Dónde encontrar su número de cuenta para transferencias ACAT

Para garantizar que su transferencia ACAT o ATON se realice correctamente, su bróker debe validar el número de cuenta proporcionado en la solicitud. Si su número de cuenta no es válido, su bróker rechazará la solicitud. IBKR recomienda que los clientes revisen una copia de su extracto de corretaje con el fin de confirmar su número de cuenta. A continuación se muestran ejemplos de extractos emitidos por algunos de los brókers más comunes y se ha resaltado dónde encontrar esta información.

 

Charles Schwab - Bróker #0164.  La norma para el número de cuenta es 8 caracteres, todos numéricos.

 

Fidelity Investments - Emisión a través de National Financial Services, Bróker #0226.  La norma para el número de cuenta es 9 caracteres, los 3 primeros alfanuméricos y los 6 últimos numéricos.

 

 

Merrill Edge - Bróker #0671.  La norma para el número de cuenta es 8 caracteres en una combinación de caracteres alfanuméricos y numéricos.

   

TD Ameritrade - Bróker #0188. La norma para el número de cuenta es 9 caracteres, todos numéricos.

 

Vanguard- Bróker #0062. La norma para el número de cuenta es 8 caracteres, todos numéricos.

 

Nota: Este artículo contiene imágenes de ejemplos de extractos emitidos por brókers con un fin únicamente ilustrativo y pueden tener logotipos que siguen siendo propiedad de dichos brókers.

Restricciones sobre las acciones de microcapitalización estadounidenses

Introducción
Para cumplir con las normativas respecto de la venta de valores no registrados y para minimizar el procesamiento manual asociado con la negociación de acciones que no coticen públicamente, IBKR impone ciertas restricciones en las acciones de microcapitalización estadounidenses. A continuación, se proporciona una lista de estas restricciones, junto con otras preguntas frecuentes relacionadas con este tema. 

Restricciones sobre las acciones de microcapitalización

  • IBKR solo aceptará transferencias de bloques de acciones de microcapitalización estadounidenses de clientes elegibles. Los clientes elegibles incluyen cuentas que: 1) mantienen un patrimonio (antes o después de la transferencia) de al menos 5 millones USD, o clientes de asesores financieros con un total de activos gestionados de al menos 20 millones USD; y 2) tienen menos de la mitad de su patrimonio en acciones de microcapitalización estadounidenses.
  • IBKR solo aceptará transferencias1 de bloques de acciones de microcapitalización estadounidenses en donde el cliente elegible pueda confirmar que las acciones se compraron en el mercado abierto o se registraron ante la SEC.
  • IBKR no aceptará transferencias1 de ni órdenes de apertura para acciones de microcapitalización estadounidenses designadas por un mercado extrabursátil a riesgo del comprador o un mercado gris de ningún cliente. Los clientes que tengan posiciones existentes sobre estas acciones podrán cerrar las posiciones.
  • IBKR no aceptará transferencias de acciones de microcapitalización estadounidenses para cubrir una posición corta establecida en IBKR.
  • Los clientes de solo ejecución (p. ej., clientes que ejecutan negociaciones mediante IBKR pero las compensan en otro lado) no podrán negociar acciones de microcapitalización estadounidenses en su cuenta de IBKR. (IBKR podrá hacer excepciones para brókeres registrados en EE. UU.).


Preguntas frecuentes sobre la microcapitalización

¿Qué es una acción de microcapitalización estadounidense?
La expresión "acción de microcapitalización" se refiere a acciones: 1) negociadas en un mercado extrabursátil, o 2) cotizadas en Nasdaq y NYSE American que tengan una capitalización de mercado entre 50 millones USD y 300 millones USD, y que negocian a 5 USD o por debajo de esta cifra. A los fines de esta política, la expresión "acción de microcapitalización" incluirá las acciones de empresas estadounidenses que cotizan en bolsa y que tienen una capitalización de mercado de 50 millones USD o menos, a las cuales se refiere a veces como "acciones de nanocapitalización" o negociación en un mercado normalmente relacionado con acciones de microcapitalización.

