Merrill A Bank of America Company Merrill A Bank of America Company Open an account Login Open Menu bar Find answers to common questions at MerrillSchedule an Open an accountwith Merrill Select toOpen an account Get unlimited $0 online stock and ETF tradesFootnote* Consolidate accounts from other institutionsFootnote1 Access powerful tools only available at Merrill Contact customer support for help 24/7 Question: Can I have more than one Merrill brokerage account? Answer: Yes, having multiple accounts is a great way to support multiple financial goals. Customize your trade analysis with Merrill Edge MarketPro®, offering advanced charting capabilities, intuitive screeners and more.Footnote2 Select toLearn more about Merrill Edge MarketPro®. You can also start searching for your next investing idea with Idea Builder, an intuitive tool that helps you explore investing ideas by themes. Select toLog in now to explore ideas. Select toOpen an account Find your preferred way to invest, whether you're interested in simple stock trades or advanced options and margin trading. Select to learn more aboutStocksSelect to learn more aboutMutual FundsSelect to learn more aboutETFsSelect to learn more aboutFixed IncomeSelect to learn more aboutOptionsSelect to learn more aboutMargin Trading Merrill offers transparent pricing for trades, account services and investment advisory programs. Select toOpen an account or call us at 888.637.3343 Expand all An online brokerage account allows you to easily transfer available funds between your Bank of America bank and Merrill investment accountsFootnote1 and gives you access to a full range of investment choices. Enjoy the convenience of monitoring your portfolio from your mobile device, and Self-Directed investors can manage everyday transactions with services such as check-writing, a Visa® deferred debit card and web bill pay. Yes, you may open as many brokerage accounts as you want. Opening multiple accounts is a great way to support multiple goals. In addition, you can manage each account in the way that best suits your needs. For example, you can have an account managed by Merrill Investment professionals with Merrill Guided Investing or Merrill Guided Investing with an advisorFootnote3, and a self-directed account.Footnote* See our Ways to manage investments for more details. A Joint brokerage account can offer up to four account owners, while an Individual brokerage account is limited to one. Access a full range of investments, including: stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), fixed income, bonds and thousands of well-known mutual funds. For a simpler approach, consider opening a Merrill Guided Investing account, an investment advisory program, where you can invest with a low-cost portfolio built, managed and rebalanced by the investment professionals at Merrill.Footnote3 You can open an investment account online in less than 15 minutes. Or speak with Merrill Financial Solutions Advisors at 888.MER.EDGE (888.637.3343) or visit a Bank of America financial center near you. As a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, you're eligible for preferred pricing with a Merrill Guided Investing account. Get a professionally managed portfolio aligned to your goals that's built, monitored and rebalanced by Merrill investment professionals.Footnote3 Get started with as little as $1,000 for Merrill Guided Investing or $20,000 for Merrill Guided investing with an advisor for a low fee.Footnote3 Other fees may applyFootnote* Fund in one of four ways: Merrill Deposited funds typically post to the account within two days of receipt. Funds are available for investment when posted, but can be held from withdrawal for up to eight days. Your Individual brokerage account has unlimited $0 online stock, ETF and option trades with no trade or balance minimums. Options contract and other fees may apply.Footnote* Your Individual brokerage account has no minimum balance requirement and no annual account fee. Additional transaction, service or investment fees may apply.Footnote* See our comprehensive pricing for details. Yes. One of the greatest benefits of linking your accounts is the ability to transfer money easily between your eligible banking and brokerage accounts. You can make an immediate, one-time transfer between accounts, schedule transfers in the future and set up recurring transfers.Footnote4 Please note that you can only transfer money between your brokerage accounts on the Merrill Edge website. And, if you want to transfer money from a Bank of America account to another person's Bank of America account, you must do so through your Bank of America Online Banking account. To transfer cash between your Bank of America and Merrill accounts, link your accounts, and then use our online tool to make a transfer. If you are transferring an account that is changing in account ownership from a custodial account to a joint account, the minor must have attained the age of majority. If the change in ownership is to a joint account, the minor must be one of the joint owners. The custodian of the account must sign the transfer form. Medallion signature guarantees will be required for all signatures in the Special Authorization section of the Account Transfer form. A medallion signature guarantee is a special financially-backed signature guarantee for the transfer of securities. Please check with your bank of security firm to find out if they can provide medallion signature guarantees. Please contact us to assist you at any time while you are transferring your account. To transfer cash from a Bank of America or Merrill account, link your accounts, and then use our online tool to make an immediate transfer. To transfer cash or securities from an account held at another financial