Are you interested in how to participate in the stock market in the Philippines but don’t know how to start? Do you have a hard time contacting brokers? Well, you could always do stock trading and investing online! Let me give you some baby steps to the local Stock Market i.e., the Philippine Stocks Exchange.

How to Start In Online Stock Trading:

1. 1. Open an online account thru CITISEC or BPI Trade. In my case, I have BPI Trade but it’s good to have both. Simply fill-up the online registration form (BPI Trade) and PRINT it after. Please double check your information that they are correct before printing.
   2. The instructions are stated in their site but for your convenience, you have to photocopy 2 Valid IDs (front and back). Example: GSIS, SSS, Passport, Voter’s ID, Driver’s License, Company ID, PRC ID, etc.
   3. You must have an existing BPI Account whether ATM/Savings. If you don’t have yet, open one at your nearest BPI bank in your area.
   4. Submit the photocopied IDs and the printed BPI TRADE registration form to the BPI branch where you opened your ATM/Savings account and tell the Customer Rep that you want to submit the requirements for BPI TRADE (online stock).
   5. You will have to wait for about 5 to 7 business days for your BPI Trade account processing. They will also send you an email on the progress of your account processing within the duration. So, please check you email regularly.

Voila! That’s how you get started in online stock trading thru BPI Trade.

Now, you have the account set-up already, what to do next?

1. Once you have the username and password initially given to you by BPI Trade, you will be given a simple instruction to change your password but not your username. So please do remember the username and password when you registered to avoid such mess.
2. First time to view the BPI Trade page? No worry, there’s an online tour HERE.
3. Let me elaborate the tabs:

• * Market Info- it displays the real-time market condition and that you could also refer it to PSE.
  * Stock Info- it is where you check the current real-time information of the stock of your choice. Just fill-in the stock symbol in the tab. It will display the current price and all necessary information.
  * Quote Page- it displays your ten favorite stocks with their real-time information.
  * Time & Sales- it displays the real time buying and selling transactions of your stock choice.
  * Most Active- it displays the most active stocks in the Philippine Stock Exchange.
  * Top Gain/Lose- it displays the top gainer/loser stocks real-time.

4. At the side tab:

* Stocks (under trading)- this is where you buy and sell a particular stock of your choice. Just fill in the stock symbol, the number of shares you want to buy or sell (if you have bought some shares already) and of course the price you are willing to buy or sell.

Note: You have to make sure to put funds to your BPI trade account before you could make any transaction.

* You could deposit your money for your BPI Trade account thru over-the-counter to any BPI Branch or you may do an online transfer from your online BPI ATM/Savings account direct to your BPI Trade account for convenience.
* In case you sold your stocks, proceeds/sales will be credited to your BPI Trade account but you have to transfer it to your BPI ATM/Savings account thru online transfer only so you could withdraw it. You can’t withdraw the funds in your BPI Trade account. It has to be transferred.

Hope this helps!!! Good Luck to your online stock trading experience!