Para evitar situaciones en donde las fluctuaciones menores a corto plazo en el precio de una acción ocasionen una reclasificación repetida, toda acción clasificada como de microcapitalización estadounidense permanecerá en esta clasificación hasta que su capitalización de mercado y cotización de las acciones excedan de los 300 millones USD y 5 USD, respectivamente, durante un periodo de 30 días naturales consecutivos.

Debido a que las acciones de microcapitalización a menudo tienen precios bajos, se refiere a este tipo de acción comúnmente como "penny stocks". IBKR podrá realizar excepciones, incluso para acciones negociadas a precios bajos que recientemente tenían una mayor capitalización de mercado. Además, IBKR no considerará los ADR en empresas no estadounidenses como acciones de microcapitalización.

¿En dónde se negocian las acciones de microcapitalización?
Las acciones de microcapitalización normalmente se negocian en el mercado extrabursátil, en lugar de en una bolsa de valores nacional. A menudo, los creadores de mercado las cotizan electrónicamente en sistemas extrabursátiles, como el OTC Bulletin Board (OTCBB) y los mercados administrados por el OTC Markets Group (p. ej., OTCQX, OTCQB y Pink). Además, en esta categoría se incluyen acciones que no puedan cotizarse en bolsa, y que se designan como a riesgo del comprador, otros mercados extrabursátiles o el mercado gris.
Asimismo, los reguladores estadounidenses también consideran a las acciones cotizadas en el Nasdaq o NYSE American que negocien a 5 USD o por debajo de esta cifra con una capitalización de mercado de 300 millones USD o menos como acciones de microcapitalización.

¿Qué sucede si IBKR recibe una transferencia de un cliente elegible en donde una o más de las posiciones transferidas es una acción de microcapitalización?
Si IBKR recibe una transferencia que contenga un bloque de acciones de microcapitalización, IBKR se reserva el derecho de restringir la venta de las posiciones sobre acciones de microcapitalización incluidas en la transferencia, a menos que el cliente elegible proporcione la documentación correspondiente que establezca que las acciones se compraron en el mercado abierto (es decir, en un mercado que cotiza en bolsa a través de otro bróker) o registrado ante la SEC conforme con una declaración de registro S1 o similar.

Los clientes elegibles pueden demostrar que las acciones se adquirieron en el mercado abierto. Para esto, deberán proporcionar un extracto de corretaje o confirmación de la negociación de un bróker reconocido que refleje la compra de acciones en un mercado de valores. Los clientes elegibles pueden establecer que las acciones están registradas si proporcionan el número de registro ante la SEC (sistema Edgar) en el cual la empresa registró sus acciones (y todos los documentos necesarios para confirmar que las acciones son las cotizadas en el extracto del registro).

NOTA: todos los clientes pueden transferir libremente las acciones que hayamos restringido en cualquier momento.

¿Qué restricciones aplicará IBKR para las cuentas Prime?
Los clientes cuyas actividades incluyan servicios Prime se consideran clientes elegibles únicamente para aquellas negociaciones que IBKR hubiera acordado aceptar por parte de sus brókeres de ejecución. De todas formas, mientras que las cuentas Prime pueden compensar acciones de microcapitalización estadounidenses en IBKR, estas acciones estarán restringidas hasta que IBKR confirme que las acciones son elegibles para la reventa de acuerdo con los procedimientos que se indican arriba. 

Para eliminar la restricción sobre las acciones adquiridas en el mercado abierto, solicite al bróker de ejecución que proporcione un carta firmada, en papel con membrete de la empresa, o un extracto de cuenta oficial en donde se declare que las acciones se adquirieron en el mercado abierto. Además, la carta o el extracto deberán incluir los criterios requeridos a continuación. Alternativamente, si las acciones se adquirieron mediante una oferta, la carta o el extracto deberán incluir los documentos o enlaces a la declaración de registro correspondiente e indicar que las acciones eran parte del mismo.

