History
A legacy of belonging
in wealth management.
We’re proud of being a firm where familial and financial acumen go hand in hand. Our legacy spans over 130 years and five generations of wealth management, beginning with Albert Gallatin Edwards, our current CEO’s great-great-grandfather, who served in the Treasury Department under Abraham Lincoln.
Over the Years
See below for selected milestones from the history of our firm and our path to becoming the principled, prosperous firm we are today.
1865
President Abraham Lincoln appoints Albert Gallatin Edwards, the great-great-grandfather of our current CEO, to Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for the Sub-Treasury Bank in St. Louis
1887
Albert Gallatin Edwards establishes A.G. Edwards & Sons at the age of 75 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.
1898
A.G. Edwards & Sons purchases a seat on the New York Stock Exchange.
1925
Presley Edwards, son of Benjamin F. Edwards I, joins A.G. Edwards.
1929
Presley Edwards is named managing partner of A.G. Edwards and leads the firm during the Great Depression.
1966
Benjamin F. Edwards III, Tad’s father, assumes leadership of A.G. Edwards from Presley Edwards, Tad’s grandfather.
1971
A.G. Edwards issues stock and goes public.
1977
Tad Edwards joins A.G. Edwards.
2008
Following the A.G. Edwards acquisition, Benjamin F. Edwards was founded by Tad Edwards, our current CEO.
2009
Edwards opens its first branch in Springfield, Missouri.
2014
Edwards crosses $15 billion in Assets Under Management (AUM).
2019
Establishment of Edwards Wealth Management, our firm for independent advisors.
2022
Launch of Edwards Equity Portfolios, expanding the firm’s discretionary advisory platform.
2023
Edwards celebrates 15 years since being reestablished with over 90 offices and 300+ financial advisors in over 30 states.
2024
Edwards celebrates the opening of its 100th location and is recognized as the #1 Mid-Size Workplace Nationally by USA Today.
2025
Edwards named as a Top Workplace by USA TODAY and
Inc. Magazine. Edwards crosses $50 billion in Assets Under Management (AUM).
