Throughout the years, the companies within The Capital Group have grown in both depth and breadth, with 9,000 associates worldwide now serving the investment needs of individuals and institutions.

Here's a look at our organization's history and its pioneering endeavors in the investment management field:

1930s / 1940s / 1950s

1931

Capital's first company, Capital Research and Management Company, is founded by Jonathan Bell Lovelace in Los Angeles. Three years later, it begins managing The Investment Company of America, the first mutual fund of what will become the American Funds family.

1943

We open an office in New York.

1953

Capital becomes one of the first U.S.-based firms to invest outside of North America.

1960s

1962

Capital opens an office in Geneva — our first investment office outside the U.S.

1965

Our Geneva office creates the Capital International market indices (now known as the Morgan Stanley Capital International indices) — the first set of stock market indices for non-U.S. markets.

The same year, Capital companies reach US$1 billion in assets under management.

1968

A new company is formed to serve large institutional clients in the U.S. — Capital Guardian Trust Company.

We establish our own record keeping company to serve U.S. mutual fund shareholders — American Funds Service Company.

1970s

1970

Our Geneva-based affiliate, Capital International S.A., begins managing global funds distributed outside the U.S. (Capital Italia and Capital International Fund).

1974

Our companies start managing retirement plans based outside the U.S. and begin serving wealthy individuals through the Personal Investment Management division of Capital Guardian Trust Company.

1978

Capital Guardian begins management of non-U.S. assets for U.S. institutional clients.

1979

Our London office is established (Capital International Limited).

1980s

1982

A Tokyo office is established (Capital International K.K.) — our first in Asia — followed by Hong Kong (1983) and Singapore (1989), both of which house operations for Capital International, Inc.

1983

Our first dedicated shareholder service center for American Funds opens in Brea, California, followed by offices in San Antonio (1990), Hampton Roads, Virginia (1992), Indianapolis (1994), Phoenix (2004) and Irvine (2007).

1985

Assets managed by Capital Group companies reach US$25 billion.

1986

Capital launches an emerging markets growth fund — the first of its kind — when the World Bank wants a way for institutions to invest in developing nations.

1990s

1995

Assets managed by the Capital Group companies pass US$200 billion.

1998

Toronto office opens.

2000s

2000

Capital begins offering investment management services for individuals in Canada.

2002

American Funds further expands its presence in the retirement plan market and becomes the leading provider of 529 college savings plans.

2003

Capital begins offering investment management services for individuals in Europe.

2004

New shareholder service center opens in Phoenix.

2005

A temporary office opens in Irvine, California, in preparation for our new Irvine campus (opening in 2007).

2006

Capital launches its 30th American Fund, the Short-Term Bond Fund of America (STBF).

2007

Our Irvine, California, campus opens. Home to more than 2,000 associates, the 34.2 acre site brings our total offices worldwide to 19.

Capital begins offering investment management services for individuals in Japan.