
Goldman Sachs is one of the world’s most influential investment banks, with a history dating back to 1869. It serves corporations, institutions, and wealthy individuals, while also operating consumer banking through its Marcus platform. Its UK presence includes a major London office and a newer hub in Birmingham.
Headquartered in New York, the firm manages more than $2 trillion in assets under supervision and employs around 45,000 people globally. It is not owned by a single individual but is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker GS.
In the UK, Goldman Sachs has operated since 1970. Its London office is the largest in Europe, and a Birmingham office opened in 2021 as part of a strategy to expand beyond the capital.
What is Goldman Sachs and What Does It Do?
Goldman Sachs (The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.)
1869 in New York City
David Solomon (as of 2025)
NYSE: GS
Key Insights
- Goldman Sachs is a publicly traded company; ownership is distributed among shareholders, with no single owner.
- Its net worth is often misunderstood: market capitalisation was around $150B in early 2025, while total assets exceed $1.5 trillion.
- The firm offers a credit card through its Marcus brand and partners with Apple on the Apple Card.
- London is the largest office outside the US, located at Plumtree Court; a Birmingham office opened in 2021.
- Internship and graduate applications are highly competitive; the firm values apprenticeship, collaboration, and excellence.
- Goldman Sachs is regulated as a bank holding company by the Federal Reserve.
Snapshot Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1869 in New York City |
| Founder | Marcus Goldman and Samuel Sachs |
| CEO | David Solomon |
| Employees | ~45,000 (2025) |
| Market Cap | ~$150B (2025) |
| Revenue | ~$50B (2024) |
| London Office | Plumtree Court, 25 Shoe Lane, London EC4A 4AU |
| Birmingham Office | 2 Snowhill, Birmingham B4 6GH |
| Credit Card | Marcus by Goldman Sachs, Apple Card partner |
| Primary Services | Investment banking, securities, asset management, wealth management |
Goldman Sachs provides investment management across all major asset classes and serves ultra-high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and institutions. Its wealth management franchise offers personalised financial planning according to its official UK site.
How Can I Get an Internship or Career at Goldman Sachs?
What internship programmes are available?
Goldman Sachs runs several entry-level programmes. The Summer Analyst programme lasts 9–10 weeks for bachelor’s and graduate students. The New Analyst programme is a full-time role for final-year undergraduates. Off-Cycle programmes vary in length. Seasonal internships are offered in London and Birmingham for engineering, asset management, quantitative strategies, and similar fields according to Bright Network.
Are there graduate programmes in the UK?
Yes. The firm recruits graduates across investment banking, asset management, engineering, and operations. Applications typically open in July or September for the following summer. Live opportunities for 2026 include New Analyst roles in FICC & Equities, Investment Banking, Internal Audit, and Asset Management, as well as Summer Analyst positions in Legal, Human Capital Management, and Operations.
What about programmes for professionals?
Goldman Sachs offers 10-week paid placements designed for veterans, those returning to the workforce after a break, and athletes. The Veteran’s Integration Programme helps military personnel transition to civilian careers as described on its careers site.
Goldman Sachs’ first UK degree apprenticeship programme is based in Birmingham. Roles include Internal Audit, Corporate Planning, Controllers, Compliance, and Engineering. Apprentices combine work with academic study, earning a degree while gaining experience at one of the world’s leading financial institutions.
What does the firm look for in candidates?
Goldman Sachs states on its careers page that it values partnership, client service, integrity, and excellence. It insists on excellence, strives for performance, and thrives on learning from the best. Diversity and inclusion are seen as core to commercial success, with diverse teams driving stronger results.
What Products Does Goldman Sachs Offer? (Credit Card, Banking)
Does Goldman Sachs offer a credit card to consumers?
Goldman Sachs does not issue standard personal credit cards directly. However, through its consumer banking platform Marcus, it powers the Apple Card (issued by Apple with Goldman as the backend bank) and a co-branded Saks Credit Card with Saks Sixth Avenue. These are partnered products, not standalone Goldman Sachs credit cards. No independent Goldman Sachs credit card is available for general consumer use according to the firm’s UK site.
Is Goldman Sachs a bank?
Yes. Goldman Sachs is a bank holding company regulated by the Federal Reserve. Goldman Sachs Bank USA is its FDIC-insured subsidiary that handles consumer deposits, loans, and credit cards under the Marcus brand. The parent company also operates as a global investment bank, securities dealer, and asset manager.
What other services does Marcus offer?
Marcus by Goldman Sachs provides high-yield savings accounts, personal loans, and credit card partnerships. It does not issue its own credit card; instead it acts as the issuing bank for partner-branded cards.
Goldman Sachs does not report a “net worth” in the way individuals do. Instead, it reports assets under supervision (over $2 trillion), total assets (hundreds of billions), and shareholder equity (approx. $120B in 2024). Market capitalisation fluctuates frequently; in early 2025 it stood around $150B.
Where Are Goldman Sachs Offices in the UK? (London & Birmingham)
London office details
Goldman Sachs’ London office is its largest in Europe and serves as the headquarters for Goldman Sachs International. Located at Plumtree Court, 25 Shoe Lane, London EC4A 4AU, it opened in 1970 as the firm’s first international expansion. The campus comprises three buildings, and a new headquarters is under construction with completion expected in 2026. The new facility will include collaborative workspaces, an on-site café, fitness and medical centres, and childcare.
