, compared to $16.1 million (6.0% of net revenues) for the three months ended March 31, 2013. The upfront notes are amortized over a five to ten year period.

Occupancy and equipment rental – For the three months ended March 31, 2014, occupancy and equipment rental expense increased 10.0% to $17.6 million from $16.0 million during the comparable period in 2013. The increase is primarily due to the increase in office locations.

Communications and office supplies – For the three months ended March 31, 2014, communications and office supplies expense decreased 1.1% to $8.9 million from $9.0 million during the first quarter of 2013. The decrease is primarily attributable to a reduction in office supplies expense.

Commissions and floor brokerage – For the three months ended March 31, 2014, commissions and floor brokerage expense decreased 9.4% to $3.5 million from $3.8 million during the first quarter of 2013. The decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease in clearing fees.

Other operating expenses – For the three months ended March 31, 2014, other operating expenses increased 21.1% to $13.3 million from $11.0 million during the comparable period in 2013. The increase in other operating expenses is primarily attributable to an increase in legal expenses and the provision for loan losses from the first quarter of 2013.

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

For the three months ended March 31, 2014, income before income taxes increased 14.6% to $79.7 million from $69.5 million during the comparable period in 2013. Profit margins (income before income taxes as a percent of net revenues) were positively impacted by revenue growth.

 

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Results of Operations – Institutional Group

Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 Compared with Three Months Ended March 31, 2013

The following table presents consolidated financial information for the Institutional Group segment for the periods indicated (in thousands, except percentages):

 

     For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
    As a Percentage of Net
Revenues
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2014      2013      %
Change
    2014     2013  

Revenues:

            

Commissions

   $ 51,677       $ 43,781         18.0        20.7     25.3   

Principal transactions

     72,695         50,957         42.7        29.1        29.4   

Capital raising

     63,878         38,746         64.9        25.6        22.4   

Advisory

     58,500         27,056         116.2        23.4        15.6   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investment banking

     122,378         65,802         86.0        49.0        38.0  

Interest

     4,664         4,180         11.6        1.9        2.4   

Other income

     663         10,930         (93.9     0.1        6.3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     252,077         175,650         43.5        100.8        101.4  

Interest expense

     2,100         2,350         (10.7     0.8        1.4  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net revenues

     249,977         173,300         44.2       100.0       100.0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-interest expenses:

            

Compensation and benefits

     154,016         106,821         44.2        61.6        61.6   

Occupancy and equipment rental

     12,151         8,142         49.2        4.9        4.7   

Communication and office supplies

     12,772         9,462         35.0        5.1        5.5   

Commissions and floor brokerage

     5,558         5,010         11.0        2.2        2.9   

Other operating expenses

     19,858         15,635         27.0        7.9        9.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-interest expenses

     204,355         145,070         40.9        81.7        83.7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

   $ 45,622       $ 28,230         61.6        18.3     16.3
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

* Percentage not meaningful.

NET REVENUES

For the three months ended March 31, 2014, Institutional Group net revenues increased 44.2% to $250.0 million from $173.3 million for the comparable period in 2013. The increase in net revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2014 over the comparable period in 2013 was primarily attributable to an increase in advisory fees; an increase in equity capital raising revenues; and higher institutional brokerage revenues. The increase in net revenues was offset by a reduction in other revenues as a result of gains recorded on the investment in Knight Capital during the first quarter of 2013.

Commissions – For the three months ended March 31, 2014, commission revenues increased 18.0% to $51.7 million from $43.8 million in the comparable period in 2013.

Principal transactions – For the three months ended March 31, 2014, principal transactions revenues increased 42.7% to $72.7 million from $51.0 million in the comparable period in 2013.

For the three months ended March 31, 2014, equity institutional brokerage revenues increased 33.6% to $65.8 million from $49.2 million during the comparable period in 2013. The increase is primarily attributable to an increase in market volatility, which increased trading volume during the first quarter of 2014.

 

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For the three months ended March 31, 2014, fixed income institutional brokerage revenues increased 28.8% to $58.6 million from $45.5 million in the comparable period in 2013. The increase is primarily attributable to an improvement in fixed income trading volumes from the comparable period in 2013.

Investment banking – For the three months ended March 31, 2014, investment banking revenues increased 86.0% to $122.4 million from $65.8 million in the first quarter of 2013, which is attributable to an increase in advisory fee revenues and equity and fixed income capital raising revenues over the comparable period in 2013.

For the three months ended March 31, 2014, capital raising revenues increased 64.9% to $63.9 million from $38.7 million in the comparable period in 2013.

For the three months ended March 31, 2014, equity capital raising revenues increased 93.1% to $44.5 million from $23.0 million during the first quarter of 2013. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in the number of transactions over the comparable period in 2013. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we were involved as manager or co-manager in 80 equity underwritings, compared to 45 equity underwritings, during the comparable period in 2013.

For the three months ended March 31, 2014, fixed income capital raising revenues increased 23.5% to $19.4 million from $15.7 million during the first quarter of 2013. The increase is primarily attributable to an increase in the municipal bond origination business.

For the three months ended March 31, 2014, strategic advisory fees increased 116.2% to $58.5 million from $27.1 million in the comparable period in 2013. The increase is primarily attributable to an increase in the number of completed equity transactions and the aggregate transaction value over the comparable period in 2013.

Other income – For the three months ended March 31, 2014, other income decreased 93.9% to $0.7 million from $10.9 million in the comparable period in 2013. The decrease in other income is primarily attributable to gains recognized on our investment in Knight Capital Group, Inc. during the first quarter of 2013.

NON-INTEREST EXPENSES

For the three months ended March 31, 2014, Institutional Group non-interest expenses increased 40.9% to $204.4 million from $145.1 million for the comparable period in 2013.

Unless specifically discussed below, the fluctuations in non-interest expenses were primarily attributable to the continued growth of our Institutional Group segment. We have added 269 revenue producers and 63 support staff since March 31, 2013.

Compensation and benefits – For the three months ended March 31, 2014, compensation and benefits expense increased 44.2% to $154.0 million from $106.8 million during the comparable period in 2013. The increase is principally due to increased compensation as a result of the growth of the business and fixed compensation for the additional administrative support staff. Compensation and benefits expense as a percentage of net revenues was 61.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to 61.6% for the comparable period in 2013.

Occupancy and equipment rental – For the three months ended March 31, 2014, occupancy and equipment rental expense increased 49.2% to $12.2 million from $8.1 million during the comparable period in 2013. The increase is primarily due to the increase in office locations.

Communications and office supplies – For the three months ended March 31, 2014, communications and office supplies expense increased 35.0% to $12.8 million from $9.5 million during the first quarter of 2013. The increase is primarily attributable to an increase in communication and quote equipment as a result of the growth of the business.

Commissions and floor brokerage – For the three months ended March 31, 2014, commissions and floor brokerage expense increased 11.0% to $5.6 million from $5.0 million during the first quarter of 2013. The increase is primarily attributable to an increase in trade execution costs from our flow business.

Other operating expenses – For the three months ended March 31, 2014, other operating expenses increased 27.0% to $19.9 million from $15.6 million during the comparable period in 2013. The increase is primarily attributable to an increase in travel and promotion expenses, professional service fees, subscriptions, dues, and legal expenses.

 

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INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

For the three months ended March 31, 2014, income before income taxes for the Institutional Group segment increased 61.6% to $45.6 million from $28.2 million during the comparable period in 2013. Profit margins (income before income taxes as a percentage of net revenues) have improved as a result of an increase in revenues.

Results of Operations – Other Segment

Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 Compared with Three Months Ended March 31, 2013

The following table presents consolidated financial information for the Other segment for the periods presented (in thousands, except percentages):

 

     For the Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2014     2013     %
Change
 

Net revenues

   $ (414   $ (1,653     74.9   

Non-interest expenses:

      

Compensation and benefits

     18,587        50,494        (63.2

Other operating expenses

     28,169        21,924        28.5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-interest expenses

     46,756        72,418        (35.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

   $ (47,170   $ (74,071     (36.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net revenues – For the three month period ended March 31, 2014, net revenues increased $1.2 million from the comparable period in 2013. Net revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were positively impacted by investment gains.

Compensation and benefits – For the three months ended March 31, 2014, compensation and benefits expense decreased 63.2% to $18.6 million from $50.5 million for the comparable period in 2013.

Compensation and benefits expense for the three months ended March 31, 2013 includes a non-cash charge of $30.6 million (pre-tax) related to the expensing of restricted stock awards granted to certain employees of KBW, Inc and our company as retention related to the acquisition of KBW, Inc. There were no continuing service requirements associated with these restricted stock awards, and accordingly were expensed on the date of grant.

