R.F. Lafferty marks 80 years as a family-owned broker-dealer

R.F. Lafferty & Co. is celebrating its 80th anniversary as the New York-based firm looks back on eight decades of client service, growth and family ownership. The milestone highlights the firm’s long-term focus as it expands its platform across brokerage, wealth management, trading, research and investment banking.

Why it matters: - R.F. Lafferty’s 80-year run shows how an independent broker-dealer can survive multiple market cycles while keeping a family-owned structure. - The milestone underscores the firm’s emphasis on long-term client relationships, which remains a differentiator in a highly competitive financial services market. - The anniversary also signals continuity at a time when many financial firms have consolidated or changed ownership.

What happened: - R.F. Lafferty & Co., Inc. announced July 8, 2026 that it is celebrating its 80th anniversary. - The firm was founded in 1946 and is headquartered in New York. - CEO Robert Hackel said the milestone reflects the trust and support of employees, clients and business partners. - The firm recently opened a new office in Boca Raton, Florida.

The details: - R.F. Lafferty started as a brokers’ broker and grew into a diversified financial services firm. - The company now serves retail, institutional and corporate clients. - Its services include retail brokerage, wealth management, institutional sales and trading, market making, independent research and investment banking. - The investment banking group has worked on public offerings, private placements, strategic advisory engagements and other capital markets transactions. - The firm says its institutional sales, trading, market making and research businesses support investors and issuers in complex markets. - Henry Hackel acquired the firm in 1970 and set the stage for its growth while keeping it independent. - R.F. Lafferty has remained family-owned and operated since 1970. - Robert Hackel previously served as chief operating officer for nearly three decades before becoming CEO. - Amanda Hackel is vice president in the investment banking group and represents the next generation of leadership.

Between the lines: - The anniversary messaging is as much about continuity as it is about growth. - R.F. Lafferty is positioning its family leadership and independence as strategic advantages, not just historical facts. - The Boca Raton office suggests continued expansion beyond the firm’s New York base.

What's next: - The firm says it will keep focusing on the same service model that has defined it for 80 years. - R.F. Lafferty expects future opportunities for clients, employees and the business as it continues to grow. - Leadership continuity appears to remain central to the firm’s long-term plans.

The bottom line: - R.F. Lafferty is using its 80th anniversary to reinforce a simple message: independence, family ownership and personalized service remain core to its identity.