COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 522293

International Trade Financing

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

10companies1920–1982founding years10still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironment
FoundedSinger & Friedlander Group plcFoundedSinger & Friedlander Group plc
1920
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression begins.
1933
EconomyNew Deal reforms reshape banking and industry.
FoundedCargill, IncorporatedFoundedCargill, Incorporated
1936
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long postwar expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented at Bell Labs.
FoundedCazenove Group plcFoundedCazenove Group plc
1954
1956
EconomyThe Interstate Highway program remakes commerce.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedBNP Paribas GroupFoundedBNP Paribas Group
1966
1970
EnvironmentThe EPA is founded; environmental regulation expands.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; Nasdaq opens.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins with the Altair.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
FoundedInvestcorp SAFoundedInvestcorp SA
1982
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall 22% in a single day.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2001
EconomyThe September 11 attacks; a recession follows.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 begin to take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Singer & Friedlander Group plc →
Active · founded 1920 · United Kingdom
Singer & Friedlander Group plc is one of the United Kingdom's last remaining independent merchant banks, providing…
Singer & Friedlander Group plc →
Active · founded 1920 · United Kingdom
Singer & Friedlander Group plc is one of the United Kingdom's last remaining independent merchant banks, providing…
Cargill, Incorporated →
Active · founded 1936
Cargill, Incorporated is the largest private corporation in the United States.
Cargill, Incorporated →
Active · founded 1936
Cargill, Incorporated is the largest private corporation in the United States.
Cazenove Group plc →
Active · founded 1954 · United Kingdom
Cazenove Group plc is one of the United Kingdom's oldest and most venerable investment bankers, providing capital…
Cazenove Group plc →
Active · founded 1954 · United Kingdom
Cazenove Group plc is one of the United Kingdom's oldest and most venerable investment bankers, providing capital…
BNP Paribas Group →
Active · founded 1966 · France
1920s:Banque Nationale de Crédit merges with Banque Fran&ccedilse pour le Commerce et l'Industrie.
BNP Paribas Group →
Active · founded 1966 · France
1920s:Banque Nationale de Crédit merges with Banque Fran&ccedilse pour le Commerce et l'Industrie.
Investcorp SA →
Active · founded 1982 · Bahrain
Investcorp SA is a globally operating investment group with offices in Bahrain, London, and New York.
Investcorp SA →
Active · founded 1982 · Bahrain
Investcorp SA is a globally operating investment group with offices in Bahrain, London, and New York.
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