All I can say are the facts (as always, all these posts are given directly to regulators). We have had quite a growth spurt from traders either returning because their supposedly "inexpensive" firms no longer allow overnight leverage needed to prosper, or because of closing their locations in complete States, etc.
These traders would not come back if the complete deal was not to their liking...fees, capital, safety, and yes, even advanced training and API concerns. And the camaraderie seems to be another reason.
Not a big deal, just common sense.
Regarding the 40 offices back iin the 1990's...very simple explanation. Back then it would cost $15,000-$25,000 for some of the T-1 connectivity and high office rents. When the technology got to where you can have the same bandwidth for $59 or so with a cable modem...why would anyone want to go into the big cities, pay exorbitant parking fees, and all the rest when they can trade remotely.
When leases came due, we simply asked the traders if they wanted to keep the office or trade from home....some chose to keep an office, some opened their own affiliate location, most wanted to go home. For example, even here in Las Vegas we have around 50 traders who live in Vegas, but at times we have only 25-30 in the office...and as traders get more accomplished, they can choose to trade from wherever they like.
And, yes, remote has been the biggest growth over the last couple of years.
FWIW, the reason I got on ET to begin with, years ago, was to correct many (many) mis-statements about our Firm being made by those who were being paid by other Firms to recruit...well, it really backfired on them, as ET has served well as a way to introduce ourselves to a lot of traders over the years.
The comments from the "nay-sayers" have actually seemed to inspire new people to call, knowing full well that our longevity, success, security and all that is well respected in the industry.
Are we the best choice for everyone, maybe not, but the days of bargain shopping a desk have long passed.
Thanks for keeping the Bright threads alive....I'll keep doing my best to respond to criticism (and I always like to see the accolades as well, LOL...generally by phone or on PM)..but it would be nice is someone, somewhere, running one of these "great" firms would come on and discuss things in a business like manner....
We're all involved in a very small club of professionals (not many discretionary traders around the World)..and we should "all get along" .... I have many friends at "competing" firms...that's the way it should be, IMO.
(jumping off soapbox now, LOL)....
Trade well everyone!!
Don
(edit/additional comment). Why would a successful trader want to "risk" only $5,000...if he was successful he/she would want to be able to keep more overnight positions without having to pay interest to the Clearing Firm, right? I really don't think that there are many long term, successful traders who would do that... just doesn't make sense. I don't want to argue with Mr. Bitstream, and as I said, we're not for everyone....but just pointing out that fact for those who may not understand the business well.
(sorry for the long post).