Common Questions and Solutions for Buying US Stock ETFs with Tiger Brokers

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Buying US stock ETFs is actually quite simple; the key is mastering the correct methods and precautions. You only need to download the Tiger Trade App, register an account, complete identity verification, and then you can start purchasing US stock ETFs. You can choose a suitable deposit method, such as transferring through a Hong Kong bank or using third-party payment platforms. The entire process is clear and intuitive.

Tip: Preparing your ID documents and bank card information in advance can make account opening and deposits smoother.

Key Points

• To buy US stock ETFs through Tiger Brokers, prepare your ID and proof of address, follow the steps to register and verify your identity; the account opening process is simple and supports Chinese.
• Deposits support multiple methods, such as Hong Kong bank transfers and third-party payments, with funds typically arriving within one business day; you can track progress in real-time within the app.
• When selecting ETFs, you can search by code in the app, which supports systematic investment plans, and you can choose market or limit orders to flexibly control trading price and speed.
• Tiger Brokers ensures fund safety, with client funds managed separately from company funds, and accounts are protected by US SIPC insurance; contact customer service promptly for any issues.
• Trading fees are transparent, with a minimum of $1.99, supporting RMB conversion to USD at near-market exchange rates, facilitating multi-currency management and global asset allocation.

Process for Buying US Stock ETFs

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Account Opening and Login

To buy US stock ETFs, you first need to open an account with Tiger Brokers. The entire account opening process is very clear and supports a Chinese interface. You can follow these steps:

1. Prepare identity documents, such as a passport, ID card, or driver’s license. A passport is usually the most universally accepted.
2. Prepare proof of residential address, such as a driver’s license, bank statement, or credit card bill. The document must include your name, address, and issuance date, all on the same page.
3. Prepare a commonly used email and phone number for registration and receiving notifications.
4. Visit Tiger Brokers’ account opening page; selecting the Chinese interface makes operations more convenient.
5. Register an account by entering your phone number or email and completing SMS verification.
6. Fill in basic personal information, including nationality, place of birth, residence, and tax jurisdiction.
7. Upload identity and address proof documents.
8. Complete facial verification to confirm identity information.
9. Submit all documents and wait for review; you’ll receive a notification if additional documents are needed.
10. After passing the review, set a login password to complete the account opening.

Tiger Brokers’ account review typically completes within 1 to 3 business days. You just need to wait patiently, and review progress will be notified via SMS or email. There’s no minimum deposit requirement, allowing you to flexibly manage funds.

Tip: Preparing all materials in advance can significantly shorten the account opening time.

Deposit Methods

After opening an account, you need to deposit funds to start buying US stock ETFs. Tiger Brokers supports multiple mainstream deposit methods. You can choose to transfer funds via a Hong Kong bank or use third-party payment methods like PayNow. Many users find PayNow very convenient with fast fund arrivals. You can also deposit via wire transfer. Tiger Brokers supports fast deposits, with funds typically arriving within one business day. You can track deposit progress in real-time within the app to ensure fund safety.

Note: When depositing, verify account information to avoid transfer errors.

Searching and Selecting ETFs

Once funds are credited, you can start searching and selecting target ETFs. The Tiger Trade App has a dedicated ETF section; you can enter the ETF code or name in the search bar to quickly find your desired product. The platform supports systematic investment plans, allowing you to set up regular fixed-amount purchases of US stock ETFs to diversify investment risks. Tiger Brokers accounts support not only US stock ETFs but also trading in Hong Kong stocks, A-shares, and other multi-market products. You can flexibly allocate assets based on your investment goals.

Recommendation: For first-time investors, start with well-known US stock ETFs, such as those tracking the S&P 500 index.

Order Placement and Confirmation

After selecting a target ETF, you can place an order directly in the app. You can choose a market order or a limit order to flexibly control the purchase price. Before placing the order, the system displays the estimated transaction amount and related fees. You need to confirm the order details are correct before submitting. Tiger Brokers provides real-time order status feedback, and you can view transaction details in the order list. If an order fails, the system will indicate the reason, and you can adjust parameters based on the prompt.

