Merrill Edge Review 2024


3.3 / 5
Merrill Edge is #35 in our broker rankings.

Based on my assessment, I recommend Merrill Edge to US traders looking for investment and savings accounts at a reputable and highly regulated stock broker. It's also a great choice if you want to pay zero commissions on US stocks and ETFs.

- Daytrading Review Team

Merrill Edge is a subsidiary of Bank of America and has been operating as an investment advisory firm since 2010. The firm offers a range of investment products spanning stocks, ETFs, bonds, funds and options via its trading platform, MarketPro. Merrill Edge is regulated by the SEC and FINRA in the US and offers its services to US clients only.

$0
MarketPro
Stocks, Mutual Funds, ETFs, Options, Bonds
$600 Transfer Bonus
USD
Wire Transfer, Cheque, Automated Customer Account Transfer Service

Stock Trading

My tests found a wide range of securities available with zero commissions for self-directed stocks and ETFs trading, and a $29.95 fee for broker-assisted trades. Options trading is also competitive, coming in at $0.65 per contract. I also approve of the broker’s customizable trading terminal with Level II pricing, NASDAQ Order Book and a range of analysis and strategy tools.

Awards

  • #1 for ESG & Sustainable Investing
  • #1 for Banking Services
  • #1 for Client Experience (Self-Directed)

✓ Pros

  • Overall, I think the MarketPro platform offers everything you need to trade US stocks, with access to advanced tools and indicators at no extra cost. I like that the platform can be fully customized too, with up to 25 saveable layouts
  • For those who are comfortable trading independently, I’m pleased to report that the broker’s self-directed account has no account fees or minimum balance requirements
  • It’s good to see that traders can access unlimited zero-commission stocks and options, making Merrill Edge a relatively low-cost broker for US clients
  • I feel very reassured that Merrill Edge is a highly established and well-regulated broker and I’m confident that clients can trade with peace of mind
  • I found an excellent range of investment options during my tests, covering a range of goals including retirement, healthcare or college savings
  • As an institution backed by the Bank of America, I’m pleased that the broker is able to offer margin in excess of $100,000 to traders

✗ Cons

  • I found that the guided investment account comes with fairly high account management fees compared to others in the market. Even with the full 0.15% discount for holding over $100,000 in assets, I think this fee is still higher than competitors
  • I noted that transactions both to and from a Merrill Edge brokerage account cannot be made by credit or debit card, nor e-wallets. Traders are limited to bank wire transfers or cheque payments instead
  • It’s worth mentioning that traders looking to trade forex or cryptocurrencies should look elsewhere, as Merrill Edge only offers securities
  • I think it’s a shame that only US citizens are accepted at Merrill Edge, though this is common at US brokerages

Merrill Edge is a leading investment broker in the US that offers trading on stocks and shares, ETFs, funds and options. Competitive features such as after hours trading, access to a robo advisor and zero commission fees make Merrill Edge a competitive online brokerage. This review will cover many aspects of the platform’s investment services, including trading charges, account types and mobile app options. Read on to find out if you should sign-up with Merrill Edge.

Merrill Edge Headlines

Merrill Edge is the digital trading platform offered by wealth management firm, Merrill. The company has been around since 1914 but was sold to the Bank of America during the 2008 financial crisis. Two years later in 2010, the newly acquired company launched Merrill Edge to facilitate online investment through its website.

Merrill is a sizeable investment firm with over $3 trillion of client assets under management. Registered in the US with the SEC and FINRA, investing with Merrill Edge is only available to US citizens. This notably excludes those living and working in the US without full citizenship.

Trading Platform

In addition to a solid web-based solution, to provide the best experience for clients, Merrill Edge has developed a trading platform called MarketPro. The terminal is designed to facilitate intuitive and straightforward trading of stocks and shares, ETFs and options contracts.

MarketPro can be significantly customised to suit a specific user’s preferences with a wide range of tools and layouts available. Provided at no extra cost for clients, extensive charting features and inbuilt options analysis make MarketPro a leading solution for trading. Key features include:

Merrill Edge trading platform

Products

A range of investment options is available when trading with Merrill Edge, whether clients are looking to facilitate long-term growth or short-term gains through day trading.

A Merrill Edge brokerage account offers access to stocks, mutual funds, ETFs and high yield savings such as bonds. Included in Merrill Edge’s trading options are trader favourites such as index funds and penny stocks. Merrill Edge allows dividend reinvestment into fractional shares but does not allow clients to purchase partial shares directly.

