The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America is one of the largest mutual life insurance companies in the world. Based in Manhattan, it has approximately 8,000 employees in the United States and a network of over 3,000 financial representatives in more than 70 agencies nationwide. As of 2018, it ranks 239th on the Fortune 500 list of largest American corporations by revenue. In 2015, Guardian achieved the highest earnings in its 155-year history with $7.3 billion in capital and $1.5 billion in operating costs. Founded in Manhattan in 1860, the company offers a wide range of insurance products and services, including life insurance, disability income insurance, annuities, investments, and dental and vision insurance coverage. History Guardian founder Hugo Wesendonck, a German civil rights lawyer, participated in the 1848-49 revolution and helped draft a constitution for a united Germany. Accused of treason, he fled post-revolution Europe and landed in the U.S. With start-up funds from fellow German refugees, he opened Germania Life Insurance Company in 1860 on Wall Street in Manhattan, to cover the growing number of German immigrants arriving on American shores. Two years later, he opened a branch in San Francisco, and later across the country, reaching territories such as Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota, and South Dakota. In 1868, Germania became the first U.S. insurance company to start an agency in Europe. By the early 20th century, almost half its business was outside North America, until the pressures of World War I forced it to stop its business in Europe. As operations expanded, the company moved to the Germania Life Insurance Company Building at Union Square in 1911 – a location that would serve as Guardian's headquarters for more than 85 years. In 1979, Guardian began to regionalize many Home Office functions, and satellite offices are now located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; Appleton, Wisconsin; Spokane, Washington; and Norwell, Massachusetts. In 1999, Guardian relocated to 7 Hanover Square in the Financial District. In April 2017 the company announced plans to move several hundred employees to Bell Labs in Holmdel, New Jersey. Products Dental Guardian is the 6th largest dental provider in the US, with 6.4 million participants as of February 2015. Guardian acquired First Commonwealth in 1999, and acquired Premier Access in 2014, and Avesis in 2016. Disability insurance In July 2001, Guardian merged with Berkshire Life Insurance Company. , the newly formed Berkshire Life Insurance Company of America subsidiary