Finance

General Motors Corporate Office

General Motors or GM for short was founded in 1908 in Flint, Michigan by William C. Durant as a holding company for the Buick and Oldsmobile brands.

In 1909, Cadillac and Oakland, which eventually becomes Pontiac, join GM.

In 1910, Durant lost control of GM after acquiring too much debt.

In 1912, GM introduces the first electric starter in a Cadillac.

In 1918, Chevrolet becomes part of GM.

In 1925, the company acquires Vauxhall Motors.

In 1931, Opel is acquired.

By 1950, all US models are available with an automatic transmission.

In 1971, the company acquires a 34% stake in Isuzu Motors.

In 1984, the company acquires Electronic Data Systems. That company is spun off in 1996.

In 1986, the company acquires Hughes Aircraft.

In 1990, the company acquires 50% of Saab and launches the Saturn brand.

In 1999, the company acquires a 20% interest in Fuji Heavy Industries, the maker of Subaru.

In 2000, the company takes full control of Saab and acquires 20% of Fiat.

In 2009, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This resulted in a government bailout and the closing of the Pontiac, Saab, Hummer, and Saturn brands.

In 2010, the company filed an IPO and returned to profitability.

Today, General Motors is one of the largest automakers in the world. The company produces vehicles in 37 countries under 11 brands.

In May 2023, GM recalled nearly 1 million vehicles for defective airbags.

Also in May 2023, GM hired an ex-Apple executive to head the new software unit.

General Motors maintains a corporate office in Detroit, Michigan.

General Motors

General Motors or GM for short was founded in 1908 in Flint, Michigan by William C. Durant as a holding company for the Buick and Oldsmobile brands.

In 1909, Cadillac and Oakland, which eventually becomes Pontiac, join GM.

History

In 1910, Durant lost control of GM after acquiring too much debt.

In 1912, GM introduces the first electric starter in a Cadillac.

In 1918, Chevrolet becomes part of GM.

In 1925, the company acquires Vauxhall Motors.

In 1931, Opel is acquired.

By 1950, all US models are available with an automatic transmission.

In 1971, the company acquires a 34% stake in Isuzu Motors.

In 1984, the company acquires Electronic Data Systems. That company is spun off in 1996.

In 1986, the company acquires Hughes Aircraft.

In 1990, the company acquires 50% of Saab and launches the Saturn brand.

In 1999, the company acquires a 20% interest in Fuji Heavy Industries, the maker of Subaru.

In 2000, the company takes full control of Saab and acquires 20% of Fiat.

In 2009, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This resulted in a government bailout and the closing of the Pontiac, Saab, Hummer, and Saturn brands.

In 2010, the company filed an IPO and returned to profitability.

Today, General Motors is one of the largest automakers in the world. The company produces vehicles in 37 countries under 11 brands.

In May 2023, GM recalled nearly 1 million vehicles for defective airbags.

Also in May 2023, GM hired an ex-Apple executive to head the new software unit.

General Motors maintains a corporate office in Detroit, Michigan.

Helzberg Diamonds Corporate Office

Helzberg Diamonds was founded in 1915 by Morris Helzberg. The first store was located in Kansas City, Missouri.

In 1930, the company develops the Certified Perfect Diamonds Program.

In 1932, the company expands the Kansas City store under the leadership of Morris’s youngest son, Barnett.

By 1959, there were 15 stores and a mail order division.

In 1967, the company launches the famous “I Am Loved” ad campaign.

By 1990, there are 101 stores in 22 states.

In 1995, the company is acquired by Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway.

In 1996, the company launches an ecommerce website.

By 1999, there are 200 stores.

In 2010, the company became the first nationwide jeweler to qualify for membership in the American Gem Society.

Today, Helzberg is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway. The chain currently operates over 250 stores in the US.

Helzberg Diamonds

Helzberg Diamonds was founded in 1915 by Morris Helzberg. The first store was located in Kansas City, Missouri.

In 1930, the company develops the Certified Perfect Diamonds Program.