institution, please complete our Funds Transfer Service form (PDF). When that process is completed, you will be able to see that account in our online tool and will be able to transfer funds, and set up one-time and recurring deposits. To deposit a check, please write your Merrill account number in the memo field of your endorsed check and deposit via the mobile app or mail it to one of the addresses below: Regular mail Overnight mail 4803 Deer Lake Drive East 877.653.4732 Yes. You can trade on margin by using the Margin Lending Program. During the account opening process, you have the ability to opt in and sign the margin agreement. If you do not accept the agreement during account opening, you subsequently may submit a margin agreement form to gain access. As a Merrill client, you can access credit based on the value of the margin-eligible securities in your Merrill account. Learn more about margin lending, including the potential advantages and risks. Footnote Other fees may apply. Free and $0 means there is no commission charged for these trades. $0 option trades are subject to a $0.65 per-contract fee. Sales are subject to a transaction fee of between $0.01 and $0.03 per $1,000 of principal. There are costs associated with owning ETFs. To learn more about Merrill pricing, visit our Pricing page. Footnote You have choices about what to do with your employer-sponsored retirement plan accounts. Depending on your financial circ*mstances, needs and goals, you may choose to roll over to an IRA or convert to a Roth IRA, roll over an employer-sponsored plan from your old job to your new employer, take a distribution, or leave the account where it is. Each choice may offer different investment options and services, fees and expenses, withdrawal options, required minimum distributions, tax treatment (particularly with reference to employer stock), and different types of protection from creditors and legal judgments. These are complex choices and should be considered with care. For more information visit our rollover page or call Merrill at 888.637.3343. Footnote When we make recommendations regarding securities or investment strategies (including as to rollovers and account types) with respect to retirement assets, we are a fiduciary within the meaning of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and/or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code, as applicable. Footnote Merrill Edge MarketPro® is available to clients who maintain a Merrill Edge® Self-Directed relationship. Not available to investment professionals or for trust accounts and business accounts. Relationship requirements and pricing are subject to change. Footnote Please review the applicable Merrill Guided Investing Program Brochure (PDF) or Merrill Guided Investing with Advisor Program Brochure (PDF) for information including the program fee, rebalancing, and the details of the investment advisory program. Your recommended investment strategy will be based solely on the information you provide to us for this specific investment goal and is separate from any other advisory program offered with us. If there are multiple owners on this account, the information you provide should reflect the views and circ*mstances of all owners on the account. If you are the fiduciary of this account for the benefit of the account owner or account holder (e.g., trustee for a trust or custodian for an UTMA), please keep in mind that these assets will be invested for the benefit of the account owner or account holder. Merrill Guided Investing is offered with and without an advisor. Merrill, Merrill Lynch, and/or Merrill Edge investment advisory programs are offered by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("MLPF&S") and Managed Account Advisors LLC ("MAA") an affiliate of MLPF&S. MLPF&S and MAA are registered investment advisers. Investment adviser registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Footnote Clients enrolled in Preferred Rewards receive a Preferred Rewards discount off the Merrill Guided Investing program's annual asset-based fee of 0.45 %, and the Merrill Guided Investing with Advisor and Merrill Edge Advisory Account programs' annual asset-based fee of 0.85 % for any of their accounts enrolled in the respective advisory programs. Preferred Rewards enrolled clients receive a discount of 0.05% off of the annual rate for the Gold tier, 0.10% for the Platinum tier, or 0.15% for the Platinum Honors, Diamond and Diamond Honors tiers based on their Preferred Rewards tier effective at the time the applicable advisory program fee is calculated. It may take up to 30 calendar days for changes to your Preferred Rewards status or tier to be associated with and effective for your accounts in the advisory programs. This fee is charged monthly in advance. In addition to the annual program fee, the expenses of the investments will vary based on the specific funds within each portfolio. Actual fund expenses will vary; please refer to each fund's prospectus. Footnote The Chief Investment Office (CIO) develops the investment strategies for Merrill Guided Investing and Merrill Guided Investing with Advisor, including providing its recommendations of ETFs, mutual funds and related asset allocations. Managed Account Advisors LLC (MAA), Merrill's affiliate, is the overlay portfolio manager responsible for implementing the Merrill Guided Investing strategies for client accounts, including facilitating the purchase & sale of ETFs and mutual funds in client accounts and updating account asset allocations when the CIO's recommendations change while also implementing any applicable individual client or firm restriction(s). You may also be able to obtain the same or similar services or types of investments through other programs and services, both