We’re invested in your life.

As the Roaring Twenties gained steam, Richards Merrill Wealth Management was founded. Then called the Arthur Cantril Company (followed by Cantril and Richards, then Richards and Bloom), it was the 215th brokerage firm in the entire United States. Just five years later: the Great Depression, followed by World War II. Our founders skillfully navigated these challenging times, adapting to ever-changing markets and geopolitical climates.

*all averages measured January 1 of the given year

Image source: Spokane Views, Spokane Public Library

As the late 1940s and ’50s gave rise to rapid economic expansion and a burgeoning middle class, the firm moved into the Old National Bank Building (now the U.S. Bank Building). On February 18, 1952, our name was formally changed to Richards, Merrill & Peterson, Inc. We would proudly bear this name for 70 years.

Image source: Spokane Public Library

The transformation of downtown Spokane for the World’s Fair Expo ’74 mirrored the cultural transformation of the country in the 1960s and ’70s. Richards Merrill was also changing, as we moved into a larger office on the skywalk level of the Old National Bank Building (now the U.S. Bank Budling) that we would occupy for the next 50 years.

Image source: Spokane Public Library

Inflation and high interest rates in the early ’80s yielded the first tech boom later in the decade. The birth of computer-assisted trading led to the famous “flash crash” of 1987, followed by a rapid recovery. At Richards Merrill, Dick Larson assumed leadership of the firm, beginning a family tradition that endures today.

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Strong markets and the ongoing tech boom paved the way for the dotcom bubble of 2000. Dick Larson yielded leadership to his son, Steve, who would shepherd the firm for the next decade, persevering through the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Iraq War and soaring oil prices.

Image source: Journal of Business 

The Great Financial crisis caused unemployment to reach 10% and home foreclosures skyrocketed. The markets persevered and went on to enjoy a great bull market through the 2010’s. Steve’s younger brother, John, assumed the presidency of the firm, a role he still enjoys today. He continues to lead alongside our tenured executive Vice-President and CFO, Tom McDonald.

Image source: Richards Merrill

As our centennial approached, we formally changed our name to Richards Merrill Wealth Management. On May 1, 2022, we moved to a beautiful new office and are now located at Howard and Main in the old Macy’s Building. The Larson family welcomed the third generation as John’s son, JM, joined the firm, complementing Steve’s son-in-law, Mark Calkins, and a team of talented professionals.

Image source: Laurie Denney Photography

As we celebrate our centennial, we give a nod to our storied past while looking toward the future. Collectively, RM advisors today possess more than a century of experience, guiding clients through bull and bear markets. For 100 years, we have believed in prudent advice, excellent customer service and in putting clients’ needs first. We look forward to continuing that tradition in the century to come.

Image source: Laurie Denney Photography