Fisk & Hatch
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Finance, Insurance |
| Founded | March 1, 1862 in New York City, United States |
| Founder | Harvey Fisk, Alfrederick Smith Hatch |
| Defunct | March 1885 |
| Fate | Reorganized as Harvey Fisk & Sons |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
| Products | Government bonds, financial services, insurance |
Fisk & Hatch was a finance and insurance enterprise based in the United States, founded in 1862 with headquarters located at 5 Nassau Street, New York City. Throughout the Civil War era, the firm played a crucial role by issuing millions of dollars in government bonds, which greatly aided in restoring public confidence and bolstering the nation’s financial stability.
History
Established on March 1, 1862, by Harvey Fisk and Alfrederick Smith Hatch, Fisk & Hatch rapidly emerged as a principal agent for Jay Cooke & Co., successfully raising close to $170 million for the federal government within just one month. From 1865 to 1868, the company managed the negotiation of $27.9 million in government subsidy bonds allocated to the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads, and also facilitated the placement of $53 million worth of bonds for the Central Pacific Railroad.
Fisk & Hatch gained a strong reputation for their proficiency in handling government securities and maintained connections with the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway, led by president Collis P. Huntington. On May 14, 1884, due to financial strain associated with an outstanding $2.65 million debt from Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad, Fisk & Hatch halted payments. This event contributed to several financial collapses, including that of the Newark Savings Institution. Following this suspension, Hatch stepped down from his position as president of the New York Stock Exchange but was reinstated on June 6, 1884.
In March 1885, Fisk & Hatch ceased operations and restructured under the name Harvey Fisk & Sons, continuing their activities within investment finance and insurance services.