Criterios requeridos para la carta del bróker:
1) Número de cuenta con IBKR
2) Nombre de la cuenta con IBKR
3) Fecha de negociación
4) Fecha de liquidación
5) Símbolo
6) Lado
7) Precio
8) Cantidad
9) Hora de ejecución
10) Mercado
11) Debe estar firmada
12) Debe redactarse en papel con membrete oficial de la empresa

En resumen: las operaciones de venta en largo se aceptarán si la posición larga ya no se encuentra restringida. Se aceptarán operaciones de ventas en corto. Se aceptarán operaciones de compra en largo, y la posición se restringirá hasta que el departamento de cumplimiento normativo reciba la información necesaria para eliminar dicha restricción. No se aceptarán operaciones de compra cubiertas ni operaciones intradía de entrada y salida.


¿Qué sucede si la acción que adquiere se reclasifica como una acción del mercado gris o de riesgo del comprador?

Si adquiere una acción en su cuenta de IBKR que, posteriormente, se convierte en una acción clasificada como a riesgo del comprador o del mercado gris, se le permitirá mantener, cerrar o transferir la posición pero no podrá aumentar su posición.


¿cuáles son algunos de los motivos por los cuales la negociación de acciones de microcapitalización pueda estar restringida en mi cuenta?
Existen dos motivos principales por los cuales puede tener restricciones para negociar acciones de microcapitalización:

  • Potencial afiliación al emisor: La norma 144 de la Comisión de Valores y Bolsa de EE. UU. ("SEC”) establece ciertas limitaciones para la negociación de acciones (lo que incluye acciones de microcapitalización) mediante una "filial" del emisor. Si IBKR observa actividad de negociación o tenencias en acciones de microcapitalización cercanas a los umbrales del volumen de negociación conforme con la norma 144 (los "Umbrales de la norma 144"), IBKR podrá restringir la negociación del cliente de acciones de microcapitalización hasta que se complete la revisión por parte del departamento de cumplimiento normativo.
  • Transferencia de acciones de microcapitalización: si el cliente ha transferido recientemente una acción de microcapitalización en su cuenta de IBKR, IBKR podrá restringir la negociación de ese valor hasta que se complete le revisión por parte del departamento de cumplimiento normativo.

Si se aplica uno de los motivos anteriores, la negociación se restringirá para ese valor, y se enviará un aviso al centro de mensajes del cliente en Client Portal. Este aviso describirá el motivo de la restricción y los pasos que el cliente debe tomar antes de que IBKR considere eliminar la restricción.


¿Por qué considera IBKR que soy un afiliado potencial de un emisor de acciones de microcapitalización?
Un "afiliado" es una persona, como un director ejecutivo, un director o un accionista mayoritario en una relación de control con el emisor.

La norma 144 se aplica para todos los valores, e incluye a las acciones de microcapitalización. Sin embargo, dados los riesgos asociados ampliados con la negociación de acciones de microcapitalización, si la negociación o las tenencias en acciones de microcapitalización de un cliente se encuentran cercanos a los umbrales de la norma 144, IBKR restringirá la negociación del cliente de las acciones de microcapitalización.  Esta restricción seguirá en vigor pendiente de la revisión por parte del departamento de cumplimiento normativo del estado potencial de afiliado del cliente.

Para la revisión de afiliado potencial, ¿por qué necesito solicitar una nueva revisión cada dos semanas?
El estado de afiliado de un cliente puede cambiar pronto luego de que IBKR complete la revisión de potencial afiliado a la que se refiere arriba. Como tal, IBKR cree que es adecuado actualizar la revisión de potencial afiliado cada dos semanas si la actividad de negociación o las tenencias de un cliente en acciones de microcapitalización se mantienen cercanas a los umbrales de la norma 144.

