Nairalanders with [b]ETrade Securities Account(US Bank Account for foreigners) please help. Does the following message mean that ETrade is closing all non US citizens bank accounts as from January 2013 (the only hitherto legal means of having a US bank account as a Nigerian)?
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MESSAGE BELOW:
We write to inform you that a decision has been made by E*TRADE Financial Corporation to close its U.K. affiliate, E*TRADE Securities Limited. This closure affects you and your account and as a result, you must take one of the following two actions no later than January 07, 2013:

Option 1: Transfer and close your account:
• It is important you provide instructions to your alternative financial firm to submit a 'transfer of account' request to E*TRADE Securities Limited which requests a transfer of all of your cash and/or positions.
• We should receive this 'transfer of account' request prior to January 07, 2013. E*TRADE Securities Limited will send an electronic message to your account once the 'transfer of account' request is received from the alternative financial firm.


Option 2: Liquidate and close your account:
• Once your account has been liquidated, please request us to make a wire transfer of your cash and close your account.
• Should request a wire transfer of your cash before January 07, 2013. Please complete the attached wire transfer form and fax it to 001-678-624-6950 along with a copy of your passport.
• E*TRADE Securities Limited will wire out the proceeds from the sale of your existing positions, along with any other cash in your account, on the settlement date for the sale transaction. E*TRADE Securities Limited wire fees will be waived in this instance.

If you do not take any action by 9.00pm (London time) on January 07, 2013 your account will be restricted to "liquidation only." This means you will only be able to place closing transactions and request a wire transfer of your funds, or transfer your position and/or cash out of E*TRADE Securities Limited. Please note, after 9.00pm (London time) on January 07, 2013, you will not be able to open new positions or make deposits into your account and any open orders in your account (orders to establish new positions which have not been filled) will be canceled.