Online Broker Review

Updated Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Account Opening Grade: B

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Overview:

The TD Ameritrade registration process is quick and easy. Once my account was opened and I transferred money electronically from my checking account, I was able to log in and navigate the site immediately. No major complaints.

Details:

Minimum initial account deposit: $2000

I opened a general brokerage account.

The TD Ameritrade welcome screen (click on images for larger views):

Margin, options trading and general disclosure documents look like they can all be verified here but later on I am again prompted to sign for margin and options trading:

I used the TD Ameritrade Electronic Funds Transfer option to transfer money from my Bank of America checking account:

The registration process is complete:

Once registration was complete, I received a welcome email from TD Ameritrade. The welcome email did not contain any sort of useful information. It's good to get a confirmation that the account was opened properly but this email did not add much value.

I also received three physical mailings from TD Ameritrade. One had an attached questionnaire to fill out and return. The second had a list of special offers. The third contained a pamphlet titled "Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options."

TD Ameritrade Account Opening