Interactive Brokers Account Type

Interactive Brokers (IBKR) offers a variety of account types tailored to different trading needs. The primary account types include:

• Cash Account:
• Requires sufficient cash to cover the cost of trades.
• Short selling is not allowed.
• Cash from sales is available three business days after the trade date.
• Margin Account:
• Allows borrowing against the value of securities.
• Requires a minimum equity of $25,000 for day trading.
• Margin is calculated on a real-time basis, with immediate liquidation if the minimum maintenance margin requirement is not met.
• Portfolio Margin Account:
• Requires a minimum of $110,000 in net liquidation value.
• Offers lower margin requirements based on risk.
• Immediate liquidation if the minimum maintenance margin requirement is not met.
• IRA Account:
• Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) available in various forms, including Traditional, Roth, and SEP IRAs.
• Cannot borrow cash or have a debit balance.
• Joint Account:
• Owned by two individuals, allowing shared access and trading.
• Trust Account:
• Securities are registered in the name of the trust, managed by a trustee.
• Corporate and Partnership Accounts:
• Accounts for legal entities like corporations or partnerships, with specific margin options available.

Interactive Brokers Broker Account Opening Process

Opening an account with Interactive Brokers involves several steps:

• Start the Application:
• Visit the Interactive Brokers website and select the "Start Application" link.
• Create an online account by providing your email address, username, and password.
• Enter Personal Information:
• Fill in your personal details, including your full name, mailing address, and phone number.
• Provide your tax identification number (TIN) and employment information.
• Choose Account Type:
• Select the type of account you wish to open (Cash, Margin, or Portfolio Margin).
• Understand the requirements for each account type.
• Regulatory Information:
• Answer questions regarding your employment status and sources of income.
• Provide information about your net worth, liquid net worth, and investment objectives.
• Security Questions:
• Complete security questions for account recovery.
• Fund the Account:
• You can fund your account with cash or transfer from another brokerage.
• Choose your base currency for transactions.
• Document Submission:
• Upload required documents, including a passport and proof of address.
• Review Process:
• Your application will be reviewed, typically taking 2-3 business days.
• You will receive an email notification once the application process is complete.

For more detailed information, visit Interactive Brokers Account Guide.