How To Transfer From E*TRADE To Webull

Webull is a newer commission-free stock trading app offering a sleek user interface, emerging as a major competitor in the online investing space thanks to innovative tools and rapid platform evolution.

E*TRADE, now a Morgan Stanley company, is one of the most well-known and comprehensive brokerage platforms, trusted by millions for its extensive research tools, broad investment selection, and mobile and web-based trading capabilities.

This article provides comprehensive, up-to-date instructions on how to transfer your assets from E*TRADE to Webull, step by step. We have included important tips about recent platform updates, transfer incentives, and best practices to ensure your process is smooth and transparent.

New Webull Features

Before proceeding with your transfer, it’s valuable to understand Webull’s latest offerings and platform innovations. In November 2025, Webull launched Vega, its next-generation AI-powered investment assistant, which offers:

• Real-time, personalized investment intelligence
• Statistical analysis for stocks and options
• AI-assisted portfolio reviews and risk breakdowns
• Natural language commands for order entry and account inquiries
• Access to trending news and AI-summarized research

This advanced AI capability distinguishes Webull in today's market, providing tailored insights for both beginner and advanced investors. Vega is accessible on both desktop and mobile platforms, empowering users with plain-English investment guidance whenever and wherever needed.

Webull’s expanded ecosystem now includes enhanced community features, robust options and crypto trading (digital currency trading now available via the stand-alone Webull Pay app), as well as educational tools and social learning areas for new investors.

On the other side, E*TRADE, since its acquisition by Morgan Stanley, continues to offer a wide array of features, including strong research tools and mutual fund access, though industry reviews as of 2025 note its mobile app has lagged behind newer platforms like Webull and others in speed and UI intuitiveness.

Understanding Transfer Incentives & Costs

One of the best-kept secrets among investors is that most brokers, including Webull and some rivals, will cover your transfer costs—sometimes even more.

• Webull reimburses up to $175 in transfer fees. For transfers of $2,000 or more into a cash or margin account, Webull reimburses $100; for eligible retirement account transfers (Traditional, Roth, Rollover IRA), $75 is reimbursed. You must complete your incoming transfer, then submit a reimbursement request within 30 days to qualify.
  Tip: Always check current promotions, as incentives can change frequently, and some competitors like Public.com now match up to 1% of ACAT transfers.
• E*TRADE’s outgoing transfer fee is typically $75. This will be charged by E*TRADE when you move your full account, but reimbursed by Webull if you meet eligibility requirements.

Webull does not charge for incoming ACAT transfers. There are no fees to transfer your assets into the platform.

For partial transfers or smaller accounts (under $2,000), consider the net impact of fees versus possible reimbursement.

Which Assets Can (and Cannot) Be Transferred?

Webull supports U.S.-listed stocks, ETFs (exchange traded funds), ADRs (American Depositary Receipts), and options via incoming ACATS (Automated Customer Account Transfer Service) transfers.

• Supported: U.S.-listed equities, most ETFs, ADRs, eligible options contracts (other restrictions may apply; see below).
• Not Supported: Mutual funds, bonds, unit investment trusts (UITs), and foreign stocks are NOT supported by Webull's clearing partner, Apex Clearing. These will be rejected if included in your transfer request.
• Cryptocurrency holdings at E*TRADE: These cannot be transferred via ACATS. If you wish to invest in crypto, you must open a Webull Pay account and fund it separately.
• Fractional shares: Cannot be transferred. Fractional share holdings will be liquidated by E*TRADE and sent as cash to your new Webull account as a residual sweep, generally within a few days after main asset transfer completion.

Practical guidance: Before initiating an account transfer, review your E*TRADE holdings. Sell any unsupported securities ahead of time, if you wish to move proceeds, and ensure your portfolio consists of eligible assets only—or expect those assets to be excluded from the move.

Options transfer: Options contracts must have at least two weeks until expiration to qualify for transfer. Your Webull options approval level must be sufficient for any strategies present in your portfolio.

How Long Does the Transfer Process Take?

With upgrades to the ACATS infrastructure in 2025, most account transfers complete in 3-5 business days. Settlement may occur slightly faster thanks to recent process acceleration, though complicated cases or account errors may take longer.

Here’s a general timeline:

1. Transfer Initiation (in Webull app): You submit a transfer request, specifying E*TRADE as the deliverer, account type, and asset scope (full or partial).
2. Verification & Matching (1-2 business days): E*TRADE reviews to ensure account holder name, account type, and number match across both platforms. Discrepancies result in immediate rejection and notification.
3. Asset Movement (typically 2–4 business days): Once accepted, assets are pulled from E*TRADE and settled in your Webull account.
4. Residual sweeps & cost basis delivery: Cash moves for residuals (fractional sales, dividends, etc.) follow within a few days; cost basis information will appear within 10-15 business days.

