Firstrade Fees and Services for Investors

Man trading stocks online using smartphone and laptop. Indoor setting, focus on technology and finance.
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Firstrade offers a flat commission rate of $0 per trade for stocks, ETFs, options, and mutual funds, making it an attractive option for investors.

This means you can buy and sell stocks without incurring any trading fees, which can save you a significant amount of money over time.

Firstrade also offers a low maintenance fee of $0 per year for accounts with a balance of $0 or more, making it a cost-effective option for long-term investors.

With Firstrade, you can trade online or through their mobile app, and customer support is available to help with any questions or issues you may have.

Fees Structure

Firstrade has no account or trade minimums, making it a great option for those just starting out. They also offer commission-free trades on stocks, ETFs, options, and mutual funds.

Their fee schedule is very competitive, with no trading commissions on stocks, exchange-traded funds, options, and mutual funds. This is a huge advantage for investors who want to keep costs low.

For another approach, see: Unavailable Funds Fee

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You'll also find that there are no annual fees, inactivity fees, or account maintenance fees. However, there are some fees to be aware of, including mutual fund short-term redemption fees of $19.95, transfer fees of $55 partial and $75 full, and bond trading fees that are net yield based.

Here are some of the key fees to know:

  • Mutual fund short term redemption fees: $19.95
  • Transfer fees: $55 partial, $75 full
  • Bond trading fees: Net yield based.
  • Broker assisted trades: $20
  • Margin trading: Starting interest rates of 8.75%

Pros and Cons

Firstrade offers a range of benefits that make it an attractive option for investors.

One of the biggest advantages is the lack of trading commissions on stocks, exchange-traded funds, options, and mutual funds, which means you can trade without incurring any additional fees.

Another perk is the absence of minimum account size requirements, making it easy to get started with trading, even if you don't have a large investment fund.

Firstrade also offers rebates on transfer fees, up to $200, which can help offset the costs of moving your investments.

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The platform is available in multiple languages, including Cantonese and Mandarin, making it accessible to a wider range of traders.

Here are some of the key pros and cons of Firstrade's fees structure:

Overall, Firstrade's fees structure offers a lot of benefits for investors, including the lack of trading commissions and no minimum account size requirements.

Commissions

Firstrade has a simple and straightforward commission structure that makes it easy to understand and navigate.

There are no commissions for trading stocks, ETFs, options, or mutual funds. This is a significant advantage for investors who want to minimize their trading costs.

Broker-assisted trades, on the other hand, come with a $19.95 fee, plus an additional $0.50 per options contract. This is a one-time fee, and it's only charged when you use the broker's assistance.

Margin trading comes with a starting interest rate of 8.75%, which is a relatively competitive rate compared to other trading platforms.

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Here's a summary of the commission fees at Firstrade:

Overall, Firstrade's commission structure is designed to be low-cost and transparent, making it an attractive option for investors who want to minimize their trading expenses.

Margin and Leverage

Margin and leverage are powerful tools for traders, but it's essential to understand the specifics of how they work.

Firstrade offers margin accounts, and their margin schedule starts at 8.50% for smaller trades.

The interest rate decreases to 4.5% for debit balances over a million dollars.

Margin requirements are the same as those stipulated in Reg T, which is a set of rules governing margin trading.

You'll need to put up 50% of the trade value for initial margin, and 30% for maintenance margin.

This means you'll have to cover at least half of the trade value upfront, and then maintain a minimum balance of 30% of the trade value.

Investing Options

Firstrade offers commission-free trading options on stocks, options, and many of the most popular and sought-after ETFs.

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Since shifting away from traditional brokerage firm practices, Firstrade has retained its customer-first ethos by facilitating commission-free trading.

A pioneer of low-cost investing, Firstrade charges no per-contract fees on options, making it a different category of value than other brokers.

Firstrade's commission-free trading options are a game-changer for investors, allowing them to trade without worrying about added costs.

Here are some key benefits of Firstrade's commission-free trading options:

  • Zero per-contract fees on options
  • Commission-free trading on stocks and ETFs

Account Types

Firstrade offers different account types to cater to various investor needs.

Individual accounts are available for investors with a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

Joint accounts allow two or more individuals to own and manage a Firstrade account together.

Custodial accounts are designed for minors, allowing parents or guardians to manage their investments until the child reaches the age of majority.

IRAs (Individual Retirement Accounts) and Roth IRAs are available for retirement savings, with no minimum balance requirement.

Software

When it comes to software, Firstrade's unique approach is worth noting. Firstrade doesn’t have a desktop platform, or even a browser-based one.

This means you won't have to worry about paying any software fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which trading site has the lowest fees?

Webull offers the lowest fees among trading sites, with a $0.10 per contract fee for options trading over 500 contracts, excluding index options. For index options, the fee is $0.55 per contract.

Nellie Hodkiewicz-Gorczany

Senior Assigning Editor

Nellie Hodkiewicz-Gorczany is a seasoned Assigning Editor with a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling. With a strong background in research and content curation, Nellie has developed a unique ability to identify and assign compelling articles that capture the attention of readers. Throughout her career, Nellie has covered a wide range of topics, including the latest trends and developments in the financial services industry.

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