Pros
The company has a great reputation with clients, and, to a degree, in the industry as well. For the most part, the associates are truly nice.
Cons
They are a low cost provider, which is great for their clients but not for their employees. That equates to pathetic salaries, and corners cut every which way possible, as in some pretty archaic computer systems. Likewise, they are VERY conservative which is evident in how long it takes to move initiatives forward. Sadly enough, they think they're progressing to the point where they can play with the "big boys" - but what they do not grasp is that the "big boys" have been there already for at least 10 years. Management in one elite department has no idea how to strategically reach that goal because of the constant fighting and posturing. Immature, unproductive and unprofessional. It's a large, behemoth that is much more concerned with touting the marketing concept of "we're the low cost provider" instead of paying their people what they are really worth. STOP lowering the expense ratios and using that as a way to wage war on Schwab. Schwab may have higher expense ratios, but they pay their associates better, which in turn creates larger numbers of loyal employees. NOT employees that are scared to leave because they don't know what else is "out there." When the economy does turn around, and it will, they had better be prepared for the mass exodus that WILL occur.