Merrill A Bank of America Company Merrill A Bank of America Company

General Investing

Q: How do I know if Self-Directed is right for me?

Merrill Edge Self-Directed may be right for you if you want to make your own investment decisions and monitor your performance independently.

Q: Does my investing account balance count toward my Bank of America Preferred Rewards tier balance requirement?

All you need to qualify is an eligible Bank of America personal checking account and maintain an average daily balance of $20,000 in combined balances across your Merrill investment accounts and your Bank of America deposit accounts.

Q: How do I fund my new brokerage investing account?

Fund in one of four ways: Real-time instant funding - same-day funding from your eligible linked Bank of America bank account and your new Merrill online brokerage account (transfers from your eligible linked accounts at other financial institutions take up to three business days to process and clear). Fund by wire transfer - next-day funding from accounts at other financial institutions received by 4 p.m. ET will post to your new Merrill account the next day. Fund by check - send a personal, cashier or bank check to: Merrill P.O. Box #962 Newark, NJ 07101-0962 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. Transfer an account - the transfer of securities or accounts held at another financial institution typically takes 5+ business days. Moving securities from one of your Merrill accounts to another is real time.

Merrill brokerage accounts

Choose your brokerage account at Merrill

Find the right account for your investing needs

Individual Brokerage

Invest for general financial goals

Access a wide range of investment choices and get unlimited $0 online stock and ETF trades.

Learn more about individual brokerage accounts at Merrill

Joint Brokerage

Invest for general financial goals with up to 4 account owners

Up to 4 account owners can access a wide range of investment choices with unlimited $0 online stock and ETF trades.

Learn more about joint brokerage accounts at Merrill

Custodial Brokerage

Manage funds on behalf of a minor

Make contributions up to annual gift tax limits and manage the account until the minor is of age.

Learn more about custodial brokerage accounts at Merrill

Trust Account

Hold assets until they are used on behalf of family members or other beneficiaries

Protect and preserve your assets by controlling how your wealth is distributed.

View PDF application for a Trust account

Estate Account

Administer a person's estate after their death

Allow easier access to the deceased's funds, separate personal from estate assets and help reduce tax obligations.

View PDF application for an Estate account

Investing with a Merrill account gives you access to a wide array of investment choices

Select to learn more about Stocks Select to learn more about Mutual Funds Select to learn more about ETFs Select to learn more about Fixed Income Select to learn more about Options Select to learn more about Margin Trading

Ready to open your account?

Choose your brokerage account at Merrill

Call us

855.488.5245

Set up a meeting

Schedule now with Merrill

Frequently Asked Questions

Expand all

What are the advantages of an online brokerage account?

An online brokerage account allows you to easily transfer available funds between your Bank of America bank and Merrill investment accountsFootnote ⁷ and gives you access to a full range of investment choices. Enjoy the convenience of monitoring your portfolio from your mobile device, and Merrill Self-Directed investors can manage everyday transactions with services such as check-writing, a Visa^® deferred debit card from Bank of America and web bill pay.

How do I know if Self-Directed is right for me?

How do I know if Merrill Guided Investing is right for me?

Merrill Guided Investing, an Investment advisory program, may be right for you if you prefer having a portfolio built and managed by Merrill investment professionals for a low fee.Footnotes ^2,3 Merrill investment professionals recommend an investment strategy based on your personal information and financial goals and then build, monitor and rebalance your portfolio.Footnote ⁴ You also get to choose the level of guidance you want — depending on your investment minimum, you can have a professionally managed portfolio online or work one-on-one with an advisor.

What are my Self-Directed investment choices?

You can open the following product/account types and manage them on your own as a Self-Directed account: Individual, Joint and Custodial (UTMA/ UGMA) brokerage accounts, 529 Plan, Traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, SEP and SIMPLE IRAs, Trust Account, Estate Account. You can also roll over a 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan. Consider all of your choices and learn if a rollover may be right for you.Footnote ⁵

What are my Merrill Guided Investing investment choices?

You can open the following product/account types or convert existing accounts to Merrill Guided Investing: Individual, Joint and Custodial (UTMA/UGMA) brokerage accounts, traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, SEP and SIMPLE IRAs. You can also roll over a 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan. Consider all of your choices and learn if a rollover may be right for you.Footnote ⁵ Clients with existing trusts may convert them into Merrill Guided Investing, but currently cannot open new Merrill Guided Investing trust accounts.

Does my investing account balance count toward my Bank of America Preferred Rewards tier balance requirement?

How do I fund my new brokerage investing account?

Fund in one of four ways:

Real-time instant fundingFootnote ⁷ — same-day funding from your eligible linked Bank of America bank account and your new Merrill online brokerage account (transfers from your eligible linked accounts at other financial institutions take up to three business days to process and clear).
Fund by wire transfer — next-day funding from accounts at other financial institutions received by 4 p.m. ET will post to your new Merrill account the next day.
Fund by check — send a personal, cashier or bank check to:
Merrill
P.O. Box #962
Newark, NJ 07101-0962

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.

Transfer an account — the transfer of securities or accounts held at another financial institution typically takes 5+ business days. Moving securities from one of your Merrill accounts to another is real time.

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

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 circumstances 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.

Merrill Guided Investing and Merrill Guided Investing with Advisor have an annual program fee of 0.45% and 0.85%, respectively, based on the assets held in the account. 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. Sales of stocks and ETFs 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 and mutual funds. To learn more about pricing, visit our Pricing page.