¿En dónde puedo encontrar una lista de acciones que IBKR haya designado como acciones de microcapitalización estadounidenses?
Encontrará una lista de las acciones designadas como acciones de microcapitalización estadounidenses compiladas por IBKR en el siguiente enlace: www.ibkr.com/download/us_microcaps.csv

Tenga en cuenta que esta lista se actualiza diariamente.

¿En dónde puedo encontrar información adicional sobre acciones de microcapitalización?
Puede encontrar más información sobre las acciones de microcapitalización en el siguiente enlace, e incluye los riesgos asociados con dichas acciones que puede encontrarse en la página web de la SEC: https://www.sec.gov/reportspubs/investor-publications/investorpubsmicrocapstockhtm.html
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1Incluye transferencias mediante cualquier método (p. ej., ACATS, DWAC, FOP), conversión de acciones que cotizan en bolsa en Canadá con sus equivalentes estadounidenses mediante transferencia "Southbound", transferencias para cubrir posiciones en corto existentes, clientes Prime de IB que ejecuten sus operaciones con otros brókeres y liquiden sus operaciones con IBKR, etc.

 

Locating your account number for ACATS transfers

In order for your ACAT or ATON transfer to be completed successfully, your broker must validate the account number provided on the request. If the account number is invalid, your broker will reject the request. IBKR recommends that clients review a copy of their brokerage statement to confirm their account number and has provided statement samples below from some of the more common brokers highlighting where this information can be found.

 

Charles Schwab - Broker #0164.  Account Number convention is 8 characters, all numeric.

 

Fidelity Investments - Delivers through National Financial Services, Broker #0226.  Account Number convention is 9 characters, first 3 alpha-numeric and last 6 numeric.

 

 

Merrill Edge - Broker #0671.  Account Number convention is 8 characters, combination of alpha and numeric.

   

TD Ameritrade - Broker #0188. Account Number convention is 9 characters, all numeric.

 

Vanguard- Broker #0062. Account Number convention is 8 characters, all numeric.

 

Note: This article contains images of sample broker statements which are for illustrative purposes only and which may contain logos that remain the property of each of those brokers.

U.S. Microcap Stock Restrictions

Introduction
To comply with regulations regarding the sale of unregistered securities and to minimize the manual processing associated with trading shares that are not publicly quoted, IBKR imposes certain restrictions on U.S. Microcap Stocks. A list of those restrictions, along with other FAQs relating to this topic are provided below. 

Microcap Restrictions

  • IBKR will only accept transfers of blocks of U.S. Microcap stocks from Eligible Clients. Eligible Clients include accounts that: (1) maintain equity (pre or post-transfer) of at least $5 million or, clients of financial advisors with aggregate assets under management of at least $20 million; and (2) have less than half of their equity in U.S. Microcap Stocks.
  • IBKR will only accept transfers1 of blocks of U.S. Microcap Stocks where the Eligible Client can confirm the shares were purchased on the open market or registered with the SEC;
  • IBKR will not accept transfers1 of or opening orders for U.S. Microcap Stocks designated by OTC as Caveat Emptor or Grey Market from any client. Clients with existing positions in these stocks may close the positions;
  • IBKR will not accept transfers of U.S. Microcap Stocks to cover a short position established at IBKR;
  • Execution-only clients (i.e., execute trades through IBKR, but clear those trades elsewhere) may not trade U.S. Microcap Stocks within their IBKR account. (IBKR may make exceptions for U.S.-registered brokers);


Microcap FAQs

What is a U.S. Microcap Stock?
The term “Microcap Stock” refers to shares (1) traded over the counter or (2) that are listed on Nasdaq and NYSE American that have a market capitalization of between $50 million to $300 million and are trading at or below $5. For purposes of this policy, the term Microcap Stock will include the shares of U.S. public companies which have a market capitalization at or below $50 million, which are sometimes referred to as nanocap stocks or trade on a market generally associated with Microcap Stocks.

