Coldwell Banker first began serving the needs of the business community after the tremendous destruction of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire. Colbert Coldwell was appalled as he saw some of his contemporaries take advantage of this tragedy by acquiring property from vulnerable sellers at unfair prices. He dedicated himself to providing an honest and knowledgeable alternative. In 1914, Benjamin Arthur Banker became a partner.

Together, they built a company based on a founding philosophy that still holds true today: the client's best interest must be the guiding force behind all services.