Configuring Your Account
CONFIGURING YOUR ACCOUNT
Configuring Your Account
Choose your country of residence to view available client types:
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Client Types
Individual
Available Account Structures:
- Individual, Joint, Trust, IRA
- Family Advisor
- Family Office
- Advisor
- Advisor Client (including Family Advisor, Family Office)
- Broker Client
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account owned and utilized by a single trader or investor. A Single account can be linked to multiple Single or IRA accounts.
Joint
Available Account Structures:
- Individual, Joint, Trust, IRA
- Advisor Client (including Family Advisor, Family Office)
- Broker Client
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account owned and utilized by two individuals. Depending on the laws of your state of residence, there are three types of joint accounts: Tenants with Rights of Survivorship, Tenancy in Common, and Community Property.
Trust
Available Account Structures:
- Individual, Joint, Trust, IRA
- Advisor Client (including Family Advisor, Family Office)
- Broker Client
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account in which the securities are registered in the name of the trust, while a trustee controls the management of the investments. Trusts with more than one trustee will be deemed Professional for market data purposes.
IRA
Available Account Structures:
- Individual, Joint, Trust, IRA
- Advisor Client (including Family Advisor, Family Office)
- Broker Client
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: Individual Retirement Account. We offer the following types of IRA accounts:
- Traditional
- Traditional Rollover
- Traditional Inherited
- Roth
- Roth Inherited
- Simplified Employee Pension (SEP)
- Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) Inherited
This account is only available for individual US citizens living anywhere and US resident aliens. An IRA account can be linked to multiple Individual or IRA accounts.
IRA Trust
Available Account Structures:
- Advisor Client (including Family Advisor, Family Office)
Explanation: An IRA account held at a designated Third Party Trustee. This account is only available as a client account for a U.S Advisor.
UGMA/UTMA
Available Account Structures:
- Individual
- Advisor
- Fully Disclosed Broker
Explanation: An account intended for a custodian of a minor who is a US resident.
Corporation
Available Account Structures:
- Family Advisor
- Small Business
- Family Office
- Advisor
- Advisor Client (including Family Advisor, Family Office)
- Broker
- Broker Client
- Proprietary Trading Group
- Fund
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account in the name of a corporation, managed on the corporation's behalf by the corporation's officers or authorized traders.
Partnership
Available Account Structures:
- Family Advisor
- Small Business
- Family Office
- Advisor
- Advisor Client (including Family Advisor, Family Office)
- Broker
- Broker Client
- Proprietary Trading Group
- Fund
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account in the name of a partnership, managed on the partnership's behalf by the partnership's officers or authorized traders.
Limited Liability Company
Available Account Structures:
- Family Advisor
- Small Business
- Family Office
- Advisor
- Advisor Client (including Family Advisor, Family Office)
- Broker
- Broker Client
- Proprietary Trading Group
- Fund
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account in the name of a limited liability company ("LLC"), managed on the LLC's behalf by its officers or authorized traders.
Unincorporated Business
Available Account Structures:
- Family Advisor
- Small Business
- Family Office
- Advisor
- Advisor Client (including Family Advisor, Family Office)
- Broker
- Broker Client
- Proprietary Trading Group
- Fund
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account in the name of an unincorporated business, managed on the business' behalf by the business officers or authorized traders.
Notes:
- You are an employee of a company that participates in IBKR's EmployeeTrack program.
Client Types
Individual
Available Account Structures:
- Individual, Joint, Trust
- Family Advisor
- Family Office
- Advisor
- Advisor Client (including Family Advisor, Family Office)
- Broker Client
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account owned and utilized by a single trader or investor. A Single account can be linked to multiple Single accounts.
Joint
Available Account Structures:
- Individual, Joint, Trust
- Advisor Client (including Family Advisor, Family Office)
- Broker Client
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account owned and utilized by two individuals. Depending on the laws of your state of residence, there are three types of joint accounts: Tenants with Rights of Survivorship, Tenancy in Common, and Community Property.
Trust
Available Account Structures:
- Individual, Joint, Trust
- Family Advisor
- Family Office
- Advisor Client (including Family Advisor, Family Office)
- Broker Client
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account in which the securities are registered in the name of the trust, while a trustee controls the management of the investments. Trusts with more than one trustee will be deemed Professional for market data purposes.
