Securities Account (CTO): A Beginner’s Guide to Investing

To enter the world of the stock market, and especially trading, a securities account is your key. It is essential if you want to speculate on shares, ETFs and all other financial assets. But what exactly is a securities account? How do you open a cheap one? Find out in this article everything you need to know about securities accounts and how to make them pay.

How to Use a Securities Account in 4 Steps

To get started in trading or invest in securities such as shares, simply follow 4 easy steps:

1. Go to a bank or an online broker;
2. Fill in the required documents, including the suitability questionnaire;
3. Wait for your CTO (ordinary securities account) to be approved (a few hours to a few days);
4. Start buying and selling securities in your portfolio.

Before you decide, also check how the Credit share price is performing.

To go further, also read our guide “PEA or Securities Account: 31.4% Flat Tax Simulator in 2026“.

Pros and Cons of This Financial Product

What Is a CTO?

A securities account, also called a CTO (compte-titres ordinaire), is a securities portfolio held with a bank or another authorised financial institution that allows an individual or a legal entity to invest in securities. A CTO lets you buy and sell securities on every financial market in the world: US, Dutch and British shares, as well as securities in Luxembourg, Spain, Belgium, France or Switzerland.

The securities accepted vary depending on the bank or broker you choose, so do your research before opening a portfolio. Note that some securities may be refused depending on your profile. Here is a non-exhaustive list of financial assets you can hold in a CTO:

• Shares and equity interests worldwide;
• Bonds (coupons);
• Funds (SICAV, FCP, UCITS, UCI);
• ETFs and trackers;
• Share warrants;
• Preferential subscription rights;
• SCPI (French real estate investment funds);
• Local investment funds (FIP)…

In practice, this means a CTO holder can buy shares in EDF, Total, Air Liquide or La Française des Jeux, invest in the gold market or speculate on forex.

It is worth noting that any investment product with an ISIN number that the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) and the Autorité de contrôle prudentiel et de résolution (ACPR) authorise for sale in France can be used as an investment vehicle. It can therefore be held in a CTO.

How a CTO Works: A Beginner’s Guide

A CTO lets you buy and sell financial assets. Each account is linked to a cash current account for deposits and withdrawals. It is used to acquire new assets and to receive the income and proceeds from your transactions.

Deposits and Limits on a CTO

You must fund your account before buying new securities. According to comparisons, the securities account has no cap and no minimum deposit, unlike the PEA (Plan d’Épargne en Actions) and the PEA-PME, which is designed to finance SMEs. Here are the ways to deposit money into your account:

• Deposit by bank transfer: you transfer your money from one bank to another. It takes 24 to 72 hours on business days;

• Deposit by bank card: the deposit is generally immediate;

• Deposit by cheque: if you send it by post, clearing depends on postal delays.

There is no minimum or maximum for deposits and withdrawals on a CTO.

Withdrawing Cash From a CTO

While with a PEA you have to wait a few years to withdraw, you can take out money or gains from a CTO at any time via the linked cash account (dividends, capital gains, etc.). Simply proceed as you would with a normal bank account.

• Managing Your Securities Portfolio

Thanks to its flexible rules, a CTO can be managed in different ways.

• Self-Directed Management

The owner makes decisions alone. No professional oversees them, giving them complete autonomy. In this case, you can use securities account software or an app to calculate capital gains and manage and track your taxes from your phone. A CTO calculator and other capital gains tools then let you handle the accounting or taxation of the securities account (for example, the calculator on CBanque, now called MoneyVox).

• Advisory Management

The owner receives advice and guidance from a professional to achieve an average return on their CTO. However, the final decision always rests with the owner. This informed choice suits cautious beginners.

• Discretionary Management

The owner leaves the management of the account to an expert. Before the mandate begins, the manager sets the owner’s wealth objectives. They also check the investor’s profile: cautious, balanced, dynamic or aggressive. This information allows the manager to align with the client’s real needs and objectives.

