Broker Review

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

TypeBank-owned
Stock/ETF commission$0
Options per contract$0.65/contract
Account minimum$0
Fractional sharesNo
Best forBank of America customers who want brokerage and Preferred Rewards in one place
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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.

Compare Merrill Edge with…

See how Merrill Edge stacks up in our online brokers comparison.

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.