The history of ABN AMRO Craigs began in 1984 when Neil Craig, (now Executive Chairman) left his job in the corporate planning division of Tasman Pulp and Paper and established Craig & Co in Whakatane. The subsequent strong development and growth of the firm is outlined below from its inception through to today.
1984
Craig & Co becomes the first regional broker to have its own operator on the trading floor in Queen Street, Auckland.
1987
Craig & Co now has 12 staff. October ’87 crash occurs. Craig & Co survives the sharemarket crash well, due to its conservative approach to investing and diversification into Government Stock and overseas investments.
1988–1989
The company buys Franklin Holmes (operating out of Tauranga and Rotorua); the Ararimu Holdings and Hickey broking firms in Tauranga; and another in Gisborne.
1989
Craig & Co establishes a head office in Tauranga, with Neil Craig teaming up with new director, David Coleman.
1991
Craig & Co establishes a full office in Auckland and opens a new office on Auckland’s North Shore.
1992
Craig & Co takes over Frater Williams’ operation in Invercargill.
1993–1997
Craig & Co establishes offices in Gore, Wanganui, Hamilton, New Plymouth and Whangarei.
Feb 2001
Netherlands-based ABN AMRO a global financial institution with a history dating back to 1824 and the fifth biggest banking group in Europe, agrees to take a 50% shareholding in Craig & Co to become ABN AMRO Craigs.
Apr 2001
ABN AMRO Craigs acquires the retail advisory business of Merrill Lynch when that company exits New Zealand. This adds eight advisors in Auckland and enables ABN AMRO Craigs to establish a Wellington presence by taking over the Merrill Lynch office (including six advisors in that city).
Feb 2004
ABN AMRO Craigs acquires the Christchurch sharebroking firm Lawrence Millton & Howarth to become the 13th branch of ABN AMRO Craigs.
Sep 2005
Frank Aldridge takes over the reigns as CEO, with Neil Craig remaining as Executive Chairman and Head of Investment Banking for the firm. The Head Office and Tauranga branch of ABN AMRO Craigs move to new premises in Tauranga. The company’s broking and investment advisory services now stretch to 13 branches, with 202 staff including 87 investment advisors.
Oct 2006
Greenslades (an advisory firm based in Dunedin with offices in Christchurch and Invercargill) merges its business with ABN AMRO Craigs. The enlarged firm strengthens its national footprint and positions itself as the largest NZX firm in New Zealand with 14 branches nationally.
Dec 2006
A new branch is established in KeriKeri to better service the needs of clients in the Far North.
Apr 2007
ABN AMRO Craigs acquires Winstanley Dickson, an NZX Participant and investment advisory firm, based in Blenheim. The acquisition further strengthens the firm’s position and commitment to the South Island.
April 2008
ABN AMRO Craigs acquires Glendinnings Glendinnings’ Investment Advisory Business in Palmerston North, reinforcing ABN AMRO Craigs position as New Zealand's largest private client investment advisory firm with 17 branches nationwide.
Today, ABN AMRO Craigs has over 100 investment advisors servicing clients from the Kerikeri to Invercargill, with total staff numbers of approximately 290.