Awards & Recognition

Merrill is consistently ranked as a top global research provider and recognized for exclusive industry-leading research that provides thematic and data-driven analysis for today's investor.

A top global research provider, 10 years runningFootnote ³

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#1 for ESG and sustainable investing

We're proud to be an industry leader in ESG and sustainable investing, making it easy for you to align your portfolio with your values.

#1 ESG Investing, 2 years in a rowFootnote ²

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Learning the ropes has never been easier

Helping you become a better investor is a top priority. Now, we're rated the best broker for investor education and for new investors.

One of the best for beginnersFootnote ⁴

Merrill Edge Self‑Directed best for beginners

Merrill Guided Investing best for educationFootnotes ^5,6

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Industry-leading customer service

Merrill is known for offering top-notch support that's always just a click or a phone call away

Best for customer serviceFootnote ⁷

Ranked #1 for banking services

Recognized as the industry leader for access to banking services, connected solutions from Merrill and Bank of America provide confidence, convenience and control for your full financial life.

Merrill named #1 for access to bankingFootnote ²

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Footnote

Merrill Edge Self-Directed was ranked 4 out of 11 online brokers by Kiplinger's Personal Finance's "Best Online Brokers," survey August 2020. To be included, firms had to offer online trading of stocks, ETFs, funds and individual bonds. Results based on ratings in the following categories: commissions and fees, investment choices, mobile app, tools, research, advisory services and user experience. Rankings for subcategories may vary. Learn more at Kiplinger's Personal Finance popup, August 2020 © 2020 The Kiplinger Washington Editors. Used under License. Merrill provides access to research from BofA Global Research, CFRA (powered by S&P Global), Morningstar and others. Rankings and recognition from Kiplinger's are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a current or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance results and such rankings should not be construed as an endorsement.

Footnote

Merrill Edge Self-Directed was evaluated as one of 11 online brokers in StockBrokers.com 2021 Online Broker Review published on January 19, 2021. StockBrokers.com evaluated brokers using 256 variables across 7 categories. The Best In Class rating recognizes brokers that ranked in the top 5 in that category. Learn more at StockBrokers.com popup. Rankings and recognition from StockBrokers.com are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a current or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance results and such rankings should not be construed as an endorsement.

Footnote

Institutional Investor magazine announced BofA Global Research as one of the Top Global Research Firms in 2020 based on surveys held throughout the year. The magazine creates rankings of the top research analysts in a wide variety of specializations, drawn from the choices of portfolio managers and other investment professionals at more than 1,000 firms. 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 popup, and wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation. For more information about this award, go to Institutional Investor popup. Rankings and recognition from Institutional Investor are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a current or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance results and such rankings should not be construed as an endorsement.

Footnote

Merrill Edge Self-Directed received 4.5 out of 5 stars from NerdWallet, January 2021. NerdWallet evaluates brokers based on investment selection, customer support, account fees, account minimum, trading costs and more. Learn more at Nerdwallet.com popup. Rankings and recognition from NerdWallet are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a current or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance results and such rankings should not be construed as an endorsement.

Footnote

Merrill Edge Self-Directed received 3.5 out of 5 stars overall in Investopedia's Annual Review, February 12, 2019. Investopedia rates online brokers based on over 300 carefully selected variables. Selection of ratings elements was a culmination of 5,498 survey responses, 100+ hours of industry research, and 100 hours of user feedback. Learn more at Investopedia popup. Reprinted with permission of Investopedia. Rankings and recognition from Investopedia are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a current or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance results and such rankings should not be construed as an endorsement.

Footnote

Merrill Guided Investing received 4.1 out of 5 stars overall in Investopedia's Best Robo-Advisors, October 5, 2020. Investopedia rates robo-advisors based on nine key categories and 51 variables. Rankings for subcategories may vary. Learn more at Investopedia. Reprinted with permission of Investopedia. Rankings and recognition from Investopedia are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a current or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance results and such rankings should not be construed as an endorsement.

Footnote

Merrill Edge Self-Directed received 3.5 out of 5 stars overall in Investopedia's Annual Review, March 17, 2020. Investopedia rates online brokers based on 12 key categories and 103 variables. Rankings for subcategories may vary. Learn more at Investopedia popup. Reprinted with permission of Investopedia. Rankings and recognition from Investopedia are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a current or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance results and such rankings should not be construed as an endorsement.

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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:

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

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Unlimited $0 Trades

With Merrill Edge Self‑Directed, get unlimited free online stock, ETF and option trades with no trade or balance minimumsFootnote double asterisk **

Options contracts and other fees may applyFootnote asterisk *

Open an account

Learn about SEC Share Class Selection Disclosure Initiative

Footnote asterisk

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 double asterisk

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.

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.

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.

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.

Investment products offered through MLPF&S and insurance and annuity products offered through MLLA:

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

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

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