Schwab, TD Ameritrade Could Trigger Spate of Brokerage Buyouts
The nation's two biggest publicly traded discount brokers are discussing a merger, according to reports, that could very well set off a frenzy of mergers and acquisitions in an online brokerage industry hampered by free commissions and other aggressive promotions.
Charles Schwab (, $44.75) is nearing an agreement to acquire, $41.38) for more than $25 billion, CNBC reported early Thursday. Should the deal be struck and pass regulatory muster, the new combined company would create a mammoth in the retail brokerage business.
