User Support
One of the features of the National Bank Direct Brokerage mobile trading platform is that it provides strong support resources that explain what each section of the website does and how to use different features of the site. In addition, there is a contact link in the menu that makes it very easy to connect with a service agent. These are important features for users to have handy while accessing the site to perform transactions, monitoring or management.
Money Management
Another feature that is noteworthy about National Bank Direct Brokerage’s website is the money transferring feature. Getting money into and out of the trading platform is very intuitive and easy. This is particularly useful when users want to make or schedule contributions to registered accounts.
Conclusion
The National Bank Direct Brokerage mobile website is a good compliment to desktop trading platform but not an all-out replacement of it. It is well designed and supported so getting around the site is relatively easy. In terms of functionality, it also is able to do a lot of the essential features self-directed investors are likely to do, such as place trades, monitor account balances and transactions as well as conduct some basic market and stock research. There were a few limitations I encountered with the order entry process, such as having to flip back and forth on the order page and quotes page, as well as some limitations on getting ETF data. The speed of the site was reasonable; however the speed and page loads will depend on the browser, device and internet connection more than anything else.
| Strengths | Limitations |
|---|---|
| Moving money between accounts | Order entry quotes |
| Support | ETF quote details |
| Market information/data | Options trading |
| Site navigation |
The bottom line on the mobile website is that it offers most of what users will need if they want to manage their accounts and portfolios on the go. It is easy to use, well supported and with the exception of a few minor quirks, a good mobile platform.
Editor’s Note: The original published version of this review stated that the network speed was a 3G connection however the network speed in the area for the device used in the test can support up to 21 Mbps (4G). The network icon on the device indicates 3G however the reported network speed reported by the carrier is 4G and a network test found download speeds of 3.3 Mbps. As such the originally stated speed of 3G has been corrected to 4G.