Jim Kniffin

Jim began his investment industry career in 1982 and joined Stifel in 2024. Prior to joining Stifel, he worked at Morgan Stanley and its predecessor firms. The foundation of Jim’s practice is built on mitigating risk and developing and maintaining long-term relationships with his clients. Jim’s four decades of experience has helped him navigate through various business cycles and volatile markets.

When working with clients to address their wealth planning needs, Jim uses independent thought, intellectual capital, and a disciplined process. His core principle is: if you can mitigate risk successfully over time, the returns will take care of themselves.

Jim takes pride in having developed long-term relationships built on trust and confidence. Many of his clients have worked with him for decades, including families whom he has served for multiple generations. Through mutual trust and integrity, Jim is able to gain a deeper understanding of his clients’ financial lives.

Jim earned a bachelor’s degree in both Economics and English from Willamette University and holds the Certified Portfolio Manager® designation attained through the Academy of Certified Portfolio Managers after completing the prerequisite coursework at Columbia University, covering topics such as portfolio management, financial statement analysis, corporate finance, fixed income analysis, fiduciary responsibility, and more. In addition, he holds Series 5, 7, 9 & 10, 63, and 65 securities licenses, as well as life, health, and variable insurance licenses.

Outside the office, Jim enjoys golfing, playing guitar, and personal fitness. He is active in the community, serving as a high school football official.