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 both online using a computer and using a mobile app.
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?
No
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?
Other.
If Other, Explain:
When opportunity strikes.
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):
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
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.)
UI is very important. The changing of colors and notifications sort of act like a psychological trigger. Much like modern cell phone games.
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.)
Initially I began investing as a long term way to save for retirement. I started young and was lucky enough to have financial guidance (401K started @ 18) . As of late, Ive begun to more aggressively invest as the conditions set forth by market makers have presented opportunity (in a bad way). I observe as much of what is currently happening has happened in the past, with all market indicators pointing to severe correction.
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 : 2-5 Years
Bonds : Less Than 12 Months
Options : Less Than 12 Months
Mutual Funds : None
ETFs : 1-2 Years
Futures : None
Cryptocurrencies : 1-2 Years
Commodities : Less Than 12 Months
ClosedEnd Funds : None
Money Market Funds : None
Variable Insurance Products : Less Than 12 Months
Business Development Companies : None
Unit Investment Trusts : None
10. What is your understanding, if any, of the circumstances under which trading or investing in your account can be suspended or restricted?
I know about SSR for individual stocks. I know you can be halted or suspended for HFT without meeting certain margin requirements. These are all legal and understandable suspensions and restrictions. However, removing the option to buy or sell an individual stock due to liquidity issues of market makers is a burden that should not be levied on individual investors, who already are at such disadvantage. Ultimately, this behavior will breed distrust in the market.
11. What else would you like us to know positive or negative - about your experience with online trading and investing?
The experience is great, however, there needs to exist a third neutral party in the execution of the actual trades to guarantee fair pricing to individual retail investors. This third party should ABSOLUTELY NOT be in charge of its own oversight, as that job lies solely on your agency. Perhaps just expand or something. For the love of God, help the little guy for a change. Oh and PFOF shouldnt be a thing. Thanks for this opportunity.
Ush