Self-Directed Investing by First Citizens Investor Services

An easy, convenient way to invest

Trade listed stocks and ETFs commission-free with Self-Directed Investing

With our intuitive Self-Directed Investing platform, you can make decisions about your investments on your own schedule. Easily open an account, place trades and access your statements and confirmations—all online.

$0 commissions on US listed stocks and ETFs

Place trades on most other securities based on commission and fee schedule.D

$0 opening balance to get started

No minimum balance is required at account opening.

Manage your accounts in one place

View your investment account in your Digital Banking dashboard.

Get started with Self-Directed Investing today

Ready to get started?
How It Works

What is Self-Directed Investing?

Watch our introductory video to learn more about Self-Directed Investing, what it is and how it works. With Self-Directed Investing, you can enjoy more control over your portfolio and make trading more convenient for your schedule.

Self-Directed Investing By First Citizens Investor Services

Self-Directed Investing By First Citizens Investor Services

Voice-over: At First Citizens, we understand that every investment portfolio is as unique as the person who owns it. When it comes to helping you achieve your financial goals, we're committed to providing more choice, greater flexibility, and a customizable investing experience that lets you move at your own pace and comfort level.

Introducing Self-Directed Investing by First Citizens Investor Services, a commission-free online service that gives you the power to invest how you want, when you want, in real time. Designed to deliver more freedom to investors that want autonomy and a hands-on approach, Self-Directed Investing offers an easy and convenient way to form your own strategy and manage your investments. Invest your way with our digital-first platform that offers commission-free, low-cost trading of most US-based securities and ETFs. For an enhanced experience, take advantage of the single sign-on to see your whole financial picture in one place.

Simply log in to Digital Banking to view and manage all your First Citizens accounts, including checking and savings, as well as managed and self-directed brokerage accounts.

Ready to take control of your investment portfolio? Visit FirstCitizens.com to open a self-directed account today.

Disclosures

Your investments in securities, annuities and insurance are not insured by the FDIC or any other federal government agency and may lose value.

The views expressed are those of the author(s) at the time of writing and are subject to change without notice. First Citizens does not assume any liability for losses that may result from the information in this piece. This is intended for general educational and informational purposes only and should not be viewed as investment advice or recommendation for a security, investment product or personal investment advice.

Self-Directed Investing by First Citizens Investor Services is offered through First Citizens Investor Services, Inc., Member FINRA and SIPC, an SEC-registered broker-dealer and investment advisor. Your investments in securities, annuities and insurance are not insured by the FDIC or any other federal government agency and may lose value. They are not a deposit or other obligation of, or guaranteed by any bank or bank affiliate and are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

First Citizens Wealth Management is a registered trademark of First Citizens BancShares, Inc. First Citizens Wealth Management products and services are offered by First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company, Member FDIC; First Citizens Investor Services, Inc., Member FINRA and SIPC, an SEC-registered broker-dealer and investment advisor; and First Citizens Asset Management, Inc., an SEC-registered investment advisor.

Brokerage and investment advisory services are offered through First Citizens Investor Services, Inc., Member FINRA and SIPC. First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. provides investment advisory services.

Bank deposit products are offered by First Citizens Bank, Member FDIC.

See more about First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. and our investment professionals at FINRA BrokerCheck.

How to get started

Ready to open an investment account with Self-Directed Investing through First Citizens Investor Services? Follow these steps to start investing.

Step 1

Log in to Digital Banking

Self-Directed Investing is available to existing customers enrolled in Digital Banking. If you haven't set it up yet, here's how to enroll in Digital Banking.

Step 2

Open an account

Select Open an Investment Account in the bar at the far right and follow the instructions. Choose from an Individual, Joint, Roth IRA, Roth IRA-Rollover, Traditional IRA-Participant or Traditional IRA-Rollover account.

Step 3

Complete your account details

You'll need to provide proof of US citizenship, your Social Security number, legal address and a few other details explained in the account-opening process. Once submitted, you'll receive a response in 2 to 3 business days.

Step 4

Manage your account

Once opened, your new account will appear on your Digital Banking dashboard in 1 business day for convenient access.

Step 5

Fund your account

Transfer funds into your account from any US-based bank account.

Step 6

Start investing

Take advantage of our digital-first platform designed to help you invest how you want, when you want.

Investment and insurance products are not a deposit, not FDIC-insured, not guaranteed by First Citizens, not insured by any federal government agency and may lose value.

Need help getting started?

Call us at 800-229-0205. Our dedicated team is available to assist with navigation, tech support and general questions for no fee.

Get assistance placing a trade

If you need help placing a trade, our service desk can assist you for a $40 fee. See our Self-Directed Investing by First Citizens Investor Services Commission and Fee Schedule (PDF) for details.

Please note securities other than US domestic stocks and ETFs have a fee associated with their trading.

Self-Directed Investing FAQ
People often ask us

Whether you're linking to a First Citizens account or another account, funding your Self-Directed Investing account is simple. You'll just need your bank's name and login credentials for your bank's platform.

After activating the ACH payment, your funds will often be transferred on the same business day, but it may take up to 3 business days depending on your financial institution.

No. You can fund your Self-Directed Investing account from most US-based bank accounts.

You can open Individual, Joint, Roth IRA, Roth IRA-Rollover, Traditional IRA-Participant and Traditional IRA-Rollover accounts.

Trades of US-based stocks and ETFs listed on the major US stock exchanges (e.g. NASDAQ, NYSE) are commission-free. Trading foreign stocks or ETFs, among other assets, will result in a fee. Please see our Self-Directed Investing by First Citizens Investor Services Commission and Fee Schedule (PDF) for more details.

Asking for a trade to be executed through our trading desk will result in a fee. Please see our Self-Directed Investing by First Citizens Investor Services Commission and Fee Schedule (PDF) for more details.

Commission-free trading applies to stocks and ETFs traded online for self-directed individual cash or margin brokerage accounts of US-listed securities on major US exchanges within Self-Directed Investing by First Citizens Investor Services. Commission-free trading does not apply to transaction fee, front-end load mutual funds, or options trades, and excludes shares priced less than $3.00 or not trading on an exchange. Some trades are not eligible to transact online and must be conducted through a Call Center Assisted trader, and service fees will apply ($40 minimum). Keep in mind that other non-commission fees will apply to your brokerage account. Please see the Self-Directed Investing by First Citizens Investor Services Commission and Fee Schedule (PDF), to learn more about these applicable fees.

Self-Directed Investing by First Citizens Investor Services is offered through First Citizens Investor Services, Inc., Member FINRA and SIPC and an SEC-registered broker-dealer and investment adviser. Your investments in securities and insurance products and services are not insured by the FDIC or any other federal government agency and may lose value. They are not deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by any bank or bank affiliate and are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amounts invested. There is no guarantee that a strategy will achieve its objective. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

See more about First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. and our investment professionals at FINRA BrokerCheck.

First Citizens Wealth™ (FCW) is a marketing brand of First Citizens BancShares, Inc. and is used for private banking, lending, brokerage and wealth management and investment advisory services offered by: First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company, First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. ("FCIS"), First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. ("FCAM"), and SVB Wealth LLC ("SVBW"). All entities are affiliated and are under common control of First Citizens BancShares, Inc., a bank holding company. FCIS offers investment solutions to clients of CIT Bank, a division of First Citizens Bank.

Links to third-party websites may have a privacy policy different from First Citizens Bank and may provide less security than this website. First Citizens Bank and its affiliates are not responsible for the products, services and content on any third-party website.