The process of buying US stock ETFs is very intuitive. You just need to follow the four steps of account opening, depositing, searching, and order placement to complete your investment. Tiger Brokers provides a convenient operational experience and diverse product choices, making global asset allocation easy.

Fund Safety

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Security Measures

When investing with Tiger Brokers, the platform provides multiple safeguards for your funds. Key measures include:

1. Since February 2019, Tiger Brokers’ New Zealand subsidiary, TBNZ, has used DBS Bank in Singapore’s trust account to receive client funds. In October 2019, the New Zealand Stock Exchange officially recognized this bank as a client fund custodian.
2. The platform prioritizes anti-money laundering compliance. In March 2020, the New Zealand Financial Markets Authority (FMA) warned TBNZ about insufficient anti-money laundering measures, and the platform submitted a remediation plan, completing it by September 2020.
3. Tiger Brokers was fined NZD 160,000 for not depositing client funds into designated accounts and failing to follow New Zealand Stock Exchange instructions. The platform has since improved processes to enhance compliance.
4. For personal information protection, Tiger Brokers strictly adheres to the Personal Information Protection Law, conducting security assessments or certifications for cross-border data to ensure your information safety.

Tip: You can check account fund changes anytime in the app, and the platform protects your account with multi-factor authentication.

Fund Segregation

Tiger Brokers stores your funds in independent accounts at major US banks and is insured by the US Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). This ensures your funds are completely segregated from the company’s own funds. Even if the platform faces operational risks, your funds remain protected. You can confidently invest in US stock ETFs without worrying about fund misappropriation.

Handling Anomalies

If you notice account fund anomalies, such as deposits not arriving or incorrect fund amounts, you can address them quickly through:

• Submitting a ticket in the Tiger Trade App, describing the issue in detail.
• Calling the official customer service hotline for one-on-one assistance.
• Checking the Help Center for frequently asked questions to find self-service solutions.

The platform will verify and address your issue promptly upon receiving feedback. You can track resolution progress in real-time via the app to ensure fund safety.

Fees and Currency Conversion

Trading Fees

When buying or selling US stock ETFs on Tiger Brokers, you need to understand the platform’s fee structure. Each transaction incurs a minimum commission of $0.99 and a platform fee of $1, totaling a minimum of $1.99. This fee structure is competitive among similar brokers. You can see estimated fees before placing an order, and the platform does not charge hidden fees.

Tip: Frequent trading increases total fees, so plan trading frequency based on your investment strategy.

Currency Conversion

Tiger Brokers supports multiple currency conversion methods. You can convert RMB directly to USD or HKD to USD. The platform’s exchange rates are close to market rates, with average conversion losses of only 0.15%-0.3%, significantly better than traditional banks. You can enjoy T+0 settlement, with converted funds immediately available for investment. The table below shows Tiger Brokers’ main currency conversion features:

Note: Some deposit and withdrawal methods may incur additional fees, so check fee details before operations.

Multi-Currency Management

Tiger Brokers offers multi-currency account management. You can hold USD, HKD, and other currencies simultaneously. This allows you to flexibly meet investment needs across different markets. The platform supports one-click conversion and fund transfers, making it easy to adjust asset allocations. You can view currency balances and fund movements in real-time within the app, helping you manage investment funds effectively.

Order Types and Trading Sessions

Market and Limit Orders

When placing orders on Tiger Brokers, you can choose market or limit orders. Each type suits different investment needs:

1. Market Order: When you select a market order, the system executes your trade at the current best market price for quick completion. This is ideal if you want to buy or sell ETFs immediately. Market orders have fast execution speeds but may result in price fluctuations, potentially deviating from your ideal price.
2. Limit Order: You can set a desired buy or sell price. The system executes the trade only when the market price reaches your specified price. Limit orders help control trading costs but may execute slowly or not at all.

Tip: Choose market orders for speed or limit orders for price control.

Pre-Market and After-Hours Trading

Tiger Brokers supports US stock pre-market and after-hours trading. You can place orders outside regular trading hours to seize more market opportunities. Regular US stock trading hours are Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM (Eastern Time). Pre-market trading is from 4:00 AM to 9:30 AM, and after-hours trading is from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. You can choose trading sessions based on your schedule.

