Merrill Edge Review (2026)
Merrill Edge is most compelling for Bank of America customers, where brokerage plus Preferred Rewards can unlock real perks. As a standalone broker it trails rivals that offer fractional shares and cheaper funds.
By Wealthy Pot · Last updated September 2026
Pros
- Tight integration with Bank of America
- Preferred Rewards perks for larger balances
- Solid research from BofA Global Research
Cons
- No fractional shares
- Best value only if you already bank with BofA
Who Merrill Edge is for
Best for existing Bank of America customers who want their investing and banking — and rewards tiers — under one roof.
Fees
Merrill Edge charges $0 for online stock and ETF trades, with options at $0.65/contract. Account minimum: $0. Fractional shares: no.
The bottom line
Merrill Edge is most compelling for Bank of America customers, where brokerage plus Preferred Rewards can unlock real perks. As a standalone broker it trails rivals that offer fractional shares and cheaper funds. Main drawback: no fractional shares; best value only if you already bank with bofa.
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We summarize hands-on assessment, not user reviews. Commissions, options fees, and account minimums change often and are re-checked against Merrill Edge's official page. Some outbound links may be affiliate links — that never affects which brokers we include or how we rate them. Nothing here is investment advice.