In addition to its leading position when it comes to dealmaking, Goldman Sachs is also the leading innovator on Wall Street when it comes to workplace policies. Goldman was the first big bank to enact a protected-weekend-day policy for junior bankers and a no-working-past-midnight policy for interns, revamp its promotion policy (fast-tracking junior bankers), modernize its performance review system, and widely use video interviews to recruit entry-level bankers. 

Indeed, the venerable firm has many “firsts” to its credit. Founded in 1869, Goldman played a major role in establishing the IPO markets in the early 1900s and, five decades later, was the first firm to focus on the institutional sales market. Goldman was also the first investment bank to create a dedicated M&A group, negotiate a trade on the New York Stock Exchange, and use emerging computer technology to distribute its research reports electronically.

Today, Goldman Sachs employs more than 48,000 people worldwide and is led by David Solomon, its chairman and CEO.