Firms compared · Updated October 10, 2026
Raymond James vs. Stifel: Two public regional firms compared
The short answer
Raymond James is the larger firm, with 9,076 advisors as of March 31, 2026, and $1.92 trillion in firmwide client assets under administration at June 30, 2026, compared with more than 2,350 advisors and $580.1 billion in total client assets at Stifel. Both are publicly traded, but Stifel now runs only an employee model after selling its independent unit to Equitable in February 2026, while Raymond James keeps employee, independent contractor, bank and RIA custody channels. Stifel's most recent reported grid, from 2024, paid about 25% below a $15,000 monthly threshold and 50% above it.
Regional & bank
- Financial advisors · Mar 2026
- 9,0761
- Private Client Group assets under administration · Jun 2026
- $1.86 trillion2
- Total client assets under administration (firmwide) · Jun 2026
- $1.92 trillion2
- Headquarters
- St. Petersburg, Fla.2
- Ownership
- Public (NYSE: RJF)2
How advisors affiliate
- Employee advisor
- Independent contractor (RJFS)
- Bank and credit union channel (Financial Institutions Division)
- RIA-only custody and services (RIA & Custody Services)
Full Raymond James profile and news →Regional & bank
- Financial advisors · Apr 2026
- more than 2,3503
- Total client assets · Jun 2026
- $580.1 billion4
- Fee-based client assets · Jun 2026
- $239.8 billion4
- Ownership
- Public (NYSE: SF)5
- Wealth segment
- Global Wealth Management (Private Client Group)4
- Independent channel
- Stifel Independent Advisors sold to Equitable, completed Feb. 2, 20264
How advisors affiliate
Full Stifel profile and news →Key differences
- Size: Raymond James reported 9,076 advisors at March 31, 2026, and $1.92 trillion in firmwide client assets under administration at June 30, 2026. Stifel reported more than 2,350 advisors as of April 2026 and $580.1 billion in total client assets at June 30, 2026.1,2,3,4
- Ownership: Both are public, Raymond James (NYSE: RJF) and Stifel (NYSE: SF).2,5
- Affiliation models: Stifel completed the sale of Stifel Independent Advisors to Equitable on Feb. 2, 2026, leaving only its employee model. Raymond James offers employee, RJFS independent contractor, bank and credit union and RIA custody channels.4,6,7,8
- Payout: For 2024, Stifel raised its grid's monthly production threshold to $15,000 from $12,000, with advisors keeping about 25% below and 50% above it, Financial Planning reported. Raymond James's AdvisorChoice brochure lists 81% to 90% for RJFS independent contractors, who pay their own overhead.7,9
- Recruiting: Raymond James recruited advisors with $156 million in trailing production and nearly $23 billion in client assets in its fiscal third quarter ended June 30, 2026.2
Is Raymond James bigger than Stifel?
Yes. Raymond James reported 9,076 advisors at March 31, 2026, and $1.92 trillion in firmwide client assets under administration at June 30, 2026. Stifel reported more than 2,350 advisors and $580.1 billion in total client assets.
Does Stifel still have independent advisors?
No. Stifel sold Stifel Independent Advisors to Equitable in a deal completed Feb. 2, 2026, and its Private Client Group now consists of employee advisors. Raymond James still runs an independent contractor channel, RJFS.
Which pays advisors more, Raymond James or Stifel?
The available figures cover different models and years. Stifel's 2024 grid paid employee advisors about 25% below a $15,000 monthly threshold and 50% above it, per Financial Planning. Raymond James's brochure lists 81% to 90% for independent contractors, who pay their own overhead. Raymond James's employee grid isn't in our profile.
Built only from each firm’s sourced Financial ADVSR profile; figures carry their own as-of dates and may measure different things at each firm. Not investment or career advice. Spot an error? Tell the editors.