Interest Benchmark Definitions
Fed Funds Effective (USD only) is the volume weighted average of the transactions processed through the Federal Reserve between member banks. It is intended to reflect the best estimate of interbank financing activity for Reserve Bank members and is the reference for many short term money market transactions in the broader market.
EONIA (EUR only) is the global standard for overnight Euro deposits and is determined by a weighted average of the actual transactions between major continental European banks mediated through the European Central Bank.
HIBOR (CNY and HKD) is a daily fixing based on a group of large Hong Kong banks.
KORIBOR (KRW only) is an average of the leading interest rates for KRW as determined by a group of large Korean banks. The benchmark utilizes the KORIBOR with 1 week maturity.
STIBOR (SEK only) is a daily fixing based on a group of large Swedish banks.
TIIE (MXN only) is the interbank "equilibrium" rate based on the quotes provided by money center banks as calculated by the Mexican Central Bank. The benchmark TIIE is based on 28-day deposits so is atypical as a measure for short term funds (most currencies have an overnight or similar short term benchmark).
Overnight (O/N - CZK, HUF, ILS and SGD) rate is the most widely used short term benchmark and represents the rate for balances held from today until the next business day.
Spot-Next (S/N - DKK only) refers to the rate on balances from the next business day to the business day thereafter. Due to time zone and other criteria, Spot-Next rates are sometimes used as the short-term reference.
Day-Count conventions: it is beyond the scope of this document to describe day-count conventions and their use in interest calculations. IBKR conforms to the international standards for day-counting wherein deposits rates for most currencies are expressed in terms of a 360 day year, while for exceptional currencies (ex: GBP) the convention is a 365 day year.
Understanding interest charges when the net cash balance is a credit
An account will be subject to interest charges despite maintaining an overall net long or credit cash balance under the following circumstances:
1. The account maintains a short or debit balance in a given currency.
For example, an account maintaining a net cash credit balance equivalent to USD 5,000 comprised of a long USD balance of 8,000 and a short EUR balance equivalent to USD 3,000 would be subject to an interest debit based upon the short EUR balance. There would be no offsetting credit on the long USD balance as it is less than the USD 10,000 Tier I level above which interest is earned.
Account holders should note that in the event they purchase a security which is denominated in a currency that they do not hold in their account, IBKR will create a loan in that currency in order to settle the trade with the clearinghouse. If one wishes to avoid such loans and their associated interest charges, they would need to either deposit funds denominated in that particular currency or convert existing cash balances via the Ideal Pro (for balances of USD 25,000 or above) or odd lot (for balances less than USD 25,000) venue prior to entering into your trade.
2. The credit balance is comprised principally of proceeds from the short sale of securities.
For example, an account maintaining a net cash credit balance of USD 12,000 which is comprised of a USD debit of 6,000 in the security sub-account (less the market value of any short stock positions) and a short stock market value credit of USD 18,000 would be charged interest on the Tier 1 debit of USD 6,000 and would earn no interest on the short stock credit as it falls below the USD 100,000 Tier I level.
3. The credit balance includes unsettled funds.
IBKR determines interest debits and credits solely based upon settled funds. Just as an account holder is not assessed interest charges on funds borrowed to purchase a security until such time that purchase transaction settles, the account holder will not receive an interest credit, or offset against a debit balance, on funds originating from the sale of a security until such time the transaction has settled (and IBKR has been credited funds by the clearinghouse).
Are there any particular risks that one should be aware of when using SSFs to either invest excess funds or borrow funds at available synthetic rates?
Overview:
While the High and Low Synthetic strategies are both hedged positions, the futures leg is subject to a daily cash variation of the mark-to-market gain or loss whereas the stock leg is not (mark-to-market gain or loss is reflected in account equity but there is no cash impact until the position is closed). If, for example, an account holds a High Synthetic position and the stock prices increases significantly, the resultant variation pay on the short futures leg may erode the account’s cash balance resulting in a debit balance which is subject to interest payments. The net effect in this example would be to reduce and potentially erase the earnings on the High Synthetic position
Does a deposit subject to a "Credit Hold” accrue credit interest during the hold period?
Overview:
The answer depends upon the method of deposit. In the case of deposits made via ACH, any interest accrues from the date the deposit arrives through the four-business day credit hold period after which it is credited to the account. In the case of check deposits other than Bank Checks, no interest is accrued during the credit hold period. Bank Checks and wire transfers are credited to the account effective upon receipt and are therefore not subject to any credit hold.
Interest paid to you varies with market conditions. For information regarding the amount of interest currently paid on credit balances see www.interactivebrokers.com/interest
Glossary terms:
What does the Interest Accrual Reversal line item on the Activity Statement represent?
Overview:
Each day, IBKR calculates and reports in the Interest Accruals section of the Activity Statement a forecast or accrual of interest earned or to be paid for the statement period. Around the first week of each month the interest which has been accrued during the prior month is "backed-out" or reversed and actual interest for the month is posted in the Cash Report section. These reversals, which occur once a month, should be close to the actual interest, although they may not always be exactly equal since accruals are a forecast of actual interest.
Account holders should also note that accrued interest is only posted for any given reporting period when the amount exceeds $1, either positive or negative. Balances below $1 are retained and posted once, when aggregated with future accruals, the amount exceeds $1.
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