Birmingham office details
The Birmingham office opened in 2021 and is situated at One Centenary Way, near the historic jewellery quarter. It occupies one of the city’s most sustainable buildings. The office is built for collaboration and wellbeing and leads initiatives with significant commercial reach. It also hosts Goldman Sachs’ first degree apprenticeship programme in the UK as noted on the careers site.
Even though Goldman Sachs is often referred to as an investment bank, its consumer banking arm (Marcus) is part of Goldman Sachs Bank USA. The firm does not offer everyday current accounts or cheque accounts. Its consumer products are limited to savings, loans, and partner credit cards.
How can I contact Goldman Sachs in the UK?
The London address is Plumtree Court, 25 Shoe Lane, London EC4A 4AU. The Birmingham address is One Centenary Way, Birmingham B4 6GH. General UK contact can be made through the official website at goldmansachs.com/contact-uk.
What is the History of Goldman Sachs?
- 1869: Goldman Sachs founded in New York.
- 1896: Joins New York Stock Exchange.
- 1930s: Transforms into a full-service investment bank.
- 1999: Goes public on NYSE (GS).
- 2008: Survives financial crisis; converts to a bank holding company.
- 2016: Launches Marcus consumer banking platform.
- 2021: Opens Birmingham office (UK).
- 2023: David Solomon continues as CEO; Apple Card partnership solidifies.
- 2025: Continued global expansion with focus on asset management and technology.
Source: Wikipedia – Goldman Sachs history.
What is Certain and What Remains Unclear About Goldman Sachs?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Goldman Sachs is a public company, not owned by a single person or family. | The exact net worth figure varies depending on whether you refer to market cap, total assets, or shareholder equity; market cap changes daily. |
| The firm is regulated as a bank holding company by the Federal Reserve. | Future UK office expansion plans (Manchester, Edinburgh) are not publicly confirmed. |
| Goldman Sachs offers credit cards through Marcus and partner brands (Apple Card, Saks). | Some details about the Marcus credit card’s availability outside the US are not fully transparent. |
What is the Broader Context of Goldman Sachs in the UK?
Goldman Sachs operates at the centre of global capital markets, with significant influence on mergers and acquisitions, trading, and wealth management. In the UK, London serves as its European headquarters, especially important after Brexit. The Birmingham expansion signals a strategic move to tap regional talent and reduce reliance on London.
The rise of consumer banking through Marcus and the Apple Card marks a shift from purely institutional services toward retail customers. The firm’s asset management division targets high-net-worth individuals and intermediaries through its GoldMansachs Asset Management subdomain.
Major competitors in investment banking include JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, Citigroup, and Bank of America.
Where Do the Facts Come From? Sources and Quotes
Goldman Sachs’ own website states: “We aspire to be the world’s most exceptional financial institution.” This mission is highlighted on its careers page.
“We insist on excellence, strive for performance, and thrive on learning from the best.”
Financial data comes from SEC EDGAR filings. The UK office registration details are available via Companies House. Historical and comprehensive information is sourced from Wikipedia.
“Goldman Sachs is a publicly traded company, owned by its shareholders. There is no single individual owner.”
Summary: What Should You Take Away About Goldman Sachs?
Goldman Sachs is a giant of global finance—part investment bank, part asset manager, part consumer lender—but it is not a conventional bank for everyday banking. It is publicly owned, its net worth is context-dependent, and it offers credit cards only through partners. For career seekers, competitive internships and graduate programmes are available in London and Birmingham. For investors and observers, its size and influence in capital markets remain unmatched. Read more about other financial institutions and business leaders like PZ Cussons Share Price – Forecast, Dividend and News Today and Duncan Bannatyne – Biography, Net Worth, Family, and Dragons’ Den Exit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Goldman Sachs?
Goldman Sachs is a publicly traded company (NYSE: GS). Ownership is distributed among institutional and retail shareholders. The largest institutional holders include Vanguard and BlackRock. There is no single owner.
What is Goldman Sachs net worth?
Net worth commonly refers to market capitalisation (≈$150B as of early 2025). However, the firm’s total assets exceed $1.5 trillion. The correct financial term for net worth is shareholder equity (approx. $120B in 2024).
Is Goldman Sachs a bank?
Yes, Goldman Sachs is a bank holding company and is regulated by the Federal Reserve. It offers consumer banking through Goldman Sachs Bank USA (Marcus) and also operates as an investment bank.
How do I contact Goldman Sachs UK?
London office: Plumtree Court, 25 Shoe Lane, London EC4A 4AU. Birmingham office: One Centenary Way, Birmingham B4 6GH. General UK contact via goldmansachs.com/contact-uk.
Does Goldman Sachs have a credit card?
Yes. Goldman Sachs issues the Apple Card in partnership with Apple (via Goldman Sachs Bank USA) and also offers the Marcus consumer credit card (discontinued new applications in some regions).
What are Goldman Sachs values?
Goldman Sachs officially states core values: Partnership, Client Focus, Excellence, and Integrity. As a firm, they emphasise apprenticeship, collaboration, and diversity.
Are there graduate programs at Goldman Sachs UK?
Yes. The firm offers analyst and associate programs for graduates across investment banking, asset management, engineering, and operations. Applications open in July/September for the following summer. Visit goldmansachs.com/careers.
What is the difference between Goldman Sachs and Goldman Sachs Bank?
Goldman Sachs is the parent company (The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.). Goldman Sachs Bank USA is its FDIC-insured bank subsidiary, which handles consumer deposits, loans, and credit cards under the Marcus brand.