Welcome to Interactive Brokers
Overview:
Now that your account is funded and approved you can start trading. The information below will help you getting
started as a new customer of Interactive Brokers.
- Your Money
- Configure your account to trade
- How to trade
- Trade all over the World
- Five points to enrich your IB experience
1. Your Money
Deposits & Withdrawals General Info. All transactions are administered through your secure Account Management
Deposits
First, you create a deposit notification through your Account Management > Funding > Fund Transfers > Transaction Type: “Deposit” How to create a deposit notification. The second step is to instruct your Bank to do the wire transfer with the bank details provided in your Deposit Notification.
Withdrawals
Create a withdrawal instruction via your secure Account Management > Funding > Fund Transfers > Transaction Type: "Withdrawals" How to create a withdrawal instruction
If you instruct a withdrawal over the Withdrawal limits, it will be considered an exceptional withdrawal and we will therefore need to match bank account holder and IB account. If destination bank account has been used for a deposit, withdrawal will be processed; otherwise, you must contact customer service and provide the documents needed.
Troubleshooting
Deposits: My bank sent the money but I do not see it credited into my IB account. Possible reasons:
a) A fund transfer takes 1-4 business days
b) A Deposit Notification is missing. You have to create it via your Account Management and send a ticket to Customer Service
c) Amending details are missing. Your name or IB account number is missing in the transfer details. You have to contact your bank and ask for the full amending details.
d) ACH initiated by IB is limited to 100k USD in a 7 business period. If you opened a Portfolio Margin account where the initial requirement is 110k, a wire deposit might be the better deposit option to reduce wait time for your first trade. If selecting ACH a wait time of almost 2 weeks or a temporary downgrade to RegT can be possible solutions.
Withdrawals: I have requested a withdrawal but I do not see the money credited to my bank account. Possible reasons:
a) A fund transfer takes 1-4 business days
b) Rejected. Over the max it can be withdrawn. Please check your account cash balance. Note that for regulatory requirements, when the funds are deposited, there is a 3 day holding period before they can be withdrawn.
c) Your bank returned the funds. Probably because receiving bank account and remitting bank account names do not match.
2. Configure your account to trade
Difference between Cash and Margin accounts: If you have chosen the FastTrack application, by default your account type is a cash account with US stock permission. If you would like to get leverage and trade on margin, here how to upgrade to a RegT Margin account
Trading Permissions
In order to be able to trade a particular asset class in a particular country, you need to get the trading permission for it via your Account Management. Please note that trading permissions are free. You might however be asked to sign risk
disclosures required by local regulatory authorities. How to Request Trading Permissions
Market Data
If you want to have market data in real-time for a particular product/exchange, you need to subscribe to a market data package charged by the exchange. How to subscribe to Market data
The Market data assistant will help you choose the right package. Please watch this Video explaining how it works.
Customers have the option to receive delayed market data for free by clicking the Free Delayed Data button from a non-subscribed ticker row.
Advisor Accounts
Have a look at the user guide getting started as advisors. Here you see how to create additional users to your advisor account and grant them access and much more.
3. How to trade
The Trader's University is the place to go when you want to learn how to use our Platforms. Here you will find our webinars, live and recorded in 10 languages and tours and documentation about our various Trading Platforms.
Trader Workstation (TWS)
Traders who require more sophisticated trading tools can use our market maker-designed Trader Workstation (TWS), which optimizes your trading speed and efficiency with an easy-to-use spreadsheet interface, support for more than 60 order types, task-specific trading tools for all trading styles, and real-time account balance and activity monitoring. Try the two models
TWS Mosaic: for intuitive usability, easy trading access, order management, watchlist, charts all in one window or
TWS Classic: the Advanced Order Management for traders who need more advanced tools and algos.
