Reread...Merrell Lynch said "NOPE". After that is a question "Shut down coming ???". I doubt Merrell Lynch would ask a customer that question...To me it reads simply as a question by the poster, after they stated Merrell Lynch said NOPE.
Merrell is very conservative. I bet scottrade would probably let me trade but Merrell has more dry powder. I have fidelity, scottrade and merrell. Merrell is the most conservative of the 3 but it gives me free trades everymonth. Scottrade rips you off for anything under $1. Soon I will transfer my scottrade account to another brokerage.