How to Transfer Funds Via an ACH Initiated by Your Bank
How to transfer funds between your bank account and your Interactive Brokers account via an ACH initiated at your bank.
Enter KB567 into the search engine for additional information regarding ACH deposits.
How to Deposit Funds Via a Wire Transfer
How to deposit funds via a wire transfer
Enter KB834 in the Knowledge Base search engine for additional information on how to deposit funds via a bank wire transfer
Setting preferences to receive SMS text messages
Short Message Service, or SMS, allows for the interchange of short text messages between mobile phone devices. IB uses this technology to allow customers to receive text messages when, for example, a response to your webticket or a corporate action notification has been sent to your Message Center. As SMS accommodates messages of only up to 160 characters, the text message solely serves to advise one that a message has been posted and is viewable through login to Account Management. Character limitations and security concerns preclude sending a message which contains the complete text of the Message Center item.
To request this feature, log into Account Management, click on the Message Center icon and then the Preferences link. A window will open which allows you to select the SMS/CELL notification check box after which you will need to specify the country code along with the phone number (including city code) of your mobile device.
This feature may be disabled at any time by un-checking the SMS/CELL notification check box.
SIPP Overview
What is a SIPP?
A SIPP account is a pension account that allows customers to control their retirement savings and where they are invested. SIPPs provide customers with more flexibility and self control over their savings, and are available to all UK residents between the ages of 18 and 75. Customers who are employed or self-employed may contribute up to 100% of their earnings (up to £235,000) in any one tax year. Further they allow retired and unemployed customers to invest up to £3,600 per year. You can trade financial products, property and other items in a SIPP.
Interactive Brokers (UK) Limited does not accept SIPP’s outright, rather it does accept a SIPP Administrator of a SIPP to open a master account. Afterwards, a SIPP Administrator's clients can open sub accounts and trade their SIPP through Interactive Brokers (UK) Limited.
For more information about SIPP’s in the UK, refer to the HM Revenue & Customs website www.hmrc.gov.uk
Can I open a SIPP account with Interactive Brokers LLC (US) or (Hong Kong)?
No, the SIPP Administrator account and its sub accounts can only open an account with Interactive Brokers (UK) Limited.
Can I trade property and other acceptable investments through my SIPP at Interactive Brokers (UK) Limited?
You can only trade regulated financial products through your SIPP that is held with us.
What is a SIPP Administrator?
A SIPP Administrator is a regulated company that acts as the trustee of the SIPP. Further it provides various administrative duties on behalf of the SIPP e.g., reporting to HM Revenue & Customs.
How do I get my SIPP Administrator to open a master account?
Refer to our Interactive Brokers (UK) Limited website www.interactivebrokers.co.uk under Account, then under SIPP. From here a SIPP Administrator can open a master account (at no cost). Alternatively you can contact an Interactive Brokers (UK) Limited sales representative.
What qualifies a SIPP Administrator to open a master account?
We only accept UK registered companies with the Financial Conduct Authority which are authorised SIPP Administrators that are in good standing and adhere to our terms and conditions.
Is there a cost to open a master account?
No, unless the master account wants to view market data then fees apply.
Can anyone trade a SIPP sub account with Interactive Brokers?
Only UK residents and individuals between the ages of 18 and 75 who have good or extensive knowledge of any product they wish to trade and that we support, prior execution of 100 or more trades (of any product) and will make a minimum deposit of $5,000 or equivalent in stock.
Can I trade on margin (leverage)?
No, all SIPP sub accounts can only trade in a cash account.
What is a cash account?
A cash account only allows a sub account to trade stocks, bonds, equity options, futures, futures options, single stock futures (SSFs), ETFs, forex and warrants. An individual can only deposit one base currency that Interactive Brokers supports, but can trade products denominated in other currencies after using a Forex transaction to acquire the currency. You must wait for the Forex trade to settle (two business days following trade date) before the currency is available for trading. Cash accounts can only trade the following stock/option order types:
- Long Stock (no shorting)
- Long Call or a Long Put
- Covered Calls
- Short Naked Put: only if covered by cash
- Call Spread: Only European style cash settled
- Put Spread: Only European style cash settled
- Long Butterfly: Only European style cash settled
- Iron Condor: Only European style cash settled
- Long Call and Put (long straddle)
Can I trade my ISA through Interactive Brokers?
Yes, please click on the link below to learn more about our Stocks & Shares ISA account.
Does Interactive Brokers give advice in trading within your SIPP?
No, Interactive Brokers give no trading advice as it is a non discretionary broker.
Do you accept cheques to fund my SIPP?
No we only accept wire transfers or positions (FREE of PAYMENT).
What is a FREE of PAYMENT transfer?
The transfer of securities for which there is no need for a cash exchange. Rather the securities are already paid up in full.
Can I transfer physical shares (FREE of PAYMENT) in my sub account?
No we only accept dematerialized shares.
How many users can trade my SIPP sub account?
Only one.
