Stifel Financial

After a difficult start to the year, Stifel reported a strong second quarter, with record AUM and net revenue figures for its wealth management division.

Chuck Roberts, whose recommendations of structured notes landed the St. Louis firm a nearly $133 million arbitration award, was kicked out of the industry after ceasing to cooperate with a regulatory investigation.

The popular industry recruiting and retention barometer provided another window into the challenges facing LPL Financial with its latest major acquisition.

The broker-dealer alleged that a FINRA arbitration panelist who helped hand down the landmark penalty should have recused herself after reaching a similar conclusion in a case involving the same embattled broker.

CEO Ron Kruszewski received praise for leading the firm's wealth management unit to a record for revenue, despite costly legal setbacks.

Record revenue wasn't enough to offset costly legal charges that the firm racked up in the first quarter.

Stifel follows closely on UBS's heels in getting hit with tens of millions in punitive damages.

Stifel chief executive Ron Kruszewski said surging markets have forced firms to be particularly choosy about which advisors they try to poach from rivals. That may change this year.

The team of three advisors have started a firm called T6 Wealth Management, which will operate out of Morgan Stanley's new offices in Midtown Manhattan.

A lawyer in the case says his legal team was able to present text messages showing a Stifel wealth manager had been touting complex structured notes as low-risk investments.