Our History

State Street Global Advisors Established

State Street Corporation established State Street Global Advisors to provide institutional investment management services focused on equity indexing and cash. The new entity begins launching domestic and international equity index funds. 

1984

Introduce New Active Quantitative Equity Strategies

We complement our indexing prowess with new active quantitative equity strategies, to help meet client demand for systematic approaches to portfolio management and their underlying return drivers.

1990

First Non-US Locations in London and Hong Kong

We open our first non-US locations in London and Hong Kong; live trading desks in both locations offer clients local insight and execution. 

First US ETF – Now the World’s Oldest and Largest

Together with the American Stock Exchange, we launch  SPY, the first US-listed and still-largest ETF. The product offers investors broader, more efficient access to capital markets.*

1998

Industry’s First Sector-Specific ETFs

We launch Sector SPDRs, the industry’s first family of sector-specific ETFs offering tactical asset allocation strategies to more investors.

1999

Asia ex-Japan’s First ETF

Our collaborative work with the government of Hong Kong, we establish Asia ex-Japan’s first ETF, the Tracker Fund of Hong Kong, offering unprecedented access to local markets.¹

Pioneering Multi-Class Asset Strategy

We introduce multi-asset class, liability-driven investing strategies designed to be more closely aligned with plan sponsors’ risk, return and cash-flow objectives.

2000

Launch Official Institutions Group (OIG)

We create our Official Institutions Group, among the first dedicated to serving the investment needs of sovereign wealth funds and central banks. As of 2020, it manages more than $490 billion globally for 70 official institutions around the world.

First Gold - Backed ETF in US

In partnership with the World Gold Council, we launch the first gold backed ETF in the US; the fund raises more than $2 billion in just two months.²

2008

Launch Managed Volatility Strategies

We introduce Managed Volatility Strategies, providing clients with a new risk management tool seeking compelling equity returns with less volatility.

2011

Acquire Bank of Ireland Asset Management

We announce our acquisition of Bank of Ireland Asset Management, adding fundamental value equity portfolio management expertise.

Establish Investment Solutions Group (ISG)

We establish our Investment Solutions Group, providing portfolio solutions to meet complex client needs. 

2012

First Actively Managed Senior Loan ETF

We partner with specialty asset manager Blackstone/GSO to offer the first of-its-kind actively managed senior loan ETF. 

Launch Timewise Target Retirement Funds

We expand our presence in the UK defined contribution marketplace with the launch of the Timewise Target Retirement Funds, a series of funds designed to serve as default options in retirement plans.

2015

Successful new ETF launches

We have five of the year’s top ten most successful new ETF launches. Among those launched is our first S&P 500 fossil-fuel-free ETF in partnership with the U.S. Natural Resources Defense Council, adding to the firm’s ESG lineup, and an active fixed income ETF in partnership with DoubleLine Capital that raised US $1 billion in assets within six months of launch.³

2016

Acquire GE Asset Management

We acquire GE Asset Management, providing multiple benefits to State Street Global Advisors and our clients, including the addition of new alternatives capabilities, strengthening fundamental growth equity and active fixed income teams, and establishing us as a leading provider of outsourced chief investment officer (OCIO) services. 

Launch proprietary Gender Diversity Index and ETF

We launch our first proprietary index – the State Street Global Advisors Gender Diversity Index. 

State Street Global Advisors Trust Company Established

State Street Global Advisors Trust Company was established for purposes of State Street Global Advisors’ US institutional investment management business.

Call for More Women on Boards with Launch of Fearless Girl

We place the Fearless Girl statue in NYC financial district symbolizing women who are taking charge today and inspiring the next generation of women leaders. At the same time, we call on companies to take intentional steps to increase the number of women on their corporate boards.

2018

New Global Hub in Poland

We announce a new global hub in Poland. Initially the office will focus on supporting and servicing investment, risk, funds management and distribution, as well as operations.

2019

Launch ESG Money Market Fund

We announce the launch of the firm’s first ESG Money Market Fund. The State Street ESG Liquid Reserves Fund seeks to apply financially material environmental, social and governance scores to the management of the fund. The fund is the first money market fund to offer a portfolio composed entirely of investments that meet ESG criteria at the time of purchase.

Introduce ESG Scoring Tool R-Factor

We launch R-Factor™, an innovative ESG scoring system for companies to evaluate their investments and practices. R-Factor supports the development of sustainable capital markets by giving investors the ability to integrate financially material ESG data into their investment decision making while also incentivizing companies to improve their ESG practices and disclosure.