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

Asset allocation, diversification, and rebalancing do not ensure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets.

Footnote

You have choices about what to do with your 401(k) or other type of plan-sponsored accounts. Depending on your financial circumstances, needs, goals and employer plan terms, you may choose to roll over to an IRA or convert to a Roth IRA, roll over a 401(k) from a prior employer to a 401(k) at your new employer, take a distribution, or leave the account where it is. Each choice may offer different investments and services, fees and expenses, withdrawal options, required minimum distributions, tax treatment (particularly with reference to employer stock), and provide different 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

Preferred Rewards Program Eligibility. You can enroll, and maintain your membership, in the Bank of America Preferred Rewards^® program if you have an active, eligible personal checking account with Bank of America^® and maintain the balance required for one of the balance tiers. The balance tiers are $20,000 for the Gold tier, $50,000 for the Platinum tier, $100,000 for the Platinum Honors tier, and $1,000,000 for the Diamond Honors tier. Balances include your combined, qualifying Bank of America deposit accounts (such as checking, savings, certificate of deposit) and/or your Merrill investment accounts (such as Cash Management Accounts, 529 Plans). You can satisfy the combined balance requirement for enrollment with either:

a three-month combined average daily balance in your qualifying deposit and investment accounts, or
a current combined balance, provided that you enroll at the time you open your first eligible personal checking account and satisfy the balance requirement at the end of at least one day within 30 days of opening that account.

Refer to your Personal Schedule of Fees for details on accounts that qualify towards the combined balance calculation and receive program benefits. Eligibility to enroll is generally available three or more business days after the end of the calendar month in which you satisfy the requirements. Benefits become effective within 30 days of your enrollment, or for new accounts within 30 days of account opening, unless we indicate otherwise. Bank of America Private Bank clients qualify to enroll in the Diamond Honors Tier regardless of balances. Certain benefits are also available without enrolling in Preferred Rewards if you satisfy balance and other requirements. For details on Bank of America employee qualification requirements, please call Employee Financial Services or refer to the Bank of America intranet site. Employees of companies participating in the Bank of America Employee Banking and Investing Program may be eligible to participate on customized terms. Refer to CEBI Program for details.

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.

MAP6510061-10112025

Connect with us:

Investment products offered through Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, and insurance and annuity products offered through Merrill Lynch Life Agency Inc.:

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

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 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 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.

Privacy | Security | Glossary | Advertising practices popup Advertising Practices popup

© 2025 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

4326521

I'd Like to

Discover Merrill

Contact Us

888.637.3343

Connect with us:

Unlimited $0 Trades

With Merrill Edge Self‑Directed, get unlimited free online stock, ETF and option trades with no trade or balance minimumsFooter footnote ^b

Options contracts and other fees may applyFooter footnote ^a

Open an account with Merrill Edge Self-Directed

Footer 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.
Footer footnote

Merrill waives its commissions for all online stock, ETF and option trades placed in a Merrill Edge^® Self-Directed brokerage account. Brokerage fees associated with, but not limited to, margin transactions, special stock registration/gifting, account transfer and processing and termination apply. $0 option trades are subject to a $0.65 per-contract fee. Other fees and restrictions may apply. Pricing is subject to change without advance notice.

For broker-assisted trades through Merrill Edge, you will be charged a fee equal to the lower of $29.95 or 5.00% of the principal amount of the transaction. Further, there are indirect fees, such as annual management and other similar fees, that are charged by the manager or sponsor of an exchange-traded fund and of a closed-end fund, as disclosed in the product's prospectus.

Investment products offered through Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, and insurance and annuity products offered through Merrill Lynch Life Agency Inc.:

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

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.

The performance data contained herein represents past performance which does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. For performance information current to the most recent month end, please contact us.

Net Asset Value (NAV) returns are based on the prior-day closing NAV value at 4 p.m. ET. NAV returns assume the reinvestment of all dividend and capital gain distributions at NAV when paid.

Market price returns are based on the prior-day closing market price, which is the average of the midpoint bid-ask prices at 4 p.m. ET. Market price returns do not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times.

Returns include fees and applicable loads. Since Inception returns are provided for funds with less than 10 years of history and are as of the fund's inception date. 10 year returns are provided for funds with greater than 10 years of history.

Before investing consider carefully the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses of the fund, including management fees, other expenses and special risks. This and other information may be found in each fund's prospectus or summary prospectus, if available. Always read the prospectus or summary prospectus carefully before you invest or send money. Prospectuses can be obtained by contacting us.

Mutual Funds and Exchange Traded Funds: Expense Ratio – Gross Expense Ratio is the total annual operating expense (before waivers or reimbursements) from the fund's most recent prospectus. You should also review the fund's detailed annual fund operating expenses which are provided in the fund's prospectus.

Closed End Funds: Expense Ratio – Gross Expense Ratio is the ratio of the fund's total annual operating expense (before waivers or reimbursements) to average net assets as of the date of the fund's most recent annual report. You should also review the fund's detailed annual operating expenses disclosed by the fund in its annual reports, semi-annual reports, and other public filings.

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.

Banking products are provided by Bank of America, N.A. and affiliated banks, Members FDIC and wholly owned subsidiaries 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.

Merrill A Bank of America Company Merrill A Bank of America Company

(VA22********2V)