Other operating expenses – For the three months ended March 31, 2014, other operating expenses increased 28.5% to $28.2 million from $21.9 million for the comparable period in 2013. The increase is primarily attributable to non-recurring non-compensation operating expenses (including merger-related expenses) associated with our recent acquisitions.

 

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Analysis of Financial Condition

Our company’s consolidated statements of financial condition consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, trading inventory, bank loans, investments, goodwill, loans and advances to financial advisors, bank deposits, and payables. As of March 31, 2014, our total assets increased 4.2% to $9.4 billion from $9.0 billion at December 31, 2013. The increase is primarily attributable to increases in (1) our trading inventory, (2) receivables from brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations, (3) bank loans, (4) investments, and (5) our investment portfolio, which consists of available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities. The increase in assets was offset by decreases in (1) cash and cash equivalents and (2) deferred taxes, net. Our broker-dealer subsidiary’s gross assets and liabilities, including trading inventory, stock loan/borrow, receivables and payables from/to brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations and clients, fluctuate with our business levels and overall market conditions.

As of March 31, 2014, our liabilities were comprised primarily of short-term borrowings of $414.9 million, senior notes of $325.0 million, trust preferred securities of $82.5 million, deposits of $4.6 billion at Stifel Bank, and payables to customers of $327.3 million at our broker-dealer subsidiaries, as well as accounts payable and accrued expenses, and accrued employee compensation of $396.0 million. To meet our obligations to clients and operating needs, we had $525.4 million in cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2014. We also had client brokerage receivables of $582.7 million at Stifel Nicolaus and $1.6 billion in loans at Stifel Bank.

Cash Flow

Cash and cash equivalents decreased $191.2 million to $525.4 million at March 31, 2014, from $716.6 million at December 31, 2013. Operating activities used $338.3 million of cash primarily due to the net effect of non-cash items, an increase in operating assets, offset by net income recognized during the first quarter of 2013. Investing activities used cash of $146.3 million due to purchases of available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities as part of our investment strategy at Stifel Bank, and fixed asset purchases, offset by proceeds from the maturity of available-for-sale securities, and sale of investments. Financing activities provided cash of $293.4 million principally due to proceeds received from our short-term borrowings.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company’s senior management establishes the liquidity and capital policies of the Company. The Company’s senior management reviews business performance relative to these policies, monitors the availability of alternative sources of financing, and oversees the liquidity and interest rate sensitivity of the Company’s asset and liability position.

Our assets, consisting mainly of cash or assets readily convertible into cash, are our principal source of liquidity. The liquid nature of these assets provides for flexibility in managing and financing the projected operating needs of the business. These assets are financed primarily by our equity capital, corporate debt, debentures to trusts, client credit balances, short-term bank loans, proceeds from securities lending, and other payables. We currently finance our client accounts and firm trading positions through ordinary course borrowings at floating interest rates from various banks on a demand basis, securities lending, and repurchase agreements, with company-owned and client securities pledged as collateral. Changes in securities market volumes, related client borrowing demands, underwriting activity, and levels of securities inventory affect the amount of our financing requirements.

Our bank assets consist principally of available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities, retained loans, and cash and cash equivalents. Stifel Bank’s current liquidity needs are generally met through deposits from bank clients and equity capital. We monitor the liquidity of Stifel Bank daily to ensure its ability to meet customer deposit withdrawals, maintain reserve requirements, and support asset growth.

 

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As of March 31, 2014, we had $9.4 billion in assets, $5.6 billion of which consisted of cash or assets readily convertible into cash as follows (in thousands, except average days to conversion):

 

     March 31,
2014
     December 31,
2013
     Avg.
Conversion

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 525,409       $ 716,560      

Receivables from brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations

     535,248         381,122       3 days

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

     294,263         225,075       1 day

Financial instruments owned at fair value

     990,129         779,214       5 days

Available-for-sale securities at fair value

     1,795,516         1,756,253       3 days

Held-to-maturity securities at amortized cost

     1,294,853         1,312,115       10 days

Investments

     149,478         117,028       5 days
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total cash and assets readily convertible to cash

   $ 5,584,896      $ 5,287,367      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the amount of collateral by asset class is as follows (in thousands):

 

     March 31, 2014      December 31, 2013  
     Contractual      Contingent      Contractual      Contingent  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 52,704       $ —         $ 43,104       $ —     

Trading securities owned at fair value

     246,159         806,676         263,809         686,997   

Available-for-sale securities at fair value

     —           604,300         —           504,100   

Investments

     —           52,736         —           51,051   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 298,863       $ 1,463,712       $ 306,913       $ 1,242,148   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Capital Management

We have an ongoing authorization from the Board of Directors to repurchase our common stock in the open market or in negotiated transactions. At March 31, 2014, the maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under this plan was 3.5 million. We utilize the share repurchase program to manage our equity capital relative to the growth of our business and help to meet obligations under our employee benefit plans. We currently do not pay cash dividends on our common stock.

Liquidity Risk Management

Our businesses are diverse, and our liquidity needs are determined by many factors, including market movements, collateral requirements and client commitments, all of which can change dramatically in a difficult funding environment. During a liquidity crisis, credit-sensitive funding, including unsecured debt and some types of secured financing agreements, may be unavailable, and the terms (e.g., interest rates, collateral provisions and tenor) or availability of other types of secured financing may change. We manage liquidity risk by diversifying our funding sources across products and among individual counterparties within those products.

As a holding company, whereby all of our operations are conducted through our subsidiaries, our cash flow and our ability to service our debt, including the notes, depend upon the earnings of our subsidiaries. Our subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities. Our subsidiaries have no obligation to pay any amounts due on the notes or to provide us with funds to pay our obligations, whether by dividends, distributions, loans or other payments.

Our liquidity requirements may change in the event we need to raise more funds than anticipated to increase inventory positions, support more rapid expansion, develop new or enhanced services and products, acquire technologies, or respond to other unanticipated liquidity requirements. We primarily rely on financing activities and distributions from our subsidiaries for funds to implement our business and growth strategies, and repurchase our shares. Net capital rules, restrictions under our borrowing arrangements of our subsidiaries, as well as the earnings, financial condition, and cash requirements of our subsidiaries, may each limit distributions to us from our subsidiaries.

The availability of outside financing, including access to the capital markets and bank lending, depends on a variety of factors, such as market conditions, the general availability of credit, the volume of trading activities, the overall availability of credit to the financial services sector and our credit rating. Our cost and availability of funding may be adversely affected by illiquid credit markets and wider credit spreads. As a result of any future concerns about the stability of the markets generally and the strength of counterparties specifically, lenders may from time to time curtail, or even cease, to provide funding to borrowers.

 

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Our liquidity management policies are designed to mitigate the potential risk that we may be unable to access adequate financing to service our financial obligations without material business impact. The principal elements of our liquidity management framework are: (a) daily monitoring of our liquidity needs at the holding company and significant subsidiary level; (b) stress testing the liquidity position at Stifel Bank; and (c) diversification of our funding sources.

Monitoring of liquidity

Senior management establishes our liquidity and capital policies. These policies include senior management’s review of short and long-term cash flow forecasts, review of monthly capital expenditures, the monitoring of the availability of alternative sources of financing, and the daily monitoring of liquidity in our significant subsidiaries. Our decisions on the allocation of capital to our business units consider, among other factors, projected profitability and cash flow, risk and impact on future liquidity needs. Our treasury department assists in evaluating, monitoring and controlling the impact that our business activities have on our financial condition, liquidity and capital structure as well as maintains our relationships with various lenders. The objectives of these policies are to support the successful execution of our business strategies while ensuring ongoing and sufficient liquidity.

Liquidity stress testing (Stifel Bank)

Stifel Bank performs two primary stress tests on its liquidity position. These stress tests are based on the following company-specific stresses: (1) the amount of deposit run-off that Stifel Bank could withstand over a one month period of time based on its on-balance sheet liquidity and available credit; and (2) Stifel Bank’s ability to fund operations if all available credit were to be drawn immediately, with no additional available credit. The goal of these stress tests is determine Stifel Bank’s ability to fund continuing operations under significant pressures on both assets and liabilities.

Under both stress tests, Stifel Bank considers cash and highly liquid investments as available to meet liquidity needs. In its analysis, Stifel Bank considers Agency MBS, Corporate Bonds, and CMBS as highly liquid. In addition to being able to be readily financed at modest haircut levels, Stifel Bank estimates that each of the individual securities within each of the asset classes described above could be sold into the market and converted into cash within three business days under normal market conditions, assuming that the entire portfolio of a given asset class was not simultaneously liquidated. At March 31, 2014, available cash and highly liquid investments comprised approximately 40% of Stifel Bank’s assets, which was well in excess of its internal target.

