SmartMoney 2012 Annual Broker Survey

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View results and highlights from the SmartMoney 2012 broker review. This annual broker survey included 10 popular online brokers and ranked them in multiple categories.

Published by Blain Reinkensmeyer on Friday, April 19, 2013.

Fidelity Investments

Fidelity Investments Review

Online trades only $7.95, all the time.
25 different iShares ETFs available for commission-free trading.

Stocks*	Options Base*	Options Contract*	Minimum Deposit
$7.95	$7.95	$0.75	$2,500.00

Scottrade

Scottrade Review

Special Offer - Get $100 in transfer fees reimbursed - Learn More
Straight forward commissions for both stocks and options.

Stocks*	Options Base*	Options Contract*	Minimum Deposit
$7.00	$7.00	$1.25	$500.00

TD Ameritrade

TD Ameritrade Review

Trade free for 90 days + get up to $600 - Learn More

Gain access to over 100 commission free ETFs.
Investment research from S&P, Morningstar Associates, and Minyanville.

Stocks*	Options Base*	Options Contract*	Minimum Deposit
$9.99	$9.99	$0.75	$2,500.00

ETRADE

ETRADE Review

Special Offer: Trade free for 60 days + Get up to $500 - Learn More
Rated the #1 Online Broker 2011 by StockBrokers.com

Stocks*	Options Base*	Options Contract*	Minimum Deposit
$9.99	$9.99	$0.75	$500.00

Charles Schwab

Charles Schwab Review

Offers $8.95 flat-rate trades regardless of trade size, account balance, or share price.
Was rated highest in investor satisfaction with self-directed services by J.D. Power and Associates, 2009.

Stocks*	Options Base*	Options Contract*	Minimum Deposit
$8.95	$8.95	$0.75	$1,000.00

TradeKing

TradeKing Review

Special Offer: Get $150 in transfer fees reimbursed - Learn More
Rated #1 Online Broker for Customer Service in the StockBrokers.com 2012 Review.

Stocks*	Options Base*	Options Contract*	Minimum Deposit
$4.95	$4.95	$0.65	$0.00

Zecco

Zecco Review

As of 2012, Zecco has merged with TradeKing to form TradeKing Group.
Get $150 in transfer fees reimbursed when you open an account today (Learn More).

Stocks*	Options Base*	Options Contract*	Minimum Deposit
$4.95	$4.95	$0.65	$0.00

Merrill Edge

Merrill Edge Review

Receive up to 30 free trades per month with a $25,000 minimum balance.
Link any Merrill Edge account to any Bank of America bank account.

Stocks*	Options Base*	Options Contract*	Minimum Deposit
$6.95	$6.95	$0.75	$2,000.00

ShareBuilder

ShareBuilder Review

Special Offer: Receive $100 with any New Account - Learn More
One Month Free Trial with all new accounts.

Stocks*	Options Base*	Options Contract*	Minimum Deposit
$6.95	$6.95	$0.75	$0.00

For SmartMoney's 2012 broker survey, the number of total brokers compared was once again 10. SmartMoney covered the following categories in its 2012 broker review: Commissions & Fees, Mutual Funds and Investment Products, Banking Services, Trading Tools, Research, and Customer Service. For each year's SmartMoney broker review, the Wall Street Journal company highlights the best broker in each category alongside the worst performer in each category with some commentary. Each broker is awarded up to five stars for each category and thereafter an overall winning broker is determined. This year 2012 Fidelity was first place overall.