Personal Investing and Trading Accounts from Merrill (2024)

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Open an accountwith Merrill

Ready, set, invest

Investing with Merrill isn't just simple, it's personalized. Find the right accounts, the right investments and the right amount of support for you.

Select toChoose and open an account

A full range of investment choices

Build your own portfolio with a wide range of investment choices or have your portfolio managed by Merrill investment professionals with Merrill Guided Investing

Stockstab 1 of 7 Mutual Fundstab 2 of 7 ETFstab 3 of 7 Fixed Incometab 4 of 7 CDstab 5 of 7 opens CDs pageOptionstab 6 of 7 Margin Tradingtab 7 of 7

Stocks

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“I want to invest in publicly-traded companies.”

Stocks can offer investors:

  • A variety of investment choices
  • The potential for higher returns
  • Income potential

Select toExplore stocks at Merrill

What is a stock?

Mutual Funds

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“I want built-in diversification and a professionally managed asset.”

Mutual funds can offer investors:

  • Built-in diversification
  • Professionally managed funds
  • Solutions for long-term investing

Select toExplore mutual funds at Merrill

What is a mutual fund?

ETFs

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“I want built-in diversification and trading flexibility.”

ETFs can offer investors:

  • The ability to trade throughout the day
  • Potential tax-efficiency
  • Income potential

Select toExplore ETFs at Merrill

What is an ETF?

Fixed Income

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“I want portfolio diversification and a steady income stream.”

Fixed income products can offer investors:

  • A steady income stream ideal for retirement
  • A more diversified portfolio
  • Potential risk mitigation

Select toExplore fixed income at Merrill

What is fixed income?

Options

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“I want the potential for higher percentage returns and the possibility of mitigating risk.”

Options can offer investors:

  • The potential for higher percentage returns
  • A way to mitigate risks
  • Opportunity to pursue speculative, hedging or income objectives

Select toExplore options trading at Merrill

What is options trading?

Options involve risk and are not suitable for all investors. Certain requirements must be met to trade options. Before engaging in the purchase or sale of options, investors should understand the nature of and extent of their rights and obligations and be aware of the risks involved in investing with options. Please read the options disclosure document titled "Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options (PDF)" before considering any option transaction. You may also call the Investment Center at 877.653.4732 for a copy. A separate client agreement is needed. Multi-leg option orders are charged one base commission per order, plus a per-contract charge.

The maximum loss, gain and breakeven of any options strategy only remains as defined so long as the strategy contains all original positions. Trading, rolling, assignment, or exercise of any portion of the strategy will result in a new maximum loss, gain and breakeven calculation, which will be materially different from the calculation when the strategy remains intact with all of the contemplated legs or positions. This is applicable to all options strategies inclusive of long options, short options and spreads. To learn more about Merrill's uncovered option handling practices, view Naked Option Stress Analysis (NOSA) (PDF).

Early assignment risk is always present for option writers (specific to American-style options only). Early assignment risk may be amplified in the event a call writer is short an option during the period the underlying security has an ex-dividend date. This is referred to as dividend risk.

Long options are exercised and short options are assigned. Note that American-style options can be assigned/exercised at any time through the day of expiration without prior notice. Options can be assigned/exercised after market close on expiration day. View specific Merrill Option Exercise & Assignment Practices (PDF).

Supporting documentation for any claims, comparison, recommendations, statistics, or other technical data, will be supplied upon request.

Margin Trading

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“I want greater profit potential and increased buying power.”

Margin trading can offer investors:

  • The ability to use another party's money to increase buying power
  • More profit potential than traditional trading
  • The ability to profit from declining share prices

Select toExplore margin trading at Merrill

What is margin trading?

NEW OFFER

$0

program fees

Footnotes**Conditions and
other fees apply

Get started with Merrill Guided Investing and pay $0 in program fees for 6 months.Footnote5

Open an accountat Merrill

Must use offer code: 6FREE

Accounts personalized to all your investing needs

Whether you need a single account to grow your wealth or several accounts to support multiple objectives, we'll help you define the experience that works for you.

Q:

Can I have more than one account?

A:

Yes, having multiple accounts is a great way to support multiple financial goals.

Q:

Can I have a Self-Directed and a managed account?

A:

Yes, you can pursue multiple goals with a mix of Self-Directed and fully managed accounts.

Q:

Can I trade stocks in a Merrill Guided Investing managed account?

A:

Merrill Guided Investing accounts include ETFs and mutual funds, which may contain stocks.

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General investing accounts are a great way to invest for a range of goals individually, jointly or on behalf of a minor.

