how does a brokerage firm work 
a broker is essentially a middleman brokers match buyers with sellers complete the transaction between the two parties and pocket a fee for their service if you use an online brokerage to buy stock there s no human standing between you and the transaction the brokerage software makes the match if you use a full service brokerage the process is much the same except that someone else is pressing the keys on the keyboard however the full service brokerage may have identified a good investment opportunity discussed it with the client and acted in the client s behalf in making the transaction 