investment advisory and brokerage, offered by Merrill; these may be available at lower or higher fees than charged by the Program. The services that you receive by investing through Merrill Guided Investing or Merrill Guided Investing with Advisor will be different from the services you receive through other programs. You may also be able to obtain some or all of these types of services from other firms, and if they are available, the fees associated with them may be lower or higher than the fees we charge. Footnote Certain banking and brokerage accounts may be ineligible for real-time money movement, including but not limited to transfers to/from bank IRAs (CD, Money Market), 529s, Bank of America Advantage SafeBalance Banking™, Credit Cards and transfers from IRAs, Loans (HELOC, LOC, Mortgage) and accounts held in the military bank. Accounts eligible for real-time transfers will be displayed online in the to/from drop down menu on the transfer screen. Footnote Sustainable and Impact Investing and/or Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) managers may take into consideration factors beyond traditional financial information to select securities, which could result in relative investment performance deviating from other strategies or broad market benchmarks, depending on whether such sectors or investments are in or out of favor in the market. Further, ESG strategies may rely on certain values based criteria to eliminate exposures found in similar strategies or broad market benchmarks, which could also result in relative investment performance deviating. MAP6579656-11022025 Investing in securities involves risks, and there is always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities. Asset allocation, diversification, and rebalancing do not ensure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets. Merrill, its affiliates, and financial advisors do not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. You should consult your legal and/or tax advisors before making any financial decisions. This material is not intended as a recommendation, offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security or investment strategy. Merrill offers a broad range of brokerage, investment advisory (including financial planning) and other services. Additional information is available in our Client Relationship Summary (PDF). Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (also referred to as "MLPF&S" or "Merrill") makes available certain investment products sponsored, managed, distributed or provided by companies that are affiliates of Bank of America Corporation ("BofA Corp."). MLPF&S is a registered broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, Member Securities Investor Protection (SIPC) popup and a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation ("BofA Corp"). Merrill Lynch Life Agency Inc. (MLLA) is a licensed insurance agency and wholly owned subsidiary of BofA Corp. Banking products are provided by Bank of America, N.A. and affiliated banks, Members FDIC and wholly owned subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation. Investment products offered through MLPF&S and insurance and annuity products offered through MLLA: Privacy|Security|Glossary|Advertising practicespopupAdvertising Practicespopup © 2024 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved. 4326521
appointmentwith MerrillPursue your investing goals with a Merrill brokerage account
With a brokerage account, you can buy and sell a variety of investments such as stocks, mutual funds, ETFs and bonds.
Individual and Joint Account Benefits
Enhance your investing capabilities with sharp analysis and fresh ideas
See what else your Merrill account has to offer
Discover your investment choices
Select toLearn more about pricing at MerrillReady to get started?
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the advantages of an online brokerage account?
Can I have more than one brokerage account?
What is the difference between an Individual and Joint brokerage account?
What are my investment choices?
How can I open a Merrill investment account?
Do I receive any investment benefits with Merrill as a Bank of America® Preferred Rewards member?
How do I fund my online brokerage account?
P.O. Box #962
Newark, NJ 07101-0962Are there any fees?
Can I transfer money between my Bank of America banking and Merrill investment accounts?
How do I transfer an account or assets from another firm to Merrill?
How do I deposit money into my Merrill account?
Merrill
P.O. Box 962
Newark, NJ 07101-0962
Merrill
FL9-802-03-06
Jacksonville, FL 32246 Can I trade on margin?
Are Not FDIC Insured Are Not Bank Guaranteed May Lose Value Are Not Deposits Are Not Insured by Any Federal Government Agency Are Not a Condition to Any Banking Service or Activity
Decide How You Want to InvestMake your own investments or have Merrill investment professionals manage your portfolio for you, with the option to work with an advisor.Select toCompare your optionsManage Investments on the GoAccess your Merrill accounts, make transfers and invest from wherever you are, all from the convenience of your mobile device.Footnote4Select toDiscover mobile capabilitiesInvest to Make a DifferenceAlign your portfolio with your values and learn more about the ways you can make a positive impact in the world by investing.Footnote5Select toLearn more about sustainable investing
FAQs
Should I open a joint or individual brokerage account? ›
When you open a brokerage account, you need to choose between an individual or joint brokerage account. Joint brokerage accounts are beneficial if you're looking to pool your investments with another person, such as a spouse or family member, and can be a way to simplify investment management and/or estate planning.
