Reviewed by
Stang Gappa
Reviewed by
Stang Gappa
Updated on May 29, 2024
Learn about our Editorial Process
Fidelity offers a self-directed IRA at the largest provider of retirement accounts in the US with helpful customer support.
Merrill offers a self-directed IRA through a strong trading platform with great access to research and data that's integrated with Bank of America.
Fidelity offers a wide selection of low-cost investment options on an ultra-user-friendly online platform. They offer a variety of low-fee transactions including no-fee stock and ETF trades online, making them a good choice for cost-conscious investors. Fidelity equips customers with access to research that, while not as detailed as some competitors, is enough to help investors make educated investment decisions regarding retirement planning.
With $7.8 trillion in assets under management (AUM), Fidelity is the largest provider of retirement savings accounts in the US. Their size has allowed them to build a product that serves the needs of most Americans and has allowed them to build one of the best-tested and most user-friendly trading platforms available.
With more than $1.6 trillion in assets under management, Bank of America is one of the largest financial institutions in the United States—and if you already have a bank account with them, having a Merrill Edge self-directed IRA account can simplify your life while also offering top-of-the-line integrated research and charting tools. Bank of America has teamed up with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management to offer different investment options to its customers that are integrated across the BoA platform, and $0 account minimums, $0 commissions on stocks and ETFs, and $0 annual program fee, Merrill Edge is a solid choice for those looking for a place to manage their retirement accounts, whether you’re an existing Bank of America customer or not. However, the platform does not allow investment in some increasingly popular investment asset classes like futures, foreign exchange (forex), or cryptocurrency.
As one of the largest brokers in the country, Fidelity offers a wide selection of investments including annuities and 529 plans. In addition, investing at Fidelity means you may be eligible for other benefits, such as a Fidelity Rewards Signature Visa card. The Signature Visa card comes with a $0 annual fee and can help you earn up to 2% cash back, which can be deposited into an eligible Fidelity investment account (including IRAs!).
Since it’s integrated with the larger Bank of America Corporation, Merrill Edge truly shines when it comes to added features. Along with the investment options listed above, Merrill Edge customers can open CDs on the platform, explore fixed-income products like annuities, open checking, and savings accounts through Bank of America, and take out loans, including auto loans and mortgages.
Fidelity is a good option for many investors. Their platform is easy to use and offers a wide selection of low-cost investment options. It’s also an easy option if you’re looking to perform a 401(k) rollover. As with most self-serve investment accounts, it’s important for investors to check their accounts regularly to ensure their retirement portfolio still meets their needs.
If you’re looking to fund your new Fidelity IRA with a 401(k) rollover, Capitalize can help. We’ve made it our mission to make this process easier for everyone. We can handle the entire process for you. Most of the process can be done online and our rollover experts will guide you through any of the manual parts. Get started with your 401(k) rollover in just a few minutes.
A Merrill Edge self-directed IRA gives investors the tools they need to make informed decisions on basic investment options, with a well-appointed and easy-to-use platform with plenty of integrated tools. However, for those who aren’t yet Bank of America customers, discounts for upper-tier financial advisory services may remain inaccessible, and for those looking for forward-facing investment choices like cryptocurrency and futures, Merrill Edge may not cut it.
Need help getting started on your 401(k) rollover? Capitalize can help you get all your old retirement funds into one place so they’re easy to manage and grow—so you can fund your ideal financial future.
