How to open a brokerage account: Step-by-step instructions
Not quite sure how to get started with investing? Here’s how to open a brokerage account in just three steps.
4 min read
Aug 22, 2024
Brian Baker, CFA
Senior writer, Investing and Retirement
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15Years of experience
EXPERTISE
- Investing
- Wealth management
- Behavioral finance
- Stock analysis and valuation
EDUCATION
- CFA Institute
- Bachelor of Arts, Finance, Michigan State University
- Master of Science, Journalism, Northwestern University
Brian Baker, CFA, covers investing and retirement for Bankrate. He previously worked in equity research at Diamond Hill Capital Management and is a CFA Charterholder. His work has appeared online in various publications including MarketWatch, Fortune, the Omaha World-Herald, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, The Detroit News, MSN and Yahoo Finance. He also serves on the Investment Task Force for the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing.
Prior to joining Bankrate, he covered mergers and acquisitions for MLex Market Insight in Washington, D.C. Baker is passionate about helping people make sense of complicated financial topics so that they can better plan for their financial futures.
Readers can rely on his articles to learn more about a variety of investing topics such as how to start investing, investing through mutual funds, when to sell a stock and how investors can manage their emotions.
Baker’s passion for investing developed in college after reading about the success of long-term investors like Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger.
Investing can be intimidating, but following some basic principles can put you on the path to achieving your financial goals.
— Brian Baker, CFA
Brian's latest articles
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Alternative investments: What they are and popular types for making money
What to know before adding alternative investments to your portfolio.
4 min read Aug 08, 2024 -
4 key lessons following Warren Buffett’s move to sell half of Berkshire Hathaway’s Apple stock
Warren Buffett halves Apple stake: What investors can learn from the move.
3 min read Aug 05, 2024 -
Money market yields are high – Why that may not last and where to invest instead
Why money market fund yields could fall – where to invest before they do.
3 min read Jul 30, 2024 -
Bullish vs. bearish investors: What’s the difference?
What do charging bulls and roaring bears have to do with investing? Here’s what it means to be bullish or bearish.
3 min read Jul 25, 2024 -
How to buy Dogecoin
Learn how to buy Dogecoin in a few simple steps and what to consider beforehand.
6 min read Jul 19, 2024 -
What is financial liquidity?
Financial liquidity is the ease at which an asset can be converted into cash. Conversely, an asset that is considered illiquid cannot be easily converted into cash or is difficult to trade.
4 min read Jul 17, 2024 -
What is dividend yield and how is it calculated?
Stock investors may receive dividends. Here’s how to calculate the dividend ratio.
4 min read Jul 17, 2024
