As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, a recent Fortune ranking shows that 12 companies on the 2026 Fortune 500 list have been in business for over 200 years. They have weathered wars, economic crises, and multiple technological shifts, remaining among America's largest corporations.
Financial institutions account for the highest proportion
The report shows that banks and insurance companies make up a significant majority of the oldest and most enduring large corporations in the United States. The Bank of New York Mellon (BNY) dates back to 1784, Cigna and State Street both originated in 1792, and JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup also have histories spanning over two centuries.
One of the oldest companies on the list is Molson Coors, whose origins date back to 1774, predating American independence. Headquartered in Chicago, the company is projected to rank 390th on the 2026 Fortune 500 list, with annual revenue of $11.14 billion and over 16,000 employees.
Companies that survived the crisis
Richard Sylla, Professor Emeritus at NYU Stern School of Business, told Fortune that a company's long-term survival depends first and foremost on whether it enters the right industry. He cited the early days of the banking industry in the US as an example, noting its early strength and resilience, but also its long history of financial panics, market crashes, and cyclical fluctuations.
He believes that the companies that truly survive are not those that haven't experienced crises, but rather those that have handled risks better than their competitors during multiple systemic fluctuations. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that nearly half of new companies today exit the market within five years of their founding.
Long-term strategy: maintain restraint
Sylla also mentioned that the ability of management to identify risks in advance is another condition for long-term survival. He cited JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon as an example, saying that even when the market is performing strongly, Dimon continues to be cautious about the economic outlook, a practice that helps reduce corporate vulnerability.
Joerg Ambrosius, President of State Street Investment Services, also stated that the company has maintained a clear and restrained strategic direction in the long term, not pursuing excessive expansion, but focusing on a few core businesses and striving to maintain a leading position in these areas.
Insurance companies are also an important part of the long-term life insurance industry in the United States. Cigna CEO David Cordani stated that the company has evolved from initially providing insurance for ships and cargo to becoming a health services company, but its core objective has always revolved around risk protection.