Important: Webull enforces a 30-day transfer hold period on incoming assets. You cannot withdraw or transfer these assets out (to another brokerage or as a withdrawal) during this hold.

Watch My Step-by-Step Transfer Video

Check out my video on how to transfer your brokerage account below, then let’s dive into the full written steps and vital tips for every stage!

1. Open A Webull Account (If You Haven’t Already)

The account transfer process can be started directly from the Webull app, and only takes a few minutes. When you complete the application, your Webull account is typically approved with immediate funding access.

Webull supports multiple account types for incoming transfers:

• Individual cash account
• Individual margin account
• Traditional IRA
• Roth IRA
• Rollover IRA
• Joint (for accounts with multiple owners; requires special transfer form for account conversion)

Pro Tip: Your Webull account type must match your E*TRADE account type and owner name exactly—otherwise, the transfer will be rejected. (For example: you cannot transfer a joint account into an individual account without paperwork; all names must match verbatim, including middle initials or suffixes.)

New to Webull? Explore all features with my full tutorial below!

2. Gather Your E*TRADE Account Information

To transfer your E*TRADE account, you’ll need your E*TRADE account number (exactly as it appears on your statement or online account). This number is required for every step of the transfer process, and mistyped numbers are a common source of transfer rejection.

To find your account number:

1. Log in to E*TRADE online or via the app.
2. In the main navigation, under “Accounts,” click “Complete View.”
3. Locate your account on the next screen. Click on “Show Number” to reveal the full 8-digit account number.
4. Ensure you copy the number exactly. Compare your full name and account type to what you’re registering at Webull.

Tip: If the account is a joint or retirement account (IRA, Roth, etc.), double check that all owner names and types match identically between platforms—including middle initials, suffixes, etc.

Now you’re ready to initiate your transfer!

3. Initiate Transfer From E*TRADE To Webull

In order for the transfer to go smoothly, make sure your name and type of account on E*TRADE is identical (including spelling, order, and suffixes) to the new Webull account’s name and type.

If any discrepancies exist—for instance, "John A. Smith" vs "John Smith" or "Roth IRA" vs "Traditional IRA"—the transfer will be rejected by E*TRADE and require resubmission after you correct your account info.

Transfer steps in the Webull app:

1. Log in to your Webull account.
2. Tap the Webull Icon in the center of the bottom navigation bar.
3. Across the top, open the menu and tap “Transfers”.
4. Select “Transfer Stocks into Webull” (for ACAT-eligible assets).
5. Choose your delivering broker (E*TRADE).
6. Tap “Continue”, and enter your E*TRADE account number exactly.
7. Select Full Transfer (all eligible assets) or Partial Transfer (choose specific assets) as desired.
8. Tap “Submit Stock Transfer Request” to finalize your instructions.

This transfer will typically take 3-5 business days. While waiting, you can track the transfer status within the Webull app (under Transfers > Stock Transfers), and you will receive a notification when assets arrive or if problems arise.

As noted earlier, while Webull doesn't charge fees for incoming ACAT transfers, E*TRADE usually charges a $75 outgoing ACAT fee. Be sure to submit a fee reimbursement request in the Webull app if you are eligible.

Webull does not support transfers below $500 in total value due to high processing cost. If your account falls below this, consider a manual withdrawal and re-investment instead.

4. Common Transfer Issues and How To Troubleshoot

The most common reasons for transfer rejection are:

• Account name or type mismatch (including middle initials and joint owners)
• Account numbers mistyped or incomplete
• Transfer request below $500 minimum
• Ineligible assets included (such as mutual funds or bonds)
• Options contracts with less than two weeks until expiration
• Outstanding/unsettled trades
• Attempting to transfer to a different account type (e.g. individual to joint)

If your transfer is rejected, you’ll receive an app or email notification with the reason. Correct the information as directed, then restart the process in your Webull app. You can always reach out to Webull or E*TRADE support with questions.

Best Practice: To avoid delays, ensure both accounts are updated with identical information prior to initiating a transfer. If you recently changed your name due to marriage/divorce or have made legal changes, update with both brokers first.

5. What Happens After You Transfer?

Once your assets arrive in your Webull account:

• Your transferred positions become available for trading (with some restrictions—see below)
• Fractional shares are converted to cash and added to your balance after a few days
• Cost basis information (vital for taxes) is automatically imported, typically within 10-15 business days after transfer settlement. If you don’t see cost basis by then, contact Webull customer support.
• Assets are held in your new account for at least 30 days per Webull’s hold policy, during which assets cannot be transferred out or withdrawn to another broker.

