ACATS Transfer Guide (US brokerage account transfers)
ACATS Transfer Guide
Introduction
Understanding the basic facts about transferring accounts between US brokerage firms can be help to avoid delays. Through this article and other Knowledge Database resources, Interactive Brokers seeks to assist with your incoming and outgoing ACATS requests.
US brokerage firms utilize a standardized system to transfer customer accounts from one firm to another. Known as the Automated Customer Account Transfer Service or ACATS, the process allows assets to move seamlessly between brokerage firms in a unified time frame. ACATS transfers are facilitated by a third party, the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC), to assist participating members with timely asset transfers.
ACATS Transfer Benefits
The majority of assets may be transferred between US brokerage firms and some banks through ACATS. This standardized system includes stocks, US corporate bonds, listed options, unit investment trusts, mutual funds, and cash. Information on assets eligible for transfer is provided at "Assets Eligible..." Though impacted by multiple factors and time constraints, the accepted or rejected transfers finalize within 10 business days in most cases.
Navigating The Process
4 simple steps of the ACATS process will help you understand the flow and minimize delays. Familiarizing yourself with the transfer process helps to ensure a successful transition.
1. Incoming or Outgoing
Incoming ACATS Transfers
The financial institution that is receiving your assets and account transfer is known as the "receiving firm." Investors always work with and through the "receiving firm" to move full or partial account assets into a new broker.
Contact the "receiving firm" (Interactive Brokers) to review the firm's trading policies and requirements. You should verify that your assets are eligible for trading at the "receiving firm" before initiating the transfer request. Not all ACATS transferable assets are acceptable for trading at every brokerage firm.
Outgoing ACATS Transfers
All outgoing ACATS transfers, full or partial, must be approved by the "delivering firm." Investors, however, should work with and through the "receiving firm" in order to begin the the transfer process or to status the progress of the request.
2. Initiating Your Transfer
Investors must always begin the ACATS transfer with the "receiving firm." An ACATS transfer form or Transfer Initiation Form (TIF) must be submitted. The "receiving firm" takes your reqeust and communicates with the "delivering firm" via ACATS. The process begins with this request for transfer of the account.
For your Interactive Brokers Account, the transfer is usually submitted online. Video instruction on submitting the transfer is provided at "How to deposit funds via a full ACATS/ATON Transfer." or through Step-by-step instructions.
Note: Outgoing account transfers from your IB account should be directed to the other broker. Your request will be submitted to IB from the other broker through the ACATS electronically.
3. What to Expect
Your Account
Brokers ensure the safety and security of transfer requests by only authorizing requests between open accounts that meet the following criteria:
- Same Account Title
- Same Tax ID Number
- Same Account Type
Transfer Approval
Ultimately responsible for validating the transfer, the "delivering firm" may accept information from the "receiving firm" correcting data originally entered. Approved or validated requests result in the delivery of positions to the "receiving firm" for their acceptance. Assets may not be accepted by the "receiving firm" for the following:
- Non-marginable or Margin (credit) violation
- Not Tradable
- DTC Chill
Note: The most common reasons for ACATS rejections are outlined by clicking here.
Processing Time-frame
The processing time for each transfer request is fixed. In general, approved transfers complete within 4 to 8 business days. Almost all transfers complete within 10 business days. Each firm is required to perform certain steps at specific intervals in the process. Feel free to review the Full ACATS transfer process flow.
Fees
While Interactive Brokers does not charge a fee to transfer your account via ACATS, some brokers do apply a fee for full and partial transfers. Prior to initiating your transfer, you should contact the "delivering firm" to verify any charge.
4. Who To Contact For Help
Interactive Brokers Customer Service stands poised to assist with your incoming ACATS transfer reqeust. Click here for Customer Service contact resources.
Note: Outgoing or ACATS transfers sending accounts to another broker should be directed to the "receiving firm." Their Account Transfer Group will work with Interactive Brokers directly to complete your outgoing request.
How to Deposit Funds Via a Partial ACATS/ATON Transfer
How to deposit funds to your Interactive Brokers account via a partial ACATS or ATON transfer
How to Deposit Funds Via a Check
How to deposit funds to your Interactive Brokers account via a Check
How to check the status of funding transactions.
Overview:
IB provides account holders with a tool that provides real-time updates and current status of all deposit and withdrawal transactions relating to both cash and positions which have taken place over the prior 45 calendar day period. This tool is made available through the secure Account Management application and may be accessed via the Funds Management and then View Transaction History menu options.
Upon entering the View Transaction History screen, information is organized and made viewable via the following five tabs:
- Cash Deposits – includes transaction detail (deposit type, amount and delivering institution) along with key processing dates (when notified, arrived, credited to equity and made available for withdrawal) and current status (e.g. pending, approved, canceled, completed, expired).
- Cash Withdrawals – includes transaction detail (withdrawal type, amount and receiving institution) along with key processing dates (when requested and sent) and current status.
- Position Transfers In – includes transaction detail (transfer type and delivering institution) along with key processing dates (when notified, arrived, credited to equity and made available for withdrawal) and current status.
- Position Transfers Out – includes transaction detail (withdrawal type and receiving institution) along with key processing dates (when notified and sent) and current status.
- Bank Instructions – in the event the transaction requires creation of an instruction for the purpose of providing IB with the necessary account specific information and authorization to act (i.e., if the deposit method dictates that IB pull funds directly from the client’s account or if the withdrawal method dictates that IB push funds directly to the client’s account) information regarding that instruction will be presented here. That information includes transaction detail (date created, function, method and institution) along with current status.
NOTE: Account holders may cancel transactions which are in a pending state by clicking on the red X located in the Action column which is provided within each of the above five screens. In addition, the amount of a wire transfer deposit notifications may be modified by first clicking on the Modify link also located in the Cash Deposits Action column. In order to complete the modification request, the account holder will need to enter the revised amount and/or currency and add the Customer Reference or Payment ID number as provided by the sending institution.
Links:
What does the 'Pending Advisor' status mean next to my withdrawal request?
Overview:
In the Funds Status section of Account Management, client accounts who are logged in and have requested a withdrawal, will see the status as 'Pending Advisor'.
Information:
In the advisor structure, client accounts can request withdrawals by logging into Account Management just as any individual account would. Once a withdrawal request is made by a client account, the advisor must approve the request. If the Advisor does not approve the request, the withdrawal request will still be processed, but there will be a 3 business day delay.
Advisor Steps to Confirm:
Once a withdrawal request has been submitted by a client account, the advisor will receive an email notification, stating that a client has requested a withdrawal. In order to approve, the advisor must log into Account Management. The advisor will select the appropriate client account number on the Welcome page of Account Management. A list of all Pending Items will appear for the selected account. The advisor clicks the 'Consent' button in order to expedite the processing.
