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Frequently Asked Questions
How does ShareBuilder work?
- ShareBuilder is an online brokerage designed to make investing easy, affordable, and accessible for both beginning and experienced investors. We offer a full range of services, including automatic investing which allows you to buy stocks in whole dollar amounts. We also feature hassle-free real-time trades, options trading, and margin borrowing.
How much does it cost?
- ShareBuilder offers three pricing programs for you to choose from – Basic, Standard and Advantage. The features and benefits of each program are designed to help you meet your individual investing goals. Learn more
What type of accounts should I open?
- Your investing goals help determine which account is most appropriate for you. If you are investing for a future purchase or planned expenditure you should open an Individual Account, or a Joint Account if you’re investing with someone else. To build wealth for retirement, you should consider open a Traditional IRA or a Roth IRA. If you are putting money towards a child’s education, you have a choice between an Educational Savings Account (ESA) or a Custodial Account. Learn more about the accounts we offer
How can I transfer money to ShareBuilder?
- Before you can buy stocks with your ShareBuilder account, you will need to transfer money into your ShareBuilder account. With our Automatic Investment Plan, you can schedule the stock purchase and transfer the money from your checking/savings account at the same time. To deposit money into your account for Money Market investing or to buy stock, you can use any one of the following methods:
- Automatic deposit from your checking or savings account
- Direct deposit from your paycheck, tax refund, etc.
- Mail a check or money order
- Wire funds transfer
Learn more
How do I transfer my account to ShareBuilder from another brokerage?
- ShareBuilder accepts transfers from other brokerages for no fee. If you would like to transfer account assets (cash or securities) from another brokerage firm to ShareBuilder, you will need to complete the Transfer Assets to ShareBuilder Account form. Learn more
What is the Automatic Investment Plan?
- Our Automatic Investment Plan allows you to buy stocks through automatic, scheduled purchases. Invest any dollar amount weekly, biweekly or monthly. Select from our list of over 7,000 stocks, mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). You can invest as much or as little as you choose; there is no account minimum. Learn more
Can I buy any security through ShareBuilder?
- While ShareBuilder offers a wide variety of over 7,000 stocks, mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and closed-end bond funds, not all securities are available. In order to be considered for the ShareBuilder stock list, securities must meet specific criteria including pricing, market capitalization and average daily volume. In addition, the security must also be traded on a recognized U.S. marketplace system such as NYSE and NASDAQ. Learn more
What should I invest in?
- If you’re not sure which stocks or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to invest in, ShareBuilder offers a variety of research tools to help you decide. PortfolioBuilder can guide you through the process of creating a diversified portfolio based on your goals and investing style.
ShareBuilder also offers research tools and resources to help you evaluate securities and build your investment portfolio.
What if I need to withdraw my money?
- Although ShareBuilder is designed for long-term investing, situations may arise such that you need to withdraw invested money. If your money is invested in a stock or ETF, you will first need to sell the security by placing a real-time trade. The proceeds of the sale must be deposited into your money market cash balance before the money can be withdrawn. To withdraw money from your money market cash balance, you have the following choices:
- Electronic funds transfer — next day processing; free of charge
- Request a check — 1 to 5 days processing; $5.00 charge
- Wire funds out — same day processing; $30.00 charge
Learn more
Do I have to apply online? Is it secure?
- In order for ShareBuilder to provide high value services at affordable prices, accounts must be opened online. You can open an account online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
ShareBuilder protects the transmission of your personal information using 128-bit
encryption via Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology. Learn more