In 1932, the company expands the Kansas City store under the leadership of Morris’s youngest son, Barnett.

History

By 1959, there were 15 stores and a mail order division.

In 1967, the company launches the famous “I Am Loved” ad campaign.

By 1990, there are 101 stores in 22 states.

In 1995, the company is acquired by Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway.

In 1996, the company launches an ecommerce website.

By 1999, there are 200 stores.

In 2010, the company became the first nationwide jeweler to qualify for membership in the American Gem Society.

Today, Helzberg is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway. The chain currently operates over 250 stores in the US.

Jackson Hewitt Corporate Office

Jackson Hewitt began in 1982 when a group of investors bought 6 Mel Jackson’s Tax Service locations.

The company grew slowly until 1986 when they began to franchise. By 1987, they had added 22 new offices.

In 1989, the company partners with Montgomery Ward to open branch locations inside their stores.

In 1992, the company goes public.

In 1994, the company partners with WalMart to begin opening branches inside WalMart and Sam’s Club stores.

In 1996, John Hewitt leaves the company and is replaced as CEO by Keith Alessi.

In 1998, the company is purchased by the Cendant Corporation.

By 1999, there were 3,000 locations.

On April 3, 2007, the US Justice Department announced that the federal government had filed civil injunction suits alleging tax fraud by five corporations owned or partly owned by Farrukh Sohail, a franchisor. On September 28, 2007, the Department of Justice announced that it had reached settlements with each of the defendants in the case. Under the settlement agreements, the majority owner, Farrukh Sohail, of each of the businesses was to be barred from preparing tax returns for five years, and approximately fifteen of Sohail’s employees were permanently banned from preparing taxes other than their own. Jackson Hewitt states that an internal audit showed that none of their corporate employees knew about the scam which led to the filing by the Justice Department.

In 2011, the company was taken off the NYSE after defaulting on its debt. The company eventually filed bankruptcy and emerged as a private company.

CNet offered an unflattering online review stating that Jackson Hewitt’s low filing fee is attractive but that the bare-bones software leaves something to be desired.

Today, Jackson Hewitt is the 3rd largest tax preparation service in the US. The company operates over 6,800 locations.

Jackson Hewitt

Jackson Hewitt began in 1982 when a group of investors bought 6 Mel Jackson’s Tax Service locations.

The company grew slowly until 1986 when they began to franchise. By 1987, they had added 22 new offices.

History

In 1989, the company partners with Montgomery Ward to open branch locations inside their stores.

In 1992, the company goes public.

In 1994, the company partners with WalMart to begin opening branches inside WalMart and Sam’s Club stores.

In 1996, John Hewitt leaves the company and is replaced as CEO by Keith Alessi.

In 1998, the company is purchased by the Cendant Corporation.

By 1999, there were 3,000 locations.

In 2011, the company was taken off the NYSE after defaulting on its debt. The company eventually filed bankruptcy and emerged as a private company.

CNet offered an unflattering online review stating that Jackson Hewitt’s low filing fee is attractive but that the bare-bones software leaves something to be desired.

Today, Jackson Hewitt is the 3rd largest tax preparation service in the US. The company operates over 6,800 locations.

US Bank Corporate Office

US Bank can trace its beginnings back to 1891 as the United States National Bank of Portland. U.S. Bancorp operates under the second-oldest continuous national charter, originally Charter #24, granted in 1863 following the passage of the National Bank Act. It became the United States National Bank of Oregon in 1964.

In 1997, the company merged with First Bank System to become U.S. Bancorp.

In 1999, the company was acquired by Firstar who chose to keep the U.S. Bancorp name. The company headquarters were moved to Minneapolis, MN.

In 2008, the company received $6.5 billion in US government bailout money. It repaid the loan in mid-2009 and was among the first banks to do so.

In 2009, the company acquired Fiduciary Management’s mutual fund division, First Citizens Bank’s bond division, BB&T Corp, and 9 subsidiary banks from FBOP.

The company began using a mobile phone app in 2010 and was one of the first banks to allow “deposit by photo” in 2012.

