TD Ameritrade Review

TD Ameritrade Overview

TD Ameritrade was formed by the merger of the large and popular online broker Ameritrade and TD Waterhouse, a more low-key, investment oriented broker. You may know them from their long-running television commercial campaigns that feature a well known television actor as their spokesperson.

Like many of the top brokers that are reviewed here, TD Ameritrade does a lot of things very well. They earn the highest ratings for investment products and strong ratings in research capabilities. They have middle of the pack customer service ratings and their site will drive you to their customer support knowledge base or email as a preferred method of contacting them. But getting through to them by phone is easy and response time is good.

Where TD Ameritrade makes its name is in its trading tools. They earn top honors from SmartMoney - The Wall Street Journal magazine among a very competitive field. There are multiple levels of screening tools and platforms to fit just about every kind of trader, as long as they are a serious trader. Due to this, they have been known as the broker of choice for the most advanced, serious traders.

Pricing per trade is one the high end at $9.99, but it is a flat rate structure with no exceptions, so you always know what you are paying. With all this, they focus on the advanced, sophisticated trader. You won't get banking services. You won't get trading in foreign markets. But you will have a very good broker if you are serious about trading stocks and investing in mutual funds, bonds and ETFs.

View the Current Promotion for opening up a new TD Ameritrade account

TD Ameritrade Services

- Mutual Funds and Bonds - Yes, very good selection
- Banking Services - No
- Foreign Market Trading - No
- Quality of Research Tools - Four Stars in SmartMoney 2009 Broker Survey
- Quality of Trading Tools/Trading Platform - Five Stars in SmartMoney 2009
Broker Survey and Best among all brokers
- Mobile Phone Trading - Yes
- Local branch offices - No

TD Ameritrade Commissions & Fees

- Cost Per Trade: $9.99 flat-rate
- Additional Trading Fees: None
- Account Minimum Balance: $500
- Broker Assisted Trades: $44.99
- Account Maintenance Fees: None
- Cancellation Fees: $75.00

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