So, does that mean they will lower prices for trades? No, not by the hair of your chinny chin chin. Scotrade = $7.00 trades Ameritrade = $9.95 trade. Hmmm.
You *can* get lower commissions at Ameritrade (Think or Swim) based upon volume or certain referrals. Slightly.
The analytics they have in their front end are IMO utterly unmatched in the industry, profound. Especially compared to a Fred Flintstone brokerage like Scottrade. Of course, that does not matter if you infrequently buy stock sell stock. They are much easier to get advanced options permissions. Scottrade hates it even when you do covered spreads. When I was at Scottrade I got some astoundingly stenchy executions. I mean, really bad.
But in general, you are correct. TOS is pricey on comms.
You just have to parse the ‘language’ used.
It says they can offer the services LESS EXPENSIVELY. Meaning, it will cost THEM LESS to provide the service. It doesn’t mean they will charge clients less. What would the point be ? The whole point of the merger is to be able to make MORE PROFIT, not LESS. They will be keeping their FEE the same, but since it will cost less after the merger, they make more profit.
To pay more than $1 per trade is for very rich folks!