General Description and Information / Quick start guide / Usersguide
Interactive Tours: TWS Basics / TWS configuration / TWS Mosaic
How to place a trade: Video Classic TWS / Video Mosaic
Trading tools: General Description and Information / Users guide
Requirements: How to install Java for Windows / How to install Java for MAC / Port 4000 and 4001 needs to be open
Login TWS / Download TWS
WebTrader
Traders who prefer a clean and simple interface can use our HTML-based WebTrader, which makes it easy to view market data, submit orders, and monitor your account and executions. Use the latest WebTrader from every browser
Quick Start Guide / WebTrader User's Guide
Introduction: Video WebTrader
How to place a Trade: Video WebTrader
Login WebTrader
MobileTrader
Our mobile solutions allow you to trade your IB account on the go. The mobileTWS for iOS and the mobileTWS for BlackBerry are custom-designed for these popular models, while the generic MobileTrader supports most other Smart phones.
General Description and Information
Order Types Order Types available and Description / Videos / Tour / Users guide
Paper Trading General Description and Information / How to get a Paper Trading Account
Once your paper account is created, you can share the market data of your real account with your paper trading account: Account Management > Manage Account > Settings > Paper trading
4. Trade all over the World
IB accounts are multi-currency accounts. Your account can hold different currencies at the same time, this allows you to trade multiple products around the world from a single account.
Base Currency
Your base currency determines the currency of translation for your statements and the currency used for determining margin requirements. Base currency is determined when you open an account. Customers may change their base currency at any time through Account Management.
We do not automatically convert currencies into your Base currency
Currency conversions must be done manually by the customer. In this video you can learn how to do a currency conversion.
In order to open a position denominated in a currency that you do not have in your account, you have two possibilities:
A) Currency conversion.
B) IB Margin Loan. (Not available for Cash Accounts)
Please see this course explaining the mechanics of a foreign transaction.
5. Five points to enrich your IB experience
1. Contract Search
Here you will find all our products, symbols and specifications.
2. IB Knowledge Base
The Knowledge Base is a repository of glossary terms, how-to articles, troubleshooting tips and guidelines designed to assist IB customers with the management of their IB accounts. Just enter in the search button what you are looking for and you will get the answer.
3. Account Management
As our trading platforms give you access to the markets, the Account Management grants you access to your IB account. Use Account Management to manage account-related tasks such as depositing or withdrawing funds, viewing your statements, modifying market data and news subscriptions, changing your trading permissions, and verifying or changing your personal information.
Log In Account Management / AM Quick Start Guide / AM Users Guide
4. Secure Login System
To provide you with the highest level of online security, Interactive Brokers has implemented a Secure Login System (SLS) through which access to your account is subject to two-factor authentication. Two-factor authentication serves to confirm your identity at the point of login using two security factors: 1) Something you know (your username and password combination); and 2) Something you have (an IB issued security device which generates a random, single-use security code). As both knowledge of your username/password and physical possession of the security device are required to login to your account, participation in the Secure Login System virtually eliminates the possibility of anyone other than you accessing your account.
How to Activate your Security Device / How to Obtain a Security Code Card / How to return Security device
In case you forgot your password or lost your security code card, please call us for immediate assistance.