RSP - Retirement Saving Plan
Available Account Structures:
- Individual, Joint, Trust
- Advisor Client (including Family Advisor, Family Office)
- Broker Client
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account owned and utilized by a single trader or investor. A Single account can be linked to multiple Single accounts.
TFSA - Tax-Free Savings Account
Available Account Structures:
- Individual, Joint, Trust
- Advisor Client (including Family Advisor, Family Office)
- Broker Client
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account owned and utilized by two individuals. Depending on the laws of your state of residence, there are three types of joint accounts: Tenants with Rights of Survivorship, Tenancy in Common, and Community Property.
Corporation
Available Account Structures:
- Family Advisor
- Small Business
- Family Office
- Advisor
- Advisor Client (including Family Advisor, Family Office)
- Broker
- Broker Client
- Proprietary Trading Group
- Fund
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account in the name of a corporation, managed on the corporation's behalf by the corporation's officers or authorized traders.
Partnership
Available Account Structures:
- Family Advisor
- Small Business
- Family Office
- Advisor
- Advisor Client (including Family Advisor, Family Office)
- Broker
- Broker Client
- Proprietary Trading Group
- Fund
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account in the name of a partnership, managed on the partnership's behalf by the partnership's officers or authorized traders.
Limited Liability Company
Available Account Structures:
- Family Advisor
- Small Business
- Family Office
- Advisor
- Advisor Client (including Family Advisor, Family Office)
- Broker
- Broker Client
- Proprietary Trading Group
- Fund
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account in the name of a limited liability company ("LLC"), managed on the LLC's behalf by its officers or authorized traders.
Notes:
- You are an employee of a company that participates in IBKR's EmployeeTrack program.
Client Types
Individual
Available Account Structures:
- Individual, Joint, Trust
- Family Advisors
- Advisor
- Advisor Client (including Family Advisors)
- Broker Client
- SIPP
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account owned and utilized by a single trader or investor. A Single account can be linked to multiple Single accounts.
Joint
Available Account Structures:
- Individual, Joint, Trust
- Family Advisors
- Advisor Client (including Family Advisors)
- Broker Client
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account owned and utilized by two individuals. Depending on the laws of your state of residence, there are three types of joint accounts: Tenants with Rights of Survivorship, Tenancy in Common, and Community Property.
Corporation
Available Account Structures:
- Family Advisors
- Small Business
- Advisor
- Advisor Client (including Family Advisors)
- Broker
- Broker Client
- Proprietary Trading Group
- Fund
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account in the name of a corporation, managed on the corporation's behalf by the corporation's officers or authorized traders.
Partnership
Available Account Structures:
- Family Advisors
- Small Business
- Advisor
- Advisor Client (including Family Advisors)
- Broker
- Broker Client
- Proprietary Trading Group
- Fund
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account in the name of a partnership, managed on the partnership's behalf by the partnership's officers or authorized traders.
Limited Liability Company
Available Account Structures:
- Family Advisors
- Small Business
- Advisor
- Advisor Client (including Family Advisors)
- Broker
- Broker Client
- Proprietary Trading Group
- Fund
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account in the name of a limited liability company ("LLC"), managed on the LLC's behalf by its officers or authorized traders.
Notes:
- You are an employee of a company that participates in IBKR's EmployeeTrack program.
Client Types
Individual
Available Account Structures:
- Individual and Joint
- Family Advisors
- Advisor Client (including Family Advisors)
- Broker Client
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account owned and utilized by a single trader or investor. A Single account can be linked to multiple Single accounts.
Joint
Available Account Structures:
- Individual and Joint
- Family Advisors
- Advisor Client (including Family Advisors)
- Broker Client
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account owned and utilized by two individuals. Depending on the laws of your state of residence, there are three types of joint accounts: Tenants with Rights of Survivorship, Tenancy in Common, and Community Property.
Corporation
Available Account Structures:
- Small Business
- Advisor
- Advisor Client
- Broker
- Broker Client
- Proprietary Trading Group
- Fund
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account in the name of a corporation, managed on the corporation's behalf by the corporation's officers or authorized traders.