In addition to these stress tests, Stifel Bank management performs a daily liquidity review. The daily analysis provides Stifel Bank management with all major fluctuations in liquidity. The analysis also tracks the proportion of deposits that Stifel Bank is sweeping from its affiliated broker-dealer, Stifel Nicolaus. On a monthly basis, liquidity key performance indicators and compliance with liquidity policy limits are reported to the Board of Directors. Stifel Bank has not violated any internal liquidity policy limits.

Funding Sources

The Company pursues a strategy of diversification of secured and unsecured funding sources (by product and by investor) and attempts to ensure that the tenor of the Company’s liabilities equals or exceeds the expected holding period of the assets being financed. The Company funds its balance sheet through diverse sources. These sources may include the Company’s equity capital, long-term debt, repurchase agreements, securities lending, deposits, committed and uncommitted credit facilities, FHLB advances, and federal funds agreements. At March 31, 2014, we have $123.7 million of ARS. Any redemptions by issuers of the ARS will create liquidity during the period in which the redemption occurs. ARS redemptions have been at par, and we believe will continue to be at par.

Cash and Cash Equivalents. We held $525.4 million of cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2014, compared to $716.6 million at December 31, 2013. Cash and cash equivalents provide immediate sources of funds to meet our liquidity needs.

Securities Available-for-Sale. We held $1.80 billion in available-for-sale investment securities at March 31, 2014, compared to $1.76 billion at December 31, 2013. As of March 31, 2014, the weighted average life of the investment securities portfolio was 2.8 years. These investment securities provide increased liquidity and flexibility to support our company’s funding requirements.

 

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We monitor the available-for-sale investment portfolio for other-than-temporary impairment based on a number of criteria, including the size of the unrealized loss position, the duration for which the security has been in a loss position, credit rating, the nature of the investments, and current market conditions. For debt securities, we also consider any intent to sell the security and the likelihood we will be required to sell the security before its anticipated recovery. We continually monitor the ratings of our security holdings and conduct regular reviews of our credit sensitive assets.

Deposits. Deposits have become one of our largest funding sources. Deposits provide a stable, low-cost source of funds that we utilize to fund loan and asset growth and to diversify funding sources. We have continued to expand our deposit-gathering efforts through our existing private client network and through expansion. These channels offer a broad set of deposit products that include demand deposits, money market deposits, and certificates of deposit (“CDs”).

As of March 31, 2014, we had $4.61 billion in deposits compared to $4.66 billion at December 31, 2013. Our core deposits are comprised of non-interest-bearing deposits, money market deposit accounts, savings accounts, and CDs.

Short-term borrowings. Our short-term financing is generally obtained through short-term bank line financing on an uncommitted, secured basis, short-term bank line financing on an unsecured basis and securities lending arrangements. We borrow from various banks on a demand basis with company-owned and customer securities pledged as collateral. The value of customer-owned securities used as collateral is not reflected in the consolidated statements of financial condition. Our uncommitted secured lines of credit at March 31, 2014 totaled $680.0 million with four banks and are dependent on having appropriate collateral, as determined by the bank agreements, to secure an advance under the line. The availability of our uncommitted lines are subject to approval by the individual banks each time an advance is requested and may be denied. Our peak daily borrowing was $414.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2014. There are no compensating balance requirements under these arrangements.

At March 31, 2014, short-term borrowings from banks were $414.9 million at an average rate of 1.10%, which were collateralized by company-owned securities valued at $592.7 million. At December 31, 2013, short-term borrowings from banks were $55.7 million at an average rate of 1.22%, which were collateralized by company-owned securities valued at $440.8 million. The average bank borrowing was $97.7 million and $209.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, at average daily interest rates of 1.13% and 1.17%, respectively.

At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, Stifel had a stock loan balance of $35.8 million and $40.1 million, respectively, at average daily interest rates of 0.17% and 0.16%, respectively. The average outstanding securities lending arrangements utilized in financing activities were $72.5 million and $64.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, at average daily effective interest rates of 0.17% and 0.10%, respectively. Customer-owned securities were utilized in these arrangements.

Unsecured short-term borrowings. Our committed short-term bank line financing at March 31, 2014 consisted of a $100.0 million committed revolving credit facility. The credit facility expires in December 2014. The applicable interest rate under the revolving credit facility is calculated as a per annum rate equal to the one-month Eurocurrency rate plus 1.00%, as defined in the revolving credit facility.

We can draw upon this line as long as certain restrictive covenants are maintained. Under our revolving credit facility, we are also required to maintain compliance with a minimum consolidated tangible net worth covenant under which we are required to have at all times a consolidated tangible net worth, as defined in the revolving credit facility, and a maximum consolidated total capitalization ratio covenant under which we are required to have at all times a consolidated total capitalization ratio, as defined in the revolving credit facility. In addition, Stifel, our broker-dealer subsidiary, is required to maintain compliance with a minimum regulatory net capital covenant of not less than 10% of aggregate debits, as defined in the revolving credit facility.

At March 31, 2014, we had no advances on our revolving credit facility and were in compliance with all covenants. Our revolving credit facility contains customary events of default, including, without limitation, payment defaults, breaches of representations and warranties, covenant defaults, cross-defaults to similar obligations, certain events of bankruptcy and insolvency and judgment defaults.

 

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Federal Home Loan Bank Advances and other secured financing. Stifel Bank has borrowing capacity with the Federal Home Loan Bank of $604.3 million at March 31, 2014, all of which was unused, and a $25.0 million federal funds agreement for the purpose of purchasing short-term funds should additional liquidity be needed. Stifel Bank receives overnight funds from excess cash held in Stifel Nicolaus brokerage accounts, which are deposited into a money market account. These balances totaled $4.4 billion at March 31, 2014.

Public Offering of Senior Notes. On January 18, 2012, we issued $175.0 million principal amount of 6.70% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “notes”). Interest on the notes accrue from January 23, 2012 and will be paid quarterly in arrears on January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 of each year, commencing on April 15, 2012. The notes will mature on January 15, 2022. We may redeem the notes in whole or in part on or after January 15, 2015 at our option at a redemption price equal to 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. Proceeds from the notes issuance of $169.3 million, after discounts, commissions and expenses, were used for general corporate purposes.

On December 18, 2012, we issued $150.0 million principal amount of 5.375% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “December 2012 Notes”). Interest on the December 2012 Notes accrue from December 21, 2012 and will be paid quarterly in arrears on January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 of each year, commencing on April 15, 2013. The December 2012 Notes will mature on December 31, 2022. We may redeem the December 2012 Notes in whole or in part on or after December 31, 2015 at our option at a redemption price equal to 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. Proceeds from the December 2012 Notes issuance of $146.1 million, after discounts, commissions and expenses, were used for general corporate purposes. In January 2013, we received a BBB- rating on the December 2012 Notes.

Credit Rating

In January 2012, we received an initial credit rating from Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC of BBB-, along with a BBB- rating on the notes. We believe our current rating depends upon a number of factors including industry dynamics, operating and economic environment, operating results, operating margins, earnings trends and volatility, balance sheet composition, liquidity and liquidity management, our capital structure, our overall risk management, business diversification and our market share and competitive position in the markets in which we operate. Deteriorations in any of these factors could impact our credit rating. A reduction in our credit rating could adversely affect our liquidity and competitive position, increase our incremental borrowing costs, limit our access to the capital markets or trigger our obligations under certain financial agreements. As such, we may not be able to successfully obtain additional outside financing to fund our operations on favorable terms, or at all.

We believe our existing assets, most of which are liquid in nature, together with the funds from operations, available informal short-term credit arrangements, and our ability to raise additional capital will provide sufficient resources to meet our present and anticipated financing needs.

Use of Capital Resources

On April 3, 2014, we completed the acquisition of De La Rosa & Co. (“De La Rosa”), a California-based public finance investment banking boutique. The addition of the De La Rosa team is expected to further strengthen our company’s position in a number of key underwriting markets in California.

On May 8, 2014 we entered into an agreement to acquire Oriel Securities (“Oriel”), a London-based stockbroking and investment banking firm, to build out our company’s international platform across all of its institutional businesses. The combination of our company and Oriel will bring together more than 250 professionals to create a significant middle-market investment banking group in London, with broad research coverage across most sectors of the economy, equity and debt sales and trading, and investment banking services. TWP entered into settlement and release agreements (“Settlement Agreements”) with certain customers, whereby it will purchase their ARS, at par, in exchange for a release from any future claims. At March 31, 2014, we estimate that TWP customers held $18.3 million par value of ARS, which may be repurchased over the next 2 years. The amount estimated for repurchase assumes no issuer redemptions.

