
Franklin Templeton is the flagship investment brand of Franklin Templeton, Inc. (NYSE: BEN), a publicly traded global asset manager headquartered in San Mateo, California. The name descends from Franklin Distributors, founded in 1947, and the Templeton funds business acquired in 1992. The parent manages approximately $1.8 trillion, and CEO Jenny Johnson represents the founder's fourth generation of family leadership.
Parent Company
Founded
1947
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Franklin Templeton | Franklin Templeton, Inc. | Brand division |
Rupert H. Johnson Sr. started Franklin Distributors in New York in 1947, taking Benjamin Franklin as the namesake for his new mutual fund business. The Franklin funds grew steadily, and the company moved to California and went public in the 1980s.
The 1992 acquisition of Templeton, Galbraith and Hansberger, Sir John Templeton's global value investing firm, created the combined Franklin Templeton identity used on funds worldwide. The 1996 purchase of Mutual Series added value equity capability, and the Franklin Templeton brand became one of the most recognized names in retail investing.
Under Jenny Johnson since 2020, the brand has been repositioned around a multi-boutique structure, with specialist managers running investments while Franklin Templeton serves as the umbrella identity and distribution engine. The 2026 legal name change completed the alignment between company and brand.
Is Franklin Resources the same as Franklin Templeton?
Yes. Franklin Resources, Inc. was the legal name until August 17, 2026, when it became Franklin Templeton, Inc. The NYSE ticker BEN is unchanged.
Is Franklin Templeton publicly traded?
Yes. It trades on the NYSE under ticker BEN.
Who is the CEO of Franklin Templeton?
Jenny Johnson, great-granddaughter of founder Rupert H. Johnson Sr., president and CEO since February 2020.
How much does Franklin Templeton manage?
Approximately $1.8 trillion as of September 30, 2026.
Did Franklin Templeton buy Legg Mason?
Yes, in July 2020 for about $4.5 billion, adding Western Asset, ClearBridge, Brandywine Global, Martin Currie, Royce, and Clarion Partners.
Does the Johnson family still control Franklin Templeton?
The family holds a substantial ownership position and Jenny Johnson leads the company, but it is a public corporation with majority outside shareholders.
Western Asset scandal: Charges against former Western Asset co-CIO Ken Leech for a trade allocation scheme weighed on the brand through 2024 and 2025 despite the misconduct sitting inside a specialist affiliate.
India windup: The 2020 decision to wind up six Indian debt funds drew litigation and regulatory action, resolved through court-supervised repayments over following years.
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| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Street | USA | 1993 | Mass market | Global | All Genders | |
| Equitable Holdings | USA | 1967 | Mass market | Global | All Genders | |
| Charles Schwab | USA | 1971 | Mass market | United states | All Genders | |
| Goldman Sachs | USA | 1988 | Premium | Global | Unisex | |
| Blackrock | USA | 2000 | Premium | Global | All Genders | |
| Tiaa | USA | 1898 | Mass market | Global | All Genders |
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Market Positioning: Franklin Templeton competes with 6 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
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Bloomberg Terminal is privately owned, unlike Franklin Templeton which is under a publicly traded parent company.
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