A Brokerage Account That Does More
Your clients’ brokerage accounts held through National Financial Services LLC (NFS) offer far more than a place to hold investments — they can also serve as a powerful cash management solution. Through NFS, Equity Services, Inc. (ESI) provides two distinct account tiers that extend everyday banking functionality to a traditional investment account: Select Access and Premier Access.
Both tiers help clients manage their finances with convenience and flexibility, connecting their brokerage account to features such as electronic funds transfer, bill payment, and debit cards. The key difference lies in the range of services and benefits available within each option.
Select Access: Everyday Convenience
Select Access is designed for clients who want essential cash management features built directly into their brokerage account. It’s a straightforward solution for investors who value simplicity and want easy access to their cash without added cost or complexity.
Key Features
- Unlimited ACH Transfers and Premium Payments – Enables direct deposits, electronic withdrawals, and transfers between financial institutions. This feature also makes it easy to pay annual premiums on National Life Insurance policies. Clients can accumulate funds throughout the year, take advantage of competitive money market rates, and then have their brokerage account automatically debited via ACH for premium payments.
- Bill Pay Service – Convenient online bill payment directly from the brokerage account.
- Optional Checkwriting and Debit Card – Clients may add checkwriting privileges and a Visa® Classic Debit Card for direct access to their cash.
- Low Annual Fees – $10 for ACH/Direct Deposit and Bill Pay; $5 for Checkwriting; and $5 for the Visa® Classic Debit Card.
Ideal For
Clients seeking convenience, liquidity, and flexibility without needing advanced features. Select Access is ideal for investors who primarily maintain balances for trading but want the ease of everyday access to funds when needed.
Premier Access: Enhanced Features and Rewards
Premier Access delivers a more robust cash management experience — combining the flexibility of a brokerage account with the benefits of a premium banking platform. It’s designed for clients who maintain higher balances and value a comprehensive set of tools and privileges.
Key Features
- All the benefits of Select Access, plus additional enhancements.
- Premier Visa® Debit Card – Offers 1% cash back on purchases, as well as purchase protection and access to Visa concierge services.
- Optional Margin Privileges – Subject to approval, eligible clients can borrow against their securities for added flexibility.
- Unlimited Checkwriting and ACH Transfers – Provides full transactional freedom and convenience.
- Visa Benefits – Includes Visa Roadside Dispatch, Auto Rental Discounts, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Reimbursement, Travel Accident Insurance, Travel and Emergency Assistance Services, Visa Purchase Security, and more.
- Annual Fee: $100 – For many clients, this cost is offset by cash back; those who spend more than $10,000 annually effectively cover the fee through rewards.
Ideal For
Clients who actively manage cash flow, value premium service and rewards, or maintain larger account balances. Premier Access is an excellent fit for investors who want a fully integrated banking and investment experience.
Support and Enrollment
Enrollment in either Access program is quick and straightforward. Representatives can initiate applications through Docupace via DocuSign using the appropriate Cash Management Access forms.
Before submitting, confirm that:
- The correct form (Select Access or Premier Access) is selected for non-qualified accounts.
- Retirement accounts have different feature options — checkwriting is added using the Premier Select IRA Checkwriting Form.
- The client understands applicable annual fees and optional features.
Please note: These features are not available for ESI Illuminations accounts managed by a third-party asset manager.
For additional guidance or questions, reach out to the ESI Brokerage Operations team at 1-800-344-7437.
Why This Matters for Your Clients
Today’s investors expect simplicity, flexibility, and efficiency from their financial accounts. The ability to combine investment management and everyday cash functions within one platform provides significant value — saving time, improving cash flow management, and strengthening client relationships.
When discussing ESI brokerage accounts, emphasize how the Access programs transform a traditional investment account into a multi-purpose financial hub. Whether clients are funding trades, paying bills, or planning annual premium payments, Select Access and Premier Access help them maximize the power of their ESI brokerage account.
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