Chicago-based online broker TradingBlock launched My IPO, an IPO and offering platform designed to save time and improve access for investors, allowing investors to purchase securities in IPOs and other offerings at the offering price before trading begins and broadening the scope of access beyond wealthy, institutional and investment banking clients to any investor.
“Investing in IPOs should not be exclusive to the wealthy or those who have privileged access to such offerings,” said Joel Vanderhoof, President, My IPO Investment Banking. “My IPO levels the playing field and allows investors of all kinds to purchase shares of some of the most exciting companies going public. The launch of this unique platform is yet another sign of TradingBlock’s commitment to providing equal access to wealth creation tools.”
My IPO uses Apex Clearing Corporation, allowing investors to trade their shares immediately after public trading commences. The company says the platform allows U.S. investors to take part in offerings through traditional brokerage accounts as well as retirement accounts such as IRAs.
Additionally, My IPO allows investors to participate in IPOs at the offering price before they begin trading on public exchanges and provides easier access to Regulation A+ offerings, which companies use to raise capital without fully committing to an IPO.
According to TradingBlock, the platform reduces paperwork and costs associated with participating in IPOs and reduces the time-risk related to transferring offering shares from a transfer agent to a brokerage account once public trading begins.
In April, TradingBlock launched its options education platform Learning Hub. In March, TradingBlock launched a customizable trading dashboard and mobile app, offering professional-grade trading tools to retail investors.
Janeesa Hollingshead, Contributing Editor at Wealth Solutions Report, can be reached at editor@wealthsolutionsreport.com.