CTO Income and Proceeds

Depending on your investments and strategy, you can make profits with your CTO. There are two types:

• Capital gain is the difference between the purchase price and the selling price of an asset. It is the positive result of a choice made by the CTO owner. Some people take these positions by speculating on the financial markets. A capital gain is called unrealised when it is still calculated on paper.
• Income refers to dividends or other distributions paid by a company to its shareholders or partners. These are profits earned from an investment over a significant period.

What Types of CTO Can You Open?

The legal framework of the CTO offers owners a real advantage. You can choose to use it alone or with other people.

• Individual CTO

An individual CTO belongs to a single owner, who may be an individual or a legal entity. They alone manage all transactions on the account.

• Joint CTO

A joint CTO lets you share the account with another person. It is often used by couples. Decision-making is free: transactions can be carried out by either account holder.

• Undivided or Collective CTO

Joint ownership in undivided shares means the account belongs to several individuals. Every investment decision requires the agreement of each co-owner. Since undivided CTOs are hard to manage, they usually only exist in inheritance cases.

Types of Securities Portfolios

There are several types of portfolios for buying or selling securities.

Definitions: CTO, PEA, PEA-PME

CTO stands for compte-titres ordinaire (ordinary securities account), but it is also used more generally to mean a brokerage account. It is also called a CIF (compte d’instruments financiers, financial instruments account).

PEA stands for Plan d’Épargne en Actions (share savings plan). It is mainly aimed at individuals who want to invest in European rather than international shares. This portfolio is an attractive alternative to a traditional savings account or life insurance.

The PEA-PME is designed to finance small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Holders of this portfolio enjoy the same tax advantages as the PEA. However, the securities available are of lower value than in the PEA.

The CTO and the PEA therefore differ in many ways, as shown in the following comparison table:

CTO vs PEA vs PEA-PME: Tax, Equity Interests, Dividends, Securities

PEA, CTO or PEA-PME: Pros and Cons

The PEA, CTO and PEA-PME each have their own pros and cons to meet the needs of different investor profiles.

CTO Fees and Charges

A CTO incurs regular or occasional fees. A securities account costs more or less depending on the bank or broker. To find the best securities account in France or elsewhere, check both fee comparisons and the types of securities accepted.

CTO Opening Fees

Some institutions charge opening fees. Online banks and online brokers generally do not charge this entry fee.

Brokerage Fees

These fees apply with both traditional banks and online brokers. The broker takes a percentage of the transaction or service. This is its share as an intermediary between the trader and the market. Brokerage fees generally amount to 0.5% to 1% of the transaction amount.
Example: brokerage fees are 0.53%. For a €4,000 transaction, the broker charges €21.20. Note that some banks also set brokerage fees based on the order amount or as a flat fee.
The amount of brokerage fees also varies in a few cases:

• The type of security bought or sold;

• Where the securities come from: foreign shares often cost more than domestic shares;

• The size of the order: the larger the amount, the lower the brokerage fees;

• Use of the deferred settlement service (SRD).

Custody Fees

CTO custody fees used to cover the safekeeping of paper securities before the digital age. Here again, some brokers no longer charge them. Custody fees are generally deducted based on the market value of the securities in the CTO. This valuation is done annually, usually at the end of the year. For example, these custody fees apply to CTOs at La Banque Postale and Société Générale.

Management Fees

These costs apply when the CTO is managed by a bank or an appointed expert. When your CTO is self-directed, there are no such fees.

Account Maintenance Fees

Banks such as La Banque Postale, Banque Populaire, HSBC and BNP Paribas charge account maintenance fees for the IT and administrative management of the securities account. See the fees charged by banks and some brokers in the CTO comparison below:

