Ameritrade

Ameritrade was an American online brokerage that provided self-directed investing and related financial services to individual and institutional clients. It originated as a discount brokerage in 1975 and grew to become one of the largest online brokers in the United States, expanding its reach as internet trading became popular in the 1990s.

In 2006, Ameritrade merged with TD Waterhouse to form TD Ameritrade, consolidating the two brands under a single corporate umbrella. The company offered a wide range of products and services, including brokerage and retirement accounts, mutual funds, fixed income products, and cash management solutions. It maintained web- and mobile-based trading platforms, with thinkorswim recognized for its advanced charting, paper trading, and options analytics aimed at active and professional traders.

In the late 2010s, the company’s trajectory converged with broader industry shifts toward commission-free trading. In 2019, Charles Schwab announced an agreement to acquire TD Ameritrade, a deal that closed in 2020. TD Ameritrade then became a subsidiary of Schwab, with the TD Ameritrade brand continuing to operate for a period during the integration of systems and services.

Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, Ameritrade/Td Ameritrade served millions of client accounts and offered trading services and educational resources through web portals and mobile apps. Following the acquisition, Schwab integrated TD Ameritrade’s platforms and capabilities into its own product ecosystem, while retaining elements of the legacy brand during the transition.