Required Minimums

Balance

The following minimums are required to open an account 1:

Category Required Deposit
Individual Accounts (unless listed below) USD 10,000 (or non-USD equivalent)
Trading Group Masters USD 10,000 (or non-USD equivalent)
Broker Masters USD 10,000 (or non-USD equivalent)
Indian residents 2 trading with an IB India account INR 100,000
Non-Resident Indians Trading with an IB India Account INR 500,000
Indian residents 2 trading with an IBLLC-US account USD 5,000 (or non-USD equivalent)
IRAs 3 USD 5,000 (or non-USD equivalent)
Individuals age 25 or younger USD 3,000 (or non-USD equivalent)
Advisor and Broker Clients USD 5,000 (or non-USD equivalent)

Notes:

  • To trade a margin account you must maintain at least USD 2,000 or non-USD equivalent. For details on margin requirements, see the Margin page.
  • Pattern Day Traders have higher minimum requirements, which are defined in the Day Trading section of margin requirements.
  • Individual (employee) accounts linked to an EmployeeTrack account have no minimum balance requirement.

Monthly Activity

Our accounts are designed for sophisticated traders and investors who regularly meet our required minimums.
If you do not meet those minimums, we charge a monthly activity fee. Generally we waive this fee for any month in which:
  • You have more than 100,000 USD in equity or
  • You generate more than 10 USD in commissions and fees.

The monthly activity fee is based on commissions only and does not include fees related to third-party assessments such as market data subscriptions or order modification/cancellation fees.

We also pass through market data fees from the exchanges for any real-time market data service to which you subscribe.

The following table describes our activity fees and waivers in detail.

Account Structure Monthly Activity Fee 4 Waiver

Single Accounts, Individuals and Small Businesses
Monthly Activity Fee = 0 if monthly commissions are equal to at least USD 10.

If monthly commissions are less than USD 10,
Standard Activity Fee = USD 10 – commissions.

Example:
Monthly commissions = USD 6
Standard Activity Fee = USD 10 – USD 6
Standard Activity Fee = USD 4
The first three full calendar months 9

or

Accounts whose Net Liquidation Value >= USD 100,000 (or non-USD equivalent)
unless any of the following criteria exist:

Average Equity Balance is less than USD 2,000 5

or

A balance is maintained in a closed account

Monthly Activity Fee = 0 if monthly commissions are equal to at least USD 20.

If monthly commissions are less than USD 20,
Activity Fee = USD 20 – commissions.

Example:
Monthly commissions = USD 11
Activity Fee = USD 20 – USD 11
Activity Fee = USD 9

Not applicable.

Individual (employee) accounts linked to an EmployeeTrack account

Monthly Activity Fee =USD 3.

The first three full calendar months 9

or

Accounts whose Net Liquidation Value >= USD 100,000 (or non-USD equivalent)

Client is age 25 or under

Monthly Activity Fee = 0 if monthly commissions are equal to at least USD 3.

If monthly commissions are less than USD 3,
Activity Fee = USD 3 – commissions.

Example:
Monthly commissions = USD 1.25
Activity Fee = USD 3 – USD 1.25 Activity Fee = USD 1.75

The first three full calendar months 9

or

Accounts whose Net Liquidation Value >= USD 100,000 (or non-USD equivalent)
Account Structure Monthly Activity Fee 4 Waiver

UGMA/UTMA Accounts


Monthly Activity Fee = 0 if
monthly commissions are equal to at least USD 10.

If monthly commissions are less than USD 10,
Standard Activity Fee= USD 3
The first three full calendar months 9

or

Accounts whose Net Liquidation Value >= USD 100,000 (or non-USD equivalent)
Account Structure Monthly Activity Fee 4 Waiver

Advisor, Friends and Family, Family Office, and Hedge Fund Investment Accounts
Advisor Master Account
There is no Activity Fee for the Master Account.


N/A
Advisor Client Accounts7,8

Monthly Activity Fee = 0 if consolidated monthly commissions are at least equal to the summed total of the standard minimum activity fee as applied to each account.