CTO Fee Comparison

Banks / brokers	Demo	Fees	Brokerage fees
		Opening fees: 0 Closing fees: – Custody fees: –	From $0.01 per share $1 per US share transaction
		Opening fees: 0 Closing fees: – Custody fees: 0	0% commission on shares
		Opening fees: 0 Closing fees: – Custody fees: 0	If monthly volume is below 1,000: 0% commission If monthly volume is above 1,000: 0.2%
	Try it	Opening fees: 0 Closing fees: 0 Custody fees: 0	Orders under €1,000: 0.40% Orders under €3,000: 0.30% Orders over €6,000: 0.25%
	Try it	Opening fees: 0 Closing fees: – Custody fees: Yes	Commission per order: 0.50% online, 1.45% in branch and by phone
	Try it	Opening fees: 0 Closing fees: 0 Custody fees: –	Discovery plan Classic plan Trader plan Ultimate trader plan
	Try it	Opening fees: 0 Closing fees: 0 Custody fees: free	Three (3) plans: Optimum plan Active trader plan 100 orders plan
	Try it	Opening fees: 0 Closing fees: – Custody fees: Yes	Orders under €1,100: €0.99 Orders above 1,100: 0.09% (online)
	Try it	Opening fees: 0 Closing fees: 0 Custody fees: 0.28% per year	1 to 5 orders: 0.55% 6 to 15 orders: 0.495% More than 15 orders: 0.44%
	Try it	Opening fees: 0 Closing fees: €100 Custody fees:	Orders under €1,000: €2.50 Between €1,000 and €3,000: €5 Above €3,000: 0.13%
	Try it	Opening fees: 0 Closing fees: proportional to the portfolio Custody fees: Yes, tiered decreasing rate	Tiered decreasing proportional commission

To find out the securities account management fees at Fortuneo or the account maintenance fees at La Banque Postale, which belongs to the La Poste group, simply visit their official websites.

For securities account fees at other institutions such as Crédit Mutuel, CIC or Hello Bank, do the same or contact customer service directly.

Is It Better to Choose a Bank or an Online Broker?

Banks have long been the major players on the stock market. In the past, to place an order, you had to visit your banker or make a phone call. Now, the digital age offers endless possibilities. Many online brokers have arrived and are attracting new traders.

The best online brokers offer drastically lower fees than traditional banks: no account maintenance fees and lower commissions and brokerage fees. With competitive prices, speed and flexibility, investors are quickly turning away from banks. But is this always the case? Is it better to choose an online broker rather than a bank to save on commissions? The answers are in the comparison table of banks and online brokers for CTOs.

Bank or Online Broker for a CTO: Which Is Best?

How to Choose Between an Online Broker and a Bank

To make the right choice, do not just look at fees. Base your choice on:

• Value for money;

• Your risk profile;

• The portfolio content you want;

• How quickly the account can be opened;

• The financial markets you are interested in.

If you want to invest in France with lower fees, banks have the edge. Banks monitor your activity more closely and can advise you.

Wondering about the risks of opening a securities account online? Don’t worry: there is no risk as long as the broker or bank is licensed and authorised. In any case, online brokers offer better prices than banks. You should still check that they offer a quality service (access to major financial markets, website availability, range of securities…). If the broker does not offer plenty of options and a degree of autonomy, it is not a good choice.

How to Open a CTO

Opening a CTO generally follows the same steps, whether with a broker or at your bank.

Who Can Open a CTO?

It is open to any individual or legal entity. For individuals, there is no minimum age. CTOs can be opened for minors, young people, expatriates or students. For a minor, their legal representative acts on their behalf. A couple or heirs can share a single securities account thanks to joint and undivided account options.

It is also open to any legally constituted entity. Foundations, companies and NGOs can boost their income through a diversified portfolio. To optimise their income or funds, associations, NGOs, SCIs (property companies) or SARLs (limited companies) can use a business CTO.

To open a securities account with a bank, you generally need to be a customer of that bank. So if you are not a customer of the bank you want to work with, you first need to open a bank account there. You will need to provide various documents, such as proof of identity, address or income. Don’t have a French residence permit and wondering how to open a bank account in France without one? Ask the bank you have in mind for details, as it is entirely possible to open a bank account without being a French resident.

CTO Taxation

By managing your portfolio wisely, you will generate income and therefore gains. These can be capital gains or income (from dividends, for example). Taxation of the securities account then comes into play. Unlike the PEA, income, capital gains, dividends and coupons from ordinary securities accounts are taxed every year at a flat rate or, if you opt for it across the board, on the progressive income tax scale.

For legal entities, taxation depends on the company’s tax regime (corporation tax or income tax).

