In what year was Goldman Sachs founded?

Goldman Sachs was founded in 1869.

Marcus Goldman established the firm in New York City in 1869, initially operating from a small office and dealing in commercial paper—short-term business debt. His son-in-law Samuel Sachs joined the business in 1882, and the Goldman Sachs name became associated with the partnership as the firm expanded.

The company entered the initial public offering business in 1906 by helping take Sears, Roebuck and Company public. It later became known for securities underwriting, mergers and acquisitions advice, trading, asset management, and other financial services. Goldman Sachs joined the New York Stock Exchange in 1896, decades after its founding.

A common mix-up is confusing 1869 with 1882 or 1885. Those later dates mark important developments in the firm’s partnership and family history, but not its establishment. Goldman Sachs is also sometimes described only as an investment bank, although the modern company operates across investment banking, markets, asset management, and wealth management.