Td ameritrade refuses to upgrade option Tier 2 – Standard Margin!

I have not considered the spread problem. I am thinking about the use of option strategies. Buying put options on a unilateral basis is a big obstacle~
 
A better job and and more income to trade spreads. That is as ridiculous as it possibly gets and only is a perfect example why such a high percent in the population is dumb as shit. Anyone with an IQ above 80 should question the relationship. Same with credit scores going down when not using credit lines and preferring cash. Nobody questions this garbage.

Here is how a broker can protect itself properly: have a diversified client base. Adjust margin requirements as function of risk frequently. Don't offer ludicrously low margin requirements. Cut client positions immediately when a client cannot meet minimum margin requirements. Restrict certain products temporarily as function of market conditions.

Those are sensible ways for brokers and clients to be safeguarded. It is ridiculous to be able to buy heroin and coke around the corner but need to be upper middle class and prove it with a fat bank account just to trade spreads, because spreads can kill much more easily than all the other more easily accessible ways to gamble with one's wellbeing, right? Stupid people always are the ones that end empires.

Why is this a problem? They can't limit the ever present risk of the client being a degenerate gambler and blowing their cash on a stupid play. They can only insure the person can cover up to their losses.

You want to trade with the broker. The broker's requirements are that they (really the clearing corporation) isn't stuck with a bounced check and nothing to pay out. Are you implying it should be okay for you to not fulfill your end of a contract? How would you feel if the other end of your massive SPX play didn't get paid out because the guy didn't have enough money? You'd probably be livid!



When I buy a bottle of whisky at the local liquor store I pay in full. I don't get margin to buy 9,000 bottles of whisky deliverable in 3 months. You'd be certain to have some financial checks if that was true. When I gamble at the casino I pay in full, if I am staked they will credit check me (cage staking at least) and I can be certain to have people collecting on me if I fail to pay my debts. Another (better) case you could've used was housing - but after 2007 the level of financial checks required to get a mortgage is absolutely insane.


As for the OP, sounds like you need more cash in your bank account and a better job to trade spreads. You might be able to ask them exactly what it was that made them reject.
 
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We have financial requires for each option level except level 1, most brokers do. You need a minimum income, net worth and net liquidating equity.

What is the minimum income, networth and net liquidating equity to be approved for the highest tier?

TD Ameritrade seems to require the highest tier to trade any kind of futures options.
 
Generally, no firm publishes their suitability requirements, because they fear they get gamed. They do have to put them in writing for the FINRA exam and keep them internal.
 
Surely the average/standard must be known

For portfolio margin they normally list it
IB "To qualify for a Portfolio Margin account, your Net worth and Liquid Net Worth must each be greater than 100,000 USD"

TD "you must meet minimum requirements and have at least $125,000 in total equity.*"


Not sure if portfolio margin is needed for tier 3 uncovered options.

What is strange is tier 3 uncovered options is required to trade any kind of futures options. Even just buying a put or call. Does all brokers do this?

Or do some brokers allow traders to trade future options without tier 3?


If anyone knows, please share.
 
Or do some brokers allow traders to trade future options without tier 3?

Our requirements for PMA approval are much higher than TD and we require $175K to start and must maintain $150K

Portfolio Margin for us requires level 6 options.
(NYSE Rule 431(g)(5)(B) and NASD Rule 2520(g)(5)(B) state that eligible participants must be approved to engage in uncovered short option transactions pursuant to NYSE Rule 721 and NASD Rule 2860.)

Options on futures have no option level system.
 
Our requirements for PMA approval are much higher than TD and we require $175K to start and must maintain $150K

Portfolio Margin for us requires level 6 options.
(NYSE Rule 431(g)(5)(B) and NASD Rule 2520(g)(5)(B) state that eligible participants must be approved to engage in uncovered short option transactions pursuant to NYSE Rule 721 and NASD Rule 2860.)

Options on futures have no option level system.
So what are your requirements for future options?
 
According to the current level requirements, retail brokers set up option trading is wrong, and TD will not clearly indicate the funding standard for the upgrade, they will advise you to do more unilateral, in order to meet their upgrade standards! There is no difference between a unilateral put option and a futures spot risk!
 
So what are your requirements for future options?

To trade futures with us at all, we have a minimum income, net worth and liquid net worth. Happy to discuss over the phone and I don't feel like asking compliance if I can post these metrics.
  • We offer CQG- Integrated client, QTrader and Desktop. http://www.cqg.com/products
  • $25,000 deposit (If you do not trade Options on CQG-$10,000)
  • Pre-approval of each future and option on future by symbol with max order size and max position size. (We also offer Realtick (RT) where pre-approval is not required, but RT does not offer access to options or the CFE)
  • For options, we ask your strategy-we do not allow aggressive option selling.

  • For futures, we can offer up to 25% of SPAN margin for Day trading.
bob
 
Wow, never seen so stringent requirements and limitations from any other broker. Makes very little sense to approve each and every single symbol and set limits for each symbol. What's the purpose of that when you set initial and variation margin on each product anyway?

And why do you need permission from compliance to share Information about products you are selling? It's like a movie theater needing to ask compliance to communicate the minimum age requirement for their movies.

I know I come across as overly critical perhaps but are you guys not way too restrictive? I could never imagine to sign up as client with such broker. Unless one trades just 1 or 2 instruments you literally bust prospective clients' balls and make it as inconvenient as could possibly be.

To trade futures with us at all, we have a minimum income, net worth and liquid net worth. Happy to discuss over the phone and I don't feel like asking compliance if I can post these metrics.
  • We offer CQG- Integrated client, QTrader and Desktop. http://www.cqg.com/products
  • $25,000 deposit (If you do not trade Options on CQG-$10,000)
  • Pre-approval of each future and option on future by symbol with max order size and max position size. (We also offer Realtick (RT) where pre-approval is not required, but RT does not offer access to options or the CFE)
  • For options, we ask your strategy-we do not allow aggressive option selling.

  • For futures, we can offer up to 25% of SPAN margin for Day trading.
bob
 
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