Merrill Edge does not support forex or single commodities trading, though some commodity ETFs are available. A strong anti-cryptocurrency stance has also been adopted by the broker, which doesn’t allow traders to purchase crypto ETFs. However, both margin trading and options contracts are supported by Merrill Edge, who have optimised their MarketPro platform to enhance these forms of trading.

Fees

Trading fees are a significant factor for many when choosing a trading or investment broker. Potential clients will be happy to know that, with a Merrill Edge self-directed trading account, there is zero commission when making trades.

As well as its unlimited free trades, Merrill Edge also takes no commission on options contracts, charging traders a flat $0.65 fee per contract. ETFs and funds will, as with all brokers, have their own associated annual administration fees. Combined with a lack of account management fees, the brokerage operates a very competitive fee structure for independent traders.

Merrill Edge also offers robo advisor and human advisor services with different fee structures. Broker-assisted options contracts, plus stock and ETF purchases can cost up to $29.95 per trade. Merrill Edge managed accounts charge anywhere from 0.45% to 0.85% as an annual management fee. This rate is subject to reductions for Bank of America customers, but is still not as affordable as some competitors.

Leverage & Margin

As a subsidiary of the Bank of America, Merrill Edge has significant amounts of margin available for traders to borrow. The platform offers margin above $100,000, with scaling interest rates based on the amount of margin borrowed:

In terms of traditional leverage, the company offers up to 1:100 leverage on stocks through its options contracts, with pre-leveraged ETFs also available for day trading.

Mobile App

As well as the desktop app, Merrill Edge has invested in feature-packed mobile trading platforms, which run on both the Android and iOS ecosystems.

With much of the functionality offered by their web-based and standalone trading platforms, the mobile app allows traders to set up custom alerts to notify them about changes in the markets. Traders can also access real-time market data, news and quotes, plus heat maps and interactive charts. Additionally, clients can integrate Bank of America financial accounts into their Merrill Edge app to create a more complete fiscal picture.

Merrill Edge mobile trading
Merrill Edge mobile app

The Merrill Edge app is well-reviewed on iOS, but a few Android users have reported some instability and crashing on their platform.

Payments

Transferring money in and out of trading or investment accounts is fast and straightforward with the best brokers. As a service backed by the Bank of America, it’s unsurprising that Merrill Edge supports many US banks when depositing or withdrawing funds.

Indeed, transfers from a Bank of America account are instantaneous. Transactions with other banks can take up to three working days. Wire transfers are facilitated and take place on the same day but cost a flat wire transfer fee of $24.95 per transaction. However, clients are unable to transfer capital via credit or debit cards.

Merrill Edge has no minimum deposit and with a self-directed trading account, clients can leave their balance at $0 for as long as they like without begin penalised. There are also no deposit and withdrawal fees for methods other than wire transfer.

Demo Account

Merrill Edge does not offer its clients a demo account to practise trading. However, the website is full of educational content and tutorials to help new investors understand trading fundamentals.

Without a demo account, less experienced traders should take time to establish trading techniques, risk management strategies and research markets before committing to trades.

Promotions

Traders are often on the lookout for a sign up bonus or other offers from brokers like Merrill Edge. Fortunately, the company offers a new account bonus promotion in which traders can earn up to a $600 transfer bonus when opening a self-directed trading account. The bonus available to investors scales with the level of qualifying deposit:

To qualify for these rewards, traders must meet these deposit amounts within 45 days of opening their account and then maintain their balance for at least 90 days. Traders must also enter the offer code in the online application upon initial account opening.

These rewards are on the smaller side, especially compared with the funds required to achieve them. However, if you have a significant amount of capital to invest, these promotions can be a pleasant, catch-free bonus for investors to take home.

For the brokerage’s guided investment accounts, an annual management fee discount applies based on your total assets held in Merrill Edge or Bank of America accounts:

Regulation

Traders need not worry about the legitimacy of Merrill Edge. The company is a trustworthy broker and investment provider owned by the Bank of America.

The financial services firm is regulated in the US by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for options trading and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) for general trading. The brand is also a member of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), which provides coverage on brokerage accounts in the case of insolvency.

Merrill Edge does not allow citizens of other jurisdictions, including the UK, to open an account with them and is therefore not regulated anywhere else.

Live Accounts

Merrill Edge offers traders many investment options when it comes to specialist accounts, including vehicles for health, education and retirement saving. With all of their accounts, management fees and account minimums will vary depending on the management strategy.

General Investing

The most straightforward variant is the general investing account. This Merrill Edge brokerage account grants clients unlimited, 0% commission trading as well as options contract capabilities. When trading is self-directed, this account has no annual management fees or account minimum. Funds can be transferred in and out of a general investing account freely, but clients are liable to capital gains tax on any earnings.

