Assurance history

In 1968, M&M acquired Edwards George and Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and R.H. Squire of New York City.

In 1969, to administer its services more efficiently, Marsh & McLennan reorganized, and became known as MarLennan Corporation.

The first of these, the Putnam Management Company, became part of M&M in 1970.

John Regan, who became chief executive in 1973, was determined to transform the company into a global insurance force, and embarked on a policy of buying foreign brokerage firms in the world's major financial cities.

In 1980 Regan set his sights on C.T. Bowring, a large London brokerage firm.

1989: Henry Marsh partners with a fellow employee to buy controlling interest of a Chicago-based insurance company.

In fact, Putnam's profitability went a long way toward keeping Marsh's net income from falling last year." Putnam produced 14 percent of total company revenues in 1992 but contributed 23 percent of operating income.

By 1993, MMC held wholly owned offices in the 12 European Community nations and in six non-member nations.

In 1995, MMC's domestic middle-market segment, responding to aggressive marketing, showed strong growth.

MMC trimmed back its insurance-related purchases in 1999 but planned for more acquisitions in the consulting area.

In terms of numbers, revenue topped the $10 billion mark in 2000, and net income rose by 23 percent to $1.2 billion.