Ready to Invest in Shares & ETFs? Here's How:
Getting started with Kernel's Shares and ETFs is easy! You'll need a general individual Kernel account. Once you've gone through verification, navigate to the 'Shares & ETFs' tab and complete the digital form to sign up with our U.S. broker.
Who Can Join?
To invest in US shares through Kernel, you just need to meet these simple criteria:
Be a New Zealand resident for tax purposes.
Not be considered a "US person" (this usually relates to US citizenship or residency).
Be 18 years or older.
Be able to complete our quick online identity check.
Please note: Kids, joint, trust and company accounts aren't able to trade US shares through Kernel.
What Information We'll Ask For (and Why)
When you sign up, we'll ask for some details to get your account set up correctly and make sure everything meets legal requirements in both NZ and the US. This helps us ensure our service is right for you. We'll need things like:
About You: Your full legal name, date of birth, and NZ home address.
Your Work: Some basic employment details.
Tax Info: Confirmation that you're an NZ tax resident.
Financial Picture:
Your approximate annual household income (from all regular sources).
An estimate of your "liquid net worth" (this basically means savings and investments you could access relatively easily, not including things like your house or car).
Your Investing Journey: A little about your experience with investing and what you hope to achieve.
We keep all your information secure and use it to provide you with the best possible service while following all the necessary rules.