UBS Wealth Management Review
Based in Switzerland, UBS is one of the largest financial firms in the world. U.S. investors do not need to travel to Europe to open an investing account with the company. UBS has many branches across the United States that offer traditional brokerage accounts. Here are the details:
Overview of UBS America
UBS offers both self-directed and managed accounts to investment customers in the United States. Both account types are offered in a traditional setup with a dedicated human financial advisor, not a robo advisor.
UBS gives investment guidance and support in both formats. Self-directed customers are still responsible for choosing what to invest in and what to avoid. UBS makes these choices for clients who sign up for an investment-advisory package (there are many options).
Finding a UBS Financial Advisor
Because UBS uses a traditional brokerage model, opening an account requires visiting a physical office and talking about investment goals with a real financial planner. The company has many offices in the U.S., and most states have at least one branch. Alaska and Hawaii also have locations, although a few smaller states do not (Wyoming is one example).
With the company’s branch locator tool, it is easy to find a nearby office and contact an advisor. If you are not sure whom to choose, or if no one is close by, there is a
scheduling tool that lets UBS pick an advisor for you. This option leads to an initial meeting by phone or email.
Through a program called UBS ACCESSSM, it is possible to invest in a separately managed account through a non-UBS financial advisor.
No matter which path is chosen, the key point is that an account cannot be opened fully online like it can at many discount brokers. A financial advisor must be involved, even for self-directed accounts.
UBS Financial Products, Services, and Accounts
Opening a brokerage account with UBS gives access to the following investments:
- Stocks
- Futures
- Bonds
- Mutual funds
- Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)
- Options
- Certificates of Deposit (CDs)
- Annuities
- Structured notes
- Hedge funds
- Private equity funds
- Real estate funds
- Funds of funds
- Real estate investment trusts
- Business development companies
- Precious metals
Not every account can use every product listed above. UBS also offers insurance products to its clients.
To help clients manage their money, UBS provides many general financial services, including:
- Mortgage loans
- Charitable planning
- Investment recommendations
- Long-term care planning
- Education and research tools
- Trust and estate planning
- Financial plan
- Margin lending
- Retirement planning
- Banking services (provided by UBS Bank USA)
- Credit cards
- Cash sweep services
- Savings accounts
An investment account at UBS can be opened in several formats. On the taxable side, there are individual and joint accounts. On the tax-advantaged side, there are IRAs (including Rollover and small business accounts), Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, entity accounts, and 403(b)(7) custodial accounts.
Digital Tools
After an account is open, it can be managed using UBS’s website or mobile app. The website includes tools like bill pay, educational materials, and goal tracking. A single login can access multiple accounts, including both investment and banking accounts.
The mobile app works on Apple and Android phones and tablets. A bottom menu makes it easy to move around. Like the website, one login gives access to several UBS accounts, and outside accounts can also be linked. At the top of the app, there is a button to contact a financial advisor.
The app makes it easy to deposit paper checks using the check deposit feature. Funds can be sent to either a bank or brokerage account. There is also an ACH transfer form.
Cost and Minimums for Self-Directed Accounts
UBS’s focus on traditional investing leads to many types of brokerage accounts with different levels of help and advice.
Self-directed accounts at UBS have no minimums, although falling below certain balances in some cases can trigger a $95 yearly maintenance fee.
Commissions vary by product and can be very high in some cases. For stocks, the standard commission is the greater of 5% of the trade value or 10¢ per share. Larger trades (above $2,000) get a lower percentage rate but also include a fixed-dollar surcharge that can reach $925. Mutual fund trades use the same pricing.
Bond trades cost between 0.25% and 2.25%, depending on the maturity and the specific bond traded.
Option trades include several fees. These can include a percentage of trade value (up to 2.25%), plus a fixed fee (up to $330.75), plus a per-contract fee of $7.50. Each option trade also has a cap that depends on trade size. The cap can be as high as 5% of trade value plus $1,241.
Futures trades cost between $75 and $120 per contract.
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Cost and Minimums for Managed Accounts
Advisory accounts do have minimum balances. The exact amount depends on the package chosen, and there are many options. We found minimums ranging from $5,000 up to $25 million.
Each setup invests in a limited set of asset types, which may include bonds, ETFs, or a mix of investments such as stocks, mutual funds, and structured products.
Annual management fees also depend on the package chosen and will not exceed 2.5%. Some packages are as low as 1.25%.
Educational Resources
Along with its wide range of products and services, UBS also publishes educational content that both self-directed and advisory clients can use. These materials are available on the company’s website with or without logging in.
Resources include podcasts, videos, and articles. We found many topics covering a broad range of subjects. Examples include:
- Teaching children about money at different ages and stages
- US earnings season likely to provide a reality check
- Tech layoffs point to challenges for growth
- How to position in view of the war in Ukraine
A search tool can look through all resources by keyword.
UBS Trending is a live roundtable on the day’s market news. It airs each weekday at market open (9:30 am, EST).
UBS Wealth Management Review Judgment
UBS offers a very complete financial management service that is hard to find elsewhere. But
this comes at a high cost, especially for self-directed accounts, where commissions are extremely
expensive. In a time when most brokers charge $0 commissions, UBS is not a good choice for
self-directed trading.
The company’s advisory service is also expensive, with many accounts paying 2.5%.
Robo accounts at other firms can cost less, but they cannot provide the wide range of services that UBS offers. High net-worth clients will be well served here.
Updated on 2/5/2026.
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