We have paid $13.8 million in the form of upfront notes to financial advisors for transition pay during the period from January 1, 2014 through April 30, 2014. As we continue to take advantage of the opportunities created by market displacement and as competition for skilled professionals in the industry increases, we may decide to devote more significant resources to attracting and retaining qualified personnel.

We utilize transition pay, principally in the form of upfront demand notes, to aid financial advisors, who have elected to join our firm, to supplement their lost compensation while transitioning their customers’ accounts to the

 

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Stifel platform. The initial value of the notes is determined primarily by the financial advisors trailing production and assets under management. These notes are generally forgiven over a five to ten year period based on production. The future estimated amortization expense of the upfront notes, assuming current year production levels and static growth for the remaining nine months of 2014 and the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and thereafter are $39.8 million, $43.2 million, $32.6 million, $21.1 million, $15.0 million and $23.2 million, respectively. These estimates could change if we continue to grow our business through expansion or experience increased production levels.

We maintain several incentive stock award plans that provide for the granting of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, performance awards, and stock units to our employees. Historically, we have granted stock units to our employees as part of our retention program. A stock unit represents the right to receive a share of common stock from our company at a designated time in the future without cash payment by the employee and is issued in lieu of cash incentive, principally for deferred compensation and employee retention plans. The restricted stock units vest on an annual basis over the next three to eight years and are distributable, if vested, at future specified dates. At March 31, 2014, the total number of stock units outstanding was 17.4 million, of which 10.6 million were unvested. At March 31, 2014, there was unrecognized compensation cost for stock units of $317.3 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.8 years.

Net Capital Requirements

We operate in a highly regulated environment and are subject to capital requirements, which may limit distributions to our company from our subsidiaries. Distributions from our broker-dealer subsidiaries are subject to net capital rules. These subsidiaries have historically operated in excess of minimum net capital requirements. However, if distributions were to be limited in the future due to the failure of our subsidiaries to comply with the net capital rules or a change in the net capital rules, it could have a material and adverse affect to our company by limiting our operations that require intensive use of capital, such as underwriting or trading activities, or limit our ability to implement our business and growth strategies, pay interest on and repay the principal of our debt, and/or repurchase our common stock. Our non broker-dealer subsidiary, Stifel Bank is also subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Our broker-dealer subsidiaries and Stifel Bank have consistently operated in excess of their capital adequacy requirements.

At March 31, 2014, Stifel Nicolaus had net capital of $345.7 million, which was 53.1% of aggregate debit items and $332.7 million in excess of its minimum required net capital. At March 31, 2014, KBW’s, CSA’s, and Miller Buckfire’s net capital exceeded the minimum net capital required under the SEC rule. At March 31, 2014, SNEL’s and KBW Limited’s net capital and reserves was in excess of the financial resources requirement under the rules of the FCA. At March 31, 2014, Stifel Bank was considered well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. See Note 19 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for details of our regulatory capital requirements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

In preparing our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC, we make assumptions, judgments, and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. We base our assumptions, judgments, and estimates on historical experience and various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. On a regular basis, we evaluate our assumptions, judgments, and estimates. We also discuss our critical accounting policies and estimates with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

We believe that the assumptions, judgments, and estimates involved in the accounting policies described below have the greatest potential impact on our consolidated financial statements. These areas are key components of our results of operations and are based on complex rules that require us to make assumptions, judgments, and estimates, so we consider these to be our critical accounting policies. Historically, our assumptions, judgments, and estimates relative to our critical accounting policies and estimates have not differed materially from actual results.

 

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For a full description of these and other accounting policies, see Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Valuation of Financial Instruments

We measure certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis, including cash equivalents, trading securities owned, available-for-sale securities, investments, trading securities sold, but not yet purchased, and derivatives.

Trading securities owned and pledged and trading securities sold, but not yet purchased, are carried at fair value on the consolidated statements of financial condition, with unrealized gains and losses reflected on the consolidated statements of operations.

The fair value of a financial instrument is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date, or an exit price. The degree of judgment used in measuring the fair value of financial instruments generally correlates to the level of pricing observability. Financial instruments with readily available active quoted prices or for which fair value can be measured from actively quoted prices in active markets generally have more pricing observability and less judgment used in measuring fair value. Conversely, financial instruments rarely traded or not quoted have less pricing observability and are measured at fair value using valuation models that require more judgment. Pricing observability is impacted by a number of factors, including the type of financial instrument, whether the financial instrument is new to the market and not yet established, the characteristics specific to the transaction, and overall market conditions generally.

When available, we use observable market prices, observable market parameters, or broker or dealer quotes (bid and ask prices) to derive the fair value of financial instruments. In the case of financial instruments transacted on recognized exchanges, the observable market prices represent quotations for completed transactions from the exchange on which the financial instrument is principally traded.

A substantial percentage of the fair value of our trading securities and other investments owned, trading securities pledged as collateral, and trading securities sold, but not yet purchased, are based on observable market prices, observable market parameters, or derived from broker or dealer prices. The availability of observable market prices and pricing parameters can vary from product to product. Where available, observable market prices and pricing or market parameters in a product may be used to derive a price without requiring significant judgment. In certain markets, observable market prices or market parameters are not available for all products, and fair value is determined using techniques appropriate for each particular product. These techniques involve some degree of judgment.

For investments in illiquid or privately held securities that do not have readily determinable fair values, the determination of fair value requires us to estimate the value of the securities using the best information available. Among the factors we consider in determining the fair value of investments are the cost of the investment, terms and liquidity, developments since the acquisition of the investment, the sales price of recently issued securities, the financial condition and operating results of the issuer, earnings trends and consistency of operating cash flows, the long-term business potential of the issuer, the quoted market price of securities with similar quality and yield that are publicly traded, and other factors generally pertinent to the valuation of investments. In instances where a security is subject to transfer restrictions, the value of the security is based primarily on the quoted price of a similar security without restriction but may be reduced by an amount estimated to reflect such restrictions. The fair value of these investments is subject to a high degree of volatility and may be susceptible to significant fluctuation in the near term, and the differences could be material.

We have categorized our financial instruments measured at fair value into a three-level classification in accordance with Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures.” Fair value measurements of financial instruments that use quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities are generally categorized as Level 1, and fair value measurements of financial instruments that have no direct observable levels are generally categorized as Level 3. All other fair value measurements of financial instruments that do not fall within the Level 1 or Level 3 classification are considered Level 2. The lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of a financial instrument is used to categorize the instrument and reflects the judgment of management.

Level 3 financial instruments have little to no pricing observability as of the report date. These financial instruments do not have active two-way markets and are measured using management’s best estimate of fair value, where the inputs into the determination of fair value require significant management judgment or estimation. We

 

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have identified Level 3 financial instruments to include certain asset-backed securities, consisting of collateral loan obligation securities, that have experienced low volumes of executed transactions, certain corporate bonds and equity securities where there was less frequent or nominal market activity, investments in private equity funds, and auction rate securities for which the market has been dislocated and largely ceased to function. Our Level 3 asset-backed securities are valued using cash flow models that utilize unobservable inputs. Level 3 corporate bonds are valued using prices from comparable securities. Equity securities with unobservable inputs are valued using management’s best estimate of fair value, where the inputs require significant management judgment. Auction rate securities are valued based upon our expectations of issuer redemptions and using internal models.

At March 31, 2014, Level 3 assets for which we bear economic exposure were $224.5 million or 7.3% of the total assets measured at fair value. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we recorded purchases of $2.6 million and sales and redemptions of $9.8 million of Level 3 assets. Our valuation adjustments (realized and unrealized) decreased the value of our Level 3 assets by $0.3 million.

At March 31, 2014, Level 3 assets included the following: $123.7 million of auction rate securities and $100.8 million of private equity, municipal securities, and other fixed income securities.

Investments in Partnerships

Investments in partnerships and other investments include our general and limited partnership interests in investment partnerships and direct investments in non-public companies. These interests are carried at estimated fair value. The net assets of investment partnerships consist primarily of investments in non-marketable securities. The underlying investments held by such partnerships and direct investments in non-public companies are valued based on estimated fair value ultimately determined by us in our capacity as general partner or investor and, in the case of an investment in an unaffiliated investment partnership, are based on financial statements prepared by an unaffiliated general partner. Due to the inherent uncertainty of valuation, fair values of these non-marketable investments may differ from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for these investments, and the differences could be material. Increases and decreases in estimated fair value are recorded based on underlying information of these non-public company investments, including third-party transactions evidencing a change in value, market comparables, operating cash flows and financial performance of the companies, trends within sectors and/or regions, underlying business models, expected exit timing and strategy, and specific rights or terms associated with the investment, such as conversion features and liquidation preferences. In cases where an estimate of fair value is determined based on financial statements prepared by an unaffiliated general partner, such financial statements are generally unaudited other than audited year-end financial statements. Upon receipt of audited financial statements from an investment partnership, we adjust the fair value of the investments to reflect the audited partnership results if they differ from initial estimates. We also perform procedures to evaluate fair value estimates provided by unaffiliated general partners. At March 31, 2014, we had commitments to invest in affiliated and unaffiliated investment partnerships of $11.8 million. These commitments are generally called as investment opportunities are identified by the underlying partnerships. These commitments may be called in full at any time.

