Transamerica history
A history of helping people live their best lives
Since 1904, Transamerica has proudly made financial services available to the many, not just the few. It all began when our founder, Amadeo P. Giannini started a bank in San Francisco to help those who couldn’t get assistance anywhere else. This innovative thinking still guides us today. Because we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to live their best life.
1904
A.P. Giannini, known for helping small merchants and immigrant farmers, founds the Bank of Italy. It becomes Bank of America in 1928.
1930
Bank of America acquires the Occidental Life Insurance Company through the newly created holding company, Transamerica Corporation.
1946
A.P. Giannini’s bank grows to become the world’s largest private bank.
1972
Architect William Pereira is commissioned to design a new company headquarters in San Francisco and the Transamerica pyramid is born.
1999
Transamerica becomes part of Aegon, a leading international financial services holding company.
2023
Transamerica begins a new chapter in serving the underserved as America’s leading middle market life insurance and retirement company.
“The helping hand on a dark day is what folks remember to the end of time."
Our story
A helping hand in hard times
In 1904, Amadeo Giannini, who had a reputation for helping small merchants and immigrant farmers, founded the Bank of Italy in a San Francisco saloon. His goal was to make financial services available to everyone — an innovative idea at the time. After the devastating 1906 earthquake and fire, Giannini set up a makeshift bank on the San Francisco docks. He required only a handshake when giving residents loans to rebuild.
A driving force for innovation
Giannini continued to drive innovation in the industry by serving the underserved, and in 1921, he opened a bank for women staffed entirely by women.
In 1928, he consolidated his bank into what would become Bank of America. Two years later, the organization acquired the Occidental Life Insurance Company through the newly created holding company, Transamerica Corporation. In 1946, Giannini’s bank became the largest private bank in the world. In 1956, the Bank Holding Company Act required Transamerica to choose between banks or non-bank investments. Transamerica chose insurance.
Giannini’s legend grew as he provided funding at a critical time to the emerging California agricultural and wine industries. The banker also purchased bonds to secure the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge during the Great Depression. He even loaned Walt Disney the money to complete his first full-length animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
The legacy lives on
In 1999, A.P. Giannini was included in Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century. That same year, Transamerica became part of Aegon, a leading international financial services holding company.
As a leading provider of insurance, investment, and retirement solutions, Transamerica continues to help everyone make the most of what’s important to them.
Helping people live their best lives
Today, we’re as committed to helping people as our founder was over a century ago. For our next chapter, we’re focused on helping the heart of our nation to thrive. That’s why we design products that work in people’s real lives today and anticipate an evolving future. So no matter where someone is on their journey, we can help them develop the freedom and confidence to live the life they want.
23.9m
customers worldwide
The Transamerica pyramid
Much like A.P. Giannini transformed financial services, the Transamerica pyramid transformed the San Francisco skyline when it was completed in 1972. Nestled in the heart of the city’s financial district, the iconic tower stands at 853 feet tall. It was the tallest building in San Francisco until the creation of the Salesforce Tower.
Although the pyramid no longer serves as Transamerica's headquarters and we no longer own the property, it’s still depicted in our logo as a symbol of innovative thinking.
True to our values
Our purpose of helping people live their best lives influences everything we do, from ideals that guide our decision-making to the ways we interact with others. That’s why our company values are tuning in, stepping up, and being a force for good.
Who we are
Creating opportunity is still at the heart of what we do. As customers’ needs and financial landscape evolve, we want to help pave the way forward for everyone.
What we support
We’re committed to helping people have the best life possible, whether they are our employees, our customers, or members of the communities where we live and work.
How we invest in people
We’re dedicated to creating a diverse workplace filled with exceptional individuals. Together, we can meet our customers’ evolving needs through innovative solutions.
Why we advocate
We want to make a difference in people’s lives. That’s why we support state and federal legislation and regulation that help everyone achieve their financial goals.