Partnership
Available Account Structures:
- Small Business
- Advisor
- Advisor Client
- Broker
- Broker Client
- Proprietary Trading Group
- Fund
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account in the name of a partnership, managed on the partnership's behalf by the partnership's officers or authorized traders.
Limited Liability Company
Available Account Structures:
- Small Business
- Advisor
- Advisor Client
- Broker
- Broker Client
- Proprietary Trading Group
- Fund
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account in the name of a limited liability company ("LLC"), managed on the LLC's behalf by its officers or authorized traders.
Notes:
- You are an employee of a company that participates in IBKR's EmployeeTrack program.
Client Types
Individual
Available Account Structures:
- Individual
- Family Advisors
- Advisor Client (including Family Advisors)
- Broker Client
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account owned and utilized by a single trader or investor. A Single account can be linked to multiple Single accounts.
Corporation
Available Account Structures:
- Small Business
- Advisor
- Advisor Client
- Broker
- Broker Client
- Proprietary Trading Group
- Fund
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account in the name of a corporation, managed on the corporation's behalf by the corporation's officers or authorized traders.
Partnership
Available Account Structures:
- Small Business
- Advisor
- Advisor Client
- Broker
- Broker Client
- Proprietary Trading Group
- Fund
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account in the name of a partnership, managed on the partnership's behalf by the partnership's officers or authorized traders.
Limited Liability Company
Available Account Structures:
- Small Business
- Advisor
- Advisor Client
- Broker
- Broker Client
- Proprietary Trading Group
- Fund
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account in the name of a limited liability company ("LLC"), managed on the LLC's behalf by its officers or authorized traders.
Notes:
- You are an employee of a company that participates in IBKR's EmployeeTrack program.
Client Types
Individual
Available Account Structures:
- Individual, Joint, Trust
- Family Advisors
- Advisor
- Advisor Client (including Family Advisors)
- Broker Client
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account owned and utilized by a single trader or investor. A Single account can be linked to multiple Single accounts.
Joint
Available Account Structures:
- Individual, Joint, Trust
- Family Advisors
- Advisor Client (including Family Advisors)
- Broker Client
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account owned and utilized by two individuals. Depending on the laws of your state of residence, there are three types of joint accounts: Tenants with Rights of Survivorship, Tenancy in Common, and Community Property.
Corporation
Available Account Structures:
- Small Business
- Advisor
- Advisor Client
- Broker
- Broker Client
- Proprietary Trading Group
- Fund
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account in the name of a corporation, managed on the corporation's behalf by the corporation's officers or authorized traders.
Partnership
Available Account Structures:
- Small Business
- Advisor
- Advisor Client
- Broker
- Broker Client
- Proprietary Trading Group
- Fund
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account in the name of a partnership, managed on the partnership's behalf by the partnership's officers or authorized traders.
Limited Liability Company
Available Account Structures:
- Small Business
- Advisor
- Advisor Client
- Broker
- Broker Client
- Proprietary Trading Group
- Fund
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account in the name of a limited liability company ("LLC"), managed on the LLC's behalf by its officers or authorized traders.
Notes:
- You are an employee of a company that participates in IBKR's EmployeeTrack program.
Client Types
Individual
Available Account Structures:
- Individual
- Family Advisor
- Family Office
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account owned and utilized by a single trader or investor. A Single account can be linked to multiple Single accounts.
Organization
Available Account Structures:
- Small Business
- Proprietary Trading Group
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account in the name of an organization such as a corporation or a partnership, managed on behalf of the organization's officers or authorized traders.
Notes:
- You are an employee of a company that participates in IBKR's EmployeeTrack program.
Client Types
Individual
Available Account Structures:
- Individual, Joint, Trust
- Family Advisor
- Family Office
- Advisor
- Advisor Client (including Family Advisor, Family Office)
- Broker Client
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account owned and utilized by a single trader or investor. A Single account can be linked to multiple Single accounts.
Joint
Available Account Structures:
- Individual, Joint, Trust
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account owned and utilized by two individuals. Depending on the laws of your state of residence, there are three types of joint accounts: Tenants with Rights of Survivorship, Tenancy in Common, and Community Property.
Trust
Available Account Structures:
- Individual, Joint, Trust
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account in which the securities are registered in the name of the trust, while a trustee controls the management of the investments. Trusts with more than one trustee will be deemed Professional for market data purposes.