The investment partnerships in which we are general partner may allocate carried interest and make carried interest distributions, which represent an additional allocation of net realized and unrealized gains to the general partner if the partnerships’ investment performance reaches a threshold as defined in the respective partnership agreements. These allocations are recognized in revenue as realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments in partnerships. Our recognition of allocations of carried interest gains and losses from the investment partnerships in revenue is not adjusted to reflect expectations about future performance of the partnerships.

As the investment partnerships realize proceeds from the sale of their investments, they may make cash distributions as provided for in the partnership agreements. Distributions that result from carried interest may subsequently become subject to claw back if the fair value of private equity partnership assets subsequently decreases in fair value. To the extent these decreases in fair value and allocated losses exceed our capital account balance, a liability is recorded by us. These liabilities for claw back obligations are not required to be paid to the investment partnerships until the dissolution of such partnerships, and are only required to be paid if the cumulative amounts actually distributed exceed the amount due based on the cumulative operating results of the partnerships.

We earn fees from the investment partnerships that we manage or of which we are a general partner. Such management fees are generally based on the net assets or committed capital of the underlying partnerships. We have agreed, in certain cases, to waive management fees, in lieu of making a cash contribution, in satisfaction of our general partner investment commitments to the investment partnerships. In these cases, we generally recognize our management fee revenues at the time when we are allocated a special profit interest in realized gains from these partnerships.

 

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Contingencies

We are involved in various pending and potential legal proceedings related to our business, including litigation, arbitration, and regulatory proceedings. Some of these matters involve claims for substantial amounts, including claims for punitive damages. We have, after consultation with outside legal counsel and consideration of facts currently known by management, recorded estimated losses in accordance with Topic 450 (“Topic 450”), “Contingencies,” to the extent that claims are probable of loss and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. The determination of these reserve amounts requires us to use significant judgment, and our final liabilities may ultimately be materially different. This determination is inherently subjective, as it requires estimates that are subject to potentially significant revision as more information becomes available and due to subsequent events. In making these determinations, we consider many factors, including, but not limited to, the loss and damages sought by the plaintiff or claimant, the basis and validity of the claim, the likelihood of a successful defense against the claim, and the potential for, and magnitude of, damages or settlements from such pending and potential litigation and arbitration proceedings, and fines and penalties or orders from regulatory agencies. See Item 3, “Legal Proceedings,” in Part I of this report for information on our legal, regulatory, and arbitration proceedings.

Allowance for Loan Losses

We regularly review the loan portfolio and have established an allowance for loan losses for inherent losses estimated to have occurred in the loan portfolio through a provision for loan losses charged to income. In providing for the allowance for loan losses, we consider historical loss experience, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral, and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective, as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement will not be collectible. Factors considered in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. We determine the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed.

Once a loan is determined to be impaired, when principal or interest becomes 90 days past due or when collection becomes uncertain, the accrual of interest and amortization of deferred loan origination fees is discontinued (“non-accrual status”), and any accrued and unpaid interest income is reversed. Loans placed on non-accrual status are returned to accrual status when all delinquent principal and interest payments are collected and the collectibility of future principal and interest payments is reasonably assured. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when we believe the uncollectibility of a loan balance is certain. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance for loan loss

Large groups of smaller balance homogenous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment. Accordingly, we do not separately identify individual consumer and residential loans for impairment measurements. Impairment is measured on a loan-by-loan basis for non-homogeneous loans and a specific allowance is established for individual loans determined to be impaired. Impairment is measured by comparing the carrying value of the impaired loan to the present value of its expected cash flow discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s observable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

Our derivative instruments are carried on the consolidated statement of financial condition at fair value. We utilize these derivative instruments to minimize significant unplanned fluctuations in earnings caused by interest rate volatility. Our company’s goal is to manage sensitivity to changes in rates by offsetting the repricing or maturity characteristics of certain assets and liabilities, thereby limiting the impact on earnings. The use of derivative instruments does expose our company to credit and market risk. We manage credit risk through strict counterparty credit risk limits and/or collateralization agreements. At inception, we determine if a derivative instrument meets the criteria for hedge accounting under Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging.” Ongoing effectiveness evaluations are made for instruments that are designated and qualify as hedges. If the derivative does not qualify for hedge accounting, no assessment of effectiveness is needed.

 

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Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes and related tax reserves is based on our consideration of known liabilities and tax contingencies for multiple taxing authorities. Known liabilities are amounts that will appear on current tax returns, amounts that have been agreed to in revenue agent revisions as the result of examinations by the taxing authorities, and amounts that will follow from such examinations but affect years other than those being examined. Tax contingencies are liabilities that might arise from a successful challenge by the taxing authorities taking a contrary position or interpretation regarding the application of tax law to our tax return filings. Factors considered in estimating our liability are results of tax audits, historical experience, and consultation with tax attorneys and other experts.

Topic 740 (“Topic 740”), “Income Taxes,” clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an entity’s financial statements and prescribed recognition threshold and measurement attributes for financial statement disclosure of tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return. The impact of an uncertain income tax position on the income tax return must be recognized at the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant taxing authority. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained. Additionally, Topic 740 provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Under the provisions of Topic 805, “Business Combinations,” we record all assets and liabilities acquired in purchase acquisitions, including goodwill and other intangible assets, at fair value. Determining the fair value of assets and liabilities requires certain estimates. At March 31, 2014, we had goodwill of $730.4 million and intangible assets of $45.1 million.

In accordance with Topic 350, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other,” indefinite-life intangible assets and goodwill are not amortized. Rather, they are subject to impairment testing on an annual basis, or more often if events or circumstances indicate there may be impairment. This test involves assigning tangible assets and liabilities as well as identified intangible assets and goodwill to reporting units and comparing the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying amount. If the fair value is less than the carrying amount, a further test is required to measure the amount of the impairment. We have elected to test for goodwill impairment in the third quarter of each calendar year.

We test goodwill for impairment on an annual basis and on an interim basis when certain events or circumstances exist. We test for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is generally at the level of or one level below our company’s business segments. For both the annual and interim tests, we have the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, we determine it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step impairment test is not required. However, if we conclude otherwise, we are then required to perform the first step of the two-step impairment test. Goodwill impairment is determined by comparing the estimated fair value of a reporting unit with its respective carrying value. If the estimated fair value exceeds the carrying value, goodwill at the reporting unit level is not deemed to be impaired. If the estimated fair value is below carrying value, however, further analysis is required to determine the amount of the impairment. Additionally, if the carrying value of a reporting unit is zero or a negative value and it is determined that it is more likely than not the goodwill is impaired, further analysis is required. The estimated fair values of the reporting units are derived based on valuation techniques we believe market participants would use for each of the reporting units. Our annual goodwill impairment testing was completed as of July 31, 2012, with no impairment identified.

The goodwill impairment test requires us to make judgments in determining what assumptions to use in the calculation. Assumptions, judgments, and estimates about future cash flows and discount rates are complex and often subjective. They can be affected by a variety of factors, including, among others, economic trends and market conditions, changes in revenue growth trends or business strategies, unanticipated competition, discount rates, technology, or government regulations. In assessing the fair value of our reporting units, the volatile nature of the securities markets and industry requires us to consider the business and market cycle and assess the stage of the cycle in estimating the timing and extent of future cash flows. In addition to discounted cash flows, we consider other information, such as public market comparables and multiples of recent mergers and acquisitions of similar businesses. Although we believe the assumptions, judgments, and estimates we have made in the past have been reasonable and appropriate, different assumptions, judgments, and estimates could materially affect our reported financial results.

 

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Identifiable intangible assets, which are amortized over their estimated useful lives, are tested for potential impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying value of an asset or asset group may not be fully recoverable.

 

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding the effect of new accounting pronouncements on our consolidated financial statements.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Information concerning our off-balance sheet arrangements is included in Note 22 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Such information is hereby incorporated by reference.

