You'd think the vast majority of brokerage-related needs could be handled online or over the phone, but there have been a handful of cases in the past few years when I've been very happy there's an actual brick-n-mortar Fidelity branch in little ole Louisville. Sure, I wish it were downtown instead, but in this day and age it's sometimes nice just to have a place where you can talk face-to-face with a real person. (And when I come out here to the 'burbs, it's a great excuse to grab a bite to eat at Guaca Mole!)
Anyway, as for Fidelity in general, these nice people babysit a nice chunk of my net worth, and they seem to do a pretty good job of it. Plenty of low-fee funds. They don't ever try to steer me into anything stupid. Vanguard still might be my fave, but I'm pretty faithful to Fidelity (get it?). If you ever feel the desire to hug a broker, you could do a lot worse than a visit to Forest Green Blvd. read more