Cost Basis Details: Cost basis, including acquisition price, dates, and wash sale adjustments, is sent electronically from E*TRADE to Webull for tax reporting. Webull displays average cost per security (not granular lot selection). If your account had corporate actions—splits, mergers, or spin-offs—cost basis may take slightly longer. Should cost basis data not import automatically, request an update from Webull support and, if necessary, contact E*TRADE to have the info resent.

6. Advanced: Joint Accounts and Special Transfers

Joint accounts and certain unique account types (clubs, trusts, corporations) require special steps.
If you want to transfer a joint account at E*TRADE into an individual account at Webull, or vice versa, you must fill out Webull’s special Transfer Request Form and submit it via email to Webull support. Standard in-app ACAT transfer does NOT support joint-to-individual or trust/corporate conversions.

IRA and retirement accounts require precise matching of account type (e.g., “Roth IRA” must transfer into a “Roth IRA”).

7. Comparing Platform Features: Why Switch?

Choosing between E*TRADE and Webull depends on your investing style and platform needs.
Research & Technical Tools: E*TRADE leads with award-winning research (five-star rated), superior technical indicators, and strong mutual fund access.
Webull provides a modern mobile-first experience, Vega, ladder trading, instant options analytics, a robust options platform for active, cost-conscious traders, and a thriving social trading community.
Neither platform charges stock or ETF trading commissions. Options trading is cheaper at Webull for most traders.

Investment Range:
- E*TRADE: Stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds, CDs, options, and some crypto exposure
- Webull: Stocks, ETFs, options, 50+ cryptocurrencies (via Webull Pay), but no mutual funds or bonds
- Fractional share trading: supported natively only at Webull

Additional Considerations:

• Webull offers a 0.2% annual advisory fee managed investing option for users who want a robo-advisor with free initial period.
• E*TRADE maintains broader retirement services, though Webull supports all major IRA types fee-free.
• Both platforms periodically run sign-up bonus offers and will reimburse transfer fees for eligible users. Check their promotions pages before transferring!

8. About the ACATS & Alternative Transfer Methods

Webull utilizes the ACATS (Automated Customer Account Transfer Service) network for most security transfers, enabling automated partial or full account moves between brokerage firms. The system greatly accelerates processing time and minimizes errors compared to manual transfers.

For direct-registered shares (DRS, i.e., stock certificates registered in your name), Webull can accept transfers, but shares will be re-held in “street name” at Apex Clearing. This process must be initiated with support and typically takes 3-5 business days. Outgoing DRS transfers from Webull incur a fee of $115 per position for registering shares in shareholder names.

If you only want to move cash, you may choose to sell all your securities, transfer funds electronically (ACH, bank wire), and reinvest at Webull. Be aware, though, this can trigger taxable events, so consult with a professional for personalized advice if in doubt.

9. Support and Next Steps

If you encounter problems or need help at any stage:

• Use in-app support chat or email on both Webull and E*TRADE platforms.
• Contact Webull support for transfer-specific or cost basis issues.
• Contact E*TRADE for account info updates or residual asset handling.
• Refer to platform’s help centers for the latest ACAT process documentation and policy updates.

Once your transfer is complete and portfolio is active at Webull,

• check for cost basis import (10–15 days post-transfer),
• submit your transfer fee reimbursement claim (if eligible),
• review your asset mix,
• start trading, learning, and exploring AI-driven insights with Vega!

10. Final Tips & Summary

Transferring your E*TRADE account to Webull can, with the right preparation, be quick and painless. Take time to:

• Check that all account details, owner names, and types match precisely between platforms.
• Audit your portfolio for ineligible or unsupported assets before you begin.
• Know the current transfer incentives and submit any necessary reimbursement forms quickly.
• Allow up to a week for completion, and monitor transfer status in your app.
• Confirm cost basis and portfolio details post-transfer for tax and reporting accuracy.

Webull’s platform is changing quickly, with AI-driven features, crypto integrations, and better onboarding incentives than ever. For up-to-the-moment details, always check both brokerages’ official help centers or reach out to support teams with any unique questions about your situation.

If you’re still undecided, take advantage of both platforms’ demo modes or limited-fund live accounts to compare usability, research, and execution quality directly. The right platform for you will match your investment goals, trading style, and need for educational support—and with transfer promotions removing most cost barriers, it’s easier than ever to move your portfolio as your life and needs evolve.