Our history
Putting clients first since 1894
The strength of our commitment to clients is matched by the strength of our firm: a strong financial foundation, passionate stewardship of the business and a track record of standing behind clients through good times and bad. Over the years, our singular focus on clients has helped us navigate market cycles, recessions, depressions, wars and a global pandemic.
We're honored that generations of clients have entrusted Ameriprise Financial with their futures since 1894. We look forward to the opportunity to help more investors achieve their most important financial goals for many years to come.
Ameriprise posts record assets under management, administration and advisement of $1.7 trillion.
Celebrated the 20th anniversary of our listing on the New York Stock Exchange.
Celebrated 130 years of putting clients first.
Relocated to new Minneapolis headquarters.
Charlotte, North Carolina office opens.
Columbia Threadneedle Investments refreshed its global brand, with a new purpose statement, Investing smarter for the world you want, to replace former brand promise.
Columbia Threadneedle acquires Bank of Montreal's EMEA asset management business.
More than $1T in assets under management and administration, further differentiating the capital strength of the firm.
Recognized 125th anniversary.
Further strengthened wealth management capabilities with the launch of Ameriprise Bank, FSB.
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.
Launched Columbia Threadneedle Investments brand extending our reach as a top-50 global asset management firm.
With the Columbia Management acquisition, Ameriprise Financial became the eighth-largest manager of long-term U.S. mutual fund assets.
Ameriprise Financial announced a charitable partnership with Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization.
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.
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 brand introduction, Ameriprise Financial renames American Express Property Casualty Insurance companies to Ameriprise Auto & Home Insurance and announces the RiverSource brand.
AEFA increased its international presence by acquiring Threadneedle Asset Management, a leading British investment firm.
AEFA acquired Dynamic Ideas, LLC, the quantitative platform of RiverSource Investments.
James Cracchiolo named President and CEO of American Express Financial Advisors.
IDS changed its name to American Express Financial Advisors (AEFA).
American Express Company acquired IDS and established American Express Financial Advisors.
Pioneered financial planning.
Investors Syndicate Life Insurance and Annuity Company is formed (renamed IDS Life Insurance Company in 1973).
Investors Syndicate changed its name to Investors Diversified Services.
Ruth Abrahamson joined the company in 1946 and later became the top female sales representative in the country.
Entered the mutual fund market with Investors Mutual Fund. Investors Stock Fund and Investors Selective fund follow in 1945.
Stock market crashes.
During the decade of the Great Depression, Investors Syndicate paid every dollar on its due date to certificate owners.
West Coast entrepreneur John R. Ridgeway purchased Investors Syndicate from founder John Tappan and his partners.
Investors Syndicate reached $1 million in assets.
John Tappan, age 24, founded Investors Syndicate.
By the end of the year, Investors Syndicate boasted assets of $2,500.