Treasury Bonds at E*TRADE
Points to know:
• E*TRADE provides access to Treasury securities among its various asset classes.
• There are no commissions at E*TRADE on Treasury debt transactions.
• E*TRADE also offers mutual and exchange-traded funds that hold Treasury bonds.
Do you want to invest in something with very low risk? If so, U.S. Treasury securities are a great choice. E*TRADE is one brokerage firm that provides access to a wide range of them. Here’s what you need to know:
Available Treasuries
Bills, notes, and bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury Department can be purchased through an E*TRADE brokerage account. TIPS, STRIPS, and FRNs (floating-rate notes) are also available. A standard brokerage account is all that’s needed, and it’s free to open and maintain.
Treasury Education
E*TRADE’s website offers somewhat limited educational resources on bonds. To find the available materials, hover over the "Markets & Ideas" tab in the main menu and click on "Bonds and CDs." On the Bonds & CDs page, click the "Tools and Resources" tab in the middle of the page. Scroll down to the "Bond Resources" section for a small collection of articles covering fixed-income basics.
Finding Treasuries
Once you're ready to invest, visit the "Bonds and CDs" page, where you’ll see a matrix of bond yields. CDs are listed first, followed by two rows for "U.S. Treasuries" and "U.S. Treasury Zeroes." Maturity lengths are divided into columns. Simply click on a purple hyperlink with the bond type and maturity you want.
The results page lets you sort debt securities by coupon, maturity, issuer, and yield to worst. Each bond includes depth-of-market data, showing bid and ask prices along with available quantities.
Hover over a bond’s title to see a pop-up window with additional details. Clicking on the link in the window opens a dedicated page with even more information, such as:
• Original size
• Delivery
• Coupon type
• ISIN
• Call status
• Moody’s rating
• Trade history
Examples of Treasury Bonds
Below are some Treasury securities available for purchase at E*TRADE:
| Security | Maturity Date | Yield |
|---|
| T-note | 04/15/2027 | 4.278% |
| STRIP | 05/15/2045 | 5.101% |
| T-bond | 08/15/2054 | 4.846% |
How to Buy a Treasury Bond on E*TRADE
Each bond listed in the search results has a "Buy" button, which also appears in the depth-of-market window and on the bond’s details page. Clicking "Buy" opens the Treasury trade ticket. The order form is straightforward to use. Every order is a market order with a "fill or kill" duration. Enter the quantity and click "Preview." If everything looks correct, submit the order.
Treasury Funds
E*TRADE customers can also invest in mutual funds and exchange-traded funds that hold Treasury bonds. To find them, hover over "Markets & Ideas" and select "Mutual Funds" or "ETFs." Both sections have a predefined search for fixed-income funds. Within "Fund Category," you can refine results further using subcategories such as "Long Government" and "Short-Term Inflation Protected."
Fees and Minimums
E*TRADE does not charge commissions on Treasury securities. However, they may act as a principal on bond trades, resulting in potential markups or markdowns.
Many mutual funds at E*TRADE have a $0 minimum investment, allowing even small investors to participate in Treasury markets.
Fixed-Income Desk
If you need assistance with Treasury investments, E*TRADE’s fixed-income desk is available at 877-355-3237.
Charles Schwab as a Substitute
Another solid option for Treasury investing is Charles Schwab. Like E*TRADE, Schwab offers brokerage and managed accounts with fixed-income investments. Treasury securities can be traded commission-free, and Schwab provides a bond yield matrix similar to E*TRADE’s. Clicking on a yield will show available Treasuries and an easy-to-use trade ticket.
Schwab also offers funds that hold Treasury securities. ETF selections are nearly identical to
E*TRADE’s, while mutual fund choices differ somewhat, especially in no-load, no-transaction-fee
funds. Schwab’s mutual fund screener, found under the "Research" tab, allows searches for
government bond funds with no loads and no transaction fees.
| Fund | Effective Maturity | Return Since Inception |
|---|
| Eaton Vance Short Duration Inflation-Protected Income Fund (EARRX) | 2.16 years | 2.82% |
| American Century Government Bond Fund (CPTNX) | 7.15 years | 5.44% |
| PIMCO Long-Term U.S. Government Fund (PFGAX) | 20.45 years | 4.71% |
Free Charles Schwab Account
Visit Schwab Website
Verdict
E*TRADE and Schwab both offer a broad range of Treasury investments with low trading fees. Their commission-free structures and easy-to-use platforms make them accessible to many different types of investors.
Updated on 4/4/2026.
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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