To avoid situations where minor, short-term fluctuations in a stock price cause repeated reclassification, any stock classified as U.S. Microcap will remain in that classification until both its market capitalization and share price exceed $300 million and $5, respectively, for a 30 consecutive calendar day period.

As Microcap Stocks are often low-priced, they are commonly referred to as penny stocks. IBKR may make exceptions, including for stocks traded at low prices that recently had a greater market cap. In addition, IBKR will not consider ADRs on non-US companies to be Micro-Cap stocks.

Where do Microcap Stocks trade?
Microcap Stocks typically trade in the OTC market, rather than on a national securities exchange. They are often electronically quoted by market makers on OTC systems such as the OTC Bulletin Board (OTCBB) and the markets administered by the OTC Markets Group (e.g., OTCQX, OTCQB & Pink). Also included in this category are stocks which may not be publicly quoted and which are designated as Caveat Emptor, Other OTC or Grey Market.
In addition, U.S. regulators also consider stocks listed on Nasdaq or NYSE American trading at or below $5 with a market capitalization at or less than $300 million to be Microcap Stocks.

What happens if IBKR receives a transfer from an Eligible Client where one or more of the positions transferred is a Microcap Stock?
If IBKR receives a transfer containing a block of a Microcap stock, IBKR reserves the right to restrict the sale of any Microcap position(s) included in the transfer unless the Eligible Client provides appropriate documentation establishing that the shares were either purchased on the open market (i.e., on a public exchange through another broker) or were registered with the SEC pursuant to an S-1 or similar registration statement.

Eligible Clients can prove that shares were purchased on the open market by providing a brokerage statement or trade confirm from a reputable broker reflecting the purchase of the shares on a public exchange. Eligible Clients can establish that the shares are registered by providing the SEC (Edgar system) File number under which their shares were registered by the company (and any documents necessary to confirm the shares are the ones listed in the registration statement).

NOTE: All customers are free to transfer out any shares we have restricted at any time.

What restrictions will IBKR apply to Prime accounts?
Clients whose activities include Prime services are considered Eligible Clients solely for the purposes of those trades which IBKR has agreed to accept from its executing brokers. However, while Prime accounts may clear U.S. Microcap Stocks at IBKR, those shares will be restricted until such time IBKR confirms that the shares are eligible for re-sale under the procedures discussed above. 

To remove the restriction for shares purchased on the open market, please have the executing broker provide a signed letter on company letterhead or an official Account Statement stating that the shares were purchased in the open market. The letter or statement must also include the below required criteria. Alternatively, if the shares were acquired through an offering the letter or statement must provide documents or links to the relevant registration statement and state that the shares were part of it.

Required Broker Letter Criteria:
1) IBKR Account Number
2) IBKR Account Title
3) Trade Date
4) Settlement Date
5) Symbol
6) Side
7) Price
8) Quantity
9) Time of Execution
10) Exchange
11) Must be signed
12) Must be on Firm's official letterhead

To summarize: Sell Long trades will be accepted if the long position is no longer restricted. Sell Short trades will be accepted. Buy Long trades will be accepted and the position will be restricted until Compliance is provided with sufficient information to remove the restriction. Buy Cover trades and intraday round trip trades will not be accepted.


What happens if a stock you purchase gets reclassified as Grey Market or Caveat Emptor?

If you purchase a stock in your IBKR account that at a later date becomes classified as a Caveat Emptor or Grey Market stock, you will be allowed to maintain, close or transfer the position but will not be able to increase your position.


What are some of the reasons why Microcap Stock trading may be restricted in my account?
There are two primary reasons why you might be restricted from trading in a Microcap Stock:

  • Potential Affiliation to Issuer: U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Rule 144 places certain limitations on trading of stocks (including Microcap Stocks) by an “affiliate” of the issuer. If IBKR observes trading activity or holdings in a Microcap Stock that are close to the trading volume thresholds under Rule 144 (“Rule 144 Thresholds”), IBKR may restrict the customer from trading the Microcap Stock until a compliance review is completed.
  • Transfer of Microcap Stock: If the customer has recently transferred a Microcap Stock into their IBKR account, IBKR may restrict the customer from trading in that security until a compliance review is completed.

