Prime, Ward & King was a prominent American investment bank in the 18th and 19th Century based in New York City.
[3][4] In 1823, Prime met with and, eventually, invited James Gore King became a partner upon his return from England.
[10] In 1823, Baring bought Erie Canal bonds through the firm, causing other international investors to do the same.
The success of the Canal bonds caused the firm to take the lead in financing American expansion out west.
[1] After the financial crisis of 1836 to 1837, the Bank of England in an effort to assist New York City banks in resuming specie payment, confided a loan of almost 5 million dollars of gold to the firm which was considered a remarkable sign of confidence.