Two accounts for the price of one
Friday afternoons have a certain ritual to them, especially now that spring is back.
Upon arriving home and looking through my mail, I found three letters:
The first was a bank statement. I didn't bother opening it for now.
The second was a welcome letter from TD Waterhouse, where I recently established a new account.
Fair enough. I'd been waiting for this for a few days, because I needed my account number and some other information.
Finally, the third was a mailing from Ameritrade, where I've held a small (and oft-neglected) online trading account for several years. At first I thought it was a statement, but upon opening it, discovered that it was simply a letter. "Oh, no. They're onto me," I thought, wondering if discount brokerages are like competing long distance companies. Then I began reading.
"This has got to be a joke," I thought, and re-examined the envelope.
No joke.
The small irony is that I now officially have two TD Waterhouse accounts (even though I suspect they'll maintain their separate web portals for quite some time).
The greater irony is that the universe now includes a company called Toronto Dominion Ameritrade.
Upon arriving home and looking through my mail, I found three letters:
The first was a bank statement. I didn't bother opening it for now.
The second was a welcome letter from TD Waterhouse, where I recently established a new account.
Dear Investor, I'd like to personally welcome you to TD Waterhouse Discount Brokerage and thank you for entrusting us with your business.
Fair enough. I'd been waiting for this for a few days, because I needed my account number and some other information.
Finally, the third was a mailing from Ameritrade, where I've held a small (and oft-neglected) online trading account for several years. At first I thought it was a statement, but upon opening it, discovered that it was simply a letter. "Oh, no. They're onto me," I thought, wondering if discount brokerages are like competing long distance companies. Then I began reading.
Dear Matthew, Ameritrade and TD Waterhouse have joined together . . . and our new name will be TD AMERITRADE.
"This has got to be a joke," I thought, and re-examined the envelope.
No joke.
The small irony is that I now officially have two TD Waterhouse accounts (even though I suspect they'll maintain their separate web portals for quite some time).
The greater irony is that the universe now includes a company called Toronto Dominion Ameritrade.