It does not necessary to trade US shares through online trading. You can trade US shares through interbroke such as OSK. i am an equities dealer for OSK investment bank. Currently, there are hundreds over people opened trading accounts with me just to trade AIG and citigroup shares. Some other client even looked into shares such as MENGNIU listed in Hongkong that has high potential of growth in future. Interbroke services are safe and efficient. Most importantly, you are serviced by a company dealer (company's remisier). If you are interested to trade US or other foreign shares, you are welcome to contact me for inquiries of procedures and etc. I am choo, my contact no is 0162677903, MSN : boonhan_choo@hotmail.com, email:boonhan_choo@hotmail.com