St. Louis-based Stifel, Nicolaus & Co. Inc., the principal subsidiary of financial services holding company Stifel Financial Corp., St. Louis, (NYSE: SF) has named Patrick Keeley, Chris Shebby, Kerry McKeon and Julien Smythe to its investment banking group.

Keeley has been named co-head of investment banking. He was co-group head of the energy and natural resources practice at FBR Capital Markets.

Shebby has been named co-head of Stifel Nicolaus’ investment banking group. He was co-head of investment banking of the FBR energy and natural resources practice.

McKeon and Smythe were members of the FBR energy and natural resources practice.

Five other energy bankers have joined the group.

Stifel Nicolaus chairman and chief executive Ronald J. Kruszewski says, “We are delighted to add these talented professionals to our expanding investment banking platform. The industry knowledge, personal relationships, experience and product expertise that they bring to Stifel Nicolaus will help us continue to propel our capital markets business and strengthen our franchise.”

Stifel Nicolaus investment banking head Dick Himelfarb says, “The addition of these bankers evidences an important commitment on the part of Stifel Nicolaus to continue building our investment banking business. Their skills help enhance our arsenal and, together with our existing energy and natural resources team, create an industry leader for us in energy and natural resources.”

Together, the new bankers completed 87 transactions in the energy and natural resources space, representing more than $18 billion in market value while at FBR.

Keeley says, “Taking advantage of its strong investment banking platform, highly regarded research group, and balance of both retail and institutional distribution, I am confident that we can help take this franchise to a new level. I look forward to contributing to the firm’s growth not only in energy and natural resources, but across capital markets.”

Shebby says, “We look forward to continuing to provide our clients with creative solutions and high-quality transaction executions for their financing needs. From the Stifel Nicolaus platform, we’ll be able to do more for our energy and natural resources clients than ever before.”

 -SJP