: Use the search function at the top of the Merrill Edge dashboard to type in the company name or its ticker symbol (e.g., "AAPL" for Apple).

: If you are a Bank of America client, you can link your accounts for real-time, instant funding.

: Review the Bid (highest price a buyer is willing to pay) and Ask (lowest price a seller will accept) to see the current market spread. 3. Open the Trade Ticket

Buying stocks on is designed to be a streamlined experience, particularly for those already using Bank of America for their daily banking. You can trade roughly 11,000 stocks and ETFs with $0 online commissions in a Self-Directed account . 1. Set Up and Fund Your Account

Before you can place a trade, you need a funded brokerage account.

: For most individual investors, an Individual Brokerage Account or a Roth IRA is the starting point.

Click the or "Buy" button next to your selected stock to open the order window. You will need to fill in these key details: Personal Investing and Trading Accounts from Merrill