A CTO holder must therefore declare every year their capital gains or losses, as well as the bond coupons and dividends received.

Tax conditions vary depending on the nature of the income received. Here are the details.

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Taxation of CTO Income

This income includes share dividends, bond coupons and similar income. It is subject to the single flat-rate levy (PFU). However, on express request, the CTO holder can opt for the progressive income tax scale.

Flat-Rate Tax Regime: PFU

In France, the tax applicable to the ordinary securities account has been the 30% flat tax since it came into force in 2018. It breaks down as follows:

• A non-final single flat-rate levy (PFU) of 12.8% for income tax;

• Social security contributions at a rate of 17.2% (withheld at source)

Note: you can apply to be exempt from the PFU if the household’s reference taxable income for year N-2 did not exceed:

• €50,000 (single) and €75,000 (couple: married or PACS) for dividends;

• €25,000 (single) and €50,000 (couple: married or PACS) for coupons.

To apply, you must contact your financial institution and give them a sworn statement before 30 November of the year preceding payment of this income.

For example, to benefit from the PFU exemption in 2025, you must apply before 30 November 2025.

Tax Regime With the Progressive Income Tax Scale

Even though the flat tax applies by default, you can choose the progressive income tax scale. By choosing this option, the account holder can benefit from 40% allowances. Depending on the dividends received and the household’s circumstances, this choice may or may not be more beneficial than the PFU. In general, it benefits households taxed at less than 14%.

In addition, 6.8% of the CSG (generalised social contribution) is deductible.

Taxation of Capital Gains on the Sale of Securities in a CTO

An investor who sells financial assets from their securities account at a gain is subject to the capital gains tax regime for securities. Here, the PFU still applies. CTO capital gains are therefore taxed at 30%, including 12.8% income tax and 17.2% social security contributions, the year after the sale.

In addition, if you hold securities acquired before 1^st January 2018, that is, before the flat tax came into force, and you opt for the progressive scale, you will benefit from an allowance based on how long you have held them.

• After 2 years of holding, you get a 50% allowance;

• Beyond 8 years of holding, the allowance is 65%.

For SMEs less than 10 years old, the allowances are slightly different: 50% for 1 to 4 years of holding, 65% from 4 to 8 years and 85% beyond 8 years.

Taxation of Capital Losses

If a CTO holder makes a loss on the sale of securities, that is, the selling price is lower than the purchase price:

• The capital loss can be offset against capital gains on transactions of the same type;

• An overall capital loss can be carried forward against capital gains of the same type over the next 10 years.

Note: it is important to understand that the CTO and its capital gains are subject to income tax, not to a duty.

Filing Taxes for a CTO

As with capital gains taxation, you can declare income from an ordinary securities account by filling in supplementary form no. 2074. However, if a bank calculates the capital loss or gain for you, declaring the CTO is not compulsory.

If you made a capital gain in a year, fill in form no. 2074-ABT, available on the impots.gouv website, to calculate the securities account allowance (condition: securities acquired before 1 January 2018 and taxed on the progressive income tax scale).

If you made both capital gains and capital losses on your CTO, fill in supplementary form no. 2074-CMV on the government website to carry forward the losses.

To file your returns and get details on CTO taxation, go to the French public services website (domain name: gouv).

CTO Taxation and IFI

Since the introduction of the ISF (Impôt de Solidarité sur la Fortune, wealth tax), most securities in a CTO are no longer subject to the IFI (Impôt sur la Fortune Immobilière, real estate wealth tax).

Only real estate assets, such as investments in SCPIs or OPCIs, are taxed under the IFI.

Taxation When a CTO Is Transferred

When a CTO is gifted to a descendant or a third party as part of an estate, the unrealised capital gain on the securities is wiped out. In other words, the donor does not have to pay capital gains tax at the time of the gift. However, gift taxes may apply.

On the other hand, if the recipient decides to sell the securities, they will pay capital gains tax, calculated on the gain made between the acquisition date (the date of the gift) and the date of sale.
IMPORTANT: a simple gift or a gift-sharing of a CTO to a child qualifies for a €100,000 tax-free allowance every 15 years.

