Eversheds Sutherland Advises Equitable on Acquisition of Stifel Independent Advisors

The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026, subject to required regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

Stifel Independent Advisors is a premier independent broker-dealer, a registered investment adviser and a subsidiary of Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF), with more than 110 independent advisors managing approximately $9 billion in client assets. As part of the transaction, Stifel’s independent advisors are expected to join Equitable Advisors, Equitable’s broker-dealer and registered investment adviser. The transaction does not include Stifel Financial Corp.’s employee advisor channel.

Wealth Management is the fastest-growing segment for Equitable Holdings and plays a central role in the company’s integrated business model, focusing on helping more Americans meet their financial planning and advice needs. The acquisition further accelerates the growth strategy for Equitable Advisors, which includes approximately 4,500 financial professionals across the U.S. and more than $110 billion in assets under administration.

Read Equitable’s full press release here. 

Eversheds Sutherland acted as legal counsel, with a team led by Insurance Partners Kevin Finnegan and Bert Adams, with support from Investment Services Partners Eric Arnold and Michael Koffler and Senior Counsel Holly Smith; Tax Partner Laura Taylor and Senior Counsel Kriss Rizzolo; and Insurance Partner Rachel Reid and Associate Jeremy Bloomstone.