Salomon Brothers was a prominent investment bank founded in 1910, known for its expertise in bond trading and underwriting. It played a significant role in the development of the modern financial markets, particularly in the 1980s, when it became one of the largest and most influential firms on Wall Street. In 1997, Salomon Brothers merged with Travelers Group, forming Salomon Smith Barney. The firm faced controversies, including a major scandal in 1991 involving Treasury bond auctions, which led to regulatory changes in the industry. Ultimately, it was absorbed into Citigroup in 2003, marking the end of its independent operations.