Top Incentives Offered by Brokerage Firms in September 2025
In the world of investing, opening a brokerage account can be a significant step. To sweeten the deal, several brokerages are offering attractive bonuses for new clients. Here's a breakdown of the current offers from Merrill Edge, J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing, E-Trade, and Charles Schwab.
Merrill Edge is offering a cash bonus of $100 to $600 for opening an IRA or cash management account with a qualifying deposit within 45 days. To be eligible, you must deposit net new assets of at least $20,000 into your Merrill Edge account within 45 days of opening the account and maintain that balance for at least 90 days. However, assets from Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (MLPF&S), U.S. Trust, or 401(k) accounts administered by MLPF&S aren't qualifying net new assets. To receive the bonus, use the offer code 600ME during the account opening and make a qualifying deposit within 45 days of opening.
J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing is offering a cash bonus of $50 to $700 for opening a brokerage or retirement account with $5,000 or more. To be eligible, you must fund the account with at least $5,000 in cash or securities from a non-J.P. Morgan or Chase account within 45 days of opening. The offer is available for accounts opened by October 21, 2025, and the bonus will be deposited within 15 days if the account is funded and maintained for 90 days.
E-Trade is offering a cash bonus ranging from $50 to $10,000 for opening a brokerage account. To receive a cash bonus of $50, $150, $300, $600, $800, $1,000, $3,000, $5,000, $6,000, or $10,000, open a brokerage account and fund it with $50 or more within 60 days of account opening. Use promo code OFFER25 when opening the account. The offer expires on October 31, 2025. The cash bonus tiers are based on the amount deposited or transferred: $50 for $1,000-$4,999, $150 for $5,000-$19,999, $300 for $20,000-$99,999, $600 for $100,000-$199,999, $800 for $200,000-$499,999, $1,000 for $500,000-$999,999, $3,000 for $1 million - $1,499,999, $5,000 for $1.5 million - $1,999,999, $6,000 for $2 million - $4,999,999, and $10,000 for $5 million or more.
Charles Schwab is offering a bonus of $100 to $1,000 for new clients referred by a friend. Schwab retail brokerage accounts, IRAs, and accounts enrolled in Schwab-sponsored investment advisory programs are eligible for the bonus. To receive the bonus, you must make a qualifying net deposit within 45 days of becoming a Schwab customer and opening an eligible retail brokerage account.
When choosing a brokerage account, consider factors such as price (fees), broker resources (research tools, quality of digital trading app, ability to place trades quickly and reliably), and strategy (frequency of trading and experience level). Other important features to consider may include customer support.
Remember, these offers are subject to change, and it's essential to read the terms and conditions carefully before applying. Happy investing!
