COMPANIES

State Street

Office address: 1 Congress Street, Suite 1, Boston, Massachusetts 02114
Website: ssga.com
Year established: 1978
Company type: financial services
Employees: 2,500+ (SSGA)
Expertise: asset management, ETFs, index funds, active strategies, retirement solutions, fixed income, equity, multi-asset, sustainable investing, risk management
Parent company: State Street Corporation
Key people: Yie-Hsin Hung (CEO), Lori Heinel (EVP), Jennifer Bender (global chief investment strategist), Olivia Engel (department head), Daniel Farley, Michael Solecki, and Matthew Steinaway (chief investment officers)
Financing status: corporation

State Street is an asset manager based in Boston, with about $5.5 trillion in assets. The firm offers ETFs, mutual funds, cash solutions, and investment strategies for institutional, professional, and individual investors. It is known for creating the first US ETF in 1993 and serves clients worldwide through its global scale and experience.

State Street Global Advisors (SSGA) is now called State Street Investment Management, which this profile will explore in detail.

History of State Street

State Street began in 1978 as the investment arm of State Street Bank. The firm first focused on equity index and cash solutions for institutional clients, including financial institutions and corporate pensions. Over time, it expanded its expertise and client base, which built a reputation for reliability and scale.

Expanding reach and early innovation

The 1980s brought new opportunities as the company attracted non-profits, insurance providers, and official institutions. The company soon added active quantitative strategies to better serve its growing list of clients. By the end of the decade, it had:

  • built relationships with public pensions
  • expanded to serve defined contribution plans and consultants
  • looked beyond the US to London and Hong Kong

The ETF revolution

A turning point came in 1993 with the launch of the first US exchange-traded fund, in partnership with the American Stock Exchange. This new product made investing more accessible for many people and set the stage for more innovation.

The firm later introduced the first US mid-cap ETF, sector ETFs, and Asia ex-Japan’s first ETF. This showed a commitment to expanding investment options.

State Street’s growth and new identity

The 2000s and 2010s saw the company list ETFs in Europe and Australia and partner with the World Gold Council to launch the first US gold-backed ETF. In 2017, State Street commissioned the Fearless Girl statue on Wall Street, which became a symbol of women’s leadership and sparked global attention.

Today’s focus

In recent years, it has formed partnerships with firms like Nuveen and Bridgewater to open new markets and increase access. In 2025, it rebranded from State Street Global Advisors to State Street Investment Management to reflect its growth and strategic goal.

That same year, State Street took a minority stake in Apex Fintech Solutions. The partnership will help develop a digital, globally scalable custody and clearing solution for advisors and clients.

State Street products and services 

State Street Investment Management offers a wide range of investment products and services for institutional, professional, and individual investors:

Exchange-traded funds

  • equity ETFs: funds tracking stock market indexes
  • fixed income ETFs: funds focused on bonds and debt markets
  • sector and industry ETFs: funds targeting specific market sectors
  • active ETFs: funds managed with active strategies
  • low-cost core ETFs: broad market funds with low fees

Mutual funds

  • alternatives mutual funds: funds investing in non-traditional assets
  • equity mutual funds: funds investing in stocks
  • fixed income mutual funds: funds investing in bonds
  • multi-asset mutual funds: funds blending different asset classes
  • target retirement mutual funds: funds designed for retirement planning

Solutions and cash

  • ETF model portfolios: pre-built portfolios using ETFs
  • treasury cash solutions: cash management for institutions
  • US government cash solutions: funds focused on government securities

Tools and distributions

  • fund comparison tool: tool to compare fund options
  • sector and industries map: tool for sector analysis
  • ETF distributions: payout schedules for ETFs
  • mutual fund distributions: payout schedules for mutual funds

State Street Investment Management also offers tailored strategies, risk management tools, and global investment access. Its scale and experience help clients find solutions for a range of investment goals.

Culture and corporate values

State Street says that its culture centers on collaboration and supporting employee growth through training and resources. The firm states that it aims to provide a forward-looking, employee-focused environment where people can build their skills and explore new paths.

State Street also highlights a range of benefits for staff and their families:

  • medical and life insurance: health plans, life and accidental coverage for employees and dependents
  • well-being programs: BeWell and EAP for physical, emotional, and financial support
  • financial wellness: retirement plans, savings options, and local financial education events
  • time off and holidays: paid vacation, holidays, and volunteer days for community involvement
  • family support: parental leave, adoption help, flexible work, and back-to-work programs
  • flexible work options: remote work, compressed schedules, and job sharing available
  • employee networks: groups for volunteering, career growth, and cultural activities
  • other perks: group savings, sport club discounts, cinema deals, and referral bonuses
  • learning and development: targeted training and career development resources for employees

State Street values the unique perspectives of over 50,000 colleagues worldwide and promotes a culture of belonging. The company states that talent decisions are based on skills and experience, supporting equal opportunities in all global roles.

