chartman,
You are correct ... your information is quite outdated. Segregation is required (although that does not mean it always is properly done or done at all) and regulated.
And I believe (but do not know as fact) firms like IB sweep money at days end that is not posted to their exchange account as margin to their securities account so it is covered by SIPC. Since what's at the CME, as an example, is relatively safe and the balance is SIPC protected a firm like IB provides a high level of comfort.
You are correct ... your information is quite outdated. Segregation is required (although that does not mean it always is properly done or done at all) and regulated.
And I believe (but do not know as fact) firms like IB sweep money at days end that is not posted to their exchange account as margin to their securities account so it is covered by SIPC. Since what's at the CME, as an example, is relatively safe and the balance is SIPC protected a firm like IB provides a high level of comfort.
Quote from chartman:
Unless the CFTC or NFA have changed the rules since years ago when I was involved in the commodity futures business, there is NO protection for customer funds being held by Future Commission Merchants (FCM) regardless of the financial size of the firm.
For those firms that are securities and futures brokers, customer funds being used for futures margin are not covered by SIPC.
