I opened an account a few years ago with $1, 000 in it. I did not plan on doing much, just to see if it would grow. I kept an eye on the investments every month and do not remember anything about a $40 penalty for not trading. Afte about 4 years with Etrade, my statement said I only had $10 left in it. Etrade sold my stock and kept the money for their fees. There was NO WARNING that this might happen. I am sure there was some fine print somewhere that I missed. Bottom line, I BELIEVE THIS IS AN INTENTIONAL STRATEGY TO ROB PEOPLE OF THEIR MONEY. Would we put up with an electric company that never sent you a bill them turned off your electricity without warning? ETrades policy is liked to that. I wish I had never heard of ETrade.