Get Complete Investment Account Application

No minimum initial deposit is required to open this account. However, account must be funded within 30 days to remain open. No minimums balance is required to avoid monthly account fees.

Our exclusive E*TRADE Complete Protection Guarantee provides an additional layer of security that protects your privacy, your assets, and every transaction you make in your E*TRADE brokerage accounts and Morgan Stanley Private Bank accounts.

E*TRADE is a US stockbroker regulated by top-tier authorities SEC and FINRA. It offers low trading fees, including free stock and ETF trading. In addition, it has one of the best mobile trading platforms on the market, and offers plenty of high-quality research tools such as trading ideas and strategy builders.

Is it safe to keep more than $500,000 in a brokerage account? It is safe in the sense that there are measures in place to help investors recoup their investments before the SIPC steps in. And, indeed, the SIPC will not get involved until the liquidation process starts.

To open a trading account, you must apply for a new account online. The brokerage will ask for proof of your identity (Social Security number and driver's license). You may also be asked for the following: Email and phone number.

What You Need - Application. Small Business Tax Identification Number; US Tax Classification (Partnership, Corporation, Disregarded Entity); US Social Security Number or ID number if not a US citizen (Driver's License, Alien Identification Card, Passport or National Identity Card);

Your Identity Review your account statements regularly to ensure that there is no unauthorized activity. Enroll in Electronic Document Delivery to have your account statements and trade confirmations in a secure location to eliminate the possibility of mail theft. Review your credit reports regularly.