Corporation
Available Account Structures:
- Family Advisor
- Family Office
- Advisor
- Broker
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account in the name of a corporation, managed on the corporation's behalf by the corporation's officers or authorized traders.
Partnership
Available Account Structures:
- Family Advisor
- Family Office
- Advisor
- Broker
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account in the name of a partnership, managed on the partnership's behalf by the partnership's officers or authorized traders.
Organization
Available Account Structures:
- Advisor Client (including Family Advisor, Family Office)
- Broker Client
- Proprietary Trading Group
- Fund
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account in the name of an organization such as a corporation or a partnership, managed on behalf of the organization's officers or authorized traders.
Notes:
- You are an employee of a company that participates in IBKR's EmployeeTrack program.
Client Types
Individual
Available Account Structures:
- Individual
- Family Advisor
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account owned and utilized by a single trader or investor. A Single account can be linked to multiple Single accounts.
Organization
Available Account Structures:
- Fund Manager
- Family Advisor
- Broker
- Proprietary Trading Group(Organization/STL)
- Advisor
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account in the name of an organization such as a corporation or a partnership, managed on behalf of the organization's officers or authorized traders.
Notes:
- You are an employee of a company that participates in IBKR's EmployeeTrack program.
Client Types
Individual
Available Account Structures:
- Individual, Joint, Trust, SMSF
- Family Office or Family Management
- Advisor
- Advisor Client (including Family Management, Family Office)
- Broker Client
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account owned and utilized by a single trader or investor. A Single account can be linked to multiple Single accounts.
Joint
Available Account Structures:
- Individual, Joint, Trust, SMSF
- Advisor Client (including Family Management, Family Office)
- Broker Client
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account owned and utilized by two individuals.
Trust
Available Account Structures:
- Individual, Joint, Trust
- Advisor Client (including Family Management, Family Office)
- Broker Client
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account in which the securities are registered in the name of the trust, while a trustee controls the management of the investments.
SMSF
Available Account Structures:
- Self managed Superannuation Funds
- Advisor Client (Family Management, Family Office)
- Broker Client
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account held for the trustee (or trustees) of a Self-Managed Superannuation Fund, that can be owned and managed by up to four members:
Corporation
Available Account Structures:
- Family Management
- Small Business
- Family Office
- Advisor
- Advisor Client (including Family Management, Family Office)
- Broker
- Broker Client
- Proprietary Trading Group
- Fund
- EmployeeTrack 1
Explanation: An account in the name of a corporation, managed on the corporation's behalf by the corporation's officers or authorized traders.
Notes:
- You are an employee of a company that participates in IBKR's EmployeeTrack program.
Available Base Currencies
Your base currency determines the currency of translation for your statements and the currency used for determining margin requirements. Base currency availability varies by IBKR affiliate and is determined when you open an account. Clients who hold a margin account may change their base currency at any time through Client Portal. Cash accounts can have multi-currency (MULT) capability and can trade non-base currency products.
You are not restricted from making deposits and withdrawals in any one of the aforementioned non-base currencies.
Visit our Fund Your Account page for more information about funding methods and available base currencies.
Account Types
When opening your account you have a choice of Cash, Margin, IRA Margin or Portfolio Margin account types. For more specific information on margin calculations, see our Margin Requirements page. The following table provides a quick-glance comparison of these accounts. View the account type page from the links above for more details.
Stocks and Warrants1
Margin: Margin is calculated on a real-time basis. Immediate position liquidation if minimum maintenance margin requirement is not met. Purchase and sale proceeds available immediately. US securities regulations require a minimum USD 25,000 in equity or equivalent to day trade.
IRA Margin: Cannot borrow cash i.e. have a debit balance or short stocks.
Cash (including IRA accounts): Account must have enough cash to cover the cost of stock plus commissions. Shorting not allowed. Cash from the sale of stocks is available three business days after the trade date. Account may trade in different currencies but must have the settled cash balance to enter trades. When authorizing market, relative and VWAP orders, a 5% cash cushion is required to compensate for market movements.
Portfolio Margin2: Margin is calculated on a real-time risk basis. Immediate position liquidation will occur if the minimum maintenance margin requirement is not met. Purchase and sale proceeds available immediately. US securities regulations require a minimum USD 110,0004 or equivalent for this account. If your account drops below USD 100,000, Reg T margin requirements will apply.
