Q: How do I fund my account?
A: Accounts may be funded with a wire transfer, personal check or an electronic funds transfer via ACH. Please refer to the Funding Instructions section under Getting Started for more details.

Q: How do I transfer my brokerage account to Terra Nova?
A: You can transfer your account to Terra Nova by submitting an Account Transfer Form and a copy of your most recent account statement to your Terra Nova Financial, LLC Registered Representative.

IMPORTANT: Please fill out the ACAT as thoroughly as possible to expedite your transfer. A copy of your most recent statement from your current account must be attached.

Q: Which funds are not accepted for deposit into my Terra Nova brokerage account?
A: Monetary instruments that do not carry the name and the address of the client, such as cash, third party checks, money orders, bank checks and travelers’ checks are not acceptable for deposit. In addition, third party endorsed checks from entities for the benefit of the individual customer accounts are not acceptable and vice versa.

Personal checks will not be deposited into corporate accounts, even if the check is drawn from the owner’s personal checking account. Also, corporate checks will not be deposited into the owner’s individual trading account.

Q: Is there a holding period for a check deposited into my Terra Nova brokerage account?
A: Terra Nova will hold the check for 10 days before those funds can be withdrawn from the account.

Q: What is the cut-off time for requesting that a wire be processed and funds made available for the next business day?
A: In order for a wire to be processed in the same day (and for the funds to be available the next day), the wire must be submitted before 11:30 PM CST. If a wire request is received after this time, it will not be processed until the next business day and the funds may not be available until the second business day after the wire was initiated.

Q: How long does a full or a partial account transfer take?
A: Generally, account transfers are completed within 7-10 business days.

Q: What is the proper method to endorse a stock certificate for deposit into my account?
A: To deposit a stock certificate into your account, please follow these endorsement instructions:

On the back of the certificate, where you see the words “assign, constitute and appoint _______ attorney,” Terra Nova Financial, LLC must be written in the blank.


Any and all persons whose name(s) is listed on the front of the certificate must sign and date the back of the certificate.


The names on the front of the certificate must match the names of the parties on your Terra Nova brokerage account.

Q: Where do I send my stock certificates to deposit into my account?
A: Once the certificate(s) is properly endorsed, please remit to:

Terra Nova Trading
Attn: Account Services
100 South Wacker Drive, Suite 1550
Chicago, IL 60606

Note: Terra Nova highly recommends sending your certificates via certified mail for your protection.

Q: Can a stock certificate issued to an individual be deposited into a joint account?
A: Yes. A letter of authorization signed by the owner of the shares must accompany the certificate.

Q: What is a Stock Power Form?
A: A Stock Power Form is used in lieu of endorsing the stock certificate when depositing into your brokerage account.

Q: How long will it take to process my account application?
A: Our goal is to have new accounts opened within 1 business day of receiving the paperwork*. Please be certain to complete the entire application and also send any supporting paperwork that may be necessary to open your account. Paperwork that is deficient in any way cannot be processed and the opening of your account will be delayed.

*Subject to approval.

Q: I sent in my completed paperwork with a check. When can I start trading?
A: Once your account and software applications have been processed, the funds verified with your bank and your account opened, you will receive an e-mail with your user information (account number, acronym, username, etc.). You may then log on and begin trading.

Q: I sent in my New Account paperwork, but I'm missing my W-9. May I fax it to you?
A: No. Due to regulatory requirements, all paperwork must be submitted with the original signatures on each page.

Q: I want to open a joint account. What is the difference between “Joint Tenants with Rights or Survivorship” and “Tenants in Common?”
A: For both types, all tenants are equally empowered to transact business in the account. Upon the death of any tenant, the tenancy is dissolved.

In the case of JTWROS accounts, the surviving tenant becomes the sole owner of the account.


In the case of JTTIC accounts, the deceased tenant's portion becomes part of his own estate.
  The surviving tenant(s) may either distribute the remaining assets or establish a new tenancy.

Q: What do I need to open a corporate account?
A: In addition to completing the entire New Account Application package, you must also include a Corporate Agreement. The agreement must have either a Corporate Seal or a Corporate Resolution, stating the name of the corporation, the name and position of each officer and a list of which officers are authorized to sign on behalf of the corporation.

Q: Who is authorized to trade my corporate account?
A: Anyone listed on the Corporate Agreement is authorized to trade the corporate account. If you wish to allow someone outside of the corporation to trade your account, you must submit a Trade Authorization signed by both parties.

IMPORTANT: If the individual listed on the Trade Authorization is not a blood or legal relative of the account holder, the Trade Authorization must have a Medallion Signature Guarantee. Your bank can issue the guarantee.

Q: What types of accounts does Terra Nova offer?
A: For a complete listing of the types of accounts we offer, please click here.

Q: Can you explain the different investment objectives listed on the New Account Application?
A: The investment objectives are:

SPECULATION: Includes all day trading and option accounts. Highly aggressive strategy.


GROWTH: Aggressive strategy concentrates on capital appreciation of underlying assets. High-growth stocks.


INVESTMENT HEDGE: Strategy that uses derivative instruments to reduce risk exposure.


INCOME: Less aggressive strategy focuses on revenue generation from blue-chip stocks paying large dividends.


CAPITAL PRESERVATION: Risk-averse strategy, traditionally utilizes government securities.

Since Terra Nova is considered a day trading brokerage firm, the investment objective for an account at Terra Nova
should be speculation.