COMPANIES

Raymond James

Office address: 880 Carillon Parkway, St. Petersburg, FL 33716
Website: raymondjames.com
Year established: 1962
Company type: financial services
Employees: 19,000+
Expertise: wealth management, investment banking, asset management, equity research, retirement planning, estate planning, insurance solutions, banking and lending, institutional services, private wealth management
Parent company: Raymond James Financial
Key people: Paul Shoukry (CEO), Chris Aisenbrey (CHRO), Bella Allaire (chief administrative officer), James Bunn (president), Vin Campagnoli (EVP), Scott Curtis (COO), Butch Oorlog (CFO)
Financing status: corporation

Raymond James is a financial services firm based in St. Petersburg with about $1.73 trillion in client assets as of 2025. The company provides asset management, wealth management, and investment banking through about 8,900 financial advisors. It uses a client-first approach, long-term planning, and has achieved 151 quarters of consecutive profitability.

History of Raymond James

The company was founded in 1962 by Bob James, a financial professional who wanted to value careful planning and put clients first. The firm grew quickly, and by 1964, the name Raymond James & Associates was chosen to honor a business deal with Edward Raymond.

Tom James, Bob James’ son, joined the firm after graduating from Harvard. He helped guide the company through tough times and even sold his rare coin collection to keep the business afloat during the 1970s.

New ideas and milestones

Raymond James kept growing in the 1970s and 1980s by:

  • adding computers
  • launching equity research
  • gaining a seat on the NYSE in 1973

The company survived economic downturns and celebrated its first year with over $1 million in net income in 1980. In 1983, Raymond James went public with a $14-million IPO, though the celebration was bittersweet due to Bob James’ death that same year.

Expanding services and reaching new markets

The 1990s and early 2000s brought big changes. Raymond James Bank was founded in 1994, and the company expanded overseas with offices in Paris and Geneva. The firm made its largest acquisition in 1999 by adding Roney & Co. and merged its independent contractor subsidiaries. Raymond James also began offering online trading and partnered with Killik & Co. to launch a UK brokerage.

Raymond James’ resilience and new leadership

The company showed strength during the 2008 recession by relying on its own revenue and not seeking government help. In 2010, Paul Reilly became CEO, and Tom James stayed on as chairperson.

The firm marked its 50th anniversary in 2012. It also joined forces with Morgan Keegan and became one of the largest wealth management firms outside Wall Street.

Recent moves and industry impact

In recent years, Raymond James has made several strategic acquisitions, including The Producers Choice in 2015 and Charles Stanley in 2022. The company also responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by donating $1.5 million to relief efforts.

By 2025, Raymond James had become a top destination for financial advisors seeking independence and stability. The firm’s hands-off approach to advisors’ clients helped drive strong recruiting from direct competitors.

To strengthen its private credit business, Raymond James Financial also took a majority stake in GreensLedge Holdings, a boutique investment bank. This move expanded its capabilities in structured credit and securitization.

Raymond James products and services 

Raymond James provides financial products and services that are tailored to individuals, families, businesses, and institutions:

Wealth management

  • personalized planning: custom strategies for each client’s goals
  • growing wealth: portfolio building based on risk and timeline
  • preserving wealth: planning for life’s uncertainties
  • retirement planning: strategies to help secure future lifestyle
  • providing for family: support for education and elder care
  • estate management: legacy and estate planning for loved ones
  • business growth: solutions for complex business needs

Advice, products, and services

  • advisor partnership: unbiased advice through all life stages
  • investment solutions: broad selection of investment products
  • financial retirement and planning: collaborative, ongoing planning
  • estate, charitable giving & trust services: tax and trust expertise
  • banking and lending services: full suite of banking options
  • insurance solutions: coverage for individuals, families, and businesses
  • institutional services: investment banking and capital markets
  • private wealth services: tailored support for high-net-worth clients

Corporations and institutions

  • capital markets services: strategic advice for all business stages
  • investment banking: expertise across major industry sectors
  • institutional investors: equity and fixed income strategies
  • municipalities and nonprofits: public finance and tax-exempt solutions
  • cash and asset management: strategies for managing assets and liquidity

Raymond James also provides timely market insights and research to help clients make informed decisions. Their advisors focus on personalized strategies and long-term planning.

Culture and corporate values

According to Raymond James, the company supports advisors and believes they know their clients best. The firm states that it leads with an advisor-focused culture. Its core values include:

  1. putting clients first
  2. acting with integrity
  3. valuing independence
  4. thinking long term

The company also aims to create a rewarding workplace and offers a range of benefits. These include:

  • healthcare coverage: medical, dental, vision, and onsite wellness center
  • insurance benefits: life, disability, accident, and long-term care coverage
  • retirement plans: 401(k) with match, profit-sharing, and stock ownership
  • stock purchase plan: buy company stock at a 15 percent discount
  • flexible spending accounts: options for healthcare, dependent care, and transportation
  • education support: tuition reimbursement and in-house training programs
  • employee assistance: mental health, substance abuse, and caregiving support
  • extra perks: discounts on events, retail, restaurants, and onsite amenities

The firm reports a focus on giving back through programs like the Ready for School Mission and LiFT Academy. Raymond James invests time and resources to help students, including those with neurodiversity, reach their goals.

About CEO Paul Shoukry and key people

Paul Shoukry is CEO and board member at Raymond James Financial and also serves on several nonprofit boards. He was previously president of the company and has held other leadership roles. He holds degrees from the University of Georgia and Columbia University.

Helping Shoukry lead Raymond James is the executive team, which include:

  • Chris Aisenbrey is CHRO and focuses on talent and workplace culture
  • Bella Loykhter Allaire is chief administrative officer and oversees firm operations and administration
  • James E. Bunn is president – capital markets and advisory; he manages investment banking and advisory services
  • Vin Campagnoli works as EVP – technology and operations; in this role, Campagnoli directs technology and operational strategy
  • Scott A. Curtis is COO and supports advisor growth and business development
  • Butch Oorlog, as CFO, manages financial planning and reporting for the company

The leadership team values steady planning and careful decision-making. Their approach keeps the focus on clients and long-term results.

The future at Raymond James

Raymond James posted record earnings for the quarter ending September 30, 2025 by expanding its advisor network. The firm added nearly $63 billion in recruited client assets, which support new business and client needs. These results show the firm’s focus on long-term growth and stability for its clients and future.

Raymond James also continued to grow its independent channel despite losing a $1.3 billion advisor team to Concurrent. The firm still attracted professionals from Wells Fargo, UBS, and Northwestern Mutual who managed hundreds of millions in client assets. These additions may help strengthen the company’s independent channel and bring more expertise to its clients.

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