Managed by You

Merrill Edge® Self-Directed

Select toOpen an investing account

Learn Moreabout investing accounts

Put your investing ideas into action with unlimited $0 online stock, ETF and option trades, with no annual account fees or balance minimums.Footnote1 Options contract and other fees may apply.Footnote*

Available General Investing accounts

Select forIndividualSelf-Directed accountsSelect forJointSelf-Directed accountsSelect forCustodialSelf-Directed accounts

Managed by Merrill

Merrill Guided Investing

Investment advisory programs

Select toGet started with Guided Investing

Learn Moreabout Guided Investing

Merrill Guided Investing

An investment advisory program

Pursue your online investing goals with a professionally managed portfolio with a

0.45

% annual program fee calculated and assessed monthly based on your prior month's balance.Footnotes2, 4

New offer

$

program fee for 6 months for new enrollmentsFootnote5

Must use offer code: 6FREE

Footnotes**Conditions and other fees apply

Available General Investing accounts

Select forIndividualGuided Investing accountsSelect forJointGuided Investing accountsSelect forCustodialGuided Investing accounts

Merrill Guided Investing with an advisor

An investment advisory program

Establish your investing online goals with the help of an advisor and get one-on-one guidance when you need it with a

0.85

% annual program fee calculated and assessed monthly based on your prior month's balance.Footnotes3, 4

Available General Investing accounts

Select forIndividualGuided Investing with an Advisor accountsSelect forJointGuided Investing with an Advisor accountsSelect forCustodialGuided Investing with an Advisor accounts

Learn more about general investing accounts

Retirement accounts are a great way to plan ahead and make the most of your future after work.

Managed by You

Merrill Edge® Self-Directed

Select toOpen a retirement account

Learn Moreabout investing accounts

Put your investing ideas into action with unlimited $0 online stock, ETF and option trades, with no annual account fees or balance minimums.Footnote1 Options contract and other fees may apply.Footnote*

Available retirement accounts

Select forRolloverSelf-Directed accountsSelect forTraditional IRASelf-Directed accountsSelect forRoth IRASelf-Directed accountsSelect forInherited IRASelf-Directed accountsSelect forSEP IRASelf-Directed accountsSelect forSIMPLE IRASelf-Directed accounts

Managed by Merrill

Merrill Guided Investing

Investment advisory programs

Select toGet started with Guided Investing

Learn Moreabout Guided Investing

Merrill Guided Investing

An investment advisory program

Pursue your online investing goals with a professionally managed portfolio with a

0.45

% annual program fee calculated and assessed monthly based on your prior month's balance.Footnotes2, 4

Available retirement accounts

Select forRolloverGuided Investing accountsSelect forTraditional IRAGuided Investing accountsSelect forRoth IRAGuided Investing accountsSelect forSEP IRAGuided Investing accountsSelect forSIMPLE IRAGuided Investing accounts

Merrill Guided Investing with an advisor

An investment advisory program

Establish your investing online goals with the help of an advisor and get one-on-one guidance when you need it with a

0.85

% annual program fee calculated and assessed monthly based on your prior month's balance.Footnotes3, 4

Available retirement accounts

Select forRolloverGuided Investing with an Advisor accountsSelect forTraditional IRAGuided Investing with an Advisor accountsSelect forRoth IRAGuided Investing with an Advisor accountsSelect forSEP IRAGuided Investing with an Advisor accountsSelect forSIMPLE IRAGuided Investing with an Advisor accounts

Learn more about retirement accounts

Education accounts are a great way to plan for the future goals of a child including college expenses.

Managed by You

Merrill Edge® Self-Directed

Select toOpen an education account

Learn Moreabout investing accounts

Put your investing ideas into action with unlimited $0 online stock, ETF and option trades, with no annual account fees or balance minimums.Footnote1 Options contract and other fees may apply.Footnote*

Available education accounts

Select forNextGen529 PlanSelf-Directed accountsSelect forCustodialSelf-Directed accounts

Managed by Merrill

Merrill Guided Investing

Investment advisory programs

Select toGet started with Guided Investing

Learn Moreabout Guided Investing

Merrill Guided Investing

An investment advisory program

Pursue your online investing goals with a professionally managed portfolio with a

0.45

% annual program fee calculated and assessed monthly based on your prior month's balance.Footnotes2, 4

Available education accounts

Select forCustodialGuided Investing accounts

Merrill Guided Investing with an advisor

An investment advisory program

Establish your investing online goals with the help of an advisor and get one-on-one guidance when you need it with a

0.85

% annual program fee calculated and assessed monthly based on your prior month's balance.Footnotes3, 4

Available education accounts

Select forCustodialGuided Investing with an Advisor accounts

Learn more about education accounts

Small business accounts are a great way to plan for the future goals of both owners and employees.