Contractual Obligations

Our contractual obligations have not materially changed from those reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

 

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Risk Management

Risks are an inherent part of our business and activities. Management of these risks is critical to our soundness and profitability. Risk management at our company is a multi-faceted process that requires communication, judgment, and knowledge of financial products and markets. Our senior management group takes an active role in the risk management process and requires specific administrative and business functions to assist in the identification, assessment, monitoring, and control of various risks. The principal risks involved in our business activities are: market (interest rates and equity prices), credit, operational, and regulatory and legal. We have adopted policies and procedures concerning risk management, and our Board of Directors, in exercising its oversight of management’s activities, conducts periodic reviews and discussions with management regarding the guidelines and policies governing the processes by which risk assessment and risk management are handled.

Market Risk

The potential for changes in the value of financial instruments owned by our company resulting from changes in interest rates and equity prices is referred to as “market risk.” Market risk is inherent to financial instruments, and accordingly, the scope of our market risk management procedures includes all market risk-sensitive financial instruments.

We trade tax-exempt and taxable debt obligations, including U.S. treasury bills, notes, and bonds; U.S. government agency and municipal notes and bonds; bank certificates of deposit; mortgage-backed securities; and corporate obligations. We are also an active market maker in over-the-counter equity securities. In connection with these activities, we may maintain inventories in order to ensure availability and to facilitate customer transactions.

Changes in value of our financial instruments may result from fluctuations in interest rates, credit ratings, equity prices, and the correlation among these factors, along with the level of volatility.

We manage our trading businesses by product and have established trading departments that have responsibility for each product. The trading inventories are managed with a view toward facilitating client transactions, considering the risk and profitability of each inventory position. Position limits in trading inventory accounts are established and monitored on a daily basis. We monitor inventory levels and results of the trading departments, as well as inventory aging, pricing, concentration, and securities ratings.

We are also exposed to market risk based on our other investing activities. These investments consist of investments in private equity partnerships, start-up companies, venture capital investments, and zero coupon U.S. government securities and are included under the caption “Investments” on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

Interest Rate Risk

We are exposed to interest rate risk as a result of maintaining inventories of interest rate-sensitive financial instruments and from changes in the interest rates on our interest-earning assets (including client loans, stock borrow activities, investments, inventories, and resale agreements) and our funding sources (including client cash balances, stock lending activities, bank borrowings, and repurchase agreements), which finance these assets. The collateral underlying financial instruments at the broker-dealer is repriced daily, thus requiring collateral to be delivered as necessary. Interest rates on client balances and stock borrow and lending produce a positive spread to our company, with the rates generally fluctuating in parallel.

We manage our inventory exposure to interest rate risk by setting and monitoring limits and, where feasible, hedging with offsetting positions in securities with similar interest rate risk characteristics. While a significant portion of our securities inventories have contractual maturities in excess of five years, these inventories, on average, turn over several times per year.

Additionally, we monitor, on a daily basis, the Value-at-Risk (“VaR”) in our trading portfolios using a ten-day horizon and report VaR at a 99% confidence level. VaR is a statistical technique used to estimate the probability of portfolio losses based on the statistical analysis of historical price trends and volatility. This model assumes that historical changes in market conditions are representative of future changes, and trading losses on any given day could exceed the reported VaR by significant amounts in unusually volatile markets. Further, the model involves a number of assumptions and inputs. While we believe that the assumptions and inputs we use in our risk model are reasonable, different assumptions and inputs could produce materially different VaR estimates.

 

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The following table sets forth the high, low, and daily average VaR for our trading portfolios during the three months ended March 31, 2014, and the daily VaR at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended March 31, 2014      VAR Calculation at  
     High      Low      Daily
Average
     March 31,
2014
     December 31,
2013
 

Daily VaR

   $ 5,440       $ 2,072       $ 3,630       $ 5,440       $ 3,427   

Stifel Bank’s interest rate risk is principally associated with changes in market interest rates related to residential, consumer, and commercial lending activities, as well as FDIC-insured deposit accounts to customers of our broker-dealer subsidiaries and to the general public.

Our primary emphasis in interest rate risk management for Stifel Bank is the matching of assets and liabilities of similar cash flow and repricing time frames. This matching of assets and liabilities reduces exposure to interest rate movements and aids in stabilizing positive interest spreads. Stifel Bank has established limits for acceptable interest rate risk and acceptable portfolio value risk. To ensure that Stifel Bank is within the limits established for net interest margin, an analysis of net interest margin based on various shifts in interest rates is prepared each quarter and presented to Stifel Bank’s Board of Directors. Stifel Bank utilizes a third-party model to analyze the available data.

The following table illustrates the estimated change in net interest margin at March 31, 2014, based on shifts in interest rates of up to positive 200 basis points and negative 200 basis points:

 

Hypothetical change

in interest rates

     Projected change
in net interest
margin
 
  +200         15.7 %
  +100         6.0
  0         0.0
  –100         n/a   
  –200         n/a   

The following GAP Analysis table indicates Stifel Bank’s interest rate sensitivity position at March 31, 2014 (in thousands):

 

     Repricing Opportunities  
     0-6 Months     7-12 Months     1-5 Years     5+ Years  

Interest-earning assets:

        

Loans

   $ 1,019,463     $ 498,222      $ 129,843      $ 20,766   

Securities

     1,428,426       153,607        871,004        645,250   

Interest-bearing cash

     183,012       —          —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 2,630,901     $ 651,829      $ 1,000,847      $ 666,016   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest-bearing liabilities:

        

Transaction accounts and savings

   $ 3,514,548      $ 169,995      $ 611,930      $ 109,238   

Certificates of deposit

     79,756        45,495        58,975        242   

Borrowings

     —          —          —          16,792   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 3,594,304      $ 215,490      $ 670,905      $ 126,272   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

GAP

     (963,403     436,339        329,942        539,744   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cumulative GAP

   $ (963,403   $ (527,064   $ (197,122   $ 342,622   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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We maintain a risk management strategy that incorporates the use of derivative instruments to minimize significant unplanned fluctuations in earnings caused by interest rate volatility. Our goal is to manage sensitivity to changes in rates by hedging the maturity characteristics of Fed funds-based affiliated deposits, thereby limiting the impact on earnings. By using derivative instruments, we are exposed to credit and market risk on those derivative positions. We manage the market risk associated with interest rate contracts by establishing and monitoring limits as to the types and degree of risk that may be undertaken. Our interest rate hedging strategies may not work in all market environments and, as a result, may not be effective in mitigating interest rate risk.

Equity Price Risk

We are exposed to equity price risk as a consequence of making markets in equity securities. We attempt to reduce the risk of loss inherent in our inventory of equity securities by monitoring those security positions constantly throughout each day.

Our equity securities inventories are repriced on a regular basis, and there are no unrecorded gains or losses. Our activities as a dealer are client-driven, with the objective of meeting clients’ needs while earning a positive spread.

Credit Risk

We are engaged in various trading and brokerage activities, with the counterparties primarily being broker-dealers. In the event counterparties do not fulfill their obligations, we may be exposed to risk. The risk of default depends on the creditworthiness of the counterparty or issuer of the instrument. We manage this risk by imposing and monitoring position limits for each counterparty, monitoring trading counterparties, conducting regular credit reviews of financial counterparties, reviewing security concentrations, holding and marking to market collateral on certain transactions, and conducting business through clearing organizations, which guarantee performance.

Our client activities involve the execution, settlement, and financing of various transactions on behalf of our clients. Client activities are transacted on either a cash or margin basis. Credit exposure associated with our private client business consists primarily of customer margin accounts, which are monitored daily and are collateralized. We monitor exposure to industry sectors and individual securities and perform analyses on a regular basis in connection with our margin lending activities. We adjust our margin requirements if we believe our risk exposure is not appropriate based on market conditions.

We have accepted collateral in connection with resale agreements, securities borrowed transactions, and customer margin loans. Under many agreements, we are permitted to sell or repledge these securities held as collateral and use these securities to enter into securities lending arrangements or to deliver to counterparties to cover short positions. At March 31, 2014, the fair value of securities accepted as collateral where we are permitted to sell or repledge the securities was $1.3 billion, and the fair value of the collateral that had been sold or repledged was $246.2 million.

By using derivative instruments, we are exposed to credit and market risk on those derivative positions. Credit risk is equal to the fair value gain in a derivative, if the counterparty fails to perform. When the fair value of a derivative contract is positive, this generally indicates that the counterparty owes our company and, therefore, creates a repayment risk for our company. When the fair value of a derivative contract is negative, we owe the counterparty and, therefore, have no repayment risk. We minimize the credit (or repayment) risk in derivative instruments by entering into transactions with high-quality counterparties that are reviewed periodically by senior management.

