What Fidelity is and what you can do with it

Fidelity is a brokerage and investment company where you can open accounts to buy stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). You can also use Fidelity to manage retirement accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s, hold cash in savings or money market accounts, and trade options if you have the right account type. Most people use Fidelity either to invest money they have saved, or to manage retirement savings their employer has set up for them.

This guide walks you through opening an account, logging in, finding your way around the website and mobile app, and performing the most common tasks. It does not cover investment strategy or which specific funds to buy — those decisions depend on your goals, timeline, and risk tolerance, and many people consult a financial advisor for that part.

Key Takeaways

  • You can open a Fidelity account online in about 10 minutes by providing your name, address, Social Security number, and employment information.
  • After you open an account, you must fund it by linking a bank account or mailing a check before you can buy anything.
  • The Fidelity website and mobile app show your account balance, holdings, and transaction history in the same place, and you can switch between them.
  • Most common tasks — buying a fund, checking your balance, transferring money — are found under "Accounts" or "Invest" in the main menu.
  • If you have a 401(k) or IRA through an employer or previous employer, you can roll it into a Fidelity account or manage it through Fidelity's platform.

Opening a Fidelity account online

Go to fidelity.com and click "Open an Account" in the top right. You will choose what type of account you want: a taxable brokerage account (for general investing), an IRA (for retirement savings with tax advantages), a 401(k) rollover account (if you are moving money from a previous employer's plan), or a college savings account. Pick the one that matches why you are opening the account.

Fill in your name, date of birth, address, phone number, and Social Security number. Fidelity will ask about your employment status, annual income, and net worth — these are standard questions all brokerages ask, and your answers determine which account features you can use. You will also create a username and password. The whole process takes about 10 minutes.

After you submit, Fidelity will verify your identity and send you a confirmation email. Most accounts are approved within one business day. You will then receive a welcome packet by mail with your account number and instructions for funding the account.

Funding your account so you can invest

An open account with zero dollars in it cannot buy anything. You must link a bank account or send a check to move money into Fidelity first. To link a bank account, log in to your Fidelity account, go to "Accounts," and select "Add Bank Account." You will enter your bank's routing number and your account number. Fidelity will make two small test deposits (usually under $1 each) to your bank account within one to two business days. You then log into your bank and confirm those amounts to Fidelity to prove you own the account.

Once your bank account is verified, you can transfer money to Fidelity whenever you want. Transfers usually arrive within three to five business days. If you prefer to mail a check, write it to "Fidelity Investments" and include your account number on the back. Mail it to the address Fidelity provides in your welcome packet. Checks take one to two weeks to clear.

You do not have to fund the account all at once. Many people set up automatic transfers — for example, $500 every payday — so money flows into their Fidelity account on a schedule.

Logging in and navigating the website

Go to fidelity.com and click "Log In" in the top right. Enter your username and password. Fidelity will ask for a second form of verification — usually a code sent to your phone or email, or a code from an authenticator app if you set one up. This two-step verification protects your account from unauthorized access.

Once you are logged in, you see your account dashboard. The left side shows a menu with options like "Accounts," "Invest," "Research," and "Planning." Your account balance and a list of what you own appear in the center. The top right shows your name and a settings icon.

To see details about a specific holding, click on it. To buy something new, go to "Invest" and search for the fund or stock by name or ticker symbol. To move money between accounts or to your bank, go to "Accounts" and select "Transfer." To see your transaction history, go to "Accounts" and click "History."

Using the Fidelity mobile app

Download the Fidelity app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Log in with the same username and password you use on the website. The app shows the same information as the website — your balance, holdings, and recent transactions — but in a format designed for a phone screen.

The app has a bottom menu with tabs for "Accounts," "Invest," "Research," and "More." Tap "Accounts" to see your balance and holdings. Tap "Invest" to search for and buy funds or stocks. Tap "Research" to read news and analysis about companies and markets. Tap "More" to access settings, transfer money, or contact customer service.

Many people use the app to check their balance and recent activity, and use the website when they need to make changes or do something more complex. Both are always up to date — a transaction you make on the app appears on the website within seconds, and vice versa.

Buying and selling investments

To buy a fund or stock, go to "Invest" on the website or tap "Invest" on the app. Type the name or ticker symbol of what you want to buy in the search box. For example, if you want to buy the Fidelity S&P 500 Index Fund, type "FXAIX" (its ticker symbol) or "S&P 500." Click on the result.

You will see the fund's price, performance history, and expense ratio (the yearly fee Fidelity charges to hold it). Click "Buy" or "Trade." Enter the dollar amount you want to invest or the number of shares you want to buy. Fidelity will show you the estimated cost. Click "Preview Order" to review, then "Submit Order" to complete the purchase.

The order usually goes through immediately during market hours (Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern time). If you place an order after market hours or on a weekend, it will be processed the next market day. To sell something you own, find it in your holdings, click "Sell," enter how many shares you want to sell, and submit the order the same way.

Understanding your account statements and fees

Fidelity sends you a statement every month showing your account balance, all transactions, and any fees charged. You can view statements online by going to "Accounts" and clicking "Statements." Statements show what you bought, what you sold, dividends you received, and any interest earned.

Most Fidelity accounts have no account maintenance fees. However, some investments charge fees — mutual funds and ETFs have expense ratios, which are small yearly percentages taken from your balance automatically. For example, an expense ratio of 0.03% on a $10,000 investment costs $3 per year. Fidelity's index funds tend to have low expense ratios. If you trade frequently, Fidelity charges no commission on stocks or ETFs, but options trades may have a small per-contract fee.

You can see all fees associated with your account by going to "Accounts," clicking "Account Features," and selecting "Fees." This page shows your account type, any advisory fees if you use Fidelity's advisory services, and the expense ratios of funds you own.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I reset my Fidelity password?

Go to fidelity.com and click "Log In." At the bottom of the login box, click "Forgot Username or Password?" Enter your username or the email address associated with your account. Fidelity will send you a link to reset your password. Click the link and create a new password. You can then log in with your new password.

Can I transfer money from another brokerage into Fidelity?

Yes. Log into your Fidelity account, go to "Accounts," and select "Transfer Investments." You will provide the name of your other brokerage and your account number there. Fidelity will contact that brokerage and move your holdings over. The process usually takes five to ten business days. You can transfer stocks, funds, and other investments without selling them first.

What is the difference between a taxable account and an IRA?

A taxable brokerage account has no contribution limits and no tax advantages — you pay taxes on dividends and gains every year. An IRA lets you contribute up to $7,000 per year (or $8,000 if you are 50 or older) and offers tax breaks: a traditional IRA defers taxes until you withdraw money in retirement, and a Roth IRA lets you withdraw money tax-free in retirement. Choose based on whether you are saving for retirement or for a shorter-term goal.

How do I contact Fidelity customer service?

Log into your account and click the phone icon or "Contact Us" in the top right. You can call, chat online, or schedule a callback. Fidelity also has a customer service number on your account statements and welcome packet. Phone lines are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern time, and Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time.

What happens to my account if I do not log in for a long time?

Your account stays open and your money stays invested. Fidelity does not close accounts for inactivity. However, if your account has no activity for several years and you do not respond to mail from Fidelity, your account may be turned over to your state as unclaimed property. You can always reclaim it by contacting Fidelity or your state's unclaimed property office.