I'M CONFUSED!

BC has had a long career with AG Edwards. Coming from a banking background, this was a natural fit for him. He loves his job and he loved working for AG Edwards. Unfortunately in today's world, things do not seem to stay the same. Long established companies seem to be being absorbed by the "Giants" in the world. Thus the story of AG Edwards.

BC found out a little over a year ago that AGE had been purchased by Wachovia. OK-so we went to a big meeting in Arizona and met all the "Big Wigs" from Wachovia. They assured the AGE people that life would go on as always. The transition would be smooth and the clients would never know anything had changed-except the name.

Then along came the "Credit Crisis" and Wachovia-which originally was a large bank-had it's fair share of these "sub-prime" mortgages. Something would have to be done and the "Powers that be" were searching for a solution. The next rumor we hear is that Banco de Santander was one of the "suitors" for purchasing Wachovia. We immediately got out the "Spanish for Dummies" and began to brush up on our Spanish speaking skills. We even considered "Rosetta Stone" system of learning, since we didn't know if the new bosses would speak English.

This all went to nothing and now we find out the "Bank" part of Wachovia would be sold to Citi-group, but the brokerage business and fund managing part would remain Wachovia. All was well with the world again. We know who these people are and "The Fear of the Unknown" would not have to come into play.

When returning home from my long run this AM, the phone is ringing with my favorite broker on the other end of the line. It seems that now Wells Fargo has made a deal to buy the "Whole Apple" and that now Wachovia would become Wells Fargo.

Do you blame me for being confused? I plan to just keep looking at the pay checks and seeing whose bank account they are drawn on. That may be the only way to determine just WHO the boss really is. Who knows what news Monday may hold, but one thing remains the same: my favorite broker will be sitting in his chair and taking my trades and taking care of my business just like he always has. It doesn't matter what the name is on the outside of the building as long as the same man is sitting in the chair when I walk through that door. I do business with the man-not the company.