Our Firm
Raymond James History: Celebrating 55 Years
August 16, 2017
Raymond James’ 55-year history tells a story of family, kinship, entrepreneurial spirit and a commitment to independence, conservatism, integrity and putting clients first.
Supporting People and Their Financial Well-Being
"Our success was and is all about the people, past and present, who have been part of the Raymond James family, without whom we wouldn't have achieved this much." - Tom James
On August 16, 1962, Bob James founded Robert A. James Investments, in a small, downtown St. Petersburg apartment.
Since our doors opened, the firm – now Raymond James – and our associates have experienced both challenges and successes, navigating through it all together, while staying true to the principle of putting clients first and preserving the very values we were founded on: a client-first mentality, conservatism, independence and integrity.
The Premier Alternative to Wall Street
From the start, Bob believed the firm had a responsibility to generate more than just profits. It was his sophisticated investment advice that helped people plan for the future, and it’s what continues to set Raymond James apart from other established companies in our industry.
This is also why we call ourselves the premier alternative to Wall Street.
Staying Conservative in Uncertain Times
Along with our successes, Raymond James has weathered volatile markets, too – including the economic downturn of the ‘70s and “Black Monday” in 1987 when the stock markets plunged. Despite the opposition, the firm has survived by taking a conservative, long-term approach to our business and keeping clients first.
And now, as our world, industry and clientele evolve, we continue to maintain this approach to achieve future growth – both for the firm and our associate’s’ professional success.
Looking Ahead to the Future
Through all of the changes and regulatory responses, Raymond James remains committed to preserving the client-advisor relationship and ensuring our advisors can advocate for their clients’ best interests.
Because, we believe that putting the financial well-being of our clients first ultimately serves the best interests of our shareholders, our communities and ourselves. It’s part of our DNA. It’s part of our mission. And, it’s part of our future.
If you are interested in being a part of this continued success, we'd love to hear from you. Browse available opportunities on our careers page, and see where you fit in at Raymond James.
Celebrate Our History
Want to learn more about our 55 years of rich history? Visit the Company History timeline on RaymondJames.com for a comprehensive look at our milestones.