Updated Friday, May 20, 2011



The ideal account opening process has all of the following:

• Easy to use website
• Quick and easy margin and options trading approval
• Easy to setup electronic funds transfer (ACH) from a checking account
• As little paper as possible - everything should be done electronically!
• Fast turnaround time to get the account opened and fully funded
  

You might be surprised how difficult and time consuming these steps can be at some brokers. Click on each link below for our detailed reviews of the account opening process at each broker:

Broker	Registration Grade
optionsXpress	A
ShareBuilder	A
E*TRADE	B
Interactive Brokers	B
Scottrade	B
SogoTrade	B
TD Ameritrade	B
Vanguard	B
Zecco	B
Fidelity	C
Just2Trade	C
Merrill Edge	C
OptionsHouse	C
Schwab	C
TradeKing	C
eOption	D
Firstrade	D
WellsTrade	D

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Related articles:
Stock Trading Overview
Options Trading Overview
Charts Overview
Research Tools Overview