Scottrade

If I could give them six stars, I would — for one Scottrade representative, Christine Desrosiers. Her clear dedication to her clients and obvious skill with and pride in her job (but no apparent ego) goes so far above and beyond. I will never deal with any other investment broker for US investors. Ever, no matter where I am in the world.
My first contact with her was about five years ago when I first opened an account while overseas; it was extremely complicated (way too much to explain), but her assistance every step of the way was stellar. Years passed without the transfer of my stock from my ex-husband’s e*trade account into mine, at no fault of Christine who tried to run interference with my ex’s stock company when they kept giving him incorrect information, until I finally had the correctly-​done stock transfer letter in my hands over two years after the last time I spoke with Christine.
By this time I was back in the US and was able to take the letter to the branch in person. As soon as I said my name, Christine knew who I was (including details, and again this was after more than two years). Again she went out of her way to help me, getting a direct name at e*trade for me to fax to in the correct department and ensuring that the letter would be accepted regardless of the date. All I needed to do was get it certified and faxed, and she would have done that for me if I didn’t have access to a fax.
Today I went to check on the status of the stock transfer. Initially I was told by the manager that he knew they hadn’t received a fax, and that I would have to call e*trade’s main customer service number. While I was in Starbucks a few doors down consoling myself with a chai frappucino, Christine came bursting through the door looking for me.
Knowing e*trade’s history with this transfer, Christine had actually looked up my account and saw the stock was finally there. Then she had looked up the current share price and calculated it out for me. She informed me that although dealer-​assisted trades are $ 27, she was more than happy to walk me through it as much as I needed up to the point of pressing ‘submit’ to save the $ 20. Following further useful information, such as reminding me she could reset my web password instantly if I had forgotten it after so long and that a quick phone call to her would get me any information on any company or their stock price I want, she politely left as soon as my beverage was ready.
I like Scottrade as a company; it’s completely free just to have stock sitting with them (or to transfer stock to them), trades are cheap (only $ 7), and one can contact individual branches by local or toll-​free phone, fax, or in person. I don’t like this branch manager’s sometimes flippant attitude towards customers and tendency to take credit for his employees’ thoughtfulness, thus if it wasn’t for Christine my rating would be probably be around four stars.
Christine is *the* hidden gem of investment services. Six stars and three cheers for her!