RJF Agencies, Inc. history

Robert A. James Investments incorporated in 1962, producing revenue of less than $100,000 for the fiscal year.

The combined company was renamed Raymond James & Associates (RJ&A). Thomas A. James joined his father's firm after his 1966 graduation from Harvard business school.

IM&R, established in 1967, served independent financial planners.

Raymond James Financial (RJF) incorporated as a holding company in 1969.

Raymond James becomes the title sponsor of the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, which has been held in Tampa since 1970.

Revenue topped $5 million in fiscal 1972.

Thomas James put his business background into high gear when the 1973-74 recession and stock market crash created havoc for small stocks and, consequently, RJF. Emphasis had to change from sales to administration and finance.

Revenue began climbing again in 1975, a trend that continued for the remainder of the decade.

1980: RJF's net income tops $1 million for the first time.

Robert Thomas Securities, established in 1981 as a discount office, worked with independent stock and bond brokers.

Herb Ehlers takes the reins at Raymond James Asset Management, which in 1984 he renames Eagle Asset Management.

In 1991, the vast majority of RJF's nearly 700 offices paid their own fixed costs and overhead out of sales commissions, according to Forbes.

By 1994, RJF had established a national presence.

1998: RJF purchases naming rights for Tampa stadium.

2001: RJF is named to the Fortune 500.

Chet Heick, an executive vice-president and chief recruiter for the firm's independent contractor subsidiary, was appointed RJF's first ever COO in March 2002.

In fiscal 2003, RJF posted a 9 percent increase in profits, reversing a two-year downturn.

RJF posted records for sales and profits in fiscal 2004.

The Bloomberg Riskless Return Ranking shows that Raymond James produced the best risk-adjusted return of nine United States brokerages, banks and advisory firms since 2009.