Bonds
Margin: Margin is calculated on a real-time basis. Immediate position liquidation if minimum maintenance margin is not met. Shorting Treasuries not allowed. Purchase and sale proceeds available immediately.
IRA Margin: Cannot borrow cash i.e. have a debit balance or short stocks.
Cash (including IRA accounts): Account must have enough cash to cover the cost of bonds plus commissions. Shorting not allowed. Cash from the sale of bonds is available three business days after the trade date.
Portfolio Margin2: Same as Margin account type.
Stock and Cash Index Options
Margin: Margin is calculated on a real-time basis. Immediate position liquidation if minimum maintenance margin requirement is not met. Purchase and sale proceeds available immediately. To purchase options the entire premium plus commissions must be deposited. To sell options and other strategy-based combos, the margin requirements and commissions must be covered. US Securities regulations require at least 25,000 USD in equity or equivalent to day trade. Option market value may never be used for the purpose of borrowing funds. Short put writing in an IBKR Canada cash account is not allowed.
IRA Margin: Cannot borrow cash i.e. have a debit balance or short stocks. For information on combination strategies that require borrowing and consequently are not available, see the Reg T Margin IRA column on the Options Margin Requirements page.
Cash (including IRA accounts): Full payment required for all call and put purchases. Covered call writing is allowed, but the underlying stock must be available and is then restricted. Naked put writing is allowed, but the funds must be available and then are restricted. Cash from the sale of options is available one business day after the trade date. Note that short put writing in an IBKR Canada cash account is not allowed.
Portfolio Margin2: Same as Portfolio Margin requirements for stocks.
Futures3
Margin: Margin is calculated on a real-time basis. Immediate position liquidation if minimum margin requirement is not met. Cash required to meet variation margin requirements.
IRA Margin:Margin is calculated on a real-time basis. Immediate position liquidation if minimum margin requirement is not met. Cash required to meet variation margin requirements. Non-US futures options are available to US legal residents. For retirement accounts, margin requirements are substanitally higher.
Cash (including IRA accounts):Margin is calculated on a real-time basis. Immediate position liquidation if minimum margin requirement is not met. Cash required to meet variation margin requirements. Non-US futures options are available to US legal residents.
Portfolio Margin2: Same as Margin account type.
Futures Options3
Margin: Margin is calculated on a real-time basis. Immediate position liquidation if minimum margin requirement is not met. Cash required to meet variation margin requirements. Non-US futures options are available to US legal residents.
IRA Margin: N/A
Cash (including IRA accounts): N/A
Portfolio Margin2: Same as Margin account type.
Mutual Funds
Margin: Margin is calculated on a real-time basis. Immediate position liquidation if minimum margin requirement is not met. Cash required to meet variation margin requirements. Non-US futures options are available to US legal residents.
IRA Margin: Cannot borrow cash i.e. have a debit balance or short stocks.
Cash (including IRA accounts): Account must have enough cash to cover the cost of funds plus commissions. Cash from the sale of funds is available one business day after the trade date. Only available to US legal residents.
Portfolio Margin2: Same as Portfolio Margin requirements for stocks.
Single Stock Futures3
Margin: Margin is calculated on a real-time basis. Immediate position liquidation if minimum margin requirement is not met. May be cross-margined with US stocks and options.
IRA Margin: N/A
Cash (including IRA accounts): N/A
Portfolio Margin2: Same as Margin account type.
Currency Conversion
Margin: Borrowing in one currency to purchase another currency without leverage is allowed, but margin haircuts will be applied on a real-time basis.
IRA Margin: Never allowed to borrow currencies.
Cash (including IRA accounts): Cash from Forex transactions is available two business days after trade date. Never allowed to borrow currencies.
Portfolio Margin2: Same as Margin account type.
Cash Forex
Margin: Borrowing to establish a position (trading Forex on a leveraged basis) is allowed. Additional qualifications must be met and additional trading permissions are required for Cash Forex.
IRA Margin: Never allowed to borrow currencies.
Cash (including IRA accounts): Cash from Forex transactions is available two business days after trade date. Never allowed to borrow currencies.
