History

Founded in 1987 by Michael J. Cleary and several partners, Cleary Gull’s original focus was research, sales, and trading for institutions. In response to client needs as well as market opportunities, we then added Investment Banking and Wealth Management capabilities in the 1990s.

In 1998, Tucker Anthony Sutro, a Boston-based financial service firm, acquired Cleary Gull. A few months after Tucker Anthony Sutro was acquired by the Royal Bank of Canada – Dain Rauscher (RBC) in 2001, our principals and employees led a buy back that returned the company to our entrepreneurial roots.

“Our overriding desire was to own and control our own destiny for ourselves, our clients and employees,” said Managing Director Bob Warner.

Once again independent, we focused on Wealth Management and Investment Banking services. After a merger with MBO Advisors in 2003, we formed a third division called MBO Cleary Advisors Inc., to provide Institutional Investment Advisory services. The result: we grew in size and increased the amount of client assets we have under advisement. Finally, in January of 2011 another step was taken to reinforce a single brand and unify our public image when MBO Cleary Advisors Inc. changed its name to Cleary Gull Advisors Inc.

Today, we are privately held and employee-owned. Our three business lines – Investment Banking, Wealth Management and Institutional Advisory – are complementary yet well diversified with over $2.6 billion in assets under advisement. We believe that our business model allows our principals, managers and employees to have input and make decisions, so you can get the service you deserve and the sophisticated advice you need.