InvestorLine Self-Directed
Our easy-to-use online trading platform lets you invest in stocks, ETFs, mutual funds and more! We provide research, tips and tools so you can make every trade with confidence.
Commission free trading on some of Canada's most popular ETF's footnote dagger
Elevate your trading strategy with our new BMO Active Trader platform
Advanced tools and capabilities like multi-leg options, screeners, strategy builders with margin trades evaluated using real time buying power calculations
Benchmark, Customize and Track your performance with our easy-to-use analysis tools
Build a more sustainable portfolio with environmental, social and governance insights
How Self-Directed works for you
Trade smarter
Real-time research and alerts, performance tracking, and margin that adjust throughout the day.
Support when you need it
We’re here to help with trading and answering any questions.
$9.95 fee per trade
Pay one low flat-rate fee per trade.
Save on ETF commissions
What Self-Directed costs
Self-Directed gives you everything you need to make informed investments with no surprise fees or additional charges. Simply pay one low flat-rate fee for each online trade you make.
- $9.95 flat fee for each trade you make online
- + $1.25 per options contract
- $0.00 commissions for a selection of Canada’s most popularExchange traded funds
4 types of investment accounts available with Self-Directed
These accounts are registered with the federal government and offer you certain tax incentives. Registered accounts can help with retirement investing, saving for education or a large purchase, and more.
Great for: Investing in the future while getting tax incentives.
Non-registered accounts don’t offer any tax advantages. There are no limits to your contributions, however, so you’re free to contribute and withdraw as much as you want.
Great for: Saving for a large purchase like a down payment.
Accounts offered: Individual, Joint, Cash or Margin
Do you have a pension and are leaving your company? A locked-in account allows you to hold your money once you’ve left, and keep it in the account until you’re ready to enjoy your retirement.
Great for: Investors with a pension.
Accounts offered: L I R A, LRSP, RLSP, LRIF, LIF
A corporate or non-personal account is a type of non-registered account that is set up in the name of a business or other entity.
Great for: Investing on the behalf of another individual, a business, or an association.
Accounts offered: Trusts, estates, associations, corporations, investment clubs or partnerships, personal holding companies.
Investment types available with Self-Directed
Stocks
Stocks are easily tradeable units of ownership in a publicly traded company. Get access to stock trading on the major North American exchanges, including the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and NASDAQ
Options
Options are contracts that give you the right to buy or sell stock at a set price by a certain date. A great way to broaden your opportunities and help to reduce risk.
CDRs
Canadian Depositary Receipts allow investors to invest in global companies that are listed on foreign exchanges. CDRs are listed on a Canadian exchange and priced in Canadian dollars.
ETFs
Exchange traded funds (ETFs) are a combination of equities, fixed income and other assets. They can be traded just like stocks, and come with typically low management fees. We offer a selection of ETFs, commission-free.
GICs
A guaranteed investment certificate (GIC) is a secure investment that guarantee 100% of your principal, meaning your initial investment is safe, no matter what the market does.
Mutual Funds
A mutual fund pools your money with other investors to buy a portfolio of investments overseen by a portfolio manager. They are easy to purchase with low investment amounts.
Bonds
Bonds are fixed-income contracts that function like loan agreements between investors and borrowers.
Experienced trader? Elevate your trading with BMO’s 5-Star Program
Tailored for seasoned traders, our program offers exclusive tools, and dedicated support for those with 15+ trades per quarter or over $250,000 in investments.
- Preferred rates and pricing
- Professional-level tools, like BMO Active Trader
- Industry-leading research
- Dedicated 5-star support
Invest on the go with the new BMO Invest App
Log-in to your Self-Directed accounts wherever you are and start trading now
Buy and sell some of Canada’s most popular Exchange traded fundsfor free
Trade across the major North American exchanges with confidence and ease
Note: The BMO Invest app is designed for mobile phones. For the best BMO InvestorLine experience on tablets please use the latest version of your web browser. Supported browsers include Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari.
Want to learn more about online investing?
What is a Canadian Depositary Receipt (CDR)?
Learn how a CDR can help you invest in global companies to assist with investment goals.
Are you ready for online investing?
Here’s how to know if you’re ready to start investing online.
How much control do you want over your online investments?
Do you want to chart your own course or fly on autopilot?
InvestorLine Self-DirectedFrequently asked questions
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced investor, Self-Directed gives you the control to manage your own investments. If you’re an active trader, you might want to consider the 5 Star Program.
Each trade of stocks and Exchange traded funds you make online with Self-Directed comes with a flat fee of $9.95. Trading options comes with an additional fee of $1.25 per contract, plus the flat-fee.
Additional fees for trading mutual funds, bonds, GICs, gold and silver can be found in the commission & fee schedule PDF
Self-Directed TFSA accounts do not have account fees. There are also no account fees for registered accounts with a balance of over $25,000 and for non-registered accounts with a balance of over $15,000.
There is no minimum balance to open a Self-Directed account, just collect the required documents and you can start your application today.
Opening an account is simple–you can complete an online application here, open an account in a branch, or over the phone. Don’t forget to get your documents in order before you start.
You must submit an Authorization to Transfer form. By signing into your account, select Move Money from the top menu bar, our site will guide you on whether your transfer request is eligible for electronic submission or if a manual form is required.
For any additional questions, you can visit our frequently asked questions page.
Have questions? That’s what we’re here for.
Call us
Connect with an Investment Specialist from Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (ET).
1-888-776-6886 North America (Toll-free)
1-416-355-8366 International (Collect call)
Chat with us
Connect with a Specialist from Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (ET).
Let us contact you
Have one of our Specialists contact you to discuss your needs.