About self-directed investing

For DIY investors, self-directed investing allows you to trade stocks, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs)1 and options, directly online. When you open a self-directed brokerage account, you choose what you would like to invest in, as well as when you would like to buy, sell or trade investments in your portfolio.

Our self-directed brokerage accounts let you manage your investments independently. Trade stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds, and options online or through the mobile app. You can also place trades over the phone through Wealth Connect at 800-888-4700 (additional fee applies). Plus, enjoy free access to online tools and resources to help you make informed decisions.

Self-directed investing is a great option for individuals who have experience with investments and trading online.

Getting started

  • Before you open an account, it is best to determine how much you want to invest, explore the types of investments you would like to have in your portfolio, weigh the benefits and risks of those investments and feel comfortable managing your own account.

  • Once you are ready to start, you can apply for a self-directed brokerage account through our online application. Currently, self-directed investing is only available to existing clients of U.S. Bancorp Investments and its affiliate U.S. Bank.

  • You can also call us for personal help with your application at 800-888-4700.

You can begin trading as soon as your account is approved and funding received.

You may receive 100 free trades per year2 and $4.95 for stock and ETF trades after that. Find out more about cost and fee information for trading from your brokerage account on our brokerage fees page.

To qualify, your self-directed brokerage account must be enrolled in paperless document delivery, and you must have a U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking account provided by our affiliate, U.S. Bank.3

There is no minimum to open a self-directed account.

You have the option of opening different types of accounts when you choose self-directed investing, including:

  • Individual accounts
     

  • Joint accounts
     

  • Traditional IRAs
     

  • Roth IRAs
     

  • SEP IRAs
     

  • Trust accounts
     

  • Custodial accounts

You must have an existing U.S. Bank or U.S. Bancorp Investments relationship and access to your accounts online to open any of these self-directed investing account types. Corporate accounts and non-incorporated organization accounts are not eligible for self-directed investing.

Yes, you can open a traditional IRA, a Roth IRA or a SEP IRA with a self-directed brokerage account.

Managing your investments

With our consolidated dashboard, accessing all your accounts in one place is easy. Log in at usbank.com using your User ID and Password to view your U.S. Bank and U.S. Bancorp Investments accounts from your dashboard. Not currently enrolled for online access to U.S. Bank or U.S. Bancorp Investments accounts? Get started by visiting usbank.com and clicking “Enroll in online banking” under Account login.

The mobile app is available for both Apple and Android phones. To download the app, go to the App Store or Google Play and search for U.S. Bancorp Investments. Then select the “Mobile Brokerage” app.

There are two ways to transfer a brokerage account to U.S. Bancorp Investments

  1. Online: Log into usbank.com and go to My Accounts. From there, click on Investment Accounts and then Transfers. Choose Asset Transfers from the dropdown and fill out the online form.

  2. By Phone: 800-888-4700 and speak with a representative. You'll be asked to fill out a form and return it to us.

Get help with your portfolio

Your self-directed brokerage account provides access to a comprehensive suite of online investment tools, financial calculators, and educational resources to help you evaluate whether you’re on track to meet your investment objectives.

Stay informed with real-time market news, insights, and detailed quotes on your current and prospective portfolio holdings.

For personalized support, connect with an investment professional by calling Wealth Connect at 800-888-4700.

For step-by-step help, you can securely share your screen using our CoBrowse feature. Screen sharing, or “CoBrowse,” is an easy way to share your device’s screen, wherever you are and whenever you choose, to get guided help.

 

Looking for professional guidance to manage your investments?

Partner with our team of experienced financial advisors to craft a personalized financial plan tailored to your unique goals. Using a collaborative approach and advanced wealth planning technology, we’ll simplify your investment decisions and help you stay on track.

