September 25, 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?
No
3. On average, how often do you access your online account?
Once to a few times a week
4. On average, how often are trades made in your online account, whether by you or someone else?
Once to a few times per month.
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 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.)
I am quite upset with the enablement of PFOF by certain online brokers. This system allows brokers to skim money off the top while retail ends up getting the shorter end of the stick.
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.)
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 : Less Than 12 Months
Bonds : Less Than 12 Months
Options : None
Mutual Funds : Less Than 12 Months
ETFs : 1-2 Years
Futures : None
Cryptocurrencies : None
Commodities : None
ClosedEnd Funds : None
Money Market Funds : None
Variable Insurance Products : None
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?
My understanding is that when a broker decides retail shouldn't be able to buy a security they have the right to halt trading. I believe this is in violation of market regulations and is only allowed because the SEC is complacent when it comes to market makers. The SEC is in bed with market makers and vice versa. There is a severity of conflict of interests when it comes to market regulation and until the SEC decides to put their foot in the door retail will suffer in an unfair market for eternity.
11. What else would you like us to know positive or negative - about your experience with online trading and investing?
From your page titled \"what we do\"
\"At the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), we work together to make a positive impact on Americas economy, our capital markets, and peoples lives.
For more than 85 years since our founding at the height of the Great Depression, we have stayed true to our mission of protecting investors, maintaining fair, orderly, and efficient markets, and facilitating capital formation.
Our mission requires tireless commitment and unique expertise from our staff of dedicated professionals who care deeply about protecting Main Street investors and others who rely on our markets to secure their financial futures.\"
Frankly, I do not believe the SEC has \"stayed true to their mission of protecting investors, maintaining fair, orderly, and efficient markets\" if anything the SEC has colluded with market makers to drive retail into unfavorable positions. Ban PFOF, ban naked short selling, and most definitely ban lobbyists from entering the financial market and obtaining positions on the board of the SEC.
- a very concerned (and frightened) retail investor