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Deals & People October 27, 2025
Equitable to Acquire Stifel Independent Advisors
Stifel Financial’s independent broker/dealer and registered investment advisory firm has more than 110 advisers with approximately $9 billion in assets under management.
Reported by Edward Rueda
Equitable Holdings Inc. announced Monday an agreement to acquire Stifel Independent Advisors LLC, an independent broker/dealer, registered investment adviser and subsidiary of Stifel Financial Corp. The transaction does not include Stifel Financial Corp.’s employee adviser channel.
The more than 110 independent advisers of Stifel Independent Advisors, who manage approximately $9 billion in client assets, are expected to join Equitable Advisors, Equitable’s broker/dealer and RIA. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
Stifel Independent Advisors will have access to Equitable Advisors’ open-architecture platform; marketing tools; and support with succession planning, team formation and compliance.
“We are committed to growth in the wealth management space and take a disciplined approach to acquisitions,” said Equitable President Nick Lane in a statement. “This transaction complements our organic growth strategy to expand our wealth management business.”
Ronald J. Kruszewski, chairman and CEO of Stifel Financial Corp., said in a statement that the transaction reflects his company’s “unwavering commitment to our core employee-channel advisory business, while ensuring that our independent advisors continue to thrive with an excellent partner that shares our values.”
As of June 30, Equitable Advisors had approximately 4,500 financial professionals nationwide and more than $110 billion in assets under administration.