The History of Morgan Stanley

For 90 years, Morgan Stanley has put our clients at the center of all that we do. We harness the capabilities and insights of our integrated team to help clients raise, manage and allocate capital, and we continuously evolve to create a better future in the communities where we live and work.
Celebrating 90 Years of Morgan Stanley

Founded in 1935 as a partnership with a staff of just 13, Morgan Stanley is now a global financial services firm operating in more than 40 countries, with over 80,000 employees. This year marks a special milestone of 90 years in business, an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate our storied legacy, dynamic culture and passion for innovation.

Discover The Moments That Shaped Our Firm

Moments that shaped Morgan Stanley

 

1933-1953 Building the Foundation

1933 - The Glass-Steagall Act Splits Investment and Commercial Banking

1935 - A Secret Porch Meeting Leads to the Creation of Morgan Stanley

1935 - Open for Business on September 16

1947 - Led issuance of the World Bank’s first bond for $250mm

 

1962-1977 Young Firm, Large Impact

1962 - Creation of Early Computer Model for Financial Analysis

1967 - International Expansion Begins With Paris Office

1972 - Transformative Growth Begins

Sales and Trading, Research, M&A, and Real Estate divisions bring new business

1977 - Launch of Individual Investor Services

 

1980-1995 Rapid Growth

1980 - Co-Managing Apple's $100MM IPO

1984 - Pioneering TAPS, the First Automated Trade System

1986 – Morgan Stanley Goes Public

1995 - The Internet Report Wins Over Silicon Valley

 

1997-2004 Vision to Innovate

1997 - Merger With Dean Witter Creates Largest Securities Firm

2003 - Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital Is Built

2004 - Leading Google's $4.4Bn IPO

 

2008-2020 Strategic Partnerships

2008 – The Financial Crisis

2009 - Joint Venture With Citigroup Smith Barney

2012 - The Launch of Morgan Stanley Private Bank

2018-2020 Pivotal Wealth Management Acquisitions

Solium, E*TRADE and Eaton Vance

 

2020 Committing to Employees and Evolving Strategy

2020 - Prevailing Through Crisis

2024 - Forging a Strategic Partnership With Open AI

2025 - The Four Pillars of Our Integrated Firm

Transcript

Moments that shaped Morgan Stanley

 

1933-1953 Building the Foundation

1933 - The Glass-Steagall Act Splits Investment and Commercial Banking

1935 - A Secret Porch Meeting Leads to the Creation of Morgan Stanley

1935 - Open for Business on September 16

1947 - Led issuance of the World Bank’s first bond for $250mm

 

1962-1977 Young Firm, Large Impact

1962 - Creation of Early Computer Model for Financial Analysis

1967 - International Expansion Begins With Paris Office

1972 - Transformative Growth Begins

Sales and Trading, Research, M&A, and Real Estate divisions bring new business

1977 - Launch of Individual Investor Services

 

1980-1995 Rapid Growth

1980 - Co-Managing Apple's $100MM IPO

1984 - Pioneering TAPS, the First Automated Trade System

1986 – Morgan Stanley Goes Public

1995 - The Internet Report Wins Over Silicon Valley

 

1997-2004 Vision to Innovate

1997 - Merger With Dean Witter Creates Largest Securities Firm

2003 - Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital Is Built

2004 - Leading Google's $4.4Bn IPO

 

2008-2020 Strategic Partnerships

2008 – The Financial Crisis

2009 - Joint Venture With Citigroup Smith Barney

2012 - The Launch of Morgan Stanley Private Bank

2018-2020 Pivotal Wealth Management Acquisitions

Solium, E*TRADE and Eaton Vance

 

2020 Committing to Employees and Evolving Strategy

2020 - Prevailing Through Crisis

2024 - Forging a Strategic Partnership With Open AI

2025 - The Four Pillars of Our Integrated Firm

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