Stifel Financial Corp. opened an investment banking and related institutional services office in Israel, its first office in the country.

The company also appointed Alain Dobkin managing director and Israel country head.

Dobkin, who is based in Tel Aviv, was one of the original members of Citigroup's investment banking platform in Israel. He also was managing partner at Spring Hill Partners.

Stifel is a full-service investment bank serving middle-market clients and a U.S. equity research provider.