Stifel Bank extends credit to individual and commercial borrowers through a variety of loan products, including residential and commercial mortgage loans, home equity loans, construction loans, and non-real-estate commercial and consumer loans. Bank loans are generally collateralized by real estate, real property, or other assets of the borrower. Stifel Bank’s loan policy includes criteria to adequately underwrite, document, monitor, and manage credit risk. Underwriting requires reviewing and documenting the fundamental characteristics of credit, including character, capacity to service the debt, capital, conditions, and collateral. Benchmark capital and coverage ratios are utilized, which include liquidity, debt service coverage, credit, working capital, and capital to asset ratios. Lending limits are established to include individual, collective, committee, and board authority. Monitoring credit risk is accomplished through defined loan review procedures, including frequency and scope.

We are subject to concentration risk if we hold large positions, extend large loans to, or have large commitments with a single counterparty, borrower, or group of similar counterparties or borrowers (i.e., in the same industry). Securities purchased under agreements to resell consist of securities issued by the U.S. government or its

 

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agencies. Receivables from and payables to clients and stock borrow and lending activities, both with a large number of clients and counterparties, and any potential concentration is carefully monitored. Stock borrow and lending activities are executed under master netting agreements, which gives our company right of offset in the event of counterparty default. Inventory and investment positions taken and commitments made, including underwritings, may involve exposure to individual issuers and businesses. We seek to limit this risk through careful review of counterparties and borrowers and the use of limits established by our senior management group, taking into consideration factors including the financial strength of the counterparty, the size of the position or commitment, the expected duration of the position or commitment, and other positions or commitments outstanding.

Operational Risk

Operational risk generally refers to the risk of loss resulting from our operations, including, but not limited to, improper or unauthorized execution and processing of transactions, deficiencies in our technology or financial operating systems, and inadequacies or breaches in our control processes. We operate different businesses in diverse markets and are reliant on the ability of our employees and systems to process a large number of transactions. These risks are less direct than credit and market risk, but managing them is critical, particularly in a rapidly changing environment with increasing transaction volumes. In the event of a breakdown or improper operation of systems or improper action by employees, we could suffer financial loss, regulatory sanctions, and damage to our reputation. In order to mitigate and control operational risk, we have developed and continue to enhance specific policies and procedures that are designed to identify and manage operational risk at appropriate levels throughout the organization and within such departments as Accounting, Operations, Information Technology, Legal, Compliance, and Internal Audit. These control mechanisms attempt to ensure that operational policies and procedures are being followed and that our various businesses are operating within established corporate policies and limits. Business continuity plans exist for critical systems, and redundancies are built into the systems as deemed appropriate.

Regulatory and Legal Risk

Legal risk includes the risk of large numbers of private client group customer claims for sales practice violations. While these claims may not be the result of any wrongdoing, we do, at a minimum, incur costs associated with investigating and defending against such claims. See further discussion on our legal reserves policy under “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in Item 7, Part II and “Legal Proceedings” in Item 3, Part I of this report. In addition, we are subject to potentially sizable adverse legal judgments or arbitration awards, and fines, penalties, and other sanctions for non-compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements. We are generally subject to extensive regulation by the SEC, FINRA, and state securities regulators in the different jurisdictions in which we conduct business. As a bank holding company, we are subject to regulation by the Federal Reserve. Stifel Bank is subject to regulation by the FDIC. As a result, we are subject to a risk of loss resulting from failure to comply with banking laws. We have comprehensive procedures addressing issues such as regulatory capital requirements, sales and trading practices, use of and safekeeping of customer funds, the extension of credit, including margin loans, collection activities, money laundering, and record keeping. We act as an underwriter or selling group member in both equity and fixed income product offerings. Particularly when acting as lead or co-lead manager, we have potential legal exposure to claims relating to these securities offerings. To manage this exposure, a committee of senior executives review proposed underwriting commitments to assess the quality of the offering and the adequacy of due diligence investigation.

Our company, as a bank and financial holding company, is subject to regulation, including capital requirements, by the Federal Reserve. Stifel Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) and state banking authorities. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on our company’s and Stifel Bank’s financial statements.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation was carried out by Stifel Financial Corp.’s management with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report. In addition, no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) occurred during our most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The following supplements and amends our discussion set forth under Item 3. “Legal Proceedings” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Our company and its subsidiaries are named in and subject to various proceedings and claims arising primarily from our securities business activities, including lawsuits, arbitration claims, class actions, and regulatory matters. Some of these claims seek substantial compensatory, punitive, or indeterminate damages. Our company and its subsidiaries are also involved in other reviews, investigations, and proceedings by governmental and self-regulatory organizations regarding our business, which may result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, penalties, injunctions, and other relief. We are contesting the allegations in these claims, and we believe that there are meritorious defenses in each of these lawsuits, arbitrations, and regulatory investigations. In view of the number and diversity of claims against the company, the number of jurisdictions in which litigation is pending, and the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of litigation and other claims, we cannot state with certainty what the eventual outcome of pending litigation or other claims will be.

We have established reserves for potential losses that are probable and reasonably estimable that may result from pending and potential legal actions, investigations and regulatory proceedings. In many cases, however, it is inherently difficult to determine whether any loss is probable or even possible or to estimate the amount or range of any potential loss, particularly where proceedings may be in relatively early stages or where plaintiffs are seeking substantial or indeterminate damages. Matters frequently need to be more developed before a loss or range of loss can reasonably be estimated.

In our opinion, based on currently available information, review with outside legal counsel, and consideration of amounts provided for in our consolidated financial statements with respect to these matters, including the matters described below, the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse impact on our financial position and results of operations. However, resolution of one or more of these matters may have a material effect on the results of operations in any future period, depending upon the ultimate resolution of those matters and depending upon the level of income for such period. For matters where a reserve has not been established and for which we believe a loss is reasonably possible, as well as for matters where a reserve has been recorded but for which an exposure to loss in excess of the amount accrued is reasonably possible, based on currently available information, we believe that such losses will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

SEC/Wisconsin Lawsuit

The SEC filed a civil lawsuit against our company in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin on August 10, 2011. The action arises out of our role in investments made by five Southeastern Wisconsin school districts (the “school districts”) in transactions involving collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”). These transactions are described in more detail below in connection with the civil lawsuit filed by the school districts. The SEC has asserted claims under Section 15c(1)(A), Section 10b and Rule 10b-5 of the Exchange Act and Sections 17a(1), 17a(2) and 17a(3) of the Securities Act. The claims are based upon both alleged misrepresentations and omissions in connection with the sale of the CDOs to the school districts, as well as the allegedly unsuitable nature of the CDOs. On October 31, 2011, we filed a motion to dismiss the action for failure to state a claim. The District Court granted in part and denied in part our motion to dismiss, and as a result the SEC has amended its complaint. We answered, denied the substantive allegations of the amended complaint and asserted various affirmative defenses. The parties are currently taking written discovery and depositions, with discovery scheduled to close in January 2015. After close of discovery, we anticipate the District Court will set the case for trial. We believe, based upon currently available information and review with outside counsel, that we have meritorious defenses to the SEC’s lawsuit and intend to vigorously defend the SEC’s claims.

Wisconsin School Districts/RBC OPEB lawsuit

We were named in a civil lawsuit filed in the Circuit Court of Milwaukee, Wisconsin (the “Wisconsin State Court”) on September 29, 2008. The lawsuit was filed against our company, Stifel, as well as Royal Bank of Canada Europe Ltd. (“RBC”), and certain other RBC entities (collectively the “RBC entities”) by the school districts and the individual trustees for other post-employment benefit (“OPEB”) trusts established by those school districts (collectively the “Plaintiffs”). This lawsuit relates to the same transactions that are the subject of the SEC action noted above. As we previously disclosed, we entered into a settlement of the Plaintiffs’ lawsuit against our company and Stifel in March, 2012. The settlement provides the potential for the Plaintiffs to obtain significant

 

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additional damages from the RBC entities. The school districts are continuing their lawsuit against RBC, and we are pursuing claims against the RBC entities to recover payments we have made to the school districts and for amounts owed to the OPEB trusts. Subsequent to the settlement, RBC asserted claims against the school districts, our company and Stifel for fraud, negligent misrepresentation, strict liability misrepresentation and information negligently provided for the guidance of others based upon our role in connection with the school districts’ purchase of the CDOs. RBC has also asserted claims against our company and Stifel for civil conspiracy and conspiracy to injure its business based upon the settlement by our company and Stifel with the school districts and pursuit of claims against the RBC entities. We moved to dismiss RBC’s claims against us that are based on the settlement agreement with the school districts. The Motion to Dismiss was denied by the court, and we have filed our Answer to RBC’s claims and discovery continues in the case. We believe we have meritorious legal and factual defenses to the claims asserted by RBC and we intend to vigorously defend those claims.