Managed by You

Merrill Edge® Self-Directed

Select toOpen a small business account

Learn Moreabout investing accounts

Put your investing ideas into action with unlimited $0 online stock, ETF and option trades, with no annual account fees or balance minimums.Footnote1 Options contract and other fees may apply.Footnote*

Available small business accounts

Select forSEP IRASelf-Directed accountsSelect forSIMPLE IRASelf-Directed accountsSelect forBasic™Self-Directed accountsSelect forRetirement cash managementSelf-Directed accountsSelect forBusiness investorSelf-Directed accounts

Managed by Merrill

Merrill Guided Investing

Investment advisory programs

Select toGet started with Guided Investing

Learn Moreabout Guided Investing

Merrill Guided Investing

An investment advisory program

Pursue your online investing goals with a professionally managed portfolio with a

0.45

% annual program fee calculated and assessed monthly based on your prior month's balance.Footnotes2, 4

Available small business accounts

Select forSEP IRAGuided Investing accountsSelect forSimple IRAGuided Investing accountsSelect forBasic™Guided Investing accountsSelect forRetirement cash managementGuided Investing accountsSelect forBusiness investorGuided Investing accounts

Merrill Guided Investing with an advisor

An investment advisory program

Establish your investing online goals with the help of an advisor and get one-on-one guidance when you need it with a

0.85

% annual program fee calculated and assessed monthly based on your prior month's balance.Footnotes3, 4

Available small business accounts

Select forSEP IRAGuided Investing with an Advisor accountsSelect forSIMPLE IRAGuided Investing with an Advisor accountsSelect forBasic™Guided Investing with an Advisor accountsSelect forRetirement cash managementGuided Investing with an Advisor accountsSelect forBusiness investorGuided Investing with an Advisor accounts

Learn more about small business accounts

Ready to get started?

Select to Choose and open an account

Call us

888.637.3343

Set up a meeting

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

Other fees may apply. Sales of 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

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.

Footnote2 There is an annual program fee of

0.45

% based on the assets held in the account. This fee is charged monthly in advance.

Footnote3 There is an annual program fee of

0.85

% based on the assets held in the account. This fee is charged monthly in advance.

Footnote asterisk

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.

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

Offer valid for new individual Merrill IRAs or Cash Management Accounts (CMAs). Cash bonus offers, in the aggregate, are limited to one CMA and one IRA per accountholder. Eligible Merrill IRAs limited to Traditional, Roth and owner-only SEP IRA. The Merrill IRA or CMA may be a Merrill Edge Self-Directed account, Merrill Edge Advisory account, Merrill Guided Investing account or Merrill Guided Investing with an Advisor account. You may be eligible for a different or better offer. Please contact us for more information.

Offer Limitations: This offer does not apply to business/corporate accounts, investment club accounts, partnership accounts and certain fiduciary accounts held with Merrill, or to any types of accounts (including IRAs or CMAs) held with other business units of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (MLPF&S). Merrill reserves the right to change or cancel this offer at any time, without notice. This offer may not be used as an inducement to sell any kind of insurance, including annuities.

How it Works:

You must enroll during account opening by entering the offer code in the online application or by providing it when speaking with a Merrill Edge Financial Solutions Advisor™ at 888.MER.EDGE (888.637.3343) or at select Bank of America® financial centers. You are solely responsible for enrolling or asking to be enrolled in the offer.

Fund your account with at least $20,000 in qualifying net new assets within 45 days of account opening. Assets transferred from other accounts at Bank of America, MLPF&S, Bank of America Private Bank, or 401(k) accounts administered by MLPF&S do not count towards qualifying net new assets.

After 90 days of meeting the funding criteria described in Step 2, your cash reward will be determined by the qualifying net new assets in your account (irrespective of any losses or gains due to trading or market volatility) as follows:

Qualifying Net New AssetBalanceCash Reward
Less than $20,000$0
$20,000 to $49,999$100
$50,000 to $99,999$150
$100,000 to $199,999$250
$200,000 or more$600

For purposes of this offer, qualifying net new assets are calculated by adding total incoming assets or transfers (including cash, securities and/or margin debit balance transfers) from external accounts, and subtracting assets withdrawn or transferred out of the account within the preceding 24 weeks.

Your one-time cash reward will be deposited into your IRA or CMA within two weeks following the end of the 90 day period. If your account is enrolled in an investment advisory program, such as Merrill Edge Advisory Account, Merrill Guided Investing or Merrill Guided Investing with an Advisor, any cash reward deposited into your account will be subject to the program fee and other terms of the investment advisory program.

Tax Disclaimer: The value of the reward you receive may constitute taxable income. Merrill may issue an Internal Revenue Service Form 1099 (or other appropriate form)to you that reflects the value of the reward. Please consult your tax advisor. Bank of America Corporation and its affiliates and associates to not provide tax advice.

MAP6012065-05152025

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 InsuredAre Not Bank GuaranteedMay Lose Value
Are Not DepositsAre Not Insured by Any Federal Government AgencyAre Not a Condition to Any Banking Service or Activity

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© 2024 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

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Personal Investing and Trading Accounts from Merrill (2024)
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