If the monthly consolidated commissions are less than the required minimum, an activity fee is charged proportionally on an account-by-account basis as described below

  1. Calculate the group's total commission minimum shortfall by adding the standard minimum activity fee for each account and then subtracting the commission generated.
    Deficit for the Group of Client Accounts = Maximum ([total minimum charge for all client accounts*] – [total commissions for all client accounts], 0)
    *The standard minimum activity fees are applied to each account based on the criteria such as age, Net Liquidation Value, etc., as shown in the Single Accounts, Individuals and Small Businesses section.
  2. Calculate the total shortfall for each account individually using the standard minimum activity fees.
    Client Account Deficit = Maximum ([standard minimum charge] – [account's commissions], 0)
  3. Determine the group's commission minimum shortfall by summing each client's commission shortfall
    Total Deficit for All Client Accounts = Sum ([Client Account Deficit]);
  4. Calculate the weighting which will apply to each account.
    Weighted Client Account Deficit = [Client Account Deficit] / [Total Deficit for All Client Accounts].
  5. Apply the weighting to each account to determine its prorated portion of the minimum activity fee.
    Proportionally Charged Monthly Activity Fee = [Weighted Client Account Deficit] * [Deficit for the Group of Client Accounts]

Each client account cannot be charged more fees than the required minimum. That is, if an account meets the required minimum of USD 10, it cannot be charged fees > USD 10. The resulting minimum fees charge for each account = Minimum ([Proportionally Charged Monthly Activity Fee], [Client Account Deficit])

If after performing the consolidated calculation, it is determined that fee must be charged on an account-by-account basis, then the following waivers will be applied to each client account:


The first three full calendar months 9

or

Accounts whose Net Liquidation Value >= USD 100,000 (or non-USD equivalent)
Linked Accounts Monthly Activity Fee = 0 if
consolidated monthly commissions are at least equal to (number of accounts6 x USD 10).

Example:
Advisor has 12 sub accounts, number of Accounts = 12

Monthly consolidated commissions minimum requirement is 12 x USD 10 = USD 120


If the monthly consolidated commissions are less than the required minimum, an activity fee is charged on an account-by-account basis using the Standard Activity Fee calculation described above.7, 8		 If after performing the consolidated calculation, it is determined that fee must be charged on an account-by-account basis, then the following waivers will be applied to each client account:

The first three full calendar months 9

or

Accounts whose Net Liquidation Value >= USD 100,000 (or non-USD equivalent)
Separate Trading Limit Monthly Activity Fee = 0 if
consolidated monthly commissions are at least equal to (number of accounts6 x USD 10).

Example:
STL has 12 sub accounts, number of Accounts = 13
Monthly consolidated commissions minimum requirement is 13 x 10 = USD 130


If the monthly consolidated commissions are less than the required minimum, an activity fee is charged on an account-by-account basis using the Standard Activity Fee calculation described above. 7, 9		 If after performing the consolidated calculation, it is determined that fee must be charged on an account-by-account basis, then the following waivers will be applied to each client account:

The first three full calendar months 9

or

Accounts whose Net Liquidation Value >= USD 100,000 (or non-USD equivalent)
Account Structure Monthly Activity Fee 4 Waiver

Brokers
Broker Master Account
Monthly Activity Fee = 0 if
consolidated monthly commissions are equal to at least USD 2,000.*

If monthly commissions are less than USD 2,000
Activity Fee = USD 2,000 – commissions.

*We require an initial deposit of 10,000 USD to be applied against your first eight months' minimum commissions. At the end of the eighth month, your total commissions are subtracted from the 10,000 deposit to reach the required commission minimum.

Example:
Your total commissions over eight months = USD 6,400. Minimum commissions required for months 1 - 8 are:
10,000 – 6,400 = USD 3,600
N/A
Broker Client Accounts7

Monthly Activity Fee = 0 if consolidated monthly commissions are at least equal to the summed total of the standard minimum activity fee as applied to each account.

