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E*TRADE vs Merrill: Brokerage Bonus Comparison

Updated July 2026 — See which brokerage bonus is better for you.

E*TRADE IRA Bonus

$10,000 bonus

Hold Period
12 months
Qualifying Period
60 days
Requirements
Open new eligible retirement account; Fund with $1,000 or more of new funds or securities within 60 days; Use promo code RETIRE26; Minimum $1,000 deposit within 60 days of account opening; Promo code RETIRE26 required at account opening; Eligible retirement account types: Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, Rollover IRA, SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, Individual 401(k); Open eligible retirement account (Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, Rollover IRA, SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA); Fund account within 60 calendar days with $1,000+ new funds or securities; Use promo code RETIRE26 at account opening; Maintain funds in account for 12 months after 60-day funding period; Open new eligible retirement account (Traditional, Roth, Rollover, SEP, or SIMPLE IRA); Deposit $1,000 or more in new funds or securities within 60 days; Maintain funds in account for 12 months; Open new eligible IRA (Traditional, Roth, Rollover, SIMPLE, or SEP); Deposit $1,000 or more within 60 days of account opening; Enter promo code RETIRE26 at account opening; Deposit minimum $1,000 in new funds or securities within 60 calendar days of account opening; Maintain funds in account for 12 months after funding period to retain bonus; New funds or securities from external accounts; Deposits must be maintained for 12 months to avoid forfeiture; Deposit or transfer qualifying funds/securities within 60 days of account opening; Maintain deposited funds for 12 months from end of 60-day funding period; Deposit or transfer at least $1,000 of new funds or securities within 60 days of account opening; Open eligible retirement account (Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, Rollover IRA, Individual 401(k), SIMPLE IRA, SEP IRA, or Beneficiary IRA); Deposit minimum $1,000 within 60 days of account opening; Maintain funds/securities in account for 12 months from end of 60-day funding period; Minimum $1,000 deposit within 60 days; Fund with minimum $1,000 of new funds or securities within 60 days; Open eligible E*TRADE retirement account by 6/30/26; Fund account within 60 days with $1,000+ of new funds or securities; Maintain deposit (minus trading losses) for 12 months; Open eligible retirement account; Maintain funds for 12 months from end of funding period; Enter promo code RETIRE26 during account opening; Funds from external accounts (outside E*TRADE); Maintain funds for 12 months after the 60-day funding period to receive bonus; Open eligible retirement account (Traditional, Roth, Rollover IRA, or SEP/SIMPLE IRA); Deposit $1,000+ in new funds or securities within 60 days of account opening; Funds must remain in account for 12 months after 60-day funding period (minus trading losses); Open eligible E*TRADE retirement account (Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, Rollover IRA, SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA); Deposit minimum $1,000 of new funds or securities within 60 days; Minimum deposit of $1,000; Deposit or transfer from external account within 60 days of account opening; Funds must remain in account for 12 months from last day of 60-day funding period; Open new eligible IRA (Traditional, Roth, Rollover, SEP, SIMPLE); Fund account within 60 days of opening with $1,000+ of new funds or securities; Funds must be from external accounts; Maintain minimum deposit value for 12 months after 60-day funding period
Expires
October 30, 2026
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Merrill Brokerage Bonus

$1,000 bonus

Hold Period
90 days
Qualifying Period
Within 45 days of account opening
Requirements
Fund account with at least $20,000 in qualifying net new assets within 45 days of account opening; Maintain balance for 90 days from funding; Must be enrolled in BofA Rewards as of 90 days from meeting funding criteria; Minimum $20,000 in qualifying net new assets; Promo code 1000PR required at account opening; Assets must be transferred from external accounts (internal transfers do not qualify); Must be enrolled in Bank of America Preferred Rewards as of 90 days after funding; Minimum $20,000 qualifying net new assets deposit; Must enroll in offer code at account opening; Must be enrolled in Preferred Rewards as of 90 days from funding; Assets must originate outside Bank of America; Min $20,000 qualifying net new deposit/transfer; Deposit must be made within 45 days of account opening; Must maintain balance for 90 days; Offer code 1000PR must be entered at account opening; Minimum $20,000 in qualifying net new assets within 45 days; Enroll in Preferred Rewards within 90 days of funding; Assets from BofA, MLPF&S, BofA Private Bank, or 401(k) accounts administered by MLPF&S do not count; Deposit/transfer $20,000+ in qualifying net new assets within 45 days of account opening; Maintain balance for 90 days from funding date; Enrolled in Bank of America Preferred Rewards program; Must use promo code 1000PR during account opening; Must have or open eligible Bank of America personal checking account; Enroll in Preferred Rewards Program within 90 days of funding; Fund account with qualifying net new assets within 45 days; Maintain balance for 90 days; Enroll using offer code PR1000 during account opening; Must be enrolled in Preferred Rewards as of 90 days from meeting funding criteria to receive up to $1,000 bonus (can enroll as part of promotional early enrollment); Use promo code 1000PR at account opening; Assets transferred from other BofA, MLPF&S, or 401(k) accounts administered by MLPF&S do not count toward qualifying assets; Enroll in Preferred Rewards within 90 days of funding (can enroll early as part of promotion); Must have or open eligible Bank of America personal checking Advantage Banking account to enroll in Preferred Rewards; Must enroll using offer code PR1000; Minimum $20,000 qualifying net new assets; Fund account within 45 days of account opening; Must be enrolled in Preferred Rewards as of 90 days after funding; Maintain balance for at least 90 days; For code 1000PR: Must be enrolled in Bank of America Preferred Rewards as of 90 days after funding; Enroll using offer code 1000PR at account opening; Deposit minimum $20,000 in qualifying net new assets within 45 days of account opening; Maintain the deposit for at least 90 days; Be enrolled in Preferred Rewards as of 90 days after funding; Must enroll using offer code 1000PR; Assets transferred from other MLPF&S, Bank of America Private Bank, or 401(k) accounts do not count as qualifying; Assets from MLPF&S, Bank of America Private Bank, or 401(k) accounts administered by MLPF&S do not count as qualifying; Enroll in Preferred Rewards program within 90 days of funding (promotional early enrollment available); Use promo code 1000PR at account opening or provide to Merrill Financial Solutions Advisor; Qualifying net new assets calculated by adding total incoming assets/transfers from external accounts and subtracting assets withdrawn within preceding 24 weeks
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Bottom Line

E*TRADE offers a higher bonus ($10,000 vs $1,000). However, be sure to compare hold periods and requirements before deciding.

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