D.A. Davidson Companies, an employee-owned and independent financial services firm, is celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2025. Celebrations will take place throughout the year, culminating on the anniversary date of October 14.
Since the firm’s founding in 1935, D.A. Davidson associates have focused on providing investors and institutions with financial services and solutions tailored to each client. This client-first philosophy has been a hallmark of the firm since David Adams (D.A.) Davidson opened the firm’s first office in Great Falls, Montana. Together, with his son, Ian B. Davidson, who joined the firm in 1958, they believed that by focusing on strong client outcomes, they could build a successful firm far from the financial center of Wall Street.
Today, D.A. Davidson Companies has grown into a multifaceted company with approximately 1,600 associates and offices in 30 states serving the needs of individuals, corporations, institutions, and municipalities.
“D.A. Davidson was founded on straightforward and timeless values: putting clients’ interests first, recognizing that our associates are our most important assets and drive our business success, and supporting the communities in which we live and work,” said Larry Martinez, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of D.A. Davidson Companies. “Our business has evolved and grown over the past 90 years far beyond what David and Ian originally imagined, but our commitment to providing The Strength of Advice is rooted in the foundation they established. We look forward to our next 90 years and continuing to advise our clients in meeting their goals.”
D.A. Davidson has achieved success through its diversified business model and five distinct business units:
- Wealth Management professionals work closely with clients to build and preserve wealth while offering trusted advice through life’s key moments.
- Equity Capital Markets offers a range of capital markets services and products, including investment banking, institutional research, corporate services, and sales & trading.
- Fixed Income Capital Markets offers a range of fixed income capital markets services and products, including financing options and distribution services to support essential public services, sales & trading, depository strategy, brokered CD underwriting, and whole loan trading.
- Davidson Investment Advisors provides professional asset management services to institutions, foundations, and high net worth individuals.
- D.A. Davidson Trust Company is a full-service trust company that offers personal trust investment management and retirement services for individuals and institutional clients.
As an employee-owned and independent firm, D.A. Davidson has a history of strategic acquisitions, driven by an alignment of values, shared objectives, and client-first cultures. Recent highlights include:
- In 2013, D.A. Davidson merged with Crowell, Weedon & Co., a full-service wealth management firm with offices spanning Southern California.
- In 2016, D.A. Davidson acquired SMITH HAYES, a full-service wealth management firm with offices in Nebraska.
- In 2019, D.A. Davidson acquired Wells Nelson & Associates, a public finance and wealth management firm with offices in Oklahoma and Texas.
- In 2021, D.A. Davidson acquired Marlin & Associates, an investment bank serving clients and investors across the financial technology and data & analytics industries. The combination created one of the most active technology middle-market investment banking groups in the U.S.
- In 2023, Davidson Investment Advisors acquired Caprin Asset Management, a Richmond, Virginia-based registered investment advisor specializing in fixed income portfolio management.
D.A. Davidson Companies also has a long and rich tradition of supporting the communities where its associates live and work and encourages associates to effect change through their own volunteer work.
“Alongside our commitment to investing in our associates to meet our clients’ evolving needs, we are equally committed to investing in our communities through charitable contributions, volunteer work, and helping to finance public improvements,” said Andrew Davidson, President of Davidson Investment Advisors, Vice Chairman of D.A. Davidson Companies, and founder D.A. Davidson’s grandson. “My father, Ian, was passionate about serving clients, developing employees, and supporting communities. Our two highest employee awards annually recognize those associates who best demonstrate these core values that Ian established. We look forward to celebrating the remainder of the year as we share more important milestones.”
To learn more, please visit dadavidson.com.
About D.A. Davidson Companies
D.A. Davidson Companies is an employee-owned financial services firm offering a range of financial services and advice to individuals, corporations, institutions, and municipalities nationwide. Founded in 1935 with corporate headquarters in Great Falls, Montana, and regional headquarters in Denver, Greater Los Angeles, New York, Omaha, and Seattle, the company has approximately 1,600 employees and offices in 30 states.
Subsidiaries include: D.A. Davidson & Co., a full-service investment firm providing wealth management, investment banking, equity and fixed income capital markets services and advice; Davidson Investment Advisors, a professional asset management firm; and D.A. Davidson Trust Company, a trust and wealth management company.