Merrill Edge Self-Directed Roth IRA review

Merrill Edge is the natural Roth IRA for savers who already bank with Bank of America. Its Roth IRA page lists unlimited $0 online stock, ETF and option trades with no trade or balance minimums, with options subject to a $0.65 per-contract fee. Savers who want something steadier than stocks can use a Money Market IRA or Featured CD IRA offered through Bank of America, N.A., and Merrill Guided Investing builds a managed portfolio, with $0 program fees for 6 months under offer code 6FREE. The page also notes a sales transaction fee of $0.01 to $0.03 per $1,000 of principal. It ranks behind E*TRADE because its value depends more on an existing Bank of America relationship, and it offers no contribution match.

Who it is for

Bank of America customers who want banking and investing together

Price

$0 online stock, ETF and option trades with no trade or balance minimums; options $0.65 per contract.

Your Merrill Edge Self-Directed Roth IRA has unlimited $0 online stock, ETF and option trades with no trade or balance minimums.
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 13, 2026.

Key features

• Unlimited $0 online stock, ETF and option trades
• No trade or balance minimums
• Options at $0.65 per contract
• Money Market IRA or Featured CD IRA through Bank of America, N.A.
• Merrill Guided Investing for managed portfolios

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Links with Bank of America for banking and investing in one place
• Strength: Bank CD and money market IRA options as well as stocks
• Strength: No balance minimums
• Weakness: Sales carry a transaction fee of $0.01 to $0.03 per $1,000 of principal
• Weakness: Guided Investing program fees apply after the 6-month 6FREE offer
• Weakness: No contribution match

Key facts

• Minimum: $0
• Online stock, ETF and option trades: $0, plus $0.65 per options contract
• Bank IRA options: Money Market IRA, Featured CD IRA
• Phone: 888.637.3343

Where it ranks

Merrill Edge Self-Directed Roth IRA is No. 5 in our Best Roth Ira Providers verdict.