Can they charge me inactive account fee

[kennday]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?
CA

I opened an brokerage account with company A via employee stock option program. Company B bought company A, and now company B charges me $50 for inactive account fee. The account I opened with company A does not have any service fee. I call the customer service, but they refuse to waive it. Can they legally do that?

[I_Got_Banned]

Originally Posted by kennday

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?
CA

I opened an brokerage account with company A via employee stock option program. Company B bought company A, and now company B charges me $50 for inactive account fee. The account I opened with company A does not have any service fee. I call the customer service, but they refuse to waive it. Can they legally do that?

My guess is that when company B acquired company A, they amended the Customer Account Agreement thereby indicating that inactive accounts will be charged an inactivity fee.
Check your most recent statements for any enclosures that may have mentioned that change. Alternatively, and assuming you had signed up for paperless statements, go online, sign on to your account and check for any disclosures that may have been noted/mentioned in your most recent statements (specifically statements issued since the acquisition). Chances are, you will find something about that change.