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
Merrill Edge Self-Directed Investing Bonus — Up to $1,000
Sign up for Merrill Edge Self-Directed Investing Bonus and earn up to $1,000 in bonus rewards.
Bonus Tiers
| Deposit | Bonus |
|---|---|
| $20,000–$49,999 | $100 |
| $50,000–$99,999 | $200 |
| $100,000–$249,999 | $400 |
| $250,000+ | $1,000 |
Hold Period
90 days
Qualifying Period
45 days
Payout
Within 2 weeks following the 90-day hold period
Requirements
- ✓Deposit/transfer between $20,000–$250,000 in qualifying net new assets within 45 days of account opening
- ✓Maintain qualifying balance for at least 90 days
- ✓For Preferred Rewards offer (code 1000PR): must be enrolled in Preferred Rewards within 90 days of funding
Restrictions
- ⚠New and existing individual Merrill IRAs or Cash Management Accounts (CMA)
- ⚠Limited to one CMA and one IRA per accountholder in aggregate
- ⚠Eligible IRAs: Traditional, Roth, owner-only SEP IRA
- ⚠Assets must be qualifying net new assets (new to Bank of America/Merrill ecosystem)
- ⚠Preferred Rewards membership or enrollment may be required for some offers
- Qualifying net new assets exclude assets transferred from other MLPF&S accounts, Bank of America Private Bank, or 401(k) accounts
- Bonus calculated based on balance irrespective of market gains or losses
- You may be eligible for different or better offers; contact Merrill for details
- Available both for new account opening and account balance increases for existing customers
Last updated September 25, 2026
Saved source PDFs
Sep 25, 2026
How to evaluate Merrill Edge Self-Directed Investing 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 following the 90-day hold period
- Hold period
- 90 days
How to qualify
- Deposit/transfer between $20,000–$250,000 in qualifying net new assets within 45 days of account opening
- Maintain qualifying balance for at least 90 days
- For Preferred Rewards offer (code 1000PR): must be enrolled in Preferred Rewards within 90 days of funding
Common pitfalls
- New and existing individual Merrill IRAs or Cash Management Accounts (CMA)
- Limited to one CMA and one IRA per accountholder in aggregate
- Eligible IRAs: Traditional, Roth, owner-only SEP IRA
- Assets must be qualifying net new assets (new to Bank of America/Merrill ecosystem)
What makes this offer different
Bonus value versus similar offers
The sign-up bonus is below the current nearby $10,000 median, so the requirements and any referral or portal stack matter more.
Requirement clarity
Credolix has extracted 3 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 Merrill Edge Self-Directed Investing Bonus?
The qualifying period listed for Merrill Edge Self-Directed Investing Bonus is 45 days.
When does Merrill Edge Self-Directed Investing Bonus pay out?
The payout timeline listed for Merrill Edge Self-Directed Investing Bonus is Within 2 weeks following the 90-day hold period.
