September 20, 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?
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 downloaded an app or visited a website first, and then opened up an account with the company
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.)
The online experience today is materially better than it was a decade ago. Despite the negative press, I find the platforms better to use from a long term investing point of view. I split my flow across IBKR Robinhood - two very different brokers. The newer platform from Robinhood has significant usability improvements over the oder style IBKR platform.
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 am much more confident trading with an online platform vs having to wait for statements and call brokers. Much better experience and able to protect against volatility intra-month.
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 : 5+ Years
Mutual Funds : 5+ Years
ETFs : 5+ Years
Futures : 5+ Years
Cryptocurrencies : 5+ Years
Commodities : 5+ Years
ClosedEnd Funds : 5+ Years
Money Market Funds : 5+ Years
Variable Insurance Products : 5+ Years
Business Development Companies : 5+ Years
Unit Investment Trusts : 5+ Years
10. What is your understanding, if any, of the circumstances under which trading or investing in your account can be suspended or restricted?
I understand it intimately. Between stock restrictions and clearing I am aware of the reasons for a broker preventing trading. This is a core reason why I have multiple accounts.
11. What else would you like us to know positive or negative - about your experience with online trading and investing?
I think there is a great deal of negative press regarding the newer online platforms. Much of what is raised about these platform is present in the older platforms. I see the newer online platforms as an improvement that makes trading easier, tracking portfolios better, and accessing information better.