Start Trading
Let Schwab’s on-boarding team handle the paperwork and asset transfers to minimize disruption to your trading.
Step 1: Open an Account
Apply online or call us at 888-245-6864 now. A dedicated on-boarding representative will stay on top of all the details of opening your account. Have the following information ready to expedite the application process:
- Social security number
- Valid driver's license
- Current account information
If you apply online, be sure to call us to qualify as an active trader.
A minimum commitment of 36 online trades per year is required to access Schwab’s active trading platforms and services.
Once your account is approved and funded, you’re ready to trade.
Step 2: Get Started Your Way
On your own
Schwab’s trading tools and resources are designed to help you figure things out for yourself.
- Intuitive Platform – Our trading platform is designed to be powerful, yet easy to use and flexible, so you spend less time learning it and more time using it.
- Guides and Tutorials - "Getting Started" and quick-reference guides, plus online tutorials help you get up to speed quickly.
Let Schwab show you how
Spend an hour with a dedicated trading specialist. This complimentary session includes:
- Platform Customization – Tailor your new trading tools for the way you trade and recreate watch lists and alerts you may have at your current broker.
- Strategy Review – We’ll discuss your trading strategy and workflow and provide recommendations for specific tools and research you may benefit from.
- Resources Tour – Get guidance to Schwab’s education and expert insight for traders, with topics covering everything from profit strategies to risk management.
*Free trades expire 180 days after account approval, up to 250 trades total. Applies to base online equity, ETF, and option commissions only. Option per-contract and foreign transaction fees still apply. To qualify, call 888-245-6864 and commit to making a minimum of 36 online equity or options trades per year and deposit $50,000. Other commission-free trade offers may be available if you deposit less than $50,000 -- call 888-245-6864 for terms. Commission-free trades will be assigned following determination of eligibility by Schwab. Account and assets deposited must be new to Schwab. Assets transferred from optionsXpress, Inc. or other Schwab affiliates are excluded. Current Schwab clients and households are not eligible. Offer valid until 12/31/2012. Offer is nontransferable, limited to one per household, and may not be combined with other offers. Accounts ineligible for this offer include, without limitation: 401(k), 403(b), Custodial, 529 Plan and Estate accounts. Only trades placed through Schwab.com, Schwab trading platform applications and Schwab Wireless are eligible for free trades. No credit will be given for unexecuted trades. Domestic, nonprofessional accounts only. Schwab, Schwab-affiliated, broker-dealer and exchange employees are not eligible. Other exceptions may apply. Schwab reserves the right to restrict this offer at any time.