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Financial Services Agreement TD Ameritrade

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FINANCIAL SERVICES AGREEMENT — TD AMERITRADE

Parties and Effective Date

This Financial Services Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into by and between Client Name: and Broker: TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc., acting on behalf of TD Ameritrade (collectively "Broker"). The effective date of this Agreement is .

Account Information

Individual Joint Tenants Trust Corporation Partnership

Scope of Services

Broker agrees to provide brokerage and custodial services, trade execution, clearance and settlement, custody of assets, and such additional services as agreed in writing. Services may include, but are not limited to:

Brokerage execution and clearance Custody of securities and cash Advisory services Margin lending and securities-based lending

Fees, Commissions and Payment

Client agrees to pay all commissions, fees, interest, and charges applicable to the Account as set forth in the Broker's fee schedule. Broker may debit the Account for fees and charges without prior consent, subject to applicable law.

Late payment or insufficient funds may result in interest charges, liquidations of positions, or other remedial actions as described in Broker's policies. Broker may impose a late fee or finance charge on overdue balances.

Margin, Borrowing and Collateral

If margin services are requested and approved, Client authorizes Broker to extend credit for purchases and to loan securities, and to pledge, repledge, hypothecate, and rehypothecate Account assets as collateral. Client acknowledges receipt of and agreement to margin terms and risk disclosures.

Client elects margin services: Yes No

Representations, Warranties and Covenants

Client represents and warrants that Client has full power, authority and legal capacity to enter into this Agreement; that the information provided is true, correct and complete; and that any person signing on behalf of Client has full authority to bind Client. Client covenants to notify Broker in writing of any change in status or information.

Electronic Communications and Consent

Client consents to receiving communications, disclosures, trade confirmations, account statements, tax documents, and notices electronically to the email or other electronic contact information on file unless Client notifies Broker otherwise. Client may withdraw consent as provided in Broker's policies, subject to reasonable procedures and processing time.

I consent to electronic delivery:

Privacy, Confidentiality and Data Use

Broker will maintain the confidentiality of Client information in accordance with applicable law and Broker policy. Client authorizes Broker to use and disclose Account and transaction information to service providers, clearing agents, regulatory authorities, and other parties as required or permitted by law.

Conflicts of Interest; Best Execution

Broker will use reasonable efforts to seek best execution of orders in light of prevailing market conditions, Client instructions, and Broker's execution policy. Client acknowledges that conflicts of interest may arise and authorizes Broker to act notwithstanding such conflicts where permitted by law and disclosed to Client.

Statements, Reporting and Tax Matters

Broker will provide account statements and confirmations in accordance with its operational schedule. Client is responsible for reviewing reports promptly and notifying Broker of any discrepancies. Broker may report Account activity and tax information to tax authorities as required by law.

Indemnification and Limitation of Liability

Client shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Broker and its affiliates from any claims, damages, losses or liabilities arising from Client's breach of this Agreement, unauthorized instructions, or failure to comply with applicable law. Broker's liability for loss or damages shall be limited to direct damages resulting from Broker's gross negligence or willful misconduct to the extent permitted by law.

Arbitration; Governing Law

Except as otherwise required by law or agreement, any controversy, claim or dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be resolved by binding arbitration. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the state specified by Broker's policies, except as preempted by federal law.

Termination

Either party may terminate this Agreement upon written notice. Termination does not relieve Client of obligations for transactions initiated prior to termination or for fees, charges, or losses arising from closing or transferring positions. Client agrees to provide at least days' notice where required.

Notices

Amendment and Assignment

Broker may amend terms of this Agreement by notice to Client. Client's continued use of the Account following notice constitutes acceptance of amendments. Broker may assign or transfer its rights and duties under this Agreement to an affiliate or successor without Client consent, provided Client is notified.

Risk Acknowledgment

Client acknowledges that investing in securities, options, margin trading, and similar activities involve substantial risk, including loss of principal. Client has read and understands the risk disclosures provided by Broker and acknowledges that past performance does not guarantee future results.

I acknowledge the risk disclosure:

Special Instructions and Additional Terms

Certifications

By signing below, Client certifies that the information provided is accurate, that Client has received and reviewed the applicable disclosures and agreements governing the Account, and that Client agrees to be bound by the terms of this Agreement, including arbitration provisions and indemnification obligations.

Client Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Broker Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Enter text✕

What the Financial Services Agreement TD Ameritrade covers

The Financial Services Agreement TD Ameritrade is a contractual framework that defines the relationship between a client and TD Ameritrade for brokerage and account services. It typically covers account type and opening conditions, fee schedules, margin and lending terms, order execution, privacy and data sharing, electronic delivery consents, dispute resolution, and termination procedures. The agreement allocates responsibilities, discloses regulatory and tax reporting obligations, and sets rules for third-party access, beneficiary designation, and communications preferences.

Why this agreement matters to account holders

A clear, signed agreement documents rights, fees, and regulatory obligations; it reduces disputes, ensures correct tax reporting, and demonstrates consent to electronic delivery under ESIGN and state law. Accurate agreements protect both the client and the broker and form the basis for later account actions or regulatory reviews.

Why this agreement matters to account holders

Who typically completes the Financial Services Agreement

Complex accounts (trusts, proprietary trading, margin, or institutional custody) often require additional documentation and authorized signers; review role and authority clauses before signing.

  • Individual investors opening cash or margin brokerage accounts for personal investing and trading.
  • Registered investment advisors and broker-dealers establishing accounts for clients or custodial arrangements.
  • Trustees, estate representatives, or corporate officers setting up trust, corporate, or retirement accounts.