5. Statements and Reports
Easy to view and customize, our statements and reports cover all aspects of your Interactive Brokers account. How to view an Activity Statement
常见问题 - 转换为以IBUK作为持有经纪商
一般问题
问：将发生什么变化？
答： IB将扩大由IB UK清算和持有的客户活动范围，以包括某些当前由IB LLC处理的业务。目前，除实体商品（如黄金、白银）和未在交易所挂牌的差价合约（CFD）外，IB UK通过IB LLC清算所有客户活动。为区分由IB英国清算的和转介给IB LLC处理的IB英国的活动，我们创建了一个称为IBUKL的内部记账账户，用于记录IB英国的活动。该IBUKL账户将被用于清算和持有更广泛的产品类型，包括股票、ETF、期权、期货、期货期权和外汇。
问：为什么要这么处理？
答： IB客户群既包括美国账户也包括非美国账户，正倾向于变得更为国际化。目前很大一部分非美国客户群的活动在美国经纪自营商IB LLC处清算、持有并托管（除CFD、实物金属及所有通过IB印度和IB日本账户处理的活动），将部分活动转移到IBUKL具有很大优势，因规管结构更接近于客户所在地。
这些优势包括能将客户的非美国商品和证券头寸整合进同一个账户部分、通过头寸对冲和应用基于风险的保证金计算方法享受更有利的保证金、通过合并当前不同项目下的现金余额来降低借款成本/提高利息收入、以及尽可能减少美国税务的报告义务。
问：IB UK和IBUKL有什么区别？
答：盈透证券（英国）有限公司（“IB UK”）是一家由英国行为监管局（FCA）授权在英国运营的经纪商。相比之下，IBUKL不是法律实体，而是一种内部的记录或标记惯例，用于指定通过IB UK交易的客户业务子项目。目前，该活动仅包括由IB英国清算且作为对手方的场外产品，包括非交易所挂牌的CFD和实体商品（即黄金和白银）。
问：贵公司计划如何推出产品？
答： 一开始，我们将向已有的IBUKL产品服务范围添加非美国股票指数产品（即以同一种货币交付的期货和期权）。这包括FTSE、CAC、恒生、日经及DAX等指数。我们将为这些产品创建一个新的“国际股票指数”许可，并向新客户和合格原有客户提供。合格原有客户包括有期权权限、以及在过去12个月中持有头寸或开展过头寸交易的非美国账户。这些原有客户将自动获得该许可。
非美国股票指数产品转换完成后，我们将按照以下顺序扩大涵盖产品的范围：外汇、其他期货及非美国股票。
问：开立了IBUKL账户的客户是否会同时拥有IB LLC的账户？
答：在大多数情况下可能会。如果客户仅交易由IBUKL账户清算和持有的产品，理论上他们无需开立IB LLC账户。有其他头寸的客户将保留或需开立IBLLC账户。
问：IBUKL账户会像IB LLC账户一样有多个部分吗？
答：不会。IB LLC账户下的多个部分反映了美国二元分化的监管结构，即证券产品由证券交易委员会（SEC）监管、而大宗商品则由商品期货交易委员会（CFTC）监管。除了联合监管的个股期货以外，CFTC或SEC的法规对另一个监管机构管辖的账户中的产品的清算或保证金要求均不作规定。比如CFYC和SEC的客户保护规则，尽管两者的目的相似，但应用不同；此类规则旨在隔离一定金额的资产，以便偿还与账户的证券或商品板块相对应的权利主张，但仅以单个部分的潜在主张为限。
IB UK的主要监管方英国行为监管局（FCA）同时监管证券和商品，所有IBUKL头寸将被放置在一个账户部分中。
问：IBUKL账户中的头寸将适用何种保证金方法？
答：头寸不适用美国Reg. T保证金要求，而是适用基于风险的（VAR）方法。初期，当新产品被迁移至IBUKL账户，本地交易所/清算方法（通常为SPAN）将被沿用，账户的保证金要求将是多种方法计算结果的加总。未来，IB将对整个账户使用统一的保证金计算方法，即基于IB当前独有的投资组合保证金计算模型。
问：需要签署额外的披露声明或协议吗？在哪里可以看到？
答：对于由IBUK持有产品的IBUK客户，新的客户协议可在IB网站的产品与服务 > 表格与披露板块找到。
问：我能否在账户间划转资金？
答：由于IBLLC和IB UK是独立的法律实体，多余资金无法自动在两个账户间转移，除非是为了满足保证金要求。在某些情况下，IB会自动转移所需的资金，以满足IBLLC和IB UK账户的保证金要求。账户管理中剩余资金划转选项仍将有效，但仅会影响IBLLC账户。
问：在资产转移期间及转移后利息怎么计算？
答：在IBLLC持有现金余额的客户将继续依据其在证券和商品账户中持有的现金余额分别计算利息。在IB UK持有现金余额的客户只有一个现金余额，利息都根据这个余额计算。
客户保护
问：IB UK账户能为我提供何种保护？
答：IB UK是英国金融服务补偿计划（“FSCS”）成员。补偿标准会不断变化，有关当前补偿标准的详情，请参考FSCS网站www.fscs.org.uk/
问：我从哪里可以获得有关客户保护的更多信息？
答：您可参考知识库文章KB2012了解有关客户保护的更多信息。
问：IB UK是否提供高于行业标准的额外保护？
答： IB UK不提供高于FSCS标准的额外保护。
问：劳埃德（Lloyds）的保险是否也覆盖IB UK的账户？
答：不覆盖。伦敦劳埃德保险公司的某些保险人提供高于SIPC标准的保险范围；但不适用于IBUK持有经纪商持有的产品。
问：如果变更账户后对我的违约保障会变差，我为什么还要变更账户？
答：将资产托管在IB UK有多项好处。这些好处包括能将客户的非美国商品和证券头寸整合进同一个账户部分、通过头寸对冲和应用基于风险的保证金计算方法享受更有利的保证金、通过合并当前不同项目下的现金余额来降低借款成本/提高利息收入、以及尽可能减少美国税务的报告义务。
问：我能否选择继续使用IBLLC账户以便享受SIPC的保护？
答：目前，IB想要将某些产品组迁移至IB UK，因此，所有持有相关产品组的客户将被迁移至IB UK。将来这些产品可能可以通过IBLLC持有，但目前尚不可以。
问：IB UK破产而IBLLC不破产的情况可能发生吗？
答：理论上可能，但我们认为这种情况不会出现。IB LLC和IB UK都是同一家母公司盈透证券集团有限公司（Interactive Brokers Group LLC）的全资子公司。成立独立实体主要是出于应对监管的目的，我们相信这两者中任何一家都不会破产，母公司更不可能只让其中一家破产。此外，由于IB约85%的股权是管理层和员工持有的，所有者出于经济利益的考虑会极力保护其投资、不致让这两家实体破产。
Change Your Billable Account
If you have additional linked, duplicate or consolidated accounts, the Billable Account section appears on the Market Data Subscriptions screen. Use the Billable Accounts panel to change the account that is currently being billed for market data.
