STIFEL FINANCIAL <SF> RECEIVES MERGER PROPOSAL Stifel Financial Corp said it received an unsolicited merger proposal from privately held Laidlaw Adams and Peck Inc for 15 dlrs a share in cash for all its outstanding shares. The proposal, which expires July 1, values Stifel at about 54 mln dlrs. Stifel has about 3.6 mln shares outstanding. The company said its management and board of directors will consider the proposal but have not set a date to meet. It said the proposal is currently being studied by Goldman Sachs and Co and legal counsel. It said conditions of the proposal include obtaining necessary financing, satisfactory completion of a due diligence investigation by Laidlaw, and execution of employment contracts with key employees to be designated by Laidlaw.