Broker Application Instructions

Print this page as a checklist for opening an account.


  1. Complete the Broker Electronic Application
    You will be asked to establish a Username and Password at the beginning of the process so that all the information you enter will remain secure.
  2. Submit financial, disciplinary and identification documentation
    U.S. regulators require that IB receive and review certain financial, disciplinary and identification documents from its brokers before approving the account. These documents will be requested through the electronic application system or by your IB sales representative. All documents should be forwarded to the addresses listed under Contact Us/Document Submission Information on the IB website.
  3. Fund Your Account
    Send a check (with your deposit instruction form, or your account number written on the check) or wire (call or visit your bank to initiate) as specified in your deposit instructions to IB to cover trading in master account, fees and client account transfers. Electronic Funds Transfer (ACH), Broker-to-Broker Transfer (ACAT), and IB Internal Transfer will automatically transfer. If we do not receive your funds in 45 days from approval the account will be closed. We require $10,000 or the USD equivalent that will be applied towards your first five months of commissions.
  4. Application Review
    We will begin the review of your application once all application requirements have been completed and forwarded to IB. Your application is complete once there are no outstanding application tasks in the Login drop-down list under Finish Application. Sometimes after you have completed the application we require additional steps. You will be notified by email and within Login/Complete Application if this is the case.
  5. Application Review Results
    We will review your application and notify you of the result. If you will be introducing securities trades, IB is required to submit your application to the New York Stock Exchange for approval. This process generally takes 2-3 weeks.
  6. Trade
    If we have received your funds you may begin to trade in the master account. Funds received by 16:00 ET are available for trading the next business day under normal business circumstances. The latest status of your deposit or transfer may be found under Funds Status in Login/Account Management.
  7. Open Client Accounts
    Fully Disclosed
    You will be given a special web link for your customers to open accounts electronically. It is important that your clients use this link, and not the normal website IB registration system, in order to properly link the account. You may log into Account Management at any time to see the status of your clients' application. You can also create client account templates in Account Management to save and re-use application information for new client accounts.

    Non-Disclosed
    Go to Add Client under Login/Account Management to configure your individual client accounts. You will not be asked for any information which will expose your client's identity. It is your responsibility to ensure that your clients meet legal and regulatory registration requirements,and that you carefully review each client application.

    Omnibus
    You do not need to open client accounts.
  8. Client Funding
    Fully Disclosed
    Funding is part of the application process and your client will be required to complete Deposit Instructions and remit their funds directly to IB. The client should send a check (with their deposit instruction form, or their account number written on the check) or wire (call or visit their bank to initiate) as specified in their Deposit Instructions to IB. Electronic Funds Transfer (ACH), Broker-to-Broker Transfer (ACAT), and IB Internal Transfers will automatically transfer. If we do not receive your client funds in 45 days from approval the account will be closed.

    Non-Disclosed
    Funding for client accounts is accomplished by depositing funds into the Master account and then transferring funds to the client accounts. Deposits to the master account, and transfers to the client accounts may be accomplished throughAccount Management.

    Omnibus
    No funding required.
  9. Client Application Review Results
    Fully Disclosed
    Your client and you will be notified under Login/Account Management of the results of the review. To login the client will use the username/password given during their application process, and you will use your Rep username/password.

    Non-Disclosed/Omnibus
    IB does not review Non-Disclosed or Omnibus client applications.
  10. Trade
    If we have received funds for your client, they may begin to trade. Funds received by 16:00 ET are available for trading the next business day under normal business circumstances. The latest status of your client's deposit may be found under Funds Status in Login/Account Management. Either your User Reps or your client may log in to see this status.