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We keep you protected 24/7

See how Merrill is always working to safeguard you and your accounts.

We have high standards

Our cybersecurity program provides multiple layers of protection to help ensure that you and your accounts are safe.

Commitment

Our goal is to provide a level of security that far exceeds industry compliance standards.

Accountability

Every employee understands that they have a responsibility to protect your information.

Consistency

You can depend on us to detect and prevent cybercrime.

Analysis & Growth

We are constantly evaluating our security solutions and pursuing security innovations.

We have your back

Merrill utilizes many security methods to safeguard your personal information.

Choose a method below to learn more:

Item 1 of 4: Fraud Protection Guarantee Item 2 of 4: Authentication Item 3 of 4: Security Features Item 4 of 4: Privacy Assurance

Fraud Protection Guarantee

As an assurance of our commitment to keeping your Merrill accounts secure, we offer the Merrill Fraud Protection Guarantee, which will reimburse you for losses that occur due to unauthorized third-party activity.

While our employees are trained to spot potential fraud, there are some simple measures that you must take to qualify for any reimbursement and to help protect yourself against unauthorized account access.

Learn more about the Merrill Fraud Protection Guarantee.

Authentication

When you call, visit us online, or visit us at a branch, we always follow strict guidelines to validate your identity in order to ensure that your confidential information remains safe.

Learn more about our Authentication Standards.

Security Features

With powerful security tools such as early fraud warning, state-of-the-art encryption, login authorization codes, and more, you can feel comfortable knowing that your accounts are being protected.

Learn more about our Security Features.

Privacy Assurance

Merrill is very transparent in explaining to you how it collects, uses, and occasionally shares your personal and financial information in order to provide you a better online experience.

Learn more about our Privacy Assurance.

You have the tools to succeed

With a few quick steps, you can make your Merrill experience even more secure. Learn what security features are available for you and how they work.

Choose a feature below to learn more:

Item 1 of 6: Passwords Item 2 of 6: Challenge Questions Item 3 of 6: Authorization Code Item 4 of 6: Security Alerts Item 5 of 6: Login History Item 6 of 6: Browser Security

A strong password is your first line of defense in keeping your account safe. Open the following four password security recommendations to find out how to make your password and your account as secure as possible.

Change your password regularly.

Don't use the same password for every website you visit.

Don't use a simple word like "password" as your password.

Protect your password.

To change your password, please go to the Security Settings page.

A challenge question is another layer of authentication. If anyone attempts to log in from an unrecognized device, we will ask a question that you have previously answered for us. If the answer is wrong, we'll know it's not you.

Try to keep your challenge question answers simple and easy to remember. The answers are unique to you so that they can't be guessed by someone else.

To learn more and change your challenge question and answer, please go to the Security Settings page.

A voluntary authorization code provides another level of online security. This code is used on the login screen in addition to your usual login credentials. You can choose to receive a code every time you log in, or only when you use an unrecognized device. You choose to receive a text or phone call with the code before you log in to prevent any unauthorized access to your account.

To set up using an authorization code, please go to the Security Settings page.

In addition to the alerts that notify you about your account balances, payments, and activity, you can also choose security alerts to remind you to change your password or to inform you that someone has tried to log in from an unrecognized device.

To set up alerts, please go to the Alerts page.

You should periodically check your login history for anything that looks out of the ordinary. In the following example, if you only use an iPhone, which of the following four entries might look suspicious in your login history?

iPhone

Today, January 15, 2021

Android

Saturday, November 16, 2020

iPhone

Monday, December 1, 2020

iPhone

Tuesday, November 5, 2020

To see your login history, please go to the Security Settings page.

Because web browsers are installed on almost all devices, using them without paying attention to their security has unfortunately become very common. So be sure that every site you visit uses secure, encrypted connections to transfer information by verifying that:

It has a padlock at the beginning of its address bar.
The web address starts with "https" (note the "s" at the end) instead of just "http."

Go to third-party website Learn more about browser security popup

Knowledge is a powerful defense against fraud

Security is a shared responsibility and we're here to help you stay informed. Here are additional resources we think you may find helpful and want to explore.

Identity Theft Brochure

Learn about the important steps you can take right away if you believe your identity has been compromised, and how you can increase your security to stay protected against fraud.

Download the Identity Theft Brochure (PDF)

Senior Financial Exploitation Guide

Read about the common financial scams that target the elderly and the warning signs that signal a senior may be falling victim to a scheme.

Download our Senior Financial Exploitation Resource Guide (PDF)

Trusteer Rapport Malware Defense Software

Trusteer Rapport works with your current anti-virus software to help stop malware and phishing attempts from accessing and tampering with your online IDs, passwords, and transactions.

Learn more about Trusteer Rapport

National Cyber Security Alliance

The National Cyber Security Alliance works with public, private, and government institutions to provide a safer, more secure internet for both businesses and individuals. Visit their site for more resources regarding cybersecurity.