How to complete the agreement step by step

Follow these sequential steps to prepare, review, and sign the TD Ameritrade Financial Services Agreement accurately.

  • 01
    Gather documents: Collect ID, SSN/EIN, trust paperwork, and authorization letters.
  • 02
    Enter account data: Complete name, address, tax ID, and account type fields.
  • 03
    Review disclosures: Read fees, margin terms, and arbitration clauses thoroughly.
  • 04
    Sign and retain: Sign, date, and save a copy for records.

Customizing the agreement and digital workflow

Map the online configuration so electronic fields, routing, and authentication meet your compliance needs.

Field Configuration
Signature Type Click-to-sign or drawn signature; require signer authentication
Authentication Email + SMS code or knowledge-based verification if higher assurance needed
Conditional Fields Show margin disclosures only if margin checkbox selected
Routing Set sequential or parallel signing order for multiple signers

Where to send or submit the completed agreement

Choose the destination and delivery method accepted by TD Ameritrade to ensure proper account setup and onboarding.

  • TD Ameritrade secure portal: Upload via broker portal for fastest processing
  • Secure email or upload: Use encrypted client upload if portal not available
  • Registered rep submission: Authorized personnel may submit on behalf of client
  • Paper by mail: Mail originals if notarization or wet signature required

Digital signing and technical requirements

Ensure the chosen platform supports audit trails, tamper-evident signed PDFs, and secure long-term storage for regulatory compliance.

  • File formats: PDF, DOCX supported; preserve original pages and exhibits
  • Authentication options: Email link, SMS code, KBA, or enterprise SSO
  • Integrations: Connectors for CRM and document storage recommended

eSignature vendor comparison for completing Financial Services Agreement TD Ameritrade

Pricing and feature availability vary by vendor and plan. signNow appears first for direct platform comparison across common capabilities.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor
Bulk Send Yes (Business Premium) Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Security and compliance controls relevant to signed agreements

Encryption in transit: TLS 1.2/1.3
Encryption at rest: AES-256
Audit trail: Timestamp, IP, action log
Certifications: SOC 2 Type II
Regulatory support: ESIGN, UETA compliance
HIPAA readiness: BAA available where required

Key penalties and risks from incorrect or incomplete agreements

Incorrect TIN: Trigger 24% backup withholding
Late reporting: $60–$330 per form (IRC §6721)
Margin breach: Forced liquidation and fees
Unauthorized signatures: Account freezes and liability
Missing consent: Electronic delivery may be unenforceable
Privacy violations: HIPAA/FTC enforcement risk

Common preparation mistakes to avoid

  • Submitting documents with inconsistent legal names causes identity verification failures and delays.
  • Omitting SSN or providing incorrect EIN leads to backup withholding and tax-reporting complications.
  • Failing to record ESIGN consumer disclosure can render electronic consent noncompliant for consumer accounts.
  • Not initialing required pages or failing to include attachments (trust docs, POAs) triggers manual follow-up.

How to update or amend a signed agreement

Follow a controlled process to amend terms, document consent, and preserve the amendment in the account record.

01

Review amendment need:

Identify clauses requiring change and legal basis
02

Draft Amendment:

Describe changes clearly and reference original agreement
03

Obtain approvals:

Get signatures from all obligated parties
04

Record execution:

Attach amendment to original and store securely
05

Notify stakeholders:

Inform client, custodian, and internal teams
06

Retain history:

Keep prior versions for audit and dispute purposes

Practical tips for accurate, efficient completion

Apply these best practices to reduce errors, accelerate onboarding, and maintain compliance.

Prepare verification materials
Assemble identification, tax IDs, trust instruments, and any power-of-attorney documents before beginning the form to shorten processing time and reduce follow-ups.
Use consistent naming
Enter names precisely as on IDs and tax records; consistent naming ensures correct account linking and prevents tax-reporting mismatches or backup withholding.
Capture electronic consent properly
Provide the ESIGN consumer disclosure, confirm access to electronic records, and record the consent date to meet 15 U.S.C. §7001 requirements for consumer-facing transactions.
Keep an auditable copy
Store signed PDFs with an unalterable audit trail and retain them per regulatory retention periods to support audits and dispute resolution.

Real-world examples of eSigning for financial documents

Organizations use eSignature to reduce turnaround and preserve auditable records when onboarding accounts or updating terms.

Optica Ventures — COO

Optica Ventures moved investor paperwork online to simplify onboarding and reduce errors.

  • The interface was easy for internal users and clients.
  • "The interface is simple and easy-to-use for our team; more importantly, it is just as easy for our customers."

Martin Properties — Founder

A real estate operator shifted closing-related forms to electronic workflows to eliminate in-person steps.

  • Mobile signing enabled same-day execution on-site.
  • "I can process and execute all of these documents online with 100% compliance and built-in security. Whether on mobile or working offline, I can get forms back to their necessary parties efficiently."

Who can sign on behalf of an account

Individual Account Holder

An individual named on the account may sign all account documents. If signing for another person, provide notarized power of attorney or trustee documentation showing explicit authority to act on the account holder's behalf.

Corporate or Trustee Signer

Authorized officers, corporate agents, or named trustees may sign for entities; include a resolution or formation documents showing authority and the signer’s title to support verification and filings.

Frequently asked questions about the agreement and eSigning

Answers to common questions about eSigning, notarization, consent withdrawal, and processing timelines for brokerage agreements.


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