To change your billable account
1. Click Settings > User Settings
2. In the Trading Platform panel, click the Configure (gear) icon for Market Data Subscriptions.
The Market Data Subscription screen opens.
3. Click the Configure (gear) icon in the Billable Account panel.
4. Select the account you want to be billed for market data, then click Save.
Beginning with the next billing cycle, your market data subscriptions will be billed to the account you selected.
Linking Accounts
Overview:
Account linkage allows for individual account holders maintaining multiple existing accounts or seeking to open a new account the ability to group those accounts together. In the case of a new account, linkage affords the opportunity to open the account without having to complete a full application, with the account holder providing solely that additional information which is specific to the new account. New account linkages are initiated either from the Client Portal of the existing account (via the User menu (head and shoulders icon in the top right corner) > Settings > Account Settings > Trading > Open an Additional Account) or automatically when initiating a new application from the website. The following article outlines the steps for linking one or more existing accounts.
1. Log into Client Portal and click the User menu (head and shoulders icon in the top right corner) followed by Settings > Trading > Link Account to Advisor/Broker/Administrator.
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2. Select the radio button next to Link All of My Existing Account Under a Single Username and Password, and then click CONTINUE.
The Select Username screen opens.
3. The screen shows all of your accounts that can be linked under a single username and password. Select which username you want to keep. Once your accounts are linked, you will use the selected username to log in to any of the linked accounts.
4. The screen updates to display the security device for the selected username. Click CONTINUE.
5. A series of pages appears to prompt you to enter the username and password for each account to be linked, followed by additional authentication using your Secure Login device.
6. Enter the username, password and authentication values for each account to be linked on the next screens, clicking CONTINUE to advance to the next screen.
7. We aggregate the financial information and trading experience info for all accounts to be linked. Verify your financial information and trading experience for the accounts to be linked, and then click CONTINUE.
8. Verify your account information and click CONTINUE.
9. If you need to update your financial information, trading experience or account information, wait for those updates to be approved and then restart this linking procedure.
10. Verify any saved bank information you may have and click CONTINUE.
11. Click CONTINUE.
12. Click Ok.
For information on how to cancel a linkage request, see Canceling a Pending Link Request.
