Every dollar counts when somebody is investing their hard-earned money into the markets. In the traditional trading landscape, what mattered to brokers was only the number of trades executed by investors, but today, traders are competing for investor loyalty as well. One of the most innovative ways in which brokers are trying to build investors’ loyalty is through brokerage transfer bonuses. A brokerage transfer bonus is a reward offered to investors or traders when they transfer their existing portfolio from one broker to another. Regardless of whether the investor is transferring stocks, ETFs, or mutual funds, there are numerous platforms that offer a bonus, which can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars, simply for choosing them over others.
What is a Brokerage Transfer Bonus?
A brokerage transfer bonus is a financial reward offered by many trading platforms as part of their strategy to attract new customers. When an investor transfers their investment assets, commonly known as an ACAT transfer, from their current broker to a new one, the latter provides them with an incentive in the form of cash or credit, which depends on the size of the respective investor’s portfolio. This concept is very similar to the one where banks offer cash bonuses when someone opens a new account. The only difference is that instead of depositing money, one is transferring their investments. The bonus amount usually increases on a tiered basis depending on one’s portfolio size. For instance, if an investor transfers $10,000, they will earn $50; if they transfer $25,000, they will earn $200, and so on. Many brokers are one step ahead when it comes to rewards. They go beyond cash and offer free stock, trading credits, or even zero-interest margin for a limited period.
Why do brokers offer such bonuses?
One might wonder why a company would pay someone to join its platform. These rewards are an investment that the brokers are making, as customer acquisition would otherwise be expensive. It is more convenient for brokers to offer a one-time cash bonus to new customers than to spend hefty amounts on marketing and advertising. Once the investor transfers their assets, they will likely stay with the broker for a few years, making the upfront bonus cost worthwhile for the broker. It is a favorable situation for both the broker and the investor.
How to qualify for a brokerage transfer bonus?
While being eligible for a brokerage transfer bonus is pretty simple, specific criteria must be kept in mind to qualify:
- Meeting the minimum transfer requirement – Every broker has its own tiers of minimum amounts that need to be transferred and should be met.
- Using the ACAT transfer system – When an investor uses the ACAT system, it ensures that assets are moved securely and automatically from one brokerage to another.
- Maintaining the required balance for the minimum specified period – Most brokers have a specified time period during which investors must keep the funds in place, ranging from 60 to 90 days.
- Applying promo codes as needed – Many brokers require the application of promo codes for locking in transfer bonuses. Investors should be mindful of such fulfillment criteria.
Top Brokerage Transfer Bonuses This Month
- Public.com
Public.com is gaining popularity among retail investors for all the right reasons. Whether it is margin trading, direct indexing, or options trading, Public.com provides the best services in every domain of the trading experience under one umbrella. When it comes to transfer bonuses, Public.com has left no stone unturned to make the experience hassle-free for investors, allowing them to transfer their investments smoothly through the ACAT system. All ACAT transfers made after September 9, 2025, are eligible for a 1% match by Public.com. Whatever amount is deposited or transferred by the investor, 1% of that amount will be added to the investor’s Public account within 30 business days of such transfer. Accordingly, this matched amount should be held for a specified period to avoid an early removal fee. Additionally, if someone transfers $ 5,000 or more, Public.com will reimburse transfer fees of up to $100 once the transfer is complete. Public.com offers detailed support to help investors complete their transfer seamlessly, making it one of the most transparent and user-friendly platforms for claiming the brokerage transfer bonus this month.Â
- E*TRADE
E*TRADE, powered by Morgan Stanley, is an excellent choice for traders of all types because of its user-friendly experience. It offers an attractive bonus reward program, which helps attract a new pool of customers. E*TRADE is known for its simplicity, and its online transfer portal is very intuitive, with all the requirements for transfers clearly mentioned on the website. They also occasionally reimburse transfer fees charged by the old broker to facilitate convenient transfers for investors. Their transfer bonus program and opening a new brokerage account program offer rewards ranging from $50 in cash credit to $10,000 for higher deposit amounts. The promo code “OFFER25” will make all investors opening a new brokerage account with E\*TRADE eligible for cash credits if they deposit or transfer a minimum of $1,000 within 60 days of opening the account with E\*TRADE. The deposits or securities transferred in the new E*TRADE account must be held for a minimum period of twelve months after the 60-day funding period. Otherwise, the cash credit may be surrendered. If someone has an existing E\*TRADE account and chooses to open another one, they would be eligible for rewards under this program as well, which runs until January 31, 2026.
- TradeStation
TradeStation is one of the best platforms for seasoned traders seeking a highly advanced and personalized platform for improved order execution. It is an effective trading platform for traders who need more than just tools. Its transfer bonus program is another highlight, alongside its commission-free trading advantage, that it provides to its investors. The cash reward goes up to $3,500 for transfers ranging from $5,000 to $1 million. The cash reward is based on a tiered structure, determined by the amount of qualifying assets deposited. TradeStation offers cash rewards to investors who meet the minimum deposit criteria within 45 calendar days of opening a new account. The one-time cash reward is deposited into the account after the end of a 270-calendar-day holding period. The promo code applicable to take this benefit is “0148AGGL”. Since no expiration period is mentioned regarding this transfer bonus offer, investors should take advantage of it while it lasts.
- Webull
Webull is one of the most preferred commission-free brokerage platforms for modern investors. It is known for its attractive sign-up promotions, and the current transfer bonus is truly a lucrative one. It isn’t a cash reward for transfers made. Still, it is a transfer fee reimbursement of up to $175, where $100 is reimbursed for a transfer of $2000 or more into a cash or margin account, and $75 is reimbursed for the first transfer into a self-directed traditional, Roth, or Rollover IRA. Transfer fees reimbursement is made within 30 days of fulfilling the transfer eligibility requirements. Investors who want to switch to a platform offering bundled trading and investing services and do not want to spend a lot on transfer fees, Webull is an appropriate choice for them, and these investors should make a move without delay, as the offer only lasts till 31st December 2025.Â
What seemed to be a hassle once now comes as an opportunity. The appealing transfer brokerage bonuses have made it easier and more convincing for investors to switch to better brokerage and trading platforms, earning extra cash or trading credit in the process. Every investor’s portfolio deserves to grow, and if the investor can earn a return just for making the move, then it is truly a financial move that every investor should consider.Â
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