Most people know how to buy or sell a stock, but many are too lazy to bother looking into the different features that each brokerage firm offers. Here are a few ways that an online broker tries to help its customers.

Those that offer investing tools should be given a first look. These online tools can help you identify and cross check your portfolio for weakness and help you improve on your strategies.

You may not see stock broker and credit cards mixing but the best cash back credit cards are actually offered by stock brokers. Of course, they are offering it to get your business but I will take any advantages I can get.

You might be able to do bill pay with your balance. The great thing about it is that even margin accounts are eligible, so you can always temporary borrow money at a relatively low rate to pay your bills.

Security tokens are a great way to increase security so if your broker offers this option, it’s a big plus to the offering.

ATM cards from brokers are great because they don’t charge you any fees for withdrawal no matter where you take money out. In fact, they will give you money to compensate for the fact that other ATMs will charge you.

Some online stock brokers come with physical branches, and may have employees there that can offer investment advices. They also provide face to face technical support should you have any questions with the account.

Several online brokers actually charge you trade commissions to reinvest your dividends. How outrages is that? Before you sign up, make sure you know what you are getting into.

Multiple brokers are starting to offer a high yield savings account along with the investment account. This is great because you can use it as a cash sweep account and earn high yields.

Have you seen the returns that Lending Club can give you? If not, check them out to see how they can give you a good return for your money.