ACH has extra restrictions besides the clearing. There is like a several day "holding" period even after they get your money if you want to buy stocks under a certain dollar amount. They will let you buy a higher dollar stock several days before that. Have them look up the exact policy, because most brokers will give you the wrong information about this. You can get your money in the same day with a wire transfer from your bank without any restrictions from what I remember. Ask to make sure of Scottrade's policies on this...