Tradier Review

A Tradier account is unique because it offers a trading engine, a brokerage and account management system and market data, combined with access to the Application Programming Interface (API), and you can create your own trading platform or algorithmic trading system. You can also brand your application process and account information if you manage other people’s money and are a Registered Investment Adviser (RIA).

Tradier is meant for active traders, or traders who are sophisticated enough to program specific trading programs using the API. This trading platform is for active options traders only, traders only trade stocks should look for an alternate program.

If you’re an active trader, an API developer with deep financial knowledge, or someone who manages other people’s money (a Registered Investment Advisor) RIA and wants to create their own branded experience using the technology underlying Tradier. Tradier offers nearly free branding of their technology for only $10/month, which is a very significant value add. I have not seen such an offer from any other platform.

Tradier Option Levels

The option levels at Tradier are:

• Level 1: Covered call and Cash Secured Put Writing (Cash secured put writing only available in Cash accounts. Short puts are considered naked in margin accounts.)
• Level 2: Level 1 + Buying Long Calls and Long Puts
• Level 3: Level 2 + Option Spread Permissions
• Level 4: Level 3 + Naked Put Writing
• Level 5: Level 4 + Naked Call Writing
• Level 6: Level 5 + Naked Index Option Writing

They also have a minimum deposit for different option levels, which they don’t make clear until you dig through their documentation.

• To write puts you need $10,000 in your account
• To write covered calls you need $50,000
• To write uncovered calls you need $100,000.
• This information is buried deeply in the registration documents, and should be easier to find given it’s such important information.

Tradier Research Tools

Tradier offers a decent level of educational resources for margin trading, third party platforms, and options trading investment platforms. However, actual fundamental or technical analysis should be purchased separately, with the exception of how to trade mutual funds, which their trading platforms display

Questions I get asked about Tradier

Is Tradier Trading regulated?

Tradier Trading is a regulated by the Financial Industry Regulatory Agency (FINRA), an independent, not-for-profit organization authorized to protect America’s investors by making sure the securities industry operates fairly and honestly.

The company is also a broker-dealer and therefore the company is governed by the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) which regulates and polices the securities industry in America.

How do I get my money back out of Tradier Trading?

Here are the wire instructions, which you can initiate without charge:

• Bank Name: U.S. Bank Bank Address: 80 S 8th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55402 or,
• Portland, OR ABA/Routing #: 123000848 Beneficiary: Wedbush Securities, Inc.
• Beneficiary Address: 1000 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90017
• Beneficiary Account: 153910900825 For Further Credit to (FFC):
• Your name and account number* For cash account types, add a “1” to the end of your account number. For margin account types, add a “2” to the end of your account number.

Does Tradier’s Platform allow selling stocks?

Yes, Tradier invest allows trading in stocks, ETFs, and options.

How long does it take to be approved for Tradier?

2-5 days. Tradier has to verify your KYC (Know Your Customer) information, your liquidity position, and overall investing knowledge.

What are Margin Rates

Margin rates are 5.25% across the board. There is no variation in margin rates, and 5.25% is a very attractive margin rate for options.

Can you cancel Tradier Trading at any time?

Yes, you can cancel at any time. However, remember that you cannot transfer a portfolio of stocks without paying a hefty fee. If you sell all your securities, you can transfer your cash instantly with a wire or ACH transaction.

Can I see P&L across multiple account types?

Yes, P&L is aggregated on a 1 monitor screen.

What happens if Tradier Trading goes out of business?

The SIPC and SEC will pay you back up to $500,000 for securities lost. However, this only applies to a total collapse in your brokerage firm. Normal market movements in Tradier will not be reimbursed.

Dividends Offered

Dividends will be automatically re-invested in your ETF’s and individual stock unless you set the symbol to pay out dividends instead of re-investment.

Can you trade Forex on Tradier Trading?

No, unfortunately Tradier only offers stocks, ETFs, and options. Futures and Forex are not available. One note on this policy is that the Forex markets are the most liquid and hardest to trade, and I agree with Tradier not offering them to beginning investors because you really need to be at least an intermediate level trader before you tip you toes in the swirling waters of the Forex market.

Are Penny stocks tradeable?

Tradier Invest does not offer investing in penny stocks, pink sheets, or OTC BB (Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board) stocks. Similar to Forex, these markets have specialized risk characteristics not appropriate for a new trader. There are other platforms which focus on Forex and Futures trading which are suitable for more active traders and experienced investors investors.

Can I day trade on Tradier?

You have to qualify with Tradier Trading and the exchanges to qualify. You should assess your personal financial situation before you apply for PDT (Pattern Day Trading).

How long must you hold a stock to avoid capital gains?

Any security held for less than one year does not qualify for capital gains tax treatment and is taxed as ordinary income.

Do capital gains count as income?

Capital gains in the U.S. result in tax rates of 0%, 15%, or 20% for assets held more than a year. For less than a year, profits are taxed at ordinary income such as 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35% or 37%.

When is my deposit available to use?

You can invest up to your instant funding limit instantly once you begin a transfer with your linked bank account (you’ll need to meet certain requirements for this). Any amount deposited over your instant funding limit will be available for trading 3 business days after posting. This amount will be included in your ‘Pending/Upcoming Buying Power’.

Eligibility requirements include:

1) Your bank account must be linked, verified, and approved through the instant verification process.

2) Your bank account must have a reported balance greater than or equal to your deposit.

What is the minimum to fund account?

You can get started with just $5 unless you want to sell options, you should review the minimum deposits for writing options.

What are the stock trading fees?

There are no trading fees for stocks and ETFs and $.35 option fees when you buy and sell stocks or ETFs with Tradier. There is a $10/month trading fee if you want to use their API to brand other businesses so both the API your logo Tradier states they want to make investing available to more people, and one way to do this is to reduce the barrier to entry via low fees.

Are the orders real time?

Orders are entered in real time. Market orders can’t be accepted outside of market hours or when trading a certain stock is halted or suspended.

Will I receive end of year tax documents?

Yes. Once they’re processed, tax documents will be available electronically in the document center of your Invest account.

During what hours can I place a trade?

You can schedule trades 24/7, but stock purchases can only be executed Monday-Friday 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET, with the exception of holidays and when a certain asset is halted or suspended. If you place an order outside of that time, you can choose to schedule your order as Market on Open, which will execute at the market open on the next business day.

How do I check my order status?

Once you’ve entered your order, you can view your Transaction Activity at the bottom of your Active Account, or on the bottom of the stock tearsheet.

Can I edit my order?

Orders can be cancelled if they are scheduled but not yet executed. They cannot be edited after the order has been executed.

How long would it take to get access to the money I make when selling a stock?

Typically 3-5 business days. Proceeds from selling a stock will settle in your brokerage account two business days after the sale. After that, withdrawals from your brokerage account may take 1-3 business days to reach your linked bank account.

How long does it take to be approved for Tradier?

Most applications are processed in in 1-2 days. Tradier will reach out if they need more information, or you can call or email for a status check anytime.

Can you cancel Tradier Trading at any time?

Yes, you just have to wait for the the entire portfolio cash settles into cash so you don’t have to pay the ACATS $95 fee. If you’re a little more patient you can transfer your account cash by wire for $25 fee.

In addition to standard investment choices like stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and options, there are other types of investments available via third-party platforms through Tradier accounts.

If you are looking for feature packed platforms for advanced traders, then Tradier may be a great option.