Company: SFB
Filing Date: 2025-02-26
Form Type: 10-K
Source: 0000950170-25-027702
Chunk: 66

Company: STIFEL FINANCIAL CORP
Filing Date: 2025-02-26
Form: 10-K
Item: Item 1A
Chunk 66
---
 acquisition, which may result in dilution.

Securities class action lawsuits and derivative lawsuits are often brought against public companies that have entered into merger agreements. Even if such lawsuits are without merit, defending against these claims could result in substantial costs and divert management time and resources. An adverse judgment could result in monetary damages, which could have a negative impact on our liquidity and financial condition.

We are subject to risks relating to environmental, social, and governance matters that could adversely affect our reputation, business, financial condition, and results of operations. We are subject to a variety of risks, including reputational risk, associated with environmental, social, and governance matters. As a large financial institution, we have multiple stakeholders, including our shareholders, clients, associates, federal and state regulatory authorities, and the communities in which we operate, and these stakeholders will often have differing priorities and expectations regarding such matters. For example, individual U.S. states are increasingly developing differing, and sometimes conflicting, rules related to environmental, social, and governance matters. If we take action in conflict with one or another of those stakeholders’ expectations, we could experience an increase in client complaints, a loss of business, or reputational harm. We could also face negative publicity or reputational harm based on the identity of those with whom we choose to do business. Any adverse publicity in connection with environmental, social, and governance issues could damage our reputation, our ability to attract and retain clients and associates, compete effectively, and grow our business.

In addition, proxy advisory firms and certain institutional investors who manage investments in public companies may integrate environmental, social, and governance factors into their investment analysis. The consideration of environmental and social matters in making investment and voting decisions is relatively new. Accordingly, the frameworks and methods for assessing policies related to such matters are not fully developed, vary considerably among the investment community, and will likely continue to evolve over time. Moreover, the subjective nature of methods used by various stakeholders to assess a company with respect to environmental, social, and governance criteria could result in erroneous perceptions or a misrepresentation of our actual policies and practices in these areas. Organizations that provide ratings information to investors on such matters may also assign unfavorable ratings to our company. Public companies continue to face increased pressure from stakeholders to consider environmental, social, and governance issues in corporate actions, such as the election of directors and approval of executive compensation. Certain of our clients might also require that we implement additional procedures or standards in these areas in order to continue to do business with them. If we fail to comply with