The base currency is an important aspect of your Interactive Brokers (IBKR) account. It affects various account features and operations. Here's what you need to know about base currency, how to change it, and its effects on your account:
- Changing Your Base Currency:
To change the base currency of your account, follow these steps:
- Log into Client Portal
- Select the User menu (head and shoulders icon in the top right corner) followed by Settings
- Under Account Settings find the Account Reporting section
- Click Base Currency
- Make your election and confirm by following the prompts on the screen.
Note: Frequent changes to the base currency are not allowed.
- Effects of Changing Your Base Currency:
Changing your base currency affects the following aspects of your account:
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- Account Information Display: Your account information will be displayed in the new base currency.
- Margin Requirement Calculations: Margin requirements will be determined based on the new base currency.
- Account Statements: Your account statements will be presented in the new base currency.
It's important to note that while these aspects change, the actual margin calculations for individual securities are still performed in the currency of the traded security.
- Interest Rates:
Changing the base currency of your account does not directly affect the interest rates. Each currency is separately considered for the calculation of credit interest. The interest rate applied depends on the currency of the settled cash balance, not the base currency of the account.
- Deposits and Withdrawals:
Changing your account's base currency is not required for deposits and withdrawals in most cases. You can deposit and withdraw funds in currencies other than your base currency. Base currency changes may only be necessary when wiring money in your home country's currency, your current base currency, or common currencies like EUR, USD, CHF, or HKD.
- Special Case:
For some account types the base currency is fixed and cannot be changed. Please review the details for your speicific account type.
Additional Information
- For more detailed information on base currency changes, please refer to the IBKR Knowledge Base.