What makes this brokerage offer different
This brokerage offer is transfer-oriented, so the practical value depends on the asset tier, transfer friction, and required hold period.
Brokerage
Bank of America Merrill Brokerage Bonus — Up to $1,000
Sign up for Bank of America Merrill Brokerage Bonus and earn up to $1,000 in bonus rewards.
See all Bank of America/Merrill offers →
Bonus Tiers
| Deposit | Bonus |
|---|---|
| $20,000 | $100 |
| $49,999 | $200 |
| $100,000 | $400 |
| $250,000 | $1,000 |
Hold Period
90 days
Qualifying Period
45 days
Payout
Within 2 weeks after 90-day hold period
Requirements
- ✓Open new Merrill Edge Self-Directed account
- ✓Enroll in offer code (1000PR for $1,000 tier or 600ME for $600 tier)
- ✓Fund with qualifying net new assets within 45 days
- ✓Maintain balance for 90 days
- ✓For $1,000 bonus: must be enrolled in Preferred Rewards as of 90 days from funding
- ✓Net new assets within 45 days of account opening
- ✓Maintain qualifying balance for required hold period
- ✓Use offer code (600ME for standard; 1000PR for Preferred Rewards)
- ✓Open new Merrill IRA or CMA
- ✓Deposit minimum $20,000 in qualifying net new assets within 45 days
- ✓For Preferred Rewards tier: Use promo code 1000PR and enroll in BofA Rewards program
- ✓Minimum $20,000 in qualifying net new assets within 45 days of enrollment
- ✓Assets must be transferred from external accounts (ACAT transfer or deposit)
- ✓Open new Merrill Edge account with promotion code (1000PR for Preferred Rewards; 600ME for standard)
- ✓Fund account with qualifying net new assets within 45 days of account opening
- ✓Maintain qualifying balance for at least 90 days
- For Preferred Rewards tier: enroll in Preferred Rewards within 90 days of funding
Restrictions
- ⚠New customers only
- ⚠Must enroll in offer code during account opening
- ⚠Assets must be net new (not from Bank of America, MLPF&S, Bank of America Private Bank, or MLPF&S 401(k))
- ⚠Does not apply to business/corporate accounts, partnership accounts, UTMA/UGMA, 529 Plan, or certain fiduciary accounts
- ⚠New and existing individual Merrill IRAs or Cash Management Accounts (CMAs)
- ⚠Eligible IRA types: Traditional, Roth, SEP IRA (owner-only)
- ⚠One CMA and one IRA bonus per accountholder
- ⚠Assets must be new to the Bank of America ecosystem (cannot be from other BofA, MLPF&S, BofA Private Bank, or 401k accounts)
- ⚠New and existing Merrill customers
- ⚠Individual Merrill IRAs or Cash Management Accounts (CMA) only
- ⚠Limited to one CMA and one IRA per accountholder
- ⚠Does not apply to business/corporate, partnership, fiduciary, UTMA/UGMA, or 529 accounts
- ⚠Preferred Rewards $1,000 offer requires BofA Rewards enrollment
- ⚠New and existing individual Merrill IRAs or Cash Management Accounts (CMA)
- ⚠Does not apply to business/corporate accounts, investment club accounts, partnership accounts, certain fiduciary accounts, UTMA/UGMA accounts, or 529 Plan accounts
- ⚠Assets from other MLPF&S accounts, Bank of America Private Bank, or MLPF&S-administered 401(k) accounts do not count toward qualifying net new assets
Fees
- $0 account/annual fees
- $0 stock and ETF commissions
- $0.65 per options contract
- $0 account fee
- $0 annual fee
- Unlimited $0 online stock and ETF trades
- $0 account opening fee
- $0 trading commissions for stocks and ETFs
- $0 commission for online stock and ETF trades
- Offer may not be used to induce insurance sales
- Merrill reserves right to change or cancel offer at any time without notice
- Gains and losses from trading or market volatility do not count toward balance requirements
- Preferred Rewards $1,000 offer includes promotional early enrollment in Preferred Rewards program
- Requires eligible Bank of America personal checking account for Preferred Rewards enrollment
- Cash reward is credited as investment earnings and may be subject to 1099 reporting
- For IRAs, bonus may be treated as taxable income or excess contribution
- Excludes assets transferred from other BofA/Merrill/MLPF&S/401k accounts
- Offer valid for new and existing individual accounts adding new funds
- Cash bonus offers aggregate limited across CMA and IRA
- Preferred Rewards offer (up to $1,000) requires BofA Rewards enrollment as of 90 days after funding
- Bonus is credited as investment earnings to the account
- May result in IRS Form 1099 (taxable income implications)
- If credited to IRA, bonus may be viewed as taxable income or excess contribution
- Cash bonus credited as investment earnings to account
- Tax treatment: Merrill may issue Form 1099; if credited to IRA, IRS may view as taxable income or contribution (excess contributions subject to 6% excise tax if not timely distributed)
- Account may be Merrill Edge Self-Directed, Merrill Edge Advisory Account, Merrill Guided Investing, or Merrill Guided Investing with Advisor account
- If enrolled in investment advisory program, cash reward will be subject to program fee and other terms
- Bonus counts as investment earnings and may be subject to IRS Form 1099
- IRA bonus recipients may face tax implications; consult a tax advisor
- Offer code 1000PR required for $1,000 tier (Preferred Rewards members)
- Offer code 600ME available for standard tier (up to $600 maximum)
- Bonus may be taxable income; Merrill may issue IRS Form 1099
- If bonus is credited to an IRA, the IRS may view the reward as taxable income or as a contribution to the IRA (excess contributions subject to 6% annual excise tax)
Last updated July 28, 2026
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How to evaluate Bank of America Merrill Brokerage Bonus
Before transferring assets, compare the bonus tier against the deposit amount, required hold period, transfer fees, and whether IRA or taxable accounts qualify.
Qualification checklist
Timing
- Qualifying period
- 45 days
- Payout timeline
- Within 2 weeks after 90-day hold period
- Hold period
- 90 days
How to qualify
- Open new Merrill Edge Self-Directed account
- Enroll in offer code (1000PR for $1,000 tier or 600ME for $600 tier)
- Fund with qualifying net new assets within 45 days
- Maintain balance for 90 days
Common pitfalls
- New customers only
- Must enroll in offer code during account opening
- Assets must be net new (not from Bank of America, MLPF&S, Bank of America Private Bank, or MLPF&S 401(k))
- Does not apply to business/corporate accounts, partnership accounts, UTMA/UGMA, 529 Plan, or certain fiduciary accounts
What makes this offer different
Bonus value versus similar offers
The sign-up bonus is below the current nearby $7,500 median, so the requirements and any referral or portal stack matter more.
Requirement clarity
Credolix has extracted 4 requirements for this offer, so compare the bonus against the actual steps rather than the headline payout alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to qualify for Bank of America Merrill Brokerage Bonus?
The qualifying period listed for Bank of America Merrill Brokerage Bonus is 45 days.
When does Bank of America Merrill Brokerage Bonus pay out?
The payout timeline listed for Bank of America Merrill Brokerage Bonus is Within 2 weeks after 90-day hold period.
