St. Louis, Missouri is home to a vibrant financial services industry, with some of the top investment management firms in the Midwest located in the city. As an important hub for asset management, St. Louis provides access to key investment talent and expertise. In this article, we take a look at some of the leading investment firms in St. Louis, exploring their history, specialties, and advantages. Key factors that contribute to St. Louis’ strength as an investment management center include its central location, talented workforce, and business-friendly environment. The city provides convenient access to clients across the country, while retaining a lower cost structure compared to the coasts. With reputable firms offering services from wealth management to alternative investments, St. Louis investment firms cater to a diverse set of investor needs.
Stifel Nicolaus is a leading St. Louis investment firm with a specialty in financial brokerage
Headquartered in St. Louis, Stifel Nicolaus traces its origins back over a century. Today, it is a diversified financial services firm providing brokerage, investment banking, trading, investment advisory, and related services. Stifel operates through several segments including Global Wealth Management, Institutional Group, and Private Client Group. With over $400 billion in client assets, it is one of the largest independent investment firms in the U.S. Stifel Nicolaus stands out for its expertise in the financial brokerage space as well as its focus on middle market companies. The firm serves over 1 million investors and has over 350 offices across the country.
Edward Jones excels in individual investor services with a network of local branches
Edward Jones is a standout in the St. Louis investment scene with its focus on individual investors. The firm specializes in providing personalized investment advisory services to retail clients. With over 7 million clients, Edward Jones is one of the country’s largest investment firms. The company follows a unique model based around local offices in communities across the nation. This neighborhood presence enables Edward Jones’ over 18,000 financial advisors to build personal relationships with clients. The firm offers investments including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, annuities, and more. Edward Jones is known for its long-term investment philosophy and commitment to individual investors.
Scottrade transitioned from a discount brokerage to full-service wealth management firm
Founded in St. Louis in 1980, Scottrade pioneered discounted commissions for retail investors. After disrupting the brokerage industry, Scottrade expanded into a diversified financial services company. In 2017, Scottrade was acquired by TD Ameritrade in a $4 billion deal. At its height, Scottrade had over 3 million client accounts and 500 local branches. The firm offered trading, investing, banking, retirement planning, and wealth management services to retail clients. Scottrade was known for its innovation, such as offering one of the first online trading platforms. The company’s founding mission to empower self-directed investors helped shape the investment landscape.
Armstrong Teasdale offers services for investment funds and financial services providers
While not exclusively an investment firm, Armstrong Teasdale is one of the largest law firms in St. Louis and has a strong investment management practice. Its financial services attorneys represent asset managers, broker-dealers, investment companies, private equity funds, and other industry participants. Armstrong Teasdale provides legal services related to SEC compliance, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, tax, litigation, and more. With over 200 attorneys, Armstrong Teasdale’s St. Louis headquarters anchors its national presence across 12 offices. The firm’s experience with Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive compliance also positions it well for advising European funds expanding to the U.S.
St. Louis has cultivated a strong presence in investment management, led by firms like Stifel, Edward Jones, and Scottrade. The city provides convenient access to Midwest markets, as well as talent from leading universities. With expertise across wealth management, institutional investing, and alternative investments, St. Louis investment firms deliver specialized services targeted to diverse investor needs.