Firstrade Account Opening and Funding Full Guide: 2026 Latest Promotions with Step-by-Step Illustrations

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Want to know how to buy US stocks? Firstrade offers an excellent starting point. This broker features stock and ETF trading with zero commissions and a full Traditional Chinese interface, making it extremely beginner-friendly. Your account is also protected because Firstrade is a member of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), providing up to $500,000 in account insurance.

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Key Takeaways

• Firstrade is a great choice for buying US stocks — it has a Chinese interface and charges zero commissions for stocks and ETFs.
• Before opening an account, prepare your passport and English address to make the process smoother.
• The account opening steps are simple — just follow the guide, and you can complete the online application in about 5 minutes.
• For funding, investors in Taiwan can only use bank wire transfer. Remember to include your Firstrade account number and English name when wiring so the funds reach your account correctly.
• Firstrade offers wire transfer fee reimbursement — as long as your first deposit meets the required amount, you save on fees.

How to Buy US Stocks? Start by Understanding Firstrade Advantages and Account Opening Preparation

Before starting the online application, take a few minutes to understand Firstrade’s pros and cons, security, and required documents — this makes the entire process much smoother. This step is the foundation for successful US stock investing.

Quick Analysis of Firstrade Pros and Cons

Firstrade’s biggest appeal is its highly competitive fee structure. Compared to other popular brokers in Taiwan like TD Ameritrade or Interactive Brokers, Firstrade stands out with zero-commission trading and a relatively simple account opening process.

Firstrade Advantages:

Firstrade Disadvantages:

• Limited funding methods: Primarily relies on bank wire transfer; does not support credit cards or e-wallets.
• Limited investment products: Does not offer forex, futures, crypto, or fractional shares.
• Higher withdrawal fees: International wire withdrawal costs $30.
• Basic trading tools: Lacks desktop platforms and advanced analytics designed for professional traders.

Is Firstrade Safe? SIPC and FINRA Account Protection

Your capital safety is the top priority. Firstrade is a member of FINRA, an important organization that supervises broker behavior and protects investors.

Additionally, your account is protected by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC).

SIPC Account Protection If the broker unfortunately fails, SIPC will provide up to $500,000 in protection for your account, including up to $250,000 in cash. This protection significantly increases the safety of your funds.

Account Opening Documents: Passport and English Address Translation

To complete the process smoothly, prepare these two items in advance:

1. Valid passport: The most important identity document — make sure it is still valid. You will need to upload a clear scan or photo of the passport data page.
2. English translation of residential address: The online application requires an English address. You can use the Chunghwa Post “Chinese Address English Translation” service to get the standard format.

2026 Latest Firstrade Account Opening Promotions

Firstrade frequently launches promotions for new users to boost your first investment. The most attractive current offer is the “Wire Transfer Fee Reimbursement”. As long as your first deposit meets the required threshold, Firstrade will reimburse the wire transfer fees charged by your Taiwanese bank, directly lowering your initial costs. Follow this guide to complete account opening and funding and easily enjoy this promotion — taking your first step into US stock investing.

Firstrade Online Account Opening Illustrated Tutorial (Finish in 5 Minutes)

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Got your passport and English address ready? Now we will guide you step-by-step through Firstrade’s online account opening application. The whole process is very intuitive and takes only about 5 minutes.

Important Tip: Complete the Application in One Go We recommend finishing all steps at once. If you close the window midway, the system may require you to start over, so make sure you have an uninterrupted time slot.

Step 1: Official Website Registration and Phone Verification

First, go to the Firstrade official website. For easier operation, click the globe icon in the top-right corner and switch the language to “Traditional Chinese”.

1. Click “Open Account Now”.
2. Enter your mobile number and click “Get Verification Code”.
3. Enter the SMS verification code you receive to begin the formal application.

Step 2: Fill in Citizenship and Personal Information

Next, fill in your basic identity information. This data will be used to create your account profile.

• Citizenship: In the nationality field, select “Taiwan” and confirm you are at least 18 years old.
• Personal Information: Fill in the following in English:
  • Last name and first name
  • Email address
  • Full residential address
  • City and postal code

Step 3: Fill in Employment and Financial Status

Under US financial regulations, brokers must understand clients’ financial backgrounds — this is the “Know Your Customer” (KYC) process. Fill in honestly according to your actual situation.

The system will ask about:

• Employment status: e.g., employed, self-employed, retired, or student.
• Company and position.
• Annual income: Provide a rough range.
• Total net worth: Provide a rough range.
• Investment experience: e.g., “no experience” or “limited experience”.

This information helps Firstrade assess suitable investment products for you and adds a layer of account security.

Step 4: Set Up Account and Security Questions

Here you set your login details and choose the account type.

• Account Type: For most beginners, simply choose “Individual Brokerage Account”. This type is owned solely by you. Firstrade also offers “Joint Account” for couples or partners with shared financial goals.
• Account Settings: Set your username and password.
• Security Questions: Set 4 security questions and answers for future identity verification — be sure to record your answers safely.

Step 5: Upload Passport or ID Document

This is the key step to verify your identity. You need to upload a clear identity document.

• Recommended Document: Use your passport. Photograph or scan the page containing your photo and personal information.
• Upload Requirements: Ensure the image is clear, complete, without glare, and all text and photo are legible.

After uploading according to the instructions, proceed to the final signing section.

Step 6: Electronically Sign the W-8BEN Form

The W-8BEN form is a required document for all non-US investors. Its full name is “Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding and Reporting” — its main purpose is to certify to the IRS your “non-US person” status.