EDC Bond Issuance Matter

In January 2008, our company was the initial purchaser of a $50.0 million bond offering under Rule 144A. The bonds were issued by the Lake of the Torches Economic Development Corporation (“EDC”) in connection with certain new financing for the construction of a proposed new casino, as well as refinancing of indebtedness involving Lac Du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians (the “Tribe”). In 2009, Saybrook Tax Exempt Investors LLC, a qualified institutional buyer and the sole bondholder through its special purpose vehicle LDF Acquisition LLC (collectively, “Saybrook”), and Wells Fargo Bank, NA (“Wells Fargo”), indenture trustee for the bonds, brought an action in a Wisconsin federal court against EDC and the Tribe to enforce the bonds after a default by EDC. Our company was not named as a party in that action. In the 2009 action, EDC was successful in its assertion that the bond indenture was void as an unapproved “management contract” under National Indian Gaming Commission regulations, and that accordingly the Tribe’s waiver of sovereign immunity contained in the indenture was void. Although the Wisconsin federal court dismissed the entire 2009 action, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals modified the judgment and remanded the case for further proceedings as to enforceability of the bond documents other than the bond indenture against EDC.

On January 16, 2012, after the remand from the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, Saybrook filed a new action in Wisconsin state court naming our company and Stifel as defendants with respect to Stifel’s role as initial purchaser. Saybrook also named as defendants: the Tribe, EDC, and the law firm of Godfrey & Kahn, S.C. (“G&K”) which served as both issuer’s counsel and bond counsel in the transaction. The Wisconsin State-Court action seeks to enforce the bonds against EDC and the Tribe and also asserts claims against the defendants based on alleged misrepresentations about the enforceability of the indenture and the bonds and the waiver of sovereign immunity by EDC and the Tribe. In April 2012 Saybrook dismissed the 2009 federal action and filed a new action in Wisconsin federal court alleging nearly identical claims against the same defendants named in the Wisconsin State-Court action. The parties agreed to stay the State-Court action until the federal court ruled on whether it had jurisdiction over the 2012 federal action, and in April 2013 the federal court determined it did not have jurisdiction over the action. That decision by the federal court reactivated the Wisconsin State-Court action filed in 2012.

As plaintiff in the State-Court action, Saybrook alleges that G&K represented in various legal opinions issued in the transaction, as well as in other documents associated with the transaction, that (i) the bonds and indenture were legally enforceable obligations of EDC and (ii) EDC’s waivers of sovereign immunity were valid. The claims asserted against Stifel are for breaches of implied warranties of validity and title, securities fraud and statutory misrepresentation under Wisconsin state law, and intentional and negligent misrepresentations relating to the validity of the bond documents and the Tribe’s waiver of its sovereign immunity. Plaintiffs also assert claims against Stifel for rescission based on alleged misrepresentation or mutual mistake. Plaintiffs assert a claim against our company for fraud under the Wisconsin Uniform Securities Law. Finally, Plaintiffs assert similar claims against G&K and also include a claim for legal malpractice. To the extent EDC does not fully perform its obligations to Saybrook pursuant to the bonds, Saybrook seeks a judgment for rescission, restitutionary damages, including the amounts paid by Saybrook for the bonds, and costs; alternatively, Saybrook seeks to recover damages, costs and attorneys’ fees from Stifel, us and/or G&K.

After the federal court declined to exercise jurisdiction over the 2012 federal court action and with the State-Court action reactivated, on April 25, 2013 the Tribe and EDC filed a new lawsuit against Saybrook, our company, Stifel, G&K, and Wells Fargo in the Lac du Flambeau Tribal Court. The Tribal-Court action seeks a declaratory judgment that all of the bond documents are void. This new lawsuit created a jurisdictional conflict between the Tribal Court and the Wisconsin state court that may be resolved by those courts or by the Federal Court in the Federal Action described below. We filed a Motion to Dismiss the Tribal Court action, which was denied on August 27, 2013, and we have filed our Answer to the lawsuit in the Tribal Court. On April 29, 2013, we filed a

 

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motion to dismiss all of the claims alleged against our company and Stifel brought by Saybrook in the State-Court action. That Motion was denied by the State Court, and we have answered the Complaint and filed cross claims against the Tribe and G&K in the State Court.

On May 24, 2013 we, together with Saybrook, Wells Fargo and G&K, filed an action in a Wisconsin federal court (the “Federal Action” seeking to enjoin the Tribal Court action. The Tribe and EDC (the “Tribal Parties”) filed a motion to dismiss or stay the Federal Action, but that motion was denied on October 29, 2013. The Tribe appealed the U.S. District Court’s denial of the Motion to Dismiss to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, but the Seventh Circuit dismissed the appeal for lack of appellate jurisdiction on January 13, 2014. On March 14, 2014, the District Court in the Federal Action conducted a hearing on our motion for preliminary injunction to enjoin the Tribal-Court action and the Court has not yet rendered a decision. Meanwhile, the Tribal-Court action and the State-Court action were stayed during the pendency of the Tribe’s appeal to the Seventh Circuit, but the stays of those actions expired on February 12, 2014, and discovery has commenced in the Tribal Court and State-Court actions. While there can be no assurance that we will be successful, based upon currently available information and review with outside counsel, we believe that we have meritorious legal and factual defenses to the matter, and we intend to vigorously defend the substantive claims and the procedural attempt to move the litigation to the Lac du Flambeau Tribal Court.

Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Lawsuit

On December 13, 2012, the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin (the “Tribe”) filed a civil lawsuit against Stifel in the Tribe’s Tribal Court (the “Tribal Lawsuit”). In December 2006, the Tribe issued two series of taxable municipal bonds as a means of raising revenue to fund various projects (the “2006 Bond Transaction”), including the refinancing of two series of bonds the Tribe issued in 2003. The Complaint alleges that we undertook to advise the Tribe regarding its financing options in 2006 but failed to disclose certain information before the 2006 Bond Transaction. On February 19, 2013 we filed a declaratory judgment action in a Wisconsin federal court seeking to establish that the Tribal Court lacks jurisdiction over the Tribal Lawsuit (the “Federal Action”). On February 20, 2013, we filed a motion to dismiss the Tribal Lawsuit, challenging the jurisdiction of the Tribal Court, which motion was denied by the Tribal Court. The Tribe filed a motion to dismiss the Federal Action. Shortly thereafter, the Tribe agreed to withdraw its motion to dismiss the Federal Action and agreed to stay the Tribal Lawsuit pending a determination by the Wisconsin federal court as to whether the Tribal Court has jurisdiction over the claims. Basic discovery was taken in the Federal Action, and we filed a summary judgment motion with the U.S. District Court, asking the court for a determination that the Tribal Court does not have jurisdiction over the claims brought by the Tribe. The summary judgment motion has been fully briefed, and we are awaiting a ruling by the U.S. District Court. In the event the court does not grant summary judgment a court trial is scheduled for June 23, 2014 to determine whether the Tribal Court has jurisdiction over the claims brought by the Tribe. While there can be no assurance that we will be successful, based upon currently available information and review with outside counsel, we believe that we have meritorious defenses to the Tribe’s claims and we intend to vigorously defend the allegations.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

The discussion of our business and operations should be read together with the risk factors contained in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the SEC. These risk factors describe various risks and uncertainties to which we are or may become subject. These risks and uncertainties have the potential to affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, strategies or prospects in a material and adverse manner.

 

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

There were no unregistered sales of equity securities during the quarter ended March 31, 2014. There were also no purchases made by or on behalf of Stifel Financial Corp. or any “affiliated purchaser” (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), of our common stock during the quarter ended March 31, 2014.

We have an ongoing authorization from the Board of Directors to repurchase our common stock in the open market or in negotiated transactions. At March 31, 2014, the maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under this plan was 3.5 million.

 

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

  11.1    Statement Re: Computation of per Share Earnings (The calculation of per share earnings is included in Part I, Item 1 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Earnings Per Share) and is omitted here in accordance with Section (b)(11) of Item 601 of Regulation S-K).
  31.1    Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
  31.2    Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer.
  32.1    Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.*
  32.2    Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer.*
101.INS    Interactive Data Files Pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013; (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013; and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

* The certifications attached as Exhibits 32.1 and 32.2 that accompany this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, are not deemed filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of Stifel Financial Corp. under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act of 1934, as amended, whether made before or after the date of this Form 10-Q, irrespective of any general incorporation language contained in such filing.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

STIFEL FINANCIAL CORP.

/s/ Ronald J. Kruszewski

Ronald J. Kruszewski

Chairman of the Board, President, and

Chief Executive Officer

 

/s/ James M. Zemlyak

James M. Zemlyak

Senior Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

Date: May 12, 2014

 

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