Cantor Fitzgerald History

About Us

Cantor Fitzgerald was formed in 1945 as an investment bank and brokerage. Over the past 70 years, we have grown to become one of the world’s pre-eminent financial services firms.

Cantor is globally recognized for its:
• Strength in the equity and fixed income capital markets
• Global institutional distribution model
• Commercial real estate financing
• Institutional distribution business model
• Leading position as a premier dealer of government securities

As a pioneer in computer-based bond brokerage, we also remain at the forefront of technological innovation in the financial services sector.

A global presence

Cantor has trading desks in all of the world’s major financial centers, offices in 30+ international locations, and we employ approximately 12,000 people.
Cantor also has a broad portfolio of affiliate businesses, including: Cantor Commercial Real Estate, Prime Brokerage.

Independent and entrepreneurial

Cantor is one of the few remaining private partnerships left on Wall Street. Our independence encourages new ideas and innovative approaches. We’re able to respond rapidly to client needs, adapt to market changes and develop original solutions to complex challenges.
By avoiding the bureaucratic structures found in other large organizations, we’ve fostered a dynamic, entrepreneurial culture that attracts individuals who are determined to succeed. Those qualities — coupled with our drive to create long-term value — enables us to build trusted and rewarding relationships with our clients.

Our management

Cantor Fitzgerald’s highly-experienced and respected management team continues to keep Cantor at the forefront of the global financial arena, through a focus on unparalleled customer service and innovation.

  • 2021
  • 1945
  • 1965
  • 1972
  • 1983
  • 1991
  • 1996
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  • 1999
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  • 2010
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  • 2017
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  • 2018
  • 2019
  • 2020
2021

20th Anniversary of 9/11 remembered.

1945

Bernie Cantor and John Fitzgerald create bond brokerage firm Cantor Fitzgerald.

1965

Cantor Fitzgerald begins 'large block' sales/trading of equities for institutional customers.

1972

Cantor Fitzgerald builds the world’s first computer-assisted screen for trading US Government Securities.

1983

Cantor Fitzgerald becomes the first firm to offer worldwide screen brokerage services in US Government Securities.

1991

Howard Lutnick is named CEO & President of Cantor Fitzgerald.

1996

eSpeed, Cantor Fitzgerald’s fully electronic trading platform, is launched.

1996

Howard Lutnick named Chairman of Cantor Fitzgerald.

1999

eSpeed becomes publicly traded.

2001

Cantor Fitzgerald loses 658 of its 960 New York employees in the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks.

2002

Cantor Fitzgerald and its affiliates raise over $5 million on its 1st annual Charity Day.

2003

Cantor Fitzgerald launches its Fixed Income Sales/Trading group.

2004

Cantor Fitzgerald creates BGC Partners, Inc.

2005

Cantor Fitzgerald launches G3 Vision, the first 3-D desktop application of US Treasury Cash and Futures Markets.

2006

Cantor Fitzgerald becomes primary dealer to US Federal Reserve.

2007

eSpeed launches Aqua, a venture that brings new liquidity to the global equities markets.

2008

BGC and eSpeed merge, creating BGC Partners, Inc., one of the world’s leading inter-dealer brokers.

2010

CCRE (Cantor Commercial Real Estate), a leading commercial finance business established.

2010

Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisors is launched.

2011

BGC enters real estate brokerage market and acquires Newmark Knight Frank, a leading commercial real estate services firm.

2011

Cantor Prime Brokerage Services established.

2011

Cantor Fitzgerald and BGC Partners raise $12 million on Charity Day, joined by President Bill Clinton and President George Bush.

2012

BGC continues real estate services consolidation by acquiring the assets of Grubb & Ellis, a national commercial real estate services firm.

2013

BGC sells eSpeed to Nasdaq for $1.234 billion ($750 million of cash and 10% of NASDAQ).

2013

Cantor Fitzgerald becomes primary dealer in Ireland.

2014

CCRE is Named #1 Fastest Growing Company in Crain’s New York Business.

2014

BGC makes unsolicited proposal to acquire GFI.

2015

BGC successfully acquires control of GFI Group Inc. for $750 million and subsequently sells its Trayport business to Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. for $650 million.

2017

Anshu Jain joins Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P. as President

2017

Newmark Group announces IPO

2018

BGC Partners Announces Completion of Spin-Off of Newmark Group

2019

Cantor Fitzgerald SPAC business ranked number one for the third year in a row

2020

Cantor Fitzgerald 75-Year Anniversary