Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. is America's oldest and largest private bank. The firm traces its origins to December 1800, when Alexander Brown emigrated from Ireland and established an "Irish Linen Warehouse" in Baltimore, where he would eventually be joined by his four sons. John A. Brown & Co. was established by the third son in Philadelphia in 1818 and it is from this firm that the present-day Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. descends. The early years as a merchant bank in 1818 provided Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. with access to a growing global financial network. These international activities forged profitable financial alliances around the world, many of which still exist today. They also led the firm into related areas such as foreign exchange, corporate advice and personal banking. Today, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. remains an owner-managed partnership that provides financial services in six key areas: commercial banking, corporate finance, investment management, securities brokerage and research, foreign exchange and global custody. With offices in major financial centers both domestically and abroad, the firm's clients range from financial and multi-national institutions to family-owned businesses and individuals. Recognized worldwide for its strong client-oriented service, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. is identified for its substantial global reach, high credit ranking and ability to provide personalized financial expertise to a select group of institutional and individual clients. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. maintains a unique position in the financial community as one of Wall Street's most enduring partnerships. The partners manage the firm on a daily basis, participate extensively in client relationships and hold unlimited liability for its obligations. It is through this structure that Brown Brothers Harriman has been able to successfully anticipate and respond to changing economic and financial environments for over 180 years.