2015
- RJO expands its operations in Europe through the acquisition of The Kyte Group Limited, now known as R.J. O’Brien Europe Limited.
2014
- R.J. O’Brien & Associates celebrates its 100th anniversary year. RJO remains the oldest futures brokerage firm in the United States and the last surviving founding member of CME.
- To commemorate the Centennial, a video is produced that includes interviews with industry leaders, management, clients and members of the O’Brien family, including 95-year-old Robert J. O’Brien, Sr., for whom the company is named.
- RJO today is the industry’s largest independent futures brokerage and clearing firm, with more than 500 employees and offices in Chicago, New York, London, Beijing, Hong Kong and Toronto.
2013
- RJO introduces a newly designed corporate logo and re-branding initiative.
- The firm releases its first-ever mobile trading application, RJO Mobile Trader.
- RJO expands Chicago institutional brokerage operation.
2012
- RJO invests in UK operation as a focal point for growth in Europe.
2011
- RJO assumes 20,000 of the 38,000 accounts at MF Global after that firm declares bankruptcy.
- RJO CEO Gerald Corcoran testifies before U.S. House Committee on Agriculture on recommendations for strengthening industry’s financial safeguards.
2010
- O’Brien Family resumes majority interest in R.J. O’Brien & Associates.
- RJO becomes member of CBOE Futures Exchange.
- RJO launches R.J. O’Brien & Associates Canada Inc., its first Canadian subsidiary.
2008
- RJO partners with Powerline Petroleum, marking continued expansion into commodity hedges.
2007
- RJO partners with Spectrum Equity Investors and Technology Crossover Ventures to further invest in its growth strategy and enhance its leadership position in the futures industry. Gerald Corcoran assumes the additional role of Chairman.
2004
- RJO releases new trading platform that includes real-time risk management, one click trading, depth of book and streaming quotes.
2003
- RJO launches a fund of funds product.
- Retail online FX trading system launched at RJO.
2002
- RJO joins the New York Mercantile Exchange and COMEX (now part of CME Group) and the New York Board of Trade (now ICE Futures U.S.).
- RJO purchases SDC software, which provides real-time risk management of all customer accounts.
2001
- RJO re-brands its logo to better represent itself as a market leader.
2000
- RJO moves its offices to 222 S. Riverside Plaza.
- John W. O’Brien named Chairman of the Board.
- Robert O’Brien, Sr. named Chairman Emeritus.
- Robert O’Brien, Jr. named Vice Chairman.
- Gerald F. Corcoran named Chief Executive Officer.
- Colleen Mitchell named President.
- RJO introduces Market Center Direct (MCD ©) trading platform.
1999
- RJO begins FX trading operations.
1998
- RJO introduces its Customer Access Terminal (CAT ©) order routing technology.
1995
- RJO joins London International Financial Futures Exchange (Liffe).
1992
- Gerald F. Corcoran named Chief Operating Officer and Director of RJO.
1990
- RJO joins the Chicago Board of Trade.
1989
- Mayor Richard M. Daley proclaims October 17 as R. J. O’Brien Day in Chicago in honor of the firm’s 75th anniversary.
1987
- Gerald F. Corcoran joins RJO and is named Chief Financial Officer.
1986
- John W. O’Brien, Sr., son of Robert J. O’Brien, Sr. named CEO of RJO.
1977
- First live, direct-from-the-floor commodity report in broadcast history: “Bob O’Brien Commodity Report.”
1975
- Robert O’Brien, Jr. named President of RJO.
- Robert O’Brien, Sr. named Chairman of the Board of RJO.
1972
- Robert O’Brien, Sr. made Director and Secretary of the new International Monetary Market upon creation of the world’s first financial futures.
1968
- Robert O’Brien, Sr. on Tonight Show presenting, “Great Western Grand Champion Steer”.
1967
- Robert O’Brien, Sr. elected Chairman of the Board of CME.
1966
- RJO hires the first female employed on the floor of CME.
- Robert O’Brien, Sr. elected Second Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.
1964
- RJO takes first delivery of the new Live Cattle contract.
- Robert O’Brien, Sr. elected to Board of Governors of Chicago Mercantile Exchange (served continuously from 1964-1977).
1963
- First branch office established – Russ Brooks: Harlan, Iowa.
1959
- Robert O’Brien, Sr. named President and J. V. McCarthy name changed to R. J. O’Brien & Associates Inc. (RJO).
1952
- Robert J. O’Brien, Sr. joins firm.
1919
- Firm becomes founding member of Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME).
1914
- John V. McCarthy & Co. established on October 17 as cash butter and egg house.
