BofA expands free online stock trade program

Bank of America Corp., the nation’s second-biggest bank, has expanded a program offering free online stock trades to include customers outside the northeastern U.S.

In October, Bank of America began offering 30 free trades a month to customers in Northeastern cities, including New York and Boston, who keep at least $25,000 in their combined accounts with the bank. Now the offer has been extended to customers from Maryland to Florida, the Charlotte, N.C.-based company said Monday.

Bank of America Investment Services customers receive the free trades so long as they maintain the minimum balance in any combination of accounts.