Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Help and Support

d. Account Transfer Methods (US Options & Futures)

Transfer an Account to your IG US Options and Futures Account

Transfer your individual account in just 3 steps via ACATs (Automated Clearing House Account Transfer). We don't charge incoming transfer fees. However, if the transferring broker does, for each minimum transfer of $2,000, we will reimburse the transfer fees up to $75. We will do our best to reimburse the fees within 5-7 working days from the completion of the transfer. If you don't see the transfer credit after the 7th working day, please contact our support team at helpdesk.uk@ig.com

To transfer your trading account from another brokerage firm to your US Options and Futures account, we will need a few things from you to start the process. To proceed, please follow the three easy steps below:

Step 1: Open a US Options and Future Trading Account

Open Your US Options and Futures Account First

First, open a like-account type if you have not done so already. For example, if you're transferring an individual margin account, then begin by opening an individual margin account. 

Futures and fractional shares of stock are not ACAT eligible at this time.

Step 2: Start an ACAT Transfer

Fill out an ACATs Form

You must fill out the ACATs form and obtain your most recent statement from your old brokerage for the account you wish to transfer. Please contact helpdesk.uk@ig.com to receive the form. For instructions on how to fill out an ACATS Form, then please click here. Additionally, the ACATS Form does require a wet signature (non-digital).

Step 3: Email Forms

Submit Paperwork

If you are filling out a document by hand and submitting via email, please email the ACATS form and the most recent statement from the transferring broker to helpdesk.uk@ig.com with the subject line "ACATS Request." If you do not have a scanner to scan your ACATS Form, then you may use your smartphone's camera and send it to our team.

How long does it take to complete an ACAT Transfer?

Please keep in mind that the ACAT process typically takes between 7-10 business days to complete. Some firms can take up to 30 days to handle these requests as their processes require physical delivery of paperwork and manual review. Feel free to email us at helpdesk.uk@ig.com for status updates on your transfer request.

Free Receive

International Brokerages cannot always support the ACAT transfer process. Instead, stock can be delivered through the free receive process. Apex Clearing does not charge a fee to take in these assets which is what makes it FREE.

This process must be initiated with the sending firm. It is imperative that your 8 digit US Options & Futures account number and Apex DTC code (0158) are referenced in the delivery. If a receiving account number is not included in the delivery details, the assets will be returned to the sending broker immediately. The sending firm may or may not require us to agree to trade and settlement details at which point helpdesk.uk@ig.com should be contacted. Once the instructions are finalized with the sending institution, we will require the following information in order to accept the assets.

  • International Securities Identification Number (ISIN):
  • Ticket Symbol:
  • Number of Shares:
  • Apex Account Number:
  • Account Name:
  • Delivering DTC
  • Trade Date:
  • Settlement Date:

Please email these details to helpdesk.uk@ig.com along with a copy of the delivering account statement. This will be used to verify asset ownership. We do not permit third party funding in any capacity, so it is imperative that the owner of the delivering account is the same owner of the receiving account.

Apex SSI details linked here.

Please contact helpdesk.uk@ig.com if you would like to collect the 'Free Receive' form.

Are you finding this article useful?

Positive FeedbackNegative Feedback

Related articles

e. ACAT Form Instructions (US Options & Futures)

g. Costs and Charges (US Options & Futures)

k. What is a 1042-S form? (US options and futures)