Charles Schwab Minimum Deposit
If you plan to open an investment account at Charles Schwab, you should know that there are different minimum deposits needed for various account types. Here’s a summary:
Regular accounts most people use at Schwab require no minimum deposit. You can open an account without needing to deposit any money initially.
A Schwab automated account needs at least $5,000 to start. This account type charges no commissions and has no management fees.
The automated account is exactly what it sounds like: an account fully managed by a computer program. You can add a human advisor to your account for more personalized service, but this option requires a minimum of $25,000, which can be spread across multiple accounts, each needing a $5,000 minimum.
This premium option also includes a one-time $300 fee for a customized financial plan and a $30 monthly fee thereafter.
Despite modern updates, Charles Schwab still offers traditional investment management without an automated advisor. These options also start at a $25,000 minimum deposit and include various management fees ranging from 0.20% to 0.90%.
Schwab also offers individually managed accounts with higher minimums:
Equities: $100,000
Fixed income: $250,000
Mixed: $250,000
Diversified: $350,000
Then there are wealth management accounts, which involve a full team of advisors. These accounts require a minimum deposit of $1 million but offer comprehensive services with fees under 1%.
Schwab also partners with local independent advisors providing face-to-face services. These accounts start at a $500,000 minimum, with varying monthly costs set by the advisor.
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Charles Schwab Minimum Balance Requirement
While the accounts described above have minimum deposit requirements, there are no ongoing minimum balance requirements except for organization and charitable accounts. Organization accounts need a combined minimum of $250,000 across all accounts, and charitable accounts require a $5,000 minimum.
Charles Schwab Account Minimum
Apart from charitable and organization accounts, there are no minimum balance requirements at Schwab.
Minimum Age to Open an Account
You must be at least 18 years old to open a brokerage or bank account at Schwab. However, there are educational and custodial accounts available for minors.
Charles Schwab Minimum Account Value for Margin Trading
To engage in margin trading with a self-directed account, you need at least $2,000. This is a standard industry requirement, not specific to Schwab.
Schwab allows for negotiation of margin rates but requires a $500,000 minimum balance for this benefit.
Schwab Minimum Trade Amount
Minimum trade amounts for S&P 500 stocks start at $5, with other stocks requiring the purchase of at least 1 share. Bond trades must involve at least $10 in commissions per transaction, with the best value achieved by trading 10 bonds at a time. Treasury bonds are traded without commission.
Schwab Minimum Initial Purchase Amounts for Mutual Fund
Mutual funds at Schwab have initial purchase requirements ranging from $1 to $3 million. There are no funds without a minimum requirement; Schwab funds start at $1, with other funds, like those from JPMorgan and BlackRock, requiring millions.
Schwab Minimum Purchase Amounts for Mutual Funds, Subsequent
After the initial purchase, all mutual funds at Schwab have a $1 minimum for additional investments.
Schwab Minimum Mutual Fund Hold Time
Mutual funds with no load and no transaction fee need to be held for at least 90 days at Schwab. Selling them sooner incurs a $49.95 fee.
Charles Schwab Minimums
| Charles Schwab minimum deposit to open a cash account | $0 |
| Charles Schwab minimum deposit to open a margin account | $2,000 in cash and/or securities |
| Charles Schwab minimum initial deposit to open a ROTH IRA, Traditional IRA, Simple IRA, or SEP IRA | $0 |
| Charles Schwab minimum balance requirement for a cash account or an IRA | none |
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Updated on 2/24/2025.
Chad Morris is a financial writer with more than 20 years experience
as both an English teacher and an avid trader. When he isn’t writing
expert content for Brokerage-Review.com, Chad can usually be found
managing his portfolio or building a new home computer.
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