The Globe and Mail reports in its Monday edition that in 1984, Toronto-Dominion Bank was the first big bank to open what was then called a discount brokerage. The Globe's Rob Carrick writes that TD is still the leader in self-directed investing, 40 years later. The duo of TD Direct Investing and the TD Easy Trade app top The Globe's digital brokerage ranking for a second consecutive year. Consistently good Qtrade Direct Investing is another strong choice, and National Bank Direct Brokerage is coming on strong as a result of its offer of free trading of stocks and exchange-traded funds. Mr. Carrick says that unless other brokers raise their game, TD could be settling in for a long reign at the top of the broker rankings. TD Direct has been fixing nagging little deficiencies. For instance, it now offers secure e-mail so clients can get answers to questions about their account without resorting to the phone. On-line chat is offered for active traders, and the bank has introduced digital withdrawals from registered education savings plans. Parents will appreciate this one. TD Direct still charges a flat $9.99 per stock or ETF trade, a pricing policy that has been around for close to 10 years.