Adding a second user for an individual account holder
Übersicht:
Individual account holders have the ability to add multiple users to their IBKR account. The account holder may wish to add a second user registered under their own name for the purpose of opening two TWS sessions simultaneously (one for normal access and the other for connecting via an API). The account holder may also provide access to up to 5 (non-employee) individuals, such as a family members, pursuant to a Limited Power of Attorney agreement. In addition, each of these individuals may also be provided with a second user access. A second user of an account cannot be provided with funding rights. All other power of attorney users may have funding access if granted by the account holder.
In each case, the additional user will be assigned a unique user name which is required for log in both to Client Portal and the trading platform of choice. Procedures for adding a second user account for access by the existing account holder are outlined below (search KB1001 for procedures for adding non-employee users).
Background:
Procedures for adding a second (account holder) user are as follows:
- Log into Client Portal.
- Click the User menu (head and shoulders icon in the top right corner) followed by Manage Account.
- The Users & Access Rights panel is displayed to the right in the Configuration column and shows all of the users that you have added to your account.
- Click the Configure (gear) icon to open the Users & Access Rights screen.
- Click on the Add "+" icon next to Users. You will be presented with the Add Users page where you will need to specify the new user name and the password you wish to use for the new user name.
- Select Yes for the secondary user, since you are creating this user as a secondary username.
- Click on the Continue button.
- Verify details and click on the Continue button.
- If you do not participate in the Secure Login System for two-factor authentication, you will receive an email with a confirmation number. Enter the confirmation number sent to you via email, then click Continue. If you have not received a confirmation number, click Request Confirmation Number to have a new confirmation number sent to your email address.
- Click OK to save the new user, which the primary account holder can now use as a secondary username.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
1. In accordance with market data vendor requirements, market data services are user-specific and any username subscribed will be assessed a separate market data subscription fee.
2. Account holders may delete a 2nd user account by clicking on the Delete link next to the user name located within the Users & Access Rights section.
Links:
Free of Payment (FOP) Transfers
Übersicht:
Free of Payment (FOP) is term used by IB to refer to a process of transferring long US securities between IB and another financial institution (e.g. bank, broker or transfer agent) through the Depository Trust Company (DTC).
The FOP transfer method is often used when:
1. The delivering form is not a DTC ACAT (Automated Customer Account Transfer) Participant.
2. The customer would like to expedite the delivery of their securities. The processing time frame for securities transferred via FOP may, in certain instances, be less than that associated with an ACATS transfer.
The following steps are to be followed in order to create a FOP notice:
1. Log into Account Management.
2. Select Funding or Funds Management and then Position Transfers.
3. From the drop-down list, select the Transfer Method: Free of Payment.
4. Select the applicable transaction Type: Deposit or Withdraw.
5. In the case of a FOP Withdrawal, the steps are as follows:
- Select the Destination to whom the securities are being transferred.
- Enter your account number of the Third Party Broker Acount Information.
- Specify the security (Stock, Warrants or US Bonds).
- Enter the Symbol, Shares and the Exchange (optional) and click Add.
- Provide your electronic signature authorizing the transfer request and clicking on the Continue button.
- Verify your identity by entering your password and clicking on the Confirm Request button;
- If your account is enrolled in the Secure Transaction Program (STP), the processing of your request will take place once you enter your confirmation code and click on the Confirm Request button. If not STP enrolled, your request will be subject to security verification, requiring that you contact our Customer Service Center to validate your identity and request.
6. In the case of a FOP Deposit, the steps are as follows:
- Select the Source to whom the securities are being transferred.
- Enter your account number of the Third Party Broker Acount Information.
- Specify the security (Stocks, Warrants or US Bonds).
- Enter the Symbol, Shares and the Exchange (optional) and click Add.
- Provide your electronic signature authorizing the transfer request and clicking on the Continue button.
- A printable version of the FOP request is made available should your transferring firm require an authorization form.
7. Transfer requests are typically completed within five business days.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
While IB does not assess a fee to process FOP transfers, other firms may and we therefore recommend that you confirm with the contra-firm their policies in this regard prior to submitting a request. In the event a contra-firm does charge a fee to IB, the fee will be passed to the IB account holder.
Glossary terms:
Adding (non-employee) users to an individual account
Übersicht:
Individual account holders have the ability to add multiple users to their IBKR account. The account holder may wish to add a second user registered under their own name for the purpose of opening two TWS sessions simultaneously (one for normal access and the other for connecting via an API). The account holder may also provide access to up to 5 (non-employee) individuals, such as a family members, pursuant to a Limited Power of Attorney agreement. In addition, each of these individuals may also be provided with a second user access.
In each case, the additional user will be assigned a unique user name which is required for log in both to Client Portal and the trading platform of choice. Procedures for adding a (non-employee) individual user are outlined below (search KB1004 for procedures for adding a second user for an individual account holder).
Background:
Procedures for adding a non-employee user are as follows:
- Log into Client Portal.
- Click the User menu (head and shoulders icon in the top right corner) followed by Manage Account.
