Welcome to Merrill Edge! Follow these steps before initiating your transfer to ensure your assets arrive quickly and without complications.
Your name, address, and account type at your current brokerage must match your Merrill Edge account precisely. Even small differences cause rejections.
- "John A. Smith" must match "John A. Smith" (not "John Smith")
- Account types must align (Individual to Individual, IRA to IRA)
- Verify your Social Security number is identical on both accounts
Action: Locate your most recent statement from your current brokerage and confirm all details match your new Merrill Edge account.
Complete these tasks at your current brokerage before initiating the transfer:
- Turn off automatic dividend reinvestment (DRIP)
- Cancel all open orders (limit orders, stop-losses)
- Wait for any recent trades to settle (2 business days)
- Resolve any negative cash balances
- Close any securities lending programs
Some assets cannot transfer in-kind and require action beforehand:
| Asset Type |
What to Do |
| Fractional shares |
Sell before transferring (they'll auto-liquidate otherwise) |
| Proprietary funds (Fidelity Zero, etc.) |
Sell or exchange for equivalent ETFs |
| Options expiring within 7 days |
Close positions |
| Cryptocurrency |
Transfer separately via crypto platform |
Have these ready when you initiate your transfer:
- Your current brokerage account number
- Most recent account statement
- DTC number of your current brokerage (we can look this up for you)
- List of specific assets if doing a partial transfer
Once preparation is complete:
- Log in to Merrill Edge and navigate to Transfer Accounts
- Select Transfer from another firm
- Enter your current brokerage information exactly as shown on your statement
- Choose Full Transfer or Partial Transfer
- Submit and save your confirmation number
What to Expect
Timeline
Most transfers complete in 5–7 business days. Retirement accounts may take 2–3 weeks.
During Transfer
Your assets may temporarily not appear at either brokerage—this is normal.
After Transfer
- Cost basis data arrives 15–30 days after your assets
- Small residual amounts (dividends, fractional share proceeds) may follow in a second sweep
Fee Reimbursement
Did your previous brokerage charge you a transfer fee? Contact us with a copy of the statement showing the charge—we'll work with you to make your transition as seamless as possible.
Questions?
Contact Merrill Edge Support or visit your local Bank of America financial center. We're here to help ensure your transfer is successful.
Contact Support
