Tr?id=566623520170033&ev=PageView&noscript=1

B. Riley Sells Employee Wealth Management Group to Stifel

Posted on November 22nd, 2024 at 2:11 PM
B. Riley Sells Employee Wealth Management Group to Stifel

From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law

B. Riley Financial Inc. has announced the sale of part of its employee wealth management division to Stifel Financial Corp. As reported by InvestmentNews, the deal, valued between $27 million and $35 million in cash, involves the transfer of 40 to 50 W2 advisors.

The transaction price is significantly lower than earlier expectations. In September, Reuters reported that Stifel was in talks to acquire B. Riley's entire retail brokerage group for $100 million. However, Stifel's interest ultimately did not extend to B. Riley's roughly 190 independent financial advisors, who operate as independent contractors.

Employee advisors, such as those included in this transaction, generally generate more revenue for broker-dealers compared to independent contractors. According to InvestmentNews, a senior industry executive noted the unexpected drop in deal value, emphasizing that B. Riley will still bear the costs of maintaining its independent contractor business.

Stifel, according to InvestmentNews, has a history of acquiring distressed wealth management and investment banking firms. B. Riley expects the 40 to 50 advisors to transition to Stifel in early 2025, bringing with them up to $4.5 billion in client assets as of September’s end.

B. Riley has faced several challenges recently, including a decline in its share price amid an SEC review of the firm's risk disclosures and scrutiny over interactions between its founder and Brian Kahn, former CEO of Franchise Group Inc.

 

Eccleston Law LLC represents investors and financial advisors nationwide in securities, employment, transition, regulatory, and disciplinary matters.

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next
Quotes Bigger

Hiring Eccleston Law has been one of the best career decisions I have made and this "investment" to maintain my sterling regulatory record has been returned many times over.  If you are in a situation where you've been unfairly accused, don't hesitate to talk with Eccleston Law. They are the best.

Thomas C.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

1774452488 Law
March 25, 2026
Inspired Healthcare Collapse Triggers Investor Claims and Heightened FINRA Scrutiny

The collapse of Inspired Healthcare Capital has left investors facing significant losses and has intensified legal exposure for broker-dealers and financial advisors who sold the company's private offerings.

1774367895 Law
March 24, 2026
Former Morgan Stanley Advisor Convicted in $5 Million Fraud Scheme Involving NBA Players

A federal jury convicted former Morgan Stanley advisor Darryl Cohen for orchestrating a fraud scheme that targeted three professional basketball players and resulted in losses totaling approximately $5 million, according to Wealth Management.

1774288690 Law
March 23, 2026
FINRA Charges Sutter Securities and Former CEO in Excessive Trading Case Involving Elderly Client

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has filed an enforcement complaint against Sutter Securities Inc.