If you prefer to make your own investment decisions and choose your own stocks, you can save a lot of money by choosing a self-directed brokerage firm instead of a full-service one. Many such brokerage firms exist, and they can reduce the cost of trading significantly, allowing you to keep more of your money and put it to work for you.
It is possible to open a brokerage account online through one of the online banking institutions. The Bank of America offers an online brokerage account.
Online brokerage firms have many safeguards on your personal information. They use high quality firewalls and antiviral software also their employees are highly trained. A small local brokerage may feel safer but they don't have the same safeguards.
I feel it's better to choose your own stocks and use an online brokerage. The prices are cheaper and I feel it's not that hard to research a company and make and informed choice. Often times, a personal brokerage has an agenda and will try to push certain stocks depending on who they are in business or in bed with.
You can find an online brokerage firm through a website such as bankrate.com. You can also invest online through TD Ameritrade or even through a traditional brokerage firm such as Charles Schwab.
There are many places you can go to find imformation on opening or starting a brokerage account. A few good places to start looking would include; Fidelity, USAA Brokerage Services, and Online Trading Accounts.
The best borkerage firm in the Boston area to handle commodity ETFS would be the Boston Brokerage Group. They have high ratings online.
The best way to select an online brokerage service is to read the reviewers of the users of bloggers. A good site is www.businesspundit.com/how-to-choose-an-online-broker-and-invest-online
Etrade is an online discount brokerage firm.
There are many brokerage services available online. Two of the most popular websites are http://www.onlinebrokerageservices.com/ and http://www.interactivebrokers.com/en/main.php.
Depending on which type of insurance you are looking for, I would just do an online search for the type of insurance you need (car insurance, life insurance...) and check that the insurance company or brokerage agency has a good rating. Two ratings we use are BBB and AM Best for insurance companies and BBB for brokerage agencies. Brokerage companies usually offer several insurance companies. mcdlife.com
Brokerage software can be purchased through several online companies, including Advent Geneva and McLeod Software. Turnkey Brokerage Solutions and E-Infinity Software also provide brokerage software.
It is best that you have an online brokerage account to help you when purchasing stocks. It is known to be less expensive to find one online as well and you knwo your money is secure.