Quote from carpani:
The atlas ratings appear pretty accurate and I recently closed an account at MB trading due to their buggy systems, lack of customer service, control issues. Looking at Atlas ratings they're in the bottom of the list since they use Penson Financial Services as agent so beware. I would think people would look at these ratings and seriously consider moving to brokers up the rating list. Surprisingly alot of folks are on there towards the bottom that folks brag about (OEC, Velocity, FCM, RCG, etc). Seems like its not worth taking the risk even if you get some money back after 1 year of hassles and distractions caused by the next one to go under. Opportunity cost in a situation like that would be huge.
Penson's assets were bought up by KNIGHT (NYSE: KCG), which is a powerhouse in other asset classes. It should be a $1bb+ FCM inside of two years..
OEC is now owned by GAIN Capital - form your own conclusions about Gain capital or [most] other FX shops.
RCG is a decent firm, though never been one of my favorites.
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We've had TWO FCM FAILURES - one public, one private.
The PFG fraud was possible because only one man received the firm's bank statements, rather than several people, as PFG was structured as a corporation where Wasendorf SR. had 100% ownership.
The MF Global fraud was possible because executives @ MF, notably Corzine, and probably ONLY CORZINE, make the conscious decision to purloin client funds to cover shortfalls in firm bank accounts. Because the feckless Democrats, who have received money from Corzine's bundling, refuse to prosecute, we have set the precedent that a firm may use client funds for any purpose they like without reprisal.
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The solutions are:
(1) The CFTC and/or NFA must receive unfettered access to FCM bank account information, electronically, and on a continuing basis;
(2) There must be prosecutions of both Wasendorf and Corzine.
If there is no fear of punishments, crimes like these will continue...
As for myself, I like to trade through Dorman, ADM, Knight; and have an open mind to others that may be a great value.......sorry IBKR is too hard to work with as a CTA.