If one of the above reasons apply, trading will be restricted in the security and a notification will be sent to the customer’s message center in Account Management. This notification will describe the reason for the restriction and the steps the customer must take before IBKR will consider lifting the restriction.


Why does IBKR consider me to be a potential affiliate of a Microcap Stock issuer?
An “affiliate” is a person, such as an executive officer, a director or large shareholder, in a relationship of control with the issuer.

Rule 144 applies to all securities, including Microcap Stocks. However, given the heightened risks associated with trading Microcap Stocks, if a customer’s trading and/or holdings in a Microcap Stock are close to the Rule 144 Thresholds, IBKR will restrict the customer’s trading in the Microcap Stock.  This restriction will remain in effect pending a compliance review into the customer’s potential affiliate status.

For the Potential Affiliate review, why do I need to ask for a new review every two weeks?
A customer’s affiliate status may change soon after IBKR completes the above-referenced Potential Affiliate review. As such, IBKR believes it is appropriate to refresh a Potential Affiliate review every two weeks if a customer’s trading activity and/or holdings in the Microcap Stock remain close to the Rule 144 Thresholds.

Where can I find a list of stocks that IBKR has designated as U.S. Microcaps?
A list of stocks designated as U.S. Microcaps by IBKR is available via the following link: www.ibkr.com/download/us_microcaps.csv

Note that this list is updated daily.

Where can I find additional information on Microcap Stocks?
Additional information on Microcap Stocks, including risks associated with such stocks may be found on the SEC website: https://www.sec.gov/reportspubs/investor-publications/investorpubsmicrocapstockhtm.html
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1This includes transfers by any method (e.g., ACATS, DWAC, FOP), conversion of Canadian listings to their U.S. equivalent via “Southbound” transfer, transfers to cover existing short positions, IB Prime customers executing with other brokers and clearing to IBKR, etc.

 

ACATS Transfer Guide (US brokerage account transfers)

ACATS Transfer Guide

Introduction

ACATS Transfer Benefits

Navigating The Process

Incoming Or Outgoing

Initiating Your Transfer

What To Expect

Who To Contact For Help

 

Introduction

Understanding the basic facts about transferring accounts between US brokerage firms can be help to avoid delays.  Through this article and other Knowledge Database resources, Interactive Brokers seeks to assist with your incoming and outgoing ACATS requests.

US brokerage firms utilize a standardized system to transfer customer accounts from one firm to another.  Known as the Automated Customer Account Transfer Service or ACATS, the process allows assets to move seamlessly between  brokerage firms in a unified time frame.   ACATS transfers are facilitated by a third party, the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC), to assist participating members with timely asset transfers.

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ACATS Transfer Benefits

The majority of assets may be transferred between US brokerage firms and some banks through ACATS.  This standardized system includes stocks, US corporate bonds, listed options, unit investment trusts, mutual funds, and cash.  Information on assets eligible for transfer is provided at "Assets Eligible..."  Though impacted by multiple factors and time constraints, the accepted or rejected transfers finalize within 10 business days in most cases.

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Navigating The Process

4 simple steps of the ACATS process will help you understand the flow and minimize delays.  Familiarizing yourself with the transfer process helps to ensure a successful transition.

1.  Incoming or Outgoing

2.  Initiating Your Transfer

3.  What to Expect

4.  Who to Contact For Help 

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 1. Incoming or Outgoing

 

Incoming ACATS Transfers

The financial institution that is receiving your assets and account transfer is known as the "receiving firm."  Investors always work with and through the "receiving firm" to move full or partial account assets into a new broker. 