Why is the W-8BEN form important? After signing, your US stock dividend withholding tax rate can be reduced according to the tax treaty. Without it, the broker must legally withhold up to 30%. The good news is Firstrade has fully digitized this form — just read the terms online, check the boxes, and sign with your mouse — no manual filling or mailing required.

Step 7: Wait for Account Approval Notification

Congratulations! You have now completed all online application steps. All that’s left is to wait patiently.

Firstrade’s review team will check all submitted documents and information. Generally, account approval takes 1 to 3 business days. Once approved, you will receive an email from Firstrade notifying you that your account is open and providing your account number. Receiving this email means you have officially taken the first step toward “how to buy US stocks” and are ready to fund your account!

Firstrade Funding Tutorial: Wire Transfer Process and Fee Details

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Once your Firstrade account is approved, the next step is to wire funds into the account and officially begin your US stock investing journey. For investors in Taiwan, the primary and most reliable method is “bank wire transfer”. This section walks you through the wire process step-by-step and explains the associated fees.

ACH vs Wire Transfer? Taiwan Investors Must Use Wire Transfer

In Firstrade’s funding options, you will see ACH and wire transfer. Understanding the difference helps you choose the correct method.

• ACH Transfer: An electronic system for transfers between US domestic banks — usually very low cost or free. The limitation is that you must have a US bank account to use it.
• Wire Transfer: A globally accepted inter-bank transfer method suitable for international remittances. It is fast but incurs related fees.

For the vast majority of Taiwan investors who do not have a US bank account, wire transfer is your only funding option.

Step 1: Log In to Firstrade to Get Funding Information

To wire money, you first need Firstrade’s receiving bank details. This information is critical — double-check everything.

1. Log in to your Firstrade account.
2. Click the top menu “My Account” > “Deposit/Transfer”.
3. Select “Bank Wire” as the deposit method.

The page will display all required wiring information, including receiving bank, SWIFT code, ABA routing number, etc. We recommend screenshotting or copying this page for later use.

Important Receiving Information Firstrade uses “BMO Bank N.A.” as the intermediary bank for international wires. The details you need to fill in are:

Field	Information to Fill
Beneficiary Bank Name	BMO Bank N.A.
Bank Address	111 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603
SWIFT Code	HATRUS44
ABA Routing Number	071000288
Beneficiary Name	Firstrade Securities Inc.
Beneficiary Account	3713286
Reference/Memo	Your 8-digit Firstrade account number + Your English name

Step 2: Fill Out Wire Transfer Application at Your Bank (Counter or Online Banking)

After obtaining Firstrade’s wiring details, go to your Taiwanese bank to initiate the transfer — either in person or via online banking.

When filling out the wire form, carefully match the information from the previous step to the bank’s fields.

💡 Tip: Never Forget the Reference! The “Reference” field is how Firstrade identifies which client the money belongs to. If omitted or wrong, the funds may be returned or require extra customer service contact — time-consuming and troublesome.

Online Banking Wire vs In-Person Wire Comparison

For how much to send and which method to use, refer to this comparison to choose what suits you best.

Generally, for first-time or large-amount transfers, in-person service with staff assistance is more reassuring. If you’re familiar with the process and within online limits, online banking is much more convenient.

Firstrade Funding Fees and Wire Reimbursement Details

International wire transfers incur fees typically consisting of three parts:

1. Taiwan sending bank fee: Varies by bank. For example, Cathay United Bank charges about $25 USD for full amount arrival; E.SUN Bank charges roughly $15–20 USD.
2. Intermediary bank fee: BMO Bank as intermediary usually charges around $20 USD.
3. Receiving bank fee: Firstrade itself does not charge any deposit fee.

Overall, a wire from Taiwan to Firstrade costs approximately $40 USD.

Good News: Take Advantage of Firstrade Wire Reimbursement! To encourage new users, Firstrade offers a wire transfer fee reimbursement promotion. As long as you wire a single deposit meeting the required amount within the specified period after account opening (usually $2,000 USD or $10,000 USD+, depending on the current promotion), Firstrade will reimburse your bank fees up to $25 USD — directly deposited into your account, significantly lowering the barrier to your first investment.

After funding is complete, you can start exploring how to buy US stocks — picking your favorite stocks or ETFs!

Congratulations! You have now mastered the complete Firstrade account opening and wire funding process. The entire procedure is quite simple, and the zero-commission advantage further reduces your investing costs.

Firstrade is a broker designed for self-directed investors and does not provide financial or tax advice. This means you must do your own research and be aware of the higher risks involved in options, leveraged ETFs, and similar products.

Account opening is just your first step into US stock investing. Next, you can explore “how to pick your first US stock or ETF” or learn “Firstrade app order placement tutorial” to make your investing journey more solid.

FAQ

Does Firstrade have a minimum deposit requirement?

Firstrade has no minimum deposit requirement. You can freely decide your first deposit amount based on your financial situation. However, considering wire transfer fees, we recommend planning a reasonable initial amount to make investing more efficient.

Can I fund the account using a family member’s bank account?

No. To comply with anti-money laundering regulations, the name on the sending bank account must exactly match the English name on your Firstrade account. Using someone else’s account will result in the funds being returned and additional fees.

What is the process to withdraw from Firstrade back to Taiwan?

Log in to your account, go to “My Account” > “Deposit/Transfer”, and select “Withdraw”. Choose “Bank Wire” and fill in your Taiwan bank account details. Note that Firstrade charges a $30 USD fee for international wire withdrawals.

What if my account opening application is rejected?

If rejected, Firstrade will usually explain the reason via email — the most common issue is an unclear passport photo. Simply re-upload documents according to the instructions. The customer service team is also available to assist.