Reynolds Securities

Reynolds Securities was a publicly traded brokerage firm. Founded in 1931 by Richard S. Reynolds, Jr., the firm was acquired by Dean Witter & Co. in 1978.

The firm's tagline, "We work for a world of investors. One at a time." was adapted to "We measure success one investor at a time" and was used by Dean Witter and later Morgan Stanley.

History

Reynolds & Co. was founded in 1931 in New York City by Richard S. Reynolds, Jr., a 22-year-old tobacco heir. Reynolds' father Richard S. Reynolds, Sr. founded U.S. Foil Company, later Reynolds Metals (Reynolds wrap), and his great uncle was the founder of R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (RJR). Among Reynolds' partners were Thomas F. Staley (Staley was Reynolds’ cousin, the grandson of Major D. Reynolds, an older brother of R.J. Reynolds), Charles H. Babcock and John D. Baker.

Like Dean Witter, the company survived the Depression, generating a profit each year. In 1934, Reynolds acquired F.A. Willard & Co. With the acquisition, Reynolds tripled its sales and shifted its emphasis toward underwritings.