Wilmington is known as a major national center for the credit card industry. Numerous national and international banks including Bank of America, Barclays, MBNA Bank and Chase have facilities in Wilmington. Numerous Delaware retail banking headquarters are also located in the city. Insurance is another significant element of the economy. American Life Insurance and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Delaware are located in Wilmington. Legal services also contribute to the economy.
The city has a large per capita population of lawyers. Also, due to Delaware's favorable corporate franchise tax laws and the nationally recognized Court of Chancery, Wilmington is the corporate domicile of about 50% of the publicly traded companies in the nation and about 60% of the Fortune 500 firms.
The largest sectors for employment in Wilmington are shown below:
- Healthcare
- Banking
- Manufacturing
- Trade
- Government
- Education
Some of the most popular occupations in Wilmington which are primarily filled by college graduates include registered nurses, accountants and auditors, teachers, computer systems analysts, wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives, lawyers, financial managers, financial analysts, management analysts and market research analysts.
The Delaware Economic Development Office collaborates with educational organizations in order to provide skill training that meets the specifications of Wilmington companies. Training contracts are arranged with colleges, vocational schools and independent agencies.
A list of the largest employers in Wilmington is provided below:
- MBNA Corps
- E.I. Du Pont de Nemours Co
- Christina Care Health Services
- Alfred I. du Pont Institute (Medical Campus)
- Astra-Zeneca
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware
- Du Pont Hospital for Children/Nemours Children's Clinic
- First Bank of Delaware
- IKO
- MBNA Headquarters
- PFPC Inc
- TechniData America LLC
- Vandemark & Lynch
- Wilmington Trust Corporation
- Hercules
Notable information about Wilmington: About 21% of the residents over the age of 25 hold a bachelor's degree or better. The estimated household income in 2007 was $37,000. In 2008 the cost of living index in Wilmington was at 106.1. The nation's average is 100.
Wilmington companies have access to business organizations such as:
The Delawareonline.com offers up-to-date information regarding the business activities in Wilmington.