IMPORTANT NOTES
* Once linked, account access to Client Portal and the trading platform is accomplished using a single user name and password each of which will contain a drop-down window for selecting the account that the owner wishes to act upon.
* As market data subscriptions are billed at a session level (i.e., user name) and only a single TWS session can be open for any one user at a given time, account holders previously maintaining subscriptions for multiple users have the opportunity to consolidate subscriptions to a single user. Account holders wishing to view multiple TWS sessions simultaneously may add additional users (subject to separate market data subscriptions). In addition, only those market data subscriptions already associated with the surviving user name will remain in effect following consolidation. Account holders maintaining different subscriptions across multiple users are advised to review those subscriptions subject to cancellation in order to determine which they wish to resubscribe to under the surviving user name. Also note that the market data subscriptions either terminated or initiated mid-month are subject to billing as if they were provided for the entire month (i.e., fees are not prorated).
Links:
Non-Objecting Beneficial Owner (NOBO)
Overview:
A NOBO refers to an account holder who provides its carry broker (i.e., IB) permission to release their name and address to the companies or issuers of securities they hold. These companies or issuers request this information in the event they need to contact shareholders regarding important shareholder communications such as proxies, circulars for rights offerings and annual/quarterly reports. IB, by default, classifies clients as a NOBO but allows client to have their classification changed to that of an Objecting Beneficial Owner (OBO). To do so, clients are required to provide formal notice of their request to be classified as an OBO through a Message Center ticket available via Account Management.
Links:
Tax Treaty Benefits
Overview:
Income payments (dividends and payment in lieu) from U.S. sources into your IB account may have U.S. tax withheld. Generally, a 30% rate is applied to non-U.S. accounts. Exemption from the withholding or a lower rate may apply if your home country has a tax treaty with the U.S. Complete the applicable Form W-8 to find out your status.
Background:
Tax Treaties*
U.S. tax treaties with some countries have different benefits. Legal tax residents of the following countries may be eligible for the treaty benefits. Below is a list of the tax treaty countries. Benefits vary by country.
| Australia | Czech Republic | India | Lithuania | Sweden |
| Austria | Denmark | Indonesia | Poland | Switzerland |
| Bangladesh | Egypt | Ireland | Portugal | Thailand |
| Barbados | Estonia | Israel | Romania | Trinidad & Tobago |
| Belgium | Finland | Italy | Russia | Tunisia |
| Bulgaria | France | Jamaica | Slovak Republic | Turkey |
| Canada | Germany | Japan | Slovenia | Ukraine |
| China, People's Rep. Of | Greece | Kazakhstan | South Africa | United Kingdom |
| Commonwealth of Ind. States | Hungary | Korea, Rep. of | Spain | Venezuela |
| Cyprus | Iceland | Latvia | Sri Lanka |
*Country list as of April 2009
Refer to IRS Publication 901 for details on withholding rates for your tax residence country and your eligible benefits.
Why am I required to provide a W-8 if I am not a US citizen or resident?
As IB LLC is a carrying broker domiciled in the U.S., it is required to report information and, in certain instances, make payment of withholding taxes to the U.S. tax authority, the Internal Revenue Service for all account holders. To certify oneself as a non-U.S. person, a Form W-8 is requested at the time of application and is required to be re-certified every three years thereafter. If IB does not receive the W-8 or the account holder fails to re-certify the W-8 in a timely manner, then the account holder is presumed to be a US person and, absent a W-9, may then be subject to back-up withholding taxes on interest, dividends and substitute payments in lieu, as well as gross proceeds.
By certifying yourself as a non-U.S. person through a properly completed W-8, your U.S. withholding is limited to dividends issued by US corporations. Note that virtually all countries apply withholding taxes when local companies seek to distribute dividends to externally based shareholders (whether those shareholders are corporate or not). The rate at which IB is obligated to withhold for a given payment depends largely upon whether there is a tax treaty in place between the country where the dividend paying country is based and the country of residence of the dividend recipient.
SIPP Overview
What is a SIPP?
