How brokerage transfer (ACATS) bonuses work
Updated October 16, 2026 · Offer data last verified 2026-10-16 · Not financial or tax advice.
You don't have to sell your investments to switch brokers. In the US, most account moves go through ACATS (the Automated Customer Account Transfer Service). It's an industry system that moves stocks, ETFs and cash from one broker to another "in kind", so your positions arrive as they are. Because it's easy to move whole portfolios this way, brokers compete for these transfers with bonuses.
How an ACATS transfer works, step by step
- Open the new account with the same registration as the old one: individual to individual, Roth IRA to Roth IRA, and so on. Mismatched names or account types are the most common reason transfers get rejected.
- Register for the promotion first if it needs a promo code or enrollment. Many offers only count transfers started after you enroll.
- Start the transfer at the new broker. You give it the old broker's name, your account number and the transfer type (full or partial). Upload a recent statement if asked.
- Wait. A full ACATS transfer usually finishes in about a week. Mutual funds that the new broker doesn't carry, fractional shares and some proprietary products may have to be sold or stay behind.
- Check cost basis. Your purchase history should come across with the shares. Check it after the move.
Selling isn't required, and that matters for taxes
An in-kind transfer isn't a sale, so moving a taxable portfolio by ACATS doesn't create capital gains. Selling everything, withdrawing cash and depositing it elsewhere can trigger capital gains, and it takes longer. If an offer only counts cash deposits, factor that in.
Live offers that pay for transfers
| Offer | Max bonus | Min deposit | Hold | Best yield | Ends | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Public | $3,000 | $100,000 | 2190d | 0.50% | 2026-10-26 | official terms ↗ |
 Robinhood | $3,000 | $100,000 | 1825d | 0.60% | 2026-10-16 | official terms ↗ |
 Firstrade IRA | $3,000 | $100,000 | 1825d | 0.60% | No end date listed | official terms ↗ |
 Webull IRA match | $2,500 | $8,600 | 1825d | 0.70% | No end date listed | official terms ↗ |
 TradeUP | $2,000 | $50,000 | 365d | 2.00% | 2026-12-31 | official terms ↗ |
 Moomoo | $1,000 | $500 | 180d | 36.50% | 2026-10-31 | official terms ↗ |
| Public | $1,000 | $100,000 | 1825d | 0.20% | No end date listed | official terms ↗ |
| Moomoo | $600 | $20,000 | 360d | 3.04% | 2026-12-31 | official terms ↗ |
| Robinhood IRA match | $225 | $7,500 | 1825d | 0.60% | No end date listed | official terms ↗ |
Be careful: some offers count only ACH or wire deposits and specifically exclude ACATS, for example Moomoo.
Transfer fees
The outgoing broker often charges a full-transfer fee, commonly in the $50 to $150 range. Many receiving brokers reimburse it if you send the fee statement, and some offers say so in their terms. Check the offer notes, and subtract any fee that won't be reimbursed from the bonus when you compare.
How transfer bonuses are structured
Tiered flat bonuses pay a fixed amount once your net new assets cross a threshold. Percentage matches pay a share of the transferred value, sometimes uncapped, and are often paid in instalments over years. Percentage matches look huge on large portfolios, but the long payout and holding requirement is the real price. Use our return calculator guide to compare the two fairly.
"Net" new assets
Most offers measure net deposits: money in minus money out during the promotion window and the hold. Moving money out of another account at the same firm usually doesn't count. Withdrawing during the hold can reduce or cancel the bonus. Margin balances usually don't count as assets.
FAQ
How long does an ACATS transfer take?
Typically about a week for a full transfer, though it can take longer if information doesn't match or some assets can't be moved.
Will I owe taxes if I transfer my portfolio?
An in-kind ACATS transfer is not a sale, so it doesn't create capital gains by itself. Any bonus you receive is generally taxable.
Can I transfer part of my account?
Yes. Partial transfers are allowed. Check whether the offer's tier counts the partial amount and whether your old broker charges a fee for it.
Who pays the transfer fee?
The outgoing broker charges it. Many receiving brokers will reimburse it on request. Check the offer terms.
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