Inheritance: CTO Taxation on Death

While a PEA is closed immediately on death, this is not the case for a securities account. The CTO is frozen until the estate is settled. The securities can then be sold, kept by the heirs in joint ownership or transferred to one or more people. For tax purposes, unrealised capital gains are no longer taken into account on the death of the account holder. However, social security contributions will have to be paid.

CTOs and Property Law

What happens to CTOs in inheritance, joint ownership, gifts or usufruct? Here are some answers.

CTOs, Inheritance Law and Joint Ownership

What happens to a CTO after its owner dies? How do you recover a CTO as an inheritance? Two cases must be considered, depending on whether the deceased was married or not. Depending on the matrimonial regime, two situations may arise.

• Under a separation of property regime or a community of acquired property, the securities in the CTO form part of the estate. This means the surviving spouse will wait for the estate to be settled along with the deceased’s other heirs. Under universal community of property, the surviving spouse receives half of the deceased’s assets, with the other half shared among the other heirs.

• Under universal community of property with a full allocation clause, the surviving spouse receives all the joint assets. Hence the value of a joint securities account to protect your spouse in terms of inheritance.

CTOs and Gifts

Did you know that gifting a securities account is a way to avoid capital gains tax? Gifting makes it easy to share your CTO with your children. You do not need to go through a notary. Your banker will transfer the securities from your portfolio to theirs.

CTOs and Usufruct

A securities account can be split into usufruct and bare ownership. The advantage of usufruct is that you can transfer the CTO while keeping the income it generates. For example, parents transfer bare ownership to their children. Until the estate is settled, they keep the usufruct of the CTO and therefore still collect the income (dividends, capital gains…). Taxation on gains still applies in cases of joint ownership or split ownership (usufruct or quasi-usufruct of securities accounts).

CTOs and Divorce

A securities account can cause some difficulties for spouses going through a divorce. Regardless of the matrimonial regime, two cases should be distinguished:

• Individual CTO: with only one spouse as owner, they continue to manage their portfolio alone until the divorce ruling.

• Joint CTO: both spouses continue to make decisions without consulting each other. The situation may deteriorate if their interests diverge.

In both cases, it would be wise to convert the CTO into joint ownership in undivided shares, especially if it is part of the joint assets rather than separate property. Each spouse holds half of the CTO and must obtain the other’s agreement before any decision on the securities and cash. When the marriage ends, the ruling will separate the account and award it to one of the spouses.

Transferring a CTO

Transferring a CTO should not be confused with converting a securities account into a PEA.

Converting a CTO

Transferring shares from a CTO to a PEA is not possible. You must withdraw from the CTO before making a transfer to the PEA to move shares and other assets. However, the reverse, transferring securities from a PEA to a CTO, is possible. It then takes the form of a partial withdrawal.

Moreover, a CTO cannot be converted into a PEA. Converting between a PEA and a CTO is not possible because a PEA can only be funded with cash deposits.

Transferring a CTO From One Bank to Another

If you want to change banks for your securities account, there are two conditions:

• Get the other bank or broker’s agreement to transfer the CTO by sending it a letter;

• Pay the related fees. Transfer fees are calculated based on the value of the securities in the CTO.

Transferring a CTO can incur costs (a fixed or proportional amount), and the time it takes can vary. The new bank or broker may reimburse your transfer fees or accept the transfer free of charge.

CTO and PEA Transfer Fees

Most banks and brokers charge a fee to transfer a securities account. This complex calculation is based on the value of the portfolio and the number of lines it holds. Account transfer fees apply at Binck, DEGIRO, BNP Paribas, Bourse Direct, Fortuneo, La Banque Postale, Caisse d’Épargne, LCL, Société Générale, ING Direct, Boursorama, Crédit Agricole and BforBank.

Some institutions will reimburse CTO transfer fees up to a certain limit.

Pledging a CTO

Pledging a securities account means putting it up as security, as with a bank guarantee. The CTO becomes the creditor’s security over the securities owner for a set period. To have legal effect, by definition, the CTO must be the subject of a declaration signed and dated by its holder, as a court decision alone is not enough. A pledge certificate for financial securities accounts is therefore required.

