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Our history
Any company can have a great year. Few have had nearly 130 of them.
When John Tappan founded our company in 1894, his purpose was noble: help people build a confident financial future. Since then, our commitment to putting clients’ needs first has never wavered.
Our singular focus on our clients has helped us navigate market cycles, recessions, depressions, wars and a global pandemic. At the heart of our success is our strong financial foundation, passionate stewardship of the business and a track record of standing behind clients through good times and bad.
2022
Columbia Threadneedle Investments refreshed its global brand, with a new purpose statement, Investing smarter for the world you want, to replace former brand promise.
2021
Columbia Threadneedle completed the acquisition of Bank of Montreal's EMEA and Asia Pacific asset management business.
2020
More than $1T in assets under management and administration, further differentiating the capital strength of the firm.
2019
Further strengthened wealth management capabilities with the launch of Ameriprise Bank, FSB.
2017
Columbia Threadneedle Investments acquires Lionstone Investments, a data-analytics driven U.S. real estate investment firm.
Expanded into the financial institution channel through the acquisition of Investment Professionals, Inc.
2015
Launched Columbia Threadneedle Investments brand extending our reach as a top-50 global asset management firm.
2014
Launched the Confident Retirement® approach which underpins our personalized approach to financial advice and wealth management.
2010
With the Columbia Management acquisition, Ameriprise Financial became the eighth-largest manager of long-term U.S. mutual fund assets.
2009
Ameriprise Financial announced a charitable partnership with Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization.
2008
During the Great Recession while others took bailouts, Ameriprise acquired H&R Block Financial Advisors – growing our advisor force by 30% and extending national reach and visibility.
2005
Ameriprise Financial became an independent, publicly-owned company through the 6th largest spin-off in U.S. history.
AMP begins trading on NYSE (Oct. 3).
Jim Cracchiolo became Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ameriprise Financial.
As part of the company’s branch introduction, Ameriprise Financial renames American Express Property Casualty Insurance companies to Ameriprise Auto & Home Insurance and announces the RiverSource brand.
2003
AEFA increased its international presence by acquiring Threadneedle, a leading British investment firm.
2002
AEFA acquired Dynamic Ideas, LLC, the quantitative platform of RiverSource Investments.
2000
James Cracchiolo named President and CEO of American Express Financial Advisors.
1995
IDS changed its name to American Express Financial Advisors (AEFA).
1984
American Express Company acquired IDS and established American Express Financial Advisors.
1975
Pioneered financial planning.
1957
Investors Syndicate Life Insurance and Annuity Company is formed (renamed IDS Life Insurance Company in 1973).
1949
Investors Syndicate changed its name to Investors Diversified Services.
1946
Ruth Abrahamson joined the company in 1946 and later became the number one female sales representative in the country.
1940
Entered the mutual fund market with Investors Mutual Fund. Investors Stock Fund and Investors Selective fund follow in 1945.
1929
During the decade of the Great Depression, Investors Syndicate paid every dollar on its due date to certificate owners.
Stock market crashes.
1925
West Coast entrepreneur John R. Ridgeway purchased Investors Syndicate from founder John Tappan and his partners.
1914
Investors Syndicate reached $1 million in assets.
1894
John Tappan, age 24, founded Investors Syndicate.
1,000 people invest $5 each.
