The story begins on August 15, 1906, when a young entrepreneur named Colbert Coldwell joined Albert Tucker and John Lynch in a joint venture in the Real Estate Brokerage business. Colbert Coldwell was described as "a man of enormous character" whose honesty was "so irreproachable" that it was said, by some, to be excessive. Colbert Coldwell was a man of the highest moral standards, hardworking, considerate and exceptionally capable. Coldwell believed that if he rendered a "service and made money for his clients they would be loyal".

 

In 1913 Colbert Coldwell invited Benjamin Arthur Banker to join him as a fellow salesman and later offered him a partnership that lasted from 1913 to 1963. Benjamin Banker was known as the warm and charming, direct partner who was always available to listen and guide the business and its employees through the daily demands of real estate, just as Coldwell's role was eminently suited to his temperament.

 

The COLDWELL BANKER® history books recorded Benjamin Arthur Banker for his genuine interest in people, genial nature, support and his concern for his clients' needs. Colbert Coldwell and Benjamin Banker believed people were central to the firm's success and as a result provided employees with the necessary leadership, training skills and resources required to perform at the highest possible level.

 

"Serve only the interest of the client." Colbert Coldwell, 1906

 

Colbert Coldwell would be honored to know that the current business practices of COLDWELL BANKER®, its professionalism and its international presence, still hold true to his philosophy of always treating the customer fairly and "Preserving the Trust".

 

Both Colbert Coldwell and Benjamin Arthur Banker could not have foreseen that their strong beliefs in such basic business fundamentals would continue to shape and develop COLDWELL BANKER today. Over 100 years later, the founders would be fascinated by the company's continuous transitions from early partnerships with Bruce Cornwall, Arthur Hastings and associations with Thomas Griffin and William McCarthy, to the more recent.

 

As COLDWELL BANKER continues to move forward and prepares to celebrate over 100 years of distinguished history, it is the thousands of dedicated, hard-working affiliate brokers and sales associates who should be thanked for shaping the COLDWELL BANKER legacy.

 

As the COLDWELL BANKER journey continues into the next 100 years, the level of success to still be achieved can only be imagined. It is the challenge of every COLDWELL BANKER associate to continue to open the doors to unlimited possibilities . . .