If the monthly consolidated commissions are less than the required minimum, an activity fee is charged proportionally on an account-by-account basis as described below

  1. Calculate the group's total commission minimum shortfall by adding the standard minimum activity fee for each account and then subtracting the commission generated.
    Deficit for the Group of Client Accounts = Maximum ([total minimum charge for all client accounts*] – [total commissions for all client accounts], 0)
    *The standard minimum activity fees are applied to each account based on the criteria such as age, Net Liquidation Value, etc., as shown in the Single Accounts, Individuals and Small Businesses section.
  2. Calculate the total shortfall for each account individually using the standard minimum activity fees.
    Client Account Deficit = Maximum ([standard minimum charge] – [account's commissions], 0)
  3. Determine the group's commission minimum shortfall by summing each client's commission shortfall
    Total Deficit for All Client Accounts = Sum ([Client Account Deficit]);
  4. Calculate the weighting which will apply to each account.
    Weighted Client Account Deficit = [Client Account Deficit] / [Total Deficit for All Client Accounts].
  5. Apply the weighting to each account to determine its prorated portion of the minimum activity fee.
    Proportionally Charged Monthly Activity Fee = [Weighted Client Account Deficit] * [Deficit for the Group of Client Accounts]

Each client account cannot be charged more fees than the required minimum. That is, if an account meets the required minimum of USD 10, it cannot be charged fees > USD 10. The resulting minimum fees charge for each account = Minimum ([Proportionally Charged Monthly Activity Fee], [Client Account Deficit])
If after performing the consolidated calculation, it is determined that fee must be charged on an account-by-account basis, then the following waivers will be applied to each client account:

The first three full calendar months 9

or

Accounts whose Net Liquidation Value >= USD 100,000 (or non-USD equivalent)

If after performing the consolidated calculation, it is determined that fee must be charged on an account-by-account basis, then the following waivers will be applied to each client account:


The first three full calendar months 9

or

Accounts whose Net Liquidation Value >= USD 1,000 (or non-USD equivalent)

Special Connections

Clients requiring any of the connections listed below are subject to the following minimum commissions:

VPN
TWS API FIX CTCI
N/A VPN Not Supported via API USD 1,500.00 per month minimum commission for first session; USD 1,000.00 per month minimum commission for any subsequent line(s)

IB Gateway (internet)
TWS API FIX CTCI
USD 10.00 per month minimum commission (USD 3.00 for age 25 and under) USD 10.00 per month minimum commission (USD 3.00 for age 25 and under) USD 1,500.00 per month minimum commission for first session; USD 1,000.00 per month minimum commission for any subsequent line(s)

Extranet (Radianz, TNS, Savvis)
TWS API FIX CTCI
USD 500.00 per month minimum commission USD 500.00 per month minimum commission USD 1,500.00 per month minimum commission for first session; USD 1,000.00 per month minimum commission for any subsequent line(s)

Dedicated Leased Line (Verizon, AT&T, etc.)
TWS API FIX CTCI
USD 500.00 per month minimum commission USD 500.00 per month minimum commission USD 1,500.00 per month minimum commission for first session; USD 1,000.00 per month minimum commission for any subsequent line(s)

Cross-Connect
TWS API FIX CTCI
USD 500.00 per month minimum commission USD 500.00 per month minimum commission USD 1,500.00 per month minimum commission for first session; USD 1,000.00 per month minimum commission for any subsequent line(s)

Low Latency (intra-NY4) Cross-Connect
TWS API FIX CTCI
USD 500.00 per month minimum commission USD 500.00 per month minimum commission USD 5,000.00 per month minimum commission for first session; USD 3,000.00 per month minimum commission for any subsequent session(s)

Notes: Minimum commissions may also be satisfied in a non-USD equivalent.


See the API Solutions for more details.

