COMPANYHISTORIES
NAIC 52599

Other Financial Vehicles

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

9companies1863–2001founding years8still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedBâloise-Holding
1863
FoundedThe Prudential Insurance Company of America
1873
EconomyThe Panic of 1873 triggers a global depression.
1893
EconomyThe Panic of 1893 pulls down banks and overbuilt railroads.
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
1908
TechnologyFord's Model T puts the automobile within reach of the middle class.
1913
TechnologyFord's moving assembly line transforms factory production.
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedLend Lease Corporation Limited
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
FoundedGabelli Asset Management Inc.
1976
FoundedCIGNA Corporation
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
FoundedCramer, Berkowitz & Co.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
FoundedSt. James's Place Capital, plc
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
FoundedJanus Capital Group Inc.
1998
FoundedReading International Inc.
2001
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Bâloise-Holding →
Renamed · founded 1863 · Switzerland
Bâloise-Holding is positioning itself as a leading European integrated financial services provider.
The Prudential Insurance Company of America →
Active · founded 1873
The Prudential Insurance Company of America is one of the largest diversified financial institutions in the world and,…
Lend Lease Corporation Limited →
Active · founded 1958 · Australia
Lend Lease Corporation Limited, one of Australia's top public companies, is a leading integrated global real estate…
Gabelli Asset Management Inc. →
Active · founded 1976
Gabelli Asset Management Inc.
CIGNA Corporation →
Active · founded 1981
CIGNA Corporation is an insurance and financial services organization focusing on employee benefits, with its…
Cramer, Berkowitz & Co. →
Active · founded 1987
Cramer, Berkowitz & Co.
St. James's Place Capital, plc →
Active · founded 1991 · United Kingdom
St.
Janus Capital Group Inc. →
Active · founded 1998
Janus Capital Group Inc.
Reading International Inc. →
Active · founded 2001
Reading International Inc., is focused on the ownership and development of real estate assets, concentrating its…
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