Go to third-party website Learn more about cybersecurity popup

Report Fraud

Merrill's employees are trained in incident response and resolution procedures.
If you suspect that you have been a victim of identity theft or fraud, please call us at 877.653.4732.

Forward any suspicious email or text message to us at abuse@bankofamerica.com.

Want to learn more? Visit our Security pages for additional tips and tools on how to stay protected against fraud and scams.

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Investing in securities involves risks, and there is always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities.

Asset allocation, diversification, and rebalancing do not ensure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets.

Merrill, its affiliates, and financial advisors do not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. You should consult your legal and/or tax advisors before making any financial decisions.

This material is not intended as a recommendation, offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security or investment strategy. Merrill offers a broad range of brokerage, investment advisory (including financial planning) and other services. Additional information is available in our Client Relationship Summary (PDF).

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (also referred to as "MLPF&S" or "Merrill") makes available certain investment products sponsored, managed, distributed or provided by companies that are affiliates of Bank of America Corporation ("BofA Corp."). MLPF&S is a registered broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, Member Securities Investor Protection (SIPC) popup and a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation ("BofA Corp").

Merrill Lynch Life Agency Inc. (MLLA) is a licensed insurance agency and wholly owned subsidiary of BofA Corp.

Banking products are provided by Bank of America, N.A. and affiliated banks, Members FDIC and wholly owned subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation.

Investment products offered through MLPF&S and insurance and annuity products offered through MLLA:

Are Not FDIC Insured	Are Not Bank Guaranteed	May Lose Value
Are Not Deposits	Are Not Insured by Any Federal Government Agency	Are Not a Condition to Any Banking Service or Activity

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Unlimited $0 Trades

With Merrill Edge Self‑Directed, get unlimited free online stock, ETF and option trades with no trade or balance minimumsFooter footnote ^b

Options contracts and other fees may applyFooter footnote ^a

Open an account with Merrill Edge Self-Directed

Footer footnote
Other fees may apply. Free and $0 means there is no commission charged for these trades. $0 option trades are subject to a $0.65 per-contract fee. Sales are subject to a transaction fee of between $0.01 and $0.03 per $1,000 of principal. There are costs associated with owning ETFs. To learn more about Merrill pricing, visit our Pricing page.
Footer footnote

Merrill waives its commissions for all online stock, ETF and option trades placed in a Merrill Edge^® Self-Directed brokerage account. Brokerage fees associated with, but not limited to, margin transactions, special stock registration/gifting, account transfer and processing and termination apply. $0 option trades are subject to a $0.65 per-contract fee. Other fees and restrictions may apply. Pricing is subject to change without advance notice.

For broker-assisted trades through Merrill Edge, you will be charged a fee equal to the lower of $29.95 or 5.00% of the principal amount of the transaction. Further, there are indirect fees, such as annual management and other similar fees, that are charged by the manager or sponsor of an exchange-traded fund and of a closed-end fund, as disclosed in the product's prospectus.

Investing in securities involves risks, and there is always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities.

Asset allocation, diversification, and rebalancing do not ensure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets.

The performance data contained herein represents past performance which does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. For performance information current to the most recent month end, please contact us.

Net Asset Value (NAV) returns are based on the prior-day closing NAV value at 4 p.m. ET. NAV returns assume the reinvestment of all dividend and capital gain distributions at NAV when paid.

Market price returns are based on the prior-day closing market price, which is the average of the midpoint bid-ask prices at 4 p.m. ET. Market price returns do not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times.

Returns include fees and applicable loads. Since Inception returns are provided for funds with less than 10 years of history and are as of the fund's inception date. 10 year returns are provided for funds with greater than 10 years of history.

Before investing consider carefully the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses of the fund, including management fees, other expenses and special risks. This and other information may be found in each fund's prospectus or summary prospectus, if available. Always read the prospectus or summary prospectus carefully before you invest or send money. Prospectuses can be obtained by contacting us.

Expense Ratio – Gross Expense Ratio is the total annual operating expense (before waivers or reimbursements) from the fund's most recent prospectus. You should also review the fund's detailed annual fund operating expenses which are provided in the fund's prospectus.

Merrill, its affiliates, and financial advisors do not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. You should consult your legal and/or tax advisors before making any financial decisions.

Banking products are provided by Bank of America, N.A. and affiliated banks, Members FDIC and wholly owned subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation ("BofA Corp.").

Merrill Lynch Life Agency Inc. (MLLA) is a licensed insurance agency and wholly owned subsidiary of BofA Corp.

Investment products offered through MLPF&S and insurance and annuity products offered through MLLA:

Are Not FDIC Insured

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

May Lose Value

Are Not Deposits

Are Not Insured by Any Federal Government Agency

Are Not a Condition to Any Banking Service or Activity

Merrill A Bank of America Company Merrill A Bank of America Company

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