Company History Timeline 

1930
Merrill, Lynch & Co., pledging to devote itself "to the continued development of its investment banking business," transfers its retail brokerage business to E. A. Pierce. Charlie Merrill focuses on Safeway Stores, building it into the country's third-largest grocery store chain.

1932
As part of his investor education effort, Charlie Merrill puts his grocery-store chain experience to use in founding Family Circle, the first grocery store point-of-sale magazine.

1938
Merrill, Lynch & Co. purchases a controlling interest in the investment banking division of Cassatt & Co., an old-line Philadelphia investment house. E. A. Pierce & Co. controls Cassatt & Co.'s retail brokerage division.

Edmund Lynch passes away in England on 12 May, at the age of 52.

Out of respect to his deceased partner, Charlie Merrill decides to drop the comma from Merrill, Lynch & Co. and create the name of the modern firm, Merrill Lynch.

Between 1 August 1938, and 1 April 1940, the firm is incorporated with Charlie Merrill as chairman of the board. Merrill Lynch & Co. was not subject to New York Stock Exchange rules since it had transferred its retail brokerage business to E. A. Pierce & Co. in 1930.

 View 1940s