Investing in ETFs

Diversify your portfolio without losing flexibility

Like mutual funds, ETFs hold a basket of stocks, bonds or other investments. Many ETFs also offer additional tax-efficiencyFootnote 2 advantages and greater investment transparency. ETFs trade on an exchange like stocks.
May be a good move for:
  • Building a balanced portfolioFootnote 1
  • Preserving liquidity
  • Potential for tax efficiencyFootnote 2
  • Index investingFootnote 3
Call us
Or call us 24/7 at
866.460.1282

ETFs made simple

With thousands of ETFs to choose from, Merrill offers tools, access to research and guidance to help you find the investments that may be right for your portfolio.

Search your way

Take advantage of powerful screening tools. Search for Morningstar 5-star rated, socially responsible and dividend-generating ETFs.

Simplify your search

Consider simplifying your ETF search with Merrill Edge Select® ETFs—evaluated and categorized by Merrill investment professionals.

Make more-informed decisions

View ETF profiles at a glance. Compare performance with advanced charting, and access independent ratings and research from Morningstar.

The latest news and events

Stay informed with up-to-the-minute news from Dow Jones, FactSet financial data and analytics, PR Newswire and Business Wire. Even set up customized alerts.

Invest and trade with confidence

Take advantage of opportunities during extended-hours trading as well as pre- and post-market sessions. Uncover hidden concentrations in your portfolio with Portfolio X-Ray® by Morningstar.Footnote 4

More investment choices

Pricing and fees

Free
Unlimited $0 online stock and ETF trades with no trade or balance minimums.Footnote 6
Other fees may applyFootnote 5

Get started

It's as easy as 1-2-3
1

Open your account

Open your account online in minutes. Here's what you'll need:
  • Social Security number and date of birth
  • A valid mailing and email address
  • Employment information (including company name, address, and start date)
  • General financial information (such as annual income and household net worth)
  • Names and dates of birth for any beneficiaries
Open an account
Or call us 24/7 at 866.460.1282
2

Fund your accountFootnote 8

There are several ways to fund your new account:

Transfer Cash

Real-timeFootnote 7
Fund instantly from your eligible linked Bank of America® bank account or Merrill investment account.
Up to 3 business days
Fund within a few days from an eligible linked account at another financial institution.

Wire transfer

Same day
Wire funds electronically from another financial institution.

Write a check

3 to 5 days
Fund your account by mailing a personal, cashier's or bank check.

Transfer accounts or securities

8 or more days
Transfer an existing brokerage account, IRA account or securities from another financial institution. You can also transfer securities instantly between your Merrill accounts.

Roll over into an IRA

10 or more days
Consolidate your retirement assets by rolling over accounts held in former employers' 401(k), 403(b) or 457 plans into a Merrill Edge IRA.
A Rollover IRA isn't right for everyone. Consider all of your choices and learn if a Rollover IRA may be right for you.Footnote 9 For additional information, call 866.460.1282 to speak with a rollover specialist, 24/7.
3

Start investing

Create an investment strategy:
Build a balanced portfolio aligned to your investment goals in 3 easy steps.
Learn how
Start your search:
Find investments that may be right for you with our powerful screeners and independent research. Simplify your search using streamlined lists of stocks, ETFs and mutual funds evaluated by Merrill investment professionals.
Manage your portfolio:
Access your new Merrill investment account anytime, anywhere—online, on your mobile device and at thousands of Bank of America® ATMs.
Download the mobile app
Other ways to invest
Merrill Guided InvestingFootnote 11 - An
investment advisory program
A professionally managed portfolio aligned to your goals that's built, monitored and rebalanced by Merrill investment professionals.Footnote 12
Learn more
Merrill Guided Investing with an advisorFootnote 11
All the benefits of Merrill Guided Investing with an advisor who will discuss your priorities and provide advice and guidance to help you pursue your goalsFootnote 12
Learn more
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 circumstances, 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, and different types of protection from creditors and legal judgments. These are complex choices and should be considered with care. For more information on rolling over your IRA, 401(k), 403(b) or SEP IRA, visit our rollover page or call a Merrill rollover specialist at 888.637.3343.
Footnote 
Please review the applicable Merrill Guided Investing Program Brochure (PDF) or Merrill Guided Investing with Advisor Program Brochure (PDF) for information including pricing, 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.
Footnote 12 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).

Important risk disclosures

ETF fund share prices fluctuate with market and economic conditions. It's possible to lose money by investing in ETFs.
Footnote 1 Asset allocation, diversification and rebalancing do not ensure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets.
Footnote 2 Neither Merrill nor any of its affiliates or financial advisors provide legal, tax or accounting advice. You should consult your legal and/or tax advisors before making any financial decisions.
Footnote 3 Please note that market indexes are unmanaged. Individuals cannot invest directly in an index.
Footnote 4 The data and investment information in Portfolio X-Ray® is provided by Morningstar. Merrill Edge Self-Directed offers access to Portfolio X-Ray as a courtesy to its clients. It is for information purposes only, and Merrill Edge Self-Directed does not control or validate it. Morningstar's securities classifications may differ from those used by other sources, including Merrill. Please note: If you have questions, refer to your statement, which is the official record of your account.
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.
Footnote 7 Fees and expenses are subject to change. Please note that other fees and expenses may apply, including early withdrawal penalties and trustee transfer fees. For Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated's standard brokerage fees, please see the Miscellaneous Fees schedule. For Bank of America N.A.'s fees, see your Personal Schedule of Fees.
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 10 BofA Global Research is research produced by BofA Securities, Inc. ("BofAS") and/or one or more of its affiliates. BofAS is a registered broker-dealer, Member SIPC, and wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation.
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