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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Q/FbP2kVPQ9YEIBj7I4RGenkFzoLzfmwPJUDhNxOXMLCZiAW8GrschmdYyE7MPBx
 /fX2gLbIrKCYUDcmQQD+fQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001307666-04-000001.txt : 20041102
<SEC-HEADER>0001307666-04-000001.hdr.sgml : 20041102
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041102165110
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001307666-04-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041025
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041102
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041102

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Minnick David M
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001307666

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-09305
		FILM NUMBER:		041113896

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		314-342-4068

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE FINANCIAL PLAZA
		STREET 2:		501 NORTH BROADWAY
		CITY:			ST. LOUIS
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63102

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			STIFEL FINANCIAL CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000720672
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SECURITY BROKERS, DEALERS & FLOTATION COMPANIES [6211]
		IRS NUMBER:				431273600
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ATTN: JAMES G. LASCHOBER
		STREET 2:		501 N. BROADWAY
		CITY:			ST. LOUIS
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63102-2102
		BUSINESS PHONE:		314-342-2000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ATTN: JAMES G. LASCHOBER
		STREET 2:		501 N. BROADWAY
		CITY:			ST. LOUIS
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63102-2102
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgardoc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-10-25</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000720672</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>STIFEL FINANCIAL CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SF</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001307666</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Minnick David M</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>12609 CONWAY ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CREVE COEUR</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>63141</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>General Counsel &amp; Senior VP</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Phantom Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2564</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (Option to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>19.5</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-10-25</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Stock Units vest in 25 percent increments over four years.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">No expiration date for these Units.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Stock Options vest in 20 percent increments over five years.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>DAVID MICHAEL MINNICK</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-11-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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