Getting Started
Welcome to Trading Direct!
Note: If you are an international investor (do not have a US social security number), visit the International Investor page.)
Opening and funding an account is easy by following the steps outlined below:
Step 1.
(Electronic Application): For an individual, joint, or custodial account, or for a Traditional, Rollover, or Roth IRA, click on Open New Account to submit your online application electronically. (If you would like to open another type of account, please visit the Document Center).
Step 2.
(Funding): After obtaining your account number you may deposit funds to your account by check, wire transfer, or ACH transfer. Payment for trades can only be accepted in U.S. funds, and we require these cleared funds to reside in your account prior to placing trades. Make checks payable to "Ridge Clearing", and reference your account number on the memo line. For detailed information on how to deposit funds, click here.
Step 3.
(Documentation): During the online application process, you will select the appropriate documentation to be printed. The one required for an account is called the Online Service Agreement and Signature Form.
If you would like to transfer an existing account (from another financial institution), trade options, or trade on margin, here are the links to obtain the forms:
Account Transfer Form {PDF, 30KB}
Options Agreement {PDF,70KB}
Margin Agreement {PDF, 183KB}
Step 4.
Mail a check deposit (if applicable), and the appropriate documents to:
TRADING DIRECT
160 BROADWAY, FL 7E
NEW YORK NY 10038
Trading Direct commenced operations in 1997 and is the online division of York Securities, Inc. York Securities has been in business since 1979 and is a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). At Trading Direct you may partake in the trading of stocks, options, bond, or mutual funds in a cash or margin account. We offer very low commissions, free research tools, very low margin rates, and free real-time quotes, just to name some of our features.
While you will be a customer of Trading Direct, all accounts will be carried at the clearing agent, Penson Financial Services, Inc. (NASDAQ symbol "PNSN").
Penson Financial Services, member SIPC, provides account protection for the net equity of a customer's securities positions. The Securities Investor Protection Corporation ("SIPC") provides $500,000 of net equity protection, including $100,000 for claims for cash awaiting reinvestment ("SIPC coverage"). Visit www.sipc.org for more information about SIPC coverage. Penson Financial provides additional protection ("Excess SIPC") through a group of London Underwriters (with Lloyd's of London Syndicates as the Lead Underwriter). Account protection applies when a SIPC member firm fails financially and is unable to meet obligations to securities clients, but it does not protect against losses from the rise and fall in the market value of investments, and does not cover all assets. The Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) is a non-profit organization established by the Congress of the United States to insure client accounts against the failure of member brokerage firms. You can obtain more information about the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) by visiting their web site at http://www.sipc.org.
After receiving the documents at our office, we will notify you by e-mail that account has been validated.
Note: The "Online Service Agreement" form needs to be received with in 28 days, other wise your account will become temporarily restricted until it's arrival. Note: If you are a resident in one of the following states or territories, we cannot open an account: Alaska, Maine, North Dakota, Vermont, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, or Bermuda.
Adobe Acrobat Reader, version 7.0 or higher,is needed to download the above forms. If you do not have this software installed, you can download it for free from Adobe.
Start Saving Now
For an individual, joint, or custodial account, or for a Traditional, Rollover, or Roth IRA, click below to submit your application online.
For all other account types please visit our Document Center.
Questions? Contact us.