NOTE 5 – Fair Value Measurements

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

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.

Financial Instruments Owned and Available-For-Sale Securities

When available, the fair value of financial instruments is based on quoted prices in active markets and reported in Level 1. Level 1 financial instruments include highly liquid instruments with quoted prices, primarily U.S. government securities and corporate fixed income and equity securities listed in active markets.

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 has 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 include U.S. government agency securities, agency mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, fixed income and equity securities infrequently traded, state and municipal securities, and non-agency mortgage-backed securities and sovereign debt securities, included in other in the table below.

We have identified Level 3 financial instruments to include certain asset-backed securities, corporate equity securities, and syndicated loans, included in other in the table below, with unobservable pricing inputs. 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.

Investments

Investments carried at fair value primarily include corporate equity securities, auction-rate securities (“ARS”), and private company investments.

Corporate equity securities are primarily valued based on quoted prices in active markets and reported in Level 1. Corporate equity securities that have little to no pricing observability are reported in Level 3.

ARS are primarily valued based upon our expectations of issuer redemptions and using internal discounted cash flow models that utilize unobservable inputs. ARS are reported as Level 3 assets. Private company investments are primarily valued based upon internally developed models. These valuations require significant management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, the inherent lack of liquidity, and their long-term nature. Typically, the initial costs of these investments are considered to represent fair market value, as such amounts are negotiated between willing market participants. Private company investments are primarily reported as Level 3 assets.

Investments at fair value include investments in funds, including certain money market funds that are measured at net asset value (“NAV”). The Company uses NAV to measure the fair value of its fund investments when (i) the fund investment does not have a readily determinable fair value and (ii) the NAV of the investment fund is calculated in a manner consistent with the measurement principles of investment company accounting, including measurement of the underlying investments at fair value.

The Company’s investments in funds measured at NAV include partnership interests, money market funds, mutual funds, and private equity funds. Private equity funds primarily invest in a broad range of industries worldwide in a variety of situations, including leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, growth investments, and distressed investments. The private equity funds are primarily closed-end funds in which the Company’s investments are generally not eligible for redemption. Distributions will be received from these funds as the underlying assets are liquidated or distributed.

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.

The table below presents the fair value of our investments in, and unfunded commitments to, funds that are measured at NAV (in thousands):

 

 

December 31, 2025

 

 

December 31, 2024

 

 

 

Fair value of investments

 

 

Unfunded commitments

 

 

Fair value of investments

 

 

Unfunded commitments

 

Partnership interests

 

$

31,819

 

 

$

16,508

 

 

$

29,277

 

 

$

19,509

 

Money market funds

 

 

2,340

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,932

 

 

 

 

Mutual funds

 

 

668

 

 

 

 

 

 

574

 

 

 

 

Private equity funds

 

 

290

 

 

 

 

 

 

344

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

35,117

 

 

$

16,508

 

 

$

32,127

 

 

$

19,509

 

Financial Instruments Sold, But Not Yet Purchased

Financial instruments sold, but not purchased, recorded at fair value based on quoted prices in active markets and other observable market data include highly liquid instruments with quoted prices, such as U.S. government securities and corporate equity securities listed in active markets, which are reported as Level 1.

If quoted prices are not available, 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 has 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 include agency mortgage-backed securities not actively traded, fixed income securities, equity securities infrequently traded, and state and municipal securities, included in other in the table below.

We have identified Level 3 financial instruments to include syndicated loans, included in other in the table below. 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.

Derivatives

Derivatives are valued using quoted market prices for identical instruments when available or observable inputs from forward and futures yield curves. The valuation models used require market observable inputs, including contractual terms, market prices, yield curves, credit curves, and measures of volatility. We have classified our derivatives as Level 2. The counterparties to most of our company’s derivative transactions represent regulated banks, bank holding companies, and derivative clearing houses. Management has determined that the counterparty credit risk associated with its derivative transactions is not significant. Accordingly, the recorded fair values for these transactions have not been adjusted to reflect counterparty credit risk.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2025, are presented below (in thousands):

 

 

December 31, 2025

 

 

 

Total

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

Financial instruments owned:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government securities

 

$

5,196

 

 

$

5,196

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

U.S. government agency securities

 

 

174,478

 

 

 

 

 

 

174,478

 