  • Tailored support: Work with a team of advisors who create strategies aligned with your financial needs.
  • Flexible access: Connect with us on your terms—via phone, email or video.
  • Collaborative investing: Simplify your financial life while making your investments work harder for you.
Work with our team of advisors

Take the next step

Call 800-888-4700
Request a call
Start Investing
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Disclosures

Self-directed investing legal agreements & disclosures

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  1. Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are subject to risks similar to those of stocks, such as market risk. Investing in ETFs may bear indirect fees and expenses charged by ETFs in addition to its direct fees and expenses, as well as indirectly bearing the principal risks of those ETFs. ETFs may trade at a discount to their net asset value and are subject to the market fluctuations of their underlying investments.

  2. Offer is for 100 free trades per calendar year (Jan. 1-Dec. 31). Offer applies to online trades of equities and exchange-traded funds only and requires enrollment in paperless documents for self-directed brokerage account. To receive the free trades, a U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking account or an existing U.S. Bank Platinum® Checking Package or U.S. Bank Gold® Checking Package must be established with our affiliate U.S. Bank. Free trades made available up to four business days from confirmation of account funding. This offer is not designed to support day trading or active trading and may be revoked if there is excessive or unreasonable activity. Additional fees may apply. Please refer to the Schedule of Commissions and Fees for more information at https://www.usbank.com/investing/online-investing/self-directed-investing/brokerage-fees.html.

  3. A minimum deposit of $25 is required to open a U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking account. All regular account opening procedures apply. For a comprehensive list of account pricing, terms and policies, see the Your Deposit Account Agreement and the Consumer Pricing Information disclosures. These documents can be obtained by contacting a U.S. Bank branch or calling 800-872-2657.

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Investment and insurance products and services including annuities are:
Not a deposit • Not FDIC insured • May lose value • Not bank guaranteed • Not insured by any federal government agency.

U.S. Investments is a marketing logo for U.S. Bancorp Investments Inc.

U.S. Bank, U.S. Bancorp Investments and their representatives do not provide tax or legal advice. Each individual's tax and financial situation is unique. You should consult your tax and/or legal advisor for advice and information concerning your particular situation.

For U.S. Bank:

Equal Housing Lender. Deposit products are offered by U.S. Bank National Association. Member FDIC. Mortgage, Home Equity and Credit products are offered by U.S. Bank National Association. Loan approval is subject to credit approval and program guidelines. Not all loan programs are available in all states for all loan amounts. Interest rates and program terms are subject to change without notice.

U.S. Bank is not responsible for and does not guarantee the products, services or performance of U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.

U.S. Bank does not offer insurance products. Insurance products are available through our affiliate U.S. Bancorp Investments.

For U.S. Bancorp Investments:

Investment and insurance products and services including annuities, are available through U.S. Investments, the marketing name for U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc., member FINRA and SIPC, an investment adviser and a brokerage subsidiary of U.S. Bancorp and affiliate of U.S. Bank. U.S. Bank is not responsible for and does not guarantee products, services or performance of U.S. Bancorp Investments.

U.S. Bancorp Investments is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as both a broker-dealer and an investment adviser. To understand how brokerage and investment advisory services and fees differ, the Client Relationship Summary and Regulation Best Interest Disclosure are available for you to review.

Insurance products are available through various affiliated non-bank insurance agencies, which are U.S. Bancorp subsidiaries. Products may not be available in all states. CA Insurance License #0E24641.

Pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, U.S. Bancorp Investments must provide clients with certain financial information. The U.S. Bancorp Investments Statement of Financial Condition is available for you to review, print and download.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Rule 2267 provides for BrokerCheck to allow investors to learn about the professional background, business practices, and conduct of FINRA member firms or their brokers. To request such information, contact FINRA toll-free at 1-800‐289‐9999 or via https://brokercheck.finra.org. An investor brochure describing BrokerCheck is also available through FINRA.

Municipal Securities Education and Protection– U.S. Bancorp Investments is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB). An investor brochure that describes the protections that may be provided to you by the MSRB rules and how to file a complaint with an appropriate regulatory authority is available to you on the MSRB website at www.msrb.org.

U.S. Bancorp Investments Order Processing Information.