Sleeping on Gold Bags Earns Trust

“It is reported that their reputation for honesty is so great that all of San Francisco knows that one can come without fear to store their bags of gold with the Lazards. Many pioneers also got into the habit of entrusting them to transfer their treasure to New York, or even to Europe. Simon reportedly slept on the precious bags he was transporting across the United States, rifle in hand...”

“Lazard Frères became a general partnership "for the operation of manufacturers and trading houses, banks, commission, and consignment in Paris and San Francisco, and in all other locations." The House of Banking was born! A historic date for this future investment bank was this January 1er, 1864.”