August 27, 2021
1. Do you have one or more online trading or investment accounts?
Yes, I have one or more accounts that I access online, either using a computer or a mobile app but I also access the account(s) in other ways (e.g., by calling or visiting in person).
2. If your response to Question 1 is Yes, do you think you would trade or invest if you could not do so online using a computer or using a mobile app?
Yes
3. On average, how often do you access your online account?
Daily/more than once a day
4. On average, how often are trades made in your online account, whether by you or someone else?
Once to a few times a week.
5. If you access your account online, did you have the account first, and only began to access it electronically later? Or did you open the account with the idea that you would access it electronically immediately?
I had a pre-existing account and downloaded an app or visited a website to access my account
6. My goals for trading or investing in my online account are (check all that apply):
Keep the amount of money I have, while keeping up with inflation
Save and grow my money for short-term goals (in the next year or two)
Save and grow my money for medium- to long-term goals
Have fun
Other
If Other, Explain:
I have the bulk of my investments under the care of a financial advisor. I have some investments/accounts for recreation/ speculative investing.
7. What would you like us to know about your experience with the features of your online trading or investment platform? (Examples of features are: social networking tools games, streaks, or contests with prizes points, badges, and leaderboards notifications celebrations for trading visual cues, like changing colors ideas presented at order placement or other curated lists or features subscription and membership tiers or chatbots.)
I have no issues/problems at this time.
8. If you were trading or investing prior to using an online account, how have your investing and trading behaviors changed since you started using your online account? (For example, the amount of money you have invested, your interest in learning about investing and saving for retirement, the amount of time you have spent trading, your knowledge of financial products, the number of trades you have made, the amount of money you have made in trading, your knowledge of the markets, the number of different types of financial products you have traded, or your use of margin.)
I've been investing for 30+ years. Technology/ online platforms have increased the amount of data and real-time knowledge to make trading much more personal/individualized (more hands-on). I feel like this \"universal\" access has opened the market to many more investors. I see this as a positive thing.
9. How much experience do you have trading or investing in the following products (None, 12 months, 1-2 years, 2-5 years, 5+ years):
Stocks : 5+ Years
Bonds : 5+ Years
Options : None
Mutual Funds : 5+ Years
ETFs : None
Futures : None
Cryptocurrencies : None
Commodities : None
ClosedEnd Funds : None
Money Market Funds : 5+ Years
Variable Insurance Products : None
Business Development Companies : None
Unit Investment Trusts : Less Than 12 Months
10. What is your understanding, if any, of the circumstances under which trading or investing in your account can be suspended or restricted?
In a fair and free market. I think only in times of great upheaval /chaos could or should trading be suspended. I understand the practical idea of the darkpool... but I also understand how it can/is being used to negatively manipulate the market.
11. What else would you like us to know positive or negative - about your experience with online trading and investing?
Overall, online investing has given the average \"Joe\" the ability to invest/trade. There are many online tools and educational resources available (both within most online trading platforms and outside). There is always a caveat of doing due diligence before investing... but that is what we do before buying a car or house or any large investment (hopefully).
Overall, I would say online investing/trading is a very positive change.
However, the PFOF. FTD manipulation, and darkpool abuse by some institutions is deplorable....and criminal.
Technology and the new market structure has given us freedom to invest as never before, and has given others the power to corrupt and manipulate the electronic market in way it, hopefully, was never intended.
My faith in online trading is strongly being tested now knowing how much of this corruption and manipulation, not only exists, but is negligently tolerated by the SEC and our financial system.