Macquarie is an investment banking powerhouse with Australian roots that date back to 1969. Its main business lines include asset management, banking and financial services, commodities and global markets, and Macquarie Capital (which "combines deep insights and advice with principal investing"). Macquarie has over 19,000 employees worldwide and is considered one of the leading middle market investment banks. The firm is led by Shemara Wikramanayake, its CEO. Wikramanayake initially joined Macquarie in 1987 and took over the top role in 2018. She is the first woman to lead the firm.