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What's a brokerage account?

It's an investment account that lets you buy and sell investments like stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), bonds, Schwab Stock Slices ™, mutual funds, and more.

It's a great option if you want to invest in the stock market to work toward financial goals like retirement, college or a new home. It provides flexibility and you can save for short-term and long-term goals.

How does it work

When you open an account, you'll partner with a brokerage firm like Schwab. You'll fund your account and choose what investments you'd like to buy or sell, and they'll handle transactions.

New investors get Investing 101 and $101.

As a new Schwab investor, you can get $101 to split across the top five stocks in the S&P 500® with the Schwab Starter Kit™. Plus, you'll get investing guides and 24/7 live support to help you take the next step.

A simple, low-cost way to invest.

With Schwab Stock Slices™, you can invest in America's leading companies in the S&P 500® for as little as $5, even if their shares cost more. And of course, you can trade stock slices commission-free online, just as you would full shares at Schwab.

What you get with a Schwab brokerage account

Whether you're a new or experienced investor, Schwab has the knowledge and tools to help you reach your goals.

  • Low-Cost Investing With No Minimums

    Pay no trade minimums, no account minimums and $0 online listed equity trades.See note1

  • Tools and Research

    Make confident investment decisions with Schwab's research tools, education and insights.

  • 24/7 Support

    Get financial help anytime, plus access to convenient support from more than 300 branches across the nation.

See all your investments in one place.

Link your Schwab accounts to USAA and view them anytime on the USAA Mobile App or usaa.com. You can also go straight to schwab.com without having to log on again. It's simple and secure.

Get on track with a complimentary financial plan.

Saving for retirement is one of the most important goals you can have. That's why Schwab offers a complimentary digital financial plan with every account. Find out what it'll take to retire the way you want.

Brokerage account FAQ

Related resources

Important Information from USAA Investment Services Company (ISCO):
Review our relationship with you in our Relationship Summary PDF.

Important Information from USAA Investment Services Company (ISCO):
ISCO is not a client of Schwab. ISCO is compensated by and has an incentive to promote Schwab. However, these costs are not passed on to USAA members. Download USAA's Referral Arrangement Disclosure PDF.

Important information from Schwab:
Investors should consider carefully information contained in the prospectus, or if available, the summary prospectus, including investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. You can request a prospectus by calling 800-435-4000. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.

The Schwab Starter Kit™ offer is only available to eligible new customers. To be eligible to receive the $101 cash bonus, you must be an individual who does not have a Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. ("Schwab") account (other than a Schwab Stock Plan Services account) and who: (1) opens a Schwab One individual taxable retail brokerage account and (2) deposits at least $50 into that account within 30 days of enrolling in the offer (only outside assets new to Schwab qualify; assets transferred from affiliates other than Schwab Retirement Plan Services are excluded). For the full Terms and Conditions, see Schwab Starter Kit™ | Charles Schwab.

Broker Check by Finra

Learn more about USAA Investment Services Company (Opens in new window) or Charles Schwab (Opens in new window) on FINRA's BrokerCheck website.