TradeKing
With a company motto like, “Be Good,” one can surmise that TradeKing is one of the best in easing the inexperienced but eager, self-directed investor into the almost savage environment that is the stock market. Since its quite recent birth in 2005, TradeKing has been known as a prime example in creating that investor-centered sensibility that users have come to love, despite the fact that so many online brokerage firms have popped up in recent years than ever before. With CEO Don Mantanaro still capitalizing on the mistakes of other brokerage firms (e.g. lack of transparency, hidden charges, etc.), TradeKing continues to grow and is expected to flourish even more into an even bigger company rendering more personal than their already uniquely personal financial services.
Accessibility:
Opening their main office located in Boca Raton, Florida in 2007 and another in Charlotte, North Carolina in 2009—such speedy company growth is in itself impressive—TradeKing continues to expand their operations, paying careful attention to the needs and concerns of their investors. Being an online brokerage firm, it is obviously accessible 24/7 on tradeking.com.
Services:
TradeKing is proud of its very personal and investor-friendly service. With a flat and relatively cheap rate per trade (a rarity for online brokerage firms where usually commissions take precedence), no charges hidden underneath pages of jargon, and no account minimums, one can truly say that TradeKing becomes the ultimate in self-directed online investments for the layman. Rates are 4.95 USD and just additional .65 USD for options contracts—unprecedented. Consider also that it takes less than three minutes to create an account and get the new investor ready to enter the market. As another testament to how investor-centered this online brokerage firm is, TradeKing.com provides a multitude of educational tools for the beginning investor, including regularly updated stock market blogs, options calculators, and live chat with other traders. TradeKing is truly an online brokerage firm for investors of all levels.
Achievements:
As if its very presence in the stock market weren’t an achievement enough, here are some of TradeKing’s more publicized awards:
2008 – Smartmoney # 1 in Customer Service
2008 – 5 stars: Kiplinger’s Review of Best Online Brokers
2008 – Webby Awards, Official Honoree in the Financial Services
2008 – Financial Communications Society, Best in Show
2008 – Financial Communications Forum, finalist for the Insight Award
2007, 2008 and 2009 – 4 out of 5 stars: Baron’s Best for Options Traders
2006 and 2007 – Smartmoney #1 Discount Broker
Additional Information:
TradeKing is a privately-held discount brokerage firm, a member of FINRA.