Portfolio Margin2: Same as Margin account type.
Notes:
If you plan to trade any Exchange Traded Products (ETPs), including ETFs, with the following characteristics, you may wish to request Complex Leveraged Products (CLP) permissions:
- Any leveraged ETPs;
- Any inverse ETP;
- Any Volatility ETPs;
- ETPs that have an exotic underlying (Asset-backed Securities, Collateralized Loan Obligations, Collateralized Debt Obligations);
- All ETNs of any kind; and
- Other complex ETPs, particularly if they have embedded leverage or use derivatives.
- Portfolio Margin accounts are not available for IBKR Canada customers due to IIROC restrictions.
- Please note that for commodities, including futures, futures options and single stock futures, "margin" refers to the amount of cash that must be put up BY THE CLIENT as collateral to support a transaction, in contrast to margin for securities which refers to the amount of cash a client borrows from IB.
- Accounts with IBPrime services require a minimum of USD 1,000,000 or USD equivalent.
- Margin accounts have the ability to trade in all available countries.
- IRA accounts can have cash or margin trading permissions, but margin accounts are never allowed to borrow cash (have a debit balance) as per US IRS regulation.
- In SIPP accounts, the initial and maintenance margin requirements for commodities are 150% of their normal margin requirements. Commodities include futures, futures options and single stock futures.
Pricing Structure
IBKR offers a variety of pricing structures to calculate commissions. See our Commissions page for complete details on all of our pricing structures.
Notes:
- Accounts opened via IBKR (India) Pvt. Ltd can only use INR as the base currency. Accounts opened via Interactive Brokers Securities Japan, Inc. can only use JPY as the base currency.
- Fees are charged in the currency of the traded product and liquidations may occur if fees result in negative (short) non-base currency balances.
Available Base Currencies
Your base currency determines the currency of translation for your statements and the currency used for determining margin requirements. Base currency availability varies by IBKR affiliate and is determined when you open an account. Clients who hold a margin account may change their base currency at any time through Client Portal. Cash accounts can have multi-currency (MULT) capability and can trade non-base currency products.
You are not restricted from making deposits and withdrawals in any one of the aforementioned non-base currencies.
Visit our Fund Your Account page for more information about funding methods and available base currencies.
Account Types
When opening your account you have a choice of Cash, Margin, SIPP or Portfolio Margin account types. For more specific information on margin calculations, see our Margin Requirements page. The following table provides a quick-glance comparison of these accounts. View the account type page from the links above for more details.
Stocks and Warrants1
Margin: Margin is calculated on a real-time basis. Immediate position liquidation if minimum maintenance margin requirement is not met. Purchase and sale proceeds available immediately. US securities regulations require a minimum USD 25,000 in equity or equivalent to day trade.
SIPP: Cannot borrow cash i.e. have a debit balance or short stocks.
Cash: Account must have enough cash to cover the cost of stock plus commissions. Shorting not allowed. Cash from the sale of stocks is available three business days after the trade date. Account may trade in different currencies but must have the settled cash balance to enter trades. When authorizing market, relative and VWAP orders, a 5% cash cushion is required to compensate for market movements.
Portfolio Margin2: Margin is calculated on a real-time risk basis. Immediate position liquidation will occur if the minimum maintenance margin requirement is not met. Purchase and sale proceeds available immediately. US securities regulations require a minimum USD 110,0004 or equivalent for this account. If your account drops below USD 100,000, Reg T margin requirements will apply.
Bonds
Margin: Margin is calculated on a real-time basis. Immediate position liquidation if minimum maintenance margin is not met. Shorting Treasuries not allowed. Purchase and sale proceeds available immediately.
SIPP: Cannot borrow cash i.e. have a debit balance or short stocks.
Cash: Account must have enough cash to cover the cost of bonds plus commissions. Shorting not allowed. Cash from the sale of bonds is available three business days after the trade date.
Portfolio Margin2: Same as Margin account type.
Stock and Cash Index Options
Margin: Margin is calculated on a real-time basis. Immediate position liquidation if minimum maintenance margin requirement is not met. Purchase and sale proceeds available immediately. To purchase options the entire premium plus commissions must be deposited. To sell options and other strategy-based combos, the margin requirements and commissions must be covered. US Securities regulations require at least 25,000 USD in equity or equivalent to day trade. Option market value may never be used for the purpose of borrowing funds.