Margin Trading

To access Merrill Edge’s margin trading facility, traders need to open a margin trading account or upgrade a basic account. This account allows clients to borrow capital to invest in shares or engage in advanced options trading and short selling. A Merrill Edge margin account is subject to fees of up to 8.625% on borrowed capital and subject to requirements including a minimum account level of $2,000.

It is worth mentioning that margin is not available on retirement accounts, UTMA/UGMA accounts or accounts that utilise the broker’s guided investing services.

Retirement Accounts

Commonly referred to as IRAs, Merrill Edge offers a range of individual retirement arrangements for its clients. Traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs and Rollover accounts are available with the company, as well as SEP and simple IRAs for self-employed and small business clients.

Clients saving for retirement can “rollover” their 401k into a Merrill Edge IRA to consolidate their savings. Traders can even set up an automatic investment plan on retirement accounts, which enables automated contributions regularly.

Education And Health Savings

For parents looking to save for their children’s college tuition, Merrill Edge offers a 529 account as well as a custodial account that can be used to fund any future expenses. Merrill Edge’s life services also include an HSA account to leverage pre-tax earnings for medical expenses.

Asset Management Choices

The broker also provides three methods of managing their accounts. These services can be utilised in conjunction with several account types.

For these services, clients are required to pay an annual management charge of 0.85%, though the broker’s human advisor accounts are also subject to a reduction of up to 1.5% for qualifying clients. This account has a minimum account level of $20,000 and charges a $29.95 fee per assisted trade.

Additional Features

Merrill Edge offers clients several additional features, such as calculators for retirement and margin borrowing, enhanced Bank of America account integration and interconnectivity, plus curated news and educational content for traders.

The Merrill Edge retirement calculator allows investors to ascertain the financial requirements for their specific retirement plan as well as the age at which they can achieve their goals. Merrill Edge also provides a calculator for working out potential margin trading gains and losses, offering investors a clearer picture of risk and reward.

Merrill Edge trading tools
Market depth

The Bank of America integration of Merrill Edge allows instant transfers between accounts as well as the ability to view your investments and financial accounts in one place.

The broker’s educational section boasts a plethora of content including a podcast, videos, webinars, virtual events and an idea builder tool to support newer investors in navigating the markets. Merrill edge excels in its stock research and news, providing ratings and reports from over a dozen providers through their website.

Trading Hours

A Merrill Edge trading or investment account can be accessed round the clock. In addition to normal market hours, the brokerage supports after hours trading for its clients, allowing limited trading outside of normal market opening times. These hours run from 4:01 pm to 8:00 pm ET, Monday through Friday. Buy or sell orders for funds can be placed at any time and usually take place at the end of the trading day.

Traders can also benefit from pre-market trading which is available Monday to Friday on days when markets are open, from 7:30 am to 9:30 am ET. Note that extended hours trading may be delayed or unavailable without prior notice.

Customer Support

Help from the Merrill edge customer support team is available 24/7, through their telephone helpline – 888.637.3343. In-person consultations are also available, with many Bank of America branches offering this facility for added accessibility. A comprehensive online help section also helps guide traders through any uncertainties or questions they may have.

Security

Security of customer funds is a priority for Merrill Edge, which uses a secure login to ensure that accounts can only be accessed by clients. The platform offers the additional security of two-factor authentication or 2FA encryption to protect their clients’ accounts. Merrill Edge runs a dedicated fraud telephone line as well as an email address to report suspicious messages:

Merrill Edge Verdict

Many traders reading this review of Merrill Edge may be wondering whether to open an account. As a large and reputable broker, Merrill Edge is a good choice for traders and investors alike. The platform’s self-directed brokerage account offers zero commission trading and no account management fees as well as a variety of different investment options.

High fees on their robo advisor service could put some investors off, as could the lack of forex, commodities or cryptocurrency trading. All things considered, Merrill Edge is a solid broker with varied investment options and specialised accounts to help clients trade and invest comfortably.

FAQs

Should I Open A Merrill Edge Account?

Zero commission trading and no account management fees make Merrill Edge a competitive choice for investors and traders. The self-directed account has no minimum deposit, so opening an account comes with no obligation. For those who wish to speak to an advisor before committing, Merrill Edge also offers a robust customer service help desk.

Can A Non-US Citizen Open A Merrill Edge Account?

Unfortunately, Merrill Edge only offers its investment and life services to US citizens. Those living and working in the US without full citizenship, as well as people living outside of the US, are not permitted to open a live account.

