Online Brokers Rated

Kiplinger's Personal

Finance

A recent issue of rated online brokers on a numberof criteria, from brokerage fees tocustomer service. The rankings were alsosplit into two lists: one for investors with$50,000 to invest and another for thosewith $500,000. Topping the rankings forsmall investors was Muriel Siebert &Co, which also came in second on thelarge-investor list. Fidelity Brokerage ledthe list for large investors, but slipped tofourth in the ratings for small investors,mostly due to steep costs for those withless cash. Far down on both lists wereAmeritrade and Charles Schwab; Ameritradewas downgraded based on customerservice, and Schwab scored lowdue to its fee structure.