Do It Yourselfers

[SBarrett]

I currently work with a full service broker and would like to try this on my own starting out with a small % of my investments. Any favorites out there as far as online, do it yourself, brokerage accounts?

[deepinwonder]

I use Banc of America Investment Services online and really love it! They have great research, phone support, and I like that it's an established bank, since they have our money in it! If you need other services, like phone trading or whatever, they offer that, too. The whole website was recently upgraded.

Here's a link, if you're interested:

https://www.baisidirect.com/Static/SelfDirected/index.html

[Barbara]

try BrownCo or IB
www.interactivebrokers.com

I generally trade futures but both are good and the cheapest, both offer little service or hand holding so be prepared to do your own thing

[ragingbull]

I use Banc of America Investment Services online and really love it! They have great research, phone support, and I like that it's an established bank, since they have our money in it! If you need other services, like phone trading or whatever, they offer that, too. The whole website was recently upgraded.

Here's a link, if you're interested:

https://www.baisidirect.com/Static/SelfDirected/index.html
does this firm offer ipo's?

[deepinwonder]

You could call to see if they offer exactly what you're looking for, in re: IPO's.

I noticed on a different thread that Ameritrade and Scottrade were recommended as good ones for low fee trading, but I never tried them. I wish Banc of America had lower fees, but it's good, nonetheless.

[JimJeep]

I've been using Scottrade for about a year now. So far so good. :D
Check out the website for all the info.

[deepinwonder]

Just found this news item:

AMERITRADE ACCUSED OF DELAYING TRADES

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8BT5QF06.htm?campaign_id=apn_home_down&chan=db

[optimus25]

I use Ameritrade, Scottrade, Etrade, & TD Waterhouse. For active traders you should look into Ameritrade & Scottrade. Both offer good research as well as an easy to use trading platform.

I didn't even know Bank of America had their own trading platform.