Introducing Brokers

A USD 10,000 (or non-USD equivalent) up front deposit will be required that will be applied against commissions during the first 8 months. At the beginning of the 9th month, any positive difference between the deposit and the first 8 months of commissions is taken as a commission minimum. Beginning in the 9th month, a regular commission minimum of USD 2,000 (or non-USD equivalent) per month will be applied against commissions, with any positive difference taken as a commission minimum.

Disclosures
  1. Accounts that show no balance will be closed. To reactivate an account that has been closed for having no balance, a new account deposit of USD 10,000 or non-USD equivalent is required.
  2. Indian resident is an individual who resides in India for more than 182 days per year.
  3. Because of contribution limits, IRA accounts will only be required to deposit USD 5,000 in order to open a new account. In addition, US Regulators require USD 25,000 (or non-USD equivalent) to Day Trade stocks and options.
  4. The non-USD equivalent for all USD values is also acceptable.
  5. This special low balance fee applies to the Hedge Fund Investment Manager Master account, and to all other accounts.
  6. Separate Trading Limit accounts are included in the consolidated calculation. Advisor and Broker Master accounts are not included in the consolidated calculation.
  7. Advisor Client Accounts and Broker Client Accounts
    Example 1:
    Master account commissions = USD 0
    Standard minimum activity fee for all accounts USD 10
    Client account A commissions = USD 14, Net Liquidation Value USD 10,000
    Client account B commissions = USD 8, Net Liquidation Value USD 10,000
    Client account C commissions = USD 0, Net Liquidation Value USD 10,000
    Client account D commissions = USD 0, Net Liquidation Value USD 10,000

    1. Deficit for the Group of Client Accounts: USD 18 [total minimum charge for all client accounts USD 40 = 4 accounts * USD 10] – [total commissions for all client accounts USD 22]
    2. Client Account Deficit: A = 0, B = 2, C = 10, D = 10
    3. Total Deficit for All Client Accounts: 2 + 10 + 10 = USD 22
    4. Weighted Client Account Deficit: B = 2/22 (0.090909) , C = 10/22 (0.454545), D = 10/22 (0.454545)
    5. Proportionally Charged Monthly Activity Fees:

    Client account A met the required minimum commissions so no activity fee is charged.
    Client account B = 0.090909) * 18 = USD 1.64 activity fee charged
    Client account C = 0.454545 * 18 = USD 8.18 activity fee charged
    Client account D = 0.454545 * 18 = USD 8.18 activity fee charged
    Sum of activity fees = 1.64 + 8.18 + 8.18 = USD 18 activity fee charged

    Example 2:
    Client account A @ $10 minimum, $14 commissions;
    Client account B @ $10 minimum, $8 commissions;
    Client account C @ $0 minimum, $0 commissions; Net Liquidation Value 200,000)
    Client account D @ $20 minimum, $0 commissions; Net Liquidation Value 1,000
    1. Deficit for the Group of Client Accounts: USD 18 [total minimum charge for all client accounts USD 40] – [total commissions for all client accounts USD 22]
    2. Client Account Deficit: A = 0, B = 2, C = 0, D = 20
    3. Total Deficit for All Client Accounts: 2 + 20 = USD 22
    4. Weighted Client Account Deficit: B = 2/22 (0.090909) , D = 10/22 (0.909090)
    5. Proportionally Charged Monthly Activity Fees:

    Client account A met the required minimum commissions so no activity fee is charged.
    Client account B = 0.090909) * 18 = USD 1.64 activity fee charged
    Client account C = not subject to a required minimum.
    Client account D = 0.909090 * 18 = USD 16.36 activity fee charged
    Sum of activity fees = 1.64 + 16.36 = USD 18 activity fee charged

  8. For multiple accounts that include Indian residents, the Required Monthly Minimum is calculated as follows:
    (Number of IB India accounts x 5) + (number of other accounts x 10)
    If the Required Monthly Minimum is greater than consolidated monthly commissions, an activity fee is charged on an account-by-account basis using the Standard Activity Fee described above.
  9. The waiver will be applicable for the first three full calendar months after initial account funding, regardless of whether such funding amount meets the minimum deposit required to open an account.