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 is a message from Tad Edwards, CEO and President as well as 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.
Our Story
Over the Years
2024
Edwards Named #1 Top Workplace in Country by USA TODAY for Mid-Size Companies
2023
Celebrating 15 Years with over 90 offices, 300+ Financial Advisors in over 30 states.
2019
Establishment of Edwards Wealth Management
2018
Over 70 offices, nearly 300 financial advisors and nearly 600 employees in 27 states.
2015
Benjamin F. Edwards has more than 50 offices and almost 200 advisors in 24 states.
2014
Benjamin F. Edwards crosses $15 billion in Assets Under Management.
2013
Benjamin F. Edwards crosses 100-advisor threshold, adds investment banking and mergers and acquisitions to its service offerings.
2012
Boosts advisor headcount by more than 10 percent in 10-day hiring flurry. Closes year with 26 offices.
2010
Benjamin F. Edwards opens its tenth office nationally in Atlanta, Georgia, giving it a presence in six states.
2009
Benjamin F. Edwards opens its first branch in Springfield, Missouri.
2008
Tad Edwards leaves Wachovia Securities and establishes Benjamin F. Edwards & Co. in St. Louis.
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.
1977
Tad Edwards joins A.G. Edwards.
1971
A.G. Edwards issues stock and goes public.
1966
Benjamin F. Edwards III, Tad’s father, assumes leadership of A.G. Edwards from Presley Edwards, Tad’s grandfather.
1929
Presley Edwards is named managing partner of A.G. Edwards and leads the firm through World War II and the Great Depression.
1925
Presley Edwards, son of Benjamin F. Edwards I, joins A.G. Edwards.
1898
A.G. Edwards & Sons purchases a seat on the New York Stock Exchange.
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.
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
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