![Historical black and white photo of two men and a woman working in the Aid Association for Lutherans office](https://cdn.thrivent.com/dims4/default/8d11f01/2147483647/strip/true/crop/973x1201+1648+0/resize/567x700!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fthrivent-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ff3%2Fd6%2F09af37144618b7c80e15eef06f82%2Fhero-3.9_History_1440x600.jpg)
Our history: A century of putting people first
Founded on shared beliefs, Thrivent has been helping others live more generous lives while guiding them on their financial path.
![Black and white photo of an early 1900s house](https://cdn.thrivent.com/dims4/default/7dfdf04/2147483647/strip/true/crop/480x360+0+0/resize/480x360!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fthrivent-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F01%2F57%2Fdd67ba084459a70177ebcccd2170%2Fhistory-1-480x360.jpg)
1902
Five-hundred founding members contribute $5 each to mutually support one another, and Aid Association for Lutherans (AAL) is born.
1905
AAL (one of the companies that merged to form Thrivent) expands to serve women, 15 years before women were allowed to vote in the U.S.
1917
Lutheran Brotherhood (LB) is founded. LB merged with AAL to form Thrivent in 2002.
Five-hundred founding members contribute $5 each to mutually support one another, and Aid Association for Lutherans (AAL) is born.
1905
AAL (one of the companies that merged to form Thrivent) expands to serve women, 15 years before women were allowed to vote in the U.S.
1917
Lutheran Brotherhood (LB) is founded. LB merged with AAL to form Thrivent in 2002.
![](https://cdn.thrivent.com/dims4/default/f9f8c77/2147483647/strip/true/crop/480x360+0+0/resize/480x360!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fthrivent-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F31%2F52%2Fb5c5c2c643709e1552666d6d6570%2Fhistory-2-480x360.jpg)
1931
Lutheran Brotherhood introduces a loan program for churches and farms.
1958
AAL begins to offer annuities.
1962
Lutheran Brotherhood introduces health insurance.
1970
Lutheran Brotherhood becomes the first fraternal benefit society to introduce mutual funds.
Lutheran Brotherhood introduces a loan program for churches and farms.
1958
AAL begins to offer annuities.
1962
Lutheran Brotherhood introduces health insurance.
1970
Lutheran Brotherhood becomes the first fraternal benefit society to introduce mutual funds.
![](https://cdn.thrivent.com/dims4/default/7761641/2147483647/strip/true/crop/480x360+0+0/resize/480x360!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fthrivent-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0b%2F28%2Fae2f6f2d4a0eb34205d5fe278d06%2Fhistory-3-480x360.jpg)
1983 and 1984
AAL sells more universal life certificates than any other U.S. insurer.
1987
Lutheran Brotherhood launches long-term-care products due to concerns about rising costs; AAL begins offering banking services to clients; AAL becomes the 25th largest life insurance organization in U.S.
1995
AAL mutual funds hit $2 billion in assets eight years after launch—far exceeding the goal of $400 million by six years after launch.
AAL sells more universal life certificates than any other U.S. insurer.
1987
Lutheran Brotherhood launches long-term-care products due to concerns about rising costs; AAL begins offering banking services to clients; AAL becomes the 25th largest life insurance organization in U.S.
1995
AAL mutual funds hit $2 billion in assets eight years after launch—far exceeding the goal of $400 million by six years after launch.
![](https://cdn.thrivent.com/dims4/default/f5c427a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/480x360+0+0/resize/480x360!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fthrivent-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ff9%2Fdd%2F05d9972d4660b0642f1cdbd5e7fc%2Fhistory-4-480x360.jpg)
2002
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans begins operations after the merger of Lutheran Brotherhood and Aid Association for Lutherans.
2010
Thrivent creates Thrivent Choice®, the only financial services organization to offer such a program.
2012
Thrivent is named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere for the first time—and has been recognized every year since.*
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans begins operations after the merger of Lutheran Brotherhood and Aid Association for Lutherans.
2010
Thrivent creates Thrivent Choice®, the only financial services organization to offer such a program.
2012
Thrivent is named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere for the first time—and has been recognized every year since.*
![Photo of a pin that says "Ask me about the common bond vote"](https://cdn.thrivent.com/dims4/default/da75c7e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/480x360+0+0/resize/480x360!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fthrivent-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F55%2F44%2Fa5e19efa454195fcc9ca961f8ffa%2Fhistory-5-480x360.jpg)
2013
Thrivent members vote to extend our common bond to help all Christians achieve financial clarity.
2014
Thrivent launches Thrivent Action Teams, a unique offering within the financial services industry. Thrivent also introduces Thrivent Member Networks as a network of local communities to help clients make the most of all they’ve been given.
Thrivent members vote to extend our common bond to help all Christians achieve financial clarity.
2014
Thrivent launches Thrivent Action Teams, a unique offering within the financial services industry. Thrivent also introduces Thrivent Member Networks as a network of local communities to help clients make the most of all they’ve been given.
![Photo of Thrivent CEO Teresa (Terry) Rasmussen](https://cdn.thrivent.com/dims4/default/31d6551/2147483647/strip/true/crop/480x360+0+0/resize/480x360!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fthrivent-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F26%2F3f%2F99630aff4ff2bd27c1b7c41de75f%2Fhistory-6-480x360.jpg)
The financial services landscape is changing and Thrivent is evolving into a more diversified, holistic financial services organization. With a higher purpose at our core, we continue our legacy of generosity while expanding our range of financial offerings to help more people achieve financial clarity—so they can live lives full of meaning and gratitude.
*"World's Most Ethical Companies" and "Ethisphere" names and marks are registered trademarks of Ethisphere LLC. For details, visit worldsmostethicalcompanies.com/honorees.
The Thrivent Choice® charitable grant program engages Thrivent clients with Membership and Thrivent Member Networks in providing grants that support charitable activities, furthering Thrivent's mission and its purposes under state law. All grant decisions, including grant recipients and amounts, are made at the sole discretion of Thrivent. Directing Choice Dollars® is subject to the program's terms and conditions available at thrivent.com/thriventchoice.
The Thrivent Choice® charitable grant program engages Thrivent clients with Membership and Thrivent Member Networks in providing grants that support charitable activities, furthering Thrivent's mission and its purposes under state law. All grant decisions, including grant recipients and amounts, are made at the sole discretion of Thrivent. Directing Choice Dollars® is subject to the program's terms and conditions available at thrivent.com/thriventchoice.
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