September 26, 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 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
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 not aware of any silly features like games, contests, or changing colors. This is serious business, not fun and 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.)
I've been investing in stocks since 1965. Online trading makes things easier because I don't have to make the phone calls. My knowledge of products is extremely high (training applicants for the securities licensing exams is my profession since 1967, but that has nothing to do with online.
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 : None
Commodities : None
ClosedEnd Funds : 5+ Years
Money Market Funds : 5+ Years
Variable Insurance Products : 5+ Years
Business Development Companies : None
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 know of now ways in which my account can be restricted or suspended. If you are referring to a restricted margin account, I do not trade on margin so that would not apply to me.
11. What else would you like us to know positive or negative - about your experience with online trading and investing?
It's great. However, I do recognize that for \"newbies\", it can be treated more like just another video game, only here, it is real money. I would urge more supervisory review of accounts opened by those with little or no experience or knowledge of the industry.