 

 

 

Agency mortgage-backed securities

 

 

515,634

 

 

 

 

 

 

515,634

 

 

 

 

Asset-backed securities

 

 

143,723

 

 

 

 

 

 

139,683

 

 

 

4,040

 

Corporate securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income securities

 

 

295,570

 

 

 

517

 

 

 

295,053

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

 

55,312

 

 

 

55,198

 

 

 

 

 

 

114

 

State and municipal securities

 

 

174,579

 

 

 

 

 

 

174,579

 

 

 

 

Other (1)

 

 

63,343

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,445

 

 

 

56,898

 

Total financial instruments owned

 

 

1,427,835

 

 

 

60,911

 

 

 

1,305,872

 

 

 

61,052

 

Available-for-sale securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government agency securities

 

 

2,381

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,381

 

 

 

 

State and municipal securities

 

 

2,326

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,326

 

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agency

 

 

1,101,412

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,101,412

 

 

 

 

Commercial

 

 

2,113

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,113

 

 

 

 

Non-agency

 

 

152

 

 

 

 

 

 

152

 

 

 

 

Corporate fixed income securities

 

 

375,750

 

 

 

 

 

 

375,750

 

 

 

 

Asset-backed securities

 

 

109,256

 

 

 

 

 

 

109,256

 

 

 

 

Total available-for-sale securities

 

 

1,593,390

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,593,390

 

 

 

 

Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate equity securities

 

 

34,937

 

 

 

15,490

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

19,446

 

Auction rate securities

 

 

551

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

551

 

Other (2)

 

 

13,560

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,560

 

Investments in funds and partnerships measured at NAV

 

 

32,777

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total investments

 

 

81,825

 

 

 

15,490

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

33,557

 

Derivative contracts (3)

 

 

71,297

 

 

 

 

 

 

71,297

 

 

 

 

Subtotal

 

 

3,174,347

 

 

 

76,401

 

 

 

2,970,560

 

 

 

94,609

 

Cash equivalents measured at NAV

 

 

2,340

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis

 

$

3,176,687

 

 

$

76,401

 

 

$

2,970,560

 

 

$

94,609

 

(1)
Includes syndicated loans, non-agency mortgage-backed securities, and sovereign debt.
(2)
Primarily includes private company investments.
(3)
Included in other assets in the consolidated statements of financial condition.

 

 

December 31, 2025

 

 

 

Total

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government securities

 

$

475,449

 

 

$

475,449

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

Agency mortgage-backed securities

 

 

154,983

 

 

 

 

 

 

154,983

 

 

 

 

Corporate securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income securities

 

 

145,582

 

 

 

 

 

 

145,582

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

 

16,363

 

 

 

16,250

 

 

 

113

 

 

 

 

Other (4)

 

 

1,249

 

 

 

 

 

 

13

 

 

 

1,236

 

Total financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased

 

 

793,626

 

 

 

491,699

 

 

 

300,691

 

 

 

1,236

 

Derivative contracts (5)

 

 

71,311

 

 

 

 

 

 

71,311

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis

 

$

864,937

 

 

$

491,699

 

 

$

372,002

 

 

$

1,236

 

(4)
Includes syndicated loans and state and municipal securities.
(5)
Included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the consolidated statements of financial condition.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2024, are presented below (in thousands):

 

 

December 31, 2024

 

 

 

Total

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

Financial instruments owned:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government securities

 

$

20,045

 

 

$

20,045

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

U.S. government agency securities

 

 

149,479

 

 

 

 

 

 

149,479

 

 

 

 

Agency mortgage-backed securities

 

 

262,629

 

 

 

 

 

 

262,629

 

 

 

 

Asset-backed securities

 

 

113,033

 

 

 

 

 

 

111,999

 

 

 

1,034

 

Corporate securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income securities

 

 

274,207

 

 

 

507

 

 

 

273,700

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

 

50,787

 

 

 

50,472

 

 

 

315

 

 

 

 

State and municipal securities

 

 

229,342

 

 

 

 

 

 

229,342

 

 

 

 

Other (1)

 

 

69,486

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,019

 

 

 

58,467

 

Total financial instruments owned

 

 

1,169,008

 

 

 

71,024

 

 

 

1,038,483

 

 

 

