Blog/Best Savings Bonuses/Merrill Edge $100–$600 Brokerage Bonus - 2026 Review

Merrill Edge $100–$600 Brokerage Bonus - 2026 Review

✓ Verified Aug 17, 2026 (no published end date)
By Nathaniel Booth2026-04-10Last updated 2026-07-27Savings Bonuses
BrokerageBank BonusNationwideBrokerageHigh YieldNo Monthly FeeTiered Bonus
Offer Details
Account TypeSavings
Base APY3.50%
Funding Window45 days
Maintenance Period90 days
Total Hold~100 days
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Bank bonuses are taxable interest — expect a 1099-INT. See our bank bonus tax guide.

Bonus Tiers & Effective APY

$20,000 deposit5.3% effective APY
Cash Bonus$100
Est. Interest~$192
Total Earnings~$292
$50,000 deposit4.6% effective APY
Cash Bonus$150
Est. Interest~$479
Total Earnings~$629
$100,000 deposit4.4% effective APY
Cash Bonus$250
Est. Interest~$959
Total Earnings~$1,209
$200,000 deposit4.6% effective APY
Cash Bonus$600
Est. Interest~$1,918
Total Earnings~$2,518

Overview

Merrill Edge currently offers up to $600 through its brokerage promotion. The headline tier requires $200,000 and keeps the funds committed for roughly 100 days. That is approximately 1.1% annualized before tax and opportunity-cost adjustments.

Who This Savings Bonus Is Best For

People with $200,000 of genuinely idle cash who can leave it committed for roughly 100 days without sacrificing a better use for the funds.

How to Maximize This Bonus

Fund the account inside the 45-day window, target the tier you can maintain comfortably, and keep the qualifying balance in place for the full 90-day maintenance period. Avoid moving the money until the reward posts.

Pros

+Up to $600 cash bonus
+No monthly maintenance fee
+Nationwide eligibility, subject to account rules
+4 payout tiers

Cons

-$200,000 required for the headline tier
-Capital is committed for roughly 100 days

How This Compares to Other Bonuses

Merrill Edge's $600 headline payout is closest to E*TRADE's $400 offer. Compare the required capital, holding time, account fees, and base interest, not only the bonus.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current Merrill Edge promotion?

Merrill Edge currently offers up to $600. The headline requirement is $200,000 deposit held for about 90 days.

How much money is required for the Merrill Edge bonus?

The highest advertised payout currently requires $200,000. Lower tiers may require less; review the tier table on this page.

How long is the money committed?

Plan on approximately 100 days including funding, maintenance, settlement, and a practical payout buffer.

Eligibility

AvailabilityNationwide
Lifetime LimitNo

Merrill Edge Self-Directed brokerage account (CMA) or IRA. You have to enter offer code 600ME during the online application, or give it to a Merrill Financial Solutions Advisor on the phone, or hand it to a banker at a Bank of America financial center. Fund the new account with qualifying net new assets within 45 days and keep the balance for at least 90 days. Money moved from another Merrill account, from Bank of America Private Bank, or from a 401(k) that Merrill already administers does not count as new. Limit of one CMA bonus and one IRA bonus per person. Balances also count toward Bank of America Preferred Rewards.

Fees

Monthly Fee$0

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Affiliate disclosure: Fat Stacks Academy may earn a commission if you open an account through this link, at no additional cost to you.

Sources (2)

We last checked this against the bank's page on August 17, 2026.

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Affiliate Disclosure

Fat Stacks Academy may earn a commission when you open an account through links on this page, at no additional cost to you. Commissions do not influence our reviews — we verify offer terms directly with each bank before publishing and do not accept paid placement in our rankings. Bonus offers, requirements, and fees are determined by each financial institution and may change at any time. Always verify the current terms directly with the bank before applying. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.

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