What Is A Merrill Edge Financial Solutions Advisor?

With a Merrill Edge guided investing account, clients gain one-on-one access to a financial advisor. An advisor will help clients to set achievable goals and decide on strategies, as well as provide access to higher-risk investment options.

What Is A Merrill Edge IRA Account?

An Individual Retirement Account allows traders to save their earnings for retirement whilst receiving tax benefits. Merrill Edge offers a range of IRAs, including Traditional, Roth and Rollover IRAs, which you can review on the brand’s website.

Does Merrill Edge Offer A Sign Up Bonus?

Depending on how much they deposit into their new Merrill Edge brokerage account, clients can take advantage of a $600 maximum cash offer. There are three levels of sign up bonus offered: $150, $250 or $600.

How Much Money Do You Need To Open A Merrill Edge Account?

While the Merrill Edge self-directed account has no account minimum, services with either a robo advisor or human advisor require clients to have a minimum amount of assets in their account. A robo-advisor guided investment account has a $1,000 minimum while a guided investment with an advisor account has a significant minimum payment of $20,000.

Top 3 Alternatives to Merrill Edge

Compare Merrill Edge with the top 3 similar brokers that accept traders from your location.

  1. Interactive Brokers – Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a premier brokerage for experienced traders, providing access to 150 markets in 33 countries, along with a suite of comprehensive investment services. With over 40 years of experience, this Nasdaq-listed firm adheres to stringent regulations by the SEC, FCA, CIRO, and SFC, amongst others, and is one of the most trusted brokers for trading around the globe.
    Go to Interactive Brokers
  2. IG – Founded in 1974, IG is part of IG Group Holdings Plc, a publicly traded (LSE: IGG) brokerage. The brand-US offers spread betting, CFD and forex trading across an almost unrivalled selection of 17,000+ markets, with a range of user-friendly platforms and investing apps. For 50 years, IG has maintained its position as an industry leader, excelling in all key areas for traders.
    Go to IG
  3. M1 Finance – M1 Finance is a US brokerage that allows users to build a customizable investment portfolio from a range of 6000+ stocks and shares, ETFs and cryptocurrencies. The innovative ‘pie’ based portfolio management system allows traders to build several portfolios with different aims, and the brokerage supports machine-learning tools that can provide automated portfolio management.
    Go to M1 Finance

Merrill Edge Comparison Table

Compare Merrill Edge With Similar Brokers
Merrill Edge Interactive Brokers IG M1 Finance
Rating 3.3 4.3 4.4 3.9
Markets Stocks, Mutual Funds, ETFs, Options, Bonds Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, CFDs, Cryptocurrencies CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting Stocks, ETFs, OTC stocks
Demo Account No Yes Yes Yes
Minimum Deposit $0 $0 $0 $100
Minimum Trade 0.01 Lots $100 0.01 Lots $1
Regulators SEC, FINRA FCA, SEC, FINRA, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA SEC, FINRA
Bonus $600 Transfer Bonus M1 Finance Plus free for 3 months on new accounts
Education No Yes Yes Yes
Platforms MarketPro Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, eSignal, TradingCentral Web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, AutoChartist, TradingCentral Own
Leverage 1:50 1:30 (Retail), 1:250 (Pro)
Payment Methods 3 6 6 3
Visit Visit Visit Visit Visit
Review Interactive Brokers
Review
IG
Review
M1 Finance
Review

Compare Trading Instruments

Compare the markets and instruments offered by Merrill Edge and its competitors. Please note, some markets may only be available via CFDs or other derivatives.

Compare Merrill Edge Trading Instruments
Merrill Edge Interactive Brokers IG M1 Finance
CFD No Yes Yes No
Forex No Yes Yes No
Stocks Yes Yes Yes Yes
Commodities Yes Yes Yes No
Oil Yes No Yes No
Gold Yes Yes Yes No
Copper No No Yes No
Silver Yes No Yes No
Corn No No No No
Crypto No Yes Yes Yes
Futures No Yes Yes No
Options Yes Yes Yes No
ETFs Yes Yes Yes Yes
Bonds No Yes Yes No
Warrants No Yes Yes No
Spreadbetting No No Yes No
Volatility Index No No Yes No

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Merrill Edge is a subsidiary of Bank of America and has been operating as an investment advisory firm since 2010. The firm offers a range of investment products spanning stocks, ETFs, bonds, funds and options via its trading platform, MarketPro. Merrill Edge is regulated by the SEC and FINRA in the US and offers its services to US clients only.