59,501

 

Available-for-sale securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government agency securities

 

 

2,266

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,266

 

 

 

 

State and municipal securities

 

 

2,349

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,349

 

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agency

 

 

921,563

 

 

 

 

 

 

921,563

 

 

 

 

Commercial

 

 

67,956

 

 

 

 

 

 

67,956

 

 

 

 

Non-agency

 

 

199

 

 

 

 

 

 

199

 

 

 

 

Corporate fixed income securities

 

 

463,992

 

 

 

 

 

 

463,992

 

 

 

 

Asset-backed securities

 

 

126,273

 

 

 

 

 

 

126,273

 

 

 

 

Total available-for-sale securities

 

 

1,584,598

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,584,598

 

 

 

 

Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate equity securities

 

 

30,227

 

 

 

14,661

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

15,565

 

Auction rate securities

 

 

558

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

558

 

Other (2)

 

 

14,378

 

 

 

30

 

 

 

 

 

 

14,348

 

Investments in funds and partnerships measured at NAV

 

 

30,195

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total investments

 

 

75,358

 

 

 

14,691

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

30,471

 

Derivative contracts (3)

 

 

110,814

 

 

 

 

 

 

110,814

 

 

 

 

Subtotal

 

 

2,939,778

 

 

 

85,715

 

 

 

2,733,896

 

 

 

89,972

 

Cash equivalents measured at NAV

 

 

1,932

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis

 

$

2,941,710

 

 

$

85,715

 

 

$

2,733,896

 

 

$

89,972

 

(1)
Includes syndicated loans, non-agency mortgage-backed securities, and sovereign debt.
(2)
Primarily includes private company investments.
(3)
Included in other assets in the consolidated statements of financial condition.

 

 

December 31, 2024

 

 

 

Total

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government securities

 

$

370,373

 

 

$

370,373

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

Agency mortgage-backed securities

 

 

65,946

 

 

 

 

 

 

65,946

 

 

 

 

Corporate securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income securities

 

 

174,425

 

 

 

 

 

 

174,425

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

 

34,437

 

 

 

34,437

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Syndicated loans

 

 

1,090

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,090

 

Total financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased

 

 

646,271

 

 

 

404,810

 

 

 

240,371

 

 

 

1,090

 

Derivative contracts (4)

 

 

110,825

 

 

 

 

 

 

110,825

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis

 

$

757,096

 

 

$

404,810

 

 

$

351,196

 

 

$

1,090

 

(4)
Included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the consolidated statements of financial condition.

 

The following table summarizes the changes in fair value associated with Level 3 financial instruments during the year ended December 31, 2025 (in thousands):

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2025

 

 

 

Financial instruments owned

 

 

Investments

 

 

 

Asset-Backed Securities

 

 

Corporate Equity
Securities

 

 

Syndicated Loans

 

 

Corporate Equity
Securities

 

 

Auction Rate
Securities

 

 

Other

 

Balance at December 31, 2024

 

$

1,034

 

 

$

 

 

$

58,467

 

 

$

15,565

 

 

$

558

 

 

$

14,348

 

Unrealized gains/(losses)

 

 

(9

)

 

 

9

 

 

 

146

 

 

 

361

 

 

 

(7

)

 

 

(33

)

Realized losses

 

 

(948

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(755

)

Purchases

 

 

13,252

 

 

 

105

 

 

 

44,740

 

 

 

3,520

 

 

 

 

 

 

27

 

Sales

 

 

(8,189

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Redemptions

 

 

(1,100

)

 

 

 

 

 

(46,990

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(27

)

Transfers into Level 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

535

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net change

 

 

3,006

 

 

 

114

 

 

 

(1,569

)

 

 

3,881

 

 

 

(7

)

 

 

(788

)

Balance at December 31, 2025

 

$

4,040

 

 

$

114

 

 

$

56,898

 

 

$

19,446

 

 

$

551

 

 

$

13,560

 

The following table summarizes the changes in fair value associated with Level 3 financial instruments during the year ended December 31, 2024 (in thousands):

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2024

 

 

 

Financial instruments owned

 

 

Investments

 

 

 

Asset-Backed Securities

 

 

Syndicated Loans

 

 

Corporate Equity
Securities

 

 

Auction Rate
Securities

 

 