Note: Pre-market and after-hours trading have lower liquidity and potentially larger price fluctuations. Pay close attention to transaction prices and volumes when placing orders.

Handling Order Failures

Sometimes, your order may fail. Common reasons include insufficient account balance, excessive price deviations, or unsupported trading sessions. You can address this by:

• Checking if your account balance is sufficient.
• Ensuring the order price is reasonable and not too far from the market price.
• Verifying if the current time is within supported trading sessions.
• If the issue persists, contact customer service via the Tiger Trade App or check the Help Center for detailed solutions.

When facing order issues, stay calm and troubleshoot step-by-step using the provided prompts to resolve quickly.

Common Issues and Solutions

Deposits Not Arriving

If funds don’t arrive after depositing, first verify if the transfer details were entered correctly. Tiger Brokers supports multiple deposit methods, such as Hong Kong bank transfers and third-party payments. Funds typically arrive within one business day. If delayed beyond the expected time, check deposit progress in the app. You can also submit a ticket or contact customer service, and the platform will verify the fund status. Save transfer receipts during deposits to aid subsequent inquiries.

Friendly Reminder: Always verify recipient account details during deposits to avoid delays due to errors.

Orders Not Executed

When buying US stock ETFs, you may encounter unexecuted orders. Common reasons include insufficient account balance, order prices deviating from market prices, or orders placed outside trading sessions. Check your account balance, adjust order prices, or use market orders to increase execution chances. If an order remains unexecuted for a long time, cancel and resubmit it. The platform supports multiple order types to help you adapt to different market conditions.

• Check account balance
• Adjust order price
• Select appropriate trading session

Customer Service and Support

Tiger Brokers offers multiple Chinese-language customer service channels. You can contact support directly in the app, submit issue tickets, or check the Help Center for common questions. The platform interface is clean, ideal for mobile operations. You can also get support via phone or email. Tiger Brokers has low trading fees, suitable for cost-conscious and mobile traders. The platform supports US, Hong Kong, and A-shares, offering diverse products to meet various investment needs. You can quickly get help for any issues, enhancing your US stock ETF buying experience.

When buying US stock ETFs, pay attention to each operational step. Common processes include choosing a broker supporting US stock trading, preparing identity and address proofs, applying online for an account, awaiting review, transferring funds, familiarizing with the trading platform, and understanding taxes and fees. You can deposit funds via Hong Kong bank transfers or third-party payments. Monitor US stock trading hours and market volatility risks, and plan investment strategies rationally.

If you encounter issues with account opening, fund transfers, password management, or withdrawals, contact Tiger Brokers’ official customer service or Help Center for assistance. Support will guide you through filling out forms and resolving queries.

Continue learning investment knowledge and stay updated on the platform’s latest rules to enhance your investment experience and reduce operational risks.

FAQ

How to view real-time US stock ETF market data?

You can search for ETF codes in the Tiger Trade App. The system displays real-time prices, percentage changes, and trading volumes. You can also add ETFs to your watchlist for ongoing monitoring.

How are US stock ETF dividends distributed?

The platform automatically distributes dividends in USD to your account. No manual action is required. After dividends are credited, you can view records in the fund details.

Can I buy US stock ETFs directly with RMB?

You need to convert RMB to USD first. Tiger Brokers supports RMB-to-USD conversion with transparent rates. After conversion, you can use USD to buy US stock ETFs.

Which Hong Kong banks does Tiger Brokers support for deposits?

You can deposit via major Hong Kong banks like HSBC and Standard Chartered. Verify account details during deposits to ensure fund safety.

What fees are required for investing in US stock ETFs?

You need to pay a trading commission (minimum $0.99) and a platform fee (minimum $1), totaling a minimum of $1.99. The platform displays all fee details before order placement.

This guide has walked you through the complete process of buying U.S. stock ETFs on Tiger Brokers. Every step, from opening an account to placing a trade, has been laid out clearly. However, the article touches on a real pain point for many investors: cross-border fund transfers, especially via Hong Kong bank accounts. The complex procedures, high wire transfer fees, and non-transparent exchange rate spreads can all add to your investment costs and time. These hidden hurdles can often leave you feeling confused and frustrated before you even get to the trading stage.

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