Stifel Deepens Fixed Income Platform with Senior Talent

Stifel adds two veteran leaders in London to drive growth in its European leveraged finance sales franchise.

Rhea-AI Summary

Stifel Financial (SF) has appointed industry veterans Conor Daly and Jim Franz as Co-Heads of European Leveraged Finance Sales, based in London.

The pair bring a combined five decades of experience across European leveraged finance, high yield, and distressed credit, along with established relationships with institutional investors. Stifel’s Global Co-Head of Fixed Income Capital Markets said the hires support the firm’s strategy to grow its Fixed Income business in Europe, which is described as a core part of its advisory and investment banking franchise.

Daly joins from Aurel Partners, having previously held senior roles at Lloyds Bank, SC Lowy, and Seaport Europe, while Franz spent 17 years at Cantor Fitzgerald after nearly a decade at Citigroup.

Market Context

At publication, SF was down 0.14% while JEF and EVR were also lower, placing the European leveraged-...

Analysis

At publication, SF was down 0.14% while JEF and EVR were also lower, placing the European leveraged-finance leadership announcement within broader pre-headline weakness among comparable capital-markets stocks.

Key Figures

Combined experience: five decades Daly experience: over 25 years Franz Cantor Fitzgerald tenure: 17 years +1 more

Combined experience

five decades

Daly and Franz in European leveraged finance, high yield, and distressed credit

Daly experience

over 25 years

Sales and trading experience

Franz Cantor Fitzgerald tenure

17 years

Led the firm’s European high-yield and distressed business

Franz experience

more than 30 years

Leveraged finance, high yield, and distressed credit markets

Key Terms

leveraged finance, high yield, distressed credit, proprietary trader

4 terms

leveraged finance financial

"Co-Heads of Leveraged Finance Sales in Europe"

Leveraged finance is the use of large amounts of borrowed money, often through high-yield bonds or loans, to fund big moves like buyouts, acquisitions, or major restructuring. It matters to investors because the higher borrowing raises a company’s fixed payments and default risk — similar to a person taking a big mortgage to buy a house — which can amplify both potential returns and losses and influence a firm’s stock and bond safety.

high yield financial

"European leveraged finance, high yield and distressed credit"

High yield describes an investment that offers a higher-than-average return, usually in the form of interest or dividends, because it carries greater risk of loss or default. Investors pay attention to high-yield opportunities like they would to a higher-paying job that comes with tougher conditions: they can boost income but require careful evaluation of the extra risk and the issuer’s ability to make promised payments.

distressed credit financial

"European leveraged finance, high yield and distressed credit"

Debt instruments — bonds, loans, or other credit obligations — that are trading or expected to trade at large discounts because the borrower is financially troubled, late on payments, or at high risk of default. It matters to investors because distressed credit carries a higher chance of principal loss but can also offer much higher yields or bargain prices; think of buying an overdue IOU at a steep discount: upside if the issuer recovers, big downside if it doesn’t.

proprietary trader financial

"began his career at Bank of Montreal as a proprietary trader"

A proprietary trader is a person or trading desk that uses a firm’s own capital to buy and sell stocks, bonds, derivatives or other instruments with the goal of earning profits for the firm rather than executing trades for outside clients. Like a shop owner betting their own savings on which products will sell best, prop trading can be a major source of revenue and risk for a firm and can affect that firm’s financial performance, liquidity contribution, and regulatory profile—details investors watch when assessing risk and business model.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Industry veterans Conor Daly and Jim Franz appointed Co-Heads of European Leveraged Finance Sales

ST. LOUIS & LONDON, Sept. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF) today announced the appointments of Conor Daly and Jim Franz as Co-Heads of Leveraged Finance Sales in Europe, further strengthening the firm’s global Fixed Income platform. Based in London, Messrs. Daly and Franz bring five decades of combined experience in European leveraged finance, high yield and distressed credit, along with deep relationships across the institutional investor community.

“We see a significant opportunity to grow our Fixed Income business in Europe and are investing in the people and capabilities to do so,” said David Rubulotta, Global Co-Head of Fixed Income Capital Markets at Stifel. “Conor and Jim are highly respected professionals with deep experience across the European leveraged finance market, and their decision to join Stifel is a strong endorsement of our platform. Fixed Income is a core part of Stifel’s advisory and investment banking franchise, giving our corporate clients access to the markets, liquidity, and financing solutions they need to execute their strategic priorities.”

Mr. Daly joins Stifel with over 25 years of experience in both sales and trading. Most recently, he served as Head of High Yield and Distressed Sales and Trading at Aurel Partners, part of the BGC Group. Over the past 15 years, he has focused on the European distressed market, cultivating strong relationships with many of the region's leading investors. His previous roles include Head of Leveraged Credit Sales at Lloyds Bank, Senior Distressed Salesperson at SC Lowy, and Co-Head of Leveraged Products at Seaport Europe, where he was responsible for European high yield, loan, and distressed businesses spanning sales, trading, and research. Mr. Daly began his career at Bank of Montreal as a proprietary trader focused on rates and credit.

Mr. Franz most recently spent 17 years at Cantor Fitzgerald, where he led the firm's European high-yield and distressed business. With more than 30 years of experience across leveraged finance, high yield, and distressed credit markets, he brings deep knowledge and a well-established presence within the European investment community. Prior to Cantor Fitzgerald, Mr. Franz worked at Citigroup in sales for nearly 10 years, focusing on European high yield and distressed markets.

“We were attracted to Stifel’s highly regarded fixed income franchise, distinguished by its client-first approach and strong culture of collaboration,” said Messrs. Daly and Franz in a joint statement. “We are excited to join the firm at a pivotal time for the business and look forward to working with our new colleagues to capitalize on the opportunities ahead.”

Stifel Fixed Income Capital Markets delivers a global platform that supports the diverse investment and financing needs of institutional clients across North America, Europe, and Asia. Serving depository institutions, financial companies, hedge funds, insurance companies, asset managers, and public sector entities, the platform provides access to liquidity, capital, and strategic solutions across the fixed income markets. Backed by a client-focused approach and continued investment in talent and capabilities, Stifel continues to expand its presence and reach across key markets around the world.

Stifel Company Information

Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF) is a diversified financial services firm providing wealth management, commercial and investment banking, trading, and research services to individuals, institutions, and municipalities. Founded in 1890 and headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, the firm operates more than 400 offices across the United States and in major global financial centers. As a firm where success meets success, Stifel works closely with retail and institutional clients aiming to transform opportunities into achievement. To learn more about Stifel, please visit the Company’s website at Stifel.com. For global disclosures, please visit www.stifel.com/investor relations/press-releases.

Media Contacts

Neil Shapiro, +1 (212) 271-3447
shapiron@stifel.com

Kristen LaBanca, +1 (212) 271- 3739
labancak@stifel.com