Home Firstrade Tech: ACH transaction from BofA account to Firstade

Tech: ACH transaction from BofA account to Firstade

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As this was not trivial for me to make cheaper the money-transfer between my accounts at different institutions, let me describe this here.

With purpose to be able doing cheaper [$3] 3-day ACH transfers (instead expensive [$30] one-day wire) you need to a setup ACH transfer agreement.

ACH acronym stands for Automated Clearing House (ACH).

ACH is the primary system that agencies use for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).

 

STEP 1: Download our Electronic Funds Transfer (ACH) Agreement and input your information. Review, Print and Sign the form.

STEP 2: Attach a voided check or most recent bank statement.

STEP 3: Online Document Upload, Email, Fax or Mail the above documents to:

Online Document Upload:Please upload completed form via the Form Center after logging into your Firstrade account, click on Customer Service -> Form Center -> Upload Form
Email: ACH_Service@firstrade.com
Fax: 1-718-961-3919
Mailing Address:
    Firstrade Securities Inc.
    30-50 Whitestone Expwy.
    Ste. A301
    Flushing, NY 11354

  • After I sent mail with filled ACH  agreement form to ACH_service@firstrade.com I got this notification below with a request to provide additional documents:

SUBJECT: Firstrade ACH Application: Pending for Further Verification

Dear Pavel Gesyuk:

Thank you for choosing Firstrade as your online broker.

We received the ACH agreement you recently submitted for your Firstrade account number ending in 457. However, additional documentation is required to establish an ACH transfer profile. Please see details below:

  • U.S. Visa.
  • Please provide proof of residency (USA), for example: an utility bill (electric, telephone, gas, cable, water, etc.) with your current U.S. address.
  • Bank Statement

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

Sincerely,

Firstrade Securities Inc.

  • This is how I replied to that request of additional documents:

SUBJECT: ACH agreement with Pavel Gesyuk

Hi!

As per your request, please have

– my passport + US visa attached
– please have my bank statement
 
Hope this will be enough for the agreement approval 
 
In relation to a proof to US residency: there was no such a requirement here https://www.firstrade.com/content/en-us/customerservice/fundaccount 
Is it required? I’m NRA (Non-Resident Alien) for this specific case
 
Thanks.
  • Luckily the process described above was sufficient in my case. It took about 1 month.
  • This is the final letter I received:

SUBJECT: ACH Banking Profile Established for Your Firstrade Account Ending in XXX

Dear PAVEL GESYUK, 

Please be advised that your electronic funds transfer (ACH) banking profile has been successfully established. 

You can start funding your Firstrade account simply by following a few easy steps: 

  • Step 1: Log in to Firstrade’s website and click on “Deposit/Transfer” under the My Accounts tab.
  • Step 2: Click on the Transaction Type in the “Fund Transfer” section and choose “Electronic Funds (ACH)”.
  • Step 3: Enter the amount you wish to transfer and then click Submit.

It’s fast and simple and provides a convenient way for you to increase your portfolio. For additional information, please visit: https://www.firstrade.com/content/en-us/customerservice/fundaccount 

Funds transferred electronically will typically be available after one or two business days. Under certain conditions the funds may not be available until three business days after the funds are received. 

Thank you for choosing Firstrade as your online broker. 

Sincerely, 

Cashier Department
Firstrade Securities Inc.
Tel: (718) 961-6600
Toll-free: (800) 869-8800
E-mail: ach_service@firstrade.com

  • Once ACH agreement is established you can start doing transactions.
    But, NOTE: ACH transfer has to be initiated on Firstrade’s end using the following steps

Step 1: Log in to Firstrade’s website and click on “Deposit/Transfer” under the My Accounts tab.
Step 2: Click on the Transaction Type in the “Fund Transfer” section and choose “Electronic Funds (ACH)“.
Step 3: Enter the amount you wish to transfer and then click Submit.

  • You can follow your ACH transaction using this link:

https://invest.firstrade.com/cgi-bin/main#/content/myaccount/fundmgmt/history/

 

More resources on ACH:

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