There are templates for financial securities account pledge declarations. A pledged CTO is not exempt from seizure: if the debtor defaults, the securities are seized and sold for the creditor (Article L. 231-1 of the French Code of Civil Enforcement Procedures).

How to Close a CTO

Unlike a PEA, a CTO can be closed at any time. How do you close an ordinary securities account at La Banque Postale, Caisse d’Épargne, Boursorama, ING Direct, Binck, Fortuneo or Société Générale? The procedure is more or less the same. Here are the steps to close a CTO.

The Closure Letter

To close the CTO, send a closure letter to your bank. Send it by registered mail as proof of your request. For online brokers, also send a dated and signed closure letter. Some brokers will also ask for proof of identity to close a CTO. For joint accounts, both owners must sign the letter.

You can find a standard closure letter or a CTO closure letter template. It generally includes:

• Account number;

• Owner details;

• Account details (IBAN, bank details).

For example, to close your CTO at Fortuneo, simply customise one of the closure letter templates available on its website.

Why and How to Close a CTO

You can close a CTO at any time: when you want to stop trading or simply when you want to change banks and a transfer is impossible.

The bank will liquidate all the holdings in the securities account. As with any transaction in your portfolio, the bank will charge you a commission for each sale. Some traders prefer to simply empty or liquidate the CTO. However, some banks still charge fees even on an empty or inactive CTO. To close an ordinary securities account at Caisse d’Épargne, Crédit Agricole, Boursorama, Banque Populaire, BNP Paribas, Axa Banque or La Banque Postale, contact your banker for details.

To close an online securities account, the steps and time frame vary depending on the broker. Most often, you must transfer all the cash and sell all the securities yourself. This is the case when closing a CTO at Bourse Direct. No pending orders must remain. Once the portfolio is empty, request the closure of your ordinary securities account by filling in the standard closure letter or termination letter.

Beginner’s Glossary

• Investment fund: an organisation that collectively holds financial assets. The manager is a professional who manages assets for several people. There are several forms: UCITS (including SICAVs and FCPs) or AIFs (alternative investment funds).
• Security: a financial instrument that can be listed on the stock exchange. There are two types: equity securities (shares) and debt securities (bonds). Each security confers rights on its owner.
• Bond: a bond is a portion of debt issued by a legal entity (company, local authority or state). It is a debt security offering a less risky long-term investment.
• Coupon: the periodic income received by bondholders. Interest is paid according to the type of bond, either annually or at maturity. The interest rate can be fixed or variable.
• Share: a share is an ownership security representing part of a company’s capital. Like a bond, it confers rights on its holder.
• Dividend: the share of the profits generated by the company that is paid to shareholders according to the number of shares each holds. It is distributed after a general meeting. The dividend is the shareholders’ remuneration and can be paid in kind, in cash or in shares.
• Listing: this sets the price (value) of a security issued by a company on the stock market.
• Warrants: also known as option warrants, a warrant is a product similar to an option. It gives its holder the right to buy or sell an underlying asset at a predetermined price by an expiry date.
• SICAV: an investment fund, short for société d’investissement à capital variable (open-ended investment company). A SICAV gives individuals access to otherwise inaccessible assets and lets them diversify their investments.
• Trackers: also called ETFs (exchange-traded funds), these are securities tracking many indices. They are issued by banks that hold an investment fund made up of the securities in the index being replicated.

Tips for Managing Your CTO Well

You can learn to become a trader and manage your account well. Whether you are a beginner or experienced, you can start with these tips to manage your CTO yourself:

• Determine your risk profile through assessments with your broker or online;

• Master the securities in your portfolio: start with the financial securities you know best;

• Balance diversification and the number of lines: do not work with more than about fifteen lines;

• Set yourself rules. Using a CTO requires a degree of self-discipline. Set yourself a goal and try to reach it without exceeding the limits you have set.

