New Brokerage Account Bonus Offers & Promotions: Best Ways to Earn Big
Want to make some extra cash without much effort? Brokerage account bonuses might be your answer. Investment firms are competing hard for your business, and many are willing to pay you hundreds—sometimes thousands—of dollars just for opening a new account or moving your existing investments their way.
This guide will explain everything you need to know about scoring these bonuses without disrupting your investment strategy or triggering unnecessary fees.
Opening a New Brokerage Account
Types of Broker Bonuses
There are a few types of bonuses you should know about, with some brokerages featuring more than one promotion type:
Cash bonus:
The most straightforward reward—brokers deposit actual money into your account after you meet their requirements. These typically range from $50 for smaller deposits to $3,500+ for jumbo transfers. Note that the cash bonus is usually taxed as income.
Increased APY:
Some brokers offer temporarily boosted interest rates on cash balances as a promotion. You could get up to an extra 4.00% APY (so if uninvested cash sweep pays 4.1%, you’d be earning 8.1%).
Stock bonus:
Instead of cash, some brokers give you shares of stock. This might be a fixed number of shares or randomly selected stocks within a certain value range. These promotions can sometimes be worth more than advertised if the stocks perform well.
Transfer credit:
Specifically designed to offset the costs of moving your assets, these credits reimburse the $50-$100 transfer fee that your previous broker might charge. While this isn’t really a bonus, it does offset any transfer costs associated with getting a new account bonus.
How Brokerage Account Bonuses Work
New Account Bonuses
These are offered to first-time customers opening an account with that brokerage. They usually require making a minimum deposit of new funds within a certain timeframe.
- You open a new brokerage account
- You deposit cash and meet the minimum requirement for a bonus (often starting at $5,000)
- You maintain those assets for a required holding period (usually 60-90 days)
- The broker deposits your bonus (typically within 2-4 weeks after the holding period)
Your deposit can be initiated from many checking accounts and hybrid bank accounts with checking features.
Transfer Bonuses
These are designed to attract existing investors who already have assets at another brokerage. You’ll need to transfer cash or securities from your current stock trading platform to qualify.
- You open an account with the new broker
- You initiate a transfer of assets from another brokerage using the ACAT system
- You maintain those assets for the required holding period (usually 60-90 days)
- You receive your bonus after the holding period ends (typically 2-4 weeks)
Most transfers happen through the Automated Customer Account Transfer Service (ACAT), which moves cash or securities from one brokerage to another. For securities, this means you won’t need to sell them first, and it helps avoid triggering capital gains taxes.
Common Bonus Requirements
Before jumping in, understand these key rules that investment accounts typically follow to earn a cash bonus or other reward.
Minimum deposit/Transfer:
The bigger bonuses require bigger deposits or transfers. Entry-level bonuses might start at $5,000, but the best rewards often require $100,000 or more.
Holding periods:
You’ll need to keep your assets at the new brokerage for a specific time, usually 60-90 days, but sometimes up to a year or more for the largest bonuses.
New customer status:
Many offers are only available to new customers or accounts. Some brokers define “new” as not having an account within the past 12-24 months, while others might consider “new” a first-time client.
Funding method:
Some new account bonuses specify how you need to fund the account (electronic transfer, check, wire transfer) to qualify.
Tip! Keep screenshots of promotional offers and confirmation emails. Bonus terms can be buried in fine print, and having documentation helps if there’s any confusion later.
Best Brokerage Account Bonuses
New Account Deposit Promotions
Brokerage |
Bonus |
Min deposit |
Hold period |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$750 |
$25,001 |
12 months |
3.75% APY. 12 monthly bonus installments. |
|
$500 |
$50,000 |
60 days |
Combine with new account 8.1% APY + Transfer credit |
|
Extra 4% APY |
$100 |
60 days |
Total 8.1% APY + Up to 60 free stocks ($5,000 deposit) |
|
$150 |
$5,000 |
60 days |
Lower tiers available for smaller accounts |
|
$150 |
$5,000 |
90 days |
Better bonuses require higher deposits |
|
$50 |
$5,000 |
90 days |
Better bonuses require higher deposits |
Transfer from Brokerage (ACAT) Promotions
Brokerage |
Bonus |
Min transfer |
Hold period |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$1,000 |
$100,000 |
90 days |
Transfer credit |
|
$600 |
$20,000 |
90 days |
Combine with new account 8.1% APY + Transfer credit |
|
$200 |
$20,000 |
9 months |
Transfer credit |
|
$150 |
$5,000 |
1 year |
4.10% APY + Transfer credit |
Note: Offers change frequently. Always verify current promotions, terms, and conditions directly with the broker before opening an account or initiating a transfer.
Tip! You can use our Brokerage Bonus Calculator to compare the overall value of a promotion.
