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From my experience as a trader, while RBC Direct Investing stands out as a regulated platform under Canadian authorities—offering a sense of security and legitimacy—it’s important for me to take stock of several important downsides before committing significant funds. First, RBC’s fee structure can impact active traders or those with lower account balances. Trading commissions, while competitive for frequent traders, remain higher than zero-commission brokers, especially if I place fewer than 150 trades per quarter. There’s also a quarterly maintenance fee for accounts under $15,000, which can add up if I’m just starting or managing a modest portfolio. For those of us who regularly deal with multiple currencies, RBC’s foreign exchange spreads are notably high for small to mid-sized transactions—up to 1.6% on USD-CAD conversions for amounts under $25,000. In my view, this makes international trading more expensive and could erode potential gains. Information on account types and additional costs isn’t always fully transparent; I found I had to dig for specifics on certain fees and trading conditions, which requires genuine attention to detail. Lastly, as a market maker and not a true ECN broker, RBC may have inherent conflicts of interest in trade execution. While their regulation and oversight mitigate some concerns, I always advise taking a conservative approach: thoroughly reviewing all fine print, understanding your trading patterns, and weighing these factors to ensure the platform’s structure aligns with your own risk tolerance and investment style.