Our Edwards

Our History

WITH A LEGACY SPANNING OVER 130 YEARS AND 5 GENERATIONS OF THE EDWARDS FAMILY, BENJAMIN F. EDWARDS HAS DEEP ROOTS IN THE WEALTH MANAGEMENT INDUSTRY.

When you join Benjamin F. Edwards, you are in good hands. Our experienced Home Office relies on an innovative client-centric business model to deliver personalized transition support, robust product and service solutions and advanced recruiting tools.

Our approach preserves the best parts of working for an established firm—high-touch back-office service and support, solid technology, risk management and a collaborative family environment. You can choose the affiliation model that makes sense for your business. Welcome to a place of boundless opportunity.

Below are selected milestones in the history of Benjamin F. Edwards that helped shape the vibrant and growing firm we are today.

THE HISTORY WE’RE BUILT ON. THE LEGACY WE’RE BUILDING TOWARD.

  • Benjamin F Edwards Timeline

    2019

    Establishment of Edwards Wealth Management

  • Photo of Benjamin F Edwards Branch

    2018

    Over 70 offices, nearly 300 financial advisors and nearly 600 employees in 27 states.

  • Big City photo

    2015

    Benjamin F. Edwards has more than 50 offices and almost 200 advisors in 24 states.

  • Graph of wealth increase

    2014

    Benjamin F. Edwards crosses $15 billion in Assets Under Management.

  • Photo of large city

    2013

    Benjamin F. Edwards crosses 100-advisor threshold, adds investment banking and mergers and acquisitions to its service offerings.

  • Outside of Benjamin F Edwards location

    2012

    Boosts advisor headcount by more than 10 percent in 10-day hiring flurry. Closes year with 26 offices.

  • Atlanta, Georgia

    2010

    Benjamin F. Edwards opens its tenth office nationally in Atlanta, Georgia, giving it a presence in six states.

  • First location in Springfield, MO

    2009

    Benjamin F. Edwards opens its first branch in Springfield, Missouri.

  • St. Louis, Missouri

    2008

    Tad Edwards leaves Wachovia Securities and establishes Benjamin F. Edwards & Co. in St. Louis.

  • Wachovia Securities acquires A.G. Edwards

    2007

    Wachovia Securities acquires A.G. Edwards, the 120-year old firm founded by Tad Edwards’ great-great-grandfather and led by his father, Benjamin F. Edwards III, for 40 years. He stepped down in 2001.

  • Tad Edwards

    1977

    Tad Edwards joins A.G. Edwards.

  • A.G. Edwards issues stock and goes public

    1971

    A.G. Edwards issues stock and goes public.

  • Benjamin Franklin Edwards III

    1966

    Benjamin F. Edwards III, Tad’s father, assumes leadership of A.G. Edwards from Presley Edwards, Tad’s grandfather.

  • Presley Edwards is named managing partner of A.G. Edwards

    1929

    Presley Edwards is named managing partner of A.G. Edwards and leads the firm through World War II and the Great Depression.

  • Presley W Edwards

    1925

    Presley Edwards, son of Benjamin F. Edwards I, joins A.G. Edwards.

  • A.G. Edwards & Sons purchases a seat on the New York Stock Exchange

    1898

    A.G. Edwards & Sons purchases a seat on the New York Stock Exchange.

  • Benjamin Franklin Edwards I

    1887

    Albert Gallatin Edwards, Tad Edwards’ great-great-grandfather, at the age of 75, establishes A.G. Edwards & Sons, with his son, Benjamin Franklin Edwards I. The firm is the only brokerage in St. Louis that works with local banks to place trades on the New York Stock Exchange.

  • Lincoln and Albert Gallatin Edwards

    1865

    President Abraham Lincoln appoints Albert Gallatin Edwards to Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for the Sub-Treasury Bank in St. Louis.

Our Legacy Library

Benjamin F. Edwards III continued a legacy that we are proud to call our own, years later.

Our Inspiration

Our Lincoln Connection & Legacy

BFE legacy photos

From left to right: General Albert Gallatin Edwards, Benjamin F. Edwards I, George L. Edwards, Albert N. Edwards, Presley W. Edwards, Benjamin F. Edwards III, Benjamin F. Edwards IV