The financial industry is gearing up for the age of “anywhere, anytime, any way you want” access for tablet computers and mobile devices.
On Wednesday Merrill Lynch announced the launch of mobile brokerage apps for iPhone, iPad, and BlackBerry devices, which will allow Merrill Lynch and Merrill Edge clients to access their investments 24/7 from anywhere. Now clients will be able to view their portfolio, holdings, and account activity; move money between linked Merrill Lynch brokerage and Bank of America N.A. banking accounts; trade, stocks, mutual funds, ETFs and options in approved accounts; track the latest market news and headlines; and customize their watch lists, alerts, and other online features.
Merrill’s release of its mobile apps follows the launch of MyMerrill.com in 2009 and MerrillEdge.com last year. These applications are in addition to existing banking apps available through Bank of America.
“We continue to listen to clients and develop services that make managing their financial lives easier,” said Paul Fox, head of Merrill Lynch Online Platforms, in a statement. “Now they have access to their account information and have the ability to perform transactions anytime, and from anywhere.”
The iPad app offers features such as personalized dashboards and access to the latest research reports from BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research.
“Our mass affluent investors have consistently told us that they want to interact with us at their convenience and want multiple, coordinated access and entry points,” said Alok Prasad, head of Merrill Edge. “These new applications will give them the control and flexibility they seek and help them make confident financial decisions.”
The MyMerrill and Merrill Edge apps for the iPhone and iPad can be downloaded directly from the iTunes App Store (
BlackBerry users can download the MyMerrill and Merrill Edge apps directly from their Merrill Lynch website.
