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Our Heritage
From our beginning in 1903, Wilmington Trust's history illustrates the hard work of our staff, prudent business practices of our management, and our unwavering commitment to client service. We take pride in the role Wilmington Trust had in the growth of the US economy during the 20th century, and will continue on this course in the 21st.
Milestones in Our History
| 1903 | T. Coleman duPont, president of E.I. duPont de Nemours and Company, and several prominent Delaware business leaders form the Wilmington Trust Company. The bank opens on July 8, 1903. |
| 1912 | Wilmington Trust becomes the largest bank in Delaware. |
| 1929 | Capital holdings exceed $4 million, enabling the bank to weather the Great Depression. |
| 1933 | Wilmington Trust plays a major role in the U.S. economic recovery, lending to leading businesses including Wilson Line for ship building, Coca Cola and GMAC. |
| 1941 | During WW II, 25% of the company's workforce joins the war effort. Wilmington Trust serves the cause by offering defense bonds. |
| 1951 | Begins expansion within Delaware, with acquisition of seven financial institutions over the next eight years. Funding continues to businesses that lead the post-war economic boom. |
| 1961 | Working with IBM, begins automation of installment and commercial loans, deposit accounts, and personal trusts. |
| 1974 | First Wilmington Trust ATM machine appears. |
| 1991 | Wilmington Trust Corporation is formed, driving the bank's growth in wealth management and trust markets and leading to new office openings in Florida, Maryland, New York, and California through Wilmington Trust FSB. |
| 1996 | Current chairman Ted T. Cecala and president Robert V.A. Harra Jr. assume their duties. |
| 1998 | Form affiliations with money managers Cramer Rosenthal McGlynn and Roxbury Capital Management. |
| 1999 | Wilmington Trust is listed for the first time on the New York Stock Exchange, stock symbol WL. Acquires Balentine & Company, investment counseling firm. Forms affiliation with Camden Partners, private equity firm. |
| 2002 | The London-based SPV Management Limited is acquired, enhancing Wilmington Trust's Corporate Client Services business as a leading provider of capital markets and entity management services in Europe. Over the next several years, the Dublin, Ireland, Frankfurt, Germany, and Luxembourg offices would add to the European expansion. |
| 2003 | Wilmington Trust celebrates a century of accomplishment and service to our clients, staff, communities, and shareholders. |
| 2004 | Transaction is complete for Grant, Tani, Barash & Altman, Inc., a Beverly Hills-based firm that provides family office services to high-net-worth individuals. |
| 2008 | The acquisition of AST Capital Trust Company concludes, nearly doubling the amount of retirement plan assets and the number of plans administered by Wilmington Trust. |
| 2010 | June, 2010 Don Foley becomes Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. |
| 2010 | November, 2010 Wilmington Turst signed a definitive agreement to become part of M&T Bank Corporation. |
| 2011 | The merger with M&T is completed. |
Read more about our heritage and accomplishments.
Download our Corporate Heritage brochure to read more about Wilmington Trust, our history, and accomplishments.
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Websites: Wilmington Trust Investment Advisors | Wilmington Funds | WTRIS | M&T Bank Need help, visit our Contact Us page. |
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