Contact the "receiving firm" (Interactive Brokers) to review the firm's trading policies and requirements.  You should verify that your assets are eligible for trading at the "receiving firm" before initiating the transfer request.   Not all ACATS transferable assets are acceptable for trading at every brokerage firm.

Outgoing ACATS Transfers

All outgoing ACATS transfers, full or partial, must be approved by the "delivering firm."  Investors, however, should work with and through the "receiving firm" in order to begin the the transfer process or to status the progress of the request.      

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2. Initiating Your Transfer

Investors must always begin the ACATS transfer with the "receiving firm."  An ACATS transfer form or Transfer Initiation Form (TIF) must be submitted.  The "receiving firm" takes your reqeust and communicates with the "delivering firm" via ACATS.  The process begins with this request for transfer of the account. 

For your Interactive Brokers Account, the transfer is usually submitted online.  Video instruction on submitting the transfer is provided at "How to deposit funds via a full ACATS/ATON Transfer."  or through Step-by-step instructions.

Note: Outgoing account transfers from your IB account should be directed to the other broker.  Your request will be submitted to IB from the other broker through the ACATS electronically.

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3. What to Expect

Your Account

Brokers ensure the safety and security of transfer requests by only authorizing requests between open accounts that meet the following criteria:

  • Same Account Title
  • Same Tax ID Number
  • Same Account Type

Transfer Approval

Ultimately responsible for validating the transfer,  the "delivering firm" may accept  information from the "receiving firm" correcting data originally entered.  Approved or validated requests result in the delivery of positions to the "receiving firm" for their acceptance.   Assets may not be accepted by the "receiving firm" for the following:

  • Non-marginable or Margin (credit) violation
  • Not Tradable
  • DTC Chill

Note: The most common reasons for ACATS rejections are outlined by clicking here.

Processing Time-frame

The processing time for each transfer request is fixed.  In general, approved transfers complete within 4 to 8 business days.  Almost all transfers complete within 10 business days.  Each firm is required to perform certain steps at specific intervals in the process.  Feel free to review the Full ACATS transfer process flow.

 

Fees

While Interactive Brokers does not charge a fee to transfer your account via ACATS, some brokers do apply a fee for full and partial transfers. Prior to initiating your transfer, you should contact the "delivering firm" to verify any charge.

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4.  Who To Contact For Help

Interactive Brokers Customer Service stands poised to assist with your incoming ACATS transfer reqeust.  Click here for Customer Service contact resources.

Note:  Outgoing or ACATS transfers sending accounts to another broker should be directed to the "receiving firm."  Their Account Transfer Group will work with Interactive Brokers directly to complete your outgoing request.

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Free of Payment (FOP) Transfers

Overview: 

Free of Payment (FOP) is term used by IB to refer to a process of transferring long US securities between IB and another financial institution (e.g. bank, broker or transfer agent) through the Depository Trust Company (DTC).

The FOP transfer method is often used when:

1. The delivering form is not a DTC ACAT (Automated Customer Account Transfer) Participant.

2. The customer would like to expedite the delivery of their securities.   The processing time frame for securities transferred via FOP may, in certain instances, be less than that associated with an ACATS transfer.

The following steps are to be followed in order to create a FOP notice:

1. Log into Account Management.

2. Select Funding or Funds Management and then Position Transfers.

3. From the drop-down list, select the Transfer Method: Free of Payment.

4. Select the applicable transaction Type: Deposit or Withdraw.

5. In the case of a FOP Withdrawal, the steps are as follows:

    - Select the Destination to whom the securities are being transferred.

    - Enter your account number of the Third Party Broker Acount Information.

    - Specify the security (Stock, Warrants or US Bonds).

    - Enter the Symbol, Shares and the Exchange (optional) and click Add.

    - Provide your electronic signature authorizing the transfer request and clicking on the Continue button.