About CEO Yie-Hsin Hung and key people

Yie-Hsin Hung is the president and CEO of State Street Investment Management. Before joining the firm, Hung was CEO at New York Life Investment Management, a global investment company. She holds an MBA from Harvard and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Northwestern University.

The global investment team leads State Street Investment Management with deep experience and specialized roles:

  • Lori M. Heinel, CFA is EVP and global CIO, overseeing all investment strategies and research
  • Jennifer Bender, Ph.D. is global chief investment strategist, focusing on asset allocation and portfolio construction
  • Olivia Engel, CFA heads strategy and operations - investments, managing investment process and operational efficiency
  • Daniel P Farley, CFA is CIO - investment solutions group, developing custom solutions for institutional clients
  • Michael J Solecki, CFA is CIO - fundamental equity, leading active equity investment teams
  • Matthew J Steinaway, CFA is CIO - global fixed income, currency and cash, directing fixed income and cash strategies

The leadership team brings global perspective and local insight into every decision. Their expertise helps drive the firm’s investment approach and client outcomes.

The future at State Street

State Street Corporation appointed Joerg Ambrosius as president of Investment Services in 2024 to sharpen its client focus. The company expects his leadership to improve operations and strategy for clients in its largest business. The company sees this step as key to future growth and client value.

In 2025, SSGA launched the SPDR SSGA Apollo IG Public & Private Credit ETF (PRIV), giving retail investors new access to private credit markets. The fund uses a partnership with Apollo Global Management to address liquidity concerns and blends public and private investment-grade credit. This innovation may shape future ETF offerings and shows State Street’s focus on expanding investment options for clients.

Displaying 986 results
A record $170 billion flooded into bond ETFs this year
MUTUAL FUNDS OCT 13, 2020
A record $170 billion flooded into bond ETFs this year

The Fed's March announcement that it would buy corporate debt ETFs served as a stamp of approve for the sector

ETF price wars may resume
MUTUAL FUNDS OCT 12, 2020
ETF price wars may resume

Big new entrants to the exchange-traded fund market are rolling out funds with low expense ratios

3 keys to integrating ESG into client portfolios
OPINION SEP 30, 2020
3 keys to integrating ESG into client portfolios

As the potential benefits of sustainable investing become clearer, advisers have an opportunity to add value through education and guidance

Q&A: NYU sustainable business expert on U.S. election outcome
RIA NEWS SEP 18, 2020
Q&A: NYU sustainable business expert on U.S. election outcome

What will happen to business’s growing dedication to ESG after November presidential votes are in?

Fund industry opposes DOL's proposed ESG rule
Fund industry opposes DOL's proposed ESG rule

Asset managers including Fidelity, BlackRock and State Street submitted comment letters criticizing the proposed rule

Give that ETF a snappy ticker
MUTUAL FUNDS AUG 17, 2020
Give that ETF a snappy ticker

A memorable name can help an ETF prosper, and such a ticker is likely to become even more valuable as a flood of day traders enters the market

ETF assets hit record as investors dump mutual funds
MUTUAL FUNDS AUG 04, 2020
ETF assets hit record as investors dump mutual funds

Exchange-traded funds saw $248 billion in net inflows so far this year, while mutual funds had $34 billion in outflows

State Street gold ETF is cash machine
MUTUAL FUNDS JUL 31, 2020
State Street gold ETF is cash machine

The fund is now making more money than any other product in the $4.6 trillion U.S. ETF market

Asset managers can no longer afford to avoid ETF market
ETFS JUL 30, 2020
Asset managers can no longer afford to avoid ETF market

The exchange-traded fund industry has suddenly attracted large asset managers that have until recently shunned the business

State Street launches ESG version of its mammoth S&P 500 ETF
MUTUAL FUNDS JUL 29, 2020
State Street launches ESG version of its mammoth S&P 500 ETF

The adaptation of SPY will include firms in the S&P 500 index that meet environmental, social and governance criteria

Social media boosts adviser-client relationship amid pandemic
FINTECH JUL 27, 2020
Social media boosts adviser-client relationship amid pandemic

Widespread acceptance of online platforms is creating opportunities for customized client experiences

Here's how target-date funds have fared as the market fell, and rose, in 2020
MUTUAL FUNDS JUL 22, 2020
Here's how target-date funds have fared as the market fell, and rose, in 2020

Some TDFs that limited losses during the market dive early in the year came out on top, an analysis of Morningstar Direct data shows

More active ETFs are launching than passive
ETFS JUL 17, 2020
More active ETFs are launching than passive

So far this year, 68 active exchange-traded funds have started trading, compared with 63 passive ones

Robinhood to expand offerings after $600 million funding round
FINTECH JUL 15, 2020
Robinhood to expand offerings after $600 million funding round

The online trading app intends to invest in new products, as lawmakers have pressed the firm to increase investor protections

ETF providers struggle to steer institutional investors away from lower-cost retail funds
ETFS JUL 10, 2020
ETF providers struggle to steer institutional investors away from lower-cost retail funds

Large investors are giving up liquidity and tighter spreads for lower fees