A History of Success
Mesirow Financial was founded in 1937 when Norman Mesirow purchased a seat on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Since then, the one-man brokerage firm has become a leading Chicago-based financial services firm and one of the largest independent financial services firms in the Midwest.
Here's a look back at some important highlights in our firm's history:
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Norman Mesirow purchases a seat on the NYSE | ||
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Institutional Markets is a new service added to provide fixed-income and equity sales and trading, as well as underwriting and syndication of equities | ||
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Mesirow Financial enters the clearing business with Correspondent Services (now Clearing Services), providing execution and clearing services to broker-dealers nationwide | ||
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The NYSE allows member firms to offer life insurance. Mesirow Financial's Insurance Services division is created | ||
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The Asset Management Group (now Equity Management and Fixed Income Management) is established to provide specialized investment advisory services to institutions and high net worth individuals | ||
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The Real Estate division is formed | ||
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Private Equity and Investment Banking (including Corporate Finance, Public Finance and Sale-Leaseback Capital) are added to Mesirow Financial's portfolio of services | ||
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Mesirow Financial introduces its Advanced Strategies capabilities | ||
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Mesirow Financial reports its first year of record revenues | ||
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Mesirow Financial acquires Stein & Company, greatly enhancing the services offered by the Real Estate division | ||
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The Investment Management Division, uniting Advanced Strategies, Equity Management, Fixed Income Management, Private Equity, and Individuals and Families, is formed | ||
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Mesirow Financial assumes management of the Chicago-based accounts of Near North Insurance Brokerage, Inc. | ||
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The Currency Management department and Consulting division are established. Mesirow Financial acquires KPMG LLP's U.S. Corporate Recovery practice, and Diane Swonk joins the firm as chief economist | ||
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Mesirow Financial reports its thirteenth consecutive year of record revenues | ||
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Mesirow Financial acquires Settlement Planning Associates, LLC (SPA), a boutique structured settlement firm. The Investment Strategies department and Structured Products business are established. | ||
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Mesirow Financial celebrates its 70th anniversary. The Giles Organization joins our firm as Mesirow Financial Compensation and Executive Benefit Strategies. The firm launches both a Commodities Management and an Institutional Real Estate business to offer additional strategies for our institutional clients. | ||
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The firm launches a new corporate identity – the first redesign of the company logo in almost 25 years. | ||
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Mesirow Financial moves into new corporate headquarters located at 353 North Clark Street in Chicago. |



















