Share your thoughts on this announcement

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Wachovia says it will acquire St. Louis-based A-G Edwards for nearly $7 billion in cash and stock.

The move by the Charlotte bank would form the nation's second largest retail stock brokerage.

Wachovia chairman and chief executive Ken Thompson says the nation's fourth-largest bank considers A.G. Edwards to be the premier brokerage company in the U-S.

The combined Wachovia Securities will be based in St. Louis and have more than 33-hundred brokerage locations nationwide, more than one (T) trillion dollars in client assets and nearly 15-hundred financial advisers.

Wachovia says A.G. Edwards shareholders would get nearly one Wachovia share and 35-dollars-80 cents in cash for each A.G. Edwards share held.

The deal is expected to close late this year.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Having previously been an employee at A. G. Edwards for almost 20 years, I really hated to hear that the company was being sold. I feel the most for the Edwards whose company could so easily be divided and conquered after letting a none Edwards at the helm. I feel for my fellow comrades at Edwards and hope the ones losing their jobs will find gainful employement elsewhere.

I am an A.G. Edwards employee and am concerned over this merger. In my opinion, it is a real possibility that the position I hold could be in jeopardy. I have heard positive and negative gossip and at this point the company is trying to calm the fears of the employees, but I think many of us have a sinking feeling. I am not waiting to see the unemployment line. As much as I hate to do it, I am dusting off my resume.

Ben Edwards - We miss you.

Time will tell if it was a good thing.

Its all about the Benjamins. $$$$

First of all for all those who don't know the difference we are talking about "A.G.Edwards" and not "Edward Jones" (two different companies). So the "dome" Naming has nothing to do with it. Second as employee of A.G.Edwards, (or should I say Wachovia?) unless you are an FC or directly related to support of the branches, better dust off your resume. I am! Remember, the BAGMAN removed the poison pill from the charter!

couldn't care less

If the change does not affect the jobs of the employees, that's fine.
The name of the dome will not change. It is the Edward Jones Dome.

Mergers and buyouts are common now a days. Nothing is forever and there is never any job security. My advice to others is to do what I did. Take some of your investments and put them into starting your own business. Then you can determine your own fate and enjoy the profits. Being a small business owner, I have the priviledge of actually being able to care about my employees...at least until I get big enough that someone wants to buy me out.

Wow - this was a surprise!

Like the one person mentioned, there is no need to get upset or worry about something we have no control over. God will open another window!
This happened to me about a year ago with Ford and God has opened another window/door for me and I need to let you all in on it. You must contact me right away!
Good luck and may God bless!

now its going to be the wachovia dome? is nothing sacred in st. louis but beer and busch?

Yes, it is time for another old line St. Louis company to modernize.

As a long-time employee of A G Edwards, I have mixed emotions. It was not pleasant learning of this via the news media, but due to market concerns and regulatory issues, they were unable to announce it to us prior to the news media having the word. They have asked us to remain calm and not panic. The news is unsettling, but I am sure we will be ok. When God closes a door, he opens a window, and there is no use worrying about things you cannot control.

Wachovia is a very reputable company. I'm sure A.G. Edwards deliberated a long time before deciding this move.

I work at AG Edwards and right now we don't really know too much. :-(

Lucky me I had stock in both companies.
How is that name pronounced? Walk-over-ya'??

great, some over priveledged white guys bought out some other over priveledged white guys. Giant who cares.