SIPP: Cannot borrow cash i.e. have a debit balance or short stocks. For information on combination strategies that require borrowing and consequently are not available, see the Reg T Margin IRA column on the Options Margin Requirements page.
Cash: Full payment required for all call and put purchases. Covered call writing is allowed, but the underlying stock must be available and is then restricted. Naked put writing is allowed, but the funds must be available and then are restricted. Cash from the sale of options is available one business day after the trade date.
Portfolio Margin2: Same as Portfolio Margin requirements for stocks.
Futures3
Margin: Margin is calculated on a real-time basis. Immediate position liquidation if minimum margin requirement is not met. Cash required to meet variation margin requirements.
SIPP:Margin is calculated on a real-time basis. Immediate position liquidation if minimum margin requirement is not met. Cash required to meet variation margin requirements.For retirement accounts, margin requirements are substantially higher.
Cash:Margin is calculated on a real-time basis. Immediate position liquidation if minimum margin requirement is not met. Cash required to meet variation margin requirements.
Portfolio Margin2: Same as Margin account type.
Futures Options3
Margin: Margin is calculated on a real-time basis. Immediate position liquidation if minimum margin requirement is not met. Cash required to meet variation margin requirements. Non-US futures options are available to US legal residents.
SIPP: N/A
Cash: N/A
Portfolio Margin2: Same as Margin account type.
Mutual Funds
Margin: Margin is calculated on a real-time basis. Immediate position liquidation if minimum margin requirement is not met. Cash required to meet variation margin requirements. Non-US futures options are available to US legal residents.
SIPP: Cannot borrow cash i.e. have a debit balance or short stocks.
Cash: Account must have enough cash to cover the cost of funds plus commissions. Cash from the sale of funds is available one business day after the trade date. Only available to US legal residents.
Portfolio Margin2: Same as Portfolio Margin requirements for stocks.
Single Stock Futures3
Margin: Margin is calculated on a real-time basis. Immediate position liquidation if minimum margin requirement is not met. May be cross-margined with US stocks and options.
SIPP: N/A
Cash: N/A
Portfolio Margin2: Same as Margin account type.
Currency Conversion
Margin: Borrowing in one currency to purchase another currency without leverage is allowed, but margin haircuts will be applied on a real-time basis.
SIPP: Never allowed to borrow currencies.
Cash: Cash from Forex transactions is available two business days after trade date. Never allowed to borrow currencies.
Portfolio Margin2: Same as Margin account type.
Cash Forex
Margin: Borrowing to establish a position (trading Forex on a leveraged basis) is allowed. Additional qualifications must be met and additional trading permissions are required for Cash Forex.
SIPP: Never allowed to borrow currencies.
Cash: Cash from Forex transactions is available two business days after trade date. Never allowed to borrow currencies.
Portfolio Margin2: Same as Margin account type.
Notes:
- Portfolio Margin accounts are not available for IBKR Canada customers due to IDA restrictions.
- Please note that for commodities, including futures, futures options and single stock futures, "margin" refers to the amount of cash that must be put up BY THE CLIENT as collateral to support a transaction, in contrast to margin for securities which refers to the amount of cash a client borrows from IB.
- Accounts with IBPrime services require a minimum of USD 1,000,000 or USD equivalent.
- Margin accounts have the ability to trade in all available countries.
- IRA accounts can have cash or margin trading permissions, but margin accounts are never allowed to borrow cash (have a debit balance) as per US IRS regulation.
- Cash accounts may be upgraded to Margin accounts but Margin accounts may not downgraded to Cash accounts.
- In SIPP accounts, the initial and maintenance margin requirements for commodities are 150% of their normal margin requirements. Commodities include futures, futures options and single stock futures.
Pricing Structure
IBKR offers a variety of pricing structures to calculate commissions. See our Commissions page for complete details on all of our pricing structures.
Notes:
- Accounts opened via IBKR (India) Pvt. Ltd can only use INR as the base currency. Accounts opened via Interactive Brokers Securities Japan, Inc. can only use JPY as the base currency.
- Fees are charged in the currency of the traded product and liquidations may occur if fees result in negative (short) non-base currency balances.