Other

 

Balance at December 31, 2023

 

$

1,498

 

 

$

82,964

 

 

$

11,878

 

 

$

783

 

 

$

39,467

 

Unrealized gains/(losses)

 

 

 

 

 

1,673

 

 

 

3,687

 

 

 

 

 

 

(119

)

Realized gains/(losses)

 

 

1,542

 

 

 

(3,252

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases

 

 

 

 

 

54,335

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

 

 

 

 

 

(49,810

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Redemptions

 

 

(2,006

)

 

 

(25,718

)

 

 

 

 

 

(225

)

 

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3

 

 

 

 

 

(1,725

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(25,000

)

Net change

 

 

(464

)

 

 

(24,497

)

 

 

3,687

 

 

 

(225

)

 

 

(25,119

)

Balance at December 31, 2024

 

$

1,034

 

 

$

58,467

 

 

$

15,565

 

 

$

558

 

 

$

14,348

 

The results included in the tables above are only a component of the overall investment strategies of our company. The tables above do not present Level 1 or Level 2 valued assets or liabilities. The changes in unrealized gains/(losses) recorded in earnings for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, relating to Level 3 assets still held at December 31, 2025, were immaterial.

The fair value of certain Level 3 assets was determined using various methodologies, as appropriate, including third-party pricing vendors and broker quotes. 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. Significant increases in any of these inputs in isolation would result in a significantly lower fair value. On an ongoing basis, management verifies the fair value by reviewing the appropriateness of the discounted cash flow model and its significant inputs.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The following reflects the fair value of financial instruments as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, whether or not recognized in the consolidated statements of financial condition at fair value (in thousands).

 

 

December 31, 2025

 

 

December 31, 2024

 

 

 

Carrying
Value

 

 

Estimated
Fair Value

 

 

Carrying
Value

 

 

Estimated
Fair Value

 

Financial assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

2,253,789

 

 

$

2,253,789

 

 

$

2,648,308

 

 

$

2,648,308

 

Cash segregated for regulatory purposes

 

 

29,018

 

 

 

29,018

 

 

 

29,895

 

 

 

29,895

 

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

 

 

564,162

 

 

 

564,162

 

 

 

528,976

 

 

 

528,976

 

Financial instruments owned

 

 

1,427,835

 

 

 

1,427,835

 

 

 

1,169,008

 

 

 

1,169,008

 

Available-for-sale securities

 

 

1,593,390

 

 

 

1,593,390

 

 

 

1,584,598

 

 

 

1,584,598

 

Held-to-maturity securities

 

 

6,549,054

 

 

 

6,565,484

 

 

 

6,524,954

 

 

 

6,547,647

 

Bank loans

 

 

21,925,257

 

 

 

21,610,180

 

 

 

20,731,796

 

 

 

20,229,458

 

Loans held for sale

 

 

502,199

 

 

 

502,199

 

 

 

578,980

 

 

 

578,980

 

Investments

 

 

81,825

 

 

 

81,825

 

 

 

75,358

 

 

 

75,358

 

Derivative contracts (1)

 

 

71,297

 

 

 

71,297

 

 

 

110,814

 

 

 

110,814

 

Financial liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

 

$

651,236

 

 

$

651,236

 

 

$

580,170

 

 

$

580,170

 

Bank deposits

 

 

29,752,063

 

 

 

29,752,095

 

 

 

29,102,227

 

 

 

27,164,580

 

Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased

 

 

793,626

 

 

 

793,626

 

 

 

646,271

 

 

 

646,271

 

Senior notes

 

 

617,443

 

 

 

576,180

 

 

 

616,618

 

 

 

561,851

 

Debentures to Stifel Financial Capital Trusts

 

 

55,000

 

 

 

51,582

 

 

 

60,000

 

 

 

58,788

 

Derivative contracts (2)

 

 

71,311

 

 

 

71,311

 

 

 

110,825

 

 

 

110,825

 

(1)
Included in other assets in the consolidated statements of financial condition.
(2)
Included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the consolidated statements of financial condition.