A SIPP account is a pension account that allows customers to control their retirement savings and where they are invested. SIPPs provide customers with more flexibility and self control over their savings, and are available to all UK residents between the ages of 18 and 75. Customers who are employed or self-employed may contribute up to 100% of their earnings (up to £235,000) in any one tax year. Further they allow retired and unemployed customers to invest up to £3,600 per year. You can trade financial products, property and other items in a SIPP.
Interactive Brokers (UK) Limited does not accept SIPP’s outright, rather it does accept a SIPP Administrator of a SIPP to open a master account. Afterwards, a SIPP Administrator's clients can open sub accounts and trade their SIPP through Interactive Brokers (UK) Limited.
For more information about SIPP’s in the UK, refer to the HM Revenue & Customs website www.hmrc.gov.uk
Can I open a SIPP account with Interactive Brokers LLC (US) or (Hong Kong)?
No, the SIPP Administrator account and its sub accounts can only open an account with Interactive Brokers (UK) Limited.
Can I trade property and other acceptable investments through my SIPP at Interactive Brokers (UK) Limited?
You can only trade regulated financial products through your SIPP that is held with us.
What is a SIPP Administrator?
A SIPP Administrator is a regulated company that acts as the trustee of the SIPP. Further it provides various administrative duties on behalf of the SIPP e.g., reporting to HM Revenue & Customs.
How do I get my SIPP Administrator to open a master account?
Refer to our Interactive Brokers (UK) Limited website www.interactivebrokers.co.uk under Account, then under SIPP. From here a SIPP Administrator can open a master account (at no cost). Alternatively you can contact an Interactive Brokers (UK) Limited sales representative.
What qualifies a SIPP Administrator to open a master account?
We only accept UK registered companies with the Financial Conduct Authority which are authorised SIPP Administrators that are in good standing and adhere to our terms and conditions.
Is there a cost to open a master account?
No, unless the master account wants to view market data then fees apply.
Can anyone trade a SIPP sub account with Interactive Brokers?
Only UK residents and individuals between the ages of 18 and 75 who have good or extensive knowledge of any product they wish to trade and that we support, prior execution of 100 or more trades (of any product) and will make a minimum deposit of $5,000 or equivalent in stock.
Can I trade on margin (leverage)?
No, all SIPP sub accounts can only trade in a cash account.
What is a cash account?
A cash account only allows a sub account to trade stocks, bonds, equity options, futures, futures options, single stock futures (SSFs), ETFs, forex and warrants. An individual can only deposit one base currency that Interactive Brokers supports, but can trade products denominated in other currencies after using a Forex transaction to acquire the currency. You must wait for the Forex trade to settle (two business days following trade date) before the currency is available for trading. Cash accounts can only trade the following stock/option order types:
- Long Stock (no shorting)
- Long Call or a Long Put
- Covered Calls
- Short Naked Put: only if covered by cash
- Call Spread: Only European style cash settled
- Put Spread: Only European style cash settled
- Long Butterfly: Only European style cash settled
- Iron Condor: Only European style cash settled
- Long Call and Put (long straddle)
Can I trade my ISA through Interactive Brokers?
Yes, please click on the link below to learn more about our Stocks & Shares ISA account.
Does Interactive Brokers give advice in trading within your SIPP?
No, Interactive Brokers give no trading advice as it is a non discretionary broker.
Do you accept cheques to fund my SIPP?
No we only accept wire transfers or positions (FREE of PAYMENT).
What is a FREE of PAYMENT transfer?
The transfer of securities for which there is no need for a cash exchange. Rather the securities are already paid up in full.
Can I transfer physical shares (FREE of PAYMENT) in my sub account?
No we only accept dematerialized shares.
How many users can trade my SIPP sub account?
Only one.
Cash Accounts: Does a cash account require completion of a W8 form?
If you are a non-US person or entity, Interactive Brokers is required to have a valid form W8 certifying your country of tax residence at the time of application. You may update your W8 form at any time in Account Management.
Can the base currency in a cash account be changed?
Yes, cash accounts may change the base currency on their account. However, please note that IBIS, EmployeeTrack, Flat Fee Referrer, Betting and IN/JPN domeestic accounts cannot change their base currency.