- The Users & Access Rights panel is displayed to the right in the Configuration column and shows all of the users that you have added to your account.
- Click the Configure (gear) icon to open the Users & Access Rights screen.
- Here there are two panels: the Users panel shows those individuals added to your account, as well as their relationship to the primary account holder; the User Roles panel shows all user roles that you have created.
- Add, edit, or delete Users using the set of icons to the right.
- The process of adding a user and assigning access rights is divided into several screens. When you complete each screen, click Continue to advance to the next screen. If you want to make changes to a previous screen, click Back.
- On the first screen, enter information about the user, including the username, password, name, relationship to the primary account holder and email address.
- On the next screen, select a user role, if you have saved any. User roles automatically apply a set of previously configured access rights to the new user. If you do this, you can skip any additional screens and continue to the review screen.
- Each screen that follows lets you give the new user rights to access a specific group of functions. On each screen, grant access to functions by clicking the box next to each one.
- The last screen in the process lets you review all of the information about the new user, including access rights. Rights that have been assigned to the new user are shown checked and in green; rights that have not been assigned to the new user are shown crossed out. Click Continue if everything is correct. Click Back to make changes.
- If you do not participate in the Secure Login System for two-factor authentication, you will receive an email with a confirmation number. Enter the confirmation number sent to you via email, then click Continue. If you have not received a confirmation number, click Request Confirmation Number to have a new confirmation number sent to your email address.
- Click OK to save the new user, which will appear in the Users & Access Rights panel.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
1. In accordance with market data vendor requirements, the primary user on the account will be assessed a separate market data subscription fee for each user account added.
2. Account holders may delete a user account by clicking on the delete link next to the user name located within the Users & Access Rights menu options.
Links:
How do I add a second user to my Friends and Family master account?
While technically, Friends and Family accounts can have more than one user, there cannot be more than one trader. The second user can access all other functions.
The second user on a Friends and Family master account is designed to accommodate an API connection.
Transfer on Death
Transfer on Death is a form of account registration which allows individuals to pass the assets in their IBKR account directly to another person or entity upon their death without having to go through probate. This registration option is solely available to individual accounts held by US residents (no joint or IRA accounts).
To elect this option, eligible account holders will need to do the following:
1. Log in to Client Portal and User menu (head and shoulders icon in the top right corner) followed by Settings. Next select Account Inheritance under the Account Configuration section.
2. You will need to specify your Primary Beneficiaries (from 1 to 6 whose percentage of ownership must total 100%)
3. You may elect to specify your Contingent Beneficiaries (from 1 to 6 whose percentage of ownership must total 100%). If you do not elect any Contingent Beneficiaries you will need to specify how you wish the interests of any Primary Beneficiaries that predecease you shall be treated (either pass back to the account holder's estate or pass to the remaining Primary Beneficiaries).
4) In the event any Primary or Contingent Beneficiary is a minor you will be required to designate an authorizer signer.
5) You will then be provided with a link to a pre-populated Transfer on Death Agreement which requires formal signature and notarization. Instructions are also provided for submitting the form. If the account holder is married and living in a community property state, spousal consent is required if the spouse is not named as the primary beneficiary (it is the responsibility of the account holder to make this determination).
6) Once the agreement has been returned and reviewed for approval, the registration will be complete and the account title amended (e.g. Jane Doe, TOD). Statements will also reflect this new account title.
7) Account holders may remove the TOD request prior to approval or revoke once approved (both via online option). A new agreement will need to be completed, signed and returned prior to the revocation becoming effective. In order for a revocation request to be effective, it must be received and approved by IBKR prior to the account holder's death.
8) In the event of the death of the account holder, surviving family, heirs, beneficiaries or executors should notify IBKR Client Services via email to:
- estateprocessing@interactivebrokers.com (for US accounts).
Upon receipt of a certified death certificate, IBKR will commence estate processing to determine appropriate distribution of assets. The process varies based upon account type, jurisdiction and other factors. Processing instructions will be provided to verified estate administrators, heirs or beneficiaries.
How to deposit funds via bank wire transfer
To make a wire deposit to your account you will first need to provide a deposit notification through Client Portal. Once logged in to Client Portal, select the Transfer & Pay and then Transfer Funds menu options. From there you will select "Make a Deposit" followed by the Deposit Method of "Bank Wire". Click the "Get Instructions" button to get started.
You will then be prompted to input your delivering bank details including deposit amount, currency of denomination and sending institution. Once that information has been input you will be provided with all the details (e.g., ABA number, Swift BIC Code and bank account number) in a printable form which you, in turn, can provide to your bank in order for it to initiate the wire transfer.
Please note that creation of this notification is essential as the details necessary for your bank to wire funds vary by the currency in which the wire is denominated. In addition, this notification also serves to ensure that the funds are properly matched to your account immediately upon arrival.
Should you have further questions, please contact one of our Client Service Centers. Contact numbers and hours of operation may be found through the following website link: http://individuals.interactivebrokers.com/en/index.php?f=1560
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