Franklin Templeton Investments

Franklin Templeton Investments was founded in 1947 in New York City by Rupert H. Johnson Sr., a war veteran who named the company after Benjamin Franklin due to Franklin’s reputation as a founding father who believed in thrift and prudence when it came to saving and investing. The company started with mutual funds that focused on conservative growth through a diversified approach.

In 1992, Franklin Resources, Inc. acquired Templeton, Galbraith & Hansberger Ltd., the managers of the Templeton Growth Fund. This merger significantly expanded Franklin’s international presence and added significant global investment expertise to its service offerings, marking a major milestone in the company’s history. This merger combined two renowned names in the investment world, enhancing their product offerings beyond U.S. and global mutual funds.

Franklin Resources Inc. completed its acquisition of Fiduciary Trust Company International in 2001. Fiduciary Trust was known for its strong client relationships, strategic wealth management, investment advice, and personal trust services. This acquisition enabled Franklin Resources to expand its offerings in wealth management and global investment solutions, further consolidating its position as a financial services leader.

By the end of 2009, Franklin Templeton had firmly established its brand globally with offices in over 35 countries. Throughout the late 2000s, Franklin Templeton expanded its global footprint dramatically through organic growth and strategic acquisitions, enhancing its position in the industry by appealing to investors with its comprehensive suite of mutual fund and other investment products.

Franklin Templeton moved to invest in new asset classes and markets, driven by a strategy to diversify its investment management capabilities. In 2011, the company was recognized for having introduced innovative financial products and opened up new channels and opportunities for investment across varying asset classes, thereby meeting a broader range of client demands and market conditions.

In May 2014, Franklin Templeton established Franklin LibertyShares, its suite of actively managed and passively tracked Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). This significant entry into the ETF market represented a strategic development for Franklin Templeton, enabling it to offer innovative solutions that cater to investors’ growing demand for strategic and flexible investment options.

Franklin Templeton acquired K2 Advisors, a leading provider of integrated hedge fund and alternative solutions. This move in late 2016 was part of Franklin Templeton’s broader strategy to strengthen its capabilities in alternative investment strategies, serving a demand among its clientele for diversified and innovative solutions across traditional and non-traditional asset classes.

Franklin Templeton further expanded its footprint in the European market by establishing a new regional office in Frankfurt, Germany, in 2018. This move was strategic in enhancing its distribution capabilities in Europe amidst increasing demand for globally diversified investment portfolios within the region. It follows the company’s ongoing strategy of globalization and client proximity.

On July 31, 2020, Franklin Templeton completed its acquisition of Legg Mason, a global asset management firm. This acquisition was a transformative event, doubling Franklin Templeton’s assets under management and combining the strengths of both companies. The transaction brought significant scale to Franklin Templeton, broadened its investment capabilities, and enhanced its capacity to offer diverse and innovative solutions to clients worldwide.

In April 2021, Franklin Templeton launched the Franklin Templeton Investment Institute, a new center dedicated to research and knowledge sharing. This institute aimed to provide deep insights and drive innovation in investment research and analytics, enhancing the firm’s ability to offer data-driven investment solutions tailored to client needs. The initiative marked Franklin Templeton’s commitment to advancing investment knowledge globally.