The following tables present the estimated fair values and fair value hierarchy of financial instruments that are not recorded at fair value in the consolidated statements of financial condition or measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 (in thousands):

 

 

December 31, 2025

 

 

 

Total

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

Financial assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

2,251,449

 

 

$

2,251,449

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

Cash segregated for regulatory purposes

 

 

29,018

 

 

 

29,018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

 

 

564,162

 

 

 

 

 

 

564,162

 

 

 

 

Held-to-maturity securities

 

 

6,565,484

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,495,393

 

 

 

70,091

 

Bank loans

 

 

21,610,180

 

 

 

 

 

 

21,515,785

 

 

 

94,395

 

Loans held for sale

 

 

502,199

 

 

 

 

 

 

502,199

 

 

 

 

Financial liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

 

$

651,236

 

 

$

 

 

$

651,236

 

 

$

 

Bank deposits

 

 

29,752,095

 

 

 

 

 

 

29,752,095

 

 

 

 

Senior notes

 

 

576,180

 

 

 

576,180

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debentures to Stifel Financial Capital Trusts

 

 

51,582

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

51,582

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2024

 

 

 

Total

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

Financial assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

2,646,376

 

 

$

2,646,376

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

Cash segregated for regulatory purposes

 

 

29,895

 

 

 

29,895

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

 

 

528,976

 

 

 

 

 

 

528,976

 

 

 

 

Held-to-maturity securities

 

 

6,547,647

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,474,140

 

 

 

73,507

 

Bank loans

 

 

20,229,458

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,104,756

 

 

 

124,702

 

Loans held for sale

 

 

578,980

 

 

 

 

 

 

578,980

 

 

 

 

Financial liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

 

$

580,170

 

 

$

 

 

$

580,170

 

 

$

 

Bank deposits

 

 

27,164,580

 

 

 

 

 

 

27,164,580

 

 

 

 

Senior notes

 

 

561,851

 

 

 

561,851

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debentures to Stifel Financial Capital Trusts

 

 

58,788

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

58,788

 

The following, as supplemented by the discussion above, describes the valuation techniques used in estimating the fair value of our financial instruments as of December 31, 2025 and 2024.

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 December 31, 2025 and 2024 approximate fair value due to their 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 collateralized loan obligation securities and student loan 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.

Bank Loans

The fair values of mortgage loans and commercial loans were primarily 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, with similar remaining maturities, would be made and considering liquidity spreads applicable to each loan portfolio based on the secondary market. The estimated fair value of individually evaluated loans may include peer multiples, discounted cash flow, and collateral liquidation, each of which includes unobservable inputs and judgments within.

Loans Held for Sale

Loans held for sale consist of the guaranteed portion of Small Business Administration (“SBA”) loans, fixed-rate and adjustable-rate residential real estate mortgage loans, as well as commercial 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.

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 December 31, 2025 and 2024 approximate fair value due to the short-term nature.

Bank Deposits

The fair value of demand deposits is equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (i.e., their carrying amounts). The carrying amounts of money market and savings accounts approximate their fair values, as substantially all of these deposits are variable-rate and short-term in nature. The fair values of fixed-rate certificates of deposit are calculated by discounting the future cash flows using discount rates based on the replacement cost of funding of similar structures and 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 similar type debt instruments.

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.

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2025Feb 24, 2026Showing above
2024Feb 26, 2025
2023Feb 16, 2024
2022Feb 17, 2023
2021Feb 18, 2022
2020Feb 19, 2021
2019Feb 19, 2020
2018Feb 20, 2019
2017Feb 26, 2018
2016Feb 23, 2017
2015Mar 1, 2016

About Fair Value Disclosures

Fair value disclosures classify all assets and liabilities measured at fair value into a three-level hierarchy: Level 1 (quoted market prices), Level 2 (observable inputs like yield curves), and Level 3 (unobservable inputs requiring management estimates). The proportion of Level 3 assets directly reflects how much of the balance sheet depends on internal models rather than market evidence.

Key signals: a growing Level 3 balance relative to total fair-value assets increases valuation uncertainty and earnings volatility risk. Watch for transfers between levels — assets moving from Level 2 to Level 3 often signal deteriorating market liquidity. Unrealized gains and losses on Level 3 positions flow through earnings or other comprehensive income, so large swings deserve scrutiny. For financial institutions, examine the sensitivity disclosures that show how Level 3 valuations change under alternative assumptions. Compare the fair value of debt against its carrying amount to gauge hidden leverage.