Vanguard is one of the world's largest investment companies, managing over $9 trillion in assets for 50 million investors worldwide. Founded in 1975 by John C. Bogle on a revolutionary idea - that an investment company should be owned by its funds, which in turn are owned by the investors - Vanguard pioneered a client-owned structure that aligns the company's interests directly with those of its clients. This unique mutual ownership model means Vanguard has no outside owners taking profits, allowing the firm to focus exclusively on giving investors the best chance for investment success.
Vanguard is credited with creating the index fund industry in 1976, democratizing investing with the First Index Investment Trust (now the Vanguard 500 Index Fund). The firm introduced its first ETF in 2001 and has continued innovating with hybrid advice services, AI-driven trading platforms, and personalized indexing. Known for 'The Vanguard Effect' - the firm's ability to pressure the entire industry to lower fees - Vanguard maintains an average expense ratio of 0.07% compared to the industry average of 0.44%. Today, Vanguard offers 458 expertly managed funds and serves clients through 20,000 crew members across multiple global offices, continuing Bogle's mission of taking a stand for all investors, treating them fairly, and helping them achieve long-term financial security.