BMO Investorline

[Norbert Schlenker]

There are "technical difficulties" today which make viewing of portfolio positions impossible.

[Norbert Schlenker]

An interesting problem today at BMO InvestorLine. There's been a name and CUSIP change for most ishares on the TSX and existing positions cannot be sold on the BMOIL website.

[Shakespeare]

That may be related to the buggered-up quotes at Yahoo I'm getting on XSB and XIU. TSX is quoting.

[newguy]

My ishares quotes at IB didn't work until I deleted them and re-entered them.

newguy

[Webber22]

The tmx website tmxmoney.com is not quoting ishares symbols correctly in the portfolio area. Some are prefixed with US: ??

[Pickles]

An interesting problem today at BMO InvestorLine. There's been a name and CUSIP change for most ishares on the TSX and existing positions cannot be sold on the BMOIL website.

Not a problem for a buy and hold investor. Don't tell me you're a closet market-timer!!!

[Norbert Schlenker]

Not that I'll admit.

I was looking at the account for tax loss sale opportunities among the preferreds and noticed that there were two entries for XIC. The existing position had no trade menu beside it. Meanwhile, there was a new position that was tradable, but with zero shares held. This morning, the tradable position has positive shares and now there's a zero position that's untradable. A few more days of back office shuffling should do the trick.

[snowback96]

Glad I'm not the only one that's seeing "double" today! I was going to call BMO but now my mind is at ease.

[queerasmoi]

Saw the same thing at Credential but they graciously posted a prominent notice:

iShares Name Change and Cusip Change
Due to a change by the TSX (Toronto Stock Exchange), iShares have had a change to their name and (cusip) security number but no symbol change. As a result, all open orders as of April 20 will need to be cancelled and reentered. If you are holding iShares, your holdings may not reflect the change for a few business days. If you need to sell your shares, please contact a Credential Direct representative at 1.877.742.2900.

As of today it's all looking fine again.

[Descartes]

technical difficulties all this morning: wait minutes for the login page to appear, wait minutes for the login to be processed, but luckily they still log you out promptly should you walk away from your computer temporarily waiting for them to finish

Like the German government's recent ban on short-selling, maybe the Canadian government has asked brokerages to ban any kind of market activity?

[Jaunty]

but luckily they still log you out promptly should you walk away from your computer temporarily waiting for them to finish

Yes, and I got told I had made an improper move when I tried to switch from my account view to a transactions view and was logged off - about 60 seconds after logging in!

[Pickles]

Day 2 of technical problems at BMOIL. No explanation, no timeline for resolving the problems, just a vague notice that logins "may take longer than usual". Meanwhile, it's taking minutes to go from one page to another and usually I get turfed out after 2 pages.

Pretty shoddy. RBC Action Direct, please make another 1% offer!!

[Peculiar_Investor]

According to the G&M and BMO, BMO InvestorLine back on track.

While it's difficult to quantify how many clients were unable to make timely trades during InvestorLine's service slowdown, Mr. Marranca said that even at the height of the problems, successful online log-ins were down a modest 10 per cent from normal levels.

As a “gesture of goodwill” to inconvenienced clients, he said, BMO InvestorLine is offering all clients two free equity trades in the month of June.

Based on the reports on FWF, it would seem that their "successful online log-ins" data may be suspect.

[Springbok]

Notice from President on BMOIL site says that EVERYONE gets two free trades during June, to be credited early July. Not bad for those with smaller accounts.

[Descartes]

Notice from President on BMOIL site says that EVERYONE gets two free trades during June, to be credited early July. Not bad for those with smaller accounts.

They don't make it too easy to find. Here is the exact notice (I had no idea they were proud of their service. I'm not sure I would be):

Message from Connie Stefankiewicz
President and CEO BMO InvestorLine

Dear Clients,

Over the last two days some of you may have experienced slower than normal response times as you logged on to our site. As you know, we pride ourselves in providing our clients with a fast, reliable site. We take being there for you when you need us very seriously.

Today, I am pleased to report that our service is back to the previous levels that you have come to expect from us. We continue to monitor site performance to ensure response times remain at the expected levels.

I would like to express my sincere regrets for any inconvenience you may have experienced. And to thank you for your patience during this time, all clients will receive their first two equity trades for free during the month of June. We will automatically rebate your account within the first five business days in July.

Thank you for your continued business with us.

Connie Stefankiewicz
President and CEO, BMO InvestorLine

[IdOp]

All things considered, the BMO response sounds pretty good to me. TD Waterhouse has had worse disruptions in the last few years, and basically lived in denial, let alone offering free trades to all for goodwill.

[Pickles]

I may use this opportunity to get rid of my 14 Ba.UN shares I acquired in my RRSP when BCE reorganized. Or buy enough extra to set up a drip.

[kcowan]

All things considered, the BMO response sounds pretty good to me. TD Waterhouse has had worse disruptions in the last few years, and basically lived in denial, let alone offering free trades to all for goodwill.

Do you think TDW really knew? Or did they talk thenselves into it?

[IdOp]

Do you think TDW really knew? Or did they talk thenselves into it?

You lost me there?

[Springbok]

I may use this opportunity to get rid of my 14 Ba.UN shares I acquired in my RRSP when BCE reorganized. Or buy enough extra to set up a drip.

Good idea! - I have several such things cluttering up portfolio.

[Bylo Selhi]

I may use this opportunity to get rid of my 14 Ba.UN shares I acquired in my RRSP when BCE reorganized. Or buy enough extra to set up a drip.

Since BCE spun them off they've made at least two tender offers for odd lots. Had you tendered BA then there would have been no fees either. Or you could wait to see if the new "un-trusted" BA gets reabsorbed by Ma Bell.

[Pickles]

I may use this opportunity to get rid of my 14 Ba.UN shares I acquired in my RRSP when BCE reorganized. Or buy enough extra to set up a drip.

Since BCE spun them off they've made at least two tender offers for odd lots. Had you tendered BA then there would have been no fees either. Or you could wait to see if the new "un-trusted" BA gets reabsorbed by Ma Bell.

I tried. BMOIL said that Aliant's offer did not apply to my shares and this was confirmed by the agency handling the tender offer.

[Springbok]

BMO Investorline site seems to have slowed down again - At present I cannot get to it but RBCDI works just fine.

[Pickles]

BMOIL is now displaying a "technical difficulties" sign. Guess we're never going to get the chance to log in and use those free trades...

[IdOp]

Following on the heels of a similar move by TD Waterhouse, and a competitive move by CIBC IE, BMO is bringing $9.95 trades down to the $50k asset level:

BMO InvestorLine today announced that beginning December 1, 2010, it will extend its low flat rate of $9.95 per trade to more clients. The low pricing will be available to clients with $50,000 in assets invested through BMO InvestorLine and applies to trades for Canadian and U.S equities made through online or automated telephone services. The asset level needed to qualify for this new rate will be easier to reach because clients can also combine assets from any BMO InvestorLine accounts over which they have trading authority.

Source: BMO InvestorLine Extends Low Flat Trading Rate To More Clients