Merrill-Lynch

So they call it hardship but they're the only ones giving you a hard time! Rejected 5 times on the same application which if you think about it that’s my money!! I really don’t think they look at the paperwork. Just easier to deny for them. I told them that if I could take all my money out with a penalty I would.

I had moved all my funds out of my 401K into a different account, received a email (my preference for delivery) confirming the termination. Six months later a late company match was contributed and reopened the account on its own - Only to be terminated AGAIN 6 months later. Supposedly ML sent a "force out letter" but I had already relocated. They just reissue a check with fees and taxes attached. There is no way to prevent this from happening, you just must be aware and hope that you haven't changed too far from a terminated account's contact information. Per ML's supervisor, they do not give out any kind of phone calls. Only mail or email and even that is not guaranteed as they cannot verify what was sent.

I have no choice but using Merrill-Lynch (ML) only because my company's 401k account is opened at ML. I tried to purchase stock using ML 401k account and it never allows me to purchase stock with price lower than $5, not to mention the $10 fee per transaction online and $12 fee per transaction on the phone. While other broker account only charge $5 per transaction and no limit on stock price. It looks like ML is way behind the peers in the area and using grandfather rules and technologies. If I can choose I will 120% not use ML.

I have been a customer of Bank America in Marietta, GA since 1990. I recently deposited a $189,000+ check from a sale of my house into my checking account as a temporary transit to my CIT Bank account which is paying a higher interest rate. The teller flagged and referred me to a Merrill Lynch representative who persuaded me to open a Merrill Edge Platinum Account and told me ML could match the CIT interest rate. That's where my nightmare began. When I told the rep that my credit history was frozen and I would be glad to unfreeze it if he told me which credit agency ML uses, he assured me that it would not be necessary.

I never leave reviews on products or companies but for Merrill-Lynch prospective clients I will. Please don’t make the mistake that I made by trusting my account with ML. Their customer service is the poorest I’ve ever encountered. The people you speak to seem like they couldn’t care less about you. I lodged a formal complaint but I know it won’t go anywhere. Once you need your funds they DO NOT want to give them to you. I know, ML is a big name so one would think they’re good to go but read thru the reviews first and go with a smaller company that cares. They don’t need your money, they have plenty.

We have checking and saving accounts with BOA. I've opened CMA account with Merrill Edge 2 years ago. Suddenly, they send me a letter to terminate my CMA. I called them and a sale guy said that he could not tell me a reason why they terminate my CMA. They forced me to sell all my stocks and block my account so I could not trade my stocks. BAD BAD BAD Investment company. DO NOT open account with them.

ML does not need customers. They have enough internal processes and departments to keep themselves busy and they do. I am ending a 19 year relationship because things have gone beyond recourse. Simple calls to obtain clarification become a mountain to climb. Three-yearly data verification becomes an occasion to threaten to lock the account. The employees themselves are not to blame. They are hiding behind a strong process curtain that de-humanizes the customer.

I bought stock with Merrill-Lynch from within my employer. They added hidden fees to my account and decided to sell my stock to cover the fees without my permission. I planned to hold on to my stock but just to cut ties I will be selling what I have left so I can end my relationship with these crooks.

I have just been through a huge nightmare with Merrill-Lynch and the investment team. Buyer beware. I'm doing you a favor. They may hear what you want but they do not listen. I felt pressured into signing things that were not understood or told, not to worry because they have me covered. WRONG!!!! Run from this company.

If there is a possibility that at some time in the future you may want to move your money to another investment company, never EVER start with Merrill-Lynch. My new investment adviser has been trying for almost 2 months to get my money transferred from Merrill-Lynch to TD Ameritrade. They have thrown up one roadblock after another. Today I had to resign a bunch of documents because Merrill did not like how my signature "looked"; OUTRAGEOUS!!! It's the client's money! They should be able to do what they want with their money without interference by Merrill-Lynch!!!