Prudential’s nearly forgotten Bache brand is being given more prominence, this week appearing in ads in Financial Times. New York’s Bache & Company was one of the great old brokerages, with roots into the 19th century. It went through dozens of names; it eventually merged into Prudential and became PrudentialMORE HERE

CHARLOTTESVILLE – Any person who lived in Virginia in the 1970s would know these regional bank jingles. “F&M’s free banking puts you and your checkbook … a jump ahead.” “Virginia National is the way Virginia Banks today.” The two banks merged, and became Sovran. Something was lost. Little was gained.MORE HERE

In The Wall Street Journal this morning, in an ad for Wachovia’s merger with Wells Fargo, the A.G. Edwards logo is prominently displayed as an equal to Wachovia. The ad is called “The Wisdom of Age. The Strength of Experience.” It cites Wachovia and A.G. Edwards’ combined 120 years ofMORE HERE

So another brokerage brand is about to bite the dust; this time it is St. Louis-based A.G. Edwards. It is part of a long line of regional brokerage names and banking names that have disappeared in recent years. Paine Webber. E.F. Hutton. Warburg. First Boston. Butcher & Singer. Chemical Bank.MORE HERE

Below is a list of the best American brands that are no more. These are but a few, but we know there are hundreds more regional and niche brands that are no more but still have a name or following. Do you have a suggestion? If so, add one atMORE HERE

In our modern age, one of the biggest legacies we will leave is our products and services — the thousands of consumer items and corporate names that run through our lives: the Ukrop’ses and Capital Ones, the Reynolds Wraps and ChapSticks. Those names have evolved through the years. Indeed, theMORE HERE