History Dedicated to local and global communities since 1935, our firm was founded with a commitment to community as our guiding principle. And we’ve been making a difference ever since. 1935 | LAYING THE FOUNDATION Morgan Stanley formally opens its doors for business at 2 Wall Street, New York City, on September 16, 1935. In its first year, the firm handles $1.1 billion in public offerings and private placements—a 24% market share. 1940 | CARING FOR CHILDREN Founding partner Harold Stanley establishes the firm’s commitment to children’s health by raising $1.5 million (equal to nearly $25 million in 2014) for the U.S. Committee for the Care of European Children. 1941-1942 | REORGANIZING AND EXPANDING The firm undergoes a reorganization as a partnership to allow for rapidly expanding activity in the securities business. The following year, Morgan Stanley joins the New York Stock Exchange. 1952 | REBUILDING COUNTRIES As Europe struggles to recover after World War II, Morgan Stanley co-manages the World Bank’s $50 million bond offering to help finance European reconstruction efforts. 1961-1969 | STRONGER STARTS The Morgan Stanley Foundation launches in 1961. The following year, Morgan Stanley develops the first computer model for financial analysts. In 1967, the firm establishes Morgan & Cie International in Paris to pursue the growing European securities market. 1970-1979 | INCREASED CAPABILITIES Morgan Stanley becomes the first international investment bank to establish a representative office in Tokyo, Japan, in 1970. In the following years, the Sales and Trading, Research, Investment Management, Realty and Private Wealth Management departments launch. 1980-1989 | GOING PUBLIC Morgan Stanley develops TAPS, the first automated trade-processing system, in 1984, with the Fixed Income Division launching the following year. In 1986, the firm goes public to raise capital for further growth. Over the course of the decade, the firm opens offices in Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Luxembourg, Melbourne, Milan, Sydney and Zurich, as well as expanding in London and Tokyo. 1990-1999 | GLOBAL IMPACT In 1995, Morgan Stanley enters China as a cornerstone investor in China International Capital Corporation and establishes the Morgan Stanley International Foundation. The 1997 merger of Morgan Stanley Group Inc. and Dean, Witter, Discover & Co. creates the world’s largest securities firm to date. Over the course of the decade, the firm expands further in Asia and Latin America. 2000-2007 | COMMUNITY COMMITMENT In addition to handling some of the largest tech IPOs, security offerings and acquisitions in the world, Morgan Stanley stands firm behind its commitments to community—from a joint effort by the firm and its employees to raise $60 million to build the Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, to employee-led relief efforts following the September 11 terrorist attacks. 2008-2013 | TRANSITIONS AND STRATEGIC ALLIANCES In 2008, Morgan Stanley becomes a bank holding company and forms a strategic alliance with Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG). Morgan Stanley completes the purchase of the Morgan Stanley Wealth Management joint venture in 2013, becoming 100% owner of one of the world’s leading wealth management franchises. 2013-2014 | DEDICATION TO SUSTAINABILITY The firm looks to the future by launching the Investing with Impact platform and the Morgan Stanley Institute for Sustainable Investing, a pair of initiatives dedicated to inspiring positive social impact and fostering large-scale global sustainability. 2021 | REFLECTIONS ON 9/11 Twenty years later, Morgan Stanley's leaders reflect on the still searing legacy of the September 11 terrorist attacks, remembering the thousands of lives lost, including 13 colleagues at the World Trade Center. OUR CORE VALUES view here Disclosures Investor Relations Corporate Governance Newsroom Careers Privacy & Cookies Terms of Use Contact Us Global Offices Equal Employment Opportunity © 2021 Morgan Stanley. All rights reserved. About Cookies On This Site Our site uses cookies and similar technologies so that we and our partners can remember you and better understand how you use our sites. For more information on how we use cookies, please see our Global Cookie Policy. To set your preferences for using our sites, please use our Cookie Consent Tool. accept