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From my perspective as a trader who places a strong emphasis on safety and comprehensive access, RBC Direct Investing has several advantages that stand out, especially when it comes to the range of trading instruments and its fee structure. Firstly, the breadth of investment options is robust—RBC makes it possible for me to trade not only Canadian and U.S. stocks, but also options, new issues, ETFs, a wide selection of mutual funds, GICs, bonds, and even precious metals like gold and silver. This diversity is important for me because it allows for meaningful portfolio diversification without needing multiple brokerage accounts. On the fees front, I find RBC’s structure relatively transparent, which is crucial for informed decision-making. Stock and ETF commissions can go as low as $6.95 per trade if I execute over 150 trades per quarter; otherwise, it’s $9.95 per trade—competitive within Canadian self-directed platforms. Options trading comes with a per-contract charge atop the base, which is standard practice, and the cap on mutual fund commissions helps in cost management for those assets. However, I remain cautious regarding the currency conversion spreads—at 1.6% for smaller transactions, that can add up and is something I always account for if I’m trading U.S.-listed assets. In my experience, the platform’s clear schedule of fees helps avoid hidden costs, and the fact that registered accounts with tax advantages are available provides flexibility. Although I appreciate these positives, I always balance them against the maintenance fees for smaller balances, as well as FX rate spreads, to ensure these align with my overall trading strategy and risk management framework.