* This applies to US brokers only. If you are just getting into investing in publically traded securities or have been investing for some time, there are some things you should know, some rules of the road. In the US all brokerages are required to have SPIC insurance. It protects investors from broker fraud and theft. It covers investor cash and securities up to $500,000 with a $250,000 cap on cash. But investors need to make sure they retain statements and can prove what was held in their account. That's an important fact, too many people overlook. http://sipc.org/for-investors/protecting-against-fraud Below is a listing of top brokerages for 2014: http://www.stockbrokers.com/2014-online-broker-review.html Below is a FINRA website (a regulatory body) which allows people to checkout their brokers. It's important to select a good broker. http://brokercheck.finra.org/Search...ck_PS_Branded_BR&utm_term=+finra +Brokercheck
