Editing Pearson plc (section)

=== Banking and financial services 1919 to 1999 ===
In 1919, Pearson founded Whitehall Trust Ltd. as a finance and issuing house.<ref name="IDCH"/> In 1919 Pearson also acquired a 45% stake in the London branch of merchant bankers [[Lazard|Lazard Brothers]],<ref name="dragging">{{Cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/dragging-lazards-into-the-21st-century-1102311.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/dragging-lazards-into-the-21st-century-1102311.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Dragging Lazards into the 21st century |author=Andrew Garfield |date=25 June 1999 |publisher=[[The Independent]] |location=London}}</ref> an interest which was increased to 80% in 1932 during the depression years.<ref name="dragging"/>

In 1976 Pearson acquired a stake in Embankment Trust Ltd.<ref name="IDCH"/>

By 1990 Pearson's stake in Lazard Brothers was reduced to 50% following Lazard's internationalization to Paris and New York,<ref name="dragging"/> and Pearson acquired 10% stakes in the two overseas branches.<ref name="IDCH"/>

In 1999, due to the company's refocus on education, publishing, and media, Pearson sold its Lazard holdings for £410 million.<ref name="IDCH"/><ref name="dragging"/>