What New Investors Like You Want to Know

Apr 3, 2025

Want to invest but not sure where to start? Get answers to your frequently asked questions.

Key Takeaways

  • Brokerage accounts offer convenience, control and value. You make the decisions and place the trades. 
  • We build and manage a diversified portfolio for you based on your risk tolerance with Core Portfolios.
  • If you'd like personalized planning and investing guidance by phone, a virtual advisor may be for you.
  • A Financial Advisor offers a hands-on, dedicated, full service-relationship.

When it comes to planning for your financial future, we could all use a little help.

 

The first step is to think about your goals. Next, consider if investing can help you meet them.  Investing can be a smart option and may help you earn more over time than keeping your money in a savings account. And when you won’t need your funds right away, investing can help you achieve long-term financial goals like buying a home.   

 

At Morgan Stanley, you’ll find a range of modern investing solutions – from accounts where you make the investing decisions to accounts that are fully managed for you. There are three ways to get started: do-it-yourself, enlist the support of a Morgan Stanley Virtual Advisor, or work with a Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor.

1.      DO-IT-YOURSELF WITH AN E*TRADE FROM MORGAN STANLEY BROKERAGE ACCOUNT

How do I invest with E*TRADE? 

E*TRADE from  Morgan Stanley offers online brokerage accounts that let you invest your money yourself without paying commissions1. You can use E*TRADE to buy or sell stocks, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), options and more.


E*TRADE’s user-friendly website provides access to research and easy-to-use tools to help you make informed investment decisions and easily place your trades. You can also take advantage of a range of educational videos and classes to narrow your investing choices.

Does online investing with an E*TRADE brokerage account make sense for me?

If you want to trade your own stocks and funds, a brokerage account at E*TRADE may make sense. Self-directed accounts where you make the decisions and place the trades offer convenience, control and value, and may be a good option for people who are new to investing, building a portfolio of investments, and even active traders.

 

E*TRADE’s mobile app makes investing available when you’re on the go. You can view your investments, explore market watch lists, transfer money, deposit checks and pay your bills.  Customer support is available via phone or chat whenever and wherever you need it.

 

What are the fees and minimums?

There are no account minimums to open an E*TRADE brokerage account and $0 commissions for online stock and ETF trades. Other fees may apply.1

 

How do I open an E*TRADE account?

An online application and initiating a transfer of money from your bank account will get you started. It can take up to three business days for funds to be available or the same day if you initiate a wire transfer. Once you’re funded, watch a demo to learn how to place your orders. Or get started as you watch our webinars on a variety of topics live.

 

Open Your E*TRADE Brokerage Account

Get started today with E*TRADE's easy to use website and range of investing options.

What if I need a little help with my investing at E*TRADE?

 A Core Portfolios account - also known as a robo-advisor—makes investing easier. You provide information about your goals and risk tolerance, and our team of professionals, paired with automated technology, build a diversified portfolio that we will manage for you.And, you can use automated tax-loss harvesting to potentially lower your tax bill. A minimum investment of $500 is required and fees will apply3.

 

Another option that makes investing simpler is E*TRADE’s Prebuilt Portfolios. Get a professionally built portfolio of leading mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs). You can customize your portfolio based on your risk tolerance and you can buy or sell individual funds at any time. A $500 minimum for mutual funds and $2,500 minimum for ETFs is required.

i
You can personalize your account by choosing socially responsible or smart beta ETFs.

2.      MORGAN STANLEY VIRTUAL ADVISOR

What is Virtual Advisor?

With Morgan Stanley Virtual Advisor, you get a team of licensed and experienced Financial Advisors who are available by phone Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET. You may get different Virtual Advisors from your team when you call. Your Virtual Advisor can:

  • Provide personalized expert advice and information.
  • Create a comprehensive financial plan that’s right for you to help you meet your goals.
  • Deliver comprehensive investing recommendations across a range of options.
  • Help manage your overall finances.


They work with you to understand your goals, provide research-based investing advice that evolves along with your needs, and stay connected to keep you on track. Their access to Morgan Stanley’s in-house analysts and strategists as well as industry-leading research and powerful planning tools means that you have the expertise of a well-resourced and experienced global firm working on your behalf.

i
Morgan Stanley Virtual Advisor may be a good option if you like the idea of regular performance reviews by phone.

Is Virtual Advisor right for me?

Like most people, you may have competing financial priorities in your life. Should you pay off student loans before saving for a down payment on a house? Could you do both and still start investing for retirement? If you’d like personalized financial planning and proactive investing guidance yet aren’t ready to engage a dedicated Financial Advisor, or have concerns around the traditional costs of working with a Financial Advisor, a team of remote advisors may be a good option for you. And if you like the idea of having a team of advisors by your side that will help you meet your goals by providing regular performance reviews by phone, consider the Morgan Stanley Virtual Advisor team.  

 

 What are the fees and minimums?

Virtual Advisors typically charge an advisory fee that is a percentage of the assets they manage on your behalf, with a minimum asset level beginning at $100,000. Advisory fees and commissions vary depending on the services used and investments made.

 

How do I get started with Virtual Advisor?

Call 1-866-743-5700, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET or schedule a complimentary consultation online.

Schedule Your Conversation with a Virtual Advisor

Get started today.

3.      MORGAN STANLEY FINANCIAL ADVISOR

Why choose a Financial Advisor?

For ongoing comprehensive financial planning, investment management and even tax management advice, you can choose to work with a dedicated Financial Advisor. You’ll develop an ongoing relationship with an experienced professional who understands the markets, knows you and your family, and can help you manage risk. Plus, you’ll have access to a full range of investment services and products that may not be available to others, such as alternative and private investments.

 

Is having a Financial Advisor right for me?

If you’re looking for a hands-on, dedicated professional you can meet with to help you build a customized plan for your complex financial situation, working with a Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor may be a good option. Your Financial Advisor can help you build a personalized financial plan based on your goals and can also help you with complex estate and charitable giving planning. They can guide you from saving for the lifestyle you want in retirement, to helping you work out a plan for drawing down your retirement savings in any market environment. 

i
For this level of individualized service, a minimum investment is required that could start at $1 million.

What are the fees and minimums?

For this level of individualized service, a $500,000 minimum investment is required. Depending on the type of relationship we establish and the ways you choose to do business with us, Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors may be compensated as a percentage of the assets we manage on your behalf, transaction commissions or other fees. Our Financial Advisors are upfront and transparent about their compensation and strive to ensure we justify your investment in us with value.

 

How do I choose a Financial Advisor?

You don’t have to go it alone. Interview two to three Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and select the one who fits best with you and your financial goals. Consider asking questions like:

  • How would you get to know me and how best will you help me? How often would we meet?
  • Do you have experience that applies to my unique financial goals and needs?
  • How will you help me navigate important financial decisions?
  • What if I have urgent questions or need advice when the markets shift dramatically? How will you service me given all the other clients you have?
  • How would we get started? 

Ready to Start Your Conversation? Find a Financial Advisor Near You. 

Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's Broker/Check.