Maximizing Brokerage Promotions
Ready to start collecting? Here’s how to make the most of these offers:
Start with new money bonuses:
If you have cash to invest, target new account bonuses first. These often have lower minimum requirements and more straightforward qualification rules.
Graduate to transfer bonuses:
Once you have established multiple accounts, you can begin rotating assets between investment platforms to qualify for transfer bonuses.
The rotation strategy:
Once you complete a holding period with one brokerage, transfer to another offering a bonus. Some investors rotate between 3-4 online stock trading platforms every year, collecting bonuses each time.
Timing promotions:
Brokerages often increase their bonus offers near the end of financial quarters. Waiting for these promotional periods can net you bigger bonuses for the same deposit or transfer amount.
Track your calendar:
Create a simple spreadsheet tracking your accounts, holding period end dates, and when you’re eligible for new customer bonuses again.
Negotiate higher offers:
Have a six-figure portfolio? Call the broker directly and ask if they can beat their advertised offer. Many brokers have unpublished tiers for larger accounts.
Tip! Consider the full package. Don’t chase a bonus at the expense of higher fees or worse service. A platform with better research tools, superior trade execution, or top-notch customer service might be worth more than a one-time bonus.
Precautions and Things to Avoid
While the best brokerage bonuses can be profitable, be aware of these potential downsides:
Transfers and Account Management
Transfer delays:
ACAT transfers typically take 5-7 business days, during which you can’t earn interest on uninvested cash or trade assets. In volatile markets, this could be a concern.
Dividend disruptions:
Transfers that occur around dividend record dates might cause payment delays or complications.
Platform adjustment:
Each brokerage has different interfaces and tools. Frequent switching means learning new systems regularly.
Bonus fatigue:
Some brokers are starting to track “bonus hunters” and may exclude frequent account openers from future promotions.
Activity requirements:
Some bonuses require you to complete a certain number of trades within the holding period, which might not align with your investment strategy.
Taxes and Avoiding Fees
In-kind transfers:
For existing investments, always transfer “in-kind” (keeping your investments as-is) rather than liquidating to cash first. Selling investments could trigger capital gains taxes and disrupt your investment strategy.
Transfer fee reimbursement:
Many receiving brokers will offer transfer credit for fees charged by your old broker (typically $50-$100). Just be sure to ask and submit the required documentation.
Partial transfers:
If you’re not ready to move everything, many brokers allow partial transfers that still qualify for bonuses. This can help minimize disruption to your overall portfolio and keep accounts alive.
Retirement account considerations:
IRA transfers work differently than taxable accounts. Make sure you request a “trustee-to-trustee” transfer to avoid tax penalties.
Cash bonus income taxes:
Remember that most bonuses are considered taxable income and will be reported on a 1099-INT or 1099-MISC form at tax time.
Earning Big on Stock Account Bonuses
Brokerage account bonuses offer a legitimate way to earn extra money from your investments. Whether you’re just starting and it’s your first account opening or you have a substantial portfolio to transfer, these bonuses can add hundreds or even thousands to your bottom line annually.
With a typical high-value portfolio, you might earn $1,000-$2,000 annually through strategic new accounts and transfers—all without significantly changing your underlying investment approach.
The key is to understand the rules, avoid unnecessary fees and taxes, and make calculated moves that don’t disrupt your overall investment strategy. Always read the fine print, keep good records, and balance the pursuit of bonuses against any potential disruptions to your financial plan.
Editor’s note: Opinions shared in this article are solely the author’s and do not represent the views of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other organization. The content has not been evaluated, approved, or endorsed by any of the mentioned entities. These are our recommendations but it isn’t financial advice. We may receive a commission if you click through any of the links in this article.
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Brokerage Bonuses Frequently Asked Questions
Will transferring affect my cost basis?
No, properly executed in-kind transfers maintain your original cost basis information.
How soon can I transfer out after receiving a bonus?
While technically you can transfer immediately after the holding period ends, most wait an additional month to confirm the bonus and avoid looking opportunistic.
Can I get bonuses for opening or transferring retirement accounts?
Yes! Many brokers offer the same bonuses for IRA accounts as they do for taxable accounts. Just make sure to follow specific tax-related rules for IRA account rollovers.
What happens if the market drops during my holding period?
Market fluctuations don’t affect your eligibility for the bonus, as long as you don’t withdraw funds below the qualifying amount.
Can I open a new account at a broker where I previously had an account?
Yes and no. For some brokerages, you’ll typically need to wait 12-24 months to be considered a “new customer” again for bonus eligibility, while others will only consider completely new clients eligible.
Do I need to maintain a minimum balance after receiving the bonus?
Once you’ve completed the holding period and received your bonus, you’re generally free to withdraw or transfer your funds.