For reviews of CTOs at banks such as Boursorama or Crédit Agricole, check the forums. Many reviews of CTOs at eToro, Fortuneo, ING Direct, Binck, BforBank, Yomoni, Bourse Direct and La Banque Postale are available on Trustpilot or on our pages.

For more official and up-to-date information on CTOs, search Google for something like “compte titre gouv”. That way, you can find information on CTOs on the French government website or the French regulator’s (AMF) site. We have selected the securities accounts of Crédit Agricole, Boursorama and Caisse d’Épargne to give you examples of taxation, fees, opening and closing.

Crédit Agricole CTO: Review and Details

Find all the answers to your questions about the Crédit Agricole CTO.

• What Is a CTO at Crédit Agricole?

Like BNP Paribas, Crédit Mutuel, La Banque Postale, Société Générale and LCL, Crédit Agricole is a bank that lets you open a CTO with specific pricing. A securities account at Crédit Agricole is a portfolio that can hold all types of securities.

• What Is a CTO at Crédit Agricole Used For?

At Crédit Agricole, you can open a simple CTO or a CTD account, so prices and costs will vary. With the Crédit Agricole CTO, you can buy and sell bonds, equity interests, SCPIs or FCPs. It lets you invest in the stock market in any type of financial asset without restrictions.

• How to Open a CTO at Crédit Agricole

Simply go to your branch. To open a CTO or a PEA at Crédit Agricole, speak to your banker and you will receive a CTO and investment services agreement (contract) at Crédit Agricole. You can also become a member of Crédit Agricole. As well as being a customer, a member takes part in all decisions at the general meeting.

• How Does the CTO Work at Crédit Agricole?

To fund your uncapped CTO, make a transfer or withdraw your money, proceed as with a normal account. Unlike a PEA, no unlocking is required.

• What Fees Apply to a CTO at Crédit Agricole?

1. There are custody fees calculated at a rate proportional to the contents of the Crédit Agricole CTO.
2. Management fees apply if your Crédit Agricole account is managed by a professional.
3. Transaction fees are also charged.

• How to Close a CTO at Crédit Agricole

To close a CTO at Crédit Agricole, start by emptying it. Then send the CTO closure letter to your Crédit Agricole branch to complete the termination. To withdraw your Crédit Agricole member shares, there are redemption options.

Boursorama CTO: Review and Details

Find out the benefits of opening a securities account or a managed CEF (compte d’épargne financière) at Boursorama.

• How to Open a CTO at Boursorama

1. You can get a CTO at Boursorama in several ways: by migrating or transferring a portfolio from another bank, or by opening a new one. You can transfer your CTO to Boursorama. To open a portfolio at Boursorama, you can choose between a CTO, a PEA or a managed financial savings account.
2. At Boursorama, as at Fortuneo, you can benefit from many offers and promo codes, especially through referrals. Among the most popular are Boursorama promo codes or bonuses linked to opening a securities account, such as the 80-euro offer.

• How to Fund a CTO at Boursorama

Boursorama lets you open a virtual or demo CTO to practise. You can fund your Boursorama CTO by transfer or deposit with no minimum.

• What Are the Fees for a CTO at Boursorama?

Boursorama’s prices and conditions are attractive because CTO costs are lower. For example, there is no extra charge to close the securities account. Feel free to join the Boursorama forum to discuss and share your views on the CTO and see what other users think.

Caisse d’Épargne CTO: Review and Details

In addition to the fees already listed, discover the specific features of the Caisse d’Épargne CTO.

• How to Open a CTO at Caisse d’Épargne

If you want to open a CTO or a PEA at Caisse d’Épargne to buy securities, the procedures are almost the same as at other banks.

• What Is a CTO at Caisse d’Épargne?

To deposit or withdraw cash on the CTO at Caisse d’Épargne, simply proceed as with your usual bank account. To place buy orders (equity interests, shares…) or sell orders, Caisse d’Épargne has an online service. To close an account at Caisse d’Épargne, send your termination request.

• How to Close a CTO at Caisse d’Épargne

Send your CTO termination letter using the standard template. The bank will start liquidating the CTO and complete all orders.

Do you have a securities account for investing in the stock market? Feel free to share its advantages in the comments!