    - Verify your identity by entering your password and clicking on the Confirm Request button;

    - If your account is enrolled in the Secure Transaction Program (STP), the processing of your request   will take place once you enter your confirmation code and click on the Confirm Request button.  If not STP enrolled, your request will be subject to security verification, requiring that you contact our Customer Service Center to validate your identity and request.

6. In the case of a FOP Deposit, the steps are as follows:

    - Select the Source to whom the securities are being transferred.

    - Enter your account number of the Third Party Broker Acount Information.

    - Specify the security (Stocks, Warrants or US Bonds).

    - Enter the Symbol, Shares and the Exchange (optional) and click Add.

    - Provide your electronic signature authorizing the transfer request and clicking on the Continue button.

    - A printable version of the FOP request is made available should your transferring firm require an authorization form.

7. Transfer requests are typically completed within five business days.

 
IMPORTANT NOTE:

While IB does not assess a fee to process FOP transfers, other firms may and we therefore recommend that you confirm with the contra-firm their policies in this regard prior to submitting a request.  In the event a contra-firm does charge a fee to IB, the fee will be passed to the IB account holder.

 

Glossary terms: 

Assets eligible to be transferred through ACATS

Instruments handled by the ACATS system include the following asset classes: equities, options, corporate bonds, municipal bonds, mutual funds and cash. It should be noted; however, that ACATS eligibility does not guarantee that any given security will transfer as each receiving broker maintains its own requirements as to which asset classes as well as securities within a particular asset class it will accept.

Account holders are encouraged to use the Contract Search link on IB’s homepage to assess transfer eligibility prior to initiating a full account transfer request.  In the case of mutual funds, please click here for a list of fund families and funds offered by IB.

How do I transfer my US securities positions from my current broker to IB?

Overview: 

Broker to broker transfers for US securities are conducted via a process known as the Automated Customer Account Transfer Service or ACATS.  This process generally takes between 4 to 8 business days to complete in order to accommodate the verification of the transferring account and positions. The request is always initiated via the receiving broker (IB in this case) and can be prompted by following the steps below.

1.      Log into Account Management and select the Transfer & Pay and then Transfer Positions menu options.

2.      From the Transaction Type drop-down list select 'Inbound Position'

3.      From the Method drop-down list select 'ACATS'.

4.      Enter the sending Broker Information in the fields provided, and click CONTINUE

5.      In the Transaction Information section, indicate whether or not you wish to transfer all assets and select Yes to the authorization option. 

a.       Note that a "transfer all assets" election does not require that you specify any assets as an attempt will be made to transfer your account in its entirety.  Account holders should note, however, that certain positions may not be on the list of securities eligible to trade at IB and others, while transferable, may be subject to a house margin requirement higher than that of the delivering broker.  In the event IB receives an asset list from the delivering broker which includes ineligible positions or the aggregate of the positions transferred are such that a margin deficit would exist were the transfer to occur, IB will attempt to contact you to remedy the situation within the allocated time frame after which an automatic reject of the full transfer would take effect.  Account holders may wish to minimize potential delays or problems associated with a ‘Full’ transfer request by verifying security eligibility and margin requirements via the Contract Search link located at the upper right hand corner of the IB homepage prior to initiating the transfer.

b.      If you elect to not "transfer all assets", the system will require that you specify the positions you wish to transfer. Click Add Asset to add the positions you wish to transfer. Fill out the Asset Search and Transaction Information sections and click Continue.

6.      On the page that appears, type your signature in the Signature field, and then click CONTINUE.
Click BACK to modify the transfer request.

Please note that brokers generally freeze the account during the transfer period to ensure an accurate snapshot of assets to transfer and may restrict the transfer of option positions during the week prior to expiration. You may wish to check with the delivering broker to verify their policy in this regard. In addition, please note if your IB account is currently maintaining positions on margin, any cash withdrawals or adverse market moves could increase the likelihood that your account falls out of margin compliance during the transfer period which may delay or prevent completion of the transfer. 

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Applicants may meet the initial account funding requirement through the transfer of securities positions and/or cash via the ACATS system.

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