Can I add someone to my Merrill Edge account? ›The Merrill Edge® Self-Directed CMA Additional Account Owner Booklet and Agreement allows you to authorize the addition of a joint account owner to an Individual CMA account. Once the application is completed and returned, pending review and approval, the new joint account owner will be added to the account.
Does Merrill Lynch have brokerage accounts? ›At Merrill, we make available to you various types of accounts for your investment purposes. The following are our core or primary types of accounts that provide for brokerage services. In order to enroll in a Merrill investment advisory program, you must first establish a brokerage account.
Can you change an individual brokerage account to a joint account? ›How do I change an individual account into a joint or trust account and vice versa? Brokerage accounts cannot simply be retitled like most bank accounts. Instead, a brand new account with an updated title must first be opened and then the assets are “journaled” from the old account to the new account.
What are the disadvantages of a joint brokerage account? ›However, potential disadvantages to consider include conflict over investment decisions, legal issues in the event of a death or divorce, and personal financial risks that may arise from transactions made by any of the joint account holders.
Why have an individual brokerage account? ›Many investors open a brokerage account to start saving for retirement. However, the flexibility of this type of account means you can withdraw at any time and use the funds for shorter-term goals, too, such as a new house, wedding, or big remodeling project. Your brokerage account can help you with: Trading stocks.
What is the difference between Merrill and Merrill Edge? ›In contrast, Merrill Edge is a discount online brokerage platform that doesn't require an account minimum and offers commission-free trades for stocks and ETFs, while still granting access to the research and tools available to Merrill customers.
Is my money safe with Merrill Edge? ›Your brokerage accounts are not FDIC insured, but rather accounts held with Merrill are SIPC insured. SIPC insurance covers your account up to $500,000 in equity with up to $250,000 in cash.
How much money do you need to open a Merrill Edge account? ›For clients who want to make their own investment decisions, Merrill Edge offers simple flat-rate pricing with no minimum balance and no trade minimums.
Are Merrill Lynch fees high? ›rate, with a maximum rate that can be charged of 1.75%. on assets, with a maximum rate that can be charged of 1.10%. manager fee rate (ranges from 0.00% to 0.65%).
Is Merrill Lynch better than Charles Schwab? ›
Investing with either company will help you make gains without suffering large fees. That said, investors with more money may receive more individualized services from Merrill Lynch, while investors who want to use market research or robo-advisors might prefer Schwab.
Who is better fidelity or Merrill Lynch? ›Overall, Fidelity is the lower-cost brokerage, while Merrill Edge combines banking tools with trading. The result is that Fidelity operates with less fees and offers more research tools. 🏆 Winner: Fidelity has a better platform for investors when it comes to account fees, margin rates, and commissions.
How long does it take to open a Merrill Edge account? ›You can open an investment account online in less than 15 minutes. Or speak with Merrill Financial Solutions Advisors at 888. MER. EDGE (888.637.
Who pays taxes in a joint brokerage account? ›On a joint account, if they are married and file jointly, the interest is income for both. So both will pay tax (if any).
Is it OK to have 2 brokerage accounts? ›Some investors choose to work with multiple brokerages to mitigate risk and protect their assets. Spreading your assets across different brokerage accounts can help protect you against potential fraud or unauthorized access, Roller says. If one broker has a breach, then you can still trade with another investment firm.
Should couples have separate brokerage accounts? ›Do we have the same financial priorities? Maybe your goal in investing is to retire comfortably, while your spouse's goal is to pay for college. If your priorities are totally different, then it could pay to keep separate brokerage accounts so you can each invest for the things that are important to you.
Is it better to have one or two brokerage accounts? ›Ultimately, the decision to have multiple brokers should align with your investment goals, preferences and the specific benefits each platform offers. If you're comfortable managing multiple accounts, you could leverage the benefits of different brokers to maximize your investment strategy.
Who pays capital gains tax on a joint account? ›All owners of a joint account pay taxes on it. If the joint account earns interest, you may be held liable for the income produced on the account in proportion to your ownership share.
Is it worth opening a joint account? ›It can be a useful way to share management of finances.
When opened with trusted partners, family members or housemates, joint accounts can be a good way to pay shared bills or pool money for a collective savings goal. You can also double your perks if you take advantage of the right accounts.