About Us - 1919 Investment Counsel

The success of 1919 as a firm is the story of two guiding principles — a steadfast commitment to doing right by our clients and the ability to continuously adapt over more than 100 years.

Acting as Fiduciaries

We are committed to always put our clients' interests before our own. Our work is not based on selling you something, but stewarding your long-term success.

Listening Comes First

In every situation, we will listen before we prescribe a solution. Understanding the problem allows us to chart a better course, together.

Direct Accountability

You will have a direct relationship with your team, and the same team you interact with is the one responsible and accountable for building a successful strategy.

Counsel Built on Trust, Guided by Principles.

We are committed to understanding the specifics of each client's life, values, and goals. Our loyalty to our clients governs the counsel we provide, bringing clarity to their complex financial lives.

Trust in Confidentiality

We will treat all aspects of our work together with the utmost respect — we believe these relationships require trust and building that trust is at the core of what we do.

Ethical Commitment

The team you'll work with is not only highly experienced in navigating the market, complex family dynamics, and other financial challenges — but they are committed to doing so to the highest ethical standards.

Tailoring Every Solution

Every strategy is tailored to the individual, family, foundation, or endowment's needs to ensure that it truly serves its purpose.

aerial view of a road through the forest

Good Advice is Just a Conversation Away

The future is uncertain. Having a partner who understands both the intricacies of your life and the financial markets is invaluable. With over a century of investment expertise, we provide personalized strategies based on a true understanding of your financial needs.

For Individuals & Families For Foundations & Endowments

100+

Years of History

Founded in 1919, our long-term perspective, stability, and insight will give you confidence that you are being supported by strategies and people that can adapt and endure over time.

$22.9B

Assets Under Management

We offer the service of a boutique firm at scale. You will be able to access deep market insight informed by proprietary research and trading, while maintaining a highly-responsive, personal relationship.

97.1%

Client Retention Rate

Delivering a high-touch client experience is our core promise, and our dedication to exceptional client service is why our clients stay with us.

436

Clients With Us 20+ Years

Longevity in these relationships provides you with more than just ease; it comes with deep understanding between you and your team around what makes sense for you.

Date

All data is as of March 31, 2025. Client retention data is as of December 31, 2024.

Awards & Rankings

Barron's Top 100 RIA Firms

Barron's Top 100 RIA Firms

FA Magazine RIA Survey & Ranking

Financial Advisor Magazine 2024 RIA Survey & Ranking

FA Magazine RIA Survey & Ranking

Forbes Top RIA Firms

Forbes Top RIA Firms

Awards and rankings are not indicative of future performance. Registration of an investment advisor does not imply a certain level of training or skill. No fee was paid for participation in the rankings. See Forms & Disclosures for additional information.

"Investment counsel is a philosophy that puts our clients' interests first. We are fiduciaries and investors, and our obligation is to the clients' success."

- Paul Benziger, Managing Director, Portfolio Manager

Our Clients’ Greatest Advocates for Over 100 Years

Scudder, Stevens & Clark Evolution Of Our Investing Merger With Legg Mason Becoming 1919 Growing 1919 1919 Today

Scudder, Stevens & Clark

In 1919, Theodore Scudder founded our predecessor firm Scudder, Stevens & Clark, becoming an early leader in the investment counsel industry. The founding idea of our firm was to professionalize the practice of investment counsel. As Scudder said at the time, "What the investor needs is professional and impartial advice regarding his individual situation and an advisor free from conflicting interests." Until its sale in the late 1990s, Scudder was one of the oldest and largest independent investment advisory firms in the U.S.

Evolution Of Our Investing

In 1971, we were one of the leaders in the Socially Responsible Investing space, which began as an extension of our tailored investment management approach, working with religious organizations to customize their investment portfolios to their values. We have continued to evolve our approach over the years to encompass a much broader swath of values based investing for our clients. Today, we have a dedicated Responsible Investing team that works with individuals, families, foundations, endowments and other non-profit organizations to ensure their investment portfolios reflect their unique values – no matter what those values may be.

Merger With Legg Mason

In 1992, Legg Mason Trust Company was established by our former parent company, Legg Mason Inc., and in 2004, Legg Mason Investment Counsel formed by bringing together Scudder Private Investment Counsel and Legg Mason Trust. The acquisition, and subsequent merger, underscored our commitment to the private investment counsel business, which services individuals, families, foundations, and endowments.

Becoming 1919

In 2014, the firm joined Stifel Financial Corp., and was renamed 1919 Investment Counsel, a reflection of the Scudder legacy and reputation for providing independent advice and high-end client service.

Growing 1919

Through the years, 1919 grew its footprint nationally. The Birmingham office was established through the acquisition of the Sterne Agee Family Office in 2015, and the San Francisco office was established through the acquisition of Rand & Associates in 2018. We also opened our office in Vero Beach in 2020. The firm was not only growing through physical locations, but also with the addition of new services. In 2019, our Women & Wealth team was formed in recognition of the unique challenges and opportunities of our female clients.

1919 Today

Today, the firm has offices across the country in Baltimore, Birmingham, Cincinnati, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Vero Beach, serving individuals, families, foundations, and endowments across the country.

Black and white image of road winding through the hills.

An Experienced Team, Designed Around You

Our clients have access to our team of experienced portfolio managers and other financial experts across the country.

Meet Our Team

What brings

you here?

What Brings You Here?

1919 team members at the Baltimore office

Find trusted counsel for every aspect of your financial life, and for generations to come. Reach out to start the dialogue.

Get In Touch

"*" indicates required fields

What brings you here?

First Name

Last Name

Email*

Location*

How did you hear about us?*

Investable Assets*

Phone

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Over a Century of Insightful Investing