EXHIBIT 16.2 [ARTHUR ANDERSEN INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS LETTERHEAD] Office of the Chief Accountant Securities and Exchange Commission 450 Fifth Street, NW Washington DC 20549 February 9, 2001 Dear Sir/Madam: We have read Item 4 in the Form 8-K/A (Amendment No. 2) of E*TRADE Group, Inc. filed on February 9, 2001 with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are in agreement with the statements contained therein. Very truly yours, /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP Independent Public Accountants cc: Mr. Leonard C. Purkis, Chief Financial Officer, E*Trade Group, Inc.