In 2011, the company acquired First Community Bank of New Mexico.

In 2012, the company acquired BankEast.

In October 2020, the company decided to close more than 7 Milwaukee branches and a full 20 percent of all Colorado branches due to a drop in profits during the 3rd quarter.

While bank stock prices in general have dropped significantly during 2020 due to the coronavirus, financial experts insist that these stocks are worth snatching up and holding on to.

Today, US Bank is the 5th largest bank in the US with more than 32,000 branches and almost 5,000 ATM’s.

US Bank

In 1997, the company merged with First Bank System to become U.S. Bancorp.

History

In 1999, the company was acquired by Firstar who chose to keep the U.S. Bancorp name. The company headquarters were moved to Minneapolis, MN.

In 2008, the company received $6.5 billion in US government bailout money. It repaid the loan in mid-2009 and was among the first banks to do so.

In 2009, the company acquired Fiduciary Management’s mutual fund division, First Citizens Bank’s bond division, BB&T Corp, and 9 subsidiary banks from FBOP.

The company began using a mobile phone app in 2010 and was one of the first banks to allow “deposit by photo” in 2012.

In 2011, the company acquired First Community Bank of New Mexico.

In 2012, the company acquired BankEast.

In October 2020, the company decided to close more than 7 Milwaukee branches and a full 20 percent of all Colorado branches due to a drop in profits during the 3rd quarter.

While bank stock prices in general have dropped significantly during 2020 due to the coronavirus, financial experts insist that these stocks are worth snatching up and holding on to.

Today, US Bank is the 5th largest bank in the US with more than 32,000 branches and almost 5,000 ATM’s.

Ford Motor Company Corporate Office

The Ford Motor Company was founded in 1903 by Henry Ford with money from 12 investors. The company produced a few cars per day at their Mack Avenue factory in Detroit, Michigan.

In 1908, Ford introduced the Model T. This was the first vehicle to feature a removable cylinder head on the engine.

In 1922, the company purchases the Lincoln Motor Company.

In 1930, the Model A was introduced. This was the first vehicle with a safety glass windshield.

In 1941, the company begins producing Jeeps for the US military. Consumer car production does not resume until 1945.

In 1956, the company goes public.

In 1987, the company acquires the majority of shares in Aston Martin.

In 1989, Ford acquires Jaguar. The company would sell Jaguar and Land Rover in 2008.

In 1990, the company introduces the Explorer.

In 1992, the company buys 50% of Mazda.

Today, Ford is the 2nd largest US carmaker and 5th largest in the world.

The electric scooter company, Spin, owned by Ford, was introduced outside the US in February 2020, first in Germany, with the UK being the next target.

In order to curb the spread of the coronavirus, Ford announced that it was suspending all unnecessary company travel as of March 3, 2020.

Ford Motor Company still maintains headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan.

Ford

The Ford Motor Company was founded in 1903 by Henry Ford with money from 12 investors. The company produced a few cars per day at their Mack Avenue factory in Detroit, Michigan.

In 1908, Ford introduced the Model T. This was the first vehicle to feature a removable cylinder head on the engine.

History

In 1922, the company purchases the Lincoln Motor Company.

In 1930, the Model A was introduced. This was the first vehicle with a safety glass windshield.

In 1941, the company begins producing Jeeps for the US military. Consumer car production does not resume until 1945.

In 1956, the company goes public.

In 1987, the company acquires the majority of shares in Aston Martin.

In 1989, Ford acquires Jaguar. The company would sell Jaguar and Land Rover in 2008.

In 1990, the company introduces the Explorer.

In 1992, the company buys 50% of Mazda.

Today, Ford is the 2nd largest US carmaker and 5th largest in the world.

The electric scooter company, Spin, owned by Ford, was introduced outside the US in February 2020, first in Germany, with the UK being the next target.

In order to curb the spread of the coronavirus, Ford announced that it was suspending all unnecessary company travel as of March 3, 2020.

Ford Motor Company still maintains headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan.